GB2475525A

GB2475525A - Interlocking decking with seal

Info

Publication number: GB2475525A
Application number: GB0920399A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Derek Whitaker
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2009-06-24
Filing date: 2009-11-23
Publication date: 2011-05-25
Also published as: GB0920399D0; GB0910881D0

Abstract

A synthetic, part synthetic or natural material decking in which a watertight joint 2 is secured between adjacent interlocking edges 3 of the deck panels which holds a seal in compression without the use of welding or gluing. The decking may have grooves on its upper surface that allow for wet weather grip or cooler surface temperatures. Angular or radiused grooves may be used to give a wood grain effect. The decking may accommodate photovoltaic cells or strips as a surface or as individual planks or joining strips or borders. The invention can incorporate a secure anchoring type of fixation to the recipient surface. Grooves on the under surface provides flexibility of the decking panels.

Description

MULTIFUNCTIONAL DECKING SYSTEM

Synthetic decking, especially for marine applications, already exists. There are however many problems with the present products. Some of these problems include separation of the joints between planks as the material contracts over time which is a characteristic of the plastics used. Most of the existing products make use of harmful solvent based adhesives for the joints, being labour intensive.These products produce a burning sensation on bare skin making them impossible to stand or lie on in hot climates especially as they become smooth surfaced, they become less anti slip and can even cause an aquaplaning effect in very wetted conditions.The flexible nature of these decking materials and their design do not lend themselves to flat even application and an uneven finish results especially noticeable when wet.These products are also hard and have littIeor no cushioning to falls or knocks.

According to the present invention and its options, there is provided a flexible planking or sheets of planking comprising one or a combination of features including a locking joint in which there exists a compressible strip or seal which forms a watertight, locked joint between planking or sheets of planking. There can be included grooving or slots on the upper surface of such dimensions as to significantly reduce the surface area that would be in contact with bare skin therefore reducing the burning effect.These grooves can be of such dimension as to provide excellent grip and water dispersment especially in very wet rain or wave soaked conditions. These grooves can be of such dimension and cross sectional profile especially with angles, as to produce lines of shadow of differing intensity and effect so as to imitate the graining found in natural wood.

Another technical feature can be provided on the undersurface where grooves or slots enter into a tunnelling or channelling within the planking where a shoulder is provided for adhesive to enter and form a rivet' in profile so as to effectively anchor the planking to the recipient surface. Channelling or sufficiently large grooving allows for excess adhesive to travel lengthways allowing a for a more flat and even application of the planking to a surfáce.The dimensions of the channelling or tunnelling can be such that a cushioning effect is achieved wherein air or soft material under the surface can be compressed under weight to cushion a fall or provide a more comfortable walking feel making the overall surface suitable for gymnasiums or around pools or child playing areas.The underside of the product can have a roughened, textured, embossed or laterally grooved characteristic with or wi:hout the described channelling, in order to provide a good key' for glueing The planking or sheets can include photovoltaic cells or strips or can be of mostly or totally made of photovoltaic material.The strips normally associated as caulking or joining mediums can also be of photovoltaic cells or strips effectively making the deck or parts of a deck electrical energy producing.

In examples of the invention and its variations to be described with the aid of drawings:-Fig 1 shows cross sections Fig 2 shows how adjacent planking is assembled Fig 3 shows examples of undersurface Fig 4 shows appearances of photovoltaic capability Referring to the drawings, the joints between planking (fig 1) 3, are locked together in a vertical and horizontal plane and ai the same time compress the caulking strip 1 in order to form a watertight seal.

The upper surface can be grooved 5 or abraded or embossed or all.The peaks and troughs of said grooving can be at angles and dimensions as to provide for desired shadow lines of varying shades of the materials colour in order to produce a grain effect as in wood without having to chemically stain' the material.Thess.peaks and troughs provide for a much reduced skin contact' area and a greater overall surface area to effect general cooling.Increased grip is produced with said grooving and or embossing allowing for a longer time before wear down to smooth effect and good dip ersment of excess water preventing aquaplaning.

A fixation method can be used as in fig 1 (b) wherein adhesive 10 can pass into shouldered' tunnelling 14 producing a rivet effect. Tunnelling or channelling can be provided of such dimensions to significantly reduce weight, vibration from engine, noise and provide insulation.

Fig 2 shows how a locking, sealing joint can be achieved with the strip 2 being compressed. Fig 3 shows how the rivet effect works 9 and how undersurface features assist adhesion 11 and 12.. Abrasion of the undersurface is also feasible.

Fig 4 shows basically how photovolaic cells 15. or strips of cells 16 can be included as part of the plank or sheet manufacture ( eg included in the extrusion process) or can be applied after plank manufacture possibly being inlaid or positioned into a retaining profile with any wiring being connected up as required to produce electricity possibly making use of the channelling or tunnelling.The photovoltaic cells or strips can be wholly or partly a feature of the caulking strips. All of the planking oronly onor.

more individual planks including border planking can have this capability.

Claims

CLAIMSA multifunctional decking system comprising synthetic or partly synthetic planking or sheets of planking where adjacent joints make use of a compressed strip or longitudinal medium held in position by interlocking edges to form a watertight seal where normally welding or adhesive would be necessary and with one or a combination of more than one feature as listed in order to provide for its specific desired characteristic(s) or situations in which it is to be used.These options include an upper surface which is a. roughened b. grooved to effect minimum surface contact with bare skin in order to reduce the burning effect experienced in hot climates.c. grooved in such dimensions as to increase the overall surface area in order to readily promote cooling of the material.d. grooved with suitable dimensions and with the use of angular and/or radiused profiles in order to provide shadow lines of differing intensity and colour tone so as to produce a wood grain effect.e. grooved with suitable dimensions so as to provide maximum non-slip and water dispersment as might be necessary in heavy weather wetted conditions f. embossed so as to produce any of the above listed characteristics.g. shaped in profile so as to acconimodate photovoltaic cells or strips with required transparent protection if needed.h. of such a form to accommodate photovoltaic cells or strips as part of or replacing caulking strips between planks.An under surface which is I.. roughened to provide a key for glueing down j. grooved longitudinally for keying.k.Grooved laterally or in an angular, radiused,random or combination of such manner in order to provide keying and/or increased flexibility L. grooved with channels or tunnelling running along the inside of the section to provide significant weight reduction and for routeing of electric wiring.m. grooved with channels or tunnelling to provide a an air chamber between adhesive and upper surface in order to provide a cushioning effect to the section.n.grooved as in k. to provide insulation against vibration,noise and temperature.o.grooved and with shoulders inside the section as can be provided by channels or tunnels for adhesive to enter and form an anchoring rivet profile to secure the section to its recipient surface.p. embossed with one or any combination of shapes and depths to provide for keying or weight reduction.
2. A planking or sheets of planking or caulking strip which in themselves are made of photovoltaic or strips or photovoltaic material.
3. A planking or sheets of planking or caulking strip which incorporate photovoltaic cells or strips.