Method of manufacturing a sacrificial limb for a deck plank
AssigneeTimberTech Limited
InventorsPhilip H. Stobart, Burch E. Zehner, A. Anthony Groh, William G. Taylor, Jeffrey R. Brandt
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method of manufacturing a sacrificial limb for a deck plank provides a deck plank that is comprised of a wood replacement material. The deck plank has a tongue that is adapted to fit with a groove of an adjacent deck plank. A channel is cut in the tongue of the deck plank. The channel is adapted to induce the tongue to fracture when expansion of the wood replacement material causes sufficient pressure between the tongue and the groove of the adjacent deck plank. As a result, expansion and contraction of the deck plank material preferably does not cause the deck to buckle.
Claims25
A method of manufacturing a sacrificial limb for a deck plank that is comprised of a wood replacement material, said method comprising:
- extruding said deck plank, said deck plank having a tongue that is adapted to fit with a groove of an adjacent deck plank;
- and
- cutting a channel in said tongue, said channel adapted to induce said tongue to fracture when expansion of said wood replacement material causes sufficient pressure between said tongue and said groove of said adjacent deck plank.
A method of manufacturing a sacrificial limb for a deck plank that is comprised of a wood replacement material, said method comprising:
- extruding said deck plank, said deck plank having a tongue that is adapted to fit with a groove of an adjacent deck plank, said tongue having a first limb and a second limb, said first limb and said second limb defining a recess;
- and
- cutting a channel in said tongue, said channel adapted to induce said tongue to fracture when expansion of said wood replacement material causes sufficient pressure between said tongue and said groove of said adjacent deck plank.
A method of manufacturing a sacrificial limb for a deck plank that is comprised of a wood replacement material, said method comprising:
- extruding said deck plank from a composition comprising a cellulosic filler and a plastic material, said deck plank having a tongue that is adapted to fit with a groove of an adjacent deck plank;
- and
- cutting a channel in said tongue, said channel adapted to induce said tongue to fracture when expansion of said wood replacement material causes sufficient pressure between said tongue and said groove of said adjacent deck plank.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.