FASTENER, INSTALLATION TOOL AND RELATED METHOD OF USE

• US 20120204409A1
• Filed: 04/20/2012
• Published: 08/16/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 01/13/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: National Nail Corp
• Original Assignee: National Nail Corp
• Inventors: Vandenberg, Roger A.
• Granted Patent: US 8,955,210 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 29/468
• CPC Class Codes: B25B 21/002 for special purposes
• CPC Class Codes: B25B 23/00 Details of, or accessories for, spanners, wrenches, screwdrivers bolt tensioners B25B29/02
• CPC Class Codes: B25B 23/005 Screw guiding means
• CPC Class Codes: F16B 25/0015 the material being a soft organic material, e.g. wood or plastic F16B25/0031 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F16B 25/0063 with a non-threaded portion on the shaft of the screw
• CPC Class Codes: F16B 25/0073 characterised by its pitch, e.g. a varying pitch
• CPC Class Codes: F16B 25/103 by means of a drilling screw-point, i.e. with a cutting and material removing action
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49881 of separate helix [e.g., screw thread]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49895 Associating parts by use of aligning means [e.g., use of a drift pin or a "fixture"]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49902 by manipulating aligning means
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49947 by applying separate fastener
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49963 Threaded fastener
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/53913 Aligner or center

Abstract

A fastener installation tool and related method are provided for installing fasteners in boards, where the boards are installed immediately adjacent one another, without a gap established therebetween. The tool can include an alignment projection that projects a preselected distance downwardly from a lower surface of the tool. The alignment projection can be disposed between opposing corners of first and second boards to install a fastener without establishing a gap between the boards. This construction can be suitable for installing boards constructed from materials that shrink over time, such as wet, treated lumber or other materials, and even non-shrinkable boards where tighter spacing is desired. A related method of installation is provided.

Claims

1. A method of installing a fastener comprising:

providing an installation tool including a handle, a frame, a guide defining an angled bore configured to accommodate and constrain a rotating fastener, and an alignment projection extending downwardly from the frame;

providing a first shrinkable board including a first side surface, a first upper surface and a first lower surface;

placing a second shrinkable board adjacent the first shrinkable board, the second shrinkable board including a second side surface, a third opposing side surface that is opposite the second side surface, a second upper surface and a second lower surface;

engaging the first side surface of the first board against the second side surface of the second board so that the first side surface and the second side surface contact one another with no gap established between the first side surface and the second side surface;

placing a first fastener in the angled bore;

positioning the frame adjacent the second upper surface, and the angled bore adjacent the third opposing side surface of the second shrinkable board;

advancing the first fastener at an angle through the second shrinkable board while maintaining the first side surface of the first board in contact with the second side surface of the second board;

positioning the alignment projection between a first corner of the first shrinkable board and a second corner of the second shrinkable board, but without establishing a gap between the respective first side surface and second side surface of the respective first and second shrinkable boards with the installation tool; and

advancing a second fastener through the second shrinkable board with the first and second side surfaces of the respective first and second boards remaining engaged in contact with one another during said advancing of the second fastener.

2. The method of claim 1 comprising rotating the tool about 180°

after said advancing the first fastener step but before said advancing the second fastener step.

3. The method of claim 1 comprising positioning the alignment projection adjacent the third opposing side surface of the second shrinkable board and pushing the second board toward the first shrinkable board to ensure contact between first side surface and second side surface of the respective first and second shrinkable boards.

4. The method of claim 1 comprising wedging the alignment projection between the first board and the second board adjacent the opposing first and second corners of the respective first board and second board, the wedging occurring without the alignment projection extending downwardly beside the second side surface of the second board.

5. The method of claim 4 wherein the alignment projection is wedged a preselected distance between the opposing first and second corners so that the frame is disposed at an angle from the second upper surface of the second board, and so that a portion of the frame adjacent the alignment projection is positioned a preselected distance above and out of contact with the second upper surface of the second board.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein the alignment projection includes an inner engagement surface and an outer engagement surface, wherein the outer engagement surface engages the first corner of the first board when the alignment projection is positioned between a first corner of the first shrinkable board and a second corner of the second shrinkable board, wherein the engagement of the outer engagement surface with the first corner establishes a distance below the second upper surface at which the second fastener is advanced into the second shrinkable board.

7. The method of claim 6,

wherein the inner engagement surface engages the second corner of the second board when the alignment projection is positioned between a first corner of the first shrinkable board and a second corner of the second shrinkable board,

wherein the inner engagement surface transitions to the outer engagement surface at a rounded terminal end.

8. The method of claim 6 wherein the inner engagement surface is disposed at an angle of from about 10°

to about 90°

relative to the outer engagement surface.

9. The method of claim 1 wherein the alignment projection extends downwardly adjacent the first and second corners without extending to the respective first side surface of the first board in contact with the second side surface of the second board during said advancing steps.

10. A method of installing a fastener comprising:

providing an installation tool including a handle joined with a frame having a frame bottom surface, a guide defining an angled bore, and an alignment projection extending downwardly away from the frame;

placing the installation tool atop a second board that is laying immediately adjacent and contacting a first board;

wedging the alignment projection between a first corner of the first board and a second corner of the second board without breaking contact between the second board and the first board, so that no gap is established between a first side surface of the first board and an adjacent second side surface of the second board;

advancing a first fastener through at least one of the second corner and the second side surface of the second board, with the second side surface maintained in contact with the first side surface immediately after installation of the first fastener.

12. The method of claim 10 wherein the alignment projection is generally in the shape of a triangle when viewed from a side view and includes a rounded terminal end that at least one of abuts and is adjacent the second corner of the second board during the wedging step.

13. The method of claim 10 comprising advancing a second fastener adjacent a third opposing side surface of the second board at a first angle that is different from a second angle at which the first fastener is advanced.

14. The method of claim 10 wherein the alignment projection wedges against at least one of the first and second corners so as to prevent the frame bottom surface from engaging a portion of an upper surface of the second board adjacent the alignment projection.

11. The method of 10 wherein the fastener is a screw, wherein the fastener is rotated during said advancing step, and wherein the first and second boards are shrinkable boards.

15. A fastener installation tool comprising:

a frame including a handle and a frame bottom surface;

a guide defining an angled bore having a longitudinal axis corresponding to a trajectory of a fastener rotated within the angled bore, the guide having a first opening into which the fastener is inserted into the angled bore and a second opening from which the fastener exits the angled bore;

an alignment projection extending downwardly from the bottom surface of the frame a preselected distance, the alignment projection including an inner engagement surface oppositely disposed from and at a preselected angle relative to an outer engagement surface, the inner and outer engagement surfaces being non-parallel with one another,

wherein the outer engagement surface is configured to wedge against a first board corner, above a first board side surface, so as to establish a preselected angle between the longitudinal axis of the bore and a second board side surface at which the fastener is advanced into the second board,

wherein the inner engagement surface is configured to engage a second board corner, above a second board side surface.

16. The fastener installation tool of claim 15 wherein the guide and alignment projection are formed as a first monolithic part, the first monolithic part selectively removable from the frame and interchangeable with a second monolithic part including another guide having a differently shaped alignment projection or spacer that extends a different distance from the frame bottom surface than the alignment projection of the first monolithic part.

17. The fastener installation tool of claim 15 wherein the guide defines a material ejection port between the first opening and the second opening, wherein the material ejection port is adjacent and above the outer engagement surface, and below the first opening.

18. The fastener installation tool of claim 15,

wherein the outer engagement surface is substantially planar, wherein the inner engagement surface is substantially planar,

wherein the outer engagement surface and inner engagement surface are non-parallel and offset at an angle relative to one another, and

wherein the inner engagement surface transitions to the outer engagement surface at a terminal end forming the lowest portion of the alignment projection.

19. The fastener installation tool of claim 16 wherein the alignment projection forms a generally triangular shape when viewed from the side, with the outer and inner engagement surfaces forming opposing legs of the generally triangular shape.

20. An installation tool for a fastener comprising:

a guide defining a bore configured to guide a rotating fastener;

an engagement head including a primary engagement surface and a secondary engagement surface that join at an intersection, where the bore opens at or adjacent the intersection,

wherein the engagement head defines a tongue recess adjacent the secondary engagement surface configured to surround a portion of a tongue of a tongue and groove board;

wherein the engagement head includes a foot configured to position the intersection.