Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to a system and method for decking tiles, and particularly to a system and a method for decking tiles on ground surfaces.
Conventional deck tiles require joist beams or a wooden frame assembly for decking tiles on ground surfaces. In addition, these conventional deck tiles have pre-attached deck boards that are further placed on a structure such as, a roof top or a concrete patio. In case, the ground surface is uneven or irregular, then these conventional deck tiles use height adjustable support attachments, or the ground surface needs to be levelled up before installing the decking tiles. However, such attachments are made up of plastic and therefore, are not durable and robust enough to support deck boards for a long duration. Further, the deck boards may slip from the conventional deck tiles, which may cause the deck boards to slide out of an engagement in a horizontal direction. In order to eliminate the above problem, the deck boards has to be screwed down at each end of the deck to hold the deck boards by using fastening means such as, but not limited to, fasteners, nails, screws, and so forth. Gradually, the fastening means loosen up due to impact or vibrations generated by walking on the deck tiles, and as a result, a gap is formed between the deck boards. In addition, such fastening means can be hazardous to individuals walking on the deck boards, in case a head of a nail is raised above the deck board surface.
There is thus a need for a system and a method for arranging deck tiles in a matrix on uneven surfaces in a more efficient manner.
Embodiments in accordance with the present invention provide a deck tile assembly. The deck tile assembly comprises a frame having at least four sides. The deck tile assembly further comprises a plurality of bars for providing a support structure to the frame. The deck tile assembly further comprises at least two parallel sleepers permanently attached between two opposite sides of the frame and mounted on the plurality of bars. The deck tile assembly further comprises at least two step clip fastening devices, wherein each of the step clip fastening device is mounted on one of the at least two parallel sleepers. The deck tile assembly further comprises hooking connectors that are positioned underneath the at least two step clip fastening devices. The hooking connectors are configured to enable the at least two step clip fastening devices to remained secured on the at least two parallel sleepers. The deck tile assembly further comprises at least two supporting members for attaching the frame with the ground surface. A stake is positioned through a cone-shaped through-hole to attach the frame with the ground surface.
Embodiments in accordance with the present invention provide a deck tile system. The deck tile system comprises a deck tile assembly, wherein the assembly comprises a frame having at least four sides. The deck tile assembly further comprises a plurality of bars for providing a support structure to the frame. The deck tile assembly further comprises at least two parallel sleepers permanently attached between two opposite sides of the frame and mounted on the plurality of bars. The deck tile assembly further comprises at least two step clip fastening devices, wherein each of the step clip fastening device is mounted on one of the at least two parallel sleepers. The deck tile assembly further comprises at least two supporting members for attaching the frame with the ground surface. The at least two stakes are positioned at an angle to attach the frame to the ground surface. The deck tile system further comprises a plurality of deck boards attached to the deck tile assembly, wherein each of the plurality of deck boards are mounted between two step clips of each of the at least two step clip fastening devices. The deck tile system further comprises at least one hooking connector positioned on each tile, and positioned beneath the plurality of deck boards.
Embodiments in accordance with the present invention provide a method of assembling at least two deck tile assemblies. The method comprising the steps of placing a first deck tile assembly on a ground surface; placing a second deck tile assembly adjacent to the first deck tile assembly; aligning a plurality of grooves of the first deck tile assembly with a plurality of protrusions of the second deck tile assembly; aligning a plurality of protrusions of the first deck tile assembly with a plurality of grooves of the second deck tile assembly; snapping the second deck tile assembly with the first deck tile assembly; fastening the first deck tile assembly and the second deck tile assembly using a plurality of locking mechanisms, wherein the first deck tile assembly and the second deck tile assembly each contain a hooking connector; and attaching a plurality of skirting enclosing a periphery of the two assembled deck tile assemblies.
Embodiments in accordance with the present invention provide a deck tile assembly for installation of deck boards on uneven ground surfaces without much preparation such as, levelling the ground, etc.
Embodiments in accordance with the present invention include cone-shaped through holes that enable stakes to be placed at an angle into the ground surface, and more securely hold the deck tile assembly within the ground surface.
The present inventive features also include hooking connectors that secure each tile assembly to the adjacent tile assembly to ensure that the entire deck tile assembly remains secured and interconnected.
The deck tile assembly may be placed on a variety of surfaces and therefore, may be used as a sub-flooring on an uneven ground surface, on concrete or pavers, as the deck tile assembly is capable of being leveled even on uneven surfaces such as interlocking pavers, and the like.
The deck tile assembly may comprise a frame having corners that allow for self-leveling or leveling capabilities. In addition, the frame comprises openings for receiving uneven surfaces of the ground and therefore to provide an evenly levelled ground surface for installation of deck boards.
Embodiments in accordance with the present invention provide a deck tile assembly that may comprise a step clip fastening device within the frame of the deck tile assembly. The step clip fastening device includes a plurality of step clips along the length of the step clip fastening device. The step clips are designed to accommodate deck boards within its cavity when the deck boards are pressed against and into the step clips of the deck tile assembly.
According to an embodiment of the present invention, the step clips may comprise a rubber like material over-molded on an inner surface of the step clips to provide enough friction for the deck boards and thus, restricting the movement of the deck boards in the horizontal direction.
These and other advantages will be apparent from the present application of the embodiments described herein.
The preceding is a simplified summary to provide an understanding of some embodiments of the present invention. This summary is neither an extensive nor exhaustive overview of the present invention and its various embodiments. The summary presents selected concepts of the embodiments of the present invention in a simplified form as an introduction to the more detailed description presented below. As will be appreciated, other embodiments of the present invention are possible utilizing, alone or in combination, one or more of the features set forth above or described in detail below.
The above and still further features and advantages of embodiments of the present invention will become apparent upon consideration of the following detailed description of embodiments thereof, especially when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, and wherein:
The headings used herein are for organizational purposes only and are not meant to be used to limit the scope of the description or the claims. As used throughout this application, the word “may” is used in a permissive sense (i.e., meaning having the potential to), rather than the mandatory sense (i.e., meaning must). Similarly, the words “include”, “including”, and “includes” mean including but not limited to. To facilitate understanding, like reference numerals have been used, where possible, to designate like elements common to the figures. Optional portions of the figures may be illustrated using dashed or dotted lines, unless the context of usage indicates otherwise.
The frame 102 of the deck tile 100 may further comprise corners 106 such as corner 106a, 106b, 106c, and 106d. Each corner 106 of the frame 102 may allow for self-leveling or leveling capabilities with respect to the ground surface such as uneven ground surface. In an embodiment of the present invention, each corner 106 may be a L-shaped corner attached to two adjacent sides of the frame 102. In an embodiment of the present invention, a height of each corner is less than the height of each side of the frame 102. In an embodiment of the present invention, each corner 106 may be integrally attached to the two adjacent sides of the frame 102. In another embodiment of the present invention, each corner 106 may be removably attached to the two adjacent sides of the frame 102.
Further, the deck tile 100 may comprise at least two step clip fastening devices 108a and 108b (hereinafter referred to as a step clip fastening device 108), in an embodiment of the present invention. The step clip fastening device 108 may comprise a base strip 110, a plurality of step clips 112, and a tab (not shown). The base strip 110 is preferably made up of glass filled polypropylene, in an embodiment of the present invention. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any material of the base strip 110 including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies that may be beneficial to provide dimensional stability, rigidity and strength to the base strip 110.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the step clips 112 are present along a length of the base strip 110. The step clip 112 is designed such that the step clip 112 may accommodate and hold a deck board (see
According to an embodiment of the present invention, the step clip fastening device 108 comprises a tab (not shown) that extends vertically downwards from the base of the base strip 110. The tab may be used to align the step clip fastening device 108 on the frame 102 of the deck tile 100. The tab may be an arc head shaped, which may be used to align the step clip fastening device 108 on the base of the frame 102, in an embodiment of the present invention. In another embodiment of the present invention, the tab may be, but not limited to, an arc shaped, an oval head shaped, a circular head shaped, and so forth. In an embodiment of the present invention, the step clip fastening device 108 including the step clip 112, tab and base strip 110, may be a single piece molded over the base of the frame 102. In another embodiment of the present invention, the step clip fastening device 108 may be attached as a separate piece to the deck tile 100. In an embodiment of the present invention, each step clip 112 may include an anchor (not shown) protruded at its center on an inner cavity of the step clip 112. The anchor may provide enough friction to deck boards and therefore, restricts movement of deck boards in the horizontal direction. In an embodiment of the present invention, the anchor may be made up of a metal piece such as, but not limited to, stainless steel. In another embodiment of the present invention, the anchor may be made up of a rubber, over-molded on the inner cavity of each step clip 112. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of material of the anchor including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies that may be beneficial to provide friction to the deck boards to restrict their movement in the horizontal direction. In an embodiment of the present invention, the anchor may be removably attached to the inner cavity of each step clip 112. In yet another embodiment of the present invention, the anchor may be permanently attached to the inner cavity of each step clip 112.
Further, the deck tile 100 may comprise bars 114 to provide a support system to the frame 102, in an embodiment of the present invention. In an embodiment of the present invention, the bars 114 may be vertical bars, horizontal bars, or a combination thereof. In an embodiment of the present invention, the bars 114 may be installed in a 3×3 matrix array. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any configuration of a matrix array including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies that may be beneficial to provide a support structure to the frame 102. A gap between the vertical bars and the horizontal bars are openings, such as the openings 104.
The frame 102 of the deck tile 100 may include a support 115 between two opposite sides of the frame 102. The height of the support 115 may be less than the height of each side of the frame 102, in an embodiment of the present invention. In an embodiment of the present invention, the support 115 may be attached on one of the bars 114 by using a horizontal support structure, as shown in
The deck tile 100 may further comprises a plurality of locking mechanisms 116, 104, 105. The locking mechanism 116 may be used to attach and/or lock another deck tiles to the deck tile 100. In an embodiment of the present invention, each side of the frame 102 may comprise at least two locking mechanisms 116. Therefore, each deck tile 100 may comprise at least eight locking mechanisms 116 at the four sides of the deck tile 100. In an embodiment of the present invention, the locking mechanism 116 may be, but not limited to, an interlock mechanism. The locking mechanism 116 may have a groove that fits in a groove of a locking mechanism of a second deck tile in order to interlock the two deck tiles. In another embodiment of the present invention, the locking mechanism 116 may be a snap lock mechanism. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of locking mechanism including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies that may be beneficial to lock another deck tile or any other attachment. The locking mechanism 116 may be shaped as a groove having a lever 117 at a center of the groove, which is protruded outwards from the groove of the locking mechanism 116. In an embodiment of the present invention, the lever 117 may have a notch at a distal end of the lever 117. The shape of the notch may be a V-shaped notch, in an embodiment of the present invention. In another embodiment of the present invention, the notch may be round in shape. In an embodiment of the present invention, the lever 117 and the notch may be made up of a flexible material in order to interlock with a locking mechanism of another deck tile.
Further, the deck tile 100 may comprise a supporting member 118 that may be used to provide a support to deck boards when placed on the deck tile 100, in an embodiment of the present invention. Further, the supporting member 118 may comprise a hole 120 at each end of the supporting member 118. In an embodiment of the present invention, the hole 120 may be used to fix the deck tile 100 on the ground surface by using fastening means. In an embodiment of the present invention, the fastening means may include, but not limited to, fasteners, nails, nuts, screws, pins, and so forth. In an embodiment of the present invention, the holes 120 may pass through the bars 114 of the deck tile 100 in order to fix the deck tile 100 on the ground surface.
Referring to
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In
Further, the deck tile 100 comprises the bars 114 for providing a support structure to the frame 102. The frame 102 of the deck tile 100 may include the support 115 between two opposite sides of the frame 102. The height of the support 115 may be less than the height of each side of the frame 102, in an embodiment of the present invention. In an embodiment of the present invention, the support 115 may be attached to one of the bars 114 by using horizontal support structures 202. The horizontal support structures 202 may be attached to the frame 102 by using the fastening means, in an embodiment of the present invention. In another embodiment of the present invention, the horizontal support structures 202 may be integrally attached to the frame 102.
The locking mechanism 116 may be used to attach and/or lock another deck tiles to the deck tile 100, in an embodiment of the present invention. Each side of the frame 102 may comprise at least two locking mechanisms 116. One of the locking mechanisms 116 may have a groove and a lever 117, as discussed above. The other locking mechanism 116 may be a groove 204 without a lever. One side of the groove of the other locking mechanism 116 may have a notch 206 for interlocking another deck tile to the deck tile 100.
Further, the supporting member 118 may be used to fix the deck tile 100 with a ground surface. In an embodiment of the present invention, the supporting member 118 may comprise the hole 120 at each end of the supporting member 118. Each of the hole 120 may be surrounded by a number of arms 208.
Referring to
With respect to
The deck tile 100 further comprises the openings 104 at each side of the frame 102. In an embodiment of the present invention, the openings 104 may be rectangular in shape having rounded corners. The openings 104 may be used to level the frame 102 with the ground surface, in an embodiment of the present invention. In another embodiment of the present invention, the openings 104 may provide airflow and ventilation to the deck tile 100.
Further, the deck tile 100 may comprise at least two step clip fastening devices 108. The step clip fastening device 108 may comprise the base strip 110, a plurality of step clips 112, and a tab (not shown), in an embodiment of the present invention. The step clips 112 are present along the length of the base strip 110. Further, the deck tile 100 may comprise bars 114 to provide a support system to the frame 102, in an embodiment of the present invention.
The deck tile 100 may further comprise the locking mechanism 116. The locking mechanism 116 may be used to attach and/or lock another deck tiles to the deck tile 100. In an embodiment of the present invention, each side of the frame 102 may comprise at least two locking mechanisms 116. Further, the deck tile 100 may comprise the supporting member 118 that may be used to fix the deck tile 100 on the ground. In an embodiment of the present invention, a height of the supporting member 118 is less than the height of the side of the frame 102. In an embodiment of the present invention, the holes 120 passes through the bars 114 of the deck tile 100, as discussed above.
The frame 1602 of the deck tile 1600 may further comprise corners 1606 such as corner 1606a, 1606b, 1606c, and 1606d (hereinafter referred to as a corner 1606). Each corner 1606 of the frame 1602 may allow for self-leveling or leveling capabilities with respect to the ground surface such as uneven ground surface. In an embodiment of the present invention, each corner 1606 may be a L-shaped corner attached to two adjacent sides of the frame 1602. In an embodiment of the present invention, the height of each corner 1606 is less than the height of each side of the frame 1602. In an embodiment of the present invention, each corner 1606 may be integrally attached to the two adjacent sides of the frame 1602. In another embodiment of the present invention, each corner 1606 may be removably attached to the two adjacent sides of the frame 1602.
Further, the deck tile 1600 may comprise at least two step clip fastening devices 1608a and 1608b (hereinafter referred to as step clip fastening device 1608), in an embodiment of the present invention. The step clip fastening device 1608 may comprise a base strip 1610, step clips 1612, and a tab (not shown). The base strip 1610 is preferably made up of glass filled polypropylene, in an embodiment of the present invention. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any material of the base strip 1610 including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies that may be beneficial to provide dimensional stability, rigidity and strength to the base strip 1610.
The step clips 1612 are present along a length of the base strip 1610 as shown in the
Further, the step clip fastening device 1608 comprises a tab (not shown) that extends vertically downwards from the base of the base strip 1610. The tab may be used to align the step clip fastening device 1608 on the frame 1602 of the deck tile 1600. The tab may be an arc head shaped, which may be used to align the step clip fastening device 1608 on the base of the frame 1602, in an embodiment of the present invention. In another embodiment of the present invention, the tab may be an oval head shaped. In an embodiment of the present invention, the step clip fastening device 1608 including the step clips 1612, tab and base strip 1610, may be a single piece molded over the base of the frame 1602. In another embodiment of the present invention, the step clip fastening device 1608 may be attached as a separate piece to the deck tile 1600. In an embodiment of the present invention, each step clip 1612 may include an anchor (not shown) protruded at its center on an inner cavity of the step clip 1612. The anchor may provide enough friction to deck boards and therefore, restricts movement of deck boards in a horizontal direction. In an embodiment of the present invention, the anchor may be made up of a metal piece such as, but not limited to, stainless steel. In another embodiment of the present invention, the anchor may be made up of rubber, over-molded on the inner cavity of each step clip 1612. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of material of the anchor including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies that may be beneficial to provide friction to the deck boards to restrict their movement in the horizontal direction. In an embodiment of the present invention, the anchor may be removably attached to the inner cavity of each step clip 1612. In yet another embodiment of the present invention, the anchor may be permanently attached to the inner cavity of each step clip 1612.
Further, the deck tile 1600 may comprise bars 1614 to provide a support system to the frame 1602, in an embodiment of the present invention. In an embodiment of the present invention, the bars 1614 may be vertical bars, horizontal bars, or a combination thereof. In an embodiment of the present invention, the bars 1614 may be installed in a 3×3 matrix array. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any configuration of a matrix array including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies that may be beneficial to provide a support structure to the frame 1602. A gap between the vertical bars and the horizontal bars are openings, such as the openings 1064, in an embodiment of the present invention.
The frame 1602 of the deck tile 1600 may include a support 1615 between two opposite sides of the frame 1602. The height of the support 1615 may be less than the height of each side of the frame 1602, in an embodiment of the present invention. In an embodiment of the present invention, the support 1615 may be attached on one of the bars 1614 by using a horizontal support structure, as shown in
The deck tile 1600 may further comprises a plurality of locking mechanisms 1616. The locking mechanism 1616 may be used to attach and/or lock another deck tiles to the deck tile 1600. In an embodiment of the present invention, each side of the frame 1602 may comprise at least two locking mechanisms 1616. Therefore, each deck tile 1600 may comprise at least eight locking mechanisms 1616 at the four sides of the deck tile 1600. In an embodiment of the present invention, the locking mechanism 1616 may be, but not limited to, an interlock mechanism. The locking mechanism 1616 may have a groove that fits in a groove of a locking mechanism of a second deck tile in order to interlock the two deck tiles. In another embodiment of the present invention, the locking mechanism 1616 may be a snap lock mechanism. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of locking mechanism including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies that may be beneficial to lock another deck tile or any other attachment. The locking mechanism 1616 may be shaped as a groove having a lever 1617 at a center of the groove, which is protruded outwards from the locking mechanism 1616. In an embodiment of the present invention, the lever 1617 may have a notch at a distal end of the lever 1617. The shape of the notch may be a V-shaped notch, in an embodiment of the present invention. In another embodiment of the present invention, the notch may be round in shape. In an embodiment of the present invention, the lever 1617 and the notch may be made up of a flexible material in order to interlock with a locking mechanism of another deck tile.
Further, the deck tile 1600 may comprise a supporting member 1618 at one side of the frame 1602, which may be used to provide support to deck boards when placed on the deck tile 1600. In an embodiment of the present invention, the supporting member 1618 may comprise a hole 1620 at each end of the supporting member 1618. In an embodiment of the present invention, the hole 1620 may be used to fix the deck tile 1600 on the ground surface by using fastening means. In an embodiment of the present invention, the fastening means may include, but not limited to, fasteners, nails, nuts, screws, pins, and so forth. In an embodiment of the present invention, the holes 1620 passes through the bars 1614 of the deck tile 1600. The frame 1602 may comprise a second supporting member 1618 at the opposite side of the frame 1602, in an embodiment of the present invention.
Further, the deck tile 1600 comprises bars 1614 for providing a support structure to the frame 1602. The frame 1602 of the deck tile 1600 may include the support 1615 between two opposite sides of the frame 1602. The height of the support 1615 may be less than the height of each side of the frame 1602, in an embodiment of the present invention. In an embodiment of the present invention, the support 1615 may be attached to one of the bars 1614.
The locking mechanism 1616 may be used to attach and/or lock another deck tiles to the deck tile 1600, in an embodiment of the present invention. Each side of the frame 1602 may comprise at least two locking mechanism 1616. One of the locking mechanisms 1616 may have a groove and the lever 1617, as discussed above. The other locking mechanism 1616 may be a hollow groove 1702 without a lever. One side of the groove may have a notch 1704 for interlocking another deck tile. The shape of the notch 1704 may be a V-shaped notch, in an embodiment of the present invention. In another embodiment of the present invention, the notch 1704 may be round in shape. In an embodiment of the present invention, the lever 1617 and the notch 1704 may be made up of a flexible material in order to interlock with a locking mechanism of another deck tile to the deck tile 1600.
Further, the supporting member 1618 that may be used to fix the deck tile 1600 with a ground surface. In an embodiment of the present invention, the supporting member 1618 may comprise the hole 1620 at each end of the supporting member 1618. Each of the hole 1620 may be surrounded by a number of arms 1706.
The deck tile 1600 further comprises two openings 1604 and 1604 at each side of the frame 1602. In an embodiment of the present invention, the openings 1604 may be rectangular in shape having rounded corners. The openings 1604 may be used to level the frame 1602 with the ground surface. One of the opening 1604 may include a groove 1604a and a second opening 1604 may include a protrusion 1604b at the center of each of the openings 1604. Further, an upper edge 1904 of the frame 1602 may include a protrusion 1906a corresponding to the groove 1604a, and a groove 1906b corresponding to the protrusion 1604b. The protrusion 1906a and the groove 1604a may provide a locking mechanism to interlock and/or attach a second deck tile with.
In another illustrative embodiment as shown in
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In
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The present invention, in various embodiments, configurations, and aspects, includes components, methods, processes, systems and/or apparatus substantially as depicted and described herein, including various embodiments, sub-combinations, and subsets thereof. Those of skill in the art will understand how to make and use the present invention after understanding the present disclosure.
The present invention, in various embodiments, configurations, and aspects, includes providing devices and processes in the absence of items not depicted and/or described herein or in various embodiments, configurations, or aspects hereof, including in the absence of such items as may have been used in previous devices or processes, e.g., for improving performance, achieving ease and/or reducing cost of implementation.
While the foregoing is directed to embodiments of the present disclosure, other and further embodiments of the present disclosure may be devised without departing from the basic scope thereof. It is understood that various embodiments described herein may be utilized in combination with any other embodiment described, without departing from the scope contained herein. Further, the foregoing description is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the disclosure to the precise form disclosed.
Modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teachings or may be acquired from practice of the disclosure. Certain exemplary embodiments may be identified by use of an open-ended list that includes wording to indicate that the list items are representative of the embodiments and that the list is not intended to represent a closed list exclusive of further embodiments. Such wording may include “e.g.,” “etc.,” “such as,” “for example,” “and so forth,” “and the like,” etc., and other wording as will be apparent from the surrounding context.
This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 18/210,707 filed on Jun. 16, 2023, entitled, “System and Method for Decking Tiles,” which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 17/487,080 filed Sep. 28, 2021, entitled, “System and Method for Decking Tiles”, now U.S. Pat. No. 11,719,004, which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 16/788,378 filed Feb. 12, 2020, entitled, “System and Method for Decking Tiles”, now U.S. Pat. No. 11,156,005, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 62/866,152 filed Jun. 25, 2019, entitled “System and Method For Decking Tiles”, which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.
Number | Date | Country | |
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62866152 | Jun 2019 | US |
Number | Date | Country | |
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Parent | 17487080 | Sep 2021 | US |
Child | 18210707 | US | |
Parent | 16788378 | Feb 2020 | US |
Child | 17487080 | US |
Number | Date | Country | |
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Parent | 18210707 | Jun 2023 | US |
Child | 18532138 | US |