Patent ID: 12241260

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring toFIGS.1and2, a decking clip100is provided. The clip100is a unitary component which in this case is constructed from an extruded aluminium material. The clip100is generally prismatic, having a constant cross-sectional profile (except for an opening, which will be described below). For the purposes of this description, the clip100has a longitudinal direction X along its prism axis, a transverse, horizontal direction Y and a vertical direction Z.

The profile of the clip100comprises a base102and an upright104.

The base102is generally flat and planar having a first edge105and a second edge106, a first, upper surface108and a second, lower surface110. The base102has two feet112,114each running in the longitudinal direction X. The first foot112is proximate the first edge105, and the second foot114proximate the second edge106. The feet therefore define a raised portion116therebetween.

The base102defines a fastener opening118in the centre thereof, positioned between the feet112,114. The opening passes through the thickness of the base102and is coincident with the raised portion116.

The upright104defines a profile having a first, lower end120attached to the base102on the upper surface108of the base. The first end120is positioned inboard of the first foot112such that it is positioned above the raised portion116. The upright has and a second, free end122distal to the base102. The upright is of generally constant thickness but has a curved profile as will be described below.

The profile of the upright104, starting from the first end120has a first curved portion124extending towards the first edge104. The first curved portion124is generally S-shaped such that the profile of the upright104moves towards and over the first foot112where it joins a straight section126. The straight section126extends in the vertical or X direction to a second curved portion128which is semi-circular in form. The second curved portion terminates in the second, free end122that faces the base102and is positioned vertically above the lower end120of the upright104. As such, the upright104defines an elongate ‘C’ shape facing from proximate the first edge104in the direction of the second edge106—i.e. in the direction of the opening118.

Referring toFIG.1, the upright104is shown as vertical (aligned with the Z axis). The base102on the other hand is angled upwards from the Y axis by θ degrees, such that the upright104and base102form an angle of less than 90 degrees-specifically 90-θ degrees.

The outer surface of the decking clip is coated in a coating material103. The coating material (in this case paint) is less stiff than the material from which the clip is constructed. It is elastically deformable, and resiliently compressible.

Turning toFIG.3, the clip100is shown in a first stage of installation. An extruded aluminium decking panel202is prismatic in shape. The cross-sectional profile of the panel202is shown partially inFIG.3. It will be noted that the decking panel202is generally symmetrical having a similar profile on the other side in the Y direction. Each panel has a flat, substantially planar deck204. The deck204has a plurality of longitudinally extending grooves206defined therein to enhance grip and drainage.

The panel profile defines a leg208extending downwardly from the deck204. Leg208is defined at the edge of the profile. The leg208at the free end (opposite the deck204) defines an inwardly projecting first foot portion216. The foot portion216is a flange extending from the free end of the leg. Extending outwardly from the leg208partway up, there is provided a flange220forming a shoulder at 90 degrees to the leg, which terminates in a downwardly depending toe portion224.

At the edge of the deck profile a downwardly depending end flange236is provided. The end flange236is aligned with (i.e. vertically above) the toe portion224. The end flange236is spaced apart from the leg208to define a pocket237.

The clip100is assembled with the panel202by hooking the curved portion128into the pocket237. The clip100is then rotated in a direction D until the first edge105abuts the outer side of the leg208, and the foot112abuts the top surface of the flange220forming a shoulder. It will be noted that the height of the clip V (FIG.1) is similar to the vertical distance A between the upper surface of the flange220and the upper inner surface of the pocket237. The coating of the clip100, needs to be elastically deformed in order to fit it into the deck profile.

The top of the clip100(i.e. the uppermost extend of the upright104) is positioned horizontally inboard of the first foot112. This means that the reaction forces F1(from the pocket, downwardly on the clip) and F2(from the foot upwardly on the clip) form a torque T in a direction configured to retain the clip100in the decking panel. This enables the clip100to be held in position as the panel202is put into place.

Referring toFIG.4, the next step of installation is shown in which a further decking panel202′, identical to the first is installed adjacent thereto. Whereas the right-hand side of the panel202is shown inFIGS.3and4, the mirror-image left-hand side of the panel202′ is shown inFIG.4. The panel202′ is moved towards the panel202such that the second edge106of the clip base102sits above the flange220′ of the panel202′, adjacent the leg208′. It will be noted that because the base102is at an angle of 90-θ degrees to the upright, which is held snugly in the pocket237, the base102sits above the flange220′, not in contact therewith. In other words there is a gap between the flange220′ and base102(or specifically the foot114). This is beneficial because it allows the decking panel202′ to be slid into position adjacent the decking panel202without the clips hitting the side of the panel202′.

Once the panel202′ is in position—i.e. once the base102abuts the leg208′, a fastener (in this case a screw300) is passed through the opening118of the clip100to be engaged with an underlying substrate302. As the fastener300is tightened, the base102of the clip100is drawn downwards, applying a torque T2, elastically deforming the clip100until the foot114abuts the flange220′. The raised portion116is also drawn downwards in bending as the fastener300is tightened.

It will be noted that the upright104is constructed with a lower thickness than the base102. This coupled with the fact that the upright104is curved in profile enables it to act as a spring to permit rotation of the base102relative thereto. By tightening the fastener, the clip100is “opened out”, increasing the angle between the base102and upright104to 90 degrees.

Once tightened, the fastener300is placed in tension due to the elastic deformation of the clip100. This mitigates loosening and vibration/rattling. Further, both panels202,202′ are clamped by the clip100thus reducing movement and therefore vibration/rattling.

It will be noted that multiple clips100are provided per panel202to secure it to the substrate302and adjacent panel202′. Further such panels may also be assembled in a similar manner to form a decking assembly.

VARIATIONS

The clip100may be constructed from other materials. It may be constructed from other metal materials, such as steel or plastics materials, although it will be noted that plastics may be less desirable in certain applications dues to their reduced fire resistance.

The clip may be manufactured in a number of ways, including extrusion and moulding.