Hidden deck fastener

Abstract

A hidden deck fastener or clip has a H-shaped body having a top portion having a thickness, a top surface and a bottom surface, and an integrally formed leg extending downwardly from the bottom surface, the leg defines channels in opposing sides thereof. A stepped fastener receiving opening is formed in the top portion and the leg. The opening has a first region formed into a part of the thickness of the top portion and a second region aligned and contiguous with the first region extending through the leg. The first region is a counterbore having a flat bottom. The fastener has a pull-out force resistance at least 50 percent greater than a comparable fastener having a countersink fastener receiving opening.

1 . A hidden deck fastener, comprising:
 a II-shaped body having a top portion having a thickness, a top surface and a bottom surface, an integrally formed leg extending transversely, downwardly from the bottom surface, the leg spaced inwardly from sides of the top portion, the leg defining channels formed in opposing sides thereof, a stepped fastener receiving opening formed in the top portion and the leg, the stepped fastener opening having a first region formed into a least a part of the thickness of the top portion and a second region aligned and contiguous with the first region extending through the leg, wherein the first region is a counterbore having straight sides terminating at a flat bottom surface at the second region, wherein the channels in the legs extend toward and are spaced from the fastener receiving opening second region, and wherein the fastener has a pull-out force resistance at least 50 percent greater than a comparable fastener having a countersink fastener receiving opening.   
     
     
         2 . The fastener of  claim 1 , further including ridges formed on the top surface and/or the bottom surface of the top portion. 
     
     
         3 . The fastener of  claim 2 , wherein the ridges are formed on the bottom surface of the top portion. 
     
     
         4 . The fastener of  claim 1 , wherein the fastener receiving opening first region has a diameter about 2 times a diameter of the second region. 
     
     
         5 . The fastener of  claim 1 , wherein the first region is formed in the top portion less than the thickness of the top portion. 
     
     
         6 . The fastener of  claim 1 , wherein the channels have enlarged regions inwardly of an end thereof. 
     
     
         7 . The fastener of  claim 1 , further including a threaded fastener having a shank and a head, wherein the head has a flat bottom surface to engage the flat bottom surface of the fastener receiving opening first region. 
     
     
         8 . In combination:
 a hidden deck fastener and a threaded fastener, the hidden deck fastener having a II-shaped body having a top portion having a thickness, a top surface and a bottom surface, an integrally formed leg extending transversely, downwardly from the bottom surface, the leg spaced inwardly from sides of the top portion, the leg defining channels formed in opposing sides thereof, a stepped fastener receiving opening formed in the top portion and the leg, the stepped fastener opening having a first region formed into a least a part of the thickness of the top portion and a second region aligned and contiguous with the first region extending through the leg, the first region being a counterbore having straight sides terminating at a flat bottom surface at the second region, wherein the channels in the legs extend toward and are spaced from the fastener receiving opening second region; and   the threaded fastener having a shank and a head, wherein the head has a flat bottom surface to engage the flat bottom surface of the fastener receiving opening first region,   wherein the fastener has a pull-out force resistance at least 50 percent greater than a comparable fastener having a countersink fastener receiving opening.   
     
     
         9 . The combination of  claim 8 , wherein the fastener receiving opening first region has a diameter about 2 times a diameter of the second region. 
     
     
         10 . The combination of  claim 8 , wherein the first region is formed in the top portion less than the thickness of the top portion. 
     
     
         11 . A decking and fastener system, comprising:
 a decking member having an upper surface, a lower surface, and a side wall extending between the upper and lower surfaces, the side wall having a groove formed therein,   a hidden deck fastener having a H-shaped body having a top portion having a thickness, a top surface and a bottom surface, an integrally formed leg extending transversely, downwardly from the bottom surface, the leg spaced inwardly from sides of the top portion defining wings in the top surface, the leg defining channels formed in opposing sides thereof, a stepped fastener receiving opening formed in the top portion and the leg, the stepped fastener opening having a first region formed into a least a part of the thickness of the top portion and a second region aligned and contiguous with the first region extending through the leg, the first region being a counterbore having straight sides terminating at a flat bottom surface at the second region, wherein the channels in the legs extend toward and are spaced from the fastener receiving opening second region,   wherein the hidden deck fastener is positioned adjacent the decking member with a wing positioned in the decking member groove, and   wherein a threaded fastener having a shank and a head having a flat bottom surface is driven into the hidden deck fastener such that the flat bottom surface of the head engages the flat bottom surface of the fastener receiving opening first region,   wherein the fastener has a pull-out force resistance at least 50 percent greater than a comparable fastener having a countersink fastener receiving opening.   
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the fastener receiving opening first region has a diameter about 2 times a diameter of the second region. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the first region is formed in the top portion less than the thickness of the top portion. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the hidden deck fastener further includes ridges formed on the upper and/or lower surface of the top portion. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein the ridges are formed on the lower surface.