Abstract: A corrugated-typed fastener configured to couple a first substrate to a second substrate includes a bridge and a plurality of ribs, the ribs having a plurality of flutes. The flutes, and possibly the ribs, may be angled inwardly to form an apex disposed within the width of the fastener and pointing towards a center of the fastener. The ribs may extend outward from the bridge towards opposing ends of the fastener, and the ends may be at a different height than the bridge when viewing the fastener from the side. Alternatively, the ends may be at the same height as the bridge and also may be generally centered on the height of the fastener.

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 corrugated fastener having an asymmetrically corrugated body member with more corrugations protruding from one face of the body member than from an opposite face thereof, and a leading edge on one end of the body member, the leading edge formed by at least one beveled surface and skewed toward the face of the body member having more corrugations protruding therefrom.

Abstract: A truss plate includes a generally planar backing member that includes a plurality of elongate apertures defined by a pair of side edges and a pair of end edges and a plurality of teeth, each of which extends in a first direction from one side of the backing member. At least some of the teeth comprise a shank and a tip portion. The shank extends from a position adjacent an end edge of one of the apertures and comprises a major shank portion, a minor shank portion, and an arcuate base portion. The major shank portion is generally arcuate in cross-section. The major and minor shank portions are separated by a crease extending in the first direction from the backing member, with one end of the crease being substantially centered between the side edges of the aperture. The shank is twisted about an axis parallel to the first direction so that the major shank portion is substantially larger than the minor shank portion.

Abstract: Sheet metal nails (2) are linked side-by-side with each other in a metal strip (1), the nails being parallel to each other and extending at an angle to the longitudinal direction of the strip from one lateral edge of the strip to the other opposite lateral edge. Each sheet nail (2) has a profiled nail shank (4) having at one end a head (5), a transition portion between the profiled shank (4) and the nail head (5) comprising a relatively gently curved portion (7) which is also profiled, the head being also profiled and no wider than the shank. The nail end remote from the head has a penetration portion with at least one point. The profiling of the nail shank (4), the curved portion (7) and the head (5) is such that these portions have substantially the same cross-sectional shape, the sheet metal in the nail being of substantially uniform thickness.

Abstract: A truss assembly and attachment member for use in constructing truss assemblies. The attachment member includes an intermediate leg with first and second connecting plates disposed at opposite ends of the intermediate leg. Each of the connecting plates have a plurality of teeth extending generally perpendicular from the connecting plates. The intermediate leg has at least one groove extending from the same side as the sharp projections of the connecting plates and extending substantially the entire length of the leg between the connecting plates. This groove is deeper in the proximity of the connecting plates than in the center of the leg midway between the connecting plates. The leg also has a pair of side flanges projecting from both its outside edges and extending in the same direction as the groove.

Abstract: An improved corrugated staple or fastener for joining together wood members such as wood chords to form a joist-like wood beam. The staple, which is made of sheet metal, has corrugations oriented at three different angles relative to a reference line such as the edge of the staple which is to be inserted into the wood members. The corrugations which are oriented at the first and second angles pull the wood chord members toward each other and when the joist-like beam is subjected to loading, the orientation of the first and second corrugations compresses the wood chords toward each other and increases friction between the chords. The third corrugation is oriented so that when the staple is inserted into the wood chords, the fibers of the wood are temporarily displaced and thereafter move back toward their original position to resist any tendency of the staple to pull out of the chords. The third corrugation also increases the resistance of the staple to horizontal shear forces or bending.

Abstract: A web strip with penetration stoppers are placed transversely along one or both longitudinal edges. The stoppers are designed to abut the flange surface when the strip has been pressed into the desired depth to inhibit further penetration.