Patent Publication Number: US-10309099-B2

Title: Deck board fastener methods

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE 
     This application is a divisional patent application of U.S. Utility application Ser. No. 15/437,830 filed Feb. 21, 2017, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,113,306, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/352,191, filed Jun. 20, 2016, entitled Deck Board Fasteners and Methods which applications are incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     The disclosure relates to deck construction. More particularly, deck board fastening devices or fastener devices for retaining adjacent boards to a support joist in a spaced alignment in a constructed deck. 
     SUMMARY 
     An aspect of the disclosure is directed to deck board fastening devices. Deck board fasteners have a body which is connectable to a metal clip or insert. The body has a transverse planar upper member and at least one perpendicularly positioned planar lower member or keel. An aperture through the clip and transverse planar upper member allows an anchoring device, such as a screw to secure the deck board fastener to a joist during use. In some configurations, the aperture can also pass through the planar lower member or keel. The deck board fastener can also have a lip that projects upward from the upper surface of the transverse planar member. The lip can be positioned about an exterior edge of the transverse planar member or along the upper surface. A guide member on the lower surface of the transverse planar member can be positioned to guide the anchoring device at an angle to optimize entry of the anchoring device into the joist. The shape of the transverse planar upper member can be, for example, oval, biscuit, square, rectangular, or bowtie. In some configurations, the metal clip or insert is inset in the transverse planar upper member. 
     An aspect of the disclosure is directed to decking clips. Decking clips comprise: a body having a transverse upper member with an upper surface and a lower surface and a perpendicular member extending from the lower surface of the body with a central bore therethrough and one or more clip anchor apertures positioned about the central bore; and a clip having an upper surface and a lower surface, a central aperture therethrough, and two or more anchors positioned along at least one edge of the clip and extending downward away from the lower surface of the clip. The body of the decking clip can be formed of a first material and the clip is formed of a second material. The decking clip can have a generally T-shaped side view. Additionally, the transverse upper member has a shape selected from biscuit, bowtie, rectangular, and oval. A first axis of the transverse upper member can be longer than a second perpendicular axis of the transverse upper member. One or more stabilizers can be provided which extend from the upper surface of the transverse upper member which are substantially perpendicular to a plane formed by the perpendicular member. Additionally, a second perpendicular member can be provided which extends from the lower surface of the body. The perpendicular member extending from the lower surface of the body can have a uniform thickness. In some configurations, the perpendicular member can extend from the lower surface of the body has a first thickness at a first end and a second thickness at a second end. The perpendicular member can also extend from the lower surface of the body has a rounded first end and a rounded second end. In some configurations, a tubular member is provided which extends from the lower surface of the body along the length of the perpendicular member. A guide member can also be provided which extends from the lower surface of the body adjacent the perpendicular member and the central aperture. 
     Another aspect of the disclosure is directed to methods of assembling a deck structure. The methods comprise: providing a joist member; providing a plurality of deck boards, each having laterally opposing side edges with a groove therein arranged to span across the joist member parallel and laterally adjacent to one another and transversely to the longitudinal direction of the joist member; providing a plurality of mounting clips, wherein each mounting clip comprises a body having a transverse upper member with an upper surface and a lower surface and a perpendicular member extending from the lower surface of the body with a central bore therethrough and one or more clip anchor apertures positioned about the central bore, and a clip having an upper surface and a lower surface, a central aperture therethrough, and two or more anchors positioned along at least one edge of the clip and extending downward away from the upper surface of the clip; positioning a portion of the transverse upper member in the groove in the board; and securing the deck clip to the joist by passing a fastening device through the clip aperture and the central aperture. Additionally, the body of the decking clip can be formed of a first material and the clip is formed of a second material. Moreover, the decking clip can have a generally T-shaped side view. In some instances, the transverse upper member of the decking clip can have a shape selected from biscuit, bowtie, rectangular, and oval. Additionally, a first axis of the transverse upper member of the decking clip can be longer than a second perpendicular axis of the transverse upper member of the decking clip. The decking clip can further comprises one or more stabilizers extending from the upper surface of the transverse upper member which are substantially perpendicular to a plane formed by the perpendicular member. A second perpendicular member can also be provided which extends from the lower surface of the body. In some instances, the perpendicular member of the decking clip extends from the lower surface of the body has a uniform thickness. Alternatively or additionally, the perpendicular member of the decking clip can extend from the lower surface of the body has a first thickness at a first end and a second thickness at a second end. The perpendicular member extending from the lower surface of the body can also have a rounded first end and a rounded second end. A tubular member can be provided which extends from the lower surface of the body along the length of the perpendicular member. A guide member can also be provided which extends from the lower surface of the body adjacent the perpendicular member and the central aperture. 
     Still another aspect of the disclosure is directed to decking clips. Decking clips comprise: a body having a transverse upper member means with an upper surface and a lower surface and a perpendicular member means extending from the lower surface of the body with a central bore therethrough and one or more clip anchor apertures positioned about the central bore; and a clip having an upper surface and a lower surface, a central aperture therethrough, and two or more anchors positioned along at least one edge of the clip and extending downward away from the lower surface of the clip. The body of the decking clip means can be formed of a first material and the clip is formed of a second material. The decking clip means can have a generally T-shaped side view. Additionally, the transverse upper member means has a shape selected from biscuit, bowtie, rectangular, and oval. A first axis of the transverse upper member means can be longer than a second perpendicular axis of the transverse upper member. One or more stabilizers can be provided which extend from the upper surface of the transverse upper member means which are substantially perpendicular to a plane formed by the perpendicular member means. Additionally, a second perpendicular member means can be provided which extends from the lower surface of the body. The perpendicular member means extending from the lower surface of the body can have a uniform thickness. In some configurations, the perpendicular member means can extend from the lower surface of the body has a first thickness at a first end and a second thickness at a second end. The perpendicular member means can also extend from the lower surface of the body has a rounded first end and a rounded second end. In some configurations, a tubular member is provided which extends from the lower surface of the body along the length of the perpendicular member means. A guide member can also be provided which extends from the lower surface of the body adjacent the perpendicular member means and the central aperture. 
     Yet another aspect of the disclosure is directed to methods of assembling a deck structure. The methods comprise: providing a joist member; providing a plurality of deck boards, each having laterally opposing side edges with a groove therein arranged to span across the joist member parallel and laterally adjacent to one another and transversely to the longitudinal direction of the joist member; providing a plurality of mounting clips, wherein each mounting clip comprises a body having a transverse upper member means with an upper surface and a lower surface and a perpendicular member means extending from the lower surface of the body with a central bore therethrough and one or more clip anchor apertures positioned about the central bore, and a clip having an upper surface and a lower surface, a central aperture therethrough, and two or more anchors positioned along at least one edge of the clip and extending downward away from the upper surface of the clip; positioning a portion of the transverse upper member means in the groove in the board; and securing the deck clip to the joist by passing a fastening device through the clip aperture and the central aperture. Additionally, the body of the decking clip means can be formed of a first material and the clip is formed of a second material. Moreover, the decking clip means can have a generally T-shaped side view. In some instances, the transverse upper member means of the decking clip means can have a shape selected from biscuit, bowtie, rectangular, and oval. Additionally, a first axis of the transverse upper member means of the decking clip means can be longer than a second perpendicular axis of the transverse upper member of the decking clip. The decking clip means can further comprises one or more stabilizers extending from the upper surface of the transverse upper member means which are substantially perpendicular to a plane formed by the perpendicular member means. A second perpendicular member means can also be provided which extends from the lower surface of the body. In some instances, the perpendicular member means of the decking clip means extends from the lower surface of the body has a uniform thickness. Alternatively or additionally, the perpendicular member means of the decking clip means can extend from the lower surface of the body has a first thickness at a first end and a second thickness at a second end. The perpendicular member means extending from the lower surface of the body can also have a rounded first end and a rounded second end. A tubular member can be provided which extends from the lower surface of the body along the length of the perpendicular member means. A guide member can also be provided which extends from the lower surface of the body adjacent the perpendicular member means and the central aperture. 
     INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE 
     All publications, patents, and patent applications mentioned in this specification are herein incorporated by reference to the same extent as if each individual publication, patent, or patent application was specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference. Prior deck board fastening devices are disclosed in, for example, 
     U.S. Pat. No. 3,845,860 A issued Nov. 5, 1974 to Ladouceur et al. for “Fastener Strip,” 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,106,962 A issued Aug. 15, 1978 to Adams et al. for “Method of Fastening Metal Part to Plastic Part;” 
     U.S. Pat. No. 6,402,415 B1 issued Jun. 11, 2002, to Eberle for “Anchoring Biscuit Device;” 
     U.S. Pat. No. 6,851,884 B2 issued Feb. 8, 2005, to Eberle for “Decking Anchor Device;” 
     U.S. Pat. No. 7,052,200 B2 issued May 30, 2006, to Harris for “Resilient Deck Board Fastener;” 
     U.S. Pat. No. 7,409,803 B2 issued Aug. 12, 2008, to Groham for “Hidden Deck Fastener System;” 
     U.S. Pat. No. 7,578,105 B2 issued Aug. 25, 2009 to Eberle for “Expansion-Compensating Deck Fastener;” 
     U.S. Pat. No. 7,805,902 B2 issued Oct. 5, 2010 to Martel for “Fastener for Grooved or Slotted Decking Members;” 
     U.S. Pat. No. 7,874,113 B2 issued Jan. 25, 2011 to Eberle for “Expansion-Compensating Deck Fastener;” 
     U.S. Pat. No. 7,984,599 B2 issued Jul. 26, 2011, to Snell et al., for “Hidden Decking Fastener and Related Method of Fastening Deck Boards;” 
     U.S. Pat. No. 8,161,702 B2 issued Apr. 24, 2012, to Eberle for “Expansion-Compensating Deck Fastener;” 
     U.S. Pat. No. 8,256,614 B1 issued Sep. 4, 2012, to Wadsworth for “Interconnected and On-site Severable Deck Clips with Cooperating Installation Tool for Joining Two Adjacent Decking Plants to an Underlying Support Structure;” 
     U.S. Pat. No. 8,464,488 B2 issued Jun. 18, 2013 to Pelc, Jr. for “Anchoring Device;” and 
     U.S. Pat. No. 9,003,624 B2 issued Apr. 14, 2015, to Wadsworth for “Method for Making a Gangable Composite Clip for Attaching Decking.” 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The novel features of the invention are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. A better understanding of the features and advantages of the present invention will be obtained by reference to the following detailed description that sets forth illustrative embodiments, in which the principles of the invention are utilized, and the accompanying drawings of which: 
         FIGS. 1A-I  illustrate a configuration for a deck board fastening device where  FIG. 1A  illustrates a clip from a top perspective view,  FIG. 1B  illustrates a deck board fastening device body from a top perspective view,  FIG. 1C  illustrates a deck board fastening device with the clip engaging the deck board fastening body from a top perspective view;  FIG. 1D  illustrates a deck board fastening device with the clip engaging the deck board fastening body from a bottom perspective view,  FIG. 1E  illustrates a deck board fastening device from a side view,  FIG. 1F  illustrates a deck board fastening device from a top view;  FIG. 1G  illustrates a cross-sectional side view of a deck board fastening device along the lines G-G shown in  FIG. 1F ,  FIG. 1H  illustrates a cross-sectional side view of a deck board fastening device along the lines H-H shown in  FIG. 1F ,  FIG. 1I  illustrates a cross-sectional side view of a deck board fastening device along the lines I-I shown in  FIG. 1F ; 
         FIGS. 2A-E  illustrate another configuration for a deck board fastening device where  FIG. 2A  illustrates a clip from a top perspective view,  FIG. 2B  illustrates a deck board fastening device body from a top perspective view,  FIG. 2C  illustrates a deck board fastening device with the clip engaging the deck board fastening body from a top perspective view;  FIG. 2D  illustrates a deck board fastening device with the clip engaging the deck board fastening body from a bottom perspective view,  FIG. 2E  illustrates a deck board fastening device from a side view; 
         FIGS. 3A-D  illustrate another configuration for a deck board fastening device where  FIG. 3A  illustrates a clip from a top perspective view,  FIG. 3B  illustrates a deck board fastening device body from a top perspective view,  FIG. 3C  illustrates a deck board fastening device with the clip engaging the deck board fastening body from a top perspective view;  FIG. 3D  illustrates a deck board fastening device with the clip engaging the deck board fastening body from a bottom perspective view; 
         FIGS. 4A-D  illustrate another configuration for a deck board fastening device where  FIG. 4A  illustrates a clip from a top perspective view,  FIG. 4B  illustrates a deck board fastening device body from a top perspective view,  FIG. 4C  illustrates a deck board fastening device with the clip engaging the deck board fastening body from a top perspective view;  FIG. 4D  illustrates a deck board fastening device with the clip engaging the deck board fastening body from a bottom perspective view; 
         FIGS. 5A-C  illustrate a clip from a top view ( FIG. 5A ), a top perspective view ( FIG. 5B ), and a side view ( FIG. 5C ); 
         FIGS. 6A-B  illustrate a deck board fastening device with an anchoring device from a top perspective view ( FIG. 6A ) and a bottom perspective view ( FIG. 6B ); and 
         FIGS. 7A-B  illustrate a deck board fastening device with an anchoring device from a top perspective view ( FIG. 7A ) and a bottom perspective view ( FIG. 7B ). 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       FIGS. 1A-I  illustrate a configuration for a deck board fastening device  100 . The deck board fastening device  100  has a clip  110  and a deck board fastening device body  130 . The clip  110  has a plate  112  with a planar upper surface  114  and a lower surface  116  and a clip aperture  118  positioned through the plate  112 . Two or more clip anchors  120 ,  120 ′ can extend from the plate  112 . The two or more clip anchors  120 ,  120 ′ can be integrally formed with the plate  112  such that one or more of the two or more anchors can be part of the clip  110  or can be formed such that the clip  110  operates as a single piece even where the one or more of the two or more clip anchors  120 ,  120 ′ are formed from a separate piece which is adhered to the plate  112 . The one or more clip anchors  120 ,  120 ′ can have a notch  122  on one or both sides of each of the two or more clip anchors  120 ,  120 ′. The notch  122  is configured to secure the clip anchor  120  through an anchor receiving aperture  148  in the transverse upper member. 
     As an example, the planar upper surface  114  of the clip  110  can have a dimension of from 0.45 to 0.70 inches in a first dimension, 0.65 to 0.85 inches in a second dimension and a thickness of from 0.02 inches to 0.04 inches, more preferably about 0.51 inches in a first dimension, about 0.75 inches in a second dimension and a thickness of 0.03 inches. The clip aperture  118  in the plate  112  can have an oval shape which is 0.44 inches in a first dimension and 0.155 inches in a second dimension. The clip anchors  120 ,  120 ′ can extend laterally from the planar upper surface  114  before translating perpendicularly, or substantially perpendicularly, away from the planar upper surface  114 . Thus, the width of the clip  110  at a location where an clip anchor  120  extends from both sides of the planar upper surface  114  can be from 0.55 inches to 0.65 inches, while the width of the clip  110  at a location where two anchors extend on either side can be for example, from 0.62 inches to 0.59 inches. The length of the clip anchor  120  from the top of the planar upper surface  114  can be from 0.10 inches to 0.20 inches, more preferably about 0.14 inches. The distance between a first clip anchor  120  and a second clip anchor  120 ′ on opposing sides of the planar upper surface  114  can be from 0.50 inches to 0.60 inches, more preferably about 0.51 inches. The distance between two clips on the same side of the planar upper surface  114  can be from 0.10 inch to 0.20 inch, more preferably about 0.156 inch. 
     In some configurations, the clip anchor  120  is a plate that fits within a recess on a transverse upper member  140 . Two or more apertures can be provided to secure the clip anchor  120  to the transverse upper member  140 , where, for example, a post extends from the upper surface of the transverse upper member  140 . 
     Suitable materials for the plate include, but are not limited to metal, exterior grade metal, and stainless steel. However, other materials may be used without departing from the scope of the disclosure. Typically the hardness of the material comprising the clip  110  is greater than the hardness of the material comprising the deck board fastening device body  130 . 
     The deck board fastening device body  130  can have a transverse upper member  140  and at least one perpendicularly positioned lower member  160 , or keel, which extends perpendicularly from a lower surface  144  of the transverse upper member  140 . The transverse upper member  140  has an upper surface  142  and a lower surface  144 . The shape of the transverse upper member  140  can be biscuit-shaped with two curved opposing sides forming an arc from a top view. The arcs can have predetermined radii and arc lengths. The arced side can terminate at an end wall at either end. Two or more anchor receiving apertures  148 ,  148 ′ can be provided to receive the two or more clip anchors  120 ,  120 ′ from the clip  110 . The anchors can pass completely through the two or more anchor receiving apertures  148 ,  148 ′, or be received into the aperture without passing through the entire transverse upper member  140 . 
     The transverse upper member  140  can have a variety of shapes in a first plane including, for example, oval, biscuit, square, rectangular, or bowtie. As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the transverse upper member  140  has a biscuit shape. A virtual centerline passes along a length of the transverse upper member  140 . 
     A lip  150  can extend upward from the upper surface  142  of the transverse upper member  140 . The lip  150  can be positioned at or near a side wall  146  of the transverse upper member  140  as illustrated, or on the upper surface  142  such that the lip  150  is positioned around a perimeter of a the plate  112  retaining area of the clip  110 . Additionally, one or more stabilizers  152  can be provided along the transverse upper member  140  which are positioned perpendicular, or substantially perpendicular, to a plane formed by the perpendicularly positioned lower member  160  and a plane formed by the transverse upper member  140 . The height of the lip  150  from the upper surface  142  of the transverse upper member  140  can correspond to the thickness of the plate  112  of the clip  110 . Where the height of the lip  150  corresponds to the thickness of the plate  112 , the upper surface of the lip  150  and the upper surface of the plate  112 , when engaging the deck board fastening device body  130 , would be positioned in the same plane. In other configurations, the height of the lip  150  from the upper surface  142  of the transverse upper member  140  can be greater or less than the thickness of the plate  112  of the clip  110  without departing from the scope of the disclosure. By correlating the height of the lip  150  to the thickness of the clip  110 , during use the lip  150  will prevent the clip  110  from being damaged or inadvertently removed. A central aperture  143  corresponding at least partially to the clip aperture  118  passes through the transverse upper member  140 . 
     The transverse upper member  140  of the deck board fastening device body  130  can have a first dimension of from 2.0 inches to 2.5 inches, a second dimension of 0.8 inches to 1.1 inches and a thickness of from 0.10 inches to 0.20 inches; more preferably a first dimension of about 2.3 inches, a second dimension of about 0.97 inches, and a thickness of about 0.15 inches. Two sides can be arced, terminating in an end having a length of from 0.90 inches to 1.10 inches, more preferably about 0.10 inches. The perpendicularly positioned lower member  160  can have a height of from the top of the transverse upper member  140  to the lower surface  163  of the perpendicularly positioned lower member  160  of from 0.35 inches to 0.45 inches, and more preferably about 0.40 inches. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 1A-B  the clip  110  is positioned above the deck board fastening device body  130  from an upper perspective view.  FIG. 1C  illustrates the deck board fastening device  100  with the clip  110  engaging the deck board fastening device body  130  with the clip anchor  120  passing through the anchor receiving aperture  148  so that the lower surface of the clip is adjacent the upper surface of the transverse upper member  140  of the deck board fastening device body  130 . 
       FIG. 1D  is a perspective view of a bottom surface of the deck board fastening device  100 . The clip anchors  120  can be seen passing through an anchor receiving aperture  148 . As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, the anchor receiving aperture  148  need not pass entirely through the transverse upper member  140  of the deck board fastening device body  130 , provided the anchor receiving aperture  148  is configured to engage the clip anchor  120  extending from the clip  110 . Additionally, the perpendicularly positioned lower member  160  can have a guide member  162  which extends from the bottom surface of the deck board fastening device body  130  and engages the perpendicularly positioned lower member  160  on one end of the guide member  162 .  FIG. 1E  is a side view of a deck board fastening device  100  showing the transverse upper member  140  and the perpendicularly positioned lower member  160 . 
       FIG. 1F  is a top plan view of a deck board fastening device  100  with the clip  110  engaging the deck board fastening device body  130 .  FIG. 1G  is a cross-section of the deck board fastening device  100  shown in  FIG. 1F  along the lines G-G. 
       FIG. 1H  is a cross-section of the deck board fastening device  100  shown in  FIG. 1F  along the lines H-H. 
       FIG. 1I  is a cross-section of the deck board fastening device  100  shown in  FIG. 1F  along the lines I-I. 
     Suitable materials for the deck board fastening device body  130  include, but are not limited to plastic, polyvinylchloride (PVC), acrylic, polycarbonate, and composites thereof. However, other materials may be used without departing from the scope of the disclosure. 
       FIGS. 2A-E  illustrate another configuration for a deck board fastening device  200 . The clip  210  and deck board fastening device body  230  are configured similarly to the deck board fastening device  100  shown in  FIG. 1 . The perpendicularly positioned lower member  260 , or keel, of the deck board fastening device  200  has one or more tubular ends  264 ,  266  extending from the lower surface  244  of the transverse upper member  240 . The diameter across the tubular ends  264 ,  266  from the exterior surface is from 0.125 inches to 0.3125 inches, more preferably about 0.250 inches. The tubular ends  264 ,  266  can further be configured to define a hollowed tubular center  268  having a diameter between 0.06 inches and 0.08 inches, more preferably about 0.077 inches. 
       FIGS. 3A-D  illustrate another configuration for a deck board fastening device  300 . The clip  310  has a deck board fastening device body  330  with a transverse planar member  340 . This configuration illustrates two perpendicularly positioned lower members  360 ,  360 ′, or keels, of the deck board fastening device  300  which extend from the lower surface  344  of the transverse upper member  340 . The lower members can be rectangular in shape or have a stepped rectangular shape with a length and a height and a first width at a first end and a second width at a second end that is different than the first width. As illustrated, the first width is narrower at a first end near a center point of the transverse planar member  340  and the second width, greater than the first width, is wider at a second end that is an opposing second end of the lower member  360 ,  360 ′. 
       FIGS. 4A-D  illustrate another configuration for a deck board fastening device  400 . The clip  410  has a deck board fastening device body  430  with a transverse planar member  440 . This configuration illustrates a perpendicularly positioned lower member  460 , or keels, of the deck board fastening device  400  which extend from the lower surface  444  of the transverse upper member  440 . The lower member  460  can have one or more tubular ends  464 ,  466  extending from the lower surface  444  of the transverse upper member  440  and forming part of the lower member  460 . A central tubular member  465  can be provided with an aperture therethrough to receive an anchoring device through the transverse planar member  440  and clip  410 . The tubular ends  464 ,  466  can further be configured to define a hollowed tubular center  468 . The thickness of the tubular ends  464 ,  466  defining the hollowed tubular center  468  can vary. Changes in thickness can impact a compressibility of the tubular ends when the deck board fastening device is positioned between two deck boards. 
       FIGS. 5A-C  illustrate a clip  510  for use in combination with the deck board fastening devices disclosed herein. The clip  510  is shown from a top view, perspective view and side view. The clip  510  has a plate  512  with a planar upper surface  514  and a lower surface  516  and a clip aperture  518  positioned through the plate  512 . Two or more clip anchors  520 ,  520 ′ can extend from the plate  512 . The two or more clip anchors  520 ,  520 ′ can be integrally formed with the plate  512  such that one or more of the two or more anchors can be part of the clip  510  or can be formed such that the clip  510  operates as a single piece even where the one or more of the two or more clip anchors  520 ,  520 ′ are formed from a separate piece which is adhered to the plate  512 . The one or more clip anchors  520 ,  520 ′ can have a notch  522  on one or both sides of each of the two or more clip anchors  520 ,  520 ′. The notch  522  is configured to secure the clip anchor  520  to the fastening device. 
       FIGS. 6A-B  illustrate a deck board fastening device  100  of  FIG. 1  with an anchoring device  500  such as a screw. As illustrated the anchoring device  600  passes through the clip aperture  118  and the central aperture at an angle. As shown in  FIG. 6B  the anchoring device  600  passes across a surface of the guide member  162  which guides the angle at which the anchoring device  600  passes through the deck board fastening device  100  and into a joist (not shown). 
       FIGS. 7A-B  illustrate a deck board fastening device  200  of  FIG. 2  with an anchoring device  700 . As illustrated the anchoring device  700  passes through the clip aperture  218  and the central aperture  243  at an angle. As shown in  FIG. 7B  the anchoring device  700  passes across a surface of the guide member  262  which guides the angle at which the anchoring device  700  passes through the deck board fastening device  200  and into a joist (not shown). 
     A suitable method for making the anchoring device described above, includes the steps of: placing a starting piece into a stamping machine; stamping one or more clips from the starting plate and forming the starting plate into a clip of either the configuration shown in  FIG. 1  or  FIG. 5 . Additionally a plurality of suitable apertures are stamped into the one or more clips, wherein each aperture has a lower portion communicating with an upper portion. A central aperture is also stamped through the starting piece. Additionally, the apertures in the starting piece can be configured so that the through bore is wider at an upper surface diameter than the lower surface diameter. As will be appreciated by those of skill in the art, the order of stamping the starting pieces to form the clips can be, for example, to stamp the central aperture and the secondary apertures first and then stamp the overall shape of the plate; or stamp the plate first and then stamp the central aperture and secondary apertures through the plate. 
     The device body can be made by injecting an injectable material into an injection molding machine to form one or more anchoring devices. 
     Kits are also contemplated which include one or more anchoring devices. The one or more anchoring devices may be releasably connected such that the anchoring devices are separated during the installation process. Additionally fasteners may be provided as part of the kit. In some configurations, a fastener is positioned through each central aperture of a provided anchoring device. 
     While preferred embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described herein, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that such embodiments are provided by way of example only. Numerous variations, changes, and substitutions will now occur to those skilled in the art without departing from the invention. It should be understood that various alternatives to the embodiments of the invention described herein may be employed in practicing the invention. It is intended that the following claims define the scope of the invention and that methods and structures within the scope of these claims and their equivalents be covered thereby.