Abstract: A fastener is provided. The fastener includes an elongated shank extending along a longitudinal axis. The shank has a first end and a second end and a head portion is formed at the first end of the shank. The head portion includes an annular flange extending radially out from the longitudinal axis and has a first diameter. The fastener also includes a first section extending along at least a portion of the shank and disposed adjacent to the head portion. The fastener also includes a knurled section extending along at least a portion of the shank and disposed adjacent to the first cylindrical section where the knurled section includes a plurality of longitudinally extending grooves and peaks disposed around a circumference of the shank and a helical thread portion extending axially along at least a portion of said shank and disposed adjacent to the knurled section.

Abstract: A nail structure has a main body having a long section with a slantedly threaded surface. One end of the main body forms a sharp end, while the other end there of has an enlarging ring end with cone shape. Also, the other end of the main body has a head end, and a neck section is formed between the head end and the ring end. When the main body pokes through a fixed unit to attach the fixed unit to a wall surface or structure, the long section is in an engaging status due to the threads on the long section surface, and when the ring end is inserted into the wall or structure, it generates a stopping effect so that the main body of the nail cannot be easily pulled out. Also, the head end is restricted by the fixed unit towards the wall or structure to secure the fixed unit.

Abstract: A fastener capable of changing form and direction in order to conform to a desired fastening trajectory while being propelled by a manual or power-actuated tool into one or more elements out of line of sight to be fastened together.

Abstract: A method for fixing a bone block in a bone tunnel comprising the steps of placing the bone block in the bone tunnel, advancing spaced-apart first and second metal wires through the bone, transversely of the bone tunnel, so as to intersect the bone block and extend through the bone block, removing one of the wires and replacing the one removed wire with a first absorbable rod, and removing the other of the wires and replacing the other removed wire with a second absorbable rod, whereby to retain the bone block in the bone tunnel with the absorbable rods.

Abstract: A method for joining bodies by melting down a joining element. The joining element acts on a surface of one of the bodies and penetrates the surface as a result of a directed force. Once in a penetrated condition, a mechanical excitation is generated such that during further penetration of the joining element into the one body, the advance is maintained through the directed force and the melting down is maintained through the mechanical excitation. Molten or melted material is hydraulically displaced into the bodies.

Abstract: Keys of an acoustic piano require balancers for cancellation of a part of self weight of the action units/hammers; however, the balancers are liable to be dropped off due to the aged deterioration of the wooden bars; in order to keep the balancers stable in the keys against the aged deterioration, the balancer is plastically deformed so as to bite into the wooden bar, the balancer, which is formed with thorns, is rotated so as to make the thorns bite into the wooden bar, the balancer is shaped into a configuration different from the holes so as to exert resilient force on the inner surface in a direction in parallel to the grain of wood, or the balancer is inserted into a constricted hole so as to strongly exert the resilient force on the inner surface, thereby being prevented from the dropping off from the keys.

Abstract: A retractable nail includes a head portion having a striking surface and a slot through the striking face. The slot is configured for receiving a removal tool. The nail includes a piercing part the head portion and the piercing part. A longitudinal main body is positioned between the longitudinal main body includes a front side, rear side and two lateral sides. The front and rear sides include respective front and rear helical thread segments formed along a longitudinal length of the main body. The threads are filled or covered with a plastic material, epoxy, glue, composite or the like to prevent damage to the helically threads when the device is hammered or bored with a pneumatically or electrically powered nail gun into a solid material.

Abstract: An anchor device includes an expansion bolt and a fastening screw. The bolt has a tubular body. The tubular body further has a central shank and a head, which is integrally made with the central shank and has a full solid body on which a pair of longitudinal reciprocally perpendicular through slots are made which delimit four anchor segments adapted to spread outwards under the bias of the fastening screw. The central shank has a first portion arranged next to the head on which a plurality of longitudinal through slots define longitudinal anchoring tabs which expand radially outwards under the bias of the fastening screw following the spreading of the four anchor segments.

Abstract: A combination of deformations on a single nail shank provides a nail with optimal withdrawal performance and shear slip resistance. In particular, a nail has a head, a tip, and an elongate shank with a first deformation and a second deformation. The first deformation is positioned closer to the tip. When the nail fastens a first substrate to a second substrate, the first deformation is positioned completely in the second substrate to provide withdrawal resistance from the second substrate. The second deformation intersects the plane between the first and second substrates to provide resistance to shear slip. Moreover, the second deformation makes contact with the inner surface of the bore created by the first deformation.

Abstract: A clip has a head part adapted to be contacted with a peripheral edge of a fitting hole in a panel to be fitted, and a leg part adapted to be inserted into the fitting hole thereby to be engaged with the peripheral edge of the fitting hole. The leg part has a post suspended from a center of a lower face of the head part, at least three projections which are radially extended from the post in a diametrical direction and connected to the lower face of the head part at their upper ends, and engaging pieces which are extended from these projections in a circumferential direction to be respectively positioned between the projections. The engaging pieces are connected to the head part at their upper ends, and provided with slits between their circumferentially extended ends and the opposed projections.

Abstract: A reduced material fastener has a shank cross-section selected to provide a parting line. Having a parting line means that the fastener may be made using two opposing dies, including roller dies, to cold form the cross-section. The cross-sections do not have to be symmetrical with respect to the parting line as long as hypothetical dies can be separated. Typical fasteners include common nails. Cross-sections having parting lines may have fin-like protuberances that result in less material being used for the same overall outline as a round cross-section. A computer aided design methodology and a nail making apparatus are also disclosed.

Abstract: A fastener for use in the construction of pallets is provided which includes a head having a head diameter, a single elongate shank having a nominal shank diameter, and a plurality of rings extending outwardly from the shank. Each ring had a crest and a root, with the crest being located closer to the head than the root. The fastener has a bending yield strength of about 100 ksi or greater, and a length of between about 0.5 inch and 1.75 inches. The ratio of the head diameter to the nominal shank diameter is between 2.70 and 3.37, and the plurality of rings are formed so that an average outer diameter of the crests of the rings between a middle ring and the head is greater than an average outer diameter of the crests of the rings between the middle ring and the tip.

Abstract: A surgical tack is disclosed for securing a surgical mesh material to body tissue. The tack includes a pair of legs and an arcuate cross-member. A surgical tack applier is also disclosed, for applying the surgical tack. The applier includes an elongate tubular portion having a jacket with a main channel and a pair of longitudinally extending sub channels. A rotatable drive rod having a helical thread is coupled to the applier, and the sub channels receive the legs of the tack. The helical thread receives the arcuate cross-member of the surgical tack. Rotation of the drive rod drives the tack from the distal end of the applier.

Abstract: A reduced material fastener has a shank cross-section selected to provide a parting line. Having a parting line means that the fastener may be made using two opposing dies, including roller dies, to cold form the cross-section. The cross-sections do not have to be symmetrical with respect to the parting line as long as hypothetical dies can be separated. Typical fasteners include common nails. Cross-sections having parting lines may have fin-like protuberances that result in less material being used for the same overall outline as a round cross-section. A computer aided design methodology and a nail making apparatus are also disclosed.

Abstract: A piercing nail with a spring member that deforms as the nail penetrates through framing members engages with a bottom surface to framing members together.

Abstract: A key is an indispensable component parts of an acoustic or electronic keyboard musical instrument, and key balancers are embedded in the key for varying the moment exerted on the key; the key balancers are fastened to the key by means of an anchor so that the key balancers are neither chattered in nor dropped out from the key.

Abstract: A nail-shaped fastening element including a first, conical section (1, 11 21) tapering in a setting direction of the fastening element and having a shaped surface profile extending at least along a portion of the first section, and a second section (2, 12, 22) adjoining the first section (1, 11, 21) at end of the first section remote from the fastening element tip (5, 15, 25).

Abstract: A wire nail for use with a powered nail-driving tool has a full-round head with an axis that is offset from an axis of the integrally formed shank. An outer circumferential surface of the shank is at least as offset from the shank axis in one radial direction as a circumferential surface of the head in that radial direction. Accordingly, such nails may be collated shank-to-shank in a strip of wire nails such that adjoining shanks are both parallel and touching. During manufacture of the wire nail, a notch is formed in the shank at the intersection between the shank and the head. The notch and the head axis are disposed on opposite sides of the shank axis from each other. The notch facilitates improved metal flow during the head-forming procedure and results in strong shank to head connections.

Abstract: A novel fastener comprises a head having a recess for receiving a rotary driver, a shank having knurls defined by generally helical grooves and intersecting generally annular grooves, wherein a plurality of the knurls include a lateral cutting edge, and a generally pointed tip. Another novel fastener comprises a head having a recess for receiving a rotary driver, a shank having a predetermined diameter small enough so that the head will break away from said shank upon application of a predetermined torque, and said shank having knurls defined by generally helical grooves and intersecting generally annular grooves.

Abstract: A ribbed dowel for aligning workpieces is disclosed including a cylindrical body having an outer surface, a first end, and a second end, a plurality of ribs spaced over the outer surface, a round circular first face on the first end, a round circular second face on the second end, and wherein the ribbed dowel is composed of a material other than a polypropylene homopolymer having a density of 0.905 g/cm3, a melt flow rate of 60 g/10 min, a Rockwell hardness of 107, a Durometer hardness of 84, and a melting point of 330° F.

Abstract: Various embodiments of improved fasteners for joining at least two pieces of wood are disclosed. The fastener includes a plate-like member or folded rectangular member defined between a leading edge and a trailing edge. The leading edge is configured to enter the wood pieces before the trailing edge. The fastener may also include at least two corrugations formed on the plate-like member, extending in a generally longitudinal direction. The fastener includes a locking portion, having one or more projections, an adhesive, or a non-corrugated section, disposed on the plate-like member or folded rectangular member near the trailing edge, for locking the fastener within the wood pieces.

Abstract: A fastener includes a main body having a number of spaced ridges formed on an outer periphery thereof. The ridges are arranged along a helix. At least one of the ridges has a retainer extending in a direction that is at an angle with an extending direction of the ridge. In another embodiment, a fastener includes a main body having a number of spaced ridges formed on an outer periphery thereof. Each ridge extends along a direction that is parallel to a longitudinal direction of the main body. At least one of the ridges has a retainer extending in a direction that is at an angle with an extending direction of the ridge.

Abstract: A fastener for securing a drywall work piece to a metal substrate. The fastener includes an elongated flat body carrying a securing member and having a driving head disposed at a substantially right angle to the elongated flat body. The driving head defines a bore therein surrounded by a downwardly directed flange having a distal cutting edge which cuts the top paper laminate of the drywall allowing the head to countersink into the drywall without damaging the top paper laminate.