Universal Decking Fastener with Collated Series for Thermal Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hidden deck plank fasteners are specific to certain types of planks, groove dimensions, and materials, limiting their compatibility with diverse decking styles and materials.
Innovation Solution
A universal fastener design featuring a body with opposing legs and prongs, allowing for secure attachment to various decking planks with different dimensions and materials, and a collated series configuration for efficient assembly and installation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If existing hidden deck plank fasteners are designed for specific plank types and groove dimensions, then they provide secure attachment for those specific applications, but they lack compatibility with diverse decking styles, groove types, and materials
Solution Approach 1:
The fastener body is designed with a standardized configuration including a head portion, shaft portion, and leg portion that can accommodate various decking plank types, groove dimensions, and materials through a single universal design, eliminating the need for multiple specialized fastener variants
Solution Approach 2:
The fastener incorporates adjustable parameters such as leg spread, prong configuration, and body dimensions that can be modified to fit different groove types and plank materials while maintaining the core fastener structure, enabling versatility without proportionally increasing overall design complexity
2Strength
If traditional fasteners penetrate the wood surface for secure attachment, then they provide strong mechanical fastening, but they compromise the aesthetic appearance and risk damaging the plank surface
Solution Approach 1:
The fastener design extracts the fastening function from the surface plane by positioning the attachment mechanism beneath the deck plank surface, with the head portion engaging the plank underside and the leg portions securing to the joist, completely removing visible penetration points from the plank surface
Solution Approach 2:
The fastener introduces an intermediary attachment mechanism where the leg portions with prongs engage the joist structure beneath the plank, transferring attachment forces through the plank thickness without requiring surface penetration, thus mediating between the need for strong fastening and surface integrity
3Ease of operation
If individual fasteners are installed separately, then they allow precise positioning, but they increase installation time and labor requirements
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple fasteners are merged into a single collated cartridge assembly that feeds sequentially through the decking tool, allowing multiple planks to be fastened in continuous operation rather than requiring separate installation of each fastener, significantly reducing installation time while maintaining positioning precision
4Stability of the object's composition
If fasteners are designed to accommodate thermal expansion of deck planks, then they prevent shifting and maintain structural stability, but they require more complex fastener geometry
Solution Approach 1:
The leg portions of the fastener are designed with inherent flexibility and movement capability, allowing the prongs to shift position dynamically in response to thermal expansion and contraction of the deck planks, maintaining structural stability through controlled movement rather than rigid geometric complexity
Data Source
AI summary
A fastener for attaching grooved decking planks to a support member has a body defining an attachment opening spacing apart opposing legs extending from a shoulder. The legs have at least one frontward extending prong. The rear end of the body includes a bend transitioning to a lip. The front end may have downward extending teeth. A nose may extend from the front end while a tail may extend from the rear end of the body. Adjacent fasteners may be joined by their respective noses and tails to form a collated series of fasteners.