The present disclosure is directed to a boardwalk system, and more particularly, to a boardwalk system that includes various modular components for easy installation.
Modular decking systems often include a beam or set of beams which extend in the longitudinal direction and support a set of treads thereon. The treads are typically horizontally oriented and provide a generally flat surface upon which a user can walk, ride small vehicles, etc. However, many existing systems can be difficult and/or time consuming to install, may not provide sufficient flexibility in installation and use, and may present too large of a height/profile.
In one embodiment the invention is a boardwalk system including a plurality of treads, each tread including a plurality of grooves extending entirely or substantially entirely thereacross in a transverse direction, wherein each tread is made of concrete. The system further includes a plurality of bases, each base being supported on a ground surface and positioned below each tread at or adjacent to a corner of the associated tread.
As shown in
In one case the treads 14 are made entirely or primarily of concrete, either reinforced or unreinforced. In one case each tread 14 can be integral, unitary, seamless single piece (one piece) of material, such as concrete, formed in a single pour/cure process, and not formed of multiple pieces joined or coupled together. Each tread 14 can have one or more straight, continuous grooves 16 extending entirely or substantially (at least 90% in one case) across the tread 14 in the transverse/width direction W.
As shown in
When the treads 14 are made of a single piece of material, such a concrete, the grooves 16 can enable the treads 14 to present the appearance of a plurality of discrete planks 22, which can be more aesthetically pleasing and/or present the appearance of more labor intensive installation. The grooves 16 can also provide water or fluid drainage/collection, along with a collection location for dust or small debris/particles. By providing a single tread 14 with a plurality of “planks” 22 (or simulated plans 22) the system 10 can be installed more quickly, as each “plank” 22 does not need to be individually placed and secured. In addition, the use of a single, unitary tread 14 can provide greater stiffness and structural integrity as compared to the use of separate planks, and can be easier to store and transport.
If desired, at least the upper surface of each tread 14 can be textured, such as by sandblasting or other treatment, to present an aesthetically pleasing appearance and to improve gripping and reduce slippage. Each tread 14 can have a dynamic coefficient of friction (DCOF) of greater than about 0.42 in one case (in both wet and dry conditions), and greater than about 0.6 in another case, as measured ANSI 326.3 American Standard Test Method for Measuring Dynamic Coefficient of Friction of Hard Surface Flooring Materials, which standard is entirely incorporated by reference herein. The treads 14 in particular provide a good wet measurement of DCOF. Many surfaces have a lower wet DCOF compared to a dry DCOF, as most surfaces would expect to be more slippery when wet. However the treads 14, particular when made of textured concrete, can retain a high DCOF even when wet. In addition, the treads 14 can be presented in any of a wide variety of colors.
In the illustrated embodiment, each tread 14 has four grooves 16 to present the appearance of five planks 22, although the number of grooves 16 can be varied as desired, with at least one groove 16 being utilized in one case. Each plank 22 defined by a groove or grooves can have a dimension, in the longitudinal direction L, of between about 3 inches and about four feet in one case, or greater than about 3 inches in one case, or less than about 4 feet in another case.
Each tread 14 can be supported by a plurality of bases 12, each base 12 being supported on a ground surface and positioned below each tread 14, in one case, at or adjacent to a corner of the associated tread 14. The boardwalk system 10 can include a plurality of treads 14 arranged side-by-side in the width or transverse direction W and a plurality of treads 14 arranged end-to-end in the longitudinal direction L. As shown in
The system 10 can include a plurality of outer bases 12a positioned at or adjacent to the corner of each tread 14 and/or positioned along an outer edge 26 of the system 10. In the illustrated embodiment, each outer base 12a can be generally shaped as a conical portion, and includes a generally flat upper surface 28 which supports the associated tread(s) 14 thereon and a generally flat lower surface 30 supported on the ground surface, wherein in one case the upper surface 28 has a smaller surface area than the lower surface 30. In one case, at least part of an outer edge 26 and/or a corner and/or end surface 29 of a tread 14 is supported on the upper surface 28 (e.g. is positioned within an outer perimeter of the upper surface 28).
In the illustrated embodiment, each inner base 12b is generally shaped as a rectangular prism. Each inner base 12b can be positioned adjacent to and span the inner edge(s) 24 of the system 10 to thereby support the inner portions of two adjacent treads 14 thereon, and can be spaced away from the outer edges 26 of the system 10.
The inner bases 12b can be formed as rectangular prisms to provide a stronger and more robust base 12 since the inner bases 12b can have more loading and carry more weight as compared to the outer bases 12a. However the inner bases 12b can also be shaped as conical portions (or other shapes) and/or the outer bases 12a can be shaped as rectangular prisms (or other shapes). The bases 12a, 12b can be made of a wide variety of materials, such as concrete, metal, composites or the like. In one case, each base 12 has a relatively small height, such as less than about two feet in one case, and less than about one foot in another case, and less than about nine inches in yet another case to provide a relatively low profile base 12 to enable the system 10 to have a relatively low height, as described in greater detail below.
As shown in
In the current system, the treads 14 can be placed and supported directly on an underlying base 12. In contrast, in many existing systems, a series of longitudinally extending beams are placed on the bases, and laterally extending treads are then spanned across the longitudinally extending beams. However, such systems that use beams raise the height of the treads, and increase the complexity of the resultant system due to the presence of the beams. In contrast, the current system 10 can eliminate the use of transverse beams, and provides a system 10 that is easier to install, and is lower-profile. In particular, in one case a distance between the upper surface of the treads 14, and the ground surface (assuming a flat ground surface), and/or a lower surface of the base 12, is less than about eighteen inches in one case, or less than about twelve inches in another case. In another case a distance between the lower surface of the treads 14, and the ground surface (assuming a flat ground surface), and/or the lower surface of the base 12 is less than about twelve inches in one case, or less than about six inches in another case.
The current system 10 is modular and thus can be quickly and easily assembled and disassembled. In particular, in order to assemble the system 10, the bases 12 are located in the desired position, and pins 32 positioned in the openings. The treads 14 are then placed on the bases 12, with the pins 32 received in openings on the underside of the treads 14. No excavation or pouring of footers is necessarily needed. In addition, the resultant system 10 is low profile and located close to the ground, and provides a shallow structure depth which can be useful where there is limited grade separation. Any movement or heaving of the underlying ground surface is automatically accommodated by movement of the bases 12. The spaces underneath each tread 14 and between the bases 12 allow for the positioning and growth of tree roots, movement of small animals, increased air flow, etc. while providing good structural integrity and design flexibility.
As shown in
The system 10 of
Having described the invention in detail and by reference to certain embodiments, it will be apparent that modifications and variations thereof are possible without departing from the scope of the invention.
This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 63/145,714, filed on Feb. 4, 2021, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.
Number | Date | Country | |
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63145714 | Feb 2021 | US |