Patent Application
20240141945
A fastener with specific ring structure and diameter to hold and bear a higher load value is described.
Fasteners have been used in the construction industry for a long time. Specific fasteners must be used by end users, builders, framers and contactors for a specific application. There is always a lot inventory that needs to be carried and different choices that need to be offered with existing nails/fasteners. Many require specific tools for use, and due to so many varieties sometimes incorrect nails are used by the user. This may lead to not meeting the Structural Engineer design load. Using benchmark nails may lead to wood splitting, nails pops, and confusion. This also results in higher prices as so many have to be kept in inventory. There needs to be solutions to reduce inventory, nail confusion and have a higher quality nail that could be used for most applications.
Several embodiments of the instant invention a fastener (nail) is described. In one embodiment a fastener with a ring structure at the bottom of the elongated shaft of the fastener is described. In one embodiment, the fastener is used for securing wooden structures, sheath materials and generally used for construction of a dwelling or furniture's or any soft material that needs to be joined to make an article or structure.
The fastener, in one embodiment has a head, shank and a point. In another embodiment, the shank is divided into a smooth shank and a deformed shank. In another embodiment, the ratio between smooth shank and the deformed shank is specific. In one embodiment, the head has a specific thickness. A specific thickness, specific material and specific dimension and design of head, shank and point is designed to have superior load and withdrawal strengths. In one embodiment, bending yield strength tests, ductility tests, lateral load connection tests and withdrawal load tests on the instant proprietary 2⅛″×0.115R, 2¾″×0.115R, 3″×0.115R, 3″×0.115 and 3″×0.135R, 3″×0.135, 2¼″×0.125R, 3″×0.125R and 3″×0.125 ring shank nails.
In one embodiment and not limited to these values, the instant fastener has the following properties:
In one embodiment, Ductility Test, Bending Yield Strength Test, Pull through Test, Lateral Strength Test, Withdrawal Strength Test, Low Seismic Wall Assembly Test, In-Plane Cyclic Load Test and Small Scale Diaphragm Test were conducted on all three diameter nails to meet the ASTM standards, AC116, AC120 and beat the control benchmark nails (8 d common 2½″×0.131, 10 d common 3″×0.148 and 16 d common 3½″×0.162) quality.
In another embodiment, the point has a specific shape and a specific angle for optimal entry and exit from a material in which it is used for fastening. The fastener is manufacture using specific material and in one example it is steel. Accordingly, the specification and drawings are to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense.
Example embodiments are illustrated by way of example and not limitation in the figures of the accompanying drawings, in which like references indicate similar elements and in which:
Other features of the present embodiments will be apparent from the accompanying drawings and from the detailed description that follows.
Several fasteners with various heads, shanks and point are described as a possible variation including coating which are coarse thread, construction thread, drywall ‘fine’ thread, availability in stainless steel or common steel, availability in coatings to resist rust (zinc) or made of alloys to prevent rust used in exposed outside work, painted or plated screws and nails but not limited to these specifically. In a broader spirit there are different types of heads that may be implemented. For example, heads that sit above the surface, such as pan head, oval head, round head, hex head and others. In another embodiment, flat heads with beveled sides leading down to the shank. The flat head fastener gives a flushed appearance. In a general use flat head fastener is used within framing, boxing, crates, pallets, fencing, and general timber fixing applications. Although the present embodiments have been described with reference to specific example embodiments, it will be evident that various modifications and changes may be made to these embodiments without departing from the broader spirit and scope of the various embodiments. The term “fastener” is used interchangeably as “nail” or fastener” through the specification.
Several tests were conducted and compared to standard 8 d common, 10 d common and 16 d common benchmark nails to not only qualify but show that instantly claimed fastener (nail) is superior to all standard nails available in the market. The list of tests that were conducted were:
Ductility Test—The only certain way to create a ductile timber structure is by using a design in which collapse is governed by failures in mechanical dowel-type joints where nails are the most ductile connectors. Ductility in itself is characterized as deformation capacity and is defined in this paper as the ability of a connection to deform and redistribute forces. The definitions of ductility are all expressed as the relationship between three key deformations: uy defined as the elastic displacement, uu as the displacement at maximum load and uf as the displacement at fracture (ultimate displacement).
Bending Yield Strength Test—Engineering design procedures used to determine the capacities of laterally-loaded nailed connections currently use a yield theory to establish the nominal resistance for laterally-loaded nailed connections that are engineered. In order to develop the nominal resistance for laterally-loaded nailed connections, the bending yield moment must be known.
Pull through Test—A standard ASTM nail head pull-through test has been used to determine the resistance of a wood material by pulling the head of a nail through the thickness of the specimen.
Lateral Strength Test—Lateral strength is largely a function of a nail's diameter and the density of the type of wood into which the nail is driven. For example, 10 d and 12 d nails have the same diameter and the same lateral strength in each type of wood.
Withdrawal Strength Test, Low Seismic Wall Assembly Test, In-Plane Cyclic Load Test and Small Scale Diaphragm Test—When these buildings are constructed in seismically active zones, seismic design and construction methods become crucial. Wood shear walls are the primary lateral load resisting system for this type of buildings. They are composed of studs, sheathing panels, and nail connections. The in-plane lateral load resistant capacity is mainly provided by the sheathing panels through the sheathing-to-frame connections. Nail joints primarily contribute to energy dissipation while withstanding earthquake.
The nails are tested for ASTM standards, bending yield strength, lateral connection strength, withdrawal strength, and use in diaphragms and shear walls, use as alternatives to the nails prescribed in fastening schedules in the codes as well. The length of the nail can be from 1″ thru 12″ long. The fasteners were tested for bending yield strength test, ductility test, lateral load connection test and withdrawal load test on 5000 pieces of 0.115R, 0.115, 0.125R, 0.125, 0.135R and 0.135 fasteners. The length of 0.115R is 2⅛″, 2¾″ and 3″. The length of 0.115 is 3″. The length of 0.125R is 2¼″ and 3″. The length of 0.125 is 3″. The length of 0.135R and 0.135 is 3″.
The test program was conducted pursuant to ICC-ES AC116 Acceptance Criteria for Nails, approved March 2018 and editorially revised February 2021, ASTM F1575-2021 Standard. Method for Determining Bending Yield Moment of Nails, ASTM F1667-2021a Standard Specification for Driven Fasteners: Nails, Spikes, and Staples, ASTM D1761-20 Standard Test Methods for Mechanical Fasteners in Wood and Wood-Based Materials, ASTM D2395-17 (2022). Standard Test Methods for Density and Specific Gravity (Relative Density) of Wood and Wood-Based Materials and ASTM D4442-20 Standard Test Methods for Direct Moisture Content. Measurement of Wood and Wood-Based Materials. Specialized Testing, Inc. (STI), dba Specialized Testing, was the laboratory of record for this project. Specialized Testing's is accredited under ISO 17025 by the International Accreditation. Service (IAS) as listed on IAS TL-228, which lists AC116. All tests reported herein were performed at the laboratory facilities of Specialized Testing located in Santa Fe Springs, CA.
Bending yield strength and ductility for the instant proprietary 3″×0.115R, 3″×0.125R, 3″×0.125, 3″×0.135 and 3″×0.135R nails, lateral load connection strength for the instant 2¾″×0.115R, 3″×0.115R, 3″×0.125R, 3″×0.125, 3″×0.135 and 3″×0.135R nails, and withdrawal connection strength of the instant 3″×0.115R, 3″×0.125R, 3″×0.125, 3″×0.135 and 3″×0.135R nail. For comparison, lateral and withdrawal tests were also performed using 8 d 3″×0.131, 10 d common 3″×0.148 and 16 d common 3½″×0.162 benchmark nails. Lateral strength connection tests were performed with Douglas Fir nominal 2×(1½″ thick) lumber, with either nominal 4×(3½″ thick) Douglas Fir main members or 3½″ thick Engineered Wood Product (EWP) as the main member. Withdrawal tests were performed with either Douglas Fir nominal 4×(3½″ thick) and 3½″ thick EWP wood. All wood was acquired by, selected and prepared by the client. The wood was confirmed and tested by STI. The tested nails were installed into the wood by STI technicians. The bending strength tests were performed on a United Universal Test Machine (UTM) in accordance with ASTM F1575. Ductility tests were performed by hand without measurement. Connection strength tests in wood were performed using the United UTM. All forces and displacement measurements together with dimension measurements were made with equipment having calibrations traceable to NIST. Connection tests of the nails were performed in Douglas Fir Wood having a nominal specific gravity of 0.50. Douglas Fir lumber in nominal thicknesses of 2× and 4× and Timberstrand® LSL. The specific gravity of the Douglas Fir lumber was tested in accordance with ASTM D2395 and the results of those tests are presented in table below. The bending strength of the instant fasteners and reference common nails exceed the minimum requirement.
Note: Pass denotes successful 180° Bend of Nail without evidence of fracture.
Each fastener goes through rigorous testing protocols and edge imperfections up to 0.005 wide×0.010 deep are acceptable, but laps, seams, cracks or similar defects greater than 0.005×0.010 are not acceptable. No visible rust is acceptable. Contamination of fasteners with dust, oil, wire draw lube etc., cannot exceed 0.0026.
For each of the eleven data sets listed in Table 3, the number of test replicates equaled or exceeded the value required number of replicates based on the provisions of Section 4.1.2 of AC116 together with ASTM D2915. Therefore, the requirements of Section 4.1.2 of AC116 are satisfied with respect to the confidence of the data set.
For the data sets listed in Table 4, the number of test replicates equaled or exceeded the value required number of replicates based on the provisions of Section 4.1.2 of AC116 together with ASTM D2915. Therefore, the requirements of Section 4.1.2 of AC116 are satisfied with respect confidence of the data set.
All eleven examples are tested for their lateral and withdrawal strengths. All show superior and unexpected results compared to regular nails. The superior results may be attributed to shank design, small shank diameter, ring ratio and steel used for the said fastener. The four designs are very specific for their length, crest diameter, length of the deformed shank and for their relative ration between smooth shank and deformed shank. The ring shank also provides a certain physical strength by having a specific spacing, crest diameter and a specific angle of the point. The specific design of the fastener enables superior lateral load and withdrawal load. These ultimately gives a superior hold for a specific use.
The objective of the test program was to conduct small-scale diaphragm simulation tests in accordance with ICC Evaluation Service, LLC (ICC-Es) AC 120 Acceptance criteria for wood-frame horizontal diaphragms, vertical shear walls and braced walls with alternative fasteners, approved February 2017 and editorially revised January 2021 for AJ2 Steel Inc. The tests were performed primarily in accordance with Section 4.9 of AC120 on small scale wood diaphragms fabricated to match the set up depicted in
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All replicates failed the same way and were all within the standards of rules by the federal government requirements for seismic activity. This illustrates that the instantly claimed nails exceed the qualities in certain criteria's and in certain instances they comply with all the construction related rules as superior products compared to what is available in the market.
The instant fasteners of diameter 0.115, 0.115R, 0.125, 0.125R, 0.135 and 0.135R exceeds or beats all tests that are relevant to ASTM standards compared to what is available in the market. The unique design of combination of deformed shank and smooth shank is much superior to what is available in the construction industry. Various diameter options with unique design and collated nail capability allows the user to use the product in high volume construction zones with ease.
This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional application 63/421,128 filed on Oct. 31st 2022. The contents of the said application is incorporated in its entirety herein by reference.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 63421128 | Oct 2022 | US |
