Deck spacer device and system

N/A.

The present invention relates generally to the field of spacers, and more particularly to methods and systems for deck spacers for use when constructing a deck.

Deck Spacers are often used when constructing a deck to ensure consistent and accurate gaps between adjacent deck planks.

Some deck spacers allow for different thicknesses with one tool, but in practice can be hard to use, as there is no easy means for distinguishing the correct width selection, which makes it difficult to look across a deck build and confirm that all the spacers are aligned using the same thickness.

As such, considering the foregoing, it may be appreciated that there continues to be a need for novel and improved devices and methods for deck spacers.

The foregoing needs are met, to a great extent, by the present invention, wherein in aspects of this invention, enhancements are provided to the existing model of deck spacers.

In an aspect, a deck spacer system can include:

In an aspect, each deck spacer device can include:

In a related aspect, the visual indicator can include a symbolic marking, which can be in part a numeric marking, to indicate a corresponding width of the front spacer portion.

In a related aspect, the visual indicator can include a color marking, such that each of the elongated rotatable members can be configured with a distinct and unique color.

There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, certain embodiments of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof herein may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are, of course, additional embodiments of the invention that will be described below and which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto.

In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of embodiments in addition to those described and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. In addition, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein, as well as the abstract, are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.

As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception upon which this disclosure is based may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

Before describing the invention in detail, it should be observed that the present invention resides primarily in a novel and non-obvious combination of elements and process steps. So as not to obscure the disclosure with details that will readily be apparent to those skilled in the art, certain conventional elements and steps have been presented with lesser detail, while the drawings and specification describe in greater detail other elements and steps pertinent to understanding the invention.

The following embodiments are not intended to define limits as to the structure or method of the invention, but only to provide exemplary constructions. The embodiments are permissive rather than mandatory and illustrative rather than exhaustive.

In the following, we describe the structure of an embodiment of a deck spacer systemwith reference to, in such manner that like reference numerals refer to like components throughout; a convention that we shall employ for the remainder of this specification.

In an embodiment, as shown in, a deck spacer systemcan include:

In a related embodiment,shows a deck in progresswherein a first plankis fully fastened, a second plankis partially fastened, and a third plankis unfastened. The third plankis already positioned with a uniform spacing relative to the second plank, using two deck space devices, and is ready for fastening.

In a related embodiment, as shown in, each deck spacer devicecan include:

In a related embodiment, the visual indicatorcan include a symbolic marking, which can be in part a numeric marking, wherein the symbolic marking is configured to indicate a corresponding widthof the front spacer portion, specified in for example inches or millimeters, wherein the symbolic marking can be printed, indented, molded, stamped, carved, and/or embossed.

In a related embodiment, the visual indicatorcan include a color marking, such that each of the elongated rotatable memberscan be configured with a distinct and unique color, such that each of the elongated rotatable members,,,is configured with a different color to aid in confirming the selected widthof the selected elongated rotatable memberwhen viewing the deck spacer deviceof the deck spacer systemfrom a distance.

In a related embodiment, the pluralityof elongated rotatable members,,,can include four elongated rotatable members,,,, wherein:

In an embodiment, as shown in, the device bodycan include:

In an embodiment, as shown in, the device bodycan further include:

In another related embodiment, as shown in, outer side surfaces of the right and left body sides,, can each be convex relative to a vertical center plane, such that a widthof the corresponding deck spacer device increases toward a bottom of the deck spacer device, to ensure stability of the deck spacer devicewhen the deck spacer deviceis positioned on the adjacent planks,.

In related embodiments, the elongated rotatable members,,,, the right and left body sides,, and the upper and lower bridges,can be made from a plastic material and can be injection molded orD-printed.

Here has thus been described a multitude of embodiments of the deck spacer systemand the deck spacer device, and methods related thereto, which can be employed in numerous modes of usage.

The many features and advantages of the invention are apparent from the detailed specification, and thus, it is intended by the appended claims to cover all such features and advantages of the invention, which fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.

Many such alternative configurations are readily apparent and should be considered fully included in this specification and the claims appended hereto. Accordingly, since numerous modifications and variations will readily occur to those skilled in the art, the invention is not limited to the exact construction and operation illustrated and described, and thus, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.