Decking System

Abstract

A decking system facilitates runoff by creation of lengthwise conduits in overlapping planks when assembled. The system includes a plurality of decking planks each having a main section elongated between a first end and a second end. A top connection flange has a proximal section coplanar with a top surface of the plank and a distal section extending perpendicularly from the proximal section defining a downwardly facing channel. A bottom connection flange has a first portion coplanar with the bottom surface of the plank and a second portion extending perpendicularly from the first portion defining an upwardly facing channel. A length of the proximal section is greater than a thickness of the second portion to define a conduit therebetween when a pair of the planks are adjacently positioned with the top connection flange overlapping the bottom connection flange.

1 . A decking system comprising:
 a plurality of decking planks, each said plank comprising
 a main section having a first end and a second end, said main section being elongated between said first end and said second end, said main section of each of said planks being continuously solid between opposing lateral sides of said main section and said top surface and said bottom surface, 
 a top connection flange having a proximal section coplanar with a top surface of said plank and a distal section extending perpendicularly from said proximal section towards a bottom surface of said plank, said distal section of said top connection flange of each said plank defining a downwardly facing channel, 
 a bottom connection flange having a first portion coplanar with said bottom surface of said plank and a second portion extending perpendicularly from said first portion toward said top surface of said plank, said second portion of said bottom connection flange of each said plank defining an upwardly facing channel, wherein said bottom connection flange is substantially a mirror image of said top connection flange, and 
 a length of said proximal section of said top connection flange being greater than a thickness of said second portion of said bottom connection flange wherein said top connection flange and said bottom connection flange define a conduit therebetween by cooperation of a pair of said planks when said pair of said planks are adjacently positioned with said top connection flange overlapping said bottom connection flange. 
   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising said top surface of each said plank being textured. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of guide holes extending into said bottom surface of each said plank wherein said guide holes are configured to facilitate securement of each of said planks by fasteners being inserted into said bottom surface of said plank. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 3 , further comprising said guide holes being linearly aligned and spaced apart along a longitudinal axis of said plank. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 4 , further comprising said guide holes being positioned closer to said top connection flange than said bottom connection flange. 
     
     
         6 . (canceled) 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising an outer surface of a junction between said proximal section and said distal section of said top connection flange of each plank being rounded. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a cross-sectional shape of said top connection flange perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of said plank being L-shaped. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a cross-sectional shape of said bottom connection flange perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of said plank being L-shaped. 
     
     
         10 . A decking system comprising:
 a plurality of planks, said top surface of each said plank being textured, each said plank comprising
 a main section having a first end and a second end, said main section being elongated between said first end and said second end, said main section of each of said planks being continuously solid between opposing lateral sides of said main section and said top surface and said bottom surface, 
 a top connection flange having a proximal section coplanar with a top surface of said plank and a distal section extending perpendicularly from said proximal section towards a bottom surface of said plank, said distal section of said top connection flange of each said plank defining a downwardly facing channel, an outer surface of a junction between said proximal section and said distal section of said top connection flange of each plank being rounded, a cross-sectional shape of said top connection flange perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of said plank being L-shaped, 
 a bottom connection flange having a first portion coplanar with said bottom surface of said plank and a second portion extending perpendicularly from said first portion toward said top surface of said plank, said second portion of said bottom connection flange of each said plank defining an upwardly facing channel, a cross-sectional shape of said bottom connection flange perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of said plank being L-shaped, wherein said bottom connection flange is substantially a mirror image of said top connection flange, 
 a length of said proximal section of said top connection flange being greater than a thickness of said second portion of said bottom connection flange wherein said top connection flange and said bottom connection flange define a conduit therebetween by cooperation of a pair of said planks when said pair of said planks are adjacently positioned with said top connection flange overlapping said bottom connection flange, and 
 a plurality of guide holes extending into said bottom surface of each said plank wherein said guide holes are configured to facilitate securement of each of said planks by fasteners being inserted into said bottom surface of said plank, said guide holes being linearly aligned and spaced apart along a longitudinal axis of said plank, said guide holes being positioned closer to said top connection flange than said bottom connection flange.