Patent ID: 8083454

Claim:
A connector for connecting together abutting or adjoining timber elements, including: a stem portion extending between two spike portions, each spike portion extending from a respective end of the stem portion generally in a common direction from the stem portion to form a generally u-shaped connector such that the stem portion has a stem axis extending straight between each end, each spike having four substantially straight portions of approximately equal length extending from one another end-to-end as follows: an inner portion adjoining the stem portion and extending from each end thereof at an inside angle in the range of 95° to 100° to the axis of the stem portion; a proximal skew portion adjoining and extending from the inner portion at an inside angle in the range of 36° to 65° to the axis of the stem portion; a distal skew portion adjoining and extending from the proximal skew portion at an inside angle of 115° to 142° to the axis of the stem portion; and a tip portion adjoining and extending from the distal skew portion at an inside angle substantially at 90° to the axis of the stem portion, such that the axes of each portion lie substantially in one plane and the axes of the tip portions intersect the axis of the stem portion remote from the ends of the stem portion, the distal end of tip portion being sharpened.