Deck mounting bracket

Abstract

The present invention is a mounting bracket for the construction of a deck. The mounting bracket has a separating flange, a joist-fastening portion, a support flange, and a plank-fastening flange. The separating flange and the plank-fastening flange are generally located in a first plane. The joist-fastening portion is generally located perpendicular to the first plane. The joist-fastening portion has a joist-fastening hole for securing the mounting bracket to a vertical joist. The support flange includes an access hole to provide access through the support flange to allow an installer to install a first fastener in the joist-fastening hole. The plank-fastening flange includes a plank-fastening hole for securing the mounting bracket to a horizontal plank.

We claim:  
     
         1 . A mounting bracket for securing a plank to a joist, said mounting bracket comprising: 
 a separating flange;    a joist-fastening portion connected to said separating flange, said joist-fastening portion having a hole therein for receiving a fastener for fastening said mounting bracket to the joist;    a support flange connected to said joist-fastening portion; and    a plank-fastening portion connected to said support flange.    
     
     
         2 . The mounting bracket of  claim 1 , wherein said plank-fastening portion has a hole therein for receiving a fastener for fastening said mounting bracket to the plank.  
     
     
         3 . The mounting bracket of  claim 1 , wherein said joist-fastening portion extends from said separating flange at an angle of approximately 90°.  
     
     
         4 . The mounting bracket of  claim 1 , wherein said support flange has a hole therein corresponding to said hole in said joist-fastening portion.  
     
     
         5 . The mounting bracket of  claim 4  wherein said hole in said support flange is aligned with said hole in said joist-fastening portion.  
     
     
         6 . The mounting bracket of  claim 1  wherein said separating flange and said plank-fastening portion are substantially co-planar.  
     
     
         7 . The mounting bracket of  claim 1  wherein said support flange extends from said joist-fastening portion at an angle of approximately 35 degrees.  
     
     
         8 . A mounting bracket assembly for mounting a plank to a joist, comprising: 
 a separating flange for placement between the plank and the joist; a joist-securing flange adjacent said separating flange, wherein said joist-securing flange is capable of being secured to the joist; a support flange adjacent said joist-securing flange; and, a plank-securing flange supported by said support flange, wherein said plank-securing flange is capable of being secured to the plank    
     
     
         9 . The assembly of  claim 8  further comprising a fastener for securing said joist-securing flange to said joist.  
     
     
         10 . The assembly of  claim 9  wherein said securing means is selected from the group consisting of a screw, a nail or a bolt.  
     
     
         11 . The assembly of  claim 8  further comprising a fastener for securing said plank-securing flange to said plank.  
     
     
         12 . The assembly of  claim 11  wherein said securing means is selected from the group consisting of a screw, a nail or a bolt.  
     
     
         13 . The assembly of  claim 8  further comprising a spacer portion between said plank-securing flange and said support flange.  
     
     
         14 . The assembly of  claim 13  wherein said spacer portion is curved.  
     
     
         15 . A method of securing a plank to a joist comprising the steps of: 
 providing a mounting bracket having a first portion, a second portion and a third portion, said second portion being positioned between said first and third portions;    placing said first portion of said mounting bracket between a top surface of the joist and a plank;    securing said second portion of said mounting bracket to a side surface of the joist; and,    securing said third portion of said mounting bracket to the plank.    
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15  wherein said second portion of said mounting bracket is secured to said side surface of said joist with a fastener.  
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 15  wherein said third portion of said mounting bracket is secured to said plank with a fastener.