Abstract:
A deck board spacing strap. The strap has a series of spacer bars attached thereto thereby enabling a deck builder to position, space and hold a substantial number of deck boards in place at one time before nailing.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates to decking tools, and in particular, to a spacing strap assembly which permits a user to align, space and hold decking boards in position prior to nailing. 
     Outdoor decks and patios have become increasingly popular in recent years and kits and do-it-yourself books are available to allow the homeowner as well as the construction professional to construct elaborate wooden decks and patios. The aesthetic appearance of the deck is usually judged by the appearance of the deck boards and their spacing and appearance. The deck boards are the final item normally installed after the deck joists have been positioned and leveled. 
     Deck boards are typically spaced apart to leave a gap between adjacent boards so that water can more readily drain from the deck surfaces. Spacing the boards equally along support beams and joists, however, has heretofore proven to be a relatively time consuming and laborious task. Deck boards are typically positioned, spaced and nailed, one-at-a-time. Unless the builder is very skilled, it is not unusual for the deck boards to become gradually out of line, thereby affecting the overall esthetics of the deck, but also in some cases the very structure of the deck. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention provides a deck board spacing strap. The strap has a series of spacer bars attached thereto thereby enabling the deck builder to position, space and hold a substantial number of deck boards in place at one time before nailing. This enables the builder to review the deck board configuration before nailing. The present invention also permits the builder to position out-of-line boards in the least disruptive manner. With the deck boards assembled, positioned and properly spaced, nailing time and labor are substantially reduced. 
     These together with other objects of the invention, along with various features of novelty which characterize the invention, are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed hereto and forming a part of this disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and the specific objects attained by its uses, reference should be had to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there is illustrated a preferred embodiment of the invention. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a top perspective of view the invention. 
     FIG. 2 is a close-up, perspective view, partly in section of the invention. 
     FIG. 3 is a close-up view of an individual spacer bar. 
     FIG. 4 is a side view of a double spacer bar assembly positioned over a first board. 
     FIG. 5 is a side view of the first three spacer bars in place. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION 
     Referring to the drawings in detail wherein like elements are indicated by like numerals, there is shown an elongated, generally rectangular spacing strap  10  constructed according to the principles of the present invention. The spacing strap  10  is constructed with two elongated layers, a top layer  11  and a bottom layer  12 . The layers are mirror images of each other. Each layer  11 ,  12  is preferably made from a nylon webbing material. Other materials providing comparable strength, toughness, durability and longevity may also be used. The top layer  11  is attached to the bottom layer  12  by stitching  13 . Other means of attachment may also be used. The spacing strap  10  has two opposing, parallel, elongated sides  14  defining the strap width. Applicants have found an approximate width of two to three inches to be preferable. The spacing strap  10  has two ends, a proximal end  15  and a distal end  16 , said ends defining the general longitudinal axis of the strap. Beginning at the proximal end  15  the strap layers form periodic, equidistant, generally cylindrical interstices  17  between each layer, each interstice having an elongated central axis transverse to the longitudinal axis of the spacing strap  10 . Each interstice  17  opens out through both sides  14 . In one embodiment of the invention, specifically adapted to be used with deck boards having an outside diameter width of five and five-eighths inches, the interstices  17  are longitudinally positioned six inches apart on center. In another embodiment of the invention, specifically adapted to be used with porch boards having an outside diameter width of three and five-eighths inches, the interstices  17  are longitudinally positioned four inches apart. 
     A U-shaped spacer bar  20  is inserted into each interstice  17 . Each spacer bar  20  has an elongated, straight, intermediate, cylindrical portion  21  interconnecting two opposing, parallel, L-shaped, cylindrical spacer sections  22 . Each spacer section  22  has a nominal diameter of three-sixteenths inches. Each spacer bar  20  is joined to the spacing strap  10  so that each spacer bar intermediate portion  21  is held within an interstice  17 . The spacer bars  20  are preferably made from stainless steel. However, the spacer bars  20  may be made from any other sturdy, weather resistant material. Spacing cylinders  24  may be slid over the spacer sections  22  (See, FIG. 3) to adjust the radial thickness of each spacer section  22 . 
     The first two spacer bars  20 , beginning with the proximal strap end  15 , are interconnected by two parallel, position bars  25 , resulting in a double spacer bar assembly  30 . Each position bar  25  interconnects the first spacer bar  20  with the second spacer bar  20 . Each position bar  25  has two ends, a proximal end  26  and a distal end  27 . Each position bar proximal end  26  is attached to the junction  23  of the first spacer bar intermediate portion  21  and a spacer section  22 . The position bar distal ends  27  are attached to the junctions  23  of the second spacer bar intermediate portion  21  and spacer sections  22 . 
     In operation, a first deck or porch board  2  is positioned and aligned as desired. The first board  2  is then attached to appropriate joists  5  and/or support beams  6 . The builder then fixes the double spacer bar assembly  30  over the first board  2  keeping the remainder of the spacing strap  10  rolled up and positioned over the first board  2  and double spacer bar assembly  30  as shown in FIG.  4 . Each spacer bar  20  is positioned about a board  2  so that the spacer bar intermediate portion  21  lies on the top  3  of a particular board  2  and the bar spacer sections  22  lie along the sides  4  of the board  2 . The builder then assembles a desired number of additional boards  21  unrolling the spacing strap  10  across the boards  2 ′ and inserting and positioning the strap spacer bars  20  between the boards  2 ,  2 ′, etc. When all the boards are laid down with deck board spacer bars  20  properly in place, the spacing strap  10  will hold all in position until the builder follows with a screw gun, hammer, nail gun, or the like, securing all boards to the appropriate joists  5  and/or support beams  6 . Typically two straps  10  would be used, however, any number of straps  10  may be used as desired. Separation between boards  2  may be adjusted by means of spacing cylinders  24  slid over the spacer bar spacer sections  22 . 
     It is understood that the above-described embodiment is merely illustrative of the application. Other embodiments may be readily devised by those skilled in the art which will embody the principles of the invention and fall within the spirit and scope thereof. Space bars  20  may be made in different sizes and thicknesses. Spacing cylinders  24  may also be provided in different sizes and thicknesses.