Deck clip

Abstract

A deck clip comprises a generally vertically extending leg; and a pair of arms extending from an upper edge of the leg. Each arm is configured for insertion into a slot of a deck board and presents an enlarged lobe. When the deck clip is screwed to a deck joist, the lobes grip the deck boards and hold them tight against the joist. The shape of the lobes increases the gripping force between the lobes and the deck boards as adjacent boards are hammered or otherwise pushed together. The lobes facilitate the gripping of the boards and help maintain the desired gap between adjacent boards for the life of the deck.

1 . A deck clip for securing at least two boards to an underlying support, the deck clip comprising: 
 a generally vertically extending leg; and    a pair of arms extending from opposite ends of an upper edge of the leg and each configured for insertion into a slot of one of the boards, each arm presenting an enlarged lobe for gripping its respective board to resist movement of the board.    
   
   
       2 . The deck clip as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein each arm presents a curved outer edge for facilitating insertion of the arms into the slots of the boards.  
   
   
       3 . The deck clip as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the arms are angled slightly upwardly relative to the leg to facilitate gripping of the boards.  
   
   
       4 . The deck clip as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the arms includes teeth for more securely gripping the boards.  
   
   
       5 . The deck clip as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the leg and arms are integrally formed of marine grade aluminum or other metals.  
   
   
       6 . The deck clip as set forth in  claim 1 , further including a screw hole extending through the arms and the leg and a screw configured to be inserted in the screw hole and driven into the underlying support.  
   
   
       7 . A deck clip for securing at least two boards to an underlying support, the deck clip comprising: 
 a generally vertically extending leg; and    a pair of arms extending from opposite ends of an upper edge of the leg and each configured for insertion into a slot of one of the boards, each arm presenting a curved edge for facilitating insertion of the arms into the slots of the boards.    
   
   
       8 . The deck clip as set forth in  claim 7 , each arm presenting an enlarged lobe for gripping its respective board to resist movement of the board.  
   
   
       9 . The deck clip as set forth in  claim 8 , wherein the arms are angled slightly upwardly relative to the leg to facilitate gripping of the boards.  
   
   
       10 . The deck clip as set forth in  claim 8 , wherein at least one of the arms includes teeth for more securely gripping the boards.  
   
   
       11 . The deck clip as set forth in  claim 8 , wherein the leg and arms are integrally formed of marine grade aluminum.  
   
   
       12 . The deck clip as set forth in  claim 8 , further including a screw hole extending through the arms and the leg and a screw configured to be inserted in the screw hole and driven into the underlying support.  
   
   
       13 . A deck clip for securing at least two boards to an underlying support, the deck clip comprising: 
 a generally vertically extending leg; and    a pair of arms extending from opposite ends of an upper edge of the leg and each configured for insertion into a slot of one of the boards, wherein each of the arms is angled slightly upwardly relative to the leg to facilitate gripping of the boards.    
   
   
       14 . The deck clip as set forth in  claim 13 , each arm presenting a curved edge for facilitating insertion of the arms into the slots of the boards.  
   
   
       15 . The deck clip as set forth in  claim 13 , each arm presenting an enlarged lobe for gripping its respective board to resist movement of the board.  
   
   
       16 . The deck clip as set forth in  claim 13 , wherein at least one of the arms includes teeth for more securely gripping the boards.  
   
   
       17 . The deck clip as set forth in  claim 13 , wherein the leg and arms are integrally formed of marine grade aluminum or other metals.  
   
   
       18 . The deck clip as set forth in  claim 13 , further including a screw hole extending through the arms and the leg and a screw configured to be inserted in the screw hole and driven into the underlying support.  
   
   
       19 . Decking material comprising: 
 at least two boards, each board presenting an elongated slot;    at least one deck clip for securing the boards to an underlying support, the deck clip comprising: 
 a generally vertically extending leg;  
 a pair of arms extending from an upper edge of the leg and each configured for insertion into a slot of one of the boards;  
 a screw hole extending through the arms and the leg;  
 a screw configured to be inserted in the screw hole and driven into the underlying support;  
 wherein the leg is sized so it does not touch the underlying support when the screw is driven into the underlying support.  
   
   
   
       20 . The decking material as set forth in  claim 19 , wherein each arm of the deck clip presents an enlarged lobe for gripping the boards.  
   
   
       21 . A deck clip for securing at least two boards to an underlying support, the deck clip comprising: 
 a pair of arms configured for insertion into a slot of one of the boards, each arm presenting an enlarged lobe for gripping its respective board to resist movement of the board.