STEP CLIP FASTENING SYSTEM AND METHOD

Abstract

A step clip fastening device, the step clip fastening device comprising: an elongated base strip having a first end and a second end, wherein a female locking part is attached to the first end and a male locking part is attached to the second end; a plurality of step clip sets extending substantially perpendicularly upwards from the base strip, wherein each of the step clip set comprising at least two step clips arranged in a back-to-back configuration, wherein a step clip is attached at each of the first end and the second end of the base strip; an anchor protruded at a center of each of the step clip; and one or more tabs extending substantially perpendicularly downwards from the base strip between two corresponding step clips facing each other.

Claims

1-20. (canceled)

21. A step clip fastening device, the step clip fastening device comprising: a base strip positioned at an initial position, wherein the base strip extends over an edge of a surface; a step clip set positioned on the base strip, wherein the step clip set is con figured in front of and/or behind another step clip set, wherein both step clip sets include an anchor that protrudes from an inner cavity of the step clip sets, wherein the anchor is enabled to dig into one or more surfaces, and wherein the anchor is enabled to adjust a shape of the one or more surfaces; and a tab positioned underneath the base strip, step clip sets, and anchors, wherein the tab aligns the base strip, step clip sets, and anchors along the surface.

22. The device of claim 21, wherein the anchor restricts movement of the one or more surfaces.

23. The device of claim 21, wherein the plurality of step clip sets and the step clips are arranged along the length of the base trip at a variable distance.

24. The device of claim 21, further comprising: a locking part positioned at an end of the surface to increase a length of the surface below the step clip sets.

25. The device of claim 21, wherein the step clip sets include one or more step clips positioned directly in front of another step clip.

26. The device of claim 21, wherein the anchor is positioned on one or more step clips within the step clip sets.

27. The device of claim 21, wherein each step clip set configured with the anchor extends perpendicularly in an upward direction above the surface.

28. A step clip fastening system, the system comprising: a base strip positioned at an initial position, wherein the base strip extends over an edge of a surface; a step clip set positioned on the base strip, wherein the step clip set is configured in front of and/or behind another step clip set, wherein both step clip sets include an anchor that protrudes from an inner cavity of the step clip sets, wherein the anchor is enabled to dig into one or more surfaces, and wherein the anchor is enabled to adjust a shape of the one or more surfaces; and a tab positioned underneath the base strip, step clip sets, and anchors, wherein the tab aligns the base strip, step clip sets, and anchors along the surface.

29. The system of claim 28, further comprising: a locking part positioned at an end of the surface to provide a connection to an additional step clip fastening system.

30. The system of claim 28, wherein tab aligns the step clip sets on the surface of a joist.

31. The system of claim 28, further comprising: a locking part configured as a concave cavity at an edge of the surface to align each of the step clip sets.

32. The system of claim 28, further comprising: a first cavity positioned within each step clip set, and configured to be facing a second cavity within each step clip set.

33. The system of claim 28, further comprising: one or more additional tabs positioned underneath the surface to align the step clip sets.

34. The system of claim 28, wherein the anchor is positioned at a center of a cavity within each step clip set.

35. A method comprising: positioning a base strip at an initial position, wherein the base strip extends over an edge of a surface; positioning a step clip set on the base strip, wherein the step clip set is configured in front of and/or behind another step clip set, wherein both step clip sets include an anchor that protrudes from an inner cavity of the step clip sets, wherein the anchor is enabled to dig into one or more surfaces, and wherein the anchor is enabled to adjust a shape of the one or more surfaces; and placing a tab underneath the base strip, step clip sets, and anchors, wherein the tab aligns the base strip, step clip sets, and anchors along the surface.

36. The method of claim 35, further comprising: positioning a deck board onto the surface and adjacent to each step slip set.

37. The method of claim 35, wherein the anchor deforms a bottom portion of the deck board to restrict movement of the deck board when the dock board is positioned within the step clip sets.

38. The method of claim 35, further comprising: positioning a base strip to extend over an edge of the surface.

39. The method of claim 15, further comprising: configuring base strip to be adjacent to the step clip sets with a width greater than a width for each step clip set.

40. The method of claim 15, further comprising: arranging a first step clip and a second step clip in a back-to-back configuration in each step clip set.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] The above and still further features and advantages of embodiments of the present invention will become apparent upon consideration of the following detailed description of embodiments thereof, especially when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, and wherein:

[0019] FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a step clip fastening device, according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0020] FIG. 2 illustrates an enlarged partial view of the step clip fastening device, according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0021] FIG. 3A illustrates a front view of the step clip fastening device, according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0022] FIG. 3B illustrates a left side view of the step clip fastening device, according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0023] FIG. 4A illustrates an enlarged partial right side of the front view of the step clip fastening device, according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0024] FIG. 4B illustrates an enlarged partial left side of the front view of the step clip fastening device, according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0025] FIG. 5 illustrates a perspective view of a step clip fastening device, according to another embodiment of the present invention;

[0026] FIG. 6 illustrates an enlarged partial view of the step clip fastening device, according to another embodiment of the present invention;

[0027] FIG. 7A illustrates a front view of the step clip fastening device, according to another embodiment of the present invention;

[0028] FIG. 7B illustrates a left side view of the step clip fastening device, according to another embodiment of the present invention;

[0029] FIG. 8A illustrates an enlarged partial right side of the front view of the step clip fastening device, according to another embodiment of the present invention;

[0030] FIG. 8B illustrates an enlarged partial left side of the front view of the step clip fastening device, according to another embodiment of the present invention;

[0031] FIGS. 9A to 9C illustrate a deck board fastening system in which a deck board is snapped into the step clip fastening device, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

[0032] FIG. 10 illustrates a method of assembling the deck board by using the step clip fastening device, according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0033] FIG. 11A illustrates a right perspective view of a step clip fastening device, device, according to an alternate embodiment of the present invention;

[0034] FIG. 11B illustrates a left side perspective view of the step clip fastening device, according to the alternate embodiment of the present invention;

[0035] FIG. 11C illustrates a front view of the step clip fastening device, according to the alternate embodiment of the present invention;

[0036] FIG. 11D illustrates a back view of the step clip fastening device, according to the alternate embodiment of the present invention;

[0037] FIG. 11E illustrates a top perspective view of the step clip fastening device, according to the alternate embodiment of the present invention; and

[0038] FIG. 11F illustrates a right side view of the step clip fastening device, according to the alternate embodiment of the present invention.

[0039] The headings used herein are for organizational purposes only and are not meant to be used to limit the scope of the description or the claims. As used throughout this application, the word “may” is used in a permissive sense (i.e., meaning having the potential to), rather than the mandatory sense (i.e., meaning must). Similarly, the words “include”, “including”, and “includes” mean including but not limited to. To facilitate understanding, like reference numerals have been used, where possible, to designate like elements common to the figures. Optional portions of the figures may be illustrated using dashed or dotted lines, unless the context of usage indicates otherwise.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0040] FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a step clip fastening device 100, according to an embodiment of the present invention. The step clip fastening device 100 comprises an elongated base strip 102, a plurality of step clips 104a-104b (interchangeably referred to as the step clip 104), a plurality of anchors 106a-106g (hereinafter referred to as the anchor 106), a plurality of tabs 108a-108d (hereinafter referred to as the tab 108), and a plurality of step clip sets 110a-110c (hereinafter referred to as the step clip set 110).

[0041] In an embodiment of present invention, the base strip 102 may be made up of a material such as, but not limited to, a plastic, a synthetic rubber, a natural rubber, and so forth. In a preferred embodiment of present invention, the base strip 102 may be made up of a glass filled polypropylene. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any material of the base strip 102 including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies that may be beneficial to provide dimensional stability, rigidity and strength to the base strip 102. According to an embodiment of the present invention, a width of the base strip 102 may be made slightly greater than a width of the step clip 104 such that the slightly greater width of the base strip 102 enables the base strip 102 to extend over an edge of a surface of a joist, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0042] Further, the step clip 104 of the step clip fastening device 100 may extend substantially perpendicularly upwards from the base strip 102, in an embodiment of the present invention. Further, the step clip 104 may comprise an inner cavity at one side and a flat vertical surface at an opposite side, according to embodiments of the present invention. According to embodiments of the present invention, the step clip 104a may be attached to a first end 112 of the base strip 102 and the step clip 104b may be attached a second end 114 of the base strip 102.

[0043] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the step clip set 110 of the step clip fastening device 100 may extend substantially perpendicularly upwards from the base strip 102. Further, the step clip set 110 may be provided along a length of the base strip 102, according to an embodiment of the present invention. In an embodiment of the present invention, the step clip set 110 may be arranged along a length of the base strip 102 at an equal distance between the step clip 104a and the step clip 104b. In another embodiment of the present invention, the step clip set 110 may be arranged along the length of the base strip 102 at a variable distance between the step clip 104a and the step clip 104b. Further, each of the step clip set 110 may be made by arranging two step clips 104 in a back-to-back configuration, in an embodiment of the present invention. According to an embodiment of the present invention, the step clip fastening device 100 may comprise at least three step clip sets 110 arranged on the base strip 102 between the step clip 104a attached to the first end 112 of the base strip 102 and the step clip 104b attached to the second end 114 of the base strip 102. Further, the step clip 104a and the step clip 104b may be attached to the base strip 102 such that the inner cavity of the step clip 104a faces the inner cavity of the step clip 104b, according to an embodiment of the present invention. Further the step clip 104 may be made up of a glass filled polypropylene material, according to embodiments of the present invention. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any of the material for the step clip 104 including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies.

[0044] In an embodiment of the present invention, the step clip 104 further comprises the anchor 106 disposed on the inner cavity of the step clip 104, according to embodiments of the present invention. The anchor 106 may be a small arc shaped protrusion disposed at the inner cavity of the step clip 104, in an embodiment of the present invention. Further, the anchor 106 may be designed to provide enough friction to a deck board (as shown in FIGS. 9A-9C) installed onto the step clip fastening device 100 and restricting the movement of the deck board in a horizontal direction. In an embodiment of the present invention, the anchor 106 may be made up of a metal piece such as, but not limited to, stainless steel. In another embodiment of the present invention, the anchor 106 may be made up of a rubber material that may be over-molded at the inner cavity of the step clip 104. In yet another embodiment of the present invention, the anchor 106 may be a washer and/or a molded protrusion disposed at the inner cavity of the step clip 104. According to an embodiment of the present invention, the anchor 106 may be removably attached to the inner cavity of the step clip 104. In yet another embodiment of the present invention, the anchor 106 may be permanently attached to the inner cavity of each of the step clip 104. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the anchor 106 including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies that may be beneficial in providing friction to the deck board installed using the step clip fastening device 100 to restrict the movement of the deck board in the horizontal direction.

[0045] Furthermore, the step clip fastening device 100 comprises the tab 108 extending substantially perpendicularly downwards from the base strip 102 between two adjacent step clips 104 facing each other, according to embodiments of the present invention. The tab 108 may be an arc head shaped tab that may be used to align the step clip fastening device 100 on a surface of the joist, in an embodiment of the present invention. In another embodiment of the present invention, the tab 108 may be an oval head shaped tab. Further, the tab 108 may be designed to align with a side wall of the joist to keep the step clip fastening device 100 parallel to the surface of the joist for assisting in quick and efficient installation, according to embodiments of the present invention. In an embodiment of the present invention, the tab 108 may be aligned at one side of the base 102 of the step clip fastening device 100.

[0046] FIG. 2 illustrates an enlarged partial view of the step clip fastening device 100, according to an embodiment of the present invention. The step clip fastening device 100 comprises the elongated base strip 102, the step clip 104b attached to the second end 114 of the base strip 102, the anchor 106g, and the tab 108d. The base strip 102 is preferably made up of a material comprising a glass filled polypropylene, in an embodiment of the present invention. In an embodiment of the present invention, the width of the base strip 102 is made slightly greater than the width of the step clip set 110c, such that the base strip 102 extends over the edges of the surface of the joist. The step clip 104b is attached at the second end 114 of the base strip 102, according to an embodiment of the present invention. In an embodiment of the present invention, the step clip 104b and step clip set 110c may be provided along a length of the base strip 102. Further, the step clip set 110c may be designed to extend substantially perpendicularly upwards from the base strip 102, in an embodiment of the present invention. According to embodiments of the present invention, the step clip set 110c comprises at least two step clip 104 arranged in a back-to-back configuration. As discussed above, the step clip 104 of the step clip set 110c comprises the anchor 106g that may be protruded at the center of the inner cavity of the step clip 104. In an embodiment of the present invention, the anchor 106g may be made up of a metal piece such as, but not limited to, stainless steel. The anchor 106g may be a small arc shaped protrusion, in an embodiment of the present invention. In another embodiment of the present invention, the anchor 106g may be a washer, or a molded protrusion disposed at the inner cavity of the step clips 104 of each of the step clip set 110. The anchor 106g may be provided to dig into a bottom surface of a deck board (as shown in the FIG. 9A-9C), when the deck board is snapped into the step clip fastening device 100. Further, the anchor 106g may deform the bottom of the deck board and may restrict a movement of the deck board while it is snapped into the step clip fastening device 100 in a horizontal direction.

[0047] Further, the tab 108d may be provided that extends substantially perpendicularly downwards from the base strip 102 between two corresponding step clip 104 facing each other, according to an embodiment of the present invention. The tab 108d may be an arc head shaped tab, in an embodiment of the present invention. In another embodiment of the present invention, the tab 108d may be an oval head shaped tab that may be used to align the step clip fastening device 100 on the surface of the joist, in another embodiment of the present invention. Further, the tab 108d may align with the side wall of the joist that may keep the step clip fastening device 100 parallel to a top surface of the joist, in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0048] FIG. 3A illustrates a front view of the step clip fastening device 100, according to an embodiment of the present invention. The step clip fastening device 100 comprises the plurality of step clips 104a-104b (interchangeably referred to as the step clips 104) and the plurality of step clip sets 110a-110c. The step clip 104a may be attached to the first end 112 of the base strip 102 and the step clip 104b may be attached to the second end 114 of the base strip 102 such that the inner cavity of each of the step clip 104a and 104b faces each other. Further, the plurality of step clips 104a and 104b and the plurality of step clip sets 110a-110c may be attached to the base strip 102 at an equal distance, in an embodiment of the present invention. In another embodiment of the present invention, the distance between the plurality of step clips 104a and 104b and the plurality of step clip sets 110a-110c may be variable. Further, each of the plurality of step clip sets 110a-110c may comprise at least two step clips 104 arranged in a back-to-back configuration, according to embodiments of the present invention. Further, the step clip fastening device 100 comprises the plurality of tabs 108a -108d (hereinafter referred to as the tab 108) that may extend vertically downwards from the base of the base strip 102. The tab 108 may be an arc shaped tab, in one embodiment of the present invention. In another embodiment of the present invention, the tab 108 may be an oval head shaped tab. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any shape of the tab 108 including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies.

[0049] In an embodiment of the present invention, the step clip fastening device 100 may further comprise a female locking part 116 attached to the first end 112 of the base strip 102 and a male locking part 118 attached to a second end 114 of the base strip 102. According to an embodiment of the present invention, the female locking part 116 may be a concave cavity section provided at the first end 112 of the base strip 102 to securely attach a second step clip fastening device 100 in a back-to-back configuration. Further, the male locking part 118 may be a molded protrusion provided at the second end 114 of the base strip 102 that cooperatively engages a female locking part 116 to securely fasten the corresponding step clip fastening device 100. In an embodiment of the present invention, the male locking part 118 of the elongated base strip 102 may be inserted into a female locking part 116 of a second step clip fastening device 100 for increasing the length of the step clip fastening device 100 along a joist.

[0050] FIG. 3B illustrates a left side view of the step clip fastening device 100, according to an embodiment of the present invention. The step clip fastening device 100 comprises the base strip 102, the step clip 104a, the anchor 106, and the tab 108.

[0051] In an embodiment of the present invention, the elongated base strip 102 is preferably made up of a glass filled polypropylene, in an embodiment of the present invention. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any material of the base strip 102 including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies that may be beneficial to provide dimensional stability, rigidity and strength to the base strip 102. Further, a width of the base strip 102 may be made slightly greater than a width of the step clip 104a, such that the base strip 102 extends over the edges of the surface of the joist, in an embodiment of the present invention. Further, the step clip 104a may extend perpendicularly upwards from the base strip 102, in an embodiment of the present invention. Further, one side of the step clip 104a may comprise an inner cavity that includes the anchor 106. The anchor 106 may be a small arc shaped protrusion present at a center of the inner cavity of the step clip 104, in an embodiment of the present invention. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any shape of the anchor 106 including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies that may be beneficial to restrict the movement of the deck board (as shown in the FIG. 9A-9C). In an embodiment of the present invention, a size of the anchor 106 may be 1 millimeter (mm). Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any of the size of the anchor 106 including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies that may be beneficial to restrict the movement of the deck board. In an embodiment of the present invention, the anchor 106 may be made up of a metal piece such as, but not limited to, a stainless steel. In another embodiment of the present invention, the anchor 106 may be made up of a rubber material. In another embodiment of the present invention, the anchor 106 may be a washer, or a molded protrusion that may be disposed at the inner cavity of the step clip 104a. Further, the anchor 106 may be designed to provide enough friction to the deck board and for restricting a movement of the deck board in a horizontal direction.

[0052] Further, the tab 108 may be attached to the base strip 102 that may extend substantially perpendicularly downwards from the base strip 102. The tab 108 may be an arc head shaped tab that may be used to align the step clip fastening device 100 on the surface of the joist, in an embodiment of the present invention. In another embodiment of the present invention, the tab 108 may be an oval head shaped tab.

[0053] FIG. 4A illustrates an enlarged partial right side of the front view of the step clip fastening device 100, according to an embodiment of the present invention. The step clip 104b may be provided that extends perpendicularly upwards from the base strip 102, according to embodiments of the present invention. In an embodiment of the present invention, the step clip set 110c may be extending substantially perpendicularly upwards from the base strip 102 of the step clip fastening device 100. Further, the step clip set 110c may be made by arranging two step clips 104 in a back-to-back configuration, in an embodiment of the present invention. In an embodiment of the present invention, the anchor 106 may be protruded at a center of each of the step clip 104b. Further, the tab 108d may be extending substantially perpendicularly downwards from the base strip 102 between the step clip set 110c and step clip 104b facing each other. In an embodiment of the present invention, the male locking part 118 at the second end 114 of the elongated base strip 102 may be a molded protrusion attached to the second end 114 of the base strip 102, in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0054] FIG. 4B illustrates an enlarged partial left side of the front view of the step clip fastening device 100, according to an embodiment of the present invention. The step clip fastening device 100 comprises the base strip 102 preferably made up of a glass filled polypropylene, in an embodiment of the present invention. Further, the step clip 104a extending perpendicularly upwards from the base strip 102 may be attached to the first end 112 of the base strip 102. In an embodiment of the present invention, the step clip set 110a may be extending substantially perpendicularly upwards from the base strip 102 of the step clip fastening device 100. Further, the step clip set 110a may be made by arranging two step clips 104 in a back-to-back configuration, in an embodiment of the present invention. In an embodiment of the present invention, the anchor 106 may be protruded at a center of each of the step clip 104a and the step clip 104 of the step clip set 110a. Further, the tab 108a may be extending substantially perpendicularly downwards from the base strip 102 between the step clip set 110a and step clip 104a facing each other. In an embodiment of the present invention, the female locking part 116 at the first end 112 of the elongated base strip 102 may be a concave cavity section attached to the first end 112 of the base strip 102, in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0055] FIG. 5 illustrates a perspective view of a step clip fastening device 500, according to another embodiment of the present invention. The step clip fastening device 500 comprises an elongated base strip 502, a plurality of step clips 504a-504b (interchangeably referred to as the step clip 504), a plurality of tabs 506a-506d (hereinafter referred to as the tab 506), and a plurality of step clip sets 508a-508c (hereinafter referred to as the step clip set 508). In an embodiment of present invention, the base strip 502 of the step clip fastening device 500 may be an elongated base strip made up of a material such as, but not limited to, a plastic, a synthetic rubber, a natural rubber, and so forth. In a preferred embodiment of present invention, the base strip 502 may be made up of a glass filled polypropylene. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any material of the base strip 502 including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies that may be beneficial to provide dimensional stability, rigidity and strength to the base strip 502. In an embodiment of the present invention, a width of the base strip 502 may be made slightly greater than a width of the step clip 504 such that the slightly greater width of the base strip 502 may enable the base strip 502 to extend over an edge of a surface of a joist (not shown), according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0056] Further, the step clip 504 may be designed such that the step clip 104 extends substantially perpendicularly upwards from the base strip 502 of the step clip fastening device, in an embodiment of the present invention. Further, the step clip 504 may comprise an inner cavity at one side and a flat vertical surface on an opposite side, according to embodiments of the present invention. According to embodiments of the present invention, the step clip 504a may be attached to a first end 510 of the base strip 502 and the step clip 504b may be attached a second end 512 of the base strip 502.

[0057] In an embodiment of the present invention, the step clip set 508 may be designed to extend substantially perpendicularly upwards from the base strip 502 of the step clip fastening device 500. Further, the step clip set 508 may be provided along a length of the elongated base strip 502, according to an embodiment of the present invention. In an embodiment of the present invention, the step clip set 508 may be arranged along a length of the base strip 502 at an equal distance between the step clip 504a and the step clip 504b . In another embodiment of the present invention, the step clip set 508 may be arranged along the length of the base strip 502 at a variable distance between the step clip 504a and the step clip 504b. Furthermore, the step clip set 508 may comprise two step clips 504 arranged in a back-to-back configuration, according to embodiments of the present invention. According to an embodiment of the present invention, the step clip fastening device 100 may comprise at least three step clip sets 508 arranged on the base strip 502 between the step clip 504a attached to the first end 510 of the base strip 502 and the step clip 504b attached to the second end 512 of the base strip 502. In an embodiment of the present invention, the step clip 504a and the step clip 504b may be attached to the base strip 502 such that the inner cavity of the step clip 504a faces the inner cavity of the step clip 504b.

[0058] According to embodiments of the present invention, the step clip fastening device 500 comprises the tab 506 that may extend substantially perpendicularly downwards from the base strip 502 between two adjacent step clips 504 facing each other. The tab 506 may be an arc head shaped tab that may be used to align the step clip fastening device 500 on a surface of the joist, in an embodiment of the present invention. In another embodiment of the present invention, the tab 506 may be an oval head shaped tab. Further, the tab 506 may be designed to align with a side wall of the joist and may keep the step clip fastening device 500 parallel to the surface of the joist for quick and efficient installation, according to embodiments of the present invention.

[0059] FIG. 6 illustrates an enlarged partial view of the step clip fastening device 500, according to an embodiment of the present invention. The step clip fastening device 500 comprises the elongated base strip 502, the step clip 504b attached to the second end 512 of the base strip 502, and the tab 506d. In an embodiment of the present invention, the width of the base strip 502 may be slightly greater than the width of the step clip set 508c, such that the base strip 502 extends over the edges of the surface of the joist. The step clip 504b may be attached at the second end 512 of the base strip 502, according to embodiments of the present invention. The step clip 504b and step clip set 508c may be provided along the length of the base strip 502, according to embodiments of the present invention. Further, the step clip set 508c may be designed to extend substantially perpendicularly upwards from the base strip 502, according to embodiments of the present invention. According to embodiments of the present invention, the step clip set 508c comprises at least two step clip 504 arranged in a back-to-back configuration.

[0060] Further, the step clip fastening device 500 comprises the tab 506d that extends substantially perpendicularly downwards from the base strip 502 between two corresponding step clips 504 facing each other. The tab 506d may be an arc head shaped tab, in an embodiment of the present invention. In another embodiment of the present invention, the tab 506d may be an oval head shaped tab that may be used to align the step clip fastening device 500 on the surface of the joist, in another embodiment of the present invention. The tab 506d may align with the side wall of the joist that may keep the step clip fastening device 500 parallel to a top surface of the joist, in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0061] FIG. 7A illustrates a front view of the step clip fastening device 500, according to an embodiment of the present invention. The step clip fastening device 500 comprises the step clips 504 and the step clip sets 508. Further, the step clip fastening device 500 comprises the tabs 506 that may extend vertically downwards from the base of the base strip 502. The tab 506 may be an arc shaped tab, in one embodiment of the present invention. In another embodiment of the present invention, the tab 506 may be an oval head shaped tab. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any shape of the tab 506 including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies. According to embodiment of the present invention, the step clips 504 and the step clip set 508 may be attached to the base strip 502 at an equal distance, in an embodiment of the present invention. In another embodiment of the present invention, the distance between the corresponding step clips 504 and the step clip set 508 may be variable. Further, the step clip set 508 may comprise at least two step clips 504 that may be arranged in a back-to-back configuration, according to embodiments of the present invention.

[0062] In an embodiment of the present invention, the step clip fastening device 500 may further comprise a female locking part 514 attached to the first end 510 of the base strip 502 and a male locking part 516 attached to the second end 512 of the base strip 502. The female locking part 514 may be a concave cavity section provided of the base strip 502 to securely attach a second step clip fastening device 500 in a back-to-back configuration. The male locking part 516 may be a molded protrusion of the base strip 502 that cooperatively engages a female locking part 514 to securely fasten the corresponding step clip fastening device 500. In an exemplary scenario, the male locking part 516 of the base strip 502 may be inserted into a female locking part 514 of a second step clip fastening device 500 for increasing the length of the step clip fastening device 500 along a joist.

[0063] FIG. 7B illustrates a left side view of the step clip fastening device 500, according to an embodiment of the present invention. The step clip fastening device 500 comprises the base strip 502, the step clip 504a, and the tab 506. In an embodiment of the present invention, the base strip 502 may be preferably made up of a glass filled polypropylene, in an embodiment of the present invention. Further, a width of the base strip 502 may be made slightly greater than a width of the step clip 104a such that the base strip 502 extends over the edges of the surface of the joist, in an embodiment of the present invention. Further, the step clip 504a may extend perpendicularly upwards from the base strip 502, in an embodiment of the present invention. Further, the tab 506 may be attached to the base strip 502 that may extend substantially perpendicularly downwards from the base strip 502. The tab 506 may be an arc head shaped that may be used to align the step clip fastening device 500 on the surface of the joist, in an embodiment of the present invention. In another embodiment of the present invention, the tab 506 may be an oval head shaped tab.

[0064] FIG. 8A illustrates an enlarged partial right side of the front view of the step clip fastening device 500, according to an embodiment of the present invention. The step clip fastening device 500 comprises the base strip 502 preferably made up of a glass filled polypropylene, in an embodiment of the present invention. Further, the step clip 504b extending perpendicularly upwards from the base strip 502. In an embodiment of the present invention, the step clip set 508c may be extending substantially perpendicularly upwards from the base strip 502 of the step clip fastening device 500. Further, the step clip set 508c may be made by arranging two step clips 504 in a back-to-back configuration, in an embodiment of the present invention. Further, the step clip fastening device 500 comprises the tab 506d that is extending substantially perpendicularly downwards from the base strip 502 between the step clip set 508c and step clip 504b facing each other. In an embodiment of the present invention, the male locking part 514 of the base strip 502 may be a molded protrusion attached to the first end 510 of the base strip 502.

[0065] FIG. 8B illustrates an enlarged partial left side of the front view of the step clip fastening device 500, according to an embodiment of the present invention. The step clip fastening device 500 comprises the base strip 502 preferably made up of a glass filled polypropylene, in an embodiment of the present invention. Further, the step clip 504a extending perpendicularly upwards from the base strip 502, according to an embodiment of the present invention. In an embodiment of the present invention, the step clip set 508a may be extending substantially perpendicularly upwards from the base strip 102 of the step clip fastening device 500. Further, the step clip set 508a may be made by arranging two step clips 504 in a back-to-back configuration, in an embodiment of the present invention. Further, the tab 506a may be extending substantially perpendicularly downwards from the base strip 502 between the step clip set 508a and step clip 504a facing each other. In an embodiment of the present invention, the female locking part 516 of the base strip 502 may be a concave cavity section provided at the first end 510 of the base strip 502.

[0066] FIGS. 9A to 9C illustrate a deck board fastening system 900 in which a deck board 902 is snapped into the step clip fastening device 100, according to an embodiment of the present invention. The deck board fastening system 900 may comprise a deck board 902 comprising an upper surface 904, a lower surface 906 and the step clip fastening device 100. In an embodiment of the present invention, the lower surface 906 may be a protruded lower surface. In another embodiment of the present invention, the lower surface 906 may be a flat surface. In an embodiment of the present invention, the step clip fastening device 100 may comprise the base strip 102 preferably made up of a glass filled polypropylene, in an embodiment of the present invention. In an embodiment of the present invention, a width of the base strip 102 is made slightly greater than a width of the step clip set 110a, such that the base strip 102 extends over the edges of the surface of the joist. This is done to protect the joist surface from water damage, rot, decay, which further eliminates the need of using a protection taping for the joist surface. In an embodiment of the present invention, the step clip set 110a may be extending substantially perpendicularly upwards from the base strip 102. The step clip set 110a may be made by arranging two step clips 104 in a back-to-back configuration, in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0067] In an embodiment of the present invention, the each of the step clip set 110a may comprise the anchor 106 (as shown in FIG. 9B) protruded at the center that may be a small arc shaped protrusion disposed at the inner cavity of the step clip set 110a, as discussed above. The anchor 106 may be removably attached to the inner cavity of each of the step clips, in an embodiment of the present invention. In another embodiment of the present invention, the anchor 106 may be made up of a metal piece such as, but not limited to, a stainless steel or any other such material known to a person skilled in the art.

[0068] In another embodiment of the present invention, the anchor 106 may be replaced with a rubber like material or any other such material that may be over-molded on the inner side surface of the step clip 104. In another embodiment of the present invention, the anchor 106 may be a washer, or a molded protrusion disposed at the inner cavity of the step clip set 110a. The anchor 106 provide enough friction to the inner side surface of the step clip set 110a and the surface of the deck board 902, which further restricts the movement of the deck board 902 in a horizontal direction between the corresponding step clip set 110a. Further, the anchor 106 may provide enough friction to deck board 902 and restrict the movement of the deck board 902 in the horizontal direction, in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0069] Further, the step clip fastening device 100 comprises of the tab 108b extending substantially perpendicularly downwards from the base strip 102 between two corresponding step clip sets 110 facing each other. The tab 108b may be an arc head shaped tab that may be used to align the step clip fastening device 100 on a surface of the joist, in an embodiment of the present invention. According to embodiments of the present invention, the lower surface 906 of the deck board 902 comprises a plurality of cavities. In another embodiment of the present invention, the lower surface 906 of the deck board 902 may be a flat surface. The deck board 902 further comprises at each end, a lower lip 908 and an upper lip 910, that may define a portion of a groove in between the lower lip 908 and the upper lip 910.

[0070] FIG. 9B illustrates the deck board 902 partially installed into the step clip fastening device 100, according to embodiments of the present invention. One end of the deck board 902 may be inserted into the step clip set 110b and the other end of the deck board 902 is pressed against the top surface of a corresponding step clip set 110a. The step clip fastening device 100 fits into the groove of the deck board 902. Further, the anchor 106 may dig into the bottom of the deck board 902, when the deck board 902 is snapped into the step clip set 110a of the step clip fastening device 100, in an embodiment of the present invention. The anchor 106 may deform the bottom of the deck board 902 that may restrict the movement of the deck board while it is snapped into the step clip fastening device 100, and even after it is installed. Therefore, the anchor 106 may eliminate a need of extra wooden boards and fastening means installed at the perimeter of a deck for holding the deck board 902 between the corresponding step clip sets 110.

[0071] FIG. 9C illustrates the deck board 902 completely snapped into the step clip fastening device 102, according to an embodiment of the present invention. The deck board 902 may be pressed against the step clip fastening device 100 as discussed above.

[0072] FIG. 10 illustrates a method 1000 of assembling the deck board 902 by using the step clip fastening device 100, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0073] At step 1002, the step clip fastening device 100 is rigidly attached on a surface of a joist. As discussed above, the step clip fastening device 100 comprises the elongated base strip 102, the step clip 104, the step clip set 110, the anchor 106, and the tab 108. Each tab 108 of the step clip fastening device 100 may be positioned along a side surface of the joist. Further, as discussed, the tab 108 may be arc head shaped, which may be used to align the step clip fastening device 100 on the surface of the joist, in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0074] At step 1004, the step clip fastening device 100 may be fastened on the joist by using one more fastening tools (not shown). The joist employs cooperating installation fastening tools for joining or interconnecting a plurality of deck boards.

[0075] At step 1006, the deck board 902 may be positioned across two corresponding step clips 104 of the step clip fastening device 100, such that an inner cavity of each of the step clip 104 faces each other.

[0076] At step 1008, a first end of the deck board 902 may slide into an inner cavity of the step clip 104 of the step clip fastening device 100 such that the step clip fastening device 100 is engaged within the groove of the deck board 902.

[0077] At step 1010, a second end of the deck board 902 may be snapped into an inner cavity of a corresponding step clip 104 of the step clip fastening device 100 to form a mating relationship between the deck board 902 and the step clip fastening device 100. The mating relationship between the deck board and the step clip fastening device 100 is formed through the anchor 106 that protrudes at the center of each of the step clip 104 of the step clip fastening device 100. The anchor 106 may dig into a bottom surface of the deck board 902.

[0078] FIG. 11A illustrates a right perspective view of a step clip fastening device 1100, according to an alternate embodiment of the present invention. The step clip fastening device 1100 comprises an elongated base strip 1102, a step clip 1104a attached to a first end 1106 of the base strip 1102, a step clip 1104b attached to a second end 1108 of the base strip 1102, and a plurality of step clip sets 1110a-1110c (hereinafter referred to as the step clip set 1110).

[0079] In an embodiment of present invention, the base strip 1102 may be made up of a material such as, but not limited to, a plastic, a synthetic rubber, a natural rubber, and so forth. In a preferred embodiment of present invention, the base strip 1102 may be made up of a glass filled polypropylene material. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any of the material for the base strip 1102 including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies that may be beneficial to provide dimensional stability, rigidity and strength to the base strip 1102. Further, a shape of the base strip 1102 may be, but not limited to, a cylindrical shape, a square shape, a rectangular shape, and so forth. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any of the shape for the base strip 1102 including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies. According to embodiments of the present invention, the step clip 1104a and the step clip 1104b may be designed to extend substantially perpendicularly upwards from a surface the base strip 1102. Further, one side of the step clip 1104a and the step clip 1104b may comprise an inner cavity and an opposite side of the step clip 1104a and the step clip 1104b may comprise a flat vertical surface, according to embodiments of the present invention. According to an embodiment of the present invention, a width of the base strip 1102 may be made slightly greater than a width of the plurality of step clips 1104a and 1104b such that the slightly greater width of the base strip 1102 enables the base strip 1102 to extend over an edge of a surface of a joist, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0080] In an embodiment of the present invention, the step clip set 1110 may be made by arranging two identical step clips 1104 in a back-to-back configuration. Further, the step clip set 1110 may be provided along a length of the base strip 1102 extending substantially perpendicularly upwards from the surface the base strip 1102, according to embodiments of the present invention. According to embodiments of the present invention, each of the step clips of the step clip set 1110 may comprise an inner cavity at one side and a flat vertical surface on an opposite side of each of the step clips. According to an embodiment of the present invention, the step clip fastening device 1100 may comprise at least three step clip sets 1110 arranged on the base strip 1102 between the step clip 1104a attached to the first end 1106 of the base strip 1102 and the step clip 1104b attached to the second end 1108 of the base strip 1102. In an embodiment of the present invention, the step clip 1104a and the step clip 1104b may be attached to the base strip 1102 such that the inner cavity of the step clip 1104a faces the inner cavity of the step clip 1104b.

[0081] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the step clip sets 1110 may be arranged along the length of the base strip 1102 at an equal distance between the step clips 1104a and 1104b. In another embodiment of the present invention, the step clip sets 1110 may be arranged along the length of the base strip 1102 at a variable distance between the step clips 1104a and 1104b. Further, the step clip 1104a, the step clip 1104b and the step clip sets 1110 may be made up of a material such as, but not limited to, a plastic, a synthetic rubber, a natural rubber, and so forth. In a preferred embodiment of present invention, the step clip 1104a, the step clip 1104b and the step clip sets 1110 may be made up of a glass filled polypropylene material. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any of the material for the step clip 1104a, the step clip 1104b and the step clip sets 1110 including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies that may be beneficial to provide dimensional stability, rigidity and strength to the step clip 1104a, the step clip 1104b and the step clip sets 1110.

[0082] Further, the base strip 1102 may comprise a plurality of hooks 1114a-1114h (hereinafter referred to as the hooks 1114) that may be provided on a left side surface of the base strip 1102 near a bottom of each of the step clip sets 1110, the step clip 1104a and the step clip 1104b, according to an embodiment of the present invention. The hooks 1114 may be protrusions that may be integrally designed with the base strip 1102 in an embodiment of the present invention. In another embodiment of the present invention, the hooks 1114 may be removably attached with the base strip 1102. Further, the hooks 1114 may be designed to hold a cover strip 1112a that may be attached upon the left side surface of the base strip 1102, in an embodiment of the present invention. The cover strip 1112a may be made up of a material such as but not limited to, a natural rubber, a synthetic rubber, a plastic, a fabric, and so forth. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any of the material for the cover strip 1112a including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies. Further, a width of the cover strip 1112a may be such that the cover strip 1112a completely covers the left side surface of the base strip 1102, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0083] FIG. 11B illustrates a left side perspective view of the step clip fastening device 1100, according to an alternate embodiment of the present invention. The step clip fastening device 1100 comprises the elongated base strip 1102, the step clip 1104a attached to the first end 1106 of the base strip 1102, the step clip 1104b attached to the second end 1108 of the base strip 1102, and the clip sets 1110, as discussed in FIG. 11A. According to an embodiment of the present invention, the step clip fastening device 1100 further comprises a plurality of protrusions 1120a-1120b (hereinafter referred to as the protrusions 1120) attached to the base strip 1102 near the bottom surface of the every alternate step clip sets 1110. The protrusions 1120 may be integrally designed with the base strip 1102 in an embodiment of the present invention. The step clip fastening device 1100 further comprises a cover strip 1112b attached to a right side surface of the base strip 1102, according to an embodiment of the present invention. Further, the cover strip 1112b may be made up of a material such as but not limited to, a natural rubber, a synthetic rubber, a plastic, a fabric, and so forth. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any of the material for the cover strip 1112b including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies. Furthermore, a width of the cover strip 1112b may be such that the cover strip 1112b completely covers the right side surface of the base strip 1102, according to an embodiment of the present invention. In an embodiment of the present invention, the cover strip 1112b may be attached to the right side surface of the base strip 1102 excluding a space on the right side surface of the base strip 1102 where the protrusions 1120 is attached to the base strip 1102.

[0084] According to embodiments of the present invention, the step clip fastening device 1100 further comprises a male locking part 1122 attached to the first end 1106 of the base strip 1102 and a female locking part 1124 attached to the second end 1108 of the base strip 1102. According to embodiments of the present invention, the female locking part 1124 may be a concave cavity integrally made with the base strip 1102 to securely attach a second step clip fastening device 1100 in a back-to-back configuration. Further, the male locking part 1122 may be a molded protrusion integrally made with the base strip 1102 that cooperatively engages a female locking part 1124 to securely fasten the corresponding step clip fastening device 1100, according to embodiment of the present invention. According to embodiments of the present invention, the step clip fastening device 1100 comprises a plurality of tabs 1116a-1116d extending substantially perpendicularly downwards from the base strip 1102 between two corresponding step clips 1110 facing each other. Further, the plurality of tabs 1116a-1116d may be an arc head shaped tab that may be used to align the step clip fastening device 1100 on a surface of a joist, according to embodiments of the present invention. In another embodiment of the present invention, the plurality of tabs 1116a-1116d may be an oval head shaped tab. Further, the plurality of tabs 1116a-1116d may be designed to enable the step clip fastening device 1100 to be aligned with a side wall of the joist and may keep the step clip fastening device 1100 parallel to a top surface of the joist for quick and efficient installation. According to an embodiment of the present invention, at least one of the plurality of tabs 1116a-1116d of the step clip fastening device 1100 may comprise a cut-out 1118 that may be provided to significantly decrease a stiffness of the tabs 1116. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the cut-out 1118 may be provided in the tab 1116b of the plurality of tabs 1116a-1116d.

[0085] FIG. 11C illustrates a front view of the step clip fastening device 1100, according to an alternate embodiment of the present invention. The step clip fastening device 1100 comprises the elongated base strip 1102, the step clip 1104a attached to the first end 1106 of the base strip 1102, the step clip 1104b attached to the second end 1108 of the base strip 1102, and the clip sets 1110, as discussed in FIG. 11A. According to an embodiment of the present invention, the step clip fastening device 1100 further comprises the protrusions 1120 attached to the base strip 1102 near the bottom surface of the every alternate step clip sets 1110. The protrusions 1120 may be integrally designed with the base strip 1102, in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0086] According to embodiments of the present invention, the step clip fastening device 1100 comprises the plurality of tabs 1116a-1116d extending substantially perpendicularly downwards from the base strip 1102 between two corresponding step clips 1110 facing each other. Further, the plurality of tabs 1116a-1116d may be an arc head shaped tab that may be used to align the step clip fastening device 1100 on a surface of a joist, according to embodiments of the present invention. In another embodiment of the present invention, the plurality of tabs 1116a-1116d may be an oval head shaped tab. Further, the plurality of tabs 1116a-1116d may be designed to enable the step clip fastening device 1100 to be aligned with a side wall of the joist and may keep the step clip fastening device 1100 parallel to a top surface of the joist for quick and efficient installation. According to an embodiment of the present invention, at least one of the plurality of tabs 1116a-1116d of the step clip fastening device 1100 may comprise a cut-out 1118 that may be provided to significantly decrease a stiffness of the tabs 1116a-1116d. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the cut-out 1118 may be provided in the tab 1116b of the plurality of tabs 1116a-1116d.

[0087] FIG. 11D illustrates a back view of the step clip fastening device 1100, according to an alternate embodiment of the present invention. The step clip fastening device 1100 comprises the elongated base strip 1102, the step clip 1104a attached to the first end 1106 of the base strip 1102, the step clip 1104b attached to the second end 1108 of the base strip 1102, and the clip sets 1110, as discussed in FIG. 11A and FIG. 11B.

[0088] FIG. 11E illustrates a top perspective view of the step clip fastening device 1100, according to an alternate embodiment of the present invention. The step clip fastening device 1100 comprises the elongated base strip 1102, the step clip 1104a attached to the first end 1106 of the base strip 1102, the step clip 1104b attached to the second end 1108 of the base strip 1102, and the clip sets 1110, as discussed in FIG. 11A. According to an embodiment of the present invention, the step clip fastening device 1100 further comprises the protrusions 1120 attached to the base strip 1102 near the bottom surface of the every alternate step clip sets 1110. The protrusions 1120 may be integrally designed with the base strip 1102 in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0089] According to embodiments of the present invention, the step clip fastening device 1100 comprises the plurality of tabs 1116a-1116d extending substantially perpendicularly downwards from the base strip 1102 between two corresponding step clips 1110 facing each other. Further, the plurality of tabs 1116a-1116d may be an arc head shaped tab that may be used to align the step clip fastening device 1100 on a surface of a joist, according to embodiments of the present invention. In another embodiment of the present invention, the plurality of tabs 1116a-1116d may be an oval head shaped tab. Further, the plurality of tabs 1116a-1116d may be designed to enable the step clip fastening device 1100 to be aligned with a side wall of the joist and may keep the step clip fastening device 1100 parallel to a top surface of the joist for quick and efficient installation. According to an embodiment of the present invention, at least one of the plurality of tabs 1116a-1116d of the step clip fastening device 1100 may comprise the cut-out 1118 that may be provided to significantly decrease a stiffness of the tabs 1116a-1116d. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the cut-out 1118 may be provided in the tab 1116b of the plurality of tabs 1116a-1116d.

[0090] FIG. 11F illustrates a right side view of the step clip fastening device 1100, according to an alternate embodiment of the present invention. According to an embodiment of the present invention, the step clip fastening device 1100 comprises the protrusions 1120 attached to the base strip 1102 near the bottom surface of the every alternate step clip sets 1110. The protrusions 1120 may be integrally designed with the base strip 1102 in an embodiment of the present invention. According to embodiments of the present invention, the step clip fastening device 1100 comprises the plurality of tabs 1116a-1116d extending substantially perpendicularly downwards from the base strip 1102 between two corresponding step clips 1110 facing each other. Further, the plurality of tabs 1116a-1116d may be an arc head shaped tab that may be used to align the step clip fastening device 1100 on a surface of a joist, according to embodiments of the present invention. In another embodiment of the present invention, the plurality of tabs 1116a-1116d may be an oval head shaped tab. Further, the plurality of tabs 1116a-1116d may be designed to enable the step clip fastening device 1100 to be aligned with a side wall of the joist and may keep the step clip fastening device 1100 parallel to a top surface of the joist for quick and efficient installation. According to an embodiment of the present invention, at-least one of the plurality of tabs 1116a-1116d of the step clip fastening device 1100 may comprise the cut-out 1118 that may be provided to significantly decrease a stiffness of the tabs 1116a-1116d. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the cut-out 1118 may be provided in the tab 1116b of the plurality of tabs 1116a-1116d.

[0091] The present invention, in various embodiments, configurations, and aspects, includes components, methods, processes, systems and/or apparatus substantially as depicted and described herein, including various embodiments, sub-combinations, and subsets thereof. Those of skill in the art will understand how to make and use the present invention after understanding the present disclosure.

[0092] The present invention, in various embodiments, configurations, and aspects, includes providing devices and processes in the absence of items not depicted and/or described herein or in various embodiments, configurations, or aspects hereof, including in the absence of such items as may have been used in previous devices or processes, e.g., for improving performance, achieving ease and/or reducing cost of implementation.

[0093] While the foregoing is directed to embodiments of the present disclosure, other and further embodiments of the present disclosure may be devised without departing from the basic scope thereof. It is understood that various embodiments described herein may be utilized in combination with any other embodiment described, without departing from the scope contained herein. Further, the foregoing description is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the disclosure to the precise form disclosed.

[0094] Modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teachings or may be acquired from practice of the disclosure. Certain exemplary embodiments may be identified by use of an open-ended list that includes wording to indicate that the list items are representative of the embodiments and that the list is not intended to represent a closed list exclusive of further embodiments. Such wording may include “e.g.,” “etc.,” “such as,” “for example,” “and so forth,” “and the like,” etc., and other wording as will be apparent from the surrounding context.