Static structures (e.g. – buildings) – Facer held by stiffener-type frame – Facer back abuts and conceals frame
Reexamination Certificate
1999-01-15
2001-11-13
Stephan, Beth A. (Department: 3635)
Static structures (e.g., buildings)
Facer held by stiffener-type frame
Facer back abuts and conceals frame
C052S483100, C052S588100, C052S177000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06314699
ABSTRACT:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
Not Applicable.
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT
Not Applicable.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. The Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to the construction of decks, and more particularly, but not exclusively, to a decking release clip for securing and releasing deck boards to and from joists as part of a decking structure.
2. Description of Related Art
Conventional methods of constructing decks, such as patio decking and the like, are adequate and generally effective, and yet they lack certain advantages. For example, it is known to construct a deck by placing deck boards side by side upon deck joists, then attaching the deck boards to the joists with nails or screws. If the owner of such a deck desires to replace one or more deck boards, for example due to damage or discoloration to the deck boards, the owner must undertake the laborious and time consuming steps of prying the deck boards from the joints if they are nailed, or unscrew the screws holding the deck boards. This can sometimes cause further damage to the deck boards or to the joists.
BRIEF SUMMARY AND OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a deck structure that is simple to assemble and permits easy removal of deck boards.
It is another object of the present invention to provide such a deck structure that is modular.
The above objects and others not specifically recited are realized in a specific illustrative embodiment of a deck system with a deck clip. The deck system includes deck boards in which receiving chambers are formed. The receiving chambers are formed in both opposing side edges of each deck board, and each chamber is defined in part by a lip edge. The deck boards are placed side by side during construction of a deck, closely spaced, such that the lip edges of adjacent deck is boards define a narrow channel space therebetween in which a rotatable deck clip is placed. The clip has a first overhang member and an opposing second overhang member and is thereby wider in a first horizontal dimension and shorter in a second, perpendicular horizontal dimension, and is rotatably attached to the deck joists by a screw or other fastening device. When the clip is rotated into a first position, its first and second overhang members extend into the receiving chambers of adjacent deck boards and engage with the lip edges of each chamber to hold the deck boards securely in place upon the joists. Users may easily remove a deck board by simply rotating the clip ninety degrees to thereby move the overhang members of the clip into the channel space between the lip edges, and the deck boards are thereby released.
Additional objects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in the description which follows, and in part will be apparent from the description, or may be learned by the practice of the invention without undue experimentation. The objects and advantages of the invention may be realized and obtained by means of the instruments and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims.
REFERENCES:
patent: 5412915 (1995-05-01), Johnson
patent: 5617689 (1997-04-01), Beane
patent: 5632123 (1997-05-01), Erwin
patent: 5660016 (1997-08-01), Erwin
patent: 5692345 (1997-12-01), Mogaki
patent: 5758467 (1998-06-01), Snear
patent: 5833386 (1998-11-01), Rosan
patent: 5950377 (1999-09-01), Yoder
Clayton Howarth & Cannon, P.C.
Kroy Building Products, Inc.
Stephan Beth A.
LandOfFree
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