Deck tool and method of installation

Abstract

The present invention is a tool to aid in the installation or construction of a deck by maintaining consistent spacing between deck boards. The present invention also encompasses a method of installing a deck using the novel tool.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A deck construction tool for spacing deck boards during installation of the deck boards, the tool comprising:
 a rectangular, rigid body comprising a top surface, a bottom surface, two longitudinal sides, and two shorter transverse sides;   at least two spacers located along the bottom surface and separated from each other by a span with a predetermined length, wherein the length of each span is at least as long as a deck board's width, whereby when the tool is placed on top of the deck boards during installation, the spacers are pressed between adjacent deck boards the spacers position the deck boards and create a space between the adjacent deck boards.   
     
     
         2 . The tool of  claim 1  also comprising at least one extension along at least one of the shorter transverse sides. 
     
     
         3 . The tool of  claim 2 , wherein the at least one extension is a stepped lip. 
     
     
         4 . The tool of  claim 3 , wherein the stepped lip creates space between the shorter transverse side and a deck surface to remove the tool. 
     
     
         5 . The tool of  claim 1 , wherein each spacer joins to the bottom surface at a junction. 
     
     
         6 . The tool of  claim 5 , wherein each junction is curved. 
     
     
         7 . The tool of  claim 5 , wherein each junction is at an approximate 90-degree angles between each corresponding spacer and the bottom surface. 
     
     
         8 . The tool of  claim 1 , also comprising a handle attached to the top surface. 
     
     
         9 . The tool of  claim 1 , wherein the body is solid. 
     
     
         10 . The tool of  claim 1 , also comprising at least one cutout in at least one of the spans. 
     
     
         11 . The tool of  claim 1 , wherein the spans are configured to be at least 5-inches wide apart from each other. 
     
     
         12 . The tool of  claim 1 , wherein the body is configured to withstand an application of pressure to force each spacer between adjacent deck boards. 
     
     
         13 . The tool of  claim 12 , wherein the spacers are comprised of a metal or a hard plastic. 
     
     
         14 . The tool of  claim 1 , wherein the body and the spacers are comprised of the same material. 
     
     
         15 . The tool of  claim 1 , wherein the body and the spacers are comprised of at least two different materials. 
     
     
         16 . A method of spacing and fastening deck boards on a deck frame, the method comprising:
 locating and fastening a first deck board on the deck frame;   placing at least two unsecured deck boards in sequential and proximate positions with respect to the first deck board;   placing, on top of the at least two unsecured deck boards, a deck construction tool having a rigid body comprising a top surface, a bottom surface, two longitudinal sides, and two shorter transverse sides, and further comprising at least three spacers located along the bottom surface;   pushing on the top surface of the deck tool and toward the first deck board to maneuver the spacers between the at least two unsecured deck boards and to force the at least two unsecured boards into proper alignment;   fastening the aligned unsecured deck boards to the deck frame;   removing the deck construction tool; and   repeating these steps as to additional unsecured deck boards until a deck surface is complete.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the pushing of the spacers between the unsecured deck boards is achieved by stepping on the top surface of the deck tool. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the step of placing of at least two unsecured deck boards comprises placing all of the unsecured deck boards for the deck surface and wherein the step of placing a deck construction tool on the unsecured deck boards comprises placing a sufficient number of deck tools to space all of the unsecured deck boards. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the deck construction tool also comprises at least one offset lip on at least one of the shorter transverse sides and wherein removing the deck construction tool comprises lifting the tool by the offset lip. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the deck construction tool also comprises a handle and wherein removing the deck construction tool comprises lifting the tool by the handle.