A combined thread forming and thread locking fastener is disclosed. A fastener includes three thread zones. A first thread zone utilizes a first thread forming thread profile with an increasing outer diameter. A second thread zone extends from the end of the first zone utilizing the first thread forming thread profile and continues with a constant diameter. The third thread zone utilizes a thread locking thread profile continuing along substantially the remainder of the shaft of a fastener.

A method and apparatus (20) provide light-safe heating of advanced high strength steel metallic sheet(s) (28 and/or 30) for securement of metallic sheets by flow fasteners (31).

A plate member joining structure includes a lower plate that is made of metal, a fitting base portion being formed at an upper surface of the lower plate; an upper plate that is made of metal, that is disposed on the upper surface of the lower plate, and that has a fitting insert portion that is fitted to the fitting base portion so as to form a first gap between a lower surface of the fitting insert portion and a surface of the fitting base portion facing the lower surface of the fitting insert portion; and a screw that, in a state in which the fitting insert portion is fitted to the fitting base portion, is screwed into the fitting insert portion and the fitting base portion, and joins the fitting insert portion and the fitting base portion together in a plate thickness direction.

A fastener has a generally cylindrical shank and a driver at a first end of the shank. The shank has a thread having a first side and a second side opposed to the first side. The first and second sides form a compound angle between the shank and an apex where the first and second sides meet. The compound angle is formed by a body portion extending along the first and second sides from the shank to an intersection, and a crest portion extending along the first and second sides from the intersection to the apex. The first and second sides in the body portion form a body angle with respect to each other, and the first and second sides in the crest portion form a crest angle with respect to each other. The crest angle is greater than the body angle.

The invention relates to a method and to an apparatus for setting a screw, in particular a flow drilling screw. In accordance with the method, the screw is driven at a first revolution speed and at a first axial feed force during a time-limited first phase to drive the screw through at least one component. In the event that the screw does not penetrate the component during the first phase, the screw is automatically driven at a second revolution speed that is higher than a first rotation speed and/or at a second axial feed force that is greater than a first axial feed force during a second phase subsequent to the first phase.

A combined thread forming and thread locking fastener is disclosed. A fastener includes three thread zones. A first thread zone utilizes a first thread forming thread profile with an increasing outer diameter. A second thread zone extends from the end of the first zone utilizing the first thread forming thread profile and continues with a constant diameter. The third thread zone utilizes a thread locking thread profile continuing along substantially the remainder of the shaft of a fastener.

A metal anchoring fastener fastens millwork onto walls constructed with wall cladding fastened to steel studs. The load typical of a loaded cabinet is borne by the steel stud anchors owing to the mate between the profile of the steel stud anchor and the layers of millwork and wall cladding and steel stud that said anchor penetrates. The pitch of the thread adorning the profile of the steel stud anchor progresses non-linearly along the length of said shaft, the shaft is generally non-linear in profile, and the thread profile is non-uniform along the length of said shaft. The anchor can also support a secondary screw concentrically penetrating the void at the center of the anchor, in order to hang loads from a wall, with or without millwork. Predrilling of the holes can enable installation of these zinc anchors.

An appliance and fastening assemblies therefore are provided. A method of mounting an object to a part of an appliance using a fastening assembly is also provided. In one aspect, a fastening assembly of an appliance includes a wall defining an engagement hole. The fastening assembly also includes a tab connected to the wall and defining a clearance hole. The tab is folded over onto the wall such that the clearance hole is in communication with the engagement hole. A fastener of the fastening assembly has a head and a shank extending from the head. The shank has threads along at least a portion of the shank. The shank of the fastener is received through the clearance hole and the engagement hole. When the fastener is torqued or driven, a portion of material of the wall is extruded into the clearance hole of the tab.

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.

The invention relates to a thread-forming screw (10) comprising a base body (12, 20) which comprises a drive and a screw shank, the screw shank carrying a thread (13) having a channeling region (14) and a carrying region, the base body (12, 20) consisting of a base material. The invention is characterized in that the thread (13) is formed from a coating material (18) different from the base material, at least in the channeling region (14), which is applied to the base material by deposition welding.