Extruded Aluminum Deck Plank with Lighting and Heating Features

Abstract

An extruded aluminum deck plank includes a pair of longitudinally extending parallel tubular plank halves interconnected by a web extending between the lower walls of the plank halves. The inner side walls of the plank halves and the web define a U-shaped channel adapted to receive fasteners that are inserted vertically into the channel, through the web and into underlying deck plank supports. A closure strip for the channel snaps into the top of the channel to provide a smooth top surface for the deck plank and to close off the channel. The channel may be lighted and/or heated with an appropriate energy source enclosed in the channel.

1 . An extruded aluminum deck plank comprising:
 a pair of longitudinally extending parallel tubular plank halves, said plank halves being laterally spaced apart and each plank halve having upper and lower walls connected by outer and inner side walls,   an integral connecting web coplanar with the lower wall of the plank halves and extending between and connecting the plank halves, the web and the opposed inner side surfaces of the inner side walls defining a U-shaped channel, the channel adapted to receive fasteners inserted vertically into the channel, through the web and into underlying deck plank supports, and   a closure strip for the channel having an inverted U-shaped cross section, the closure strip having a generally planar upper surface and downwardly depending side walls, the closure strip closing the channel with the upper surface of the strip generally coplanar with the upper surfaces of the plank halves, and the side walls of the strips in locked engagement with the opposed inner side surfaces of the channel.   
     
     
         2 . The deck plank as set forth in  claim 1  wherein the closure strip is aluminum. 
     
     
         3 . The deck plank as set forth in  claim 2  wherein the closure strip comprises an aluminum extrusion. 
     
     
         4 . The deck plank as set forth in  claim 1  wherein the closure strip is plastic. 
     
     
         5 . The deck plank as set forth in  claim 4  wherein the closure strip comprises a plastic extrusion. 
     
     
         6 . The deck plank as set forth in  claim 1  comprising an energy source enclosed in the channel. 
     
     
         7 . The deck plank as set forth in  claim 6  wherein the closure strip comprises transparent plastic, and the energy source comprises a light string extending along the channel. 
     
     
         8 . The deck plank as set forth in  claim 6  wherein the energy source comprises a heat tape extending along the channel. 
     
     
         9 . The deck plank as set forth in  claim 6  wherein the inner and outer side surfaces of the inner side walls are provided with longitudinally extending ribs to enhance heat transfer from the channel to the interior of the plank halves. 
     
     
         10 . The deck plank as set forth in  claim 9  wherein the longitudinal ribs on the inner side surfaces are smaller than the longitudinal ribs on the outer side surfaces. 
     
     
         11 . The deck plank as set forth in  claim 1  including holes for the fasteners in the web extending along the channel. 
     
     
         12 . The deck plank as set forth in  claim 1  wherein the opposed inner surfaces of the inner side walls have a longitudinally extending locking rib positioned to be overridden by longitudinally extending oppositely facing detent ribs on the closure strip to provide the locked engagement. 
     
     
         13 . The deck plank as set forth in  claim 1  including splice pieces inserted into the interior of longitudinally adjacent deck planks to join the planks together. 
     
     
         14 . The deck plank as set forth in  claim 13  wherein the splice pieces comprise aluminum extrusions. 
     
     
         15 . The deck plank as set forth in  claim 14  wherein the extrusions have a C-shaped cross section.