Boardwalk system with tread-locating beams

Abstract

A boardwalk system including a first beam and a second beam spaced apart from the first beam. The first and second beams each include a notch formed therein. The system further includes a plurality of generally horizontally arranged treads, each tread being received in the notch of the first beam and the notch of the second beam. At least one of the first and second beams extends across a span.

1 . A boardwalk system comprising:
 a first beam;   a second beam spaced apart from said first beam, said first and second beams each including a notch formed therein; and   a plurality of generally horizontally arranged treads, each tread being received in said notch of said first beam and said notch of said second beam, wherein at least one of said first and second beams extends across a span.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1  wherein said first and second beams each extend across a span. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1  further comprising a first support supporting said first and second beams thereon, the system further comprising a second support supporting said first second beams thereon, said first and second supports being spaced apart and defining a gap therebetween which is spanned by said first and second beams. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 3  wherein each support has a notch therein which receives said first and second beams thereon. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 4  wherein a top surface of each support is generally flush with a top surface of said plurality of treads. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 4  wherein a top surface of each support is generally flush with a top surface of said first and second beams. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 3  wherein said first and second beams are generally parallel and extend generally horizontally, and wherein said treads and said first and second supports extend generally horizontally and generally perpendicular to said first and second beams. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 3  further comprising a plurality of piers supporting said supports thereon. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 1  wherein said treads, said first beam and said second beam are substantially made of concrete. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 9  wherein said first beam and said second beam are substantially made of concrete reinforced with a pre-tensioned reinforcing member. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 1  wherein each beam includes an underlying portion positioned below the associated notch and an end portion not positioned below said notch, and wherein said underlying portion and said end portion each have a length extending generally parallel to an associated tread carried thereon, and wherein said length of said underlying portion is greater than said length of said end portion. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 1  wherein each notch has a vertical height about equal to a thickness of each tread carried thereon. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 1  wherein a top surface of each beam is generally flush with, or positioned vertically above, a top surface of said plurality of treads. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 1  wherein said first and second beam each have a length of at least about ten feet. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 1  wherein at least one of said treads has a pre-formed recess, and at least one of said beams has a pre-formed recess, and wherein the system further includes a connector positioned in said recesses of said at least one tread and said at least one beam and connecting said at least one tread to said at least one beam, wherein said connector limits the movement of said at least one tread upwardly away from said at least one beam. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 15  wherein said connector includes a central stem and a pair of opposed protrusions, each protrusion being positioned at or adjacent an end of said central stem, and wherein said recess of said at least one tread receives one protrusion therein and said recess of said at least one beam receives the other protrusion therein. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 1  wherein said first and second beams each include a lip defining the associated notch, and wherein said lips are spaced apart a distance slightly greater than a length of the associated treads received therein to closely receive said associated treads therein. 
     
     
         18 . A boardwalk system comprising:
 a first beam;   a second beam spaced apart from said first beam, said first and second beams each including a notch formed therein;   a plurality of generally horizontally arranged treads, each tread being received in said notch of said first beam and said notch of said second beam;   a first support supporting said first and second beam thereon; and   a second support supporting said first second beams thereon, wherein said first and second supports extend generally parallel to said treads.   
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 18  wherein said first and second supports are spaced apart and define a gap therebetween which is spanned by said first and second beams. 
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 18  wherein said first and second beams are spaced apart and define a gap therebetween which is spanned by said plurality of treads. 
     
     
         21 . The system of  claim 18  wherein each support has a notch which receives said first and second beams therein. 
     
     
         22 . The system of  claim 18  wherein a top surface of each support is generally flush with a top surface of said plurality of treads. 
     
     
         23 . The system of  claim 18  wherein said plurality of treads, said first beam, said second beam, said first support and said second support are each substantially made of concrete. 
     
     
         24 . A boardwalk system comprising:
 a plurality of generally horizontally arranged treads;   a beam positioned at or adjacent to one end of at least one of said plurality of treads and extending generally perpendicular to at least one tread, said beam including a generally vertically extending lip positioned adjacent to the associated end of said at least one tread; and   at least two supports supporting said beam thereon, each support being spaced apart with a gap therebetween, wherein said beam spans said at least one gap.   
     
     
         25 . A method for assembling a boardwalk system comprising:
 accessing a first beam and a second beam, wherein said first and second beams each include a notch formed therein;   positioning said first and second beams such that they are spaced apart and each extend across a span; and   positioning a tread in said notch of said first beam and said notch of said second beam such that said tread is closely received in said notches to limit movement of said treads in a longitudinal direction thereof.