Hidden deck fastener and method of use

Abstract

A hidden deck fastener for joining adjacent deck boards and securing the boards to an underlying joist includes a biscuit core having an upper face and a lower face, two supporting leg members attached to the lower face, arranged on opposite sides of a central region of the biscuit core and extending downwardly, a screw well located in the central region, the screw well having a central cavity within the upper face and a controlled flash continuous with the lower face, the controlled flash defining the bottom of the well, a ridge defining a central beam extending through a least a lower portion of the screw well, the central beam extending between the leg members through the central region of the biscuit core, and foot members connected to the lower end of the legs, defined by a living hinge groove at the lower end of the legs.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0001]1. Field of the Invention[0002]The invention pertains to the field of joining and connecting systems. More particularly, the invention pertains to a fastener for joining adjacent boards and for securing the boards to an underlying support, such as a joist, being particularly well-suited for outdoor platform deck construction.[0003]2. Description of Related Art[0004]Outdoor spaced board platforms, generally referred to as decks, are becoming increasingly popular additions to homes, offices, restaurants and the like. They generally are made from a plurality of elongate, flat laid, closely spaced boards, connected to and supported on their bottom surfaces by framing with spaced joists, stringers, beams or the like, forming a secure floor.[0005]Deck boards traditionally are cut from natural wood or pressure-treated lumber, but have been increasingly manufactured from various composites made from wood and / or other cellulosic materials mixed with various r...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0020]The invention provides an improved fastener for fastening adjacent deck boards to one another and securing the deck boards to the supporting joist, that is stronger, easier to install, more effective at securing boards to an underlying joist, and more effective at preventing relative movement between adjacent boards. These and other features and advantages will become readily apparent from the following detailed description, which should be read in conjunction with the accompanying drawing figures.

Problems solved by technology

The problems associated with this method are well known and include: (1) nails backing out with seasonal swelling and shrinkage of the wood, (2) rusting of the nails and staining of the deck boards, (3) wood bruises of the deck boards by hammer marks, and (4) loosening of the boards due to nail pull out.

Although there are numerous known devices that are intended to aid in fastening adjacent deck boards to one another and / or securing deck boards to the supporting joists, unfortunately, prior art deck clips suffer from several problems, which limit their utility.

For example, many prior art deck clips don't provide substantial holding force, resulting in loose deck boards.

Many prior art deck clips also are difficult to install or do not effectively grip the deck boards, often causing the boards to shift.

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