Flexible metal duckboard flooring

Claim 2

A duckboard floor comprising: a. a plurality of substantially parallel slats defining a supporting surface and a lower surface; b. a plurality of support members for spacing said slats one from the other said members extending beneath said lower surface of said slats so as to support said plurality of slats from a primary surface; c. a plurality of rods being disposed through said slats and said support members for securing the relative position of said slats and said support members such that said slats are supported by said members above said primary surface; d. adjustable tensioning means for adjustably tensioning said rods such that said slats and support members are held in said relative position under tension; wherein said slats are flexibly supported between said support members and wherein the flexibility of said slats may be adjusted.

Claim 3

The duckboard floor of claim 1 wherein said slats are generally channel shaped having a web and two flanges, said flanges having a plurality of apertures for receiving said rods.

Claim 4

The duckboard floor of claim 2 wherein said web has a recess for receiving a non-skid insert means.

Claim 5

The duckboard floor of claim 2 wherein said web is knurled.

Claim 6

The duckboard floor of claim 1 wherein said support members comprise a resilient material and where said tensioning means includes nuts for engaging threads on said rods.

Claim 7

The duckboard floor defined by claim 1 wherein said slats comprise aluminum.

Claim 8

The duckboard floor of claim 2 wherein said flanges of said slats include ears, said ears being disposed perpendicular to said flanges such that said ears may bear on said support members.

Claim 9

A flexible duckboard floor comprised of: a. a plurality of elongated metal slats, said slats being generally channel shaped, having a web and two flanges, said flanges containing apertures spaced along its longitudinal length, and ears disposed perpendicular to said flanges along said longitudinal length, said slat dispOsed in relation to a primary floor such that said web serves as the supporting surface while the end and said flanges are disposed near said primary floor; b. a plurality of resilient members, each having an aperture therethrough, said members being disposed between said slats abutting said ears for spacing said slats one from the other and said members extending below said ends of said flanges for supporting said slats on said primary floor; c. a pair of end slats disposed on the outer edges of said duckboard floor being generally channel shaped, having a web and two flanges said flanges containing apertures spaced along its longitudinal length, said end slat being disposed in relation to said primary floor such that said web serves as the supporting surface while said flanges bear on said primary floor; and d. a plurality of rods being disposed through said slats, end slats and resilient members for maintaining the relative position of said slats, end slats and resilient members such that said slats are supported by said rods and said resilient members; wherein said slats are flexible between the support points of said resilient members and rods.

Claim 10

A flexible duckboard floor comprised of: a. a plurality of elongated metal slats, said slats being generally channel shaped, having a web and two flanges, said flanges containing apertures spaced along its longitudinal length, and ears disposed perpendicular to said flanges along said longitudinal length, said slat dispOsed in relation to a primary floor such that said web serves as the supporting surface while the end and said flanges are disposed near said primary floor; b. a plurality of resilient members, each having an aperture therethrough, said members being disposed between said slats abutting said ears for spacing said slats one from the other and said members extending below said ends of said flanges for supporting said slats on said primary floor; c. a pair of end slats disposed on the outer edges of said duckboard floor being generally channel shaped, having a web and two flanges said flanges containing apertures spaced along its longitudinal length, said end slat being disposed in relation to said primary floor such that said web serves as the supporting surface while said flanges bear on said primary floor; and d. a plurality of rods being disposed through said slats, end slats and resilient members for maintaining the relative position of said slats, end slats and resilient members such that said slats are supported by said rods and said resilient members; wherein said slats are flexible between the support points of said resilient members and rods.

Claim 11

The duckboard floor of claim 8 wherein said web of said slat and end slat are knurled for providing a non-skid supporting surface.

Claim 12

The duckboard floor defined by claim 8 wherein said web of said slats include a recess for receiving a non-skid insert.

Claim 13

A duckboard floor comprising: a. a plurality of substantially parallel elongated metal slats defining a supporting surface and a lower surface, each of said slats including a web and two flanges defining a channel, said flanges defining a plurality of apertures, and a plurality of elongated ears extending outward from said flanges opposite said channel; b. a plurality of resilient support members for spacing said slats one from the other, said members extending beneath said lower surface of said slats so as to support said plurality of slats from a primary floor, said blocks bearing upon said ears; and c. a plurality of rods disposed through said apertures of said flanges and said support members for securing said slats and said support members whereby said slats are flexibly supported between said members and above said primary surface.

Claim 14

A duckboard floor comprising: a. a plurality of substantially parallel elongated metal slats defining a supporting surface and a lower surface, each of said slats including a web and two flanges defining a channel, said flanges defining a plurality of apertures, and a plurality of elongated ears extending outward from said flanges opposite said channel; b. a plurality of resilient support members for spacing said slats one from the other, said members extending beneath said lower surface of said slats so as to support said plurality of slats from a primary floor, said blocks bearing upon said ears; and c. a plurality of rods disposed through said apertures of said flanges and said support members for securing said slats and said support members whereby said slats are flexibly supported between said members and above said primary surface.

Claim 15

The duckboard floor defined in claim 11 wherein said web includes a recess for receiving a non-skid insert.