Patent ID: 11920618
Assignee: NATIONAL NAIL CORP.
Field: Civil engineering (Other fields)
Classification: CPC F  E | IPC E  F

Claim 9:
10. A fastener unit comprising:
a spacer block defining a first fastener hole therethrough and including a longitudinal axis, the spacer block including a lower portion extending to a lower surface that is configured to engage a joist upon which the fastener unit is installed, the spacer block having a thickness extending from a front surface to a rear surface, the thickness being such that the rear surface is configured to engage a first side surface of a first board and the front surface is configured to separately engage a second side surface of an adjacent second board to establish a preselected gap between the first board and the second adjacent board;
a grip element joined with the spacer block and projecting outward from the spacer block, the grip element defining a second fastener hole aligned with the first fastener hole of the spacer block, the grip element extending through a recess between the front and rear surfaces of the spacer block defined in an upper portion of the spacer block and located above the first fastener hole, the grip element configured to fit in and engage a first groove defined by the first board, the grip element operable in a contact mode in which the grip element is configured to directly engage a lower wall of the first groove of the first board to exert a force through the grip element directly to the first groove and thus the first board;
a fastener including a tip with threads extending above the tip, the tip being pointed, the tip biting into the lower portion of the spacer block adjacent the lower surface, the fastener being threaded into the spacer block so that it is secured thereto via the interaction with the first fastener hole;
a first joist leg extending outward from the spacer block; and
a second joist leg extending outward from the spacer block distal and spaced from the first joist leg such that a first joist leg and a second joist leg are configured to clamp a joist therebetween;
wherein the spacer block includes the upper portion that extends upward above the grip element distal from the first fastener hole;
wherein the spacer block includes the lower portion that extends below the grip element;
wherein the fastener is oriented through the first fastener hole of the spacer block and spaced adjacent the lower surface of the spacer block so that the tip is configured to pierce the joist when the fastener is advanced and while the first joist leg and second joist leg clamp the joist therebetween.