GB2371609A

GB2371609A - Attachment Means

Info

Publication number: GB2371609A
Application number: GB0102146A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Ronald Charles Sammons
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2001-01-26
Filing date: 2001-01-26
Publication date: 2002-07-31
Also published as: GB0102146D0

Description

ATTACHMENT MEANS

This invention relates to fixing means for securely attaching timber and similar planking with ventilation gaps between each plank. Such fixing means are sometimes called "deck ties".

It is becoming increasingly common to cover patios and similar areas with timber planks or boards. Such covering is frequently referred to as"decking". The planks are normally spaced from the patio surface to prevent the absorption of water and small gaps are arranged between each plank so as to permit air to flow and ensure that any water that has accumulated beneath or absorbed by the planks can evaporate.

Prior means for ensuring that spacing takes place have comprised small galvanized plates with downwardly facing ribs to space the base from the ground a pronged raised portions adapted to be hammered into the side of a timber plank. Such clips, described in US-A-6 027 573, have the disadvantage that the spacing of the associated planks from the ground is determined by the ribs. Such devices do not hold the planks in position and other means have to be provided for this purpose.

The present invention provides simple attachment means which hold planks in a spaced abutting relationship.

According to the present invention there is provided attachment means for planks of timber and similar materials comprising a rigid flat base plate having at least two sharp engagement members raised above the base, spaced from each other and facing outwardly in opposite directions.

The attachment means can be placed in the space between the edges of a pair of timber planks with its base plate abutting the lower surfaces of the planks. When the planks are urged towards each other the engagement members pierce the edges of the planks retaining them in spaced relationship; the space determined by the space between the engagement members.

In a preferred embodiment the base plate is pierced by at least one aperture allowing in to be attached to the lower surface of timber planks by means or a nail, screw or similar fixing. In order to avoid the retention of water between the upper surface of the base plate any timber plank to which it is attached spacing means is provided on the upper surface of the base plate. In the preferred embodiment the spacing means comprises one or more upwardly directed ribs formed in the base plate. When attached or resting against the surface of a timber plank the rib will ensure a gap of at least 2 mm allowing air to flow drying the timber and preventing water retention by the action of surface tension. The spacing means may alternatively consist of upwardly pointing spurs formed in the base plate or spacing elements, such as studs, attached to the base plate surface by adhesive or other fixing means.

The number of sharp engagement members on the base plate will depend upon the thickness of the planks with which it will be used and the hardness of the timber. In its simplest form the attachment means comprises a base plate carrying two engagement members. These may be formed from the plate by punching and bending strips of metal from the base plate upwardly and outwardly. The outward facing end can be formed with a contour that ensures sharp edges. Alternatively the outward facing edges may be serrated to provide a sharp edge that will

penetrate the edges of timber planks. The sharpness of the edges may be further enhanced by forming the edges by shearing.

In embodiments with more than two engagement members the arrangement need not be symmetrical. In one embodiment the attachment means has three sharp engagement members, two facing in one direction and one in the other.

The members are staggered so that if they are formed by stamping out from the base plate the horizontal strength is greater as the apertures where the metal has been removed are evenly spaced along the base plate.

As an alternative to stamping and bending sections of a sheet of metal when constructing the attachment means the base plate and the engagement members may be formed separately and attached to each other by spot welding, adhesive, rivets or other fixing means.

The preferred material for making the attachment means is rust protected steel sheet. This may take the form of galvanised strip, strip treated with a waterproof varnish or an alloy such as stainless steel. The thickness of the sheet will depend on its strength and the forces to which it will be subjected. For general use strip having a thickness in the range 1 to 2 mm is satisfactory; 1.6 mm stainless steel is particularly effective.

Tests have proved satisfactory in which the engagement means consists of 25 mm wide strips formed from the base plate and bent outwardly at a height 10 mm above the base plate. The outward facing engagement means have semicircular portions cut from them to provide sharp edges which will easily penetrate timber. Cutting a 16 mm radius

circular portion from the ends of the engagement means provides particularly effective timber penetration. In order to ensure adequate ventilation between timbers used for decking a central gap of 5 mm was used between the engagement means.

In order that the invention may be clearly understood two forms thereof will now be described, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a schematic perspective view of an attachment means according to the invention having two engagement means, Figure 2 is a plan view of the attachment means shown in Figure 1, Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view across the line AA shown on the attachment means in Figure 2, Figure 4 is a schematic perspective view of an attachment means according to the invention having three engagement means, and Figures 5a and 5b show alternative forms of the engagement means.

An attachment means according to the invention, see Figure 1, comprises a base-plate 1 formed from galvanised steel sheet. Two engagement members 2 and 3 have been formed out of the base plate 1 by punching and bending outwardly a tab. The tab is bent through a right angle along lines 4 and 5 to form the members 2 and 3. The outwardly facing ends of the engagement members have semicircular cut outs so that each edge 6 and 7 has pointed corners and capable of effective penetration of timber.

The rectangular apertures 8 and 9 below each engagement means represents the portion of the base plate 1 that has been punched out to form the members 2 and 3. A gap exists between the lines 4 and 5 to ensure that a

ventilation gap is provided between timbers secured with the attachment means. Ribs 10 are formed in the base te 1 and extend across the surface of the plate. The ribs 10 prevent direct contact, except along the crests of the ribs 10, between the attachment means and the surface of any timber planking with which it is associated.

In order that the base plate 1 can be secured to the base of timber decking it carries a series of small apertures 11 through which fixing means, such as screws or nails, may be inserted, see Figures 1 and 2.

In an alternative embodiment, see Figure 4, the attachment means consists of a base plate 20 with three engagement members 21,22 and 23. Two members 21 and 23 point outwardly in one direction and the other 22 in the opposite direction. The members 21 to 23 are staggered so that any lateral weakness caused by cut out portions 24,25 and 26 is reduced. A gap is provided between the upward folds 27,29 and 28 so that the necessary ventilation gap is formed between secured timbers. Ribs 30 provide a ventilation gap, as previously described, between the upper surface of the plate 20 and the lower surface of any plank with which it is associated.

The outward edges of the engagement members 6,7, 31, 32 and 33 are all shown with circular cut-outs providing sharp pointed edges; see also edge 40 in Figure 5a. Other forms of edges capable of penetrating timber may be used such as serrated edges 41; see Figure 5b. These edges are shown schematically on a portion of a base plate 42.

Attachment means of the type shown in Figure 4 may be extended to form strips with four or more engagement members. The engagement members should preferably be staggered as shown in Figure 4.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. Attachment means for planks of timber and similar materials comprising a rigid flat base plate having at least two sharp engagement members raised above the base, spaced from each other and facing outwardly in opposite directions.
2. Attachment means as claimed in claim 1, in which the base plate is pierced by at least one aperture.
3. Attachment means as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, in which spacing means is provided on the upper surface of the base plate.
4. Attachment means as claimed in claim 3, in which the spacing means comprises one or more upwardly directed ribs formed in the base plate.
5. Attachment means as claimed in claim 3, in which the spacing means comprises one or more upwardly pointing spurs formed in the base plate
6. Attachment means as claimed in claim 4 or claim 5, in which the spacing means provides a gap of at least 2 mm between the upper surface of the base plate and any surface resting on it.
7. Attachment means as claimed in any of the preceding claims, in which the engagement members are formed by punching and bending strips of metal from the base plate upwardly and outwardly.
8. Attachment means as claimed in any of the preceding claims, in which the outward facing edged of the engagement members are formed with a contour that ensures sharp edges.
9. Attachment means as claimed in any of the claims 1 to 7, in which the outward facing edge of the engagement members are serrated.
10. Attachment means as claimed in any of the preceding claims, in which the base plate carries three engagement members, two facing in one direction and one in the other direction, the members in a staggered relationship.
11. Attachment means as claimed in any of the preceding claims, in which the rigid flat base plate is formed from rust protected steel sheet.
12. Attachment means as claimed in claim 11, in which the rigid flat base plate is formed from. sheet having a thickness in the range 1 to 2 mm.
13. Attachment means as claimed in claim 12, in which the rigid flat base plate is formed from sheet having a thickness of 1.6 mm.
14. Attachment means as claimed in any of the preceding claims, in which the engagement members consist of 25 mm wide strips formed from the base plate and raised 10 mm above the base.
15 Attachment means as claimed in any of the preceding claims, in which there is a central gap of 5 mm between the engagement members.
16. Attachment means for planks of timber and similar materials as claimed in claim 1 and as herein described.
17. Attachment means for planks of timber and similar materials as herein described and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.