Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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PANELLING SYSTEM PRIMARILY FOR DECKING
This invention relates to a panelling system defined by a plurality of
inter-engaging panels. The system is primarily designed for decking. The
system is
primarily designed for use with panels formed of wood or wood composite
material
but other materials can be used either to form the entire panel or a part of
the panel.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Various techniques have been proposed for the manufacture of wood
decking. Conventionally wood decking is formed side by side planks which are
laid
over a sub-frame typically of parallel joists and arranged with spaces between
the
side edges for expansion and drainage. This construction is time consuming and
relatively inaccurate so that gaps can be uneven leading to an unattractive
appearance. '
In published US Patent Application 2006/0076394 published April 13tn
2006 and in corresponding Canadian Application Serial No: 2,525,516 originally
published March 4th 2005 of Kelly Gibson, one of the inventors herein, is
disclosed a
panelling system primarily for flooring which is formed from a plurality of
wood floor
panel members defined by a rectangular panel formed of wood and along two
opposed side edges a decorative dividing strip extending along the length of
the side
edge and having a top surface of the strip lying in a common plane with the
upper
surface of the panel with the other opposed side edges of the panel being
exposed
for butting directly against a next adjacent panel. The dividing strips
project beyond
an end of the side edge and are cut at 45 degrees to form a pointed portion
having
an apex at a position mid way through the thickness of the dividing strip such
that
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four dividing strips, when the panels are laid on the floor, meet at the
junction
between four of the panels with the apexes in contact at a center of the
rectangular
area at the junction. This arrangement as disclosed was proposed for use with
rectangular panels of solid wood or for deck strips and as such was not
suitable for
high quality interior flooring. The disclosure of this published application
may be
referenced for more detail of this construction.
Recently decking planks formed from wcod composite materials have
become available where the planks have grooves along the side edges and are
fastened to the joists of the sub-frame and held at required spacing by
fasteners in
the form approximately shown in US Design Patent 427,050 (Bryan) issued June
27th 2000. These are in the form of a square insert plate which inserts into
the
facing grooves of two of the planks with a leg between the planks which
extends
down toward the sub-frame with a hole in the leg so that the leg can be
screwed
down onto a joist. The decking is supplied as a series of planks which are cut
and
assembled on site with a collection of the fasteners which are inserted on
site and
screwed into position.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is one object of the invention to provide a panelling system primarily
for decking.
According to one aspect of the invention there is provided a panelling
system comprising:
a plurality of deck panel members for locating on a supporting structure
generally edge to edge in an array to at least partly cover the supporting
surface;
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each deck panel member having a front surface for defining an
exposed surface of the panelling system, a rear surface for engaging the
supporting
structure and four side edges;
each deck panel member comprising a plurality of strips arranged side
edge to side edge to form a panel body with the side edges adjacent but spaced
from one another;
a side edge of each strip which faces a corresponding side edge of a
next adjacent strip having a groove therealong recessed into the side edge so
that
the grooves of two of the strips face one another at the side edges;
the side edges of the strips being connected by at least one fastener
member which includes two end portions each inserted into a respective one of
the
grooves and a bridging portion holding the side edges at a predetermined
spacing;
each end portion having an attachment into the groove of the
respective strip with the attachment arranged to hold the strips fastened
together as
a common panel member separate from the supporting structure during
transportation and installation.
Preferably each end portion comprises a flat plate portion inserted into
the groove and extending partly along the groove.
In one arrangement of this fastener, each end portion butts against a
bottom of the groove.
In another arrangement of this fastener, there is provided on the
bridging portion a shoulder for engaging the end face of one of the strips for
holding
the strip at a predetermined location.
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Preferably the bridging portion is recessed from the front and rear
surfaces so that the panel can be used either way up without the bridging
portion
forming an unsightly member at the surface.
In one arrangement of this fastener, the attachment of the end portions
to the groove is effected by insert members or pins engaged through the strip
and
across the groove.
In another arrangement of this fastener, the attachment of an end
portion to the respective groove is effected by barb members on the end
portion
engaging side walls of the groove.
Preferably in this arrangement the end portion includes first barb
members extending parallel to the bridging portion and second barb members
extending at right angles to the bridging portion so as to hold the end
portion in the
groove against movement relative to the groove in two directions.
Preferably the bridging portion includes a hole for receiving a fastening
screw engaging from the fastener member to the supporting structure to hold
the
panel on the supporting structure.
Preferably two parallel ones of the strips with a space therebetween
have ends thereof which face a corresponding side edge of a next adjacent
strip with
a space therebetween; the side edge of said next adjacent strip having a
groove
therealong recessed into the side edge; the side edges of each of said two
parallel
ones of the strips having a groove therealong recessed into the side edge such
that
the grooves of two facing side edges of the two parallel strips are facing
grooves;
and at least one fastener member connecting the ends of the two parallel
strips to
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the next adjacent strip, which fastener member includes two end portions with
orie
end portion inserted into the groove of the next adjacent strip and one end
portion
inserted into the facing grooves of the two parallel strips with a part of the
end
portion bridging the space between the two parallel end strips.
5 Preferably there are a plurality of the fastener members each arranged
to connect at least two of the strips together and wherein at least some of
the
fastener members have portions thereof extending beyond the panel member for
engaging and fastening to a next adjacent panel member.
Preferably each panel has a plurality of main strips defining a panel
portion having four sides including a first pair of parallel sides and a
second pair of
parallel sides, a first dividing strip along one of the first parallel sides
and a second
dividing strip along an opposed one of the first parallel sides. However other
panel
constructions can be used.
In this arrangement, preferably each of the main strips has along at
least one side thereof three of the fastener members with one at each end and
one
in the center.
In this arrangement, preferably there are provided some panels where
the main strips are parallel to the dividing strips and some panels where the
main
strips are at right angles to the dividing strips.
In this arrangement, preferably each of the dividing strips of each panel
member includes a portion projecting beyond the main strips of the respective
panel
member such that, when four of the panel members are assembled into the system
with the main strips of one panel member at right angles to the main strips of
each
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next adjacent panel and with one of the dividing strips between the main
strips of
each panel member and the next so as to form a rectangular area at a junction
between corners of the main strips of the four of the panels; the rectangular
area
defined at the junction between said four of the panels is filled by said
portion of said
at least one dividing strip.
In this arrangement, preferably the supporting structure comprises a
plurality of parallel joists and strapping pieces over the joists at right
angles to the
joists and wherein each of the main strips lies at right angles to the
strapping pieces
and is supported at each end by a respective one of two end strapping pieces.
Preferably there is provided an additional strapping piece in the center
between the end strapping pieces.
Preferably the dividing strips bridge an end strapping piece of one
panel and an end strapping piece of a next adjacent panel .
Preferably all the main strips of all the panels extend in same direction.
According to a second aspect of the invention there is provide a
panelling system comprising:
a plurality of panel members for locating on a supporting structure
generally edge to edge in an array to at least partly cover the supporting
surface;
each panel member having a front surface for defining an exposed
surface of the panelling system, a rear surface for engaging the supporting
structure
and four side edges;
each panel member comprising a plurality of strips arranged side edge
to side edge to form a panel body with the side edges adjacent but spaced from
one
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another;
wherein there are a plurality of fastener members each arranged to
connect at least two of the strips together;
and wherein at least some of the fastener members have portions
thereof extending beyond the panel member for engaging and fastening to a next
adjacent panel member.
According to a third aspect of the invention there is provide a panelling
system comprising:
a plurality of panel members for locating on a supporting structure
generally edge to edge in an array to at least partly cover the supporting
surface;
each panel member having a front surface for defining an exposed
surface of the panelling system, a rear surface for engaging the supporting
structure
and four side edges;
each panel member comprising a plurality of strips arranged side edge
to side edge to form a panel body with the side edges adjacent but spaced from
one
another;
wherein each panel has a plurality of main strips defining a panel
portion having four sides including a first pair of parallel sides and a
second pair of
parallel sides, a first dividing strip along one of the first parallel sides
and a second
dividing strip along an opposed one of the first parallel sides;
wherein the supporting structure comprises a plurality of parallel joists
and strapping pieces over the joists at right angles to the joists;
and wherein each of the main strips lies at right angles to the strapping
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pieces and is supported at each end by a respective one of two end strapping
pieces.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
One embodiment of the invention will now be described in conjunction
with the accompanying drawings in which:
Figure 1 is a plan view of a first panel of a flooring system according to
the present invention.
Figure 2 is a plan view of a second panel of the flooring system
according to the present invention.
Figure 3 is a cross sectional view through a junction between two
boards of the panel of Figure 1 showing two different embodiments of fasteners
therebetween and the connection to the support structure
Figure 4 is a plan view of a series of such panels assembled with a
support structure to form part of the flooring system.
Figure 5 is an isometric view of one of the fasteners of Figure 3.
Figure 6 is a top plan view of the fastener of Figure 5.
Figure 7 is a top plan view on an enlarged scale showing the
connection between strips using the fastener of Figure 5.
In the drawings like characters of reference indicate corresponding
parts in the different figures.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Reference is made to the above published application of Gibson which
shows and describes the details of the panels with the dividing strips and the
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interconnection between the four corners of the panels at the dividing strips.
The arrangement described herein and shown generally in Figure 4
comprises a floor system defined by a series of panel members, four of which
are
shown at 10 through 13. Each of the panel members, as best visible in Figure
3,
has a top surface 16 defining a floor surface on which the user walks and
providing
an attractive appearance as described hereinafter. Each of the panel members
includes a bottom surface 17 for sitting on a support structure.
The arrangement as shown is primarily for decking and hence is
supported on a support structure defined by joists 17A, 17B forming a frame
and by
strapping rails 17C applied on top of the joists. The joists are commonly 2x8
or 2x10
lumber standing vertically with cross joists 17A and end joists 17B at right
angles.
The strapping is 2x4 or 2x6 lumber applied across the joists 17A at right
angles
thereto and laid flat so as to provide support for the panels 10 to 13 etc
arid
particularly the ends of the boards of the panels as described hereinafter.
Each of the panel members is formed from a plurality of side by side
main strips 10A to IOE which are connected together side by side to form an
initial
panel portion 14. The number, length and width of the strips can vary in
accordance
with requirements to manufacture a panel of a required size. The main panel
has
four side edges so that for example the panel 10 has side edges 20 and 21
which
form a first pair of opposed side edges and side edges 22 and 23 which form a
second pair of opposed side edges.
The main strips are formed from deck boards which are commonly
available and can be formed from many different wood varieties or from a
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wood/resin composite material or wholly from plastics. Typically the boards
are
1 x 6 which, when the panels are placed into location, are laid flat side by
side over
the strapping 17C. Each board has a groove 19 recessed horizontally from each
of
the vertical side edges 18.
5 In order to form these boards into a flooring system having an
attractive appearance, each base panel formed by the side by side boards has
attached two dividing strips which are attached to opposite side edges of the
panel.
Thus for example the panel 10 in Figure 1 has two dividing strips 30 and 31
attached
along the side edges 20 and 21. The panel 11 in Figure 2 has two dividing
strips
10 30A and 31A attached along the side edges 22 and 23. The dividing strips
are
formed from a board similar in appearance to the boards forming the panel but
is
arranged at right angles to the boards so as to provide an attractive
appearance in
the floor when completed and laid.
Each dividing strip has a depth equal to the thickness of the boards so
that a bottom surface of the dividing strip is coincident with the plane of
the bottom
surface 17 and similarly a top surface of the dividing strip is coincident
with the plane
of the top surface 16. The dividing strips are preferably formed from the same
boards as the main strips 10A to 10E so as to have the same dimensions and the
same appearance.
The panel 11 has the dividing strips indicated at 30A and 31A which
are arranged parallel to the main boards 10A to 10E rather than at right
angles
thereto as in panel 10. In this way the panel portion 14 is in the same
orientation
relative to the panel portion 14 of the panel 10. However the dividing strips
30A and
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31A are carried by the panel portion 14 of the panel 11 on the sides 22 and 23
of the
panel portion. In this way the side edges of the panel 10 which include the
dividing
strips 30 and 31 engage respectively the side edge 21 and 22 of the panel
portion
14 of the panel 11 which are free from the dividing strips. Similarly the
dividing strips
30A and 31A butt the next adjacent panel not numbered.
The panel 11 also has bare edges 23A butting the dividing strips 30
and 31 and its dividing strip 30A butts the edge 23B of the panel 12. In this
way it
will be appreciated that the whole floor can be laid by rotating the panels
back and
forth through 180 and laying them each to the next with the side edges
butting. In
this way between each panel and the next adjacent panel is one dividing strip
thus
separating the panels by the thickness of the dividing strip while allowing
the bare
edge of the strip to butt against the outside surface of the dividing strip.
Each of the dividing strips extends along the full length of the
respective side edge of the panel and also extends beyond the end of the side
edge
into a pointed portion 50. This arrangement is described in more detail in the
above
prior application of Gibson. In general the pointed portion 50 is cut to form
two side
edges 52 and 53 converging to an apex 54. The ends 52 and 53 are cut at 45
relative to the sides of the dividing strip so that they are 90 to each other
forming a
right angle triangle converging to the apex 54 which lies on a centre line of
the
dividing strips 30A.
Each of the strips 10A through 10E is of an equal common width and is
formed from conventional floor planking so each strip has a groove 19 on each
side.
The divider strips are formed from a material of the same width and
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same construction as the strips forming the panel. Thus each divider strip
itself has
a groove 19 along each side. The divider strips are formed from a common
source
of the same material and generally therefore have the same width of the strips
10A
through 10E and can be taken from the same supply. The divider strips may not
be
visually distinct from the main strips. However visually distinct divider
strips can be
used to generate a pattern.
Thus in Figure 2, there is shown a flooring pattern formed from two
separate types of panels where one of the types is as shown in Figure 1 where
the
divider strips are at right angles to the main strips and a second of the
types is
shown in Figure 2 where the divider strips are parallel to the main strips. As
shown
in Figure 4 this forms a pattern where all the main strips are oriented in a
common
direction and the divider strips form a series of rows across and parallel to
the main
strips. It will be appreciated that the combination of such panels can be used
to
create many different panelling effects and patterns.
In all of the panels, the dividing strips include the pointed portions 50
as previously described projecting beyond an edge of the panel body. Thus the
dividing strips of the panel members are arranged with the portions 50 of the
dividing
strips of each panel member projecting beyond the main strips of the
respective
panel member such that, when four of the panel members are assembled into the
system with the main strips of one panel member at right angles to the main
strips of
each next adjacent panel and with one of the dividing strips between the main
strips
of each panel member and the next so as to form a rectangular area at a
junction
between corners of the main strips of the four of the panels; the rectangular
area
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defined at the junction between said four of the panels is filled by said
portion of said
at least one dividing strip.
A fastener arrangement for connecting each strip to the next adjacent
strip is shown in Figures 3 and 5 to 7. In each case the divider strips and
the main
strips are fastened together using the fastener members 60 to form a common
panel
member for transportation and installation.
The fastener members 60 in the form of joining plates are used to
connect the main strips of the panels and the divider strips of the panels to
the main
strips. Sufficient numbers of plates can be used to ensure a structurally
stable
product.
The strips including the main strips and the divider strips are fastened
together using the fastening members 60. Each main strip 10A to 10E has three
of
the fastening members 60 located at spaced positions along its length. Thus at
each end of a main strip is located two of the fastening members 60 and an
additional fastening member 60 is located at the center of each main strip.
Each
main strip is fastened to its next adjacent main strip by the fastener members
60
which bridge the space between the main strip and the next adjacent element
which
can be another main strip or it can be one of the dividing strips or it can be
a
component of a next adjacent panel.
It will be appreciated that the panels are intended to form decking and
decking conventionally has spaces between the boards or strips forming the
decking. In order to achieve this effect in the panels, each main strip is
separated
from its next adjacent main strip by a space which can typically be '/4 inch,
In
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addition the end of each main board is separated from the next adjacent
element by
a similar space. In Figure 1 the end of each main board is fastened to the
inside
edge or inner side of the divider strip. In Figure 2, the ends of the main
strips are
exposed for connection during assembly of the structure to the divider strip
of a next
adjacent panel.
In addition to the spaces between the main strips and the divider strips
there are also spaces formed between the side edges 52 and 53 of the points
and
the respective side edges of the next adjacent points 50. This provides an
assembly
in which the spaces are provided throughout the structure which matches the
arrangement of conventional decking structures.
The structure of the fasteners 60 is shown initially in Figure 3. In
Figure 3 for convenience of illustration there are two types of fasteners
shown
including a first fastener 61 and a second fastener type 62. The fastener 62
is
shown in more detail in figures 5, 6 and 7.
The fastener 62 comprises a generally planar body 63 with a central
bridging portion 64 to be located between the two strips and two insert
portions 65
and 66 arranged to be inserted into the two facing grooves 19 of two adjacent
strips.
Each insert portion 65, 66 is generally rectangular so as to be inserted into
the
respective groove along a part of the length of the groove and to a position
closely
adjacent to but slightly spaced from the base 19A of the groove. Each insert
portion
therefore includes a top surface 67 and a bottom surface 68 for engaging
respectively the top surface 19B of the groove and the bottom surface 19C of
the
groove. The intention is that the insert portion acts as a tight engagement
fit within
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the groove. In order to enable the insert portion to be inserted into the
groove, it is
tapered from the top surface 67 downwardly to a front nose 69 and also
upwardly
from the bottom surface 68. In addition the insert portion includes side walls
70 and
71 and again the nose 69 is tapered inwardly at 72 and 73 so that the nose is
5 tapered in both directions allowing ready insert of the insert portion into
the mouth of
the groove from which position it can be inserted by pressure into the groove
as a
tight fit.
In this embodiment the central bridging portion 64 has a thickness that
is greater than the insert portions 65 and 66 so as to define shoulders 73 on
each
10 side of the bridging portion 64 at both the top surface 67 and the bottom
surface 68.
It will be appreciated therefore that with the insert portion driven into the
groove, the
shoulder 73 will engage the edge surface 18 of the strip to be attached. Thus
the
four shoulders of the bridging portion 64 engage the side edges 18 of two of
the
strips and hold those strips at a predetermined spacing defined by the width
of the
15 bridging portion 64.
In order to maintain the insert portion 65 and 66 within its respective
groove, the upper and lower surfaces are formed with barbs 74 and 75. In the
embodiment shown there are three barbs 74 extending across the insert portion
parallel to the bridging portion 64. These of course are shaped to prevent the
insert
portion from being pulled back out of the groove after insertion into the
groove. Thus
they are shaped with a wedging action on one side and a sharp edge on the
other
side in a conventional manner of such a barb. In the embodiment shown there
are
three such barbs on the top and bottom surface of each of the insert portions
65 and
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66.
In order to prevent movement of the insert portion along the groove,
there are additional barbs 75 provided which extend at right angles to the
bridging
portion 64. These barbs are located at the side surfaces 70 and 71 and project
upwardly from the upper and lower surfaces to a height approximately equal to
those
of the barbs 74. It will be appreciated therefore that pressure of the insert
portion
into the groove will cause the barbs to bite into the material at the top and
bottom
surfaces of the groove to resist or prevent movement of the insert portion in
both
directions out of the groove and longitudinally along the groove.
It will be appreciated that the location and arrangement of the barbs
can vary with the intention that they be designed simply for ready insertion
of the
insert portion into the groove and to provide the resistance to movement in
both
directions.
Additional engagement of the bars with the surfaces of the groove can
be obtained by pressing the material of the strip along the sides of the strip
so as to
compress the strip at the groove tending to compress the strip onto the insert
portion
by distorting the material of the insert portion slightly to obtain greater
bighting effect.
The bridging portion 64 has a height from the top and bottom surfaces
of the insert portion which is less than the distance between the groove and
the top
and bottom surfaces of the strip. Thus as best shown in Figure 3, the top and
bottom surfaces 78 and 79 of the bridging portion 64 are recessed from the
respective surfaces 16 and 17 of the strips. Thus when assembled, the
fasteners
are not visible at the surface and are only visible by looking down into the
respective
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space so that the appearance is acceptable as the fastening component of the
structure rather than as an unattractive element at the surface.
The bridging portion 64 has a central hole 80 which passes through the
bridging portion from the top surface to the boftom surface to allow a screw
81 to be
inserted to engage through the fastener into the supporting strapping 17C.
Thus the
fasteners act to both hold the strips side by side and also to provide a
fastening
system for attaching the panel to the support structure when the panel is
located in
place.
As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the fasteners 60 are arranged between
each main strip and the next adjacent main strip and between the main strips
and
the dividing strips. Thus in Figure 1 the fasteners are located into the space
between two of the main strips at the ends of the main strips and these
fasteners are
available for connection to the dividing strip either of the same panel or the
next
adjacent panel. In addition where the edge of the panel is available for
engagement
with the next adjacent panel, the fasteners are the edge are located in place
and are
available for engagement with the next adjacent panel.
The fasteners of the panel therefore provide firstly the function of
holding the panel assembled as an individually transportable unit prior to
installation
and also they provide the connection from one panel to the next as the panels
are
assembled and thirdly they also provide the arrangement for fastening the
panels to
the support structure during the installation or after the installation is
completed.
The use of three fasteners along each main strip provides sufficient
fastening strength to allow the panels to be carried and moved from place to
place
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both for storage and transportation. It will be appreciated that the panels of
Figure 1
are more stable in that the divider strips are at right angles to the main
strips and
therefore prevent bending of the structure. The arrangement of Figure 2 is
less
stable since the structure can bend about transverse axes but the fastening
arrangements described provide sufficient strength to enable the
transportation and
assembly of the panels of both types.
Turning now to Figure 7, a first fastener 62A is shown which is
arranged to connect between the side edge 18 of a main strip 10A and the side
edge
18 of a second strip 10B. In addition the ends of those main strips 10A and
10B also
fasten to the dividing strip 30. Thus will be appreciated that the fastener 62
is
inserted into the groove 18 of the dividing strip 30 so that the barbs 75 and
74
engage into the groove 18 to hold the fastener against movement out of the
groove
and movement along the groove.
The other insert portion of the fastener is inserted into the groove 19 of
the side of each of the main strips 10A and 10B. There is no groove at the end
of
the strips and hence the width of the fastener 62 across the ends is arranged
so that
it is less than the spacing between the bases of the grooves 19 of the boards
10A
and 10B. The barbs 74 prevent the strips 10A and 10B being moved
longitudinally
away from the fastener. The barbs 75 prevent the strips 10A and 10B being
moved
apart. The shoulders on the bridging portion 64 act to hold the space between
the
ends of the main strips and the dividing strip. In the embodiment shown there
is no
shoulders on the fastener between the main strip 10A and the main strip 10B.
However the engagement of the barbs can be sufficient to hold the main strips
in
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19
place.
As an alternative arrangement there may be provided a raised
shoulder in a bridging section between the edge 18 of the main strip IOA and
the
edge 18 of the main strip 10B. This will form the bridging section 64 into a T
shape
with a portion extending along into the space between the edges 18 of the
strips 10A
and 10B.
A further fastener indicated at 62B is located between the opposite
side edge 18 of the main strip 10A and the dividing strip 30 at a position
adjacent the
point 50 and its side surface 52. This fastening member 62B is generally of
the
same shape and construction as the fastener member 62A and acts to engage into
groove 19 of the dividing strip 30 and also into the groove 19 of the outer
side edge
of the main strip 10A. The remaining part of the fastener projects outwardly
beyond
the edge of the panel for engagement with the dividing strip 32A of the next
adjacent
panel 11. Thus the portion 85 of the fastener 62B normally projects outwardly
from
the edge 18 of the main strip 10A and from the surface 52 of dividing strip
30. In this
embodiment the fastener 62B has no shoulders acting to locate the spacing
between
the various components. However it will be appreciated that a separate
fastening
element can be manufactured which is shaped wit h the generally Y-shaped
spaces
between the two dividing strips 30 and 32A and the edges of the main strip
10A.
Thus the fasteners may be manufactured in a manner which allows all
of the fastener members to be of the same shape or three different types of
fastener
member can be manufactured for each of the three different locations on the
panels.
Thus for example the bridging portion can be T-shaped for the fastening member
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62A, can be Y-shaped for the member 62B and can be simply a central flat strip
for
the fastening members located in the center of the main strips.
A second simpler form of fastener member 61 is shown also in Figure
3 and this is in the form of simply a flat square plate without any raised
bridging
5 portion and without any barbs. In this arrangement the flat square plate is
inserted
into the grooves 19 until the edges of the flat square plate engage the base
of the
grooves. Thus the spacing between the edges 18 is maintained fixed by the fact
that the plate has a width greater than the depth of the two grooves.
It will be appreciated that this arrangement can be used in any of the
10 various locations of the panel. However in the absence of any barbs it is
necessary
to hold the plate in place and in this embodiment this is effected by a pair
of pins 90
engaged through the plate on either side of the junction so that each strip is
fastened
to the plate by two such pins.
An arrangement is also possible which uses barbs 74 and 75 of
15 connector 62 but uses the engagement with the bottom of the groove to
accurately
maintain the spacing between the connected strips as in connector 61.
As shown n Figure 4, the supporting structure comprises a plurality of
parallel joists 17A and strapping pieces 17C over the joists at right angles
to the
joists. Each of the main strips 10A to 10E lies at right angles to the
strapping pieces
20 17C and is supported at each end by a respective one of two end strapping
pieces
17E and 17F on which the end lies. The screws 81 in the holes 80 of the
fasteners
62 at the ends of the main strips thus can engage into the strapping pieces
17E and
17F respectively. There is provided also an additional strapping piece 17G in
the
CA 02628801 2008-05-14
21
center between the end strapping pieces.
The dividing strips 30 bridge an end strapping piece 17E of one panel
and an end strapping piece 17F of a next adjacent panel. In this arrangement
it is
necessary that all the main strips of all the panels extend in same direction
since
these are carried on the strapping pieces extending across the full extent of
the
deck.
This arrangement allows an increased spacing between joists from 16
inches to 24 inches in view of the additional of the strapping relative to
conventional
systems.
The panels are stable element of the order of 24 inches in width which
thus can be stored as a stack on a conventional pallet which is a much more
stable
system of transportation and storage than the conventional long boards.
Since various modifications can be made in my invention as herein
above described, and many apparently widely different embodiments of same made
within the spirit and scope of the claims without department from such spirit
and
scope, it is intended that all matter contained in the accompanying
specification shall
be interpreted as illustrative only and not in a limiting sense.
