Deck frame with integral attachment tabs

Abstract

A deck frame includes at least one perimeter support member that has a joist support wall, and a web wall extending perpendicularly from the joist support wall. A plurality of first attachment tabs extend from the web wall and are disposed spaced apart along the length of the at least one perimeter support member. A plurality of second attachment tabs extend from the web wall and are disposed spaced apart along the length of the at least one perimeter support member. Each one of a plurality of joists has a first lateral wall and a second lateral wall disposed opposite the first lateral wall. One of the plurality of first attachment tabs is configured to be secured to the first lateral wall, and one of the plurality of second attachment tabs is configure to be secured to the second lateral wall of each one of the plurality of joists.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A deck frame, comprising:
 at least one perimeter support member comprising a joist support wall, a web wall extending perpendicularly from the joist support wall and an overhang wall extending perpendicularly from the web wall and disposed parallel to the joist support wall, the web wall having a plurality of spaced apart joist attachment features, comprising:
 a slot defined by the web wall; 
 a first attachment tab extending from a first perimeter edge of the slot at a first angle with respect to the web wall; and 
 a second attachment tab extending from a second perimeter edge of the slot opposite the first perimeter edge in a first direction and forming a second angle with respect to the web wall, wherein the first tab is disposed spaced apart from the second tab in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction; and 
   a plurality of joists each having a first lateral wall and a second lateral wall disposed opposite the first lateral wall, wherein for each joist the first tab is configured to be secured to the first lateral wall and the second tab is configured to be secured to the second lateral wall.   
     
     
         2 . The deck frame of  claim 1  wherein each joist attachment feature further comprises a first horizontal tab extending from a third perimeter edge of the slot and a second horizontal tab extending from a fourth perimeter edge of the slot. 
     
     
         3 . The deck frame of  claim 2  wherein each joist has a hollow box-shape configured to receive the first and second horizontal tabs. 
     
     
         4 . The deck frame of  claim 1  wherein the perimeter support member has a u-shape in profile. 
     
     
         5 . The deck frame of  claim 1  wherein the perimeter support member has an s-shape in profile. 
     
     
         6 . The deck frame of  claim 1  wherein the slot has a width measured in the first direction of at least two inches. 
     
     
         7 . The deck frame of  claim 6  wherein each slot has a height measured in the second direction of at least 4.5 inches. 
     
     
         8 . The deck frame of  claim 7  wherein:
 the height of each slot is selected from the group consisting of 6.5 inches, 8.5 inches, and 10.5 inches. 
 
     
     
         9 . The deck frame of  claim 1  wherein the first angle and the second angle are each in a range of 60°-90°. 
     
     
         10 . A perimeter support member, comprising:
 a web wall;   a joist support wall and extending generally perpendicularly from the web wall, the web wall having a plurality of spaced apart joist attachment features, comprising:
 a slot defined by the web wall; 
 a first vertical attachment tab extending from a first perimeter edge of the slot at a first angle with respect to the web wall; and 
 a second vertical attachment tab extending from a second perimeter edge of the slot opposite the first perimeter edge in a first direction and forming a second angle with respect to the web wall, wherein the first tab is disposed spaced apart from the second tab in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction. 
   
     
     
         11 . The perimeter support member of  claim 10  further comprising an overhang wall extending perpendicular from the web wall and disposed spaced apart from the joist support wall. 
     
     
         12 . The perimeter support member of  claim 11  wherein the perimeter support member has a generally u-shaped profile. 
     
     
         13 . The perimeter support member of  claim 11  wherein the perimeter support member has a generally s-shaped profile. 
     
     
         14 . The perimeter support member of  claim 10  wherein the web wall defines a plurality of spaced apart fastener holes configured to receive a fastener to attach the web wall to a support structure. 
     
     
         15 . The perimeter support member of  claim 10  wherein the slot has a width measured in the first direction of at least two inches. 
     
     
         16 . The perimeter support member of  claim 15  wherein each slot has a height measured in the second direction of at least 4.5 inches. 
     
     
         17 . The perimeter support member of  claim 10  wherein the first angle and the second angle are each in a range of 60°-90°. 
     
     
         18 . A perimeter support member, comprising:
 a web wall;   a joist support wall and extending generally perpendicularly from the web wall, the web wall having a plurality of spaced apart joist attachment features, comprising:
 a slot defined by the web wall; 
 a first vertical attachment tab extending from a first perimeter edge of the slot at a first angle with respect to the web wall; 
 a second vertical attachment tab extending from a second perimeter edge of the slot opposite the first perimeter edge and forming a second angle with respect to the web wall; 
 a first horizontal tab extending from a third perimeter edge of the slot; and 
 a second horizontal tab extending from a fourth perimeter edge of the slot opposite the third perimeter edge. 
   
     
     
         19 . The perimeter support member of  claim 18  wherein the perimeter support member has a generally u-shaped profile. 
     
     
         20 . The perimeter support member of  claim 18  wherein the perimeter support member has a generally s-shaped profile.