US 12,234,654 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 May 24, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/328,072.
Application 17/328,072 is a continuation in part of application No. 29/758,604, filed on Nov. 17, 2020, granted, now D945870.
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.
Application 17/328,072 is a continuation in part of application No. 29/714,015, filed on Nov. 20, 2019, granted, now D924044.
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.
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 Jun. 11, 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 Jul. 16, 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 2021/0277668 A1, Sep. 9, 2021
Int. Cl. F16B 5/02 (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); F16B 5/02 (2013.01); E04F 13/0826 (2013.01); E04F 2015/02094 (2013.01); E04F 15/02183 (2013.01); E04F 2201/0523 (2013.01)] 23 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 defining a first fastener hole configured to receive a fastener therein, the spacer block including a front surface, an opposing rear surface, a first side surface and a second side surface opposite the first side surface, the spacer block having a thickness extending from the front surface to the rear surface, the thickness configured to span in a gap between a first board and an adjacent second board, the first fastener hole including an upper portion having an upper portion diameter and a lower portion having a lower portion diameter, the lower portion diameter being less than the upper portion diameter;
a grip element extending from the front surface of the spacer block, the grip element configured to fit in a first groove defined by the first board; and
a first resilient compression element and a second resilient compression element extending from the front surface of the spacer block on opposing lateral sides of the grip element, configured to secure the spacer block adjacent the first groove within a gap between the first board and the second adjacent board,
wherein the first resilient compression element is spaced laterally and outwardly distal from the grip element and is configured to engage an upper surface of the first groove,
wherein the second resilient compression element is spaced laterally and outwardly distal from the grip element and is configured to engage the upper surface of the first groove,
wherein the grip element includes a lower surface configured to frictionally engage a lower surface of the groove distal from the upper surface of the first groove.