GB2590136A

GB2590136A - Fastener

Info

Publication number: GB2590136A
Application number: GB2015041.3A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Alford Roland; Gale Clive; Carrs Andrew
Original assignee: Alford IP Ltd
Current assignee: Alford IP Ltd
Priority date: 2019-09-23
Filing date: 2020-09-23
Publication date: 2021-06-23
Also published as: GB2587241A; GB201913671D0; GB202015041D0; GB2587241B

Abstract

A nail gun nail 10 comprises a tip 20 and a shank 15. At least part of the shank 15 has a non-circular section. The nail 10 may be formed from non-magnetic material such as titanium. The shank 15 may have a generally square section. The nail 10 may be used in an underwater ordnance disposal system.

Description

FASTENER

The present invention relates generally to a fastener and particularly, although not exclusively, to a nail suitable for use in conjunction with a nail gun or other means of projection.

Nail guns exist and they are often magnetic, firing magnetic nails. There are circumstances in which non-magnetic fixing mechanisms are required, for example underwater explosive ordnance disposal. In addition, existing nail gun mechanisms permit relative rotation between the gun apparatus and the fastener, which means single point captive fixing is not possible.

The present invention seeks to provide improvements in or relating to nail guns and fixings/fasteners associated therewith.

An aspect of the present invention provides a nail gun nail comprising a tip and a shank, in which at least part of the shank has a non-circular section.

A further aspect provides a nail gun nail comprising a tip and a shank, in which at least part of the shank has a non-circular section, and in which the nail is formed from non-magnetic material.

In some embodiments the nail is a captured or capturable nail e.g. in use the nail gun fires and this nails the gun to the target (i.e. the nail is not released from the gun).

In some embodiments the material from which the nail is formed is harder than that of the intended target.

A non-circular section can be used to prevent rotation of a nail (with respect to a nail gun and/or a target) when embedded into a target.

The nail may be formed from non-magnetic material; for example a nonmagnetic metal such as titanium In other embodiments, for example, at least part of the nail may be formed from an alloy, such as a nickel-chromium alloy. Some embodiments provide a nail formed from Inconel 718, for example.

In some embodiments at least part of the shank has a generally square section. For example, all or substantially all of the shank may be square sectioned, or one or more square section portions may be provided.

In some embodiments the shank includes one or more changes of section along its length, for example square then sharp.

The tip may comprise or include a sharp portion. The sharp portion allows the nail to penetrate and then become embedded in a target.

A further aspect provides a nail gun nail formed from non-magnetic material. For example a nail may be formed from titanium. In some embodiments, for example, at least part of the nail may be formed from an alloy, such as a nickel-chromium alloy. Some embodiments provide a nail gun nail formed from Inconel 718, for example.

Some aspects and embodiments relate to a single fixing point nail gun apparatus. To prevent rotation in known systems multiple fixing points are required.

In some embodiments the tip may comprise a pointed dome portion.

In some embodiments the tip may comprise a generally cylindrical portion.

In embodiments in which the nail comprises a round-to-square transition, for example between a cylindrical portion and a square portion.

Nails formed in accordance with the present invention may comprise a sabot.

The present invention also provides a ballistic nail assembly comprising a nail having a tip and a shank, at the end of the shank opposite the tip a driving band, or the like is provided.

A washer may be used as a driving band and may be formed from polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE). The washer may be useful during projection of the nail. In some embodiments a plurality or washers are provided.

The assembly may further comprise a driving base. The base may be used to provide a seal during projection.

The base may, for example, be formed from a ductile material such as brass or lead. As brass is relatively soft it can expand during projection of the nail, making it possible to provide a useful seal.

When the nail is fired, the base and/or driving band can help to provide a seal in a firing barrel, preventing gases from blowing passed the nail.

The nail component of the assembly may be formed from non-magnetic material, for example titanium.

The assembly may comprise a nail as described herein.

Also provided is a nail or an assembly as described herein in combination with a nail gun.

Also provided is a nail gun apparatus comprising a nail gun and a captured nail, the nail comprising a tip and a shank, in which at least part of the shank has a non-circular section to prevent rotation between the nail and the gun.

Also provided is a nail gun apparatus comprising a nail gun and a captured nail, the nail gun includes a barrel and the barrel is provided with a nail trap for preventing the nail from being released from the barrel when the nail is fired along the barrel in use.

Also provided is an underwater explosive ordnance disposal system comprising a nail gun and a captured nail, the nail comprising a tip and a shank, in which at least part of the shank has a non-circular section to prevent rotation between the nail and the gun.

Also provided is an underwater explosive ordnance disposal system comprising a single point captive fixing nail gun and a captured nail for attaching the gun to a target, the nail comprising a tip and a shank, in which there is provided means to prevent rotation between the nail and the gun.

The nail gun may include a barrel having one or more vent holes. This can be used to prevent pressure lock in use.

Different aspects and embodiments of the invention may be used separately or together.

Further particular and preferred aspects of the present invention are set out in the accompanying independent and dependent claims. Features of the 25 dependent claims may be combined with the features of the independent claims as appropriate, and in combinations other than those explicitly set out in the claims.

The present invention will now be more particularly described, by way of 5 example, with reference to the accompanying drawings.

The example embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those of ordinary skill in the art to embody and implement the systems and processes herein described. It is important to understand that embodiments can be provided in many alternate forms and should not be construed as limited to the examples set forth herein.

Accordingly, while embodiment can be modified in various ways and take on various alternative forms, specific embodiments thereof are shown in the drawings and described in detail below as examples. There is no intent to limit to the particular forms disclosed. On the contrary, all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the scope of the appended claims should be included. Elements of the example embodiments are consistently denoted by the same reference numerals throughout the drawings and detailed description where appropriate.

Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein are to be interpreted as is customary in the art. It will be further understood that terms in common usage should also be interpreted as is customary in the relevant art and not in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein.

In the following description, all orientational terms, such as upper, lower, radially and axially, are used in relation to the drawings and should not be interpreted as limiting on the invention.

Referring first to Figure 1 there is shown a nail gun nail generally indicated 10.

The nail comprises an elongate shank/shaft portion 15 and a tip portion 20 provided at one end of the shank 15.

The shank portion 15 has a generally square section, thereby having four flat generally rectangular faces 17 each terminating with a parabolic curve 19.

The tip portion 20 comprises a pointed dome shape terminus 25. Behind the terminus 25 is a generally cylindrical section 30.

Between the cylindrical section 30 and the shank portion 15 is an inclined round-to-square portion 35.

The nail 10 is formed from a non-magnetic material, titanium in this embodiment, that can be driven into steel and other materials.

The nail profile provides a sharp point which is able to embed itself in an object and a shaft profile that prevents it from buckling or snapping as it is driven in. Once embedded the square section prevents rotation.

Figures 2 to 4 show a ballistic nail assembly 150. The assembly comprises a nail 110. The nail 110 is similar to the nail 10. In this embodiment the end of the shank opposite the tip an annular flange 155 is provided. Beyond the flange is a cylindrical terminus 160.

An annular washer 165 is provided and fits onto the terminus 160, resting on the flange 155. In this embodiment the washer 165 is formed from PTFE.

A base 170 is provided and fits onto the terminus, resting on the washer 165. In this embodiment the base 170 is formed as a brass cup.

In use the nail assembly 150 can be fired from a nail gun apparatus (not shown), for example being fired through a barrel. The base 170 expands as the nail is fired, providing a seal in the barrel (known as "fire forming"). Vents may be provided in a barrel to prevent pressure lock. The washer 165 provides a better push during firing.

Figure 5 shows a section of a nail shank 215. The section is generally square.

Figure 6 is a section of a nail shank 315 formed according to a further embodiment. In this embodiment the section is generally square, but includes four On this embodiment) longitudinal scallops 380 which reduce the material in the nail without significantly decreasing longitudinal strength/stiffness (resistance against deformation as the nail penetrates a target).

Figure 7 shows a nail 410 formed according to a further embodiment.

The nail 410 includes a tip 425, a shank 415 and a head 490.

The tip 425 is generally triangular and pointed.

In this embodiment the shank 415 include four concave longitudinal scallops 480.

The head 490 is generally cylindrical and includes two spaced circumferential 15 grooves 492, 494 in which two annular washes 496, 498 are provided.

Figure 8 shows a nail 510 formed according to a further embodiment.

In this embodiment the shank 515 include four flat longitudinal scallops 580.

The head 590 is generally cylindrical and includes two spaced circumferential grooves 592, 594 in which two annular washes 596, 598 are provided.

Figure 9 shows a variety of non-magnetic ballistic nails formed in accordance with the present invention. It shows various nail shank and nail tip designs in various materials (including Titanium and nickel-chromium alloys such as Inconel (RIM), for example Inconel 718) Figure 10 is a cross section of a nail gun 500 that is shown with a nail 510 generally of the type shown in Figure 8 loaded into a barrel 502. In this embodiment the barrel includes a vent hole 504.

The end of the barrel 502 is provided with a screw thread formation 503. A nail trap 505 is provided and has an internal screw thread formation 506 allowing it to be screwed onto the barrel. The trap 505 has an aperture 507 which is wide enough for the nail shank 515 to pass through, but is smaller than the nail head 590. In this embodiment, for example, the nail shank is approximately 9mm Dia. and the nail head is approximately 12mm Dia.

The trap 505 is shown in more detail in Figures 11A-C (perspective, side and plan views).

Figure 12 shows a nail gun 600. A nail 610 has been fired down the barrel 602 and is shown captured/stopped by the trap 605; the shank/tip of the nail is shown projecting through the trap aperture 607.

A sabot 608 fits over the nail shank 615 and acts as a buffer to reduce impact on the nail head (which in some cases could shear off and allow the nail to pass through the trap). In some embodiments the nail head is strengthened and this can make it possible to remove the sabot.

Although illustrative embodiments of the invention have been disclosed in detail herein, with reference to the accompanying drawings, it is understood that the invention is not limited to the precise embodiments shown and that various changes and modifications can be effected therein by one skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A nail gun nail comprising a tip and a shank, in which at least part of the shank has a non-circular section.
A nail as claimed in claim 1, in which the nail is formed from nonmagnetic material.
A nail as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, in which the nail is formed from titanium.
A nail as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, in which the nail is formed from a nickel-chromium alloy.
5. A nail as claimed in any preceding claim, in which at least part of the shank has a generally square section.
A nail as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the tip comprises a sharp portion.
7. A nail as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the tip comprises a pointed dome portion.
8. A nail as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the tip comprises a generally cylindrical portion.
9. A nail as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the tip comprises a round-to-square transition.
10. A nail as claimed in any preceding claim, further comprising a sabot.
11. A ballistic nail assembly comprising a nail having a tip and a shank, at the end of the shank opposite the tip a driving band is provided.
12 An assembly as claimed in claim 11, in which the driving band is a washer.
13. An assembly as claimed in claim 12, in which the washer is formed from PTFE.
14. An assembly as claimed in any of claims 11 to 13, further comprising a base.
15. An assembly as claimed in claim 14, in which the base is formed from brass.
16. An assembly as claimed in claim 14 or claim 15, in which the base is generally cup-shaped.
17. An assembly as claimed in any of claims 11 to 16, in which the nail is formed from non-magnetic material.
18. An assembly as claimed in any of claims 11 to 17, in which the nail is formed from titanium.
19. An assembly as claimed in any of claims 11 to 18, in which the nail is a nail as claimed in any of claims 1 to 10.
20 A nail or assembly as claimed in any preceding claim in combination with a nail gun.
21. A nail gun apparatus comprising a nail gun and a captured nail, the nail comprising a tip and a shank, in which at least part of the shank has a non- 1 5 circular section to prevent rotation between the nail and the gun.
22. A nail gun apparatus comprising a nail gun and a captured nail, the nail gun includes a barrel and the barrel is provided with a nail trap for preventing the nail from being released from the barrel when the nail is fired along the barrel in use.
23. A combination or apparatus as claimed in any of claims 20 to 22, in which the nail gun includes a barrel having one or more vent holes.
24. An underwater explosive ordnance disposal system comprising a single point captive fixing nail gun and a captured nail for attaching the gun to a target, the nail comprising a tip and a shank, in which there is provided means to prevent rotation between the nail and the gun.
25. A nail gun nail formed from non-magnetic material.