The present invention relates to a securing device for securing a decking plank to a support element, and in particular, though not limited to a securing device for securing a decking plank to a joist of decking of the type commonly used out of doors in gardens of domestic dwellings, restaurants, hotels and the like. The invention also relates to a decking assembly and to a method for securing a decking plank to a support element.

Such decking for use in gardens and the like is well known. Typically, the decking is formed by a framework which includes spaced apart joists, which in turn support decking planks. In general, the decking planks are slightly spaced apart to accommodate water run-off from the planks individually. The framework typically is supported on a suitable foundation structure, which may include masonry sub-walls, pillars and the like. A railing may or may not be provided around the decking. The decking may be of timber or plastics material. In general, when the decking is of timber, the framework, joists, decking planks and railings, if provided, are exclusively of timber. When the decking is of plastics material or plastics composite material, the framework, joists and other components may be of timber, plastics material or reinforced plastics material, depending on the structural loading thereof.

In general, in deckings of plastics material, the decking planks are extruded and are of hollow profile with upper and lower sidewardly extending lips which extend longitudinally along the decking plank on opposite sides thereof. Joists on which the decking planks are supported are also, in general, of a plastics material, and in general are of an extruded hollow profile. An elongated channel is typically formed in a top surface of the joists and extends longitudinally along the joist.

Securing devices in the form of securing clips are provided for securing the decking planks to the joists in order to avoid having to secure the decking planks to the joists directly by screws or other exposed fixing elements, which would look unsightly. Each securing clip typically comprises a base for locating in the channel of a corresponding joist. A central support or supports extends upwardly from the base and carries a top plate or plates which extend parallel to the base and define with the base respective engagement grooves on opposite sides of the central support for engaging corresponding ones of the lower lips of the adjacent decking planks. One or more screw accommodating openings for accommodating one or more screws extend through the top plate, the central support and the base for securing the securing clip to the corresponding joist with the base of the securing clip located in the channel of the joist.

As the decking planks are being sequentially laid, the securing clips are secured to the joists as each decking plank has been laid for securing the last laid decking plank to the joists. The next decking plank is then engaged in the corresponding engagement grooves of the just secured securing clips, and is angled downwardly onto the joists, and so on until the last of the decking planks have been secured to the joists.

The outermost edge of the first of the two outermost decking planks is the first of the decking planks to be laid and is initially secured to the joists, typically, by a plurality of J-shaped clips. The J-shaped clips are secured to the respective joists by screws, with the normally vertical leg of the J of each clip lying horizontally in the channel in the top surface of the corresponding joist, and the loop portion of the J extending upwardly and facing in a direction inwardly relative to the joists for engaging the adjacent lower lip of the first of the two outermost decking planks. The screws extend through screw accommodating openings formed in the normally vertical leg of the J-shaped clips for securing the normally vertical leg of the J-shaped clips to the joists. The J-shaped clips for securing the first to be laid of the two outermost decking planks are secured to the joists prior to laying of any of the decking planks. The first to be laid of the two outermost decking planks is then engaged in the J-shaped clips with the normally vertical leg of the J of the J-shaped clips lying horizontally in the channels of the corresponding joists beneath the first to be laid of the two outermost decking planks. Thereafter, the remaining decking planks are sequentially laid and are secured by the securing clips as described above. The lower outermost lip of the last of the two outermost decking planks to be laid is also secured to the joists by similar J-shaped clips. However, since the normally vertical leg of the J of the J-shaped clips must lie horizontally within the channels of the corresponding joists beneath the last to be laid of the two outermost decking planks, it is no longer possible to secure the J-shaped clips to the joists by one or more screws extending through the legs of the J of each J-shaped clip, since the respective legs of the J-shaped clips must lie beneath the last to be laid planks, and the last to be laid of the two outermost decking planks must be laid before the clips can be secured to the joists. Accordingly, in order to overcome this problem, the J-shaped clips when located on the joists with the loop portion of the J engaging the adjacent lower lip of the last to be laid of the decking planks are secured to the joists by screws which are driven through the exposed loop portion of the respective J-shaped clips. This is unsightly. Additionally, the J-shaped clips, in general, are of aluminium or other metal materials, and also tend to look unsightly, and in general, do not blend in with the decking planks.

There is therefore a need for a securing device for securing a decking plank to a support element which addresses this problem.

The present invention is directed towards providing a securing device for securing a decking plank to a support element, such as a joist or other such support which addresses the problems of known securing devices and securing clips. The invention is also directed towards providing a decking assembly, and to a method for securing a decking plank to a support element.

According to the invention there is provided a securing device for securing a decking plank to a support element, the securing device comprising a base for abutting and securing to the support element, the base defining at least one side edge, a shank extending from the base adjacent the side edge thereof and terminating in a first one of a pair of interengageable complementary formations for engaging a second one of the pair of interengageable complementary formations which is provided on the decking plank for securing the decking plank to the support element with the base of the securing device located beneath the decking plank, the first one of the interengageable complementary formations being resiliency connected to the base of the securing device by the shank for accommodating resilient movement of the first interengageable complementary formation to facilitate interengagement of the first and second interengageable complementary formations.

Preferably, the first interengageable complementary formation is spaced apart from the base and defines with the base and the shank an engagement groove for engaging the second interengageable complementary formation.

Advantageously, the first interengageable complementary formation defines a downwardly facing surface extending substantially parallel to and spaced apart from the base for defining with the base the engagement groove.

Ideally, the first interengageable complementary formation is provided with a lead-in for engaging the second interengageable complementary formation as the second interengageable complementary formation is being urged into engagement with the first interengageable complementary formation for resiliently moving the first interengageable complementary formation relative to the base to facilitate interengagement of the first and second interengageable complementary formations.

In one embodiment of the invention the first interengageable complementary formation comprises a projecting member projecting from the shank to define the engagement groove.

Preferably, the first interengageable complementary formation is adapted for engaging the second interengageable complementary formation with a snap-fit action.

Advantageously, the shank extends upwardly from the base.

In one embodiment of the invention an opening is provided through the base for accommodating a fixing element for securing the base to the support element. In another embodiment of the invention an upper abutment lip extends upwardly from the base adjacent the side edge thereof for abutting the second interengageable complementary formation. Preferably, the upper abutment lip extends from the base adjacent the shank. Advantageously, a pair of the upper abutment lips extend from the base on respective opposite sides of the shank.

In another embodiment of the invention a lower abutment lip extends downwardly from the base adjacent the side edge thereof for engaging the corresponding support element.

In a further embodiment of the invention a spacer member extends from the base for locating the securing device relative to the second interengageable complementary formation. Preferably, the spacer member is adapted to extend beneath the decking plank. Advantageously, the spacer member extends from a side edge of the base opposite to the side edge from which the shank extends. Advantageously, the spacer member is adapted to engage a securing clip securing the decking plank to the support element on a side of the decking plank opposite to a side thereof which is secured to the support element by the securing device. Ideally, the securing device is adapted for securing the last to be secured of the decking planks to be secured to the support element.

In one embodiment of the invention the second interengageable complementary formation is provided by a sidewardly extending lip extending from the decking plank. Preferably, the sidewardly extending lip which forms the second interengageable complementary formation extends longitudinally along the decking plank. Advantageously, the sidewardly extending lip extends from the decking plank adjacent an under surface thereof.

The invention also provides a decking assembly comprising at least two spaced apart elongated support elements and a plurality of elongated decking planks secured to the support elements and extending substantially transversely of the support elements, at least one of two outermost ones of the decking planks being secured to at least one of the support elements by one of the securing devices according to the invention.

Preferably, the second interengageable complementary formation comprises a sidewardly extending lip extending sidewardly from the said one of the outermost ones of the decking planks.

Advantageously, the sidewardly extending lip of the said one of the outermost decking planks is an elongated lip extending longitudinally along the said one of the two of the outermost ones of the decking plank.

Preferably, the said one of the two outermost ones of the decking planks is secured to each support element by a corresponding one of the securing devices. Advantageously, the last to be secured of the two outermost ones of the decking planks is secured to the support element by the securing means. Ideally, both of the two outermost ones of the decking planks to be secured to the support element are secured thereto by respective ones of the securing devices.

In one embodiment of the invention an elongated channel is provided extending longitudinally along a top surface of each support element for accommodating the base of a corresponding one of the securing devices, with an upper surface of the base substantially flush with the top surface of the support element.

In another embodiment of the invention each support element is provided by an elongated joist.

The invention also provides a decking assembly comprising at least two spaced apart elongated support elements and a plurality of elongated decking planks secured to the support elements and extending substantially transversely of the support elements, at least one of the two outermost ones of the decking planks being secured to at least one of the support elements by a securing device, the securing device comprising a base for abutting and securing to the support element, the base defining at least one side edge, a shank extending from the base adjacent the side edge thereof and terminating in a first one of a pair of interengageable complementary formations for engaging a second one of the pair of interengageable complementary formations which is provided on the said one of the two outermost ones of the decking planks for securing the said one of the two outermost ones of the decking planks to the support element with the base of the securing device located beneath the said one of the two outermost ones of the decking planks, the first one of the interengageable complementary formations being resiliently connected to the base of the securing device by the shank for accommodating resilient movement of the first interengageable complementary formation to facilitate interengagement of the first and second interengageable complementary formations.

Further the invention provides a method for securing a last one to be secured of two outermost ones of decking planks to a support element of a decking assembly, the method comprising providing a securing device having a base for securing to the support element, the base defining at least one side edge, a shank extending from the base adjacent the side edge thereof and terminating in a first one of a pair of interengageable complementary formations for engaging a second one of the pair of interengageable complementary formations which is provided on the last one to be secured of two outermost ones of the decking planks for securing the said last one to be secured of the two outermost ones of the decking planks to the support element with the base of the securing device located beneath the said last one to be secured of the two outermost ones of the decking planks, the first one of the interengageable complementary formations being resiliently connected to the base of the securing device by the shank for accommodating resilient movement of the first interengageable complementary formation to facilitate interengagement of the first and second interengageable complementary formations, the method further comprising securing the base of the securing device to the support element with the base of the securing device at a location which will be beneath the said last one to be secured of the two outermost ones of the decking planks when the said last one to be secured of the two outermost decking planks is secured to the support element, and with the first interengageable complementary formation located to engage the second interengageable complementary formation, and urging the said last one to be secured of the two outermost ones of the decking planks into engagement with the securing device so that the first interengageable complementary formation engages the second interengageable complementary formation for securely retaining the said last one of the two outermost ones of the decking planks on the support element.

The invention will be more clearly understood from the following description of a preferred embodiment thereof, which is given by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a decking assembly according to the invention,

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a detail of the decking assembly of Fig. 1 ,

Fig. 3 is another perspective view of the detail of Fig. 2 of the decking assembly of Fig. 1 ,

Fig. 4 is an end elevational view of the detail of Fig. 2 of the decking assembly of Fig. 1 ,

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of a further detail of the decking assembly of Fig. 1 ,

Fig. 6 is a top perspective view of a securing device according to the invention of the decking assembly of Fig. 1 ,

Fig. 7 is an enlarged top perspective view of a portion of the securing device of Fig. 6,

Fig. 8 is an enlarged underneath perspective view of a portion of the securing device of Fig. 6,

Fig. 9 is a top plan view of the securing device of Fig. 6,

Fig. 10 is a side elevational view of the securing device of Fig. 6, Fig. 11 is an end view of the securing device of Fig. 6 from one end,

Fig. 12 is an end view of the securing device of Fig. 6 from the other end to that of Fig. 11,

Fig. 13 is an end elevational view of a portion of the decking assembly in one stage being assembled,

Fig. 14 is a view similar to Fig. 13 of a portion of the decking assembly in another stage of being assembled, and

Fig. 15 is an end elevational view similar to Fig. 13 illustrating the portion of the decking assembly in a final stage of being assembled.

Referring to the drawings, there is illustrated a decking assembly according to the invention, indicated generally by the reference numeral 1. The decking assembly 1 comprises a framework 2 comprising a plurality of longitudinally extending elongated support elements, namely, joists 4. A plurality of decking planks 5 are secured to the joists 4 by a plurality of corresponding securing clips 6, and outer edges 8 of two of the outermost ones of the decking planks 5a and 5b are secured to the joists 4 by a plurality of securing devices 10 also according to the invention, which will be described in detail below. However, before describing the securing devices 10 in detail, the parts of the decking assembly 1 will first be described.

Although for convenience and ease of illustration the decking assembly 1 has been described as comprising only three decking planks, it will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art that the decking assembly 1 in practice will be provided by many more decking planks 5 than the three illustrated.

Each joist 4 of the decking assembly 1 is of extruded plastics material of hollow profile comprising a top web 12 defining a top surface 13 and a spaced apart bottom web 14 which are joined by spaced apart side webs 15. An elongated first channel 17 for accommodating the securing clips 6 and the securing devices 10 is formed in the top web 12 extending into the top surface 13 and extending longitudinally along the top web 12. A second channel 18 is formed in the first channel 17 in the top web 12 and also extends longitudinally along the joist 4 in the first channel 17. First and second channels 19 and 20, which are similar to the first and second channels 17 and 18, are formed in one of the side webs 15, for a purpose which does not relate directly to the invention, and will not be described further.

Each decking plank 5 is of extruded plastics material and is of hollow profile. An elongated upper sidewardly extending lip 22 and a spaced apart elongated lower sidewardly extending lip 23 extend sidewardly on respective opposite sides 24 of each decking plank 5, and extend the length of the decking plank 5. The upper sidewardly extending lip 22 lies flush with a top surface 25 of the decking plank 5, while the lower sidewardly extending lip 23 lies flush with a bottom surface 26 of the decking plank 5.

The securing clips 6 each comprise a base 28 which is engageable in the first channel 17 of the top web 12 of the corresponding joist 4 and a central support element 29 extending upwardly from the base 28 which supports a top plate 30 extending on opposite sides of the central support element 29 thereof parallel to the base 28 for defining with the base 28 opposite grooves 31 for engaging the lower lips 23 of adjacent ones of the decking planks 5. Two screw accommodating openings 32 are provided in the base 28 for securing the base 28 to the corresponding joist 4 with a screw (not shown) in an appropriate one of the openings 32, as will be described below. A screw accommodating opening 33 extends through the top plate 30, the central support element 29 and the base 28 for also accommodating a screw (not shown) for securing the securing clip 6 to the corresponding joist 4 in the first channel 17. The base 28 of each securing clip 6 is of thickness substantially similar to the depth of the first channel 17 of the joists 4 so that a surface 35 of the base 28 lies substantially flush with the top surface 13 of the top web 12 of the corresponding joist 4.

Turning now to the securing devices 10 for securing the outer edges 8 of the two outermost planks 5a and 5b to the joists 4, and referring in particular to Figs. 6 to 12, each securing device 10 comprises a base 38 of thickness substantially similar to the depth of the first channels 17 in the top web 12 of the joists 4 for engaging the first channel 17 in a corresponding one of the joists 4 with a top surface 39 of the base 38 substantially flush with the top surface 13 of the top web 12 of the corresponding joist 4. The base 38 defines a pair of opposite side edges 40 and 41 and a pair of opposite end edges 42 extending between the side edges 40 and 41. The width of the base 38 between the end edges 42 is substantially similar to the width of the first channels 17 in the joists 4 for snugly locating the bases 38 of the respective securing devices 10 in the first channels 17 of the corresponding joists 4.

A shank 44 extends upwardly from the base 38 adjacent the side edge 40 of each securing device 10, and terminates in a first one of a pair of interengageable complementary formations, which in this embodiment of the invention is provided by a projecting member 45 which defines with the base 38 an engagement groove 46 for engaging a second one of the pair of interengageable complementary formations, which in this embodiment of the invention is provided by the lower lip 23 of the adjacent outer edge 8 of the corresponding outermost decking plank 5a or 5b for in turn securing the outer edge 8 of the outermost decking plank 5a or 5b to the corresponding joist 4. A screw accommodating opening 50 extends through the base 38 of each securing device 10 for accommodating a fixing element, namely, a screw 51 for securing the securing device 10 in the first channel 17 adjacent the end of the corresponding joist 4.

While the securing devices 10 are provided for securing the outer edges 8 of the outermost decking planks 5a and 5b to the joists 4 with the bases 38 of the securing devices 10 and the screws 51 concealed beneath the decking planks 5a and 5b, the securing devices 10 are particularly suitable for securing the last of the decking planks to be secured to the joists 4, namely, the outermost decking plank 5b with the bases 38 and the screws 51 of the securing devices concealed beneath the outermost decking plank 5b. The shanks 44 of the securing devices 10 are resilient for facilitating engagement of the lower lip 23 of the outer edge 8 of the decking plank 5b by the projecting members 45. When the securing devices 10 are secured to the corresponding joists 4 after the last but one of the decking planks, namely, the decking plank 5c has been secured to the joists 4 with the securing clips 6, the lower lip 23 of the last to be secured decking plank 5b is engaged in the grooves 31 of the last to be secured securing clips 6, and is slightly angled upwardly relative to the joists 4. As the adjacent lower lip 23 of the outermost decking plank 5b is urged fully inwardly into the grooves 31 of the last to be secured of the securing clips 6, and the decking plank 5b is being urged downwardly towards the joists 4, the lower lip 23 of the outer edge 8 of the outermost decking plank 5b engages the projecting members 45 of the adjacent securing devices 10. Due to the resilience of the shanks 44, the action of the lower lip 23 of the decking plank 5b on the projecting members 45 of the adjacent securing devices 10 urges the projecting members 45 outwardly relative to the bases 38 and the decking plank 5b. This outward movement of the projecting members 45 permits the decking plank 5b to be urged downwardly to engage the joists 4, with the lower lip 23 of the outer edge 8 of the decking plank 5b engaged in the engagement grooves 46 of the securing devices 10 with a snap-fit action for retaining the decking plank 5b secured to the joists 4. The securing of the last to be secured decking plank 5b to the joists 4 by the securing devices 10 is described in more detail below.

A lower surface 48 defined by the projecting member 45 of each securing device 10 faces downwardly and extends substantially parallel to the top surface 39 of the base 38 for defining the engagement groove 46. An upper lead-in surface 49 of the projecting member 45 of each securing device 10 is inclined downwardly inwardly in a direction towards the base 38 to act as a lead-in for the lower lip 23 of the outer edge 8 of the last to be secured of the decking planks, namely, the decking plank 5b for facilitating urging the decking plank 5 downwardly onto the joists 4 to engage the engagement groove 46 with the snap-fit action.

A projecting portion on the underside of the base 38 of each securing device 10 forms a boss 53 for engaging the second channel 18 in the corresponding joist 4. The boss 53 supports the base 38 across the second channel 18 of the top web 12 of the corresponding joist 4 to avoid bowing of the base 38 of the securing device 10 resulting from tightening or over-tightening of the corresponding screw 51. A pair of upwardly extending abutment lips 55 extend upwardly from the base 38 adjacent the side edge 40 on opposite sides of the shank 44 of each securing device 10 for abutting the adjacent lower lip 23 of the corresponding decking plank 5 when the lower lip 23 is engaged in the engagement groove 46. A pair of downwardly extending abutment lips 56 extend downwardly from the base 38 adjacent the side edge 40 of each securing device 10 for abutting the end of the adjacent joist 4.

An elongated spacer member 58 extends from the base 38 adjacent the side edge 41 thereof of each securing device 10 for locating the securing device 10 in the corresponding first channel 17 relative to the securing clip 6 which secures the opposite side 24 of the decking plank 5. The spacer member 58 is of length such that when a distal end 60 of the spacer member 58 engages the base 28 of the corresponding securing clip 6, the securing clip 10 is appropriately located for engaging the corresponding lower lip 23 of the decking plank 5 with the snap-fit action when the lower lip 23 of the other side 24 of the decking plank 5 is engaged in the groove 31 of the corresponding securing clip 6. The spacer member 58, if desired, may be cut to an appropriate length in cases where either or both of the two outermost decking planks 5a and 5b have been cut to a size to be of narrower width to the width of the other decking planks.

In this embodiment of the invention each securing device 10 is of injection moulded plastics material, and may be of a nylon or other similar polyamide material. The shank 44 of each securing device 10 is dimensioned in relation to the material of the securing device 10 to provide the appropriate degree of resilience for facilitating snap-fit engagement of the lower lip 23 on the outer edge 8 of the last to be laid outermost decking plank 5, namely, the decking plank 5b, with the engagement groove 46 of the securing device 10. Each securing clip 6 is also of injection moulded plastics material.

In use, the framework 2 and the joists 4 of the decking assembly 1 are assembled and mounted on a suitable foundation, which may be provided by masonry sub-walls or masonry pillars, or indeed, stanchions of timber or steel. The securing devices 10 are secured by the screws 51 to the joists 4 in the first channels 17 thereof adjacent ends 62 so that the engagement grooves 46 formed between the base 38 and the projecting member 45 of the respective securing devices 10 are located for engaging the first to be laid of the two outermost decking planks, namely, the decking plank 5a. The decking plank 5a is then placed on the joists 4 extending transversely thereof, and the lower lip 23 of the decking plank 5a adjacent the securing devices 10 is engaged in the engagement grooves 46 of the securing devices 10.

The securing clips 6 are then secured in the first channels 17 of the joists 4, so that one of the grooves 31 of each securing clip 6 engages the other lower lip 23 of the outermost decking plank 5a. The securing clips 6 are located in the first channels 17 of the joists 4 and are urged along the first channels 17 until the adjacent lower lip 23 of the decking plank 5a is fully engaged in the adjacent grooves 31 of the securing clips 6. Each securing clip 6 is then secured by a screw (not shown) through the exposed one of the screw accommodating openings 32 in the base 28 of the securing clips 6. If desired, a second screw (not shown) through the screw accommodating opening 33 in each securing clip 6 may be provided for further securing the securing clip 6 in the first channel 17 of the joists 4.

The lower lip 23 of the next decking plank 5, which in this case, since only three decking planks are illustrated, is the decking plank 5c is then engaged in the others of the grooves 31 of the securing clips 6 which now secure the outermost decking plank 5a to the joists 4. The lower lip 23 of the other side 24 of the decking plank 5 is then secured by further securing clips 6 in a similar fashion as the securing clips 6 secure the outermost decking plank 5a, and so on if more than three decking planks are provided until the last but one, which in this case is the decking plank 5c of the decking planks 5 has been secured to the joists 4 by the securing clips 6.

The securing devices 10 are then secured in the first channels 11 of the joists 4 for securing the last to be laid of the decking planks, namely the outermost decking plank 5b to the joists 4. The securing devices 10 are secured in the first channels 17 with the bosses 53 engaged in the corresponding second channels 18, and with the spacer members 58 located in the first channels 17 of the corresponding joists 4. The securing devices 10 are urged along the first channels 17 until the distal ends 60 of the spacer members 58 abut the bases 28 of the adjacent securing clips 6 which secure the last to be laid of the decking planks, namely, the decking plank 5c. With the distal ends 60 of the spacer members 58 abutting the corresponding securing clips 6, the securing devices 10 are accurately located to engage the lower lip 23 at the outer edge 8 of the decking plank 5b with a snap-fit action. The securing devices 10 are secured to the joists 4 by the screws 51 through the screw accommodating openings 50 in the corresponding bases 38.

With the outermost decking plank 5b angled relative to the joists 4 and extending from the securing clips 6 as illustrated in Fig. 13, the adjacent lower lip 23 of the decking plank 5b is engaged in the adjacent grooves 31 of the securing clips 6, and urged fully into engagement with the adjacent grooves 31. As the lower lip 23 of the decking plank 5b is being urged into engagement with the grooves 31 of the securing clips 6, the decking plank 5b is urged downwardly, thus reducing the angle which the decking plank 5b makes with the joists 4 as illustrated in Fig. 14, until the lower lip 23 of the outer edge 8 of the decking plank 5b engages the upper lead-in surfaces 49 of the projecting members 45 of the securing devices 10. Further downward pressure on the decking plank 5b urges the decking plank 5b downwardly into full engagement with the joists 4. As the lower lip 23 of the decking plank 5b is passing the projecting members 45 of the securing devices 10, the action of the lower lip 23 on the upper lead-in surfaces 49 urges the projecting members 45 outwardly against the resilience of the corresponding shanks 44, until the lower lip 23 on the outer edge 8 of the decking plank 5b clears the projecting member 45. At which stage the projecting members 45 are resiliently urged by the shanks 44 inwardly so that the lower lip 23 of the outer edge 8 of the decking plank 5b is engaged in the engagement grooves 46 of the securing devices 10 with the snap-fit action.

Although not critical in this case, the distal ends 60 of the spacer members 58 of the securing devices 10 for securing the first to be laid of the outermost decking planks, namely, the outermost decking plank 5a, in general, are abutted by the bases 28 of the securing devices 6 when the securing devices 6 have been urged into full engagement with the lower lip 23 of the decking plank 5a, in other words, with the grooves 31 of the securing devices 6 fully engaged by the adjacent lower lip 23 of the decking plank 5a.

The advantages of the decking assembly according to the invention are many. In particular, the securing devices according to the invention permit the decking planks secured to the support elements with all fixing elements, such as screws and the like concealed. A particularly important advantage of the securing device according to the invention is that it permits the last of the decking planks to be secured to the support elements to be secured thereto with the fixing elements concealed beneath the decking plank. While the securing device according to the invention is also suitable for securing the first of the decking planks to be secured to the support elements, its major advantage is gained when it is used for securing the last of the decking planks to be secured to the support elements.

While the securing devices 10 have been described for use with a decking assembly of plastics material, it is envisaged that the securing devices 10 according to the invention may be provided for securing decking planks to joists of a decking assembly of any other material or materials, for example, timber, metal or a mix of timber, metal and/or plastics material. It will also of course be appreciated that the joists and decking planks may be of any other suitable shape or construction.

Additionally, where the securing devices 10 according to the invention are to be provided for use with joists of timber, metal or other such materials, where the joists are not provided with first or second channels, the securing devices 10 would be provided without the bosses 53 on the underside of the base 25 thereof. Additionally, the securing devices 10 in such cases would be placed surface mounted on the joists, as would the securing clips 6, and the decking planks would then be slightly spaced apart above the joists by the thickness of the base 38 of the securing devices 10 and the base 28 of the securing clips 6, both of which would be substantially similar thickness.

While the securing devices 10 have been described as being of plastics material and have also been described as being injection moulded, the securing devices 10 according to the invention may be produced by any other forming process besides injection moulding, and also may be produced of any other suitable material, for example, spring steel or the like.