# US 6,719,512 B2 · Method and apparatus for fastening steel framing with nails > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 6,719,512 B2 - Document ID: US6719512B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 10/176,998 - Filed: 2002-06-21 - Published: 2003-01-30 - Granted: 2004-04-13 - Earliest claimed: 2001-06-21 - Assignees: Black & Decker Inc. - Inventors: Michael L. O'Banion; Robert A. Berry; Alfred H. Judge - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US6719512B2 ## CPC - F16B 21/086: {the shank of the stud, pin or spigot having elevations, ribs, fins or prongs intended for deformation or tilting predominantly in a direction perpendicular to the direction of insertion} - F16B 13/0816: {with a wedging drive-pin} - F16B 15/0038: {only on the perimeter of the plate} - F16B 15/04: with spreading shaft {(dowels with a drive-nail deflected by an inclined surface in the dowel body F16B13/085)} - F16B 15/06: with barbs, e.g. for metal parts; Drive screws - F16B 21/084: {with a series of flexible ribs or fins extending laterally from the shank of the stud, pin or spigot, said ribs or fins deforming predominantly in a direction parallel to the direction of insertion of the shank} - Y10S 411/913: Self-expanding anchor - F16B: DEVICES FOR FASTENING OR SECURING CONSTRUCTIONAL ELEMENTS OR MACHINE PARTS TOGETHER, e.g. NAILS, BOLTS, CIRCLIPS, CLAMPS, CLIPS OR WEDGES; JOINTS OR JOINTING (couplings for transmitting rotation F16D) - Y10S: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS ## Abstract A harpoon nail having two or more sets of teeth on opposite sides of fingers that deform while penetrating the framing members. The teeth engage with a bottom surface to fasten the framing members together. A piercing nail having sets of teeth on two edges penetrates through framing members and the teeth engage with a bottom surface to fasten the framing members together. A piercing nail with a spring member that deforms as the nail penetrates through framing members engages with a bottom surface to fasten the framing members together. A self-locking nail having two members that move relative to one another when penetrating through framing members fastens the framing members together. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A nail for fastening framing members together comprising: a first end having a shoulder and a tip configured to pierce framing members and pass therethrough; a second end configured to receive a driving force; a stem having an outer surface and extending axially between said first and second ends, said stem having a cross section smaller than said shoulder; and at least one spring member extending axially along a portion of said outer surface of said stem, said spring member being discrete from said shoulder, said spring member being configured to compress as said stem passes through framing members, and said spring member having at least one engaging surface configured to fasten framing members together after said at least one engaging surface has passed therethrough. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The nail of claim 1, wherein said at least one engaging surface is a plurality of teeth that extend outwardly from said spring member. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The nail of claim 1, wherein a first spring member of said at least one spring member extends along a portion of a first surface of said stem and a second spring member of said at least one spring member extends along a portion of a second surface of said stem opposite said first portion. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The nail of claim 1, wherein a portion of said spring member remains in an opening in framing members formed by said first end when fastening framing members together. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The nail of claim 1, wherein a first end of said spring member is attached to said stem adjacent said shoulder. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The nail of claim 1, wherein said second end is configured to be driven by at least one of an air nailer and ram-type device. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The nail of claim 1, wherein said at least one engaging surface is one of a plurality of engaging surfaces and said engaging surfaces are spaced along an entire axial length of said at least one spring member. ### Claim 8 A nail for fastening framing members together comprising: a first end having a shoulder and a tip configured to pierce framing members and pass therethrough; a second end configured to receive a driving force; a stem having an outer surface and extending axially between said first and second ends, said stem having a cross section smaller than said shoulder; and at least one spring member extending axially alone a portion of said outer surface of said stem, said spring member being configured to compress as said stem passes through framing members, and said spring member having at least one engaging surface configured to fasten framing members together after said at least one engaging surface has passed therethrough, wherein said stem is circular in cross section and said spring member is concentric with and extends around said stem. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The nail of claim 8, wherein said at least one engaging surface is a plurality of teeth that extend radially outwardly from said spring member. ### Claim 10 A nail for fastening framing members together comprising: a first end having a shoulder and a tip configured to pierce framing members and pass therethrough; a second end configured to receive a driving force; a stem having an outer surface and extending axially between said first and second ends, said stem having a cross section smaller than said shoulder; and at least one spring member extending axially along a portion of said outer surface of said stem, said spring member being configured to compress as said stem passes through framing members, and said spring member having at least one engaging surface configured to fasten framing members together after said at least one engaging surface has passed therethrough, wherein said at least one engaging surface is a plurality of fingers of varying lengths that extend axially along said spring member. ### Claim 11 A nail for fastening framing members together comprising: a first end having a shoulder and a tip configured to pierce framing members and pass therethrough: a second end configured to receive a driving force; a stem having an outer surface and extending axially between said first and second ends, said stem having a cross section smaller than said shoulder: and at least one spring member extending axially along portion of said outer surface of said stem, said spring member being configured to compress as said stem passes through framing members, and said spring member having at least one engaging surface configured to fasten framing members together after said at least one engaging surface has passed therethrough, wherein a first spring member of said at least one spring member extends along a portion of a first surface of said stem and a second spring member of said at least one spring member extends along a portion of a second surface of said stem, wherein said first spring member has a plurality of engaging surfaces, said second spring member has a plurality of engaging surfaces, and said engaging surfaces on said first spring member are staggered from said engaging surfaces on said second spring member. ### Claim 12 A nail for fastening framing members together comprising: a first end having a shoulder and a tip configured to pierce framing members and pass therethrough; a second end configured to receive a driving force; a stem having an outer surface and extending axially between said first and second ends, said stem having a cross section smaller than said shoulder; and at least one spring member extending axially along a portion of said outer surface of said stem, said spring member being configured to compress as said stem passes through framing members, and said spring member having at least one engaging surface configured to fasten framing members together after said at least one engaging surface has passed therethrough, wherein a first spring member of said at least one spring member extends along a portion of a first surface of said stem and a second spring member of said at least one spring member extends along a portion of a second surface of said stem, wherein a third spring member of said at least one spring member extends along a portion of a third surface of said stem and a fourth spring member of said at least one spring member extends along a portion of a fourth surface of said stem opposite said third portion. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The nail of claim 12, wherein each of said first, second, third and fourth spring members have a plurality of engaging surfaces, said engaging surfaces on said first and second spring members are aligned, said engaging surfaces on said third and fourth spring members are aligned and staggered from said engaging surfaces on said first and second spring members. ### Claim 14 A nail for fastening framing members together comprising: a first end having a shoulder and a tip configured to pierce framing members and pass therethrough; a second end configured to receive a driving force; a stem having an outer surface and extending axially between said first and second ends, said stem having a cross section smaller than said shoulder; and at least one spring member extending axially alone a portion of said outer surface of said stem, said spring member being configured to compress as said stem passes through framing members, and said spring member having at least one engaging surface configured to fasten framing members together after said at least one engaging surface has passed therethrough, wherein a first end of said spring member is attached to said stem adjacent said shoulder and a second end of said spring member is attached to said stem proximate said second end. ### Claim 15 A nail for fastening framing members together comprising: a stem having opposite first and second ends and an axial length therebetween, said first end being configured to pierce framing members to allow said stem to pass therethrough, said second end having a ribbed portion and being configured to receive a driving force; at least two spring fingers extending outwardly from said stem, said fingers being configured to expand and engage with framing members after passing therethrough; and a press washer having an opening complementary to said ribbed portion of said second end, said press washer axially moveable relative to said stem, and axial movement of said press washer causing said stem to move axially relative to framing members and said finger members to expand against framing members thereby fastening framing members together between said washer and said fingers. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The nail of claim 15, wherein said stem has a plurality of fractures axially spaced apart proximate said second end, said fractures allowing a portion of said stem proximate said second end to be broken off. ### Claim 17 (depends on 15) The nail of claim 15, wherein said at least two fingers are spaced evenly about a periphery of said stem. ### Claim 18 A method of fastening two or more framing members together with a piercing nail having at least one spring member comprising the steps of: (a) positioning a tip of a piercing nail adjacent two or more adjacent framing members; (b) applying a driving force to a head of said nail; (c) driving said nail through said framing members with said driving force until said head is in contact with an outer surface of one of said framing members; (d) compressing at least one spring member on said nail with said framing members as said at least one spring member passes through said framing members, wherein said spring member is discrete from said tip; and (e) engaging said framing members with an engaging surface on said at least one spring member so that removal of said nail from said framing members is inhibited and said framing members are fastened together by said nail. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The method of claim 18, wherein step (e) includes engaging said framing members with an engaging surface comprised of a plurality of teeth that extend outwardly from said at least one spring member. ### Claim 20 (depends on 18) The method of claim 18, wherein step (e) includes engaging said framing members with at least one of a first engaging surface that extends along a first spring member and a second engaging surface that extends along a second spring member opposite said first spring member on said nail. ### Claim 21 (depends on 18) The method of claim 18, wherein step (c) includes driving said nail through said framing members so that a portion of said at least one spring member remains in said framing members. ### Claim 22 (depends on 18) The method of claim 18, wherein step (b) includes applying driving force with at least one of an air nailer and a ram-type device. ### Claim 23 A method of fastening two or more framing members together with a piercing nail having at least one spring member comprising the steps of: (a) positioning a tip of a piercing nail adjacent two or more adjacent framing members; (b) applying a driving force to a head of said nail; (c) driving said nail through said framing members with said driving force until said head is in contact with an outer surface of one of said framing members; (d) compressing at least one spring member on said nail with said framing members as said at least one spring member passes through said framing members; and (e) engaging said framing members with an engaging surface on said at least one spring member so that removal of said nail from said framing members is inhibited and said framing members are fastened together by said nail, wherein step (e) includes engaging said framing members with an engaging surface that extends concentrically around said nail. ### Claim 24 A method of fastening two or more framing members together with a piercing nail having at least one spring member comprising the steps of: (a) positioning a tip of a piercing nail adjacent two or more adacent framing members; (b) applying a driving force to a head of said nail; (c) driving said nail through said framing members with said driving force until said head is in contact with an outer surface of one of said framing members; (d) compressing at least one spring member on said nail with said framing members as said at least one spring member passes through said framing members; and (e) engaging said framing members with an engaging surface on said at least one spring member so that removal of said nail from said framing members is inhibited and said framing members are fastened together by said nail, wherein step (e) includes engaging said framing members with an engaging surface comprised of a plurality of fingers of varying lengths that extend axially along said at least one spring member. ### Claim 25 A method of fastening two or more framing members together with a piercing nail having at least one spring member comprising the steps of: (a) positioning a tip of a piercing nail adjacent two or more adjacent framing members; (b) applying a driving force to a head of said nail; (c) driving said nail through said framing members with said driving force until said head is in contact with an outer surface of one of said framing members; (d) compressing at least one spring member on said nail with said framing members as said at least one spring member passes through said framing members; and (e) engaging said framing members with an engaging surface on said at least one spring member so that removal of said nail from said framing members is inhibited and said framing members are fastened together by said nail, wherein step (e) includes engaging said framing members with at least one of a first engaging surface that extends along a first spring member and a second engaging surface that extends along a second spring member on said nail, wherein step (e) includes engaging said framing members with at least one of said first and second engaging surfaces that are staggered relative to one another.