Floating connection fastening system

A method for installing a floating connection comprising:

• engaging an adaptor with a driver bit, the adapter having a reference flange defining an offset clearance;
• capturing an elongate fastener with a bushing having a sleeve defining an axial slot and having a locating flange extending radially outward, the axial slot allowing flexation of the sleeve, the fastener having a threaded distal section toward a tip and an unthreaded proximal section toward a head, the sleeve aligned on the unthreaded proximal section with the axial slot overlapping the unthreaded proximal section;
• engaging the fastener with the driver bit, thereby causing the locating flange to abut a portion of the reference flange in a rotationally independent relationship;
• and
• driving the fastener through a non-load bearing member and threadably engaging a load bearing member with the fastener so that at least a portion of the sleeve is received in a bore in the non-load bearing member.

A connecting system for installing a floating connection in a building assembly, comprising:

• a bushing comprising a sleeve defining a first axis and extending from a first end to a second end defining a terminal edge defining an inner diameter, the bushing having a locating flange disposed proximate said first end of the sleeve;
• a fastener having a head, a shank with an unthreaded proximal portion extending from said head and a threaded terminal portion comprising a tip and threads which are structured and arranged to penetrate and create a bore during driving of the fastener, said threaded terminal portion being capable of threadably penetrating a truss or load bearing member during installation of the fastener, wherein
• the inner diameter defined by the terminal edge of the sleeve is interrupted by an axially extending slot into the sleeve,
• the sleeve is aligned on the unthreaded proximal section with the slot overlapping the unthreaded proximal section,
• said fastener is captured by said bushing between said head and said threaded terminal portion such that the sleeve is rotatably and axially slidable relative to the fastener along said unthreaded proximal portion,
• the sleeve has an outer primary surface configured to frictionally engage with a through bore via a plurality of protuberances that project outward from the outer primary surface,
• the fastener is configured to be driven through the non-load bearing member into the bore of the truss or load bearing member to provide a floating connection between said truss or load bearing member and said non-load bearing member wherein said bushing is received in the through bore in said non-load bearing member,
• the fastener is configured to form the through bore in said non-load bearing member in situ during installation, and
• when installed in the building assembly, the floating connection allows for movement of the fastener relative to the bushing.

A connecting system for installing a floating connection in a building assembly, comprising:

• a bushing comprising a sleeve defining a first axis and extending from a first end to a second end defining a terminal edge defining an inner diameter, the bushing having a locating flange disposed proximate said first end of the sleeve;
• and
• a fastener having a head, a shank with an unthreaded proximal portion extending from said head and a threaded terminal portion comprising a tip and threads which are structured and arranged to penetrate and create a bore during driving of the fastener, said threaded terminal portion being capable of threadably penetrating a truss or load bearing member during installation of the fastener, wherein
• the inner diameter defined by the terminal edge of the sleeve is interrupted by an axially extending slot into the sleeve,
• the sleeve is aligned on the unthreaded proximal section with the slot overlapping the unthreaded proximal section,
• said fastener is captured by said bushing between said head and said threaded terminal portion such that the sleeve is rotatably and axially slidable relative to the fastener along said unthreaded proximal portion,
• the sleeve has an outer primary surface configured to frictionally engage with a through bore via a plurality of protuberances that project outward from the outer primary surface,
• the fastener is configured to be driven through the non-load bearing member into the bore of the truss or load bearing member to provide a floating connection between said truss or load bearing member and said non-load bearing member wherein said bushing is received in the through bore in said non-load bearing member,
• the axially extending slot extends through the entire sleeve and through the locating flange, and
• when installed in the building assembly, the floating connection allows for movement of the fastener relative to the bushing.