FASTENER STRIP ASSEMBLY

Abstract: A strapped fastener asemblage (15) for an automatic fastener driver and including: a pair of connecting straps made of paper (18), each of which has a plastic film (19) laminated onto one surface of the connecting strap, the plastic-film-side surfaces of the connecting straps being in contact with each other; a plurality of pin-like fasteners (3) arranged in parallel to one another with a predetermined spacing, each of the fasteners extending transversely of and between the connecting straps; and a plurality of fastener retainers each of which is defined by a pair of heat-sealed portions (20) of the connecting straps extending transversely of the connecting straps, the fastener retainer retaining corresponding one of the fasteners.

Description: This invention relates to a strapped fastener assemblage for use with an automatic fastener driver continuously driving screws, nails and the like. Heretofore, various types of a strapped fastener assemblage for use with automatic fastener drivers have been developed. These types are classified into three groups as shown in Figures 26 to 32. A first strapped fastener assemblage 1 as shown in Figures 26 and 27 comprises two parallel connecting wires 2 and a plurality of fasteners, i.e., screws 3 crossing the wires 2 and arranged with a predetermined spacing along the axes of the wires 2. Points of contact 4 between the threaded portion 3a of each screw 3 and the wires 2 are jointed by spot welding. A second strapped fastener assemblage 5 as shown in Figures 28 and 29 comprises a pair of adjacent connecting straps 6 made of a synthetic resin and a plurality of screws 3 retained between the connecting straps 6 and arranged with a predetermined spacing along the axes of the connecting straps 6. The connecting straps 6 form cylindrical screw retainers 8 each of which surrounds the threaded portion 3a of the screw 3, by means of a pair of adhesion portions 7 formed in front and rear of each screw 3 in the axes of the connecting straps 6. A third strapped fastener assemblage 9 as shown in Figures 31 and 32 comprises a pair of adjacent connecting straps 10 made of paper and a plurality of screws 3 retained between the connecting straps 10 and arranged with a predetermined spacing along the axes of the connecting straps 10. The connecting straps 10 form cylindrical screw retainers 11 each of which surrounds a threaded portion 3a of the screw 3, by means of a pair of adhesion portions 7 formed in front and rear of the screw 3 in the axes of the connecting straps 10. The conventional strapped fastener assemblages 1, 5 and 9 entail the following problems: As described above, the first strapped fastener assemblage 1 with the connecting wires comprises the screw 3 including the threaded portions 3a adjoined to the connecting wires 2 by means of the spot-welded joints 4. Thus, the spot-welded joints 4 cannot clearly be detached from the threaded portion 3a when the automatic fastener driver drives each screw 3. Fragments 2a of the wires 2 and fragments of the spot-welded joints remain on the threaded portion 3a. These fragments 2a cause the threaded portions 3a to be damaged, thus blocking a secure fastening operation of each screw 3. The spot-welded joints 4 of the strapped fastener assemblage 1 require some troublesome works. Large spot-welded joints 4 cause their poor detachment from the threaded portions 3a. On the other hand, small spot-welded joints 4 cause the screws 3 to be readily detached from the connecting wires 2 when the strapped fastener assemblage 1 is in an inoperative position. As described above, the second strapped fastener assemblage 5 with the connecting straps made of a synthetic resin retains each screw 3a within each screw retainer 8 defined by the adhesive portions in the two connecting tapes 6. Thus, when the automatic fastener driver drives the screws 3, the connecting straps 6 are broken into small fragments 6a which remain in a fastener magazine of the automatic fastener driver. Since the remaining fragments 6a may cause the continuous supply of the strapped fastener assemblage 5 into the fastener magazine to be blocked, it is difficult accurately to drive the screws 3. In addition, since the front and rear edges of each fastener retainer 8 of the strapped fastener assemblage 5 include adhesive, a component of the adhesive will cause chemical erosion of the surface of the threaded portion 3a of the screw 3 to produce rust on the surface with passage of time. The production of rust will damage the value of the strapped fastener assemblage and will fatally damage the screws. Therefore, failure to cure the problem of rust production reduces the service life of the screw. The third strapped fastener assemblage 9 with the straps made of paper includes the adhesive as the second strapped fastener assemblage 5. Therefore, the third strapped fastener assemblage 9 exacerbates the problem of rust production since the paper straps have a higher hygroscopy than the straps made of the synthetic resin of the strapped fastener assemblage 5. Another form of strapped fastener assemblage is proposed in US-A 3967727, in which fasteners are held between strips of paper having inner-facing layers of thermoplastic material, one strip having the yieldable property of crepe paper, whereby the fasteners are held by tension, exerted by the yieldable strip, between zones in which the strips are heat-bonded together, the strips being asymmetrically formed about the fasteners. According to the present invention, a strapped fastener assemblage comprises a pair of connecting flexible paper straps each having a plastics film laminated to one surface thereof, the flexible straps being disposed with their plastics films facing towards each other, and a plurality of pin-like fasteners arranged in parallel to one another with a predetermined spacing therebetween, each of said fasteners extending transversely of and between said connecting straps, the fasteners being retained between the straps by retainers each defined by respective pairs of heat-sealed portions extending transversely of the connecting straps, characterised in that each connecting strap is formed symmetrically about the fasteners between each said respective pair of heat-sealed portions and in that one only of the connecting straps includes separation holes for facilitating release of the fastener from the straps. According to the inventive strapped fastener assemblage, the heat-sealed portions of the connecting straps will not adhere to a side surface of each fastener. When the automatic fastener driver drives the fastener into an object, the fastener separates cleanly from the fastener retainer without fragments of the connecting straps remaining on the fastener. When the fastener is a screw, the fragments of the connecting straps cannot damage the threaded portion of the driven screw. The heat-sealed portions secure the full function of the fastener. The laminated plastics films of the connecting straps limit an extension and shrinkage in the connecting straps. Therefore, the screw retainers will not deteriorate with passage of time and can securely retain the fasteners. The inner surfaces of the connecting straps laminated with the plastics film blocks a retained fastener from moisture contained in the connecting straps and production of rust caused by the moisture. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figures 1 to 11 illustrate strapped fastener assemblages according to a first embodiment of this invention; Figure 1 is a front elevation of a strapped fastener assemblage according to a first example of the first embodiment of this invention; Figure 2 is a longitudinal section of a screw retainer of the strapped fastener assemblage of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a sectional view taken along the line I-I in Figure 2; Figure 4 is a front elevation of a strapped fastener assemblage according to a second example of the first embodiment of this invention; Figure 5 is a front elevation of a strapped fastener assemblage according to a third example of the first embodiment of this invention; Figure 6 is a front elevation of a strapped fastener assemblage according to a fourth example of the first embodiment of this invention; Figure 7 is a front elevation of a strapped fastener assemblage according to a fifth example of the first embodiment of this invention; Figure 8 is a front elevation of a strapped fastener assemblage according to a sixth example of the first embodiment of this invention; Figure 9 is a front elevation of a strapped fastener assemblage according to a seventh example of the first embodiment of this invention; Figure 10 is a front elevation of a strapped fastener assemblage according to an eighth example of the first embodiment of this invention; Figure 11 is a front elevation of a strapped fastener assemblage according to a ninth example of the first embodiment of this invention; Figures 12 to 15 illustrate strapped fastener assemblages according to a second embodiment of this invention; Figure 12 is a front elevation of a strapped fastener assemblage according to a first example of the second embodiment of this invention; Figure 13 is a longitudinal section of a screw retainer of the strapped fastener assemblage of Figure 12; Figure 14 is a sectional view taken along the line II-II in Figure 13; Figures 15 to 17 illustrate strapped fastener assemblages according to a third embodiment of this invention; Figure 15 is a front elevation of a strapped fastener assemblage according to a first example of the third embodiment of this invention; Figure 16 is a longitudinal section of a screw retainer of the strapped fastener assemblage of Figure 15; Figure 17 is a plan view of part of the strapped fastener assemblage of Figure 15; Figures 18 to 21 illustrate strapped fastener assemblages according to a fourth embodiment of this invention; Figure 18 is a front elevation of a strapped fastener assemblage according to a first example of the fourth embodiment of this invention; Figure 19 is a longitudinal section of a screw retainer of the strapped fastener assemblage of Figure 18; Figure 20 is a plan view of part of the strapped fastener assemblage of Figure 18; Figure 21 is a front elevation of a strapped fastener assemblage according to a second example of the fourth embodiment of this invention; Figures 22 to 25 illustrate strapped fastener assemblages according to a fifth embodiment of this invention; Figure 22 is a front elevation of a strapped fastener assemblage according to a first example of the fifth embodiment of this invention; Figure 23 is a longitudinal section of a screw retainer of the strapped fastener assemblage of Figure 22; Figure 24 is a plan view of part of the strapped fastener assemblage of Figure 22; Figure 25 is a front elevation of a strapped fastener assemblage according to a second example of the fifth embodiment of the invention; Figures 26 to 32 illustrate conventional strapped fastener assemblages; Figure 26 is a front elevation of a conventional wired fastener assemblage; Figure 27 is a front elevation of a screw with remaining fragments of a metal wire of Figure 26; Figure 28 is a front elevation of a second conventional strapped fastener assemblage; Figure 29 is a longitudinal section of a screw retainer of the strapped fastener assemblage of Figure 28; Figure 30 is a front elevation of a screw with a remaining fragment of a strap of Figure 28; Figure 31 is a front elevation of a third conventional strapped fastener assemblage; Figure 32 is a longitudinal section of a screw retainer of the strapped fastener assemblage of Figure 31. DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The preferred embodiments of this invention will be described hereinafter with reference to Figures 1 to 25. According to these embodiments, screws are used for a fastener. However, other fasteners such as a nail may be used for the fastener. First embodiment Figures 1 to 11 illustrate the first embodiment of this invention. A strapped fastener assemblage 15 comprises a pair of connecting straps 16 and 17 adjacent each other. Each of the connecting straps 16 and 17 comprises a paper strap 18 made of kraft paper or the like and comprises a plastics film 19 made of a synthetic resin such as low-density polyethylene or polypropylene and laminated onto the inner surface of the paper strap 18. The connecting straps 16 and 17 extend so that their inner surfaces with the laminated plastics films 19 are in contact with each other. A plurality of screws 3 are retained side by side at a predetermined interval between the connecting straps 16 and 17 so that heads 3b of the screws 3 appear above the topsides of the connecting straps 16 and 17. Portions of the connecting straps 16 and 17 in front and rear of the threaded portion 3a of each screw 3 include a pair of heat sealed joints 20 extending along the axis of the threaded portion 3a of the screw 3. The pair of heat sealed joints 20 provides a cylindrical screw retainer 21 extending across the connecting straps 16 and 17. Thus, an assembly of the connecting strap 16 and 17 retains the screws 3 at the predetermined interval so that the threaded portions 3a of the screws 3 are retained within the screw retainers 21. The strapped fastener assemblage 15 includes a line of sewing perforations 22 and 23 extending transversely of the connecting straps 16 and 17 as shown in Figures 4 to 11. The line of the sewing perforations 22 and 23 facilitates the screw retainers 21 and the screws 3 to separate from the other portions of the connecting straps 16 and 17. A second example of Figure 4 has the sewing perforations 22 on the centre line between adjacent screw retainers 21. A third example of Figure 5 has the sewing perforations 23 near each front heat-sealed portion 20. A fourth example of Figure 6 has the sewing perforations 24 near each rear heat-sealed portion 20. A fifth example of Figure 7 has the sewing perforations 25 on each screw retainer 21. Screws 3 as shown in Figures 6 to 8 are taper threads which are different from those of Figures 1 to 5. A sixth example of Figure 8 has a plurality of, e.g., two separation holes 26 with a diameter larger than that of each hole of the sewing perforations 22, 23, 24 and 25. The separation holes 26 are defined on the centre line between adjacent screw retainers 21 and serve as a pitch hole facilitating the strapped fastener assemblage 15 to be delivered with an accurate pitch to a nose of the automatic fastener driver. A seventh example of Figure 9 has a slot 27 extending transversely of the connecting straps 16 and 17 within each screw retainer 21. An eighth example of Figure 10 has a pair of V-shaped notches 28 in the upper and lower edges of each screw retainer 21. The opposite points of the notches 28 are vertically in alignment with each other. A ninth example of Figure 11 has a pair of U-shaped notches 29 in the upper and lower edges of each screw retainer 21. The opposite bottoms of the U-shaped notches 29 are vertically in alignment with each other. A line of sewing perforations may connect the opposite points of the V-shaped notches 28 and the opposite bottoms of the U-shaped notches 29 to each other. When separation holes such as the sewing perforations 22, 23, 24 and 25, the slots 27, and the notches 28 and 29 have forms facilitating fractures of the connecting straps 16 and 17, the forms of the separation holes will not restricted to the above-described examples. One only of the connecting straps 16 and 17 may include the separation holes. Second embodiment Figures 12 to 14 illustrate the second embodiment of this invention. A strapped fastener assemblage 35 comprises two pairs of connecting straps 36 and 37. A pair of upper connecting straps 36 extends in parallel to the other pair of lower connecting straps 37. The pair of the upper connecting straps 36 retains an upper end of the threaded portion 3a of each screw 3 therewithin. The pair of the lower connecting straps 37 retains a lower portion of the threaded portion 3a of the screw 3. Heat-sealed portions 20 and screw retainers 21 of the pairs of the connecting straps 36 and 37, and separation holes in the pairs of the connecting straps 36 and 37 have the same arrangements as those of the first embodiments described above. Third embodiment Figures 15 to 17 illustrate the third embodiment of this invention. A strapped fastener assemblage 40 comprises a pair of connecting straps 41 and 42, the inner surfaces of which have the same laminated films as those of the first and second embodiments of this invention. Each of the screw retainers 43 formed by the pair of the connecting straps 41 and 42 retains the head 3b and threaded portion 31 of the screw 3 therewithin. Separation holes of the third embodiment of this invention may be the same as those of the preceding embodiments of this invention. Fourth embodiment Figures 18 to 21 illustrate the fourth embodiment of this invention. A strapped fastener assemblage 45 comprises a pair of connecting straps 46 and 47. As shown in Figures 19 and 20, the topside of one (e.g., a connecting strap 47) of a pair of connecting straps 46 and 47 covers part of a head 3b of each screw 3. The strapped fastener assemblage 45 is essentially the same as the strapped fastener assemblage 40 except the arrangement of the pair of the connecting straps 46 and 47. Fifth embodiment Figures 22 to 25 illustrate the fifth embodiment of this invention. A strapped fastener assemblage 50 comprises a pair of connecting straps 51 and 52. As shown in Figure 22, the pair of the connecting straps 51 and 52 includes conical-shaped screw retainers 53 retaining the head 3b of each screw 3. If the screw retainers 53 lack a sufficient strength to retain the screw 3 in place, a pair of second connecting straps may additionally retain the threaded portion 3a of the screw 3. The connecting straps 51 and 52 may include any separation holes such as lines of sewing perforations 22 as shown in Figure 25. A strapped fastener assemblage may comprise a single connecting strap made of a paper laminated with a plastics film and forming cylindrical screw retainer wound on the threaded portion of each screw. A strapped fastener assemblage may comprise a pair of connecting straps with different widths.

Claims: A strapped fastener assemblage (15) comprising a pair of connecting flexible paper straps (16, 17) each having a plastics film (19) laminated to one surface thereof, the flexible straps being disposed with their plastics films facing towards each other, a plurality of pin-like fasteners (3) arranged in parallel to one another with a predetermined spacing therebetween, each of said fasteners extending transversely of and between said connecting straps, the fasteners (3) being retained between the straps (16, 17) by retainers (21) each defined by respective pairs of heat-sealed portions (20) extending transversely of the connecting straps, characterised in that each connecting strap is formed symmetrically about the fasteners between each said respective pair of heat-sealed portions and in that one only of the connecting straps (16, 17) includes separation holes for facilitating release of the fastener from the straps. A strapped fastener assemblage according to claim 1, in which the separation holes comprise sewing perforations (22; 23; 24; 25) which extend transversely of the strap. A strapped fastener assemblage according to claim 1 or claim 2, in which the separation holes are formed in the strap in regions between the fastener retainers. A strapped fastener assemblage according to claim 2, in which the separation holes comprise notches (28; 29) formed in the upper and lower edges of each fastener retainer, vertically in alignment with each other. A strapped fastener assemblage according to any preceding claim, in which the fasteners comprise screws each having a head portion (13b) and a threaded body portion (3a), the head portions extending above the connecting straps. A strapped fastener assemblage according to any of claims 1 to 4, in which the fasteners comprise screws each having a head portion (3b) and a threaded body portion (3a), and the connecting straps engage at least the head portions of adjacent screws. A strapped fastener assemblage according to any of claims 1 to 4, in which the fasteners comprise screws each having a head portion (3b) and a threaded body portion (3a) and one of the connecting straps includes a portion (43) which engages part of the threaded body portion of each screw on either side thereof and one of the straps engages part of the head portion of each screw.

Inventors: KAWASHIMA, MASAKI
Applicants: KAWASHIMA, MASAKI
Application year: 1988
Main classification: B65D73
IPC codes: F16B27, F16B25, F16B15