US4684022A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Fastener strip
Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc
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Filing: 1979-02-23
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Granted: 1987-08-04
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Expires: 1999-02-23
Abstract
Abstract A strip of fasteners is formed by an elongated flexible web having one or two rows of tabs projecting from one or both of the longitudinal edges of the web. These tabs have fastener holding means formed at their ends for removably carrying nails, screws, or nuts. In one form, the holding means are detachable with the fasteners to provide a washer, and in another form, the detachable end of the holding means provides a locking insert for a self-locking nut. The web is formed both as a strip and as a closed loop. In some embodiments, the fastener is disposed at an angle relative to the web to permit inclination of the strip of loop relative to horizontal while presenting the fasteners to a driving station in a vertical position. A fastener feeding mechanism deflects or bends the strip at a point adjacent the drive path of a fastener driver to "fan out" the fastener carrying tabs so that the tab or tabs carrying the fastener in driving position are spaced from adjacent tabs. In one embodiment, a reciprocating motor in the feeding mechanism retracts the portion of the strip adjacent the drive path to insure that the tab is not inadvertently fastened to a workpiece by the driven fastener.
Inventors
- 👤 Frank R. Potucek
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 12:51
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16B; F16B15/00; F16B15/08; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S206/00; Y10S206/82
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 29
Claim 1
Independent Claim
92 words
An assemblage of fasteners comprising an elongated length of flexible web material, a pair of rows of tab portions projecting from the opposite edges of the web substantially transverse thereto, the tab portions in different rows being of different lengths and having fastener receiving means disposed at the outer free ends of the tab portions, and a plurality of headed fasteners each having a head portion and a shank portion, each fastener having its shank portion disposed in the fastener receiving means on one tab portion in each of the two rows.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
92 words
An assemblage of fasteners comprising an elongated length of flexible web material, a pair of rows of tab portions projecting from the opposite edges of the web substantially transverse thereto, the tab portions in different rows being of different lengths and having fastener receiving means disposed at the outer free ends of the tab portions, and a plurality of headed fasteners each having a head portion and a shank portion, each fastener having its shank portion disposed in the fastener receiving means on one tab portion in each of the two rows.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
47 words
The assemblage set forth in claim 1 in which the fastener receiving portion in one of the rows of tab portions is detachably connected to the tab portion and is removed from the assemblage and carried with the fastener when the fastener is removed from the assemblage.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
30 words
The assemblage set forth in claim 1 in which the web portion includes means defining a bending axis transverse to the web and disposed between adjacent sets of tab portions.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
22 words
The assemblage set forth in claim 3 including means joining opposite ends of the flexible web material to form a closed loop.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
163 words
An assemblage of headed fasteners having a head portion and a depending body portion comprising: a length of flexible web material having a series of indexing means thereon; a single row of tab portions projecting transversely from the flexible web material adjacent one edge thereof, said tab portions being spaced from each other and each having a free end laterally spaced from the web material; fastener retaining means formed in the free end of each tab, each fastener retaining means including an opening through the free end of the tab; said fastener retaining means includes a detachable portion at the free end of the tab portion with the opening formed in the detachable portion; and a headed fastener disposed in each fastener retaining means with the head portion disposed above the free end of the tab portion to the side of the web material and with the body portion depending below the free end of the tab portion and below the web material.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
163 words
An assemblage of headed fasteners having a head portion and a depending body portion comprising: a length of flexible web material having a series of indexing means thereon; a single row of tab portions projecting transversely from the flexible web material adjacent one edge thereof, said tab portions being spaced from each other and each having a free end laterally spaced from the web material; fastener retaining means formed in the free end of each tab, each fastener retaining means including an opening through the free end of the tab; said fastener retaining means includes a detachable portion at the free end of the tab portion with the opening formed in the detachable portion; and a headed fastener disposed in each fastener retaining means with the head portion disposed above the free end of the tab portion to the side of the web material and with the body portion depending below the free end of the tab portion and below the web material.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
43 words
The assemblage set forth in claim 5 in which the fastener retaining means includes a head locating structure projecting upwardly from the free end and adapted to at least partially surround the head portion of a fastener disposed in the fastener retaining means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
23 words
The assemblage set forth in claim 5 in which the row of tab portions extends from the web material at an acute angle.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
48 words
The assemblage set forth in claim 5 in which the indexing means includes a row of longitudinally spaced openings in the web material, at least some of said openings being in a location disposed between successive tab portions to define a web bending axis between successive tab portions.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
84 words
A strip of self-locking nuts comprising an elongated web of flexible material having a plurality of spaced projecting tabs, an apertured elastic retaining body on each of the tabs, and a plurality of nuts each having an internally threaded opening and an internal cavity, each of said nuts being mounted on one of the tabs with the elastic retaining body disposed in the internal cavity in the nut and with the openings in the nut and the elastic retaining body aligned with each other.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
84 words
A strip of self-locking nuts comprising an elongated web of flexible material having a plurality of spaced projecting tabs, an apertured elastic retaining body on each of the tabs, and a plurality of nuts each having an internally threaded opening and an internal cavity, each of said nuts being mounted on one of the tabs with the elastic retaining body disposed in the internal cavity in the nut and with the openings in the nut and the elastic retaining body aligned with each other.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
71 words
A method of making a strip of self-locking threaded fasteners which comprises the steps of forming an elongated web having a plurality of spaced tab portions with integrally formed apertured and elastic retaining bodies, said bodies having locking means thereon, and mounting an apertured threaded fastener with a locking means on each of the elastic retaining bodies with the locking means on the fastener and tab portion in an interlocking relation.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
71 words
A method of making a strip of self-locking threaded fasteners which comprises the steps of forming an elongated web having a plurality of spaced tab portions with integrally formed apertured and elastic retaining bodies, said bodies having locking means thereon, and mounting an apertured threaded fastener with a locking means on each of the elastic retaining bodies with the locking means on the fastener and tab portion in an interlocking relation.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
83 words
A screw package comprising: a carrier strip of flat sheet material having a series of holes; means defining circular lines of weakness in said strip partly surrounding each of said holes whereby a prospective flat washer is defined in said strip; and a plurality of screws having heads and shanks, said heads having entirely flat undersides disposed against the uppermost surface of said strip, and said shanks extending through said holes and having a snug screw-retaining fit with said strip in said holes.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
83 words
A screw package comprising: a carrier strip of flat sheet material having a series of holes; means defining circular lines of weakness in said strip partly surrounding each of said holes whereby a prospective flat washer is defined in said strip; and a plurality of screws having heads and shanks, said heads having entirely flat undersides disposed against the uppermost surface of said strip, and said shanks extending through said holes and having a snug screw-retaining fit with said strip in said holes.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
18 words
A screw-package according to claim 11 in which said flat sheet material has the physical properties of nylon.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
105 words
A strip of screw fasteners comprising a carrier strip of elongated flexible material including a series of fastener retaining means for retaining a fastener, each said fastener retaining means including an opening, means defining lines of weakness in said material partly surrounding said openings to define said fastener retaining means and facilitate separation of said fastener retaining means from said carrier strip, a plurality of fasteners including heads and shanks, each said head including an underside positioned on an upper side of said strip with each said shank extending through one of said openings with a sufficient fit to retain said shank in said opening.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
105 words
A strip of screw fasteners comprising a carrier strip of elongated flexible material including a series of fastener retaining means for retaining a fastener, each said fastener retaining means including an opening, means defining lines of weakness in said material partly surrounding said openings to define said fastener retaining means and facilitate separation of said fastener retaining means from said carrier strip, a plurality of fasteners including heads and shanks, each said head including an underside positioned on an upper side of said strip with each said shank extending through one of said openings with a sufficient fit to retain said shank in said opening.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
14 words
The strip claimed in claim 13 wherein said fastener retaining means comprises a washer.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
40 words
The strip claimed in claim 13 wherein said means defining lines of weakness comprises at least one perforation in said material leaving insubstantial portions of material around said opening to facilitate separation of said fastener retaining means from said strip.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
83 words
A screw package comprising a carrier strip of flat sheet material having a series of holes; means defining curved lines of weakness in said strip partially surrounding each of said holes whereby a prospective flat washer is defined in said strip; and a plurality of screws having heads and shanks, said heads having entirely flat undersides disposed against the uppermost surface of said strip, and said shanks extending through said holes and having a snug screw-retaining fit with said strip in said holes.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
83 words
A screw package comprising a carrier strip of flat sheet material having a series of holes; means defining curved lines of weakness in said strip partially surrounding each of said holes whereby a prospective flat washer is defined in said strip; and a plurality of screws having heads and shanks, said heads having entirely flat undersides disposed against the uppermost surface of said strip, and said shanks extending through said holes and having a snug screw-retaining fit with said strip in said holes.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
109 words
A strip of headed fasteners comprising a carrier strip of elongated flexible material including a series of fastener retaining means for retaining a fastener, each said fastener retaining means including an opening defined in the strip, means defining lines of weakness in said strip partially surrounding said openings to define said fastener retaining means and facilitate separation of said fastener retaining means from said carrier strip, a plurality of fasteners including heads and shanks, each said head including an underside positioned on an upper side of said strip with each said shank extending through one of said openings with a sufficient fit to retain said shank in said opening.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
109 words
A strip of headed fasteners comprising a carrier strip of elongated flexible material including a series of fastener retaining means for retaining a fastener, each said fastener retaining means including an opening defined in the strip, means defining lines of weakness in said strip partially surrounding said openings to define said fastener retaining means and facilitate separation of said fastener retaining means from said carrier strip, a plurality of fasteners including heads and shanks, each said head including an underside positioned on an upper side of said strip with each said shank extending through one of said openings with a sufficient fit to retain said shank in said opening.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
124 words
A fastener package comprising a carrier strip of flat sheet material, said strip of flat sheet material including a series of circular prospective flat washers, each prospective washer including a centrally located hole extending through said flat sheet material, a plurality of fasteners each having a head and a shank, said shanks extending through said holes and having a fastener retaining fit in said holes for retaining said fasteners in said carrier strip, said heads having undersides overlying said prospective washers, said prospective washers being at least as large as the undersides of said fastener heads, and said carrier strip of flat sheet material including means defining lines of weakness separably interconnecting each said prospective washer and an adjacent portion of said carrier strip.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
124 words
A fastener package comprising a carrier strip of flat sheet material, said strip of flat sheet material including a series of circular prospective flat washers, each prospective washer including a centrally located hole extending through said flat sheet material, a plurality of fasteners each having a head and a shank, said shanks extending through said holes and having a fastener retaining fit in said holes for retaining said fasteners in said carrier strip, said heads having undersides overlying said prospective washers, said prospective washers being at least as large as the undersides of said fastener heads, and said carrier strip of flat sheet material including means defining lines of weakness separably interconnecting each said prospective washer and an adjacent portion of said carrier strip.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
131 words
A screw package comprising a carrier strip of flat sheet material, said strip of flat sheet material including a series of circular prospective flat washers, each prospective washer including a centrally located hole extending through said flat sheet material, a plurality of screws each having a head and a shank, said shanks extending through said holes and having a snug screw retaining fit in said holes for retaining said screws in said carrier strip, said heads having entirely flat undersides overlying the uppermost surface of said prospective washers, said prospective washers being at least as large as the undersides of said screw heads, and said carrier strip of flat sheet material including means defining lines of weakness separably interconnecting each said prospective washer and an adjacent portion of said carrier strip.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
131 words
A screw package comprising a carrier strip of flat sheet material, said strip of flat sheet material including a series of circular prospective flat washers, each prospective washer including a centrally located hole extending through said flat sheet material, a plurality of screws each having a head and a shank, said shanks extending through said holes and having a snug screw retaining fit in said holes for retaining said screws in said carrier strip, said heads having entirely flat undersides overlying the uppermost surface of said prospective washers, said prospective washers being at least as large as the undersides of said screw heads, and said carrier strip of flat sheet material including means defining lines of weakness separably interconnecting each said prospective washer and an adjacent portion of said carrier strip.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1990-08-03 | 1991-02-02 | 1991-08-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1994-08-03 | 1995-02-02 | 1995-08-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1998-08-03 | 1999-02-02 | 1999-08-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |