US 12,442,198 B2
Deck clip
E. Erik Timothy, Apollo Beach, FL (US)
Assigned to PrimeSource Building Products, Inc., Irving, TX (US)
Filed by PrimeSource Building Products, Inc., Irving, TX (US)
Filed on Apr. 18, 2024, as Appl. No. 18/639,288.
Application 18/639,288 is a continuation of application No. 17/974,755, filed on Oct. 27, 2022, granted, now 12,297,649.
Prior Publication US 2024/0263460 A1, Aug. 8, 2024
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. E04F 15/02 (2006.01)
CPC E04F 15/02044 (2013.01) [E04F 2015/02122 (2013.01)] 8 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A deck clip, comprising:
a grip configured to be received, when installed, between a top groove face and a bottom groove face of a first groove positioned on a side surface of a first deck board and between a top groove face and a bottom groove face of a second groove positioned on a side surface of a second deck board facing the first groove of the first deck board;
a spacer comprising:
a central member having a first end and a second end;
a first arm member extending vertically from the first end of the central member;
a second arm member extending vertically from the second end of the central member, wherein at least a portion of the first arm member and at least a portion of the second arm member are separated by a channel that is configured to receive the grip therein;
a first cantilever member extending from the first arm member toward the second arm member and ending in a first face, and a second cantilever member extending from the second arm member toward the first arm member and ending in a second face, wherein at least a portion of the first face of the first cantilever member and at least a portion of the second face of the second cantilever member comprise planar surfaces that are parallel with one another and are separated by a space narrower than the channel and configured to fit a fastener therebetween; and
a first extension that extends outwardly with respect to at least one of a front surface or a rear surface of the spacer, wherein at least a portion of the first extension is configured to bend and, when installed, to press against one of the top groove face or the bottom groove face of the first groove and not to press against both the top groove face and the bottom groove face of the second groove;
wherein the at least portion of the first extension that is configured to bend is inclined with respect to the first arm member, wherein the vertical thickness of the inclined portion of the first extension is smaller at a region that is configured to contact the groove compared to a region of the inclined portion that is not configured to contact any groove when installed, wherein the region of the inclined portion that is not configured to contact any groove when installed is immediately adjacent the region of the inclined portion that is configured to contact the groove;
wherein the first extension is configured so that, when it is received within the groove, the first extension bends toward a plane aligned with the grip and an expansive force is applied by the combination of the grip and the first extension contacting respective faces of the groove.