GB2385820A

GB2385820A - A decking system

Info

Publication number: GB2385820A
Application number: GB0200129A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Derek Whitaker
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2002-01-04
Filing date: 2002-01-04
Publication date: 2003-09-03
Also published as: GB0200129D0

Abstract

This decking system provides for a deck surface similar to the deck of a yacht, but not making use of wood but synthetic materials applied in a particular way. The caulking, in the form of strips of suitable cross section is applied first to recipient surface or alternatively into a mould.The planking material is applied in a non solid form either by spraying,pouring, or spreading to set later to form a more solid 'planking'between the narrower caulking lines.An example of the material to be applied would be epoxy. Texture or wood grain effects can be achieved with the later use of tools or abrasives or be produced directly from a mould.

Description

DECKING SYSTEM This invention relates to a decking system.

Decking systems are already in use worldwide particularly on boats and ships as well as patios and in other domestic applications. Some systems make use of a narrow joining strip between wider planking of wood e. g. teak decks on yachts.

These decks are usually made by cutting and shaping lengths of wood, glueing them into position and then applying a caulking compound in paste or liquid form between them.

The existing systems make use of precious tropical hardwoods, are heavy and require regular use of cleaning and conditioning chemicals. They also require extensive skilled labour to produce.

According to the present invention wood is not necessary. The narrow caulking is applied before the material which becomes the planking. The caulking is in the form of a semi rigid extrusion in any length as required, and in any suitable cross sectional shape. The caulking is positioned onto a prepared surface in the required format or pattern or alternatively positioned into grooves.

The planking is formed from applying a liquid or paste by spraying or other method which later hardens between the caulking strips. The assembled surface is later sanded flat as required sometimes using various abrading or scouring techniques to produce the desired effect, which might be that of wood. Differing shades and graining of individual planks is easily achieved. Glass cloth or other strengthening materials in sheet form may be used in conjunction with the system. The system can be used as an external application or applied to a'mould' as a first stage before applying modem laminating with resins for example. The 'deck'would be removed from the mould with the planked surface already incorporated requiring cosmetic finishing (sanding etc.).

A specific embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawing in which :- Fig 1 shows a birds eye view of an example of decking.

Fig 2 shows in perspective some caulking strips in place.

Fig 3 shows the planking material being applied.

Fig 4 shows laminates being applied with the system applied to a mould.

Fig 5 shows examples of finishing techniques for effect.

Referring to the drawing fig 1 shows a birds eye view of a section of decking with planking 1 and caulking 2. The planking can be straight or curved and have much detail around deck fittings.

In Fig 2 an example of a method of using the present invention is shown where caulking strips 2 are positioned as required sometimes using a strengthening medium such as glass cloth 3 onto a recipient surface 4.

The caulking strips can be tacked or glued into place if required before the liquid or paste, epoxy for example 5 is applied with a choice of many methods some of which are shown in Fig 3. A spray gun 6, pouring 7 and spreading 8. The planking medium is applied normally to provide for the minimum amount of sanding after setting to obtain a flat surface. Examples of some of the methods used to obtain the desired surface finish are shown in Fig 5. A scraper is shown 10 drawn along the plank in direction 11. A beltsander 12 is also shown.

For application of the system into a mould Fig 4 shows a mould surface 7 (usually waxed), the caulking strips applied into position (sometimes into pre-cut grooves), the planking material applied followed by layers of glass fibre 8 and resin 9 to build up the basic structure. After curing the mould would be removed and the decking which is now an integral part of the structure would be treated for effect using for example one or more of the methods shown in Fig 5.

Caulking strips can be transported to the recipient surface already parallel to each other in sectional areas held in position with a backing material, tape or webbing or glass cloth being examples. Whole deck areas can be pre-made sometimes in sections to be transferred to a recipient surface and then fixed down.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. A decking system comprising strips of"caulking"applied initially with the main, or wider planking being applied as a non solid material this later becomes harder (it sets).
2. A decking system as claimed in 1. where in caulking strips are laid or fixed to an existing deck, or surface being a part of the subject which is receiving the system.
3. A decking system as claimed in l. or 2. where the procedure is applied into a mould prior to laminating to produce a structure which will have the deck already integral when removed from mould.
4. A decking system as claimed in 1,2, or 3. where a textured or grain effect is produced. By using tools or abrasives.
5. A decking system as claimed in 1,2, or 3. where a textured or grain effect is produced from preparation in a mould.
6. A decking system as claimed in 1,2, 3,4 or 5. where use of recesses in a mould is used to locate the caulking strips.