Plank connectors

Abstract

Apparatuses and methods of operating the same are described. A plank connector that includes a body and a platform. The body may be on a first plane. The platform may be connected to the body. The platform may be on a second plane perpendicular to the first plane. The platform may include a first wing and a second wing. The first wing may extend outwardly along the second plane from the platform. The first wing may be shaped to be inserted into the groove of the first plank. The second wing may extend outwardly along the second plane from the platform. The second wing may be shaped to be inserted into the groove of the second plank.

1 . A device, comprising:
 a semi-rigid body on a first plane;   a first connector extending outwardly along the first plane from a first edge of the semi-rigid body, the first connector comprising a first arm at a first distal end, wherein the first arm is shaped to be inserted between a first plank and a second plank at a first location to space the first plank apart from the second plank by a defined distance;   a second connector extending outwardly along the first plane from a second edge of the semi-rigid body, the second connector comprising a second arm at a second distal end, wherein:
 the second arm is shaped to be inserted between the first plank and the second plank at a second location to space the first plank apart from the second plank by the defined distance, and 
 the second arm extends from a side of the semi-rigid body opposite the first arm; 
   a platform connected to a top of the semi-rigid body on a second plane perpendicular to the first plane, the platform comprising:
 a first wing shaped to be inserted into a groove of the first plank to secure the first plank to a sub-frame of a structure; and 
 a second wing shaped to be inserted into a groove of the second plank to secure the second plank to the sub-frame; and 
   an opening extending through a center of the platform and the semi-rigid body, the opening shaped to receive a fastener to connect the device the sub-frame.   
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the first connector and the second connector extend radially from a common juncture point of the semi-rigid body. 
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the first wing includes a top surface, a bottom surface, and an end surface; and   when the first wing is inserted in the groove of the first plank, the top surface of the first wing is in contact with a top surface of the groove of the first plank, the bottom surface of the first wing is in contact with a bottom surface of the first plank, and the end surface of the first wing is in contact with an inner surface of the first plank.   
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the second wing includes a top surface, a bottom surface, and an end surface; and   when the second wing is inserted in the groove of the second plank, the top surface of the second wing is in contact with a top surface of the groove of the second plank, the bottom surface of the second wing is in contact with a bottom surface of the second plank, and the end surface of the second wing is in contact with an inner surface of the second plank.   
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the device is reversible such that the first wing is insertable into the groove of the second plank and the second wing is insertable into the first plank. 
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the semi-rigid body and the platform form a cross-shaped spacer to connect the first plank and the second plank to the sub-frame. 
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 1 , where the first connector extends in a first direction beyond a width of the platform and the second connector extends in a second direction beyond the width of the platform. 
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the platform is a disk. 
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the platform is rectangular. 
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein a width of the platform is approximately 16 millimeters and a length of the platform is approximately 19 millimeters. 
     
     
         11 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein a thickness of the platform is approximately 3.1 millimeters. 
     
     
         12 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein:
 a width of the first arm is approximately 2.925 millimeters and a length of the first arm is approximately 5.95 millimeters, and   a width of the second arm is approximately 2.925 millimeters and a length of the second arm is approximately 5.95 millimeters.   
     
     
         13 . (canceled) 
     
     
         14 . (canceled) 
     
     
         15 . (canceled) 
     
     
         16 . (canceled) 
     
     
         17 . (canceled) 
     
     
         18 . (canceled) 
     
     
         19 . (canceled) 
     
     
         20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . A device, comprising:
 a semi-rigid body on a first plane;   a first connector extending outwardly along the first plane from a first edge of the semi-rigid body, the first connector comprising a first arm at a first distal end;   a second connector extending outwardly along the first plane from a second edge of the semi-rigid body, the second connector comprising a second arm at a second distal end;   a platform connected to a top of the semi-rigid body on a second plane perpendicular to the first plane, the platform comprising:
 a first wing shaped to be inserted into a groove of a first plank; and 
 a second wing shaped to be inserted into a groove of a second plank; and 
   an opening extending through a center of the platform and the semi-rigid body.   
     
     
         22 . The device of  claim 21 , wherein the first arm is shaped to be inserted between the first plank and the second plank at a first location to space the first plank apart from the second plank by a defined distance. 
     
     
         23 . The device of  claim 21 , wherein:
 the second arm is shaped to be inserted between the first plank and the second plank at a second location to space the first plank apart from the second plank by a defined distance; and   the second arm extends from a side of the semi-rigid body opposite the first arm.   
     
     
         24 . The device of  claim 21 , wherein:
 the first wing is configured to secure the first plank to a sub-frame of a structure; and   the second wing is configured to secure the second plank to the sub-frame.   
     
     
         25 . The device of  claim 21 , wherein the opening is configured to receive a fastener to connect the device a sub-frame of a structure. 
     
     
         26 . A device, comprising:
 a body on a first plane;   a first connector extending outwardly along the first plane from a first edge of the body;   a second connector extending outwardly along the first plane from a second edge of the body;   a platform connected to a top of the body on a second plane perpendicular to the first plane, the platform comprising a first wing and a second wing; and   an opening extending through a center of the platform and the body.   
     
     
         27 . The device of  claim 26 , wherein:
 the first connector comprises a first arm at a first distal end; and   the second connector comprising a second arm at a second distal end.   
     
     
         28 . The device of  claim 26 , wherein:
 the first wing is configured to be inserted into a groove of a first plank; and   the second wing is configured to be inserted into a groove of a second plank.