GB2542898A

GB2542898A - Decking clip

Info

Publication number: GB2542898A
Application number: GB1613050.2A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Wilson Barry; Wilson Ian; Wilson Keith
Original assignee: BIKA PRODUCTS Ltd
Current assignee: BIKA PRODUCTS Ltd
Priority date: 2015-07-28
Filing date: 2016-07-28
Publication date: 2017-04-05
Anticipated expiration: 2036-07-28
Also published as: GB2542898B; GB201513289D0; GB2540796A; GB201613050D0

Abstract

The cruciform decking clip for anchoring a pair of panels 20D1, 20D2 to a joist has a horizontal spine, provided with an anchor to attach it to a support, and a pair of lateral flanges 14, 16 crossing the spine to define two spine sections 12A, 12B of different lengths a, b. The Latin cross-shaped clip may be inverted so that it may be used in boards having a groove 22G1, 22G2 located at two different heights above the centre planes M1, M2 of the board. There may be a hole 18 for screw fixings. The flanges may be co-planar and have a thickness equal to or less than that of the groove heights. The spine may have a longitudinal length shorter than that of the flanges creating a flange extension (165, Fig. 4) for attaching a panel perpendicularly to the end of another. Also claimed are a kit of parts, a method of use and a completed decking structure.

Description

DECKING CLIP

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates to a decking clip. More particularly it relates to a decking clip or fastener (as such a clip may alternatively be termed) for anchoring together adjacent decking panels or boards in the laying or construction of decking, such as in a garden or adjacent a house or other building.

BACKGROUND AND PRIOR ART

In the laying or construction of decking, such as in a garden or adjacent a house or other building, it is a general requirement that the decking panels or boards, which may typically be of wood or a synthetic or part-synthetic composite material, are securely anchored to joists or other support members therebeneath. It is also usually required that adjacent panels or boards are anchored together with respect to one another at least at their edge portions or regions so that an edge portion of one panel or board cannot lift relative to the edge portion of the panel or board thereadjacent, e.g. upon thermal expansion or under certain weather conditions. However, at the same time it is desirable that the manner of such anchoring of the decking panels or boards both to the underlying joists or other support members and with respect to each other permits a degree of longitudinal movement of one panel or board relative to the next one adjacent thereto, and optionally even a small degree of side-to-side relative movement (in the same plane as such longitudinal movement), in order to accommodate expansion or contraction of the panel or board material under such variable environmental conditions.

To the above ends, conventionally it is common practice to employ decking clips to anchor the decking panels or boards in position, both respect to the underlying joists or other support members and with respect to each other. For this purpose each decking panel or board is provided with a longitudinal groove or channel in each of its opposite lateral edge faces. An example of a known decking clip is shown in FIG. 1 of the accompanying drawings. As shown there, the decking clip 1, which may be formed as a unitary moulding or extrusion of e.g. plastics material, comprises a central spine 2, which in use is oriented in a generally vertical direction between edge faces of a respective pair of decking panels or boards, and extending generally perpendicularly, i.e. generally horizontally in use, to either side of the spine 2 are a pair of lateral flange extensions 4, 6. Each flange extension 4, 6 is configured to fit within a respective one of the grooves or channels formed in the mutually facing edge faces of the respective pair of panels or boards. The central spine 2 has a vertical through-hole 8 formed therein, e.g. by drilling, through which is passed a screw for anchoring the clip 1 to an underlying joist or other support member.

In the laying or installation of decking by use of such decking clips 1, typically a first series of such decking clips 1 are arranged at spaced apart longitudinal intervals (e.g. corresponding to the positions of successive underlying joists or other support members) along an edge region of a given decking panel or board, with one of the flange extensions 4 or 6 of each clip inserted in the edge groove or channel in one edge face of that panel or board, and with one side of the spine 2 facing or abutting that edge face of the panel or board. Respective screws are then inserted through the respective through-holes 8 in the respective clips 1 and screwed in place into the respective underlying joists or other support members to anchor each respective clip 1, and thus the respective edge region of that panel or board, thereto. A next adjacent decking panel or board is then laid against the one just fixed, by insertion of the lateral groove or channel in one edge face thereof over the other of the flange extensions 4 or 6 of each respective decking clip 1, so that it is now anchored edge-to-edge with respect to the already fixed panel or board. A second longitudinal series of such decking clips 1 may then be arranged in and along the other lateral edge groove or channel in the opposite edge face of that next panel or board and screwed into place to the underlying joists or other support members, in a corresponding manner to the first series of clips. By repeating the foregoing steps a desired number of times an array of a plurality of decking panels or boards can be assembled or laid, each one being securely anchored via both of (or at least one of, in the case of a starting or finishing panel or board of the array) its lateral edge portions by the respective series of screwed-down decking clips 1 both to the underlying joists or other support members and to its adjacent or neighbouring panel(s) or board(s) in their respective edge regions.

However, the above known design of decking clip comes with a practical problem, in that it is frequently the case that the lateral edge grooves or channels in the respective decking panels or boards are not always accurately or symmetrically cut or formed in the respective edge faces thereof. In particular, the respective grooves/channels may not always be centred on a median plane of the respective panel or board, so that the groove/channel may often be located further towards either of the top or bottom major face of the panel or board relative to the other of the top or bottom major face. This asymmetrical positioning of the respective lateral grooves or channels in the edge faces of the panels or boards, which may be intentional in the design thereof or possibly a result of excessive tolerances in the cutting or manufacture thereof, may thus limit their use to such decking clips 1 with a unique height of spine 2 which substantially matches the height of the groove or channel from the panel’s or board’s lower major face.

Whist in some cases a relatively small shortfall in the height of the spine 2 compared with the height of the groove or channel from the panel’s or board’s lower major face (i.e. the height of the portion of the edge face against which the spine 2 of the clip 1 is to face or abut) may be tolerated, e.g. by acceptance of a gap between the lower edge of the spine 2 and the underlying joist or other support member when the respective screws are screwed fully home, this does not work if the height of the spine 2 is greater than the height of the groove or channel from the panel’s or board’s lower major face. In this case the panels or boards would end up spaced from the underlying joist or support member, which would thus fail to create a tight and secure fixing. Moreover, in such cases it is not possible simply to invert each panel or board so that the portion of the edge face thereof against which the spine of each clip is to face or abut is now that which exceeds the height of the spine 2, because many (if not most, or even generally all) such decking panels or boards are designed and manufactured so as to be orientable one way up only, e.g. by virtue of having gripping (e.g. ridged) or decorative surface formations formed in a dedicated upper major face only.

It is therefore a primary object of this invention to address the above shortcoming of known decking clips and to provide a design of decking clip which can be used with a variety of different species of decking panels or boards which may have lateral edge face grooves or channels positioned at various different offset distances relative to the respective central median planes thereof.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, in a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a decking clip for anchoring a pair of decking panels or boards to one or more underlying joists or other support members and relative to each other, the clip comprising: a spine comprising anchoring means for anchoring the clip to a respective joist or other support member, and a pair of lateral flange extensions extending in generally opposite lateral directions from the spine and each being configured for location in a respective lateral edge groove or channel formed in a respective edge face of a respective one of the pair of panels or boards, wherein the spine comprises: first and second spine portions extending, respectively, in first and second generally transverse and mutually opposite directions away from the flange extensions, wherein the lengths in a transverse direction of the first and second spine portions are different from each other.

More particularly, in some embodiments of this aspect of the invention the decking clip may be a decking clip for anchoring a pair of decking panels or boards to one or more underlying joists or other support members and relative to each other, the clip comprising: a spine comprising anchoring means for anchoring the clip to a respective joist or other support member, and a pair of lateral flange extensions extending in generally opposite directions from the spine and each being configured for location in a respective lateral edge groove or channel formed in a respective edge face of a respective one of the pair of panels or boards, wherein the spine comprises: a first spine portion configured for placement, when the clip is in a first orientation, between the respective edge faces of a first pair of panels or boards with its lateral flange extensions located in the respective lateral edge grooves or channels formed in the respective edge faces of the respective ones of the said first pair of panels or boards, and a second spine portion configured for placement, when the clip is in a second, inverted orientation, between the respective edge faces of a second pair of panels or boards with its lateral flange extensions located in the respective lateral edge grooves or channels formed in the respective edge faces of the respective ones of the said second pair of panels or boards, wherein the length, in a direction transverse to the flange extensions, of the first and second spine portions are different from each other.

In some embodiments the said length (or rather height, when the clip is in either of its anchoring orientations and the decking panels or boards are arranged generally horizontally) of the first spine portion may substantially correspond to or be no greater than (or, more preferably, be less than) a distance between the lateral edge groove or channel of a panel or board of the first pair and a lower major face thereof, and the said length (or rather height, when the clip is in either of its anchoring orientations and the decking panels or boards are arranged generally horizontally) of the second spine portion may substantially correspond to or be no greater than (or, more preferably, be less than) a distance between the lateral edge groove or channel of a panel or board of the second pair and a lower major face thereof.

Put another way, the length (or height, as the case may be) of the first spine portion may be a function of or may be dependent upon (e.g. may be inversely proportional to) the distance by which the lateral edge groove or channel of a panel or board of the first pair of panels or boards is offset relative to a median plane thereof, and the length (or height, as the case may be) of the second spine portion may be a function of or may be dependent upon (e.g. may be inversely proportional to) the distance by which the lateral edge groove or channel of a panel or board of the second pair of panels or boards is offset relative to a median plane thereof.

Thus, in such embodiments the difference in lengths (or heights, as the case may be) of the first and second spine portions may be a function of or may be dependent upon (e.g. may be proportional to) a difference or approximate range of differences between the respective distances by which the respective lateral edge grooves or channels of the first and second pairs of panels or boards are offset relative to their respective median planes.

Accordingly, embodiments of the invention may enable the provision of a single species of decking clip with a unique configuration which may be used with a plurality of different species of decking panels or boards which have respective lateral edge grooves or channels of differing height positions in their respective edge faces. Such utility may thus be achieved by simply selecting, or inverting if necessary, the orientation of a given decking clip, so that an appropriate one of the pair of spine portions is that which most appropriately matches or accommodates the respective height position of the respective lateral edge grooves or channels in the respective edge faces of the respective species of panels or boards to be used, whilst enabling the clip still to be securely anchored to the underlying joist(s) or other support member(s).

Thus, in some particularly advantageous embodiments the relative heights of the first and second spine portions may be such as to accommodate a predetermined range of differences in distances between the respective lateral edge grooves or channels in the respective different species of decking panels or boards and their respective median planes.

In many practical embodiments of the decking clip of the invention the spine may include at least one through-hole for insertion therethrough of a or a respective fixing member, e.g. a screw, for anchoring into a said joist or other support member.

In practising embodiments of the invention the decking clip may be formed from any suitable material and by any suitable manufacturing technique. For example, the decking clip may be formed as a unitary body, such as by moulding or extrusion, of a suitably hard and tough plastics material (e.g. polypropylene or other polymer). Alternatively it may be formed from any other suitable material, such as a metal or metal alloy, and made by any suitable moulding, forming, cutting or machining technique or combination or series of operations.

In preferred embodiments the thickness of the flange extensions (i.e. the thickness thereof in a direction generally parallel to the general plane of the spine) may be such that the flange extensions are readily accommodatable within the edge grooves or channels in each of the different species of decking panels or boards with which the clip is intended to be usable. In some such preferred embodiments the thickness of the flange extensions is no greater than the width (in the same direction as the thickness of the flange extensions) of the narrowest of the edge grooves or channels in each of the different species of decking panels or boards with which the clip is intended to be usable.

In some such preferred embodiments the thickness of the flange extensions may even be smaller than the width (in the same direction as the thickness of the flange extensions) of the narrowest of the edge grooves or channels in each of the different species of decking panels or boards with which the clip is intended to be usable, so as to be able to accommodate a greater extent or range of variation in the respective distances by which the respective lateral edge grooves or channels of the panels or boards with which the clip is intended to be usable are offset relative to their respective median planes.

In some embodiments of the invention the pair of flange extensions may extend in generally opposite lateral directions from the spine and in substantially the same plane, so that the two flange extensions are oriented substantially at 180° relative to each other. However, it is to be understood that in some embodiments a small degree (e.g. from about 1 or 2° up to about 5 or 10 or 15 or 20°) of variation either side of such a 180° relative orientation may be tolerated, or possibly may even be desirable, e.g. in order to facilitate or enhance the insertion into or retention within the respective lateral edge grooves or channels of the respective flange extensions of the respective panels or boards.

In some embodiments at least one, or indeed possibly both, of the upper and lower faces of the flange extensions may be provided with a series or an array of ridges, grooves, protrusions or other surface formations, for assisting gripping or engagement thereof against or in one or more sides of the respective lateral edge grooves or channels in the respective panels or boards.

In many practical embodiments of the decking clip of the invention it may be used in such a way that the pair of decking panels or boards to be anchored to one or more underlying joists or other support members and relative to each other are, once in their anchored positions, generally substantially parallel to each other and located on opposite lateral sides of the clip.

However, in an alternative embodiment of the decking clip of the invention the clip may be constructed and/or configured such as to include a feature to enable it to be used in such a way that the pair of decking panels or boards to be anchored to one or more underlying joists or other support members and relative to each other are, once in their anchored positions, generally substantially perpendicular to each other and located respectively to one lateral side and an adjacent end of the clip.

To this end, an alternative embodiment of the above-defined decking clip may be configured so as to be for anchoring a pair of decking panels or boards to one or more underlying joists or other support members and relative to each other in a generally substantially perpendicular arrangement, wherein in the decking clip each of the first and second spine portions is longitudinally truncated in length at at least one end thereof, preferably both at the same longitudinal end thereof and by substantially the same longitudinal truncation extent, whereby at least one end portion of each of the pair of lateral flange extensions forms a respective portion of an end flange extension extending in a generally longitudinal end direction, preferably generally substantially perpendicular to each of the said lateral directions, the end flange extension being configured for location in a respective lateral edge groove or channel formed in a respective edge face of a respective one of the pair of panels or boards arranged generally substantially perpendicular to the other of the pair of panels or boards.

In some practical embodiments of the above modified clip and its use, three or more panels or boards may thus be anchored to the one or more underlying joists or other support members and relative to each other using a single given clip, at least two of the panels or boards being anchored, especially generally substantially parallel to one another, via the pair of lateral flange extensions extending in generally opposite lateral directions from the spine, and at least one further panel or board being anchored generally substantially perpendicularly, relative to the aforementioned two panels or boards, via the end flange extension extending in the said longitudinal end direction, which is preferably generally substantially perpendicular to each of the said lateral directions.

Thus, this modified form of decking clip within the scope of the invention may be useful for anchoring panels or boards not only in generally mutually parallel arrangements, but also in generally mutually perpendicular arrangements.

In a second aspect of the invention there is provided a kit of parts comprising: at least two decking panels or boards forming a pair thereof, and one or more decking clips for anchoring the pair of decking panels or boards to one or more joists or other support members and relative to each other; wherein each decking panel or board comprises a lateral edge groove or channel formed in each respective edge face thereof, and each said decking clip is a decking clip according to the first aspect of the invention or any embodiment thereof.

Thus, in embodiments of the above kit of parts, each said decking clip may comprise: a spine comprising anchoring means for anchoring the clip to a respective joist or other support member, and a pair of lateral flange extensions extending in generally opposite directions from the spine and each being configured for location in a respective one of the lateral edge grooves or channels formed in the respective edge faces of the respective ones of the pair of panels or boards; wherein the spine comprises a first spine portion configured for placement between the respective edge faces of the pair of panels or boards when the clip is in a first orientation, and a second spine portion which is configured for placement between respective edge faces of the same or a different pair of panels or boards when the clip is in a second, inverted orientation, and wherein the heights of the first and second spine portions are different from each other.

In some embodiments of the above-defined kit of parts, the respective lateral edge grooves or channels formed in the respective edge faces of the respective ones of the pair of panels or boards may each be offset relative to a median plane of the respective panel or board. The distance by which the respective lateral edge grooves or channels of the said pair of panels or boards may be offset relative to a median plane of the respective panel or board may be different from the distance by which the respective lateral edge grooves or channels may be offset relative to a median plane of the respective panel or board of a different pair of panels or boards with which the decking clip is also usable but in an inverted orientation.

In some embodiments of the above-defined kit of parts, a plurality of decking clips may be provided and selected from a variety of decking clip designs according to the invention which provide for optimum utility, flexibility of use and applicability to particular decking scenarios that may typically be encountered. For instance, in one particular preferred form of such a kit, a plurality of decking clips may be provided, wherein at least one of, preferably each of a plurality of, the decking clips is a decking clip selected independently from any decking clip according to any of the above-defined embodiments which are designed for use in anchoring panels or boards side-by-side in a parallel fashion (i.e. with non-truncated spine portions), and at least one further decking clip is a decking clip according to the above-defined embodiment which is designed for use in anchoring panels or boards side-to-end in a perpendicular fashion (i.e. with truncated spine portions).

In a third aspect of the invention there is provided a method of anchoring a pair of decking panels or boards to an or a respective underlying joist or other support member and relative to each other, comprising: providing at least two decking panels or boards forming the said pair thereof, and one or more decking clips according to the first aspect of the invention or any embodiment thereof; selecting an orientation of the or each respective decking clip such that the spine portion which is to be placed between the respective edge faces of the pair of panels or boards, with its lateral flange extensions located in the respective lateral edge grooves or channels formed in the respective edge faces of the respective ones of the pair of panels or boards, is a, or that, one of the first and second spine portions whose height substantially corresponds to or is less than a distance between a lateral edge groove or channel of the pair of panels or boards and a lower major face thereof; and anchoring the or each respective clip via its spine to the or the respective joist or other support member by means of the anchoring means.

In preferred embodiments of the above method the anchoring of the or each respective clip to the or the respective joist or other support member may be by means of inserting a respective screw or other fixing member into and through the through-hole formed in the spine of the clip and anchoring the screw or other fixing member into the said joist or other support member, e.g. by use of screwdriver or other appropriate tool.

In a fourth aspect of the invention there is provided decking constructed or assembled or laid from a plurality of decking panels or boards and a plurality of decking clips, wherein the decking panels or boards comprise at least one species of pairs of decking panels or boards which are anchored to one or more underlying joists or other support members by means of the said decking clips by a method according to the third aspect of the invention or any embodiment thereof.

Thus, in embodiments of this fourth aspect the decking may be constructed or assembled or laid from a plurality of decking panels or boards and a plurality of decking clips, each said decking clip being a decking clip according to the first aspect of the invention or any embodiment thereof.

Within the scope of this application it is envisaged that the various aspects, embodiments, examples and alternatives, and in particular the individual features thereof, set out in the preceding paragraphs, in the claims and/or in the following description and drawings, may be taken independently or in any combination. For example features described in connection with one particular embodiment are applicable to all embodiments, unless expressly stated otherwise or such features are incompatible.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

One or more embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a known decking clip according to the prior art, and has already been described; FIGURE 2 is a perspective view of a decking clip according to one embodiment of the present invention; FIGURE 3 is an end-on, part-sectional composite view of the decking clip of FIG. 2 in combination with an adjacent pair of decking panels or boards, showing the manner in which the panels or boards are to be anchored together by use of the decking clip; and FIGURE 4 is a perspective view of a modified decking clip according to another embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the decking clip 10 according to this embodiment of the invention comprises, generally, a central spine 12A, 12B which in use is oriented in a generally vertical direction between edge faces 24F1, 24F2 of a respective pair of decking panels or boards 20D1,20D2 (shown schematically in FIG. 3 only), and a pair of lateral, generally planar flange extensions 14, 16 extending generally perpendicularly, i.e. generally horizontally in use, to either side of the spine 12A, 12B. The overall decking clip 10 may conveniently be formed as a unitary moulding or extrusion of e.g. a plastics material such as polypropylene or other polymer, or alternatively another material, such as a metal or metal alloy.

Each flange extension 14, 16 is configured to fit - e.g. by relative movement in the directions of arrows A - within a respective one of the lateral grooves or channels 22G1, 22G2 formed in the mutually facing edge faces 24F1, 24F2 of the pair of decking panels or boards 20D1, 20D2. Each groove or channel 22G1, 22G2 may conveniently be substantially rectangular in cross-section (especially for ease of cutting using conventional equipment and for ease of insertion of the respective flange extensions of the respective decking clips therein), although other cross-sectional shapes may be possible. The central spine 12A, 12B has a substantially vertical through-hole 18 formed therein, e.g. by drilling, through which is passable a screw for anchoring the decking clip 10 to an underlying joist or other support member (not shown). The upper entrance to the through-hole 18 may be countersunk, if desired or necessary according to the type of screw to be employed. If desired or necessary a plurality of such through-holes 18 and associated screws or other fixing members may be utilised to anchor the clip 10, for example depending on the clip’s longitudinal length extent in a direction parallel to the panels/boards’ longitudinal length. The longitudinal length extent of the decking clip may be selected from any suitable such length, e.g. of the order of around 3 to 8 cm in the case of typical known decking panels/boards.

In practice it is generally the case that a plurality of such decking clips 10 are provided at longitudinally spaced apart intervals along the respective decking panels or boards corresponding to the positions of successive (or selected intermittent ones of the) underlying joists or other support members to which they are to be anchored. Optionally one decking clip per joist or other support member may be used, or alternatively one decking clip per every few joists or other support members may be sufficient instead, depending for example on the overall dimensions, shape and requirements of the overall decking arrangement.

In accordance with the invention which underpins this embodiment, the spine comprises, or is defined by, two discrete or distinct portions 12A, 12B, one of which 12A extends generally below the general plane of the flange extensions 14, 16 and the other of which 12B extends generally above the general plane of the flange extensions 14, 16. The two spine portions 12A, 12B are of different heights, i.e. lengths in the opposite transverse directions in which they respectively extend away from the flange extensions 14, 16. As shown more clearly in FIG. 3, in this embodiment the height of the lower spine portion 12A may be designated a and the height of the upper spine portion 12B may be designated b, and in accordance with the invention a is greater than b.

In the arrangement depicted here the decking panels or boards 20D1, 20D2 are of a species such that their respective edge face grooves or channels 22G1,22G2 are not coincident with their respective median planes M1, M2, and each groove or channel 22G1,22G2 is offset by a short distance, e.g a few (e.g. up to around 5 or even 8 or 10) millimeteres in the case of typical decking panels of a few (e.g. around 2.5 to 3) centimeteres in thickness, from the respective panel’s or board’s median plane M1, M2. Such offeset grooves or channels may be either intentional in the design of the respective panels or boards or it may be the result of variations in cutting positions of the respective grooves or channels within manufacturing tolerances. (Any such offset distance of the respective grooves or channels is defined herein by refence to a central or symmetrically bisecting axis of the relevant groove/channel.)

In order for a secure and stable anchored fixing to be achieved by the screw passed through through-hole 18 and anchored into an underlying joist or other support member, it is generally important or at least highly desirable that the height of the lower portions 24F1, 24F2 of the respective edge faces of the respective decking panels or boards 20D1, 20D2 are at least as great as, i.e. are substantially the same as or greater than, the height b of the lower spine portion 12A. This is so that the respective lower major faces 26L1, 26L2 of the respective panels or boards come into stable abutting contact with the respective underlying joists or other support members when the respective decking clips have been anchored in place. Hence, for use with this particular species of decking panels or boards 20D1, 20D2, the height specifically of the lower spine portion 12A is of the value a, which is greater than the value b of the height of the upper spine portion 12B.

However, what is important to the utilty of the decking clip 10, is that other decking panels or boards, perhaps not only different ones of the same species or batch as panels or boards 20D1, 20D2, but optionally those of a different species or batch therefrom, may have a significantly different offset distance of their respective edge face grooves or channels 22G1, 22G2 from their respective median planes M1, M2. This fact would in many practical instances make a conventional decking clip such as that shown in FIG. 1 of the drawings -which has a fixed and unique height of its sole spine portion 2 - unusable in cases where the coresponding heights of the lower portions 24F1, 24F2 of the respective edge faces are greater than the respective height of that sole spine portion 2.

As a solution to this limitation, and in accordance with this invention therefore, the discrete or distinct second, upper, spine portion 12B is provided, in order to provide a second, or “spare”, spine portion of a different height a which - when the same unique decking clip 10 is inverted through 180° - can be used to provide a corresponding but equally secure and stable anchored fixing to an underlying joist or other support member when the respective panels or boards 20D1, 20D2 have a different offset distance of their respective edge face grooves or channels 22G1, 22G1 and thus a different requirement for the optimum height of the lower spine portion 12B (which the upper spine portion 12A of the un-inverted clip thus becomes upon inversion).

By appropriate selection of the difference between the two spine portion heights a and b, and/or optionally also the thickness (in the height direction) of the flange extensions 14, 16 in comparison with the width (in that same height direction) of the respective edge face grooves or channels 22G1, 22G2 of the various decking panels or boards 20D1, 20D2 with which a given decking clip 10 is designed to be usable, it may be possible to optimise the range of different panel/board geometries - in particular the range of different heights of the respective lower portions 24F1, 24F2 of the respective edge faces of the respective panels/boards - which are able to be accommodated by selecting the appropriate inverted configuration of the same decking clip 10.

If desired or necessary at least one of, or indeed preferably both of, the upper and lower faces of the flange extensions 14,16 may be provided with a series or an array of longitudinal ridges, grooves, protrusions or other surface formations, for assisting gripping or engagement thereof against or in one or more sides of, especially the relevant upper and/or lower side wall(s) of, the respective lateral edge grooves or channels 22G1, 22G2 in the respective panels or boards 20D1, 20D2.

Turning to FIG. 4, here there is shown a modified form of decking clip 110 within the scope of the invention, but which now incorporates a feature to assist in its use to anchor decking panels or boards which instead of lying generally parallel to each other (once anchored), may instead lie generally perpendicular relative to each other.

Thus, in this alternative form of decking clip 110, whilst it still comprises a central spine 112A, 112B (with anchoring through-hole 118) and a pair of lateral, generally planar flange extensions 114, 116 extending generally transversely away from the spine 112A, 112B on opposite lateral sides thereof, now each of the lower and upper spine portions 112A, 112B is longitudinally truncated in length, at the same longitudinal end thereof and by substantially the same longitudinal truncation extent. Thus, each of the lower and upper spine portions 112A, 112B now terminates in a truncated spine end portion 162A, 162B, respectively, leaving the end portions (at that longitudinal end of the clip 110) of each of the lateral flange extensions 114, 116 to together unite and form an end flange extension 165 extending in a generally longitudinal end direction, generally substantially perpendicular to each of the lateral directions in which the two flange extensions 114, 116 extend away from the spine 112A, 112B. The end flange extension 165 is thus configured for location in a respective lateral edge groove or channel formed in a respective edge face of a respective one of a pair of panels or boards arranged to be anchored by the clip 110 generally substantially perpendicular to each other. The other panel or board of the pair may be arranged to be anchored by the clip 110 via either one of its lateral flange extensions 114, 116 in the same manner as described above, i.e. generally substantially perpendicular to the aforementioned panel or board anchored via the clip’s end flange extension 165.

Thus, in some practical instances of use, the clip 110 may be employed to simultaneously anchor three or more panels or boards, at least two of the panels or boards being anchored substantially parallel to one another, i.e. via the pair of lateral flange extensions 114, 116, and at least one further panel or board being anchored substantially perpendicularly to the aforementioned two panels or boards, i.e. via the end flange extension 165.

Thus, this modified form of decking clip 110 may be useful for anchoring panels or boards not only in generally mutually parallel arrangements, but also in generally mutually perpendicular arrangements.

Throughout the description and claims of this specification, the words “comprise” and “contain” and linguistic variations of those words, for example “comprising” and “comprises”, mean “including but not limited to”, and are not intended to (and do not) exclude other moieties, additives, components, integers or steps.

Throughout the description and claims of this specification, the singular encompasses the plural unless the context otherwise requires. In particular, where the indefinite article is used, the specification is to be understood as contemplating plurality as well as singularity, unless the context requires otherwise.

Features, integers, characteristics, compounds, chemical moieties or groups described in conjunction with a particular aspect, embodiment or example of the invention are to be understood to be applicable to any other aspect, embodiment or example described herein unless incompatible therewith.

Claims

1. A decking clip for anchoring a pair of decking panels or boards to one or more underlying joists or other support members and relative to each other, the clip comprising: a spine comprising anchoring means for anchoring the clip to a respective joist or other support member, and a pair of lateral flange extensions extending in generally opposite lateral directions from the spine and each being configured for location in a respective lateral edge groove or channel formed in a respective edge face of a respective one of the pair of panels or boards, wherein the spine comprises: first and second spine portions extending, respectively, in first and second generally transverse and mutually opposite directions away from the flange extensions, wherein the lengths in a transverse direction of the first and second spine portions are different from each other.

2. A decking clip according to claim 1, wherein: the first spine portion of the spine is configured for placement, when the clip is in a first orientation, between the respective edge faces of a first pair of panels or boards with its lateral flange extensions located in the respective lateral edge grooves or channels formed in the respective edge faces of the respective ones of the said first pair of panels or boards, and the second spine portion of the spine is configured for placement, when the clip is in a second, inverted orientation, between the respective edge faces of a second pair of panels or boards with its lateral flange extensions located in the respective lateral edge grooves or channels formed in the respective edge faces of the respective ones of the said second pair of panels or boards, wherein the length, in a direction transverse to the flange extensions, of the first and second spine portions are different from each other.

3. A decking clip according to claim 2, wherein the said length of the first spine portion substantially corresponds to or is less than a distance between the lateral edge groove or channel of a panel or board of the first pair and a lower major face thereof, and the said length of the second spine portion substantially corresponds to or is less than a distance between the lateral edge groove or channel of a panel or board of the second pair and a lower major face thereof.

4. A decking clip according to claim 2 or claim 3, wherein the said length of the first spine portion is inversely proportional to the distance by which the lateral edge groove or channel of a panel or board of the first pair of panels or boards is offset relative to a median plane thereof, and the said length of the second spine portion is inversely proportional to the distance by which the lateral edge groove or channel of a panel or board of the second pair of panels or boards is offset relative to a median plane thereof.

5. A decking clip according to claim 4, wherein the difference in said lengths of the first and second spine portions is proportional to a difference or range of differences between the respective distances by which the respective lateral edge grooves or channels of the first and second pairs of panels or boards are offset relative to their respective median planes.

6. A decking clip according to any preceding claim, wherein the relative heights of the first and second spine portions are such as to accommodate a predetermined range of differences in distances between the respective lateral edge grooves or channels in respective different species of decking panels or boards and their respective median planes.

7. A decking clip according to any preceding claim, wherein the spine includes at least one through-hole for insertion therethrough of a or a respective fixing member for anchoring into a said joist or other support member.

8. A decking clip according to any preceding claim, wherein a thickness of the flange extensions is such that the flange extensions are readily accommodatable within the edge grooves or channels in each of a plurality of different species of decking panels or boards with which the clip is intended to be usable.

9. A decking clip according to claim 8, wherein the thickness of the flange extensions is no greater than the width (in the same direction as the thickness of the flange extensions) of the narrowest of the edge grooves or channels in each of the different species of decking panels or boards with which the clip is intended to be usable.

10. A decking clip according to claim 8 or claim 9, wherein the thickness of the flange extensions is smaller than the width (in the same direction as the thickness of the flange extensions) of the narrowest of the edge grooves or channels in each of the different species of decking panels or boards with which the clip is intended to be usable.

11. A decking clip according to any preceding claim, wherein the pair of flange extensions extend in generally opposite lateral directions from the spine and in substantially the same plane.

12. A decking clip according to any preceding claim, wherein at least one of, or optionally both of, the upper and lower faces of the flange extensions is/are provided with a series or an array of ridges, grooves, protrusions or other surface formations, for assisting gripping or engagement thereof against or in one or more sides of the respective lateral edge grooves or channels in the respective panels or boards.

13. A decking clip according to any preceding claim, which is configured so as to be suitable for anchoring a pair of decking panels or boards to one or more underlying joists or other support members and relative to each other in a generally substantially perpendicular arrangement, wherein in the decking clip each of the first and second spine portions is longitudinally truncated in length at at least one end thereof, whereby at least one end portion of each of the pair of lateral flange extensions forms a respective portion of an end flange extension extending in a generally longitudinal end direction, the end flange extension being configured for location in a respective lateral edge groove or channel formed in a respective edge face of a respective one of the pair of panels or boards arranged generally substantially perpendicular to the other of the pair of panels or boards.

14. A kit of parts comprising: at least two decking panels or boards forming a pair thereof, and one or more decking clips for anchoring the pair of decking panels or boards to one or more joists or other support members and relative to each other; wherein each decking panel or board comprises a lateral edge groove or channel formed in each respective edge face thereof, and each said decking clip is a decking clip selected independently from a decking clip according to any one of claims 1 to 13.

15. A kit of parts according to claim 14, wherein each said decking clip comprises: a spine comprising anchoring means for anchoring the clip to a respective joist or other support member, and a pair of lateral flange extensions extending in generally opposite directions from the spine and each being configured for location in a respective one of the lateral edge grooves or channels formed in the respective edge faces of the respective ones of the pair of panels or boards; wherein the spine comprises a first spine portion configured for placement between the respective edge faces of the pair of panels or boards when the clip is in a first orientation, and a second spine portion which is configured for placement between respective edge faces of the same or a different pair of panels or boards when the clip is in a second, inverted orientation, and wherein the heights of the first and second spine portions are different from each other.

16. A kit of parts according to claim 14 or claim 15, wherein the respective lateral edge grooves or channels formed in the respective edge faces of the respective ones of the pair of panels or boards are each offset relative to a median plane of the respective panel or board.

17. A kit of parts according to claim 16, wherein the distance by which the respective lateral edge grooves or channels of the said pair of panels or boards are offset relative to a median plane of the respective panel or board is different from the distance by which the respective lateral edge grooves or channels are offset relative to a median plane of the respective panel or board of a different pair of panels or boards with which the decking clip is also usable but in an inverted orientation.

18. A kit of parts according to any one of claims 14 to 17, comprising a plurality of decking clips, wherein at least one of the decking clips is a decking clip selected independently from a decking clip according to any one of claims 1 to 12, and at least one further decking clip is a decking clip according to claim 13.

19. A method of anchoring a pair of decking panels or boards to an or a respective underlying joist or other support member and relative to each other, comprising: providing at least two decking panels or boards forming the said pair thereof, and one or more decking clips according to any one of claims 1 to 13; selecting an orientation of the or each respective decking clip such that the spine portion which is to be placed between the respective edge faces of the pair of panels or boards, with its lateral flange extensions located in the respective lateral edge grooves or channels formed in the respective edge faces of the respective ones of the pair of panels or boards, is a, or that, one of the first and second spine portions whose height substantially corresponds to or is less than a distance between a lateral edge groove or channel of the pair of panels or boards and a lower major face thereof; and anchoring the or each respective clip via its spine to the or the respective joist or other support member by means of the anchoring means.

20. A method according to claim 19, wherein the step of anchoring the or each respective clip to the or the respective joist or other support member comprises inserting a respective screw or other fixing member through a through-hole formed in the said spine and anchoring the screw or other fixing member into the said joist or other support member.

21. Decking constructed or assembled or laid from a plurality of decking panels or boards and a plurality of decking clips, wherein the decking panels or boards comprise at least one species of pairs of decking panels or boards which are anchored to one or more underlying joists or other support members by means of the said decking clips by a method according to claim 19 or claim 20.

22. Decking according to claim 21, wherein each said decking clip is a decking clip according to any one of claims 1 to 13.

23. A decking clip, or a kit of parts, or a method, or decking, substantially as described herein with reference to any of Figures 2 to 4 of the accompanying drawings.