Decking System

Abstract

A decking system comprises a plurality of deck planks interconnected such that at least 60% of a surface of the deck plank system comprises openings to allow pass through of at least one of an environmental condition, such as, air, sunlight, rain, etc. The deck plank openings result from a plurality of evenly spaced parallel rib elements that span across from one side of the deck plank to the other side, wherein the spacing between the rib elements provides the pass through openings, and the rib elements are fixed and supported in their orientation by a plurality of rib spacers and U-shaped support tabs between the rib elements. The openings adjacent a first and second length side, comprise a plurality of regularly spaced, recessed fastening supports within them. The deck planks also comprise a plurality of inter-locking tabs at an external perimeter to facilitate assembly of the deck plank system.

I claim: 
     
         1 . A deck plank comprises:
 a frame comprising a length, and a width, wherein the deck plank comprises a plurality of elongated deck plank openings such that the plurality of elongated deck plank openings comprise a deck plank openings area of at least 60% of a deck plank area, wherein the deck plank area is defined by the frame's length and width;   a plurality of planar rib elements, wherein each rib element spans perpendicular from a first width side of the deck plank to an opposite second width side of the deck plank, wherein each rib element couples perpendicular to a rib spline at an underside and at a midpoint of the rib element, and the rib spline extends along the rib element span; the rib elements are spaced evenly apart from a first length side of the deck plank to an opposite, second length side of the deck plank; the plurality of rib elements define a working deck plank surface;   a plurality of rib spacers to support and secure a position of adjacent rib elements, wherein each rib spacer couples between adjacent rib splines, and each rib spacer comprises a spacer plate coupled to a spacer spline, wherein each spacer plate is partially overlapped by adjacent rib elements;   a plurality of U-shaped support tabs to further support and secure the position of the rib elements, wherein each support tab couples perpendicularly between adjacent rib splines; adjacent rib elements overlap a top portion of each U-shaped support tab;   wherein the deck plank further comprises a plurality of fastening ports adjacent a perimeter of the deck plank; the fastening ports extend from just below the working deck plank surface to a depth, such that a top portion of a fastener secured within the fastening port is recessed relative to the working deck plank surface; and   wherein the deck plank further comprises a plurality of interlocking tabs spaced evenly along an external portion of the perimeter of the deck plank to interlock and secure adjacent deck planks.   
     
     
         2 . The deck plank of  claim 1 , wherein the spacer plates are aligned in a column from the one length side of the deck plank to the opposite length side of the deck plank. 
     
     
         3 . The deck plank of  claim 2 , wherein the U-shaped support tabs are aligned in a column from the one length side of the deck plank to the opposite length side of the deck plank. 
     
     
         4 . The deck plank of  claim 3 , wherein the interlocking tabs align with the U-shaped support tabs column. 
     
     
         5 . The deck plank of  claim 3 , wherein opposite sides of the spacer plates that are not coupled to the rib splines, comprise an arcuate shape so as to further maximize the deck plank openings area. 
     
     
         6 . The deck plank of  claim 5 , wherein the fastening ports are generally circular and threaded to receive securing screws. 
     
     
         7 . The deck plank of  claim 6 , wherein the deck plank comprises the deck length sides to comprise a length of at least 24 inches. 
     
     
         8 . The deck plank of  claim 7 , wherein at least one of the rib splines, spacer splines, U-shaped support tabs, and a side of the deck plank perimeter comprises a depth of at least 1.5 inches when measured from the working deck plank surface to a bottom side of the at least one of the rib splines, spacer splines, U-shaped support tabs, and side of the deck plank perimeter. 
     
     
         9 . The deck plank of  claim 6 , wherein a top portion of the fastening ports are recessed at least 0.5 inches from the working deck plank surface. 
     
     
         10 . A deck plank comprises:
 a surface, comprising a plurality of uniform openings, wherein a sum area of the surface comprises no greater than 40% of an area of the deck plank as outlined by a perimeter of the deck plank.   
     
     
         11 . The deck plank of  claim 10 , wherein the surface comprises a plurality of parallel rib elements that span lengthwise from a first width side of the deck plank across to a second width side of the deck plank. 
     
     
         12 . The deck plank of  claim 10 , wherein the deck plank comprises at least one of a rectangular, square, triangular, hexagonal, octagonal, and pentagonal geometric configuration. 
     
     
         13 . The deck plank of  claim 12 , wherein the deck plank comprises of at least one of a thermoplastic or a thermoset molded material element. 
     
     
         14 . The deck plank of  claim 11 , wherein an area of each of the uniform openings are substantially equal. 
     
     
         15 . The deck plank of  claim 14 , wherein the uniform openings adjacent a first length side and a second length side further comprise a plurality of regularly spaced, recessed fastening supports within each uniform opening. 
     
     
         16 . The deck plank of  claim 15 , wherein the rib elements are fixed in their orientation by a plurality of rib spacers and U-shaped support tabs. 
     
     
         17 . A deck plank system comprises;
 a plurality of individual deck planks interconnected such that at least 60% of an area of the deck plank system allows a pass through of at least one of an environmental condition from the list of; sunlight, rain, snow, sleet, hail, and air.   
     
     
         18 . The deck plank system of  claim 17 , wherein the plurality of individual deck planks comprises of at least one of a thermoplastic and a thermoset material. 
     
     
         19 . The deck plank system of  claim 18  comprising an assembly of rectangular and triangular geometric individual deck planks. 
     
     
         20 . The deck plank system of  claim 19 , wherein the deck plank system affixes to a deck plank system support structure.