Patent ID: 6804923
Filing Date: 2004-10-19
Classification: E04B,E04F

Abstract:
A modular deck panel apparatus for a deck structure including a plurality of underlying joist elements, each one of said plurality of joist elements having a top longitudinal surface, said modular deck panel apparatus comprising:a plurality of modular panels, each of the plurality of modular panels having a first subtstantially planar element being relatively inflexible, each of said plurality of modular elements having a thickness dimension; a second substantially planar element disposed beneath the first planar element and secured thereto, said second planar element being relatively flexible in relation to the first planar element; and a plurality of elongated members, a first portion of the plurality of elongated members being secured with fasteners passing through apertures in the elongated members and into a series of underlying joist elements, each of said first portion of the plurality of elongated members extending along a top surface of an associated joist across multiple modular panels, and a second portion of the plurality of elongated members spanning between at least three joist elements and engaging the first portion of the plurality of elongated members to restrain the plurality of modular panels, said first portion of the plurality of elongated members extending upwardly away from the top longitudinal surfaces of the joist elements to a predetermined height, said height being substantially less than the thickness dimension of the modular panels, and a gap distance between adjacent pairs of modular panels being substantially less than the thickness dimension of the modular panels.