Deck spacer

Abstract

Disclosed herein is a spacing device utilized in the construction of decks and the like from composite building planks. The spacing device generally comprises a straight length of material possessing a T-shaped cross-section. The vertical element (or leg) of the “T” is used to establish the space between the polymer planks of a deck. The horizontal element prevents the spacer from falling through the space established by the T's leg. The spacing device is fabricated of a strong, lightweight material such as aluminum to provide the durability and portability required by the nature of its usage. The present invention's design is simple and straightforward, and can be economically manufactured and sold.

I claim:  
     
         1 . A spacing device comprising: 
 a length of substantially rigid material having a uniform cross-section comprised of a substantially rectangular horizontal member and a substantially rectangular vertical member intersecting one side of said horizontal member;    wherein said horizontal member and vertical member are joined at a right angle thereby giving said length of material a T-shaped cross-section for placement between two elongate articles in need of spacing.    
     
     
         2 . The spacing device according to  claim 1  wherein said vertical member possesses two substantially parallel faces suitable for inscribing indicia.  
     
     
         3 . The spacing device according to  claim 2  wherein said indicia comprise alphanumeric characters.  
     
     
         4 . The spacing device according to  claim 2  wherein said indicia comprise a ruler.  
     
     
         5 . The spacing device according to  claim 1  wherein said horizontal member possesses a top face having a 16″ length indicia inscribed thereon.  
     
     
         6 . The spacing device according to  claim 1  wherein a height of said vertical member is slightly more than the thickness of the planks with which the spacing device is to be used.  
     
     
         7 . The spacing device according to  claim 6 , wherein a height of said vertical member is 1½″.  
     
     
         8 . The spacing device according to  claim 6 , wherein a width of said horizontal member is equal to a thickness of said vertical member plus ½″ to prevent the spacing device from falling through joists.  
     
     
         9 . The spacing device according to  claim 6 , wherein said horizontal member and said vertical member are of uniform length.  
     
     
         10 . The spacing device according to  claim 9 , wherein said horizontal member and said vertical member are 20″ in length.