DECKING KIT AND METHOD OF USING

Abstract

A decking kit for impeding degradation of a deck is provided. The decking kit includes a cylindrical rod defining a half cylinder shaped engagement portion on each end, wherein the axis of the rod is co-extensive with the axis of each engagement portion. Further, each engagement portion defines an engagement aperture or groove perpendicular to both the axis of the engagement portion and a flat rectangular surface of the engagement portion. In some embodiments, the kit further includes a half cylinder shaped shim having a shim aperture perpendicular to both the axis of the shim and a flat rectangular surface of the shim.

Claims

1. A decking kit for impeding degradation of deck boards, comprising: a cylindrical rod having a length for extending at least into two deck boards between a top surface and a bottom surface of each of the deck boards, thereby adjoining the two deck boards in a substantially parallel position relative to each other, wherein the cylindrical rod defines a rod aperture extending substantially perpendicular through a width of the cylindrical rod and positioned between the two deck boards for accepting a fastener therethrough for securing the two deck boards to a deck.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] The previous summary and the following detailed descriptions are to be read in view of the drawings, which illustrate particular exemplary embodiments and features as briefly described below. The summary and detailed descriptions, however, are not limited to only those embodiments and features explicitly illustrated.

[0011] FIG. 1A is a top view of a rod for installment into a decking board according to one or more embodiments of the present invention.

[0012] FIG. 1B is a side view of a rod for installment into decking board according to one or more embodiments of the present invention.

[0013] FIG. 2 is a side view of a two connectable rods of a decking kit according to one or more embodiments of the present invention.

[0014] FIG. 3 is side view of a rod and a shim of a decking kit according to one or more embodiments of the present invention.

[0015] FIG. 4A is a side view of a rod and a shim of a decking kit according to one or more embodiments of the present invention.

[0016] FIG. 4B is a top view of a rod and a shim of a decking kit according to one or more embodiments of the present invention.

[0017] FIG. 5A is a side view of a rod according to one or more embodiments of the present invention.

[0018] FIG. 5B is a top view of a rod according to one or more embodiments of the present invention.

[0019] FIG. 6 is a side view of rods adjoining two boards according to one or more embodiments of the present invention.

[0020] FIG. 7 is a top view of decking boards installed using the decking kit.

[0021] FIG. 8 is a side view of predrilled holes and notches above a joist according to one or more embodiments of the present invention.

[0022] FIG. 9 is a side view of a board jig and its components according to one or more embodiments of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTIONS

[0023] These descriptions are presented with sufficient details to provide an understanding of one or more particular embodiments of broader inventive subject matters. These descriptions expound upon and exemplify particular features of those particular embodiments without limiting the inventive subject matters to the explicitly described embodiments and features. Considerations in view of these descriptions will likely give rise to additional and similar embodiments and features without departing from the scope of the inventive subject matters. Although the term step may be expressly used or implied relating to features of processes or methods, no implication is made of any particular order or sequence among such expressed or implied steps unless an order or sequence is explicitly stated.

[0024] Any dimensions expressed or implied in the drawings and these descriptions are provided for exemplary purposes. Thus, not all embodiments within the scope of the drawings and these descriptions are made according to such exemplary dimensions. The drawings are not made necessarily to scale. Thus, not all embodiments within the scope of the drawings and these descriptions are made according to the apparent scale of the drawings with regard to relative dimensions in the drawings. However, for each drawing, at least one embodiment is made according to the apparent relative scale of the drawing.

[0025] Referring generally to FIG. 1, at least one embodiment of a decking kit 10 for impeding degradation of a deck 1 is provided. The decking kit 10 may include a cylindrical rod 12 defining a half cylinder shaped engagement portion 14 on each end. The cylindrical rod 12 may be made of any durable, waterproof material (e.g., stainless steel). In alternative embodiments, the rod may be substantially flat, square, triangular or any other shape. The axis of the rod 12 may be co-extensive with the axis of each engagement portion 14 so that a straight line is formed amongst all three components. For impeding degradation of a deck 1, the rod 12 may be inserted between the top surface 5 and bottom surface 6 of the decking board 2 at various points along the board 2, thereby impeding the board 2 from bending or cracking over time.

[0026] Further, the rods 12 may be secured to a joist 3 of a deck to impede movement or separation between the boards 2 and joist 3. In some embodiments, each engagement portion 14 may define an engagement aperture 22 perpendicular to both the axis of the engagement portion 14 and a flat rectangular surface 30 of the engagement portion 14. The apertures 22 may be positioned outside of the decking board 2 for permitting a screw or nail or fastener 44 (herein referred to as fastener) to be threaded or placed therethrough. The fastener 44 may thereby connect the decking board 2 to the joist 3 or other surface.

[0027] In other embodiments, the rod 12 may further define a rod aperture 20 positioned approximately in the center of the rod 12 and perpendicular to the axis of the rod 12 and a plane coextensive with a flat rectangular surface 30 of the engagement portion 14. Similarly a fastener 44 may be threaded or placed therethrough for securement of the decking board 2 to the joist 3 or other surface. The flat rectangular surface 30 of the engagement portion 16 of two rods 12 may be engaged to each other to conjoin decking boards 2, such as is depicted in FIG. 2.

[0028] In some embodiments, the kit 10 may further include a half cylinder shaped shim 16 having a shim aperture 24 perpendicular to both the axis of the shim 16 and a flat rectangular surface 32 of the shim 16. The flat rectangular surface 32 of the shim 16 may be positioned over, and engaged to, the flat rectangular surface 34 of two coextensive engagement portions 14 of two rods 12, as is depicted in FIGS. 3, 4A and 4B. As depicted in these figures, each engagement portion 14 may define a groove 26 on an end of the engagement portion 14 perpendicular to both the axis of the engagement portion 14 and a flat rectangular surface 30 of the engagement portion 14. When two engagement portions 14 are placed side by side, the two respective grooves 26 for an aperture for allowing passage therethrough of a fastener 4 for securing the board 2 to a joist 3 or other surface.

[0029] The rod aperture 20, engagement apertures 22, and/or shim apertures 24 may have any shape for accepting a fastener 44, including but not limited to, an elongated ellipse, a cylinder or a rectangle. The kit 10 may further include a plurality of fasteners 44 for insertion through the rod aperture 20, engagement apertures 22, and/or shim aperture 24.

[0030] According to some embodiments, such as FIGS. 5A and 5B, the rod 12 may be cylindrically shaped and have a length for extending fully or partially through two or more boards 2 (e.g., see FIG. 7). The rod 12 may have a flat shape on each end, be shaped in its entirety similarly to a cylinder. The rod 12 may include one or more rod apertures 20. For example, a rod 12 having a length for extending fully or partially through two boards 2 may have a rod aperture 20 substantially positioned at a halfway point along the length of the rod 2 for bisecting the rod 2. Such a rod 12 may be inserted into a pre-drilled hole 4 of a first board 2, or may be inserted or screwed into the first board 2, such that the remaining length of the rod 12 extends from the first board 2 and may be inserted into a pre-drilled hole 4 of a second board 2, or may be inserted or screwed into the second board 2, such that the first board 2 and second board 2 are positioned substantially parallel to each other. The first and second boards 2 may have their ends aligned, such as is depicted in the right half of FIG. 7, or they may be offset, such as is depicted in the left half of FIG. 7.

[0031] In yet other embodiments, methods of using the decking kit 10 to impede degradation of deck boards 2 may include inserting one or more rods 12 between two boards 2 for aligning the boards 2 in a substantially parallel position to one another and for positioning a rod aperture 20 between the two boards 2 for securing the boards to the deck. For example, the rod 12 of FIG. 2 may be used, wherein a left end of the rod 12 may be inserted approximately halfway through the width of a first board 2 and the right end of the rod 12 may be inserted approximately halfway through the width of the second board 2. An additional rod 12 may be inserted through the remaining half of the first board 2 (and/or second board 2) for coupling the engagement portions 14 of the rod 12 and the additional rod 12 to form a continuous rod structure through multiple boards (see, e.g., the bottom half of FIG. 7).

[0032] As depicted in FIGS. 1A, 1B and 2, the kit 10 may include a rod 12 further defining a screw threading 40 on the cylindrical surface of the rod 12 proximal to at least one of the engagement portions 14. When the rod 12 is being inserted or threaded into the decking board 2, whether manually or through the use of a power tool, the screw threading 40 may permit easier entry and translation through the board 2. In some instances, it may be preferable to pre-drill a hole 4 within the board 2 before attempting to insert the rod. Further, as depicted in FIG. 12, a notch 46 may be placed from the position of the rod's future insertion to the bottom surface of the board 2 which for permitting water flow. Also, as depicted in FIG. 2, the surface of the rod 12 may include a glue coating 42. The glue coating 42 may be water or heat-activated, and may provide greater adhesion and friction between the rod 12 and the decking board 2.

[0033] In order to insert the rods 12 between the parallel surfaces of the board 2, care must be taken to ensure that the rods 12 are positioned in each board in a substantially similar fashion. The angle of the rod 12 within the board 2 must be consistent to ensure that adjoining rods 12, or rods 12 and shims 16, may join together. Therefore, in some embodiments, such as depicted in FIG. 13, the kit 10 may further include a board jig 50 for inserting the rods 12 boards L. The board jig 50 may include a drill 52 for selective engagement with the rod 12 such that the screw threading 40 is distally positioned in relation to the drill 52 when the rod 12 is engaged with the drill 52. The drill may be manually or power operated.

[0034] The board jig 50 may further include a substantially rectangular drill platform 54 for selective engagement with the drill 52 such that the rod 12 is positioned perpendicular to the plane of the drill platform 54 when the drill 52 is engaged with both the rod 12 and the drill platform 54. Once engaged, the rod 12 is therefore positioned to be screwed into the board 2 at an approximately ninety degree angle. To effectuate the translation of the rod 12 into the board 2, the board jig 50 may further include at least two poles 56 also extending perpendicularly from the drill platform 54 and positioned symmetrically thereon. The board jig 50 may additionally include at least two hollow tubes 58 for permitting translation of the two poles 56 therein, such that translation of the drill 52 causes translation of the poles 56 within the tubes 58, thereby permitting a decking board 2 positioned between the hollow tubes 58 to be drilled with the screw threading 40 of the rod 12.

[0035] In alternative embodiments, the board jig may include a drill bit 60 instead of a using the rod 12. In such embodiments, a drill 52 for selective engagement with a drill bit 60 is positioned such that the drilling portion 62 of the drill bit 60 is distally positioned in relation to the drill 52 when the drill bit 60 is engaged with the drill 52.

[0036] In one method of using the decking kit 10, each board 2 of the deck 1 may be prepared for insertion of the rods 12, either upon selection of each board 2 for use on the deck 1 or all at once or together in groups or pairs. Each board 2 may be prepared for insertion of one, two, three or more rods 12. The number of rods 12 used may be dependent upon the number of joists 3 over which the board 2 is placed, the length of the board 2, or other factors. A hand-held drill or board jig 50 may be used to drill holes 4 through the width of the board 2, between and parallel to the two parallel top and bottom surfaces 5, 6 of the board 2. The position of the rods 12 may line up with joists 3 already positioned and secured within the deck 1.

[0037] Each rod 12 may be inserted into one or more boards 2, depending on the rod type. For example, the rods 12 may have a length for insertion through one board 2, two boards 2 or more than two boards 2. In one embodiment, a single rod 12 may extend fully or partially through two boards 2. The top left quadrant of FIG. 7 depicts rod(s) 12 extending fully through two boards 2, whereas the top right quadrant of FIG. 7 depicts rod(s) 12 extending partially through two boards 2. When partially extended through a board 2, any pre-drilled hole 4 may not extend fully across the width of the board 2 and may instead only extend partially across the width of the board 2. In some embodiments, such as is depicted in the upper half of FIG. 7, boards 2 may be paired together with rod(s) 12. In other embodiments, such as is depicted in the lower half of FIG. 7, more than two boards 2 may be conjoined using the rod(s) 12. One advantage of pairing boards 2 together is the ability to repair and replace one or both of the pair of boards 2 by unfastening the fastener(s) 44 from the pair of boards 2, removing the boards 2 for repair or replacement, then re-fastening the fastener(s) 44 to the joist 3 or other decking.

[0038] Particular embodiments and features have been described with reference to the drawings. It is to be understood that these descriptions are not limited to any single embodiment or any particular set of features, and that similar embodiments and features may arise or modifications and additions may be made without departing from the scope of these descriptions and the spirit of the appended claims.