U.S. patent application number 12/030762 was filed with the patent office on 2008-08-14 for hidden deck fastener.
Invention is credited to Jeff Van Fleet.
Application Number | 20080190069 12/030762 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39684668 |
Filed Date | 2008-08-14 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080190069 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Van Fleet; Jeff |
August 14, 2008 |
Hidden Deck Fastener
Abstract
A fastener used to attach adjacent, parallel boards to a
transverse support structure such as in a deck, dock or similar
structure. The fastener consists of two sides that are generally
perpendicular to each other. One side is longer with respect to the
other resulting in tabs extending out on opposite ends of the
fastener. The short side of the fastener is attached to the
underside of a board. The board is then turned upright and placed
into position. One of the tabs is attached to the support
structure. The other tab extends under, and is held down by, a
previously installed board.
Inventors: |
Van Fleet; Jeff; (Kalispell,
MT) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Jeff Van Fleet
573 1st Avenue E.N.
Kalispell
MT
59901
US
|
Family ID: |
39684668 |
Appl. No.: |
12/030762 |
Filed: |
February 13, 2008 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60901493 |
Feb 14, 2007 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
52/712 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E04F 2015/02072
20130101; E04F 15/02183 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
52/712 |
International
Class: |
E04B 1/38 20060101
E04B001/38 |
Claims
1. A fastening device for securing boards to a support structure,
said fastening device comprising: a first side joined to a second
side, said sides having a predetermined shape extending generally
perpendicularly from a longitudinal axis of said fastening device
at the juncture of said sides.
2. The fastening device of claim 1 wherein said first side has a
plurality of penetrations.
3. The fastening device of claim 1 wherein said second side has a
plurality of penetrations.
4. The fastening device of claim 1 wherein said sides have
sufficient rigidity to resist deformation during fastening.
5. The fastening device of claim 1 wherein said fastening device is
formed from corrosion resistant material.
6. A fastening device for securing boards to a support structure,
said fastening device comprising: a first side joined to a second
side, said sides having a predetermined shape extending generally
perpendicularly from a longitudinal axis of said fastening device
at the juncture of said sides, said first side being longer with
respect to said second side and extending lengthwise beyond said
second side at either end, resulting in two tabs, one on either end
of said fastening device.
7. The fastening device of claim 6 where said tabs of said first
side extend beyond the ends of said second side.
8. The fastening device of claim 6 where said tabs are comprised of
a front tab and a back tab.
9. The fastening device of claim 6 wherein said back tab extends
under a previously installed board.
10. The fastening device of claim 6 wherein said front tab is
attached to said support structure.
11. A fastening device for securing boards to a support structure,
said fastening device comprising: a first side joined to a second
side, said sides having a predetermined shape extending generally
perpendicularly from a longitudinal axis of said device at the
juncture of said sides, said first side being longer than said
second side, said first side extending lengthwise beyond ends of
said second side.
12. The fastening device of claim 11 wherein said second side is
attached to the under-side of a board.
13. The fastening device of claim 11 wherein said first side is
attached to the said support structure.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Application No. 60/901,493 filed on Feb. 14, 2007 and is hereby
incorporated by reference in its entirety.
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT
[0002] Not Applicable
REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM
LISTING COMPACT DISC APPENDIX
[0003] Not Applicable
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0004] The present invention relates to devices for fastening
boards to supporting structures and more particularly to a fastener
for securing adjoining boards to a common sub-structural element
such as a joist.
[0005] Conventional decks typically include horizontal floors
raised above the ground and supported by an underlying support
structure. Decks are often attached to adjacent residential or
commercial buildings. Deck boards are placed side by side during
construction of a deck, and are typically arranged to cross the
support structures, such as joints at an angle perpendicular to the
longitudinal axis of the joist. Other structures utilizing similar
flooring techniques include boat docks, ramps, stairs, landings,
bridges, platforms and for structures for surrounding or enclosing
swimming pools and hot tubs.
[0006] Typically, decks are constructed to withstand exposure to
the elements and are often constructed from pressure treated wood
or, more recently, plastic or composite material. Whether the deck
boards, which form the flooring of the deck are comprised of wood,
plastic, composite or other material, the support structure is
typically formed of commonly available pressure treated lumber. The
support structure is formed with joist and headers attached to
posts. The deck boards are typically transversely fixed across the
joist to the support structure, in a generally parallel
relationship, by way of nails or screws, driven through the upper
surface of the deck board into the joist below.
[0007] This manner of attaching deck boards to the support
structure presents several disadvantages. If nails or screws are
used, they typically cause discoloration of the surrounding wood
surface over time. In addition, in driving the nail through the
board, the surface of the board is often marred during hammering,
causing unsightly dents and scratches to the top surface of the
board. When using screws it is often necessary to drill a pilot
hole to prevent the boards from splitting. This adds to the amount
of time and labor that is needed to install the deck boards. Over
time, nails and screws can work themselves loose from the board,
projecting upward from the board's surface. Not only is this
aesthetically unpleasing, it causes the deck board to loosen
against the joist and also constitutes a safety hazard,
particularly to individuals walking over the deck surface barefoot.
In addition, both nails and screws are unsightly and detract from
the appearance of the deck.
[0008] Therefore, it is desirable to have a fastening device which
overcomes the shortcomings of the prior art fasteners and which
attaches boards to the support structure with an unmarked upper
surface.
[0009] U.S. Pat. No. 4,965,980 (Leavens) discloses an anchoring
bracket for use in attaching substantially parallel boards to a
generally transverse member or joist. While the deck bracket of
Leaven has certain advantages over the prior art, it also has a
number of disadvantages. Of these, the major disadvantage is that
it requires the operator to have access to a region below the deck
to enable the fasteners to be inserted upwardly through the holes
in the angled portion and then driven into the deck boards.
Moreover, the board spacer tabs are at fixed modular distances and
cannot easily accommodate variations in the width of the deck
boards. Also, this type of fastener requires two people to install
the deck, one person above the deck and one person below. In
addition, this type of fastener is easily visible from above the
surface of the deck.
[0010] U.S. Pat. No. 5,027,573 (Commins) describes a fastener that
requires driving metal prongs into the sides of the deck boards.
While this method can hold down deck boards its disadvantages are
obvious. When driving the prongs into the sides of the boards the
boards can split or crack. The prongs will create openings in the
boards that allow water to enter which can cause the boards to
decay or crack. Also, this type of fastener does not allow the gap
between adjacent boards to be adjusted based on choice of deck
materials or personal preference. In addition, this type of
fastener is easily visible from above the surface of the deck.
[0011] U.S. Pat. No. 4,844,651 (Partridge) describes a decking clip
which attaches to the edge of a decking board and also on the
under-surface thereof leaving an apertured lip projecting adjacent
the lower surface of the board. These clips must be pre-attached to
a deck board on both edges thereof with clips along one edge
aligned with spaced joists and clips along the opposite edge
misaligned with the joists. Boards are secured to the joists by
engaging the misaligned lips under a board fixed to the joists and
securing the opposite side of the board to the joists with
fasteners extending through the apertured lips. Although effective
for their purpose, these clips are expensive in that two rows of
clips are required and otherwise are time consuming to attach. In
addition, this type of fastener is easily visible from above the
surface of the deck.
[0012] U.S. Pat. No. 6,851,884 (Eberle) describes a method of
attachment that requires the cutting of a slot into the sides of
the boards using a biscuit jointer or the like. The board is then
held down with a small piece of plastic or metal that is screwed
into the joist. This method of attachment has several
disadvantages. Firstly, installation is a very labor intensive
process. Secondly, the boards are held down by only a thin slice of
material. This can result in failure of the attachment over time.
Thirdly, the cut into the side of the deck board allows water to
enter the board which can result in the decay or splitting of the
board. Also, this type of fastener does not allow the gap between
adjacent boards to be adjusted based on choice of deck materials or
personal preference. In addition, this type of fastener is easily
visible from above the surface of the deck.
[0013] U.S. Pat. No. 5,997,209 (Sachs) describes a fastener that
requires the cutting of a slot into the sides of the boards using a
biscuit jointer or the like. The board is then held down with a
small piece of plastic or metal that is screwed into the joist.
This method of attachment has several disadvantages. Firstly,
installation is a very labor intensive process. Secondly, the
boards are held down by only a thin slice of material. This can
result in failure of the attachment over time. Thirdly, the cut
into the side of the deck board allows water to enter the board
which can result in the decay or splitting of the board. Also, this
type of fastener does not allow the gap between adjacent boards to
be adjusted based on choice of deck materials or personal
preference. In addition, this type of fastener is easily visible
from above the surface of the deck.
[0014] U.S. Pat. No. 6,416,269 (Martel) describes a fastener that
requires driving metal prongs into the sides of the deck boards.
While this method can hold down deck boards its disadvantages are
obvious. When driving the prongs into the sides of the boards the
boards can split or crack. The prongs will create openings in the
boards that allow water to enter which can cause the boards to
decay or crack. Also, this type of fastener does not allow the gap
between adjacent boards to be adjusted based on choice of deck
materials or personal preference. In addition, this type of
fastener is easily visible from above the surface of the deck.
[0015] U.S. Pat. No. 6,810,633 (Harris Sr.) describes a fastener
that requires the cutting of a slot into the sides of the boards
using a biscuit jointer or the like. The board is then held down
with a small piece of plastic or metal that is screwed into the
joist. This method of attachment has several disadvantages.
Firstly, installation is a very labor intensive process. Secondly,
the boards are held down by only a thin slice of material. This can
result in failure of the attachment over time. Thirdly, the cut
into the side of the deck board allows water to enter the board
which can result in the decay or splitting of the board. Also, this
type of fastener does not allow the gap between adjacent boards to
be adjusted based on choice of deck materials or personal
preference. In addition, this type of fastener is easily visible
from above the surface of the deck.
[0016] U.S. Pat. No. 5,775,048 (Orchard) describes a fastener that
is attached first to the joists and then the deck boards are
attached from underneath the deck by using toe nails or screws.
This type of fastener requires access below the structure which is
not always available. Also, this type of fastener requires two
people to install the deck, one person above the deck and one
person below. In addition, this type of fastener is easily visible
from above the surface of the deck.
[0017] U.S. Pat. No. 6,299,400 (Tebo) describes a fastener that
requires driving metal prongs into the side of the deck boards.
While this method can hold down deck boards its disadvantages are
obvious. When driving the prongs into the sides of the boards the
boards can split or crack. The prongs will create openings in the
boards that allow water to enter which can cause the boards to
decay or crack. Also, this type of fastener does not allow the gap
between adjacent boards to be adjusted based on choice of deck
materials or personal preference. In addition, this type of
fastener is easily visible from above the surface of the deck.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0018] It is an object of the present invention to provide a secure
attachment of boards to transverse supporting members of a deck,
dock, or other structure, without the use of visible fasteners.
[0019] It is yet another object of the present invention to
eliminate the need to pre-drill or counter-sink screws to in order
to attach the boards to the support structure.
[0020] It is also an object of the present invention to allow the
boards to be installed while still allowing for an adjustable side
gap between the boards.
[0021] It is also an object of the present invention to eliminate
the need to penetrate either the sides, or the top, of the deck
board.
[0022] It is also an object of the present invention to allow the
boards to be installed from above the deck, or similar structure,
by one person.
[0023] The board fastener of the present invention is attached
first to the under-side of the board. The fastener has two
protruding tabs that will extend outward from either side of the
board. The board is then turned upright and placed into position
with the proper side gap. When the board is installed, the rear tab
of the fastener extends under, and is held down by, a previously
installed board. The front tab is then attached to a joist using a
screw, nail or staple. Whenever an obstruction may interfere with
the attachment of the fastener (i.e. stringers, blocking, fascia
boards, etc. . . . ) the fastener can be trimmed to enable
attachment. The board fastener of the present invention allows one
person to install all of the boards from above the surface of the
structure without the fasteners being visible from above the
surface of the structure.
[0024] It is to be understood that while certain forms of this
invention have been illustrated and described, it is not limited
thereto except insofar as such limitations are included in the
following claims and allowable equivalents thereof.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS
[0025] FIG. 1 is an isometric view of the fastener.
[0026] FIG. 2 is an isometric view of the fastener showing how it
is attached to the underside of a board.
[0027] FIG. 3 illustrates how the fastener is used to attach the
boards to the underlying support structure.
[0028] FIG. 4 illustrates the installation of a fastener that has
been trimmed to allow for obstructions such as stringers, blocking,
etc. . . .
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0029] As shown in FIG. 1 the present invention is preferably
comprised of a long side 1 joined perpendicularly to a short side
2. This results in two tabs 3, 4 that extend outward on either end.
For the purpose of illustration, tab 3 will be considered the front
tab and tab 4 will be considered the back tab. In actual use either
tab can be considered the front tab with the other tab being the
back tab. In most instances the fastener is attached to the board
using a screw, nail or staple through penetrations 8 and 10. In
most typical installations penetrations 5, 6 and 9 are not used.
Penetration 7 is used in conjunction with a screw, nail or staple
to attach the present invention to an underlying support structure
as illustrated in FIG. 3.
[0030] As shown in FIG. 2 the fastener is attached to the underside
of a board 11 using a screw, nail or staple (not shown) through
penetrations 8 and 10 of the short side 2. The long side 1 extends
perpendicularly to the board 11. Tabs 3 and 4 extend beyond the
edges of the board
[0031] As shown in FIG. 3 the board 11 with the fastener attached
is angled into proper position so that the back tab 4 will be
located under a previously installed board 11. The side gap between
the boards is set at the proper dimension. The front tab 3 is then
attached to the support structure 12 with a screw, nail or staple
(not shown) through penetration 7. The top edge 13 of the back tab
4 of each fastener is held down by a previously installed board
11.
[0032] As shown in FIG. 4 the fasteners can be trimmed to provide
clearance for obstructions such as stringers, blocking, etc. A
trimmed fastener is often used when installing the first and last
boards. When trimmed, the short side 2 of the fastener is attached
to a board 11 using penetrations 9 and 10. Penetration 6 is used to
attach the long side 1 to the support structure. The front tab 3 is
then attached to the support structure using penetration 7.
* * * * *