PLANK FOR USE ON EXPOSED JOISTS

A plank for use with multiple joists parallel to and spaced apart from each other by a joist spacing distance. The plank includes a body having a substantially planar top surface, a first horizontal axis, and a second horizontal axis. The first axis is perpendicular to the second axis. In a first orientation, the first axis is parallel to the joists and the plank is substantially fixed in a direction perpendicular to the joists. In a second orientation, the second axis is parallel to the joists and the plank is substantially fixed in a direction perpendicular to the joists.

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Description
RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to co-pending U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/332,980 filed on May 10, 2010, the entire content of which is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND

The present invention relates to planks for use on exposed joists.

SUMMARY

In one embodiment, the invention provides a plank for use with a first joist and a second joist. The first joist is parallel to the second joist and is spaced apart from the second joist by a joist spacing distance. The plank includes a body, a first stop, a second stop, a third stop, and a fourth stop. The body includes a substantially planar top surface, a bottom surface, a first horizontal axis, and a second horizontal axis. The first axis is perpendicular to the second axis. One or more first protrusions extend downwardly from the bottom surface to define the first stop. The first stop is parallel to the first axis. One or more second protrusions extend downwardly from the bottom surface to define the second stop. The second stop is parallel to the first axis and spaced apart from the first stop. One or more third protrusions extend downwardly from the bottom surface to define the third stop. The third stop is parallel to the second axis. One or more fourth protrusions extend downwardly from the bottom surface to define the fourth stop. The fourth stop is parallel to the second axis and spaced apart from the third stop. With the joist spacing distance equal to a first distance and with the plank positioned in a first orientation with the first axis parallel to the joists, the first stop is positioned near a first joist and the second stop is positioned near a second joist, such that the plank is substantially fixed in a direction perpendicular to the joists. With the joist spacing distance equal to a second distance, the second distance different than the first distance, and with the plank positioned in a second orientation with the second axis parallel to the joists, the third stop is positioned near the first joist and the fourth stop is positioned near the second joist, such that the plank is substantially fixed in a direction perpendicular to the joists.

In another embodiment the invention provides a plank for use with multiple joists parallel to each other and spaced apart from each other by a joist spacing distance. The plank includes a body and a front stop and a rear stop. The body includes a top surface, a bottom surface, a front surface, a rear surface, a left side surface, and a right side surface. The top surface is parallel to the bottom surface. The front surface is parallel to the rear surface and perpendicular to the top surface. The left side surface is parallel to the right side surface and perpendicular to the front surface. The front stop and the rear stop are spaced apart from one another. Each of the stops extends downwardly from the bottom surface and extends from a left end to a right end such that a left side gap is formed between the left end and the left side surface and a right side gap is formed between the right end and the right side surface. Each of the stops includes a left space, a center space, and a right space. Each of the spaces extends through the respective stop. The center space is positioned centrally between the left end and the right end. The left space is positioned between the center space and the left end and the right space is positioned between the center space and the right end. With the joist spacing distance equal to a first distance and with the body in a first orientation, the left side gap, the left space, the right space, and the right side gap of each of the stops are spaced apart from one another by the first distance such that the left side gap, the left space, the right space, and the right side gap of each stop each receive a joist such that the plank is substantially fixed in a direction perpendicular to the joists. With the joist spacing distance equal to a second distance different than the first distance and with the body in the first orientation, the left side gap, the center space, and the right side gap of each of the stops are spaced apart from one another by the second distance such that the left side gap, the center space, and the right side gap of each stop each receive a joist such that the plank is substantially fixed in a direction perpendicular to the joists.

In another embodiment, the invention provides a plank for use with multiple joists parallel to each other and spaced apart from each other by a joist spacing distance. The plank includes a body having a substantially planar top surface, a first horizontal axis, and a second horizontal axis. The first axis is perpendicular to the second axis. In a first orientation, the first axis is parallel to the joists and the plank is substantially fixed in a direction perpendicular to the joists. In a second orientation, the second axis is parallel to the joists and the plank is substantially fixed in a direction perpendicular to the joists.

Other aspects of the invention will become apparent by consideration of the detailed description and accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a bottom view of a plank in a first orientation on multiple joists having a first joist spacing distance.

FIG. 2 is a bottom view of the plank of FIG. 1 in a second orientation on multiple joists having a second joist spacing distance.

FIG. 3 is a bottom view of the plank of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a side view of the plank of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a front view of the plank of FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is a top view of the plank of FIG. 1.

FIG. 7 is a sectional view of the plank of FIG. 1 along line 7-7.

FIG. 8 is a sectional view of the plank of FIG. 2 along line 8-8.

FIG. 9 is a side view of an alternative plank on multiple joists having the first joist spacing distance.

FIG. 10 is a bottom view of a plank in a first orientation and a plank in a second orientation on multiple joists having a first joist spacing distance.

FIG. 11 is a bottom view of the plank of FIG. 10 in the first orientation on multiple joists having a second joist spacing distance.

FIG. 12 is a bottom view of the plank of FIG. 10.

FIG. 13 is a side view of the plank of FIG. 10.

FIG. 14 is a front view of the plank of FIG. 10.

FIG. 15 is a top view of the plank of FIG. 10.

FIG. 16 is a sectional view of the plank of FIG. 10 along line 16-16.

FIG. 17 is a sectional view of the plank of FIG. 10 along line 17-17.

FIG. 18 is a sectional view of the plank of FIG. 11 along line 18-18.

 DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Before any embodiments of the invention are explained in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the following drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or of being carried out in various ways.

People, including tradesmen and homeowners, need to maneuver on exposed joists for many reasons. The term joists refers to floor joists and roof rafters, especially for roofs of low or zero pitch, as well as other beams, studs, boards, planks, or other structures used in the construction of buildings. People need to safely move around in unfinished attics, for example, for the purposes of repair or installation of air conditioning, electrical, communications, or plumbing equipment. People also frequently desire to store items in unfinished attics without having to secure permanent flooring to the joists. Joists are frequently exposed while buildings are under construction. Some people will simply walk directly on exposed joists with no safe platform on which to step, sit, or place tools and supplies. This poses a fall hazard that could cause injury to the person walking on the exposed joists or to other people underneath the joists and could cause damage to items stored on the joists or items located underneath the joists.

People sometimes address the need for temporary flooring, decking, or support surfaces on top of exposed joists by placing a flat sheet on top of the exposed joists. Examples of flat sheets used for this purpose include plywood sheets, scrap lumber or metal, and other substantially flat pieces of wood, metal, plastic or other rigid material. A flat sheet can move freely along the joists and may inadvertently become unstable or unsupported. In some cases, a sheet becomes positioned as a lever relative to a joist, which allows the sheet to teeter about the joist. Sheets positioned on top of exposed joists and able to freely move along the joists pose a hazard to people standing on the sheets or joists, people underneath the joists, items, objects, and materials positioned on top of the sheets, and items, objects, and materials located below the joists. These sheets, or the people or items positioned on top of the sheets, may fall off the exposed joists, potentially causing injury to the person standing on the sheet or to a person underneath the joists and potentially causing damage to the items positioned on the sheet or to items underneath the joists.

FIGS. 1-2 and 10-11 illustrate a plurality of exposed joists 100 that extend parallel to one another and are spaced apart from one another by a joist spacing distance 105. Different joist spacing distances can be used. FIGS. 1 and 11 illustrate a first joist spacing distance and FIGS. 2 and 10 illustrate a second joist spacing distance different than the first joist spacing distance. The joist spacing distance 105 is measured center-to-center between two adjacent joists 100. In the United States, the most common joist spacing distances are sixteen inches and twenty-four inches.

FIGS. 1-9 illustrate a plank 110 that can be placed on top of a plurality of exposed joists 100 such that the plank 110 is substantially fixed in a direction perpendicular to the joists 100. This reduces the possibility of the plank 110 from becoming unstable or unsupported and falling off of the joists 100. Top, bottom, up, and down are used to refer to the plank 110 in its position of intended use with down being the direction of gravity. Left, right, front, and rear are relative terms that depend on the orientation of the plank 110 and are not intended to be limiting.

As shown in FIG. 3, the plank 110 includes a body 115, a front or first stop 120, a rear or second stop 125, a left or third stop 130, and a right or fourth stop 140. The body 115 has a top surface 145, a bottom surface 150, a first axis 155, and a second axis 160. The first axis 155 is perpendicular to the second axis 160 and both axes 155, 160 are in a horizontal plane.

As shown in FIGS. 3-5, each of the stops 120, 125, 130, 140 is a single protrusion that extends downwardly from the bottom surface 150. In other embodiments, for example, the embodiment shown in FIGS. 10-18, each stop can be formed as multiple protrusions that collectively defines a parallel surface. The first stop 120 and the second stop 125 are parallel to the first axis 155. Both the first stop 120 and the second stop 125 extend for a length or distance 165 in a direction parallel to the first axis 155. The first stop 120 and the second stop 125 are spaced apart a length or distance 170. The third stop 130 and the fourth stop 140 are parallel to the second axis 160. Both the third stop 130 and the fourth stop 140 extend for the length 170 in a direction parallel to the second axis 160. The third stop 130 and the fourth stop 140 are spaced apart by the length 165. The length 165 is greater than the length 170.

As shown in FIG. 1, in a first orientation in which the first axis 155 is parallel to the joists 100, the plank 110 can be placed on top of a plurality of joists 100 having the first joist spacing distance, for example, sixteen inches, such that the plank 110 is substantially fixed in a direction perpendicular to the joists 100. As shown in FIG. 2, in a second orientation in which the second axis 160 is parallel to the joists 100, the plank 110 can be placed on top of a plurality of joists 100 having the second joist spacing distance, for example, twenty-four inches, such that the plank 110 is substantially fixed relative to a direction perpendicular to the joists 100.

With the first joist spacing distance and the plank 110 in the first orientation, the first stop 120 is near a first joist 100 and the second stop 125 is near a second joist 100. As shown in FIG. 7, the first stop 120 and the second stop 125 are positioned between the first joist 100 and the second joist 100. This positioning substantially fixes the plank 110 relative to the direction perpendicular to the joists 100. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 9, the first joist 100 and the second joist 100 are positioned between the first stop 120 and the second stop 125. This positioning substantially fixes the plank 110 relative to the direction perpendicular to the joists 100.

With the second joist spacing distance and the plank 110 in the second orientation, the third stop 130 is near a first joist 100 and the fourth stop 140 is near a second joist 100. As shown in FIG. 8, the third stop 130 and the fourth stop 140 are positioned between the first joist 100 and the second joist 100. This positioning substantially fixes the plank 110 relative to the direction perpendicular to the joists 100. Alternatively, in a manner similar to that shown in FIG. 9, the first joist 100 and the second joist 100 are positioned between the third stop 130 and the fourth stop 140. This positioning substantially fixes the plank 110 relative to the direction perpendicular to the joists 100.

FIGS. 10-18 illustrate a plank 210 that can be placed on top of a plurality of exposed joists 100 such that the plank 210 is substantially fixed in a direction perpendicular to the joists 100. Top, bottom, up, and down are used to refer to the plank 210 in its position of intended use with down being the direction of gravity. Left, right, front, and rear are relative terms that depend on the orientation of the plank 210 and are not intended to be limiting.

As shown in FIG. 12, the plank 210 includes a body 215, a front or first stop 220, and a rear or second stop 225. The body 215 includes a top surface 230, a bottom surface 235, a front surface 240, a rear surface 245, a left side surface 250, and a right side surface 255. The top surface 230 is parallel to the bottom surface 235. The front surface 240 is parallel to the rear surface 245 and perpendicular to the top surface 230. The left side surface 250 is parallel to the right side surface 255 and perpendicular to the front surface 240. The body 215 also includes a first axis 260 that is parallel to the front surface 240 and the rear surface 245 and a second axis 265 that is parallel to the left side surface 250 and the right side surface 255. With the plank 210 in its position of intended use, the axes 260 and 265 are in a horizontal plane.

The front stop 220 and the rear stop 225 are spaced apart from one another. The front stop 220 is spaced from the front surface 240 such that a front gap 270 is formed between the front stop 220 and the front surface 240. The rear stop 225 is spaced from the rear surface 245 such that a rear gap 275 is formed between the rear stop 225 and the rear surface 245. Each of the stops 220, 225 extends downwardly from the bottom surface 235 and extends from a left end 280 to a right end 285 such that a left side gap 290 is formed between the left end 280 and the left side surface 250 and a right side gap 295 is formed between the right end 285 and the right side surface 255. Each of the stops 220, 225 includes a left space 300, a center space 305, and a right space 310. Each of the spaces 300, 305, and 310 extends through the respective stop 220, 225. The center space 305 is positioned centrally between the left end 280 and the right end 285. The left space 300 is positioned between the center space 305 and the left end 280. The right space 310 is positioned between the center space 305 and the right end 285.

As shown in FIG. 10, in a first orientation in which the second axis 265 is parallel to the joists 100, the plank 210 can be placed on top of a plurality of joists 100 having a first joist spacing distance, for example, sixteen inches, such that the left side gap 290, the left space 300, the right space 310, and the right side gap 295 of each stop 220, 225 each receive a joist 100 to substantially fix the plank 210 in a direction perpendicular to the joists 100. As shown in FIG. 11, in the first orientation, the plank 210 can also be placed on top of a plurality of joists 100 having a second joist spacing distance, for example, twenty-four inches, such that the left side gap 290, the center space 305, and the right side gap 295 of each stop 220, 225 each receive a joist 100 to substantially fix the plank 210 in a direction perpendicular to the joists 100. As shown in FIG. 10, in a second orientation in which the first axis is parallel to the joists 100, the plank 210′ can be placed on top of a plurality of joists 100 having the first joist spacing distance, such that the front gap 270 and the rear gap 275 each receives a joist 100 to substantially fix the plank 210′ in a direction perpendicular to the joists 100.

The stops 120, 125, 130, 140, 220, and 225 inhibit the plank 110, 210 from sliding in the direction perpendicular to the joists 100. The stops 120, 125, 130, 140, 220, and 225, spaces 300, 305, 310, and gaps 270, 275, 290, and 295 are spaced such that there is some play that allows for limited movement of the plank 110, 210 in the direction perpendicular to the joists 100. Even with the play, the plank 110, 210 is considered to be substantially fixed in the direction perpendicular to the joists 100. The play also allows the plank 110, 210 to be placed on top of the joists 100 when there are irregularities in the joist spacing distance between adjacent joists 100. In some embodiments, the play allows for the plank 110, 210 to move up to one inch in the direction perpendicular to the joists 100.

The planks 110, 210 can be constructed of one or more materials such as wood, plastic, metal, and ceramic. The planks 110, 210 can be fabricated by extrusion, molding, casting, carpentry, coating, and other appropriate methods of fabrication. The planks 110, 210 may be solid, hollow, composed of one two plates with ribs extending between the plates and with voids between the ribs, of sandwich construction with a top and bottom plate sandwiching a different material between them, or of other appropriate configurations. The stops 120, 125, 130, 140, 220, and 225 can be integrally fabricated with the body 115, 215 or fabricated separately from the body and then attached to the body.

Various textures, patterns, corrugations, or other surface features can be placed on or formed in the plank 110, 210 to increase utility (for example, for slip-resistance), and/or aesthetics. Warning labels can be secured to the plank 110, 210. Openings through the body, handles, and other handholds can be provided on the plank 110, 210 to make the plank easier the user to handle and move. Additionally, openings, recesses, and other appropriate structures can be provided on the plank 110, 210 for storage of tools or other items.

The planks 110, 210 can be a portion of a storage device, for example, a box or other container. A box with the plank formed as the bottom of the box can be placed on top of exposed joists 100 such that the box is fixed in a direction perpendicular to the joists 100. A box of this type is particularly useful to homeowners using an unfinished attic for storage space. A tool box with the bottom of the tool box formed as the plank would useful for tradesmen.

Various features and advantages of the invention are set forth in the following claims.

Claims

1. A plank for use with a first joist and a second joist, the first joist parallel to the second joist and spaced apart from the second joist by a joist spacing distance, the plank comprising:

a body including a substantially planar top surface, a bottom surface, a first horizontal axis, and a second horizontal axis, the first axis perpendicular to the second axis;
one or more first protrusions extending downwardly from the bottom surface to define a first stop, the first stop parallel to the first axis;
one or more second protrusions extending downwardly from the bottom surface to define a second stop, the second stop parallel to the first axis and spaced apart from the first stop;
one or more third protrusions extending downwardly from the bottom surface to define a third stop, the third stop parallel to the second axis;
one or more fourth protrusions extending downwardly from the bottom surface to define a fourth stop, the fourth stop parallel to the second axis and spaced apart from the third stop;
wherein with the joist spacing distance equal to a first distance and with the plank positioned in a first orientation with the first axis parallel to the joists, the first stop is positioned near a first joist and the second stop is positioned near a second joist, such that the plank is substantially fixed in a direction perpendicular to the joists; and
wherein with the joist spacing distance equal to a second distance, the second distance different than the first distance, and with the plank positioned in a second orientation with the second axis parallel to the joists, the third stop is positioned near the first joist and the fourth stop is positioned near the second joist, such that the plank is substantially fixed in a direction perpendicular to the joists.

2. The plank of claim 1, wherein in the first orientation, the first stop is positioned between the first joist and the second joist and the second stop is positioned between the first joist and the second joist.

3. The plank of claim 2, wherein in the second orientation, the third stop is positioned between the first joist and the second joist and the fourth stop is positioned between the first joist and the second joist.

4. The plank of claim 1, wherein in the first orientation, the first joist is positioned between the first stop and the second stop and the second joist is positioned between the first stop and the second stop.

5. The plank of claim 4, wherein in the second orientation, the first joist is positioned between the third stop and the fourth stop and the second joist is positioned between the third stop and the fourth stop.

6. The plank of claim 1, wherein in the second orientation, the third stop is positioned between the first joist and the second joist and the fourth stop is positioned between the first joist and the second joist.

7. The plank of claim 1, wherein in the second orientation, the first joist is positioned between the third stop and the fourth stop and the second joist is positioned between the third stop and the fourth stop.

8. The plank of claim 1, wherein the first stop and the second stop each extend for a length parallel to the first axis and the third stop and the fourth stop are spaced apart a distance parallel to the first axis, the distance greater than the length.

9. The plank of claim 1, wherein the third stop and the fourth stop each extend for a length parallel to the second axis and the first stop and the second stop are spaced apart a distance parallel to the second axis, the distance greater than the length.

10. A plank for use with a plurality of joists, the joists being parallel to each other and spaced apart from each other by a joist spacing distance, the plank comprising:

a body including a top surface, a bottom surface, a front surface, a rear surface, a left side surface, and a right side surface, the top surface parallel to the bottom surface, the front surface parallel to the rear surface and perpendicular to the top surface, the left side surface parallel to the right side surface and perpendicular to the front surface; and
a front stop and a rear stop spaced apart from one another, each of the stops extends downwardly from the bottom surface and extends from a left end to a right end such that a left side gap is formed between the left end and the left side surface and a right side gap is formed between the right end and the right side surface, each of the stops includes a left space, a center space, and a right space, each of the spaces extends through the respective stop, the center space is positioned centrally between the left end and the right end, the left space is positioned between the center space and the left end, and the right space is positioned between the center space and the right end;
wherein with the joist spacing distance equal to a first distance and with the body in a first orientation, the left side gap, the left space, the right space, and the right side gap of each of the stops are spaced apart from one another by the first distance such that the left side gap, the left space, the right space, and the right side gap of each stop each receive a joist such that the plank is substantially fixed in a direction perpendicular to the joists;
wherein with the joist spacing distance equal to a second distance different than the first distance and with the body in the first orientation, the left side gap, the center space, and the right side gap of each of the stops are spaced apart from one another by the second distance such that the left side gap, the center space, and the right side gap of each stop each receive a joist such that the plank is substantially fixed in a direction perpendicular to the joists.

11. The plank of claim 10, wherein the front stop is spaced from the front surface such that a front gap is formed between the front stop and the front surface, the rear stop is spaced from the rear surface such that a rear gap is formed between the rear stop and the rear surface; and

wherein with the joist spacing distance equal to the first distance and with the body in a second orientation different than the first orientation, the front gap and the rear gap are spaced apart by the first distance such that each of the front gap and the rear gap receives a joist such that the plank is substantially fixed in a direction perpendicular to the joists.

12. A plank for use with a plurality of joists, the joists being parallel to each other and spaced apart from each other by a joist spacing distance, the plank comprising:

a body including a substantially planar top surface, a first horizontal axis, and a second horizontal axis, the first axis perpendicular to the second axis;
wherein in a first orientation, the first axis is parallel to the joists and the plank is substantially fixed in a direction perpendicular to the joists; and
wherein in a second orientation, the second axis is parallel to the joists and the plank is substantially fixed in a direction perpendicular to the joists.
Patent History
Publication number: 20110271628
Type: Application
Filed: May 10, 2011
Publication Date: Nov 10, 2011
Inventor: Charles Windsor (Sheboygan Falls, WI)
Application Number: 13/104,376
Classifications
Current U.S. Class: Facer Back Abuts And Conceals Frame (52/483.1)
International Classification: E04C 2/38 (20060101);