Reversible deck plank

Abstract

Embodiments described herein are directed to a reversible deck system. The deck system is described as reversible because it may be installed onto the deck structure in two different orientations. In a first orientation, a walking surface is facing upward. The walking surface is substantially solid (e.g., without gaps) and forms a final finished surface of a deck. In a second orientation, the walking surface is facing downward. In the downward facing orientation, a joist structure onto which deck boards may be installed is facing upward. The reversible deck system includes four major structural members, including a wide deck plank, a narrow deck plank, a tongue edge cap, and a groove edge cap. In an aspect, the major structural members may be formed through an aluminum extrusion process.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A reversible plank comprising:
 an elongated body having a length, a width, and a thickness, wherein the elongated body includes by a tongue-side portion running the length of the elongated body opposite a groove-side portion running the length of the elongated body, an upper side of the elongated body forming a rectangular walking surface;   a first leg extending downward along the length of the elongated body from the tongue-side portion, the first leg having a first end connected to a lower side of the elongated body and a second end;   a tongue extending substantially perpendicularly from the first leg along the length of the first leg in a direction away from the tongue-side portion of the elongated body, an upper surface of the tongue being substantially parallel to the rectangular walking surface; and   a second leg extending downward along the length of the elongated body from the groove-side portion, the second leg having an upper end connected to a lower side of the elongated body and a joist connection structure connected to a lower end of the second leg, the joist connection structure being substantially parallel to the rectangular walking surface.   
     
     
         2 . The reversible plank of  claim 1 , wherein the first leg is substantially perpendicular to the elongated body. 
     
     
         3 . The reversible plank of  claim 1 , wherein an upward facing surface of the tongue is lower than a downward facing surface of the elongated body. 
     
     
         4 . The reversible plank of  claim 1 , further comprising a rib extending from the top side of the joist connection structure substantially perpendicular to the joist connection structure and substantially parallel to the second leg. 
     
     
         5 . The reversible plank of  claim 4 , wherein the rib includes an upper terminal end at a height that is substantially equal to the lower side of the elongated body. 
     
     
         6 . The reversible plank of  claim 4 , wherein a majority of the joist connection structure extends away from the groove-side portion of the elongated body. 
     
     
         7 . The reversible plank of  claim 1 , wherein the second leg forms a groove by including a horizontal portion between a first vertical portion and a second vertical portion, wherein the first vertical portion is connected to the lower side of the elongated body and the second vertical portion is connected to the joist connection structure. 
     
     
         8 . The reversible plank of  claim 7 , wherein a length of the horizontal portion is substantially equal to a length of the tongue, such that a terminal end of a separate tongue on a separate reversible plank would be substantially adjacent to a groove-side facing wall of the first vertical portion when the tongue on the separate reversible plank is installed in the groove. 
     
     
         9 . A groove-side end cap comprising:
 an elongated body having a length, a width, and a thickness, wherein the elongated body includes by a tongue-side portion running the length of the elongated body opposite a finished edge running the length of the elongated body, an upper side of the elongated body forming a rectangular walking surface;   a first leg extending downward along the length of the elongated body from the tongue-side portion, the first leg having a first end connected to a lower side of the elongated body and a second end;   a tongue extending substantially perpendicularly from the first leg along the length of the first leg in a direction away from the tongue-side portion of the elongated body, an upper surface of the tongue being substantially parallel to the rectangular walking surface; and   the finished edge extending downward along the length of the elongated body from a side opposite the tongue-side portion.   
     
     
         10 . The reversible plank of  claim 9 , wherein the first leg is substantially perpendicular to the elongated body. 
     
     
         11 . The reversible plank of  claim 9 , wherein an upward facing surface of the tongue is lower than a downward facing surface of the elongated body. 
     
     
         12 . The reversible plank of  claim 9 , wherein the finished edge is substantially perpendicular to the elongated body. 
     
     
         13 . The reversible plank of  claim 9 , wherein the finished edge is substantially perpendicular to the elongated body. 
     
     
         14 . A tongue-side end cap comprising:
 an elongated body having a length, a width, and a thickness, wherein the elongated body includes by a finished-edge-side portion running the length of the elongated body opposite a groove-side portion running the length of the elongated body, an upper side of the elongated body forming a rectangular walking surface;   a finished edge extending downward along the length of the elongated body from the finished-edge-side portion; and   a leg extending downward along the length of the elongated body from the groove-side portion, the leg having an upper end connected to a lower side of the elongated body and a joist connection structure connected to a lower end of the leg, the joist connection structure being substantially parallel to the rectangular walking surface.   
     
     
         15 . The tongue-side end cap of  claim 14 , further comprising a rib extending from the top side of the joist connection structure substantially perpendicular to the joist connection structure and substantially parallel to the leg. 
     
     
         16 . The tongue-side end cap of  claim 15 , wherein the rib includes an upper terminal end at a height that is substantially equal to the lower side of the elongated body. 
     
     
         17 . The tongue-side end cap of  claim 15 , wherein a majority of the joist connection structure extends away from the groove-side portion of the elongated body. 
     
     
         18 . The tongue-side end cap of  claim 14 , wherein the leg forms a groove by including a horizontal portion between a first vertical portion and a second vertical portion, wherein the first vertical portion is connected to the lower side of the elongated body and the second vertical portion is connected to the joist connection structure. 
     
     
         19 . A deck assembly comprising:
 a first reversible deck plank connected to a deck joist by a connector passing through a first structure in the first reversible deck plank;   a second reversible deck plank connected to the deck joist by a screw passing through a second structure in the second reversible deck plank, wherein the second reversible deck plank includes a first tongue that is fit into a first groove on the first reversible deck plank;   a tongue-side end cap, wherein the tongue-side end cap includes a second groove that receives into a second tongue on the first reversible deck plank; and   a groove-side end cap, wherein the groove-side end cap includes a third tongue that is fit into a third groove on the second reversible deck plank.   
     
     
         20 . The deck assembly of  claim 19 , wherein the first reversible deck plank includes an elongated body with an upward facing rectangular walking surface and the first structure is a joist connection structure that is different from the elongated body and is connected to the elongated body by a leg extending downward from the elongated body. 
     
     
         21 . The deck assembly of  claim 19 , wherein the first reversible deck plank includes an upward facing joist connection structure and the first structure is an elongated body with a downward facing walking surface, wherein the elongated body is different from a joist connection structure and is connected to the elongated body by a leg extending downward from the joist connection structure.