Abstract: A method of fabricating a component is provided. The method includes depositing particles onto a build platform. The method also includes distributing the particles to form a build layer. The method further includes operating a consolidation device to consolidate a first plurality of particles along a scan path to form a component. The component includes a top surface spaced apart from the build platform and an outer surface. The outer surface extends between the build platform and the top surface, and at least a portion of the outer surface faces a substantially particle-free region of the build platform.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus (1) for pressure control in a fuel feed of an internal combustion engine with a common rail injection, comprising a housing (10) with an opening (15), and an electromagnetic high pressure valve (30), wherein the electromagnetic high pressure valve (30) is at least partially inserted into the opening (15) of the housing (10) at the end, wherein the electromagnetic high pressure valve (30) is connected in a pressure-tight manner in the opening (15) to the housing (10) by a connection (20) and the connection (20) has a first portion (21) and at least one second portion (22), and wherein the first portion (21) and the at least one second portion (22) have different mechanical and/or geometric properties.

Abstract: A cargo securing system which incorporates synthetic chains in a manner which addresses the increased pitch of the synthetic link and the increased elongation of the synthetic chain, while still allowing the usage of conventional prior art load binders in a timely and safe manner. The system includes a length-adjusting coupling device for connecting a load binder to a section of chain.

Abstract: A connection element, in particular a setting bolt, for connecting at least two components, in particular metal sheet components, is disclosed. The connection element has a tapered region and a shaft region, the properties of which are different. The connection element is formed as one piece. A method for producing a connection element is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of reducing the cycle time required for flow-drill screw operations by providing a dimple on a part that is engaged by a flow-drill screw. A tip of the flow-drill screw engages a contact band at a location spaced from the tip of the distal end of the flow-drill screw and base portion of the dimple. Friction between the flow-drill screw tip and dimple creates a heat concentration area and results in displaced material forming a threaded sleeve. The flow-drill screw is secured by the threads of the threaded sleeve to secure the top part to the bottom part.

Abstract: A pocket former includes a pocket former body and a keyway former. The pocket former is adapted to form a void in a concrete member allowing access to the stressing end of a post-tensioning tendon. The keyway former is adapted to form a keyway in the concrete to allow grout to be more securely retained in the void.

Abstract: A golf tee is provided, including a head portion, a neck portion, a stem portion, and a tip portion. The head portion is provided on a top of the golf tee and having a right-left symmetry. The neck portion is extended from the head portion and having a the right-left symmetry. The stem portion is extended from the neck portion and having a broken right-left symmetry. The tip portion is extended from the stem portion and configured for being pushed into a ground. The stem portion provides top-down and right-left aerodynamic unbalances to the golf tee, such that the golf tee rotates about a middle portion much more rather than flies away when the golf tee receives an external impact.

Abstract: A fastening system for securing an object to a support includes a fastener having two shank members with one shank member being longer than the other. In a first embodiment, the fastening system is formed by a nail for securing an object to a support broadly comprises a head, a first shank having a first length, a second shank having a second length different from the first length, and the second shank being secured to the first shank. In a second embodiment, the fastening system is formed by a screw for securing an object to a support, which comprises a head, a first threaded member integrally formed with the head, a second non-threaded member having a loop portion with an aperture; and the first threaded member passing through the aperture in the loop portion.

Abstract: A nail is used to fasten wood, plastic, shingles, siding and composite items together. A nail has a head and a shank or shaft. A nail is typically made of a steel or metal alloy but could be made of other materials. The nail is different from conventional nails in that its shank or shaft is not straight or twisted. The shank is tapered. The end near the head of the nail is smaller in diameter then the end that penetrates the material (the point). The shank tapers from the point progressively until it reaches a section near the head that expands to the same diameter as the shank near the point. The shank then tapers again until it reaches the head. The amount of taper varies with the different applications of the nail. The nail's shank also has rounded rings toward the head end of the shank. The rings provide the nail with stability against the host material until the host material rebounds against the tapered shank.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a tactile warning panel inlay system and method. Such system is comprised of a panel formed with an exposed surface having a plurality of tactile warning protrusions and a support surface configured to contact a substrate matrix. The panel includes a plurality of apertures extending from the exposed surface to the support surface. Further, a plurality of two-piece fasteners are configured to extend individually through an aperture included in the plurality of panel apertures to secure the panel to the substrate matrix. Each fastener includes a head conformed to the shape of the tactile warning protrusion and a threaded shank for extending through the panel and which has an anchor member threadably secured thereto.

Abstract: A method for establishing a nail connection between two components and a nail for this purpose are described. The nail 6 is driven through the non-preholed components in the joint area at a high speed such that the nail point completely penetrates both components and a material collar, which extends into an adhesive layer between the two components, is only formed in the to driving direction in the nail-head-side component.

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 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 system, apparatus and method are described for an anti-theft tack having non-snag grooves. The anti-theft tack may be for a security tag, such as an electronic article surveillance security tag. Other embodiments are described and claimed.

Abstract: A nail includes a shank with a head and a tip portion on two ends of the shank. Two guide flanges extend radially outward from the shank and a flexible and deformable sleeve is mounted to the shank and located between the two guide flanges. The nail penetrates an object and defines a hole which is defined by a periphery which cuts into the sleeve so that the nail is cannot be pulled out from the object.

Abstract: A rigid fastener, for securing to one another adjacent portions of a cover member made of resiliently deformable material, has an end portion with an outward end section of relatively small outside diameter and an axially adjacent inward section of relatively large outside diameter. The end portion of the fastener is engagable in either of two positions in a corresponding recess formed into at least one of the adjacent portions of the cover piece, affording a high level of holding power in its filly inserted position and affording a low level of holding power in a partially inserted position.

Abstract: A new and improved fastener for fastening together thin gauge sheet metal components comprises a forwardly extending pointed tip portion having a tangent ogive configuration so as to facilitate the fast and accurate penetration of the fastener into and through the thin gauge sheet metal components without causing any excessive enlargement of the apertures formed therein, and a shank portion which comprises a lower, spiral thread shank portion which continues to facilitate the ease of penetration of the fastener into and through the thin gauge sheet metal components, and at the same time causes a mating thread to effectively be extruded within the thin gauge sheet metal components so as to effectively develop or generate enhanced surface areas or regions for ultimate contact with an upper shank portion of the fastener when the fastener is fully driven and seated within the thin gauge sheet metal components.

Abstract: A pin with threads that extend along a portion of a stem of the pin interact with framing members as the pin is driven through the framing members. The interaction of the threads with the framing members cause the pin to rotate as the threads pass through the framing members and fastens the framing members together. A pin with curved wings that extend along a portion of a stem of the pin interact with framing members as the pin is driven through the framing members. The interaction of the wings with the framing members cause the pin to rotate as the wings pass through the framing members and fastens the framing members together.

Abstract: The present invention provides a nail suitable for sheathing which provides an enhanced resistance to failure. The nail includes an enlarged head as well as a shank having surface deformations. Sheathing panels are secured to a framing structure through the use of the nail. The enlarged head provides a first clamping surface that is seated against an exterior surface of the sheathing panel. The framing structure within which the shank is secured is a second clamping surface. Through the provision of an enlarged head and a shank having surface deformations, the ability of the nail to maintain the securement of the sheathing panel to the framing structure element is enhanced.

Abstract: A threaded insert including a main body being generally cylindrical with a central bore extending therethrough having outer ring members with knurling in opposed directions for preventing rotation after implanting of the insert into a carrier substrate. The main body includes upper pilot ribs positioned on the outer surface of the main body adjacent the upper end to facilitate entry of that end into the carrier substrate during implanting thereof. The rib includes an upper leading surface which is arcuate to facilitate this insertion by facilitating movement of the substrate material during insertion. A lower pilot rib configuration is also included to allow insertion of the one-piece metallic threaded insert with either the upper or lower end entering the carrier substrate first.

Abstract: The present invention provides a nail suitable for sheathing which provides an enhanced resistance to failure. The nail includes an enlarged head as well as a shank having surface deformations. Sheathing panels are secured to a framing structure through the use of the nail. The enlarged head provides a first clamping surface that is seated against an exterior surface of the sheathing panel. The framing structure within which the shank is secured is a second clamping surface. Through the provision of an enlarged head and a shank having surface deformations, the ability of the nail to maintain the securement of the sheathing panel to the framing structure element is enhanced.

Abstract: A punching, stamping rivet has a frustum-shaped rivet head and a shank following thereafter. In order to create a rivet connection between two adjoining structural parts, the shank is punched through the structural parts forming a punched hole, and a groove is coined thereafter around the shank end in that structural part. In order to be able to process structural parts having varied thicknesses, several shank grooves are arranged on the shank, into which shank grooves material penetrates under plastic deformation during the coining of the groove.

Abstract: A ground stake is disclosed having a plurality of blades extending outwardly from a longitudinal axis. The blades are connected along the length of the axis by at least one conical rib to promote retention of the stake within the ground.

Abstract: Improved welding stud (20) includes a generally cylindrical body (34). A first series of annular rings (42) are disposed on a first end portion (18) of the cylindrical body (34). A second series of annular rings (44) are disposed on a second end portion (26) of the cylindrical body (34). The rings (42, 44) are asymmetrical and have reverse configurations. Thus, the annular rings (42) on one end portion of the stud are a mirror image of the rings (44) on the opposite end portion of the stud. Either end of the stud (20) may be stud welded to a base member (14) using the drawn arm short cycle or gas arc stud welding processes. A cap (24) may then be press fitted onto the opposite end of the stud to secure insulation.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a bed rail hook and fastener assembly for hooking bed rails to the bedpost of headboards and footboards. The invention includes a bed rail hook configured to slide into the end of a bed rail and fasteners configured to extend partially through the bed rail and through apertures in the inserted portion of the bed rail hook in order to securely fasten the bed rail hook in the bed rail end. The same or similar fasteners used to secure the bed rail hook may also be oriented in the bedpost in a manner allowing downwardly extending hooks of the bed rail hook to engage the fasteners and securely hold the bed rail to the bedpost. The fasteners include a head, insertion end and a shank extending therebetween having annular ridges. Preferably, the annular ridges are frusto-conical and slope inwardly towards the insertion end. Additionally, a longer version of the hook fastener may be used to fasten a cleat for supporting bed slats along the lower side of the bed rail.

Abstract: A ground anchor includes a planar drive head with a shank extending therefrom. The shank includes a plurality of inline segments with each segment including a cylindrical shaft portion and a cone-shaped tapered portion. The tapered portion of each upstream segment is connected to a shaft portion of an adjacent downstream segment. This relationship presents a plurality of indentations along the length of the shaft. Upon penetration of the shank into the ground, the earth collapses into the indentations which resist withdrawal of the anchor from the ground due to forces acting on the structure secured to the anchor such as a tarpaulin or the like. The planar drive head lies adjacent the ground to preclude above ground interference.

Abstract: A shear resistant structural panel assembly for use in framed buildings comprising a facing of finish material bonded and having a lower tensile strength to a usually thinner, structural membrane having a higher tensile strength and directly fastened to structural framing elements by a series of shouldered fasteners applied through the shear panel along both its edges and within the field of the panel, said fasteners securing said structural membrane to the face of the structural framing elements at the bearing face of the shoulder to resist shearing and separation forces on said assembly. The preferred embodiment is a nail with a cone shaped ridge located below the surface of the nail's head at a depth sufficient to pin the sheet metal to the supporting structural frame. The bevel indents the sheet metal providing a broad bearing surface sa as to increase the tearout strength as well as preventing the sheet metal from lifting free of the framing element.

Abstract: An invisible decking connector for wood decking structures fastens elongate decking boards to each other in side-to-side adjacency and fastens the decking boards to underlying perpendicularly oriented joists for positional maintenance thereon. The connector provides a medial disk having axially aligned ribbed nails extending perpendicularly from the medial portions of each of its sides. The periphery of the disk defines a slot to receive the head of a fastening screw extending in angulated orientation through an adjacent decking board and into a joist therebeneath. A tool with a body defining a medial hole to receive one of the ribbed nails to aid installation of the fastener by use of a hammer is disclosed.

Abstract: This invention relates to a nail having a head and an elongated shank with two deformed or cleated portions along the axis of the shank to increase the holding properties of the nail, especially when used to secure sheathing material to floor joists, roof trusses, or wall studs. The increased holding property is largely attributed to the second cleated portion having a diameter of about 2-25% larger than the first cleated portion of the shank.

Abstract: The present invention provides fasteners that have surprising benefits, such as the ability to be set into a fixing hole by gentle pressure, for example thumb pressure, and remain in place without holding until hammered fully home, and the ability to maintain the proper alignment upon hammering. Also provided are methods of attaching one object to another object, using the instant fasteners.

Abstract: A ready-to-assemble cabinet including two upstanding side panels, at least two fixed shelves between the side panels, a folding back panel attached to the side panels, and hardware for holding the components together. The cabinet may optionally include additional fixed and adjustable shelves. The back panel is preattached to the side panels by the manufacturer to create a back panel/side panel sub-assembly. The back panel includes a number of vertically scored fold lines running from top to bottom, which delineate longitudinal sections of the back panel. The scored fold lines permit the sub-assembly to be folded accordion-style for packaging, whereby the back panel sections are sandwiched between the side panels. Serrated plastic dowel pins hold the shelves to the side panels to eliminate the need for tools and/or adhesives and permit assembly of the cabinet in only three to five minutes.

Abstract: A fastening nail for fixing a cover membrane to a bone void which surrounds the bone of the body itself and is filled with an ossiferous material has a nail head with a larger diameter which enables receiving pressure of an impact tool for inserting a nail shaft with a smaller diameter into the bone. The nail shaft has essentially a cylindrical holding part extending to a conical tapering point part adjacent one end and is provided with a transition region between the holding part and point part having an annular shoulder with an enlarged diameter which has a conical surface merging obliquely with the generated surface of the point part in a direction toward the point of the nail and an annular surface extending substantially perpendicular relative to the holding axis of the nail. To insert the nail, the setting tool is elongated and has resilient jaws for gripping the nail and is used in combination with an auxiliary tool which has a foot with downwardly extending points for holding the membrane on the bone.

Abstract: A nail having an elongate shank, a head at one end of the shank and a tip portion at the other end. A lateral step is formed in the shank at a location spaced from both the head and the tip so as to divide the shank into a relatively small diameter penetrating portion which is adjacent the tip, and a relatively large diameter gripping portion which is adjacent the head. Any of a variety of gripping features, such as ribs or teeth, could be provided on the gripping portion to assist its grip within a member to which the nail is to be secured.

Abstract: A lug nut and socket wherein the socket and nut engage only selected point surfaces. In one aspect of the invention the socket has a decreased number of point surfaces. In another aspect of the invention, the lug nut has a decreased number of point surfaces. In another aspect of the present invention the socket points surfaces include point pins which are positioned to engage a pair of diametrically opposed point surfaces on the lug nut. The point pins are removably inserted into point pin wells extending into the lug nut socket. In another aspect of the present invention a retainer ring is provided to prevent the removable point pins from falling out during operation or handling, or otherwise being unintentionally removed. In another aspect of the present invention, the socket bore which engages a lug nut during operation is deliberately oversized to allow for considerable play between the lug nut and the socket.

Abstract: A connecting element for connecting two parts (1, 2) generally in a connection plane has a first portion (4) for connecting the element (3) relative to a first (1) of the parts and second portion (5) for connecting the element relative to the second part (2). The second portion (5) includes actuation members (6) which on relative movement of the parts (1, 2) substantially along the connection plane urge the parts forcefully towards each other.

Abstract: In a method for repairing a liver laceration, a plurality of bolts of biocompatible material are provided, each of the bolts being formed with anchoring means for preventing removal of the respective bolt from the liver upon insertion of the bolt therein. At least two of the bolts are driven into the liver on opposite sides of the laceration so that head portions of the two bolts remain protruding from the liver. A suture is tied around the protruding head portions of the two bolts, thereby closing the laceration and stemming a flow of blood from the laceration. The bolts may be provided with molley type sheaths which are pushed into the liver prior to insertion of the two bolts and which are expanded at least in part by the bolts to anchor the sheaths and the bolts in the liver. The sheaths, like the bolts, are made of a biocompatible, even bioabsorbable or hemostatic, material.

Abstract: The system comprises a pin (30) including a shaft designed to be inserted in a hole so as to pass through a first element, and to be anchored by an anchoring zone in an associated hole in the second element (10), and a head located opposite the anchoring zone and designed to keep the first element mounted to the second element. The pin (30) has, extending over at least one portion of its shaft, a zone of flexion with a reduced moment of inertia in a line perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the shaft. The dimension of the zone of the reduced moment of inertia extending in the direction of relative motion is smaller in transverse section.

Abstract: A headless rivet is disclosed as made from steel or suitable material that provides superior compressive strength compared to conventional rivets and to that of a material to be riveted together and of a height or axial thickness equal to the sum of the materials to be riveted, the rivet having flat end surfaces and a shoulder interposed therebetween with curved neck portions extending from said shoulder to said flat ends. The curved neck portions have a predetermined radius and a predetermined depth of concavity determined according to the height of the rivet. Another embodiment discloses a rivet having ridges interposed between the shoulder and the flat ends including respective neck portions extending from said shoulder to said ridges to said flat ends.

Abstract: A nail designed to be initially driven through a first board, and into a second board so as to assemble the boards with the boards engaging each other, and to be subsequently pulled or removed, as by means of a crowbar or a claw upon a hammer head, so as to disassemble the boards is disclosed as including a head and a shank with a pointed end. A relatively smooth portion of the shank extends axially from the pointed end for a substantial distance. A relatively rough portion, which is formed with annular, frustoconical rings defining annular grooves, extends axially from the relatively smooth portion toward the head for a distance approximately equal to the thickness of the first board. A relatively smooth portion extends axially between the relatively rough portion and the head. The nail has differential holding capabilities per unit length along its shank, when driven the wooden boards.

Abstract: The upper and lower cassette parts of a magnetic tape cassette are connected to each other by means of non-releasable fixtures, wherein a synthetic material bolt is introduced into at least one of the holes provided for screw connections according to the prior art. The bolt is provided with longitudinal ribs (8) or with an inner bore (9) or possesses a thread-like or saw tooth-like track (11) in the manner of a dowel (FIGS. 3a-3c).

Abstract: A lawn spike for anchoring objects, such as lawn edging, within a lawn utilizes a head and a pointed plastic shank shaped to enhance the strength of the shank and to cooperate with the ground, when operatively driven therein, to resist withdrawal of the spike therefrom. The shank includes a substantially cylindrical main section and a plurality of frusto-conical sections positioned about and spaced along the length of the main section so that each of the frusto-conical sections tapers toward the pointed end of the shank. The shank portion also includes a plurality of strengthening ribs formed with and extending longitudinally along the cylindrical periphery of the main section and which are also formed with so as to be joined to adjacent frusto-conical sections.

Abstract: A plasterboard, boat, flooring underlayment or like ridged nail is provided with a taper of its sawtooth profile toward the point of the nail. The crests of the ridges can lie along one imaginary cone converging toward the point while the roots of the ridges lie along another imaginary cone equidistant from the first or converging toward the crest cone in the direction of the point. Steep-pitch helical flutes can be provided along the sawtooth portion especially when the nail is to be driven in hard materials.

Abstract: The retinal tack includes a generally conical, sharply pointed forward end portion for piercing through the retina, choroid, and sclera, an elongated, generally cylindrical retaining portion having a longitudinal dimension approximating the thickness of a patient's retina, choroid, and sclera and including one or more peripheral grooves for receiving sclera tissue displaced during insertion of the forward end portion, and an enlarged head having a radially extending flange portion for engaging the retina in the area of the opening formed in the retina. The tack is carried in the tip of a tubular probe selectively connected in fluid communication with sources of negative and positive pressures and the head includes a seat portion which sealingly engages a complementary seat in the probe tip when a negative pressure is applied to the probe.

Abstract: A lawn edge and/or trim construction comprising a carpet of synthetic turf secured to the ground employed around fences, flower beds, residential structures, and any other structure to edge such structure or to impede the growth of vegetation for a more aesthetically appealing lawn area. A preferred type of anchor for the lawn edge construction is also disclosed comprising a stake having a head portion overlapping the substrate base of the synthetic turf, an extended portion having multiple grooves along the axial extent thereof, a throughbore at an intermediate portion of the extended portion, and a notch disposed between said head portion and said extended portion to hold the stake to the base of the turf, the head portion having a cap of synthetic turf to disguise the stake when holding the turf in place, and a method for installing such construction.

Abstract: A fastening element having a cavity containing an explosive charge arranged so that, upon explosion of the explosive charge, anchoring of the fastening element in a bore of a workpiece takes place automatically. This fastening element functions both as a rivet and nail in combination and comprises sleeve means defining the cavity containing the explosive charge at one end and providing an aperture at the other end, and a nail disposed within the sleeve means, said nail comprising a head, shank and a tip and being arranged to be driven outside the aperture formed in the other end of the sleeve means. The head of the nail acts as a piston which can be driven by explosion of the explosive charge and as a stop which arrests the driving-out movement when the shank of the nail has passed through said aperture.