Thompson, a former aircraft mechanic with 20 years experience, designed the "Clincher," an eight-inch long piece of steel that curves around to join the roof rafter and the top plate of the wall. This is done while also avoiding the frieze board above the sheathing on the side of the home.
Not all homes have this design situation, but those that do have a more difficult time using the clips found in hardware stores, Thompson says.
The "Clincher" sells for $3.40. It is made of 14-gauge steel by Crenshaw Tool and Die Manufacturing Co. in Orange County, Calif.
Thompson, who lives in Makakilo, has been selling the clips for the past two years. Contractors have used them on homes and one one condominium.
About $200 worth of Clinchers is enough for most homes, he said.
His latest design is a system for attaching plywood storm shutters over windows to block any heavy objects from smashing the windows.
This system uses wall brackets, hooks, keyhole brackets and wing nuts. For a small window, Thompson figures the total cost would be about $22; for a large window about $36.