Patent Application
20130025238
The technology described herein relates generally to the fields of decks, decking systems, and deck preservation. More specifically, this technology relates to a deck preservation system and retrofit decking system to cover the existing structural elements of a deck such as deck boards, top rails, board ends, steps, and the like.
Decks, decking systems, and the like are known in the background art. By way of example, wooden decks can be utilized to extend the living area of a home, surround a pool, as part of landscaping, as patio alternatives, and so forth. Wooden decks can be made of pine, cedar, and other softwoods and hardwoods. Wooden decks require a significant amount of time and expense in regular and repeated maintenance to slow the effects of deterioration. Even with regular maintenance, wooden decks can still deteriorate.
Wooden decking products are known to deteriorate over time. Particularly in an outdoor environment, wooden decking products can deteriorate rapidly. Deterioration can occur due to precipitation, sun, wind, prolonged use, and the like. Deterioration can include splintering wood, dry wood, rot, decomposition, discolored wood, and so forth.
Attempts to halt or slow the process of deterioration include regular and repeated sealing and staining of the wood boards of the deck, a laborious task. Other alternatives include utilizing treated lumber such as pressure treated woods; however, such woods are known to include chemicals such as chromate copper arsenate and may include toxic materials such as strychnine.
Other attempts to halt or slow the process of deterioration include the use of non-wood or partial wood decks. By way of example, composite systems, or artificial decking systems, which tend to be very expensive, are known in which recycled products are used with some wood products to produce a wood-like plank of wood-plastic composites. Recycled materials used may include high-density polyethylene (HDPE), polystyrene (PS) and PET plastic as well as mixed plastics. However composite decking systems may contain harmful chemicals. Additionally, composite decking systems cannot be refurbished. Furthermore, composite decking systems can still attract mold. Still furthermore, composite decking systems are still susceptible to expanding when hot, contracting when cold, and cracking. Still other deck alternatives include using aluminum, which is expensive and cumbersome.
Related patents known in the art include the following: U.S. Pat. No. 4,078,759, issued to Lanier on Mar. 14, 1978, discloses a portable decking system. U.S. Pat. No. 4,094,546, issued to Glassmeyer et al. on Jun. 13, 1978, discloses a roll away decking system. U.S. Pat. No. 5,906,084, issued to Millington et al. on May 25, 1999, discloses a modular decking system. U.S. Pat. No. 6,128,880, issued to Meenan, Jr. on Oct. 10, 2000, discloses a removable modular decking system. U.S. Pat. No. 6,209,267, issued to Dantzer on Apr. 3, 2001, discloses a decking system. U.S. Pat. No. 6,490,838, issued to Summerford on Dec. 10, 2002, discloses an above-grade decking system. U.S. Pat. No. 6,742,311, issued to Fortier on Jun. 1, 2004, discloses a modular transportable floor decking system. U.S. Pat. No. 7,571,576, issued to Pruitt on Aug. 11, 2009, discloses a decking system. U.S. Pat. No. 7,716,888, issued to Richards on May 18, 2010, discloses a composite decking system. U.S. Pat. No. 7,730,693, issued to Schrotenboer on Jun. 8, 2010, discloses a decking system. U.S. Pat. No. 7,908,812, issued to Eberle, III on Mar. 22, 2011, discloses a decking system and anchoring device. U.S. Pat. No. 6,128,880, issued to Groh et al. on Dec. 10, 1991, discloses a thermoplastic cover for stadium seating, picnic tables, boat docks, and the like.
The foregoing patent and other information reflect the state of the art of which the inventor is aware and are tendered with a view toward discharging the inventor's acknowledged duty of candor in disclosing information that may be pertinent to the patentability of the technology described herein. It is respectfully stipulated, however, that the foregoing patent and other information do not teach or render obvious, singly or when considered in combination, the inventor's claimed invention.
In various exemplary embodiments, the technology described herein provides a deck preservation system and retrofit decking system to cover the existing structural elements of a deck such as deck boards, top rails, board ends, steps, and the like.
In one exemplary embodiment, the technology described herein provides a deck board cap. The deck board cap includes: an elongated one-piece deck board cap top cover for a deck board, adapted for a secure coupling to a board top surface of the deck board to cover the board top surface; a first cap side integrally formed with the deck board top cover and extended downwardly and adapted for a secure coupling to a board side of the deck board; a second cap side integrally formed with the deck board cap top cover and extended downwardly and adapted for a secure coupling to a board side of the deck board; wherein the first cap side and the second cap side are opposed to one another; and an inverted channel profile integrally formed and defined by the deck board top cover and first and second cap sides to cover and protect the deck board.
In at least one embodiment, the deck board cap also includes at least one flange extended from a base of at least one of the first cap side and the second cap side.
In at least one embodiment, the deck board cap further includes at least one flange extended from a base of at least one of the first cap side and the second cap side, wherein the at least one flange is extended inwardly toward the inverted channel profile.
In at least one embodiment, the deck board cap also includes at least one flange extended from a base of at least one of the first cap side and the second cap side, wherein the at least one flange is extended outwardly away from inverted channel profile.
In at least one embodiment, the deck board cap further includes at least one flange extended from at least one of the first cap side and the second cap side, wherein the at least one flange is extended both inwardly toward the inverted channel profile and outwardly away from inverted channel profile.
In at least one embodiment, the deck board cap also includes at least one fin extended from a midsection of at least one of the first cap side and the second cap side.
In at least one embodiment, the deck board cap further includes at least one fin extended from a midsection of at least one of the first cap side and the second cap side, wherein the at least one fin is extended inwardly toward the inverted channel profile.
In at least one embodiment, the deck board cap also includes at least one fin extended from a midsection of at least one of the first cap side and the second cap side, wherein the at least one fin is extended outwardly away from inverted channel profile.
In at least one embodiment, the deck board cap further includes: at least one fin extended from a midsection of at least one of the first cap side and the second cap side, wherein the at least one fin is extended inwardly toward the inverted channel profile; and at least one fin extended from a midsection of at least one of the first cap side and the second cap side, wherein the at least one fin is extended outwardly away from inverted channel profile.
In at least one embodiment, the deck board cap also includes a curvature defined and integrally formed within the elongated one-piece deck board cap top cover, wherein the curvature is very slight and upward and adapted for water runoff such that precipitation does not pool.
In at least one embodiment, the deck board cap further includes: a curvature defined and integrally formed within the elongated one-piece deck board cap top cover, wherein the curvature is very slight and upward and adapted for water runoff such that precipitation does not pool; and a second curvature defined in each of the first cap side and the second cap side as each extends downwardly from the deck board cap top cover; wherein the curvature defined in the deck board cap top cover and the second curvature defined in each of the first cap side and the second cap side are adapted to provide a tension to cling to the deck board.
In at least one embodiment, the first cap side and the second side cap extended downwardly from the deck board top cover at a less than ninety-degree angle and inwardly relative to the deck board top cover, thus configured to more substantially grip the board side of the deck board.
In another exemplary embodiment, the technology described herein provides a deck preservation system. The deck preservation system includes: at least one deck board cap having: an elongated one-piece deck board cap top cover for a deck board, adapted for a secure coupling to a board top surface of the deck board to cover the board top surface; a first cap side integrally formed with the deck board top cover and extended downwardly and adapted for a secure coupling to a board side of the deck board; a second cap side integrally formed with the deck board cap top cover and extended downwardly and adapted for a secure coupling to a board side of the deck board; wherein the first cap side and the second cap side are opposed to one another; and an inverted channel profile integrally formed and defined by the deck board top cover and first and second cap sides to cover and protect the deck board; and at least one end cap configured to cover an end of the deck board and to protect and preserve the end of the deck board.
In at least one embodiment, the deck preservation system also includes at least one rail cap configured to cover a deck rail board and to protect and preserve the deck rail board of the deck.
In at least one embodiment, the deck preservation system further includes at least step cap configured to cover a step board and to protect and preserve the step board of the deck.
In at least one embodiment, the deck preservation system also includes at least one edge and trim cap configured to cover a board edge and to protect and preserve the board edge of the deck. In at least one embodiment, the at least one edge and trim cap is “L” shaped. In at least one embodiment, the at least one edge and trim cap is “T” shaped.
In yet another exemplary embodiment, the technology described herein provides a wooden deck board cap. The wooden deck board cap includes: an elongated one-piece deck board cap top cover for a wooden deck board, adapted for a secure coupling to a board top surface of the wooden deck board to cover the board top surface; a first cap side integrally formed with the deck board top cover and extended downwardly and adapted for a secure coupling to a board side of the wooden deck board; a second cap side integrally formed with the deck board cap top cover and extended downwardly and adapted for a secure coupling to a board side of the wooden deck board; wherein the first cap side and the second cap side are opposed to one another; an inverted channel profile integrally formed and defined by the deck board top cover and first and second cap sides to cover and protect the wooden deck board; at least one flange extended from a base of at least one of the first cap side and the second cap side; and at least one fin extended from a midsection of at least one of the first cap side and the second cap side.
In at least one embodiment, the at least one fin of the wooden deck board cap is extended inwardly toward the inverted channel profile.
In at least one embodiment, the wooden deck board cap also includes a curvature defined and integrally formed within the elongated one-piece deck board cap top cover, wherein the curvature is very slight and upward and adapted for water runoff such that precipitation does not pool.
There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the technology in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are additional features of the technology that will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto. In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of the technology in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The technology described herein is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.
As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception, upon which this disclosure is based, may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the technology described herein.
Further objects and advantages of the technology described herein will be apparent from the following detailed description of a presently preferred embodiment which is illustrated schematically in the accompanying drawings.
The technology described herein is illustrated with reference to the various drawings, in which like reference numbers denote like device components and/or method steps, respectively, and in which:
Before describing the disclosed embodiments of this technology in detail, it is to be understood that the technology is not limited in its application to the details of the particular arrangement shown here since the technology described is capable of other embodiments. Also, the terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation.
In various exemplary embodiments, the technology described herein provides a deck preservation system and retrofit decking system to cover the existing structural elements of a deck such as deck boards, top rails, board ends, steps, and the like.
The board caps depicted are not to be structural weight bearing elements, but rather are caps to preserve decks and extend the period of use of decks. The board caps are very lightweight and therefore make more useful caps and provide preservation, but they are not to be utilized for structural weight bearing needs.
Referring now to
The deck board cap 10 includes a top cover 12 portion. The top portion 12 of the deck board cap 10 is adapted for a secure placement over a board top surface of the deck board to cover the board top surface.
The deck board cap 10 includes a first cap side 14 integrally formed with the deck board top cover 12 and extended downwardly and adapted for a secure coupling to a board side of the deck board.
The deck board cap 10 includes a second cap side 16 integrally formed with the deck board cap top cover 12 and extended downwardly and adapted for a secure coupling to a board side of the deck board.
The first cap side 14 and the second cap side 16 extend downwardly from the deck board cap top cover 12. The first cap side 14 and the second cap 16 side are opposed to one another.
In at least one embodiment, the first cap side 14 and the second side cap 16 extended downwardly from the deck board top cover 12 at a less-than-ninety-degree angle and inwardly facing relative to the deck board top cover 12, thus configured to more substantially grip the board side of the deck board. By way of example, and as shown in
The deck board cap top cover 12 and the first and second cap sides 14, 16 can be manufactured of a desired thickness 18 to provide adequate protection and cover to the underlying deck board. In at least one embodiment, the deck board cap top cover 12 and the first and second cap sides 14, 16 are manufactured of the same thickness. In at least one alternative embodiment, the deck board cap top cover 12 and the first and second cap sides 14, 16 are manufactured such that the first and second cap sides 14, 16 are of a different thickness, such as thinner, for example, than the deck board cap top cover 12.
An inverted channel profile is integrally formed and defined by the deck board top cover 12 and first and second cap sides 14, 16 to cover and protect the deck board.
Referring now to
Referring now to
The top rail cap 22 includes a first rail side 26 integrally formed with the top rail cap 22 and extended downwardly and adapted for a secure coupling to a deck rail. The first rail side 26 shown includes flange 32 to secure the top rail cap 22 to the rail from the underside.
The top rail cap 22 includes a second rail side 28 integrally formed with top rail cap 22 and extended downwardly and adapted for a secure coupling to a deck rail. The second rail side 28 shown includes flange 34 to secure the top rail cap 22 to the rail from the underside.
The top rail cap 22 and the first and second rail sides 26, 28 can be manufactured of a desired thickness 30 to provide adequate protection and cover to the underlying deck board.
Referring now to
The step cap 36 includes a first step cap side 40 integrally formed with the step cap 36 and extended downwardly and adapted for a secure coupling to a deck step. The first step cap side 40 shown includes flange 46 to secure the step cap 36 to the step from the underside.
The step cap 36 includes a second step cap side 42 integrally formed with the step cap 36 and extended downwardly and adapted for a secure coupling to a deck step. The second step cap side 42 shown does not include a flange.
The step cap 36 and the first and second step cap sides 40, 42 can be manufactured of a desired thickness 44 to provide adequate protection and cover to the underlying deck board.
Referring now to
The edge and trim cap 48 includes a top portion 50, a side 52 extending downwardly from the top portion 50 and integrally formed with the top portion 50. The edge and trim cap 48, top portion 50, and side 52 can be manufactured of a desired thickness 54 to provide adequate protection and cover to the underlying deck board.
Referring now to
The end cap 56 is generally cubed, having 5 of six sides with one open to cover an end of a deck board 20. As depicted, three sides: a top 60, side 62, and end 58 are shown.
Referring now to
Referring now to
Referring now to
Referring now to
Referring now to
Referring now to
It will be apparent to one of ordinary skill on the art, upon reading this disclosure, that the board cap embodiments depicted in
Referring now to
The various deck board caps depicted throughout the disclosure can also include friction, non-slip portions, to provide stability to one walking across a floor board deck cap, for example. Additionally, the various deck board caps depicted throughout the disclosure can further include indentions, textures, and so forth, such as a wood grain look, or the like.
Although this technology has been illustrated and described herein with reference to preferred embodiments and specific examples thereof, it will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that other embodiments and examples can perform similar functions and/or achieve like results. All such equivalent embodiments and examples are within the spirit and scope of the invention and are intended to be covered by the following claims.
