Outdoor flooring, deck and patio surface system and method

Abstract

A system and method for providing an outdoor flooring such as a lightweight deck surface, employs a fiber reinforced polymer structural panel with plural grid openings therein. A fastener is driven into selected openings to enable the panel to be secured to a deck frame. A surfacing material, such as a quarried stone, is attached to the top of the panel, providing a stone deck surface without requiring substantial structural support.

1 . An outdoor flooring system system, comprising: 
 a composite surface, said composite surface comprising a structural panel member adapted for mounting as a base framework; and    a surface material adapted for attachment to a top surface of the structural panel to provide a flooring surface.    
   
   
       2 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein said structural panel member comprises a fiber reinforced polymer panel.  
   
   
       3 . The system according to  claim 2 , wherein said structural panel member is formed with plural openings therein.  
   
   
       4 . The system according to  claim 3 , wherein said plural openings form a grid pattern.  
   
   
       5 . The system according to  claim 3 , wherein ones of said plural openings are substantially rectangular in shape.  
   
   
       6 . The system according to  claim 3 , wherein ones of said plural openings are substantially square in shape.  
   
   
       7 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein said surface material comprises a stone.  
   
   
       8 . The system according to  claim 7 , wherein said stone comprises a quarried stone.  
   
   
       9 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein said surface material is selected from the group consisting of tile, brick, concrete or stone pavers.  
   
   
       10 . The system according to  claim 1 , further comprising an adhesive between said structural panel member and said surface material for adhering said surface material to said structural panel member.  
   
   
       11 . The system according to  claim 10 , wherein said adhesive comprises a flexible layer having a first face for adhering to said structural panel and a second face for adhering to said surface material, said first and second faces including a pressure sensitive contact adhesive thereon.  
   
   
       12 . A method of providing a flooring surface, comprising the steps of: 
 mounting a structural panel member to a framework; and    attaching a surface material to a top surface of the structural panel to provide a flooring surface.    
   
   
       13 . The method according to  claim 12 , wherein said structural panel member comprises a fiber reinforced polymer panel.  
   
   
       14 . The method according to  claim 13 , wherein said structural panel member is formed with plural openings therein.  
   
   
       15 . The method according to  claim 14 , wherein said plural openings form a grid pattern.  
   
   
       16 . The method according to  claim 14 , wherein ones of said plural openings are substantially rectangular in shape.  
   
   
       17 . The method according to  claim 14 , wherein ones of said plural openings are substantially square in shape.  
   
   
       18 . The method according to  claim 12 , wherein said surface material comprises a stone.  
   
   
       19 . The method according to  claim 18 , wherein said stone comprises a quarried stone.  
   
   
       20 . The method according to  claim 12 , wherein said attaching comprises providing a flexible sheet membrane with pressure sensitive adhesive thereon, and positioning said flexible sheet membrane between said structural panel and said surface material.  
   
   
       21 . A fastener for use in securing two elements, comprising: 
 a top surface having plural tooth members on at least two opposite sides thereof;    at least two downwardly extending leg members, on opposite sides, having outwardly extending teeth at a distal end thereof.