Resilient Compression Fastener for Grooved Decking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fastener systems for securing grooved boards to underlying support structures are inadequate as they often fail to forcibly engage the grooves, leading to movement of boards during temperature changes, require manual alignment, and are not suitable for confined spaces or double joists, resulting in aesthetic and safety issues.
Innovation Solution
A fastener unit comprising a spacer block with a grip element and resilient compression elements that fit within the board groove, expanding to forcibly secure the board, allowing self-supported installation and adaptation to various spacings and joist configurations, including fracturable joints for easy placement in confined areas.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional hidden fasteners with fixed thickness flanges are used, then the fastener structure is simple, but the flanges cannot adapt to different groove thicknesses and may not fit properly
Solution Approach 1:
The fastener employs resilient compression elements that can dynamically adjust their thickness to match different groove dimensions. These elements are designed to be compressible, allowing them to deform and adapt to varying groove depths and widths, thereby achieving versatility without requiring multiple fixed-thickness fastener variants
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the physical parameter of the fastener elements from fixed thickness to variable thickness through compression. By applying compressive force to the resilient elements, their thickness parameter changes to match the groove dimensions, enabling the same fastener design to work across different board and groove configurations
2Ease of operation
If hidden fasteners require manual alignment with grooves during installation, then the fastener can be securely positioned, but the installation process becomes cumbersome and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The resilient compression elements provide self-alignment capability during installation. As the fastener is inserted into the groove, the resilient elements automatically compress and conform to the groove geometry without requiring manual positioning or alignment by the installer, making the installation process intuitive and rapid
Solution Approach 2:
The fastener design incorporates pre-compressed resilient elements that are ready to engage the groove immediately upon insertion. The elements are pre-configured to expand and lock into the groove space, eliminating the need for preliminary alignment steps and enabling direct drop-in installation
3Adaptability or versatility
If hidden fasteners use fixed base heights, then the fastener manufacturing is simplified, but the fasteners may not properly conceal double or triple joists or fit confined spaces
Solution Approach 1:
The resilient compression elements provide adjustable height through compression, allowing the same fastener design to accommodate single, double, or triple joist configurations. By compressing the elements to different degrees, the fastener base can reach varying depths to properly conceal different joist arrangements without requiring multiple fixed-height fastener variants
Solution Approach 2:
The invention creates a universal fastener design where the resilient elements can serve multiple functions across different installation scenarios. The same fastener structure can be used for standard spacing, double joists, triple joists, and confined spaces by simply adjusting the compression level, eliminating the need to manufacture separate fastener types for each application
4Adaptability or versatility
If hidden fasteners use fixed thickness flanges, then the fastener design is straightforward, but the flanges cannot be compressed to fit within narrower grooves
Solution Approach 1:
The fastener incorporates resilient compression elements that function as flexible structural components. These elements can be compressed radially and longitudinally to fit within grooves of varying widths and depths, providing the necessary flexibility to adapt to different board and groove dimensions without requiring complex adjustable mechanisms
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
The fastener unit provides secure and aesthetically pleasing attachment of boards to support structures, preventing movement during temperature changes and allowing for easy installation without manual alignment, while accommodating different spacings and joist configurations.
Implementation Method 1
the resilient compression element is vertically compressible so that portions of it can be compressed from an open mode to a compressed mode. In the compressed mode, the resilient compression element is sized and dimensioned smaller than a width of the groove so that the element can fit within the groove. After placement in the groove, the portions can expand within the groove to forcibly engage the groove
Data Source
AI summary
A fastener unit and related method for securing a board to a support is provided. The fastener unit includes a spacer block, a grip element extending from the spacer block and configured to fit in and engage a groove of the board, and one or more resilient compression elements extending from the spacer block. The one or more resilient compression elements can be a joist leg configured to engage a joist, or it can be vertically compressible toward a first plane that is transverse to a vertical axis of the spacer block so that portions of it can compress from an open mode to a compressed mode and fit within, then forcibly expand within the groove, thereby securing the spacer block in a position adjacent the groove to establish a gap between the board and another board. A related method of use also is provided.