Modified pier for modular, portable, interlocking system

Abstract

A pier for a modular, portable, interlocking decking system, the pier having a generally planar plate with a bottom surface and a top surface and a plurality of receiver blocks extending from the top surface of the plate. Each receiver block has a generally dome-shaped load-bearing surface. A plurality of piers is used in a decking system along with at least one surface pad, the surface pad having a generally planar, horizontal upper surface, and a lower portion including a plurality of block receptacles. The bottom surface of the plate of each structural pier rests upon a supporting surface, and the block receptacles of the surface pad each engage the generally dome-shaped load-bearing surface of a corresponding structural pier.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A pier for a modular, portable, interlocking decking system comprising:
 a generally planar plate having a bottom surface and a top surface; and   a plurality of receiver blocks extending from the top surface of the plate;   wherein each receiver block has a generally dome-shaped load-bearing surface.   
     
     
         2 . The pier of  claim 1 , further comprising a structural support between a first of the plurality of receiver blocks and a second of the plurality of receiver blocks, wherein the structural support links the first of the plurality of receiver blocks to the second of the plurality of receiver blocks. 
     
     
         3 . The pier of  claim 2 , wherein the structural support extends from the top surface of the plate. 
     
     
         4 . The pier of  claim 1 , further comprising a structural support extending from the top surface of the plate to one of the plurality of receiver blocks. 
     
     
         5 . The pier of  claim 1 , wherein the dome-shaped load-bearing surface includes a slot therethrough. 
     
     
         6 . The pier of  claim 1 , wherein the plate includes a thru-hole extending entirely therethrough approximately at the center thereof. 
     
     
         7 . The pier of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of receiver blocks are located proximate the outer perimeter of the plate. 
     
     
         8 . The pier of  claim 1 , comprising four receiver blocks. 
     
     
         9 . A modular, portable, interlocking decking system comprising:
 a plurality of structural piers, each structural pier including a generally planar plate having a bottom surface and a top surface;   a plurality of receiver blocks extending from the top surface of the plate of each structural pier, wherein each receiver block has a generally dome-shaped load-bearing surface;   at least one surface pad, the surface pad comprising a generally planar, horizontal upper surface, and a lower portion including a plurality of block receptacles;   wherein the bottom surface of the plate of each structural pier rests upon a supporting surface, and the block receptacles of the surface pad each engage the generally dome-shaped load-bearing surface of a corresponding structural pier.   
     
     
         10 . The decking system of  claim 9 , wherein the surface pad is rectangular in shape. 
     
     
         11 . The decking system of  claim 9 , wherein the block receptacles include a plurality of structural ribs therein, the plurality of structural ribs shaped to interface and engage with the generally dome-shaped load-bearing surface of the receiver block of the structural pier. 
     
     
         12 . The decking system of  claim 9 , further comprising a riser with a pier-engagement surface, wherein the pier-engagement surface of the riser receives one of the plurality of structural piers thereon. 
     
     
         13 . The decking system of  claim 12 , wherein the riser further comprises a lip extending from the pier-engagement surface, wherein the lip prevents the structural pier received on the riser from sliding off of the pier-engagement surface of the riser. 
     
     
         14 . The decking system of  claim 12 , wherein the riser is a first riser, and wherein the decking system further comprises a second riser, wherein the second riser receives the first riser thereon. 
     
     
         15 . The decking system of  claim 12 , wherein the riser further comprises a plurality of structural ribs therein. 
     
     
         16 . The decking system of  claim 9 , wherein the receiver blocks of the structural piers define hollow cavities on the undersides thereof, the decking system further comprising a shim with a pier-engagement surface and a stabilizer extending from the pier-engagement surface, wherein the pier-engagement surface of the shim receives one of the plurality of structural piers thereon, and wherein the stabilizer of the shim is received in the hollow cavity of the receiver blocks. 
     
     
         17 . The decking system of  claim 16 , wherein the shim is a first shim, and wherein the decking system further comprises a second shim having a stabilizer thereon, wherein the stabilizer of the first shim defines a hollow cavity on the underside thereof, and wherein the second shim receives the first shim thereon, the stabilizer of the second shim being received in the hollow cavity of the first shim. 
     
     
         18 . The decking system of  claim 16 , wherein the shim further comprises a plurality of structural ribs therein. 
     
     
         19 . The decking system of  claim 9 , wherein the upper surface of the surface pad further comprises a plurality of channels therein to provide drainage for the decking system. 
     
     
         20 . The decking system of  claim 9 , wherein the surface pad detachably engages with the generally dome-shaped load-bearing surface structural pier.