US 11,840,848 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 4, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/143,236.
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 29/758,604 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 16/689,625 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 Nov. 28, 2019.
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 29/649,771 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 2023/0272624 A1, Aug. 31, 2023
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 15/02183 (2013.01); E04F 2015/02094 (2013.01); E04F 2201/0523 (2013.01)] 17 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 an upper portion and a lower portion, the spacer block defining a void in the upper portion and a first fastener hole configured to receive a fastener therein, the first fastener hole being defined at a bottom of the void, the void being wider than a head of the fastener so that the fastener can seat within the void when the fastener unit is installed, the spacer block having a thickness corresponding to a preselected gap between a first board and an adjacent second board;
a grip element having a length that is greater than the thickness of the spacer block so that the grip element extends outward from the spacer block on a first surface and an opposing second 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 extending from the first surface and being bendable relative to a reference plane that is aligned with the grip element, the first resilient compression element configured to engage a groove surface of the first groove and secure the spacer block adjacent the first groove to establish a gap between the first board and the adjacent second board,
wherein the spacer block defines a grip element recess which extends below the void,
wherein the first fastener hole is aligned with the grip element recess,
wherein the grip element recess is shaped to receive the grip element therethrough and extends from the first surface to the second surface,
wherein the grip element defines a second fastener hole through which the fastener extends.