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US 11,629,509 B2Granted
Hidden clip for decking
AssigneeMN Fastener LLC
InventorsNicholas J. Demuth, Mark T. Reum
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A plurality of hidden clips can be included with a strip of clips and separated by a frangible section or tab located between adjacent clips. Each strip can be provided with a hand grip portion removably attached to a proximal-most hidden clip in the strip of clips. An aperture defined in each hidden clip can include an offset cylindrical section that causes a fastener to pivot from a vertical alignment when the fastener is driven into a joist.
Claims12
A hidden clip assembly, comprising:
- a plurality of hidden clips arranged in a single strip such that a front or back edge of each clip is attached to at least one front or back edge of an adjacent hidden clip in the single strip, the single strip defining a distal-most hidden clip and a proximal-most hidden clip;
- and
- a hand grip attached to the proximal-most hidden clip in the single strip, the hand grip comprising a planar portion that extends proximally from the proximal-most hidden clip and a downward extending portion that extends vertically downward from a proximal end of the planar portion,
- wherein the downward extending portion defines a first leg disposed adjacent to a proximal end of the hand grip attachment and a second leg offset distally from the proximal end of the hand grip attachment.
1 more element
A method of using a hidden clip to install a decking board, the method comprising:
- grasping a hand grip portion attached to a proximal-most hidden clip in a strip of multiple hidden clips, each hidden clip in the strip is arranged such that a front or back edge of each clip is attached to at least one front or back edge of an adjacent hidden clip in a single strip, the single strip defining a distal-most hidden clip and a proximal-most hidden clip, wherein the hand portion comprises a planar portion that extends proximally from the proximal-most hidden clip and a downward extending portion that extends vertically downward from a proximal end of the planar portion, and wherein the downward extending portion defines a first leg disposed adjacent to a proximal end of the hand grip attachment and a second leg offset distally from the proximal end of the hand grip attachment;
- inserting a forward edge of a distal-most hidden clip within a side groove of a decking board;
- driving a fastener through an aperture defined through the distal-most hidden clip to secure the distal-most hidden clip to a joist and the decking board;
- and
- severing the distal-most hidden clip from a remaining portion of the strip of hidden clips.
2 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.