Apparatus and method for rapid installation of hidden deck plank fasteners
View Patent ↗An apparatus for installing a hidden fastener in the course of attaching a plank to a joist includes a power tool with a retainer for holding the hidden fastener. The hidden fastener is placed on the retainer so that an attachment opening formed through the hidden fastener is in registration with a bore formed in the retainer for receiving a securing member. The power tool is used to position the hidden fastener in engagement with the plank, and to drive a securing member from the bore of the retainer through the attachment opening of the hidden fastener.
1. A retainer for installing a fastener in the course of attaching a plank to an underlying support, the retainer comprising:
a barrel defining a bore that extends through forward and rearward ends of the barrel for receiving a securing member; and
a head protruding from the forward end of the barrel, the head having a horn spaced forward from a shoulder, the horn and shoulder extending generally laterally from the barrel and defining a notch therebetween shaped and positioned such that positioning a wing of a fastener in the notch engages the fastener with the head in a position with an attachment opening of the fastener in registration with the bore and the horn defines a working face that cooperates with the notch to leverage the engaged fastener about a lateral axis.
2. The retainer according to claim 1 , further comprising:
a connector allowing the retainer to be releasably attached with a power tool.
3. The retainer according to claim 2 , wherein the connector includes a flange formed around the barrel and a pocket formed along a lateral side of the barrel adjacent to the flange.
4. The retainer according to claim 1 , wherein the barrel has a loading slot extending into the bore for loading a securing member into the bore.
5. The retainer according to claim 4 , further comprising:
a leg extending from the barrel adjacent to the loading slot for attaching a magazine containing securing members in alignment with the loading slot.
6. The retainer according to claim 1 , wherein the notch is disposed generally transverse to the bore, such that a fastener can be slid laterally onto the head.
7. The retainer according to claim 1 , wherein the head has a plurality of notches for holding any one of a variety of fasteners with an attachment opening in registration with the bore.
8. The retainer according to claim 1 , wherein the head has a detent passage extending generally transverse to the notch and opening onto the notch, and a detent assembly housed in the detent passage, the detent assembly including a ball, a retaining element, and a resilient element disposed to press the ball toward the notch and clip a wing of a fastener in the notch.
9. The retainer according to claim 1 , wherein the notch defines an inner datum surface disposed at a predetermined position relative to the bore to position a fastener installed on the head with an attachment opening of the fastener in registration with the bore.
10. A retainer for installing a fastener in the course of attaching a plank to an underlying support, the retainer comprising:
a barrel defining a bore that extends through forward and rearward ends of the barrel for receiving a securing member; and
a head protruding from the forward end of the barrel and defining an indented notch at a predetermined position relative to the bore; and
a detent passage in the head extending generally transverse to the notch and opening onto the notch, and a detent assembly housed in the detent passage, the detent assembly including a ball, a retaining element, and a resilient element disposed to press the ball toward the notch and clip a wing of a fastener in the notch; wherein
positioning a wing of a fastener in the notch places an attachment opening of the fastener in registration with the bore.
11. The retainer according to claim 10 , further comprising:
a connector allowing the retainer to be releasably attached with a power tool.
12. The retainer according to claim 11 , wherein the connector includes a flange formed around the barrel and a pocket formed along a lateral side of the barrel adjacent to the flange.
13. The retainer according to claim 10 , wherein the barrel has a loading slot extending into the bore for loading a securing member into the bore.
14. The retainer according to claim 13 , further comprising:
a leg extending from the barrel adjacent to the loading slot for attaching a magazine containing securing members in alignment with the loading slot.
15. The retainer according to claim 10 , wherein the notch is disposed generally transverse to the bore, such that a fastener can be slid laterally onto the head.
16. The retainer according to claim 10 , wherein the head has a plurality of notches for holding any one of a variety of fasteners with an attachment opening in registration with the bore.
17. The retainer according to claim 10 , wherein the head has a horn spaced forward from a shoulder, the horn and shoulder extending generally laterally from the barrel to define the notch therebetween.
18. The retainer according to claim 17 , wherein the notch is shaped and positioned such that positioning a wing of a fastener in the notch engages the fastener with the head in a position with an attachment opening of the fastener in registration with the bore and the horn defines a working face that cooperates with the notch to leverage the engaged fastener about a lateral axis.
19. A method for attaching a plank to a joist or other support comprising the steps of:
(a) providing a retainer for holding a fastener, comprising
i. a barrel defining a bore that extends through forward and rearward ends of the barrel for receiving a securing member;
ii. a head protruding from the forward end of the barrel, the head having a horn spaced forward from a shoulder, the horn and shoulder extending generally laterally from the barrel and defining a notch therebetween shaped and positioned for receiving a wing of a fastener;
(b) attaching the retainer to a power tool for driving a securing member;
(c) loading a fastener onto the retainer by inserting the fastener wing into the notch, thereby positioning the fastener against a working face of the horn with an attachment opening of the fastener in registration with the bore;
(d) positioning the power tool so that the fastener engages the plank, and the attachment opening overlies the joist;
(e) leveraging the fastener about a lateral axis against the plank by rotating the power tool about said axis; and
(f) actuating the power tool to drive a securing member through the attachment opening of the fastener and into the joist.