Modular decking tile

Abstract

A tile for forming a modular deck with like-configured tiles, the tile having a web having a planar polygonal upper surface and a lower surface, a web strengthening structure on said lower surface, and a plurality of peripheral edges, where at least one of the edges includes a male connecting portion having a lateral tongue extending from the peripheral edge, and at least one of the edges includes a female connecting portion defining a lateral recess in the peripheral edge. In one embodiment, at least three of the peripheral edges include either of the male connecting portions or the female connecting portions.

1 . A tile for forming a modular deck with like-configured tiles, the tile having: 
 a web having a planar polygonal upper surface and a lower surface;    a web strengthening structure on said lower surface; and    a plurality of peripheral edges wherein at least one of said edges includes a male connecting portion comprising a lateral tongue extending from said peripheral edges, and at least one of said edges includes a female connecting portion defining a lateral recess in said peripheral edge, whereby at least three of said peripheral edges include either of said male connecting portions or female connecting portions and such that the male connecting portion of one tile may be located into the lateral recess of the female connecting portion of an adjacent tile by lateral relative sliding movement of said tiles.    
   
   
       2 . The tile of  claim 1 , wherein said web strengthening structure comprises a plurality of reinforcing webs perpendicular to the plane of the upper surface.  
   
   
       3 . The tile of  claim 1 , wherein said tile has one or more severing lines.  
   
   
       4 . The tile of  claim 3 , wherein at least one of said severing lines extends between adjacent corners of said polygonal shape.  
   
   
       5 . The tile according of  claim 3 , wherein at least one of said severing lines extends between opposite corners of said polygonal shape.  
   
   
       6 . The tile of  claim 3 , wherein a plurality of reinforcing webs are provided proximate to and substantially parallel to said severing line or lines.  
   
   
       7 . The tile of  claim 1 , wherein said male connecting portion comprises a lateral tongue which extends laterally from and along a central part of said peripheral edge and is substantially perpendicular to the plane of the upper surface.  
   
   
       8 . The tile of  claim 7 , wherein said male connecting portion includes a cutaway section which extends into the upper surface beyond the line of said edge to create a recess in the upper surface.  
   
   
       9 . The tile of  claim 1 , wherein said female connecting portion comprises a lateral recess in said peripheral edge extending into the tile.  
   
   
       10 . The tile of  claim 9 , wherein said female connecting portion includes an upper flange and a lower flange which extend beyond the edge of said tile and the recess is located between said upper and lower flanges.  
   
   
       11 . The tile of  claim 1 , wherein said upper surface is hexagonal in shape.  
   
   
       12 . The tile of  claim 11 , wherein three peripheral edges have male connecting portions thereon and three peripheral edges have female connecting portions thereon, and wherein said male and female connecting portions are alternately spaced about said tile.  
   
   
       13 . The tile of  claim 1 , wherein each male and female connecting portion includes a bore therethrough in a position such that when the male connecting portion of one tile is properly inserted into the female connecting portion of an adjacent identical tile, the bores are coaxial so as to allow insertion of a securing rod therethrough.  
   
   
       14 . The tile of  claim 13 , wherein each female connecting portion includes a recess proximate to said bore adapted to receive the head of said securing rod.  
   
   
       15 . The tile of  claim 1 , wherein said tile includes a bore in the center of said upper surface.  
   
   
       16 . The tile of  claim 15 , wherein said tile includes a recess proximate to said bore in the center of said upper surface adapted to receive the head of said securing rod.  
   
   
       17 . A modular deck comprising a plurality of like-configured tiles, the tiles including: 
 a web having a planar polygonal upper surface and a lower surface;    a web strengthening structure on said lower surface; and    a plurality of peripheral edges, wherein at least one of said edges includes a male connecting portion comprising a lateral tongue extending from said peripheral edges, and at least one of said edges includes a female connecting portion defining a lateral recess in said peripheral edge, the male connecting portions being inserted into female connecting portions of adjacent tiles such that tiles resist lateral, upward and downward movement relative to adjacent tile;    whereby at least three of said peripheral edges include either of said male connecting portions or female connecting portions and such that the male connecting portion of one tile may be located into the lateral recess of the female connecting portion of an adjacent tile by lateral relative sliding movement of said tiles;    
   
   
       18 . The modular deck of  claim 17 , wherein a plurality of securing rods are located through the bores of joined male and female connecting portions, the securing rods having heads located in recesses in the female connecting portions.  
   
   
       19 . The modular deck of  claim 18 , wherein there is provided a first layer and a second layer of tiles, wherein, in each layer, male connecting portions are inserted into the female connecting portions of adjacent tiles, the edges of the first layer of tiles being offset from the edges of the second layer of tiles, and bores of tiles in the first layer are coaxial with bores of the second layer so that a securing rod may be passed through both layers to secure the deck in position.