A deck fastening system

Abstract

A fastener and fastening system for fastening decking boards to a substantially horizontal surface such as joists of a deck frame or a concrete pad. The fastener has a base member with a plurality of receiving portions extending upwards that receive decking boards therebetween. A locking member is provided to be received by the receiving portions which, when inserted, pries engagement portions of the receiving portion into a longitudinal groove of the decking boards to retain the decking boards in place.

1 . A fastener for fastening decking boards to a substantially horizontal surface, the fastener comprising:
 a base member that is adapted to be attached along the substantially horizontal surface, the base member having a receiving portion extending substantially perpendicularly to a longitudinal axis of the base member; and   a locking member having a locking portion that is receivable by an opening in the receiving portion of the base member,   wherein the receiving portion of the base member is adapted to engage with a receiving portion of the decking boards.   
     
     
         2 . The fastener of  claim 1 , wherein the base member has a plurality of receiving portions that each have an associated locking member. 
     
     
         3 . The fastener of  claim 2 , wherein the receiving portions are spaced apart the same distance as a width of decking boards and are arranged to receive decking boards between them. 
     
     
         4 . The fastener of  claim 1 , wherein the receiving portion has a gripping portion for securing the received portion of the locking member therein. 
     
     
         5 . The fastener of  claim 4 , wherein the locking member has a corresponding gripping portion. 
     
     
         6 . The fastener of  claim 5 , wherein the gripping portions are in the form of corresponding sawtooth portions. 
     
     
         7 . The fastener of  claim 1 , wherein the receiving portion of the base member includes engagement portions that are adapted to engage with the receiving portion of the decking boards. 
     
     
         8 . The fastener of  claim 7 , wherein the shape of the engagement portions substantially corresponds to the shape of the receiving portion of the decking boards. 
     
     
         9 . The fastener of  claim 7 , wherein the engagement portions are wedge-shaped. 
     
     
         10 . The fastener of  claim 7 , wherein the engagement portions are separated by the opening. 
     
     
         11 . The fastener of  claim 7 , wherein the engagement portions pivot about a lower portion of the opening. 
     
     
         12 . The fastener of  claim 7 , wherein when the locking member is received into the opening of the receiving portion, the engagement portions pivot about the lower portion of the opening into rigid engagement with the receiving portion of the decking boards. 
     
     
         13 . The fastener of  claim 1 , wherein the base member has longitudinal wings. 
     
     
         14 . The fastener of  claim 13 , wherein the wings are disposed at an angle to the base member. 
     
     
         15 . The fastener of  claim 13 , wherein the wings are removable from the base member and/or flexible relative to the base member. 
     
     
         16 . The fastener of  claim 1 , wherein the base member has recessed and/or weakened portions to receive a fastening member. 
     
     
         17 . The fastener of  claim 16 , wherein the recessed and/or weakened portions are located between adjacent receiving portions of the base member. 
     
     
         18 . A deck fastening system comprising:
 a fastener as claimed in any one of the preceding claims;   parallel decking boards with a receiving portion that includes a longitudinal groove; and   a substantially horizontal surface; wherein   the base member of the fastener is affixed to the substantially horizontal surface; the parallel decking boards are located between adjacent receiving portions of the base member; and   the locking member is engaged with the receiving portion of the base member such that at least a portion of the receiving portion of the base member is received by the longitudinal groove of adjacent decking boards.   
     
     
         19 . The deck fastening system of  claim 16 , comprising a plurality of fasteners, each base member having a tongue portion and a seat portion featuring a recessed portion such that tongue and seat portions of adjacent base members overlap. 
     
     
         20 . The deck fastening system of  claim 16 , wherein the base member is affixed to the substantially horizontal surface by a fastening member that penetrates the base member. 
     
     
         21 . The deck fastening system of  claim 18 , wherein the fastening member is located underneath a decking board. 
     
     
         22 . A method of building at least a portion of a deck over a substantially horizontal surface, the method comprising the steps of:
 placing a base member over at least a portion of the horizontal surface;   affixing the base member to the horizontal surface;   locating a first decking board adjacent a first side of a receiving portion of the base member;   locating a second decking board adjacent a second side of the receiving portion of the base member; and   inserting a locking member into a receiving portion of the base.