Cover, a board assembly and a method for protecting a board

Abstract

A cover, a board assembly and a method for protecting a board are provided. In an embodiment, one or more boards are adjacent lengthwise, as in a floor of a deck or wall. A top portion of each of the boards is trimmed proximate to lengthwise edges. In an alternate embodiment, the boards are trimmed prior to assembly of the deck to create a groove along each of the edges. A cover, constructed from a wood/plastic composite, is placed on each of the boards. The cover extends across each of the boards' top surface and into the grooves created by trimming of the board. The cover may be secured to the board via an adhesive and/or a fastener and limits direct contact between the board and, for example, ultra-violet rays and/or precipitation. Accordingly, a deck utilizing one or more covers may be used for a prolonged period of time.

1 . A cover comprising: 
 a substantially planar body having a top surface and a bottom surface wherein the body is constructed from a wood and plastic composition wherein the wood composition is in a range from about 25-75% and the plastic composition is in a range from about 25-75%; and    one or more members extending orthogonally from the bottom surface.    
   
   
       2 . The cover of  claim 1  wherein at least one of the ends forms an apex which extends from the bottom surface.  
   
   
       3 . The cover of  claim 1  wherein a wood particle size is in a range from 20 microns to 0.375 inches.  
   
   
       4 . The cover of  claim 1  wherein each of the members have a height in a range from 3/32 inch to 1 inch.  
   
   
       5 . The cover of  claim 1  wherein a ratio of wood to plastic with respect to composition is about 1:1.  
   
   
       6 . The cover of  claim 1  wherein the first end is rounded.  
   
   
       7 . A board assembly comprising: 
 a board having a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface, the board further having edges on opposing sides wherein the edges define a height between the first surface and the second surface;    a sheet on the first surface of the board wherein the sheet extends along at least one of the edges and wherein the sheet is constructed from a wood and plastic composition wherein a particle size for the wood is in a range from 20 microns to 0.375 inches and further wherein a space exists between the sheet and the first surface of the board; and    an adhesive securing the sheet to the board.    
   
   
       8 . The board assembly of  claim 7  wherein the board is an engineered lumber product.  
   
   
       9 . The board assembly of  claim 7  wherein the sheet has one or more members wherein each of the members extends from the sheet in a non-parallel direction between the sheet and the first surface.  
   
   
       10 . The board assembly of  claim 7  wherein the wood composition is in a range from 25-75% and the plastic composition is in a range from 25-75%.  
   
   
       11 . The board assembly of  claim 7  wherein the plastic is a thermoplastic.  
   
   
       12 . The board assembly of  claim 7  wherein a composition ratio between the wood and the plastic is 1:1.  
   
   
       13 . The board assembly of  claim 7  wherein ends of the sheet are rounded.  
   
   
       14 . A method for protecting a board, the method comprising the steps of: 
 providing a board; and    placing a cover on a top surface of the board wherein the cover has a substantially planar body having a width which extends to edges of the board wherein the cover is constructed from a wood and plastic composition and wherein the cover has one or more members extending from a bottom surface of the cover to the top surface of the board thereby creating a space between the cover and the board.    
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 14  wherein the wood composition is in a range from 25-75% and the plastic composition is in a range from 25-75%.