BACKGROUND

[0001] Fastener designs have been used to improve specific characteristics fasteners in different materials. Ultimately, the fastener needs to bind one material to another securely and efficiently. Screw- type fasteners generally include a threaded shank with a pointed tip at one end thereof and a head at the other end. The head has a recess for accepting a driver tip. Some heads are designed to be recessed in a fastened material, while others are designed to embed into the material so that the head is flush with a surface of the bound material.

SUMMARY

[0002] Technology is described herein which provides a unique fastener. The fastener includes a shank having a tip at a first end and a head at a second end. A contiguous helical thread formed from the tip toward the second end with a first thread angle extending from and beginning at the tip and extending toward the second end, and a second thread angle. The first thread angle is greater than the second thread angle and at least a portion of the contiguous helical thread including a serrated edge. At least one knurl positioned in the shaft within an area of the first thread angle. Multiple knurls may be provided. For example, a second knurl may be provided at a distance apart on the shank from the first knurl.

[0003] This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This Summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0004] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of a fastener in accordance with the present technology.

[0005] Figure 2 depicts a plan view of a first embodiment of a fastener in accordance with the present technology.

[0006] Figure 3 depicts an end view.

[0007] Figure 4 partial cut-away view along line C-C of Figure 3.

[0008] Figure 5 is a cross-section view along line B - B in Figure 1 .

[0009] Figure 6 is a cross section view along line A-A in Figure 1 .

[0010] Figure 7 is perspective view of another embodiment of the fastener in accordance with the present technology.

[0011] Figure 8 depicts a plan view of a second embodiment of a fastener in accordance with the present technology.

[0012] Figure 9 is an end view of the fastener of Figure 7.

[0013] Figure 10 depicts a partial cut-away view along line E -E in Figure 9.

[0014] Figure 1 1 is a cross section view along line D - D in Figure 9.

[0015] Figure 12 depicts another embodiment of the fastener in accordance with the present technology.

[0016] Figure 13 depicts yet another embodiment of a fastener in accordance with the present technology. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0017] The technology described herein is a fastener having features allowing securing elements in wood, composite or other material and providing improved performance.

[0018] The technology includes a threaded fastener having a varied thread angle. A first portion of the thread is formed with a first thread angle and a second portion of the thread is formed with a second thread angle. In one embodiment, the first thread angle is greater than the second and is formed in the thread at the leading or tip end of the fastener. In addition, one or more knurls are provided in the shaft in the threaded or unthreaded regions of the fastener. The thread may be serrated or jagged over one or more portions of the fastener, including the area of the first thread angle. Various embodiments of variable thread knurl fasteners are described herein. One embodiment of the fastener includes a shank having a first region with a generally cylindrical cross-section with a helical thread, followed by a thread-free shank section. The first section has a first portion with a first thread angle and a second portion with a second thread angle. In one embodiment, this is combined with at "type 17" screw point.

[0019] One or more knurl sections and one or more thread angle changes may be provided in the fastener. In one embodiment, the pitch of the thread is constant. In one embodiment the thread extends over the entire shank and in another embodiment, the thread covers only a partial length of the shank. The cross-sections may be formed to a length approximately equal to the pitch of the helical thread.

[0020] A first embodiment of the fastener technology will be described with respect to Figures 1 - 6. [0021] The fastener 100 of Figures 1 - 5 includes a shank 102 having a pointed tip 104 at one end thereof and a head 140 at another end. The shank may be formed of galvanized steel, though other materials may be used. The first section 1 16 extends from pointed tip 104 to second section 1 20. The body of the shank has a minor diameter D2 (Figure 3) in first section 1 16. The second section 120 has a diameter D1 , which may be greater than or equal to D2.

[0022] The shank in region 120 has a cylindrical cross-section and in this embodiment comprises an unthreaded region.

[0023] Two knurls 1 14 and 1 1 8 are provided in the respective second region 120 and first region 1 1 6. Knurl 1 18 has a knurl diameter KD2 which is 1 .1 - 1 .3 times the minor diameter D2. Knurl 1 14 has diameter KD1 which may be the same as or different than diameter KD2. In one embodiment, KD1 has a diameter which is 1 .1 - 1 .3 times shank diameter D1 and which is the same as or greater than KD2 by a ratio of 0.8 - 1 .2.

[0024] A first section 1 16 of the shank includes a helical thread 1 12 formed on the shank 102 extending to the tip 104. The shank in section 1 16 has a generally cylindrical shank diameter D2 and the thread has a diameter D3 which is approximately 1 .5 - 1 .75 times D2. The thread 1 12 has an effective thread height above the shank in the section 1 16 equivalent to ((D3-D2)/2) and a pitch P.

[0025] In the embodiment 1 00, two knurls (1 14, 1 18) are provided, but in other embodiments only one knurl is used. Where one knurl is used, the knurl may be in the threaded section (1 16) or the unthreaded section (120). The knurls may be the same or different sizes, as described above. Each knurl has a knurl length KL. Knurl 1 14 has a knurl length KL1 and knurl 1 18 has a knurl length KL2. KL1 and KL2 may be the same or different. In the embodiment of Figures 1 - 5 the length of KL1 to KL2 may vary over a ratio of KL1 :KL2 of about 1 .5 - 0.9.

[0026] In one embodiment, thread 1 12 is divided into a first length (or region) TL1 and a second length (or region) TL2, with TL1 extending from point 104 toward second section 120. The thread in length TL1 includes a serrated edge defined by a plurality of teeth 150 illustrated in Figure 4. The Teeth may be formed by 90 degree gaps spaced at 60 degree intervals in thread 1 12. Other serration formations may be used. Length TL1 extends just beyond knurl 1 18 in section 1 16 of shaft 102.

[0027] In a further unique aspect of the technology, the thread has a variable thread angle along the length of section 1 16. A first potion of the thread in length TL1 has a thread angle a while a second portion of the thread has a thread angle β, where a is greater than β. In one embodiment, a is 55 - 65 degrees and β is 35 - 45 degrees. The thread angle β may be maintained through length TL2. In one embodiment TL2 is greater than TL1 by about 2.15 - 2.5 times.

[0028] In various embodiments, the total length L1 of the fastener may vary between 4 - 12 inches. In such embodiments, for any change in length L1 , the length of section 1 1 6 remains constant, with a change in the length of section 120 extending the length of the fastener. In such embodiments, a length of section 1 16 may be about 3 inches and the position of knurl 1 18 remains adjacent to section 1 16 irrespective of the length of section 120. Alternatively, additional knurls may be provided in section 1 16 or section 120.

[0029] When constructed in accordance with the foregoing description, the torque required to install a fastener is greatly reduced. Table 1 is a comparison of three different fastener constructions: a standard thread (column C) with no serrations or knurls, a serrated thread (column A) and a thread/knurl/variable thread fastener constructed as in the present description of Figures 1 - 6. (column B) As illustrated therein the average torque required for comparable lengths of penetration into a wood surface was substantially less when both the serrated edge and knurls 1 14 and 1 18 were provided.

[0030] Head 140 may be any standard head, but in the embodiment of Figures 1 - 6, a hex nut head fastened to a disk 145. The underside of the disk 145 may include nibs which help the disk engage a surface of the product being fastened. In one embodiment, twelve (12) locking teeth or nibs are formed in the bottom surface of the disk. [0031] Figures 7 - 1 1 illustrate an alternative embodiment of the technology. The fastener is similar to that of Figures 1 - 6 except that the thread runs the entire length of the shaft, the portion of the wider thread region extending from the tip is longer, the serrated section is longer and the fastener includes a "type 17" point. It should be recognized that a type 17 point may be utilized with the embodiment of Figures 1 - 6.

[0032] In the embodiment of Figures 7 - 1 1 , a fastener 200 has a total length L2, includes a shank 202 having a first portion 220 and a second portion 225. The first portion includes a tip 204, a serrated portion of thread 21 2, a thread portion having a thread angle Θ which is larger than a thread angle∑. Region 220 has a total length TL3 is less than the length TL4 of region 225 by about 3.5 - 3.8 times. In one embodiment, Θ is 55 - 65 degrees and∑ is 30 - 45 degrees.

[0033] The shank 202 has a generally cylindrical shank diameter D4 and the thread has a diameter D5 which is approximately 1 .4 - 1 .5 times D4. The thread 212 has an effective thread height above the shank equivalent to ((D5-D4)/2) and a pitch P4.

[0034] One knurl 224 is provided in the first region 220. Knurl 224 has a knurl diameter KD4 which is 1 .002 - 1 .25 times the minor diameter D4. Knurl 224 has a length KL4 which in the embodiment of Figures 6 - 9 is equivalent to two times P4. The knurl length may be shorter or longer.

[0035] Helical thread 212 formed on the shank 202 extends from the tip 204 to head 240. In the embodiment, one knurl is provided, but in other embodiments multiple knurls are used. Where one knurl is used, the knurl may be in the threaded section 220 with thread angle Θ, and may be positioned just after the tip reaches diameter D4 in the threaded section (220). If multiple knurls are used, the knurls may be the same or different sizes, as illustrated above.

[0036] In one embodiment, thread 212 is divided into a first section 220 of length TL3 and a second section 225 of length TL4, with TL3 extending from point 204 toward second section 225. The thread in length TL3 includes a serrated edge defined by a plurality of teeth 250. The teeth may be formed by 90 degree gaps in thread 1 12 positioned at 60 degree intervals.

[0037] The screw is designed to be a self-boring screw into the material to be fastened. However, a pilot hole may be utilized.

[0038] A head 240 is provided at the other end of the shank 202. The head comprises hexalobular drive head, but may alternatively take the form of head 240 and/or have, a Phillips recess, a square or other shaped recess formed in the top of the head 240 to receive a driver.

[0039] Figure 12 illustrates a third embodiment of a fastener 300 wherein a first and second thread angles are used in conjunction with one or more knurls and a serrated edge thread. In this embodiment the thread angle Φ extends for a first portion 320 of the thread, then the thread in portion 325 has a thread angle Ω, and a third portion 330 of the thread has a thread angle K. In one embodiment, K and Φ are equal. In another embodiment, they are different. In one embodiment angle Φ is less than Ω and approximately equal to K. In one embodiment, Ω is 55 - 65 degrees and K and Φ are between 30 - 45 degrees.

[0040] The thread may extend the entire length of shank 302, or a portion thereof. While only one knurl is illustrated, multiple knurls may be used. [0041] Figure 13 illustrates a fourth embodiment of fastener of the present technology. This embodiment is similar to the embodiment of Figure 10 except that the fastener 400 includes a thread-free section 450, and three thread portions having angles K, Ω and O are shown.

[0042] Although the subject matter has been described in language specific to structural features and/or methodological acts, it is to be understood that the subject matter defined in the appended claims is not necessarily limited to the specific features or acts described above. Rather, the specific features and acts described above are disclosed as example forms of implementing the claims.