Patent US5027573A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5027573A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Deck clip system, method and connector connection
Assignee: Simpson Strong Tie Co Inc
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Filing: 1990-02-22
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Granted: 1991-07-02
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Expires: 2010-02-22
Abstract
Abstract An attachment system, method and connector connection for constructing a structure having supporting members and supported members as most commonly found in house and patio wood decks, board walks, stair systems, wood benches and trellis systems. The structures using the present disclosures are characterized by the apparent absence of nails or other fasteners. In fact, however, the structures are securely fastened by nails or screw fasteners in combination with a unique connector which uniquely is not directly connected to the supporting members. In some forms of the invention, locator prongs are provided on the connector for assisting the installer to attach the connector to the supporting board member. In its broadest form, however, no prongs are needed on the connector. In a preferred form of the connector, a projection is formed in the connector which bears against the underside of an adjacent structure even though the connector is not precisely installed.
Inventors
- 👤 Alfred D. Commins
- 👤 Tyrell T. Gilb
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 02:51
CPC Classifications
E; E04; E04B; E04B5/00; E04B5/02; E04B5/12; E04B1/00; E04B1/18; E04B1/26; E04B1/2604; E04B1/2608; E04F; E04F15/00; E04F15/02; E04F15/04; E04F2201/00; E04F2201/05; E04F2201/0511
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
340 words
An attachment system for installing a first supported board and a plurality of generally parallel spaced adjoining supported boards to at least two supporting members positioned transversely to said supported boards comprising: a. said first supported board having first and second side edges and a bottom side; b. each of said adjoining supported boards having a connector held edge and a holding edge; c. means affixing said first supported board to said supporting members; d. a plurality of connectors positioned only at selected spaced intervals between said supporting members and each having an upright member formed with a fastener opening position at a first selected position, with said upright member positioned between said second side edge of said first supported board and said connector held side edge of said adjoining supported board and a first flange member connected to said upright member at a generally right angle at a second selected position distant from said fastener opening at said first selected position and positioned in registration with said bottom side of said first board; e. a plurality of connector fasteners each inserted through said fastener opening in said upright member only into said connector held side edge of said adjoining supported board; f. each of said connectors includes a second flange member positioned generally the same distance from said fastener opening as said first flange member and connected to said upright member at a generally right angle and adapted for registration with said bottom side of said adjoining supported board member; g. spring rigidifying means connected to said first and second flange members; h. a portion of said first flange member is raised above said first flange member to a third position closer to said fastener opening than said first and second flange members and adapted for registration with said bottom side of said said first supported board so as to cause said first and second flange members to be in spring tension; and i. fastener means affixing said holding edge of said adjoining supported board to said supporting members.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
340 words
An attachment system for installing a first supported board and a plurality of generally parallel spaced adjoining supported boards to at least two supporting members positioned transversely to said supported boards comprising: a. said first supported board having first and second side edges and a bottom side; b. each of said adjoining supported boards having a connector held edge and a holding edge; c. means affixing said first supported board to said supporting members; d. a plurality of connectors positioned only at selected spaced intervals between said supporting members and each having an upright member formed with a fastener opening position at a first selected position, with said upright member positioned between said second side edge of said first supported board and said connector held side edge of said adjoining supported board and a first flange member connected to said upright member at a generally right angle at a second selected position distant from said fastener opening at said first selected position and positioned in registration with said bottom side of said first board; e. a plurality of connector fasteners each inserted through said fastener opening in said upright member only into said connector held side edge of said adjoining supported board; f. each of said connectors includes a second flange member positioned generally the same distance from said fastener opening as said first flange member and connected to said upright member at a generally right angle and adapted for registration with said bottom side of said adjoining supported board member; g. spring rigidifying means connected to said first and second flange members; h. a portion of said first flange member is raised above said first flange member to a third position closer to said fastener opening than said first and second flange members and adapted for registration with said bottom side of said said first supported board so as to cause said first and second flange members to be in spring tension; and i. fastener means affixing said holding edge of said adjoining supported board to said supporting members.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
33 words
A connection as described in claim 1 comprising: a. said rigidifying means includes a pair of rigidifying flange members connected to and for cooperating spring tension with said first and second flange members.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
46 words
A connection as described in claim 1 comprising a. a nose member connected to said first flange member positioned at an angle to said first flange member for facilitating insertion of said first flange member beneath said first supported board and stiffening said first flange member.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
30 words
A connection as described in claim 3 comprising: a. a locator prong member connected to said upright member for insertion into said connector held edge of said adjoining supported board.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
41 words
A connection as described in claim 4 comprising: a. said locator prong member is formed with a top edge generally parallel to said first flange member and a lower edge disposed at an angle to said top edge of said prong.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
110 words
A connection as described in claim 5 wherein: a. said raised portion of said first flange member formed in said front portion of said first flange member of said connector consists of a dome shaped member; b. said upright member of said connector is formed with a lower edge and an upper end and said upper end having a width less than said lower end; and c. a locator prong formed in said upper end of said upright member of said connector positioned at a right angle to said upright member and having a sharpened end directed for insertion into said connector held side edge of said adjoining supported board.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
387 words
A connection comprising: a. plurality of supporting members; b. a first supported board positioned transversely on said supporting members having first and second side edges and a bottom side; c. an adjoining supported board positioned transversely on said supporting members generally parallel to said first supported board and having a connector held edge, a holding edge, and a bottom side; d. means affixing said first supported board to said supporting members; e. a connector positioned only between said supporting members having an upright member formed with a fastener opening with said upright member positioned between said second side edge of said first supported board and said connector held edge of said adjoining supported board and a first flange member connected to said upright member at a generally right angle and positioned in registration with said bottom side of said first supported board and a second flange member connected to said upright member positioned in registration with said bottom side of said adjoining supported board; f. a connector fastener formed with a head member inserted through said fastener opening in said upright member only into said connector held side edge of said adjoining supported board; g. means affixing said holding edge of said adjoining supported board to said supporting members; h. a pair of rigidifying flange members connected to said first and second flange members; i. a nose member connected to said first flange member positioned at an angle to said first flange member for facilitating insertion of said first flange member beneath said first supported board; j. a locator prong member connected to said upright member for insertion into said connector held edge of said adjoining supported board; k. said locator prong member is formed with a top edge generally parallel to said first flange member and a lower edge disposed at an angle to said top edge of said prong; l. a deformed tab member connected to said first flange member disposed above said first flange member for registration with the bottom side of said first supported board member; and m. a snugging tab member formed in said upright member adjacent said fastener opening for engaging said head member of said connector fastener for causing said second flange of said connector to move into close fitting engagement with said bottom side of said adjoining supported board.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
387 words
A connection comprising: a. plurality of supporting members; b. a first supported board positioned transversely on said supporting members having first and second side edges and a bottom side; c. an adjoining supported board positioned transversely on said supporting members generally parallel to said first supported board and having a connector held edge, a holding edge, and a bottom side; d. means affixing said first supported board to said supporting members; e. a connector positioned only between said supporting members having an upright member formed with a fastener opening with said upright member positioned between said second side edge of said first supported board and said connector held edge of said adjoining supported board and a first flange member connected to said upright member at a generally right angle and positioned in registration with said bottom side of said first supported board and a second flange member connected to said upright member positioned in registration with said bottom side of said adjoining supported board; f. a connector fastener formed with a head member inserted through said fastener opening in said upright member only into said connector held side edge of said adjoining supported board; g. means affixing said holding edge of said adjoining supported board to said supporting members; h. a pair of rigidifying flange members connected to said first and second flange members; i. a nose member connected to said first flange member positioned at an angle to said first flange member for facilitating insertion of said first flange member beneath said first supported board; j. a locator prong member connected to said upright member for insertion into said connector held edge of said adjoining supported board; k. said locator prong member is formed with a top edge generally parallel to said first flange member and a lower edge disposed at an angle to said top edge of said prong; l. a deformed tab member connected to said first flange member disposed above said first flange member for registration with the bottom side of said first supported board member; and m. a snugging tab member formed in said upright member adjacent said fastener opening for engaging said head member of said connector fastener for causing said second flange of said connector to move into close fitting engagement with said bottom side of said adjoining supported board.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1994-07-01 | 1994-12-31 | 1995-07-02 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1998-07-01 | 1998-12-31 | 1999-07-02 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2002-07-01 | 2002-12-31 | 2003-07-02 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |