Patent Application
20070163195
The present invention relates generally to floor tile systems. More particularly, the present invention relates to an edge ramp piece for use with a floor tile, and particularly a modular floor tile, wherein the edge ramp piece includes an edge ramp and an integral corner ramp portion.
In recent years, the use of modular flooring assemblies made of synthetic materials has grown in popularity. Modular flooring systems generally comprise a series of interlocking tiles that can be permanently installed over a subfloor, such as concrete or wood, or temporarily laid down upon another surface from time to time when needed. These types of synthetic floors are advantageous for several reasons. First, they are typically formed of materials that are generally inexpensive and lightweight. Additionally, if one tile becomes damaged, it can be removed and replaced quickly and easily. In addition, if the flooring needs to be temporarily removed, the individual tiles making up the floor can easily be detached and stored for subsequent use. Furthermore, these types of flooring assemblies are comprised of durable synthetic materials, such as polymers or other forms of plastics. These materials are long-lasting, even in outdoor installations.
Also, unlike some other long-lasting alternatives, such as asphalt and concrete, interlocking tiles of synthetic material can be better at absorbing impact, thus offering less risk of injury if a person falls on the plastic material, as opposed to concrete or asphalt. Moreover, the connections for modular flooring assemblies can be specially engineered to absorb lateral force. It is believed that this can reduce certain types of injuries from athletic activities. Additionally, these flooring assemblies generally require little maintenance as compared to other flooring, such as wood.
These floors and floor systems or assemblies can be used both indoors and outdoors. They can be used for athletic surfaces, convention halls, multi-purpose facilities, and the like. They are suitable for portable temporary floor surfaces for dance floors, display booths, such as at conventions, and other installations where a temporary floor surface having certain qualities different from the existing subfloor is desired. This can allow the creation of a different atmosphere and “feel” to a space, which can be beneficial in certain circumstances.
When a section of modular flooring is placed upon an existing subfloor, some sort of transition is often needed. Specifically, the modular floor system sits atop the subfloor and thus raises the floor level by some small amount—e.g. ⅜″ or ½″, creating an abrupt edge. In order to prevent or reduce the formation of a tripping hazard that an abrupt change in floor height could present, it is desirable to provide some sort of gradual transition to the height of the modular floor system. One method of doing this is to provide some sort of ramp at the edge of the modular floor system. This can be done by making special floor tile pieces with a ramp edge integrally formed therein. These types of tiles having built-in edge ramps around their perimeter edges are commonly known in the art. Alternatively, separate ramp edge pieces that interlock with the edges of standard floor tiles have also been developed. By providing a ramp edge, the transition from the subfloor to the modular floor is made easier for persons, wheeled devices, and other things that need to move up onto the modular floor surface.
Unfortunately, modular floor systems with a ramp edge often present outside corners. At such locations, typical ramp edge pieces will leave a gap with no ramp being present. This is unsightly, and can present a hazard. Some modular floor systems have addressed this problem by providing a separate corner ramp piece that interconnects to two adjacent edge ramp pieces creating the gap. Unfortunately, this approach has some drawbacks. First, the small corner pieces cannot connect to the large floor tile (because they only contact the floor tile at a point), and tend not to securely connect to their adjacent edge ramp pieces. Consequently, such corner pieces are easily dislodged and tend to become lost, broken, etc. Additionally, the separate small corner pieces can be difficult to keep track of because of their small size. They can end up being somewhat of a nuisance. As such, the prior art has not adequately addressed these problems.
In light of the problems and deficiencies inherent in the prior art, the present invention seeks to overcome these by providing a floor tile having an integrated edge ramp, wherein the edge ramp comprises an integral corner ramp portion. Alternatively, the present invention provides a separate edge ramp piece that removably couples to the floor tile and has an integral corner ramp portion formed therein.
It has been recognized that it would be advantageous to develop a corner edge ramp piece for a modular floor tile system that is stronger and more securely connectable to the other components of the floor tile system.
It has also been recognized that it would be advantageous to develop a corner ramp piece that does not present the problem of small, loose parts of which a user must keep track.
In accordance with one exemplary embodiment thereof, the present invention advantageously features an integrated edge and corner ramp piece for a floor tile. The edge and corner ramp piece includes an elongate edge ramp section, having a high side wall, a low side, and a substantially planar edge ramp surface extending therebetween. Integrally extending from an end of the edge ramp section is a corner ramp section, having an apex disposed adjacent the high side wall, a low side, and a corner ramp surface extending therebetween. Connectors are disposed along the high side wall, and are configured to releasably interconnect the edge and corner ramp piece to the floor tile.
In accordance with another more detailed embodiment thereof, the invention provides an integrated edge and corner ramp piece for a floor tile having a height. The integrated edge and corner ramp piece includes an elongate edge ramp section, having a high side wall with a height substantially equal to the height of the floor tile, a low side, a substantially planar edge ramp surface extending therebetween, and an edge ramp end wall, extending between the high side wall and low side at a first end of the edge ramp section. A corner ramp section integrally extends from a second end of the edge ramp section, and has an apex disposed adjacent the high side wall, an arcuate low side, a corner ramp surface extending therebetween, and a corner ramp end wall, disposed at a terminal end of the corner ramp section, and extending between the apex and the arcuate low side. Loop and pin connectors are disposed along the high side wall, the edge ramp end wall, and the corner ramp end wall, and are configured to releasably interconnect the edge and corner ramp piece to the floor tile and to one or more other edge and corner ramp pieces.
In accordance with yet another embodiment thereof, the invention provides a floor tile system including a floor tile and an integrated edge and corner ramp piece. The floor tile has a top surface, a perimeter wall having a height, a plurality of releasable connectors associated with the perimeter wall, and a plurality of upstanding supports configured to support the top surface above the ground, a floor, or other suitable support surface. The integrated edge and corner ramp piece includes an elongate edge ramp section, a corner ramp section, and connectors. The edge ramp section has a high side wall with a height substantially equal to the height of the perimeter wall, a low side, and a substantially planar ramp surface extending therebetween. The corner ramp section integrally extends from an end of the edge ramp section, and has an apex disposed adjacent the high side wall, an arcuate low side, and a partially conical ramp surface extending therebetween. The connectors are disposed along the high side, and are configured to releasably interconnect the edge and corner ramp piece to the perimeter wall of the floor tile.
The present invention will become more fully apparent from the following description and appended claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Understanding that these drawings merely depict exemplary embodiments of the present invention they are, therefore, not to be considered limiting of its scope. It will be readily appreciated that the components of the present invention, as generally described and illustrated in the figures herein, could be arranged and designed in a wide variety of different configurations. Nonetheless, the invention will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of the accompanying drawings in which:
The following detailed description of exemplary embodiments of the invention makes reference to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof and in which are shown, by way of illustration, exemplary embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. While these exemplary embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, it should be understood that other embodiments may be realized and that various changes to the invention may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Thus, the following more detailed description of the embodiments of the present invention, as represented in
The following detailed description and exemplary embodiments of the invention will be best understood by reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein the elements and features of the invention are designated by numerals throughout.
The present invention describes a method and system for transitioning from a floor or subfloor to a floor tile system overlaid thereon using an edge ramp having an integrated corner ramp portion.
The present invention provides several significant advantages over prior related edge ramps or edge ramp pieces. First, providing an edge ramp with an integral corner ramp eliminates the need for a separate corner piece that is easily dislodged and that can get lost or broken. Second, providing an edge ramp with an integral corner ramp ensures a robust ramp segment at each of the corners of the flooring assembly. Third, unlike a separate ramp piece that fits into a gap formed in the corner by two adjacent edge ramps and that has little contact with the floor tile, the present invention corner ramp being integrally formed with the edge ramp allows the corner ramp portion to be more securely coupled to the flooring system as it is able to receive support from the edge ramp due to its integral configuration. Fourth, a ramp portion integral with the edge ramp means that there are no separate pieces to keep track of. Fifth, an integrated corner ramp portion gives a much more aesthetically pleasing appearance to the flooring assembly.
Each of the above-recited advantages will be apparent in light of the detailed description set forth below, with reference to the accompanying drawings. These advantages are not meant to be limiting in any way. Indeed, one skilled in the art will appreciate that other advantages may be realized, other than those specifically recited herein, upon practicing the present invention.
With reference to
The floor tile 12 has a top surface 46, a perimeter wall 56 of some height (e.g. ½″), and includes support structure (not shown) for the top surface, such as upstanding grid structure or other supports for supporting the top surface above a support surface, such as a subfloor of concrete. A plurality of releasable connectors are disposed along the perimeter wall. As depicted herein, the floor tile 12 includes loop and pin interconnecting structure, similar to that disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,930,286. This structure comprises loops 42 on two adjacent sides of the tile, and pins 44 on the two other adjacent sides of the tile, as shown. All the elements of the floor tile, including the top surface, bottom support structure, and loop and pin connectors, can be integrally formed (e.g. by injection molding) of the same material so as to be structurally strong.
To install a floor, a tile 12 is placed with its top 46 facing up, and its bottom on any suitable subfloor, such as concrete. A second tile is then placed parallel to and alongside the first tile, oriented such that the pins 44 of one side of the second tile are adjacent the loops 42 of a corresponding side of the first tile. The pins of the second tile are then snapped into the loops of the first tile, such that the sides of the two tiles are fitted snugly together. This process is continued to enable a plurality of tiles to be joined together in a single floor assembly.
Shown in
In essence, the present invention edge and corner ramp piece 10 is configured to attached to any exposed edge of a floor tile as part of a flooring system. With reference to
The edge and corner ramp piece 10 is designed to sit upon a support surface 30, such as a concrete or other floor surface. As shown in the bottom view of
It will be apparent that a variety of other configurations can be adopted for the upstanding supports 32, the configuration of which may depend upon factors such as the type of support surface 30, the magnitude of anticipated loads to be borne by the edge ramp, etc. For example, one alternative design provides a repeating pattern of hexagon units or cells. A series of cross ribs extending between the vertices of the sidewalls of each hexagon can be disposed against the underside of the top surface of the tile within each hexagon unit for additional strength. Such ribs can act as beams that help distribute loads from the center of each hexagon to the sidewalls thereof.
The high side wall 18 can have a height (see height H in
The corner ramp section 16 can include a corner ramp end wall 38, disposed at a terminal end of the corner ramp section. Like the edge ramp end wall 36, the corner ramp end wall 38 extends between the apex 26 of the corner ramp section and the low side 20b. In the embodiment of
With reference again to
In the embodiment shown in
While a conical corner or curved ramp surface is depicted in the exemplary embodiment of
While the floor tile 12 shown in
It will be apparent that the integral edge and corner ramp piece 10 described herein can be configured as either a left hand corner piece, as in the embodiment depicted in
As shown in
However, the length of the edge and corner ramp piece 10 need not necessarily correspond to the length of a side of a floor tile. For example, edge ramp pieces 54 that are longer than the sides of individual tiles 12 can be used so that at least some individual edge ramp pieces will straddle or overlap floor tile joints. Alternatively, the edge ramp pieces can be of a length corresponding to the length L of a side of the floor tiles, but placed in staggered relationship to floor tile joints. In such a case, the edge and corner ramp piece 10 can have a shorter length specifically chosen to make up the difference at the end of a series of floor tiles. Other configurations are also possible.
With reference to
The foregoing detailed description describes the invention with reference to specific exemplary embodiments. However, it will be appreciated that various modifications and changes can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention as set forth in the appended claims. The detailed description and accompanying drawings are to be regarded as merely illustrative, rather than as restrictive, and all such modifications or changes, if any, are intended to fall within the scope of the present invention as described and set forth herein.
More specifically, while illustrative exemplary embodiments of the invention have been described herein, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments, but includes any and all embodiments having modifications, omissions, combinations (e.g., of aspects across various embodiments), adaptations and/or alterations as would be appreciated by those in the art based on the foregoing detailed description. The limitations in the claims are to be interpreted broadly based on the language employed in the claims and not limited to examples described in the foregoing detailed description or during the prosecution of the application, which examples are to be construed as non-exclusive. For example, in the present disclosure, the term “preferably” is non-exclusive where it is intended to mean “preferably, but not limited to.” Any steps recited in any method or process claims may be executed in any order and are not limited to the order presented in the claims. Means-plus-function or step-plus-function limitations will only be employed where for a specific claim limitation all of the following conditions are present in that limitation: a) “means for” or “step for” is expressly recited; b) a corresponding function is expressly recited; and c) structure, material or acts that support that structure are expressly recited. Accordingly, the scope of the invention should be determined solely by the appended claims and their legal equivalents, rather than by the descriptions and examples given above.
This application claims the benefit of U.S. provisional application No. 60/753,610 filed Dec. 22, 2005.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 60753610 | Dec 2005 | US |
