Hidden fastener unit and related method of use

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11111679-B2
Application number	US-201916537128-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Aug 9, 2019
Priority date	Aug 15, 2017
Publication date	Sep 7, 2021
Grant date	Sep 7, 2021

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 extending from a portion of the spacer block. The board engagement elements can clamp the board, between an upper and/or lower surface of the board and a 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.

First claim

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows:

1. A fastener unit adapted to secure at least one board to a support, the fastener unit comprising:
a spacer block defining a first fastener hole configured to receive a fastener therein, the spacer block including a front surface, an opposing rear surface, a first side surface and a second side surface opposite the first side surface, the spacer block having a thickness extending from the front surface to the rear surface, the thickness corresponding to a preselected gap between a first board and a second adjacent board, the spacer block defining a recess from the front surface to the rear surface;
a grip element joined with the spacer block, the grip element disposed in the recess, the grip element defining a second fastener hole aligned with the first fastener hole of the spacer block and configured to receive the fastener, the grip element configured to fit in and engage a first groove defined by the first board, the grip element having at least one downwardly facing projection, the grip element having a grip upper surface; and
a board engagement element including a first platform and an arm extending therefrom configured to engage a portion of the first board, distal from the first groove, the first platform being disposed a first distance above the spacer block and at least partially surrounding the fastener,
wherein the fastener unit is operable in a clamping mode in which the arm resiliently engages an upper surface of the first board, distal from the first groove, while the grip upper surface engages a groove wall such that the first platform and the arm cooperate with the grip element to secure the fastener unit adjacent a first side surface of the board.

2. The fastener unit of claim 1 ,
wherein the arm includes a lower edge that is configured to directly engage the upper surface of the first board,
wherein the grip upper surface engages an upper groove wall in the clamping mode.

3. The fastener unit of claim 1 ,
wherein the first platform is configured to directly engage the upper surface of the first board.

4. A fastener unit adapted to secure at least one board to a support, the fastener unit comprising:
a spacer block defining a first fastener hole configured to receive a fastener therein, the spacer block including a front surface, an opposing rear surface, a first side surface and a second side surface opposite the first side surface, the spacer block having a thickness extending from the front surface to the rear surface, the thickness corresponding to a preselected gap between a first board and a second adjacent board, the spacer block defining a recess from the front surface to the rear surface;
a grip element joined with the spacer block, the grip element disposed in the recess, the grip element defining a second fastener hole aligned with the first fastener hole of the spacer block and configured to receive the fastener, the grip element configured to fit in and engage a first groove defined by the first board, the grip element having at least one downwardly facing projection, the grip element having a grip upper surface; and
a board engagement element including a first platform and an arm extending therefrom configured to engage an upper surface of the first board, distal from the first groove, the first platform being disposed a first distance above the spacer block and at least partially surrounding the fastener, such that the first platform and the arm cooperate with the grip element to secure the spacer block adjacent a first side surface of the first board before a second board is placed adjacent the first board,
wherein the board engagement element is joined with the spacer block such that the board engagement element can be disassociated from the spacer block when a fastener head of the fastener engages the board engagement element.

5. A fastener unit adapted to secure at least one board to a support, the fastener unit comprising:
a spacer block defining a first fastener hole configured to receive a fastener therein, the spacer block including a front surface, an opposing rear surface, a first side surface and a second side surface opposite the first side surface, the spacer block having a thickness extending from the front surface to the rear surface, the thickness corresponding to a preselected gap between a first board and a second adjacent board, the spacer block defining a recess from the front surface to the rear surface;
a grip element joined with the spacer block, the grip element disposed in the recess, the grip element defining a second fastener hole aligned with and below the first fastener hole of the spacer block and configured to receive the fastener, the grip element configured to fit in and engage a first groove defined by the first board, the grip element having at least one downwardly facing projection, the grip element having a grip upper surface; and
a board engagement element including a first platform and an arm extending therefrom configured to engage an upper surface of the first board, distal from the first groove, the first platform being disposed a first distance above the spacer block and at least partially surrounding the fastener, such that the first platform and the arm cooperate with the grip element to secure the spacer block adjacent a first side surface of the first board before a second board is placed adjacent the first board,
wherein the second fastener hole is larger than the first fastener hole,
wherein a fastener is disposed through the first fastener hole and the second fastener hole,
wherein the fastener is configured to engage a first perimeter of the first fastener hole as the fastener rotates,
wherein the fastener is configured to freely rotate in the second fastener hole without engaging a second perimeter of the second fastener hole.

6. A fastener unit adapted to secure at least one board to a support, the fastener unit comprising:
a spacer block defining a first fastener hole configured to receive a fastener therein, the spacer block including a front surface, an opposing rear surface, a first side surface and a second side surface opposite the first side surface, the spacer block having a thickness extending from the front surface to the rear surface, the thickness corresponding to a preselected gap between a first board and a second adjacent board, the spacer block defining a recess from the front surface to the rear surface;
a grip element joined with the spacer block, the grip element disposed in the recess, the grip element defining a second fastener hole aligned with the first fastener hole of the spacer block and configured to receive the fastener, the grip element configured to fit in and engage a first groove defined by the first board, the grip element having at least one downwardly facing projection, the grip element having a grip upper surface; and
a board engagement element including a first platform and an arm extending therefrom configured to engage an upper surface of the first board, distal from the first groove, such that the first platform and the arm cooperate with the grip element to secure the spacer block adjacent a first side surface of the first board,
wherein the board engagement element is joined with the spacer block via a first leg extending downward from the first platform, the first platform spaced a first distance above the spacer block, the first platform at least partially surrounding the fastener that extends through the second fastener hole of the grip element.

7. A fastener unit adapted to secure at least one board to a support, the fastener unit comprising:
a spacer block defining a first fastener hole configured to receive a fastener there

Assignees

• Nat Nail Corp

Inventors

• Vandenberg Roger A
• Schwartzkopf Todd E A

Classifications

• F16B5/002

  both sheets, plates or panels having a groove, e.g. with strip-type connector · CPC title

• F16B5/0088

  with locking means moving substantially perpendicular to the main plane, e.g. pins, screws · CPC title

• F16B5/008

  by a rotating or sliding and rotating movement · CPC title

• F16B5/0607

  joining sheets or plates to each other (F16B5/0692, F16B21/082 take precedence) · CPC title

• E04F2015/02094

  Engaging side grooves running along the whole length of the flooring elements · CPC title