Deck Board End Cap Device

Abstract

A deck board end cap device is provided. The device is comprised of a generally rectangular body that can fit around the end of a deck board to provide a more aesthetic finish and protection to the unfinished ends of deck boards. A side wall of the body may fit around the end of the deck board, allowing the device to snap onto the deck board for ease of use. The device may further be comprised of any texture, pattern, or other indicia that allows the device to match the deck board material of the entire deck.

Claims

1. A deck board end cap device comprising: a body shaped to fit around an end of a decking board, the body comprised of a side wall.

2. The deck board end cap device of claim 1 further comprised of a fastener.

3. The deck board end cap device of claim 2, wherein the fastener is positioned on a bottom surface of a top wall of the body.

4. The deck board end cap device of claim 3, wherein the fastener is comprised of an adhesive fastener.

5. The deck board end cap device of claim 2, wherein the fastener is positioned on an interior surface of the side wall.

6. The deck board end cap device of claim 5, wherein the fastener is comprised of an adhesive fastener.

7. The deck board end cap device of claim 1, wherein the body is comprised of a treated wood, a wood, a hardwood, a composite wood, a plastic, a PVC, or a vinyl.

8. The deck board end cap device of claim 1, wherein the body is comprised of a generally rectangular shape.

9. The deck board end cap device of claim 1, wherein the body is comprised of an indicia.

10. The deck board end cap device of claim 9, wherein the indicia is comprised of a color, a texture, a pattern, or a wood grain.

11. A deck board end cap device comprising: a body shaped to fit around an end of a decking board, the body comprised of: a side wall; a top wall; and a fastener.

12. The deck board end cap device of claim 11, wherein the fastener is positioned on a bottom surface of the top wall.

13. The deck board end cap device of claim 12, wherein the fastener is comprised of an adhesive fastener.

14. The deck board end cap device of claim 11, wherein the fastener is positioned on an interior surface of the side wall.

15. The deck board end cap device of claim 14, wherein the fastener is comprised of an adhesive fastener.

16. The deck board end cap device of claim 11, wherein the body is comprised of a treated wood, a wood, a hardwood, a composite wood, a plastic, a PVC, or a vinyl.

17. The deck board end cap device of claim 11, wherein the body is comprised of an indicia.

18. The deck board end cap device of claim 17, wherein the indicia is comprised of a color, a texture, a pattern, or a wood grain.

19. A method of using a deck board end cap device, the method comprising the following steps: providing a deck board end cap device comprised of a body comprised of a side wall; and snapping the body around an end of a decking board.

20. The method of using a deck board end cap device of claim 19, wherein the body is comprised of a fastener.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] The description refers to provided drawings in which similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the different views, and in which:

[0016] FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of one potential embodiment of a deck board end cap device of the present invention in accordance with the disclosed architecture;

[0017] FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of one potential embodiment of a deck board end cap device of the present invention in accordance with the disclosed architecture;

[0018] FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of one potential embodiment of a deck board end cap device of the present invention attached to an end of a decking board in accordance with the disclosed architecture;

[0019] FIG. 4 illustrates a flowchart of a method of using one potential embodiment of a deck board end cap device of the present invention in accordance with the disclosed architecture; and

[0020] FIG. 5 illustrates a flowchart of a second method of using one potential embodiment of a deck board end cap device of the present invention in accordance with the disclosed architecture.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0021] The innovation is now described with reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals are used to refer to like elements throughout. In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth to provide a thorough understanding thereof. It may be evident, however, that the innovation can be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form to facilitate a description thereof. Various embodiments are discussed hereinafter. It should be noted that the figures are described only to facilitate the description of the embodiments. They are not intended as an exhaustive description of the invention and do not limit the scope of the invention. Additionally, an illustrated embodiment need not have all the aspects or advantages shown. Thus, in other embodiments, any of the features described herein from different embodiments may be combined.

[0022] As noted above, there exists a long-felt need in the art for a device that covers the unfinished ends of decking boards. More specifically, there exists a long-felt need in the art for a deck board end cap device that can adhere to any size plank of decking board, especially sizes typically used in deck construction. Furthermore, there exists a long-felt need in the art for a deck board end cap device that provides an aesthetically pleasing cover to the ends of decking board to protect the board from inclement weather conditions.

[0023] The present invention, in one exemplary embodiment, is comprised of a deck board end cap device. The device is primarily comprised of a body, a fastener, and a side wall. The device is designed to attach to an end of a decking board to provide a more finished look as well as protection from inclement weather conditions.

[0024] More specifically, the device is comprised of a body that may be made from any material that is commonly used to construct decks, patios, or other home exterior structures. The body is further generally rectangular to conform to the decking board from which the device may be attached. The body is further comprised of a top wall. A bottom surface of the top wall may be further comprised of a fastener that allows the device to attach to the end of the decking board of a deck. The fastener may be any fastener known in the art but is preferably an adhesive.

[0025] The body of the device is further comprised of an at least one side wall. The side wall preferably fits around a decking board in an interference fit that allows the device to easily snap onto the end of the decking board. In one potential embodiment of the device, an interior surface of the side wall may be comprised of an adhesive or other fastener that may provide additional attachment to the decking board. Further, any surface of the body of the device may be comprised of a plurality of indicia such as patterns, logos, emblems, images, symbols, designs, letters, words, characters, animals, advertisements, brands, etc.

[0026] The present invention is also comprised of a method of using the device. First, a device is provided primarily comprised of a body, a fastener, and a side wall. Then, the device may be snapped onto an end of a decking board such that the bottom surface of the top wall is securely coincident with the end of the decking board.

[0027] The present invention is also comprised of a second method of using the device. First, a device is provided primarily comprised of a body, a fastener, and a side wall. Then, a fastener of the bottom surface of the top wall in the form of an adhesive is pressed onto an end of a decking board such that the fastener can secure the device to the decking board.

[0028] Accordingly, the deck board end cap device of the present invention is particularly advantageous as it provides a device that covers the unfinished ends of boards used to construct a deck. More specifically, the deck board end cap device can fit onto any standard-size deck board that is commonly used to construct new decks or other home exterior structures. Furthermore, the deck board end cap device can provide protection to any unfinished ends of deck boards from inclement weather conditions, rot, or other forms of decay while providing an aesthetic finish to the deck board ends. In this manner, the deck board end cap device overcomes the limitations of existing end cap devices known in the art.

[0029] Referring initially to the drawings, FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of one potential embodiment of a deck board end cap device 100 of the present invention in accordance with the disclosed architecture. The device 100 is primarily comprised of a body 110, a fastener 124, and a side wall 130. The device 100 is designed to attach to/around an end 12 of a decking board 10 to provide a more finished look to the board 10 as well as protect the end 12 from inclement weather conditions.

[0030] The device 100 is comprised of a body 110 that is preferably made from a material commonly used to construct decks, such as, but not limited to, pressure-treated wood, hardwood, composite wood, plastic, PVC, vinyl, etc. The body 110 is further generally rectangular to attach around the decking board 10. In differing embodiments, the body 110 may be any length, width, and depth dimensions such that the device 100 may fit onto and/or around any decking board 10 of any size.

[0031] Further, any surface of the body 110 of the device 100 may be comprised of a plurality of indicia 140 such as patterns, logos, emblems, images, symbols, designs, letters, words, characters, animals, advertisements, brands, etc. The indicia 140 may match the color, texture, pattern, wood grain, or other aesthetic of the decking board 10 from which the device 100 is attached to provide a finished look in one embodiment.

[0032] FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of one potential embodiment of a deck board end cap device 100 of the present invention in accordance with the disclosed architecture. The body 110 is further comprised of a top wall 120 and at least one side wall 130. The top wall 120 is further comprised of a bottom surface 122 that sits flush with the end 12 of the decking board 10 when the device 100 is attached around the end 12. In the preferred embodiment of the device 100, the bottom surface 122 of the top wall 120 may be further comprised of at least one fastener 124 that allows the device 100 to more securely attach to the end 12 of the decking board 10. The fastener 124 is preferably an adhesive fastener but may be any other fastener known in the art.

[0033] The side wall 130 is further comprised of an interior surface 132 that sits flush with the sides (i.e., top, bottom, front, back) of the decking board 10 when attached, as best seen in FIG. 3. The side wall 130 preferably exhibits an interference fit that allows the device 100 to be secured to the decking board 10 by snapping the side wall 130 around the end 12 of the decking board 10. In one potential embodiment, the side wall 130 may be further comprised of at least one fastener 124 to better adhere the device 100 to the decking board 10. The fastener 124 is preferably, but not limited to, an adhesive fastener.

[0034] The present invention is also comprised of a method 200 of using the device 100, as seen in FIG. 4. First, a device 100 is provided primarily comprised of a body 110 with at least one side wall 130 [Step 202]. Then, the device 100 may be snapped onto an end 12 of a decking board 10 such that the bottom surface 122 of the top wall 120 is securely coincident with the end 12 of the decking board 10 [Step 204].

[0035] The present invention is also comprised of a second method 300 of using the device 100, as seen in FIG. 5. First, a device 100 is provided primarily comprised of a body 110 comprised of at least one fastener 124 and at least one side wall 130 [Step 302]. Then, a fastener 124 (which is preferably positioned on the bottom surface 122 of the top wall 120 and is in the form of an adhesive fastener) is pressed onto an end 12 of a decking board 10 such that the fastener 124 can secure the device 100 to and/around the decking board 10 [Step 306].

[0036] Certain terms are used throughout the following description and claims to refer to particular features or components. As one skilled in the art will appreciate, different persons may refer to the same feature or component by different names. This document does not intend to distinguish between components or features that differ in name but not structure or function. As used herein deck board end cap device and device are interchangeable and refer to the deck board end cap device 100 of the present invention.

[0037] Notwithstanding the foregoing, the deck board end cap device 100 of the present invention and its various components can be of any suitable size and configuration as is known in the art without affecting the overall concept of the invention, provided that they accomplish the above-stated objectives. One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the size, configuration, and material of the deck board end cap device 100 as shown in the FIGS. are for illustrative purposes only, and that many other sizes and shapes of the deck board end cap device 100 are well within the scope of the present disclosure. Although the dimensions of the deck board end cap device 100 are important design parameters for user convenience, the deck board end cap device 100 may be of any size, shape, and/or configuration that ensures optimal performance during use and/or that suits the user's needs and/or preferences.

[0038] Various modifications and additions can be made to the exemplary embodiments discussed without departing from the scope of the present invention. While the embodiments described above refer to particular features, the scope of this invention also includes embodiments having different combinations of features and embodiments that do not include all the described features. Accordingly, the scope of the present invention is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications, and variations as fall within the scope of the claims, together with all equivalents thereof.

[0039] What has been described above includes examples of the claimed subject matter. It is, of course, not possible to describe every conceivable combination of components or methodologies for purposes of describing the claimed subject matter, but one of ordinary skill in the art may recognize that many further combinations and permutations of the claimed subject matter are possible. Accordingly, the claimed subject matter is intended to embrace all such alterations, modifications, and variations that fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. Furthermore, to the extent that the term includes is used in either the detailed description or the claims, such term is intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term comprising as comprising is interpreted when employed as a transitional word in a claim.