US5660016A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Foam-filled extruded decking plank and decking attachment system
Assignee: FENCLO (USA) Inc
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Filing: 1995-07-03
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Granted: 1997-08-26
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Expires: 2015-07-03
Abstract
Abstract An extruded plastic decking plank for mounting to an underlying support structure, the plank having a rigid foam core, a resilient outer plastic shell, and a clamping portion for securing the plank to the support structure. The top surface of the plank can be provided with a non-slip surface. The invention also includes an attachment system for securing such decking planks to a support structure by engaging the clamping portions of the decking planks onto clamps or hold down blocks which are secured onto the support structure, and which permit relative motion between the planks and the structure in the planks' lengthwise direction to prevent stress and buckling caused by uneven expansion.
Inventors
- 👤 Ronald Dean Erwin
- 👤 Marvin Ray Whitley
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 07:40
CPC Classifications
E; E04; E04F; E04F15/00; E04F15/02; E04F15/02172; B; B29; B29C; B29C44/00; B29C44/20; B29C44/22; B29C44/32; B29C44/334; B29C44/34; B29C44/60; B29C48/00; B29C48/001; B29C48/0022; B29C48/03; B29C48/06; B29C48/25; B29C48/30; B29C48/304; B29C69/00; B29C69/02; E04F15/10; B29C2793/00; B29C2793/0027; B29C48/0012; B29C48/09; B29C48/355; B29C67/00; B29C67/20; B29K; B29K2027/00; B29K2027/06; B29K2075/00; B29K2105/00; B29K2105/04
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 19
Claim 1
Independent Claim
128 words
A decking system for mounting to a support structure, such as to deck joists, said decking system comprising: a. a plurality of extruded plastic decking planks each comprising a plastic outer shell and an expanded foam core within said plastic outer shell and having a top, bottom, and sides, at least one of said sides comprising a clamping portion including a clamp-receiving recess formed in said at least one side; and b. a plurality of clamps positionable between adjacent ones of said planks for engaging said clamping portion of said at least one side of said planks, said clamps being shaped to be at least partly received in said recess, and wherein said clamps are securable to the support structure for securing said planks to the support structure.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
128 words
A decking system for mounting to a support structure, such as to deck joists, said decking system comprising: a. a plurality of extruded plastic decking planks each comprising a plastic outer shell and an expanded foam core within said plastic outer shell and having a top, bottom, and sides, at least one of said sides comprising a clamping portion including a clamp-receiving recess formed in said at least one side; and b. a plurality of clamps positionable between adjacent ones of said planks for engaging said clamping portion of said at least one side of said planks, said clamps being shaped to be at least partly received in said recess, and wherein said clamps are securable to the support structure for securing said planks to the support structure.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
16 words
The decking system of claim 1 wherein said clamping portion of said planks comprises a flange.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
26 words
The decking system of claim 2 wherein said flange is bounded by said bottom of said plank and said recess which extends longitudinally in said side.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
12 words
The decking system of claim 1 wherein said clamps are generally T-shaped.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
19 words
The decking system of claim 1 wherein said tops of said extruded plastic decking planks comprise a non-slip surface.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
39 words
The decking system of claim 1 wherein said recess of said clamping portion comprises a longitudinal channel formed in said at least one side of said planks and wherein said clamps comprise portions for engagement into said longitudinal channel.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
91 words
An extruded plastic decking plank for mounting to a support structure, such as to deck joists, said decking plank comprising: a. a plastic outer shell having top portion, said top portion having a top width, a bottom portion, said bottom portion having a bottom width, and two side portions, with at least one of said side portion comprising a clamping portion for securing said plank to the support structure, and wherein said top width is greater than said bottom width; and b. an expanded foam core within said plastic outer shell.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
91 words
An extruded plastic decking plank for mounting to a support structure, such as to deck joists, said decking plank comprising: a. a plastic outer shell having top portion, said top portion having a top width, a bottom portion, said bottom portion having a bottom width, and two side portions, with at least one of said side portion comprising a clamping portion for securing said plank to the support structure, and wherein said top width is greater than said bottom width; and b. an expanded foam core within said plastic outer shell.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
16 words
The decking plank of claim 7 wherein said clamping portion of said planks comprises a flange.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
31 words
The decking plank of claim 8 wherein said flange is bounded by said bottom of said plank and a channel extending longitudinally in said at least one of said side portions.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
20 words
The decking plank of claim 7 wherein said top portion of said extruded plastic decking plank comprises a non-slip surface.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
12 words
The decking plank of claim 7 wherein said plastic shell is polyvinylchloride.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
13 words
The decking plank of claim 7 wherein said expanded foam core comprises polyurethane.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
13 words
The decking plank of claim 7 wherein said expanded foam core comprises polyester.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
13 words
The decking plank of claim 7 wherein said expanded foam core comprises epoxy.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
18 words
The decking plank of claim 10 wherein said non-slip surface comprises a grit material and an acrylic paint.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
69 words
An extruded plastic decking plank for mounting to a support structure, such as to deck joists, said decking plank comprising: a. a plastic outer shell having top, bottom, and two sides, with each of said sides comprising a channel-shaped clamping portion for securing said plank to the support structure, and wherein said sides are mirror-images of one another; and b. an expanded foam core within said plastic outer shell.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
69 words
An extruded plastic decking plank for mounting to a support structure, such as to deck joists, said decking plank comprising: a. a plastic outer shell having top, bottom, and two sides, with each of said sides comprising a channel-shaped clamping portion for securing said plank to the support structure, and wherein said sides are mirror-images of one another; and b. an expanded foam core within said plastic outer shell.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2000-08-25 | 2001-02-24 | 2001-08-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2004-08-25 | 2005-02-24 | 2005-08-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2008-08-25 | 2009-02-24 | 2009-08-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |