Modular deck apparatus and method

Abstract

An apparatus for a deck includes a first upright post, a cross member attached to the first upright post, and an elongated modular joist unit, which includes at least two spaced joists. The elongated joist unit is attached to the cross member. The modular joist unit is attached to a surface on an edifice. Decking material is attached to the modular joist unit. The decking material can be a modular decking unit that includes a plurality of decking members. The modular joist unit includes a first end plate and a second endplate, one of which can include a curved surface. The modular joist unit can include brackets for receiving and attaching guardrail posts about the perimeter of the modular joist unit. The modular joist unit can have a locking mechanism for attaching to the edifice. The joists of the modular joist unit can also have tabs to facilitate attaching the decking material from beneath the decking surface.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . An apparatus for a deck comprising: 
 a first upright post;.    a cross member attached to the first upright post;    an elongated modular joist unit comprising at least two spaced joists attached to the cross member.    
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising a second upright post, the cross member attached to the first upright post and the second upright post.  
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising a modular decking unit comprising a plurality of decking members attached to the modular joist unit.  
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the modular joist unit includes a first end plate and a second endplate, wherein one of the first endplate and the second endplate further comprise a curved surface.  
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising a deck unit attached to the modular joist unit with a fastener.  
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising an individual deck unit attached to the modular joist unit with a fastener, the fastener attached to the modular joist unit and then to the individual deck unit.  
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the joists of the modular joist unit further comprise a plurality of tabs adapted to receive fasteners, the fasteners passing through the tabs and then into a decking material traversing the joists of the modular joist unit.  
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 7  wherein the decking material comprises a modular decking unit having a plurality of individual planks.  
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the modular joist unit includes a first end plate and a second endplate, wherein one of the first endplate and the second endplate is adapted for attachment to a substantially vertical surface of an edifice.  
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 9  wherein one of the first endplate and the second endplate includes a locking mechanism for attachment to a substantially vertical surface of an edifice.  
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 9  wherein one of the first endplate and the second endplate has openings therein for receiving fasteners to attach the one of the first endplate and the second endplate to a substantially vertical surface of an edifice.  
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 2  further comprising a second elongated modular joist unit attached to the cross member, wherein the second elongated modular joist unit is attached to the first modular joist unit.  
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 2  further comprising a weather proofing means attached to one of the first end plate or the second end plate.  
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the elongated modular joist unit is formed of a non-wood material.  
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the elongated modular joist unit includes a perimeter surface having means for connecting guardrail posts thereto.  
     
     
         16 . A method for assembling a deck comprising: 
 attaching a first upright to a first anchor point;    attaching a second upright to a second anchor point;    attaching a cross beam to the first upright and the second upright; and    connecting an elongated modular joist unit having at least two joists to the cross beam.    
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16  further comprising attaching the elongated modular joist unit to an edifice.  
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17  herein attaching the elongated modular joist unit to an edifice includes locking an end plate of the elongated modular joist unit to a face plate on an edifice.  
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 16  further comprising attaching decking material to the modular joist unit, wherein the fasteners pass through a portion of the modular joist unit and into the decking material  
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19  wherein the decking material is a decking unit having at least two decking planks to the modular joist unit.  
     
     
         21 . A method for forming a deck comprising: 
 substantially leveling a surface;    placing a first elongated modular joist unit comprising at least two spaced joists onto the level surface;    placing a second elongated modular joist unit comprising at least two spaced joists onto the level surface; and    attaching decking material to the first elongated modular joist unit and the second elongated modular joist unit.