connector

Abstract

A deck containing joists and decking planks can be assembled quickly and easily without requiring any fasteners and using a “snap lock” type arrangement by providing a connector on top of the joist which contains a number of clips that can be bent out of the plane of the top wall of the connector and which can engage with the decking planks.

1 . A connector to allow a plurality of first members to be attached to a second member, the connector comprising an elongate member adapted for attachment to the second member, the elongate member being provided with a plurality of clips which are immovable fixed to the elongate member, to facilitate attachment of the plurality of first members to the second member. 
   
   
       2 . The connector as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the elongate member comprises a top wall and at least one side wall. 
   
   
       3 . The connector as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein fasteners are used in the at least one side wall to connect the elongate member to the second member. 
   
   
       4 . The connector as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the clips are provided with extending barbs to engage with the first members, the barbs extending outwardly from each side wall of the clips. 
   
   
       5 . The connector as claimed in  claim 4 , wherein the barbs are adapted to pass into a recess on a side wall of the first members or the barbs are adapted to bite into the side wall of the first members. 
   
   
       6 . The connector as claimed in  claim 4 , wherein the barbs are shaped in the form of a nose having a downwardly extending surface and a lower abrupt edge to facilitate the first member pushing past the barb but making it difficult for the first member to be lifted off the connector, as the barb will bite more strongly into the side wall of the first member. 
   
   
       7 . The connector as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the elongate member has a top wall, the clips adapted to extend upwardly or outwardly from the top wall, and an adhesive locator being provided between adjacent pairs of clips to identify correct placement of adhesive. 
   
   
       8 . The connector as claimed in  claim 7 , wherein the adhesive locator comprises dimples that extend upwardly from the top wall of the elongate member. 
   
   
       9 . The connector as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the connector is in the form of a strip which is sufficiently flexible to enable it to be coiled, the clips initially being substantially coplanar and able to be bent out into the upright configuration prior to use. 
   
   
       10 . An assembly comprising a plurality of spaced apart second members, a connector attached to each, or a majority of the second members, the connector comprising an elongate member adapted for attachment to the second member, the elongate member being provided with a plurality of clips, to facilitate attachment of the plurality of first members to the second member, and a plurality of first members being attached to the connector by the clips at least, and in most cases also using an adhesive. 
   
   
       11 . The assembly of  claim 10 , wherein the assembly is substantially horizontal and further includes a waterproof membrane extending over and between the spaced apart second members and underneath each connector. 
   
   
       12 . The assembly of  claim 10  wherein the assembly is substantially vertical, and may comprise a wall or fence. 
   
   
       13 . A connector to allow a plurality of first members to be attached to a second member, the connector comprising a plurality of clips which are attached to the second member and which facilitate attachment of the plurality of first members to the second member. 
   
   
       14 . The connector as claimed in  claim 13  wherein the second member comprises a purlin such as a C-purlin. 
   
   
       15 . A connector to allow a plurality first members to be attached to a second member, the connector comprising an elongate member adapted for attachment to the second member, the elongate member being provided with a plurality of clips to facilitate attachment of the plurality of first members to the second member, each clip, or a majority of clips, having a free end which is bent relative to the remainder of the clip and which is adapted to pass into a groove in the side wall of the first members to facilitate attachment of the first members to the second member.