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US 12,129,663 B2Granted
Hidden fastener unit and related method of use
AssigneeNational Nail Corp.
InventorsRoger A. Vandenberg, Todd E. A. Schwartzkopf
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
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 joined with the spacer block. The resilient compression elements can be vertically compressible so at least a portion of it can move from an open mode to a compression 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. Related methods of use also are provided.
Claims17
A method of using a fastener unit comprising:
- providing a fastener unit including a spacer block, a grip element extending from front and rear surfaces of the spacer block, and a resilient compression element joined with the spacer block, the resilient compression element comprising a moveable wing disposed at an angle to a fixed wing extending from the front surface and extending rearwardly along a lateral side of the spacer block, 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 terminal edge being disposed a first distance under the fixed wing;
- inserting the second end of the moveable wing into a first groove of a first board so that the terminal edge is adjacent a lower surface of the first groove;
- pressing the moveable wing against the lower surface of the first groove while pivoting the fastener unit to compress the moveable wing toward the fixed wing;
- and
- engaging an upper surface of the grip element against an upper surface of the first groove above the lower surface of the first groove,
- wherein the moveable wing resiliently presses against the lower surface of the first groove and the upper surface of the grip element presses against the upper surface of the first groove, thereby holding the spacer block adjacent the first groove of the first board,
- wherein the terminal edge moves closer to the fixed wing during the pressing so that the terminal edge is disposed a second distance under the fixed wing, the second distance being less than the first distance,
- wherein the moveable wing extends beyond both the front surface and the rear surface of the spacer block, forward and rearward of the spacer block, while extending downward toward the terminal edge.
5 more elements
A method of using a fastener unit comprising:
- providing a fastener unit including a spacer block, a grip element extending from front and rear surfaces of the spacer block, and a resilient compression element joined with the spacer block, the resilient compression element comprising a first moveable wing disposed at an angle to the grip element, the first moveable wing coupled to the spacer block and extending rearwardly along a lateral side of the spacer block, the first movable wing disposed laterally outward from and extending laterally alongside the lateral side of the spacer block below the grip element, the first moveable wing being disposed laterally farther from the grip element than the spacer block;
- inserting the first moveable wing into a first groove of a first board so as to engage a lower surface of the first groove;
- and
- engaging an upper surface of the grip element against an upper surface of the first groove above the lower surface of the first groove,
- wherein the first moveable wing resiliently presses against the lower surface of the first groove and the upper surface of the grip element presses against the upper surface of the first groove, thereby holding the spacer block adjacent the first groove of the first board.
2 more elements
A fastener unit adapted to secure at least one board to a support, the fastener unit comprising:
- a spacer block configured to at least partially receive a fastener therein, the 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 grip element 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, the grip element configured to at least partially receive the fastener therein, such that the fastener can simultaneously extend through both the spacer block and the grip element;
- a fixed wing joined with the spacer block and extending rearwardly along a lateral side of the spacer block;
- 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,
- 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 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 while the grip element is disposed in the first groove,
- wherein the terminal edge resiliently moves upwardly toward the fixed wing disposed above the moveable wing when transitioning to the compression mode,
- wherein the movable wing extends alongside the lateral side of the spacer block.
8 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.