Patent ID: 7025551
Filing Date: 2006-04-11
Classification: F16B

Abstract:
1. A clip of fasteners for use in securing together two superimposed structural components, said clip comprising: a plastic strip having lengthwise extending top and bottom surfaces and two opposite side surfaces, a series of mutually aligned holes in the strip with each hole extending perpendicular to and between said top and bottom surfaces, each hole having a plurality of inwardly extending fastener-gripping ribs extending lengthwise between said top and bottom surfaces and webs connecting each rib with each adjacent rib, said webs being integral with said top surface and spaced from said bottom surface, said ribs and said webs of each hole having inner portions that are aligned to define a circular opening concentric with said each hole with said opening having a diameter smaller than the diameter of said each hole, and a fastener mounted in each of said circular openings, each fastener comprising a shaft having a tapered tip at one end and a head at its other end, said shaft also having (1) a drill portion that extends toward said head from said tapered point, (2) a screw portion comprising a helical thread that extends from said flutes to adjacent said head, and (3) cutting blade means projecting laterally from said drill portion adjacent said screw portion, said cutting blade means extending radially from the axis of said shaft a distance greater than said helical thread, each fastener having its said screw portion gripped by said ribs and webs of the said circular opening in which said each fastener is mounted, said head of each fastener extending outwardly beyond the periphery of said shaft and having a diameter larger than said circular opening defined by said ribs and webs but smaller than the diameter of said holes, said head also having a top surface and a tapered surface, said top surface having means adapted for engagement by a driving tool for rotating said fastener in a direction to cause said drill portion to drill a hole through two superimposed structural components and said threaded portion to screw into the lower of said structural components, and said tapered surface having a series of circumferentially spaced ribs adapted to function as cutting blades for cutting through said fastener-gripping ribs and said webs when simultaneously said fastener is driven down and rotated relative to said ribs and webs.