Abstract: A fastener is configured to affix a first article such as a picket to a second article such as a rail to form a railing or balustrade. The fastener includes a first engaging surface having a maximum diameter configured to engage an interior surface of an opening in the first article and a mating surface configured to mate with the second article. The first engaging surface can have shape selected from cylindrical, ellipsoidal, conical, elliptic conical frustum, pyramidal frustum, and ball and other shapes having cross-sections of rectangular, pentagonal, hexagonal, octagonal and other regular polygons having at least four sides such that good engagement is obtained and the fastener is hidden from view in the assembled railing.

Abstract: Fasteners, and related methods, for securing deck boards to a support joist are disclosed. In one embodiment, the fastener comprises a base portion and a cap portion on the base portion. In some embodiments, the base portion includes an opening formed therethrough for receiving a securing device, and legs extending from an upper surface of the base portion and between edges of adjacent deck boards to define a spacing between the adjacent deck boards. The cap portion can include an opening for receiving the securing device therethrough to secure the fastener to the support joist. In addition, the cap portion may include legs extending around the base portion and comprising teeth extending therefrom that bite into grooves formed in the edges of the adjacent deck boards when the securing device secures the fastener to the support joist, thereby securing the deck boards to the support joist.

Abstract: A fastener is configured to affix a first article such as a picket to a second article such as a rail to form a railing or balustrade. The fastener includes a first engaging surface having a maximum diameter configured to engage an interior surface of an opening in the first article and a mating surface configured to mate with the second article. The first engaging surface can have shape selected from cylindrical, ellipsoidal, conical, elliptic conical frustum, pyramidal frustum, and ball and other shapes having cross-sections of rectangular, pentagonal, hexagonal, octagonal and other regular polygons having at least four sides such that good engagement is obtained and the fastener is hidden from view in the assembled railing.

Abstract: Fasteners, and related methods, for securing deck boards to a support joist are disclosed. In one embodiment, the fastener comprises a base portion and a cap portion on the base portion. In some embodiments, the base portion includes an opening formed therethrough for receiving a securing device, and legs extending from an upper surface of the base portion and between edges of adjacent deck boards to define a spacing between the adjacent deck boards. The cap portion can include an opening for receiving the securing device therethrough to secure the fastener to the support joist. In addition, the cap portion may include legs extending around the base portion and comprising teeth extending therefrom that bite into grooves formed in the edges of the adjacent deck boards when the securing device secures the fastener to the support joist, thereby securing the deck boards to the support joist.

Abstract: A fastener is configured to affix a first article such as a picket to a second article such as a rail to form a railing or balustrade. The fastener includes a first engaging surface having a maximum diameter configured to engage an interior surface of an opening in the first article and a mating surface configured to mate with the second article. The first engaging surface can have shape selected from cylindrical, ellipsoidal, conical, elliptic conical frustum, pyramidal frustum, and ball and other shapes having cross-sections of rectangular, pentagonal, hexagonal, octagonal and other regular polygons having at least four sides such that good engagement is obtained and the fastener is hidden from view in the assembled railing.

Abstract: A fastener is configured to affix a first article such as a picket to a second article such as a rail to form a railing or balustrade. The fastener includes a first engaging surface having a maximum diameter configured to engage an interior surface of an opening in the first article and a mating surface configured to mate with the second article. The first engaging surface can have shape selected from cylindrical, ellipsoidal, conical, elliptic conical frustum, pyramidal frustum, and ball and other shapes having cross-sections of rectangular, pentagonal, hexagonal, octagonal and other regular polygons having at least four sides such that good engagement is obtained and the fastener is hidden from view in the assembled railing.

Abstract: A fastener is adapted to affix a first article such as a picket to a second article such as a rail to form a railing or balustrade. The fastener includes a first engaging surface having a maximum diameter adapted to engage an interior surface of an opening in the first article and a mating surface adapted to mate with the second article. The first engaging surface can have shape selected from cylindrical, ellipsoidal, conical, elliptic conical frustum, pyramidal frustum, and ball and other shapes having cross-sections of rectangular, pentagonal, hexagonal, octagonal and other regular polygons having at least four sides such that good engagement is obtained and the fastener is hidden from view in the assembled railing.