Severable Deck Clips for Hidden Fastening and Expansion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional methods for attaching decking planks to an underlying support structure, such as nailing or screwing, are aesthetically unappealing, create tripping hazards, and can lead to uneven spacing and structural stress due to differential expansion and contraction of materials, and damage the wood.
Innovation Solution
Interconnected and on-site severable deck clips with a cooperating installation tool that securely fasten decking planks to the support structure without the need for nails or screws, allowing for relative movement and avoiding damage to the planks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If nails or screws are used to fasten decking planks to the support structure, then the planks are securely attached, but the exposed heads create tripping hazards and aesthetic issues
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the fastening elements (nails or screws) from the visible surface of the decking planks by using clips that attach to the underside or edge of the planks. The clips secure the planks to the support structure while keeping all fastening components hidden, thereby eliminating tripping hazards and aesthetic issues while maintaining secure attachment.
2Reliability
If nails or screws are driven through decking planks, then secure fastening is achieved, but the planks may split or deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the fastening action from the plank material itself by using clips that attach to the underside or edge of the planks rather than driving fasteners through the plank. This eliminates the creation of holes that could cause splitting or accelerate deterioration from weather and insects, while still achieving secure fastening through the clip mechanism.
3Stability of the object's composition
If rigid fastening is used to attach decking planks, then structural stability is improved, but differential expansion and contraction causes stress and uneven spacing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs dynamic fastening clips that allow for controlled movement and adjustment. The clips are designed to accommodate differential expansion and contraction between decking planks and support structures by permitting slight movements while maintaining secure attachment. This dynamic capability prevents stress buildup and uneven spacing while preserving structural stability.
4Ease of manufacture
If traditional fastening methods are used, then installation is simple, but the process creates holes and requires precise alignment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses pre-formed clips that are attached to the support structure before the decking planks are installed. These pre-positioned clips provide built-in alignment guides and positioning features that simplify the installation process, eliminating the need for precise manual alignment and hole drilling while maintaining secure attachment.
Data Source
AI summary
Interconnected and on-site severable deck clips with cooperating installation tool for joining two adjacent decking planks to an underlying support structure. The deck clips are interconnected and on-site severable, are attached to the underlying support structure, and engage the two adjacent decking planks so as to fasten the two adjacent decking planks to the underlying support structure without a need for nails or screws to pass through the two adjacent decking planks. The installation tool is hand-held, removably receives a number of the deck clips, and feeds the deck clips one at a time to fasten to the underlying support structure, and when a deck clip is fastened to the underlying support structure, the deck clip is severed from the other deck clips in the installation tool and a next deck clip is feed by way of the installation tool and attached to the underlying support structure to engage the two adjacent decking planks.