DECK BOARD

Abstract

This invention relates to a deck board (1) and more particularly, to a reduced material deck board (1). In accordance with this invention there is provided a deck board (1) comprising an operatively upper board section (4) having at least one operatively downwardly depending support leg (5) terminating in at least one flange (7), an underside of the flange (7) having a concave surface.

Claims

1. A deck board comprising an operatively upper board section having at least one operatively downwardly depending support leg terminating in at least one flange, an underside of the flange having a concave surface.

2. A deck board as claimed in claim 1 in which an underside of the upper board section has a concave surface.

3. A deck board as claimed in claim 1 in which two flanges extend transversely away from opposite sides of a lower end of the leg.

4. A deck board as claimed in claim 1 in which anti-slip formations are located in or on an upper surface of the upper board section.

5. A deck board as claimed in claim 4 in which the anti-slip formations are a number of parallel, elongate grooves or parallel elongate protrusions.

6. A deck board comprising an elongate body which, in cross section, has a number of substantially I-beam shaped sections with operatively horizontal upper or head sections connected to each other and lower operatively horizontally extending foot sections being shorter in length than the head sections so that their free ends are spaced apart.

7. A deck board as claimed in claim 6 in which a central connecting section of the I-beam connects the upper and lower sections to complete the I-beam shape.

8. A deck board as claimed in claim 6 in which the underside of the foot section is concave.

9. A deck board as claimed in claim 6 or 7 in which an underside of the connected head sections is concave.

10. A deck board as claimed in claim 6 in which upper surfaces of the foot sections are substantially operatively horizontal.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0032] One embodiment of the invention is described below, by way of example only, and with reference to the drawings in which:

[0033] FIG. 1 shows an upper perspective view of a deck board in accordance with the invention;

[0034] FIG. 2 shows an underside perspective view of the deck board FIG. 1;

[0035] FIG. 3 shows a plan view of the deck board of FIGS. 1 and 2;

[0036] FIG. 4 shows a bottom view of the deck board of FIGS. 1 to 3;

[0037] FIG. 5 shows a left side view of the deck board of FIGS. 1 to 4;

[0038] FIG. 6 shows a right-side view of the deck board of FIGS. 1 to 5;

[0039] FIG. 7 shows a front-end view of the deck board of FIGS. 1 to 6; and

[0040] FIG. 8 shows a rear end view of the deck board of FIGS. 1 to 7.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0041] With reference to the drawings, a deck board is generally indicated by reference numeral 1.

[0042] The deck board 1 includes an elongate body that has an operatively upper board section 4 that has a number of operatively downwardly depending support legs 5 extending downwardly from an underside surface 8 of the upper board section 4.

[0043] Lower ends 6 of each leg terminate in a transversely extending flanged that, in effect, forms two transversely extending flanges 7 extending transversely away from opposite sides of lower ends 6 of the legs 5.

[0044] In cross-sectional profile view, the legs, flanges and upper board section resemble I-beam sections connected side-by-side with their upper or head sections connected to each other and lower foot sections, spaced apart.

[0045] An underside surface 9 of each flange 7, is concave. Underside surfaces 8 of the upper board section 4, between the downwardly depending legs 5, are also concave. Upper surfaces 7a of the flanges are operatively level and, in use, receive parts of fastener clips thereon.

[0046] An upper surface 2 of the upper board section 4 includes anti-slip formations in the form of a series of parallel and elongate grooves, parallel with the main axis of the deck board 1. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that any other convenient anti-slip formations may be formed on the upper surface, as may be required.

[0047] In use, deck boards are placed side-by-side on joists of a substructure on which a deck is to be formed. The deck boards are attached with fastener clips as is known in the art. Wings or other parts of the fastener clips locate on part of the upper surfaces 7a of flanges at opposite outer edges of the deck board.

[0048] This invention thus provides a deck board comprising an elongate body which, in cross section, has a number of substantially I-beam shaped sections with operatively horizontal upper or head sections connected to each other and lower operatively horizontally extending foot sections being shorter in length than the head sections so that theft free ends are spaced apart.

[0049] A central connecting section of the I-beam connects the upper and lower sections to complete the I-beam shape. An underside of the foot section is concave. An underside of the connected head sections is concave, Upper surfaces of the foot sections are substantially operatively horizontal.

[0050] All corners and edges of the board are rounded and the arched surfaces (8 and 9) adds to the strength of the board and ensures improved load distribution. The spaced apart flanges ensure that water will easily be drained from the board. Even if water collects on the level surfaces 7a, and especially those at the opposite outer edges of the deck board, these surfaces are exposed and will dry relatively quickly. Water will thus not collect, or not collect for an undesired length of time, on or in the board, thereby enhancing its durability. The board is relatively light, as a result of using less material than a solid board. The board, however, remains strong enough and fit for purpose.

[0051] It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that many other embodiments are possible without departing from the scope of the invention.