Bracket for interconnecting the terminal end of deck boards and related methods

A method for interconnecting ends of boards used in flooring, the method comprising:

• securing a mounting plate of a bracket to a first side of a first floor joist so that a top surface of a shelf member of the bracket that extends from the mounting plate is flush with a top edge of the first floor joist and the shelf member does not overlay the top edge of the first floor joist, the bracket having a first connector and a spaced apart second connector upstanding from the top surface of the shelf member;
• either before or after securing the mounting plate to the first floor joist, sliding an end of a first board between the first connector and the second connector so that the end of the first board overlies the top edge of the first floor joist, a portion of the first connector being received within a first slot formed on the first board and a portion of the second connector being received within a second slot formed on the first board so that the first connector and the second connector secure the first board to the bracket;
• and
• either before or after securing the mounting plate to the first floor joist, sliding an end of a second board between the first connector and the second connector so that the end of the second board rests on the top surface of the shelf member, a portion of the first connector being received within a first slot formed on the second board and a portion of the second connector being received within a second slot formed on the second board so that the first connector and the second connector secure the second board to the bracket.

A bracket comprising:

• a shelf member having a top face and an opposing bottom face that each extend between a front edge and an opposing back edge and that each extend between a first end and an opposing second end;
• a mounting plate having a front face and an opposing back face that each extend between an upper end and an opposing lower end, the upper end of the mounting plate projecting outward from the bottom face of the shelf member;
• a first brace extending between and outwardly projecting from the back face of the mounting plate and the bottom face of the shelf member;
• a first connector upstanding from the top face of the shelf member at the first end thereof and projecting forward of the front face of the mounting plate, the first connector having a T-shaped transverse cross section;
• and
• a second connector upstanding from the top face of the shelf member at the second end thereof and projecting forward of the front face of the mounting plate, the second connector having a T-shaped transverse cross section.