Deck installation systems and methods for installing same

Abstract

A deck clip system, in which a deck clip or series of deck clips are provide for rapid deployment of deck boarding on joists. The deck clips have a base element and engaging elements. The base element can be affixed to a joist and the engaging elements extend from the base vertically to engage planks or deck boarding. The planks may have recesses configured to receive the engaging elements. The clips may be arranged or disposed into a strip for even faster deployment.

1 . A clip for use in the installation of deck boards comprising:
 a base generally in the configuration of a prism and having a major plane and a major axis;   a plurality of verticals, each vertical of said plurality of verticals comprising a proximal end and an opposing distal end with an elongated body generally in the configuration of a prism extending therebetween, said each vertical being attached to said major plane of said base at said proximal end such that said major plane of said each vertical is generally perpendicular to said major plane of said base, where said major planes of said each vertical are generally parallel; and   at least one vertical of said plurality of verticals comprising a retaining element disposed at said distal end, said retaining element protruding outward from a lateral side of said at least one vertical.   
     
     
         2 . The clip of  claim 1 , wherein said at least one vertical comprises at least two verticals. 
     
     
         3 . The clip of  claim 2 , wherein a first vertical of said at least two verticals and a second vertical of said at least two verticals are connected to said base at opposing sides of said base. 
     
     
         4 . The clip of  claim 3 , wherein said clip is made of a material having sufficient ductility that said first vertical and said second vertical may be temporarily pinched together without breaking said clip. 
     
     
         5 . The clip of  claim 4 , wherein said clip is manufactured via sheet metal fabrication. 
     
     
         6 . The clip of  claim 5 , wherein said base has a generally H-shaped cross section comprising two pairs of legs having a crossbar extending therebetween, wherein a major axis of said crossbar is generally perpendicular to a major axis of each of said pairs of legs and said first vertical and said second vertical are attached to said base at opposing sides of said crossbar. 
     
     
         7 . The clip of  claim 6 , wherein said retaining element is generally in the configuration of an irregular trapezoid comprising:
 a base connected to said at least one vertical;   a top side angled downward toward said base;   an opposing bottom side generally parallel to said major plane of said base; and   a hook disposed at an end of said bottom side distal said at least one vertical, said hook pointing downward towards said base.   
     
     
         8 . The clip of  claim 7 , further comprising an aperture extending from a top side to an opposing bottom side of said base, said aperture sized and shaped for receiving a fastener. 
     
     
         9 . The clip of  claim 8 , wherein each leg in said two pairs of legs has a proximal end at said crossbar and an opposing distal end with a leg body extending therebetween, said leg body disposed at a downward angle from said base such that said distal ends of said legs are not coplaner with said base. 
     
     
         10 . The clip of  claim 9 , wherein said distal ends of said legs in said two pairs of legs are coplanar with each other. 
     
     
         11 . The clip of  claim 5 , wherein at least two verticals comprises four verticals, a first two verticals of said four verticals attached to said base at a first side, and a second two verticals of said four verticals attached to said base at a second side opposite said first side. 
     
     
         12 . The clip of  claim 11 , wherein said first two verticals are disposed proximal to a minor axis of said base and said second two verticals are disposed distal to said minor axis. 
     
     
         13 . The clip of  claim 12 , wherein said retaining element is generally in the configuration of an inverted J. 
     
     
         14 . The clip of  claim 13 , further comprising an aperture extending from a top side to an opposing bottom side of said base, said aperture sized and shaped for receiving a fastener. 
     
     
         15 . The clip of  claim 5 , wherein said verticals comprise spring arms disposed at opposing ends of said major axis of said base, each of said spring arms having an engagement hook at a distal end thereof. 
     
     
         16 . A clip strip comprising a plurality of clips of  claim 5 . 
     
     
         17 . The clip strip of  claim 16 , further comprising a base element generally in the configuration of an elongated prism sized and shaped to be placed on a deck joist. 
     
     
         18 . The clip strip of  claim 17 , further comprising a spacer element generally in the configuration of an elongated prism and having a plurality of apertures sized and shaped for passage of said verticals and retaining elements. 
     
     
         19 . The clip strip of  claim 18 , wherein each of said plurality of clips is disposed at each aperture, and said verticals and retaining elements of each said clip pass through said aperture and are oriented such that said retaining elements of adjacent clips in said clip strip extend towards each other. 
     
     
         20 . The clip strip of  claim 19 , wherein said clip strip is disposed in a rolled configuration.