Static structures (e.g. – buildings) – Specified wear or friction-type traffic-carrying surface
Reexamination Certificate
1999-12-22
2001-10-16
Stephan, Beth A. (Department: 3635)
Static structures (e.g., buildings)
Specified wear or friction-type traffic-carrying surface
C052S386000, C052S384000, C052S555000, C052SDIG008, C052S650300
Reexamination Certificate
active
06301842
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to an extruded plastic deck structures or assemblies, for example, of the general type disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,048,448, 5,642,592 and 5,647,184. In such deck assemblies, elongated deck planks are extruded of a generally rigid plastics material such as polyvinylchloride (PVC) and are attached to supporting parallel spaced joists of a frame by various means such as by the extruded plastic clips disclosed in above U.S. Pat. No. 5,048,448. After the clips are attached to the supporting joists or frame
16
, the extruded plastic deck planks
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are flexed slightly so that the outwardly projecting bottom flanges hook under the flange engaging portions or ribs of the attachment clips.
The extruded plastic deck planks disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,642,592 are attached to the supporting joists by either longitudinally extending snap connector strips or laterally extending snap connectors, both of which are extruded of plastics material and engage bottom flanges on the planks. In U.S. Pat. No. 5,647,184, each of the extruded plastic deck planks is provided with a longitudinally extending and laterally projecting attachment flange which interlocks with the adjacent deck plank along the length of the plank. In U.S. Pat. No. 4,078,515, extruded aluminum deck planks have downwardly projecting and longitudinally extending skirts or legs, and the side legs of each plank have inwardly projecting flanges or shoulders. One of the side legs flexes so that the corresponding shoulder clips onto horizontally extending protrusions or bars attached to the supporting frame or rail members.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is directed to an improved deck system or assembly which provides a strong and durable walking surface and is ideally suited for forming outdoor decks, boardwalks, boat docks, staircases and the like. The deck assembly of the invention may be easily and quickly installed and provides for positively fastening a plurality of parallel deck planks to a supporting frame or substructure such as parallel spaced joists. The deck system of the invention also eliminates the squeaks and noises which are commonly generated by commercially available deck systems using deck planks of extruded plastics material such as PVC. The deck assembly of the invention may also be used to form park benches, stadium seats, bleachers, picnic tables, lawn furniture, boat docks and playground equipment, wherever a durable and corrosion resistant walking or seating surface is required. The deck planks of the invention are also adapted to receive supporting metal pipes or tubes, for example, when the deck planks are used to form seats for benches, boat docks, stadium bleachers or picnic tables.
In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, a deck assembly includes a plurality of parallel spaced deck planks each extruded of a rigid plastics material and having opposite longitudinal side walls integrally connected by a generally flat top wall and a contoured bottom wall. The bottom wall of each plank has coplanar bottom edge portions and a bottom center portion which are integrally connected by a pair of concave or semi-cylindrical wall portions spaced from the top wall and forming downwardly facing and longitudinally extending parallel spaced concaved cavities. Radially positioned internal reinforcing walls integrally connect the top wall to each semi-cylindrical bottom wall portions, and a vertical center wall integrally connects the top wall with the center portion of the bottom wall.
A series of plank attachment strips are secured to elongated carrier strips which cover and protect the supporting wood joists, and staples connect the attachment strips and carrier strips to the joists. Each attachment strip has a metal base strip with a pair of upwardly projecting opposing plastic snap clips for engaging corresponding flanges which project into the cavities from the bottom edge portions of each plank. A cross score line is formed in each metal base strip between each pair of snap clips, and the snap clips are bonded to the metal base strip along with pads of resilient plastics material which are located under the bottom wall portions of each plank.
REFERENCES:
patent: 712308 (1902-10-01), Kane
patent: 3999397 (1976-12-01), Albery
patent: 4078515 (1978-03-01), Svirklys
patent: 4498267 (1985-02-01), Beck
patent: 5009045 (1991-04-01), Yoder
patent: 5048448 (1991-09-01), Yoder
patent: 5642592 (1997-07-01), Andres
patent: 5647184 (1997-07-01), Davis
patent: 6112479 (2000-09-01), Andres
patent: 6170212 (2001-01-01), Suchyna et al.
Chaney Michael T.
Hauberg Jonathan C.
Siudzinski Paul A.
Dayton Technologies, L.L.C.
Dorsey Dennis L.
Jacox Meckstroth & Jenkins
Stephan Beth A.
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