U.S. patent number 3,875,712 [Application Number 05/412,009] was granted by the patent office on 1975-04-08 for deck frame and system.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Til-Row, Inc.. Invention is credited to Harold D. Thompson.
United States Patent |
3,875,712 |
Thompson |
April 8, 1975 |
Deck frame and system
Abstract
A deck structure of frame is formed by longitudinally extending
C frame members which are maintained in predetermined spaced
relationship by laterally extending C frame members extending
therebetween. The laterally extending C frame members are provided
with a slotted configuration for engaging with the longitudinally
extending C frame members and support legs are provided which may
be adjustable to position the longitudinally and laterally
extending C frame members at a desired height. When disassembled
the frame members and support legs may be nested in interengaging
relationship for shipment.
Inventors: |
Thompson; Harold D. (Houston,
TX) |
Assignee: |
Til-Row, Inc. (Houston,
TX)
|
Family
ID: |
23631191 |
Appl.
No.: |
05/412,009 |
Filed: |
November 1, 1973 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
52/263; D6/691.8;
248/188.1; 312/257.1; 108/153.1; 211/182; 248/188.5 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E04B
1/34315 (20130101); E04B 1/2403 (20130101); E04B
2001/2457 (20130101); E04B 2001/2448 (20130101); E04B
2001/2409 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
E04B
1/24 (20060101); E04B 1/343 (20060101); E04b
001/54 (); E04b 005/43 () |
Field of
Search: |
;52/263,730-732,758A,126.36,758H,488,490,624,665,668
;108/111,153,156 ;312/257SK ;403/231,382,403 ;211/182
;248/188.1,188.5 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Abbott; Frank L.
Assistant Examiner: Ridgill; James L.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Hayden; Jack W.
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A deck frame comprising:
a. two sets of C frame members, each C frame member having five
longitudinally extending surface portions;
b. a first surface portion of each C frame member having second and
third surface portions extending perpendicularly to one side
thereof, said second and third portions being spaced from each
other;
c. each C frame member having a fourth surface portion extending
perpendicularly from said second surface portion and a fifth
surface portion extending perpendicularly from said third surface
portion, said fourth and fifth surface portions being disposed in
substantially the same plane;
d. the combined widths of said fourth and fifth surface portions
being substantially less than the width of said first surface
portion so that an open area is defined between said fourth and
fifth surface portions;
e. said first set including a pair of C frame members extending
parallel to one another;
f. said second set including a plurality of C frame members
extending laterally between the C frame members of said first set
adjacent both ends thereof and at spaced intervals along the
lengths thereof;
g. each C frame member of said second set including a pair of
aligned slots adjacent each end, one slot of said pair
extending:
i. only partially across said fourth surface portion,
ii. entirely across said second surface portion, and
iii. only partially across said first surface portion;
h. the other slot of said pair extending:
i. only partially across said fifth surface portion,
ii. entirely across said third surface portion, and
iii. only partially across said first surface portion
i. said slots in said C frame members of said second set being
engageable with said fourth and fifth surface portions of said C
frame members of said first set, whereby the ends of said C frame
members of said second set may be positioned to pass through said
open areas of said C frame members of said first set, whereupon
said C frame members of said second set may be rotated into locking
engagement with said C frame members of said first set to form said
frame;
j. support legs secured to said frame to position it at a
predetermined level.
2. The invention of claim 1 wherein each of said support legs
include:
1. an upper member formed by four longitudinally extending
surfaces, said surfaces of said upper member including a pair
extending substantially at right angles to each other, a third
surface extending at a right angle along the edge of one of said
pair, said third surface of said upper member having a free edge
extending along substantially the entire length thereof, and a
fourth surface extending at a right angle along the edge of the
second of said pair, said fourth surface of said upper member
having a free edge extending along substantially the entire length
thereof, there being a recess in said third and fourth surfaces of
said upper member adjacent their upper ends for receiving said
frame members of said first and second sets thereon and there being
openings in said pair of surfaces of said upper member;
2. securing means for positioning in the openings to secure said
upper member to said C frame members of said first and second
sets;
3. a lower member formed by four longitudinally extending surfaces,
said surfaces of said lower member including a pair extending
substantially at right angles to each other, a third surface
extending at a right angle along the edge of one of said pair, said
third surface of said lower member having a free edge extending
along substantially the entire length thereof, and a fourth surface
extending at a right angle along the edge of the second of said
pair, said fourth surface of said lower member having a free edge
extending along substantially the entire length thereof;
4. said upper and lower members having a plurality of spaced,
aligned openings;
5. securing means for positioning in the openings to secure said
upper and lower members together; and
6. a footing for the lower end of said lower member including a
flat surface with a pair of surfaces at right angles thereto, there
being openings in at least one of said pair of surfaces whereby
said footing may be secured to said lower member.
3. The invention of claim 1 wherein said C members of said first
and second sets and said support legs, when disassembled, are
nestable within each other for shipment, the nesting arrangement
being formed by said C members of said first set abutting each
other, said C members of said second set surrounding said C members
of said first set, said lower leg members partially overlapping
said C members of said second set and said upper leg members
overlapping the remainder of said C members of said second set and
partially overlapping said lower leg members.
Description
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
An object of the present invention is to provide a deck structure
which may be readily assembled and adjusted to a predetermined
vertical position so that when a surface is placed on the deck
frame of the present invention, it will be at a desired
elevation.
Still another object of the present invention is to provide a
plurality of deck frame members wherein the frame members may be
nested in compact relationship for shipment.
Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become
apparent from a consideration of the following description and
drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a partial perspective view illustrating the deck frame of
the present invention as it may be used with a typical mobile home
with a deck surface thereon;
FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the frame members of the
present invention connected together and part of the surface on the
frame removed to better illustrate the interconnecting relationship
of the various frame components.
FIG. 3 is an exploded view of one of the support legs illustrating
the manner of securing its components together and the manner of
securing the support leg to the remainder of the frame;
FIG. 4 is a partial perspective view of the end of one of the
longitudinally extending frame members and one of the laterally
extending frame members to more clearly illustrate the manner of
interconnecting and securing the two together; and
FIG. 5 is a partial perspective view illustrating the manner in
which the components of the frame of the present invention may be
nested for shipment.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
The present invention will be described and illustrated in
connection with its use as a porch for a mobile home; however, it
is to be understood that such is for purposes of example only and
is not intended as a limitation since the deck frame of the present
invention may be employed wherever desired.
Attention is first directed to FIG. 1 of the drawings wherein a
mobile home is referred to generally at 10 and is shown as having a
door 11. The deck frame 13 of the present invention is shown as
being positioned adjacent the door 11 with steps referred to
generally at 14 being mounted adjacent the porch. Any suitable
surface 50 is provided on the frame 13 to form a porch for the
mobile home. The step construction 14 is shown in greater detail
and claimed in my copending application for "Steps for Mobile Home"
application Ser. No. 447,473, filed on Mar. 4, 1974 date.
The deck frame 13 of the present invention is shown in greater
detail in FIG. 2 and is shown as including a pair of longitudinally
extending C shaped frame members 15 and 16. Each C frame member 15
and 16 is formed as shown in FIG. 4 and includes a back surface 18
having the end surfaces 19 and 20 extending longitudinally at each
edge thereof which are at right angles to the portion 18 with the
portions 19 and 20 being parallel to each other. At the outermost
edge of the portions 19 and 20, the additional surfaces 21 and 22
are formed integrally with the portions 19 and 20 and extend at
right angles thereto and toward each other so that in cross section
the longitudinally extending frame members 15 and 16 form the shape
of a square C. The members 15 and 16 are formed of plate material
which is bent or formed to the shape described, so that the
surfaces 18, 19, 20, 21 and 22 preferably integral. The surface 18
is of substantial width in relation to the surfaces 19, 20, 21 and
22 and preferably, surfaces 19, 20, 21 and 22 extend continuously
of the members 15 and 16.
The laterally extending frame members referred to at 25 are spaced
at suitable longitudinal intervals along and extend between the
members 15 and 16 as shown in FIG. 1, with a laterally extending
member 25 being provided adjacent each end 28 and 29 of the deck
frame 13. The laterally extending members 25 are formed by the back
surface or plate 31 which has integrally formed at each edge the
portions 33 and 34 that extend at right angles relative to the
surface 31 and the integral portions 36 and 37 at the outer edges
of portions 33 and 34 and the portions 33, 34 extend towards each
other whereby the laterally extending frame members form in cross
section a square C configuration. The width of surface 31 is
substantial in relation to the width of surfaces 33, 34, 36 and
37.
Adjacent each end of each of the laterally extending members 25
there is provided a pair of slots 40 and 41, such slots being
aligned as shown in FIG. 4 and spaced from each of the ends 43 of
the laterally extending support members 25. It will be noted that
the slots 40 and 41 extend only partially through the C frame
member and only partially through surfaces 36 and 37 as well as
partially through surface 31 whereby such slots terminate
respectively in spaced relation to the edge 37a of the portion 37
and the edge 36a of the portion 36 as shown at 41a.
The slots 40 and 41 are spaced from the ends 43 of each of the
laterally extending members a suitable distance so that when such
laterally extending members 25 are engaged with the longitudinally
extending members 15 and 16, the portions 21 and 22 of the
longitudinally extending members fit within the slots 40 and 41 of
the laterally extending member and surfaces 19 and 20 overlap and
fit closely adjacent surfaces 34 and 33 from the slots 40 and 41 to
the end 43 of the members 25 to thereby interengage and connect the
longitudinally extending frame members 15 and 16 and laterally
extending frame members 25 together without requiring the use of
any screws, fasteners or other type means. The ends of surfaces 33
and 34 abut or fit closely adjacent surface 18 when the members 25
are engaged in the members 15 and 16.
The extent of the longitudinal members 15 and 16 and laterally
extending members 25 may be that as desired, and preferably is of a
suitable extent, so that when they are connected together a deck
frame is formed for receiving a surface such as a piece of plywood
as illustrated at 50 say, for example, of 4 feet wide .times. 8
feet in length. Any other module may be employed as desired. If
desired, additional deck frame members may be assembled as referred
to in dotted line at 51 in end to end and side by side relation and
secured by screws or bolts to each adjacent frame 13 by bolts
through openings 52a to form a deck frame of any desired
extent.
Support legs referred to generally at 52 are provided at each
corner of each deck frame 13 as illustrated in FIG. 2 and the
lateral members at the ends 28 and 29 of the frame as well as the
longitudinally extending members 15 and 16 adjacent their ends are
provided with openings 18a and 25a so that suitable screws or bolts
52a or the like may be secured through the openings in the upper
end of the support legs 52 as shown in FIG. 2 for securing the legs
to the frame, and for securing adjacent deck frames together as
previously described.
The support legs comprise an upper member 60 and a lower member 61
shown in greater detail in FIG. 3. The upper member 60 is formed by
four longitudinally extending, integral surfaces. A pair of
surfaces 63 and 64 extend at right angles to each other; third
surface 65 extends longitudinally at preferably right angles
adjacent one edge 66 of the surface 64 as shown in FIG. 3; and
fourth surface 68 extends similarly along the edge 69 of the
surface 63 as shown in FIG. 3.
Each of said surfaces 65 and 68 are notched or recessed at their
upper ends 65a, 68a so that their upper ends 65a and 68a
respectively terminate in a plane below the plane of the upper end
63a and 64a of the surfaces 63 and 64 respectively.
Such edges 65a and 68a also receive and support the lower surface
20 of the longitudinal members 15 and the lower surface 33 of
members 25 at each end 28 and 29 of the deck frame 13.
The surfaces 63 and 64 are of substantial width in relation to the
width of surfaces 65 and 68 as shown in FIG. 3. Suitable openings
70 are provided in the surfaces 63 and 64 adjacent their upper end
for matching with openings 18a in the longitudinal member 15 and
openings 52a in the lateral member 25 at the ends 28, 29 of the
deck frame so that bolts or the like may be positioned therein to
secure the lateral members 25 as well as the longitudinally
extending members in position at the ends 28 and 29 of the frame 13
with the upper leg member 60.
The lower member 61 is of a similar configuration to leg member 60
and is slightly smaller to slidably and snugly telescopically fit
therein. It also comprises a pair of longitudinally extending
surfaces 72 and 73 there being a third surface 74 along the edge 75
of the surface 73 and a surface 76 at right angles to, and along
the edge 76a of the surface 72. The surfaces 72 and 73 are of
substantial width in relation to surfaces 74 and 76 and it will be
noted that surfaces 63, 64, 72 and 73 are generally of the same
extent as are surfaces 65, 68, 74 and 76.
A plurality of spaced, aligned openings are provided as shown at
64b adjacent the lower end of the upper member 60 in surface 64,
and in surface 63 (not shown). Aligned, spaced openings 73b and 72b
are provided in the surfaces 73 and 72 for matching with the
openings 64b in surfaces 63, 64 so that the upper and lower members
60 and 61 may be secured together by bolts or the like and may be
telescopically adjusted to position the top of deck frame 13
comprising the longitudinal members 15, 16 and lateral members 25
at a desired elevation.
A footing 80 is provided for the bottom of each support leg
including a flat plate 81 having upwardly vertically extending edge
portions 82 and 83. Openings such as illustrated at 82 may be
provided in one of the surfaces so that the footing 80 may be
secured to surfaces 72 and 73 adjacent the lower end of the lower
member 61 by bolts or screws.
From the foregoing, it is seen that the lateral C frame members are
engaged with the longitudinally extending C frame members by
engaging the surfaces 21 and 22 in the slots 40 and 41 as
previously described so as to abut surfaces 19, 20 with the top of
34 and bottom of 33 respectively. The laterally extending frame
members 25 thus have their surfaces 33 supported inside the surface
20 and when the members 25 are at the end of the deck 13, the
surface 20 and the surface 33 will rest on the end edges 65a and
68a respectively of the surfaces 65 and 68 of the upper leg member
60.
The spaced laterally extending members 25 that are positioned
between the ends 28 and 29 of the deck may be placed at any desired
spaced longitudinal intervals and may be positioned by turning on
their side at an angle relative to longitudinal members 15, 16 as
illustrated at 50c in dotted line of FIG. 2 to engage one of the
slots 40, 41 at one end of the member 25 in one of the longitudinal
members 15, 16. They may be then moved to engage the other end of
the member 25 with the other longitudinal member and then rotated
to an upright, vertical position relative to members 15, 16 as
shown in full line in FIG. 2.
The configuration of the components of the deck frame of the
present invention is provided not only to form a frame for a deck
which may be readily and easily assembled, but also to provide an
arrangement so that they may be nested when disassembled and placed
in a container in compact form requiring a minimum amount of space
for shipment.
The legs are secured to the longitudinal and laterally extending
members, and a top surface of plywood or other material is then
positioned on the upper surfaces of the longitudinal member 15, 16
and lateral members 25 by screws or the like as shown in the
drawing.
To nest the frame members for shipment, they are arranged as shown
in FIG. 5. The longitudinally extending frame members 15 and 16 are
first abutted so that their surfaces 18 are in contact. Thereafter
the laterally extending frames members 25 are engaged around the
longitudinally extending frame members 15 and 16 as shown in FIG.
5. Since the frame members 15 and 16 are of greater longitudinal
extent than the members 25, it can be appreciated that the various
plural members 25 will be positioned in longitudinal end to end
relationship surrounding the members 15 and 16. Thereafter the
lower leg portion 61 which is slightly smaller in dimension than
the leg member 60 is wrapped around the portions 25 so that its
surface 76 or surface 74 overlaps one edge of the members 25 and
the other surface such as 74 overlaps a portion of the adjacent
edge. The upper leg member 60 is then positioned so that its
surface 65 overlaps the edge 74 and a portion of the surface 73 as
shown in FIG. 5 and the other surface 68 overlaps the surface 76
and a portion of the surface 72.
The footings 80 are positioned adjacent each end of the nested
members as shown at 100, with only a pair being shown. It can be
appreciated that a pair of footings can be positioned at each end
of the nested members. A pair of footings 80 is arranged so that
the surfaces 81 are in spaced relation to each other by reason of
the projections 82, 83 on each footing.
The foregoing disclosure and description of the invention are
illustrative and explanatory thereof, and various changes in the
size, shape, and materials as well as in the details of the
illustrated construction may be made without departing from the
spirit of the invention.
* * * * *