Abstract: A nut fastener adapted for insertion into an opening in a panel. The nut fastener includes a platform including an upper face and a lower face. A sleeve defining a sleeve axis extends through the platform. The sleeve includes a sleeve inlet opening at the upper face adapted to receive an elongate fastening member along the sleeve axis. A first retention arm extends downwardly from a first position on the platform. At least a second retention arm extends downwardly from a second position on the platform. The first position and the second position are disposed on substantially opposing sides of the sleeve axis. The first retention arm and the second retention arm are adapted to rotate to outboard locking positions upon insertion of the elongate fastening member.

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: A plate (10) with spikes (11) projecting therefrom to impale a log on respective opposite sides of a crack (20) in the end of the log and wherein the plate has pull tabs (18, 19) integral therewith and grippingly engageable by a tool (30) used to remove the plate from the end of the log. A tool for inserting and removing the plate from the log includes means (37) for driving and means (33) for removing the plate from the log including a slot (35) adjacent the impact end of the tool and into which the pull tab on the plate is inserted.

Abstract: A metal piercing fastener having an elongated flat body having first and second surfaces with a heat at one end and a piercing point at the other. The thickness dimension of the flat body is greater proximate the head proximate the point. The first and second surfaces of the body are devoid of protrusions extending outwardly therefrom.

Abstract: A cage is adapted to hold the nut. The cage is formed from a sheet of material into top, bottom, and side walls. A protrusion extends between adjacent walls and is formed from repositioned material and/or an expanded portion of the sheet of material. The protrusion resists angular movement between the adjacent wall segments. The protrusion also pushes against an adjacent surface to resist angular movement. A method of manufacturing includes stamping a blank for a cage from a sheet of material. In addition, the method includes forming a protrusion on the sheet material by repositioning a corresponding area of the sheet material and bending the blank along a line passing through the protrusion and the corresponding groove. In a preferred version of this method, the stamping of the blank and the forming of the protrusion are done as part of a single stamping operation.

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.

Abstract: According to the present invention, it is possible to produce an article-fixing device at low cost and in large quantity and also to drive a pin unit in accurate and assured manner, and to firmly mount an object to be fixed.

Abstract: A ring binder mechanism adapted to be secured to a cover is disclosed as including a substantially rigid upper curved housing supporting a pair of plates to which three pairs of half-ring members are mounted, and a pair of rivets for engagement with the cover. The plates are pivotably movable between a first configuration in which the pairs of half-rings are closed, and a second configuration in which the pairs of half-rings are open. Each rivet includes an anchor plate to abut the cover and at least one claw penetrable into said cover in order to secure the ring binder mechanism to the cover, and the anchor plate includes a number of ridges or troughs.

Abstract: A connector plate is provided which includes a plurality of connecting prongs which are, in use, pressed into wooden members to form a joint and which include at least one row of edge prongs that is folded down from the edge of the plate and that extends parallel to the longitudinal axis of the connector plate. A joint formed by a chord member and at least two abutting diagonals is connected together by connector plate which has a prong density that is asymmetrical with respect to longitudinal axis of the plate and has increased prong density at one side thereof. A joint structure provides a stiff, nonplastic joint.

Abstract: A fastener-plate assembly for use in anchoring covering sheets to a roof deck has a pre-assembled configuration. The assembled configuration is maintained by projections on an upper portion of the fastener shank. The projections engage against a received retainer plate to retain the plate to the shank of the fastener.

Abstract: A dartboard has bed-defining members which are held in position by prongs made from sheet material. The prongs may be formed into a U-shape and be adapted to straddle a bed-defining member or they may be made in one piece with a bed-defining member.

Abstract: A fastening device comprises an elongated sheet metal plate having at least one lengthwise stiffening rib, a pointed end, the tip of which is preferably inclined to the general plane of the device, and, preferably, a depth stop so that when the pointed end is driven into a wooden member up to the depth stop the other end of the device may be bent and may be secured to another object by fastening means provided in the other end.

Abstract: The present device is a dog nail comprised of a planar or angled body with a shock absorbent ridging about its periphery. Attached to and perpendicular of one end of the body is a concave spike which is V-shaped in lengthwise cross section. The body also includes at least one other spike which is integral of the body and may be pressed perpendicularly thereof. Both spikes are long and pointed and serve to grip two pieces of wood together to form a solid joint between the two.

Abstract: A spike plate which is used mainly in joining wooden parts and which is made by punching from a strip of steel sheet a set of projecting spikes. The joining capacity of the spike plate is improved by making on the broad surface of the spikes toothing or roughening so as to increase the gripping force of the spikes. The roughening or toothing is first made on the blanking strip of the spike plate at the places where the spikes will be punched out, after which the spikes are formed. Making of the roughening is made still easier by forming the blank with elevations at the places of the spikes. In the device for making the spike plates, the roughening tool may be used as a feeding device of the blanking strip. The punches and dies of the tool forming the spikes may be placed on rollers rotating in conjunction with each other, between which the blanking strip moves at the same speed, the spikes being cut and turned from the blanking strip between the punches and dies which sequentially enter a cutting position.

Abstract: A V-shaped, substantially flat, sheet metal, combined web-connector plate having diverging web-forming legs and integral apex and leg end connector portions provided with struck-out teeth for embedding within spaced apart wooden chord members to form a wood chord-metal web type truss. The connector plate is offset inwardly from the end of the chord and the connector plate is positioned to slightly overlap a beam or columnar support to reduce shear stress in the chord.