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 joining element (10, 50, 70, 100, 130) for connection to at least one component layer (34, 62, 84, 112), comprising a head (12, 52) having a head supporting surface (16, 140) for abutment against a component layer and at least one drive feature (14), via which the joining element can be rotated. The joining element further comprises a shaft (17), which ends via a hole forming element (18, 54, 90, 106) in a point (38), wherein the length of the shaft, from the head supporting surface to the point, is shorter than five times the maximum shaft outer diameter (DMax), wherein the shaft has a holding region (H) for connection to the component layer. A removal region having a removal profile (20, 56, 72, 102, 134) extends on the shaft, subsequent to the holding region in the direction of the point (38), and the removal region starts spaced apart from the head supporting surface at a distance of at least once the maximum shaft outer diameter.

A swivel hanger system includes an anchor member with an anchor head disposed at an end of the anchor member and an elongated body, where at least a portion of the elongated body is configured to be inserted into a support member when the system is connected with the support member. The system also includes a swivel member with an open end extending to a hollow interior of the swivel member, where the open end is configured to rotatably couple with the anchor head such that the anchor head is located within the hollow interior and the elongated body extends through the swivel member open end. The system further includes a stop structure to limit an insertion distance at which the anchor member is inserted into the support member.

A self-drilling, self-tapping bone screw is described in which the bone screw has a drill tip free of threads and having a length at least as great as about the thickness of a proximal cortical bone layer, with the drill tip having opposed lands and a helical flute between each of the lands with each of the lands having a cutting edge configured to cut bone as the drill tip is rotated into the bone with the flutes conveying the bone debris away from the drill tip, where a lead thread begins to self-tap internal threads in the proximal cortical bone layer after the drill tip has drilled through the proximal cortical bone layer so as to avoid stripping the threads formed in the bone layer. A method of installation is also disclosed.

A method of reducing the cycle time required for flow-drill screw operations by providing a dimple on a part that is engaged by a flow-drill screw. A tip of the flow-drill screw engages a contact band at a location spaced from the tip of the distal end of the flow-drill screw and base portion of the dimple. Friction between the flow-drill screw tip and dimple creates a heat concentration area and results in displaced material fanning a threaded collar. The flow-drill screw is secured by the threads of the threaded collar.

The invention relates to a joining element (10, 50, 70, 100, 130) for connection to at least one component layer (34, 62, 84, 112), comprising a head (12, 52) having a head supporting surface (16, 140) for abutment against a component layer and at least one drive feature (14), via which the joining element can be rotated. The joining element further comprises a shaft (17), which ends via a hole forming element (18, 54, 90, 106) in a point (38), wherein the length of the shaft, from the head supporting surface to the point, is shorter than five times the maximum shaft outer diameter (DMax), wherein the shaft has a holding region (H) for connection to the component layer. A removal region having a removal profile (20, 56, 72, 102, 134) extends on the shaft, subsequent to the holding region in the direction of the point (38), and the removal region starts spaced apart from the head supporting surface at a distance of at least once the maximum shaft outer diameter.

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.

A threaded fastener is provided. The threaded fastener includes a shank having a non-threaded portion and a threaded portion. A tip extends from the threaded portion and a head extends from the non-threaded portion. A plurality of wings extend from the shank and are configured to form a passage as the threaded fastener advances. An enlarged portion is configured to seat in the passage formed by the plurality of wings with the threaded fastener in an installed arrangement.

A swivel hanger system includes an anchor member with an anchor head disposed at an end of the anchor member and an elongated body, where at least a portion of the elongated body is configured to be inserted into a support member when the system is connected with the support member. The system also includes a swivel member with an open end extending to a hollow interior of the swivel member, where the open end is configured to rotatably couple with the anchor head such that the anchor head is located within the hollow interior and the elongated body extends through the swivel member open end. The system further includes a stop structure to limit an insertion distance at which the anchor member is inserted into the support member.

A joining method is a method of joining a plate set composed by a plurality of stacked plate members including a first plate member and a second plate member by using a tapping screw. When the tapping screw is advanced into the plate set while the tapping screw is rotated in a state of applying a pressure onto the plate set so as to form through-holes in the first plate member and the second plate member, a first pressure applied onto the tapping screw is reduced down to a second pressure at the time when the tapping screw penetrates the first plate member.