U.S. patent application number 12/078998 was filed with the patent office on 2008-10-09 for sealed decking porch system.
Invention is credited to Floyd Grady Carter.
Application Number | 20080245014 12/078998 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39825735 |
Filed Date | 2008-10-09 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080245014 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Carter; Floyd Grady |
October 9, 2008 |
Sealed decking porch system
Abstract
A decking and system that utilizes gap seals to seal spaces
between flooring components. The gap seals are shaped to match the
shapes of the spaces between the flooring components. As a result,
when the seals are placed in the spaces, a sealed, continuous,
uninterrupted decking surface is created.
Inventors: |
Carter; Floyd Grady;
(Tallahassee, FL) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Ralph A. Dowell of DOWELL & DOWELL P.C.
2111 Eisenhower Ave, Suite 406
Alexandria
VA
22314
US
|
Family ID: |
39825735 |
Appl. No.: |
12/078998 |
Filed: |
April 9, 2008 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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60922517 |
Apr 9, 2007 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
52/464 ;
52/745.2 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E04F 15/02016
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
52/464 ;
52/745.2 |
International
Class: |
E04B 1/68 20060101
E04B001/68 |
Claims
1. A decking system comprising: a plurality of beams arranged to
create a floor surface; at least one slot disposed between the
beams of said plurality of beams; and a gap seal adapted to fit
within said at least one slot.
2. The decking system of claim 1, wherein said at least one slot
includes a generally I-shaped cross-section.
3. The decking system of claim 2, wherein said gap seal includes a
generally I-shaped cross-section that corresponds to said I-shaped
cross-section of said at least one slot.
4. The decking system of claim 3, wherein said gap seal further
includes edges that are shaped in the form of a shape selected from
a group consisting essentially of bull-nose, round, and square.
5. The decking system of claim 3, wherein said gap seal is a
different color than said plurality of beams.
6. A decking system comprising: at least one decking surface; at
least one slot disposed within said decking surface; and a gap seal
adapted to fit within said at least one.
7. The decking system of claim 6, wherein said at least one slot
includes a generally I-shaped cross-section.
8. The decking system of claim 7, wherein said gap seal includes a
generally I-shaped cross-section that corresponds to said I-shaped
cross-section of said at least one slot.
9. The decking system of claim 8, wherein said gap seal further
includes edges that are shaped in the form of a shape selected from
a group consisting essentially of bull-nose, round, and square.
10. The decking system of claim 8, wherein said gap seal is a
different color than said at least one decking surface.
11. A method of making a deck or porch comprising: placing a
plurality of beams spaced distances from each other to form a
decking surface having spaces between the beams; and inserting gap
seals into the spaces between the beams to seal the spaces and
create a deck or porch having an uninterrupted upper surface.
12. The method of making a deck or porch of claim 11, wherein each
of the spaces has a generally I-shaped cross-section.
13. The method of making a deck or porch of claim 12, wherein each
of the gap seals includes a generally I-shaped cross-section that
corresponds to said I-shaped cross-section of each of the
spaces.
14. The method of making a deck or porch of claim 13, wherein each
of the gap seals further includes edges that are shaped in the form
of a shape selected from a group consisting essentially of
bull-nose, round, and square.
15. The method of making a deck or porch of claim 13, wherein said
gap seal is a different color than the plurality of beams.
16. The method of making a deck or porch of claim 11, further
comprising precutting ends of the beams so that each of the spaces
has a generally I-shaped cross-section.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. provisional patent
application No. 60/922,517 to Floyd Grady Carter filed on Apr. 9,
2007, entitled "Sealed Decking-Screened Porch System," and the
contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their
entirety.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention is generally directed to a decking or
porch system having a plurality of spaced flooring beams, boards,
or slabs. More specifically, the invention involves a decking or
porch system utilizing gap seals to seal the spaces between the
flooring components.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Decking and porch systems have been used for many years. In
recent years, these systems have involved more elaborate structures
that add more useable space to a home. For example, decking and
porch systems often create an aesthetic entryway into a home or add
an additional room to a house.
[0004] In most decking and porch systems, the flooring is formed of
a plurality of components, namely, boards, beams, or slabs, which
are made of natural or man-made material, including wood beams,
concrete, cement, plastics, vinyls, and engineered materials. In
laying the floor of the decking system, it is generally accepted to
leave a space between the flooring components. These spaces are
beneficial for drainage purposes, and the spaces also accommodate
the expansion and contraction of the beams, which typically results
from temperature changes. To effectively provide for drainage and
size changes, the spaces can range in size from a few centimeters
to nearly an inch in some structures.
[0005] While these spaces are necessary to preserve the deck or
porch, the spaces create problems and safety hazards. For example,
items, such as jewelry, change, and food can fall into the spaces
between the beams. Further, the heels of shoes can become lodged in
the spaces, which can result in twisted ankles, falls, and other
injuries. In addition, arms and fingers, especially those of small
children can get stuck within-the spaces.
[0006] When a conventional decking or porch system is used to
create an enclosed room, the system suffers from other
deficiencies. Specifically, leaves, pinestraw, grass, and other
debris may pass through the spaces between the flooring beams. In
addition, the spaces between the beams of a typical porch system
create openings for insects, rodents, and pests to enter the room.
The spaces also allow heat to enter and exit the room.
[0007] Consequently, there is a need for a decking and porch system
that mitigates the many drawbacks associated with the spaces
between the flooring components of conventional decking and porch
systems.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] The present invention is directed to a decking and porch
system that utilizes gap seals to seal the spaces between the
flooring components. The gap seals are shaped to match the shapes
of the spaces between the flooring components so that when the
seals are placed in the spaces, a sealed, continuous, uninterrupted
decking surface is created. As a result of the decking system of
the present invention, items can no longer fall through or get
caught in the spaces between the flooring components. In addition,
weeds and pests cannot pass through the spaces. Further, the
decking and porch system is stronger and less likely to warp when
exposed to environmental effects.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] A better understanding of the invention will be had with
reference to the attached drawings wherein:
[0010] FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a decking and porch
system showing a gap seal inserted into a space between flooring
beams in accordance with the present invention;
[0011] FIG. 2 is front perspective view of the decking system
showing the gap seal being inserting into the space;
[0012] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the decking system
showing the gap seals inserted into the spaces between the flooring
beams;
[0013] FIG. 4 is a top perspective view of the decking system
showing the spaces formed between the flooring beams; and
[0014] FIG. 5 is a top perspective view of the decking system
showing the gap seals inserted into the spaces between the
beams.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION ON THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE
INVENTION
[0015] As shown in the Figs., the decking and porch system 10
includes a plurality of flooring components 20. The flooring
components 20 may be beams, boards, or slabs. Further, the flooring
components 20 may be made from natural or man-made materials or any
combination thereof, including wood, concrete, cement, plastics,
vinyls, engineered materials, or any other suitable material.
[0016] As shown in FIG. 4, the decking system 10 also includes a
plurality of spaces, slots, or gaps 30. A space 30 is formed
between the flooring components 20. If the flooring components are
wood beams or boards, the spaces 30 are preferably formed by
precutting the ends of the components-20 into a desired shape and
placing the flooring components 20 spaced distances from each
other. Alternatively, if the flooring components are concrete
slabs, the spaces 30 may be formed by routing or scoring the
flooring components 20.
[0017] The spaces 30 preferably each have an I-shaped
cross-section, as also shown in FIG. 4. However, the spaces 30 may
be of any suitable shape or cross-section. The I-shaped spaces 30
include an upper portion 30a and a lower portion 30b. The upper and
lower portions 30a and 30b, respectively, are generally parallel to
each other, and a middle portion 30c extends substantially
perpendicularly between the upper and lower portions 30a and 30b,
respectively. Further, ends of the upper and lower portions 30a and
30b may be rounded, bullnosed, beveled, squared, or any suitable
shape.
[0018] In addition to the flooring components 20 and the spaces 30,
the decking and porch system also includes gap seals 40. The gap
seals 40 may be made from wood, polyvinyl chloride (PVC), plastic,
rubber, or any other suitable material. The gap seals 40 are
preferably made from a material or combination of materials that
can withstand environmental effects, such as weather and sunlight.
In addition, the gap seal 40 may be of a different color or
material than the flooring components 20 to give the decking and
porch system 10 an interesting look.
[0019] Each gap seal 40 has a shape that the corresponds to the
shapes of the spaces 30 so that the gap seals 40 fit into the
spaces 30 between the flooring components 20. Accordingly, each gap
seal 40 has a generally I-shaped cross-section comprising an upper
portion 40a, a lower portion 40b, and a middle portion 40c. The
upper and lower portions 40a and 40b, respectively, are generally
parallel to each other, and the middle portion 40c extends
substantially perpendicularly between the upper and lower portions
40a and 40b, respectively. Further, ends of the upper and lower
portions 40a and 40b may be rounded, bullnosed, beveled, squared,
or any suitable shape to mach the ends of the upper and lower
portions 30a and 30b, respectively, of the spaces 30.
Alternatively, the gap seals 40 may be slightly smaller than the
spaces 30 to create clearances for drainage and warping when the
gaps seals 40 are placed in the spaces 30.
[0020] To use the decking and porch system 10 of the present
invention, the ends of the flooring components 20 are cut into a
desired shape. The flooring components 20 are then positioned at
spaced distances from each other to form a flooring surface. Since
the flooring components 20 are spaced from each other, spaces 30
are created between the components 20, as shown in FIG. 4.
Alternatively, the flooring components 20 are placed adjacent to
each other, and the slots 30 are formed by routing the flooring
components 20. In another embodiment, the flooring component 20 is
a unitary structure, such as wood panel or concrete slab, and the
slots 30 are formed by routing or scoring the component 20.
[0021] To seal the decking system 10, gap seals 40 are placed into
the slots 30 formed between the flooring components 20. The gap
seals 40 are placed into the slots 30 by aligning each gap seal 40
with an end of a space 30. The gap seal 40 is then placed into the
end of the space 30 and slid along the length of the space 30, as
shown in FIG. 2. The gap seal 40 is then cut flush with the end of
the slot 30 so that the gap seal fills the entire length of the
slot 30, as shown in FIG. 5. Alternatively, the gap seal 40 may be
precut into any desired length to fill the length or a portion of
the length of the slot 30, as shown in FIG. 1. If the gap seal 40
only fills a portion of the length of the slot 30, more than one
gap seal 40 may be placed into the slot 30.
[0022] Once in place, the gap seals 40 seal the spaces 30. As a
result of the gap seals 40, the decking and porch system 10 has a
smooth, uninterrupted, continuous upper flooring surface without
any gaps or spaces, as shown in FIG. 3. Further, due to the gap
seals 40, the decking system 10 is stronger and less likely to warp
when exposed to environmental factors, such as heat and
moisture.
[0023] The foregoing description of the present invention has been
presented to illustrate the principles of the invention and not to
limit the invention to the particular embodiments illustrated. It
is intended that the scope of the invention be defined by all of
the embodiments encompassed within the following claims and their
equivalents.
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