Dual Positionable Fastener Adaptor for Oblique Wood Connections
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for securing wood structural members, particularly the top plate to roof trusses or rafters, face challenges in achieving a consistent and precise 22.5° angle for threaded fasteners, which is crucial for meeting building code requirements, while being cumbersome and dangerous due to the use of ladders and bulky nail guns.
Innovation Solution
A dual positionable adaptor is mounted to a fastener driver assembly, providing a guide head with a fastener opening and a pivotable guide assembly that allows for precise oblique entry angles, enabling consistent installation of threaded fasteners at 22.5° or other angles, eliminating the need for ladders and improving safety.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional methods using ladders and bulky nail guns are used to install fasteners, then workers can reach high locations, but the operation becomes dangerous and difficult to maneuver
Solution Approach 1:
The adaptor assembly serves as an intermediary device between the fastener driver and the structural members. It provides a stable mounting platform with engagement surfaces that contact the top plate and rafters, eliminating the need for workers to stand on ladders while maintaining safe and effective fastener installation capability
2Reliability
If threaded fasteners are installed at precise oblique angles to meet building codes, then connection integrity is improved, but installation precision becomes more difficult to achieve
Solution Approach 1:
The adaptor assembly is pre-configured with guide surfaces and engagement edges that establish the correct oblique angle before fastener installation begins. The guide surface is positioned at the precise angle required by building codes, so when the fastener driver engages the adaptor, the fastener is automatically guided at the correct angle, eliminating the need for workers to manually calculate or measure angles during installation
Solution Approach 2:
The adaptor assembly acts as an intermediary guide between the fastener driver and the structural members. It includes a guide surface that contacts the rafter or truss and engagement surfaces that contact the top plate, creating a stable geometric reference that ensures consistent fastener angles. This intermediary device transfers the precise angular relationship to the fastener installation process
3Strength
If multiple fasteners are installed to meet code requirements, then connection strength is improved, but installation time and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The adaptor assembly is designed as a universal device that can install multiple different types of fasteners (screws, bolts, lag bolts) through a single interface. The fastener driver can be exchanged while the adaptor remains mounted on the structural members, allowing workers to efficiently install various fastener types without changing the adaptor or repositioning equipment, thereby maintaining both connection strength requirements and installation efficiency
Data Source
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AI summary
A dual positionable adaptor for a fastener driver assembly employs a guide assembly mounted to a guide head which has an entry surface for a fastener. The arms each define a pair of reference engagement edges which engage either an upper horizontal member or a lower horizontal member and together with the entry surface defines a proper entry location and angle for connecting a vertical stud to either an upper plate or a lower plate. In one embodiment, the dual positionable adaptor may employ a pair of pivoting arms which defines one of two pivot positions for a guide assembly. Arms of the guide assembly each have a first reference engagement edge and a second reference engagement edge. In a first guide position, the adaptor provides an optimal position and entry angle for connecting a top plate to a lateral blocking. In a second position, the adaptor provides an optimal position and entry angle for driving a fastener through a lower plate into a lateral blocking.