AU2012258881A1 - Fastener identification marking - Google Patents

Fastener identification marking

Info

Publication number
AU2012258881A1
AU2012258881A1 AU2012258881A AU2012258881A AU2012258881A1 AU 2012258881 A1 AU2012258881 A1 AU 2012258881A1 AU 2012258881 A AU2012258881 A AU 2012258881A AU 2012258881 A AU2012258881 A AU 2012258881A AU 2012258881 A1 AU2012258881 A1 AU 2012258881A1
Authority
AU
Australia
Prior art keywords
fastener
depth
shank
identification marking
actual length
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Granted
Application number
AU2012258881A
Other versions
AU2012258881B2 (en
Inventor
William M. Heflin
David W. Jablonski
John Jason ROXBURGH
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Illinois Tool Works Inc
Original Assignee
Illinois Tool Works Inc
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Priority claimed from US13/114,926 external-priority patent/US20120301249A1/en
Application filed by Illinois Tool Works Inc filed Critical Illinois Tool Works Inc
Publication of AU2012258881A1 publication Critical patent/AU2012258881A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of AU2012258881B2 publication Critical patent/AU2012258881B2/en
Active legal-status Critical Current
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical

Links

Description

FASTENER IDENTIFICATION MARKING
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[001] Certain applications require use of a power driven fastener to attach a first object, such as a metal bracket, to a second object, such as a concrete wall. After a fastener is embedded through the first object and into or through the second object, by an installer, an interested third party such as a contractor or a building inspector, does not know the actual length or the embedment depth of the fastener into the second object. Being that a power driven fastener is intended to be a permanent fastening, the embedded fastener may need to be removed, possibly causing damage to the first object, the second object, or the fastener itself, in order to verify the actual length or the embedment depth of the fastener.
[002] It would therefore be desirable to allow interested parties to determine the actual length or the embedment depth of a power driven fastener after installation without having to remove the fastener, and possibly causing damage to the first object, the second object, or the fastener itself.
SUMMARY
[003] The present invention is defined by the following claims, and nothing in this section should be taken as a limitation on those claims.
[004] In one aspect, a fastener for being inserted a first depth di through a first object and a second depth d2 into or through a second object, is provided. The fastener includes, but is not limited to, a head having an outer surface opposed to an inner surface, a shank connected with the inner surface of the head at a first end and forming a tip at a second end opposed to the first end, and an identification marking formed on the outer surface. The outer surface remains exposed upon the fastener being inserted into an object. The shank has an actual length La from the first end to the second end, and wherein the actual length La is equal to or greater than the sum of the first depth di and the second depth d2. The identification marking indicates an embedment depth de of the fastener.
[005] In one aspect, a fastener is provided. The fastener includes, but is not limited to, a head having an outer surface, a shank connected with the head at a first end and forming a tip at a second end opposed to the first end, and an identification marking formed on the outer surface. The outer surface remains exposed upon the fastener being inserted into an object. The shank has an actual length La from the first end to the second end. The identification marking indicates a representative length Lr of the fastener.
[006] In one aspect, a fastener is provided. The fastener includes, but is not limited to, a head having an outer surface, a shank connected with the head at a first end and extending to a second end opposed to the first end, and an identification marking formed on the outer surface. The outer surface remains exposed upon the fastener being inserted into an object. The shank has an actual length La from the first end to the second end and a width W. The identification marking indicates a physical property of the fastener. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[007] The invention can be better understood with reference to the following drawings and description. The components in the figures are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon illustrating the principles of the invention.
[008] FIG. 1 depicts a first perspective view of a first fastener having an
identification marking formed on a head of the fastener, in accordance with one embodiment;
[009] FIG. 2 depicts a second perspective view of the fastener shown in FIG. 1, in accordance with one embodiment;
[0010] FIG. 3 depicts a first perspective view of a second fastener having an identification marking formed on a head of the fastener, in accordance with one embodiment; and
[0011] FIG. 4 depicts a side cross-sectional view of the first fastener driven through a first object and embedded within a second object, in accordance with one
embodiment.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0012] Methods and devices consistent with the present invention overcome the disadvantages of conventional fasteners by using a fastener which has an identification marking on an outer surface of the fastener' s head. The identification marking preferably indicates a physical property of the fastener. By viewing the identification marking on the outer surface of the fastener's head, which is visible even after installation of the fastener, interested parties may now determine the actual length or the embedment depth of a power driven fastener after installation without having to remove the fastener, and possibly causing damage to the first object, the second object, or the fastener itself.
[0013] With reference to FIGS. 1, 2 and 4, there is shown one embodiment of a fastener 100 having an identification marking 140 formed on a head 120 of the fastener 100. Fastener 100 is any device which can be inserted into or through a first object 110 and then inserted into or through a second object 112, in order to secure or fasten the first object 110 to the second object 112, as shown in FIG. 4. Fastener 100 is a hardware device that mechanically joins or affixes two or more objects 110, 112 together. Fastener 100 can also be used to close a container such as a bag, a box, or an envelope; or fastener 100 may involve keeping together the sides of an opening of flexible material, attaching a lid to a container, etc. Examples of fastener 100 include a nail 133 as shown in FIG. 1, a screw 135 as shown in FIG. 3, a masonry anchor, a peg, a pin, a rivet, a tack, a threaded fastener, or a captive threaded fastener.
Preferably, the fastener 100 has a one-piece structure a screw or a nail, and not a two- piece structure, such as a masonry anchor. [0014] With reference to FIG. 3, in one embodiment the fastener 100 is a screw 135 having threads 138 having peaks and valleys on the shank 130, with a distance dt between peaks of threads 138 on the shank 130. In this embodiment, the shank 130 includes a major diameter Dmaj along the peaks of threads 138 on the shank 130, and a minor diameter Dmin along the valleys of threads 138 on the shank 130.
[0015] Fastener 100 may be a manually inserted fastener 104, as shown in FIG. 3, which uses only human power to insert the manually inserted fastener 104 into or through the first or second object 110, 112 using a non-powered tool or hand tool, such as a screw driver or a conventional hammer. In one embodiment, with reference to FIGS. 1, 2 and 4, fastener 100 is a power driven fastener 102 which uses non- human power to drive the fastener 102 into or through the first or second object 110, 112 using a power tool. A power tool is a tool which is powered by an electric motor, an internal combustion engine, a steam engine, compressed air, direct burning of fuels and propellants, or even natural power sources like wind or moving water. In one embodiment, a power tool employing an explosive charge is used to drive the power driven fastener 102 into or through the first or second object 110, 112.
[0016] First or second objects 110, 112 are any objects into which a fastener 100 can be inserted into and are preferably objects used in construction to construct a building or home, such as a concrete slab, a piece of wood, a piece of metal, a bracket, a stud, a shelf, a floor, a wall, carpet, flooring, glass, stone, rubber, plastic, and drywall. [0017] The fastener 100 includes the head 120 having an outer surface 122 opposed to an inner surface 124, a shank 130 connected with the head 120, and the identification marking 140 formed on the head 120. The head 120 is the portion of the fastener 100 through which a force is typically applied in order to insert the shank 130 of the fastener 100 into or through first or second objects 110, 112. Preferably, the outer surface 122 of the head 120 remains exposed upon the fastener 100 being inserted into or through first or second objects 110, 112, while the inner surface 124 and the shank 130 are typically hidden with the first or second objects 110, 112.
[0018] The shank 130 is connected with the inner surface 124 of the head 120 at a first end 132 of the shank 130 and has a second end 134 opposed to the first end 132. The shank 130 has an actual length La linearly measured from the first end 132 to the second end 134. Preferably, the actual length La of the shank 130 is equal to or greater than the sum of the first depth di and the second depth d2. Preferably, the shank 130 forms a tip 136 at the second end 134 to allow to easier insertion of the shank 130 into the first or second objects 110, 112.
[0019] With reference to FIG. 4, fastener 100 is inserted into or through a first object 110 a first depth di and then inserted into or through a second object 112 a second depth d2, in order to secure or fasten the first object 110 to the second object 112, as shown in FIG. 4. Preferably, the combination of the first depth di and the second depth d2 is approximately is approximately equal to, within ±10%, the actual length L, of the shank 130 of the fastener 100. [0020] With reference to FIG. 2, identification marking 140 is formed, and preferably, displayed on the outer surface 122 of the head 120. The identification marking 140 indicates a physical property of the fastener 100. The physical property includes any type of physical feature of the fastener 100 or any type of information about the fastener 100, excluding information pertaining to whom the manufacturer of the fastener 100 is, includes such things as a representative length Lr of the fastener 100, the actual length La of the shank 130, the width W of the shank 130, a material which the fastener 130 is comprised of, a major diameter Dmaj of the shank 130, a minor diameter Dmin of the shank 130, a distance dt between threads 138 on the shank 130, a hardness of the fastener 100, a manufacturing date of the fastener 100, a factory in which the fastener 100 was manufactured, and a unique identifier which identifies the fastener 100.
[0021] In one embodiment, the identification marking 140 indicates a representative length Lr of the fastener 100. The representative length Lr of the fastener 100 is any length of measurement which represents a length of the fastener 100 or an embedment depth into a first or second object 110, 112 for the fastener 110, and includes things such as the actual length La of the shank 130, the entire length L of the fastener 100 from the outer surface 122 to the tip 136, or an embedment depth de of the fastener 100. In one embodiment, the identification marking 140 indicates an embedment depth de of the fastener 100. The embedment depth de of the fastener 100 is the depth d2 which the fastener 100 is embedded into the second object 112. Preferably, the embedment depth de is approximately equal to, within ±10%, the actual length La minus the first depth dt. Preferably, the embedment depth de is approximately equal to, within ±10%, the second depth d2. In one embodiment, the representative length Lr of the fastener 100 is within ±20% the actual length La of the shank 130.
[0022] Preferably, the identification marking 140 is stamped into the outer surface 122, however, the identification marking 140 may also be displayed on the outer surface 122 in any one of a number of ways, including being printed onto the outer surface 122 or engraved into the outer surface 122. By having an identification marking 140 on the outer surface 122 of the head 120, interested parties are allowed to determine the actual length La or the embedment depth de of a fastener 100 after installation without having to remove the fastener 100, and possibly causing damage to the first object 110, the second objectl 12, or the fastener 100 itself.
[0023] In use, the fastener 100 is inserted, preferably with a power tool, through the first object 110, and preferably, into or through the second object 112, by an installer. Upon insertion, the installer, an interested third party such as a contractor or a building inspector, then views the identification marking 140 on the outer surface 122 of the head 120, which is visible even after installation of the fastener 100 in first object 110, and preferably, second object 120, and then determines the actual length or the embedment depth of a power driven fastener after installation without having to remove the fastener 100.
[0024] The Abstract of the Disclosure is provided to allow the reader to quickly ascertain the nature of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims. In addition, in the foregoing Detailed Description, it can be seen that various features are grouped together in various embodiments for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure. This method of disclosure is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that the claimed embodiments require more features than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive subject matter lies in less than all features of a single disclosed embodiment. Thus the following claims are hereby incorporated into the Detailed Description, with each claim standing on its own as a separately claimed subject matter.
[0025] While various embodiments of the invention have been described, it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that other embodiments and
implementations are possible within the scope of the invention. Accordingly, the invention is not to be restricted except in light of the attached claims and their equivalents.

Claims (20)

1. A fastener for being inserted a first depth di through a first object and a second depth d2 into or through a second object, comprising:
a head having an outer surface opposed to an inner surface, wherein the outer surface remains exposed upon the fastener being inserted into an object;
a shank connected with the inner surface of the head at a first end and forming a tip at a second end opposed to the first end, wherein the shank has an actual length La from the first end to the second end, and wherein the actual length La is equal to or greater than the sum of the first depth di and the second depth d2; and
an identification marking formed on the outer surface, wherein the
identification marking indicates an embedment depth de of the fastener.
2. The fastener of claim 1, wherein the identification marking indicates an embedment depth de which is approximately equal to, within ±10%, the actual length La minus the first depth dt.
3. The fastener of claim 1, wherein the fastener is a power driven fastener for installation with a power tool.
4. The fastener of claim 1, wherein the fastener is one of a screw or a nail.
5. The fastener of claim 1, wherein the identification marking is stamped into the outer surface.
6. A fastener comprising:
a head having an outer surface, wherein the outer surface remains exposed upon the fastener being inserted into an object;
a shank connected with the head at a first end and forming a tip at a second end opposed to the first end, wherein the shank has an actual length La from the first end to the second end; and
an identification marking formed on the outer surface, wherein the identification marking indicates a representative length Lr of the fastener.
7. The fastener of claim 6, wherein the representative length Lr of the fastener is an embedment depth de of the fastener.
8. The fastener of claim 7, wherein the fastener is for being inserted a first depth di through a first object and a second depth d2 into or through a second object, and wherein the identification marking indicates an embedment depth de which is approximately equal to, within ±10%, the actual length La minus the first depth dt.
9. The fastener of claim 6, wherein the representative length Lr of the fastener is within ±20% the actual length La of the shank.
10. The fastener of claim 6, wherein the fastener is a power driven fastener for installation with a power tool.
11. The fastener of claim 6, wherein the fastener is one of a screw or a nail.
12. The fastener of claim 6, wherein the identification marking is stamped into the outer surface.
13. A fastener comprising:
a head having an outer surface, wherein the outer surface remains exposed upon the fastener being inserted into an object;
a shank connected with the head at a first end and extending to a second end opposed to the first end, wherein the shank has an actual length La from the first end to the second end and a width W; and
an identification marking formed on the outer surface, wherein the
identification marking indicates a physical property of the fastener.
14. The fastener of claim 13, wherein the physical property is either a
representative length Lr of the fastener, the actual length La of the shank, the width W of the shank, a material which the fastener is comprised of, a major diameter Dmaj of the shank, a minor diameter Dmin of the shank, a distance dt between threads on the shank, a hardness of the fastener, a manufacturing date of the fastener, a factory in which the fastener was manufactured, and a unique identifier which identifies the fastener.
15. The fastener of claim 13, wherein the identification marking indicates a representative length Lr of the fastener.
16. The fastener of claim 15, wherein the representative length Lr of the fastener is an embedment depth de of the fastener.
17. The fastener of claim 16, wherein the fastener is for being inserted a first depth di through a first object and a second depth d2 into or through a second object, and wherein the identification marking indicates an embedment depth de which is approximately equal to, within ±10%, the actual length La minus the first depth dt.
18. The fastener of claim 15, wherein the representative length Lr of the fastener is within ±20% the actual length La of the shank.
19. The fastener of claim 13, wherein the fastener is a power driven fastener for installation with a power tool.
20. The fastener of claim 13, wherein the fastener is one of a screw or a nail.
AU2012258881A 2011-05-24 2012-05-23 Fastener identification marking Active AU2012258881B2 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US13/114,926 2011-05-24
US13/114,926 US20120301249A1 (en) 2011-05-24 2011-05-24 Fastener identification marking
PCT/US2012/039054 WO2012162344A2 (en) 2011-05-24 2012-05-23 Fastener identification marking

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
AU2012258881A1 true AU2012258881A1 (en) 2013-12-05
AU2012258881B2 AU2012258881B2 (en) 2016-01-21

Family

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Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
AU2012258881A Active AU2012258881B2 (en) 2011-05-24 2012-05-23 Fastener identification marking

Country Status (4)

Country Link
US (1) US20120301249A1 (en)
EP (1) EP2715157B1 (en)
AU (1) AU2012258881B2 (en)
WO (1) WO2012162344A2 (en)

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WO2015191772A1 (en) * 2014-06-10 2015-12-17 SR Systems, LLC Enlarged head fastener device and method of manufacture
TWM495705U (en) * 2014-10-27 2015-02-11 Dtech Prec Ind Co Ltd Attaching type buckling component
USD843201S1 (en) * 2017-03-31 2019-03-19 Dimex, Llc Edging spike for lawn and pavers
FR3065488B1 (en) * 2017-04-20 2019-06-28 Faurecia Systemes D'echappement EXHAUST LINE ELEMENT AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURING SUCH A MEMBER
USD988125S1 (en) * 2017-09-29 2023-06-06 William Kilgore Nail with texas-shaped head
USD976754S1 (en) * 2018-03-12 2023-01-31 Transportation Ip Holdings, Llc Rail vehicle traction pin
DE102019202119B4 (en) * 2019-02-18 2020-12-10 Volkswagen Aktiengesellschaft Stop washer for an elastomer bearing

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