Drive spike

Abstract

A fastener includes an elongated shank having a head formed at the first end of the shank, where the head has an outer surface and the head extends radially outwardly. The fastener also includes at least one helical thread portion extending along at least a portion of the shank and a substrate gripping portion extending along at least a portion of the shank between the head and the at least one helical thread portion. The substrate gripping portion includes at least one gripping member extending radially outwardly from the longitudinal axis.

1 . A fastener comprising: 
 an elongated shank extending along a longitudinal axis, a first end and a second end;    a head formed at said first end of said shank, said head extending radially outwardly from said longitudinal axis;    at least one helical thread portion extending along at least a portion of said shank; and    a substrate gripping portion extending along at least a portion of said shank between said head and said at least one helical thread portion, said substrate gripping portion comprising at least one gripping member extending radially outwardly from said longitudinal axis.    
   
   
       2 . The fastener of  claim 1 , wherein said at least one helical thread portion is different from said substrate gripping portion.  
   
   
       3 . The fastener of  claim 1 , wherein said at least one gripping member comprises a plurality of gripping members.  
   
   
       4 . The fastener of  claim 1 , wherein said at least one gripping member comprises at least one elongated protrusion extending substantially parallel to said longitudinal axis.  
   
   
       5 . The fastener of  claim 4 , wherein said at least one protrusion is generally rectangularly shaped.  
   
   
       6 . The fastener of  claim 5  wherein said at least one protrusion comprises a plurality of rectangularly shaped protrusions distributed around a circumference of said shank.  
   
   
       7 . The fastener of  claim 1  wherein said at least one gripping member comprises an annular ring extending around said shank.  
   
   
       8 . The fastener of  claim 1 , wherein said head comprises a polygonally shaped outer surface.  
   
   
       9 . The fastener of  claim 1 , further comprising a flange extending radially outwardly from said longitudinal axis.  
   
   
       10 . The fastener of  claim 1 , further comprising a protrusion extending axially from said head.  
   
   
       11 . The fastener of  claim 1 , wherein said fastener comprises metal.  
   
   
       12 . The fastener of  claim 1 , wherein said second end is blunt.  
   
   
       13 . The fastener of  claim 1  further comprising a smooth cylindrical section extending between said head and said substrate gripping portion.  
   
   
       14 . The fastener of  claim 1  wherein said helical thread portion further comprises at least four flutes.  
   
   
       15 . A fastener comprising: 
 an elongated shank having a longitudinal axis;    a head formed at a first end of said shank, said head comprising a polygonally shaped outer surface;    a substrate gripping portion extending along at least a portion of said shank between said head and a second end of said shank, said substrate gripping portion comprising at least one gripping member extending radially outwardly from said longitudinal axis, said at least one gripping member being polygonally shaped.    
   
   
       16 . The fastener of  claim 15  further comprising a helical threaded portion extending axially from said gripping portion toward said second end.  
   
   
       17 . The fastener of  claim 15  wherein said at least one gripping member comprises a plurality of gripping members.  
   
   
       18 . The fastener of  claim 17  wherein said at least one gripping member further comprises a plurality of protrusions extending from said shank.  
   
   
       19 . A fastener comprising: 
 an elongated shank having a head portion formed at a first end of said shank, said head portion adapted to be gripped by a tool;    a plurality of protrusions extending radially outwardly from said shank, said plurality of protrusions extending between said head portion and a second end of said shank; and    a helical thread portion extending axially along at least a portion of said shank, extending between said plurality of protrusions and said second end.    
   
   
       20 . The fastener of  claim 19  wherein said plurality of protrusions extend along a longitudinal axis between said head portion and said second end of said shank.