Decking panel apparatus, system and method

Abstract

A decking panel apparatus and system and method of installing the same. The decking panel apparatus is typically a planar polygonal body having an upper surface and a lower surface. The upper surface typically includes one or more elongated channels thereby simulating the appearance of individual deck boards as with conventional decks, the channels including bridge tabs having through holes. The body further includes two parallel sides that are perpendicular to the channels and two parallel sides that are parallel to the channels. The parallel sides have a tapered profile and half bridge tabs having through holes. In another embodiment, the parallel sides include an elongated slot that can receive a separate fastener that fits into the elongated slot and an elongated slot of an adjacent panel. The fastener includes a screw hole for connection into the joists.

1 . A decking panel apparatus, comprising: 
 a planar body having an upper surface and a lower surface;    one or more elongated channels, each channel having an elongated through slot along a portion of the channel; and    a bridge tab on either side of each channel and recessed into the channel by a distance,    wherein the body includes two parallel sides that are perpendicular to the channels and two parallel sides that are parallel to the channels.    
   
   
       2 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the parallel sides parallel to the channels have a profile that tapers from the upper surface toward the lower surface.  
   
   
       3 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 2  further comprising a half bridge tab adjacent the perpendicular sides.  
   
   
       4 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 3  further comprising a through-hole disposed on the bridge tabs.  
   
   
       5 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 3  further comprising a through-hole disposed on the half bridge tabs.  
   
   
       6 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the parallel sides include an elongated slot adjacent the lower surface.  
   
   
       7 . The apparatus as claimed in  2  wherein the parallel side taper from the upper surface to the lower surface and terminate in a shelf.  
   
   
       8 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the parallel sides parallel to the channels are disposed generally vertical to the upper and lower surfaces.  
   
   
       9 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 8  further comprising an elongated slot disposed along parallel sides, the elongated slot being parallel to the channels.  
   
   
       10 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 9  further comprising a fastener having a head and shaft for disposition into the elongated slot.  
   
   
       11 . A decking panel system, comprising: 
 one or more adjacently placed panels, the panels each comprising: 
 a planar body having an upper surface and a lower surface;  
 one or more elongated channels, each channel having an elongated through slot along a portion of the channel;  
 a bridge tab on either side of each channel and recessed into the channel by a distance,  
 wherein the body includes two parallel sides that are perpendicular to the channels and two parallel sides that are parallel to the channels; and  
   means for coupling to an adjacent decking panel and disposed adjacent the perpendicular sides.    
   
   
       12 . The system as claimed in  claim 11  wherein the means for coupling to an adjacent decking panel, comprises a half bridge tab adjacent the perpendicular sides, wherein the half bridge tabs of adjacent panels align with another when the panels are placed side by side, thereby simulating a bridge tab.  
   
   
       13 . The system as claimed in  claim 11  wherein the means for coupling to an adjacent decking panel, comprises: 
 an elongated slot disposed along parallel sides; and    a fastener disposed in the elongated slot.    
   
   
       14 . The system as claimed in  claim 13  wherein the fastener comprises: 
 a head; and    a shaft connected to the head,    wherein the shaft and head for a T-configuration and wherein a portion of the head is disposed within the elongated slot.    
   
   
       15 . A decking panel kit, comprising: 
 a decking panel apparatus, including: 
 elongated slots and boards in a parallel arrangement simulating a deck pattern; and  
 bridge tabs disposed within the slots and between adjacent boards connecting boards to one another.  
   
   
   
       16 . The kit as claimed in  claim 15  further comprising means for coupling adjacent panels to one another.  
   
   
       17 . The kit as claimed in  claim 16  wherein the means for coupling adjacent panels comprises half bridge tabs disposed on sides of the decking panel apparatus.  
   
   
       18 . The kit as claimed in  claim 16  wherein the means for coupling adjacent panels comprises: 
 an elongated slot disposed along a side of the decking panel apparatus; and    a fastener for interconnection to the elongated slot and to an elongated slot on an adjacent panel and for interconnection to a deck joist.    
   
   
       19 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 18  wherein the fastener connects to the elongated slots via a head.  
   
   
       20 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 19  wherein the fastener connects to the deck joist via a screw inserted through a through-hole disposed through the head and a shaft connected to the head.