The present disclosure relates to a joint for floors in strips.
Currently it is known to provide floors by using strips or slats made of wood which are provided laterally with adapted tabs and complementarily shaped seats in order to allow their stable mutual connection when they are arranged mutually adjacent.
However, the provision of these floors has drawbacks, which include the fact that since adhesives are used for the stable connection of the strips, one obtains a floor that cannot be inspected and, if it is necessary to intervene to replace one or more damaged panels, one is forced to remove them and it is impossible to reconnect them as they were originally unless the entire floor is removed.
Furthermore, the use of adhesives worsens the healthiness of the environment in which the floor is installed and further requires, once installed, time so that it can be used, since one must wait for the adhesive to dry.
US2014/305064 is also known which describes a plurality of auxiliary connectors or clips for floors in strips; particular, one of the illustrated constructive solutions describes an auxiliary connector or clip that is constituted by a central supporting element from which two pairs of double wings, which are symmetrical to the vertical axis of said support, extend.
Each wing has a substantially linear shape with a tooth that protrudes and is oriented respectively toward the inside or the outside of the supporting element.
This auxiliary connector is adapted to perform only the function of a mere local connection, in order to define a reference region for the installer for the interconnection of another panel, and does not ensure the fixing of the panels or the stability of its position once installed; accordingly, the panels 14 tend, over time, to rise from the ground and create differences in level.
Furthermore, with this solution one obtains an auxiliary connector that cannot be removed in the course of time, since its position is not visible to the installer once the floor has been provided, forcing the operator to remove the entire floor in case of intervention on a single auxiliary connector.
A further drawback resides in that in order to join two adjacent panels it is necessary to use a plurality of connectors or clips which must be arranged in any point (which cannot be predetermined constantly) of the panel, increasing coupling times and preventing removability.
WO01/27410 is also known which describes a floor composed of a series of tongue and groove boards the longitudinal surfaces of which are mutually connected by means of the tongues and grooves that are present thereat and of two first U-shaped clips and the transverse surfaces of which are mutually connected by means of the tongues and grooves that are present thereat and by means of second U-shaped clips.
The function of the joints is therefore only to keep the boards mutually adjacent and therefore said joints are unable to ensure their fixing or the stability of the joints once installed.
A further drawback resides in that the presence of tongues and grooves on the longitudinal surfaces and on the transverse surfaces does not allow to remove or replace the boards individually, without disassembling the entire floor; in addition, the tongues and grooves produce, due to the type of connection that they allow to achieve, great friction between the surfaces that make mutual contact, in practice making it impossible to remove a single board.
Another drawback that is observed in the background art resides in the system for assembling the boards, which requires the use of different elements, such as the tongues and grooves of the boards and at least three clips, through numerous steps which render the coupling long and laborious.
In particular, it is necessary to install the clips on the lower surface of the board so that both the leg of the first clip and the leg of the second clip engage the seat of the board, while the leg of the first clip and the leg of the second clip extend beyond the longitudinal edge of the board.
The longitudinal surface of the board is then arranged parallel to the longitudinal surface of the board so that the leg of the clip engages the seat of the board and the tongues and grooves of the board engage the tongues and grooves of the board.
The second clip is then installed on the lower face of the panel so that the leg of the second clip engages the seat and so that the leg of the second clip extends beyond the end of the board.
The transverse surface of the board is then arranged parallel the transverse surface of the board so that the leg of the clip engages the seat of the board and the tongues and grooves of the board engage the tongues and grooves of the board and at the same time the longitudinal surface of the board is arranged parallel to the longitudinal surface of the board so that the leg of the clip engages the seat of the board and so that the tongues and grooves of the board engage the tongues and grooves of the board.
Finally, the boards are hammered into position.
The aim of the present disclosure is therefore to solve the described technical problems, eliminating the drawbacks of the cited background art and thus providing an disclosure that allows to provide floors in strips that can be installed in a short time and without using adhesives.
Within this aim, the disclosure allows even individual strips to be replaced in a short time and easily.
The disclosure allows to fix, firmly and by itself, two strips, ensuring the stability of its position, once it is installed.
The disclosure allows to reduce the noise that is typical of a floating or raised floor.
The disclosure provides an effective and structurally simple device with modest manufacturing costs, and that can be provided with usual known systems.
This aim and these advantages, as well as others which will become better apparent hereinafter, are achieved by providing a joint for floors constituted by a series of strips, characterized in that it is constituted by a single linear bar constituted by a central planar body from which multiple pairs of elastically deformable tabs protrude which can be associated selectively at adapted seats provided in a downward region and longitudinally with respect to said strips and adjacent to the longitudinal perimetric edges thereof each pair of said tabs being substantially S-shaped with the free end directed toward the outside of said planar body.
Further characteristics and advantages of the disclosure will become better apparent from the detailed description of a particular but not exclusive embodiment, illustrated by way of nonlimiting example in the accompanying drawings, wherein:
In the exemplary embodiments that follow, individual characteristics, given in relation to specific examples, may actually be interchanged with other different characteristics that exist in other exemplary embodiments.
Moreover, it is noted that anything found to be already known during the patenting process is understood not to be claimed and to be the subject of a disclaimer.
With reference to
In the constructive solution shown from
In the constructive solution shown in
The joint 1 is constituted by a single linear bar 7, preferably but not exclusively made of metallic material, which has a substantially C-shaped cross-section of the chosen length.
The bar 7 is thus constituted by a central planar body 8, which has a substantially rectangular shape and from the longitudinal perimetric edges of which protrude, in the same direction, multiple pairs of elastically deformable tabs 9a, 9b, which are arranged along a same axis that is substantially perpendicular to the central planar body 8.
Each pair of tabs 9a, 9b is substantially S-shaped with the free end directed toward the outside of the planar body 8.
The shape of each pair of tabs 9a, 9b can be the most appropriate as a function of specific requirements, such as the type or size or the material that constitute the strip 3 that is used.
In the particular embodiment shown from
Each one of the tabs 9a, 9b is constituted further by a second portion 11a, 11b, which is contiguous and is blended with the respective first portion 10a, 10b, which protrudes and is directed toward the inside of the planar body 8 according to a constant inclination that has an angle γ (gamma) of preferably approximately 45°±10°, considering a rotation that starts from a plane that is perpendicular to the planar body 8 toward the inside of the planar body 8.
Each one of the tabs 9a, 9b is constituted further by a third portion 12a, 12b, which is contiguous to and blended with the respective second portion 11a, 11b, which protrudes toward the outside of the planar body 8 according to a constant inclination that has an angle δ (delta) preferably of approximately 55°±10° with respect to a plane that is perpendicular to the planar body 8 toward the outside of the planar body 8.
Each strip 3 has, at the lower surface 5 and proximate to each one of its longitudinal perimetric edges 4, at least one seat 13a, 13b.
In the particular embodiment shown from
Each seat 13a, 13b then has two side walls 15a, 15b which substantially follow in sequence the tilt of the angles β (beta), γ (gamma) and δ (delta), the seats 13a, 13b being shaped complementarily to the tabs 9a, 9b.
The side walls 15a, 15b of each seat 13a, 13b are mutually spaced by a space that is sufficient to allow the elastic deformation of the tabs 9a, 9b during their insertion/removal.
In the particular embodiment shown in
The seats 13a, 13b are arranged, with respect to the planar and vertical longitudinal perimetric edges 4, so that they are mutually opposite.
The side wall 15d has a first initial part that is shaped complementarily to the first and second portions 10a, 10b, 11a, 11b of the tabs 9a, 9b of the corresponding joints 1 and has a constant initial inclination that has an angle β (beta).
The walls 15c, 15d are mutually spaced by a space that is sufficient to allow the elastic deformation of the tabs 9a, 9b during their insertion/removal; this space is substantially slightly larger than the length of the third portions 12a, 12b.
In all of the illustrated embodiments, the width of the joint 1 is substantially equal to twice the distance between a longitudinal perimetric edge 4 of the strip 3 and the adjacent seat 13a, 13b: essentially, the overall width of the joint 1 is such that its arrangement below the strip 3 causes the tabs 9a, 9b to arrange themselves at the seats 13a, 13b of two strips 3 once they are arranged next to each other.
Furthermore, the thickness of the planar body 8 of the joint 1 can be accommodated or not within an adapted cavity provided in the lower surface 5 of each strip 3 in the region from the seats 13a, 13b to the longitudinal perimetric edges 4.
The shape of the seats 13a, 13b and of the tabs 9a, 9b is such that the latter can be inserted in the seats 13a, 13b by virtue of an elastic deformation that can be imparted outward to the third portions 12a, 12b during their insertion in the seats 13a, 13b.
The shape of the tabs 9a, 9b is such that once they are inserted in the seats 13a, 13b their return to the initial shape entails a removable vise-like mechanical locking with respect to the seats 13a, 13b.
At the lower surface 5 of each strip 3 there is a plurality of transverse and mutually parallel slots 14, which are extended along the entire width of the strip 3 and are adapted to increase the flexibility of the strips 3.
In its use, therefore, a series of appropriately mutually spaced joints 1 is laid initially, on the base of the floor 2: the various strips 3 are then associated with each one of them, arranging the tabs 9a within the seat 13b of a strip 3 and the tabs 9b within the seat 13a of a distinct and adjacent strip 3.
It is in fact sufficient to apply a slight pressure to each strip 3 in order to achieve coupling with a joint 1; the mutual uncoupling of the two is equally simple and quick.
The elastic deformation that can be imparted during coupling by the tabs 9a, 9b forces, once they are accommodated within the seats 13a, 13b, the vise-like connection of two adjacent strips 3, which are thus stably arranged mutually adjacent; the possible presence of the slightly inclined shape of the longitudinal perimetric edges 4 allows to compensate for any tolerances of the strips.
In practice it has been found that the disclosure has achieved the intended aim and objects, a joint 1 having been obtained which allows to provide floors 2 in strips 3 that can be installed in a short time and without using adhesives, thus obtaining floating and raised floors 2 which can be walked on immediately after laying, since there is no need to wait for adhesive drying times.
Furthermore, the absence of adhesives during the step of assembly of the floor 2 ensures a healthy environment that is free from substances that are harmful for the user.
It has also been observed that the joint 1 allows to provide floors 2 that are obtained simply by arranging mutually side by side individual strips 3, which can further be removed or replaced, even individually, in a short time and easily without having to disassemble the entire floor 2.
Furthermore, it has been observed that the joint 1 is capable of ensuring on its own the stable fixing of two strips 3, once installed, since the pair of tabs 9a, 9b, by virtue of their substantially S-shaped configuration, creates a force that pushes the strips 3 downward, keeping all the strips 3, which contribute to form the floor 2, joined and keeping them firmly rested on the ground.
Furthermore, it has been observed that the disclosure allows to reduce the noise of a floating or raised floor by means of the complete resting of the lower surface 5 of the strips 3 that constitute the floor 2 on the supporting base.
Furthermore, the supporting base can be made of any material, and this makes the disclosure applicable also to buildings being renovated.
The plurality of slots 14 extended along the entire width of the lower surface 5 of the strip 3 increases the flexibility of the strips 3.
The joint 1 is structurally simple and has modest manufacturing costs.
The materials used, as well as the dimensions that constitute the individual components of the disclosure, may of course be more pertinent according to the specific requirements.
The various means for performing certain different functions need not certainly coexist only in the illustrated embodiment but can be present per se in many embodiments, including ones that are not illustrated.
The characteristics indicated as advantageous, convenient, or the like may also be omitted or be replaced with equivalents.
The disclosures in Italian Patent Application no. 102016000067817 (UA2016A004777), from which this application claims priority, are incorporated herein by reference.
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
---|---|---|---|
10201600067817 | Jun 2016 | IT | national |
Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
---|---|---|---|
PCT/IB2017/053897 | 6/29/2017 | WO | 00 |
Publishing Document | Publishing Date | Country | Kind |
---|---|---|---|
WO2018/002859 | 1/4/2018 | WO | A |
Number | Name | Date | Kind |
---|---|---|---|
6070374 | Bifano | Jun 2000 | A |
6205639 | Pervan | Mar 2001 | B1 |
6233886 | Andres | May 2001 | B1 |
6339908 | Chuang | Jan 2002 | B1 |
6446405 | Pervan | Sep 2002 | B1 |
6453632 | Huang | Sep 2002 | B1 |
6510665 | Pervan | Jan 2003 | B2 |
6550206 | Lee | Apr 2003 | B2 |
7051486 | Pervan | May 2006 | B2 |
7805903 | Liu | Oct 2010 | B2 |
8006458 | Olofsson | Aug 2011 | B1 |
8276343 | Yang | Oct 2012 | B2 |
9416546 | Claudin | Aug 2016 | B2 |
9890543 | Aquilani | Feb 2018 | B2 |
20010010139 | De Kerpel | Aug 2001 | A1 |
20030115821 | Pervan | Jun 2003 | A1 |
20040020153 | Huang | Feb 2004 | A1 |
20050204677 | Mei | Sep 2005 | A1 |
20060179754 | Yang | Aug 2006 | A1 |
20070151189 | Yang | Jul 2007 | A1 |
20080168730 | Pervan | Jul 2008 | A1 |
20080216434 | Pervan | Sep 2008 | A1 |
20090071090 | Yang | Mar 2009 | A1 |
20090094925 | Andres | Apr 2009 | A1 |
20090107076 | Kim | Apr 2009 | A1 |
20140013698 | Schoneveld | Jan 2014 | A1 |
20140305064 | Baker et al. | Oct 2014 | A1 |
20150059271 | Tsai | Mar 2015 | A1 |
20160060880 | Stover | Mar 2016 | A1 |
20170314591 | Baker | Nov 2017 | A1 |
Number | Date | Country |
---|---|---|
9323636 | Nov 1993 | WO |
0127410 | Apr 2001 | WO |
WO 2012159162 | Nov 2012 | WO |
2015005860 | Jan 2015 | WO |
Entry |
---|
International Search Report dated Sep. 25, 2017 re: Application No. PCT/IB2017/053897, pp. 1-4. |
Written Opinion dated Sep. 25, 2017 re: Application No. PCT/IB2017/053897, pp. 1-8. |
Number | Date | Country | |
---|---|---|---|
20190203480 A1 | Jul 2019 | US |