Deck construction device

Abstract

A deck construction device for assisting with laying decking. The device as a body which has a handle and a substantially planar face from which at least two spacers extend. At least one screw hole is defined through the body, the at least two spacers are arranged to span a width of a decking plank. The length of a first spacer corresponds to the thickness of a decking plank; and the length of a second spacer extends beyond the thickness of the decking.

Claims

1. A deck construction device comprises: a body which has a handle and a substantially planar face from which at least one main blade and at least two removable second blades extend in use, and at least one screw hole is defined through the body and at least one aperture for receipt of the at least two removable second blades, wherein the at least one main blade is shorter lengthwise than the at least two removable second blades, the at least one main blade is arranged between opposed ends of the body and extends below the handle such that the at least one main blade and handle are aligned in a same plane, and the at least two removable second blades are arranged laterally on opposite sides of the at least one main blade, so that a space is defined between the at least one main blade and each of the at least two removable second blades, which defines regions into which a decking plank is received.

2. The deck construction device according to claim 1 wherein both the at least two removable second blades have a rectangular section along their length.

3. The deck construction device according to claim 1 wherein the at least two removable second blades are arranged so that when in use each of the at least two removable second blades is located either side of a decking plank against which the device rests; a location, an orientation and a width of the at least two removable second blades so are such as to space a first adjacent decking plank, located on one side of the decking plank, and a second adjacent decking plank, located on an opposed side of the decking plank, thereby spacing the first adjacent decking plank and the second adjacent decking plank apart one from another.

4. The deck construction device according to claim 1 wherein the at least one main blade and the at least two removable second blades are tapered.

5. The deck construction device according to claim 3 wherein the at least two removable second blades are arranged in sets comprising at least two of the at least two removable second blades arranged in a same plane which in use rest against a common side edge of the decking plank.

6. The deck construction device according to claim 1 wherein at least one of the at least two removable second blades is adjacent an end of the body.

7. The deck construction device according to claim 1 wherein at least one of the at least two removable second blades is arranged between two opposed ends of the body.

8. The deck construction device according to claim 1 wherein the at least one screw hole comprises at least two screw holes.

9. The deck construction device according to claim 8 wherein the at least two screw holes are arranged in an elongate track, running part or all of a length of the body.

10. The deck construction device according to claim 1 includes an aperture for receipt of the at least two removable second blades.

11. The deck construction device according to claim 1, further comprising a central opening arranged below the handle to permit stacking of devices atop one another.

12. The deck construction device according to claim 1, further comprising at least one liquid level.

13. The deck construction device according to claim 12, wherein the at least one liquid level comprises at least two levels arranged so that an axis of each of the at least two levels are orthogonal one to another.

14. The deck construction device according to claim 1, further comprising at least one guideline.

15. The deck construction device according to claim 1, further comprising a rule.

16. The deck construction device according to claim 1 wherein at least one of the at least two removable second blades is adjustable so as to vary its angle of orientation.

17. The deck construction device according to claim 16 wherein the at least two removable second blades are rotatable in the body.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES

(1) FIG. 1 shows an isometric view of a first embodiment of the device according to the present invention;

(2) FIG. 2 shows a reverse isometric view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1;

(3) FIG. 3 shows a side view of the embodiment of the device shown in FIG. 1;

(4) FIG. 4 shows an end view of the embodiment of the device shown in FIG. 1;

(5) FIG. 5 shows a plan view from above of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1;

(6) FIG. 6 shows a plan view from below of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1;

(7) FIG. 7 shows an exploded isometric view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1;

(8) FIG. 8 shows an isometric view of a second embodiment of the device according to the present invention, in use;

(9) FIGS. 9a and 9b show isometric views of the embodiment shown in FIG. 8;

(10) FIG. 10 shows an isometric view of a third embodiment of the device according to the present invention, in use;

(11) FIGS. 11a and 11b show exploded isometric views of the embodiment shown in FIG. 10;

(12) FIG. 12 shows an isometric view of a fourth embodiment of the device according to the present invention; and

(13) FIGS. 13a and 13b show exploded isometric views of the embodiment shown in FIG. 12.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES

(14) With reference to FIGS. 1 to 7 there is shown a first embodiment of the deck construction device 1 comprising a body 5 with six spacers.

(15) First spacers 12 extend to a depth equal to the thickness of the decking plank. Second spacers 2 extend to a depth beyond the decking plank.

(16) There are two of the shorter spacers 12 arranged below the handle 6 and four longer spacers 2 arranged at ends of the body.

(17) The first and second spacers 2, 12 are spaced apart on the body 5 so as to define a decking plank width.

(18) The body 5 is substantially rectangular, with two sides, and two ends, and a substantially planar side profile formed by an inverted tray shape, with an extending handle 6.

(19) The body 5 is arranged substantially horizontally in use, with the spacers 2, 12 extending downwards substantially vertically in use so as to slot between decking planks or between a surface such as a wall and a decking plank.

(20) The spacers 2, 12 are arranged in sets of two, having two second spacers 2 arranged at each end of the body and a set of two of the first spacers 12 arranged at a mid point between the ends of the body.

(21) Each set of spacers is spaced apart in a parallel arrangement.

(22) The shorter spacers 12 extend below the body 5 in continuation of a handle 6 extending above the body 5. The handle 6 defines an opening 17 in the body below the handle 6. This permits stacking of devices one device atop another. The spacers are also shaped to be hollow to permit stacking.

(23) The handle 6 also has a grip surface 16 extending below it to its underside. The grip surface comprises plural parallel ribs in the pictured embodiment but may comprise resiliently deformable material or coating in further embodiments.

(24) The spacers are hollow so as to permit stacking and define a recess 4 on an upper surface of the body. The recess may be used to store items such as screws.

(25) The device comprises four screw holes 3, arranged in a line having a pair of screw holes 3 either side of the handle 6. The screw holes 3 are set centrally between the two side edges of the body. The screw holes 3 have chamfered sides to easier enable correct guided insertion and passage of screws in use.

(26) The chamfered edges include marker lines that guide screw location.

(27) The body 5 further includes two liquid bubble levels 8, 9 to ensure subordinate decking is being laid level.

(28) The device further comprises measurement means 7, comprising a measuring rule arranged along either side of the body.

(29) The levels 8,9 are arranged to either side of the handle 6 wherein one level 9 is arranged parallel one set of screw hole perforations 3, and another level 8 is orthogonal the other screw hole perforation set, and parallel the body's end.

(30) The device predominantly comprises a unitarily moulded thermoplastics body 5, with two indentations for receipt of the levels.

(31) A rear face of the body is shown in FIG. 2. The rear face has ribs 11 to provide structural strength to the device. The screw holes 3 have a collar 13 defined on the rear face.

(32) A pair of clips 10 are provided for receiving the levels 8.

(33) With reference to the embodiment shown in FIGS. 8 and 9b the hollows 30 of the spacers are used to store screws for later use through the screw hole or otherwise.

(34) With reference to the embodiment shown in FIG. 10 the handle 38 comprises an inset liquid level 39 centrally on a top surface. The handle 38 comprises an underside of resiliently deformable silicone covering.

(35) The body has plural apertures 41 for receiving removable spacers 45. This arrangement enables removal and replacement of the spacers 45, according to preference of positioning and decking plank spacing. A central opening 43 is divided into two parts, to either side of the handle 38.

(36) The central apertures 43 include a measurement guide 40 running along its peripheral sides, which are tapered inwards to aid in reading the measurements.

(37) The spacers 45 have tapering sides 44 of a rectangular section, from a head 42 arranged to catch in the perforation 41.

(38) With reference to the embodiment shown in FIGS. 12 and 13b the body 52 is formed in a metal alloy or stainless steel, with a handle 53 permanently screwed thereon.

(39) The body 52 further comprises thermoplastic spacers 56 running in channels 66 below the body 52. The spacers 56 have heads 60 with upwardly extending placement studs 55 on resiliently deformable tabs 59, arranged to bump-fit into and extend through plural apertures to signify spacing widths. The body 52 comprises thermoplastic end caps 61 so as to prevent the heads 60 exiting the channels 66. The apertures have markings 58 alongside.

(40) The body comprises two longitudinal central openings 54 for visibility through the body 52.

(41) The body further includes a hole in the end cap so as to enable insertion and removal of a ruler guide 50, with three inset bubble levels 51 in two orthogonal directions.

(42) The invention has been described by way of examples only and it will be appreciated that variation may be made to the above-mentioned embodiments without departing from the scope of invention as defined by the claims, in particular but not solely combination of features of described embodiments.