Patent ID: 7207761
Filing Date: 2007-04-24
Classification: F16B

Abstract:
1. A fastener for fastening a pair of thin gauge sheet metal members together, comprising: a pointed end portion for forming apertures within the thin gauge sheet metal members as said fastener is inserted through the thin gauge sheet metal members; a head portion; and a shank portion interposed between said pointed end portion and said head portion and defined around a longitudinal axis; wherein said shank portion comprises a spiral-threaded shank portion disposed immediately upstream of said pointed end portion and comprising a plurality of spiral threads disposed at a predetermined angle with respect to said longitudinal axis of said shank portion for forming corresponding threads upon annular wall portions of the thin gauge sheet metal members, which surround the apertures defined within the thin gauge sheet metal members, as a result of the insertion of said pointed end portion of said fastener through the thin gauge sheet metal members, and an annularly fluted shank portion disposed immediately upstream of said spiral-threaded shank portion so as to be interposed between said spiral-threaded shank portion and said head portion and comprising a plurality of axially contiguous annular stepped flute members for engaging the annular wall portions of the thin gauge sheet metal members which surround the apertures defined within the thin gauge sheet metal members so as to effectively lock said fastener within the thin gauge sheet metal members and enhance the pull-out resistance of said fastener with respect to the thin gauge sheet metal members so as to securely fasten the thin gauge sheet metal members together, and wherein each one of said plurality of axially contiguous annular stepped flute members, for engaging the annular wall portions of the thin gauge sheet metal members which surround the apertures defined within the thin gauge sheet metal members so as to effectively lock said fastener within the thin gauge sheet metal members and enhance the pull-out resistance of said fastener with respect to the thin gauge sheet metal members so as to thereby securely fasten the thin gauge sheet metal members together, comprises a first, axially forward, radially inwardly inclined annular face for facilitating the axial insertion of said annularly fluted shank portion of said fastener past the annular wall portions of the thin gauge sheet metal members, and a second axially rearward, oppositely oriented, radially inwardly inclined annular face for defining a stepped, shoulder portion upon which one of the annular wall portions of the thin gauge sheet metal members is adapted to be seated so as to lockingly secure said fastener within the thin gauge sheet metal members and readily prevent pull-out of said fastener with respect to the thin gauge sheet metal members and thereby securely fasten the thin gauge sheet metal members together, wherein the axially forward end portion of each one of said first, axially forward, radially inwardly inclined annular faces is disposed in contact with the axially rearward end portion of one of said second axially rearward, oppositely oriented, radially inwardly inclined annular faces so as to define said plurality of axially contiguous annular stepped flute members.