Hidden fastener unit and related method of use

A fastener unit adapted to secure at least one board to a support, the fastener unit comprising:

• a spacer block comprising a front surface and an opposing rear surface defining a thickness therebetween corresponding to a preselected gap between a first board and a second board adjacent the first board, the spacer block at least partially surrounding a fastener between the front and rear surfaces such that the fastener exits the s aver block from a lower surface thereof;
• a grip element joined with the spacer block and extending outward from the front and rear surfaces of the spacer block, the grip element configured to engage a first groove of the first board;
• and
• at least one resilient compression element joined with the spacer block and configured to forcibly expand within the first groove of the first board, thereby securing the spacer block in a position adjacent the first groove, the at least one resilient compression element comprising:
• a fixed wing extending from the spacer block and extending rearwardly along a side surface thereof;
• and
• a moveable wing comprising a first end joined with the fixed wing and a second end, opposite the first end, comprising a terminal edge of the moveable wing, the moveable wing extending frontwardly along the side surface and beyond the front surface of the spacer block;
• wherein the terminal edge of the moveable wing is lower than the fixed wing in an open mode,
• wherein the moveable wing is vertically compressible toward the fixed wing so that at least a portion of the at least one resilient compression element can fit within the first groove of the first board,
• wherein the moveable wing is tapered toward the second end, with the first end of the moveable wing defining a first width and the second end of the moveable wing defining a second width that is less than the first width so that the moveable wing can bend more near the second end.

A fastener unit adapted to secure at least one board to a support, the fastener unit comprising:

• a spacer block defining a first fastener hole configured to at least partially receive a fastener therein, and comprising a front surface and an opposing rear surface defining a thickness therebetween corresponding to a preselected gap between a first board and a second board adjacent the first board;
• a grip element extending through the spacer block and outward from the front and rear surfaces of the spacer block, the grip element configured to engage a first groove of the first board, the grip element defining a second fastener hole aligned with the first fastener hole and configured to receive the fastener, such that the fastener can simultaneously extend through both the second fastener hole and the first fastener hole, which are arranged one above the other;
• a fixed wing joined with the spacer block and extending therefrom;
• and
• a moveable wing disposed at an angle to the fixed wing, the moveable wing comprising:
• a first end joined with the fixed wing;
• and
• a second end, opposite the first end, comprising a terminal edge of the moveable wing, the moveable wing extending along a side surface of the spacer block;
• wherein the moveable wing is resiliently compressible in a compression mode so that at least a portion of the moveable wing can fit within the first groove of the first board with the terminal edge being urged back toward the open mode from the compression mode to forcibly expand within the first groove of the first board so that the spacer block can be secured in a position adjacent the first groove while the grip element is disposed in the first groove;
• and
• wherein the moveable wing is resiliently compressible independent from the spacer block.

A fastener unit adapted to secure at least one board to a support, the fastener unit comprising:

• a spacer block comprising a front surface and an opposing rear surface defining a thickness therebetween corresponding to a preselected gap between a first board and a second board adjacent the first board, a vertical axis and a first plane that is orthogonal to the vertical axis, the spacer block defining a fastener hole;
• a fastener threadably engaged with the spacer block so that the fastener is secured to the spacer block before placement of the spacer block adjacent the first board, the fastener being disposed and aligned within the fastener hole so as to exit the spacer block through a lower surface thereof;
• a grip element extending outward from the front and rear surfaces of the spacer block and configured to engage a first groove of the first board;
• and
• at least one resilient compression element joined with the spacer block, the at least one resilient compression element comprising:
• a fixed wing extending from the spacer block along a side surface thereof and transitioning rearwardly to a first moveable wing that is joined with the fixed wing;
• the first moveable wing including a terminal edge of the first moveable wing, the first moveable wing extending frontwardly along the side surface and beyond the front surface of the spacer block;
• wherein the first moveable wing is resiliently compressible toward the first plane in a compression mode so that at least a portion of the first moveable wing can fit within the first groove of the first board, with the grip element also fitting within the first groove of the first board,
• wherein the terminal edge is urged back toward an open mode from the compression mode to forcibly expand within the first groove of the first board so that the spacer block can be secured in a position adjacent the first groove.