Threaded screw fastener characterized by high pull-out resistance, reduced installation torque, and unique head structure and drive socket implement or tool therefor

Abstract

A threaded screw fastener is provided with thread structure wherein each thread of the threaded screw fastener comprises rearward and forward flank surfaces which effectively serve to enhance the pull-out resistance characteristics or properties of the threaded screw fastener while reducing the installation or insertion torque characteristics or properties of the threaded screw fastener. In addition, the forward and rearward flank surfaces of adjacent threads are separated from each other a predetermined amount so as to effectively capture overlapped edge portions of adjacent roofing panels in order to prevent backing out of the threaded screw fasteners even when the roofing panels undergo expansion and contraction as a result of being exposed to cyclically varying environmental or weather conditions.

1 . A threaded screw fastener, adapted to be used in connection with the securing together of overlapped edge portions of roofing panels having predetermined thickness dimensions, so as to securely fasten said threaded screw fastener at its threadedly secured position within the overlapped edge portions of the roofing panels, comprising: 
 a shank portion defined around a longitudinal axis;    a head portion formed upon one end of said shank portion;    a tip portion formed upon an opposite end of said shank portion; and    a plurality of threads disposed upon said shank portion of said threaded screw fastener;    wherein each one of said plurality of threads disposed upon said shank portion of said threaded screw fastener comprises a rearward flank surface portion and a forward flank surface portion, and wherein adjacent threads are separated from each other a predetermined amount so as to define a space therebetween, as defined between the root portion of said forward flank surface portion of a particular one of said plurality of threads and the root portion of said rearward flank surface portion of an adjacent successive one of said plurality of threads, for securely accommodating the overlapped edge portions of the roofing panels, fabricated from predetermined gauge material having predetermined thickness dimensions, within said space defined between said adjacent threads.    
   
   
       2 . The threaded screw fastener as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein: 
 said space, defined between said root portions of said forward flank surface portion and said rearward flank surface portion of adjacent threads which are separated from each other by means of said predetermined amount, has a dimension of at least 0.035 inches so as to securely accommodate the overlapped edge portions of roofing panels.    
   
   
       3 . The threaded screw fastener as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein: 
 said space, defined between said root portions of said forward flank surface portion and said rearward flank surface portion of adjacent threads which are separated from each other by means of said predetermined amount, has a dimension which is within the range of 0.035-0.090 inches so as to securely accommodate the overlapped edge portions of roofing panels which are fabricated from 22-26 gauge material.    
   
   
       4 . The threaded screw fastener as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein: 
 said forward flank portion of each one of said plurality of threads is disposed at a first predetermined angle with respect to a radius of said shank portion of said threaded screw fastener; and    said rearward flank portion of each one of said plurality of threads is disposed at a second predetermined angle with respect to said radius of said shank portion of said threaded screw fastener.    
   
   
       5 . The threaded screw fastener as set forth in  claim 4 , wherein: 
 said second predetermined angle, at which said rearward flank portion of each one of said plurality of threads is oriented with respect to said radius of said shank portion of said threaded screw fastener, is substantially less than said first predetermined angle at which said forward flank portion of each one of said plurality of threads is oriented with respect to said radius of said shank portion of said threaded screw fastener.    
   
   
       6 . The threaded screw fastener as set forth in  claim 5 , wherein: 
 said first predetermined angle, at which said forward flank portion of each one of said plurality of threads is oriented with respect to said radius of said shank portion of said threaded screw fastener, is within the range of 0°-60°; and    said second predetermined angle, at which said rearward flank portion of each one of said plurality of threads is oriented with respect to said radius of said shank portion of said threaded screw fastener, is within the range of 0°-6°.    
   
   
       7 . The threaded screw fastener as set forth in  claim 4 , wherein: 
 said first predetermined angle, at which said forward flank portion of each one of said plurality of threads is oriented with respect to said radius of said shank portion of said threaded screw fastener, is within the range of 0°-60°; and    said second predetermined angle, at which said rearward flank portion of each one of said plurality of threads is oriented with respect to said radius of said shank portion of said threaded screw fastener, is within the range of 0°-6°.    
   
   
       8 . The threaded screw fastener as set forth in  claim 4 , wherein: 
 said first predetermined angle, at which said forward flank portion of each one of said plurality of threads is oriented with respect to said radius of said shank portion of said threaded screw fastener, is 0°; and    said second predetermined angle, at which said rearward flank portion of each one of said plurality of threads is oriented with respect to said radius of said shank portion of said threaded screw fastener, is 0°,    whereby said forward flank portion of each one of said plurality of threads is disposed substantially parallel to said rearward flank portion of each one of said plurality of threads.    
   
   
       9 . The threaded screw fastener as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein: 
 the radial extent of each one of said plurality of threads, as defined between the root portion of the thread and the crest portion of the thread, is within the range of 0.010-0.085 inches.    
   
   
       10 . In combination, a plurality of threaded screw fasteners, adapted to be used in connection with the securing together of overlapped edge portions of roofing panels having predetermined thickness dimensions, comprising: 
 a pair of overlapped edge portions of adjacent roofing panels; and    a plurality of threaded screw fasteners disposed within said overlapped edge portions of said adjacent roofing panels so as to fixedly secure said overlapped edge portions of said adjacent roofing panels together in a seamed manner;    each one of said plurality of threaded screw fasteners comprising a shank portion defined around a longitudinal axis; a head portion formed upon one end of said shank portion; a tip portion formed upon an opposite end of said shank portion; and a plurality of threads disposed upon said shank portion of said threaded screw fastener; wherein each one of said plurality of threads disposed upon said shank portion of said threaded screw fastener comprises a rearward flank surface portion and a forward flank surface portion, and wherein adjacent threads are separated from each other a predetermined amount so as to define a space therebetween, as defined between the root portion of said forward flank surface portion of a particular one of said plurality of threads and the root portion of said rearward flank surface portion of an adjacent successive one of said plurality of threads, for securely accommodating said overlapped edge portions of said roofing panels, fabricated from predetermined gauge material having predetermined thickness dimensions, within said space defined between said adjacent threads.    
   
   
       11 . The combination as set forth in  claim 10 , wherein: 
 said space, defined between said root portions of said forward flank surface portion and said rearward flank surface portion of adjacent threads which are separated from each other by means of said predetermined amount, has a dimension of at least 0.035 inches so as to securely accommodate said overlapped edge portions of said roofing panels.    
   
   
       12 . The combination as set forth in  claim 10 , wherein: 
 said space, defined between said root portions of said forward flank surface portion and said rearward flank surface portion of adjacent threads which are separated from each other by means of said predetermined amount, has a dimension which is within the range of 0.035-0.090 inches so as to securely accommodate said overlapped edge portions of said roofing panels which are fabricated from 22-26 gauge material.    
   
   
       13 . The combination as set forth in  claim 10 , wherein: 
 said forward flank portion of each one of said plurality of threads is disposed at a first predetermined angle with respect to a radius of said shank portion of said threaded screw fastener; and    said rearward flank portion of each one of said plurality of threads is disposed at a second predetermined angle with respect to said radius of said shank portion of said threaded screw fastener.    
   
   
       14 . The combination as set forth in  claim 13 , wherein: 
 said second predetermined angle, at which said rearward flank portion of each one of said plurality of threads is oriented with respect to said radius of said shank portion of said threaded screw fastener, is substantially less than said first predetermined angle at which said forward flank portion of each one of said plurality of threads is oriented with respect to said radius of said shank portion of said threaded screw fastener.    
   
   
       15 . The combination as set forth in  claim 14 , wherein: 
 said first predetermined angle, at which said forward flank portion of each one of said plurality of threads is oriented with respect to said radius of said shank portion of said threaded screw fastener, is within the range of 0°-60°; and    said second predetermined angle, at which said rearward flank portion of each one of said plurality of threads is oriented with respect to said radius of said shank portion of said threaded screw fastener, is within the range of 0°-6°.    
   
   
       16 . The combination as set forth in  claim 13 , wherein: 
 said first predetermined angle, at which said forward flank portion of each one of said plurality of threads is oriented with respect to said radius of said shank portion of said threaded screw fastener, is within the range of 0°-60°; and    said second predetermined angle, at which said rearward flank portion of each one of said plurality of threads is oriented with respect to said radius of said shank portion of said threaded screw fastener, is within the range of 0°-6°.    
   
   
       17 . The combination as set forth in  claim 13 , wherein: 
 said first predetermined angle, at which said forward flank portion of each one of said plurality of threads is oriented with respect to said radius of said shank portion of said threaded screw fastener, is 0°; and    said second predetermined angle, at which said rearward flank portion of each one of said plurality of threads is oriented with respect to said radius of said shank portion of said threaded screw fastener, is 0°,    whereby said forward flank portion of each one of said plurality of threads is disposed substantially parallel to said rearward flank portion of each one of said plurality of threads.    
   
   
       18 . The combination as set forth in  claim 10 , wherein: 
 the radial extent of each one of said plurality of threads, as defined between the root portion of the thread and the crest portion of the thread, is within the range of 0.010-0.085 inches.