Protective deck covering device, system, and method

Abstract

A composite cover configured for use on a deck board is provided. The composite cover can include a top surface and a bottom surface disposed opposite the top surface. The bottom surface can have a plurality of grooves extending along a distance in a direction of the composite cover. A first side can connect the top surface and the bottom surface. The first side can run longitudinally along a length of the composite cover. A second side can be disposed opposite the first side and connect the top surface and the bottom surface. A composite cover system configured for use on a deck board is also provided. The system can include the composite cover and a fastener. The composite covering system is easy to install, cost-effective, and durable requiring minimal maintenance.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A composite cover configured for use on a deck board, comprising:
 a top surface;   a bottom surface disposed opposite the top surface, the bottom surface having a plurality of grooves formed thereon, the plurality of grooves extending along a distance in a direction of the composite cover;   a first side connecting the top surface and the bottom surface running longitudinally along a length of the composite cover; and   a second side disposed opposite the first side and connecting the top surface and the bottom surface running longitudinally along the length of the composite cover.   
     
     
         2 . The composite cover of  claim 1 , wherein the top surface includes texturing. 
     
     
         3 . The composite cover of  claim 1 , wherein each groove of the plurality of grooves includes a substantially U-shaped cross-section. 
     
     
         4 . The composite cover of  claim 1 , wherein each groove of the plurality of grooves has a width between 1 millimeter and 50 millimeters. 
     
     
         5 . The composite cover of  claim 1 , wherein each groove of the plurality of grooves has a height between 1 millimeter and 7 millimeters. 
     
     
         6 . The composite cover of  claim 1 , wherein each groove of the plurality of grooves are uniformly spaced apart from one another. 
     
     
         7 . The composite cover of  claim 1 , wherein the distance includes an entirety of the length of the composite cover. 
     
     
         8 . The composite cover of  claim 1 , wherein the direction is along a longitudinal axis of the composite cover. 
     
     
         9 . The composite cover of  claim 1 , wherein the composite cover is formed of a composite material comprising:
 between 20% and 40% of a thermoplastic polymer;   between 40% and 80% of a wood material;   between 1% and 6% of a coupling agent;   between 0.5% and 2% of an ultra-violet stabilizer;   between 0.1% and 1.5% of an antioxidant;   between 1% and 3% of a process aid;   between 1% and 3% of a pigment; and   between 0% and 5% of a filler additive.   
     
     
         10 . The composite cover of  claim 1 , wherein the composite cover comprises one or more of the following materials:
 high-density polyethylene;   wood flour;   maleic anhydride grafted polyethylene;   bis(2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-4-piperidinyl) sebacate;   pentaerythritol tetrakis(3-(3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyphenyl) propionate); and   paraffin wax.   
     
     
         11 . A fastener for securing a composite cover to a deck board, comprising:
 a fastener body, including:
 a fastener head disposed at a first end; 
 a conical tip disposed at a second end; 
 a first section disposed adjacent the conical tip, the first section threaded in a first direction; and 
 a second section disposed between the fastener head and the first section, the second section threaded in a second direction, different than the first direction. 
   
     
     
         12 . The fastener of  claim 11 , wherein the first section includes a first length and the second section includes a second length, the first length is greater than the second length. 
     
     
         13 . A composite cover system configured for use on a deck board, comprising:
 a composite cover including:
 a top surface; 
 a bottom surface disposed opposite the top surface, the bottom surface having a plurality of grooves formed thereon, the plurality of grooves extending along a longitudinal direction of the composite cover; 
 a first side connecting the top surface and the bottom surface running longitudinally along a length of the composite cover; and 
 a second side disposed opposite the first side and connecting the top surface and the bottom surface running longitudinally along the length of the composite cover; and 
   the fastener of  claim 11 .   
     
     
         14 . A composite cover configured for use on a deck board, comprising:
 a top surface;   a bottom surface disposed opposite the top surface, the bottom surface having a plurality of grooves formed thereon, the plurality of grooves extending along a distance in a direction of the composite cover;   a first end;   a second end opposing the first end;   a first side extending from the first end; and   a second side extending from the second end,   wherein:
 the first side and the second side are oriented substantially perpendicular to the top surface and the first side includes a first lip and the second side includes a second lip, the first lip and the second lip each have an inside edge facing one another and define a retaining region below the bottom surface. 
   
     
     
         15 . The composite cover of  claim 14 , wherein the composite cover is formed of a composite material comprising:
 between 20% and 40% of a thermoplastic polymer;   between 40% and 80% of a wood material;   between 1% and 6% of a coupling agent;   between 0.5% and 2% of an ultra-violet stabilizer;   between 0.1% and 1.5% of an antioxidant;   between 1% and 3% of a process aid;   between 1% and 3% of a pigment; and   between 0% and 5% of a filler additive.   
     
     
         16 . The composite cover of  claim 14 , wherein the top surface includes texturing. 
     
     
         17 . A method of installing a composite cover system on a board of a deck, comprising:
 providing the composite cover of  claim 1 ;   providing a fastener, the fastener including:
 a fastener body, including:
 a fastener head disposed at a first end; 
 a conical tip disposed at a second end; 
 a first section disposed adjacent the conical tip, the first section threaded in a first direction; and 
 a second section disposed between the fastener head and the first section, the second section threaded in a second direction, different than the first direction; 
 
   positioning the composite cover on the board of the deck; and   securing the composite cover to the board of the deck with the fastener, whereby the composite cover is installed on the board.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein prior to the positioning of the composite cover on the board of the deck, the method further comprises:
 removing a portion of the board to receive a portion of the composite cover;   positioning the composite cover on the board of the deck; and   securing the composite cover to the board of the deck with the fastener, whereby the composite cover is installed on the board.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein removing the portion of the board includes removing a top surface corner running along a longitudinal axis of the board. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the portion of the composite cover substantially conforms to the removed portion of the board.