Fastening system for decking boards

Abstract

A fastening system for decking boards ( 16 ) includes a series of supports ( 14 ) that define a central raised wall ( 24 ) and two planar portions ( 22 ) located either side of the wall. A stem ( 52 ) depending from a generally semi-circular washer ( 18 ) extends into a recess in the wall. Slots in the decking board run along both sides of the board. A first pair of supports is located on a bearer ( 12 ) and a first board is supported on the planar portions ( 22 ) of the supports, above the bearer. One half of the semi-circular top ( 50 ) of one washer is rotated to extend into the slot in the side of the decking board. A second board is located adjacent the first board on the support. A further support is slipped under the side of the second board. A washer in the further support is rotated and locked in place with a screw.

The claims defining the invention are as follows: 
     
         1 . A locking support for decking boards including a support element defining a wall portion and at least two generally planar support portions disposed on opposed sides of the wall portion for supporting the underside of a decking board, the wall portion defining a generally cylindrical or part cylindrical recess; and
 an anchoring element having a top portion and a depending stem, located in the recess, the stem being able to turn in the recess and having an aperture extending through the stem for receiving the shaft of a fastening means for fixing the anchoring element relative to the support element.   
     
     
         2 . A locking support for decking boards as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the top portion of the anchoring element is generally planar and generally semi-circular. 
     
     
         3 . A locking support for decking boards as claimed in  claim 1  wherein each planar support portion of the support element defines an aperture. 
     
     
         4 . A locking support for decking boards as claimed in  claim 3  wherein the aperture is generally D-shaped. 
     
     
         5 . A locking support for decking boards as claimed in  claim 2  wherein the generally semi-circular top portion defines a semi-circular perimeter edge which is knurled and defines a series of ribs. 
     
     
         6 . A locking support for decking boards as claimed in  claim 5  including an indicia located part way around the semi-circular perimeter edge of the washer. 
     
     
         7 . A locking support for decking boards as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the generally cylindrical or part cylindrical recess defines an upper portion having a larger internal diameter and a lower portion having a smaller internal diameter. 
     
     
         8 . A locking support for decking boards as claimed in  claim 7  wherein the stem of the washer is a close fit inside the upper portion of the generally cylindrical or part cylindrical recess. 
     
     
         9 . A locking support for decking boards as claimed in  claim 8  wherein the upper portion of the bore defines an inwardly directed protrusion and the stem of the washer defines a recess which can receive the protrusion when aligned with the same. 
     
     
         10 . A method of assembling a floor comprising decking boards defining slots extending along opposed side edges of the board, the floor being supported on bearers using the decking support as claimed in  claim 1 , comprising the steps of:—
 locating a first pair of supports on a bearer; 
 supporting a first board on the planar portions of the supports; 
 adjusting the washer so that part of the top portions of one washer extends into a slot in the side of the decking board and 
 fixing the washer using a removable fastener such as a screw extending through the stem into the support and into the bearer. 
 
     
     
         11 . A method as claimed in  claim 10  further including the step of;
 locating a second board adjacent the first board on the support 
 placing a further support under the second board and adjusting the washer in the further support and securing the same with removable fasteners such as a screw.