The present invention relates to attachment mean (1) for connecting plane components in dry construction, in particular for fixing two-dimensional construction material to a metallic substructure, having a shaft (2) on one end region of which a point (3) and on the other end region of which a head (4) are formed, a fine thread (5) being formed on the shaft (2) in order to increase extraction values of the attachment means (1), at least in regions, a number of grooves (6) being provided on the shaft (2) which extend substantially parallel to the central axis (X) of the shaft (2).

A self-penetrating thread forming and flow drilling fastener for thick materials with a generally cylindrical partially threaded shank, a drive system at the first end of the shank and a flow drilling tip at the second end of the shank. The flow drilling tip is sized larger than the minor diameter of the threaded shank but less than the major diameter to control installation torque enabling installation into thick materials with greatly reduced risk of torsional failure resultant from a decrease in torque. The flow drilling tip and threads may be a variety of shapes or thread types based on the substrate material the fastener is installed into.

A method produces a composite component from a first joining element and a second joining element by use of an adhesive and a flow drill screw. Before attaching the second joining element to the first joining element, a recess is made around the at least one screw position in which the respective flow drill screw penetrates the second joining element, in a joining surface of the second joining element.

A fastening structure includes: plural overlapping co-fastened members, a clearance hole being formed at at least one mating face of mutual mating faces of the plural co-fastened members, and a screw utilizing frictional heat to bore a hole and form a thread, passing through the clearance hole, and fastening the plural co-fastened members together.

A screw fastener comprising: an elongate shank (3) having a screw thread (9) extending along at least a substantial portion of the shank; a drive section (7) located at one end of the shank for allowing the screw fastener to be rotatably driven into one or more material layers; and a self-drilling or piercing point (5) at an opposing end thereof for forming a bore in said one or more material layers; wherein the drive section is shaped to minimise or avoid the need for countersinking of the formed bore.

A fitting, in particular a fitting for furniture, includes perforations for screwing the fitting to a component. Self-tapping screws are premounted on the fitting and inserted and retained in the perforations in such a way that screw tips of the screws protruding from the fitting can be inserted into bores of the component.

The invention relates to a method for producing a screw, having the following steps: (a) rolling a screw wire made of low-alloy carbon steel to produce screw (10) having a thread; (b) heating the entire screw (10) to an austenitizing temperature under a carbon atmosphere and/or nitrogen atmosphere and maintaining the temperature; (c) quenching the entire screw (10) to a bainitizing temperature and maintaining the bainitizing temperature until the screw has a bainitic structure over its cross-section. The invention is characterized in that the screw (10) is subsequently hardened locally at its tip (22), by the tip (22) being heated to an austenitizing temperature and the screw (10) being subsequently quenched to a temperature below the martensite starting temperature (MS).

Methods and apparatus for retaining a fastener receiver are disclosed. An example apparatus includes a retainer to retain a nut assembly adjacent an object. The retainer includes a first plate defining a first opening. The first plate is to couple to the object. The first opening is to receive a portion of the nut assembly when the retainer is coupled to the object. The retainer includes a second plate defining a second opening and including a first deflectable tab adjacent the second opening. The second plate is to couple to the first plate opposite the object. The deflectable tab of the second plate is to cover a portion of the first opening of the first plate. The first deflectable tab is to deflect to receive and retain the portion of the nut assembly in the first opening when the retainer is coupled to the object.

A faceted lobular threaded component and methods for making and/or installing the same. A faceted lobular threaded component may include a head, and a shank extending along a longitudinal axis away from the head. The component may also include an external faceted lobular thread in the shank extending around the longitudinal axis. The external faceted lobular thread may include at least four facets per thread revolution, and at least four lobes per thread revolution circumferentially interspersed between the at least four facets and established by the at least four facets.

Presently disclosed is a standoff fastener for use in a compound floor structure. The threaded fastener includes a threaded standoff portion designed to accept a nut which has a diameter larger than a head portion of the standoff fastener. The head portion is located centrally within the fastener in order to reduce a tendency of the fastener to pivot within a driver during the fastening process.