MODIFIED PIER FOR MODULAR, PORTABLE, INTERLOCKING SYSTEM
A pier for a modular, portable, interlocking decking system, the pier having a generally planar plate with a bottom surface and a top surface and a plurality of receiver blocks extending from the top surface of the plate. Each receiver block has a generally dome-shaped load-bearing surface. A plurality of piers is used in a decking system along with at least one surface pad, the surface pad having a generally planar, horizontal upper surface, and a lower portion including a plurality of block receptacles. The bottom surface of the plate of each structural pier rests upon a supporting surface, and the block receptacles of the surface pad each engage the generally dome-shaped load-bearing surface of a corresponding structural pier.
This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application 61/734,056, filed on Dec. 6, 2012, and entitled MODIFIED PIER FOR MODULAR, PORTABLE, INTERLOCKING DECKING SYSTEM, the entire contents of which is incorporated by reference herein.
TECHNICAL FIELDThe present invention relates to patio, decking, platform, walkway, and/or stage systems which incorporate non-traditional construction methods, typically used in the assembly of traditional pressure treated decks, composite decks, cement or stone patio pavers and any surface constructed to enhance outdoor and/or indoor living needs and use. The present invention particularly is a modified pier for use with a modular, portable and interlocking decking system that is predominately and ideally comprised of post-consumer and/or industrial thermo-plastic waste that can easily be assembled, disassembled, stored, or transported for relocation or reconfiguration.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONIn accordance with the disclosure of U.S. Pat. No. 8,011,148 (the '148 patent), the entirety of which is incorporated by reference herein, the present invention is a modification of the structural support pier described in the '148 patent, with improved performance characteristics. Though not specifically mentioned in the detailed description below, it is understood that the pier design and pier extension systems disclosed herein may be fully incorporated into the system of the '148 patent to the extent that they are compatible, as will be appreciated by one skilled in the art.
SUMMARYIn one aspect, a pier for a modular, portable, interlocking decking system is disclosed. The pier has a generally planar plate having a bottom surface and a top surface and a plurality of receiver blocks extending from the top surface of the plate. Each receiver block has a generally dome-shaped load-bearing surface.
In another aspect a modular, portable, interlocking decking system is disclosed. The system includes a plurality of structural piers, each structural pier including a generally planar plate having a bottom surface and a top surface and a plurality of receiver blocks extending from the top surface of the plate of each structural pier. Each receiver block has a generally dome-shaped load-bearing surface. The system further includes at least one surface pad, the surface pad having a generally planar, horizontal upper surface, and a lower portion including a plurality of block receptacles. The bottom surface of the plate of each structural pier rests upon a supporting surface, and the block receptacles of the surface pad each engage the generally dome-shaped load-bearing surface of a corresponding structural pier.
Other aspects of the disclosed pier and decking system will become apparent from the following description, the accompanying drawings, and the appended claims.
Referring now to the drawings,
In one embodiment, each structural pier 10 may have four receiver blocks 16. Receiver blocks 16 may preferably be of hollow construction, as best seen in
Pier 10 may also incorporate other features as described in the analogous pier component of the '148 patent. For instance, pier 10 may include cam slot 28 to facilitate incorporation of a cam lock fastener system as disclosed in the '148 patent. Plate 11 of pier 10 may further incorporate holes 30 to allow securement or anchoring of pier 10 to a supporting surface or substructure using a fastener and anchor bolt system (not shown) as disclosed in the '148 patent. To provide still further anchoring capability, plate 11 may further include thru-hole 32 located preferably at the center of plate 11. Thru-hole 32 may be larger in diameter than holes 30, and may preferably be approximately one inch in diameter, or any other diameter suitable for the specific application, as will be appreciated by one skilled in the art.
Lower portion 54 of surface pad 50 may be generally hollow and contain structural ribs 64 arranged to distribute dead and live surface loads as known to one skilled in the art. Block receptacle 56 is configured to engage load-bearing surface 18 of structural pier 10 when pad 50 is positioned on top of pier 10. Ribs 66 are positioned within block receptacle 56 to interface and engage with load bearing surface 18 to transfer a load from surface pad 50 to load bearing surface 18 of pier 10. Ribs 66 are shaped to conform with the generally dome-shaped surface of load bearing surface 18, thereby facilitating uniform engagement between block receptacle 56 and load bearing surface 18. Ribs 66 may be molded into the body of surface pad 50. In one embodiment, eight ribs are used, but four, six, sixteen, or any other quantity of ribs 66 sufficient to effectively transfer a load from surface pad 50 to pier 10 may be used. Other features of the analogous surface pad component disclosed in the '148 patent may be further incorporated into surface pad 50 as presently described.
The benefits of the dome-shaped load-bearing surface 18 are especially apparent when a modular, portable, interlocking decking system incorporating structural pier 10 is used on surface with an uneven grade. The disclosed structural pier 10 provides separate load-bearing surfaces 18 for each receiver block 16. Consequently, when multiple surface pads 50 are positioned to interface and engage with a single structural pier 10, each surface pad 50 is independently supported on top of its own designated load-bearing surface 18. Further, the dome shape of the load-bearing surface 18 allows generally even weight distribution across load-bearing surface 18 even if block receptacle 56 of surface pad 50 is not precisely aligned with receiver block 16. As a result, if pier 10 is situated on grade such that all surface pads 50 engaged with pier 10 are not precisely coplanar, the combination of independent load-bearing surfaces and their dome shape provides a durable, adaptable system to shoulder uneven load configurations, thereby making the modified pier 10 adaptable for use on a wide variety of surfaces.
Referring now to
Riser 80 is positioned below pier 10, as seen in
As illustrated in
Referring now to
As illustrated in
Claims
1. A pier for a modular, portable, interlocking decking system comprising:
- a generally planar plate having a bottom surface and a top surface; and
- a plurality of receiver blocks extending from the top surface of the plate;
- wherein each receiver block has a generally dome-shaped load-bearing surface.
2. The pier of claim 1, further comprising a structural support between a first of the plurality of receiver blocks and a second of the plurality of receiver blocks, wherein the structural support links the first of the plurality of receiver blocks to the second of the plurality of receiver blocks.
3. The pier of claim 2, wherein the structural support extends from the top surface of the plate.
4. The pier of claim 1, further comprising a structural support extending from the top surface of the plate to one of the plurality of receiver blocks.
5. The pier of claim 1, wherein the dome-shaped load-bearing surface includes a slot therethrough.
6. The pier of claim 1, wherein the plate includes a thru-hole extending entirely therethrough approximately at the center thereof.
7. The pier of claim 1, wherein the plurality of receiver blocks are located proximate the outer perimeter of the plate.
8. The pier of claim 1, comprising four receiver blocks.
9. A modular, portable, interlocking decking system comprising:
- a plurality of structural piers, each structural pier including a generally planar plate having a bottom surface and a top surface;
- a plurality of receiver blocks extending from the top surface of the plate of each structural pier, wherein each receiver block has a generally dome-shaped load-bearing surface;
- at least one surface pad, the surface pad comprising a generally planar, horizontal upper surface, and a lower portion including a plurality of block receptacles;
- wherein the bottom surface of the plate of each structural pier rests upon a supporting surface, and the block receptacles of the surface pad each engage the generally dome-shaped load-bearing surface of a corresponding structural pier.
10. The decking system of claim 9, wherein the surface pad is rectangular in shape.
11. The decking system of claim 9, wherein the block receptacles include a plurality of structural ribs therein, the plurality of structural ribs shaped to interface and engage with the generally dome-shaped load-bearing surface of the receiver block of the structural pier.
12. The decking system of claim 9, further comprising a riser with a pier-engagement surface, wherein the pier-engagement surface of the riser receives one of the plurality of structural piers thereon.
13. The decking system of claim 12, wherein the riser further comprises a lip extending from the pier-engagement surface, wherein the lip prevents the structural pier received on the riser from sliding off of the pier-engagement surface of the riser.
14. The decking system of claim 12, wherein the riser is a first riser, and wherein the decking system further comprises a second riser, wherein the second riser receives the first riser thereon.
15. The decking system of claim 12, wherein the riser further comprises a plurality of structural ribs therein.
16. The decking system of claim 9, wherein the receiver blocks of the structural piers define hollow cavities on the undersides thereof, the decking system further comprising a shim with a pier-engagement surface and a stabilizer extending from the pier-engagement surface, wherein the pier-engagement surface of the shim receives one of the plurality of structural piers thereon, and wherein the stabilizer of the shim is received in the hollow cavity of the receiver blocks.
17. The decking system of claim 16, wherein the shim is a first shim, and wherein the decking system further comprises a second shim having a stabilizer thereon, wherein the stabilizer of the first shim defines a hollow cavity on the underside thereof, and wherein the second shim receives the first shim thereon, the stabilizer of the second shim being received in the hollow cavity of the first shim.
18. The decking system of claim 16, wherein the shim further comprises a plurality of structural ribs therein.
19. The decking system of claim 9, wherein the upper surface of the surface pad further comprises a plurality of channels therein to provide drainage for the decking system.
20. The decking system of claim 9, wherein the surface pad detachably engages with the generally dome-shaped load-bearing surface structural pier.
Type: Application
Filed: Dec 5, 2013
Publication Date: Jun 12, 2014
Applicant: UDECX, LLC (Miamisburg, OH)
Inventors: Patrick J. Bertke (Dayton, OH), John Murray Van Leeuwen (Dayton, OH), Robert Gerald States III (Morrow, OH), Patrick Andrew Harrell (Loveland, OH)
Application Number: 14/098,172
International Classification: E02D 27/42 (20060101); E04H 12/22 (20060101);