Technique for fastening logs and fastener therefor
AssigneeOlympic Manufacturing Group, Inc.
InventorsStanley W. Choiniere, Hubert T. McGovern, Robert W. Chauvin, Jr.
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A technique for fastening together logs and a fastener therefor is directed to a self-drilling/tapping fastener which allows the fastener to be driven through the log to be secured without pre-drilling a bore. Counter-bore fins on the fastener head also form a counter-bore for the head. A lubricious coating applied to a portion of the shank accommodates settling of the logs and facilitates installation.
Claims12
A fastener for fastening together a pair of logs having a substantial pre-established thickness comprising:
- a head comprising means for receiving a torque applied thereto;
- a shank extending from said head, said shank having a first segment of generally uniform diameter and a second threaded section, said shank terminating in a piercing point for self-drilling said fastener, said first shank segment having a longitudinal dimension substantially commensurate with the thickness of said log;
- counter-bore means adjacent said head for drilling a counter-bore for said head upon application of a torque to said head;
- and
- a lubricious coating applied to said shank.
A log assembly comprising:
- a first log having a pre-established thickness and means defining a bore and a counter-bore;
- a second log;
- and
- a fastener fastening said first log to said second log, said fastener comprising a shank extending through said bore and having a threaded portion which is engaged in said second log and a segment of generally uniform diameter which extends substantially the entire thickness of said first log, a lubricious coating applied to said shank, said fastener comprising a head fully received in said counter-bore and fin means comprising a pair of fins extending at the underside of said head for forming the counter-bore.
A technique for fastening together two logs comprising:
- (a) providing a fastener having a self-tapping point, a distal threaded portion, an intermediate shank segment of generally uniform diameter which extends substantially the entire thickness of the first of said logs, a head and counter-bore forming means adjacent said head comprising a pair of fins;
- and
- (b) without pre-drilling a bore for said fastener, rotatably driving said fastener through said first log so that said fastener thread engages said second log, said counter-bore means drills said counter-bore while said fastener is being rotatably driven and said head is countersunk in said counter-bore.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.