U.S. patent application number 16/960250 was filed with the patent office on 2021-03-11 for decking support system.
The applicant listed for this patent is Kinley Systems Limited. Invention is credited to Stuart Bowie.
Application Number | 20210071430 16/960250 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 1000005235949 |
Filed Date | 2021-03-11 |
United States Patent
Application |
20210071430 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Bowie; Stuart |
March 11, 2021 |
DECKING SUPPORT SYSTEM
Abstract
A decking support system including a plurality of decking
support elements (30), engageable together to form a planar decking
support surface suitable to receive decking, each decking support
element (30) including sidewalls (50) extending in a longitudinal
direction, a base, and an upper surface (90), the upper surface
including a first surface for supporting decking and a second
surface below the first surface including at least one fin (150)
extending towards the first surface.
Inventors: |
Bowie; Stuart; (Sussex,
GB) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Kinley Systems Limited |
Sussex |
|
GB |
|
|
Family ID: |
1000005235949 |
Appl. No.: |
16/960250 |
Filed: |
November 5, 2018 |
PCT Filed: |
November 5, 2018 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/GB2018/053208 |
371 Date: |
July 6, 2020 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E04F 15/02183 20130101;
E04F 2015/02066 20130101; E04F 15/02044 20130101; E04B 5/10
20130101 |
International
Class: |
E04F 15/02 20060101
E04F015/02; E04B 5/10 20060101 E04B005/10 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Nov 6, 2017 |
GB |
1718345.0 |
Claims
1. A decking support system including: a plurality of decking
support elements, engageable together to form a planar decking
support surface suitable to receive decking; each decking support
element including: sidewalls extending in a longitudinal direction,
a base, and an upper surface, the upper surface including a first
surface for supporting decking and a second surface below the first
surface including at least one fin extending towards the first
surface.
2. The decking support system of claim 1, wherein said at least one
fin is a plurality of fins.
3. The decking support system of claim 1, wherein said at least one
fin includes a first end attached to said second surface, and a
second end which extends towards but does not reach said first
surface.
4. The decking support system of claim 3, wherein said second end
includes sloped surfaces.
5. The decking support system of claim 3, wherein said second end
is arrow-shaped.
6. The decking support system of claim 1, wherein each said at
least one fin is separated from at least one neighboring fin by a
gap.
7. The decking support system of claim 1, wherein said at least one
fin extends in the direction of, and along the length of, said
sidewalls.
8. The decking support system of claim 1, wherein said decking
support elements are made from aluminum.
9. The decking support system of claim 6, wherein said adapted to
receive a screw spike in said gap.
10. A decking support element for a decking support system of claim
1.
Description
[0001] The present invention is directed to a support structure
for, for example, decking, or other surfaces.
[0002] Creating a surface around houses, office blocks or other
structures which may be utilised to the benefit of the occupiers is
well known, and requires the surface to be level for example to
provide support, and to be aesthetically pleasing. Such surfaces
include walkways, pathways, gardens, patios and other surfaces and
can also include terraces and balconies.
[0003] One way to provide such surfaces is to install decking,
generally made of elements such as planks of wood, a wood
composite, rubber, plastics, plastics composite or other suitable
material and laid side by side over the natural surface. Often the
natural surface is not flat, and can be of poor quality in which
case a decking surface may be laid in an elevated orientation over
the natural surface, and this is accomplished by placing pedestals
on the natural surface, the height of the pedestals variable such
that decking support elements placed on the pedestals provide a
planar surface upon which the decking elements may be laid. Such
decking support elements are conventionally made from wood, wood
composite, recycled plastics or other material. An example of such
an arrangement may be seen in GB160866.1.
[0004] The decking elements may be laid onto the decking support
and secured thereto either by invasive or non-invasive means.
Invasive means include screws, nails or other means which may
provide points of entry to water which, for decking support
elements made from wood, wood composite or some other materials,
may eventually result in a degraded product, and non-invasive means
which may require cooperative rebating of the decking elements to
provide for them to link together, which has the disadvantage that
for decking elements which are moulded rather than extruded any
significant costs are incurred. In addition, relying on
non-invasive means to engage decking elements together to provide a
decking surface which then rests on the decking support elements,
rather than engaging the decking elements to the decking support
structures directly, means that the decking elements do not engage
with the decking support elements, and this may be considered
insufficiently secure.
[0005] Latterly, the technology relating to decking planks has
improved enormously such that decking board surface quality and
longevity outstrips that of decking support structures to a
significant degree, the technology relating to decking support
structures lagging, and making such support structures increasingly
the weakest link in relation to robust decking systems.
[0006] Where decking support elements are made from aluminium to
avoid the disadvantages of other materials in terms of water and
other time-dependent damage, it is not straightforward to provide a
means for such aluminium elements to receive screws or to engage
with other fixing means. While it is possible to drill into
aluminium to provide for screw attachments, screws suitable for
this purpose are likely to damage the decking board surface.
[0007] The present invention is directed to overcoming at least
some of these disadvantages.
[0008] The present invention provides, according to a first aspect,
a decking support system including a plurality of decking support
elements, engageable together to form a planar decking support
surface suitable to receive decking, each decking support element
including sidewalls extending in a longitudinal direction, a base,
and an upper surface, the upper surface including a first surface
for supporting decking and a second surface below the first surface
including at least one fin extending towards the first surface.
[0009] Preferably the at least one fin is a plurality of fins.
[0010] Preferably the fins include a first end attached to the
second surface, and a second end which extends towards but does not
reach the first surface.
[0011] Preferably the second end includes sloped surfaces.
[0012] Preferably the second end is arrow-shaped.
[0013] Preferably each fin is separated from at least one
neighbouring fin by a gap.
[0014] Preferably the fins extend in the direction of, and along
the length of, the sidewalls.
[0015] Preferably the decking support elements are made from
aluminium.
[0016] Preferably the fins are adapted to receive a screw spike in
the gap.
[0017] The present invention also provides a decking support
element for the described decking support system.
[0018] Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be
described by way of example only and with reference to the
accompanying drawings in which:
[0019] FIG. 1 shows a conventional decking support system partially
constructed, including pedestals with decking support elements
resting thereon, and with decking planking partially overlaying the
decking support elements,
[0020] FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of a decking support element
in accordance with the present invention,
[0021] FIG. 3 shows a cross sectional view of the decking support
element of FIG. 2, and
[0022] FIG. 4 shows a cross sectional view of the decking support
element of FIG. 2 with a decking plank secured thereon via a screw
engaged with fins.
[0023] FIG. 1 shows a conventional arrangement for supporting
decking in which pedestals 10 are positioned on an original surface
20, and decking support elements 30 are provided to rest on the
pedestals and provide a support structure for a decking surface.
FIG. 1 shows decking planks 40 partially laid onto the support
structure to provide a decking surface above the original surface
20. Each pedestal 10 may be adapted to be of a height which, when
arranged with other pedestals on a surface, ensures that the
decking is flat over the entire surface, and, where the original
surface is uneven, this can be achieved by for example individual
pedestals being `jacked` to different heights. FIG. 2 shows a
perspective view of a decking support element 30 each end of which,
as shown in FIG. 3, has a generally square cross section, the
decking support element suitable for use as part of a support
structure for decking in accordance with the present invention. A
plurality of such decking support elements may be laid on a
plurality of pedestals 10 in the manner shown in FIG. 1.
Conventionally such support structure components are provided in
fixed lengths which are placed end to end or cut to size to suit.
The same is contemplated in the present invention.
[0024] FIG. 3 shows a cross sectional view of the decking support
element 30 of FIG. 2.
[0025] As can be seen in FIGS. 2 and 3, the decking support element
includes side walls 50 extending substantially parallel to each
other in a longitudinal direction, with upper surface 90 and lower
wall 110 also extending substantially parallel to each other in a
longitudinal direction, the longitudinal length of respective walls
50, 90, 110 defining the length of the element 30. Feet 130 are
positioned at the end of each side wall 50 at the base of the
element, extending substantially parallel to the upper surface 90
and lower wall 110, and orthogonally to side walls 50.
[0026] Upper surface 90, while generally planar, includes fins 150
extending upwardly and away from surface 90, in a direction
substantially parallel to sidewalls 50. The fins provide anchorage
for screws, nails or other fixing means which may be utilised to
secure respective decking planks or suchlike to the decking support
elements when constructing a surface, for example as shown in FIG.
1.
[0027] FIG. 4 shows a decking plank 40 positioned on a decking
support element 30 and secured thereto by a screw 45 which extends
through the decking plank 40, and into gap 160 between fins
150.
[0028] As can be seen in FIGS. 2-4, fins 150 are positioned on
upper surface 90 of the decking support elements in an arrangement
such that screws and other fixing elements may be received in gaps
160 between fins, the fins being sufficiently numerous on the upper
surface 90 to provide flexibility in positioning screws on the
decking surface, and thereby assisting with fixing decking planks
to the decking support elements.
[0029] It is contemplated that the fins do not have a flat top, but
rather that the top surface of each fin is arrow shaped, with
sloping sides towards the end of the fin remote the upper surface
90. Fins extend in a direction away from surface 90 sufficiently
far that the gaps between fins are suitable to receive the screw
spike in the gaps between the fins, and provide sufficient
engagement between the screw spike and the fin walls for secure
engagement thereof. The height of the fins is also influenced by
the difficulties in manufacturing the device.
[0030] The fins are also sufficiently strong to provide for a
secure fixing, but sufficiently flexible to accommodate a variety
of orientations of screws which are utilised to secure decking on
the decking support elements. In particular, with an `arrow-head`
shape at the top of each fin a screw urged into a decking portion,
to secure the decking portion onto the decking support, will
approach the fins either straight-on or at an angle to the fin
walls, aiming for the screw spike to enter the gap between fins so
that the screw can engage with the fin walls and screw securely in
place.
[0031] Generally, as the screw spike approaches the fins, an end
remote the screw head will engage the top or a sloping side of a
fin and will deflect slightly (and in addition the fin may deflect
slightly) to enter into the gap between the fin wall and the wall
of an adjacent fin. As the screw turns it engages strongly with
both fin walls to secure the screw in place.
[0032] The number of fins is not generally fixed, the more fins
provided the smaller the gap between fins and the smaller the
screws that can be accommodated. It is contemplated that there will
be between 1 and 10 fins, although 3, 4, 5 or 6 fins are more
likely to be appropriate in most cases.
[0033] The arrangement is such that each decking support element 30
may be placed on a, or on a series of, pedestals 10, arranged on a
surface for example the surface 20 of FIG. 1, to be covered with
planks of decking 40, or other suitable surface. With the planks of
decking 40 placed on the decking support structures, screws or
other means may be inserted or otherwise engaged with the decking
planks and screwed into the gaps 160 between the fins 150 of the
decking support structures.
[0034] Decking planks may include openings for such screws, or they
may be free of such openings so that the planks may be secured to
the decking support structures at will. If the decking planks do
not include openings, a screw may be urged through the decking
plank into the area including fins 150. It is contemplated that the
screws are of a type, and the decking planks are of type, that the
opening created by the screw closes over the screw head so that it
is not evident that a screw has been placed therein. This reduces
the likelihood of water entering into the opening provided by the
screw. In addition, the material from which many decking planks is
made is a composite that is impervious to water, so that any water
that does enter into such an opening does not degrade the decking
plank.
[0035] As stated, the plurality of fins ensures that the screws or
other engaging means will enter into an opening 160 so that the
walls of adjacent fins secure the screw therein, or will enter
sufficiently close to an opening 160 that the sloping upper walls
of the closest fin may urge the screw spike to one side so that the
screw can be secured between adjacent fins. This means that
provided a screw engages with the decking plank in a predetermined
general area, it will engage with a suitable gap and secure the
decking plank in place, providing flexibility in positioning the
screws and ensuring that the planks will securely engage with the
decking support structure.
[0036] In use, where it is desired to provide decking on a surface
area, for example around a building or on a balcony or other
surface, a series of pedestals 10 may conventionally be provided to
generate a broadly planar upper surface on which the decking may
ultimately be placed. A series of first generally elongate decking
support elements 30 in accordance with the present invention may
then be placed on the pillars in a uniform, and generally
conventional, manner.
[0037] The decking support elements may be placed on the pedestals,
or other support, via feet 130. In accordance with the present
invention a next step provides for the first decking support
elements 30 to be linked with further decking support elements 30
to provide a secure and stable arrangement upon which decking may
be placed. An example of such a process is disclosed in
GB1608661.3.
[0038] Once the decking support elements are securely in position,
planks of for example wood, wood composite, rubber, plastics,
plastics composite or other suitable material may be positioned
thereon and secured thereto by screws which extend through the
decking planks and into gaps 160 between fins 150 of the decking
support elements, thereby securing the planks to the decking
support elements. Screws may be inserted into the decking elements
in approximate positions and will still engage with openings 160
between fins 150 to secure the decking elements thereto.
Alternative linking means may be relied upon to engage with fins
150, and gaps 160 to secure the planks to the decking support
elements.
[0039] Decking in accordance with the present invention provides
for a planar surface in which decking and decking support elements
may rely on screws or other potentially invasive linking means to
secure decking to decking supports on pedestals, without the
disadvantages which generally accompany invasive linking means,
including providing entry points for water leading to deterioration
of the decking support elements. In addition, the present invention
has the advantage that screws or other linking means may be
inserted where convenient, rather than being constrained by
receiving features at predetermined positions on the decking
support element.
[0040] It is contemplated that the decking support structures will
be formed from Aluminium or other suitable substance. Fins may be
painted black or another suitable colour to ensure they are not
unnecessarily visible.
[0041] The invention is not restricted to the details of the
foregoing embodiments. For example, the present invention is
contemplated to cover any suitable number fins 150 on upper surface
90, for example there may be one fin, or more than one fin. The
present disclosure shows six fins, but three, four, five or any
other suitable number of fins is contemplated. In addition, the
fins 150 may include a variety of orientations and spacings and are
not contemplated to be restricted to a direction parallel to
sidewalls 50 of the decking support elements; for example, there
may be a plurality of fins positioned in an orthogonal orientation
to, and along, sidewalls 50. While the decking support element is
contemplated to be placed on pillars it is contemplated that the
arrangement of the present invention is adaptable to be used on
different surfaces, for example a conventional surface or on
alternative means to provide a planar surface.
* * * * *