Patent Publication Number: US-2021177165-A1

Title: Load distributing deck insert

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/948,185 filed Dec. 13, 2019, and U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/082,879, filed Sep. 24, 2020, the contents of which are incorporated by reference in their entireties. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present disclosure is directed to the area and field of decks. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to load supporting devices that elevate and/or support loads above the top surface of a deck or similar surfaces. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Decks are ubiquitous, especially as backyard decks in homes. Decks are also provided in commercial applications. They are the ideal outdoor space for entertaining guests. When the weather is nice, they are the perfect outdoor area to host a family dinner, a neighborhood gathering, or a barbecue. Decks give their owners the opportunity to enjoy the sunshine in a living room type setting. 
     Home buyers and business (e.g., service and retail-oriented businesses) love decks. Consumers love seeing beautifully appointed, family-oriented outdoor spaces attached to homes. Decks help them picture themselves living in and using a home&#39;s outside space. Decks positively impact their owners&#39; quality of life. As a result, decks increase the value of a home. 
     A deck is essentially an outdoor floor supported by a frame, posts, and footings seemed in the ground. Typically, it is assembled in stages and is built from the ground up. The deck may comprise decking boards that are typically 5/4″ wood or composite wood. The decking boards are laid across and attached to a structural grid made of joists. The joists are horizontal framing members fastened to the frame to support the decking boards. The typical recommended standard for spacing decking boards is the size of a “16d” nail or roughly 3/16″ to allow for proper drainage of water through the deck surface and to account for expansion of the deck boards themselves. 
     Decks must be kept clean. Not only because a clean deck is a beautiful deck, but because a clean deck lasts longer. If rot and grime set in, especially around places where various objects are placed on the deck, the deck will begin to deteriorate until it breaks downs and becomes a structural hazard. Flat pots, planters, barbeques, deck furniture and so on are often placed on decks for long periods of time. Dirt, dead leaves, moss, and grime will accumulate around their footprints to permanently stain and rot the deck and cause the deck to eventually fall apart. Especially when insufficient air circulation is available between objects and the deck. Even when decks are covered. 
     It takes a lot of work to keep a deck clean and prevent dirt and grime from accumulating. The cleaning process begins by lifting and removing all objects off the deck. Everything from flat pots and planters to barbeques and furniture must come off the deck. Thereafter, the cleaning process continues by scrubbing the deck with a mild cleaner or washing it with a power washer. But even a good scrubbing or power washing is oftentimes not enough to remove the stains that have been formed on the deck over time, resulting in a deck that is marred, disfigured, displeasing and disappointing. 
     Current solutions for elevating or supporting deck accessories are inadequate. Current solutions may be difficult to use on deck surfaces because of the manner of attachment, may destabilize the deck surface, may be incompatible with either small or large objects placed on decks, may compromise the deck because a concentrated load is applied to a single specific point. More importantly, the prior art still allows for the touching or contacting of the upper surface of the deck, because current solutions are either placed on or directly contact the deck floor boards. Therefore, current solutions do not eliminate deck staining, deterioration, and/or degradation. 
     For these reasons there exists a great need to address the staining, possible disfigurement, and degradation of decks caused by objects placed upon them. There exists a need to be able to position any size object on a deck without limitation or loss of stability, while at the same time preventing the accumulation of debris and grime and mold and mildew on the deck, at the object&#39; s footprint. There is a need for a deck inserting device that will be secure, stable and versatile to use with any object desired to be placed on a deck, while supporting the object above the top surface of the deck floor boards. Thus, a need exists for a manner to support deck accessories while preventing the accumulation of dirt and grime, the formation of mildew, mold, and/or fungus on substrata and/or on the deck surfaces and decking boards. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY 
     According to an embodiment, a load distributing deck insert may include a body; a saddle at a lower end of the body, the saddle comprising a first end and a second end opposite the first end; and a load receiving section at an upper end of the body, wherein a lower surface of the first end of the saddle is configured to rest on an upper surface of a first joist and a lower surface of the second end of the saddle is configured to rest on an upper surface of a second, wherein the body and the saddle are configured to be installed in a space between adjacent deck boards, wherein the body, the saddle, and the load receiving section are arranged such that the body, the saddle, and the load receiving section avoid contacting an upper surface of the adjacent deck boards, and wherein the load receiving section is configured to support an object above the upper surface of the adjacent deck boards. 
     According to an embodiment, the saddle further includes a curved middle section connecting the first end to the second end. 
     According to an embodiment, the load distributing deck insert includes second saddle at a lower end of a second body, the second saddle comprising a third end and a fourth end opposite the third end, wherein an upper surface of the body and the second body are connected to a lower surface of the load receiving section. 
     According to an embodiment, the saddle includes a first curved middle section connecting the first end to the second end and a second curved middle section connecting the third end to the fourth end. 
     According to an embodiment, the saddle includes a first curved middle section connecting the first end to the second end and the second saddle comprising a second curved middle section connecting the third end to the fourth end. 
     According to an embodiment, the first end and the third end are configured to rest on the upper surface of the first joist and the second end and the fourth end are configured to rest on the upper surface of the second joist. 
     According to an embodiment, the second body and second saddle are configured to be placed between one of the adjacent deck boards and a third deck board adjacent to the one of the adjacent deck boards. 
     According to an embodiment, the load receiving section is a planar member. 
     According to an embodiment, the load receiving section comprises an opening configured to receive an object. 
     According to an embodiment, a load distributing deck insert may include a body; a saddle at a lower end of the body, the saddle comprising a first end and a second end opposite the first end; and a load receiving section at an upper end of the body, wherein the saddle is configured to secure to one or more joists, wherein the body and the saddle are configured to be installed in a space between adjacent deck boards, wherein the body, the saddle, and the load receiving section are arranged such that the body, the saddle, and the load receiving section avoid contacting an upper surface of the adjacent deck boards, and wherein the load receiving section is configured to support an object above the upper surface of the adjacent deck boards. 
     According to an embodiment, the first end comprises a first leg and the second end comprises a second leg, the first leg and the second leg configured to extend around opposing sides of the one or more joists. 
     According to an embodiment, the first leg and the second leg are vertically extending downward from the body and wherein the first leg and the second leg are configured to frictionally engage the first joist. 
     According to an embodiment, the load distributing deck insert may include a second body and a second saddle, the second saddle including a third leg and a fourth leg, the third leg and the fourth leg extending vertically downward from the second body. 
     According to an embodiment, the body and the second body are located on opposing sides of the load receiving section and are coupled to a lower surface of the load receiving section. 
     According to an embodiment, the saddle and the second saddle are configured to extend over two joists. 
     According to an embodiment, the load receiving section comprises a cylindrical tube configured to hold a pole. 
     According to an embodiment, the saddle comprises an arch. 
     According to an embodiment, the saddle comprises an arch having at least one tooth protruding therefrom. 
     According to an embodiment, the saddle is offset from the load receiving section. 
     According to an embodiment, the load distributing deck further includes at least one sliding member coupled between the load receiving section and the body. 
     According to an embodiment, a load distributing deck insert may include a first body; a first saddle at a lower end of the first body, the first saddle comprising a first end connected to a second end opposite the first end with a curved middle portion; a second body; a second saddle at a lower end of the second body, the second saddle comprising a third end connected to a fourth end opposite the third end with a curved middle portion; and a planar load receiving section connected at an upper end of the first body and the second body, wherein a lower surface of the first end of the first saddle and a lower surface of the third end of the second saddle are configured to rest on an upper surface of a first joist and a lower surface of the second end of the first saddle and a lower end of the fourth end of the second saddle are configured to rest on an upper surface of a second joist, wherein the first body and the first saddle are configured to be installed in a space between a first deck board and a second deck board and the second body and the second saddle are configured to be installed in a space between the second deck board and a third deck board, and wherein the load distributing deck insert is configured to avoid contacting an upper surface of the first deck board, an upper surface of the second deck board, and an upper surface of the third deck board. 
     These and other objects, advantages, features, and characteristics of the disclosure will be apparent from the following description of the preferred embodiments, considered along with the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       It is believed that the present invention will be better understood from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which the numerals represent identical elements and wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a is three-dimensional perspective of a load distributing deck insert with a sectioned deck, according to an embodiment of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 2  is a three-dimensional perspective of the load distributing deck insert of  FIG. 1 , according to an embodiment of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 3  is a front plan view of the load distributing deck insert of  FIG. 1 , according to an embodiment of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 3 a    is a top plan view of the load distributing deck insert of  FIG. 3 , according to an embodiment of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 3 b    is a side plan view of the load distributing deck insert of  FIG. 3 , according to an embodiment of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 3 c    is a bottom plan view of the load distributing deck insert of  FIG. 3 , according to an embodiment of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 4  is a front view of a load distributing deck insert having a loaded force applied upon it and saddled on a joist of a sectioned deck, according to an embodiment of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 5  is a side view of the load distributing deck insert having a loaded force applied upon it and saddled on a joist of a deck of  FIG. 4 , according to an embodiment of the disclosure; 
         FIG. 6  is a three-dimensional perspective view of a load distributing deck insert having a loaded force applied upon the insert, according to an embodiment of the disclosure; 
         FIG. 7  is a three-dimensional perspective of a load distributing deck insert, according to an embodiment of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 8  is a three-dimensional perspective of the load distributing deck insert of  FIG. 7 , according to an embodiment of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 9  is a front plan view of the load distributing deck insert of  FIG. 7 , according to an embodiment of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 9 a    is a side plan view of the load distributing deck insert of  FIG. 9 , according to an embodiment of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 9 b    is a bottom plan view of the load distributing deck insert of  FIG. 9 , according to an embodiment of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 9 c    is a top plan view of the load distributing deck insert of  FIG. 9 , according to an embodiment of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 10 a    is a front view of the load distributing deck insert of  FIGS. 8-9  saddled onto a joist of a sectioned deck, according to an embodiment of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 10 b    is a side view of the load distributing deck insert of  FIGS. 8-9  saddled onto a joist of a sectioned deck, according to an embodiment of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 11 a    is a perspective view of a load distributing deck inserting supporting a flag, according to an embodiment of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 11 b    is a side view of the load distributing deck insert of  FIG. 11 a    saddled onto a joist of a sectioned deck and used to support a flag, according to an embodiment of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 12  is a front plan view of the load distributing deck insert of  FIGS. 8-9  saddled onto a joist of a sectioned deck and used to support a flag, according to an embodiment of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 13  consists of three-dimensional views of the load distributing deck insert of  FIGS. 8-9  being saddled onto a joist of a sectioned deck and used to support a flag, according to an embodiment of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 14  is a three-dimensional view of a load distributing deck insert being used with a deck umbrella, according to an embodiment of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 15  is a three-dimensional view of the load distributing deck insert of  FIG. 14  being used with a deck umbrella on a joist of a sectioned deck, according to an embodiment of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 16  is a three-dimensional perspective of a load distributing deck insert, according to an embodiment of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 17  is a front plan view of the load distributing deck insert of  FIG. 16  partially mounted on a joist, according to an embodiment of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 17 a    is a front plan view of the load distributing deck insert of  FIG. 17  fully mounted and anchored on said joist, according to an embodiment of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 17 b    is a rear plan view of the load distributing deck insert of  FIG. 17  fully mounted and anchored on said joist, according to an embodiment of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 18  is a front plan view of the load distributing deck insert of  FIG. 16 , according to an embodiment of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 18 a    is a top plan view of the load distributing deck insert of  FIG. 16 , according to an embodiment of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 18 b    is a side plan view of the load distributing deck insert of  FIG. 16 , according to an embodiment of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 18 c    is a bottom plan view of the load distributing deck insert of  FIG. 16 , according to an embodiment of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 19  is a three-dimensional perspective of load distributing deck insert, according to an embodiment of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 20  is a front plan view of the load distributing deck insert of  FIG. 19 , according to an embodiment of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 20 a    is a top plan view of the load distributing deck insert of  FIG. 20 , according to an embodiment of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 20 b    is a side plan view of the load distributing deck insert of  FIG. 20 , according to an embodiment of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 20 c    is a bottom plan view of the load distributing deck insert of  FIG. 20 , according to an embodiment of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 21  is a three-dimensional view of the load distributing deck insert of  FIG. 20  being saddled onto a joist of a sectioned deck, according to an embodiment of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 22  is a front plan view of the load distributing deck insert of  FIG. 20  being saddled onto a joist of a sectioned deck, according to an embodiment of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 23  is a front plan view of the load distributing deck insert of  FIG. 20  being saddled onto a joist of a sectioned deck and provided with a loading force, according to an embodiment of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 24  is a three-dimensional perspective view of a load distributing deck insert, according to an embodiment of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 25  is a three-dimensional perspective view of a load distributing deck insert, according to an embodiment of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 26  is a front plan view of the load distributing deck insert of  FIG. 24 , according to an embodiment of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 26 a    is a top plan view of the load distributing deck insert of  FIG. 24 , according to an embodiment of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 26 b    is a side plan view of the load distributing deck insert of  FIG. 24 , according to an embodiment of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 27  is a three-dimensional view of the load distributing deck insert of  FIG. 24  being saddled onto two joists of a sectioned deck, according to an embodiment of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 28  is a three-dimensional view of the load distributing deck insert of  FIG. 24  being saddled onto two joists of a sectioned deck, according to an embodiment of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 29  is a three-dimensional view of two load distributing deck inserts of  FIG. 24  being saddled onto two joists of a sectioned deck, according to an embodiment of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 30  consists of a front plan view of the load distributing deck insert of  FIG. 24  being saddled onto two joists of a sectioned deck and provided with a loading force, according to an embodiment of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 31  is a perspective view of a load distributing deck insert, according to an embodiment of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 32 a    is a perspective view of the load distributing deck insert of  FIG. 31  showing a force being applied thereon, according to an embodiment of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 32 b    is a perspective view of the load distributing deck insert of  FIG. 31  showing a force being applied thereon, according to an embodiment of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 33  is a plan side view of the load distributing deck insert of  FIGS. 31 and 32  saddled on a joist over a single deck floorboard, according to an embodiment of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 34 a    is a perspective view of a load distributing deck insert, according to an embodiment of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 34 b    is a perspective view of a load distributing deck insert, according to an embodiment of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 35 a    is a perspective view of the load distributing deck insert of  FIG. 35 a   , according to an embodiment. 
         FIG. 35 b    is a plan side view of the load distributing deck insert of  FIG. 35 a   , according to an embodiment. 
         FIG. 35 c    is a top plan view of the load distributing deck insert of  FIG. 35 a   , according to an embodiment. 
         FIG. 35 d    is a front plan view of the load distributing deck insert of  FIG. 35 a   , according to an embodiment. 
         FIG. 36  is a perspective view of a load distributing deck insert being saddled onto joists of a sectioned deck, according to an embodiment of the disclosure, according to an embodiment. 
         FIG. 37 a    is a front plan view of a load distributing deck insert being saddled onto joists of a sectioned deck, according to an embodiment of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 37 b    is a front plan view of a load distributing deck insert saddled onto joists of a sectioned deck, according to an embodiment of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 38  is a perspective view of a load distributing deck insert saddled onto joists of a sectioned deck, according to an embodiment of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 39  is a perspective view of a load distributing deck insert saddled onto joists of a sectioned deck and receiving a load force, according to an embodiment of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 40 a    is a perspective view of a load distributing deck insert saddled onto joists of a sectioned deck and receiving a load force, according to an embodiment of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 40 b    is a perspective view of a load distributing deck insert saddled onto joists of a sectioned deck and receiving a load force, according to an embodiment of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 41  is a perspective view of a load distributing deck insert, according to an embodiment of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 42 a    is a perspective view of a load distributing deck insert, according to an embodiment. 
         FIG. 42 b    is a plan side view of the load distributing deck insert of  FIG. 42 a   , according to an embodiment. 
         FIG. 42 c    is a top plan view of the load distributing deck insert of  FIG. 42 a   , according to an embodiment. 
         FIG. 42 d    is a front plan view of the load distributing deck insert of  FIG. 42 a   , according to an embodiment. 
         FIG. 43  is a perspective view of a load distributing deck insert saddled onto joists of a sectioned deck, according to an embodiment of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 44 a    is a front view of a load distributing deck insert being saddled onto joists of a sectioned deck, according to an embodiment of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 44 b    is a front view of a load distributing deck insert saddled onto joists of a sectioned deck, according to an embodiment of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 44 c    is a perspective view of a load distributing deck insert saddled onto joists of a sectioned deck, according to an embodiment of the disclosure. 
         FIGS. 45 a -45 d    are perspective views of a load distributing deck insert, according to an embodiment of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 46  are perspective views of a load distributing deck insert, according to an embodiment of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 47  is a perspective view of a load distributing deck insert saddled onto joists of a sectioned deck, according to an embodiment of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 48  is a perspective view of a load distributing deck insert saddled onto joists of a sectioned deck, according to an embodiment of the disclosure. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Various embodiments of the invention are discussed in detail below. While specific embodiments are discussed, this is done for illustration purposes only. A person skilled in the relevant art will recognize that other components and configurations may be used without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1-30 , an embodiment of a deck insert  10  is shown. The deck insert  10  may be a load distributing deck insert  10 . The deck insert  10  may be capable of saddling a joist  30  of a deck. That is, the body of the deck insert  10  may extend over the joist  30 . The deck insert  10  may be placed in between the deck boards  20  to form a secure, stable, strong, and versatile receiving platform or receptacle (e.g., load receiving section  40 ), for the placement of any object (not depicted) desired to be placed on a deck, above the surface of the deck. This allows use of the object without contacting the deck&#39;s upper surface. It allows air to circulate around and under the object that may otherwise cause stains or damage. Thus, the deck insert  10  allows aeration. The deck insert  10  may touch the side surfaces of the deck boards  20 . However, the deck insert  10  may be arranged to avoid contact of the deck insert  10  with the top surface of the deck boards  20 . In other words, the deck insert  10  may not touch the upper or top surface of the deck boards  20  (e.g., the surface exposed to the consumer) or may minimally touch (e.g., at an interior corner only) the upper or top surface of the deck boards  20 . 
     In the exemplary load distributing deck insert shown in  FIGS. 1-6 , the deck insert  10  comprises a top load receiving section  40 , a bottom saddle section  60  and a center body section  50  disposed therebetween. All three sections are collinearly arranged along the load distributing deck insect&#39;s longitudinal y-axis. The load distributing deck insert  10  may be made of any material that may provide strength and support. The load distributing deck insert  10  material may be, for example, but not limited to, metal, a strong metal such as heavy gauge aluminum or steel, plastic, polymer, a hardened plastic, wood, composite, other materials, or combinations thereof. The thickness of the load distributing deck insert  10  may be such that the load distributing deck insert  10  does not exceed the width of a gap between two deck floorboards  20 . This may allow the deck insert  10  to be inserted into at least one gap between the deck boards  20 . 
     As is shown in  FIGS. 4-6 , the top load receiving section  40  may be outfitted with a flat platform-shaped receptacle such as a dish or a bowl capable of receiving for example, a flowerpot. See also  FIG. 30 . Alternatively, or additionally, as is shown in  FIGS. 7-15 , said load receiving section  40  can be provided with a long cylindrical receptacle having a partial bore and capable of acting as a support base for a flag or an umbrella. Use of the load distributing deck insert  10  may eliminate the need for a heavy umbrella base typically used to support an umbrella on a deck. Eliminating the heavy umbrella base may prevent the deck from getting stained, gouged, scratched or splintered, deteriorating, and/or degrading. Although shown with a single load receiving section  40 , the deck insert  10  may be provided with more than one load receiving section  40 . Where more than one load receiving section  40  is included, the shape and dimension of the load receiving section  40  may be the same or different. For example, the load receiving section  40  may include two flat receptacles such as shown in  FIGS. 4-6 . In an example, the load receiving section  40  may include a flat receptacle such as shown in  FIGS. 4-6  and a cylindrical receptacle such as shown in  FIGS. 7-15 . Any number or combination of load receiving section shapes, sizes, dimensions, and/or orientations may be provided. 
     As is shown in  FIGS. 1-30 , the deck insert  10  may include a center body section  50  and a bottom saddle section  60 . The bottom saddle section may include two downwardly extending, spaced apart, vertical, parallel legs  62  and a lower edge. The lower edge of the center body section  50  and vertical parallel spaced-apart legs  62  (“saddle legs  62 ”) extending therefrom, together define an arch  70 , which arch together with the saddle legs  62  form the bottom saddle section  60 . The arch  70  has a width sufficient to distribute the load force applied to said load receiving section  40  across multiple points along the width of the joist upon which the deck insert is saddled. Although two vertical parallel legs are shown, any number of legs may be provided. For example, the deck insert  10  may include three legs. Where three legs are provided, the deck insert  10  may be able to extend over three joists. For example, the deck insert  10  may include a single leg (e.g.,  FIG. 34 a   ) that may extend between joists. 
     The arch  70  may or may not be curved. The arch  70  may contact one or both sides of a joist. The body  50  having legs  62  may be generally U-shaped, V-shaped, or other shapes that allow for the insert  10  to extend over a joist  30  as disclosed herein. 
     The process of saddling a joist  30  with the load distributing deck insert  10  comprises the following steps: a) orienting said bottom saddle section  60  between the edges of an end-long gap defined by the end-long deck floor boards  20  such that the horizontal plane defined by the bottom of said two saddle legs  62  runs parallel to the gap between the end-long deck floor boards  20 ; b) directing and inserting said bottom saddle section  60  into the gap between the end-long deck floor boards  20 ; and c) orienting the bottom saddle section  60  onto the joist  30 . 
     When in place, the deck insert  10  may be frictionally mounted to the joist  30  such that each of said saddle legs  62  are frictionally but removably mounted on either side of the joist  30 , which has been saddled by the deck insert  10 . The joist  30  may be frictionally inserted between and partially encircled by the vertical saddle legs  62 , which may be frictionally but removably attached on either side of said joist  30 . The bottom saddle  60  may provide added stability to the deck insert  10 . The bottom saddle may prevent any and all wobbling of the deck insert  10  thereby allowing for the support of any object (e.g., a deck accessory) above the surface of the deck. The load distributing deck insert  10  may allow the load receiving section  40  to extend above the top surface of the deck boards  20 , thereby supporting any object the deck insert  10  receives without allowing the deck insert  10  to touch the deck. In an example, the deck insert  10  is secured to one or more joists  30 . The deck insert  10  may be secured to one or more joists  30  frictionally and/or with a fastener. 
     In an exemplary deck insert  10  shown in  FIGS. 16-18 , the lower edge of said center body  50 , which forms the outer upper perimeter of said arch  70  may be sharpened to a cutting edge  72  and may be provided approximately at its midpoint mark with a sharp protrusion  74  similar to an arrow bead or an arch tooth. Upon saddling said load distributing deck insert  10  onto said joist  30 , a blunt force can be applied upon said load receiving section  40  to push said arch edge  72  and said arch tooth  74  into the top surface of said joist  30  which due to their sharpness will pierce and travel into the joist wood to become easily anchored on the top surface of the joist. Such anchoring provides added stability and strength to the load distributing deck insert  10 . 
     As discussed herein, the load receiving section  40 , the center body section  50  and the bottom saddle section  60  may be arranged collinearly along their longitudinal y-axis. In an exemplary load distributing deck insert  10  shown in  FIGS. 19-23 , said top receiving section  10  may be offset from the central longitudinal y-axis of said load distributing deck insert  10 . The offset may allow the installation of the insert over a joist that is along a railing that blocks the placement of an object on the deck against the railing. The offset load receiving section  40  takes care of any interference that the railing might present. An angled surface  52  may connect the center body section  50  to the bottom saddle section  60 . The insert  10  shown in  FIGS. 19-23 , allows for the placement of objects anywhere on the deck floor, offset from the location of any joist. 
     In an exemplary deck insert  10  shown in  FIGS. 24-30 , said load receiving section  40  may be provided on at least one sliding member  90  mounted and traveling along a track  80  juxtaposed with and connecting two bottom saddle sections  60  (“connecting track  80 ”), each bottom saddle section  60  mounted respectively on one of two oppositely adjacent but distanced, parallel joists, said traveling track  80  spanning the distance between said two saddled joists. Each of said at least one sliding member  90  allows said load receiving section  40  located upon it, to travel along the length of said connecting track  80  for the positioning of the object placed on the deck to occur at any point between the saddled joists. 
     In an exemplary deck insert  10  shown in  FIGS. 31-33 , a top load receiving section  40 , at least two parallel bottom saddle sections  60 , and at least  2  center body sections  50 . The two bottom saddle sections are collinearly arranged along the load distributing deck insert&#39;s z-axis at a distance equivalent the width of a deck floorboard  20 . 
     The process of saddling a joist  30  with the load distributing deck insert  10  having two bottom saddle sections comprises the following steps: a) orienting said two bottom saddle sections  60  between the edges of two end-long gaps running along either side of at least one end-long deck floor board  20  such that each of the horizontal plane defined by the bottom of said  2  saddle legs  62  of each bottom saddle section  60  runs parallel to each of the two end-long gaps running along either side of the at least one end-long deck floor board  20 ; b) directing and inserting said bottom saddle sections  60  into the gaps running along the end-long deck floor board  20 ; and c) orienting said bottom saddle sections  60  on the same joist  30  at either side of the end-long deck floorboard. In an example, the deck insert  10  may be frictionally mounted to the joist  30 , such that each of said saddle legs  62  are frictionally but removably mounted on either side of the joist  30 , which has been saddled by the deck insert  10 . As shown in  FIG. 33 , although the deck insert  10  extends over the top or upper surface of the deck board  20 , the deck insert  10  may avoid contact with the top or upper surface of the deck board  20 . 
       FIGS. 34 a  and 34 b    and  FIGS. 35 a -35 d    show an exemplary deck insert  100 . The deck insert  100  may be the same or similar to any of the deck inserts described herein and may be combined with, have the features of, and/or have the same installation and/or operation of, any of the deck inserts described herein. The deck insert  100  may include a body  150  and a saddle  160 . The deck insert  100  may include two bodies  150  and two saddles  160  as shown, however more or fewer are contemplated. The saddle  160  may be an elongate member. The saddle  160  may include a first end  162  and a second end  164 . The first end  162  may be connected to the second end  164  by a middle section  166 . As shown in  FIG. 36 , the first end  162  and the second end  164  may be configured to rest on respective joists  130 . The middle section  166  may extend between the joists. The middle section  166  may include a curve. 
     With continued reference to  FIGS. 34 a  and 34 b    and  FIGS. 35 a   - 35   d,  the deck insert  100  may include a load receiving section  140 . The load receiving section  140  may be a flat surface with an opening  142  therein. The load receiving section  140  may take any form described herein. As discussed, more than one load receiving section  140  may be provided of the same or different form. As shown in  FIG. 34 b   , the load receiving section  140  may not include the opening  142 . The load receiving section  140  may be flat, bowl shaped, cylindrical, pot shaped, or any combination thereof. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 37 a  and 37 b    and  FIG. 38 , the process of saddling a joist  130  with the load distributing deck insert  100  having two bottom saddle sections  160  is shown. In an exemplary method of installing the deck insert  100  over the joists  130  (e.g., saddling the joist  130 ) the method may include: a) orienting the two saddle sections  160  between the edges of two end-long gaps running along either side of at least one end-long deck floorboard  120  (and perpendicularly to the joists  130 ) such that each of the ends  162  and  164  runs parallel to each of the two end-long gaps running along either side of the at least one end-long deck floorboard  120  and perpendicular to the joists  130 ; b) directing and inserting the saddles  160  into the gaps running along the end-long deck floorboard  120 ; c) orienting the saddles  160  across two joists  130 ; and d) resting the ends  162  and  164  on the top surfaces of the joists  130 . As shown, the deck insert  100  may avoid touching or contacting the top surface of the deck boards  120 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 39  and  FIGS. 40 a  and 40 b   , once the deck insert  100  is installed, a deck accessory  170 , such as, but not limited to, a potted plant, may be placed on the load receiving section  140 . The insert may or may not be secured to the joist or deck board with a fastener. 
     Turning now to  FIGS. 41-44 , an exemplary deck insert  200  is shown. The deck insert  200  may include a body  250  and a saddle  260 . The saddle may include two legs  262 . The body  250  and saddle  260  may be the same as the body  50  and saddle  60  as shown in  FIGS. 1-3 . The insert  200  may be dimensioned and shaped to extend over two joists  230 . That is, the exemplary insert  10  of  FIGS. 1-3  may extend over a single joist while the exemplary insert  200  of  FIGS. 41-44  may be the same as insert  10 , but may extend over two joists. Although embodiments extending over one and two joists are shown, inserts extending over more joists (e.g., three joists, four joists, etc.) are contemplated. It may be understood that in such larger spanning inserts (e.g., inserts that extend over two or more joists), the structure may be the same as the insert  10  of  FIGS. 1-3 , but the saddle  260  may be elongated such that the legs  262  are spaced farther apart than the legs  62  to accommodate the increased length over which the insert extends. The exemplary deck insert  200  includes a circular load receiving section  240 . However, as described previously, the shape and dimension of the load receiving section may be one or more of any of the load receiving sections described herein. 
     The process of saddling joists  230  with the load distributing deck insert  200  having two bottom saddle sections  260  comprises the following steps: a) orienting said two bottom saddle sections  260  between the edges of two end-long gaps running along either side of at least one end-long deck floorboard  220  such that each of the horizontal plane defined by the bottom of said two saddle legs  262  of each bottom saddle section  260  runs parallel to each of the two end-long gaps running along either side of the at least one end-long deck floorboard  220 ; b) directing and inserting said bottom saddle sections  260  into the gaps running along the end-long deck floorboard  220 ; and c) orienting each end of said bottom saddle sections  260  on the same joist  230  at either side of the end-long deck floorboard (e.g., in  FIG. 44 c   , orienting end  262   a  on joist  230   a  and orienting end  262   b  on joist  230   b ). In an example, the deck insert  200  may be frictionally mounted to the joists  230 , such that the legs  262  are tightly fit, but removable, to the outer surfaces  230   c  of each of the joists  230 , although such frictional fit is not required. As shown in  FIG. 44 c   , although the deck insert  200  extends over the top or upper surface of the deck board  220 , the deck insert  200  may avoid contact with the top or upper surface of the deck board  220 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 45-48 , an exemplary insert  300  is shown. In each of the exemplary deck inserts  300  shown in  FIGS. 45 a , 45 b , 45 c , and 45 d   , a body  350 , saddle  360 , and legs  362  are shown. The deck inserts  300  may also include an upper portion  380 . The upper portion  380  may be secured to a load receiving section  340  ( FIG. 46 ). The upper portion  380  may extend perpendicularly from the body  350 . Multiple of the inserts  300  may be coupled to the load receiving section  340  such that the load receiving section  340  extends over multiple deck boards  320 . For example, as shown in  FIG. 48 , the deck insert  300  extends over more than two deck boards. Additional deck inserts  300  may be provided with a larger load receiving section  340  to extending over more deck boards. The deck inserts  300  may be secured to the load receiving section  340  with fasteners or may be integrally formed therewith. The different examples shown in  FIGS. 45 a -45 d    indicate that the body  350  and upper portion  380  may be located at different positions along the length of the saddle  360 . The location may be selected based on the load to be supported. As shown in  FIG. 46 , the deck insert  300  may include two bodies  350  and two upper surfaces  380 . The number and location of the bodies  350  may be selected based on the load to be supported. The insert  300  may be installed in ten same or similar manner are described herein. 
     Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to prevent or retard the accumulation of debris, moisture, mildew, mold, dirt or grime under objects that are placed on decks. It is a further object of the present invention to prevent objects from staining the decks that they are placed on. It is yet a further object of the present invention to provide for the easy cleaning, scrubbing and power washing of decks without having to remove all objects from the decks. It is still another object of the present invention to prevent moisture forming on bottoms of plant containers or trays that causes discoloration, or deterioration of the deck&#39;s surface. Finally, it is an object of the present invention to provide a deck inserting device that will be secure, stable, strong and versatile to use with any object desired to be placed on a deck, without touching the deck floorboards&#39; upper surface thereby without staining, damaging, and/or defacing the deck in anyway. 
     In accordance with the present invention there is provided a load distributing deck insert comprising a top receiving section upon which a load force can be applied, a center body section, and a bottom saddle section defined by two vertical parallel legs extending downwardly for said center body section. The downwardly extending parallel legs and said center body section define an arch between them, said arch having sufficient width to distribute the load force applied to said top receiving section across the width of the joist saddled by the deck insert, when it is fixedly but removably slipped into the space between two deck flooring boards. The joist frictionally inserted between the vertical legs provides added stability. It prevents any and all wobbling thereby allowing for the support of any object above the surface of the deck. The top receiving section extends above the top surface of the deck thereby supporting any object it receives without allowing it to touch the deck. 
     The deck inserts of the present disclosure may be employed in residential decks, commercial applications, waterside docks, marinas, construction sites, resorts, boardwalks, restaurants, spas, etc., or any place a deck or deck-like surface is desired. The deck inserts of the present disclosure may be provided with conventional wood decking provided with typical installation dimensions, spacing, and orientation. Additionally, the deck inserts may be provided with composite or PVC decking, may be provided with alternative sized decking (e.g., wide plank, closer or farther spaced joists, skinny plank, etc.). The dimensions of the deck insert of the present disclosure may be sized for the particular deck in which they are employed and the particular load they are bearing. The deck inserts of the present disclosure may carry any load desired, such as, for example, but not limited to, umbrellas, plants, pots, platforms for grills, or any other deck accessory or object desired to be placed on or near a deck. 
     As described herein, the deck inserts of the present disclosure allow for objects to be placed above a deck upper surface such that the object does not affect the quality of the deck. Furthermore, the deck insert itself may not touch or contact the upper surface of the deck. The deck insert of the present disclosure requires no underneath access of the deck as the insert may be installed from the top of a finished deck. The deck insert of the present disclosure may prevent or prohibit the deterioration and/or degradation of the deck. In some examples of the present disclosure, the deck insert of the present disclosure may not be frictionally attached to the joists and may be functionally attached by the body resting on a top surface of the joist. 
     It is without question that the inventive load distributing deck insert described herein above accomplishes all of its objectives. It provides for the stable support of objects above a deck while at the same time preventing staining and damage. 
     While particular embodiments of the invention are illustrated, and descriptions of details provided herein, they are included by way of illustration only and shall not be construed to limit the invention. Since certain revisions may be made with deviations from the scope of the present invention, it is the intent of all matter contained in the above description, or as depicted in the accompanying drawings be interpreted as illustrative and not in the literal sense. Practitioners of the art will realize the sequence of steps and embodiments as depicted in the figures can be revised without deviating from the intent of the present invention and the illustrations contained herein are singular examples of a multitude of possible depictions of the present invention.