Support system

An exterior flooring support system, comprising:

• at least one support joist having a longitudinal recess, wherein the longitudinal recess has an upper portion and a lower portion, the lower portion having a width smaller than the upper portion, wherein the longitudinal recess has an opening, and wherein the opening is defined by an overhang of the longitudinal recess,
• a spacer for spacing flooring elements, wherein the spacer comprises:
• a central region on a central vertical axis of the spacer,
• at least two spacer arms extending radially outwardly from the central region,
• a retention portion coupled to the central region, wherein the retention portion has a longest lateral axis extending laterally at an angle of 45 degrees to the at least two spacer arms, and
• a protrusion extending axially from the retention portion, wherein the protrusion has a width that is less than a shortest lateral axis of the retention portion,
• wherein the spacer is insertable in the longitudinal recess of the support joist in an insertion position with the retention portion in the upper portion of the longitudinal recess and the protrusion in the lower portion of the longitudinal recess, wherein the spacer is rotatable in a first direction from the insertion position by an angle from 1 to of 45 degrees to a retaining position with the retention portion in the upper portion of the longitudinal recess and the protrusion in the lower portion of the longitudinal recess, wherein the retention portion extends beyond a width of the opening of the longitudinal recess in the retaining position to prevent removal of the spacer from the longitudinal recess;
• wherein the retention portion is configured to abut a wall of the longitudinal recess of the support joist in the retaining position to prevent further rotation of the spacer in the first direction.

A substructure for a paving or decking support system, comprising

• at least two upper support joists extending in a first direction, each of the at least two upper support joists comprise a longitudinal recess having an upper portion and a lower portion, the lower portion having a width smaller than the upper portion, wherein the longitudinal recess has an opening, and wherein the opening is defined by an overhang;
• at least two lower joists extending in a second direction;
• wherein the at least two lower joists are positioned below the at least two upper support joists;
• and
• a spacer comprising:
• a central region on a central vertical axis of the spacer;
• at least two spacer arms extending radially outwardly from the central region;
• a retention portion coupled to the central region, wherein the retention portion has a longest lateral axis extending laterally and wherein the longest lateral axis lies at an angle of 45 degrees to each of the at least two spacer arms;
• and
• a protrusion extending axially from the retention portion, wherein the protrusion has a width that is less than a shortest lateral axis of the retention portion;
• wherein the spacer is engaged with the longitudinal recess of the support joist in an insertion position with the retention portion in the upper portion of the longitudinal recess and the protrusion in the lower portion of the longitudinal recess, wherein the spacer is rotatable in a first direction from the insertion position by an angle from 1 to 45 degrees to a retaining position, wherein the retention portion extends beyond the width of the opening of the longitudinal recess in the retaining position with the retention portion in the upper portion of the longitudinal recess and the protrusion in the lower portion of the longitudinal recess to prevent removal of the spacer from the longitudinal recess.