Patent Abstract:
A new and improved seam plate, for use in connection with securing roofing membranes to underlying roofing decking substructures, comprises a circular disk having a central aperture for receiving a screw fastener, a plurality of concentric ribs for providing reinforcing and bending or flexibility characteristics to the seam plate, and a plurality of circumferentially spaced, downwardly extending projections or eyehooks. Structure is provided upon the seam plate such that the downwardly extending projections or eyehooks, disposed upon, for example, a first one of a plurality of stacked or nested seam plates, are prevented from entering and becoming interlocked with openings or apertures defined within a second one of the plurality of stacked or nested seam plates.

Full Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     The present invention relates generally to seam plates for use in connection with the retention of roof decking membranes upon roof decking substructures at seam locations defined between separate, adjacent, and overlapping roof decking membranes, and more particularly to a new and improved seam plate, and a roof decking system employing the same, wherein retention of the roof decking membranes upon the roof decking substructure is able to be achieved by means of new and improved eyehook structure which not only effectively prevents the generation or initiation of tearing or other similar deterioration of the roof decking membranes when the roof decking membranes are subjected to wind or other environmental forces, but, in addition, such improved eyehook structure also prevents the undesired interlocking of nested seam plates, as defined between the eyehook structures of nested seam plates, during manufacture, assembly, packaging, and seam plate dispensing. In this manner, the removal of the seam plates from the packaging by operator personnel is not unduly inhibited, and still further, jamming of, for example, assembly and installation dispensing machines is likewise effectively prevented.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     Stress plates or seam plates are used in connection with the retention of roof decking membranes upon roof decking substructures at seam locations defined between separate but adjacent or overlapping roof decking membranes, and are of course well-known in the art. Examples of such seam plates or stress plates are disclosed within U.S. Pat. No. 4,945,699 which issued to Murphy on Aug. 7, 1990, as well as U.S. Pat. No. 4,787,188 which also issued to Murphy on Nov. 29, 1988. As can be appreciated from  FIGS. 1,2 , and  3 A- 3 C of the drawings, which substantially correspond to  FIGS. 4,1 , and  3 A- 3 C, respectively, of the aforenoted U.S. Pat. No. 4,945,699 to Murphy, the roof decking substructure is disclosed at  103  and may conventionally be provided with overlying insulation  102 .  
         [0003]     The insulation  102  is, in turn, adapted to have roof decking membranes disposed thereon in an overlying manner, and at a location or site at which separate and adjacent roof decking membranes are to be in effect seamed together in an overlapping manner, a first underlying roof decking membrane is disclosed at  101  and is adapted to be secured to the underlying deck substructure  103  by means of a screw fastener  107  passing through a seam plate or stress plate  10 , while a second roof decking membrane  104  is adapted to be secured in an overlapping manner upon the first underlying roof decking membrane  101  by means of a welded seam  111 . The seam plate or stress plate  10  is seen to have a circular configuration, and is provided with an upper surface  11  and a lower surface  12 . A central aperture  15  is provided for passage therethrough of the screw fastener  107 , and a circular reinforcing rib  14  annularly surrounds the central aperture  15 .  
         [0004]     Accordingly, when such a stress plate or seam plate  10  is to be used to secure roof decking membranes to the underlying decking substructure  103 , the stress plate or seam plate  10  is disposed atop the first underlying roof decking membrane  101 , and the stress plate or seam plate  10  is then fixedly secured to the underlying decking substructure by means of screw fastener  107  being threadedly engaged with the underlying decking substructure. In accordance with the particularly unique stress plate or seam plate  10  as disclosed within the noted Murphy patents, the bottom surface  12  of the stress plate or seam plate  10  is provided with a plurality of circumferentially spaced prongs or tangs  21  each of which terminates in a gripping point  22 . The prongs or tangs  21  each have a substantially triangular configuration and are in effect partially punched-out or otherwise cut from the bottom surface portion  12  of the plate  10 , and are subsequently bent such that the prongs or tangs  21  attain their desired disposition with respect to the bottom surface portion  12  of the plate  10 . Such prongs or tangs  21  will therefore grip the lower or underlying roof decking membrane  101  and prevent the same from becoming loose or free with respect to the stress plate  10  or the underlying roof substructure  103  despite wind or other environmental forces being impressed upon the roof decking membrane  101 .  
         [0005]     While the aforenoted stress or seam plates of Murphy have been satisfactory and commercially successful, it has been experienced that, despite well-meaning statements of intent to the contrary as set forth in the Murphy patents, the presence of the pointed prongs or tangs  21  characteristic of the stress plate or seam plate  10  of Murphy do in fact tend to puncture, tear, weaken, and otherwise cause deterioration of the roof decking membranes  101  under wind and other environmental conditions. Obviously, such a state is not satisfactory in view of the fact that eventually, the roof decking membranes tear away from the overlying seam plate  10  as well as away from the underlying roof decking, with the consequent result being the compromise of the structural integrity of the entire roof decking system. Accordingly, the stress or seam plate, as disclosed within U.S. Pat. No. 6,665,991 which issued to Hasan on Dec. 23, 2003, was developed in order to effectively rectify the deficiencies characteristic of the stress or seam plate as disclosed within the aforenoted patent to Murphy. More particularly, as disclosed within  FIGS. 4 and 5 , wherein  FIG. 4  discloses a stress or seam plate  210  generally similar to the stress or seam plate disclosed in  FIG. 4  of the Hasan patent, and wherein further,  FIG. 5  corresponds to  FIG. 7  of the Hasan patent, it is seen that each one of the projections  232  is effectively struck or punched out from the plate  210  so as to comprise side or leg portions  234 , 236  and a rounded apex portion  238 . While the stress or seam plate  210  has been commercially successful and has provided improved service and wear attributes in connection with roof decking structures, as a result of the particular configuration of the projections  232  having effectively resolved the undesirable tearing or puncturing problems encountered or caused by means of the pointed barbs, prongs, or tangs  21  of Murphy, some operational difficulties have occasionally been experienced with the stress or seam plate  210  of Hasan.  
         [0006]     For example, as can readily be appreciated from  FIGS. 4 and 5 , in view of the fact that, as has been noted, each one of the projections  232  has been struck or punched out from the stress or seam plate  210  so as to project downwardly beneath the undersurface portion  250  of the stress or seam plate  210 , as defined by means of the side or leg portions  234 , 236  and the rounded apex portion  238 , a substantially rectangularly configured through-aperture  252  is defined within those regions of the stress or seam plate  210  from which the projections  232  have been struck or punched. Accordingly, when a plurality of the stress or seam plates  210  are disposed in contact with each other, such as, for example, in a nested state within packaging, or in a nested state within an installation tool, it is possible that one or more of the stress or seam plates  210  can become interlocked together as a result of the downwardly extending projections  232  disposed upon one of the stress or seam plates  210  being aligned with and entering a corresponding aperture  252  formed within an adjacent stress or seam plate  210 . Therefore, when the seam or stress plates  210  are to be removed from the packaging so as to, for example, be deposited within a suitable magazine of an installation tool, the adjacent seam or stress plates  210 , which have effectively become stuck together as a result of the aforenoted disposition of one or more of the downwardly extending projections  232  of one of the stress or seam plates  210  having become jammed within a corresponding aperture  252  formed within the adjacent one of the stress or seam plates  210 , are difficult to separate. In a similar manner, when the stress or seam plates  210 , disposed within the installation tool are to be individually and serially dispensed from the installation tool in connection with the installation of environmental membranes upon a roof decking substructure, the adjacent stress or seam plates  210  which have effectively become stuck together, as a result of the aforenoted disposition of one more of the downwardly extending projections  232  of one of the stress or seam plates  210  having become jammed within a corresponding aperture  252  formed within the adjacent one of the stress or seam plates  210 , will not be readily able to be separated and dispensed whereby the installation tool will experience jamming. All of these difficulties will, of course, lead to operational or production downtime whereby personnel will have to expend a substantial amount of time separating the stress or seam plates  210  which have become interlocked together with respect to each other either within the packaging or installation tool, leading to operational or production inefficiencies.  
         [0007]     A need therefore exists in the art for a new and improved stress plate or seam plate wherein the stress plate or seam plate can satisfactorily engage the environmental membranes so as to secure the environmental membranes to the underlying roof decking substructure, and yet, the means formed upon the stress plate or seam plate for engaging the environmental membranes will not tend to initiate tearing of the environmental membranes under, for example, windy or other forceful environmental conditions, and still yet further, such stress plates or seam plates will not become interlocked with respect to each other despite the fact that they will be disposed within a nested state.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0008]     The foregoing and other objectives are achieved in accordance with the teachings and principles of the present invention through the provision of a new and improved stress plate or seam plate which comprises a circular structure having a central aperture for receiving a screw fastener. A downwardly projecting annular rib surrounds the central aperture for reinforcing the same, and a plurality of concentric ribs are defined between the central aperture and the peripheral edge of the plate for providing reinforcing and bending or flexibility characteristics to the stress plate or seam plate. In addition, a plurality of circumferentially spaced, downwardly extending projections or eyehooks are provided upon the underside of the seam or stress plate, wherein the projections or eyehooks have substantially V-shaped cross-sectional configurations, with substantially rounded or radiused apices, so as not to puncture or rupture the roof decking membranes, and yet, such projections or eyehooks can satisfactorily engage the roof decking membranes so as to fixedly retain the same upon the underlying roofing decking substructure. Still yet further, in accordance with the principles and teachings of the present invention, the new and improved projections or eyehook structures also prevent the undesired interlocking of nested stress or seam plates, as defined between the projections or eyehook structures of the nested seam plates, during manufacture, assembly, packaging, and seam plate dispensing. In this manner, the removal of the seam plates from the packaging by operator personnel is not unduly inhibited, and still further, jamming of, for example, the assembly and installation dispensing apparatus is likewise effectively prevented. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0009]     Various other objects, features, and attendant advantages of the present invention will be more fully appreciated from the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings in which like reference characters designate like or corresponding parts throughout the several views, and wherein:  
         [0010]      FIG. 1  is a cross-sectional view of a PRIOR ART roof decking system or assembly showing the conventional mounting of a stress plate or seam plate at the seamed location of two overlapping roof decking membranes as secured to the underlying roofing decking substructure;  
         [0011]      FIG. 2  is a top plan view of the PRIOR ART seam plate or stress plate used within the PRIOR ART roof decking system or assembly disclosed within  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0012]      FIGS. 3A-3C  are top plan, cross-sectional, and bottom plan views of a portion of the PRIOR ART seam plate or stress plate shown in  FIG. 2  so as to specifically illustrate the sharply pointed prongs or tangs of the seam plate or stress plate shown in  FIG. 2 ;  
         [0013]      FIG. 4  is a top plan view of a PRIOR ART stress or seam plate having dependent projections or eyehooks that have been structured to overcome the deficiencies of the sharply pointed prongs or tangs of the stress or seam plate shown in  FIGS. 3A-3C ;  
         [0014]      FIG. 5  is a cross-sectional view of the PRIOR ART stress or seam plate shown in  FIG. 4  illustrating in detail one of the dependent projections or eyehooks having the rounded or radiused apex portion;  
         [0015]      FIG. 6  is a top plan view, similar to that of  FIG. 4 , showing a first embodiment of a new and improved stress or seam plate, constructed in accordance with the principles and teachings of the present invention, illustrating, in particular, the formation of a deformed region, fabricated by means of a suitable coining or swaging operation, adjacent to each one of the rectangular apertures from which each one of the downwardly extending projections or eyehooks has been formed, so as to effectively prevent the undesirable interlocking of the downwardly extending projections or eyehooks of one stress or seam plate within the rectangular aperture of an adjacent stress or seam plate when a plurality of stress or seam plates are disposed within a stacked array;  
         [0016]      FIG. 7  is a bottom plan view of the stress or seam plate illustrated within  FIG. 6 ;  
         [0017]      FIG. 8A  is a cross-sectional view of a first mode for forming the coined or swaged regions of the stress or seam plate, adjacent to each one of the rectangular apertures from which each one of the downwardly extending projections or eyehooks is formed, as disclosed within  FIGS. 6 and 7 ;  
         [0018]      FIG. 8B  is a cross-sectional view, similar to that of  FIG. 8A , of a second mode for forming the coined or swaged regions of the stress or seam plate, adjacent to each one of the rectangular apertures from which each one of the downwardly extending projections or eyehooks is formed;  
         [0019]      FIG. 8C  is a cross-sectional view, similar to those of  FIGS. 8A and 8B , of a third mode for forming the coined or swaged regions of the stress or seam plate, adjacent to each one of the rectangular apertures from which each one of the downwardly extending projections or eyehooks is formed;  
         [0020]      FIG. 8D  is a top perspective view of a fourth mode for forming the coined or swaged regions of the stress or seam plate, adjacent to each one of the rectangular apertures from which each one of the downwardly extending projections or eyehooks is formed;  
         [0021]      FIG. 9  is a cross-sectional view, similar to those of  FIGS. 8A-8C , of a fifth mode for deforming the regions of the stress or seam plate, adjacent to each one of the rectangular apertures from which each one of the downwardly extending projections or eyehooks is formed, so as to effectively prevent the interlocking of nested stress or seam plates;  
         [0022]      FIG. 10A  is a top perspective view, similar to that of  FIG. 8D  showing, however, a sixth mode for deforming the regions of the stress or seam plate, disposed adjacent to each one of the rectangular apertures from which each one of the downwardly extending projections or eyehooks is formed, by means of a punching operation so as to effectively prevent the interlocking of nested stress or seam plates;  
         [0023]      FIG. 10B  is a cross-sectional view, similar to those of  FIGS. 8A-8C , taken along the lines  10 B- 10 B of  FIG. 10A  showing the sixth mode for deforming the regions of the stress or seam plate which are disposed adjacent to each one of the rectangular apertures from which each one of the downwardly extending projections or eyehooks is formed;  
         [0024]      FIG. 11  is a cross-sectional view illustrating a first mode for deforming each one of the downwardly extending projections or eyehooks, as disclosed within  FIGS. 6 and 7 , so as to effectively prevent the undesirable interlocking of the downwardly extending projections or eyehooks of one of the stress or seam plates within the rectangularly configured apertures formed within an adjacent one of the stress or seam plates when a plurality of stress or seam plates are disposed within a stacked array;  
         [0025]      FIG. 12A  is a cross-sectional view, similar to that of  FIG. 11 , illustrating, however, a second mode for deforming each one of the downwardly extending projections or eyehooks, as disclosed within  FIGS. 6 and 7 , so as to effectively prevent the undesirable interlocking of the downwardly extending projections or eyehooks of one of the stress or seam plates, within the rectangularly configured apertures formed within an adjacent one of the stress or seam plates, when a plurality of stress or seam plates are disposed within a stacked array;  
         [0026]      FIG. 12B  is a bottom plan view of the deformed projection or eyehook as illustrated within  FIG. 12A ;  
         [0027]      FIG. 13  is a cross-sectional view, similar to those of  FIGS. 11 and 12 A illustrating, however, a third mode for effectively deforming each one of the downwardly extending projections or eyehooks, as disclosed within  FIGS. 6 and 7 , so as to effectively prevent the undesirable interlocking of the downwardly extending projections or eyehooks of one of the stress or seam plates, within the rectangularly configured apertures formed within an adjacent one of the stress or seam plates, when a plurality of stress or seam plates are disposed within a stacked array as illustrated; and  
         [0028]      FIG. 14  is a partial cross-sectional view of a stress or seam plate illustrating the provision of upwardly extending bumps or dimples disposed upon an upper surface portion of each one of the stress or seam plates and having a depth dimension which is greater than the depth dimension of each one of the downwardly extending projections or eyehooks disposed upon the undersurface portion of each one of the stress or seam plates such that when a plurality of the stress or seam plates are disposed within a stacked array, the downwardly extending projections or eyehooks will be effectively prevented from engaging each other. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
       [0029]     Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to  FIGS. 6 and 7  thereof, a first embodiment of a new and improved stress or seam plate, constructed in accordance with the principles and teachings of the present invention, illustrating, in particular, the formation of a deformed region, fabricated by means of a suitable coining or swaging operation, adjacent to each one of the rectangular apertures from which each one of the downwardly extending projections or eyehooks has been formed, so as to effectively prevent the undesirable interlocking of the downwardly extending projections or eyehooks of one stress or seam plate within the rectangular aperture of an adjacent stress or seam plate when a plurality of stress or seam plates are disposed within a stacked array, is disclosed and is generally indicated by the reference character  310 . More particularly and briefly, it is seen that the stress or seam plate  310  is similar to the stress or seam plate as disclosed within the aforenoted patent to Hasan and is therefore seen to comprise a substantially planar plate or disk  312  which has a circular configuration wherein the diametrical extent of the same is approximately 3.00 inches. The plate or disk  312  has an outer peripheral edge portion  314 , and is also provided with a central aperture  316  for receiving therethrough, for example, a threaded fastener, not shown, but which may be similar to the threaded fastener  107  shown in conjunction with the conventional stress plate or seam plate  10  illustrated within  FIG. 1 , whereby the seam or stress plate  310  may be fixedly secured to an underlying roof decking substructure, also not shown but similar to the roof decking substructure  103  as shown in the conventional roof decking assembly of  FIG. 1 , in order to in turn fixedly secure roof decking membranes to the underlying roof decking substructure.  
         [0030]     Continuing further, the seam plate  310  has a substantially sinusoidal cross-sectional configuration as defined in effect by means of a reinforcing rib system comprising a plurality of concentrically disposed annular rib members which includes a first, radially inner, upwardly extending annular rib member  318  and a second, radially outer, upwardly extending annular rib member  320 . In connection with the accommodation or housing of the threaded fastener, not shown, within the central aperture  316 , the innermost or centralmost region of the seam plate  310  is seen to further comprise an annular shoulder region  322  upon which the head of the threaded fastener, not shown, can be seated, and in conjunction with the first and second radially inner and radially outer upwardly extending annular rib members  318 , 320 , the seam plate  310  is seen to further comprise, in effect, a first, complementary, radially inner, downwardly extending annular rib member  326 , and a second, radially outer, downwardly extending annular rib member  328  wherein it is seen that the first, radially inner, downwardly extending annular rib member  326  is radially interposed between the first and second radially inner and radially outer upwardly extending annular rib members  318 , 320 , whereas the second, radially outer, downwardly extending annular rib member  328  is radially interposed between the second radially outer upwardly extending annular rib members  320  and the peripheral edge portion  314  of the seam plate  310 . In addition, in order to engage the roofing decking membranes, not shown but similar to membrane sheet  101  as seen in  FIG. 1 , and to retain the same at their desired locations upon the underlying roofing decking assembly, the stress or seam plate  310  of the present invention is provided with downwardly extending projections or eyehooks  330 , which are similar to the downwardly extending projections or eyehooks  230 , 232  as disclosed within the aforenoted patent to Hasan, so as not to readily tear or puncture the roof decking membranes and thereby effectively protect such roof decking membranes against deterioration so as to, in turn, preserve the structural integrity of the same.  
         [0031]     With reference continuing to be made to  FIGS. 6 and 7 , it has been noted that the downwardly extending projections or eyehooks  330  have been formed within the stress or seam plate  310  by means of, for example, a suitable punching process whereby the projections or eyehooks  330  are effectively partially severed from the stress or seam plate  310  along their oppositely disposed longitudinal sides or extents while nevertheless still being integrally connected to the stress or seam plate  310  at their oppositely disposed, longitudinally spaced end portions. Accordingly, as a result of the aforenoted punching operation, a substantially rectangularly configured through-aperture  332  is formed within the stress or seam plate  310  at each one of the sites at which each one of the projections or eyehooks  330  has been formed. As has also been noted hereinbefore, it can therefore be readily appreciated that when a plurality of the stress or seam plates  310  are disposed within a nested or stacked array, one or more of the downwardly extending projections or eyehooks  330  disposed upon one of the stress or seam plates  310  can enter and become lodged or interlocked within a corresponding one or more of the through-apertures  332  defined within an adjacent one of the nested or stacked stress or seam plates  310 . In accordance, then, with the particularly unique and novel principles and teachings of the present invention, means have been incorporated into, or provided upon the stress or seam plates  310  for effectively preventing this undesirable interlocking phenomena from occurring.  
         [0032]     More particularly, as disclosed within  FIGS. 6 and 7 , a portion of the stress or seam plate  310  has been coined or swaged within a region disposed immediately radially outwardly of one or more of the rectangularly-configured through-apertures  332 , as denoted at  334 , from which the projections or eyehooks  330  extend downwardly, so as to effectively alter the geometrical configurations or profiles of the substantially rectangularly-configured through-apertures  332 . In particular, the coining or swaging operations causes a rim portion or region  334  of the stress or seam plate  310 , disposed immediately adjacent to the one or more of the rectangularly-configured through-apertures  332  to effectively extend over or partially cover the original rectangularly-configured through-aperture  332 . In this manner, when a downwardly extending projection or eyehook  330 , disposed upon a first one of the stress or seam plates  310 , tends or tries to enter a complementary aperture  332 , defined within a second one of the stress or seam plates  310  which is disposed adjacent to the first stress or seam plate  310  as when a plurality of the stress or seam plates  310  are disposed within a nested stacked array, the projection or eyehook  330  disposed upon the first one of the stress or seam plates  310  will effectively be prevented from entering, and becoming interlocked with, the aperture  332  defined within the second one of the stress or seam plates  310  because the external profile of the projection or eyehook  330 , disposed upon the first one of the stress or seam plates  310 , can no longer be physically accommodated within the aperture  332 , defined within the second one of the stress or seam plates  310 , in view of the fact that the aperture  332  now has an altered geometrical con-figuration or profile as caused by means of the coined or swaged rim region  334 .  
         [0033]     The aforenoted aperture profile-altering results, achieved by means of the coining or swaging of the noted regions  334  disposed immediately adjacent to the apertures  332 , can be further appreciated as a result of reference being made to  FIGS. 8A-8D . More particularly, as disclosed within  FIG. 8A , a first mode for forming the coined or swaged regions  334  of the stress or seam plate  310 , adjacent to each one of the rectangular apertures  332  from which each one of the downwardly extending projections or eyehooks  330  has been formed, resides in the coining or swaging of an undersurface portion of the stress or seam plate disk  312  so as to effectively cause an upper surface portion of the seam or stress plate  312  to extend radially inwardly into, and therefore, partially cover, the aperture  332 . The radially inward extent, to which the upper surface portion of the stress or seam plate disk  312  has been coined or swaged, has been designated as D 3 , while the aperture  332  has an original radial dimension designated D 1 , and the radial dimension of the downwardly extending projection or eyehook  330  is designated as D 2  which is of course substantially equal to the dimension D 1  of the aperture  332  in view of the fact that the aperture  332  has of course been defined as a result of the material forming the projection or eyehook  330  has been punched out from the stress or seam plate disk  312 .  
         [0034]     It can therefore be readily appreciated that since the coined or swaged region  334  of the stress or seam plate disk  312  overhangs the aperture  332  so as to partially occlude or obstruct the same, a downwardly extending projection or eyehook  330 , disposed upon an adjacent stress or seam plate  310 , which may be disposed within a nested or stacked array with respect to the stress or seam plate  310  illustrated within  FIG. 8A , cannot enter the aperture  332  formed within the illustrated stress or seam plate  310 , and therefore, the undesirable interlocking of the projections or eyehooks  330 , disposed upon adjacent stress or seam plates  310 , is effectively prevented. In accordance with a second coining or swaging technique or mode, as illustrated within  FIG. 8B , the coined or swaged region  334 ′ is formed by coining or swaging an upper surface portion of the stress or seam plate disk  312  so as to effectively cause an undersurface portion of the seam or stress plate  312  to extend radially inwardly into, and therefore, partially cover, the aperture  332 . Furthermore, in accordance with a third coining or swaging mode or technique, as illustrated within  FIG. 8C , the coined or swaged region  334 ″ is formed by coining or swaging both the upper and undersurface portions of the stress or seam plate disk  312  so as to effectively cause an intermediate surface portion of the seam or stress plate  312  to extend radially inwardly into, and therefore, partially cover, the aperture  332 . Lastly, in accordance with a fourth coining or swaging mode or technique, as illustrated within  FIG. 8D , portions of the seam or stress plate disk  312 , disposed upon both opposite sides of the aperture  332 , may be coined or swaged so as to cause oppositely disposed regions  334 ′″ to extend radially inwardly into, and thereby partially cover, occlude, or obstruct, the aperture  332 . It is to be noted, as clearly illustrated within  FIG. 8D , that the coining or swaging need not be effected along the entire longitudinal edge portions of the rectangularly-configured apertures  332  but only at predetermined longitudinal locations such that the openings or apertures  332  are in fact, partially, yet sufficiently, covered, occluded, or obstructed.  
         [0035]     With reference now being made to  FIG. 9 , a fifth mode for deforming the rim regions of the stress or seam plate  312 , adjacent to each one of the rectangular apertures  332  from which each one of the downwardly extending projections or eyehooks  330  is formed, so as to effectively prevent the interlocking of nested stress or seam plates, is disclosed. More particularly, localized regions of, for example, the first, radially inner, upwardly extending annular rib member  318 , and localized regions of, for example, the second, radially outer, upwardly extending annular rib member  320 , that are located immediately adjacent to each one of the openings or apertures  332 , are deformed or displaced upwardly, and radially outwardly and radially inwardly, respectively, as denoted at  318 ′, 320 ′.  
         [0036]     The fact that such deformed or displaced rim regions are located upon, or disposed immediately adjacent to, the inclined rib members  318 , 320  permits such localized regions to be deformed or displaced without substantially altering the relative disposition, or adversely affecting the orientation, of the downwardly extending projections or eyehooks  330 . Accordingly, it can again be readily appreciated that since the transverse or radial dimension D 4 , defined between the deformed or displaced portions  318 ′, 320 ′ of the rib members  318 , 320 , is less than the dimension D 1  defined between the oppositely disposed longitudinal edge portions of each opening or aperture  332 , a downwardly extending projection or eyehook  330 , disposed upon a first stress or seam plate  310  and having a radial dimension D 2  which is the same as the dimension D 1  of the opening or aperture  332 , cannot enter the aperture  332  formed within a second stress or seam plate, as illustrated within  FIG. 9 , and therefore, the undesirable interlocking of the projections or eyehooks  330 , disposed upon adjacent stress or seam plates  310  of a nested stacked array of stress or seam plates, is effectively prevented.  
         [0037]     Considering now  FIGS. 10A and 10B , a sixth mode for deforming the regions of the stress or seam plate  312 , disposed adjacent to each one of the rectangular apertures  332  from which each one of the downwardly extending projections or eyehooks  330  is formed, so as to effectively prevent the interlocking of nested stress or seam plates, is disclosed and is seen to comprise a punching operation. More particularly, it is seen that a punch mechanism  340  is used to form an auxiliary aperture  342  within the stress or seam plate disk  312  at a location disposed immediately adjacent to the opening or aperture  332  from which each one of the downwardly extending projections or eyehooks  330  has been formed. Unlike the punching operation which formed each one of the downwardly extending projections or eyehooks  330 , however, wherein a portion of the stress or seam plate material is partially severed, the punching operation utilizing the punch mechanism  340  in forming the hole or aperture  342  causes a rim portion of the material forming the stress or seam plate disk  312  to be moved radially or transversely as denoted at  344  so as to again form an overhanging member which partially covers, occludes, or obstructs the opening or aperture  332 . According, again, a downwardly extending projection or eyehook  330 , disposed upon a first stress or seam plate  310 , cannot enter the aperture  332  formed within a second stress or seam plate, as illustrated within  FIGS. 10A and 10B , and therefore, the undesirable interlocking of the projections or eyehooks  330 , disposed upon adjacent seam or stress plates  310  of a nested stacked array of stress or seam plates, is effectively prevented.  
         [0038]     As has been appreciated from the various embodiments developed in accordance with the principles and teachings of the present invention, and as illustrated within  FIGS. 8A-8D ,  9 , 10 A, and  10 B, regions of, for example, a first one of the stress or seam plates  310 , disposed immediately adjacent to the various apertures or openings  332  defined within such stress or seam plate  310 , have been deformed or otherwise worked so as to effectively alter the geometrical configurations or profiles of the apertures or openings  332  defined within such stress or seam plate  310  so as to effectively prevent one or more of the downwardly extending projections or eyehooks  330 , disposed upon a second, adjacent stress or seam plate  310 , from entering the one or more openings or apertures  332  defined within first one of the stress or seam plates  310  and thereby become interlocked therewithin. Alternatively, one or more of the downwardly extending projections or eyehooks  330  of a first one of the stress or seam plates  310  may effectively be deformed so as to likewise prevent the one or more of the downwardly extending projections or eyehooks  330  of the first stress or seam plate  310  from entering the openings or apertures  332  defined within a second, adjacent stress or seam plate  310  so as not to thereby become interlocked therewithin.  
         [0039]     Therefore, with reference now being made to  FIG. 11 , it is seen that in accordance with a first mode for deforming one or more of the downwardly extending projections or eyehooks  330 , as disclosed within  FIGS. 6 and 7 , so as to effectively prevent the undesirable interlocking of the downwardly extending projections or eyehooks  330 , disposed upon one of the stress or seam plates  310 , within the rectangularly configured apertures  332 , formed within an adjacent one of the stress or seam plates  310 , when a plurality of stress or seam plates  310  are disposed within a stacked array, the apex portion  338  of each eyehook  330  is seen to have a substantially laterally flattened or widened cross-sectional configuration, as a result of having undergone a suitable peening or similar metal working process. Accordingly, it can be appreciated further that recalling the fact that the width of each opening or aperture  332  is characterized by means of a dimension D 1 , and that the unaltered width of each eyehook  330  is characterized by means of a width dimension D 2  which is equal to that of each opening or aperture  332 , then it is appreciated that the new width dimension D 5  of the apex portion  338 , as a result of having undergone the aforenoted peening or other metal working process, is greater than the width dimension D 1  of the opening or aperture  332 . Therefore, it is apparent that if the downwardly extending projection or eyehook  330 , disposed upon a first one of the plurality of stress or seam plates  310  disposed within a stacked or nested array of stress or seam plates, attempts to enter a rectangularly configured aperture  332  formed within an adjacent one of the plurality of stress or seam plates  310  disposed within the stacked or nested array of stress or seam plates, such movement will effectively be prevented so as to, in turn, prevent the stress or seam plates  310  from becoming interlocked together.  
         [0040]     With reference now being made to  FIGS. 12A and 12B , a second mode for deforming one or more of the downwardly extending projections or eyehooks  330 , as disclosed within  FIGS. 6 and 7 , so as to effectively prevent the undesirable interlocking of the downwardly extending projections or eyehooks  330 , disposed upon one of the stress or seam plates  310 , within the rectangularly configured openings or apertures  332 , formed within an adjacent one of the stress or seam plates  310 , when a plurality of stress or seam plates  310  are disposed within a stacked or nested array, is disclosed. More particularly, as can be appreciated from  FIGS. 12A and 12B , the apex portion  338 ′ of each eyehook  330  is seen to have a substantially laterally flattened or widened cross-sectional configuration as a result of having undergone a suitable punching or similar metal piercing process whereby as a result of the formation of an punched or pierced region  350  with the central region of the apex portion  338 ′, the laterally outward residual regions  352 ,  352 ′ of the apex portion  338 ′ are expanded laterally outwardly.  
         [0041]     Therefore, it can again be appreciated that since the width of each opening or aperture  332  is characterized by means of a dimension D 1 , and the unaltered width of each eyehook  330  is characterized by means of a width dimension D 2  which is equal to that of each opening or aperture  332 , then it is appreciated that the new width dimension D 6  of the apex portion  338 ′, as a result of having undergone the aforenoted punching or piercing process, is greater than the width dimension D 1  of the opening or aperture  332 . Accordingly, it is apparent that if the downwardly extending projection or eyehook  330 , disposed upon a first one of the plurality of seam or stress plates  310  disposed within a stacked or nested array of stress or seam plates, attempts to enter a rectangularly configured aperture  332  formed within an adjacent one of the plurality of stress or seam plates  310  disposed within the stacked or nested array of stress or seam plates, the attempted movement will effectively be prevented so as to, in turn, prevent the stress or seam plates  310  from becoming interlocked together.  
         [0042]     With reference now being made to  FIG. 13 , a third mode for effectively deforming one or more of the downwardly extending projections or eyehooks  330 , as disclosed within  FIGS. 6 and 7 , so as to effectively prevent the undesirable interlocking of the downwardly extending projections or eyehooks  330 , disposed upon one of the stress or seam plates  310 , within the rectangularly configured apertures or openings  332 , formed within an adjacent one of the stress or seam plates  310 , when a plurality of stress or seam plates  310  are disposed within a stacked or nested array, is disclosed. More particularly, as can be appreciated from  FIG. 13 , each one of the apex portions  338 ″ of each downwardly extending projection or eyehook  330  has effectively been deformed in that the central axis of the projection or eyehook  330  is disposed at a predetermined angle with respect to the central axis of the opening or aperture  332 . Therefore, it can again be appreciated that since the apex portion  338 ″ of a projection or eyehook  330  disposed upon a first upper one of a plurality of nested or stacked stress or seam plates  310  is skewed, inclined, and misaligned with respect to an opening or aperture  332  defined within a second lower one the plurality of nested or stacked stress or seam plates  310 , then when the downwardly extending projection or eyehook  330 , disposed upon the first one of the plurality of seam or stress plates  310 , attempts to enter the rectangularly configured aperture  332  formed within the second lower one of the plurality of stress or seam plates  310 , the attempted movement will effectively be prevented as a result of the apex portion  338 ″ of the upper one of the stress or seam plates  310  encountering the edge or side wall portion of the disk  312 , which partially defines the opening or aperture  332 , so as to, in fact, prevent the stress or seam plates  310  from becoming interlocked together.  
         [0043]     With reference lastly being made to  FIG. 14 , a last means or embodiment for effectively preventing the interlocking together of adjacent stress or seam plates, when a plurality of the stress or seam plates are disposed within a nested or stacked array, is disclosed. More particularly, in lieu of coining or swaging the rim portions of the stress or seam plate disk  312  disposed immediately adjacent to each opening or aperture  332  as disclosed, for example, within  FIGS. 8A-8D , or in lieu of displacing the rim portions of the stress or seam plate  312  disposed immediately adjacent to each opening or aperture  332  in accordance with either one of the techniques disclosed within FIGS.  9 , 10 A, 10 B, or still further, in lieu of deforming the apex portions of the projections or eyehooks  330  as disclosed within FIGS.  11 ,  12 A, 12 B, or lastly, in lieu of providing the projections or eyehooks  330  with an angled inclination or misaligned orientation as disclosed within  FIG. 13 , the mode or technique disclosed within  FIG. 14  comprises the provision of bumps or dimples  350  upon the upper surface portion  352  of each stress or seam plate disk  312 . More specifically, the bumps or dimples  350  disposed upon the upper surface  352  of each stress or seam plate  310  extend or project upwardly from the upper surface portion  352  of the stress or seam plate disk  312  to such an extent that adjacent stress or seam plates  310 , disposed within a stacked or nested array of stress or seam plate  310 , are, for example, vertically spaced from each other a predetermined distance such that the downwardly extending projections or eyehooks  330 , disposed upon a first upper one of the plurality of nested or stacked stress or seam plates  310 , cannot in fact be positioned close enough to a second lower one of the plurality of nested or stacked stress or seam plates  310  so as to enter one of the openings or apertures  332  defined within the second lower one the plurality of nested or stacked stress or seam plates  310 .  
         [0044]     In particular, as illustrated within  FIG. 14 , it is seen, for example, that each downwardly extending projection or eyehook  330  has a depth dimension H 1 , while each upwardly extending bump or dimple  350  has a depth dimension, as measured from the upper surface portion  352  of the stress or seam plate disk  312 , H 2 , wherein it is further noted that H 2 &gt;H 1 . Therefore, when the plurality of stress or seam plates  310  are disposed within their stacked or nested array, the upwardly extending bumps or dimples  350 , disposed upon a particular one of the nested or stacked stress or seam plates  310 , will engage the undersurface portion  354  of the adjacent upper one of the stress or seam plates  310  such that the downwardly extending projections or eyehooks  330  of the upper one of the stress or seam plates  310  will be sufficiently spaced from the openings or apertures  332  defined within the lower one of the stress or seam plates  310  so as not to be capable of entering the same and becoming interlocked therewith.  
         [0045]     Thus, it may be seen that in accordance with the principles and teachings of the present invention, a new and improved stress plate or seam plate has been developed wherein, by means of the various embodiments disclosed and described hereinbefore, the downwardly extending projections or eyehooks, disposed upon, for example, a first one of a plurality of stacked or nested stress or seam plates, will not be able to enter the openings or apertures defined within a second one of the plurality of stacked or nested stress or seam plates so as not to become interlocked therewith.  
         [0046]     Obviously, many variations and modifications of the present invention are possible in light of the above teachings. It is therefore to be understood that within the scope of the appended claims, the present invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described herein.

Technology Classification (CPC): 4