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US 2024/0376724 A1Published application
Hidden fastener unit and related method of use
AssigneeNational Nail Corp.
InventorsRoger A. Vandenberg, Todd E.A. Schwartzkopf
Life of this patent
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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 board engagement elements. The board engagement elements can engage the groove of the board, 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 transversely joined with a grip element, the grip element projecting from the spacer block in a cantilevered manner, the grip element configured to fit in a first groove defined by a first board, the spacer block extending from an upper surface to a lower surface, and from a front surface to a rear surface which define a thickness therebetween, the thickness corresponding to a preselected gap between the first board and an adjacent second board;
- a fastener extending through the spacer block and the grip element, the fastener disposed between the front surface of the spacer block and the rear surface of the spacer block, the fastener including a fastener longitudinal axis, the fastener including a shaft having a wire diameter, a plurality of threads including a thread diameter that is greater than the wire diameter, and a minor diameter among the plurality of threads, the minor diameter being less than the wire diameter;
- and
- a first wing extending from the spacer block, the first wing sized for insertion into the first groove simultaneously with the grip element,
- wherein at least one of the spacer block and the grip element defines a fastener hole,
- wherein the fastener hole includes a fastener hole upper portion having a first diameter and a fastener hole lower portion having a second diameter,
- wherein the first diameter is less than the second diameter and less than the thread diameter such that a first portion of the plurality of threads is threaded to the fastener hole upper portion,
- wherein the second diameter is equal to or greater than the thread diameter,
- whereby a second portion of the plurality of threads beyond the first portion does not exert a torque on the fastener hole lower portion that twists the spacer block relative to the first board when the fastener is advanced in the fastener hole.
6 more elements
A fastener unit adapted to secure at least one board to a support, the fastener unit comprising:
- a spacer block having a thickness corresponding to a preselected gap between a first board and an adjacent second board;
- a grip element extending outward beyond the thickness on opposing surfaces, the grip element configured to fit in a first groove defined by the first board;
- a fastener extending through a fastener hole defined by at least one of the grip element and the spacer block and including a longitudinal axis;
- and
- a first wing extending away from the first surface and being bendable relative to a first reference plane to which the longitudinal axis is orthogonal, the first wing sized for insertion into the first groove,
- wherein the fastener hole includes a fastener hole upper portion having a first diameter bounded by a first sidewall,
- wherein the fastener hole includes a fastener hole lower portion having a second diameter bounded by a second sidewall that is below the first sidewall,
- wherein the first diameter is less than the second diameter,
- wherein the fastener includes a plurality of threads extending within the fastener hole upper portion and the fastener hole lower portion, the plurality of threads threadably engaging the first sidewall,
- wherein the fastener includes a head above the plurality of threads that engages the grip element when the fastener is advanced into the fastener hole.
7 more elements
A method of using a fastener unit, the method comprising:
- providing a fastener including a fastener head, a shaft having a wire diameter, a plurality of threads having a thread diameter below the shaft and a minor diameter between respective ones of the plurality of threads;
- providing a fastener unit including a spacer block having a gap configured to set a preselected gap between adjacent boards, a grip element extending in a cantilevered manner from the spacer block, and at least one resilient compression element extending away from a front surface of the spacer block, the spacer block and grip element integrally formed as a polymeric monolithic unit, the fastener unit defining a fastener hole including a fastener hole upper portion having a first diameter bounded by a first sidewall, a fastener hole lower portion having a second diameter bounded by a second sidewall that is below the first sidewall and extends to a lower surface of the spacer block, the first diameter less than the second diameter;
- inserting a tip of the fastener in the fastener hole;
- and
- rotating the fastener so that the plurality of threads threadably engage and bite into the first sidewall while the fastener unit is held stationary to advance the threads through the fastener hole upper portion and into the fastener hole lower portion, the plurality of threads rotating freely in the fastener hole lower portion without threadably engaging the second sidewall.
2 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.