Importance

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Abstract

A truss plate includes a generally planar backing member that includes a plurality of elongate apertures defined by a pair of side edges and a pair of end edges and a plurality of teeth, each of which extends in a first direction from one side of the backing member. At least some of the teeth comprise a shank and a tip portion. The shank extends from a position adjacent an end edge of one of the apertures and comprises a major shank portion, a minor shank portion, and an arcuate base portion. The major shank portion is generally arcuate in cross-section. The major and minor shank portions are separated by a crease extending in the first direction from the backing member, with one end of the crease being substantially centered between the side edges of the aperture. The shank is twisted about an axis parallel to the first direction so that the major shank portion is substantially larger than the minor shank portion. The tip portion has a generally planar inner surface and a pair of sloping edges terminating in a sharp point. The tip portion is fixed to and merges with the major and minor shank portions opposite the base. The sloping edges are of different lengths. Truss plates having teeth with this configuration have proven to be stronger than prior art truss plates of equivalent thickness and material type. A punch tool for forming such truss plates is also disclosed.

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First Claim