Abstract: A board straightening tool comprising a handle non-rotatably attached to a cam rotatably attached to a locking dog provides force to straighten boards by grasping the joist supporting the tool and simultaneously wedging a shoulder of the cam against the board being fastened to the joist, and maintains a space between tool and board for edge-mount fasteners. Increased force against the board is provided by a fulcrum action of the cam to locking dog rotatable attachment and is maintained by locking the cam in place using a specially designed curved cam perimeter section that enables an installer to straighten a deck board while keeping his hands free. Locking dog locking fingers are constructed from a knurled metal for grasp power or of a smooth surface to reduce marring the joist. The tool also provides the force required to maintain consistently spaced gaps between the boards for a more desirable appearance.

Abstract: A board straightening tool comprising a handle non-rotatably attached to a cam rotatably attached to a locking dog provides force to straighten boards by grasping the joist supporting the tool and simultaneously wedging a shoulder of the cam against the board being fastened to the joist, and maintains a space between tool and board for edge-mount fasteners. Increased force against the board is provided by a fulcrum action of the cam to locking dog rotatable attachment and is maintained by locking the cam in place using a specially designed curved cam perimeter section that enables an installer to straighten a deck board while keeping his hands free. Locking dog locking fingers are constructed from a knurled metal for grasp power or of a smooth surface to reduce marring the joist. The tool also provides the force required to maintain consistently spaced gaps between the boards for a more desirable appearance.

Abstract: An anchoring device of highly resilient material of varying thicknesses, to accommodate the irregularly cut slots into which the anchors fit, is additionally embedded with one or more layers of high-strength material of solid or particulate form. The high-strength material, metal, for example, is notched to accommodate buckling, extension, and compression of planks secured by the anchor and has folds for increased strength. Multiple attachment apertures through the anchor allow use of a single anchor to secure two adjacent planks. The anchor is designed to keep planks separated from joists so that water can evaporate and not cause rot and to keep attached planks evenly spaced. The high-strength material is embedded into the anchor during the manufacturing molding process. Small openings within a layer of high-strength material provide for molten plastic of the molding process to reach all high-strength material surfaces creating a strong bond between plastic and high-strength material.

Abstract: An anchoring device is disclosed comprising a generally horizontal top element made of a resilient material embedded with a high-strength material and being of varying thicknesses throughout and having a generally downward extending element of a variety of shapes extending downwardly from the underside thereof. The high-strength material may be of any high-strength material, such as metal, rigid high-strength plastic, or fiberglass, for example and may be embedded as a solid or as particulate material. When used as a particulate, the high-strength material may be embedded in select areas as required to customize the anchor. Where desired, the generally downwardly extending element may also comprise a high-strength material of either solid or particulate form.