Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02948970 2016-11-18
TITLE
Anchor for Securing a Post to Deck Elements, and a Deck
Assembly Therewith
FIELD
[0001] The present disclosure relates to elevated constructions such as
decks, patios and the like. More specifically, the present disclosure relates
to
anchors for securing a post to deck elements.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Kits for the assembly of a patio, deck or the like are well-
known.
Parts of such kits can be selected and assembled in different ways by non-
professionals to yield a patio or deck having a personalized configuration.
[0003] Some of these kits include posts and/or joists that are pre-cut
in
such a way as to allow their interconnection without any anchors therebetween.
More generally, angle irons are used to secure such deck or patio elements.
[0004] No anchor element is presently known that allows both easy
relative positioning and assembly of a post to deck elements.
SUMMARY
[0005] According to an illustrative embodiment, there is provided an
anchor for securing a post to deck elements ost comprising:
[0006] a body having first and second opposite sides;
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[0007] the first side of the body having an opening for receiving the
post
along a first axis in a snugly-fit manner; and
[0008] the second side of the body having:
[0009] at least one surface oriented generally perpendicular to the
first
axis for securing the deck elements thereon, and
[0010] positioning guide members adjacent the at least one surface so
as to define therewith areas for receiving and relative positioning of the
deck
elements.
[0011] According to another illustrative embodiment, there is provided
a deck assembly comprising:
[0012] a frame structure including ledgers, and joists secured to the
ledgers;
[0013] each of the ledgers and joists having at least one longitudinal
side provided with a shoulder portion;
[0014] the ledgers and joists being assembled so as to define tile-
receiving portions therebetween, and
[0015] a plurality of tiles mounted to the frame structure, each within
a
respective tile-receiving portion so as to be supported by the shoulder
portion;
[0016] a plurality of posts that support the frame structure and that
are
mounted thereto via anchors;
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[0017] each of the anchors being defined by a body having first and
second opposite sides;
[0018] the first side of the body having an opening for receiving one
of
the plurality of posts along a first axis in a snugly-fit manner; and
[0019] at least one surface oriented generally perpendicular to the
first
axis for securing selected ones of the ledgers and joists thereon, and
[0020] positioning guide members adjacent the at least one surface so
as to define therewith areas for receiving and relative positioning of at
least two od
the ledgers and joists.
[0021] According to still another illustrative embodiment, there is
provided a kit for assembling a deck, the kit comprising:
[0022] a plurality of frame elements to be assembled into a frame
structure;
[0023] a plurality of tiles to be mounted to the frame structure to
yield a
deck platform;
[0024] a plurality of posts to support the deck platform; and
[0025] a plurality of anchors, each defined by a body having first and
second opposite sides;
[0026] the first side of the body having an opening for receiving one
of
the plurality of posts along a first axis in a snugly-fit manner; and
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[0027] the second side of the body having at least one surface, each
oriented generally perpendicular to the first axis for securing at least two
of the
frame elements thereon.
[0028] The expression "deck element" should be construed in the
description and in the claims so as to include ledgers, joists, interjoists,
joist
spacers and any frame or support components of a deck patio and the like.
[0029] Other objects, advantages and features of the anchor for
securing a post to deck elements will become more apparent upon reading the
following non-restrictive description of preferred embodiments thereof, given
by
way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0030] In the appended drawings:
[0031] Figures 1A and 1B are respectively top and bottom perspectives
of a rectangular deck according to a first illustrative embodiment;
[0032] Figure 2 is a bottom perspective of an irregularly-shaped deck
assembled using a plurality of rectangular and triangular-shaped deck section;
[0033] Figures 3A and 3B are respectively an exploded perspective and
a cross-section of the tiles and frame structure of the deck from Figure 1A;
[0034] Figure 3C is a cross-section taken along line 3B-3B in Figure
3A;
[0035] Figure 4A is a top exploded perspective of a tile from the deck
of
Figure 1A;
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[0036] Figure 4B is a perspective of the tile from Figure 4A, showing
the
underside thereof;
[0037] Figure 4C is an exploded perspective view of a second
illustrative embodiment a tile;
[0038] Figure 5A is a bottom perspective showing one of the triangular-
shaped deck section from Figure 2;
[0039] Figure 5B is a top perspective partly exploded view of the
triangular-shaped deck section from Figure 5A;
[0040] Figures 6A-6C are respectively top plan, bottom plan and
exploded perspective views of a triangular-shaped tile of the triangular-
shaped
deck section of Figure 5A;
[0041] Figure 7 is an exploded perspective of the deck platform from
the deck section shown in Figure 5A;
[0042] Figures 8A to 16B are bottom and top perspectives of different
illustrative embodiments of anchors for securing a post to joist members in a
deck
assembly;
[0043] Figures 17A-17B are respectively an exploded perspective and
a perspective of a structural piers for a post of the deck from Figure 1
according to
a first illustrative embodiment; and
[0044] Figure 18 is an exploded perspective of a structural piers
according to a second illustrative embodiment.
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DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0045] In the following description, similar features in the drawings
have
been given similar reference numerals, and in order not to weigh down the
figures,
some elements are not referred to in some figures if they were already
identified
in a precedent figure.
[0046] The use of the word "a" or "an" when used in conjunction with
the term "comprising" in the claims and/or the specification may mean "one",
but it
is also consistent with the meaning of "one or more", "at least one", and "one
or
more than one". Similarly, the word "another" may mean at least a second or
more.
[0047] As used in this specification and claim(s), the words
"comprising"
(and any form of comprising, such as "comprise" and "comprises"), "having"
(and
any form of having, such as "have" and "has"), "including" (and any form of
including, such as "include" and "includes") or "containing" (and any form of
containing, such as "contain" and "contains"), are inclusive or open-ended and
do
not exclude additional, unrecited elements.
[0048] With reference to Figures 1A-1B, a deck 10 assembled from a
modular kit according to a first illustrative embodiment will now be
described.
According to this first embodiment, the assembled deck 10 includes a single
rectangular section. However, as can be seen for example in Figures 2 and 5A-
5B, the kit allows assembling a deck including a plurality of rectangular or
triangular- shaped sections.
[0049] Returning to Figures 1A-1B, the deck 10 includes a plurality of
rectangular tiles 12 mounted to a frame structure 14. The rectangular frame
structure 14 is supported and distanced from the ground by a plurality of
posts 16,
which are mounted onto adjustable structural piers 18 and secured to the frame
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structure 14 via anchors 20. As can be seen in Figures 1A-1B, the posts 16 can
be of different lengths.
[0050] The kit includes various elements allowing to assemble the
tiles 12, the frame structure 14 and an appropriate number of posts 16,
structural
piers 18 and anchors 20 allowing to assemble the deck 10.
[0051] Each of these elements and pieces of the kit will now be
described in more detail.
[0052] Figure 3A shows parts of the kit allowing to assemble the tiles
12
and frame structure 14 of the deck from Figure 1A, yielding a rectangular-
shaped
deck platform 13. Together the frame structure 14 and tiles 12 define a deck
section 15 (see also Figure 3B). According to some embodiments, a different
kit is
provided for each platform of a given shape and size and the posts 16.
Structural
piers 18 and anchors 20 can be provided separately.
[0053] According to another embodiment (not shown), the deck 10 is
mounted onto structural piers that are not adjustable. According to a further
embodiment, the structural piers are omitted.
[0054] The frame structure 14 includes four (4) ledgers 22, two
joists 24, a series of interjoists 26 and a joist spacer 28. The ledgers 22,
joists 24,
interjoists 26 and spacer 28 are made of wood. According to another
embodiment,
the pieces 22-28 are made of a polymeric or hybrid material.
[0055] The longitudinal ends 30 of the peripheral ledgers 22 are cut at
angles such that the four ledgers 22 define a rectangle when they are abutted.
Each ledger 22 includes a shoulder portion 32 having two rectangular grooves
34
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on the inner lateral side thereof. The grooves 34 are generally equally
distanced
from each other and from the longitudinal ends 36.
[0056] The longitudinal ends 36 of the joists 24 define tongue portions
that are shaped for mating with the grooves 34. The interjoists 24 further
include a
longitudinal shoulder 38 on both lateral sides thereof that are similar to the
shoulder portion 32 of the peripheral ledgers 22. Also, similarly to the
ledgers 22,
each joist 24 includes two rectangular grooves 40. However, as a difference
with
the grooves 34, pair of registered grooves 40 are provided on both lateral
side of
the beams 24.
[0057] The interjoists 26 have an inverted T-shaped cross-section
defining longitudinal shoulders 42 on both lateral side. The width at the base
of the
interjoists 26 is such that their longitudinal ends 44 can be received in a
pair of
aligned grooves 40 of two adjacent joists 24 and in a pair of grooves 34 and
40 of
a parallel pair of a ledgers 22 and joists 24 respectively.
[0058] A spacer block 28 is further added between the pair of joists 24
to add rigidity to the frame structure 14. The spacer block 28 is secured to
both
interjoists 24 therebetween using fasteners.
[0059] As illustrated in Figure 3C, the shoulder portions 32, 38 and 42
defines a five (5) degrees angle with the longitudinal top side of the
corresponding
deck element. Such an angle allows the draining of any water that can found
its
way on the shoulder portion while still resulting in a good support for the
tiles 12
laid thereon.
[0060] According to another embodiment (not shown), the angle is
different than five degrees.
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[0061] The above-described elements of the frame structure 14 are
assembled using fasteners 46 and/or nails 48. Other fastening means, such as
brackets or adhesive (not shown) can also be used.
[0062] Once assembled, the frame structure 14 defines a plurality of
tile-receiving rectangular interspaces, wherein the shoulder portions 32, 38
and/or
42 together define a rectangular inner flange to receive and support the tiles
12.
[0063] As shown in Figure 2, frame elements 22-28 can be assembled
in many ways to define decks of various sizes and configurations. A given deck
configuration can be assembled using one or a plurality of kits including each
a
pre-determined set of elements 22-28. Such kits can be supplemented by
individual element 22-28 or a group thereof.
[0064] For example, the deck of Figure 2 is assembled using four (4)
kits to assemble a rectangular deck platform 15 and five (5) kits for a
triangular
deck platform 49. Figures 5A-5B show a triangular-shaped deck section 49.
[0065] Also, the longitudinal ends of the elements 22-28 are not
limited
to being cut at a specific angle, and different elements provided with
different cuts
and or shape at their longitudinal ends can be provided. The configuration and
size
of the grooves 34 and 40 and shoulder portions 32 and 38 can also be different
than those illustrated.
[0066] According to the first illustrative embodiment, the frame
elements 22-28 are provided with factory-made fastener-receiving holes 50
and 51. According to another embodiment, the frame elements 22-28 do not
include such holes, but include guiding marks (not shown) to help a user
correctly
positioned the fasteners. According to still another embodiment, some or all
of the
frame elements 22-28 are free of holes or guiding marks.
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[0067] Turning now to Figures 4A and 4B, a rectangular tile 12 will
now
be described in more detail.
[0068] The tile 12 include a rectangular frame 52 and a plurality of
rectangular pieces of wood 54 secured to the frame 52 side by side in a
parallel
relationship.
[0069] The frame 52 is made for example of a polymeric or metallic
material and includes distanced ridges 56 on two parallel sides of the frame
52.
The ridges 56 are parallel to the two other sides of the frame and each is
aligned
with a corresponding ridge 56 on the opposite side of the frame 52. The ridges
56
defines wood pieces receiving portions 58 therebetween and help in positioning
and aligning the pieces of wood 54 on the frame 52. According to another
embodiment (not shown), the frame 52 is free of such ridges 56.
[0070] The frame includes fastener-receiving holes 60 to secure the
pieces 54 on the frame 52 and other holes 62 for securing the tiles 12 to the
structure 14.
[0071] The tiles 12 are also not limited to being made of wood or to
having the structure shown in Figures 4A-4B.
[0072] The tiles may also be made of a polymeric material, concrete,
metal, or any combination thereof.
[0073] Figure 40 shows a ceramic tile 106 that can be mounted to the
same frame structure 14 than the tiles 12.
[0074] The tile 106 includes a frame 52, a similarly sized wood
board 108 secured to the frame 52 using fasteners and a ceramic tile 110, also
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similarly sized to the frame 52, that is secured to the board 108 using for
example
cement glue 113.
[0075] As can be seen in Figures 6A-6C, which shows a tile 64 that is
similar to the tile 12 but that is triangular-shaped, there is no limit in the
overall
shape of the tiles.
[0076] With reference to Figure 7, a combination of rectangular and
triangular-shaped tiles 12 and 64 is used to assemble the platform 66 of the
triangular-shaped deck section 49 of Figures 5A-5B.
[0077] The triangular-shaped platform 66 is further assembled with
elements similar to the elements 22-28 of a rectangular-shaped platform 13 of
Figure 3A. Differences between the two platforms 13 and 66 include the number,
length and/or cut angle of the ledgers, joists, interjoists and spacer.
[0078] As shown in Figures 5A and 5B, the triangular-shaped deck
section 49 results from securing posts 16 to the triangular-shaped deck
platform
66 using anchors 20 and 112.
[0079] With reference to Figure 8A and 8B, the anchor 20, which is
adapted to interconnect and secure to a post 16 two deck elements 14 will now
be
described in more detail. More specifically, the anchor 20 is configured for
relative
. positioning of two ledgers 14 or other pieces of lumber at a ninety (90)
degrees
angle.
[0080] As will become more apparent upon reading the following
description, different anchors are provided for relative positioning of two or
more
deck elements at different angle.
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[0081] The anchor 20 is a one-piece plastic body, resulting for example
from moulding, including a generally rectangular plate 67 defining opposite
post-
receiving side 68 and ledger-receiving side 70. The plate 67 is rectangular
with
rounder corner.
[0082] The post-receiving side 68 includes a rectangular wall 72 that
protrudes perpendicular from the plate 67. The wall 72 is sized for receiving
in a
snuggly-fit manner a rectangular post 16 along a first axis 73. The side 70
further
includes wall-reinforcing elements 74 extending from the wall 72.
[0083] The plate 67 defines a generally flat surface on the ledger-
receiving side 70 that extends generally perpendicularly to the axis 73.
[0084] The ledger-receiving side 70 includes an L-shaped wall 76 that
defines positioning guides for the two ledgers 22.
[0085] More specifically, each ledger 22 is positioned so as to lean
against a respective leg of the L-shaped wall 76 between the wall 76 and a
respective side edge 78, 80 of the anchor 20. The ledger 22 that is positioned
between the wall 76 and the edge 78 has one of its longitudinal end registered
with
the edge 80, and the other ledger 22 has one of its longitudinal edge abutted
onto
the lateral side edge the first ledger 22.
[0086] The anchor 20 includes first fastener-receiving holes 81 for
securing the ledger 22 thereto and s second fastener-receiving hole 84 for
securing
the post 16.
[0087] A person-skilled in the art will now appreciate that the anchor
20
is configured and sized to mount and secure a post 16 to the frame structure
14
underside thereof. More specifically, the anchor 20 is adapted to secure a
post 16
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to a portion of the structure 14 where two or more beams thereof interconnect
at
specific angle.
[0088] According to another embodiment, other positioning guide
members than walls can be provided on the deck element-receiving side so as to
define therewith areas for receiving and relative positioning of the deck
elements.
Such other positioning guide may include, without limitations, grooves,
markings
and protrusions.
[0089] While the anchor 20 is adapted for its mounting to two beams
abutted perpendicularly, a kit according to an illustrative embodiment may
include
other anchors 82, 88, 109, 112-120 that are adapted to be secured to a
different
number of beams and/or beams defining different angles therebetween.
[0090] Also, the anchors 20 are adapted to receive and interconnect
beams and/or posts of specific sizes and shapes. Differently configured and
sized
anchors 20 can be provided to receive and interconnect beams and/or posts of
different configurations and/or sizes.
[0091] Examples of other anchors will now be described with reference
to Figures 9A to 16C. Since these anchors are similar to the anchor 20, only
the
differences therewith will be described herein in more detail for concision
purposes.
[0092] The anchor 82 shown in Figures 9A-9B is configured to receive
four pairs of side by side ledgers 22, joists 24 or more generally beams, that
intersects and are abutted so as to yield a cross configuration (see on Figure
2).
For that purpose, the beam-receiving side 84 is provided with four L-shaped
walls 76 near the corner thereof that defines a generally cross-shaped area in
the
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middle to receiving the pieces of lumber 22 therein. Also, the rectangular
wall 72
on the post-receiving side 88 is centered on the plate 67.
[0093] The anchor 88 of Figures 10A-10B is configured to join a
rectangular-shaped platform 49 and a rectangular-shaped platform 12 via
respective corners thereof (see Figure 2).
[0094] The anchor 88 is similar to the anchor 20 of Figures 6A-6B
with,
as a first difference, an additional length to accommodate a triangular shaped
wall 90 in addition to the L-shaped wall 76. The gap 92 therebetween defines a
track that allows receiving two side by side ledgers 22 in a snugly-fit manner
(see
on Figure 2). Both intersections 94 and 96 of the walls 98-100 and 102-104
that
defines the L-shaped and V-shaped walls 76 and 90 are aligned to define a
further
positioning guide for the longitudinal ends of the ledgers 22. The edge 105 of
the
anchor 88, which is parallel to the axis defined by the intersections 94 and
96 acts
as a further positioning guide for the intersecting beveled ends of two other
ledgers
22 that are positioned along the unparalleled walls 98 and 104. The plate 107
has
a truncated corner 111 that conforms to the peripheral configuration of the
resulting
deck (see Figure 2).
[0095] Figures 11A-11B shows an anchor 109 that is symmetrical to the
anchor 88.
[0096] Figures 12A-16B shows anchors 112-120 according to other
illustrative embodiments.
[0097] Generally stated, these anchors 112-120 includes one or more
L and/or V-shaped walls 76, 90 that define abutting guide surfaces thereon
and/or
therebetween for ledgers, joists and more generally deck-elements. The angle
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defined by the V-shaped walls contributes to defining the relative angle
between
two deck elements.
[0098] The number, configuration and relative positions of the
positioning guide members on the deck-element-receiving side may vary, and so
is the general configuration of the anchor. For example, the plate can be
omitted.
[0099] A person skilled in the art will appreciate that the anchors 20
are
not limited to the assembly of decks, patios or the likes and can be used to
interconnect beams, posts, etc. from other constructions.
[00100] With reference to Figures 17A-17B, an adjustable structural
pier 18 will now be described. The structural piers 18 includes a support
receptacle 122 to rest on the ground, a swivel adjustable plate 124 for
receiving a
post 16, and a coupler block 126 for mounting the plate 124 to the receptacle
122.
[00101] The receptacle 122 is a one-piece plastic body including a
generally rectangular plate 128 and four (4) L-shaped walls 130 that extend
from
the plate 128 to define a rectangular enclosure. The receptacle 122 further
includes wall-reinforcing elements 132 that extend from both the plate 128 and
walls 130 therebetween.
[00102] The coupler block 126 is a one-piece plastic body that includes
a generally rectangular section 134 that is configured and sized to be
complementary received within the walls 130 of the receptacle 122, and an
enlarged portion 136 that is configured to rest on the edge of the walls 130
when
the block 126 is inserted into the enclosure defined thereby.
[00103] The swivel adjustable plate 124 includes a thin box 138 that is
shaped for complementary receiving the longitudinal end of a post 16. A
threaded
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rod 140 has one of its end fixedly secured to the underside of the box. The
top
portion of the coupler block 126 includes an aperture 144 to receive the rod
140.
A person skilled in the art will now appreciate that the distance between the
box
138 and block 126 can be adjusted by varying the position of a nut 146 along
the
rod 140. The foot 18 thereby allows to readily adjusting the height of a post
16, for
example when the deck 10 is mounted on an uneven ground.
[00104] The adjustable structural pier 18 is of course not limited to
the
above-described embodiment. For example, the enclosure defined by the
walls 130 and the coupler block 126 can have other shape than rectangle. Also,
other elements than a box 138 can be used to receive the post 16. The block
126
and receptacle 122 can also be integral or the block 126 can be omitted.
[00105] In some application, the receptacle 122 can be used to directly
receive a post 16.
[00106] Figure 18 shows an adjustable structural pier 150 according to a
further illustrative embodiment. The pier 150 is adapted to securing a post 16
to a
cylindrical concrete pier 152. Since the pier 150 is similar to the pier 18,
only the
differences therebetween will be described herein in more detail for concision
purposes.
[00107] The plate 124 from the pier 18 is replaced by a U-shaped
bracket 154. The receptacle 159 is defined by a rectangular wall 156 that
extends
upwardly from a rounded plate 158. A concrete nail 160 or other fasteners can
be
used to secure the plate 158 to a concrete pier 152. Finally, the coupler
block 162
is a one-piece plastic body that includes a first rectangular section 164 that
is
configured and sized to be complementary received within the wall 156, a
second
rectangular section 166 that includes a rod-receiving aperture 168 and an
enlarged
portion 170 between the sections 154 and 166 that is configured to rest on the
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edge of the walls 156 when the block 162 is inserted into the enclosure
defined
thereby.
[00108] Returning briefly to Figures 1A and 1B, reinforcing metal or
polymeric rods 172 can be further used between the posts 16 and peripheral
beams 22 of the structure 14 therebetween to add rigidity to the resulting
deck 10.
[00109] Also, as can be used with reference to Figure 1A, the posts 16
are not limited to being of the same length or they can be cut on site so as
to be
adapted thereto.
[00110] A deck, patio or the likes made from a kit as described
hereinabove is not limited to being made of any particular material. Also, the
kit
may include a different quantity of elements described hereinabove. As
mentioned
hereinabove, the kit may include elements to assemble a frame structure of
given
size and configuration, and other elements of a deck, such as posts, tiles,
etc. may
be provided separately.
[00111] Although an anchor for securing deck elements to a post, and a
deck assembly therewith have been described hereinabove by way of illustrative
embodiments thereof, they can be modified. It is therefore to be understood
that
numerous modifications may be made to the illustrative embodiments and that
the
scope of the claims should not be limited by the preferred embodiment, but
should
be given the broadest interpretation consistent with the description as a
whole.
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