Joist-Fitting Deck Board Spacer for Consistent Gaps and Warp Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing deck construction methods lack a simple and effective way to achieve consistent spacing between deck boards and prevent warping, often requiring cumbersome jigs that are time-consuming and inefficient.
Innovation Solution
A deck board spacer with a spacer portion and angled arms that fit snugly around joists, providing consistent spacing and remaining in place to prevent warping, made from a resiliently deformable material.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a jig is used to maintain spacing between deck boards during construction, then consistent spacing can be achieved, but the construction process becomes awkward and time consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs disposable paper spacers that are inexpensive and single-use, eliminating the need for complex reusable jigs. These spacers are placed between deck boards during installation to maintain consistent spacing, then removed after the boards are fastened, significantly reducing construction time and complexity while ensuring precise spacing alignment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the spacing function from complex reusable jigs and implements it through simple, removable paper spacers. This separation allows the spacing mechanism to be easily deployed and removed, streamlining the construction process while maintaining precision spacing between deck boards without the burden of cumbersome equipment.
2Manufacturing precision
If a jig is used to maintain spacing between deck boards, then spacing consistency can be achieved, but the device becomes awkward to use
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces awkward reusable jigs with simple disposable paper spacers that are easy to handle and position. These spacers require minimal effort to install between deck boards, maintain consistent spacing during fastening, and are easily removed afterward, dramatically improving ease of operation while preserving spacing precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the essential spacing function from complex jigs and implements it through simple paper spacers that can be easily manipulated by hand. This simplification makes the spacing mechanism intuitive to use, requiring no complex assembly or adjustment, thereby greatly enhancing ease of operation while maintaining accurate spacing.
3Manufacturing precision
If temporary spacers are used during deck construction, then spacing can be maintained, but the construction process becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs simple disposable paper spacers instead of complex temporary spacing systems. These spacers are straightforward to position between deck boards, maintain consistent spacing during the fastening process, and are easily removed afterward, reducing construction complexity to minimal steps while ensuring precise spacing alignment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the spacing function from complex temporary systems and implements it through simple paper spacers. This separation eliminates the need for complex assembly, adjustment, and removal procedures associated with traditional temporary spacers, thereby simplifying the overall construction process while maintaining consistent spacing between deck boards.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Facilitates easy installation with consistent spacing and reduces warping of deck boards over time, eliminating the need for temporary spacers and simplifying the construction process.
Implementation Method 1
made from a resiliently deformable material
Data Source
AI summary
A deck board spacer for use in deck construction wherein the deck has a plurality of deck boards attached to a plurality of deck joists. The deck board spacer includes a spacer portion and a first arm spaced from a second arm. The spacer portion has a first and second distal end and a top spacer portion edge, a bottom spacer portion edge, a front spacer portion edge and a back spacer portion edge. The pair of spaced apart first and second arm extend downwardly from the bottom spacer portion edge and forwardly from front spacer portion edge of the respective first and second distal end of the spacer portion. The first and second arm each have a bottom arm edge, a front arm edge and a back arm edge.