US 12,264,483 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 Aug. 10, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/398,799.
Application 17/398,799 is a continuation 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 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 2021/0363761 A1, Nov. 25, 2021
Int. Cl. F16B 5/00 (2006.01); E04F 15/02 (2006.01); F16B 5/06 (2006.01); E04B 1/00 (2006.01)
CPC E04F 15/02044 (2013.01) [F16B 5/0004 (2013.01); F16B 5/002 (2013.01); F16B 5/008 (2013.01); F16B 5/0088 (2013.01); F16B 5/0607 (2013.01); E04B 1/003 (2013.01); E04F 2015/02122 (2013.01)] 16 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 including a front surface, an opposing rear surface, a first side surface, a second side surface opposite the first side surface, and a lower surface, the spacer block having a thickness extending from the front surface to the rear surface, the thickness configured to span within a gap between a first board and a second adjacent board;
a grip element projecting a distance outward from the front surface and the rear surface of the spacer block in a cantilevered manner, the grip element configured to fit in and engage a first groove defined by the first board;
a board engagement element extending downward along a first side surface of the first board toward a first lower surface of the first board, away from the spacer block and including a cantilevered arm that projects under and engages the first lower surface of the first board while the grip element engages the first groove defined by the first board above the first lower surface of the first board to cooperatively clamp a portion of the board between the first groove and the first lower surface of the first board between the cantilevered arm and the grip element so as to secure the fastener unit adjacent the first side surface of the first board; and
a fastener extending downwardly, through the spacer block and grip element and secured thereto, along a longitudinal axis that projects through the lower surface of the spacer block,
wherein a first leg extends from the spacer block,
wherein a second leg extends from the spacer block distal from the first leg,
wherein the cantilevered arm projects transversely from the first leg,
wherein another cantilevered arm projects transversely from the second leg distal from the cantilevered arm of the first leg and is configured to engage the first lower surface of the first board.