Hidden deck clip system

Abstract

A deck patio is described with hidden fasteners that can comprise a clip body defined by a web extending in length from a first end to a second end, wherein the web defines a web width, web top, and web bottom. There are two retaining lips extending outwardly from the web width at the web top between the ends, which in certain embodiments the web top. The retaining lips are configured to extend into deck plank side slots. The clip further comprises at least one plank spacer that is equal to or wider than the web width. The plank spacer located between the web top and the web bottom. Extending from the bottom part of the clip body is a runner slot plate, which is spaced apart from the web bottom via a connector peg. The runner plate is sized to slidingly engage with a deck joist runner channel in a joist runner.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A deck patio hidden fastener comprising:
 a clip body defined by a web extending in length from a first end to a second end, the web further defining a web width, web top, and web bottom;   two retaining lips extending outwardly from the web width at the web top between the ends, the retaining lips are configured to extend into deck plank side slots;   at least one plank spacer that is equal to or wider than the web width, the at least one plank spacer located between the web top and the web bottom; and   a runner slot plate spaced apart from the web bottom via a connector peg, the runner plate is sized to slidingly engage with a deck joist runner channel in a joist runner.   
     
     
         2 . The deck patio hidden fastener of  claim 1  wherein there are two plank spacers each extending outwardly from the web at the ends. 
     
     
         3 . The deck patio hidden fastener of  claim 1  wherein the runner slot plate is circular. 
     
     
         4 . The deck patio hidden fastener of  claim 1  wherein the joist runner extends lengthwise along a joist length over at least 75% of the joist length of a deck joist top of a joist. 
     
     
         5 . The deck patio hidden fastener of  claim 4  wherein the joist runner channel is defined by a cavity that extends essentially uniformly along a joist runner length that is partially exposed by a runner slot that is narrower than a runner channel width of the runner channel. 
     
     
         6 . The deck patio hidden fastener of  claim 4  further comprising runner side panels extending from joist runner sides of the joist runner, the runner side panels cover a joist top part on corresponding joist sides of a joist. 
     
     
         7 . The deck patio hidden fastener of  claim 1  wherein the two retaining lips define a flat surface at the web top. 
     
     
         8 . The deck patio hidden fastener of  claim 1  wherein the clip body comprises a screw receiving passageway configured to receive a screw, the screw receiving passageway extending concentrically through the web top, the connector peg and the runner slot plate. 
     
     
         9 . The deck patio hidden fastener of  claim 1  wherein the joist runner is configured to connect to a second joist runner by way of an abbreviated joist runner connector, the abbreviated joist runner connector establishes an uninterrupted channel that includes the joist runner channel. 
     
     
         10 . The deck patio hidden fastener of  claim 1  wherein the web width is the at least one plank spacer. 
     
     
         11 . A hidden fastener arrangement for a deck patio comprising:
 a clip defining a clip body, a runner slot plate and a connector peg clip, the clip body defined by a web extending in length from a first end to a second end, the web further defining a web width, web top, and web bottom;   two retaining lips extending outwardly from the web width at the web top, the retaining lips extend into deck plank side slots;   the runner slot plate spaced apart from the web bottom via the connector peg, the runner plate is slidingly engaged with a deck joist runner channel in a joist runner.   
     
     
         12 . The hidden fastener arrangement of  claim 11  further comprising a deck joist defined by a deck joist top and deck joist sides, the deck joist top and an upper portion of the deck joist sides essentially covered by the deck joist runner. 
     
     
         13 . The hidden fastener arrangement of  claim 12  wherein the deck joist runner comprises runner side panels that covers the upper portion of the deck joist sides. 
     
     
         14 . The hidden fastener arrangement of  claim 11  wherein the web width defines separation between a first deck plank and a second deck plank. 
     
     
         15 . The hidden fastener arrangement of  claim 11  wherein the clip is configured to slide along and rotate in the joist runner channel, the clip is constrained in a vertical direction by a runner slot in communication with the joist runner channel, the runner slot narrower than a runner slot plate diameter, the runner slot defined by a pair of runner slot overhangs that partially cover the joist runner channel. 
     
     
         16 . The hidden fastener arrangement of  claim 11  wherein the runner slot plate is circular. 
     
     
         17 . The hidden fastener arrangement of  claim 11  wherein the joist runner is comprised of a first joist runner segment connected to a second joist runner segment. 
     
     
         18 . The hidden fastener arrangement of  claim 11  wherein the joist runner is connected to a runner insert that forms an uninterrupted joist runner channel. 
     
     
         19 . A hidden fastener arrangement comprising:
 a hidden deck clip that mates with adjacent deck planks via retaining lips extending from the deck clip;   a runner slot plate that slidingly engages a joist runner via a joist runner channel, the deck planks rest atop the joist runner, the runner plate as part of the hidden deck clip;   the hidden deck clip is vertically captured by the joist runner,   the hidden deck clip is a component of a deck patio.   
     
     
         20 . The hidden fastener arrangement of  claim 19  wherein the adjacent deck planks are uniformly spaced apart via a spacer defined by a web width of the hidden deck clip.