Method and apparatus for fastening steel framing members using helical features

Abstract

Various improved methods are provided for fastening two of more steel framing members together with a fastener. In one aspect, the fastening technique employs a fastener having a tip section such that a portion of the tip section extending beyond the underside of the framing members may be outwardly flared, thereby inhibiting removal of the fastener from the framing members In another aspect, the fastening technique employs a fastener having a steel tip nose for piercing the framing members and a plastic stem section, such that a portion of the stem section extending beyond the underside of the framing members expands, thereby inhibiting removal of the fastener from the framing members. In yet another aspect, the fastening technique employs a fastener having a coil section with an elastic characteristic.

1 - 8 . (canceled)  
   
   
       9 . A method of fastening two or more steel framing members together with a spring shaped fastener, comprising: 
 (a) providing a spring-shaped fastener having a head section and a coil section, where the coil section exhibits an elastic characteristic;    (b) forming a hole through said framing members;    (c) positioning the fastener adjacent to the hole and rotating the fastener about an axial axis that substantially aligns with a center of the hole formed in the framing members; and    (d) applying an axial force to the rotating fastener, such that at least a portion of the coil section of the fastener passes entirely through the hole formed in the framing members.    
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein (a) includes providing a fastener having a coil section with a plurality of axially spaced apart coils.  
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the coil section includes a plurality of coils and (d) includes passing at least one of the coils through the hole formed in the framing members.  
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein (a) includes providing a steel fastener.  
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein (a) includes providing a reinforced plastic fastener.  
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein (d) includes maintaining the head section of the fastener on an opposite side of the framing members than the portion of the coil section of the fastener that passes entirely through the hole.  
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 9 , further comprising elastically deforming the coil section while applying the axial force.  
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein (b) includes punching the hole through the framing members.  
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein (b) includes drilling the hole through the framing members.  
   
   
       18 . A fastener for fastening two or more steel framing members together, the fastener comprising: 
 a head section operable to receive an axial and rotational force; and    a coil section having an elastic characteristic, the coil section operable to be rotated through an opening in adjacent framing members and elastically deformed therein, a portion of the coil section operable to pass entirely through the opening and engage with a surface of the framing members and retain the framing members together between the head section and the portion of the coil section that passed entirely through the opening.    
   
   
       19 . The fastener of  claim 18 , wherein the head section includes an axially extending member.  
   
   
       20 . The fastener of  claim 19 , wherein the head section includes a pair of axially extending members.  
   
   
       21 . The fastener of  claim 18 , wherein the coil section includes a plurality of spaced apart coils and the portion of the coil section operable to pass entirely through the opening is at least one of the coils.  
   
   
       22 . The fastener of  claim 18 , wherein the coil section includes a plurality of spaced apart coils that are elastically deformed in the opening.  
   
   
       23 . The fastener of  claim 18 , wherein the head section and coil section are steel.  
   
   
       24 . The fastener of  claim 18 , wherein the head section and the coil section are reinforced plastic.  
   
   
       25 . The fastener of  claim 18 , wherein the coil section includes a plurality of spaced apart coils and different ones of the coils are disposed on and engaged with opposites sides of the opening and retain the framing members together therebetween.  
   
   
       26 . The fastener of  claim 18 , wherein the coil section is a helically wound section.  
   
   
       27 . The fastener of  claim 18 , wherein the head section and the coil section are a single integral member.  
   
   
       28 . A fastener for fastening two or more steel framing members together, the fastener comprising: 
 a head section having an axially extending member and operable to receive an axial and rotational force; and    a helical coil section having an elastic characteristic, the coil section including a plurality of spaced apart coils, the coil section operable to be rotated and axially pushed through an opening in adjacent framing members and elastically deformed therein, at least one of the coils operable to pass entirely through the opening and engage with a surface of the framing members and retain the framing members together between the head section and the at least one coil that passed entirely through the opening.