Abstract: Being useful with a rotary driving tool powered electrically or pneumatically, a fastener-driving accessory comprises a collar-mounting stem and two interchangeable collars, each being mountable coaxially and removably on the stem and being secured removably when mounted thereon. The collar-mounting stem has a collar-mounting portion having a distal end and having a polygonal cross-section. Each collar defines a stem-receiving socket, which has a similar but larger cross-section and into which the collar-mounting portion can be non-rotatably plugged. A fastener-driving collar defines a fastener-driving socket having a cross-section conforming to the cross-section of the stem-receiving socket so that the stem-receiving and fastener-driving sockets are interchangeable. A bit-mounting collar accommodates a fastener-driving bit having a socket-fitting portion, which has a polygonal cross-section conforming to the polygonal cross-section of the collar-mounting portion of the stem, and a fastener-driving portion.

Abstract: In a machine for dispensing stackable roofing washers individually and for driving fasteners through such washers, a shuttle is actuatable to displace a lowermost washer of one from a stack, either a small, circular or large, square washer. A gate is biased toward a lowermost position wherein it provides sufficient clearance for the lowermost washer but not any overlying washer to pass beneath it. A pawl mounted pivotally to the gate is biased to a lowermost position wherein the pawl engages a small washer displaced by the shuttle so as to restrain it against backward movement. A stop is adjustable so as to limit movement of a washer of whichever size is being displaced. A measuring bar is mounted via the stop. A screw gun, which provides a primary handle, and a secondary handle are mounted to an upright element so as to be independently adjustable.

Abstract: In a machine for dispensing stackable roofing washers individually and for driving fasteners through such washers, a shuttle is actuatable to displace a lowermost washer of one from a stack, either a small, circular or large, square washer. A gate is biased toward a lowermost position wherein it provides sufficient clearance for the lowermost washer but not any overlying washer to pass beneath it. A pawl mounted pivotally to the gate is biased to a lowermost position wherein the pawl engages a small washer displaced by the shuttle so as to restrain it against backward movement. A stop is adjustable so as to limit movement of a washer of whichever size is being displaced. A measuring bar is mounted via the stop. A screw gun, which provides a primary handle, and a secondary handle are mounted to an upright element so as to be independently adjustable.

Abstract: For tying a compressed bale tending to expand primarily along a major axis, a bale tie made preferably from steel wire or alternatively from steel strap is bent to form two marcelled portions, which are characterized by sinusoidal undulations, which are oriented so as to be generally parallel to the major axis, and along which the tie can straighten to absorb tensile forces. A joint is formed at the opposite ends of the tie. Where bent to form the marcelled portions, the tie has an ultimate strength less than the ultimate strength of an undeformed portion of the tie but more than the ultimate strength of the joint. An apparatus for forming a wire with a marcelled portion comprises upper rolls and lower rolls, which are rotatably mounted and respectively on an upper block and a lower block. The upper block is pivotally mounted upon to the lower block.

Abstract: For tying a compressed bale tending to expand primarily along a major axis, a bale tie made preferably from steel wire or alternatively from steel strap is bent to form two marcelled portions, which are characterized by sinusoidal undulations, which are oriented so as to be generally parallel to the major axis, and along which the tie can straighten to absorb tensile forces. A joint is formed at the opposite ends of the tie. Where bent to form the marcelled portions, the tie has an ultimate strength less than the ultimate strength of an undeformed portion of the tie but more than the ultimate strength of the joint. An apparatus for forming a wire with a marcelled portion comprises upper rolls and lower rolls, which are rotatably mounted and respectively on an upper block and a lower block. The upper block is pivotally mounted upon the lower block.

Abstract: In a machine for dispensing stackable roofing washers individually and for driving fasteners through such washers, a shuttle is actuatable to displace a lowermost washer of one from a stack, either a small, circular or large, square washer. A gate is biased toward a lowermost position wherein it provides sufficient clearance for the lowermost washer but not any overlying washer to pass beneath it. A pawl mounted pivotally to the gate is biased to a lowermost position wherein the pawl engages a small washer displaced by the shuttle so as to restrain it against backward movement. A stop is adjustable so as to limit movement of a washer of whichever size is being displaced. A measuring bar is mounted via the stop. A screw gun, which provides a primary handle, and a secondary handle are mounted to an upright element so as to be independently adjustable.

Abstract: For tying a compressed bale tending to expand primarily along a major axis, a bale tie made preferably from steel wire or alternatively from steel strap is bent to form two marcelled portions, which are characterized by sinusoidal undulations, which are oriented so as to be generally parallel to the major axis, and along which the tie can straighten to absorb tensile forces. A joint is formed at the opposite ends of the tie. Where bent to form the marcelled portions, the tie has an ultimate strength less than the ultimate strength of an undeformed portion of the tie but more than the ultimate strength of the joint. An apparatus for forming a wire with a marcelled portion comprises upper rolls and lower rolls, which are rotatably mounted and respectively on an upper block and a lower block. The upper block is pivotably mounted upon to the lower block.

Abstract: In a machine for dispensing stackable roofing washers individually and for driving fasteners through such washers, a shuttle is actuatable to displace a lowermost washer of one from a stack, either a small, circular or large, square washer. A gate is biased toward a lowermost position wherein it provides sufficient clearance for the lowermost washer but not any overlying washer to pass beneath it. A pawl mounted pivotally to the gate is biased to a lowermost position wherein the pawl engages a small washer displaced by the shuttle so as to restrain it against backward movement. A stop is adjustable so as to limit movement of a washer of whichever size is being displaced. A measuring bar is mounted via the stop. A screw gun, which provides a primary handle, and a secondary handle are mounted to an upright element so as to be independently adjustable.

Abstract: In a package designed to be readily loaded into a magazine, stacked roofing washers are collated by means of an elongate, flexible, polymeric strap extending through central apertures of the washers. Near each end of the strap, the strap is formed with a formation, such as, for example, an overhand knot, which is capable of supporting the washers if the package is suspended from the other end of the strap. One such formation is capable of being deformed sufficiently so as to permit it to be forcibly pulled through the washer apertures. A related method of loading such washers into the magazine and a related method of packaging such washers are disclosed. Each such method involves the package noted above.

Abstract: An improved composite fastener comprised of an improved roofing screw and a roofing washer and useful to fasten a blanket of roofing insulation to a soft substrate. The screw shank has a leading portion and a locking portion. The locking portion has two locking tabs. The washer has an aperture with a margin coacting with the screw when it is driven through the washer. The screw becomes locked to such washer when the screw is driven sufficiently for its head to bear against the washer at which time the locking tabs engage the undersurface of the washer.

Abstract: A strap, which can be a strip of metal, is provided for forming a tight loop about an object and for forming a sealless strap connection between overlapping strap portions. The strap has first and second oppositely facing surfaces and two connecting regions spaced apart lengthwise on the strap. Each connecting region has at least one joint element for engaging a corresponding joint element on the other connecting region to connect the regions together upon displacement of the connecting regions lengthwise in opposite directions tending to increase the loop size. An engaging member projects from the strap first surface at one of the connecting regions. A cavity is defined in the strap at the other of the connecting regions and opens to the strap second surface for receiving the engaging member. The cavity is defined at one end by an abutment surface for being engaged by the engaging member.

Abstract: A roofing washer-dispensing machine having improved features is disclosed. A novel magazine comprises a substantially box-like container with a substantially open face, for housing a stack of circular roofing washers having inserts, and a substantially rigid rod removably mounted within or upon to a top wall of the box so as to extend downwardly into the central apertures of the stack washers, except for the lowermost washer, so as to restrain the remaining washers. The machine comprises a shuttle arranged to displace the lowermost washer from the stack when it is desired to dispense such washer. The shuttle includes a novel arrangement of means overlying and underlying marginal portions of such washer.

Abstract: A machine for fastening one or more layers of roofing material to an underlayment, and a stackable washer therefor. A chute receives a stack of such washers. A shuttle displaces a single washer to a separated position when moved in one direction, to which the shuttle is biased, and releases the single washer when moved in the opposite direction. A gate, which cooperates with camming surfaces defined upon the respective washers, restrains the overlying washer within the stack against being displaced along with the single washer and restrains the single washer from being displaced from the separated position. Various components are provided by linking a stand-up screw gun of a known type to the shuttle. The stackable washer is embossed so that each such washer and like overlying and underlying washers within a stack contact each other at three or more places, which define tangent planes intersecting planes defined by planar areas upon such washers at angles greater than 45.degree. but less than 90.degree.

Abstract: A fastener-driving and batten-positioning machine useful in roofing applications includes a shoe, which has an underside and a pair of spaced guides depending from the underside, and which is arranged to position a batten over a sheet of roofing material, beneath the underside and between the guides, while the batten is being fastened. A stand-up screw gun, which is incorporated into the machine, is used to drive a fastener, such as, for example, a screw, through a batten, through the sheet and through any underlying sheets of roofing materials, into an underlayment. The screw gun is mounted upon the shoe, which is mounted upon a base in such a manner as to provide for relative movement between the shoe and the base. The shoe is biased gravitationally, and by means of a spring, so as to urge the shoe toward the batten while the batten is being fastened.

Abstract: A machine for fastening one or more layers of roofing material to an underlayment, and a stackable washer therefor. A chute receives a stack of such washers. A shuttle displaces a single washer to a separated position when moved in one direction, to which the shuttle is biased, releases the single washer when moved oppositely. A gate, which cooperates with camming surfaces on the respective washers, restrains the overlying washer in the stack against being displaced with the single washer and restrains the single washer from being displaced from the separated position. Various components are provided by linking a stand-up screw gun of a known type to the shuttle. The stackable washer is embossed so that each such washer and like overlying and underlying washers in a stack contact each other at three or more places, which define tangent planes intersecting planes defined by planar areas on such washers at angles more than 45.degree. but less than 90.degree.

Abstract: The invention relates to a dispenser wherein strap is withdrawn over the side of the reel in a non-tangential direction and pulled outwardly along the axis of the reel. This causes a twist in the strap but this is removed by rotating the reel in a circumferential direction opposite to that which it has been withdrawn to remove the twist in the strap before it is used.

Abstract: A gritless seal, a method for making the seal, and a method for forming a joint with the seal between overlapped ligature segments is provided. The inner gripping layer is brittle and has a hardness greater than that of the outer, ductile layer. In forming the joint, the seal is disposed about the overlapped ligature segments and is folded, squeezed, and/or crimped about the segments under pressure sufficient to deform the outer, ductile layer and produce fracture cracks in the inner gripping layer which present sharp edges to engage and hold the surfaces of the overlapping ligature segments. The interior of the sheet steel seal is case hardened by known cyaniding techniques.