Abstract: A method of connecting a first component and a second component with the aid of an auxiliary joining part, wherein the auxiliary joining part is formed from a pin and a plate. A position of intended fracture is present between the plate and the pin. The first component, the second component and the auxiliary joining part are brought into a stacked arrangement such that the plate contacts the first component and the pin projects away from the side of the plate remote from the first component. A force is exerted on the pin of the auxiliary joining part in the direction towards the stacked components which leads to a fracture at a position of intended fracture and the pin is used in order to pierce slugs from the stacked components. The end of the pin which is pressed through the second component, and/or a washer which is optionally provided there, is deformed in order to provide a form-locked connection to the second component or to a washer which is provided there.

Abstract: A fastener including a body having a predetermined axial length, wherein the body includes a nail head at one axial end of the body, a textured portion at an opposite axial end of the body, a shank portion extending between the nail head and the textured portion, and wherein the shank portion has an axial length in excess of at least one-third of the axial length of the fastener body, a raised ring integrally formed in the shank portion intermediate the nail head and the textured portion and a resilient ring seated against the raised ring on the side of the raised ring opposite the nail head.

Abstract: Connectors configured for providing composite wall structures with high composite action. In one embodiment, the connectors comprise a body having two spaced-apart sidewalls and a web portion extending therebetween, having a thickness that is less than the diameter or width of the sidewalls in the same dimension. The body also includes a tapered end comprising a single elongate edge or a plurality of spaced-apart edges or pointed ends at one end for facilitating penetration of the connector through layers of the composite wall during manufacture. An orienting protrusion orients the connector at a predetermined depth within the layers of the composite wall during manufacture. One or more structures anchoring anchor the connectors of the invention to layers of structural material placed on opposing sides of an insulation layer of the composite wall.

Abstract: A fastening element which is designed for driving-in a constructional component, includes a stem (11) adjoined, at it's opposite sides, by a load application section (13) and a tip (12) facing in the setting direction of the fastening element, and a prestress member (20) having a force-introducing section (21) engaging the stem (11) and/or the tip (12), and a bearing surface (22) remote from the load application section (13) and provided with an elastic layer (17) having an opening (18) a wall (19) of which is radially spaced from an axial projection of the stem (11).

Abstract: A shear wall system comprises stucco fasteners consisting of an elongated first portion that is driven into a wood frame wall, and an elongated second portion that is completely embedded in a stucco wall panel. In one embodiment, the fasteners consist of an assembly having a first element that is driven into the wood frame wall, and a second annular element receiving a portion of the first element and that is embedded rigidly into the cement stucco wall. Ductile movement of the fastener components with respect to wood frame wall and the stucco wall provides energy dissipation.

Abstract: An insulated wall includes first and second spaced apart layers of concrete having a layer of insulating material sandwiched therebetween. Extending through the insulative layer are a plurality of spike connectors having their opposite ends protruding into the two concrete layers and having their central portions extending through the insulating material. On of the opposite ends of the spike connectors is pointed so as to permit it to be punched through the insulative layer. The opposite ends of the spikes each include a holding surface facing at least partially toward the central insulative layer and holding the concrete layers against movement away from the insulative layer. C-shaped connectors may also be used in a similar fashion with hook ends hooked over elongated cables extending within the two concrete layers so as to tie them together.

Abstract: A nail 10 for securing vinyl siding 26 to wall sheathing 28 by inserting a pointed end 20 of the nail 10 through a center of a nail slot 30 provided in an edge of the siding 26. A frusto-conical tapered formed bushing 12 proved on a shaft 14 of the nail 10 adjacent to and spaced apart from a head 16 of the nail 10 so that the nail slot 30 of the siding 26 can be popped into the space between the head 10 and the bushing 12 before the nail 10 is driven fully into a wall sheath 28. A smaller flat face 18 of the bushing 12 facing a pointed end 20 of the shaft 14 and a larger flat face 22 facing the head 16. The larger flat face 22 of the tapered formed bushing 12 being either parallel with or at an acute angle to a lower surface 24 of the head 16.

Abstract: An improved screw head nail includes a cylindrical machine screw and a nail having an upper end defining a nail head, a lower end defining a nail point, and a nail shank disposed therebetween. The nail shank has a centrally disposed threaded cylindrical bore extending from the nail head towards the nail point. The nail head has a generally frustoconical opening formed therethrough which is aligned with and opens onto the cylindrical bore and which, upon flattening of the nail head, protects the cylindrical bore from substantial damage and exposes the same for allowing full threaded receipt of the machine screw therein.

Abstract: A lifting apparatus for use in lifting a concrete or other structure including a first member for inserting into a wall of the structure and a second member for fitting onto a forklift and engaging the first member. The first member includes an elongate member encased in a polymeric material. One or more resilient radial fins extend from the first member, and are angled away from the first end of the first member. A pair of raised shoulders define a circumferential channel near the second end. The first member is installed in the structure by being driven into a preformed hole in the structure. The second member includes a hollow body for sliding onto a forklift tine, and a side wall having at least one vertical recess for receiving the circumferential channel of the first member.

Abstract: A collatable cap nail which may be deployed with minimal wasted time and materials. The cap nail comprises a shank having a head at one end and a point at the opposite end. A cap is slidably fit over the shank. A pair of notches are formed at opposite edges of the cap. The notches are sized to receive the shanks of additional cap nails to thereby allow a tightly nestled arrangement of similarly formed cap nails. A strip of adhesive material may be used to join a plurality of cap nails, thereby forming a clip. The clip of cap nails may be loaded into a nail dispensing machine for rapid deployment.

Abstract: A fastener comprising a shaft having a preselected length for use in fastening at least two materials together. A head extends radially around the shaft at one end. The shaft is provided with an enlarged shaft portion located in proximity to the head. The enlarged shaft portion has a pair of opposite ends, a cylindrical center portion and a pair of frusto-conical tapered portions. Each of the frusto-conical tapered portions extends from the center portion to one of the ends. The enlarged shaft portion has a length less than the length of the shaft.

Abstract: A means for temporarily securing a tarpaulin or like fabric having a series of grommeted holes about its periphery. The means comprises a double headed nail with an apron or apron frictionally engaging the nail immediately below the second or lower head.

Abstract: A fastening device of the invention includes a head, a tool hole formed in the head, and a leg extending downwardly from a lower surface of the head and having engaging portions. The tool hole has at least one opening on a peripheral surface of the head. When the leg is inserted into a hole in a member to be jointed, the engaging portions engage the member. When the fastening device is removed from the member, a tool is directly inserted into the tool hole of the head to pull out the fastening device.

Abstract: A fixation pin has a cylindrical body having a proximal end with two axially separated heads with an annular groove between them. The distal end of the cylindrical body has a tapered conical point. In the preferred embodiment, the cylindrical body has a plurality of circumferentially spaced longitudinally extending grooves which extend from just proximal of the pointed end of the fixation pin, proximally toward the proximal end. Each groove extends into the cylindrical body to an extent not exceeding 30% of the diameter of a cross-section of the cylindrical body and each groove has an outwardly facing opening which subtends in the range of about 7% to about 17% of the circumference of the cylindrical body. The grooves receive bone material when the pin is driven into a bone and prevent rotation of the pin while preventing the pin from backing out of the bone.

Abstract: An attachment member (1) for securing very thick panels to a receiving material, such as a structural member, is formed of an axially elongated cylindrical shank (2) having a tip (3) at its leading end and a flange-like head (4) projecting laterally outwardly from the shank (2) at its trailing end. A contact pressure element (6) is located in the trailing end region of the shank (2) and is axially displaceable relative to the shank. An axially extending part arranged about the trailing end of the shank is arranged for absorbing excess energy applied to the attachment member. The shank (2) is laterally enclosed by an axially extending cylindrical sleeve (7) extending in the range of approximately 3/4 to 9/10 of the axial length of the shank. The sleeve (7) has an outside diameter (a) in the range of 1.4 to 3 times the diameter (s) of the shank (2). The sleeve (7) has a trailing end arranged to axially support the contact pressure element (6).

Abstract: An improved nail member having first and second heads on a shaft with two ends. One of the ends being defined by the first head and the other end has a pointed termination. A weakened portion is positioned between the second head and the pointed end, substantially closer to the second head. The weakened portion permits a user to readily break off most of the shaft including the pointed end. When the nail member is passed through an opening in an electrical box it keeps it in place while at the same time permits ready detachment of the shaft.

Abstract: An improved roofing nail having a cap which is held captive near the nail point for the purpose of attaching roofing felt to a wooden roof. The nail point extends slightly below the lower surface of the cap allowing the point of the nail to be manually engaged into the roofing felt. The cap positioned at the end of the nail provides support to hold the nail in an upright position until the nail is driven through the cap and into engagement with the roof substructure, after the hand of the user has been removed.

Abstract: A decorative cover for the head of a nail and other simlar fasteners used in the carpentry and upholstery trades. Ordinary nails can prove unsightly when used on particular works. The invention is a decorative cover which utilizes a slot to attach the cover to the head of a standard nail. The decorative cover is of any shape and color desired, thereby offering limitless design possibilities. After attachment of the invention to the nail head, the nail is driven into the body of work with no adverse effects on the cover. The invention, then, allows the aesthetic characteristics of a body of work to be enhanced without sacrificing the utilitarian characteristics of the nail.

Abstract: A convertible storage cabinet for storing audio tapes, video tapes, and compact discs, is adapted to be installed in a residential wall. The cabinet has a width suited for being inserted between a pair of vertical wall studs in the wall. The cabinet box has interior walls slotted to receive horizontal shelves for accommodating either video tapes or audio cassette tapes depending upon the location of the shelves; or a pair of vertical shelves that have inclined ribs for receiving compact discs.

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 fastener for use particularly to temporarily secure wood strip members to a concrete substrate includes an upper cylindrical head overlying a first cylindrical shank, with a truncated conical further head coaxially aligned with the cylindrical head, with a second shank positioned between the further head and an elliptical, deformable anchor portion including a third shank underlying the anchor portion. The anchor portion is deformable to enhance securement of the fastener within the concrete substrate, and wherein further the cylindrical head and the further head define a gap therebetween to enable removal of the fastener by application of a tool to the first shank.

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: A bone fixation pin includes an elongated pointed shank having an enlarged head at one end thereof. A second shank projects axially from the other end of the head and is joined to a second head which, in turn, is integral with a third shank. An enlarged and relatively long head on the end of the third shank may be gripped by the rotary chuck of a tool for driving the pin. After the pin has been driven into the bone of a digit, the exposed end portion of the pin is detached from the pin by snapping the pin either at the relatively weak second shank or at the relatively weak third shank. A flexible tie for pulling two parallel pins toward one another and placing an osteotomy site in compression may be looped around each pin and captivated axially by the first and second heads.

Abstract: A nail having a head and a shaft and a plurality of flutes extending from the head down the shaft and projecting outwardly from the axis of the shaft for a distance equal to the radius of the head. The nail is favorably employed in a device for automatically delivering the nail to affix soft material, particularly drywall, foam board and the like, to solid surfaces without disintegrating the material. The lower end of each flute is spaced from the nail head a distance substantially equal to the thickness of the soft material.

Abstract: A fastening system (10) for fastening planar sections (11, 12) such as flooring boards to a base surface (14) comprising a fastening strip (13) that interlockingly engages in a set of grooves (30) cut in the ends of the boards (11, 12). The fastening strip (13) is mounted on a resilient layer of material (28) that is interposed between the fastening strip (13) and the base surface (14). The layer of resilient material (28) allows the flooring boards (11, 12) and the fastening strip (13) to move in response to loading on the flooring boards (11, 12). Fastening members (15) that accommodate the movement without becoming loosened attach the fastening strips (13) to the base surface (14).

Abstract: A hinge pin, preferably made of plastic material comprises, in a first embodiment, a serrated portion which extends outwardly of the hinge and a cap member which snappingly and resiliently engages the serrated member, the serrated member being severable to adjust for hinge length. In other embodiments, the hinge pin has resilient flap-like members which normally extend outwardly of the shank of the hinge pin, and which are resiliently present against the hinge pin during insertion of the hinge. The flap-like members flapping outwardly after passing through the hinge to secure the hinge pin in place. In other embodiments, first and second members, which extend into the hinge pin opening of a hinge from opening ends thereof, are interconnected by a spring member which extends outwardly of the hinge to retain the hinge pin in place.