Abstract: Methods for attaching clips to decking. The clip includes a bottom and a removable top insert. The clip has a bottom made from a material that is different than the material used for the top. The clip has a generally T shape in a side view with a central bore passing through the top member and the bottom member to receive a screw or other fastening member, and a plurality of apertures through the top surface of the bottom member that engage the top member. The body of the bottom member has a transverse planar upper member and at least one perpendicularly positioned planar lower member or keel. The deck board fastener can also have a lip that projects upward from the upper surface of the transverse planar member. The lip can be positioned about an exterior edge of the transverse planar member or along the upper surface.

Abstract: Methods for attaching clips to decking. The clip includes a bottom and a removable top insert. The clip has a bottom made from a material that is different than the material used for the top. The clip has a generally T shape in a side view with a central bore passing through the top member and the bottom member to receive a screw or other fastening member, and a plurality of apertures through the top surface of the bottom member that engage the top member. The body of the bottom member has a transverse planar upper member and at least one perpendicularly positioned planar lower member or keel. The deck board fastener can also have a lip that projects upward from the upper surface of the transverse planar member. The lip can be positioned about an exterior edge of the transverse planar member or along the upper surface.

Abstract: A clip for attaching decking. The clip includes a bottom and a removable top insert. A first material of the bottom is different than a second material of the top. The clip has a generally T shape in a side view with a central bore passing through the top member and the bottom member to receive a screw or other fastening member, and a plurality of apertures through the top surface of the bottom member that engage the top member. The body of the bottom member has a transverse planar upper member and at least one perpendicularly positioned planar lower member or keel. The deck board fastener can also have a lip that projects upward from the upper surface of the transverse planar member. The lip can be positioned about an exterior edge of the transverse planar member or along the upper surface.

Abstract: A clip includes a body, a tab, and a tang. The body may be configured to act as a spring. The tab extends upward from the body. The tang extends downwardly from the body.

Abstract: A system and method for processing X-ray fluorescence data in a hand-held X-ray Fluorescence (XRF) analyzer are provided. The X-ray fluorescence (XRF) analyzer includes a radiation source assembly including a first centerline axis and configured to direct an X-ray beam to impinge on a sample to be tested. The XRF analyzer also includes a radiation detector assembly including a second centerline axis configured to sense X-ray fluorescence (XRF) emitted from the sample in response to the X-ray beam. The XRF analyzer further includes a processor configured to determine a property of the sample to be tested from the emitted XRF, and a proximity sensor configured to continuously measure a distance between the XRF analyzer and the sample to be tested, the distance being at least one of displayed to a user and used by the processor to determine the property.

Abstract: A clip for attaching decking. The clip includes a bottom and a removable top insert. The bottom is made of a first material. The top is made of a second material. The first material of the bottom is different than the second material of the top. The clip has a generally T shape in a side view with a central bore passing through the top member and the bottom member to receive a screw or other fastening member, and a plurality of apertures through the top surface of the bottom member that engage the top member. The body of the bottom member has a transverse planar upper member and at least one perpendicularly positioned planar lower member or keel. The deck board fastener can also have a lip that projects upward from the upper surface of the transverse planar member. The lip can be positioned about an exterior edge of the transverse planar member or along the upper surface.

Abstract: A system for identifying a real-world geographic location of an emission source emitting electromagnetic energy includes a platform configured for movement and an apparatus disposed on the platform and configured to collect and process, in a passive manner and during movement of the platform, at least a pair of successive samples of the electromagnetic energy emission and define angular and spatial coordinates of the emission source. The apparatus includes at least a pair of antennas, a receiver coupled to antennas and a processor executing a predetermined logic.

Abstract: A fastener includes a shank having a point at a first end and a second, head end. One or more prolate cross-section regions is formed in the shank. Prolate cross-section regions may be formed in a threaded section and/or a thread free section of the fastener. Each prolate cross-section may have a polar diameter greater than the cylindrical diameter of the region in which it is formed and an equatorial diameter smaller than the corresponding cylindrical diameter of the region in which it is formed. Two generally adjacent prolate cross-section regions have cross-sections offset with respect to each other by an angle between zero and ninety-degrees.

Abstract: A fastener includes a shank having a first end and a second end. The fastener includes a first thread region adjacent to the first end having a first helical thread and a second helical thread interposed with the first helical thread in the first thread region. A second thread region is provided adjacent to the first thread region, the second thread region including only the second helical thread with the second helical thread having a diameter greater than a diameter of the first helical thread. A third thread region having a third helical thread is provided extending from the second thread region toward the second end. A head is provided on the second end and includes a disk and an octagonal boss between the disk and the third thread region, the boss including four major sides extending perpendicular to the disk and four chamfered sides, the chamfered sides being flush with a side edge of the disk.

Abstract: A fastener includes a shank having a first end and a second end. A first portion of a thread is formed with a first, symmetric thread angle and a second portion of the thread is formed with a second, asymmetric thread angle. The thread may be serrated or jagged over one or more portions of the fastener, including the area of the symmetric thread angle. A blunt end comprises the leading end of the fastener.

Abstract: A fastener includes a shank having a point at a first end and a second, head end. A first helical thread region is formed at the first end adjacent to the point and has having a first helical thread having a first effective diameter. A sub-region of a second helical thread formed within the first helical thread region adjacent to the first end. A head at the second end includes a cutting structure, the cutting structure positioned to intersect a bottom surface of the disk and the shank, the cutting structure has a square cross-section formed by four walls intersecting the disk. A third helical thread region may be provided between the first region and the head. The shank diameter in the sub-region and the first region is smaller than the other regions.

Abstract: A fastener includes a shank having a first end and a second end. The fastener includes a first thread region adjacent to the first end having a first helical thread and a second helical thread interposed with the first helical thread in the first thread region. A second thread region is provided adjacent to the first thread region, the second thread region including only the second helical thread with the second helical thread having a diameter greater than a diameter of the first helical thread. A third thread region having a third helical thread is provided extending from the second thread region toward the second end. A head is provided on the second end and includes a disk and an octagonal boss between the disk and the third thread region, the boss including four major sides extending perpendicular to the disk and four chamfered sides, the chamfered sides being flush with a side edge of the disk.

Abstract: A fastener includes a shank having a pilot section and a threaded section. The pilot section includes a cutting tip and a drill section; the threaded section includes a first thread region having the same twist as the drill section and a reverse thread region. A helical ridge may be provided in the reverse thread region. A head at the second end includes a top portion such as a disk and an undercut region.

Abstract: A new approach is proposed that contemplates systems and methods to provide the ability to detect, measure, aggregate, and normalize sentiments expressed by a group of users on a certain event or topic on a social network so that the normalized sentiments truly reflect the sentiments of the general public on that specific event or topic. Additionally, the collected and measured sentiments of an individual user expressed on a social network can also be normalized against a baseline sentiment that reflects in order to truly reflect the individual user's sentiment at the time of his/her expression.

Abstract: A fastener includes a shank having a point at a first end and a second, head end. A head structure at the head end includes a top portion and having a cutting structure, the cutting structure comprising four planar walls, each wall engaging the shank at an angle, each wall adjoining an adjacent wall by a rounded edge.

Abstract: A fastener includes a shank having a first end and a second end. A first portion of a thread is formed with a first, symmetric thread angle and a second portion of the thread is formed with a second, asymmetric thread angle. The thread may be serrated or jagged over one or more portions of the fastener, including the area of the symmetric thread angle. A blunt end comprises the leading end of the fastener.