US 12,221,794 B2
Hidden fastener unit and related method of use
Roger A. Vandenberg, Hudsonville, MI (US); and Todd E. A. Schwartzkopf, Hudsonville, MI (US)
Assigned to National Nail Corp., Grand Rapids, MI (US)
Filed by National Nail Corp., Grand Rapids, MI (US)
Filed on Sep. 15, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/368,623.
Application 18/368,623 is a continuation of application No. 18/143,236, filed on May 4, 2023.
Application 18/143,236 is a continuation of application No. 17/328,072, filed on May 24, 2021.
Application 17/328,072 is a continuation in part of application No. 29/758,604, filed on Nov. 17, 2020, granted, now D945870, issued on Mar. 15, 2022.
Application 17/328,072 is a continuation in part of application No. 16/689,625, filed on Nov. 20, 2019, granted, now 11,149,445, issued on Oct. 19, 2021.
Application 17/328,072 is a continuation in part of application No. 29/714,015, filed on Nov. 20, 2019, granted, now D924044, issued on Jul. 6, 2021.
Application 16/689,625 is a continuation in part of application No. 16/537,128, filed on Aug. 9, 2019, granted, now 11,111,679, issued on Sep. 7, 2021.
Application 16/537,128 is a continuation in part of application No. 16/011,213, filed on Jun. 18, 2018, granted, now 10,378,218, issued on Aug. 13, 2019.
Application 16/011,213 is a continuation in part of application No. 29/649,771, filed on Jun. 1, 2018, granted, now D853829, issued on Jul. 16, 2019.
Application 16/011,213 is a continuation in part of application No. 29/648,131, filed on May 18, 2018, granted, now D850897, issued on Jun. 11, 2019.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/674,247, filed on May 21, 2018.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/635,745, filed on Feb. 27, 2018.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/545,709, filed on Aug. 15, 2017.
Prior Publication US 2024/0003140 A1, Jan. 4, 2024
Int. Cl. F16B 5/06 (2006.01); E04F 15/02 (2006.01); F16B 5/00 (2006.01); E04F 13/08 (2006.01)
CPC E04F 15/02044 (2013.01) [F16B 5/002 (2013.01); F16B 5/0088 (2013.01); E04F 13/0826 (2013.01); E04F 2015/02094 (2013.01); E04F 15/02183 (2013.01); E04F 2201/0523 (2013.01)] 19 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A fastener unit adapted to secure at least one board to a support, the fastener unit comprising:
a spacer block with a thickness extending between a first surface and a second surface, the thickness configured to set a preselected gap between a first board and an adjacent second board, the spacer block defining a grip element recess extending through the thickness of the spacer block from the first surface to the second surface, and defining a first fastener hole, the spacer block including a lower surface;
a grip element positioned in the grip element recess and extending through the thickness between the first surface and the second surface within the grip element recess, the grip element defining a second fastener hole aligned with the first fastener hole and receiving a fastener therethrough; and
a resilient compression element projecting from the spacer block and being bendable relative to a reference plane that is aligned with the grip element, the resilient compression element configured to engage a first groove of the first board with the grip element to secure the fastener unit adjacent the first board,
wherein the spacer block is a monolithic polymeric block that extends directly downward under the grip element and includes a lower portion that extends to the lower surface,
wherein the first fastener hole is defined through the lower portion of the monolithic polymeric block.