Deck board fastener with concave prongs

Abstract

According to the present invention, a fastener for securing a first board to an underlying supporting member and to at least one other board running adjacent and parallel to the first board. The fastener includes a body portion, first and second prongs, and a flange. The first prong extends outwardly from the body portion for driving into a first board. The second prong extends outwardly from the body portion for penetrating a second board. The body portion of the fastener includes an opening for receiving a connector. When installed, the connector passes through the opening in the body portion and into the supporting member, which supports and underlies the first and second boards. The flange extends outwardly from the body portion in order to maintain a desired gap between the first and second boards. The prongs may have concave insertion ends as defined by two spaced-apart insertion points.

1 . A deck fastener comprising:
 a body portion having front and rear faces and top and bottom edges;   a first prong extending outwardly from said front face of said body portion, said first prong having a concave insertion end;   a second prong extending outwardly from the rear face of said body portion, said second prong running in a direction opposite from that of said first prong, wherein the second prong has a concave insertion end; and   a flange extending outwardly from the rear face of said body portion in the direction of the second prong;   wherein at least one of said body portion and said flange define an opening capable of receiving an elongated connector inserted through said opening.   
   
   
       2 . A deck-fastening system comprising:
 a first and second decking members resting on an underlying supporting member, the second decking member extending adjacent to and parallel to the first decking member;   a fastener interposed between the first and second decking members adjacent the underlying supporting member, the fastener having   a flat body portion with front and rear faces, and top and bottom edges;   a first pointed prong extending outwardly from said front face of said body portion and driven into the first decking member;   a second pointed prong extending outwardly from the rear face of said body portion and driven into the second decking member, the second prong extending generally parallel to and in a direction opposite from that of said first prong;   a flange extending outwardly from said rear face of said body portion in the direction of the second prong, wherein the flange extends beyond a thickness of the flat body portion and establishes a gap between the first and second decking members secured together by the fastener, said gap being wider than the thickness of the flat body portion; and   a connector securing the fastener to the underlying supporting member.