Connector clip for deck boards

Inventors: Jacob Hurst (Winchester, VA); Darren Garrison (Capon Bridge, WV)

Assignee: Trex Company, Inc.

B25B31/00 E04F21/22 E04F15/02183

View Patent ↗

Loading inventors, assignments & file history…

Monitor This Case

Get email alerts when status or documents change.

Order Certified Copies

Most orders are placed with the USPTO same day — all within 24 business hours.

Order via The Patent Place →

Pre-filled with this patent's details

Quick Facts

Patent No.: US 12686105
App. No.: 18/173,400
Granted: Jul 21, 2026
Kind: B2

External Links

USPTO Patent Center↗ Full Patent PDF↗

Abstract

In an exemplary embodiment, a fastener installation tool for installing hidden fasteners to a distal workpiece is provided. The fastener installation tool may include a housing containing an advancement mechanism for moving a plurality of hidden fasteners and a driving member that is engageable with a foremost fastener of the plurality of hidden fasteners to fasten the foremost hidden fastener to a structural member. The advancement mechanism may include at least a wheel, a carriage, and a linkage member. The linkage member may be connected to the driving member and the carriage such that when the driving member moves towards the foremost hidden fastener, the carriage rotates in a first direction, and when the driving member moves away from the foremost hidden fastener, the carriage rotates in a second direction, opposite the first direction, and further causes the wheel to rotate and move a subsequent hidden fastener into position for fastening.

Claims (35)

1 . A connector clip for attaching a decking member to a support member, the connector clip comprising:

a base portion having a first end, a second end, a longitudinal axis that extends from the first end to the second end, a first side surface, a second side surface, a bottom end, and a top end;

a head portion attached to the top end of the base portion, the head portion comprising a first flange protruding beyond the first side surface of the base portion, a second flange protruding beyond the second side surface of the base portion, and an opening that is configured to receive a fastener for attaching the connector clip to the support member;

a first shoulder portion extending from the first end of the base portion and a second shoulder portion extending from the second end of the base portion, the first and second shoulder portions extending in opposite directions away from the head portion; and

a first groove between the head portion and the first shoulder portion and a second groove between the head portion and the second shoulder portion, wherein the first and second grooves are formed into the base portion.

2 . The connector clip according to claim 1 wherein each of the first and second grooves extends from the first side surface of the base portion to the second side surface of the base portion.

3 . The connector clip according to claim 1 wherein the head portion has a first width measured in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis and each of the first and second shoulder portions has a second width measured in the direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, the first width being greater than the second width.

4 . The connector clip according to claim 1 wherein the first and second flanges of the head portion protrude further from the first and second side surfaces of the base portion than the first and second shoulder portions.

5 . The connector clip according to claim 1 wherein the head portion has a first width measured in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis and each of the first and second grooves has a groove width that is less than the first width.

6 . The connector clip according to claim 1 wherein the head portion has a square shape.

7 . The connector clip according to claim 1 wherein the head portion has a top surface that lies in a plane, and wherein the first and second shoulder portions each have a top surface that lies in the plane.

8 . The connector clip according to claim 1 wherein the head portion has a top surface and a bottom surface, the bottom surface of each of the first and second flanges of the head portion forming a downwardly facing shoulder that faces towards the bottom end of the base portion.

9 . The connector clip according to claim 1 further comprising:

the head portion comprising a top surface, a bottom surface, and an edge extending between the top and bottom surfaces, the edge comprising a first side edge and a second side edge opposite the first side edge;

the first groove is bounded by the first side edge of the head portion and a first end wall of the base portion; and

the second groove is bounded by the second side edge of the head portion and a second end wall of the base portion.

10 . The connector clip according to claim 1 further comprising:

the head portion having a top surface and a bottom surface; and

wherein a plane that is parallel to the longitudinal axis intersects the top and bottom surfaces of the head portion without intersecting either one of the first and second shoulder portions.

11 . The connector clip according to claim 1 further comprising:

each of the first and second grooves has a groove width measured in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis;

wherein the head portion has a head width measured in the direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis; and

wherein the head width is greater than the groove width.

12 . A connector clip for attaching a decking member to a support member, the connector clip comprising:

a base portion having a first end, a second end, a longitudinal axis that extends from the first end to the second end, a first side surface, a second side surface, a bottom end, and a top end, the base portion having a length measured in a direction of the longitudinal axis and a width measured in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, the length being greater than the width;

a first groove between the head portion and the first shoulder portion and a second groove between the head portion and the second shoulder portion;

wherein the head portion has a first maximum width measured in the direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis and each of the first and second shoulder portions has a second maximum width measured in the direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, the first maximum width being greater than the second maximum width.

13 . A connector clip for attaching a decking member to a support member, the connector clip comprising:

a base portion having a first end, a second end, a longitudinal axis that extends from the first end to the second end, a first side surface, a second side surface, a bottom end, a top end, the base portion having a length measured in a direction of the longitudinal axis and a width measured in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, the length being greater than the width;

a first groove between the head portion and the first shoulder portion and a second groove between the head portion and the second shoulder portion

wherein the head portion has a first width measured in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis and each of the first and second grooves has a groove width that is less than the first width.