Abstract: An affixing pin for penetrating a dry wall includes a pusher handle and a penetrating pin. The penetrating pin has a sharp penetrating end portion, a tail end portion connected with the pusher handle, and an elongated pin body integrally extend portioned between the penetrating end portion and the tail end portion, wherein the penetrating pin has a non-circular cross section defining at least one penetrating corner having a predetermined inclination angle between two corresponding outer surfaces of the penetrating pin; such that when the penetrating pin is rotatably pressed towards the dry wall by the pusher handle, the sharp penetrating end portion is arranged to rotatably penetrate the dry wall, in which the penetrating corner substantially assists optimally breaking the dry wall so as to maintain an optimal performance of the affixing pin in penetrating the dry wall while maintaining secure engagement between the penetrating pin and the dry wall after penetration thereof.

Abstract: A pin fastener includes a body having a first end that extends to a second end through an intermediate portion. The intermediate portion includes a first substantially constant diameter section that extends from the first end toward the second end, a first tapered section that extends from the first substantially constant diameter section, a second substantially constant diameter section that extends from the first tapered section, and a second tapered section that extends from the second substantially constant diameter portion to the second end. The pin fastener further includes a knurled section formed in the second substantially constant diameter portion.

Abstract: The fastening device in accordance with the invention is directed to a pin for securing the position of a part of a body, (for example, a head) for medical procedures. The fastening device can have an improved geometry, can be made from materials including unsubstituted, monosubstituted or multisubstituted polyphenylene, and/or silicon nitride ceramic, and can be made of one or more pieces. The fastening device in accordance with the invention produces improved performance with respect to the criteria of biocompatibility, ability to be sterilized, resistance to mechanical stress, and reduced artifact creation in medical imaging methods.

Abstract: An overvoltage protection device for use in power supply, especially low voltage systems, is described, with a housing (2), a first electrode (3), at least one second electrode (4), an arc chamber (5) within the housing (2) between the two electrodes (3, 4), and with a breakdown spark gap between the two electrodes (3, 4), an arc forming between the electrodes (3, 4) when the breakdown spark gap is ignited. In order to more reliably prevent the occurrence of a grid follow current and re-ignition of the breakdown spark gap in the overvoltage protection device, at least one outflow and cooling channel (6) is formed in the housing (2) through which the hot plasma from the arc chamber (5) can emerge, the outflow and cooling channel (6) extending in the lengthwise direction of the housing (2) and being helical.

Abstract: A nail-shaped fastening element including a first, conical section (1, 11 21) tapering in a setting direction of the fastening element and having a shaped surface profile extending at least along a portion of the first section, and a second section (2, 12, 22) adjoining the first section (1, 11, 21) at end of the first section remote from the fastening element tip (5, 15, 25).

Abstract: In combination, an elongated tool having a striking end and a tapered insertion end and a drift pin cap. The drift pin cap includes a cap body having an upper end, a lower end and at least one side wall extending between and connecting the upper end and the lower end. A drift pin receiving cavity is formed in the lower end of the cap body which extends upwards towards the upper end within the cap body, the pin receiving cavity having a diameter smaller than a diameter of the cap body. The pin receiving cavity is operative to fit over and be retained on the striking end of the tool such that when the tool is impacted by a driving device, the drift pin cap is interposed between the tool and the driving device to prevent damage to the tool yet still permit driving of the tool.

Abstract: A steel pin is disclosed of a type to be forcibly driven into a steel substrate by using a powder-actuated tool. The steel pin has a substantially cylindrical shank and a substantially sharp point which extends from one end of the substantially cylindrical shank, which conforms substantially to a tangent or secant ogive except for a substantially spherical tip having a radius in a range of approximately 0.02 inch (approximately 5 millimeters) to approximately 0.03 inch (approximately 7.5 millimeters), which has substantially true concentricity, which has surface-texture irregularities with a roughness-height index value in a range from approximately 10 microinches (approximately 0.25 micrometers) to approximately 15 microinches (approximately 0.38 micrometers), and which appears to be substantially free of other surface imperfections when viewed under 60.times. magnification.

Abstract: A surgical apparatus is disclosed for attaching adjacent end portions of cutaneous body tissue wherein a pair of opposed jaws have means for moving the jaws toward and away from each other. Body tissue engaging means in the form of sharp tip members extend from each jaw and toward the other so as to engage the opposed portions of cutaneous tissue when the jaws are positioned thereagainst and moved toward each other. The jaws and the tips are arranged to cause the cutaneous tissue to assume an irregular shape at the interface whereby an elongated rod-like member, preferably rectangular in cross section, may be directed generally medially of the interface of the tissue to attach the opposed portions to thereby permit healing. The elongated member may have indentations to improve retention within the tissue. A tapered distal end of the elongated member has a pointed tip to facilitate penetration into the tissue.

Abstract: A wire nail having a shank, a head formed on one end of the shank, and a point formed on the other end. The point has a penetrating portion, a wedging portion, and a transitional portion. The wedging portion defines four straight edges, each being inclined at an acute angle relative to an axis defined by the shank. The transitional portion defines four straight edges, each meeting a different one of said edges defined by the wedging portion, and each being inclined at a lesser angle relative to the same axis. The wedging portion has a plurality of convex surfaces, each conforming generally to a section of a circular cylinder. The transitional portion has a plurality of convex surfaces, each conforming generally to a section of a circular cylinder. A cutting tip is formed as a thin rib extended across the penetrating portion. A pair of thin cutting ribs extended from the cutting tip are formed along the wedging and transitional portions.