Decking board drainage assembly

Abstract

A decking assembly (100; 200) is provided with a drainage solution providing ease of assembly and disassembly, further facilitating removal of a single panel.

1 . A decking assembly comprising:
 a first decking panel having a decking surface;   a second decking panel having a decking surface;   a drainage channel component positioned between the first decking panel and the second decking panel;   wherein a portion of each of the decking panels overhangs the drainage channel component; and,   wherein the decking panels are configured such that no part of either decking panel is positioned under any part of the drainage channel component, to enable either decking panel to be lifted in a direction normal to its decking surface without moving the drainage channel component.   
     
     
         2 . The decking assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the decking panels comprises:
 a leg extending downwardly with respect to the decking surface;   a foot extending from the leg, which the foot overhangs the drainage channel component.   
     
     
         3 . The decking assembly according to  claim 2 , wherein the foot comprises a downwardly depending tab extending therefrom, which the tab retains the drainage channel component adjacent the decking panel. 
     
     
         4 . The decking assembly according to  claim 3 , wherein the tab mates with a corresponding formation on the drainage channel component. 
     
     
         5 . The decking assembly according to  claim 4 , wherein the drainage channel component comprises an at least partially curved outer surface in section, to enable the drainage channel component to be engaged with, and disengaged from, the at least one of the decking panels by rotation without moving the at least one of the decking panels. 
     
     
         6 . (canceled) 
     
     
         7 . The decking assembly according  claim 5 , wherein the drainage channel component has a section comprising a base region, two sidewalls extending from either edge of the base region, and an inwardly projecting tab at an end of each of the two sidewalls sidewall opposite the base region, with a channel inlet defined between the tabs. 
     
     
         8 . The decking assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein the drainage channel component and the decking panels are configured such that abutting the decking panels either side of the drainage channel component forms a drainage gap between the decking panels, directly above the drainage channel component in use. 
     
     
         9 . The decking assembly according to  claim 1  comprising:
 an underlying structure; 
 wherein each of the first and second decking panels are mounted to the underlying structure such that the drainage channel component is retained in position by the portion of each of the decking panels that overhangs the drainage channel component. 
 
     
     
         10 . The decking assembly according to  claim 9 , comprising:
 a plurality of decking panel mounting brackets attached to the underlying structure;   wherein each of the first and second decking panels are attached to respective decking panel mounting brackets.   
     
     
         11 . The decking assembly according to  claim 10 , wherein each of the decking panels and the respective decking panel mounting brackets are attached by a mechanical snap-fit. 
     
     
         12 . The decking assembly according to  claim 9 , wherein each of the decking panels comprise panel comprises a mounting portion in contact with the underlying structure and a cover, wherein each of the decking panels are panel is attached to the underlying structure by a mechanical fastener engaged with the mounting portion, and wherein the cover is provided to cover the mechanical fastener in use. 
     
     
         13 . A decking assembly comprising:
 a first decking panel having a decking surface, and a drainage channel formed at a first edge;   a second decking panel having a decking surface, and an overhanging formation formed at a second edge;   wherein the first decking panel and the second decking panel are configured such that the drainage channel is received under the overhanging formation.   
     
     
         14 . The decking assembly according to  claim 13 , wherein the overhanging formation comprises a downwardly depending retaining formation, which the retaining formation retains the first decking panel relative to the second decking panel. 
     
     
         15 . The decking assembly according to  claim 14 , wherein the first decking panel and the second decking panel are assembled such that a drainage gap is formed between the respective decking surfaces, the drainage gap being positioned above the drainage channel. 
     
     
         16 . The decking assembly according to  claim 13 , wherein the first decking panel comprises a leg extending downwardly with respect to the decking surface, and wherein the drainage channel extends from a position on the leg to the overhanging formation. 
     
     
         17 . The decking assembly according to  claim 16 , wherein the drainage channel extends at a sloped angle from the leg to the overhanging formation. 
     
     
         18 . The decking assembly according to  claim 17 , wherein the drainage channel extends at a sloped angle of between 30 and 60 degrees to the horizontal. 
     
     
         19 . The decking assembly according to  claim 17 , wherein a gap is provided on an underside of the drainage channel to facilitate rotation of the first decking panel into engagement with the second decking panel. 
     
     
         20 . The decking assembly according to  claim 13 , wherein the drainage channel comprises a curved portion at a free end, which the curved portion engages the overhang overhanging formation. 
     
     
         21 . The decking assembly according to  claim 20 , wherein the curved portion is dimensioned to elastically deform into engagement with the overhang overhanging formation. 
     
     
         22 . The decking assembly according to  claim 13 , comprising:
 an underlying structure;   a plurality of decking panel mounting brackets attached to the underlying structure;   wherein each of the first and second decking panels are attached to respective decking panel mounting brackets.   
     
     
         23 . The decking assembly according to  claim 22 , wherein each of the decking panels and the respective decking panel mounting brackets are attached by a mechanical snap-fit. 
     
     
         24 . A decking assembly comprising a plurality of interlocking decking panels, each decking panel comprising:
 a decking surface;
 a drainage channel formed at a first edge; and, 
 an overhanging formation formed at a second edge; 
 wherein: 
   a drainage channel of a first panel is engaged with an overhanging formation of a second panel;   a drainage channel of a third panel is engaged with an overhanging formation of the first panel; and,   the drainage channels and overhanging formations engage such that the first panel can be removed by rotation about its drainage channel.   
     
     
         25 .- 27 . (canceled)