Deck tile support systems and methods

Abstract

A deck tile support system includes a deck frame with at least one perimeter support member supporting a plurality of support joists, each with a top wall and at least one lateral wall extending downwardly from the top wall. A plurality of deck tile support straps is secured to the plurality of support joists and together form a backing substrate supporting a plurality of deck tiles. Each deck tile support strap includes a horizontal wall, a first vertical wall defining a plurality of first gaps each receiving one of the plurality of support joists, a second vertical wall defining a plurality of second gaps each receiving the one of the plurality of support joists, and a plurality of first connector tabs extending generally perpendicularly from the first vertical wall and secured to the at least one lateral wall of respective ones of the plurality of support joists.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A deck tile support system, comprising:
 a deck frame comprising at least one perimeter support member supporting a plurality of support joists, each support joist comprising a top wall and at least one lateral wall extending downwardly from the top wall; and   a plurality of deck tile support straps secured to the plurality of support joists, the plurality of deck tile support straps together forming a backing substrate supporting a plurality of deck tiles, each deck tile support strap comprising:
 a horizontal wall; 
 a first vertical wall defining a plurality of first gaps each receiving one of the plurality of support joists; 
 a second vertical wall defining a plurality of second gaps each receiving the one of the plurality of support joists; and 
 a plurality of first connector tabs extending generally perpendicularly from the first vertical wall and secured to the at least one lateral wall of respective ones of the plurality of support joists. 
   
     
     
         2 . The deck tile support system of  claim 1  wherein each deck tile support strap further comprises a plurality of second connector tabs extending generally perpendicularly from the second vertical wall and secured to a second lateral wall of respective ones of the plurality of support joists opposite the at least one lateral wall. 
     
     
         3 . The deck tile support system of  claim 1  wherein at least one of the plurality of deck tile support straps straddles multiple ones of the plurality of support joists. 
     
     
         4 . The deck tile support system of  claim 3  wherein at least one of the plurality of deck tile support straps runs transverse to at least one of the plurality of support joists. 
     
     
         5 . The deck tile support system of  claim 1  wherein each of the plurality of deck tile support straps is formed of metal. 
     
     
         6 . The deck tile support system of  claim 1  wherein each of the plurality of deck tile support straps is formed of a polymeric material. 
     
     
         7 . The deck tile support system of  claim 1  wherein each of the plurality of deck tiles is porcelain. 
     
     
         8 . The deck tile support system of  claim 1  wherein each of the plurality of deck tiles is stone. 
     
     
         9 . The deck tile support system of  claim 1  wherein each of the plurality of deck tiles is brick. 
     
     
         10 . The deck tile support system of  claim 1  further comprising a gap between adjacent deck tile support straps. 
     
     
         11 . The deck tile support system of  claim 10  wherein the gap is less than two inches. 
     
     
         12 . The deck tile support system of  claim 1  wherein a first one of the plurality of deck tile support straps abuts a second one of the plurality of deck tile support straps. 
     
     
         13 . The deck tile support system of  claim 1  wherein the plurality of deck tiles is adhered to the plurality of deck tile support straps. 
     
     
         14 . The deck tile support system of  claim 1  wherein the plurality of support joists is spaced apart either 12 inches on center or 16 inches on center. 
     
     
         15 . The deck tile support system of  claim 1  wherein the horizontal wall defines a plurality of through holes. 
     
     
         16 . A deck tile support system, comprising:
 a deck frame comprising at least one perimeter support member supporting first and second support joists, each of the first and second support joists comprising a top wall and at least one lateral wall extending downwardly from the top wall; and   first and second deck tile support straps secured to the first and second support joists, the first and second deck tile support straps together forming a backing substrate configured to support a plurality of deck tiles, each of the first and second deck tile support straps comprising:
 an upper horizontal wall; 
 a first vertical wall defining a first gap receiving the first support joist and a second gap receiving the second support joist; 
 a second vertical wall defining a third gap receiving the first support joist and a fourth gap receiving the second support joist; 
 a first connector tab extending generally perpendicularly from the first vertical wall and secured to the at least one lateral wall of the first support joist; and 
 a second connector tab extending generally perpendicularly from the first vertical wall and secured to the at least one lateral wall of the second support joist. 
   
     
     
         17 . The deck tile support system of  claim 16  wherein each of the first and second deck tile support straps further comprises:
 a third connector tab extending generally perpendicularly from the second vertical wall and secured to a second lateral wall opposite the at least one lateral wall of the first support joist; and 
 a fourth connector tab extending generally perpendicularly from the second vertical wall and secured to a second lateral wall opposite the at least one lateral wall of the second support joist. 
 
     
     
         18 . A deck tile support system, comprising:
 a deck frame comprising at least one perimeter support member supporting first and second support joists, each of the first and second support joists comprising a top wall and at least one lateral wall extending downwardly from the top wall; and   first and second deck tile support straps secured to the first and second support joists, the first and second deck tile support straps together forming a backing substrate configured to support a plurality of deck tiles, each of the first and second deck tile support straps being formed of metal and comprising:
 an upper horizontal wall defining a plurality of through holes; 
 a first vertical wall defining a first gap receiving the first support joist and a second gap receiving the second support joist; 
 a second vertical wall defining a third gap receiving the first support joist and a fourth gap receiving the second support joist; 
 a first connector tab extending generally perpendicularly from the first vertical wall and secured to the at least one lateral wall of the first support joist; 
 a second connector tab extending generally perpendicularly from the first vertical wall and secured to the at least one lateral wall of the second support joist; 
 a third connector tab extending generally perpendicularly from the second vertical wall and secured to a second lateral wall opposite the at least one lateral wall of the first support joist; and 
 a fourth connector tab extending generally perpendicularly from the second vertical wall and secured to a second lateral wall opposite the at least one lateral wall of the second support joist. 
   
     
     
         19 . The deck tile support system of  claim 18  further comprising a gap disposed between the first deck tile support strap and the second deck tile support strap. 
     
     
         20 . The deck tile support system of  claim 18  wherein the first deck tile support strap is abutted with the second deck tile support strap.