Claims
- 1. A method of forming a head on an elongate member, comprising the steps of:
- positioning an end portion of an elongate member at a predetermined location; and
- exerting an axially compressive force against said end portion of said elongate member so as to radially outwardly expand a predetermined amount of material of said end portion of said elongate member and thereby form a head thereon which includes a plurality of ribs, all disposed parallel with respect to each other and with respect to a single diameter of said head and extending across said head, for controlling the flow of said material comprising said end portion of said elongate member in a predetermined direction parallel to said single diameter, and for accommodating said material comprising said end portion of said elongate member as said material comprising said end portion of said elongate member is expanded radially outwardly with respect to said elongate member of said fastener during said axial compression of said end portion of said elongate member and said formation of said head upon said elongate member such that said head has a predetermined configuration and wherein said head is substantially centered with respect to a longitudinal axis of said elongate member.
- 2. The method as defined in claim 1 wherein said step of exerting said axially compressive force against said end portion of said elongate member includes striking said end portion of said elongate member with a punch.
- 3. The method as defined in claim 2, wherein:
- said step of controlling the direction of flow of said material comprising said end portion of said elongate member, and for accommodating said material comprising said end portion of said elongate member, is provided by a plurality of channels defined within said punch and within which said plurality of ribs are formed from said material comprising said end portion of said elongate member as said material comprising said end portion of said elongate member is expanded radially outwardly with respect to said elongate member of said fastener during said axial compression of said end portion of said elongate member and said formation of said head upon said elongate member.
- 4. The method as defined in claim 1, wherein:
- said step of positioning said end portion of said elongate member is provided by dies which hold said elongate member when said elongate member is axially compressed.
- 5. The method as set forth in claim 1, wherein:
- said plurality of ribs are formed upon said head such that one of said ribs is disposed along a diametrical extent of said head.
- 6. The method as set forth in claim 1, wherein:
- said plurality of ribs are formed upon a top, outside surface of said head.
- 7. The method as set forth in claim 1, wherein:
- said plurality of ribs are formed upon a bottom surface of said head.
- 8. The method as set forth in claim 3, wherein:
- said punch is provided with three flow control channels so as to form three ribs upon said head.
- 9. The method as set forth in claim 1, wherein:
- said head and said elongate member are integrally formed from a metal wire.
- 10. The method as set forth in claim 1, wherein:
- said head and said elongate member are integrally formed together so as to comprise a nail fastener.
- 11. The method as set forth in claim 9, wherein:
- said metal wire is fabricated from steel.
- 12. The method as set forth in claim 1, wherein:
- said head is formed upon said elongate member so as to have a substantially circular configuration.
- 13. The method as set forth in claim 11, further comprising:
- providing said steel wire with a coating of zinc so as to provide said steel wire with corrosion protection.
- 14. The method as set forth in claim 1, wherein:
- said plurality of ribs are formed upon said head for increasing the strength of said head.
- 15. The method as set forth in claim 1, wherein:
- said plurality of ribs are formed such that each rib has a height dimension which is within the range of 0.001-0.015 inches.
- 16. The method as set forth in claim 1, wherein:
- said plurality of ribs are formed such that said ribs are spaced apart from each other by means of a distance of approximately 0.065 inches.
Parent Case Info
This application is a division, of application Ser. No. 08/136,647, filed Oct. 14, 1993, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,476,351, issued Dec. 19, 1995.
US Referenced Citations (11)
Foreign Referenced Citations (2)
Number |
Date |
Country |
396605 |
Apr 1909 |
FRX |
624810 |
Jul 1927 |
FRX |
Divisions (1)
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Number |
Date |
Country |
Parent |
136647 |
Oct 1993 |
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