Abstract: Deck planks with undercut side grooves can be attached to underlying joists by hidden fasteners with leading wings and trailing feet engaged into the side grooves of the deck planks. The bodies of the hidden fasteners space the deck planks so as to provide adequate drainage gaps between the top faces of the deck planks. A power driver tool can be used for rapidly positioning the hidden fasteners and for attaching the hidden fasteners to the joists.

Abstract: A hidden-type fastener for attaching laterally adjacent grooved decking members to an underlying support includes a body with a fastener opening, first and second connection wings, and a flange. The wings extend out from a top edge of the body in opposite directions. Each includes a first portion perpendicular to the body and a second portion oriented at an angle thereto. The flange is perpendicular to the body, and is attached to a bottom edge thereof. In use, the wing opposite the flange is placed in the groove of a first decking member. A connector is secured into the support through the opening, causing the fastener and wing to flex into engagement with the decking member. A second decking member is placed laterally against the first by maneuvering its side groove over the other wing, causing the wing to flex for engagement therewith.

Abstract: A deck plank fastener for securing the deck planks to the underlying joists of a decking structure. The fastener includes a flat body, a top surface, a first end including a first hole, a second end including a second hole, and two upward tabs. One such fastener is attached to an edge of the bottom surface of the plank by inserting an anchoring element through the first hole and to an upper surface of a joist by inserting an anchoring element through the second hole. A second such fastener is attached to the opposing edge of the bottom surface of the plank by inserting an anchoring element through the first hole and is projected under an adjacent plank in the area of the second end. The two upward tabs ensure uniform spacing and parallelism between adjacent planks.

Abstract: An apparatus for installing a hidden fastener in the course of attaching a plank to a joist includes a power tool with a retainer for holding the hidden fastener. The hidden fastener is placed on the retainer so that an attachment opening formed through the hidden fastener is in registration with a bore formed in the retainer for receiving a securing member. The power tool is used to position the hidden fastener in engagement with the plank, and to drive a securing member from the bore of the retainer through the attachment opening of the hidden fastener.

Abstract: According to the present invention, a fastener for securing a first board to an underlying supporting member and to at least one other board running adjacent and parallel to the first board. The fastener includes a body portion, first and second prongs, and a flange. The first prong extends outwardly from the body portion for driving into a first board. The second prong extends outwardly from the body portion for penetrating a second board. The body portion of the fastener includes an opening for receiving a connector. When installed, the connector passes through the opening in the body portion and into the supporting member, which supports and underlies the first and second boards. The flange extends outwardly from the body portion in order to maintain a desired gap between the first and second boards. The prongs may have concave insertion ends as defined by two spaced-apart insertion points.

Abstract: According to the present invention, a fastener for securing a first board to an underlying supporting member and to at least one other board running adjacent and parallel to the first board. The fastener includes a body portion, first and second prongs, and a flange. The first prong extends outwardly from the body portion for driving into a first board. The second prong extends outwardly from the body portion for penetrating a second board. The body portion of the fastener includes an opening for receiving a connector. When installed, the connector passes through the opening in the body portion and into the supporting member, which supports and underlies the first and second boards. The flange extends outwardly from the body portion in order to maintain a desired gap between the first and second boards. The prongs may have concave insertion ends as defined by two spaced-apart insertion points.