Abstract: A method of manufacturing a perforated sheet which has at least one hole. The method includes introducing at least two spaced boreholes into a sheet, the at least two spaced boreholes being formed so that they each pass through a thickness of the sheet, introducing a continuous cut between the at least two spaced boreholes in the sheet, and bending open a section of the sheet which is adjacent to the continuous cut so as to form a hole.

Abstract: A backing plate for drywall repair has a body having an outer periphery, and a thickness substantially less than any dimension at right angles to the thickness, made from a semi-rigid material, the body exhibiting two opposite, parallel planar surfaces, a plurality of guiding indentions arranged in a closely-spaced pattern on a first one of the parallel planar surfaces of the body, each guiding indention extending into the body for a first dimension less than the thickness of the body, having an intersection of a first area in the planar surface, and a parallel area diminishing with depth of the guiding indention, and, at the full depth of each guiding indention, a through hole of a diameter centered on the guiding indention and passing through the body and out the opposite planar surface.

Abstract: A metal flange member for use in making a composite structural member, the flange member having a base wall and two side walls extending from the base wall, the base wall and side walls forming a pocket to receive a portion of a web member. Each side wall is doubled with an inner wall panel and an outer wall panel joined along a fold line spaced from, and parallel to, the base wall. Fasteners are formed from each side wall adjacent the fold line, each fastener having inner and outer wall panel sections joined by a section of the fold line and extending transversely from its side wall toward the other side wall. A composite structural member employs the flange with a web, the web mounted in the pocket with the side walls of the flange adjacent the sides of the web and the fasteners pressed into the sides of the web to secure the flange to the web.

Abstract: A truss is disclosed which comprises a bottom chord (12) and a pair of top chords (14, 16) arranged obliquely with respect to the bottom chord (12). Webs (20) are arranged between the top chords and the bottom chord. The webs have punched nails (46) projecting from connector plate (40) portions of the webs. The webs have a middle section (30) and load bearing portions (60) are provided between the middle section and the two connector plates (40) at opposite ends of the web (20). The load bearing portions are shaped for blunt end engagement with the chords without regard to the angle of intersection of the web with the chord.

Abstract: Lintels having metal side plates are described. In an exemplary embodiment, a lintel constructed in accordance with the present invention includes a generally rectangular frame of a height, length and thickness substantially corresponding to the dimensions of the opening in which the lintel is to be installed. The frame is formed by connected, first and second elongate chord members (e.g., nominal “2×N” members) that extend in spaced, substantially parallel, overlying relationship to each other. The subject lintel also includes at least one generally rectangular, metal side plate having at least first and second spaced groupings of integrally formed teeth extending from one side along opposite longitudinal edges thereof. The respective teeth groupings engage the first and second chords.

Abstract: A staple and stapler and introducer are disclosed for closing a wound and for wound site management. The staple is deformable, and includes a plurality of tissue-piercing prongs which are expanded outwardly, inserted into tissue and collapsed inwardly to close the wound. The stapler includes a plurality of mechanisms to deform the staple into various positions. An introducer is provided that includes a plurality of spaced-apart wire guides for securing and centering the wound opening during a medical procedure, and during closure of the wound.

Abstract: To facilitate pre-plating of nail plated truss joints, a nail plate (10) has teeth (13) of increased length in a region of the plate for fixing plate to one member of a joint prior to assembly of the joint.

Abstract: A plate for coupling a plurality of doors together for painting. The inventive device includes a first planar member coupled to a second planar member and oriented so as to extend substantially orthogonally from the first planar member. A plurality of piercing teeth extend from the planar member to engage the upper edges of a plurality of doors, joining the doors in a spaced and orthogonal orientation for painting the doors.

Abstract: A fastener for securing panels together has a body made of spring steel member having a rosette fastener and at least one mounting flange. The rosette fastener is secured within a first polymeric panel with the mounting flange engaging the opposite surface of an abutting substrate panel for lockably engaging the substrate and panel thereby holding the two panels together. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the fastener includes a pair of flanges which are offset from a central platform of the body in which the rosette fastener is formed.

Abstract: An automotive panel bracket 10 is formed from a strip having a central fold line 22 forming a double-walled stand-off 15 between a pair of base portions 11 and 12 interconnected with an automotive panel 20. A pair of confronting semi-cylindrical grooves 17 and 18 in double walled stand-off 15 form a generally cylindrical pilot hole 16 guiding a fastener 25 that extends through panel 20, through pilot hole 16 in stand-off 15, and into an automotive body 30 to which panel 20 is secured.

Abstract: A rigid wooden composite assembly such as a beam, post or the like, includes a plurality of elongated wooden boards of varying lengths disposed in face-to-face relationship and forming a plurality of layers. At least one of the layers includes a plurality of boards, the inner ends of which abut to form a joint therebetween. A connector device has a base plate with openings therein. Prongs extend outwardly from the plate and initially generally normal thereto. The prongs of adjacent openings extend in opposite directions from the plate. The connector device is disposed between the layers so that the base plate bridges the inner portion of the joint and the oppositely extending prongs penetrate the opposing board faces. When the assembly is compressed together, the prongs deform and clinchingly engage the wood surrounding the joint. The abutting boards are spliced together, and the facing boards are held tightly together.

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: There is disclosed a metal connector for diagonal interconnection between the upper and lower chords and two adjacent vertical studs of a wooden truss so as to form a tension web thereof. The connector is of unitary one-piece construction, including an elongated support member having a stiffening rib and stiffening side flanges, and being provided at the opposite ends thereof with two generally rectangular end plates. Each end plate has stamped therefrom a plurality of pairs of fastening brads or nails which are adapted to be embedded in the overlapped portions of the chords and studs to be interconnected. Indexing holes are also provided in the end plates to facilitate manufacture of the connector and locating of the connector with respect to the truss.

Abstract: A clip for attaching together planar wooden or like members comprising a one-piece sheet metal element having a flat base adapted to be seated on one of the members and provided along one edge with an outwardly open socket-like formation above a surface of its base for abutting engagement with the other of the members, the base having a bent nail portion formed by material displaced out of said base to leave an opening in the base and comprising a shank portion extending at an acute angle from an edge of said opening away from the base surface and the opening and a tip portion extending from a transverse bend toward the base opening and being adapted to angularly penetrate the one member, the included angle between the shank and tip portions being an acute angle, and the tip portion being bifurcated with the free ends of the bifurcations having oppositely lateraly outwardly inclined edges.