Accessories for pedestal supported decks
Accessories for pedestal supported decks which are installed in place of individual wooden tiles, pavers or other deck floor elements and which rest on and may be fastened to the pedestals. Accessories such as planters, seats, tables, containers, storage units, fountains and ponds have one or more base units which fit directly on to the pedestals in place of the tile, paver or other floor element. Planters, ponds and fountains drain directly to the underside of the deck and such accessories can incorporate irrigation, circulation and water supply elements underneath the accessory which are not visible from the deck. Accessories can be built from the same or different materials as the deck floor and can be built around standard sized pre-fabricated components and incorporate components of the deck floor so as to match the appearance of the deck.
This is a continuation of application Ser. No. 12387206/042909, Filed Apr. 29, 2009, now U.S. Pat. No. ______, granted ______
FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCHNot Applicable
SEQUENCE LISTING OR PROGRAMNot Applicable
BACKGROUNDI. Field of the Present Invention
This invention relates to planters, seats and other accessories for use on pedestal supported decks. Specifically, it relates to modular accessories which replace individual tiles, pavers or other deck floor elements and which are directly supported by the pedestals.
II. Description of Prior Art
Deck construction systems have been developed which elevate, connect and support wood or stone tiles, concrete pavers, granite slabs or other floor elements. The systems provide a level deck over even, uneven or sloping structural surfaces. Importantly they allow water to drain between the deck and the surface below. The term “tile” is used in describing prior art and in describing this invention and denotes any wood or stone tile, concrete paver, granite slab or other flat floor element of any shape used to create the floor of a pedestal supported deck. The term “pedestal” is used in describing prior art and describing this invention and denotes any component which supports the corners or edges of a “tile” as previously defined.
These systems are characterized by having pedestals which elevate the tiles off the ground and spacers which provide a uniform gap between the tiles. A pedestal may be only a fraction of an inch high or may be a foot or more tall. An individual pedestal will generally be placed at the corners or along the edges of each tile and will support adjacent tiles. The pedestals used to support the corners of a single tile can be of the same height or can be of different or adjustable heights to allow the tile and deck surface to be leveled when the surface below is uneven. Tiles may be square, rectangular, circular or another shape. Tiles may be cut to fit around or along-side other structures. The upper or floor surface of each tile is flat and sometimes ribbed as an anti-slip measure. Pedestals are available in different designs and strengths to allow for different loads. Shims may be used to adjust pedestal heights or screw-to-adjust pedestals may be used for leveling. A pedestal may sit on a separate base plate to spread the load more evenly over the ground. Pedestals, connectors and tiles may incorporate a fastening system. A fastener directly or indirectly attaches a tile to its adjacent tiles. A fastener may be a screw that is driven into the pedestal or a component of the pedestal or connector that engages the tile by friction. Tiles may have holes, grooves, slots or other modifications to connect the tile to the fastener. Fasteners may not be necessary if the weight of the tile is sufficient to keep the tile in place.
Water drains through the inter-tile space, or in some cases through gaps within each tile, to the drainage area below. Tiles can be lifted off the pedestals (after undoing any fasteners should that be necessary) to access the pedestals and the underneath drainage surface and area. That area may contain pipes and wiring running under the panels and between the pedestals.
The systems are used on rooftops and balconies, over occupied or unoccupied spaces, over even or uneven ground, gravel beds and over poured concrete slabs. The systems fill the need for flat, level, drainable decks, patios or pathways. The systems can be used to provide a deck surrounding a swimming pool or a drainable floor for a sauna inside a building. The systems are designed for pedestrian foot traffic not vehicular traffic.
Seats, tables, benches, planters, pots, fountains, fish ponds and other accessories are used on top of these tile decks. Accessories are of different designs and might be made of wood, stone, plastic or other materials. Planters and earthenware or plastic pots with plants may be irrigated. Excess moisture is allowed to run through or around the tiles to the cavity below or into a tray which drains to the cavity below. If the layout of accessories is changed the surface of the floor which was under a planter or tray is often discolored by trapped moisture and the lack of sunlight. Seats, storage boxes and other deck accessories placed on top of the deck may obscure sunlight and result in differential coloration of the deck surface underneath the accessory relative to the surrounding deck. An alternative to placing accessories such as benches, planters or ponds on the deck is to set them on the ground below the deck and build the deck around them. However, building an accessory on to the lower surface may require a supporting foundation and the installation becomes permanent.
SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTIONThis invention provides a superior way of accessorizing a pedestal supported tiled deck. Several objects and advantages of the present invention are to provide:
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- (a) pedestal supported accessory modules which can be installed on the deck by simply removing one or more of the tiles and replacing it with a module or modules
- (b) a range of accessory modules which in combination add functionality to the deck and enable the design of seating arrangements, entrance ways and decorative features which match the overall appearance of the deck
- (c) a simple way of changing the layout of accessories on a deck while maintaining a uniform appearance and style.
These and other aspects of the present invention will become apparent after reading the descriptions of the preferred embodiments in conjunction with the drawings.
The following figures illustrate the invention.
In the following description like reference numbers designate like or corresponding parts throughout the figures. The first four figures and illustrations are for the purpose of describing prior art as background to the invention. The remaining figures and illustrations show preferred embodiments of the invention. The illustrations of the preferred embodiments are not intended to limit the scope of the invention.
Having described the invention in terms of the preferred and other embodiments it will be apparent that other modifications and improvements can be made and other deck accessories produced with the same intrinsic advantages. For the sake of clarity and ease of understanding these have been omitted since it will be evident that they are properly within the scope of the claims.
Claims
1. An accessory unit, for decks constructed from tiles, pavers or other deck surface floor elements that are supported by pedestals or connectors, which:
- a. Replaces one or more tiles, pavers or deck surface floor elements
- b. Is supported by the pedestals or tile connectors
- c. Is substantially above the surface of the deck whereby creating three dimensional units with useful or decorative features that are installed in the deck.
2. An accessory according to claim 1 which incorporates a system for fastening the unit to the pedestals, connectors, adjacent deck tiles, pavers or other deck surface floor elements.
3. An accessory according to claim 1 which is constructed from materials selecting from the group consisting of plastic, wood, IPE, Massaranduba, metal, concrete, ceramic and composites said materials being used alone or in combination.
4. An accessory according to claim 1 which is constructed or partly constructed from deck tiles, pavers or other deck surface elements or the components of said surface elements including IPE and Massaranduba wooden slats.
5. An accessory according to claim 1 which has the shape of a square, rectangular, multi sided or circular box the bottom of which is closed and the top of which is open, said accessory being a planter, container, pond, fountain or ice chest which can be drained directly to the area below the deck.
6. An accessory according to claim 1 which has the shape of a square, rectangular, multi sided or circular box the bottom of which is open.
7. An accessory according to claim 1 which has the shape of a square, rectangular, multi sided or circular box the bottom of which is open or closed and the top of which is closed, said accessory being used as a seat, table, storage chest or as a stand for a light, sculpture or other decorative or utilitarian object.
8. An accessory according to claim 1 where a part or parts of the accessory extend beyond the perimeter of one or more of the deck tiles, pavers or deck floor elements that it replaces.
9. An accessory according to claim 1 which has more than one base where each base replaces one or more tiles, pavers or deck floor element s which are not contiguous and said accessory has a top or shelves that bridge across the gap between the bases.
10. A planter, fountain or pond accessory according to claim 1 which has built-in water piping that can be accessed from underneath the base of the accessory by removing contiguous tiles, pavers or other deck floor elements.
Type: Application
Filed: Oct 19, 2009
Publication Date: Nov 4, 2010
Inventor: Robin Douglas Andrews (Charleston, SC)
Application Number: 12/589,082
International Classification: E04B 5/43 (20060101); E04B 5/00 (20060101); E04F 19/00 (20060101);