| Threaded screw fastener characterized by high pull-out resistance, reduced installation torque, and unique head structure and drive socket implement or tool therefor -> Monitor Keywords |
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Threaded screw fastener characterized by high pull-out resistance, reduced installation torque, and unique head structure and drive socket implement or tool thereforRelated Patent Categories: Expanded, Threaded, Driven, Headed, Tool-deformed, Or Locked-threaded Fastener, Externally Threaded Fastener Element, E.g., Bolt, Screw, Etc.Threaded screw fastener characterized by high pull-out resistance, reduced installation torque, and unique head structure and drive socket implement or tool therefor description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20060291978, Threaded screw fastener characterized by high pull-out resistance, reduced installation torque, and unique head structure and drive socket implement or tool therefor. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATION [0001] This patent application is a Continuation-in-Part (CIP) patent application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/681,193 which was filed on Oct. 9, 2003. FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0002] The present invention relates generally to threaded screw fasteners, and more particularly to a new and improved threaded screw fastener which has unique and novel buttress thread structure which effectively provides the new and improved threaded screw fastener with reduced installation or insertion torque characteristics, and which also effectively provides the new and improved threaded screw fastener with enhanced pull-out resistance characteristics, whereby the new and improved threaded screw fastener can be easily and readily inserted or installed, and retained, within various different substrates, such as, for example, steel, concrete, aluminum, wood, and thermoplastic materials. Still further, the new and improved threaded screw fastener has unique and novel head structure which not only enables the new and improved threaded screw fastener to be inserted or installed within a substrate as a result of being capable of being alternatively utilized either with a Phillips head drive socket implement or tool, or with a hexagonal drive socket implement or tool, but in addition, the head structure comprises low-profile domed structure such that when the new and improved threaded screw fastener is utilized to secure waterproof or environmental membranes upon roof decking assemblies, the new and improved head structure will not present any raised edge or sharply pointed corner structure which would otherwise tend to cut or pierce the waterproof or environmental membranes whereby the structural integrity of the waterproof or environmental membranes would be adversely affected as a result of propagated tearing or shredding of the same, particularly under high-wind, uplifting force conditions. A last embodiment of the threaded screw fastener also incorporates specific structure which not only enables its usage in connection with the seaming together of overlapped edge portions of adjacent roofing panels, but in addition enhances the back-out resistance of the threaded screw fasteners with respect to the roofing panels. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003] When a threaded screw fastener is to be inserted or installed within a particular substrate, the threaded screw fastener must obviously be rotated in order to enable the threaded screw fastener to threadedly engage the substrate material. Accordingly, a rotational drive force must be imparted to the threaded screw fastener. Conventionally, the two most common means for imparting rotational drive forces to threaded screw fasteners is either by means of a hexagonal drive socket implement or tool which is adapted to engage a corresponding hexagonally configured head portion of the fastener, or alternatively, by means of a Phillips head drive socket implement or tool which is adapted to engage a correspondingly configured Phillips head portion of the fastener. Typical threaded screw fasteners, respectively having such a hexagonally configured head portion, or a Phillips head portion, are disclosed within FIGS. 1 and 2. More particularly, a first conventional PRIOR ART threaded fastener is disclosed within FIG. 1 and is generally indicated by the reference character 10. [0004] The threaded fastener 10 is seen to comprise a threaded shank portion 12, and a head portion 14. The head portion 14 has a hexagonal cross-sectional configuration, and it is also seen that the hexagonally-configured head portion 14 has a constant depth dimension D, as defined between vertically spaced, horizontally disposed, upper and lower planar surfaces 16,18. As a result of such structure, the hexagonally-configured head portion 14 exhibits a relatively large profile. Alternatively, a second conventional PRIOR ART threaded fastener is disclosed within FIG. 2 and is generally indicated by the reference character 110. The threaded fastener 110 is seen to comprise a similarly threaded shank portion 112, and a head portion 114. The head portion 114 is provided with a substantially X-shaped slotted region 116 which is recessed within the head portion 114 so as to be capable of accommodating a Phillips head drive socket implement or tool, and it is additionally seen that the upper surface 118 of the head portion 114 has a substantially domed configuration which circumferentially slopes downwardly so as to terminate in a relatively thin-dimensioned peripheral surface 120. [0005] While the conventional PRIOR ART threaded fasteners 10,110 normally exhibit satisfactory operational or performance characteristics, the conventional PRIOR ART threaded fasteners 10,110 do in fact exhibit some significant operational drawbacks. For example, different field personnel usually prefer to use a particular one of the two different types of conventional PRIOR ART threaded screw fasteners, and accordingly have suitable drive socket implements or tools for drivingly engaging the head portions of the particular threaded screw fasteners. The obvious problem with the existence or availability of the two different types of conventional PRIOR ART threaded screw fasteners resides in the manufacture and distribution of such threaded screw fasteners, that is, the threaded screw fastener manufacturers need to manufacture or fabricate the two different types of threaded screw fasteners, they need to stock the two different types of threaded screw fasteners in their available inventories, and they need to maintain proper and appropriate records in connection with the distribution of such different types of threaded screw fasteners to different distribution centers or end-use customers. Similar manufacturing, fabrication, inventory, distribution, and logistical problems correspondingly exist in connection with the availability of the suitable drive socket implements or tools for drivingly engaging the head portions of the different threaded screw fasteners. A need therefore exists in the art for a new and improved threaded screw fastener which is provided with a head portion that has integrally incorporated therein both hexagonal and Phillips head structure so as to be capable of being rotationally driven by means of a new and improved single drive socket implement or tool which likewise has integrally incorporated therein structure which is uniquely adapted to engage either one of the hexagonal and Phillips head structures integrally disposed upon the head portion of the threaded screw fastener. [0006] In addition, it is seen that the vertically spaced, horizontally disposed, upper and lower planar surfaces 16,18, together with the six, vertically oriented side surfaces or facets 20 of the head portion 14, define a plurality of vertically spaced, upper and lower peripheral edge portions 22, wherein each one of the upper and lower peripheral edge portions 22 defines, includes, or comprises a 90.degree. angle. It is also seen that adjacent pairs of the side surfaces or facets 20,20 define a plurality of vertically oriented edge regions or loci 24 therebetween, whereby the upper and lower termini of the vertically oriented edge regions or loci 24 define sharply pointed corner loci 26. Accordingly, when the threaded screw fasteners 10 are utilized, for example, in connection with the fastening or securing of waterproof or environmental membranes to underlying roof decking assemblies, the peripheral edge portions 22, defined between the vertically oriented side surfaces or facets 20 and the upper planar surface 16, as well as the upper corner loci 26 disposed within the plane of the upper planar surface 16, present sharply configured structures. [0007] It has been found that such sharply configured structures can effectively cut or pierce the waterproof or environmental membranes when, for example, the waterproof or environmental membranes are forced into contact with the fastener head portions 14 as a result of, for example, workmen walking upon the upper surface portion of the roof decking assembly. Accordingly, once the waterproof or environmental membranes are cut or pierced, the waterproof or environmental membranes tend to undergo further structural deterioration, such as, for example, propagated shredding or tearing, particularly under high-wind lift force conditions, thereby effectively compromising the structural integrity of the waterproof or environmental membranes and of course the protective properties of the waterproof or environmental membranes with respect to the underlying roof decking and insulation substrates. This is obviously not a desirable situation from the viewpoint of installing a proper, environmentally protected roof decking system. A need therefore exists in the art for a new and improved threaded screw fastener which is provided with a head portion that not only has integrally incorporated therein both hexagonal and Phillips head structure so as to be capable of being rotationally driven by means of a single drive socket implement or tool which likewise has integrally incorporated therein structure which is uniquely adapted to engage either one of the hexagonal and Phillips head structures integrally disposed upon the head portion of the screw fastener, but in addition exhibits a relatively low profile. [0008] Continuing further, and with reference now being made to FIGS. 3 and 4, an additional conventional PRIOR ART threaded screw fastener is partially disclosed and is generally indicated by the reference character 210. The threaded screw fastener 210 comprises a shank portion 212 upon which a plurality of buttress-type threads 214 are formed. As can best be seen or appreciated from FIG. 4, each one of the conventional buttress-type threads 214 is seen to comprise a slightly inclined rearward flank surface 216 and a significantly inclined forward flank surface 218, a predetermined thread pitch P, as measured between the same points of successive thread crest portions 220, and a predetermined spacing S as determined between the root region of the rearward flank surface 216 of a particular thread and the root region of the forward flank surface 218 of the next or successive thread. [0009] As is well-known in the art or industry, the rear flank surface 216, as well as the pitch P, play critical roles in, or effectively determine, the pull-out resistance characteristics or properties of the fastener 210, while the forward flank surface 218, and the spacing S, likewise play critical roles in, or effectively determine, the installation or insertion torque characteristics or properties of the fastener 210. As is further well-known in the art of industry, the ideal or perfectly designed fastener will exhibit relatively high pull-out resistance characteristics or properties, while concomitantly exhibiting relatively low installation or insertion torque characteristics or properties. Unfortunately, conventional or PRIOR ART fasteners, such as, for example, the fastener 210, as disclosed within FIGS. 3 and 4 and characterized by means of the conventional or PRIOR ART buttress thread structure, cannot effectively simultaneously achieve the aforenoted relatively high pull-out resistance characteristics or properties and the relatively low insertion or installation torque characteristics or properties. [0010] More particularly, in order to effectively increase the pull-out resistance characteristics or properties of the threaded screw fastener 210, the diametrical extent of the threaded screw fastener 210 would have to be increased, that is, the external diametrical dimensions or extents of both the shank portion 212 and the threads 214 as determined by means of the crest portions 220 thereof. Increasing the diametrical dimension or extent of the threaded screw fastener 210, however, is not desirable or viable for several reasons. Firstly, for example, increasing the diametrical dimension or extent of the threaded screw fastener 210 obviously increases the amount of material that is required to be structurally incorporated within each fastener 210, and therefore the manufacturing or fabrication costs per fastener are correspondingly increased. In addition, or secondly, increasing the diametrical dimension or extent of the threaded screw fastener 210 also serves to increase the installation or insertion torque characteristics or properties of the fastener 210, which, of course, is precisely the opposite objective that is sought to be achieved in connection with the threaded screw fastener 210. Viewed from an opposite point of view, if, for example, the diametrical dimension or extent of the threaded screw fastener 210 was decreased so as to effectively reduce the torque installation or insertion characteristics or properties of the threaded screw fastener 210, then the pull-out resistance characteristics or properties of the threaded screw fastener 210 would be correspondingly reduced, which, again, is precisely the opposite objective that is sought to be achieved in connection with the threaded screw fastener 210. A need therefore exists in the art for a new and improved threaded screw fastener which can simultaneously achieve both enhanced pull-out resistance characteristics or properties, and reduced installation or insertion torque characteristics or properties, while also retaining manufacturing or fabrication costs at a viable or cost-effective level. [0011] Continuing still further, and in connection with, for example, the securing together of overlapped edge portions of adjacent roofing panels, threaded screw fasteners are inserted through the overlapped edge portions of adjacent roofing panels, and rubber washers, or the like, are also disposed beneath the head portions of the fasteners so as to effectively seal the fastener sites against the penetration of water. As is well known, however, roofing systems are subjected to environmental conditions which cause the roofing panels to undergo expansion and contraction, and as a result of such expansion and contraction of the roofing panels, forces are impressed upon the threaded fasteners which cause them to become loose and back out from their fastened states or positions within the overlapped edge portions of the adjacent roofing panels. Accordingly, the rubber washers, or the like, will no longer be engaged with the overlapped edge portions of adjacent roofing panels whereby the fastener sites will no longer be properly sealed or protected against water penetration. A need therefore exists in the art for a new and improved threaded fastener which is specifically structured for securely fastening together the overlapped edge portions of adjacent roofing panels, and wherein further, the threaded fasteners will not exhibit back-out from their fastener sites even when the roofing panels are repeatedly or cyclically subjected to relatively hot and cold environmental conditions which would cause the roofing panels to undergo or experience expansion and contraction. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0012] 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 threaded screw fastener which comprises a head portion that has low profile domed structure integrally incorporated therein, and wherein further, the head portion also has unique and novel combination structure which permits the threaded screw fastener to be rotatably driven either by means of a rotary drive tool having, for example, hexagonally configured drive structure integrally incorporated therein, or alternatively by means of a rotary drive tool having, for example, Phillips head drive structure integrally incorporated therein. In this manner, the threaded screw fastener, having such combination head structure, can be drivingly inserted or installed within substrates regardless of the particular drive socket implement or tool being utilized by field installation or job site personnel. Furthermore, in accordance with additional teachings and principles of the present invention, there is provided a new and improved drive socket implement or tool which has integrally incorporated therein both hexagonally configured drive structure, Phillips head drive structure, and domed contour structure for not only structurally accommodating both the hexagonally configured structure and the Phillips head structure integrally incorporated upon the head portion of the threaded screw fastener, but in addition, for accommodating the low profile domed structure of the head portion of the threaded screw fastener. Lastly, the threaded screw fastener also comprises thread structure wherein each thread of the threaded screw fastener comprises unique and novel rearward and forward flank surfaces which effectively serve to simultaneously enhance the pull-out resistance characteristics or properties of the threaded screw fastener while reducing the installation or insertion torque characteristics or properties of the threaded screw fastener. More particularly, in connection with the seaming together of overlapped edge portions of adjacent roofing panels, the threaded screw fasteners incorporate specific crest height, thread pitch, and rear and front face or flank structure which effectively enable the overlapped edge portions of adjacent roofing panels to effectively be trapped between successive threads of the fasteners so as to enhance the back-out resistance of the fasteners with respect to the roofing panels, even when the roofing panels experience expansion and contraction as a result of varying environmental or temperature conditions. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0013] 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: [0014] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a conventional, PRIOR ART threaded screw fastener wherein the head portion integrally formed thereon has a hexagonal cross-sectional configuration; [0015] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a conventional, PRIOR ART threaded screw fastener wherein the head portion integrally formed thereon has Phillips head drive structure formed therewithin; [0016] FIG. 3 is a partial side elevational view of a conventional, PRIOR ART threaded screw fastener which is provided with standard buttress threads; [0017] FIG. 4 is an enlarged partial cross-sectional view of the conventional, PRIOR ART threaded screw fastener, as disclosed within FIG. 3, showing the detailed structure of several of the individual threads of the threaded screw fastener, particularly the rearward and forward flank surfaces thereof; [0018] FIG. 5 is a perspective view, similar to those of FIGS. 1 and 2, showing, however, a first embodiment of a new and improved threaded screw fastener constructed in accordance with the principles and teachings of the present invention wherein the head portion of the threaded screw fastener is integrally provided with combination structure which will permit the threaded screw fastener to be rotatably driven either by means of, for example, a hexagonally configured drive socket implement or tool, or alternatively, by means of, for example, a Phillips head drive socket implement or tool; [0019] FIG. 6 is a perspective view, similar to that of FIG. 5, showing, however, a second embodiment of a new and improved threaded screw fastener constructed in accordance with the principles and teachings of the present invention wherein the head portion of the threaded screw fastener is likewise integrally provided with combination structure which will permit the threaded screw fastener to be rotatably driven either by means of, for example, a hexagonally configured drive socket implement or tool, or alternatively, by means of, for example, a Phillips head drive socket implement or tool; Continue reading about Threaded screw fastener characterized by high pull-out resistance, reduced installation torque, and unique head structure and drive socket implement or tool therefor... 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