AU2007201767B2

AU2007201767B2 - Fastener for Grooved or Slotted Decking Members

Info

Publication number: AU2007201767B2
Application number: AU2007201767A
Authority: AU
Inventors: David Martel
Original assignee: OMG Inc
Current assignee: OMG Inc
Priority date: 2007-04-19
Filing date: 2007-04-19
Publication date: 2009-11-12
Anticipated expiration: 2027-04-19
Also published as: AU2007201767A1

Description

P100/011 28/5/91 Regulation 3.2 AUSTRALIA Patents Act 1990 ORIGINAL COMPLETE SPECIFICATION STANDARD PATENT Name of Applicant: Tiger Claw Inc. Actual Inventor David Martel Address for service is: WRAY & ASSOCIATES Level 4, The Quadrant 1 William Street Perth, WA 6000 Attorney code: WR Invention Title: Fastener for Grooved or Slotted Decking Members The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me: 1I -2 Fastener for Grooved or Slotted Decking Members Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a deck fastener for securing decking members (e.g., boards or planks) together and to a supporting member and, more 5 particularly, to a fastener for securing grooved or slotted decking members to an underlying support member. Background of the Invention Composite deck boards or planks have become increasingly common as a replacement or alternative to traditional wood planks for outside decking or the 10 like. Composite boards are made of a combination of materials usually including a polymer matrix material and one or more reinforcement materials such as wood fibres, with the polymer matrix surrounding and supporting the wood fibre reinforcement material. The reinforcement material provides strength, workability, and dimensional stability, while the polymer matrix material provides 15 low-maintenance characteristics, durability (especially in terms of colour longevity), and splinter-free wear. Composite deck boards may be fastened to underlying support members in the same manner as traditional wood planking, e.g., by driving a fastener down through the body of the deck board. Despite improved mechanical qualities, 20 however, composite boards are still subject to possible splitting. Moreover, users prefer not to have fasteners protruding above the decking surface, as may be unsightly and/or create a hazard. For example, conventional nails, even if countersunk in the first instance, have a tendency to work themselves above the decking surface over time as the planking contracts and expands due to 25 changing weather conditions. Accordingly, various systems have been proposed for securing deck boards together and to underlying supports in a "hidden" manner, e.g., the fasteners do not protrude above the decking surface.

-3 The decking itself may be provided with features for facilitating "hidden" attachment. For example, FIGS. 1A and 18 show a generally rectangular, generally planar, composite plank 10 having an elongate body 12, first and second lateral ends 14, 16 (e.g., the ends are perpendicular to a longitudinal axis 5 18 of the plank, which is the axis defined by the longest dimension of the plank), and left and right longitudinal sides 20, 22 (e.g., the sides are parallel to the longitudinal axis 18 of the plank). Each side 20, 22 has a longitudinal groove or slot 24, 26 formed therein. In operation, a biscuit device such as shown in U.S. Pat. No. 6,402,415 to Eberle, Ill is used to hold adjacent planks together and to 10 an underlying support. However, since the top of the biscuit-like device is only press fit into the grooves 24, 26, the connection between planks may not be as secure as desired. For example, the planks may be subject to shifting or other movement. The preceding discussion of the background to the invention is intended only to 15 facilitate an understanding of the present invention. However, it should be appreciated that the discussion is not an acknowledgement or an admission that any of the material referred to was or is part of the common knowledge in Australia as at the priority date of the application. Summary of the Invention 20 An embodiment of the present invention relates to a fastener for securing laterally adjacent, grooved decking members to an underlying support. ("Grooved decking member" refers to an elongate board, plank, or other construction member having generally planar top and bottom surfaces, such as those suitable for use as the surface of a deck, where one or both of the side 25 edges of the member are provided with longitudinal grooves or slots.) The fastener includes a generally flat body portion with front and rear faces -and top and bottom edges. A first connection wing is attached to the top edge of the body and extends outwardly from the rear face of the body in a first direction. A second connection wing is also attached to the top edge of the body, but extends. 30 generally outwardly from the front face of the body in a second, opposite -4 direction. A flange is attached to the bottom edge of the body portion and extends outwardly from the rear face of the body in the general direction of the first connection wing. The flange and/or body portion include an opening for passage of a connector (e.g., screw) through the fastener, The connection wings 5 are adapted in size and shape to engage laterally adjacent decking members when the wings are inserted into the longitudinal grooves formed in the sides of the decking members and the fastener is connected to a supporting member that supports and underlies the laterally adjacent decking members. Thus, in use, a first decking member is held in place against the underlying 10 support member. The fastener's second connection wing (e.g., the connection wing opposite the flange) is positioned in the decking members longitudinal groove such that the connector opening is positioned proximate to the support member and the flange is facing away from the decking member. A screw or other connector is inserted through the opening and is secured in place down 15 into the support member. (Typically, several fasteners are deployed in this manner at even intervals along the length of the decking member.) Then, a second decking member is placed laterally against the first decking member by manoeuvring its longitudinal side groove over the fastener's first connection wing. The second decking member lies against the support member, and is then 20 moved towards the first decking member until it abuts the flange, which establishes a gap between the two decking members. The connection wings engage-the decking members in the slots for securing the decking members against the support member, e.g., lip-like portions of the decking members, which lie below the grooves, are sandwiched between the connection wings and 25 the underlying support, preventing the decking members from being substantially raised upwards. In another embodiment, the flange is generally perpendicular to the rear face of the body portion. In compensation for the gap created by the flange, the first connection wing (e.g., the wing positioned on the same side as the flange) is 30 longer than the second connection wing in a latter manner. This means that the first connection wing extends out from the body portion by a lateral distance -5 greater than that of the second connection wing. ("Lateral distance" refe - to the distance between the body portion and the farthest, distal edge of the ing, as measured normally/perpendicularly to the front or rear face of the body portion, as applicable.) 5 In another embodiment, the connection wings are "bent' in shape, with each including first and second portions that are non-coplanar to one another. Thus, for example, for each connection wing, the first non--coplanar portion is atached to the top edge of the body and lies generally perpendicular to the fastener body portion. The second non-coplanar portion, which defines the distal end of the 10 connection wing, is attached to an edge of the first portion opposite (and tfiically parallel to) the top edge of the body. The second portion is inclined at ar angle with respect to the first portion for leveraged engagement of the connection wing with a decking member when inserted into a longitudinal groove thereof. In use, a first grooved decking member is held in place against an underlying 15 joist or other support member. The second, laterally shorter connection wing (e.g., the connection wing on the opposite side of the body from the flange) is angled into the decking member's longitudinal groove. In this position, the body of the fastener abuts the lower lip of the groove (or thereabouts), with the body and second wing lying in an inclined or angled position above the support 20 member. Again, the fastener's connector opening is positioned proximate to the support member, and the flange faces away from the decking member. A connector is inserted through the connector opening and is secured in place down into the support member. As the fastener is secured in place, this causes the short connection wing and/or body to flex slightly, causing the angled, distal 25 portion of the wing to firmly press up against or otherwise engage the decking member in the inside top of the groove. This prevents the decking member from being easily moved laterally away from the fastener. Subsequently, a second decking member is manoeuvred in at a slight angle to position its longitukdinal side groove over the first, laterally longer connection wing of the fasener. 30 Allowing the second decking member to fall into place flat against the support member causes the long wing to flex slightly under the weight of the second -6 decking member. This in turn causes the angled, distal- portion of the lo g wing to frictionally engage the second decking member inside the groove, including possibly slightly biting into the decking member. This secures the Second decking member in place in a positive leveraged manner. 5 In another embodiment, with respect to a geometrical plane defined by the perpendicular portions of the connection wings, the fastener body and fiarge ar located on one side of the plane, and the angled or bent portions of thI wings extend out past the opposite side of the plane. Typically, the angled or bent portions are angled from about 15* to about 75* with respect to the plane defined 10 by the first connection wing portions. In another embodiment, the connection wings are generally rectangular and have generally rectangular distal ends. The distal ends may be provided with vedge shaped prongs, e.g., positioned at the left and right comers of the distal end, for the connection wings to bite into the decking members inside the longidudinal 15 grooves. Accordingly, according to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a fastener for securing laterally adjacent, grooved decking members b an underlying support, said fastener comprising: a generally flat body portion aving front and rear faces and top and bottom edges; 20 a first connection wing attached to the top edge of the body and ext nding generally outwardly from the rear face of the body in a first direction; a second connection wing attached to the top edge of the body and ext nding generally outwardly from the front face of the body in a second, ge orally opposite direction; and 25 a main flange attached to the bottom edge of the body portion and extending generally outwardly in the first direction from the rear face of the body; wherein at least one of the main flange and the body defines an open g for passage of an elongated connector, and wherein the first and second conn action wings are adapted in size and shape to engage the laterally adjacent depking 30 members when the wings are positioned in longitudinal grooves formed i; the -7 sides of the decking members and the fastener is connected to a supporting member that supports and underlies the laterally adjacent decking members, wherein each connection wing includes first and second non-coplanar portions for leveraged engagement of the connection wing with a decking member when 5 inserted into a longitudinal groove thereof, and wherein the second portion is inclined at an angle with respect to the first portion for said leveraged engagement. Accordingly, according to a second aspect of the invention there is provided a fastener for securing laterally adjacent, grooved decking members to an 10 underlying support, said fastener comprising: a generally flat body portion having generally planar front and rear faces, top and bottom edges, and left and right side edges, said top and bottom edges defining vertical limits of the body portion and said left and right side edges defining horizontal limits of the body portion, said body portion extending 15 between said edges; a first connection wing comprising first and second generally flat portions, said portions being non-coplanar to one another, wherein the first portion is attached to the top edge of the body and extends generally perpendicularly outwardly from the rear face of the body, and the second portion is attached to 20 an edge of the first portion parallel and opposite the top edge of the body, said second portion defining a distal end of the first connection wing that is spaced apart from the rear face of the body by a first lateral distance; a second connection wing comprising first and second generally flat portions, said portions being non-coplanar to one another, wherein the first 25 portion is attached to the top edge of the body and extends generally perpendicularly outwardly from the front face of the body in a direction opposite that of the first portion of the first connection wing, and wherein the second portion is attached to an edge of the first portion parallel and opposite the top edge of the body, said second portion defining a distal end of the second 30 connection wing that is spaced apart from the front face of the body by a second lateral distance; -7a a flange attached to the bottom edge of the body portion and extending outwardly from the rear face of the body, wherein at least a portion of the flange is generally perpendicular to the fastener body portion, and wherein a distal edge of the flange is spaced apart from the rear face of the body by a third lateral 5 distance for establishing a gap between laterally adjacent decking members greater than a thickness of the fastener body portion; wherein: -8 at least one of the flange and the body defines an opening for pa age of an elongated connector for connecting the fastener to a supporting member that supports and underlies the laterally adjacent decking members; the first portions of the connection wings together define a plane that is 5 generally perpendicular to the fastener body portion, said fastener body portion and flange lying on a first side of said plane only, and said second connection wing portions extending outwardly from a second, opposite side of said plane at a non-zero degree angle with respect to the plane; and the first lateral spacing distance of the first connection wing is greater than 10 the second lateral spacing distance of the second connection wing and e third lateral spacing distance of the flange, in compensation for the flange-established gap when the first connection wing is inserted into a lateral decking member groove. Accordingly, according to a third aspect of the invention there is provided a 15 decking system comprising: first and second laterally adjacent, elongate decking members each having generally planar, generally parallel top and bottom surfaces interconnected by left and right longitudinal side edges, at least one of said side edges having a longitudinal slot formed therein, wherein a first longitudinal slot 20 formed in the first decking member lies laterally adjacent and opposed to a second slot formed in the second decking member and a fastener for securing the decking members together and to a sLpport member that underlies and supports the decking members, said fastener comprising: 25 a generally flat body portion having front and rear faces, said body portion being positioned between the laterally adjacent decking members; a first connection wing attached to the body and extending outwardly fror'i the rear face of the body and into the second longitudinal slot of the second decking member 30 a second connection wing attached to the body and extending outwardly from the front face of the body and into the first longitudinal slot of th first decking member; and -9 a flange attached to a bottom edge of the body portion and extending outwardly from the rear face of the body, said flange establishing a gap between the decking members greater than a thickness of the body portion, wherein a bottom surface of the flange abuts the support member; 5 wherein the fastener is connected to the support member by way of an elongate connector extending through an opening in the fastener and into the support member, said opening being defined by at least one of the flange and the body; and wherein the connection wings engage the decking members in the slots 10 for securing the decking members against the support member, wherein each connection wing comprises first and second non-coplanar portions, said portions being oriented at a non-zero degree angle with respect to one another. Accordingly, according to a fourth aspect of the invention there is provided a fastener for securing laterally adjacent, grooved decking members to an 15 underlying support, said fastener comprising: a generally flat body portion; flange means connected to the body portion for establishing a gap between the decking members; and connection means connected to the body portion for leveraged 20 engagement of the laterally adjacent decking members, said decking members being engaged in laterally adjacent grooves formed in the sides of the decking members; wherein the fastener includes an opening for passage of a connector to connect the fastener to a support member that underlies and supports the 25 laterally adjacent decking members. Brief Description of the Drawings The present invention will be better understood from reading the following description of non-limiting embodiments, with reference to the attached drawings, wherein below: 30 FIGS. 1A and 18 are views of a grooved decking member; - 10~ FIGS. 2A-2D are perspective, front side elevation, left side elevation, and bottom plan views, respectively, of a fastener for grooved or slotted decking members, according to a first embodiment of the present invention; FIGS. 3A and 3B are perspective and side elevation views, respectively, of a 5 fastener according to an additional embodiment of the present invention; FIGS. 4A-4C and 5A-5D are side elevation views showing the fasteners in use; FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the fastener shown in FIGS. 3A and 38; FIGS. 7A-7C are end side elevation, rear side elevation, and bottom plan views, 10 respectively, of a fastener according to an additional embodiment of the present invention; and FIGS. 8A and 8B are end side elevation and top plan views, respectively, of a fastener according to an additional embodiment of the present invention. Detailed Description 15 Referring to FIGS 2A-5D, the present invention relates to a novel fastener device 30a, 30b for connecting (i) a first grooved or slotted board, plank, or other decking member 32 to an underlying joist or other support member 34 and (ii) a second grooved decking member 36 to the first decking member 32 in an adjacent or lateral manner. (In other words, the fastener 30a, 30b is used, in 20 effect, to connect two decking members to one another and both decking members to an underlying support 34.) The fastener 30a, 30b includes a thin, flat body portion 38, two connection lips or "wings" 40a, 40b, and a main flange 42. The wings 40a, 40b extend out from the top edge 44 of the body portion 38 in opposite directions. In particular, the first wing 40a is attached along one side 26 of the top edge 44 of the body 38, and extends outwardly from the body in the direction of a rear face 45a of the body portion. The second wing 40b is attached along the other side of the top edge 44 of the body 38, and extends outwardly from the body in the direction of a front face 45b of the body portion. ("Front" and "rear are arbitrary designations.) The connection wings 40a, 40b may be oriented generally perpendicularly to the body portion 38. The flange 42 extends outwardly from the bottom edge 46 of the body portion in the direction of the rear 5 face 45a of the body 38, and lies generally perpendicular thereto, The body 38 and/or flange 42 include an opening 48 for passage of a connector, such as a screw 50. The connection wings 40a, 40b may be generally flat, as is the case with the fastener 30a shown in FIGS. 2A-2D and 4A-4C. The leading edge of one or both wings may be provided with prongs 52. Alternatively, as is the case 10 with the fastener 30b shown in FIGS. 3A, 3B, and 5A-5D, each connection wing may include first and second non-coplanar portions 64, 56. The first, "flat" portion 54 is connected to the body 38, and the second, "bent" portion 56 is inclined at an angle to the first portion 54. In this case, the first wing portion 54 is generally perpendicular to the body 38, while the second portion 56 extends 15 upwardly and outwardly away from the body 38, e.g., oriented at an angle a to the body, wherein, typically, a = 450 or thereabouts. Both wings 40a, 40b are generally rectangular, although the bent portion may be provided with prongs or teeth 52 for better engaging grooved decking members or other construction members. As best shown in FIGS. 2A and 2C, the wing 40a that extends out in 20 the same direction as the flange 42 may be slightly longer than the other wing 40b, in a lateral direction from the body. The former is occasionally referred to herein as the "long" wing 40a, the latter the "short" wing 40b. As noted above, "decking member" refers to any type of elongate board, plank, or other construction member having generally planar top and bottom surfaces, 25 such as those suitable for use as the primary surface of a deck, and regardless of how the members are manufactured or the material(s) from which they are made. This encompasses wood, composites, laminates, polymers, and the like. Also, when it is referred to herein that the decking member grooves or slots are "formed" in the decking members, this includes any manufacturing operation 30 resulting in the provision of the grooves/slots, such as moulding, machining, the connection of varying-width laminates, or the like.

-12 For using the fastener 30a, with reference to FIGS. 4A-4C, a first grooved decking member 32 is held in place against an underlying joist or other support member 34, e.g., the support member may be temporarily manually held against the joist, or it may be temporarily hold using clamps or the like. The grooved 5 decking member 32 has a longitudinal side groove or slot 58 formed in one or both of the member's long/lateral sides 60. (The decking member may be used -as decking, whereby a number of the decking members are placed across the support members to form a deck.) The short wing 40b is positioned in the groove 58 such that the opening 48 is positioned proximate to the support 10 member and the flange 42 faces away from the decking member 32. A screw or other connector 50 is inserted through the opening 48 and is secured in place down into the support member 34. Subsequently, as shown in FIG. 4B, a second decking member 36 is placed laterally against the first decking member by manoeuvring its side groove 58 over the long wing 40a. The second decking 15 member 36 is then moved towards the first decking member 32, as shown in FIG. 4C, until it abuts the flange 42, which establishes a gap between the two decking members. The connection wings 40a, 40b engage the decking members in the slots for securing the decking members against the support .member, e.g., longitudinal lip portions "N" of the decking members, which lie 20 below the grooves 58, are sandwiched between the connection wings 40a, 40b and the support 34, preventing the decking members from being raised upwards. Typically, several of the fasteners 30a will be deployed at even intervals along the length of the decking member 32, for securing it to the support 34 along its length. After the second decking member 36 is positioned in place as shown in 25 FIGS. 4B and 4C, the opposite side of the second decking member 36 is outfitted with additional fasteners. Thus, each decking member is held along both its side edges. End decking members may be held in place through abutment to structural members or the like, through the use of other fasteners, or through provision of "one sided" fasteners, such as the fastener 30a but without a 30 connection wing 40a.

- 13 With reference to FIGS. 5A-5D (not to scale), the fastener 30b with bent wings 40a, 40b provides a positive leverage lock between the decking members and support member, resulting in an even more secure connection. In particular, a first grooved decking member 32 is held in place against an underlying joist or 5 other support member 34. The short wing 40b of the fastener 30b is angled into the groove 58. In this position, the body 38 of the fastener abuts the lower edge 62 of the groove 58 (or thereabouts), with the body 38 and second wing 40a lying in an inclined or angled position above the support member 34. (See FIG. SA.) Again, the opening 48 is positioned proximate to the support member, and 10 the flange 42 faces away from the decking member 32. As shown in FIG. 5B, a connector 50 is inserted through the opening 48 and is secured in place down into the support member 34. As the connector is secured in place, this causes the short wing 40b and/or body 38 to flex slightly, causing the bent portion 56 of the short wing 40b to firmly press up against or otherwise engage the inside top 15 of the groove 58, as indicated by the arrow 'f." (In other words, as the fastener is screwed into place, the fastener body 38 is flexed against the side 60 of the decking member, which in effect levers the short wing 40b into frictional and/or "biting" engagement with the decking member.) This prevents the decking member 32 from being easily moved laterally away from the fastener 30b. 20 Subsequently, a second decking member 36 is manoeuvred in at a slight angle to place its side groove 58 over the long wing 40a, as shown in FIG. 5C. Allowing the second decking member 36 to fall flat against the support member 34 causes the long wing 40a to flex slightly under the weight of the second decking member 36. This causes the bent portion 56 of the long wing 40a to 25 frictionally engage the second decking member inside the groove 58, as indicated by the arrow "f2" including possibly slightly biting into the decking member. This secures the second decking member in place. Additional decking members may be attached laterally in a similar manner. It should be noted that even if the second decking member's elevation is off, the long connection wing 30 40a will still tend to hold the decking member down in place against or proximate to the support 34.

-14 As shown in FIG. 6, the fastener 30b (or 30a) may be provided with elongated or pronounced prongs 64, on either or both of the wings 40a, 40b, for a more pronounced biting engagement with a decking member groove. The dimensions and relative orientations of the various component portions of 5 the fasteners 30a, 30b will vary depending on the characteristics and/or dimensions of the decking members with which they are used. Thus, the fasteners 30a, 30b can be considered as being complementary to the decking members 32, 36 in terms of the relative dimensions and positioning of the fastener components and decking member slots or grooves 58. For example, 10 with reference to FIG. 5D, an overall height "H1" of the fastener body portion and flange will approximately correspond to the height of the decking member lip "N", at least insofar as the height HI allows for the connection wings to extend into the slots 58 when the flange 42 abuts the underlying support 34. Also, the distances D1, D2 that the connection wings extend out laterally from the front 15 and rear faces of the fastener body portion, respectively, are such that the connection wings extend into the slots at least a sufficient distance to engage the decking members in the slots, in consideration of the depths of the slots and the width of the gap established by the flange 42. ("Lateral" extension in this case refers to the distance between the distal end of the connection wing and the 20 nearest of the front or rear faces of the fastener body portion, as measured normally/perpendicularly to a plane defined by the nearest face. "Distal" end or edge refers to the portion of the connection wing lying farthest away from the body portion, again, as measured normally.) Although the dimensions of the fasteners will vary depending on the decking 25 members, the following dimensions are for one embodiment of the fastener, provided as a typical example, and to confer a sense of scale. With reference to FIGS. 2C and 2D, a length Li of the body portion 38 is about 1.0" (length is measured with respect to a longitudinal axis of the body, which is the axis lying parallel to the flange and connection wings). The lengths L3, L2 of the 30 connection wings 40a, 40b are each about 0.4-0.5". The widths W1, W2 of the wings are also each about 0.4-0.5", with the width W1 being longer than the - 15 width W2 to compensate for the flange 42 (width is measured normal to the body portion). The height "H2" of the flat body portion 38 is about 0.3", where height is measured normally to the flange and connection wings. A thickness "T" of the fastener is about 0.05-0.06". 5 With reference to FIG. 3B, for fasteners with non-coplanar connection wings, e.g., fastener 30b, the angle a of the "bent" portions 54 (angle a is with respect to the body 38) may be varied depending on the dimensions of the decking member grooves 58 and on the degree to which it is desired to have the connection wings flex or bend during installation. Typical values of a range 10 between about 15' and about 750*. (With respect to a plane "P" defined by the flat wing portions 54, the plane being perpendicular to the body 38, the bent portions 54 are angled up from the plane P by an angle 4 = (90- a), e.g., 4 is typically 45*, but may range from about 150 to about 750.) FIGS. 7A-7C show an additional embodiment of the present invention, which 15 further illustrates possible variances in component dimensions. Here, a fastener 66 is generally similar to the fastener 30b shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, and includes a body 68, flange 70, opening 72, and "long" and "short" connection wings 74a, 74b, respectively. However, the "bent' portion 76 of the short connection wing 74b is significantly longer than the bent portion 56 of the short 20 connection wing 40b of the fastener 30b. With reference to FIG. 5A, and depending on the dimensions of the decking member groove 58, this may result in a greater inclination angle P of the fastener body when the short connection wing is inserted in the groove. An increased inclination angle may require a greater force to drive a fastener 50 and flex the connection wing, possibly 25 resulting in a greater degree of flex and a tighter connection. The fastener 66 further includes an optional side flange 78. The side flange 78 is connected to the body 68 at the end of the body 68 opposite the opening 72. The side flange 78 is approximately perpendicular to the body 68, and extends in the same direction as the main flange 70. The side flange 78 helps to augment the 30 spacing function of the main flange 70 by abutting the side 60 of the decking member 36, e.g., as at point P in FIG. 7A.

-16 FIGS. 8A and 8B show an additional fastener embodiment 80. The fastener 80 is generally similar to the fasteners described above. Here, however, the "bent" portion 82 of each connection wing 84 is connected to the flat portion 86 by way of a radius "R." (In other words, the boundary between the bent portion and flat 5 portion is provided with a curved groove or indentation having a radius R.) Although the first, flarer wing portions 54, 86, etc. have been Illustrated as lying generally perpendicular to the body, the first wing portions could be disposed at a different angular orientation other than 90* without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. 10 The fasteners (30a, 30b, 66, 80) may be characterized as having: a generally fiat body portion (38, 68); flange means (42, 70) connected to the body portion for establishing a gap between laterally adjacent decking members (32, 36); and connection means, namely, the wings (40a, 40b, 74a, 74b, 84), connected to the body portion (38, 68) for engaging the laterally adjacent decking members (32, 15 36). As noted above, the connection wings engage the decking members within the laterally adjacent grooves formed in the sides of the decking members. As used herein in a conventional manner, the term "about" refers to t I of the least significant digit of the value in question, e.g., "about 45*" means 45* ± 10, The fasteners (30a, 30b, 66, 80) may be made of metal or some other suitably 20 strong and durable niaterial, using standard manufacturing methods. Also, the fastener may be manufactured by cutting or stamping an appropriately dimensioned flat blank from a piece of sheet metal, and then bending the blank to form the fastener as shown. In such a case, the fastener will be a unitary member, wherein each connection wing will extend out from one side of the 25 fastener body only, i.e., each will commence at the top edge of the body and extend outwards from the front or rear face, as applicable, without extending past or otherwise breaking a plane defined by the other face. The same is true for the flanges.

-17 Because the fasteners are complementary in shape to the decking members, an embodiment of the present invention may be characterized as a decking system that includes first and second decking members (32, 36) and a complementary shaped fastener (30a, 30b, 66, 80) for securing the decking members together 5 and to a support member 34 that underlies and supports the decking members. The decking members are elongate, with each having generally planar, generally parallel top and bottom surfaces interconnected by left and right longitudinal side edges (20, 22). At least one of the side edges of each decking member has a longitudinal slot (24, 26, 58) formed therein. Subsequent to installation, a first 10 longitudinal slot formed in the first decking member will lie laterally adjacent and opposed to a second slot formed in the second decking member. The fastener (30a, 30b, 66, 80) includes a generally flat body portion (38, 68) having rear and front faces (45a, 45b). The body portion is positioned between the laterally adjacent decking members. A first connection wing (40a, 74a, 84) is attached to 15 the body and extends outwardly from the rear face 45a of the body and into the second longitudinal slot of the second decking member 36. A second connection wing (40b, 74b, 84) is attached to the body and extends outwardly from the front face 45b of the body and into the first longitudinal slot of the first decking member 32. A flange (42, 70) is attached to a bottom edge of the body portion 20 and extends outwardly from the rear face 45a of the body. A bottom surface of the flange abuts the support member 34, and a distal edge of the flange abuts the second decking member 36. The fastener is connected to the support member by way of an elongate connector 50 extending through an opening 48 in the fastener and into the support member. The opening 48 extends through and 25 is defined by the flange and/or body. The connection wings (40a, 40b, 74a, 74b, 84) engage the decking members in the slots for securing the decking members against the support member 34. As should be appreciated, the fastener (30a, 30b, 66, 80) corresponds to the shape and dimensions of the decking members, such that when the decking 30 members lie against the support member and the fastener is attached to the support member, the connection wings extend into the decking member longitudinal grooves for engaging the decking members inside the grooves.

Thus, as explained above, the height of the fastener body portion and flange (measured from the bottom surface of the flange to the top edge of the flat body portion) will approximately correspond to the height of the decking member lip N, as measured normally from the flat bottom surface of the decking member. Also, 5 the distances that the connection wings extend out laterally from the front and rear faces of the fastener body portion, respectively, are such that the connection wings extend into the decking member longitudinal grooves by at least a distance sufficient to engage the decking members in the grooves, in consideration of the depths of the grooves, the particular shape and dimensions of the connection 10 wings, and the width of the gap established by the flange. As noted above, the connection wings may be "bent" in shape, with each including first and second non-coplanar portions oriented at a non-zero degree angle with respect to one another. In such a case, during installation the connection wings are flexed downwards towards the flange. This causes the 15 connection wings to exert a leveraged force at least partly upwards against the decking members in the slots for facilitating engagement of the connection wings with the decking members. More specifically, the second connection wing (opposite the flange) is flexed upon the connector being tightened into the support member through the connector opening. The tightening action draws the 20 fastener body portion into butting engagement with the first decking member. (See FIGS. SA and 5B.) The first connection wing (located on the same side of the fastener body as the flange) is flexed upon placement of the second decking member against the support member subsequent to angling the slot of the second decking member over the first connection wing. 25 Since certain changes may be made in the above-described fastener for grooved or slotted decking members, without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention herein involved, it is intended that all of the subject matter of the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted merely as examples illustrating the inventive concept herein and shall not be construed 30 as limiting the invention.

- 19 Throughout the specification and claims, unless the context requires otherwise, the word "comprise" or variations such as "comprises" or "comprising", will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or group of integers but not the exclusion of any other integer or group of integers.

Claims

1. A fastener for securing laterally adjacent, grooved decking members to an underlying support, said fastener comprising: a generally flat body portion having front and rear faces and top and bottom edges; 5 a first connection wing attached to the top edge of the body and extending generally outwardly from the rear face of the body in a first direction; a second connection wing attached to the top edge of the body and extending generally outwardly from the front face of the body in a second, 10 generally opposite direction; and a main flange attached to the bottom edge of the body portion and extending generally outwardly in the first direction from the rear face of the body; wherein at least one of the main flange and the body defines an 15 opening for passage of an elongated connector, wherein the first and second connection wings are adapted in size and shape to engage the laterally adjacent decking members when the wings are positioned in longitudinal grooves formed in the sides of the decking members and the fastener is connected to a supporting member that supports and underlies 20 the laterally adjacent decking members, wherein each connection wing includes first and second non-coplanar portions for leveraged engagement of the connection wing with a decking member when inserted into a longitudinal groove thereof, and wherein the second potion is inclined at an angle with respect to the first portion for said leveraged engagement. 25

2. The fastener of claim 1, wherein: the flange is generally perpendicular to the rear face of the body portion for establishing a gap between the decking members greater than a thickness of the fastener body portion; and the first connection wing extends out from the body portion by a 30 lateral distance greater than that of the second connection wing, in -20a compensation for the flange-established gap when the first connection wing is inserted into a lateral decking member groove.

3. The fastener of claim 2, wherein the connection wings extend outwards from the top edge of the body and terminate at respective distal ends, -21 wherein each distal end is generally rectangular and defines a distal edge of the connection wing, said distal edge being generally parallel to the body portion top edge.

4. The fastener of claim 3, wherein the rectangular distal ends of the 5 connection wings each include left and right comers, wherein the left and right comers of at least one of the connection wing distal ends each extend outwards in a wedge shape past the distal edge, for enhancing engagement of the connection wing with a grooved decking member.

5. The fastener of claim 2, wherein each connection wing comprises first and 10 second non-coplanar portions for leveraged engagement of the connection wing with a decking member when inserted into a longitudinal groove thereof.

6. The fastener of claim 5, wherein for each connection wing, the first non coplanar portion is attached to the top edge of the body and lies generally 15 perpendicular to the fastener body portion, and the second non-coplanar portion is attached to an edge of the first portion opposite the top edge of the body and defines a distal end of the connection wing, wherein the second portion is inclined at an angle with respect to the first portion for said leveraged engagement. 20

7. The fastener of claim 6, wherein the first and second non-coplanar wing portions are each generally flat and generally rectangular. a.

The fastener of claim 1, wherein the connection wings extend outwards from the top edge of the body and terminate at respective distal ends, wherein each distal end is generally rectangular and has a distal edge 25 generally parallel to the body portion top edge.

9. The fastener of claim 8, wherein the rectangular distal ends of the connection wings each include left and right corners, wherein the left and right comers of at least one of the connection wing distal ends each -22 extend outwards past the parallel distal edge of the distal end in a wedge shape, for enhancing engagement of the connection wing with a grooved decking member.

10. The fastener of claim 1, wherein each connection wing comprises first and 5 second non-coplanar portions for leveraged engagement of the connection wing with a decking member when inserted into a longitudinal groove thereof.

11. The fastener of claim 10, wherein: for each connection wing, the first non-coplanar portion is attached 10 to a top edge of the body and lies generally perpendicular to the fastener body portion, and the second non-coplanar portion is attached to an edge of the first portion opposite the top edge of the body and defines a distal edge of the connection wing, wherein the second portion is inclined at an angle with respect to the first portion; and 15 the first portions of each connection wing are generally flat and together define a plane that is generally perpendicular to the fastener body portion, said fastener body portion and flange lying on a first side of said plane only, and said second connection wing portions extending outwardly from a second, opposite side of said plane at a non-zero degree 20 angle with respect to the plane.

12. The fastener of claim 10, wherein for each connection wing, the first non coplanar portion is attached to the top edge of the body and lies generally perpendicular to the fastener body portion, and the second non-coplanar portion is attached to an edge of the first portion opposite the top edge of 25 the body and defines a distal edge of the connection wing, wherein the second portion is inclined at an angle with respect to the first portion for said leveraged engagement.

13. The fastener of claim 12, wherein: the first portions of each connection wing are generally flat and 30 together define a plane that is generally perpendicular to the fastener -23 body portion, said fastener body portion and flange lying on a first side of said plane only, and said second connection wing portions extending outwardly from a second, opposite side of said plane at a non-zero angle with respect to the plane; 5 the second connection wing portions are angled at between about 15* and about 75e with respect to the plane defined by the first connection wing portions; and the second connection wing portions are angled at different angles with respect to the plane defined by the first connection wing portions. 10

14. The fastener of claim 1, wherein: the body portion has left and right parallel edges extending between the top and bottom edges of the body portion, said left and right edges defining the lateral bounds of the body, flange, and connection wings; 15 the first and second connection wings are coterminous with the left and right edges of the body portion, respectively; and the fastener further comprises a side flange attached to one of the left and right body portion edges only, wherein a distal portion of the side flange is generally perpendicular to the fastener body portion, and wherein 20 the side flange extends out from the fastener body portion in the first direction of the main flange.

15. A fastener for securing laterally adjacent, grooved decking members to an underlying support, said fastener comprising: a generally flat body portion having generally planar front and rear 25 faces, top and bottom edges, and left and right side edges, said top and bottom edges defining vertical limits of the body portion and said left and right side edges defining horizontal limits of the body portion, said body portion extending between said edges; a first connection wing comprising first and second generally flat 30 portions, said portions being non-coplanar to one another, wherein the first portion is attached to the top edge of the body and extends generally -24 perpendicularly outwardly from the rear face of the body, and the second portion is attached to an edge of the first portion parallel and opposite the top edge of the body, said second portion defining a distal end of the first connection wing that is spaced apart from the rear face of the body by a 5 first lateral distance; a second connection wing comprising first and second generally fiat portions, said portions being non-coplanar to one another, wherein the first portion is attached to the top edge of the body and extends generally perpendicularly outwardly from the front face of the body in a direction 10 opposite that of the first portion of the first connection wing, and wherein the second portion is attached to an edge of the first portion parallel and opposite the top edge of the body, said second portion defining a distal end of the second connection wing that is spaced apart from the front face of the body by a second lateral distance; 15 a flange attached to the bottom edge of the body portion and extending outwardly from the rear face of the body, wherein at least a portion of the flange is generally perpendicular to the fastener body portion, and wherein a distal edge of the flange is spaced apart from the rear face of the body by a third lateral distance for establishing a gap 20 between laterally adjacent decking members greater than a thickness of the fastener body portion; wherein: at least one of the flange and the body defines an opening for passage of an elongated connector for connecting the fastener to a supporting member that supports and underlies the laterally adjacent 25 decking members; the first portions of the connection wings together define a plane that is generally perpendicular to the fastener body portion, said fastener body portion and flange lying on a first side of said plane only, and said second connection wing portions extending outwardly from a second, 30 opposite side of said plane at a non-zero degree angle with respect to the plane; and the first lateral spacing distance of the first connection wing is greater than the second lateral spacing distance of the second connection -25 wing and the third lateral spacing distance of the flange, in compensation for the flange-established gap when the first connection wing is inserted into a lateral decking member groove.

16. A decking system comprising: 5 first and second laterally adjacent, elongate decking members each having generally planar, generally parallel top and bottom surfaces interconnected by left and right longitudinal side edges, at least one of said side edges having a longitudinal slot formed therein, wherein a first longitudinal slot formed in the first decking member lies laterally adjacent 10 and opposed to a second slot formed in the second decking member; and a fastener for securing the decking members together and to a support member that underlies and supports the decking members, said fastener comprising: a generally flat body portion having front and rear faces, said body 15 portion being positioned between the laterally adjacent decking members; a first connection wing attached to the body and extending outwardly from the rear face of the body and into the second longitudinal slot of the second decking member; a second connection wing attached to the body and extending 20 outwardly from the front face of the body and into the first longitudinal slot of the first decking member; and a flange attached to a bottom edge of the body portion and extending outwardly from the rear face of the body, said flange establishing a gap between the decking members greater than a thickness 25 of the body portion, wherein a bottom surface of the flange abuts the support member; wherein the fastener is connected to the support member by way of an elongate connector extending through an opening in the fastener and into the support member, said opening being defined by at least one of the 30 flange and the body; and wherein the connection wings engage the decking members in the slots for securing the decking members against the support member, - 25a wherein each connection wing comprises first and second non-coplanar portions, said portions being oriented at a non-zero degree angle with respect to one another. - 26

17. The decking system of claim 16, wherein: each connection wing comprises first and second non-coplanar portions, said portions being oriented at a non-zero degree angle with respect to one another; and 5 during installation, the connection wings are flexed downwards towards the flange, the non-coplanar portions thereby exerting a leveraged force at least partly upwards against the decking members in the slots for facilitating engagement of the connection wings with the decking members. 10

18. A fastener for securing laterally adjacent, grooved decking members to an underlying support, said fastener comprising: a generally flat body portion; flange means connected to the body portion for establishing a gap between the decking members; and 15 connection means connected to the body portion for leveraged engagement of the laterally adjacent decking members, said decking members being engaged in laterally adjacent grooves formed in the sides of the decking members; wherein the fastener includes an opening for passage of a 20 connector to connect the fastener to a support member that underlies and supports the laterally adjacent decking members.

19. A fastener substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

20. A decking system substantially as herein described with reference to the 25 accompanying drawings.