E04F15/02044

Hidden fastener unit and related method of use

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 extending from the spacer block. The one or more resilient compression elements can be a joist leg configured to engage a joist, or it can be vertically compressible toward a first plane that is transverse to a vertical axis of the spacer block so that portions of it can compress from an open mode to a compressed 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. A related method of use also is provided.

REPAIRABLE CLIP AND METHOD FOR REPAIRING DECK USING SAME
20170314278 · 2017-11-02 ·

The present invention relates to a repairable clip and a deck fixing structure using the same. The present invention is characterized by a method for facilitating a method of fastening a middle part again when replacing same within the scope of constructing a deck and, more specifically, by a simple and convenient method for separating a rotary member for repair, which is integrated into the clip, mounting the same to the clip, positioning a new deck material, and thereafter fixing the replaced deck material to a deck assembly by rotating the rotary member with a simple tool, such as an Allen wrench. The present invention for repairing a constructed deck material to its original form with the performance of a clip itself is an invention first attempted in the world.

Spring loaded split tongue connector system
20170314591 · 2017-11-02 ·

A connector system for mechanically connecting two structural elements to each other, consisting of a connector element and mating grooves in each structural element. The connector element is comprised of a base plate having a split-tongue element at each side or end of said base plate. Each joined element has a mating groove formed into its connector-receiving surface. The mating groove is designed to allow fabrication via four sequential circular saw cuts, without loss of saleable decorative surface, and at a rate consistent with economical commercial production of vinyl, laminate, or hardwood flooring. The connector element is readily extruded in a variety of polymers, including PVC. The connector and mating grooves interact so as to generate a force component acting to forcibly draw the connector into the mating grooves. The connector system operation is relatively insensitive to geometric deviations associated with normal manufacturing methods.

Deck system and methods of installing a deck
09803376 · 2017-10-31 ·

A deck system is provided. The deck system includes a joining strip comprising a first strip connector having a first connector tongue and first connector groove. A plank removably and pressureably is coupled to the first connector, the plank comprising a first plank connector coupled to the plank body, the first plank connector comprising a first plank tongue configured to removably couple to the first connector groove and comprising a first plank groove configured to removably couple to the first connector tongue. A first plank leg is coupled to the first plank connector and comprising an inner channel and an outer channel configured in flow communication with the inner channel, wherein at least one of the inner channel and the outer channel is configured to direct any fluid seepage from the joining strip and the plank away from the joining strip and the plank.

FLOORING COMPONENT
20170306637 · 2017-10-26 ·

A flooring component comprising a main body portion defining a first major surface and a second major surface, a first extending portion that extends from the main body portion in a first direction, the first extending portion defining a third surface coplanar to at least a portion of the first major surface, and a second extending portion that extends from the main body portion in a second direction opposite the first direction, the second extending portion defining a fourth surface coplanar to at least a portion of the second major surface, wherein at least 60% of the main body portion, the first extending portion and the second extending portion is of a first material, the first extending portion comprises a female structure on a side of the first extending portion opposite the third surface, the second extending portion comprises a male structure on a side of the second extending portion opposite the fourth surface, the flooring component comprises, in a region of at least one of the female structure and the male structure, a resilient portion of a second material more pliable than the first material, and the female structure is of a shape that snappingly engages the male structure using a resilience of the resilient portion.

Universal fastener for decking
09822809 · 2017-11-21 · ·

A fastener for attaching grooved decking planks to a support member has a body defining an attachment opening spacing apart opposing legs extending from a shoulder. The legs have at least one frontward extending prong. The rear end of the body includes a bend transitioning to a lip. The front end may have downward extending teeth. A nose may extend from the front end while a tail may extend from the rear end of the body. Adjacent fasteners may be joined by their respective noses and tails to form a collated series of fasteners.

FLOOR COVERING WITH REPLACEABLE FLOORBOARDS
20170292277 · 2017-10-12 ·

A floor covering comprises at least first and second floorboards. Each floorboard respectively defines opposite longitudinal ends, an exposed outer surface and an opposite underside surface for engaging a subfloor, and comprises mating structures at each lateral side thereof. The first and second floorboards are configured to be adjacently assembled in a side-to-side arrangement with the mating structure of one of the lateral sides of the first floorboard vertically and removably mating with the mating structure of one of the lateral sides of the second floorboard. The floor covering includes at least one clip for being fastened to the subfloor and comprises mating structures at each lateral side thereof for vertically and removably receiving the respective mating structures first and second floorboards at each lateral side thereof.

Backlit Floor Construction
20170248302 · 2017-08-31 ·

An aspect of the invention relates to a floor construction, comprising: o plural layers, the plural layers comprising at least one top layer and at least one subjacent layer underneath the at least one top layer, o and light sources arranged in one or more patterns in the at least one subjacent layer; o wherein the at least one top layer is translucent so as to hide the light source as well as the patterns when the light sources are off and to reveal the one or more patterns when the light sources are on.

System, method and apparatus for attic rafter extension for storage

A support structure may have a base having surfaces including a top, a bottom, a front, a rear and sides. A first top slot may be formed in the top and may extend at least partially between the front and the rear. A second top slot may be formed in the top and may extend at least partially between the sides. In addition, a bottom slot may be formed in the bottom. A system for attic storage can include an attic having attic joists. A plurality of support structures, each comprising a base, may be mounted to the attic joists. At least two conventional lumber studs may be included and may extend between adjacent ones of the bases. In addition, a plurality of lumber panels may be mounted to at least one of the bases and the lumber studs.

COMPOSITE WALL PANEL, WALL SYSTEM AND COMPONENTS THEREOF, AND A METHOD OF CONSTRUCTION THEREOF
20170218627 · 2017-08-03 ·

A composite wall, ceiling or floor panel (10), system and method, including a sheet (14) having a first face (18) including at least one first mounting portion (16), and at least one formwork member (20) with at least one second mounting portion (30) arranged to engage with the first mounting portion of the sheet to retain the sheet and said at least one formwork member together. Structural support comes from piers (for a wall) or beams (ceiling or floor) formed in the spacing between adjacent formwork members. The formwork members act as the core of a wall, ceiling or floor panel. An external coating (123) is applied to the formwork members, such as spray shotcrete or render. Channels (28) formed by the formwork members defines integrated ducting for services to be run.