Inter-connectable, modular, deck member
AssigneeNorth American Pipe Corporation
InventorsS. Clayton Snear, Larry G. Keller
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A modular construction member for the construction of decking, flooring, roofing, and the like, including a matable connector formed integrally with the construction member for connecting successive deck members to form a deck assembly. The modular construction member includes a gutter portion and a groove portion, which may be inter-connected to provide a substantially water-proof structure. A separate fastener may be passed through the gutter portion, the groove portion, and into a subfloor to further secure the structure and to withstand upward forces from, for example, wave action in a marine environment.
Claims14
A deck assembly adapted to be attached to a subfloor, comprising:
- (a) a plurality of successive deck members including at least one first deck member and at least one second deck member,
- (b) the at least one first deck member secured to a successive at least one second deck member by a mating means,
- (c) the mating means including:
- (i) a gutter, formed integrally with the at least one second deck member and shaped to receive a foot member of the at least one first deck member;
- (ii) the foot member being formed integrally with the at least one first deck member and disposed within the gutter of the at least one second deck member;
- and
- (iii) a fastener, disposed through the foot member and the gutter floor, within the gutter, and extending into the subfloor,
- thereby securing the successive deck members to one another and the subfloor and providing a substantially water-proof connection between successive deck members.
A deck assembly adapted to be attached to a subfloor, comprising:
- at least one first deck member, each at least one first deck member having a length, first and second side portions, a body portion, a deck surface portion, a base, and a female connecting portion formed integrally with, and proximate to, the second side portion, the female connecting portion being disposed between the deck surface portion and the base of the at least one first deck member;
- at least one second deck member, each at least one second deck member having a length, first and second side portions, a body portion, a deck surface portion, a base, and a male connecting portion formed integrally with, and proximate to, the first side portion, the male connecting portion being disposed between the deck surface portion and the base of the at least one second deck member;
- initially loosely engageable mating means for connecting the male connecting portion of the at least one first deck member to the female connecting portion of the second deck member;
- and
- a fastener, disposed through the foot member and the gutter floor, within the gutter, and extending into the subfloor,
- whereby the at least one first and second deck members are initially laterally movable relative to one another such that the width of the modular deck structure is adjustable upon lateral movement of at least one panel member.
An integrally formed deck member, having first and second side edges each edge having a length, for a modular deck assembly, comprising:
- a body portion, including:
- a base;
- a deck surface portion;
- and a strut portion, which includes a gutter strut, a groove strut, and at least one intermediate supporting strut, to support the deck surface portion;
- a first connector portion, including a gutter portion disposed along substantially the entire length of the first side edge and having a gutter extending beyond the gutter strut;
- a second connector portion, comprising a groove portion disposed along substantially the entire length of the second side edge and having a groove extending beyond the groove strut;
- and
- a fastener, disposed through the first and second connector portions, and extending into the subfloor.
A method of constructing a deck, comprising the steps of:
- providing a subfloor;
- providing at least one first deck member proximate the subloor, the at least one first deck member having a groove portion formed integrally therewith, the groove portion including a leg arm, a leg, a foot member, a groove strut, and a groove defined by the leg groove strut, the leg arm, and the leg;
- providing at least one second deck member proximate the subfloor, the at least one second deck member having a gutter portion formed integrally therewith, the gutter portion including a gutter strut, a finger arm, a finger, and a gutter defined by the gutter strut, the finger arm, and the finger;
- placing the foot member of the at least one first deck member within the gutter of the at least one second deck member, whereby the finger of the gutter portion extends into and is disposed within the groove of the groove portion;
- providing at least one fastener;
- and
- disposing the at least one fastener through the foot member of the first deck member, through the gutter of the second deck member, and into the subfloor.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.