Attic deck system

Abstract

An attic deck system for an attic having a plurality of spaced-apart attic joists. The system includes a plurality of deck panels each having a first edge portion defining a first series of alternating projections and recesses, and a second edge portion defining a second series of alternating projections and recesses. The first series of alternating projections and recesses being complementary to the second series of alternating projections and recesses such that the first edge portion of one of the panels interlocks with the second edge portion of another one of the panels. Each of the panels defines a width extending between an outermost periphery of the first edge portion and an outermost periphery of the second edge portion. The width is approximately equal to a distance measured between the outer edges of adjacent attic joists, such that the first and second edge portions of one of the panels are positionable on the respective adjacent attic joists. Each panel includes a downwardly extending tab adapted to abut the inner edge of the joist.

1 . An attic deck system for an attic having a plurality of spaced-apart attic joists, each attic joist having an upper surface, the attic deck system comprising: 
 a plurality of deck panels, each of said plurality of deck panels including a panel body with first and second edge portions, said first edge portion defining a first series of alternating projections and recesses, and said second edge portion defining a second series of alternating projections and recesses, said first series of alternating projections and recesses being complementary to said second series of alternating projections and recesses such that said first edge portion of one of said plurality of deck panels interlocks with said second edge portion of another one of said plurality of deck panels, said plurality of deck panels adapted to be mounted on the plurality of spaced-apart joists such that each of said first and second edge portions extends over substantially the entire upper surface of respective adjacent ones of the plurality of spaced-apart joists, and at least one of said first and second edge portions including a downwardly extending tab, each of said tabs being spaced apart from an outermost periphery of respective said first and second edge portions and being adapted to abut an inner edge of one the plurality of attic joists.    
   
   
       2 . The attic deck system of  claim 1  wherein each of said plurality of deck panels defines a width extending between an outermost periphery of said first edge portion and an outermost periphery of said second edge portion, said width approximately equal to a distance measured between an outer edge of one of the plurality of attic joists and an outer edge of another adjacent one of the plurality of attic joists.  
   
   
       3 . The attic deck system of  claim 1  wherein each of said plurality of deck panels includes an aperture defined in at least one of said projections on each of said first and second edge portions, said aperture receiving a fastener, and said fastener being capable of engaging one of the plurality of attic joists to secure said panel to the attic joist.  
   
   
       4 . The attic deck system of  claim 1  wherein said panel body has a lattice pattern.  
   
   
       5 . The attic deck system of  claim 1  wherein said panel is formed of plastic.  
   
   
       6 . The attic deck system of  claim 1  wherein said panel is formed of metal.  
   
   
       7 . An attic deck system for an attic having a plurality of spaced-apart attic joists, each of the spaced-apart joists defining a joist width, the attic deck system comprising: 
 a plurality of deck panels, each of said plurality of deck panels including a panel body with first and second edge portions, said first edge portion being complementary to said second edge portion such that said first edge portion of one of said plurality of deck panels interlocks with said second edge portion of another one of said plurality of deck panels, each of said plurality of deck panels defining a width extending between an outermost periphery of said first edge portion and an outermost periphery of said second edge portion, said width approximately equal to a distance measured between an outer edge of one of the plurality of attic joists and an outer edge of another adjacent one of the plurality of attic joists, such that at least a portion of each of said first and second edge portions of one of said plurality of deck panels are positionable on the respective joist widths of each one of the adjacent attic joists.    
   
   
       8 . The attic deck system of  claim 7  wherein each of said first and second edge portions defines a series of alternating projections and complementary recesses.  
   
   
       9 . The attic deck system of  claim 7  wherein each of said first and second edge portions defines a series of alternating tongues and complementary grooves.  
   
   
       10 . The attic deck system of  claim 7  wherein each of said plurality of deck panels includes an aperture defined in each of said first and second edge portions, said aperture receiving a fastener and said fastener engaging one of the plurality of attic joists to secure said panel to the attic joist.  
   
   
       11 . The attic deck system of  claim 7  wherein each of said plurality of deck panels includes a downwardly extending tab, each one of said tabs adapted to abut an inner edge of one the plurality of attic joists.  
   
   
       12 . The attic deck system of  claim 7  wherein said body has a lattice pattern.  
   
   
       13 . The attic deck system of  claim 7  wherein said panel is formed of plastic.  
   
   
       14 . The attic deck system of  claim 7  wherein said panel is formed of metal.  
   
   
       15 . An attic deck system for an attic having a plurality of spaced-apart attic joists, the attic deck system comprising: 
 a plurality of deck panels, each of said plurality of deck panels including a panel body with a first edge portion and a second edge portion, each of said first and second end portions defining an outermost periphery; at least one of said first and second end portions including a downwardly extending tab spaced apart from said outermost periphery and adapted to abut an inner edge of one the plurality of attic joists.    
   
   
       16 . The attic deck system of  claim 15  wherein each of said plurality of deck panels defines a width extending between said outermost periphery of said first edge portion and said outermost periphery of said second edge portion, said width approximately equal to a distance measured between an outer edge of one of the plurality of attic joists and an outer edge of another adjacent one of the plurality of attic joists, such that said first and second edge portions of one of said plurality of deck panels are positionable on each one of the adjacent attic joists, respectively.  
   
   
       17 . The attic deck system of  claim 15  wherein said first edge portion is complementary to said second edge portion, and each of said first and second edge portions defines a series of alternating projections and complementary recesses.  
   
   
       18 . The attic deck system of  claim 15  wherein each of said first and second edge portions defines a series of alternating tongues and complementary grooves.  
   
   
       19 . The attic deck system of  claim 15  wherein each of said plurality of deck panels includes an aperture defined in each of said first and second edge portions, said aperture receiving a fastener and said fastener engageable to one of the plurality of attic joists to secure said panel to the attic joist.  
   
   
       20 . The attic deck system of  claim 15  wherein said body has a lattice pattern.  
   
   
       21 . The attic deck system of  claim 15  wherein said panel is formed of plastic.  
   
   
       22 . The attic deck system of  claim 15  wherein said panel is formed of metal.