Improvements in Fastening Devices or Clamps for Building Purposes and the like.
Year: 1895

page_text: Date of Application, 24th Apr., 1895-Accepted, 22nd June, 1895
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
"Improvements in Fastening Devices or Clamps for Building
Purposes and the like.
17
We, PAUL RORDORF and DAVID RORDORF both of 95 Hirschengraben Zürich
in the Republic of Switzerland, Architects, do hereby declare the nature of this
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly
described and ascertained in and by the following statement :-
This invention has for its object a fastening device or clamp for fastening
together' vertical or horizontal plauks, match-boarding, flooring boards and the
"like,' above or below a support such as an I girder or beam and for the like
purposes.
On the accompanying drawing
Figure 1 shows the method of employing this improved fastener or clamp for
fastening boards on an I beam'or girder.
Figure 2 is a front view of the improved clamp,
Figure 2a side view of same,
Figure 2 a plan view of 'same.
Figure 3 shows a modified form connecting two planks, whilst
Figures 3 and 3° are side and plan views of this modification.
Figure 4 is a side view aud
Figure 4a plan view of another modification of the clamp, whilst further
modifications are shown in Figures 5 5 5 6 6 60, 747.70 70
The fastening device or clamp is shown in Figures 2A 2B 2C in its simplest form
of construction. It consists of a bar or shank a, a foot preferably bent at right
angles to the bar or shank, and two wedge shaped and sharpened projections or
spikes e on the sides of the shank 'a. The wedge shape of these projections is
preferably so selected that the upper surface stands at right angles to the bar or
shank, but the under surface at a more obtuse angle to this latter, in order
that, when hammered in, the article to be fastened is drawn tight against the
support.
Whilst in Figures 2A 2B 2 the points or wedges e lie in one plane, in the
modification shown in Figures 3A 3B 3" they are arranged in different planes so
that a striking surface for the hammer results sideways on the bar or shank a
behind each wedge.
For the same object it is advisable in some cases to form above the wedges as an
extension of the shank, a special piece d with side striking surfaces, as shown in
Figures 1, 4 and 7ª. When these holders or clamps are used for fastening boards
on I girders or beams, the clamp is first driven with one point or wedge into the
edge of the board and then the second board brought against the other point and
hammered tight (Figure 3A). The foot b then embraces the support (I beam in
Figure 1) and acts as a guide during the hammering in so that the clamp cannot
be hammered crooked. The boards are thus held together and also connected with
the I beam or girder by means of this double wedge pointed clamp.
Figures 4 and 4 show a clamp, the head d of which is made broader than the
shank a. The holding power of the clamp is thereby increased and the wedge points
are strengthened (stiffened) and also it is possible by selecting a suitable width of
head d to determine the size of the board joints, which is particularly desirable in
the fastening of flooring boards.
If only small joints or interstices are desired in boarding, the clamp or holder
shown in Figures 7A 7B 70 7º is employed, the head or projection d of which is

page_text: only a narrow one or may even be dispensed with, and the shank a is bevelled to
form sharp edges on its sides as shown in cross section in Figure 7A, so that, when
hammered in, the clamp perietrates almost entirely into the wood.
1
Whilst clamps of the forms of construction herein before described are forged in
one piece, those shown in Figures 545 50 and 6A 6B 6C consist of strong iron wire
which is bent into the desired form and sharpened.
The bolder shown in Figures 5A 5B 5C resembles in its arrangement that shown
in Figures 44 43, whilst the one shown in Figures 6A 6B 6" with its wedge points c
in different planes resembles that shown in Figures 3A 3B 3º.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what we
claim is―
1. A fastening device or clamp for building purposes and the like, consisting of
an angle piece having one arm or shank provided at two opposite sides with
sharpened or tapering projections or wedges e at right angles to the other arm or
foot substantially as described.
2. A fastening device or clamp such as described in Claim 1, having two opposed
oppos
striking surfaces, produced by forming the sharpened projections or wedges in
different planes, substantially as described and illustrated.
3. A fastening device or clamp such as described in Claim 1 having the sides of
its shank bevelled to form sharp edges (Figure 7) for the purpose of making
joints without or with only small interstices, substantially as described and
illustrated.
4. A fastening device or clamp, such as described in Claim 1, having a head
with two striking surfaces extending above the sharpened projections or wedges; c,
said head being also adapted to serve as a gauge for the interstices between the
joints to be made, substantially as described and illustrated.
Dated this 23rd day of April 1805
WM. P. THOMPSON & Co.,
Of 6 Lord Street, Liverpool, Agents for the Applicants.