Modular decking planks

Abstract

A decking system for placement on a subassembly having at least two spaced apart joists. A plurality of elongated tubular elements for placement in lateral interlocking engagement with each other transversely of and spanning the distance between the joists. Each of said plurality of elements having a top portion, a bottom portion, and first and second side walls connecting said top and bottom portions. The top portion extends laterally beyond the first side wall and has formed thereon a downwardly extending longitudinal flange. The bottom portion extends laterally beyond the second side wall and has formed thereon an upwardly extending longitudinal wall defining an upwardly opening channel adjacent the second side wall adapted to receive therein a watertight relation the downwardly extending longitudinal flange. The bottom portion having formed therein a plurality of apertures intermediate the second side wall and the upwardly extending longitudinal wall, adapted for the insertion of fasteners therethrough for engagement with the joists.

1. A decking system for placement on a subassembly, the subassembly having at least two spaced apart joists, said system comprising:
 (a) a plurality of elongated tubular elements for placement in lateral interlocking engagement with each other transversely of and spanning the distance between the joists;  
 (b) each of said plurality of elements having a top portion, a bottom portion, and first and second side walls connecting said top and bottom portions;  
 (d)(c) wherein said top portion extends laterally beyond said first side wall and has formed thereon a downwardly extending longitudinal flange, and wherein said bottom portion extends laterally beyond said second side wall and has formed thereon an upwardly extending longitudinal wall defining an upwardly opening channel adjacent said second side wall adapted to receive therein in watertight relation said downwardly extending longitudinal flange, said bottom portion having formed therein a plurality of apertures intermediate said second side wall andproximate said upwardly extending longitudinal wall, adapted for the insertion of fasteners there through for engagement with said joists further comprising at least one internal wall extending between said top and bottom portion; and,  
 (e)(d) a surface tread formed on the exterior of said top portion comprising a series of longitudinally extending lands and crests including parallel major and minor lands and crests, said major lands overlying at least said first side wall and said at least one internal wall and separated by major crests, said major crestcrests having formed thereon said minor crests and minor lands.  
 
     
     
       2. A decking system for placement on a subassembly, the subassembly having at least two spaced apart joists, said system comprising:
 (a) a plurality of elongated tubular elements for placement in lateral interlocking engagement with each other transversely of and spanning the distance between the joists;  
 (b) each of said plurality of elements having a top portion, a bottom portion, and first and second side walls connecting said top and bottom portions;  
 (c) wherein said top portion extends laterally beyond said first side wall and has formed thereon a downwardly extending longitudinal flange, and wherein said bottom portion extends laterally beyond said second side wall and has formed thereon an upwardly extending longitudinal wall defining an upwardly opening channel adjacent said second side wall adapted to receive therein in watertight relation said downwardly extending longitudinal flange, said bottom portion having formed therein a plurality of apertures intermediate said second side wall and  proximate said upwardly extending longitudinal wall, adapted for the insertion of fasteners there through for engagement with said joists and wherein said flange is defined by elongated opposing flange walls each of said flange walls having a pair of spaced apart longitudinally extending ribs and wherein said second side wall and said longitudinal wall have a pair of cooperatively spaced apart longitudinally extending ribs adapted to engage said flange wall ribs an form a moisture seal there along.  
 
     
     
       3. A decking system as defined in  claim 2  further comprising at least one internal wall extending between said top and bottom portion. 
     
     
       4. A decking system as defined in  claim 3  further comprising a surface tread formed on the exterior of said top portion comprising a series of longitudinally extending lands and crests including parallel major and minor lands, said major lands overlying at least said first side wall and each internal wall and separated by major crests, said major crest having formed thereon said minor crests and minor lands. 
     
     
       5. A decking system as defined in  claim 4  wherein said major crests include a pair of longitudinally extending planar surfaces intermediate said major land and an adjacent minor land. 
     
     
       6. A decking system as defined in  claim 5  wherein each of said plurality of elongated members is formed by extrusion from a material selected from the group including PVC, poly-ethylene-teriphathlate, and aluminum. 
     
     
       7. A construction element according to  claim 2  including a plurality of spaced-apart holes formed in said fastening portion of said channel for accommodating passage of fasteners therethrough to a supporting structure. 
     
     
       8. A construction element according to  claim 2  including a plurality of reinforcing ribs located between said side walls and interconnecting said top and bottom walls. 
     
     
       9. A structure comprising a plurality of interconnected modular construction elements according to  claim 2  assembled together on a supporting structure. 
     
     
       10. A decking system for placement on a subassembly, the subassembly having at least two spaced apart joists, said system comprising:
 a plurality of elongated tubular elements for placement in lateral interlocking engagement with each other transversely of and spanning the distance between the joists;  
 (b) each of said plurality of elements having a top portion, a bottom portion, and first and second side walls connecting said top and bottom portions;  
 (c) wherein said top portion extends laterally beyond said first side wall and has formed thereon a downwardly extending longitudinal flange, and wherein said bottom portion extends laterally beyond said second side wall and has formed thereon an upwardly extending longitudinal wall defining an upwardly opening channel adjacent said second side wall adapted to receive therein in watertight relation said downwardly extending longitudinal flange, said bottom portion having formed therein a plurality of apertures intermediate said second side wall and  proximate said upwardly extending longitudinal wall, adapted for the insertion of fasteners there through for engagement with said joists; and,  
 (d) a surface tread formed on the exterior of said top portion comprising a series of longitudinally extending lands and crests including parallel major and minor lands and crests, said major lands overlying at least said first side wall and separated by major crests, said major crest  crests having formed thereon said minor crests and minor lands.