Boardwalk, deck and platform system

Abstract

The invention provides a system, method, and components for assembling and disassembling boardwalks, decks, and platforms. The invention has a number of extruded and interlocking components. It is installed by driving piles, preferably helical piles, into a ground surface. The invention provides a comprehensive set of assembly members, including and not limited to brackets that attach to the piles, headers, joists, cross braces, decking, and decking fasteners for holding the decking in place. In particular, a multiple-way adjustable bracket connects the piles to the rest of the structure.

1 . A connector strip for affixing deck planks to a joist, the connector strip comprising a top surface and a bottom surface; a plurality of spacer posts projecting upward from the top surface; and a plurality of pairs of clips projecting downward from the bottom surface, wherein each pair of clips is configured for engaging a pair of tabs associated with a joist. 
     
     
         2 . The connector strip of  claim 1 , further comprising a first end with a male connector and a second end with a female connector such that the male connector connects to a female connector of another connector strip. 
     
     
         3 . The connector strip of  claim 1 , wherein no fasteners are required to connect the connector strip to the joist. 
     
     
         4 . A modular decking system comprising
 a deck frame segment including a plurality of headers that define the width of the deck frame segment and at least a first and second joist that define the length of the deck frame segment, each joist having at least one pair of first tabs on its upper surface;   a plurality of piles configured to be driven into a ground and support the deck frame segment;   a first and second connector strips respectively disposed on the upper surface of the first and second joist and extending parallel thereto, each connector strip having a top surface and a bottom surface, the connector strips having spacer posts projecting upward from their top surface and clips projecting downward from their bottom surface wherein the clips are configured for engaging the at least one pair of first tabs on the upper surface of the joints;   a plurality of deck planks extending perpendicular to the first and second connector strips and attached to the spacer posts of the connector strips such that the deck planks extend between the first and second connector strips.   
     
     
         5 . The modular decking system of  claim 4 , wherein deck planks further include tabs on their undersides and the spacer posts of the connector strip further include second clips configured to mate with the tabs of the deck planks and thereby secure the deck planks to the connector strips. 
     
     
         6 . The modular decking system of  claim 4 , further comprising a third connector strip, wherein the connector strips each further comprise a first end with a male connector and a second end with a female connector such that the male connector of the first connector strip connects to a female connector of the third connector strip. 
     
     
         7 . The modular decking system of  claim 4 , wherein the piles are helical piles. 
     
     
         8 . The modular decking system of  claim 4 , further comprising an inner joist disposed between, but parallel to, the first and second joists. 
     
     
         9 . The modular decking system of  claim 8 , further comprising a third connector strip disposed on the inner joist, the plurality of deck planks being attached to the third connector strip. 
     
     
         10 . A method of installing a modular deck comprising the steps of:
 driving a plurality of first helical piles into a ground surface;   affixing a first deck frame segment atop the first helical piles, the first deck frame segment including a plurality of headers that define the width of the first deck frame segment and at least a first and second joist that define the length of the deck frame segment, each joist having tabs on its upper surface;   disposing, respectively, a first and second connector strip on the upper surface of the first and second joist such that the connector strips extend parallel to the joists, each connector strip having a top surface and a bottom surface, the connector strips having a plurality of spacer posts projecting upward from their top surface and a plurality of clips projecting downward from their bottom surface wherein the clips are configured for engaging the tabs on the upper surface of the joints thereby securing the bottom surface of the connector strip to the upper surface of the respective joist;   placing a plurality of deck planks such that each deck plank bridges the first and second joists and engages at least one spacer post that projects upward from the top surface of the first connector strip and at least one spacer post that projects upward from the top surface of the second connector strip.   
     
     
         11 . The method as recited in  claim 10 , wherein the connector strips each further comprise a first end with a male connector and a second end with a female connector, the method further including the step of disposing a third connector strip with a female connector on one end such that the male connector of the first connector strip connects to the female connector of the third connector strip. 
     
     
         12 . The method as recited in  claim 10 , wherein deck planks further include second tabs on their undersides and the spacer posts of the connector strip further include second clips configured to mate with the tabs of the deck planks and thereby secure the deck planks to the connector strips, the method further including the step of clipping the deck planks to the connector strips with the second tabs and second clips. 
     
     
         13 . The method as recited in  claim 10  wherein no fasteners are required to connect the connector strips to the joists.