IES87072B2

IES87072B2 - A fixing means

Info

Publication number: IES87072B2
Application number: IES20180042A
Authority: IE
Inventors: Byrne Peter; Hennessy Barry
Original assignee: Toolfast Ltd
Priority date: 2018-02-27
Filing date: 2018-02-27
Publication date: 2019-12-11
Also published as: IE20190025A1; IES20180042A2; IE20190025A3

Abstract

A fixing 10 comprising a head 11, a threaded shaft portion 12, and a tip portion 13, wherein the tip portion 13 is configured to cut, bore, or otherwise form a through passage through at least a portion of a first material. The threaded shaft portion 12 is configured to impart a threaded cut into at least a portion of a second material. The fixing 10 secures at least the portion of first material to the portion of second material, wherein the first material and second material preferably have comparatively dissimilar mechanical properties. <Figure 10>

Description

A Fixing Means Field of the Invention This invention relates to a fixing means, and in particular to a self drilling/self tapping fixing means for fastening materials, and may be used to fix two components of the same or dissimilar mechanical properties.

Background of the invention It is well known that material can be fastened or attached via the application of a screw type fixing which passes through the material to be fastened and into the material to be fastened thereto. These fixings typically comprise a head and a shaft, the shaft having a threaded portion thereon. For some applications, the use of a traditional screw requires the drilling of a pilot hole to facilitate travel of the threaded section into a portion of material. Screws have been developed which are self drilling/self tapping in nature, meaning that they have a tip portion which creates a hole at the tip of the screw as it travels into the portion of material, essentially negating the requirement for the drilling of a pilot hole. Existing self drilling/self tapping solutions are adequate where the material can be self drilling/self tapped by a simple pointed or fluted tip portion, and in particular where the fastening is to be carried out in only one material type. In the situation wherein a first material of a first type is to be fastened to a second material of a second type, such as the fastening of metallic sheet to timber, and it is desirable to not drill pilot holes in either material, traditional self drilling/self tapping screws are often not suitable. Current solutions either are not able to self drill or self tap through one of the material types such that a pilot hole is required in this material, or the thread of the screw is unsuitable for an adequate hold in both material types, whether the two materials are the same or different.

It is the object of the present invention to provide for satisfactory fastening of materials requiring self drilling and self tapping, the materials to be fastened having the same or dissimilar mechanical properties by a single fixing requiring no pre-drilling.

Summag of the invention According to the invention there is provided a fixing means comprising a head, a threaded shaft portion, and a tip portion, wherein the tip portion is configured to cut, bore, or otherwise form a through passage through at least a portion of a first material, the threaded shaft portion being configured to impart a threaded cut into at least a portion of a second material, the fixing means being conﬁgured to secure at least the portion of first material to the portion of second material.

Preferably, the ﬁrst material and second material have comparatively dissimilar mechanical properties.

Preferably, the ﬁxing means is conﬁgured to secure at least the portion of first material to the portion of second material as the threaded shaft portion travels into the second material portion and pulls the head theretowards.

Advantageously, the tip portion can cut, bore, or othen/vise form an entry passage through the first material without any requirement for pre-drilling. Thereafter the threaded shaft portion, which itself would be unable to create such a through passage in the ﬁrst material, can pass through the through passage and into the second material, into which it imparts a threaded cut. The threaded shaft portion then draws the fixing means into the second material, thus securing the ﬁrst and second materials together.

Preferably, the ﬁrst material is a metal or metal alloy.

Most preferably, the ﬁrst material is steel.

Most preferably, the second material is wood or steel.

Advantageously, steel sheeting, steel purlins, or the like can be screwed directly to wood or steel without any requirement for pre-drilling. The tip portion bores through the steel sheeting, steel purlins, or the like forming a passage through which the threaded shaft portion may pass. The tip portion further boring into the wood or steel, and is followed by the threaded shaft portion which acts to draw the fixing means into the wood or steel.

Preferably, the tip portion is adapted such that it is suitable for cutting, boring, or othenivise forming an entry passage through the first material.

Ideally, the tip portion is a ﬂuted or helical tip portion.

Preferably, the tip portion is a self drilling tip portion capable of self drilling through the ﬁrst material.

Ideally, the tip portion is adapted such that it is suitable for cutting, boring, or othenlvise forming an entry passage through steel sheet, or a steel purlin, of thickness up to and including 4mm.

Ideally, the tip portion takes the form of a drill bit, or at least the tip portion of a drill bit.

Preferably, the tip portion comprises at least one cutting edge formed therein.

Ideally, the tip portion comprises a diameter narrower than that of the widest portion of the threaded shaft portion.

Preferably, the head portion comprises a diameter wider than that of the widest portion of the threaded shaft portion.

Ideally, the fixing means can be utilised to secure one or more additional material portions, in addition to the portion of first material, to the portion of second material.

Preferably, the one or more additional material portions are of the same material as the ﬁrst material or the second material.

Alternatively, the one or more additional material portions are of a different material than the first and second material portions.

Preferably, the threaded shaft portion imparts a threaded cut into the ﬁrst material.

Ideally, the threaded shaft portion cuts a negative of the thread thereof into the first material as it passes therethrough.

Ideally, the tip portion forms a bore in the second material.

Preferably, the threaded shaft portion comprises a thread suitable for gripping the first and/or second material and pulling the fixing means thereinto.

Ideally, the thread of the threaded shaft portion has a pitch which encourages clearing of any material displaced whilst the fixing means is driven into the ﬁrst and/or second material.

Preferably, the pitch of the thread of the threaded shaft portion is approximately 2.1mm.

Ideally, the threaded shaft portion comprises a type 17 thread.

Preferably, the outermost diameter of the threaded shaft portion is between 4.8mm and 8mm inclusive.

Ideally, the outermost diameter of the threaded shaft portion is less than or equal to 8mm.

Preferably, the outermost diameter of the threaded shaft portion is less than or equal to 7mm.

Ideally, the outermost diameter of the threaded shaft portion is greater than or equal to 4mm.

Preferably, the outermost diameter of the threaded shaft portion is greater than or equal to 4.8mm.

Most preferably, the outermost diameter of the threaded shaft portion is approximately 6mm.

Preferably, the length of the threaded shaft portion and tip portion combined is between 10mm and 200mm inclusive.

Ideally, the length of the threaded shaft portion and tip portion combined is less than or equal to 200mm.

Preferably, the length of the threaded shaft portion and tip portion combined is less than or equal to 100mm.

Ideally, the length of the threaded shaft portion and tip portion combined is greater than or equal to 10mm.

Preferably, the length of the threaded shaft portion and tip portion combined is greater than or equal to 25mm.

Most preferably, the length of the threaded shaft portion and tip portion combined is approximately 50mm.

Ideally, the head is a hexagonal bolt type head.

Alternatively, the head is an Allen type head, a Phillips type head, a flat type head, a torque type head, or any other such head which facilitates the use of a tool for rotating the fixing means.

Ideally, the fixing means is formed from a metal or metal alloy.

Preferably, the ﬁxing means is formed from carbon steel or stainless steel.

Ideally, the fixing means is formed from grade 1020 carbon steel.

Alternatively, the fixing means is formed from grade 1088 carbon steel.

Preferably, the ﬁxing means is formed from carbon steel wire.

Ideally, the ﬁxing means comprises a corrosion resistant coating.

Preferably, the corrosion resistant coating is a galvanised ruspert coating.

A method of manufacturing a ﬁxing means involving the steps of machining a portion of metallic wire such that a tip portion, a threaded shaft portion, and a head portion are formed, cutting the portion of wire to a length such that the length of the threaded shaft portion and the tip portion combined is of suitable length given the intended application of the fixing means, the cutting step being either before or after the machining step, and applying a corrosion resistant coating to the fixing.

Alternatively, the method comprising the forming the head portion separately and attaching the head portion to the machined threaded shaft portion and tip portion.

Ideally, the head portion is attached by welding or any other such suitable joining process. grief description of the drgwlnqs Figure 1 is a side view of a fixing means according to the invention; and Figure 2 is an end view of the fixing means of figure 1.

Detailed Description of the drawings The present teaching will now be described with reference to an exemplary fixing. It will be understood that the exemplary fixing is provided to assist in an understanding of the present teaching and are not to be construed as limiting in any fashion. Furthermore, elements or components that are described with reference to any one Figure may be interchanged with those of other Figures or other equivalent elements without departing from the spirit of the present teaching.

Referring now to the accompanying drawings, there is illustrated a fixing 10 comprising a head 11, a threaded shaft portion 12, and a tip portion 13. The tip portion 13 is conﬁgured to bore through a metallic sheet or steel purlin, thus providing a passage for the remainder of the fixing 10 therethrough. After boring through the metallic sheet or purlin, the tip portion 13 continues to bore into a timber/steel purlin structure or support to which the metallic sheet or purlin is to be attached.

The tip portion 13 has a helical or fluted shape similar to that found at the tip of a drill bit and as a result is self drilling in nature. The tip portion 13 has two cutting edges 19 formed therein which are adapted for cutting through steel and wood. The threaded shaft portion 12 is designed to impart a threaded cut into at least the timber structure or support, such that the metallic sheet or purlin is drawn towards the timber structure or support as the threaded shaft portion is drawn into the timber structure or support. The threaded shaft portion 12 may also cut a thread into the metallic sheet or purlin as it passes, reinforcing the hold thereon. Typically, the metallic sheet or purlin is a steel sheet or purlin having a thickness of less than or equal to 4mm.

Due to the dual purpose nature of the threaded shaft portion 12 and the tip portion 13 when combined, the fixing 10 allows for steel sheeting, steel purlins, or the like can be screwed directly to timber or metal such as steel without any requirement for pre-drilling. The tip portion 13 bores through the steel sheeting, steel purlins, or the like forming a passage through which the threaded shaft portion 12 may pass. The tip portion 13 thereafter bores into the timber or other material, and is followed into the timber by the threaded shaft portion which draws the fastening means into the timber. The tip portion 13 can therefore drill through steel sheeting and bore into steel up to 4mm steel purlins or timber purlins.

The tip portion 13 has a diameter narrower than that of the widest portion 14 of the threaded shaft portion 12. The head portion 11 has a diameter wider than that of the widest portion 14 of the threaded shaft portion 12. As a result of the tip portion 13 having a narrower diameter than the widest portion of the threaded shaft portion 12 , after the tip portion 13 bores through the steel or timber, material remains into which the thread of the 15 of the threaded shaft portion 12 can cut a negative of the thread 15.

The thread 15 of the threaded shaft 12 is adapted to for gripping the timber and/or steel material and pulling the ﬁxing 10 thereinto. In addition, the thread 15 of the threaded shaft portion 12 has a pitch 16 which encourages clearing of any material displaced whilst the fixing 1 is driven into the timber material. In the embodiment shown in the drawings, the thread 15 of the threaded shaft portion 12 is a type 17 thread having a pitch of approximately 2.1mm. It must be noted that the skilled person would understand that any thread which achieves the aforementioned advantages may be utilised.

The outermost diameter 17 of the threaded shaft portion 12 ranges between 4.8mm and 8mm inclusive. In a most preferred embodiment as shown in Fig. 1, the outermost diameter 17 of the threaded shaft portion 12 is between 6.03mm and 6.25mm. The length 20 of the threaded shaft portion 12 and tip portion 13 combined ranges between 10mm and 200mm inclusive. In the most preferred embodiment as shown in Fig. 1, the length of the threaded shaft portion and tip portion combined is between 49.25 and 50.75mm.

The head 11 is a hexagonal bolt type head 18, for example a 5/16 hexagonal head complete with a suitably sized washer, for example 16mm or 19mm in diameter. However, the skilled person would understand that any suitable head that facilitates the use of a tool to rotate the fixing 1 may be utilises. An non exhaustive list of examples includes an Allen type head, a Phillips type head, a flat , type head, or a torque type head.

The ﬁxing 10 is formed from carbon steel, and preferably from 1020 or 1088 grade carbon steel provided in wire form. The fixing 10 also has a silver ruspert corrosion resistant coating applied thereto. Again, the skilled person would be aware that any suitable corrosion resistant coating may be utilised.

In some embodiments, the ﬁxing means can be utilised to secure one or more components addition to the steel sheet or purlin to the timber. These additional components may take the form of membranes, insulation components, or the like.

In use, a steel sheet or purlin is placed upon a timber structure or support in the desired attachment position. The tip portion 13 of the fixing 1 is held against the steel sheet or purlin whilst the fixing 10 is rotated manually or using a drill such that the tip portion 13 is forced to bore into the steel sheet or purlin. Upon boring through the steel sheet or purlin, the tip portion 13 continues into the timber, forming a bore therein, whilst the thread 15 of the threaded shaft portion 12 begins to cut a thread into the material of the steel sheet or purlin around the perimeter of the throughbore formed by the tip portion 13. The fixing is further rotated such that the threaded shaft portion 12 travels into the timber, cutting a thread into the timber remaining around the perimeter of the bore formed by the tip portion 13. The fixing 10 is rotated until the fixing 10 is drawn into the timber by the thread 15 and the steel sheet or purlin is securely fastened to the timber.

A method of manufacturing a fixing is also disclosed involving machining a portion of carbon steel wire such that a tip portion 13, a threaded shaft portion 12, and a head portion 11 are formed.

Cutting the portion of wire to a length such that the length of the threaded shaft portion 12 and the tip portion 13 combined is between 10mm and 200mm, the cutting step being either before or after the machining step, and applying a corrosion resistant coating to the fixing, for example a galvanised rusbert coating.

In an alternative embodiment of the method, the head portion 11 may be formed separately and attached to the machined threaded shaft portion 12 and tip portion 13, which is cut to length such that the length of the threaded shaft portion 12 and the tip portion 13 combined is between 10mm and 200mm. The head portion 11 may be attached by welding or any other such suitable process.

The invention is not limited to the embodiment described herein but can be amended or modified without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A ﬁxing means comprising a head, a threaded shaft portion, and a tip portion, wherein the tip portion is conﬁgured to cut, bore, or othenivise form a through passage through at least a portion of a first material, the threaded shaft portion being configured to impart a threaded cut into at least a portion of a second material, the fixing means being conﬁgured to secure at least the portion of ﬁrst material to the portion of second material. A ﬁxing means according to claim 1, wherein the first material and second material have comparatively dissimilar mechanical properties. A ﬁxing means according to claim 2, wherein the tip portion is specially adapted to form a hole, cut, or throughbore in the steel ﬁrst material and the second material, the tip portion comprising a fluted or helical tip further comprising at least one cutting edge formed therein and being suitable for forming an entry passage through steel of thickness up to and including 4mm, the tip portion having a diameter narrower than that of the widest portion of the threaded shaft portion, and wherein the threaded shaft portion is specially adapted to impart a threaded cut to the first material and/or the second material and draws the fixing means thereinto. A ﬁxing means according to claim 1, wherein the pitch of the thread of the threaded shaft portion is approximately 2.1mm and the thread is a type 17 thread, the outermost diameter of the threaded shaft portion is between 4.8mm and 8mm inclusive, and the length of the threaded shaft portion and tip portion combined is between 10mm and 200mm inclusive. A method of manufacturing the fixing means of claim 1 involving the steps of machining a portion of metallic wire such that a tip portion, a threaded shaft portion, and a head portion are formed, cutting the portion of wire to a length such that the length of the threaded shaft portion and the tip portion combined is of suitable length given the intended application of the fixing means, the cutting step being either before or after the machining step, and applying a corrosion resistant coating to the ﬁxing.