Architectural Pavements in Elevated Exterior Deck Applications

Abstract

A deck assembly uses plurality of joists preferably formed from metal located side by side and each having a web portion and a deck portion Integrally formed with the web portion. The deck portion extends laterally from the web portion and the joists are spaced from one another such that the deck portions from a continuous deck surface with the joists being connected to one another.

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         23 . A joist for assembly with like joists to provide a deck assembly, said joist having a web portion and a deck portion extending orthogonally from the web portion and defining a generally planar surface, said deck portion having a shelf section formed by an offset at the intersection of the web portion and deck portion to lie below the general planar surface of the deck portion, an offset at a distal edge of the deck portion to provide a tail, said offsets being relatively dimensioned such that when a tail of one joist is supported on the shelf section of an adjacent joist, the deck portions lie in a common plane. 
     
     
         24 . A joist assembly according to  claim 23  wherein ribs are formed in at least one of the web portion and deck portion and extend laterally relative to the longitudinal axis of the joist. 
     
     
         25 . A joist assembly according to  claim 24  wherein ribs are formed in each of said web portion and deck portion. 
     
     
         26 . A joist assembly according to  claim 24  wherein said ribs are recessed from said generally planar surface. 
     
     
         27 . A joist assembly according to  claim 24  wherein said ribs are part circular in cross section. 
     
     
         28 . A joist according to  claim 23  wherein said shelf section is wider than the tail to facilitate adjustment of one joist relative to another. 
     
     
         29 . A joist according to  claim 23  wherein a flange is formed at the free edge of the web portion and extends orthogonal to the web portion. 
     
     
         30 . A joist according to  claim 29  wherein said flange extends in a direction opposite to said deck portion. 
     
     
         31 . A joist according to  claim 30  wherein said flange extends in the same direction as said deck portion. 
     
     
         32 . A joist according to  claim 29  wherein said flange terminates in a return extending generally perpendicular to the flange to impart stiffness thereto. 
     
     
         33 . A deck assembly having a plurality of joists extending side by side and connected to one another, each of said joists having a web portion and a deck portion extending orthogonally from the web portion and defining a generally planar surface, said deck portion having a shelf section formed by an offset at the intersection of the web portion and deck portion to lie below the general planar surface of the deck portion, an offset at a distal edge of the deck portion to provide a tail, said joists being connected to one another by placing a tail of one joist over a shelf section of another, said offsets being relatively dimensioned such that when a tail of one joist is supported on the shelf section of an adjacent joist, the deck portions lie in a common plane. 
     
     
         34 . A deck assembly according to  claim 33  wherein ribs are formed in at least one of the web portion and deck portion and extend laterally relative to the longitudinal axis of the joist. 
     
     
         35 . A deck assembly according to  claim 34  wherein ribs are formed in each of said web portion and deck portion. 
     
     
         36 . A deck assembly according to  claim 34  wherein said ribs are recessed from said generally planar surface. 
     
     
         37 . A deck assembly according to  claim 36  wherein said ribs are part circular in cross section. 
     
     
         38 . A deck assembly according to  claim 33  wherein said shelf section is wider than the tail to facilitate adjustment of one joist relative to another. 
     
     
         39 . A deck assembly according to  claim 33  wherein a flange is formed at the free edge of the web portion and extends orthogonal to the web portion. 
     
     
         40 . A deck assembly according to  claim 33  wherein said flange extends in a direction opposite to said deck portion. 
     
     
         41 . A deck assembly according to  claim 40  wherein said flange extends in the same direction as said deck portion. 
     
     
         42 . A deck assembly according to  claim 39  wherein said flange terminates in a return extending generally perpendicular to the flange to impart stiffness thereto. 
     
     
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