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.
Claims20
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 and comprising a thickness corresponding to a preselected gap between a first board and a second board adjacent the first board;
- a grip element joined with 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 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;
- and
- a moveable wing disposed at an angle to the fixed wing, the moveable wing comprising a first end joined with the fixed wing at a junction and a second end, opposite the first end, comprising a terminal edge of the moveable wing;
- wherein the terminal edge of the moveable wing is spaced from the fixed wing by a first vertical distance in an open mode;
- and
- wherein the moveable wing is vertically compressible to move toward the fixed wing so that the terminal edge is spaced from the fixed wing by a second vertical distance in a compression mode, the second vertical distance being less than a height of the first groove so that at least a portion of the at least one resilient compression element can fit within the first groove of the first board.
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 and comprising a thickness corresponding to a preselected gap between a first board and a second board adjacent the first board;
- a grip element joined with the spacer block and configured to engage a first groove of the first board;
- a fixed wing joined with 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 at a junction;
- and
- a second end, opposite the first end, comprising a terminal edge of the moveable wing, the terminal edge spaced away from the fixed wing in an open mode;
- wherein the moveable wing is resiliently compressible to move the terminal edge toward the fixed wing in an compression mode so that at least a portion of the fixed and moveable wings can fit within the first groove of the first board and to urge the terminal edge 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;
- and
- wherein the junction is spaced from the spacer block such that the moveable wing is resiliently compressible independent from the spacer block.
A method of using a fastener unit comprising:
- providing a fastener unit including a spacer block, a grip element joined with the spacer block, and at least one resilient compression element joined with the spacer block, the at least one resilient compression element comprising a fixed wing and a moveable wing disposed at an angle to the fixed wing, wherein the moveable wing comprises a first end joined with the fixed wing at a junction and a second end, opposite the first end, comprising a terminal edge of the moveable wing;
- inserting at least the second end of the moveable wing into a first groove of a first board;
- pressing the moveable wing against a lower surface of the first groove while pivoting the fastener unit to compress the moveable wing toward the fixed wing;
- inserting at least a portion of the fixed wing into the first groove of the first board;
- and
- releasing the compressible element so that the fixed and moveable wings forcibly engage the first groove, with the moveable wing pressing against the lower surface of the first groove and the fixed wing pressing against the upper surface of the first groove, thereby holding the spacer block adjacent the first groove of the first board.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.