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US 7,097,403 B1Granted
Reduced material fastener
AssigneeThe Everhold Group, Corporation
InventorBarry W. Seace
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A reduced material fastener has a shank cross-section selected to provide a parting line. Having a parting line means that the fastener may be made using two opposing dies, including roller dies, to cold form the cross-section. The cross-sections do not have to be symmetrical with respect to the parting line as long as hypothetical dies can be separated. Typical fasteners include common nails. Cross-sections having parting lines may have fin-like protuberances that result in less material being used for the same overall outline as a round cross-section. A computer aided design methodology and a nail making apparatus are also disclosed.
Claims20
A nail comprising:
- a) an elongated metal shank having a point at one end, said shank having a cross-sectional shape with a predetermined periphery that is bisected by a straight parting line in two spaced locations on said shank periphery, said parting line intersecting no voids within said shank and defining a pair of opposed side portions of said shank, said parting line being defined as the cross-section of the shank where two opposing dies meet in the formation of the shank;
- b) said predetermined periphery including at least two spaced fin-like protuberances on at least a first of said opposed side portions protruding at approximately right angles to said parting line, each said protuberance having a substantially straight side on any side facing an adjacent said protuberance on said first side portion of said shank;
- and
- c) an intervening valley disposed between adjacent said at least two protuberances on said first side portion and curved inwardly toward and terminating short of said parting line.
1 more element
A nail comprising:
- a) an elongated metal shank having a point at one end, said shank having a cross-sectional shape with a predetermined periphery that is bisected by a straight parting line in two spaced locations on said shank periphery, said parting line intersecting no voids within said shank and defining a pair of opposed side portions of said shank, said parting line being defined as the cross-section of the shank where two opposing dies meet in the formation of the shank;
- b) said predetermined periphery including at least two spaced fins on each of said opposed side portions protruding at approximately right angles to said parting line, each said fin having a substantially straight side on any side facing an adjacent said fin on each of said side portions;
- c) an intervening valley disposed between any adjacent said fins on either of said opposed side potions of said shank;
- and
- d) said shank having a pair of arcuate shapes protruding therefrom and further defining said periphery, said arcuate shapes being disposed respectively at opposed spaced locations defined by intersections of said parting line and said periphery.
2 more elements
A nail comprising:
- a) an elongated metal shank having a point at one end, said shank having a cross-sectional shape with a predetermined periphery that is bisected by a straight parting line in two spaced locations on said shank periphery, said parting line intersecting no voids within said shank and defining a pair of opposed side portions of said shank, said parting line being defined as the cross-section of the shank where two opposing dies meet in the formation of the shank;
- b) said predetermined periphery including at least two spaced fins on each of said opposed side portions protruding at approximately right angles to said parting line, each said fin having a substantially straight side on any side facing an adjacent said fin on said side portions of said shank;
- c) an intervening valley disposed between any adjacent said fins on either of said opposed side portions of said shank;
- and
- d) said shank including two fins protruding approximately aligned with said parting line and disposed respectively at two spaced locations at intersections of said shank periphery and said parting line.
2 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.