Patent ID: 7500336

Claim:
A deck panel adapted to be secured on a supporting frame structure to create a deck surface, said deck panel comprising: a thermoplastic material impregnated with a fibrous stranded material that form said deck panel and provide a predetermined load carrying capacity; a top surface and four lateral sides extending downward from said top surface, said top surface defining a grid having a plurality of openings; a plurality of supporting ribs that extend parallel to each other from one of said four lateral sides to an opposite one of said four lateral sides, said supporting ribs adapted to distribute loads placed upon said top surface and transfer said loads to the supporting frame structure, each of said supporting ribs having a head portion with an upper surface and a lower surface and a leg portion, said upper surface of each said head portion adapted to form longitudinal portions of said grid pattern of said top surface of said deck panel, said leg portion extending downward from said lower surface of said head portion, said head portion and leg cooperating to define a solid T-shape when viewed in cross-section so as to provide additional strength to said plurality of supporting ribs; a plurality of molded webs that extend between said head portions of said parallel supporting ribs to join each of said head portions of said supporting ribs; and a plurality of tabs extending outward from said lateral sides adapted to interlock with a corresponding plurality of tabs extending from a like deck panel so that a plurality of said deck panels may be juxtaposed in abutting relationship to form said deck surface.