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 including a thickness extending between a first surface and a second surface and configured to set a preselected gap between a first board, having a first groove, and an adjacent second board, the spacer block defining a recess extending through the thickness, and defining a first fastener hole, the spacer block including a lower surface;
• a grip element disposed in the recess and engaged with the spacer block in the recess, the grip element having a length greater than the thickness, the first fastener hole aligned with a second fastener hole defined by the grip element so that a fastener extends through the first fastener hole and the second fastener hole;
• and
• a resilient compression element extending from the spacer block adjacent the grip element so that the grip element and the resilient compression element can be simultaneously disposed in the first groove,
• wherein the spacer block is a monolithic polymeric block that extends directly downward under the grip element and includes a lower portion that extends to the lower surface,
• wherein the first fastener hole is defined through the lower portion of the monolithic polymeric block.

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

• a spacer block including a thickness extending between a first surface and a second surface and configured to set a preselected gap between a first board, having a first groove, and an adjacent second board, the spacer block including a bisecting plane dividing the spacer block into a first side and a second side, the spacer block including a lower surface;
• a grip element including an upper surface, a first end and a second end, the first end extending outward from the first surface of the spacer block on the first side in a cantilevered manner, the second end extending outward from the second surface of the spacer block on the second side in a cantilevered manner, the grip element having a length between the first end and the second end, the length being greater than the thickness of the spacer block, the length extending through the bisecting plane between the first end and the second end;
• a fastener extending simultaneously through the spacer block and the grip element;
• and
• a resilient compression element extending from the spacer block adjacent the grip element so that the grip element and the resilient compression element can be simultaneously disposed in the first groove to secure the fastener unit adjacent the first board,
• wherein the spacer block includes a height, with a portion of the height extending directly below the grip element,
• wherein a fastener hole is defined within the portion of the height,
• wherein the fastener is disposed in the fastener hole below the grip element,
• wherein the spacer block is a monolithic polymeric block that extends directly downward under the grip element and includes a lower portion that extends to the lower surface,
• wherein the fastener hole is defined through the lower portion of the monolithic polymeric block.

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

• a spacer block including a thickness extending between a first surface and a second surface and configured to set a preselected gap between a first board, having a first groove, and an adjacent second board, the spacer block including a bisecting plane dividing the spacer block into a first side and a second side;
• a grip element including an upper surface, a first end and a second end, the first end extending outward from the first surface of the spacer block on the first side in a cantilevered manner, the second end extending outward from the second surface of the spacer block on the second side in a cantilevered manner, the grip element having a length between the first end and the second end, the length being greater than the thickness of the spacer block, the length extending through the bisecting plane between the first end and the second end, the grip element joined with the spacer block with the upper surface of the grip element extending above a portion of the spacer block;
• a fastener extending simultaneously through the spacer block and the grip element;
• and
• a resilient compression element extending from the spacer block adjacent the grip element so that the grip element and the resilient compression element can be simultaneously disposed in the first groove to secure the fastener unit adjacent the first board,
• wherein the grip element defines a fastener hole surrounded by the upper surface of the grip element, the fastener hole defined between the first end and the second end, with the fastener hole intersecting the bisecting plane,
• wherein the fastener includes a head,
• wherein the head engages the upper surface of the grip element above the portion of the spacer block when the fastener is fully installed within the fastener hole and through the portion of the spacer block to secure the first board and the adjacent second board relative to a joist.