| CPC E04F 15/02044 (2013.01) [E04F 15/02183 (2013.01); E04F 2015/02111 (2013.01)] | 16 Claims |
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1. A fastening assembly for decking having a plurality of joists with planks positioned on the joists, the fastening assembly comprising:
a spacer for positioning on a joist between adjacent planks, the spacer having a predetermined overall thickness so that the spacer serves to maintain a desired spacing between the planks, the spacer defining at least one passage that extends, top to bottom, through the spacer; and
at least one gripping member, the gripping member including opposed arms and a web that interconnects the arms, with the spacer being receivable between the arms,
wherein the web of the, or each, gripping member defines an opening, so that a shank of a fastener can be received through the web and the passage to engage the joist and drive the gripping member towards the joist so that the spacer is received between the arms, as the spacer is fastened to the joist,
wherein the spacer includes end locating formations with a width corresponding to the predetermined thickness, and an intermediate portion interposed between the end locating formations, the intermediate portion being receivable between the arms of the, or each, gripping member, the intermediate portion defining at least one spreader formation that is receivable between the arms of the gripping member to drive the arms apart as the gripping member is driven downwardly so that free ends of the arms bear against respective adjacent sides of said adjacent planks to secure the planks to the spacer, and
wherein the intermediate portion defines guide slots on respective sides of the, or each, spreader formation, the gripping member having opposed walls that depend from respective sides of the web, each wall having two slots to define the arm and two legs, with the arm interposed between the legs, the legs and the guide slots being configured so that the legs can slide into the guide slots as the gripping member is driven towards the joist.
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