Decking clip

Abstract

A decking clip to allow a plurality of decking members to be attached relative to a support assembly, the decking clip including an elongate plastic body strip having a body length, the body provided with a number of openings to receive fasteners there through to attach the body relative to the support assembly, a number of upstands spaced over the body length and extending substantially perpendicularly from the body strip, substantially transversely to the body length, each upstand having at least two opposed decking board engagement arms, a first decking board engagement arm extending from a first lateral side of the upstand at an acute angle and a second decking board engagement arm extending from a second lateral side of the upstand at an acute angle, at least two centering members, at least one centering member extending from the first lateral side of the upstand between the first decking board engagement arm and the body strip and at least one centering member extending from the second lateral side of the upstand between the second decking board engagement arm and the body strip, each upstand and/or engagement arm being resiliently deformable to allow portion of a decking board to pass and to retain the decking board relative to the support assembly in a spaced apart, non-overlapping configuration.

Claims

1. A decking clip to allow a plurality of decking members to be attached relative to a support assembly, the decking clip including an elongate plastic body strip having a body length, the body provided with a. a number of openings to receive fasteners there through to attach the body relative to the support assembly; and b. a number of upstands spaced over the body length and extending substantially perpendicularly from the body strip, substantially transversely to the body length, each upstand having a thicker lower portion having a first resistance to resilient deformation and a thinner upper portion having a second resistance to resilient deformation, i. at least two opposed decking board engagement arms having a third resistance to resilient deformation, a first decking board engagement arm extending from a first lateral side of the upstand at an acute angle and a second decking board engagement arm extending from a second lateral side of the upstand at an acute angle, the decking board engagement arms engaging a respective decking board by abutment with a groove or step provided on at least one edge of the respective decking board, and ii. at least two centering members having a fourth resistance to resilient deformation, at least one centering member extending from the first lateral side of the upstand between the first decking board engagement arm and the body strip and at least one centering member extending from the second lateral side of the upstand between the second decking board engagement arm and the body strip, each upstand and/or engagement arm being resiliently deformable to allow a portion of a decking board to pass and to retain the decking board relative to the support assembly in a spaced apart, non-overlapping configuration with the first resistance to resilient deformation higher than the second resistance to resilient deformation which is higher than both of the third and fourth resistance to resilient deformation.

2. The decking clip according to claim 1 wherein the decking clip is unitary in construction and manufactured from plastic material.

3. The decking clip according to claim 1 wherein the body strip is substantially planar with the upstands extending perpendicularly to the body strip.

4. The decking clip according to claim 1 wherein a shaped key assembly is provided at one end of the plastic body strip and a correspondingly shaped keyway assembly is provided at the other end of the plastic body strip to allow the shaped key assembly of a first decking clip to be aligned with the shaped keyway assembly of an adjacent decking clip during installation.

5. The decking clip according to claim 4 wherein at least one opening is provided through the key assembly and the keyway assembly so that when the key assembly and the keyway assembly are aligned, the at least one opening in each are aligned to allow a fastener to extend through the aligned key assembly and the keyway assembly.

6. The decking clip according to claim 1 wherein a raised portion is provided along each side edge of the body strip on an upper side of the body strip, to provide the body strip with raised side edges and a recessed or lower level, lower height central portion.

7. The decking clip according to claim 1 wherein each upstand is provided on or extending from a raised portion oriented transversely to the body length of the body strip.

8. The decking clip according to claim 1 wherein a single engagement arm is provided extending on each side of each upstand, angled downwardly from an upper portion of the upstand toward the body strip.

9. The decking clip according to claim 1 wherein a single centering member is provided extending on each side of each upstand, angled downwardly from an upper portion of the upstand toward the body strip.

10. The decking clip according to claim 1 wherein the centering members extend laterally a lesser distance than the engagement arms.

11. The decking clip according to claim 1 wherein each centering member is located between the engagement arm and the body strip with a lower edge of the centering member spaced from the body strip.

12. The decking clip according to claim 1 wherein the centering members are smaller in dimension than the engagement arms and do not extend laterally as far from the upstand as the engagement arms.

13. The decking clip according to claim 1 wherein the centering members are thinner in cross-sectional shape than the engagement arms.

14. The decking clip according to claim 1 wherein the centering members extend from the upstand substantially parallel to the engagement arms but spaced therefrom.

15. The decking clip according to claim 1 wherein the centering members extend at an angle relative to the engagement arms to abut a portion of a decking board located between a pair of spaced apart upstands in order to centre the decking board and/or to account for any inconsistencies in overall shape and dimension of the decking board.

16. The decking clip according to claim 1 wherein an outer free end of each of the centering members has a portion extending substantially parallel to the body strip.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

(1) Preferred features, embodiments and variations of the invention may be discerned from the following Detailed Description which provides sufficient information for those skilled in the art to perform the invention. The Detailed Description is not to be regarded as limiting the scope of the preceding Summary of the Invention in any way. The Detailed Description will make reference to a number of drawings as follows:

(2) FIG. 1 is an isometric view from above of a decking clip according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

(3) FIG. 2 is an isometric view from below of the decking clip illustrated in FIG. 1.

(4) FIG. 3 is a view from below of the decking clip illustrated in FIG. 1.

(5) FIG. 4 is a view from the side of the decking clip illustrated in FIG. 1.

(6) FIG. 5 is a view from above of the decking clip illustrated in FIG. 1.

(7) FIG. 6 is an alternative isometric view of the decking clip illustrated in FIG. 1.

(8) FIG. 7 is a view from one end of the decking clip illustrated in FIG. 1.

(9) FIG. 8 is a detail view from the side of the portion identified in FIG. 4 using reference letter A.

(10) FIG. 9 is an end view of a portion of the decking clip illustrated in FIG. 1 with a pair of decking boards illustrated relative thereto showing the engagement and centering for out of size decking boards.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

(11) According to a particularly preferred embodiment of the present invention, a decking clip is provided.

(12) The decking clip 10 allows a plurality of decking members (illustrated in FIG. 9) to be attached relative to a support assembly by mounting the decking clip, generally a number of decking clips, in an end to end configuration on adjacent joists and then laying the decking members relative to the decking clips.

(13) The decking clip 10 of the illustrated preferred embodiment includes an elongate plastic body strip 11 having a body length. The body strip 11 is provided with a number of openings 12 to receive fasteners (not shown) therethrough to attach the body strip 11 relative to the support assembly. The preferred embodiment also includes a number of upstands 13 spaced over the body length and extending substantially perpendicularly from the body strip 11, substantially transversely to the body length, each upstand 13 having at least two opposed decking board engagement arms 14, a first decking board engagement arm extending from a first lateral side of each upstand 13 at an acute angle and a second decking board engagement arm extending from a second lateral side of each upstand 13 at an acute angle, each upstand 13 and/or engagement arm 14 being resiliently deformable to allow portion of a decking board to pass and to retain the decking board relative to the support assembly in a spaced apart, non-overlapping configuration.

(14) The decking clip 10 of the preferred embodiment is preferably made from plastic material and in particular, and engineering plastic is preferably used. One particularly preferred plastic material is nylon 6. A preferred embodiment of the decking clip may be manufactured from impact modified or glass filled nylon or have impact modified or glass filled nylon added to nylon 6.

(15) The decking clip of a preferred embodiment will typically attach more than one decking board relative to the support assembly, normally transversely to the decking clips in the spaces between adjacent upstands 13. The decking clip 10 is generally attached to the support assembly, normally to one of the joists. Preferably, the decking clip is attached substantially centrally of the joist and one or more decking clips 10 are provided in an end-to-end configuration extending substantially over the length of each joist in the support assembly. Any fastening mechanism may be used to attach the decking clip to the support assembly including nails and/or screws and the like.

(16) In a preferred embodiment, the decking clip 10 will typically function to attach multiple decking boards individually relative to the support assembly using a snap fit action such that the boards can be fitted one at a time to the decking clip 10. The decking clip of the preferred embodiment will also function to space adjacent decking boards from one another and also act to align the decking boards with one another for a consistent appearance.

(17) Normally, the decking clip of the present invention is used with decking boards having a longitudinal groove provided on at least one and typically both side edges of each decking boards as illustrated in FIG. 9. The engagement arms 14 of the decking clip 10 of the preferred embodiment will typically act to abut the periphery of the longitudinal groove if the decking board attempts to move upwardly.

(18) The plastic body strip 11 is typically elongate and between approximately 0.5 m to 1 m in length but normally, will be approximately 0.7 m in length. The body strip 11 will typically be substantially rectangular when viewed in plan as seen in FIG. 4 in particular. The plastic body strip 11 is preferably substantially planar with the upstands 13 standing proud of the plastic body strip 11.

(19) In the illustrated embodiment, a shaped key assembly 15 is provided at one end of the plastic body strip 11 and a correspondingly shaped keyway assembly 16 is provided at the other end of the plastic body strip 11. The preferred key assembly 15 and keyway assembly 16 are provided as partial thickness portions extending only part of the height of the plastic body 11. The key assembly 15 is located as a half thickness portion at an upper side of the body strip 11 at one end of the body strip 11 and the keyway assembly 16 is provided as a half thickness portion at a lower side of the body strip at the other end of the body strip 11. In use, the shaped key assembly 15 of a first decking clip will normally be aligned with the shaped keyway assembly 16 of an adjacent decking clip during the attachment process. Preferably, the shaped key assembly 15 is substantially trapezoidal in shape as illustrated in FIG. 4 and the shaped keyway assembly 16 will have a corresponding shape. Providing a trapezoidal shape will typically assist with the alignment of the key assembly 15 with the keyway assembly 16 and proper alignment of the key assembly 15 with the keyway assembly 16 will also assist with the correct spacing between adjacent upstands 13 on different decking clips 10 where multiple decking clips are used.

(20) In the preferred embodiment illustrated, an opening 17 is provided through the key assembly 15 and at least one alignable opening is provided through the keyway assembly 16. When the key assembly 15 and the keyway assembly 16 are aligned, preferably the openings in each will be aligned to allow a fastener to extend through the aligned key assembly 15 and the keyway assembly 16.

(21) A number of openings 12 are provided in the elongate plastic body strip 11 for fasteners to attach the elongate body strip 11 to the support assembly. Preferably, the openings 12 will be spaced evenly over the length of the elongate plastic body strip 11. In a preferred embodiment, a pair of openings 12 is provided on each side of each upstand 11 which will act to fix the body strip 11 to the support assembly immediately adjacent each of the upstands 13 on both sides of each upstand 13.

(22) Openings 12 for fasteners provided in the body strip 11 may have a shaped periphery in order to accept a screw fastener closely. Preferably, the openings 12 provided to attach the elongate body strip 11 to the support assembly are provided in a recessed central portion 18.

(23) A raised portion 19 is preferably provided along each side edge of the body strip 11 on an upper side of the body strip 11, to provide the body strip 11 with raised side edges and a recessed or lower level, lower height central portion 18. The raised portions 19 also form rest surfaces for an underside of decking members when attached. The height of the raised portions 19 will typically be optimised relative to the lower end of the engagement arms 14 to account for the particular thickness of the decking board used. In other words, the dimension between an upper side of the raised portion 19 and the lower end of the engagement arms 14 should be approximately equal to the thickness of the decking board between the base of the decking board and the lower side of the peripheral groove provided on the longitudinal edge of the decking board.

(24) The upstand 13 is also provided on or extending from a raised portion 20. In a preferred configuration, the raised portion 20 from which the upstand 13 extends is oriented transversely to the raised portions 19 extending along each side edge of the body strip 11. Again, the raised portions 19, 20 will preferably define a number of recessed central portions 18 over the length of the body strip 11 with the openings 12 for fasteners typically provided in the recessed central portions 18.

(25) One or more gaps 21 will preferably be provided between raised portions 19 extending along each side edge of the body strip 11. In the illustrated embodiment, one gap 21 is provided between adjacent upstands 13. The provision of the gap 21 in this location will preferably allow water to drain from be decking clip 10 if water manages to reach this position and/or to allow air to flow underneath the decking board.

(26) A transversely extending attachment plate 22 will normally be provided between adjacent upstands 13. Portions will typically be removed from either side of the attachment plate 22 to form openings 26 in order to reduce the amount of material used to form the elongate body strip 11. In a preferred form, the gap 21 provided in each raised portion 19 between adjacent upstands 13 will preferably be provided adjacent to the attachment plate 22. The attachment plate will normally have an opening 23 therethrough to receive a fastener to assist with attachment of the body strip 11 relative to the support assembly.

(27) As mentioned above, in a preferred form, each upstand 13 will extend from a transversely extending raised portion 20. As illustrated in FIG. 8, each upstand 13 includes a thickened base portion 24 and a thinner upper portion 25. An angled transition is typically provided between the thickened base portion 24 and the thinner upper portion 25, preferably angling outwardly and downwardly.

(28) Each upstand 13 will typically be generally rectangular when viewed in elevation. Each upstand 13 will typically have an arcuate outer corner between a substantially planar side edge and a substantially planar top edge. Each of the upstands 13 will typically be substantially planar albeit preferably of portions of different thickness.

(29) Each upstand 13 will preferably extend substantially 90 to the plane of the body strip 11 and extend transversely across the body strip 11 at approximately 90.

(30) The upstands 13 are preferably regularly spaced from one another. In use, a decking board of one or more standard widths will be provided and preferably, the separation distance between the respective upstands 13 on a particular decking clip is slightly greater than the board width that will be attached to the decking clip 10 in order to allow for the engagement arms 14.

(31) Typically, four to six decking boards will be attached per decking clip 10 although there could be fewer or more decking boards provided depending upon the length of the body strip 11, and the width of the decking boards used. However, the decking clip 10 will be manufactured for decking boards of a specific width although the decking clip 10 may be manufactured in a number of different embodiments to suit different width decking boards.

(32) Generally, four to six upstands 13 are provided on each of the decking clips 10, spaced equally over the length of the body strip 11. It is preferred that the upstands at either ends of the body strip 11 are spaced from the terminal end of the body strip 11 such that when two decking clips 10 are located on a support assembly with the key assembly 15 properly located in the keyway assembly 6, the dimension between adjacent upstands 13 is maintained for the decking board width.

(33) Each upstand 13 may be resiliently deformable, preferably to a small degree in order to allow passage of a portion of the decking board during attachment of the decking boards but preferably, the upstands 13 are substantially rigid and it is the engagement arms 14 which are very slightly resiliently deformable.

(34) One or more engagement arms 14 can be provided on each side of the upstand 13. Preferably, there will be two engagement arms provided in a spaced apart configuration on each side of the upstand or a single engagement arm 14 on each side of each upstand 13 as illustrated in FIG. 5 may be provided.

(35) It is also preferred that the engagement arms 14 do not extend the full width of the upstand 13. In particular, it is preferred that the end edges of the engagement arms 14 are typically spaced inwardly from the side edges of the upstand 13 as can clearly be seen in FIG. 5. It is preferred that the end edges of the engagement arms 14 are substantially planar rather than arcuate.

(36) Each engagement arm 14 will preferably have a bottom edge which is substantially parallel to the plane of the body strip 11 as shown in FIG. 6. Each engagement arm 14 will typically have an upper edge which is coplanar with the top of the upstand 13. In the particularly preferred embodiment in which the engagement arm 14 and upstand 13 are moulded in a single piece, the upper periphery of the engagement arms 14 is typically coplanar with the top edge of the upstand 13.

(37) Each engagement arm 14 is preferably provided at an acute angle relative to the upstand 13. Although any angle can be used, and angle of approximately 30 from the upstand 13 is particularly preferred. Each engagement arm 14 will preferably extend outwardly and downwardly toward the body strip 11.

(38) As illustrated in FIGS. 8 and 9 in particular, each upstand 13 also includes a pair of centering members 27, one centering member 27 extending from the first lateral side of the upstand 13 between the first decking board engagement arm 14 and the body strip 11 and one centering member 27 extending from the second lateral side of the upstand 13 between the second decking board engagement arm 14 and the body strip 11.

(39) As illustrated in FIG. 8 best, the centering members 27 extend laterally a lesser distance than the engagement arms 14. The centering members 27 extend further on each side of the upstand 13 than the enlarged base 24 of the upstand 13 in order to abut the edge of a decking board 28 before the enlarged base 24 abuts the edge of the decking board 28.

(40) In the illustrated preferred embodiment, the centering members 27 extend from the upstand 13 substantially parallel to the engagement arms 14 but spaced therefrom.

(41) Although the centering members 27 may have any shape, it is preferred that they be substantially planar. In a preferred embodiment, an outer free end of each of the centering members is preferably shaped to abut a portion of a board as shown in FIG. 9. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the outer free end of each of the centering members has a portion extending substantially parallel to the body of the clip.

(42) The centering members may be resilient or not. If the centering members are resilient, they may not function to centre the board or account for any inconsistency in the overall shape and dimension of the board with as much force or resistance as a non-resilient centering member. For this reason, a nonresilient centering member is preferred. However, the material used to form the centering members (which will typically be integrally formed with the remainder of the clip 10) may provide a degree of resilient deformation due to the thickness of the material. Also, it is preferred that the centering members not be absolutely rigid or they may be more prone to breakage as the board is installed. Therefore, it is preferred if the centering members 27 are predominately rigid but with a small amount of deformation possible.

(43) In use, the engagement arms 14 of each upstand 13 act to hold down the board 28 as illustrated in FIG. 9 and the centering members 27 act to centre the board 28 between the upstands 13 and/or account for any inconsistency in the overall shape and dimension of each decking board 28.

(44) The decking clip 10 of the preferred embodiment is typically manufactured in one piece with all parts integrally formed. This is normally achieved by a moulding process.

(45) In use, the decking clip 10 will typically be attached to an upper planar edge of a joist or other surface in a support assembly and then one or more adjacent decking clips 10 provided in an end-to-end configuration. Normally, aligned decking clips will be provided on adjacent joists. A decking board with a groove or step in a side edge can then be provided at an angle to locate the groove in one side edge relative to an engagement arm 14 on one upstand 13. This will normally cause the underside of the decking board to rest on the engagement arm 14 on an adjacent upstand 13 at which time force can be applied to an upper surface of the decking board to force the decking board downwardly. This will have the effect of temporarily and resiliently deforming one or both of the upstands 13 and/or the at least one engagement arm 14 while the decking board passes the engagement arm 14 and the lower, outer part of the engagement arm 14 will then enter the groove or step in the side edge of the decking board and engagement arm 14 will preferably abut an upper surface of the periphery of the groove or step in the side edge of the decking board to hold the decking board to the support assembly. The preferred substantially parallel lower edge of the engagement arm will resist any upward movement of the decking board.

(46) In the present specification and claims (if any), the word comprising and its derivatives including comprises and comprise include each of the stated integers but does not exclude the inclusion of one or more further integers.

(47) Reference throughout this specification to one embodiment or an embodiment means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, the appearance of the phrases in one embodiment or in an embodiment in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more combinations.

(48) In compliance with the statute, the invention has been described in language more or less specific to structural or methodical features. It is to be understood that the invention is not limited to specific features shown or described since the means herein described comprises preferred forms of putting the invention into effect. The invention is, therefore, claimed in any of its forms or modifications within the proper scope of the appended claims (if any) appropriately interpreted by those skilled in the art.