Bracket for Interconnecting the Terminal End of Deck Boards and Related Methods

Abstract

A bracket for interconnecting the terminal ends of boards includes a shelf member having a top face and an opposing bottom face that each extend between a first end and an opposing second end; a mounting plate having a front face and an opposing back face that each extend between an upper end and an opposing lower end, the upper end of the mounting plate projecting outward from the bottom face of the shelf member; a first connector upstanding from the top face of the shelf member at the first end thereof and projecting forward of the front face of the mounting plate; and a second connector upstanding from the top face of the shelf member at the second end thereof and projecting forward of the front face of the mounting plate, the first and second connector each having a T-shaped transverse cross section.

Claims

1. A bracket comprising: a shelf member having a top face and an opposing bottom face that each extend between a front edge and an opposing back edge and that each extend between a first end and an opposing second end; a mounting plate having a front face and an opposing back face that each extend between an upper end and an opposing lower end, the upper end of the mounting plate projecting outward from the bottom face of the shelf member; a first connector upstanding from the top face of the shelf member at the first end thereof and projecting forward of the front face of the mounting plate, the first connector having a T-shaped transverse cross section; and a second connector upstanding from the top face of the shelf member at the second end thereof and projecting forward of the front face of the mounting plate, the second connector having a T-shaped transverse cross section.

2. The bracket as recited in claim 1, wherein the shelf member projects rearward of the back face of the mounting plate.

3. The bracket as recited in claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the mounting plate projects orthogonal to the shelf member.

4. The bracket as recited in claim 1, wherein the top face of the shelf member is planer and the front face of the mounting plate is planar, the front face of the mounting plate being disposed orthogonal to the top face of the shelf member.

5. The bracket as recited in claim 1, wherein the mounting plate, the shelf member, the first connector, and the second connector are integrally formed as a single unitary member as opposed to separate members connected together.

6. The bracket as recited in claim 1, wherein the mounting plate, the shelf member, the first connector, and the second connector are each comprised of plastic.

7. The bracket as recited in claim 1, wherein the top face of the shelf member has a length extend between the front edge and the back edge that is greater than 2 cm.

8. The bracket as recited in claim 1, wherein the shelf member is elongated and longitudinally extends between the first end and the second end, the shelf member having a length extending between the first end and the second end that is at least 8 cm.

9. The bracket as recited in claim 1, wherein a portion of the first connector freely projects forward of the front face of the mounting plate by a distance of at least 1.5 cm.

10. The bracket as recited in claim 1, wherein the first connector comprises a riser upstanding from the top face of the shelf member and a flange disposed on an upper end of the riser so that the riser and flange have the T-shaped transverse cross section, a top surface of the flange being disposed parallel to the top surface of the shelf member.

11. The bracket as recited in claim 1, further comprising a first brace extending between and outwardly projecting from the back face of the mounting plate and the bottom face of the shelf member.

12. The bracket as recited in claim 11, further comprising a first mounting hole passing through first brace and the mounting plate.

13. The bracket as recited in claim 11, wherein the mounting plate, the shelf member, and the first brace are integrally formed as a single unitary member as opposed to separate members connected together.

14. The bracket as recited in claim 1, wherein the bracket is configured for interconnecting terminal ends of flooring boards.

15. A method for interconnecting ends of boards used in flooring, the method comprising: securing a mounting plate of a bracket to a first side of a first floor joist so that a top surface of a shelf member of the bracket that extends from the mounting plate is flush with a top edge of the first floor joist, the bracket having a first connector and a spaced apart second connector upstanding from the top surface of the shelf member; either before or after securing the mounting plate to the first floor joist, sliding an end of a first board between the first connector and the second connector so that the end of the first board rests on the top edge of the first floor joist, a portion of the first connector being received within a first slot formed on the first board and a portion of the second connector being received within a second slot formed on the first board so that the first connector and the second connector secure the first board to the bracket; and either before or after securing the mounting plate to the first floor joist, sliding an end of a second board between the first connector and the second connector so that the end of the second board rests on the top surface of the shelf member, a portion of the first connector being received within a first slot formed on the second board and a portion of the second connector being received within a second slot formed on the second board so that the first connector and the second connector secure the second board to the bracket.

16. The method as recited in claim 15, wherein the first connector and the second connector each have a T-shaped transverse cross section.

17. The method as recited in claim 15, wherein a second side of the first floor joist that is opposite of the mounting plate is freely exposed with no second floor joist being disposed there against.

18. The method as recited in claim 15, wherein a terminal end of the first board and a terminal end of the second board are each disposed between the first connector and the second connector.

19. The method as recited in claim 15, further comprising positioning a third board along a portion of a length of the first board and the second board so that the third board is resting on the top edge of the first floor joist, a portion of the first connector being received within a first slot formed on the third board so as to help secure the third board to the first floor joist.

20. The method as recited in claim 15, wherein the first board has a top surface and an opposing bottom surface that each extend between a first side edge and an opposing second side edge, the first slot of the first board being formed along the first side edge and the second slot of the first board being formed along the second side edge.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] Various embodiments of the present invention will now be discussed with reference to the appended drawings. It is appreciated that these drawings depict only typical embodiments of the invention and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope.

[0010] FIG. 1 is a top plan view of a conventional deck flooring system;

[0011] FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of an inventive flooring bracket;

[0012] FIG. 3 is a front perspective view of the bracket shown in FIG. 2;

[0013] FIG. 4 is front elevational view of the bracket shown in FIG. 2;

[0014] FIG. 5 is a top plan view of the bracket shown in FIG. 2;

[0015] FIG. 6 is a bottom perspective view of the bracket shown in FIG. 2;

[0016] FIG. 7 is perspective view of a flooring board for use with the bracket shown in FIG. 2;

[0017] FIG. 8 is perspective view of the bracket shown in FIG. 2 mounted on a flooring joist and coupled with a first flooring board;

[0018] FIG. 9 is perspective view of the assembly shown in FIG. 8 having a second flooring board coupled with the bracket; and

[0019] FIG. 10 is top plan view of an alternative embodiment of the bracket shown in FIG. 5.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0020] Before describing the present disclosure in detail, it is to be understood that this disclosure is not limited to particularly exemplified apparatus, systems, assemblies, methods, or process parameters that may, of course, vary. It is also to be understood that the terminology used herein is only for the purpose of describing particular exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure and is not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure in any manner.

[0021] The term comprising which is synonymous with including, containing, or characterized by, is inclusive or open-ended and does not exclude additional, unrecited elements or method steps.

[0022] It will be noted that, as used in this specification and the appended claims, the singular forms a, an and the include plural referents unless the content clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, reference to a connector includes one, two, or more connectors.

[0023] As used in the specification and appended claims, directional terms, such as top, bottom, left, right, up, down, upper, lower, proximal, distal and the like are used herein solely to indicate relative directions and are not otherwise intended to limit the scope of the disclosure or claims.

[0024] Where possible, like numbering of elements have been used in various figures. Furthermore, multiple instances of an element and or sub-elements of a parent element may each include separate letters appended to the element number. For example, two instances of a particular element 10 may be labeled as 10A and 10B. In that case, the element label may be used without an appended letter (e.g., 10) to generally refer to all instances of the element or any one of the elements. Element labels including an appended letter (e.g., 10A) can be used to refer to a specific instance of the element or to distinguish or draw attention to multiple uses of the element. Furthermore, an element label with an appended letter can be used to designate an alternative design, structure, function, implementation, and/or embodiment of an element. For example, two alternative exemplary embodiments of a particular element may be labeled as 10A and 10B. In that case, the element label may be used without an appended letter (e.g., 10) to generally refer to all instances of the alternative embodiments or any one of the alternative embodiments.

[0025] Various aspects of the present devices and assemblies may be illustrated by describing components that are coupled, attached, and/or joined together. As used herein, the terms coupled, attached, and/or joined are used to indicate either a direct connection between two components or, where appropriate, an indirect connection to one another through intervening or intermediate components. In contrast, when a component is referred to as being directly coupled, directly attached, and/or directly joined to another component, there are no intervening elements present. Furthermore, as used herein, the terms connection, connected, and the like do not necessarily imply direct contact between the two or more elements.

[0026] Various aspects of the present devices, assemblies, and methods may be illustrated with reference to one or more exemplary embodiments. As used herein, the terms embodiment, alternative embodiment and exemplary embodiment mean serving as an example, instance, or illustration, and should not necessarily be construed as required or as preferred or advantageous over other embodiments disclosed herein.

[0027] Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which the present disclosure pertains. Although a number of methods and materials similar or equivalent to those described herein can be used in the practice of the present disclosure, the preferred materials and methods are described herein.

[0028] Depicted in FIGS. 2-5 is one embodiment of a bracket 20 for interconnecting the terminal ends of boards. More specifically, bracket 20 can be used for interconnecting the terminal end of deck flooring boards and, particularly, composite deck flooring boards.

[0029] Bracket 20 comprises a shelf member 22 having a top face 24 and an opposing bottom face 26 that each extend laterally between a front edge 28 and an opposing back edge 30 and that each longitudinally extend between a first end 32 and an opposing second end 34. Top face 24 or at least a portion thereof is typically planar. However, one or more recesses could be formed thereon without significantly altering the functionality thereof. In one embodiment, shelf member 22/top face 24 has a width extending between front edge 28 and back edge 30 that is at least or less than 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, or 10 cm or is in a range between any two of the foregoing values. Other dimensions can also be used. As will be discussed below in more detail, the width is selected to be a size that will adequately support the terminal end of a flooring board that will rest on top face 24. In one embodiment, shelf member 22/top face 24 has a length extending between a terminal end 36 at first end 32 and a terminal end 38 at second end 34 that is at least or less than 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 25, 30 or 40 cm or is in a range between any two of the foregoing values. Other dimensions can also be used. As will also be discussed below in more detail, the length of shelf member 22/top face 24 can vary depending upon the size of flooring board that bracket 20 is being used with. Shelf member 22 also has a thickness extending between top face 24 and bottom face 26 that is at least or less than 0.5, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 or 8 mm or is in a range between any two of the foregoing values. Other dimensions can also be used. The thickness of shelf member 22 is dependent upon the material that bracket 20 is made of and is selected so that shelf member 22 has adequate strength and rigidity to freely support the terminal end of a deck flooring board during use. For example, the thickness may be thinner where bracket 20/shelf member 22 is formed from a stronger material, such as a metal, and thicker where made of a weaker material, such as a plastic.

[0030] Bracket 20 also comprises a mounting plate 40 having a front face 42 and an opposing back face 44 that each extend between an upper end 46 and an opposing lower end 48. Mounting plate 40 outwardly projects from bottom face 26 of shelf member 22. More specifically, upper end 46 of mounting plate 40 outwardly projects from bottom face 26 of shelf member 22 at or adjacent to front edge 28. As will be discussed below, front face 42 is configured to sit directly against and be secured to the face of a flooring joist. As such, front face 42, or at least a portion thereof, is typically planar. However, one or more recesses could be formed thereon without significantly altering the functionality thereof.

[0031] Mounting plate 40, or at least a portion thereof, typically projects orthogonal to shelf member 20. More specifically, front face 42 of the mounting plate 40 can be disposed orthogonal to top face 24 of shelf member 22. Thus, top face 24 of shelf member 22 can be disposed in a plane and front face 42 of mounting plate 40 can be disposed is a plane where the planes are orthogonal to each other. In the above configuration, shelf member 22 projects rearward of back face 44 of mounting plate 40. In one embodiment, shelf member 22 projects rearward of back face 44 by a distance of at least or less than 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, or 10 cm or in a range between any two of the foregoing values. Other dimensions can also be used.

[0032] In one embodiment, back face 44 of mounting plate 40 can also be planar. However, because back face 44 does not rest against a surface during use, back face 44 can also have other configurations. Mounting plate 40 can have a thickness extending between front face 42 and back face 44 in the same values as discussed above with regard to the thickness of shelf member 22. Mounting plate 40 typically has a height extending between upper end 46 and lower end 48 that is at least or less than 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 10, 12 cm or is in a range between any two of the foregoing values. Other dimensions can also be used. In part, the height is sized to receive spaced apart fasteners for securing bracket 20 to a floor joist, as discussed below.

[0033] As depicted in FIG. 6, in one embodiment, a first brace 50A and a spaced apart second brace 50B are each shown extending between and outwardly projecting from back face 44 of the mounting plate 40 and bottom face 26 of shelf member 22. Braces 50A and 50B function to structurally reinforce shelf member 22 to help prevent failure or unwanted flexing of shelf member 22 when shelf member 22 is supporting the end of a flooring board during use, as discussed below. Each brace 50A and 50B is also shown having a first hole 52 and a longitudinally spaced apart second hole 54 passing therethrough. First hole 52 and second hole 54 also continue on and pass through mounting plate 40 from back face 44 to front face 42 (FIG. 3). Holes 52 and 54 are used for receiving fasteners, such as screws, nails, bolts, pins, or the like, that secure bracket 20 and, more particularly, front face 42 of mounting plate 40, against a floor joist or other support structure. In this configuration, braces 50A and 50B also function to reinforce mounting plate 40 for carrying the load transferred through the fasteners during use of bracket 20.

[0034] It is appreciated that braces 50A and 50B can have a variety of different configurations and that alternative numbers of braces can be used. For example, in the depicted embodiment, two braces 50A and 50B are shown to try and optimize the reinforcing properties while minimizing material cost. However, in alternative embodiments a single enlarged brace can be used having four holes or other number of holes passing therethrough. In yet other embodiments, particularly where larger brackets are used for supporting larger flooring boards, three, four, five or more spaced apart braces 50 can be formed outwardly projecting from and extending between back face 44 of mounting plate 40 and bottom face 26 of shelf member 22. Each brace 50 can have one, two, or three or more holes extending therethrough to receive a fastener. In still other embodiments, braces 50 can be eliminated by either forming shelf member 22 and mounting plate 40 out of a high strength material, such as a metal like steel or aluminum, or, alternatively, by increasing the thickness of shelf member 20 and/or mounting plate 40.

[0035] Returning to FIGS. 1-4, bracket 20 also includes a first connector 60A upstanding from the top face 24 of shelf member 22 at first end 32 thereof and projecting forward of front face 42 of mounting plate 40. First connector 60A, or at least a portion thereof, can have a T-shaped transverse cross section. First connector 60A has a first end 66A disposed on top face 24 of shelf member 22 at first end 32 thereof and an opposing second end 68A that is freely suspended forward of front face 42 of mounting plate 40. First connector 60A projects orthogonal to front face 42 of mounting plate 40. First connector 60A also has a top surface 70A that is typically planar and is disposed parallel to top face 24 of shelf member 22 and/or perpendicular to front face 42 of mounting plate 40. First connector 60A typically has a length extending between first end 66A and second end 68A that is at least or less than 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 10 cm or is in a range between any two of the foregoing. Other dimensions can also be used. In addition, first connector 60A typically projects forward of front face 42 of mounting plate 40 by a distance of at least or less than 1, 2, 3, 4, or 6 cm or is in a range between any two of the foregoing. Other dimensions can also be used.

[0036] More specifically, first connector 60A comprises a riser 62A upstanding from top face 24 of shelf member 22 at first end 32 thereof. Riser 62A has an upstanding interior side 80A and opposing exterior side 82A that extend between first end 66A and second end 68A. In one embodiment, riser 62A is in the form of an elongated plate and can have a rectangular configuration. A flange 64A is disposed at an upper end 72A of riser 62A and extends along riser 62A between first end 66A and second end 68A. Flange 64A outwardly projects from riser 62A. As best depicted in FIG. 4, in one embodiment, riser 62A and flange 64A combine to form the T-shaped transverse cross section. Flange 64A can also be in the form of an elongated plate having top surface 70A and an opposing bottom surface 74A. Flange 64A can be positioned so that riser 62A extends centrally along bottom surface 74A of flange 64A. Flange 64A thus forms an elongated inside arm 76A that outwardly projects over interior side 80A of riser 62A and an elongated outside arm 78A that outwardly projects over opposing exterior side 82A of riser 62A. Flange 64A and each of first arm 76A and second arm 78A can each project orthogonal to riser 62A.

[0037] Riser 62A has a thickness extending between interior side 80A and exterior side 82A that is typically in a range between 1 mm and 8 mm with between 1 mm and 5 mm and between 1 mm and 3 mm being more common. Riser 62A needs to be sufficiently thick to have desired strength properties but cannot be too thick as it typically fits at least partially between adjacent flooring boards, as discussed below. Furthermore, flange 64A has a thickness between top surface 70A and bottom surface 74A that is typically in a range between 1 mm and 8 mm with between 1 mm and 5 mm and between 1 mm and 3 mm being more common. Flange 64A needs to be sufficiently thick to have desired strength properties but cannot be too thick as it typically fits within a slot formed on the flooring boards, as discussed below.

[0038] Bracket 20 also includes a second connector 60B upstanding from the top face 24 of shelf member 22 at second end 34 thereof and projecting forward of front face 42 of mounting plate 40. Second connector 60B has the same configuration, dimensions, alternatives, and structural elements as first connector 60A. Second connector 60B also has the same positioning as first connector 60A except that second connector 60B is located at second end 34 of shelf member 22 as opposed to first end 32. All of the above disclosure and alternatives discussed herein with regard to first connector 60A is also applicable to second connector 60B and all like elements between first connector 60A and second connector 60B are identified by like reference characters except that the reference characters for second connector 60B include the suffix B rather than A. For Example, second connector 60B, or at least a portion thereof, can have a T-shaped transverse cross section. Second connector 60B has a first end 66B disposed on top face 24 of shelf member 22 at second end 34 thereof and an opposing second end 68B that is freely suspended forward of front face 42 of mounting plate 40. Second connector 60B projects orthogonal to front face 42 of mounting plate 40. Second connector 60B also has a top surface 70B that is typically planar and is disposed parallel to top face 24 of shelf member 22 and/or perpendicular to front face 42 of mounting plate 40. Second connector 60B can also include riser 62B and flange 64B where flange 64B includes inside arm 76B and outside arm 78A. Top face 70A of first connector 60A can be disposed in the same plane as top face 70B of second connector 60B while first connector 60A can be disposed in parallel alignment with second connector 60B.

[0039] In one embodiment, bracket 20 and all of the components thereof can be formed from a plastic, fiberglass, composite, reinforced cement, metal, such as steel or aluminum, or other materials having desired properties. Molding bracket 20 from a plastic, such as by injection molding, has been found beneficial in that bracket 20 can be produced quickly and inexpensively while still having desired strength properties. All of the components of bracket 20 are typically made from the same material. In one embodiment, bracket 20 including shelf member 22, mounting plate 40, first connector 60A, and second connector 60B are integrally formed as a single unitary member, as opposed to separate components that are separately connected together. Braces 50 can also be integrally formed therewith. For example, bracket 20 can be formed by molding, casting, folding, 3D printing or other conventional techniques.

[0040] Depicted in FIG. 7 is one example of a flooring board 90A that can be used in association with bracket 20 for forming a floor, such as a deck. Flooring board 90A has a top surface 92A and an opposing bottom surface 94A that laterally extend between a first side surface 96A and an opposing second side surface 98A and that longitudinal extend between a first end 100A and an opposing second end 102A. Top surface 92A is typically planar or substantially planar although any desired texture, pattern, or finish can be formed thereon. Bottom surface 94A is shown having a plurality of laterally spaced apart channels 104A recessed therein that longitudinally extend between first end 100A and second end 102A. In alternative embodiments, channels 104A can be eliminated and bottom surface 94A can be planar or substantially planar, the same as top surface 92A, and be disposed parallel to top surface 92A. Recessed into first side surface 96A is a first slot 106A and recessed into second side surface 98A is a second slot 108A. First slot 106A and second slot 108A longitudinally extend between first end 100A and second end 102A. In addition, first slot 106A and second slot 108A each typically have the same configuration and are disposed in a common plane that is typically parallel to top surface 92A. As discussed below, first slot 106A is configured to receive flange 64A/inside arm 76A of first connector 60A while second slot 108A is configured to receive flange 64B/inside arm 76B of second connector 60B.

[0041] Flooring board 90A can be formed having a variety of different thicknesses extending between top surface 92A and bottom surface 94A, widths extending between opposing side surfaces 96A and 98B, and lengths extending between first end 100A and second end 102A. However, flooring boards are typically formed in a limited number of standard dimensions. Flooring board 90A can be a composite board produced from a blend of wood and plastic particles that are formed into a board shape, as discussed in the background section. Composite flooring boards are available from Fiberon Composites of New London, N.C., and the Trex Corporation of Winchester, Va. and are sold under the trademark TREX. Alternatively, flooring board 90A can be comprised of wood, plastic, metal, concrete, other composite materials or other materials.

[0042] As previously discussed, bracket 20 can be used for interconnecting the terminal end of deck flooring boards. For example, depicted in FIG. 8 is a flooring assembly 110 comprising a floor joist 112, flooring board 90A, and a flooring board 90B. Flooring board 90B has the same configuration and elements as flooring board 90A and can be made of the same materials and have the same alternatives as flooring board 90A. As such, like elements between flooring board 90A and flooring board 90B are identified by like reference numbers except that the reference numbers for flooring board 90B include the suffix B rather than A.

[0043] Floor joist 112 has a first face 114 and an opposing second face 116, which are typically vertically disposed when in use, and an upwardly facing side edge 118 extending therebetween. Floor joist 112 is typically made of wood but can also be comprised of metal, concrete, composite, laminated, or other material. Bracket 20 is mounted on first face 114 of floor joist 112 by positioning front face 42 of mounting plate 40 against first face 114 of floor joist 112 so that top face 24 of shelf member 22 is flush with side edge 118 of floor joist 112, as shown in FIG. 8. Bracket 20 is then secured in place by advancing fasteners into each of holes 52 and 54 so that fasteners pass thought mounting plate 40 and into floor joist 112, thereby securing bracket 20 to floor joist 112. Either prior to securing bracket 20 to floor joist 112 or after securing bracket 20 to floor joist 112, first end 100A of flooring board 90A is slid between second end 68A of first connector 60A and second end 68B of second connector 60B of bracket 20 so that bracket 20 and flooring board 90 are secured together. Specifically, bracket 20 used in flooring assembly 110 is selected so as to be specifically sized so that as first end 100A of flooring board 90A is slid between first connector 60A and second connector 60B, flange 64A/inside arm 76A of first connector 60A is slid into first slot 106A of flooring board 90A and flange 64B/inside arm 76B of second connector 60B is received within second slot 108A of flooring board 90A. This engagement between flooring board 90A and connectors 60A and 60B prevents vertical separation between flooring board 90A and bracket 20 when flooring board 90A is horizontally disposed.

[0044] First end 100A of flooring board 90A terminates at a terminal end face 122A. Terminal end face 122A can be a natural end of flooring board 90A or a cut end where flooring board 90A is cut to a desired length. In either event, flooring board 90A is sized so that when assembled into flooring assembly 110 by passing first end 100A between connectors 60A and 60B, as discussed above, first end 100A is resting on top of side edge 118 of floor joist 112. More commonly, flooring board 90A is sized/positioned so that terminal end face 122A is disposed flush with or adjacent to first face 114 of floor joist 112 while first end 100A is resting on top of side edge 118 of floor joist 112. Floor joist 112 provides vertical support to first end 100A of flooring board 90A so as to prevent unwanted downward flexing or movement of first end 100A when a load is applied on top of first end 100A. However, first end 100A of flooring board 90A can still slid longitudinally relative to bracket 20/connectors 60A and 60B to accommodate for expansion or contraction caused by changes in temperature.

[0045] With reference to FIGS. 8 and 9, as with flooring board 90A, flooring board 90B has a first end 100B that terminates at a terminal end face 122B. Flooring board 90B also includes slots 106B and 108B formed on first side surface 96B and second side surface 98B, respectively. After bracket 20 is secured to floor joist 112, as discussed above, first end 100B of flooring board 90B is slid between first end 66A of first connector 60A and first end 66B of second connector 60B of bracket 20 so that bracket 20 and flooring board 90B are secured together and so that first end 100B is disposed on top face 24 of shelf member 22 of bracket 20. Specifically, bracket 20 is selected so as to be specifically sized so that as first end 100B of flooring board 90B is slid between first connector 60A and second connector 60B, flange 64A/inside arm 76A of first connector 60A is slid into first slot 106B of flooring board 90B and flange 64B/inside arm 76B of second connector 60B is received within second slot 108B of flooring board 90B. Again, this engagement between flooring board 90B and connectors 60A and 60B prevents vertical separation between flooring board 90B and bracket 20. In addition, as first end 100B is slid between connectors 60A and 60B, first end 100B is slid on top of shelf member 22. Shelf member 22 provides vertical support to first end 100B of flooring board 90B so as to prevent unwanted downward flexing, twisting or movement of first end 100B when a load is applied on top of first end 100B.

[0046] Connectors 60A and 60B prevent unwanted lifting and/or lateral movement of first end 100B. However, first end 100B of flooring board 90B can still slid longitudinally relative to bracket 20/connectors 60A and 60B to accommodate for expansion or contraction caused by changes in temperature. During assembly, first end 100B is typically advanced between connectors 60A and 60B until terminal end face 122B is disposed against or adjacent to terminal end face 122A of flooring board 90A. The remainder of flooring board 90B is then secured to other spaced apart joists as is known in the art. Accordingly, by using bracket 20, the terminal ends of flooring boards 90A and 90B can be secured adjacent to each other end to end so that they are both vertically and laterally supported through the use of a single floor joist 112. That is, by using bracket 20, no second floor joist is disposed or required against or adjacent to either face 114 or 116 of floor joist 112.

[0047] It is appreciated that the above sequence of the method steps can be altered into any desired order. For example, in one alternative, flooring board 90B could be secured to bracket 20 prior to flooring board 90A being secured to bracket 20. In another alternative, both or either one of flooring board 90A and 90B can be secured to bracket 20 before bracket 20 is secured to floor joist 112. Other alternatives also exist.

[0048] During the further assembly of flooring assembly 110, further flooring boards can be disposed on opposing sides of bracket 20 and secured to bracket 20. For example, a flooring board 90C, having the same configuration and structural elements as flooring board 90A, can be disposed so as to extend along side surface 96A of flooring board 90A and along side surface 96B of flooring board 90B. Flange 60A/outside arm 78A of first connector 60A is received within slot 108C of flooring board 90C so as to help secure flooring board 90C to floor joist 112. Likewise, a further flooring board can be placed along side surface 98A of flooring board 90A and along side surface 98B of flooring board 90B so as to receive flange 60B/outside arm 78B within a side slot of the further flooring board.

[0049] Bracket 20 can achieve one or more of a number of unique advantages. For example, by using bracket 20, only a single floor joist is required for properly interconnecting and supporting the terminal end of two flooring boards. As such, the use of brackets 20 eliminates the time, cost and labor associated with the purchase and installation of second flooring joists at each location where flooring boards are being secured together end-to-end. Brackets 20 are easy and inexpensive to produce. As such, significant savings are achieved in time, cost and labor by replacing a floor joist with multiple brackets 20. In addition, brackets 20 eliminate the need for having to drive fasteners down through the ends of flooring boards for securing them to floor joists. As such, brackets 20 eliminate damage and scarring caused by conventional fasteners. Brackets 20 also help eliminate unwanted movement or loosening of flooring boards which is common with flooring board secured by conventional fasteners. However, in some embodiments, the ends of the flooring boards can freely slide relative to the brackets when expanding or contracting as a result in changes of temperature, thereby avoiding unnecessary loads on fasteners typically used to secure the ends of the flooring boards. A further advantage of brackets 20 is that flooring boards can be easily removed from brackets 20 without damage to the flooring boards or brackets 20. Brackets 20 also help facilitate easy replacement of flooring boards. Additional benefits of brackets 20 are that they are substantially hidden from view during use and are easy to mount and attach to flooring boards and floor joists. Other advantages also exist.

[0050] It is also appreciated that bracket 20 can be formed having a variety of alternative configurations. For example, depicted in FIG. 10 is a top plan view of bracket 20A. Like elements between brackets 20 and 20A are identified by like reference numbers. Brackets 20 and 20A have identical configurations except that bracket 20A includes a hole 130A formed on first connector 60A and a hole 130B formed on second connector 60B. More specifically, hole 130A passes through flange 64A and riser 62A (FIG. 3) at second end 68A of first connector 60A while hole 130B passes through flange 64B and riser 62B (FIG. 3) at second end 68B of second connector 60B. During use, fasteners, such as screws, bolts, pins, nails or the like, can be passed through holes 130A and 130B and secure into floor joist 112 so as to reinforce connectors 60A and 60B and further stabilize the flooring boards. In another alternative, two or more holes 130A and 130B can be formed in each of connectors 60A and 60B. In another alternative, one or both of outside arms 78A and 78B of connectors 60A and 60B can be eliminated, such as when no flooring board will be placed next to bracket 20. In this embodiment, one or both of connectors 60A and 60B will have an L-shaped configuration. Other modifications can also be made.

[0051] Furthermore, although bracket 20, as disclosed above, is primary designed for the securing of the ends of flooring boards, such as in forming a deck, it is also envisioned that brackets 20 could be formed on a much larger scale and from higher strength materials, such as steel and/or concrete for use in supporting the ends of support decks, suspended roads, trusses, bridge decks, slabs, and the like.

[0052] Various alterations and/or modifications of the inventive features illustrated herein, and additional applications of the principles illustrated herein, which would occur to one skilled in the relevant art and having possession of this disclosure, can be made to the illustrated embodiments without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the claims, and are to be considered within the scope of this disclosure. Thus, while various aspects and embodiments have been disclosed herein, other aspects and embodiments are contemplated. While a number of methods and components similar or equivalent to those described herein can be used to practice embodiments of the present disclosure, only certain components and methods are described herein.

[0053] It will also be appreciated that systems, processes, and/or products according to certain embodiments of the present disclosure may include, incorporate, or otherwise comprise properties features (e.g., components, members, elements, parts, and/or portions) described in other embodiments disclosed and/or described herein. Accordingly, the various features of certain embodiments can be compatible with, combined with, included in, and/or incorporated into other embodiments of the present disclosure. Thus, disclosure of certain features relative to a specific embodiment of the present disclosure should not be construed as limiting application or inclusion of said features to the specific embodiment. Rather, it will be appreciated that other embodiments can also include said features without necessarily departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

[0054] Moreover, unless a feature is described as requiring another feature in combination therewith, any feature herein may be combined with any other feature of a same or different embodiment disclosed herein. Furthermore, various well-known aspects of illustrative assemblies, processes, products, and the like are not described herein in particular detail in order to avoid obscuring aspects of the example embodiments. Such aspects are, however, also contemplated herein.

[0055] The present disclosure may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description. While certain embodiments and details have been included herein and in the attached disclosure for purposes of illustrating embodiments of the present disclosure, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes in the methods, products, devices, and apparatus disclosed herein may be made without departing from the scope of the disclosure or of the invention, which is defined in the appended claims. All changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope.