Wooden decks

Abstract

A wooden deck is formed by a structural sandwich plate member with a wooden layer applied to one surface.

1 . A deck member comprising: 
 a structural sandwich plate member comprising first and second plates and a core of plastics or polymer material bonded to said first and second plates with sufficient strength to transfer shear forces therebetween; and    a layer of wood attached to an outer face of said first plate.    
   
   
       2 . A deck member according to  claim 1  wherein said layer of wood comprises a plurality of wooden planks laid side by side.  
   
   
       3 . A deck member according to  claim 2  wherein said layer of wood includes contrasting strips.  
   
   
       4 . A deck member according to  claim 1  wherein said core comprises a low density filler.  
   
   
       5 . A deck member according to  claim 4  wherein said low density filler forms a proportion by volume of said core in the range of from 30 to 70%, preferably 40 to 60%, most preferably 45 to 55%.  
   
   
       6 . A deck member according to  claim 4  wherein said filler is selected from the group comprising coconut husk, cardboard and string.  
   
   
       7 . A deck member according to  claim 1  wherein said core comprises a compact elastomer, e.g. polyurethane.  
   
   
       8 . A deck member according to  claim 1  wherein said core comprises a plurality of lightweight forms or inserts.  
   
   
       9 . A deck member according to  claim 8  wherein said forms do not tesselate in a plane parallel to said first and second plates and have principal dimensions in the range of from 20 to 200% of the distance between said first and second layers  
   
   
       10 . A deck member according to  claim 8  wherein said lightweight forms are hollow.  
   
   
       11 . A deck member according to any  claim 8  wherein said forms are spherical.  
   
   
       12 . A deck member according to  claim 1  wherein said core has a thickness greater than or equal to 20 mm.  
   
   
       13 . A deck member according to  claim 1  wherein either or both of said first and second plates is(are) made of metal, preferably steel, stainless steel or aluminum.  
   
   
       14 . A deck member according to  claim 1  wherein said first and second plates have a thickness greater than or equal to 0.5 mm.  
   
   
       15 . A deck member according to  claim 1  wherein said second plate comprises part of an vessel or structure.  
   
   
       16 . A deck member according to  claim 1  wherein said wooden layer is adhered to said first plate.  
   
   
       17 . A method of manufacturing a deck member comprising: 
 forming a structural sandwich plate member comprising first and second plates and a core bonded to said first and second plates with sufficient strength to transfer shear forces therebetween; and    fixing a wooden layer to said first plate.    
   
   
       18 . A method according to  claim 17  wherein said second plate comprises a part of a pre-existing structure.  
   
   
       19 . A method according to  claim 18  wherein said step of forming a structural sandwich plate member comprises: 
 applying a layer of uncured core material to said second plate;    placing said first plate on top of said uncured core material; and    allowing or causing said core material to cure.    
   
   
       20 . A method according to  claim 19  wherein said first plate has a plurality of apertures extending therethrough to allow the escape of air.  
   
   
       21 . A method according to  claim 17  wherein said core comprises a low density filler.  
   
   
       22 . A method according to  claim 21  wherein said low density filler forms a proportion by volume of said core in the range of from 30 to 70%, preferably 40 to 60%, most preferably 45 to 55%.  
   
   
       23 . A method according to  claim 21  wherein said filler is selected from the group comprising coconut husk, cardboard and string.  
   
   
       24 . A method according to  claim 17  wherein said core comprises a compact elastomer, e.g. polyurethane.  
   
   
       25 . A vessel or structure including a deck member comprising: 
 a structural sandwich plate member comprising first and second plates and a core of plastics or polymer material bonded to said first and second plates with sufficient strength to transfer shear forces therebetween; and    a layer of wood attached to an outer face of said first plate.