Abstract: Vehicle restraints are disclosed herein. An example vehicle restraint disclosed herein includes a deck installable at the loading dock and a lip extending from the deck where the deck and lip are movable between a stored configuration and an operative configuration such that the deck and lip in the operative configuration provide a bridge between a vehicle bed and a platform when the deck is installed at a loading dock and the vehicle is at the loading dock. A blocking member is selectively attachable to the lip to selectively engage and disengage a restraint feature of the vehicle bed. The blocking member restricts forward movement of the vehicle relative to the loading dock when the blocking is engaged with the restrain feature and the blocking member allows forward movement of the vehicle relative to the loading dock when the blocking is disengaged from the restraint.

Abstract: A device (H) to be mounted to a friable wall (W) comprises a body (10) and at least one main saber tooth (12) extending rearwardly from an upper portion of the body (10) and adapted to be driven into the wall (W) for securing the device (H) thereto. The main saber tooth (12) is arcuate and has a pointed rear free end (22), and is adapted to be arcuately driven into the wall (W). An arcuate and pointy secondary saber tooth (14) extends rearwardly from a lower portion of the body (10) for insertion into the wall (W) before the main saber tooth (12) is inserted therein. The main saber tooth (12) defines a lower enlarged, and typically flat, load-bearing surface (30) for bearing against material of the wall (W). The main saber tooth (12) includes an upper transversely curved surface (32). A hook member (20) is provided on a front part of the body (10) for suspending items therefrom once the device (H) has been mounted to the wall (W).

Abstract: A dual-tip straight pin is disclosed. The pin includes a main shaft having a first tip and a pin leg extending from the main shaft, having a second tip. The pin is suitable for temporarily retaining a plurality of assembly components, such as wood, cloth and the like, to an assembly support workstation retaining the plurality of assembly components in a precisely aligned relationship to each other. The main shaft is located proximate a first side of the assembly component. The first tip extends beyond the second tip enabling the user to insert the main shaft into the workstation and use the main shaft as a pivot to position the pin leg against the second side of the assembly component. The pin is inserted into the assembly support workstation to a depth where a transverse segment of the pin leg engages with an upper surface of the assembly component.

Abstract: A pneumatically drivable fastener secures drywall or other construction material to a metal stud. Each fastener comprises a driving head; and a one piece shank component, secured at one end to the driving head. Each shank component has an axial length extending perpendicularly and longitudinally from the driving head and is divided into two or three sections: (a) an optional, solid section closest to the driving head; (b) an intermediate section with grooves that define stud cutting edges; and (c) two or more forked ends opposite the driving head. A method for fastening drywall to a plurality of metal studs is also disclosed.

Abstract: A surgical fastener applying apparatus having a first jaw and a second jaw. The first jaw includes a cartridge body having plurality of surgical fasteners disposed therein. The plurality of surgical fasteners include a plurality of first surgical fasteners having a first backspan with a first configuration, and a plurality of second surgical fasteners having a second backspan with a second, different configuration such that the plurality of first surgical fasteners apply a first compressive force to tissue upon formation and the plurality of second surgical fasteners apply a second, different compressive force to tissue upon formation.

Abstract: A surgical fastener applying apparatus having a first jaw and a second jaw. The first jaw includes a cartridge body having plurality of surgical fasteners disposed therein. The plurality of surgical fasteners include a plurality of first surgical fasteners having a first backspan with a first configuration, and a plurality of second surgical fasteners having a second backspan with a second, different configuration such that the plurality of first surgical fasteners apply a first compressive force to tissue upon formation and the plurality of second surgical fasteners apply a second, different compressive force to tissue upon formation.

Abstract: A device (H) to be mounted to a friable wall (W) comprises a body (10) and at least one main saber tooth (12) extending rearwardly from an upper portion of the body (10) and adapted to be driven into the wall (W) for securing the device (H) thereto. The main saber tooth (12) is arcuate and has a pointed rear free end (22), and is adapted to be arcuately driven into the wall (W). An arcuate and pointy secondary saber tooth (14) extends rearwardly from a lower portion of the body (10) for insertion into the wall (W) before the main saber tooth (12) is inserted therein. The main saber tooth (12) defines a lower enlarged, and typically flat, load-bearing surface (30) for bearing against material of the wall (W). The main saber tooth (12) includes an upper transversely curved surface (32). A hook member (20) is provided on a front part of the body (10) for suspending items therefrom once the device (H) has been mounted to the wall (W).

Abstract: A surgical fastener applying apparatus comprising a cartridge body including a plurality of fastener retention slots arranged in a plurality of rows including at least an inner row and an outer row, a plurality of surgical fasteners disposed in inner and outer rows and configured such that a plurality of fasteners disposed in the inner row have a backspan that has a greater height than a backspan of a plurality of surgical fasteners disposed in the outer row, and an anvil having an inner row and an outer row of depressions for forming the fasteners. A plurality of pushers are operably associated with the plurality of surgical fasteners and configured to eject the surgical fasteners toward a respective depression in an anvil for formation thereof such that upon formation, the plurality of surgical fasteners ejected from the inner row provide a greater compressive force to tissue than the plurality of surgical fasteners ejected from the outer row.

Abstract: A surgical fastener applying apparatus having a first jaw and a second jaw. The first jaw includes a cartridge body having plurality of surgical fasteners disposed therein. The plurality of surgical fasteners include a plurality of first surgical fasteners having a first backspan with a first configuration, and a plurality of second surgical fasteners having a second backspan with a second, different configuration such that the plurality of first surgical fasteners apply a first compressive force to tissue upon formation and the plurality of second surgical fasteners apply a second, different compressive force to tissue upon formation.

Abstract: A hidden-type fastener for attaching laterally adjacent grooved decking members to an underlying support includes a body with a fastener opening, first and second connection wings, and a flange. The wings extend out from a top edge of the body in opposite directions. Each includes a first portion perpendicular to the body and a second portion oriented at an angle thereto. The flange is perpendicular to the body, and is attached to a bottom edge thereof. In use, the wing opposite the flange is placed in the groove of a first decking member. A connector is secured into the support through the opening, causing the fastener and wing to flex into engagement with the decking member. A second decking member is placed laterally against the first by maneuvering its side groove over the other wing, causing the wing to flex for engagement therewith.

Abstract: A novel fastener for holding and spacing an object at a predetermined distance from a substrate comprises a bridge portion, a first prong extending in a driving direction from the bridge portion, and a second prong spaced from the first prong and extending generally parallel to the first prong in the driving direction from the bridge portion, wherein the second prong is substantially shorter than the first prong.

Abstract: A unitary device for securing the root ball of newly planted trees and/or shrubs into proper position, for stabilizing the trees and/or shrubs to prevent shifting or toppling while the tree and/or shrub root systems are first developing. The device includes a horizontal cross member, and a couple of prongs perpendicularly depending from the horizontal cross member, all formed from a single piece of rod or tubing material. At the time of planting, after the root ball of the tree is set into an appropriate hole and the tree is in proper position, the free ends of the prongs of the device are driven into the ground such that the outer prong is retained in the firm portion of the soil, and the inner prong engages the root ball. The outer prong is of a sufficient length to be held securely in the soil, and the inner prong is both arranged in position and sized in length to engage the root ball securely.

Abstract: A fastener and an installation tool are disclosed. The fastener is double-ended and allows two opposed items to be joined. The fastener also produces a blind joint, so that the fastener itself is invisible after the joint has been formed. An accompanying installation tool assists in installing one end of the fastener.

Abstract: A deck board fastener has first and second parallel straight prongs for insertion respectively into a deck board and a supporting joist, a crown coplanar with and joining the first and second prongs, a third prong extending from the crown at an angle to the first prong for securing a second deck board to the joist adjacent the first deck board and the crown has a driving surface in the plane of the first and second prongs and at a right angle to the axes of the first and second prongs. The angle between the third prong and the first prong is formed at the juncture of the third prong and the crown.

Abstract: A fastener for securing boards to joists includes first and second sharp, pointed prongs. The first prong has a driving portion for driving the prong at an angle through a first board and a joist thereunder. The second prong extends from a lateral member connected to the driving portion of the first prong, defining an angle between the first prong and the second prong in the range of about 30 to 60 degrees. The second prong acts to secure an adjacent board to the first board. In another aspect, a fastener for securing boards to joists thereunder includes a first member having two parallel sharp, pointed prongs, and a third sharp, pointed prong extending from the first member at an angle in the range of about 35-55 degrees One of the prongs of the first member is driven into a first board and the other of the prongs is driven into the joist. The third prong secures an adjacent board to the first board.

Abstract: A fastener for securing boards to joists includes first and second sharp, pointed prongs. The first prong has a driving portion for driving the prong at an angle through a first board and a joist thereunder. The second prong extends from the first prong at an angle in the range of about 30 to 60 degrees and acts to secure an adjacent board to the first board. In another aspect, a fastener for securing boards to joists thereunder includes a first member having two parallel sharp, pointed prongs, and a third sharp, pointed prong extending from the first member at an angle in the range of about 35-55 degrees. One of the prongs of the first member is driven into a first board and the other of the prongs is driven into the joist. The third prong secures an adjacent board to the first board.

Abstract: An elastic clip for osteosynthesis for connecting at least two bone parts together, comprising a body having at least two spaced legs, each leg having a lower end which can be inserted into a bone part and each having an upper end, the upper ends of said at least two legs being attached to corresponding ends of an elastic bridge which is deformable by pressure and which preferably comprises at least two elongated sections which extend alongside each other. Preferably, the clip has four legs attached in pairs to each of the ends of the bridge, the legs of each pair being attached together. The two elongated sections have at least a portion where they are not connected together, so that the two bridge sections can be forced apart to hold the bone parts in place. Alternatively, the two bridge sections are spaced apart and brought together to hold two bone parts together with a prescribed spacing.

Abstract: A nail structure for providing a support surface for subsequent mounting and positioning of elevational rods for utilization particularly in surveying situations. The nail structure includes a first and second spike member orthogonally mounted to a lower or first leg of a generally triangular support truss head when the head is mounted to a main body support, wherein the main body support provides a planar support surface and includes a projection formed at an upper terminal end of the main body support to provide a planar impact head surface for permitting directing of the nail into various structural components such as utility poles. A further improved embodiment of the instant invention includes a benchmark nail structure, wherein a body member is formed with planar body sides for positioning indicator rods utilized in surveying.

Abstract: An adjustable staple to be used in bone surgery, comprising a horizontally laying U-shaped member having upper and lower arms wherein the lower arm is movable parallel to itself, and relative to the upper arm, and with the upper arm being fixed, a connecting segment between the arms, including means facilitating relative movement between the arms and means facilitating fastening of the lower arm in any selected position along said movement, said means facilitating movement including a dovetail joint between a first portion of the connecting segment orthogonal to the upper arm and a second portion of the connecting segment orthogonal to the lower arm.

Abstract: A nail plate, intended especially for joining wooden beams, is made with columns of nails formed by tongue-shaped punch-outs. The punch-outs are arranged in parallel to a pair of longitudinal edges of the plate, and at least one of a front edge and a rear edge, each extending diagonally between the longitudinal edges, has a stepped pattern.

Abstract: An implantable polycarbonate fastener for holding erosion cloth on the ground. The fastener has a long vertical leg, a shorter vertical leg extending parallel to the long leg, and a horizontal top leg extending between them. The long vertical leg has a tapered lower end segment with a downwardly and outwardly inclined inside face to cause the long leg to bend away from the shorter vertical leg as it is driven down into the ground, thereby making the implanted fastener harder to pull out of the ground.

Abstract: A compound support consists of two or more beams (5) joined together along their butt joint (4) by means of nailing plates (1). The nailing plates (1) consist of sheet-metal plates (11), tongue-shaped nails (2, 3) being forced out of the sheet-metal plates (11) by means of punchings (21, 31) in a rhomboid-shaped zone.

Abstract: A surgical staple for use in joining the opposed edges of an incision in the skin of a patient, in which the staple includes an elongated straight bridge portion, a pair of anchor prongs projecting in the same direction from the opposite ends of the bridge portion, and a pair of positioning prongs projecting toward each other from the opposite ends of the bridge portion at acute angles to, and in the same plane as, the anchor prongs. The surgical staple is adapted to be carried in the cartridge of a conventional surgical staple applicator and adapted to be deformed by the applicator to bend the bridge portion spanning the edges of the wound for emplacement of the opposed anchor and positioning prongs into the skin on opposite sides of the incision so that the positioning prongs urge the edges of the incision together, and all of the prongs prevent rotation of the staple relative to the incision.

Abstract: The staple comprises a top having four downwardly depending legs adjacent to its four corners. Two of the downwardly depending legs on the same side of the top are spaced inwardly from the corners relative to the remaining two legs so as to be transversely offset therefrom. The offset legs avoid the risk of splitting the bone when the staple bridges the bone "grain". In other words, the two legs will enter different cleavage planes of the bone rather than the same cleavage plane. Projections are provided on the underside of the top of the staple to aid in frictionally gripping and retaining a tendon or equivalent tie being held by the staple to a bone.

Abstract: A staple-nail fastener for nailing a ceiling support strip to a panel of wallboard which consists of a length of relatively hard steel wire bent into "U" shape to form long and short legs approximately parallel to one another, the long leg being approximately one-quarter inch to approximately three-eighths of an inch longer than the short leg. The long leg is chamfered to a sharp point, while the short leg presents a tip which is less sharp so that when the fastener is hammered into the strip the long leg readily penetrates the strip while the short leg resists penetration, serving as a fulcrum for the long leg to impart broadwise swinging movement thereto so that, as the long leg continues its penetrating movement, it regionally compresses the wallboard in the direction of the strip, until the short leg assumes a final position in which it lies flatly and snugly against the strip.

Abstract: A cotton module is covered with a tarpaulin for protection from the elements. The tarpaulin has a plurality of grommets spaced along the peripheral edge thereof. A separate pin is inserted through each of the grommets and held in place by pressure from the fibrous material of the cotton module. Each pin includes a first elongated leg having a sharpened tip which is inserted through the grommet and into the cotton module. A second leg is approximately one-fourth the length of the first leg and extends parallel to the first leg. The second leg is inserted into the cotton module alongside the peripheral edge of the tarpaulin. A bight portion runs between the first and second legs and is devoid of any protrusions which might cause the pin to be knocked loose as the cotton module is transported.