GB2586203A

GB2586203A - Decking tile base

Info

Publication number: GB2586203A
Application number: GB1907592.8A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Cavalier Lee
Original assignee: Dura Composites Ltd
Current assignee: Dura Composites Ltd
Priority date: 2019-05-29
Filing date: 2019-05-29
Publication date: 2021-02-17
Anticipated expiration: 2039-05-29
Also published as: GB201907592D0; GB2586203B

Abstract

The decking tile base 10 comprises a frame 12 having plural fixing regions each having a planar support plate 22, 32, 34 for supporting the base on an underlying surface and one or more through holes 36 for receiving a mechanical fixing, each through hole having an internal shoulder against which the fixing bears when received therein. The base may be square. The support plates nay be separated from one another by channels 26 to allow liquid such as rainwater to pass between them. The frame may comprise frame members 12, 14 that form sides of the frame and first and second sets of intersecting lattice members 16, 18. The base may comprise plural internal fixing regions 20 at the intersection of the lattice members and plural corner 32 and side 30 fixing regions at the intersection of the lattice members and the frame members. The frame may comprise interlocking T-shaped projections 40 and sockets 42 which slide into one another for interlocking two or more bases. Also claimed is decking comprising plural decking tiles mounted on one or more of the bases. The base may be injection moulded from plastic or polymer. The mechanical fixing may be a screw.

Description

DECKING TILE BASE

The present invention relates to a decking tile base and to arrangements incorporating a decking tile base.

Decking is traditionally constructed from timber boards mounted on a support structure. However, an appropriately sized support structure must be installed in a desired location, and then the timber boards must be individually cut to size and mounted on the support structure. Constructing traditional timber decking can therefore be time consuming and labour-intensive. Furthermore, over time, the timber boards can begin to deteriorate and may need repairing or replacing entirely. To address these issues with traditional timber decking, it is known to assemble decking from prefabricated decking tiles. Such decking tiles typically comprise a base having decking boards already mounted thereon. This can allow the decking to be constructed extremely quickly by simply placing the decking boards on an existing underlying surface, such as a hardstanding, paving or patio. In a known decking tile arrangement, the decking tile base comprises /5 plural mounting pillars. Each mounting pillar has a longitudinal through hole with an internal shoulder. To prefabricate the decking tile, screw fixings can be inserted into the through holes of the mounting pillars and then tightened against the internal shoulders to secure decking boards to the base. The mounting pillars also serve the purpose of supporting the decking tile on the underlying surface.

However, as will be discussed in more detail below, the known decking tile arrangement can have significant drawbacks.

It is desired to provide an improved decking tile base and improved arrangements incorporating a decking tile base. -2 -

According to an aspect of the present invention there is provided a decking tile base for a decking tile, the decking tile base comprising a frame structure having plural fixing regions, each fixing region having a substantially planar support plate for supporting the decking tile base on an underlying surface and one or more through holes for receiving a mechanical fixing, each through hole having an internal shoulder against which the mechanical fixing is able to bear when received therein.

In embodiments, by providing a decking tile base comprising plural fixing regions, with each fixing region having one or more through holes having an /0 internal shoulder, one or more mechanical fixings (e.g. one or more screw fixings) can be used to attach one or more decking boards securely to the decking tile base at plural locations. This can be achieved by inserting a mechanical fixing into each through hole and penetrating the underside of a decking board, and then tightening the mechanical fixing against the internal shoulder to secure the decking board to the decking tile base. Furthermore, by providing a decking tile base comprising plural fixing regions each having a substantially planar support plate for supporting the decking tile base on an underlying surface, the weight of persons or objects on the decking tile can be more evenly distributed across the underlying surface. The decking tile base can therefore be installed on relatively more delicate surfaces, such as on a grassed area (e.g. so as to construct a temporary decked area for an event) or on a flat roof (e.g. so as to construct a decked balcony or terrace). In this regard, it has been identified that the mounting pillars of the known decking tile arrangement can lead to points of very high pressure, which can penetrate and damage delicate underlying surfaces. -3 -

Furthermore, in embodiments, the substantially planar support plates can provide a larger surface area via which the decking tile base can be bonded to an underlying surface, if desired.

In embodiments, the decking tile base may be of unitary construction. The decking tile base may be formed of plastics or polymer material. The decking tile base may be formed of (injection) moulded material. These embodiments can allow lightweight, strong and durable decking tile bases to be consistently and quickly manufactured in large quantities.

In embodiments, the decking tile base may have a first side length in the /0 range 200-400mm, for example in the range 250-350mm, for example in the range 275-325mm. The decking tile base may have a second (orthogonal) side length in the range 200-400mm, for example in the range 250-350mm, for example in the range 275-325mm. Alternatively, the decking tile base may have a second (orthogonal) side length in the range 400-800mm, for example in the range 500-700mm, for example in the range 550-650mm. The decking tile base may have a height in the range 7.5-17.5mm, for example in the range 10-15mm. The decking tile base may be regularly shaped and/or may have a regularly (self) tessellating shape. The decking tile base may be substantially rectangular (including square). It has been found that these particular dimensions and shapes can allow quick and convenient construction of decking, e.g. without the decking tiles being excessively small and thus taking a long time to install, and without the decking tiles being excessively large and thus difficult to handle.

In embodiments, the support plates may each have a first side length in the range 40-80mm, for example in the range 50-70mm, for example in the range -4 - 55-65mm. The support plates may each have a second side length in the range 40-80mm, for example in the range 50-70mm, for example in the range 55-65mm. The support plates may each have a thickness in the range 1-3mm. The support plates may each comprise a substantially regularly shaped support surface. The support plates may each comprise a substantially rectangular (including square) support surface It has been found that these particular dimensions and shapes can provide a suitable load-distributing support surface for most decking applications. The support plates may each further comprise one or more projecting support surfaces (e.g. projecting from the corners of the support plate) /0 to further increase the total area of the load-distributing support surface of the support plate.

In embodiments, the support plates may be separated and/or distinct from one another. Neighbouring support plates may be separated from one another by a channel configured to allow liquids to pass between the neighbouring support plates. The channels may each have a span, and may thus provide a separation, in the range 5-15mm, for example in the range 8-12mm. The channels may each have a depth in the range 1-3mm. These embodiments can allow liquid, such as rainwater or liquids used to wash the decking, to flow from one side of the base to another and/or to flow out of the base, and thus drain away from the decking.

In embodiments, the fixing regions may each comprise at least or exactly four through holes. The through holes of a fixing region may be arranged in a regular, e.g. square, pattern. The through holes may each have a height in the range 7-18mm, for example in the range 10-15mm (e.g. substantially the same -5 -as the height of the base). The internal shoulders in the through holes may each have a height in the range 3-9mm, for example in the range 4-8mm, for example in the range 5-7mm. The through holes may each be substantially circular in cross section (e.g. in a (horizontal) plane that is substantially parallel to the general (horizontal) plane of the decking tile base). The through holes may each extend longitudinally through a pillar. The pillars may extend (e.g. in a (vertical) direction which is substantially perpendicular to the general (horizontal) plane of the decking tile base) from the support plates. The pillars may support the decking tile boards thereon. The pillars may each have a height in the range 5-16mm, for /0 example in the range 8-13mm. These embodiments can allow decking tile boards to be securely mounted to the decking tile base with the mechanical (e.g. screw) fixings.

In embodiments, the frame structure may comprise plural (e.g. four) frame members that form sides of the frame structure. The plural frame members may be integral to the frame structure. The frame members may support the decking tile boards thereon. In embodiments, the frame structure may further comprise plural (e.g. six) lattice members that form a lattice structure within the frame structure. The plural lattice members may be integral to the frame structure. The lattice members may support the decking tile boards thereon. The frame members and/or lattice members may each have a thickness in the range 1-7mm, for example in the range 2-6mm, for example in the range 3-5mm. The frame members and/or lattice members may each have a height in the range 5-16mm, for example in the range 8-13mm. These embodiments can provide a lightweight, rigid and strong decking tile base. -6 -

In embodiments, the plural lattice members may extend diagonally with respect to sides of the frame. The plural lattice members may extend between (opposite) corners of the frame and/or between (adjacent) sides of the frame. The plural lattice members may extend diagonally with respect to sides of the support 5 plates. The plural lattice members may extend between (opposite) corners of the support plates, and thus may extend over the support surfaces and/or projecting support surfaces of the support plates. The lattice structure may comprise a first set of (e.g. three of) the lattice members and a second set of (e.g. three of) the lattice members, wherein the first set of the lattice members extend substantially /0 perpendicularly to the second set of the lattice members.

In embodiments, plural of the fixing regions and/or support plates may be located at intersections of the first set of the lattice members and the second set of the lattice members. These plural fixing regions and/or support plates may be referred to herein as "internal" fixing regions and/or support plates. In embodiments, the decking tile base may comprise at least or exactly five internal fixing regions and/or support plates. The decking tile base may further comprise one or more corner and/or side fixing regions and/or support plates. The one or more corner and/or side fixing regions and/or support plates may be located at the intersections of the lattice members and the frame members. The one or more corner fixing regions and/or support plates may be approximately a quarter the size of the internal fixing regions and/or support plates. The decking tile base may comprise at least or exactly four corner fixing regions and/or support plates. The one or more side fixing regions and/or support plates may be approximately half -7 -the size of the internal fixing regions and/or support plates. The decking tile base may comprise at least or exactly four side fixing regions and/or support plates. In embodiments, the frame structure (e.g. frame members) may further comprise one or more interlocking features configured to allow two or more of the 5 decking tile bases to be interlocked with one another. The one or more interlocking features may be integral to the frame structure. The one or more interlocking features may comprise one or more corresponding projections and sockets. The one or more interlocking features may have a substantially T-shaped cross-section (e.g. in a (horizontal) plane that is substantially parallel to 10 the general (horizontal) plane of the decking tile base). The one or more interlocking features may be configured to allow two or more of the decking tile bases to be interlocked with one another by sliding (e.g. in a (vertical) direction which is substantially perpendicular to the general (horizontal) plane of the decking tile base) one or more interlocking features of one of the decking tile bases into one or more corresponding interlocking features of another of the decking tile bases. The one or more interlocking features may be configured to allow two or more of the decking tile bases to be interlocked with one another when one of the decking tile bases is rotated (e.g. within a (horizontal) plane that is substantially parallel to the general (horizontal) plane of the decking tile base) relative to another of the decking tile bases, for example when rotated through one or more multiples of 90 degrees relative to each other. Thus, the one or more interlocking features of the frame structure may be substantially rotationally symmetric upon rotating the frame structure (e.g. within a (horizontal) plane that is substantially parallel to the general (horizontal) plane of the decking tile base). -8 -

The one or more interlocking features may be configured to allow two or more of the decking tile bases to be interlocked with one another when one of the decking tile bases is offset laterally (e.g. within a (horizontal) plane that is substantially parallel to the general (horizontal) plane of the decking tile base) relative to another of the decking tile bases, for example when offset laterally by half a side length of the base relative to each other. Thus, the one or more interlocking features on a side of the frame structure may have a substantially repeating and/or offset pattern. These embodiments can allow secure decking to be constructed in a variety of configurations extremely quickly.

/0 In embodiments, the frame structure (e.g. frame members) may further comprise one or more board locating and/or retaining features configured to locate and/or retain plural decking boards laterally (e.g. in a (horizontal) direction which is substantially parallel to the general (horizontal) plane of the decking tile base) when mounted on the decking tile base. The one or more board locating and/or retaining features may be integral to the frame structure. The one or more board locating and/or retaining features may comprise one or more (vertical) projections.

In embodiments, the frame structure (e.g. one or more frame members and/or one or more lattice members) may comprise one or more notches. One or more notches may be provided on a lower side of the frame structure (which is adjacent to the underlying surface in use) and/or one or more notches may be provided on an upper side of the frame structure (which is adjacent to the decking boards in use). The one or more notches may each be substantially U-shaped. The one or more notches may help to release pressure in the frame structure -9 - (e.g. in the one or more frame members and/or one or more lattice members) when setting once the decking tile base is removed from a mould in which the decking tile base is formed.

According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a 5 method of manufacturing a decking tile base comprising forming (e.g. in a mould) a decking tile base as described herein in any aspect or embodiment.

According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a decking tile comprising plural decking boards mounted on one or more decking tile bases as described herein in any aspect or embodiment.

/0 Where the decking tile comprises plural decking boards mounted on plural (e.g. two) decking tile bases, the plural (e.g. two) decking tile bases may be interlocked together.

According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of manufacturing a decking tile comprising mounting plural decking 15 boards on one or more decking tile bases as described herein in any aspect or embodiment Where plural decking boards are mounted on plural (e.g. two) decking tile bases, the plural (e.g. two) decking tile bases may be interlocked together prior to mounting the plural decking boards on the plural (e.g. two) decking tile bases.

In any of these aspects and embodiments, the decking boards may be formed of plastics or polymer material. The decking boards may be formed of fibre reinforced plastic or polymer (FRP), such as glass-fibre reinforced plastic or polymer (GRP) or wood-plastic composite. The decking boards may have a grooved or wood-grain effect provided thereon. These embodiments can provide -10 -decking tiles which are lightweight, strong, durable, anti-slip, non-conductive and/or highly fire-resistant.

In embodiments, the decking boards may be fixed on the decking tile base with mechanical (e.g. screw) fixings (e.g. one mechanical fixing for each through 5 hole). The decking tile base may have at least or exactly four decking boards mounted thereon. Each fixing region may span at least or exactly two decking boards. The decking boards may each have a length in the range 200-400mm, for example in the range 250-350mm, for example in the range 275-325mm (e.g. substantially the same as a side length of the decking tile base). Alternatively, the 10 decking boards may each have a length in the range 400-800, for example in the range 500-700mm, for example in the range 550-650mm (e.g. substantially the same as a side length of the decking tile base or substantially twice a side length of the decking tile base). The decking boards may each have a width in the range 40-100mm, for example in the range 50-90mm, for example in the range 60- 80mm (e.g. approximately (but slightly less than) a quarter of a side length of the decking tile base). The decking boards may each have a height in the range 5-15mm, for example in the range 7-12mm. These embodiments can provide a rigid and strong decking tile.

According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided decking comprising plural decking tiles, each decking tile comprising plural decking boards mounted on one or more decking tile bases as described herein in any aspect or embodiment.

According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of constructing decking from plural decking tiles, each decking tile -11 -comprising plural decking boards mounted on one or more decking tile bases as described herein in any aspect or embodiment.

In any of these aspects and embodiments, the (prefabricated) decking tiles may be placed on an underlying surface, such as a hardstanding, paving, patio, grassed area or flat roof. The plural decking tiles may comprise interlocked decking tiles. Thus, in embodiments, constructing the decking from plural decking tiles may comprise interlocking decking tiles together. The plural decking tiles may be bonded to the underlying surface, if desired.

By way of example only, embodiments of the invention will now be 10 described in detail with reference being made to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of the top of a decking tile base according to an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 is a perspective view of the underside of the decking tile base of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a plan view of the top of the decking tile base of Figure 1; Figure 4 is a plan view of the underside of the decking tile base of Figure Figure 5 is a side view of the decking tile base of Figure 1; Figure 6 is a cross-section through the decking tile base of Figure 1 taken along the line A-A shown in Figure 3; Figure 7 is a perspective view of the top of the decking tile base of Figure 1 having decking boards mounted thereon; Figure 8 is a perspective view of the underside of the decking tile base of Figure 1 having decking boards mounted thereon; Figure 9 shows two decking tile bases as shown in Figure 1 when interlocked; Figure 10 is a perspective view of the top of two decking tile bases as shown in Figure 9 having decking boards mounted thereon; Figure 11 is a perspective view of the underside of two decking tile bases as shown in Figure 9 having decking boards mounted thereon; and Figure 12 is a perspective view of the top of a decking tile base according /0 to another embodiment of the present invention.

Figures 1-6 illustrate a decking tile base 10 for a decking tile according to an embodiment of the present invention. The decking tile base 10 is of unitary construction and is formed of injection moulded plastics or polymer material. In this embodiment, the decking tile base 10 is substantially square shaped with side lengths of approximately 300mm and a height of approximately 13.5mm. The decking tile base 10 comprises a frame structure 12 having four peripheral frame members 14 that form the sides of the frame structure 12. The frame structure 12 further comprises a first set of three diagonal lattice members 16 and a perpendicular second set of three diagonal lattice members 18. The lattice members 16,18 either extend between opposite corners of the frame structure 12 or extend between adjacent sides of the frame structure 12. The frame members 14 and lattice members 16,18 each have a thickness of approximately 4mm and a height of approximately 11.5mm.

The frame structure 12 further comprises plural internal fixing regions 20 (for clarity, only one fixing region 20 is indicated). Each internal fixing region 20 comprises a substantially planar support plate 22 for supporting the decking tile base 10 on an underlying surface. In this embodiment, the support plates 22 are 5 substantially square shaped with side lengths of approximately 60mm and a thickness of approximately 2mm. The support plates 22 each further comprise four projecting support surfaces 24 (for clarity, only one projecting support surface 24 is indicated) at the corners of the support plate 22 to further increase the total area of the load-distributing support surface of the support plate 22. The lattice /0 members 16,18 extend diagonally between opposite corners of the support plates 22 such that the internal fixing regions 20 and support plates 22 are located at the intersections of the first set of lattice members 16 and second set of lattice members 18.

The support plates 22 are distinct from one another and are separated by channels 26 (for clarity, only one channel 26 is indicated). The channels 26 each provide a separation of approximately 1 Omm between neighbouring support plates 22 and have a depth of approximately 2mm (i.e. the same as the thickness of the support plates 22). The channels 26 allow liquid, such as rainwater or liquids used to wash the decking, to flow from one side of the decking tile base 10 to another, and to flow out of the decking tile base 10, and thus drain away from the decking.

The decking tile base 10 further comprises corner fixing regions 28 and side fixing regions 30 located at the intersections of the lattice members 16,18 and the frame members 14. The support plates 32 of the corner fixing regions 28 are a quarter of the size of the internal support plates 22 and the support plates 34 of the side fixing regions 30 are half the size of the internal support plates 22.

Each internal fixing region 20 comprises four pillars 35 having through holes 36 (for clarity, only one pillar 35 having a through hole 36 is indicated) arranged in a square pattern. Each corner fixing region 28 has a single through hole and each side fixing region 30 has two through holes. Each through hole 36 has an overall height of approximately 13.5mm (i.e. the same as the height of the decking tile base 10). Each through hole 36 has an internal shoulder 38 (see Figures 4 and 6) against which a screw fixing can bear when received therein.

/0 The height of the internal shoulder 38 in the through hole is approximately 6mm.

The frame members 14 further comprise interlocking features in the form of corresponding substantially T-shaped projections 40 and sockets 42 (for clarity, only one of each type of interlocking feature is indicated). The interlocking features allow adjacent decking tile bases 10 to be interlocked with one another by sliding the interlocking features of one decking tile base 10 into the corresponding interlocking features of an adjacent decking tile base 10 in a vertical direction, which is substantially perpendicular to the general horizontal plane of the decking tile base 10. The interlocking features are rotationally symmetric and thus allow adjacent decking tile bases 10 to be interlocked with one another when one of the decking tile bases 10 is rotated relative to another of the decking tile bases 10 through multiples of 90 degrees. The interlocking features on a side of the frame structure 12 also have a repeated and laterally offset pattern and thus allow adjacent decking tile bases 10 to be interlocked with one another when one of the decking tile bases 10 is laterally offset relative to another of the decking tile bases 10 by half the side length of the decking tile base 10. This can allow a wide variety of decking board patterns to be provided. The frame members 14 further comprise board locating and retaining features in the form of vertical projections 44 that can help to locate and retain plural decking boards laterally when mounted on the decking tile base 10. The vertical surfaces of the frame members 14, lattice members 16,18 and through holes 36 are inclined by 95 degrees relative to the planes of the support plates 22 to facilitate extraction of the decking tile base 10 from the mould used to form the decking tile base 10.

/0 Figures 7 and 8 illustrate a decking tile 46 comprising the decking tile base described above. The decking tile 46 comprises four decking boards 48 (for clarity, only one decking board 48 is indicated) mounted on the decking tile base 10 and secured thereto with screw fixings (not visible). In this embodiment, the decking boards 48 are formed of glass-fibre reinforced plastic or polymer (GRP) or wood-plastic composite and have a grooved or wood-grain effect provided thereon to improve grip (not shown). The decking boards 48 each have a length of approximately 300mm (i.e. substantially the same as the side length of the decking tile base 10) and a width of approximately 70mm (i.e. approximately, but slightly less than, a quarter of the side length of the decking tile base 10). The decking boards 48 each have a height of approximately 9mm.

Figure 9 shows two decking tile bases 10A,10B as shown in Figure 1 when interlocked. As is shown with arrows in Figure 9, the T-shaped projections 40A and sockets 42A of one of the decking tile bases 10A are slid vertically into the corresponding T-shaped projections 40B and sockets 42B of the other of the decking tile bases 103 to interlock the two decking tile bases 10A,103 together. Figures 10 and 11 illustrate a decking tile 50 comprising the two decking tile bases 10A,10B described above. The decking tile 50 comprises four decking 5 boards 52 (for clarity, only one decking board 52 is indicated) mounted on the two decking tile bases 10A,10B and secured thereto with screw fixings (not visible). In this embodiment, the decking boards 52 are again formed of glass-fibre reinforced plastic or polymer (GRP) or wood-plastic composite and have a grooved or wood-grain effect provided thereon to improve grip (not shown). The /0 decking boards 52 each have a length of approximately 600mm (i.e. substantially twice the side length of a single decking tile base 10) and a width of approximately 70mm (i.e. approximately, but slightly less than, a quarter of the side length of a single decking tile base 10). The decking boards 52 each have a height of approximately 9mm. In other embodiments, a unitary "double" decking tile base may be provided instead of, but having substantially the same size as, the two decking tile bases 10A,10B described above The prefabricated decking tiles 46,50 described above can be used to construct decking by placing the decking tiles 46,50 directly on an existing underlying surface, such as a hardstanding, paving, patio, grassed area or flat roof. When doing this, adjacent decking tiles 46,50 are interlocked with each other to form the desired decking board pattern. The decking tiles 46,50 can also readily be bonded to the underlying surface via the support plates 22, if desired. Figure 12 illustrates a decking tile base 10 for a decking tile according to another embodiment of the present invention. The decking tile base 10 has substantially the same construction, and can be manufactured and used in substantially the same way, as the decking tile base 10 illustrated in Figures 111. However, in this embodiment, the frame members 14 of the decking tile base 10 further have U-shaped notches 54 in their lower sides and U-shaped notches 5 56 in their upper sides, and the lattice members 16,18 further comprise U-shaped notches 58 in their upper sides. The notches 54,56,58 can release pressure in the frame structure 12 when setting once the decking tile base 10 is removed from the mould in which it is formed. In this regard, it has been identified that, in embodiments in which notches are not provided, pressure in the frame structure /0 can cause the frame structure to warp as the frame structure sets.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A decking tile base for a decking tile, the decking tile base comprising a frame structure having plural fixing regions, each fixing region having a substantially planar support plate for supporting the decking tile base on an underlying surface and one or more through holes for receiving a mechanical fixing, each through hole having an internal shoulder against which the mechanical fixing is able to bear when received therein.
2. A decking tile base as claimed in claim 1, wherein the decking tile base is of unitary construction.
/0 3. A decking tile base as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the decking tile base is formed of plastics or polymer material.
4. A decking tile base as claimed in claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the decking tile base has a first side length in the range 200-400mm and/or a second side length in the range 200-400mm or 400-800mm.
/5 5. A decking tile base as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the decking tile base has a height in the range 7.5-17.5mm.
6. A decking tile base as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the decking tile base is regularly shaped and/or has a regularly tessellating shape.
7. A decking tile base as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the support plates each have a first side length in the range 40-80mm and/or each have a second side length in the range 40-80mm.
8. A decking tile base as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the support plates each have a thickness in the range 1-3mm. 9.
A decking tile base as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the support plates are separated and/or distinct from one another.
10. A decking tile base as claimed in claim 9, wherein adjacent support plates are separated from one another by a channel configured to allow liquid to pass 5 between the adjacent support plates.
11. A decking tile base as claimed in claim 10, wherein the channels each have a span in the range 5-15mm.
12 A decking tile base as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the frame structure comprises plural frame members that form sides of the frame 10 structure.
13. A decking tile base as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the frame structure comprises plural lattice members that form a lattice structure within the frame structure.
14. A decking tile base as claimed in claim 13, wherein the plural fixing regions and/or support plates are located at the intersections of a first set of the lattice members and a second set of the lattice members.
15. A decking tile base as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the frame structure further comprises one or more interlocking features configured to allow two or more of the decking tile bases to be interlocked with 20 one another.
16 A decking tile base as claimed in claim 15, wherein the one or more interlocking features comprise one or more corresponding projections and/or sockets.
-20 - 17. A decking tile base as claimed in claim 15 or 16, wherein the one or more interlocking features each have a substantially T-shaped cross-section.
18. A decking tile base as claimed in claim 15, 16 or 17, wherein the one or more interlocking features are configured to allow two or more of the decking tile bases to be interlocked with one another by sliding one or more interlocking features of one decking tile base into one or more corresponding interlocking features of another decking tile base.
19. A decking tile base as claimed in any one of claims 15-18, wherein the one or more interlocking features are configured to allow two or more of the decking 10 tile bases to be interlocked with one another when one of the decking tile bases is rotated and/or offset relative to another of the decking tile bases.
20. A decking tile base as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the frame structure further comprises one or more board locating and/or retaining features configured to locate and/or retain plural decking boards laterally when mounted on the decking tile base.
21 A method of manufacturing a decking tile base comprising forming a decking tile base as claimed in any one of claims 1-20.
22 A decking tile comprising plural decking boards mounted on one or more decking tile bases as claimed in any one of claims 1-20.
23. A method of manufacturing a decking tile comprising mounting plural decking boards on one or more decking tile bases as claimed in any one of claims 1-20. -21 -
24. Decking comprising plural decking tiles, each decking tile comprising plural decking boards mounted on one or more decking tile bases as claimed in any one of claims 1-20
25. A method of constructing decking from plural decking tiles, each decking tile comprising plural decking boards mounted on one or more decking tile bases as claimed in any one of claims 1-20.