Materials International, Inc.

Steve E Hargrave

John E Irvine

John J Yeosock

A decking extrusion for use in forming the deck members used to construct outdoor decks, docks, and similar structures is disclosed. The extrusion has an elongate planar base panel (7) with a first elongate side edge (8), and a spaced parallel elongate second side edge (9). At least one first elongate leg member (12) extends the length of the first side edge of the base panel, and at least one elongate second leg member (15) spaced from and parallel to the first leg member extends the length of the second side edge of the base panel. A first locking element (17) is formed at the distal end of the first leg member, and a corresponding locking element (30), sized and shaped to receive a second one of the first locking elements therein, is formed at the distal end of the second leg member. The extrusion may also be provided with an intermediate stiffening leg (126) having a transverse flange (127) formed at its distal end parallel to the base panel to add structural rigidity to the extrusion. Two identical ones of the extrusion are joined together to form an elongate deck member by placing the two extrusions in a 180.degree. reverse relationship with respect to one another such that the second locking element of the second extrusion is received on the first locking element of the first extrusion, while the first locking element of the second extrusion is received on the second locking element of the first extrusion, respectively, whereupon the extrusions are joined together in a snap-fit at the respective locking elements to form an elongate hollow box beam or deck member.

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Roswell, GA, United States of America

Steve E Hargrave