Categorizing fasteners and construction connectors using visual identifiers

Abstract

A method of categorizing fasteners and construction connectors by size and type using a color coding system. Each fastener receives a designated and distinct color contained on the surface that is exposed before and after installation. The colors are preselected to define one or more physical properties of the fasteners. A color key is provided to determine the physical properties of the fasteners based on the coloring of exposed portions of the inserted fasteners. Similarly, construction connectors receive a designated and distinct color contained on the surface that is exposed before and after installation. The color represented on the surface of the construction connector is such that the corresponding fastener is the same color.

1 . A fastener comprising: 
 a shaft having a first end and a second end;    an exposed portion attached to the first end of the shaft; and    an identifying color on the exposed portion, the identifying color pre-selected to correspond to at least one specified physical property of the fastener, the identifying color capable of being recognized by a person of normal vision from a distance of at least 18 feet when the shaft has been inserted into a surface.    
   
   
       2 . The fastener of  claim 1 , further comprising a second identifier on the exposed portion, the second identifier corresponding to at least a second specified physical property of the fastener.  
   
   
       3 . The fastener of  claim 2 , wherein the second identifier is a color.  
   
   
       4 . The fastener of  claim 2 , wherein the second identifier is a letter.  
   
   
       5 . A method of identifying physical properties of inserted fasteners from a distance, comprising: 
 applying a colored coating over the surface of an exposed portion of the fastener prior to using the fastener, wherein the colored coating has been pre-selected to correspond to at least one physical property of the fastener; and    inserting the fastener so that the coloring on the exposed portion remains visible and may be determined by a person of normal vision from a distance.    
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the distance is 15 feet.  
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the distance is 18 feet.  
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the fastener is selected from the group comprising nails, bolts, staples, rivets, screws, wedge anchor bolts, anchor bolts, a bolt and nut, or a lag bolt.  
   
   
       9 . A method of identifying fastener physical properties during building inspection, comprising: 
 selecting a plurality of colors to apply to an exposed surface of a fastener, where each color connotes one or more properties of the fastener;    applying one of said plurality of colors to the exposed surface of the fastener, so that the color may be recognized by a person of normal vision from a distance of at least 10 feet;    inserting the fastener into an object; and    providing a building inspector with color key indicating the physical properties that each selected color connotes.    
   
   
       10 . A joint, comprising: 
 a first surface and a second surface, the first and second surfaces being subject to a regulation which requires specified physical properties for fasteners used to join the first and second surfaces;    a fastener securing the first surface to the second surface, the fastener having a colored portion which is exposed to view, wherein the color of the colored portion has been pre-selected to define one or more of the specified physical properties which correlate to those set forth in the regulation.    
   
   
       11 . The joint of  claim 10 , wherein the regulation is contained in the Uniform Building Code.  
   
   
       12 . The joint of  claim 11 , wherein the fastener is a nail and the specified physical properties are the length and gauge of the nail.  
   
   
       13 . A method of making a fastener with physical properties which are identifiable from a distance, comprising: 
 pre-selecting a plurality of colors where each color corresponds to at least one specified physical property of a fastener;    providing a fastener having a known physical property; and    applying a specified color of the plurality to the fastener so that the color may be determined from a distance, the specified color having been pre-selected to define the known physical property of the fastener.    
   
   
       14 . A fastener and connector system, comprising: 
 a connector which is required by regulation to be used with fasteners having specified physical properties;    a first colored coating on the connector, the first coating color having been pre-selected to indicate the fasteners which regulation permits may be used with the connector;    a fastener having the specified properties, and    a second colored coating on the fastener, the second coating color having been pre-selected to define the specified physical properties.    
   
   
       15 . The fastener and connector system of  claim 14 , wherein the first coating color and the second coating color are the same color.  
   
   
       16 . The fastener and connector system of  claim 14 , wherein the first coating color and the second coating color may be different colors.