WO2014026051A1 - Screw fastener - Google Patents

Screw fastener Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO2014026051A1
WO2014026051A1 PCT/US2013/054215 US2013054215W WO2014026051A1 WO 2014026051 A1 WO2014026051 A1 WO 2014026051A1 US 2013054215 W US2013054215 W US 2013054215W WO 2014026051 A1 WO2014026051 A1 WO 2014026051A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
pitch
thread
screw
shank
screw according
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/US2013/054215
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
John Christopher Mallett
David Charles COLLISON
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
Application filed by Illinois Tool Works Inc. filed Critical Illinois Tool Works Inc.
Publication of WO2014026051A1 publication Critical patent/WO2014026051A1/en

Links

Classifications

    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
    • F16B—DEVICES FOR FASTENING OR SECURING CONSTRUCTIONAL ELEMENTS OR MACHINE PARTS TOGETHER, e.g. NAILS, BOLTS, CIRCLIPS, CLAMPS, CLIPS OR WEDGES; JOINTS OR JOINTING
    • F16B25/00—Screws that cut thread in the body into which they are screwed, e.g. wood screws
    • F16B25/0036—Screws that cut thread in the body into which they are screwed, e.g. wood screws characterised by geometric details of the screw
    • F16B25/0042—Screws that cut thread in the body into which they are screwed, e.g. wood screws characterised by geometric details of the screw characterised by the geometry of the thread, the thread being a ridge wrapped around the shaft of the screw
    • F16B25/0057—Screws that cut thread in the body into which they are screwed, e.g. wood screws characterised by geometric details of the screw characterised by the geometry of the thread, the thread being a ridge wrapped around the shaft of the screw the screw having distinct axial zones, e.g. multiple axial thread sections with different pitch or thread cross-sections
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
    • F16B—DEVICES FOR FASTENING OR SECURING CONSTRUCTIONAL ELEMENTS OR MACHINE PARTS TOGETHER, e.g. NAILS, BOLTS, CIRCLIPS, CLAMPS, CLIPS OR WEDGES; JOINTS OR JOINTING
    • F16B25/00—Screws that cut thread in the body into which they are screwed, e.g. wood screws
    • F16B25/0036—Screws that cut thread in the body into which they are screwed, e.g. wood screws characterised by geometric details of the screw
    • F16B25/0042—Screws that cut thread in the body into which they are screwed, e.g. wood screws characterised by geometric details of the screw characterised by the geometry of the thread, the thread being a ridge wrapped around the shaft of the screw
    • F16B25/0073—Screws that cut thread in the body into which they are screwed, e.g. wood screws characterised by geometric details of the screw characterised by the geometry of the thread, the thread being a ridge wrapped around the shaft of the screw characterised by its pitch, e.g. a varying pitch
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
    • F16B—DEVICES FOR FASTENING OR SECURING CONSTRUCTIONAL ELEMENTS OR MACHINE PARTS TOGETHER, e.g. NAILS, BOLTS, CIRCLIPS, CLAMPS, CLIPS OR WEDGES; JOINTS OR JOINTING
    • F16B25/00—Screws that cut thread in the body into which they are screwed, e.g. wood screws
    • F16B25/001—Screws that cut thread in the body into which they are screwed, e.g. wood screws characterised by the material of the body into which the screw is screwed
    • F16B25/0021—Screws that cut thread in the body into which they are screwed, e.g. wood screws characterised by the material of the body into which the screw is screwed the material being metal, e.g. sheet-metal or aluminium

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to screw fasteners and more particularly to screws for use in connecting steel frame members of frames used in housing construction and the like.
  • Steel frames for use in domestic housing construction and the like are usually assembled from steel sections screwed together, the steel frame sections typically having a thickness of from 0.5mm to 1.6mm or even higher depending on structural requirements.
  • the holes at the connection points for receiving the screws are formed by punching through indentations in the steel section, the indentations being punched into the section either when punching the holes or prior to that.
  • the indentation serves to receive the head of the screw on assembly.
  • the indentation formed into one side of the steel section produces a dimple at the other side and that dimple will sit within the indentation of the underlying frame section at the point of connection.
  • Figure 1 shows by way of example a typical steel frame section 2 and Figure 2 shows two such frame sections assembled together with the indented holes and associated dimples 4 being visible in those figures.
  • screws for the usage described above have a relatively fine pitch thread which reduces the tendency of the screw to strip out from the frame section; the thinner the frame section, the more difficult it becomes to resist stripping the thread. While a fine pitch thread requires more turns of the screw for installation than a coarse pitch thread and therefore greater installation time, a coarse pitch thread is not particularly suitable for this application particularly when used with thinner frame sections due to the greater tendency to strip.
  • the present invention in its preferred embodiments provides on a screw which provides improvements in installation time and other benefits in relation to conventional screws for this usage.
  • a screw for coupling two metal sections of a frame for use in building construction having a head and a shank, the shank having a constant diameter portion at least adjacent the head and a portion which tapers to a tip end portion, the shank having a continuous thread with a pitch which progressively reduces from a relatively coarse pitch at the tip end portion to a relatively fine pitch at least in the portion adjacent the head where the thread engages the two frame sections when fully installed.
  • the thread portion extending along substantially the entirety of the constant diameter portion is of substantially constant fine pitch.
  • the pitch reduces from its maximum coarse pitch to the fine pitch over between approximately 3 and 10 turns with the progressive reduction in coarse thread pitch being approximately 10% per turn.
  • the screw of the preferred embodiment as shown in Figure 3 of the accompanying drawings has a shank 6 having a portion C of substantially constant diameter adjacent the head 8 and which tapers from approximately midway along its length to a sharp point 10 at its tip.
  • the thread on the shank is a continuous thread having a pitch which progressively varies from a coarse pitch at the tip end portion to a fine pitch so that the fine pitch thread is present on at least the portion of the shank adjacent the head of the screw and where the thread will retain the two frame sections when the screw is tightened.
  • the fine pitch thread at a constant pitch may extend along substantially the entire length of the constant diameter portion C of the shank to facilitate manufacture, although it may extend only along part of the length of the constant diameter portion.
  • the coarse pitch thread portion of reducing pitch extends along substantially the entire length of the tapered portion of the shank.
  • the reduction in pitch from coarse to fine is a progressive reduction along the length of the coarse portion of the thread.
  • the fine pitch thread portion "starts" at the commencement of the constant diameter portion C this is principally to facilitate manufacture and it could alternatively start within the tapered portion or within the constant diameter portion.
  • the coarse pitch thread extending along the tapered portion of the shank enables the screw to be driven into the frame sections more quickly than when using a thread of constant fine pitch throughout its length, while the gradual progression from coarse thread pitch to fine thread pitch provides a fine thread in the zone adjacent the head upon installation of the screw thereby obtaining the benefits of a reduced tendency for the screw to strip out of the frame sections.
  • the coarse pitch thread also provides other benefits as will now be described.
  • the shank tapers to a sharp point at its tip end. That sharp point in conjunction with the coarse pitch thread at the tip end portion and further along the tapered portion acts as an auger if the holes in the two frame sections to be connected are not properly aligned whereby the effective hole diameter for passage of the screw is reduced as a result of the misalignment.
  • the auger effect which causes enlargement of the reduced hole diameter and thereby easier passage of the screw is also facilitated by the relationship between the coarse thread pitch at the tip end portion and the metal thickness of the two frame sections such that the tip end portion of the shank the thread pitch is the same as or slightly greater than the thickness of the two frame sections.
  • the thread pitch commences at the tip end of the portion at about 1.7mm and progressively reduces over several turns to a pitch of about 1.0mm which is the fine pitch thread present along the remainder of the shank, the fine thread pitch being greater than the metal thickness of one steel section but less than the combined thickness of the two steel sections.
  • the taper angle of the tapered section and the number of turns of coarse thread on that section will vary according to design requirements but in practice will be within the range of approximately 10° to 30° included angle between opposite sides of the taper.
  • the number of turns over which the thread pitch decreases will also be dependent on design requirements but for most practical applications it will range between approximately 3 and 10 turns with the decrease in thread pitch being approximately 10% per turn.
  • the screw may alternatively be a self-drilling screw with a tip end portion configured in known manner to form cutting edges and thereby provide a drilling function.
  • the taper angle will be somewhat less than that present when the shank tapers to a sharp point at its tip.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Geometry (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Connection Of Plates (AREA)

Abstract

A screw for coupling two metal sections of a frame for use in building construction, the screw having a head and a shank, the shank having a constant diameter portion at least adjacent the head and a portion which tapers to a tip end portion, the shank having a continuous thread with a pitch which progressively reduces from a relatively coarse pitch at the tip end portion to a relatively fine pitch at least in the portion adjacent the head where the thread engages the two frame sections when fully installed.

Description

SCREW FASTENER
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
[0001] The present invention relates to screw fasteners and more particularly to screws for use in connecting steel frame members of frames used in housing construction and the like.
2. Description of the Prior Art
[0002] Steel frames for use in domestic housing construction and the like are usually assembled from steel sections screwed together, the steel frame sections typically having a thickness of from 0.5mm to 1.6mm or even higher depending on structural requirements. The holes at the connection points for receiving the screws are formed by punching through indentations in the steel section, the indentations being punched into the section either when punching the holes or prior to that. The indentation serves to receive the head of the screw on assembly. The indentation formed into one side of the steel section produces a dimple at the other side and that dimple will sit within the indentation of the underlying frame section at the point of connection. Figure 1 shows by way of example a typical steel frame section 2 and Figure 2 shows two such frame sections assembled together with the indented holes and associated dimples 4 being visible in those figures.
[0003] Conventionally, screws for the usage described above have a relatively fine pitch thread which reduces the tendency of the screw to strip out from the frame section; the thinner the frame section, the more difficult it becomes to resist stripping the thread. While a fine pitch thread requires more turns of the screw for installation than a coarse pitch thread and therefore greater installation time, a coarse pitch thread is not particularly suitable for this application particularly when used with thinner frame sections due to the greater tendency to strip.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] The present invention in its preferred embodiments provides on a screw which provides improvements in installation time and other benefits in relation to conventional screws for this usage.
[0005] According to the present invention there is provided a screw for coupling two metal sections of a frame for use in building construction, the screw having a head and a shank, the shank having a constant diameter portion at least adjacent the head and a portion which tapers to a tip end portion, the shank having a continuous thread with a pitch which progressively reduces from a relatively coarse pitch at the tip end portion to a relatively fine pitch at least in the portion adjacent the head where the thread engages the two frame sections when fully installed.
[0006] In a preferred embodiment the thread portion extending along substantially the entirety of the constant diameter portion is of substantially constant fine pitch.
[0007] In the screw of the preferred embodiment the pitch reduces from its maximum coarse pitch to the fine pitch over between approximately 3 and 10 turns with the progressive reduction in coarse thread pitch being approximately 10% per turn.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] An embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to Figure 3 of the accompanying drawings which shows, in side view a screw in accordance with the preferred embodiment.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0009] The screw of the preferred embodiment as shown in Figure 3 of the accompanying drawings has a shank 6 having a portion C of substantially constant diameter adjacent the head 8 and which tapers from approximately midway along its length to a sharp point 10 at its tip. The thread on the shank is a continuous thread having a pitch which progressively varies from a coarse pitch at the tip end portion to a fine pitch so that the fine pitch thread is present on at least the portion of the shank adjacent the head of the screw and where the thread will retain the two frame sections when the screw is tightened. In practice, the fine pitch thread at a constant pitch may extend along substantially the entire length of the constant diameter portion C of the shank to facilitate manufacture, although it may extend only along part of the length of the constant diameter portion. The coarse pitch thread portion of reducing pitch extends along substantially the entire length of the tapered portion of the shank. The reduction in pitch from coarse to fine is a progressive reduction along the length of the coarse portion of the thread. Although in the preferred embodiment the fine pitch thread portion "starts" at the commencement of the constant diameter portion C this is principally to facilitate manufacture and it could alternatively start within the tapered portion or within the constant diameter portion.
[00010] The coarse pitch thread extending along the tapered portion of the shank enables the screw to be driven into the frame sections more quickly than when using a thread of constant fine pitch throughout its length, while the gradual progression from coarse thread pitch to fine thread pitch provides a fine thread in the zone adjacent the head upon installation of the screw thereby obtaining the benefits of a reduced tendency for the screw to strip out of the frame sections. The coarse pitch thread also provides other benefits as will now be described.
[00011] As mentioned above, the shank tapers to a sharp point at its tip end. That sharp point in conjunction with the coarse pitch thread at the tip end portion and further along the tapered portion acts as an auger if the holes in the two frame sections to be connected are not properly aligned whereby the effective hole diameter for passage of the screw is reduced as a result of the misalignment. The auger effect which causes enlargement of the reduced hole diameter and thereby easier passage of the screw is also facilitated by the relationship between the coarse thread pitch at the tip end portion and the metal thickness of the two frame sections such that the tip end portion of the shank the thread pitch is the same as or slightly greater than the thickness of the two frame sections. Accordingly, in an example of a screw designed for use with frame sections of 0.75mm thickness, and thus 1.5mm thickness of the two frame sections to be connected, the thread pitch commences at the tip end of the portion at about 1.7mm and progressively reduces over several turns to a pitch of about 1.0mm which is the fine pitch thread present along the remainder of the shank, the fine thread pitch being greater than the metal thickness of one steel section but less than the combined thickness of the two steel sections. [00012] The taper angle of the tapered section and the number of turns of coarse thread on that section will vary according to design requirements but in practice will be within the range of approximately 10° to 30° included angle between opposite sides of the taper. The number of turns over which the thread pitch decreases will also be dependent on design requirements but for most practical applications it will range between approximately 3 and 10 turns with the decrease in thread pitch being approximately 10% per turn.
[00013] Although in the screw particularly described the shank tapers to a sharp point at its tip, the screw may alternatively be a self-drilling screw with a tip end portion configured in known manner to form cutting edges and thereby provide a drilling function. In that case, the taper angle will be somewhat less than that present when the shank tapers to a sharp point at its tip.
[00014] The screw particularly described with continuous thread which continuously changes from coarse to fine pitch allows for smooth installation of the screw more quickly than that in screws having a fine thread throughout and without undergoing abrupt changes in installation torque as installation progresses.

Claims

1. A screw for coupling two metal sections of a frame for use in building construction, the screw having a head and a shank, the shank having a constant diameter portion at least adjacent the head and a portion which tapers to a tip end portion, the shank having a continuous thread with a pitch which progressively reduces from a relatively coarse pitch at the tip end portion to a relatively fine pitch at least in the portion adjacent the head where the thread engages the two frame sections when fully installed.
2. A screw according to claim 1, wherein the thread portion extending along substantially the entirety of the constant diameter portion is of substantially constant fine pitch.
3. A screw according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the thread portion extending along substantially the entirety of the tapered portion is of progressively varying pitch reducing from its tip end portion.
4. A screw according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the taper angle is from substantially 10° to 30° included angle between opposite sides of the taper.
5. A screw according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the thread pitch reduces from its maximum coarse pitch to the fine pitch over between approximately 3 and 10 turns.
6. A screw according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the progressive reduction in coarse thread pitch is approximately 10% per turn.
7. A screw according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the tapered portion of the shank tapers to a sharp point at its tip and the thread extends to the tip.
8. A screw according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the tapered portion of the shank tapers to a self-drilling tip portion.
9. A screw according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the coarse thread has a maximum pitch approximately the same as or slightly greater than the combined thickness of the two metal frame sections it is designed to connect.
10. A frame for use in building construction, the frame comprising metal frame sections interconnected by screws according to any one of the preceding claims.
PCT/US2013/054215 2012-08-08 2013-08-08 Screw fastener WO2014026051A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AU2012101211A AU2012101211A4 (en) 2012-08-08 2012-08-08 Screw fastener
AU2012101211 2012-08-08

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2014026051A1 true WO2014026051A1 (en) 2014-02-13

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PCT/US2013/054215 WO2014026051A1 (en) 2012-08-08 2013-08-08 Screw fastener

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Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN104930032A (en) * 2015-06-12 2015-09-23 苏州纽东精密制造科技有限公司 Self-tapping antiskid screw
WO2015132664A3 (en) * 2014-03-01 2015-12-17 Call Franklin Jiri A steel stud anchor
US9593705B2 (en) 2014-03-01 2017-03-14 Franklin Hall Steel stud anchor

Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE2132755A1 (en) * 1971-07-01 1973-01-11 Thyssen Schraubenwerke Gmbh TIN SCREW
FR2713291A1 (en) * 1993-12-06 1995-06-09 Chauleur Stanislas Fixing wood screw for joining wooden panels to walls
JPH10281125A (en) * 1997-03-31 1998-10-20 Nitto Seiko Co Ltd Self-drilling tapping screw and manufacture thereof
DE102004029305A1 (en) * 2004-06-17 2006-02-02 Ludwig Hettich & Co. Self-tapping screw has central section on shaft in which pitch of thread increases in stages towards tip, after which it becomes constant again
US20080014047A1 (en) * 2006-04-13 2008-01-17 Japan Power Fastening Co., Ltd. Self-penetrating screw
DE202008010285U1 (en) * 2008-07-31 2008-10-02 FENG YI STEEL CO., LTD., Kwan Miao Hsiang Fasteners of a titanium alloy

Patent Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE2132755A1 (en) * 1971-07-01 1973-01-11 Thyssen Schraubenwerke Gmbh TIN SCREW
FR2713291A1 (en) * 1993-12-06 1995-06-09 Chauleur Stanislas Fixing wood screw for joining wooden panels to walls
JPH10281125A (en) * 1997-03-31 1998-10-20 Nitto Seiko Co Ltd Self-drilling tapping screw and manufacture thereof
DE102004029305A1 (en) * 2004-06-17 2006-02-02 Ludwig Hettich & Co. Self-tapping screw has central section on shaft in which pitch of thread increases in stages towards tip, after which it becomes constant again
US20080014047A1 (en) * 2006-04-13 2008-01-17 Japan Power Fastening Co., Ltd. Self-penetrating screw
DE202008010285U1 (en) * 2008-07-31 2008-10-02 FENG YI STEEL CO., LTD., Kwan Miao Hsiang Fasteners of a titanium alloy

Cited By (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2015132664A3 (en) * 2014-03-01 2015-12-17 Call Franklin Jiri A steel stud anchor
US9593705B2 (en) 2014-03-01 2017-03-14 Franklin Hall Steel stud anchor
US10774866B2 (en) 2014-03-01 2020-09-15 Franklin Jiri CALL Method of installing a steel stud anchor
US11692579B2 (en) 2014-03-01 2023-07-04 Franklin Jiri CALL Steel stud anchor
CN104930032A (en) * 2015-06-12 2015-09-23 苏州纽东精密制造科技有限公司 Self-tapping antiskid screw

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