Modular deck structure

Abstract

The modular deck structure has an open frame with interconnected crisscross framing members defining a plurality of polygonal cells ( 14 ). Each of the cells has a top, a bottom and an inner wall ( 20 ) delimiting an opening. The inner wall has a sloping portion ( 26 ) for draining water out of the open frame. The modular deck structure also has a plurality of flagstones ( 24 ) with side edges ( 23 ). Each of the flagstones is sized and shaped to adjustably fit within a respective one of the cells. The modular deck structure may also have conforming means for conforming the side edges of the flagstone to the sloping portion of the respective cells, thereby allowing each of the flagstones to sit properly on said sloping portion of the cell.

1 . A modular deck structure comprising: 
 an open frame with interconnected crisscross framing members defining a plurality of polygonal cells, each of said cells comprising: a top, a bottom and an inner wall delimiting an opening, the inner wall comprising a sloping portion; and    a plurality of flagstones with side edges, each of said flagstones being sized and shaped to adjustably fit within a respective one of said cell,    the sloping portion draining water out of the open frame to prevent water accumulation between the side edges of the flagstones and the inner walls.    
   
   
       2 . The modular deck structure according to  claim 1 , further comprising conforming means for conforming said side edges of the flagstone to the sloping portion of the respective cell, thereby allowing each of said flagstones to sit properly on said sloping portion of the cell.  
   
   
       3 . The modular deck structure according to  claim 2 , wherein the conforming means comprise the side edges of the flagstones, having a sloping shape complementary to the sloping portion of the inner wall of the cells.  
   
   
       4 . The modular deck structure according to  claim 2 , wherein the conforming means comprise, for each of the cells, a shim member being sized and shaped to properly sit on the inner wall of the cell, the shim member having a substantially horizontal support surface for supporting a respective one of said flagstones.  
   
   
       5 . The modular deck structure according to  claim 4 , wherein the sloping portion of the inner wall of said cell has upper and lower sections, the upper section conforming to the side edges of said flagstones, and the shim member conforming to the sloping portion of the lower section of the inner wall.  
   
   
       6 . The modular deck structure according to  claim 4 , wherein the shim member is made of plastic.  
   
   
       7 . The modular deck structure according to  claim 1 , wherein said framing members of the frame comprise: 
 border planks together defining a polygonal perimeter; and    at least one transverse plank extending across said polygonal perimeter.    
   
   
       8 . The modular deck structure according to  claim 7 , wherein said framing members of the frame further comprise: 
 cross planks extending at right angle with said at least one transverse plank, between one of said border planks and one of said transverse planks or between two of said transverse planks.    
   
   
       9 . The modular deck structure according to  claim 8 , wherein each of the transverse planks and each of the cross planks have a similar trapezoidal transversal cross section with: 
 parallel top and bottom edges, the top edge being shorter in length than the bottom edge; and    slanted side edges, thereby providing said sloping portion of the inner wall of two of said cells that are adjacent to each other.    
   
   
       10 . The modular deck structure according to  claim 9 , wherein each of the border planks has a trapezoidal transversal cross section with: 
 parallel top and bottom edges, the top edge being shorter in length than the bottom edge;    an outer edge at right angle with the bottom and top edges; and    a slanted inner edge, thereby providing said sloping portion of the inner wall of at least one of said cells.    
   
   
       11 . The modular deck structure according to  claim 10 , wherein the transverse planks and the cross planks have a trapezoidal longitudinal cross section with: 
 parallel top and bottom edges, the top edge being longer in length than the bottom edge; and    slanted side edges complementary to the slanted side edges of the transversal cross section of any one of the transverse planks, the cross planks and the border planks.    
   
   
       12 . The modular deck structure according to  claim 1 , further comprising support means for supporting said frame in a raised position with respect to a ground surface.  
   
   
       13 . The modular deck structure according to  claim 12 , wherein the support means comprises adjustable vertical support posts.  
   
   
       14 . A kit for assembling a modular deck structure, comprising: 
 framing members being connectable to one another in order to form an open frame having a plurality of polygonal cells, each of said cells comprising: a top, a bottom and an inner wall delimiting an opening, the inner wall comprising a sloping portion; and    a plurality of flagstones with side edges, each of said flagstones being sized and shaped to adjustably fit within a respective one of said cells,    the sloping portion draining water out of the open frame to prevent water accumulation between the side edge of the flagstones and the inner walls.    
   
   
       15 . The kit according to  claim 14 , further comprising conforming means for conforming said side edges of the flagstone to the sloping portion of the respective cell, thereby allowing each of said flagstones to sit properly on said sloping portion of the cell.  
   
   
       16 . The kit according to  claim 15 , wherein the conforming means comprise the side edges of the flagstones, having a sloping shape complementary to the sloping portion of the inner wall of the cells.  
   
   
       17 . The kit according to  claim 15 , wherein the conforming means comprise, for each of the cells, a shim member being sized and shaped to properly sit on the inner wall of the cell, the shim member having a substantially horizontal support surface for supporting a respective one of said flagstones.  
   
   
       18 . The kit according to  claim 17 , wherein the sloping portion of the inner wall of said cell has upper and lower sections, the upper section conforming to the side edges of said flagstones, and the shim member conforming to the sloping portion of the lower section of the inner wall.  
   
   
       19 . The kit according to  claim 17 , wherein the shim member is made of plastic.  
   
   
       20 . The kit according to  claim 14 , wherein said framing members comprise: 
 border planks being connectable to one another in order to define a polygonal perimeter; and    at least one transverse plank being connectable to the border planks so that the transverse plank extends across said polygonal perimeter.    
   
   
       21 . The kit according to  claim 20 , wherein said framing members further comprise cross planks being connectable to one of said border planks and one of said transverse planks or between two of said transverse planks so that the cross planks extend at right angle with said at least one transverse plank.  
   
   
       22 . The kit according to  claim 21 , wherein each of the transverse planks and each of the cross planks have a similar trapezoidal transversal cross section with: 
 parallel top and bottom edges, the top edge being shorter in length than the bottom edge; and    slanted side edges, thereby providing said sloping portion of the inner wall of two of said cells that are adjacent to each other.    
   
   
       23 . The kit according to  claim 22 , wherein each of the border planks has a trapezoidal transversal cross section with: 
 parallel top and bottom edges, the top edge being shorter in length than the bottom edge;    an outer edge at right angle with the bottom and top edges; and    a slanted inner edge, thereby providing said sloping portion of the inner wall of at least one of said cells.    
   
   
       24 . The kit according to  claim 23 , wherein the transverse planks and the cross planks have a trapezoidal longitudinal cross section with: 
 parallel top and bottom edges, the top edge being longer in length than the bottom edge; and    slanted side edges complementary to the slanted side edges of the transversal cross section of any one of the transverse planks, the cross planks and the border planks.    
   
   
       25 . The kit according to  claim 14 , further comprising support means for supporting said frame in a raised position with respect to a ground surface.  
   
   
       26 . The kit according to  claim 25 , wherein the support means comprises adjustable vertical support posts.  
   
   
       27 . A modular deck structure comprising: 
 an open frame with interconnected crisscross framing members defining a plurality of polygonal cells, each of said cells comprising: a top, a bottom and an inner wall delimiting an opening, the inner wall comprising a sloping portion;    a plurality of flagstones with side edges, each of said flagstones being sized and shaped to adjustably fit within a respective one of said cells; and    conforming means for conforming said side edges of the flagstone to the sloping portion of the respective cell, thereby allowing each of said flagstones to sit properly on said sloping portion of the cell,    the sloping portion draining water out of the open frame to prevent water accumulation between the side edges of the flagstones and the inner walls.