FASTENER, INSTALLATION TOOL AND RELATED METHOD OF USE
First Claim
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.
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0 Petitions
Accused Products
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.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method of installing a fastener comprising:
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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. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A method of installing a fastener comprising:
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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. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14)
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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.
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15. A fastener installation tool comprising:
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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. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. An installation tool for a fastener comprising:
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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.
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Specification