Project Description:
Aligning an outdoor deck plank takes 3 people about 7 minutes. The process includes placing 12-to-16-foot planks on the joists, flattening the plank using a person’s bodyweight, manually aligning the plank with a chisel, and then securing the plank with screws. This process involves bending down and getting on the user’s hand and knees repeatedly to apply the forces required to manipulate the plank. The main stakeholder, Terry, an experienced carpenter with mobility limitations, needs a device that reduces the number of times he must get on his hands and knees per plank. This device reduces the plank securing process to 6 steps and requires the user to get on their hands and knees once per plank.
To align a deck plank using the device, the user first carries the device to the location on the deck. Then the closest joist is positioned in between the device’s clamping jaws. Using the user’s foot, the clamping jaws are actuated via a foot pedal positioned on the side of the device’s base away from the last installed plank. The user then slides the plank under the device's wedge to locate the plank in respect to the device’s linkage. The device’s lever is then pulled to flatten and align the plank to the joist. Using at least two of the devices, the user can utilize the designed laser level components to verify continuity along the plank. The laser level components communicate with one another via laser optic reflection and detection. The user then finally bends down to screw in the plank. Once the plank is screwed in, the user pulls the wedge off the plank and stands up. The handle on the top of the device is then pulled to release the clamp system to reposition the device along the joist in preparation for the next plank and repeating the process.
