Patent ID: 8266849

Claim:
A modular surface platform panel for a deck, floor, wall, ceiling, or roof, the modular surface platform panel comprising: a decorative top layer; a structural platform that supports at least most of the decorative top layer; the structural platform having two opposite joist-spanning sides and opposite first and second joist-subframe connecting sides, wherein: the first joist-subframe connecting side includes snap-fit receptacles near opposite ends of the first joist-subframe connecting side; the first joist-subframe connecting side further includes, in between the snap-fit receptacles, one or more members, integral with the structural platform, that protrude beyond the decorative top layer; one or more fastener guides are provided in the one or more protruding members for fastening the panel to a joist of a supporting joist subframe; the second joist-subframe connecting side includes snap fit connectors near opposite ends of the second joist-subframe connecting side, the snap fit connectors being configured to interlock the platform panel with the snap-fit receptacles of the first joist-subframe connecting side of a like platform panel; and in between the snap fit connectors, the second joist-subframe connecting side includes one or more complementary recesses that are configured to receive, and conceal underneath the decorative top layer, the one or more protruding members of the first joist-subframe connecting side of the like platform panel.