Abstract: A method and apparatus for conserving energy in the operation of a conventional air conditioning system in a large building employing a refrigerant evaporator, a water cooled refrigerant condenser, a refrigerant compressor, and a cooling tower, wherein the compressor is not energized, the condenser and evaporator are flooded with refrigerant from a reservoir, and the refrigerant from the reservoir is circulated between the condenser and the evaporator while the cooling tower is in operation.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for conserving energy in the operation of a conventional air conditioning system in a large building employing a water cooled condenser, an evaporator, a chilled water circuit, and a refrigerant compressor or heat source in an absorption-type air conditioner wherein the compressor or heat source is not energized and the water tubes in the evaporator are connected to the water tubes in the condenser to allow the water from the evaporator to flow directly into the water tubes of the condenser.

Abstract: An air conditioner unit adapted for mounting on the roof of a motor vehicle is shown. Two elongated condensor units are arranged side by side within the unit housing and extend along the longitude of the vehicle roof; two elongated evaporator units are arranged side by side within the unit housing behind the condensor units with respect to the forward direction of motion of the vehicle. Side walls of the unit housing are provided with openings so that air flowing substantially transversely to the longitudinal axes of the condensors can be received by the condensors. The invention provides for a motor vehicle air conditioning unit with low height and air resistance, but with large air intake capacity.

Abstract: A vapor compression refrigeration system comprising a condenser including a plurality of generally parallel heat exchange fins and a plurality of refrigerant circuits running through the condenser generally transverse to the heat exchange fin, wherein groups of the refrigerant circuits cover in overlapping fashion the area of the condenser transverse to the direction of the flow of an external heat exchange medium moving thereover.

Abstract: A construction for transmitting rotational energy from a motor to a centrifuge rotor utilizes a flexible shaft having a long, thin central portion that terminates in larger diameter end portions or connectors. The lower connector is secured to the motor armature shaft and the upper connector is secured to a rotor adapter that replaceably mounts the rotor. The shaft is structured and positioned to achieve a self-balancing of the rotor for rotational speeds including at least the second critical speed by flexing in its central portion. In a preferred form, a spindle or inner sleeve secures the lower connector to the armature and extends upwardly to a point just below the upper connector. The spindle surrounds the flexible shaft with a first annular clearance sufficient to permit flexure of the shaft for the self-balancing during normal operation.

Abstract: A circular knitting machine having tiltable pattern jacks, intermediate jacks thereon and needles over the intermediate jacks, the pattern jacks having lower butts for being raised and lowered by substantially triangular cams rigid with a cam ring. The lowering portion of the cams has a curvilinear portion joining the lowering portion and having a radius of curvature which is smaller than the ideal radius of connection between the lowering portion and the horizontal portion of the cam ring between the cams. The curvilinear portion remains at a distance from a base plane of the cam ring substantially corresponding to the distance between the lower face of the lower butt of the pattern jacks and the lower face of the pattern jacks. The curvilinear portion is followed by a further descending portion.

Abstract: A combination lock having a box inside which is located a sliding latch having a ratchet operated by a pinion operated from outside. The pinion being slidable to enter a round hole in a plurality of rotating members operating as a coding device, the pinion being adapted to rotate only when it is in said round holes. The combination members have the remaining holes of a section that blocks the pinion rotation so that only when all the combination members offer their circular holes is possible to rotate the pinion and so operate the latch.

Abstract: The present invention relates, in a door lock in which a door knob is locked when the door is locked, to a knob for a door lock which is not disengaged from a lock device and secure even if the knob is intended to be twisted or pulled out resulting from the outside attack.

Abstract: A graphite lubricant system for applying a coating of the lubricant to successive mandrels in a seamless pipe mill just prior to their insertion therein. The system provides for the selective application of the smokeless lubricant to the mandrels before they are inserted within the seamless pipe shell and both are run into the mill itself. In order to prevent the lubricant from clogging, the system includes a self-flushing arrangement which provides a cleaning function thereto when the system has been inactive for a given amount of time.

Abstract: Disclosed is a mandrel for a high pressure tube extrusion press. The mandrel comprises a tip member providing a tip adapted to be positioned in the die opening of the press to present an annular gap for tube extrusion, and a carrier for the tip member. The carrier has a threaded central tip member receiving bore for threadably receiving a threaded segment of the tip member therein. A divided ring shaped element is disposed between a flange on the tip member and the carrier in an annular space provided at the mouth of the bore to facilitate the assembly and disassembly of the mandrel and prevent inadvertent separation of the tip member from the carrier.

Abstract: A tool for toggle-screw anchors in which the anchor sleeve has flanged and threaded ends and an intermediate longitudinally slotted section which collapses radially outwardly (to grip the rear side of a wall while the flanged end is engaged with the front side of the wall) upon movement of the threaded end toward the flanged end, the tool herein being characterized in the provision of an L-shaped body having an elongated tubular leg with an actuating screw extending therethrough and projecting axially beyond one end thereof for screwing of the anchor sleeve thereonto with its flange snugly engaged with one end of the tubular leg while the other end of the tubular leg is engaged by the head of the screw. The body also has an elongated radially extending leg which is adapted to be held against the front side of the wall to position the tubular leg, screw, and anchor sleeve thereon perpendicular to the wall when the anchor sleeve is inserted into the hole in the wall.

Abstract: A rotary pipe bending machine employs a single hydraulic motor to drive clamp and pressure dies toward the bend die and to rotate the bend and clamp dies. The motor piston is connected via a chain to drive a clamp die carrier toward a rotatably mounted bend die and toward a bend die shaft actuator. Upon continued motion of the clamp die carrier, it engages the actuator to rotate the bend die together with a clamp die mounted on the carrier. The motor cylinder is movably mounted and connected to a pressure die carrier so that as the motor piston drives the clamp die carrier and the bend die, the cylinder, reacting to the driving force of the piston, drives the pressure die carrier, together with a pressure die thereon, toward the bend die with a force that is produced by reaction to the required bending force. Thus the pipe is frictionally tensioned according to the magnitude of the bending force.

Abstract: In general, the present invention provides processes and apparatus for bending and straightening, or otherwise installing marine pipelines at underwater installations, and includes systems in which marine pipelines are installed at water depths to 250 feet or more, utilizing an underwater chamber which may be operated with its interior wet, dry or combinations thereof. In one form, the system provides for interconnecting wellheads or other stations with manifolds or other stations and comprises running marine pipeline generally vertically downwardly from the water surface into the work chamber, mounted in operative association with an underwater wellhead or station, wherein the pipe is bent in the desired radius and through the desired angle and then straightened to exit from the chamber and wellhead in a substantially horizontal attitude such that it may then be pulled to a manifold or other underwater station with, for example, a wire line.

Abstract: A method of rolling section billets wherein a plurality of billets transversely interconnected by bridges are successively simultaneously formed from a slab in a number of grooves defined by a plurality of transversely juxtaposed grooves. The forming is effected in two stages by reducing the value of longitudinal tensile stresses in central portions of the billets at one stage by changing the position of zones of prevailing reduction transversely of the billets, with the subsequent separation of billets from one another.

Abstract: An alignment system for non-adjustable motor vehicle front end suspensions, such as those employing McPherson struts, has a support assembly anchorable relative to an adjacent vehicle being repaired, with a connector arrangement provided on the support assembly for permitting one of the struts to be restrained relative to the support assembly while the other of the struts is being pulled into proper position. Once the struts have been correctly positioned in accordance with factory specifications, the sheet metal forming the fender wells, and the like, can be welded or bolted in place while pressure is maintained on the struts so as to re-unitize the vehicle body portions with which the suspension system is employed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for measuring the frequency error of a timebase frequency of a quartz timepiece, relative to a reference frequency. An input signal having a frequency equal to the timepiece timebase frequency is produced from the timepiece. The input signal is applied to a passive quartz crystal filter having a resonant frequency equal to the reference frequency, and which filter produces an output signal in response to the input signal. The phase of the input signal and the output of the passive quartz crystal filter is compared and at least one phase comparison signal related to the phase difference of the two signals is produced. The phase comparison signal drives a meter having a dial graduated in frequency error units to display the frequency error.

Abstract: A horizontal-type head form impact tester comprising a cylindrical ram support having front, middle and rear walls and air inlets, a ram supported by the ram support, a cylinder connected to the ram support and a cannonball-like head form slidably received within the cylinder and adapted to be shot when the ram is pushed forward. The ram is maintained stationary when two air pressures within the ram support are equal, but slid forward when the equality of the air pressures is lost by the introduction of compressed trigger air into the ram support. The head form is separated from the ram and when an impact test is made, the head form runs against an object to be tested, apart from the ram.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for remotely monitoring air leakage in communication cables is disclosed. Improved volume flow meters are remotely attached at the air inlet to manhole mounted manifolds for supply of dehumidified air to telephone cables. Dehumidified air passes through the remote meters into the manifolds and then interior of a sheath of a communication cable wherein the discrete conduits can be kept dry and under air pressure. The remote volume flow meter at each manifold includes a diaphragm having an air flow conduit mounted in movable opposition to a variable area orifice. The diaphragm actuates a variable resistor, which preferably includes a tailored neutral density wedge. This tailored neutral density wedge moves with the diaphragm towards and away from a position between a light source (typically a light-emitting diode) and a photo sensor (typically of the photo resistor variety).

Abstract: A moisture indicator is provided suitable for use in determining the wet-dry cycle of the soil surrounding cultivated plants. The soil moisture indicator comprises an upper and lower chamber with an interconnecting passageway across which is positioned an absorbent supporting material impregnated with a moisture sensitive indicator composition. The lower chamber has a bottom opening which upon insertion into the soil results in the relative humidity in the lower chamber being related to the wetness of the soil. The upper chamber is partially transparent and may optionally be vented to the outer atmosphere.

Abstract: A pressure responsive sensing device includes a housing defining a chamber. The chamber is filled with a non-compressible fluid and is closed at one end by a diaphragm. The diaphragm is retained in position by a cover plate. A stem connected to the outside of the cover plate projects through a bearing passage and has an outer end exposed to receive a force. A force on the end of the stem is transmitted via the plate and diaphragm against the fluid in the chamber. The pressure in the chamber, in turn, is transmitted ,o an electronic transducer sensing device through a constricted passage in the wall of the housing.

Abstract: Process and apparatus for determining the density of oil well drilling fluid, particularly, the gas content of the fluid. The density of the drilling fluid is determined under a known pressure. The drilling fluid is compressed and the density of the compressed fluid determined. An indication of the gas content derived from the difference between the measured densities.

Abstract: Noise signals from a relatively moving object, such as those caused by eddies in a fluid or by protrusions and recesses or gradation on the surface of paper or an iron plate, are sensed at two or more points spaced in the direction of the motion. A difference signal is then obtained from the resulting two noise signals. The relative velocity of the object is detected from the difference signal by utilizing the autocorrelation function or the frequency spectrum of the difference signal.

Abstract: A vortex flow meter produces Karman's vortices in a fluid to be measured and a piezoelectric sensor develops a vortex signal therefrom which is proportional to the flow velocity of the fluid. The output signal of the sensor is applied to a charge amplifier and a low pass filter coupled thereto which functions to a predetermined signal amplitude for limiting low and high frequency noise and stabilizing the gain of the system within the vortex frequency measuring range. The output signal is converted by a logic circuit to a pulse signal of vortex frequency and then converted to a DC signal for transmission to an indicator or a receiver.

Abstract: Apparatus for determining the liquid level in tanks, such as are used in recreational vehicles, which utilizes a pair of parallel plates secured to the outside of the tank to avoid contact with the liquid inside of the tank. The plates have a generally vertical orientation so that as the liquid rises in the tank, an increasing area of the plates is adjacent to the liquid. The change in capacitance between the plates as a function of liquid level is utilized to generate an electrical signal indicative of liquid level. The problems caused by highly viscous liquids coating the inside surface of the tank and yielding false readings are solved by utilizing a high frequency driving signal.

Abstract: A viewing rod in which a visual change in color at the transmitting end of the rod indicates that the level of the liquid within a receptacle has reached the transmitting end.

Abstract: An apparatus for measuring the temperature of a medium such as air or the like by the use of a change in the propagation speed of an ultrasonic sound wave depending on the temperature change of the medium. An acoustic transmitter transmits a carrier as an ultrasonic sound wave continuously through the medium to a receiver by exciting an ultrasonic wave vibrator with a series of pulses which constitute the carrier. The received ultrasonic wave when amplified exhibits a series of pulses having a constant signal level irrespective of a change in the amplification factor of the amplifier in the receiver.

Abstract: An apparatus for measuring the differential between a plurality of physical quantities, such as temperature, includes transducers 10 and 12 each positioned to sense the physical quantity. The transducers are preferably of the resistive or nonreactive variety. A single, controlled current power source 15 is connected sequentially to the transducers through a switching circuit 20. Each transducer is connected to the switching circuit and to an amplifier 40 through four-conductor cables 35, 45. The amplifier is therefore connected continuously to the transducers to sense both the voltage developed thereacross when the transducer is connected to the source of current through the switching circuit and also to sense continuously any other voltages, such as those that might be produced by thermocouple effects.

Abstract: A thermometer for measuring the temperature of at least one selected portion of an electrically-operated device disposed in a container includes a first upwardly extending conduit adapted to communicate interiorly with the container, and an indicating capacitor defining a first chamber communicating with the first conduit. The indicating capacitor includes a first dielectric material, and a first electrically non-conducting liquid having a predetermined coefficient of thermal expansion; the first liquid is adapted to be disposed at least in part in the container, and at least in part in the first chamber and the first conduit, so that at least a portion of the first dielectric material is constituted by a portion of the first liquid. A reference capacitor defines a second chamber, and includes a second dielectric material.

Abstract: A device for mounting, displaying and protecting instruments, such as timers, comprised of a water-tight, buoyant case that can be optionally worn on the person or mounted pivotably in a bracket or holder for remote display. Provision is made for manual operation of enclosed instrument without penetration of seals.

Abstract: A wheel balancing machine is started by operating a timing switch to transmit reset signals to a synchronous counter, revolution counter, a divider and an average value counter. The reset signals are then terminated concurrently with the first zero crossing of the imbalance value signal derived from the body to be balanced. The synchronous counter is provided with incremental pulses containing angular information corresponding to the imbalance. After a first pulse sequence corresponding to a 180.degree. angle of revolution of the body to be balanced and further pulses at angles of 360.degree. at the output of the synchronous counter, 180.degree. pulses are supplied to a revolution counter and also are conducted by means of a differentiating member to the reset input of a flip-flop, whose set input is affected via a further differentiating member by unbalance representing pulses.

Abstract: A method of detecting and monitoring leaks in the piping of a nuclear reactor senses the acoustic energy from the leak and analyzes its frequency spectrum versus acoustic amplitude. A choke flow condition will exist where the leak flows at sonic velocity; here the acoustic energy is directly proportional to the area of the crack producing the leak. This is utilized to provide an indication of crack enlargement.

Abstract: A device for testing sheet material, such as wood veneer, includes a rolling transducer for introducing ultrasonic signals into the veneer so as to cause travel of the signals generally in the plane of the veneer. Coupling oil filling this transducer facilitates the transmission of the signals into the veneer. Another similar rolling transducer is provided to detect the travelling ultrasonic signals. Each rolling transducer includes a special rim with an annular focusing ring for directing the ultrasonic signals to and from the veneer. A timer circuit produces a signal representing the travel time taken for an ultrasonic signal to pass between the transducers. An averaging circuit obtains an average of such travel times for each sheet and a grading circuit causes the sheet to be marked with a grade corresponding to the average travel time. A signal threshold detector prevents travel times for detected signals of a magnitude less than a preselected minimum level from being included in the average.

Abstract: Automatic gear shifters or speed changers for bicycles and the like have been described which are intended to be responsive to speed changes as sensed by centrifugal weights or force changes as sensed by chain tension. It is necessary to prevent excessive shifting due to cyclic pedal positions, vibrational conditions, or shock loads. The subject, a force responsive automatic shifter, employs a hydraulic damping system to limit the rate of shifting, and in a simplified arrangement, the force is sensed indirectly from that portion of the rider's weight which rests on the saddle seat.

Abstract: A single, manually operated lever rotates cam means providing guide surfaces that program a progressive series of different drive ratio combinations of the front and rear sprockets of a conventional 10-speed bicycle. The gearshift is mounted on and projecting forwardly from the bicycle's handlebar next to the handlebar stem. The lever has a limited range of movement in a fore and aft direction and can be placed in any one of six drive ratio positions. The lowest and highest drive ratio combinations of the front and rear sprockets are obtained automatically when the lever is placed in its rearwardmost and forwardmost positions, respectively, and intermediate drive ratios are obtained in consecutive increments ordered from the lowest to the highest drive ratio positions of the lever. The guide surfaces have cooperating cam followers to which the control cables for the front and rear derailleurs are attached.

Abstract: A knob assembly comprising a cup-shaped knob shell having therein a coaxial pair of oppositely wound coil springs disposed for binding engagement with a surrounding wall of a race and having respective terminal end portions engaging an encircled portion of an axially rotatable bushing which is provided with fastening means for rotatably engaging an axially inserted shaft, the springs having other terminal end portions engaged by respective oppositely rotatable lever arms mounted on the bushing and having end portions aligned with axially spaced projections of the knob shell, whereby axial movement of the shell causes the projections to pivot the lever arms in opposite angular directions to release the coil springs windingly from binding engagement with the wall of the race and permit rotation of the bushing and engaged shaft in response to rotary movement of the knob shell.

Abstract: A device for locking and releasing the mandrel-holding carriage of a piercing pressure mill, the device comprising at least one lever having an end pivoted to a horizontal pivot perpendicular to the mandrel axis, the other end of the lever being free and removably engaging an abutment formed in the carriage, and at least one substantially toggle mechanism having one end pivoted to the lever which cooperates with a means for actuating the mechanism to form a double toggle for angularly moving the lever around its pivot axis from a position in which its free end engages the abutment to a position in which its free end is completely released from the abutment.

Abstract: A planetary transmission for selectively shifting among six forward speeds and two reverse speeds includes a single planet carrier carrying four planet gear sets and clutchable to a drive shaft. First and second planet gear sets mesh respectively with first and second sun gears secured to the drive shaft and with encircling brake-associated first and second ring gears. A third planet gear set meshes with a centrally apertured third sun gear and with an encircling brake-associated third ring gear. A fourth planet gear set meshes with the third planet gear set and with a fourth sun gear secured to a driven shaft which extends through the central aperture of the third sun gear and which is clutchable to the third sun gear.

Abstract: A hydraulic wrench comprises an integrally cast housing having a first housing portion and a second elongated housing portion extending transverse to the first portion and forming a cylinder in which a piston is reciprocably mounted. A shaft extending transverse to the axis of the cylinder is turnably mounted in the first housing portion and carries at one end projecting beyond the housing an exchangeable socket for engaging a polygonal head of a threaded connector to be turned by the wrench. The shaft is turned in one direction during reciprocation of the piston over a ratchet mechanism interconnected between the piston rod and the shaft, whereby during such turning of the shaft and the connector engaged by the socket a force is created tending to turn the housing in the opposite direction. To counteract this force, a plate extending substantially parallel to the shaft is connected to the second housing portion and engages a fixed abutment adjacent the connector to be turned.

Abstract: The invention concerns a machine, particularly a machine-tool, driven by motive means through a gear device, the transmission of the movement of the gear device to the machine being effected by meshing of an output pinion of the device with a fixed axis ring gear of the machine, this gear device being housed in a casing independant of the machine and fixed thereon by resilient means.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for cutting sheet material utilizes a closed loop automatically controlled cutting machine having a reciprocating cutting blade as the cutting tool. Sheet material to be cut is spread in multiple plies to form a layup, and the cutting blade and the material are then moved relative to one another in cutting engagement along predefined lines of cut. During cutting, a sensor detects a cutting parameter that is affected by the interaction of the cutting blade and sheet material, and signals provided by the sensor are fed back in the closed loop automatic control mechanism to adjust or initiate further steps in the cutting operation. Such adjustment or initiation alters the cutting machine operation for cutting conditions in real time in order to improve the overall performance of the machine.

Abstract: Apparatus for severing a running web at different intervals to subdivide the web into sections of desired length has two advancing rolls which transport the web lengthwise at a constant speed toward the nip of two rotary cutters having blades which sever the web in predetermined angular positions of the cutters. The cutters are driven in opposite directions by a stepping motor which receives stepping signals at a first frequency when the blades are about to sever and while the blades sever the web to thereby rotate the cutters at the speed of the web, and at any one of different second frequencies in other angular positions of the cutters. The system which transmits stepping signals has an exchangeable indicia-bearing disk which is driven by the advancing rolls through the medium of a variable-speed transmission or through one of several transmissions having different ratios.

Abstract: A blade with teeth whose spacing varies around the periphery has, on at least one side, a cover element and an intermediate visco-elastic layer, in order to reduce noise. A holding element fixed to a support ring holds the cover element on the blade independently of the intermediate layer and allows the layer to perform a damping function subject to thrusting stresses.

Abstract: A glass cutter of the type having a pillar post capable of limited angular movement about a vertical axis is disclosed. The pillar post is provided in a conventional head which is adapted to traverse a glass sheet in one and an opposite direction, and the glass cutter can score in both directions because the tool is designed to trail this vertical axis, and thereby provide a castering action in both directions. The tool is mounted in a small pendulum which is gravity biased to assume a ready position such that traversing movement of the head and pillar post in one direction, in conjunction with engagement between the tool and the edge of the glass sheet itself, moves or swings the pendulum to a first limit position such that the tool trails the said vertical axis achieving the above castering action.

Abstract: Linearly binary-coded digital control signals representing specific time segments of musical sounds are used in part to control stepped ramp signal generators in a digital synthesizer which runs continuously on a fixed program. The ramp signals are used to control amplitude and frequency parameters of multiple digital oscillators that produce respective constituent tones of the musical sound segments. The synthesizer is operable in response to time-multiplexed digital control signals for multiple musical voices, one voice portion of which is also being computed in real time for multiplexing with previously computed and stored digital control signals for other voices. The indicated computations are effected by known techniques on a commercially available computer to translate performer-actuated transducer output signals, designating notes of a composition, into the aforementioned binary-coded digital control signals.

Abstract: The present invention is an electronic musical instrument the type in which information of the actuation of keys is detected by scanning the keys of a keyboard. The electronic musical instrument includes keys selectively actuable for producing sounds which correspond to respective musical scale notes, circuitry for sequentially scanning these keys for detection of the information of the actuation of these keys, and a memory circuit corresponding to each of the keys so that the information of the actuation of the keys is stored in the memory circuits.

Abstract: A system of audio pickups particularly adapted for incorporation in percussion type instruments. The system employs powered rather than the usual dynamic pickups which are mounted directly upon the body of the percussion instrument, e.g. a drum, using a plastic foam insulative mounting which absorbs the direct transmission of vibration from the instrument, as contrasted with the reception of sound waves. In the case of pickups for receiving sound from the usual high-hat cymbals and snare drums, the pickups are mounted upon a common elongated bar which positions the pickups in an area for proper sound reception.

Abstract: A stringed instrument is disclosed which incorporates improved design and performance features. An elongated body, hereinafter called the wedge, contains in itself all necessary components and parts making it a totally playable instrument with or without a pair of removable wing bodies. One purpose of the wing body attachments is to provide flexibility for modular electronic add-on components for use with new modern amplification devices. Also the wing bodies may be changed to provide a varity of instrument body designs, colors, finishes and fabrics. The sound produced by each of the strings of the instrument is enhanced by providing each string with at least one individual magnetic pickup which is individually adjustable to that string for optimum performance. Each string is also provided with its own individual bridge support which is completely separated from each other bridge support to prevent any acoustical and/or electrical cross-feed.

Abstract: An envelope waveform generator for electronic musical instruments which has a circuit for converting envelope clock pulses into a clock frequency having the pulse density corresponding to a musical sound frequency to vary the envelope speed in response to the musical sound frequency, a circuit for converting the output clock pulse from the abovesaid circuit into a clock frequency having the pulse density corresponding to an attack, sustain or release of a key switch to thereby control the speed of the attack and release, a pulse density function generator composed of a function generator whose output changes at every constant number of output clock pulses from the second-mentioned circuit and a pulse density multiplier for controlling the clock pulse density with the output from the function generator, and an envelope counter for counting the output pulses from the pulse density function generator to provide the sum of the pulse density functions as an envelope waveform.

Abstract: A hub nut with a washer, characterized in that an annular band of alternating ridges and grooves is formed by knurling circumferentially a part of the outer surface of a cylindrical part projectingly provided on the nut base and a washer with at least partially an inner diameter smaller than the outer diameter of the ridges of the knurled part is press-fitted thereover between the nut base and the knurled part.

Abstract: A fastener including a sheet metal plate having a central stamped and apertured portion forming a screw thread, the aperture having a mean diameter sized approximately 5% less than the root diameter of a screw to be used therewith. The stamped portion is formed with a plurality of slits extending generally radially of the aperture and spaced equally around the thread to define a plurality of independent, generally equally sized sectors having contiguous edges and which sectors are adapted to tightly grip the root of the screw. In addition, a U-shaped, bent, sheet metal clamp adapted to slip over support bases to be fastened together is provided where the described sheet metal plate is one of the clamp's legs. The method of making this fastener includes the steps of forming the screw thread portion of the fastener in a metal plate, forming gapless slits in the screw thread portion, and forming a central aperture in the slitted screw thread portion.