Building Means

Abstract

A fastener having an elongate base and a series of extensions proceeding outwards from the base at spaced intervals, each extension having a series of outwardly oriented claws formed by forcing the claws outwards from a main part of the extension to leave a corresponding space in the main part and then pressing or otherwise forcing the claws into a widened state so that they are too wide to return into spaces from which they came, the fastener formed so that when it is in use a wooden board can be arranged between two extensions such that edges of the board contact the two extensions so that a force applied to an outer face of the board will cause at least a substantial number of the claws to penetrate the edges to retain the board against the fastener.

1 . A fastener having an elongate base and a series of extensions proceeding outwards from the base at spaced intervals, each extension having a series of outwardly oriented claws formed by forcing the claws outwards from a main part of the extension to leave a corresponding space in the main part and then pressing or otherwise forcing the claws into a widened state so that they are too wide to return into spaces from which they came, the fastener formed so that when it is in use a wooden board can be arranged between two extensions such that edges of the board contact the two extensions so that a force applied to an outer face of the board will cause at least a substantial number of the claws to penetrate the edges to retain the board against the fastener. 
     
     
         2 . A fastener according to  claim 1 , wherein the base is generally in the form of a strip suitable for fastening to a supporting beam of a building or other construction. 
     
     
         3 . A fastener according to  claim 1 , wherein the base comprises an elongate support beam which is generally tunnel shaped in transverse cross section. 
     
     
         4 . A fastener according to  claim 3 , wherein the opposite sides of the tunnel shape are angled outwards. 
     
     
         5 . A fastener according to  claim 3 , wherein the tunnel shape has outwardly extending flanges suitable for receiving fixing members to secure the fastener to a supporting beam of a building or other construction. 
     
     
         6 . A fastener according to  claim 1  when secured to a support beam of a building construction, wherein the fastener has a plurality of boards between pairs of the extensions and such boards are secured to the fastener with the claws penetrating edges of the boards. 
     
     
         7 . A fastener according to  claim 6  wherein the support beam is a joist. 
     
     
         8 . A fastener according to  claim 6 , wherein the fastener is functioning as a supportive beam of the building construction.