Hidden fastener unit and related method of use

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11840848-B2
Application number	US-202318143236-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	May 4, 2023
Priority date	Aug 15, 2017
Publication date	Dec 12, 2023
Grant date	Dec 12, 2023

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.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A fastener unit adapted to secure at least one board to a support, the fastener unit comprising:
a spacer block including an upper portion and a lower portion, the spacer block defining a void in the upper portion and a first fastener hole configured to receive a fastener therein, the first fastener hole being defined at a bottom of the void, the void being wider than a head of the fastener so that the fastener can seat within the void when the fastener unit is installed, the spacer block having a thickness corresponding to a preselected gap between a first board and an adjacent second board;
a grip element having a length that is greater than the thickness of the spacer block so that the grip element extends outward from the spacer block on a first surface and an opposing second surface of the spacer block, the grip element configured to fit in a first groove defined by the first board; and
a first resilient compression element extending from the first surface and being bendable relative to a reference plane that is aligned with the grip element, the first resilient compression element configured to engage a groove surface of the first groove and secure the spacer block adjacent the first groove to establish a gap between the first board and the adjacent second board,
wherein the spacer block defines a grip element recess which extends below the void,
wherein the first fastener hole is aligned with the grip element recess,
wherein the grip element recess is shaped to receive the grip element therethrough and extends from the first surface to the second surface,
wherein the grip element defines a second fastener hole through which the fastener extends.

2. The fastener unit of claim 1 ,
wherein the fastener includes a tip with threads extending below the head, the tip disposed within the lower portion and the threads disposed within the upper portion before the fastener unit is installed.

3. The fastener unit of claim 1 ,
wherein the grip element recess is a first U shape and the grip element is a second U shape,
wherein the second U shape of the grip element occupies the first U shape of the grip element recess.

4. The fastener unit of claim 3 ,
wherein the grip element includes a first end that is configured to engage the first groove distal from the first resilient compression element,
whereby the spacer block is suspended adjacent the first groove.

5. The fastener unit of claim 4 ,
wherein the grip element is constructed from metal,
wherein the spacer block and first resilient compression element are constructed from a polymeric material and integrally formed with one another.

6. The fastener unit of claim 1 ,
wherein the first resilient compression element and the grip element extend outwardly adjacent one another from the first surface,
wherein a second resilient compression element extends outwardly adjacent the grip element from the first surface,
wherein the grip element extends between the first resilient compression element and the second resilient compression element.

7. A fastener unit adapted to secure at least one board to a support, the fastener unit comprising:
a spacer block including an upper portion and a lower portion, the spacer block defining a void in the upper portion and a first fastener hole configured to receive a fastener therein, the first fastener hole being defined at a bottom of the void, the void being wider than a head of the fastener so that the fastener can seat within the void when the fastener unit is installed, the spacer block having a thickness corresponding to a preselected gap between a first board and an adjacent second board;
a grip element having a length that is greater than the thickness of the spacer block so that the grip element extends outward from the spacer block on a first surface and an opposing second surface of the spacer block, the grip element configured to fit in a first groove defined by the first board; and
a first resilient compression element extending from the first surface and being bendable relative to a reference plane that is aligned with the grip element, the first resilient compression element configured to engage a groove surface of the first groove and secure the spacer block adjacent the first groove to establish a gap between the first board and the adjacent second board,
wherein the spacer block defines a grip element recess extending from the first surface to the second surface,
wherein the grip element occupies the grip element recess, which receives the grip element, below the void and includes a second fastener hole aligned with the first fastener hole so that the fastener can extend simultaneously in the first fastener hole and the second fastener hole.

8. A fastener unit adapted to secure at least one board to a support, the fastener unit comprising:
a spacer block including an upper portion and a lower portion, the spacer block having a thickness between a first surface and a second surface of the spacer block, the thickness configured to set a preselected gap between a first board and an adjacent second board which the spacer block engages when installed, the spacer block defining a first fastener hole configured to receive a fastener therein, the spacer block defining a grip element recess extending through the thickness of the spacer block from the first surface to the second surface;
a first resilient element projecting away from a first surface of the spacer block, the first resilient element configured to engage a first groove of the first board;
a second resilient element projecting away from the first surface of the spacer block, the second resilient element configured to engage the first groove of the first board distal from the first resilient element within the first groove;
a grip element disposed between the first resilient element and the second resilient element and projecting away from the first surface of the spacer block, the grip element configured to engage the first groove of the first board, the grip element positioned in the grip element recess and extending through the thickness between the first surface and the second surface within the grip element recess, the grip element projecting away from the second surface of the spacer block on an opposite side of the thickness of the spacer block, the grip element defining a second fastener hole aligned with the first fastener hole configured to receive the fastener,
wherein the first resilient element and the second resilient element are bendable relative to a reference plane that is aligned with the grip element,
wherein the spacer block is securable adjacent the first groove to establish a gap between the first board and the adjacent second board.

9. The fastener unit of claim 8 ,
wherein the spacer block defines a void in the upper portion,
wherein the first fastener hole is defined at a bottom of the void, the void being wider than a head of the fastener so that the fastener can seat within the void when the fastener unit is installed.

10. The fastener unit of claim 8 ,
wherein the upper portion is of the thickness corresponding to the preselected gap between the first board and the adjacent second board.

11. The fastener unit of claim 8 ,
wherein the grip element is in the form of a channel that opens downward,
wherein the grip element defines the second fastener hole which is aligned with the first fastener hole,
wherein the fastener extends through the first fastener hole of the spacer block and the second fastener hole of the grip element.

12. The fastener unit of claim 8 ,
wherein the first resilient element and the second resilient element each are

Assignees

• Nat Nail Corp

Inventors

• Vandenberg Roger A
• Schwartzkopf Todd E A

Classifications

• F16B5/02

  by means of fastening members using screw-thread ({F16B5/0004 takes precedence}; construction of screw-threaded connections F16B25/00 - F16B39/00) · CPC title

• E04F15/02044 Primary

  Separate elements for fastening to an underlayer (E04F15/02133, E04F15/0215 take precedence) · CPC title

• 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

• E04F13/0826

  engaging side grooves running along the whole length of the covering elements · CPC title