Decking components

Abstract

A lightweight decking plank has male and female connecting members formed at its opposite longitudinal edges, at least one component of each connecting member comprising a hollow section, and the connecting members being arranged such that when the male connector of one plank is engaged with the female connector of an adjacent plank, at least parts of the hollow sections of the respective connectors are positioned in vertical alignment with one another and form an essentially rigid load-supporting connection between the upper and lower surfaces of the assembly at the region of inter-connection.

I claim:  
     
         1 . A lightweight decking plank having male and female connecting members formed at its opposite longitudinal edges, at least one component of each connecting member comprising a hollow section, the connecting members being arranged such that when the male connector of one plank is engaged with the female connector of an adjacent plank, at least parts of the hollow sections of the respective connectors are positioned in vertical alignment with one another.  
     
     
         2 . A lightweight decking plank according to    claim 1    wherein said connecting members are constructed such that when inter-connected an essentially rigid load-supporting connection is formed between the upper and lower surfaces of the assembly at the region of inter-connection.  
     
     
         3 . A lightweight decking plank according to    claim 2    wherein the overlapping hollow sections are provided with means to retain them against disengagement after inter-connection.  
     
     
         4 . A lightweight decking plank according to    claim 3    wherein said retaining means comprise longitudinally extending hook like projections formed on the respective components.  
     
     
         5 . A lightweight decking plank according to    claim 3    wherein said retaining means are also adapted to retain the planks in engagement with separate starter strips serving to secure edge regions of the decking assembly in position on a supporting structure.  
     
     
         6 . A lightweight decking plank according to    claim 1    wherein one hollow section is provided on each connecting member and is adapted for engagement in a complimentary recess in the other connecting member of an adjacent plank, the height of the projecting hollow section on each plank being approximately equal to half the height of the plank.  
     
     
         7 . A lightweight decking plank according to    claim 1    wherein one of said connecting members incorporates two projecting hollow section connecting components spaced apart by a recess engageable by a single hollow- section connecting component on an adjacent plank, the height of each of the hollow-section components being approximately equal to one third of the height of the plank.  
     
     
         8 . A lightweight decking plank according to    claim 1    wherein one of said connecting members incorporates a longitudinally extending, laterally projecting flange at its upper edge adapted to locate in a complimentary depression formed at the adjacent upper longitudinal edge of an adjacent plank member.  
     
     
         9 . A lightweight decking plank according to    claim 1    wherein a longitudinally extending mounting flange projects from a lower edge of the other connecting member of the plank and is provided with means to secure same, and hence the associated plank, to a sub-structure.  
     
     
         10 . A lightweight decking plank according to    claim 9    wherein said means comprises apertures to receive securing screws.  
     
     
         11 . A lightweight decking plank according to    claim 1    wherein the upper surface of said plank incorporates a surface pattern, said connectors being arranged to maintain uniformity and continuity of said surface pattern when adjacent planks are inter-connected.  
     
     
         12 . A lightweight decking plank according to    claim 11    wherein said surface pattern is designed to import non-slip characteristics to the upper surface of the plank.