Portable deck

Abstract

A portable floor made of interlocking modules and the process of assembling. Each module consists of rectangular panels, between each panel is a gap that provides for the drainage of liquids and small debris. Supporting the panels are four vertical sides of a base attached to the outer edges of the panels. The base also has a hollow structure with an interior wall that reinforces the module. Two consecutive sides have male connectors, the remaining two sides have female connectors. The male connectors are aligned directly opposite the female connectors. The connectors are used to connect adjoining modules. Connectors are uniformly spaced for alignment. The sides of the modules raise the panels above the ground. The bottom surfaces contain supports and support ends which provide rigidity and support.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not Applicable

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable

REFERENCE TO A “SEQUENCE LISTING” A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTING APPENDIX SUBMITTED ON A COMPACT DISC

Not Applicable

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to portable decking and more specifically to a system of interconnecting modules which easily connect together to form a stable, light weight and weather resistant surface.

DESCRIPTION OF RELATED ART

Portable or temporary walkways, flooring and decking are currently used for various purposes. They provide appropriate surfaces for special events, including theatrical stages and dance floors. Other uses include temporary protection for new construction and renovation. Portable or temporary foam matting is also used as a foundation for camping surfaces in tents and under sleeping bags.

This flooring comes in sections or rolls which can be assembled in various sizes and configurations. Though simplicity should be a design element, sturdy construction and stability requirements have resulted in multiple tedious, complicated or difficult assembly methods. Some of these methods include the use of cam bolts, carriage bolts, nuts and bolts and tongue and groove construction.

These portable or temporary surfaces are cumbersome, awkward and heavy, limiting their portability and preventing their use by the elderly, infirm and children.

Many of these portable or temporary floorings do not allow for adequate drainage or are designed with complicated surfaces which trap water, bacteria, fungus and pollen. These designs are difficult to clean and present a health hazard if not meticulously maintained.

Finally, many of these portable or temporary floorings require a generally flat and/or level surface to be useful. This requirement limits the comfort, resilience and durability of some products and limits the usefulness in others, requiring preparation of underlying surfaces.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention solves the problems identified above. The present invention is designed with simplicity and ease of use in mind. Since the connectors are affixed to the base, no additional hardware is required therefore lost hardware is an impossibility. The present invention can be stored and transported as uniform modules of a convenient, easy to handle size. The modules are constructed of lightweight materials, increasing the ease of handling and assembly. These materials are also durable, rigid, and weather resistant. The modules are designed with integral gaps between the panels. The gaps allow for drainage of fluids and the expulsion of small debris. The gaps also make the module easy to clean and sanitize. The present invention is designed with a raised base that reduces the weight of the module, minimizes the module contact area and decreases the ground preparation requirements.

The preferred embodiment of the disclosed present invention comprises a plurality of modules (preferably square in shape) with a length of between 8 inches to 24 inches (preferably 15 inches) adjacent to one another, each module having between three to five panels (preferably four panels) with a length equal to the length of the entire model, shaped as a rectangle, and organized in parallel but not in contact with each other and equally spaced. Each panel includes a top surface and a bottom surface and has a thickness of between 0.10 and 0.25 inches (preferably 0.14 inches). Each module has a base, shaped as a square, surrounding the panels and connected perpendicular to the bottom surface of the panels. The base has a first side, second side, third side and fourth side. The base has a hollow structure with an interior wall. The interior wall adds strength and rigidity to the module and minimizes weight. The interior wall adds support to the female connectors. The first and second side having male connectors preferably two connectors per side and preferably shaped as a T shape. The third and fourth sides having female connectors preferably two connectors per side and preferably shaped to receive the male T shaped connectors.

The male connectors are located directly opposite the female connectors. The connectors are uniformly spaced to make assembly of the modules quick and uncomplicated. The first side is adjacent to the second side. The second side is adjacent to the third side and the third side is adjacent to the fourth side forming a square. The module also contains a plurality of parallel supports connected perpendicular to the bottom surface of the rectangular panels. Each parallel support is connected to a parallel support end via a parallel support brace. Each parallel support end is connected to opposite sides of the base. Each module has a plurality of perpendicular supports connected perpendicular to the bottom surface of the rectangular panels. Each perpendicular support is connected to a perpendicular support end via a perpendicular support brace. Each perpendicular support end is connected to opposite sides of the base. The perpendicular supports intersect the parallel supports to form a grid. The supports and the grid provide rigidity.

The base having a dimension between one to two inches (preferably 1.11 inches). The dimensions of the perpendicular support and parallel support are identical. The height of the perpendicular supports and parallel supports are between 0.3 and 0.75 inches preferably 0.5 inches. The portable floor module has male connectors of identical shape and size and the female connectors are of identical shape and size. The male connectors are preferably T-shaped. The modules are made of lightweight, moldable or castable material with a weight of less than 5 pounds per module. Because of the taller base relative to the perpendicular supports and parallel supports, unnecessary material is absent and the module is lightened.

To assemble the deck modules; First, identify the area to be covered. Next, locate the outer right corner. Next, place a first module, with male connectors on two sides, such that said male connectors are pointing in the direction of the area to be covered. Next, attach an additional module to each side of said first module with male connectors pointing in the direction of the area to be covered. Then, build the outer row and column of the deck by attaching successive modules with the female connectors overlaying the male connectors and the male connectors pointing in the area to be covered. Finally, complete the deck structure by adding additional rows adjacent to previous rows. FIG. 1 shows three assembled modules with a fourth module in position to be assembled. As the successive modules are connected, the deck structure increases its rigidity.

Although the description of the preferred embodiment has been presented, it is contemplated that various changes could be made without deviating from the spirit of the invention. Accordingly, it is intended that the scope of the present invention be dictated by the appended claims, rather than by the description of the preferred embodiment.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S)

FIG. 1 is a top view of a four module section of the disclosed portable deck.

FIG. 2 shows a perspective view from below of a single module of the disclosed portable deck.

FIG. 3. shows a bottom view.

FIG. 4. shows a cross sectional view of the disclosed portable deck module.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 is a top view of a four module section of the disclosed invention, showing a top view of one embodiment 10 of the disclosed portable deck. FIG. 1 portrays the assembly process forming the rows. For purposes of illustration only, FIG. 1 shows a portable deck made up of four modules 11, although the portable deck might be made up of any number of modules 11. Each module 11 is made up of panels 12. Each panel 12 has a top surface 28. There are four sides; first side 14A is attached to one end of the panels 12, and third side 14C is attached to another end of the panels 12. The second side 14B and fourth side 14D are opposite each other and adjacent to sides 14A and 14C. First Side 14A has two male connectors 15. Second side 14B has two male connectors 15. Third Side 14C has two female connectors 16 as shown. Fourth side 14D also has two female connectors 16. The male connectors 15 and female connectors 16 are shown directly across from each other.

FIG. 2 shows a perspective view from below of a single module of the disclosed portable deck. The view shows the first side 14A, adjacent to the second side 14B, adjacent to the third side 14C, adjacent to the fourth side 14D forming a rectangle. The male connectors 15 attaching to the first side 14A and the second side 14B are shown. The female connectors 16 attaching to the third side 14C and fourth side 14D are shown. The base 23 connects the sides 14A, 14B, 14C and 14D and is a hollow structure with an interior wall 22 providing reinforcement to the module. Parallel supports 24 provide support for the invention. Perpendicular supports 25 intersect with the parallel supports 24 to form grids 27. The parallel support ends 26 are connected to the base 23. The parallel support ends 26 are integrally connected by parallel support braces 31. The perpendicular support braces 32 are connected to the base 23. The perpendicular support ends 30 are integrally connected by perpendicular support braces 32. The parallel supports 24 and perpendicular supports 25 are connected to the bottom surface 29.

FIG. 3. shows a bottom view. The male connectors 15 and female connectors 16 are shown. The base 23 is shown with its interior wall 22 connected to the parallel supports 24 and perpendicular supports 25. The grids 27 are shown.

FIG. 4. shows a cross sectional view of the disclosed portable deck module. The panels 12 are shown in cross section beside one another. Gap 13 separates the panels 12. The second side 14B and fourth side 14D are shown. Cross section of the parallel supports 24 are shown. A view of perpendicular supports 25 is provided. The perpendicular support ends 30 are shown connecting to the bottom surface 29 and the interior wall 22 of the base 23. The perpendicular support braces 32 are illustrated in the drawing.

Claims

1. A portable floor comprising:

a) a plurality of rectangular modules adjacent to one another, each module having: i) panels, shaped as a rectangle, organized in parallel but not in contact with each other and uniformly spaced, each panel includes a top surface and bottom surface; ii) a base, shaped as a rectangle, surrounding said panels and connected perpendicular to said bottom surface of said panels with a first side, second side, third side and fourth side;

Said first side having male connectors uniformly spaced,

Said second side adjacent to said first side and having said male connectors uniformly spaced,

Said third side adjacent to said second side and having female connectors uniformly spaced, and

Said fourth side adjacent to said third side and forming a rectangle and having said female connectors equally spaced;

Said male connectors located directly across from said female connectors; iii) a plurality of parallel supports connected perpendicular to said bottom surface of said panels and aligned parallel to said panels; each parallel support connected to a parallel support end via a parallel support brace; said parallel support end is connected to opposite sides of said base; iv) a plurality of perpendicular supports connected perpendicular to said bottom surface of said panels and aligned perpendicular to said panels; each perpendicular support is connected to a perpendicular support end via a perpendicular support brace; said perpendicular support end is connected to opposite sides of the base, the perpendicular supports intersect said parallel supports to form a grid; v) Said base having a dimension measured perpendicular to said bottom surface of said panels greater than the dimensions of said perpendicular supports; and vi) Said base having a dimension measured perpendicular to said bottom surface of said panels greater than the dimensions of said parallel supports.

2. The portable floor of claim 1 wherein:

said modules are shaped as a square with a length of between 8 to 24 inches;

said module having four panels;

said panels have a thickness of between 0.10 and 0.25 inches; and

said male connectors having a T shape of identical size.

3. The portable floor of claim 1 wherein:

said modules are shaped as a square with a length of between 12 to 18 inches;

said module having four panels;

said panels have a thickness of between 0.12 and 0.18 inches; and

said male connectors having a T shape of identical size.

4. The portable floor of claim 1 wherein the rectangular modules are made of lightweight, moldable material.

5. The portable floor of claim 1 wherein:

the base has a dimension of between 1 to 2 inches and

the parallel supports have a dimension of between 0.3 and 0.75 inches.

6. The portable floor of claim 1 wherein each module is shaped as a square with each side having length of between 8 to 24 inches and wherein each module weighs less than 5 pounds.

7. The portable floor of claim 1 wherein each module is shaped as a square with each side having length of between 12 to 18 inches and wherein each module weighs less than 3 pounds.

8. The portable floor of claim 1 wherein:

said modules are shaped as a square with a length of between 12 to 18 inches;

said panels have a thickness of between 0.12 and 0.18 inches;

said male connectors having a T shape of identical size; and

said base has a hollow structure.

9. A portable floor comprising:

a) a plurality of square modules with a dimension between 12 to 24 inches adjacent to one another, each module having: i) panels, shaped as a rectangle, organized in parallel but not in contact with each other and uniformly spaced with less than 0.25 inch gap, each panel includes a top surface and bottom surface; ii) a base, shaped as a rectangle, surrounding said panels and connected perpendicular to the bottom surface of the panels with a first side, second side, third side and fourth side; Said first side having male connectors uniformly spaced, Said second side adjacent to the first side having male connectors uniformly spaced, Said third side adjacent to the second side having female connectors uniformly spaced, and Said fourth side adjacent to the third side forming a rectangle and having said female connectors uniformly spaced; and

Said male connectors located directly across from said female connectors; iii) a plurality of parallel supports connected perpendicular to said bottom surface of said panels; each parallel support is connected to a parallel support end via a parallel support brace; said parallel support end is connected to opposite sides of said base; iv) a plurality of perpendicular supports connected perpendicular to said bottom surface of said panels; each perpendicular support is connected to a perpendicular support end via a perpendicular support brace; said perpendicular support end is connected to opposite sides of the base, the perpendicular supports intersect the parallel supports to form a grid; v) Said base having a dimension measured perpendicular to said bottom surface of said panels at least twice the dimensions of said perpendicular supports; and vi) Said base having a dimension measured perpendicular to said bottom surface of said panels at least twice the dimensions of said parallel supports.

10. The portable floor of claim 9 wherein:

said modules have a length of between 14 to 18 inches;

said modules having four panels;

said panels having a thickness of between 0.10 and 0.25 inches; and

said male connectors having a T shape of identical size.

11. The portable floor of claim 9 wherein the modules are made of lightweight, moldable material.

12. The portable floor of claim 9 wherein each module is shaped as a square with each side having length of 14 to 18 inches.

13. A process to assemble a deck comprising:

a. Identifying the area to be covered;

b. Locating the outer right corner;

c. Placing a first module, with male connectors on two sides, such that said male connectors are pointing in the direction of the area to be covered;

d. Attaching an additional module to each side of said first module with male connectors pointing in the direction of the area to be covered;

e. Building the outer row and colunm of the deck by attaching successive modules with the female connectors overlaying said male connectors and said male connectors pointing in the area to be covered; and

f. Completing the deck structure by adding additional rows adjacent to previous rows.