Patent Grant
9038341
The present embodiments generally relate to a modular flooring system that provides flooring using artificial wood panels over a plastic base formed from recycled plastics for even durable support over a cement or dirt surface.
A need exists for a simple flooring system adapted to endure outdoor conditions, from −30 degrees Fahrenheit to 140 degrees Fahrenheit, without buckling or delaminating, and that is versatile and interchangeable to adapt quickly to different sized spaces and over different types of hard surfaces.
The present embodiments meet these needs.
The detailed description will be better understood in conjunction with the accompanying drawings as follows:
The present embodiments are detailed below with reference to the listed Figures.
Before explaining the present apparatus in detail, it is to be understood that the apparatus is not limited to the particular embodiments and that it can be practiced or carried out in various ways.
The present embodiments relate to a quick interlocking modular flooring system that provides flooring using artificial wood panels over a plastic base formed from recycled plastics for even durable support over a cement or dirt surface.
The present embodiments further relate to a decking or a flooring system with a plurality of interlocking bases, a plurality of clips that engage each base and a plurality of boards attachable to clips mounted to the bases.
The term “impact resistant” as used herein can refer to the ability of the base to withstand loads up to 300 pounds without deforming.
The term “semi-rigid” as used herein can refer to a bending property, wherein the base can bend up to an angle of 20 percent from a base plane without breaking.
A benefit of this invention is that the system is modular, quick and easy to install, take apart, and rebuild if a portion becomes broken.
The flooring system is for installation over a hard surface and can be made using a plurality of interlocking impact resistant semi-rigid bases. In embodiments, each impact resistant, semi-rigid base can be a one piece structure.
Turning now to the Figures,
The interlocking impact resistant semi-rigid base 12a can be molded or pressure formed into a shape that has a frame 14 with a center point 16, a first side 18 opposite a second side 20, and a third side 22 opposite a fourth side 24 positioned around the center point.
In one or more embodiments, the interlocking impact resistant semi-rigid base can be a one piece structure.
The third and fourth sides can be connected to and formed between the first and second sides, wherein the frame is formed in a frame plane.
A plurality of spacers 26a-26af can extend from the frame towards the center point.
Each spacer extending from the frame towards the center point can be made from the same material as the frame, such as a flexible plastic or plastic mixed with rubber.
The frame can be made from recycled plastic milk bottles, such as polyethylene or polypropylene. The base can be made from alpha olefin homopolymers, or blends of alpha olefin homopolymers with copolymers. The base can be made from copolymers of alpha olefins that are crosslinked or covalently linked.
A plurality of outer squares 28a-28l can be attached to the spacer within the frame. Each outer square can have an open central area.
Each outer square can have an outer perimeter and an inner perimeter. The outer perimeters 30a-30l are depicted as the outside of each outer square. The inner perimeters 32a-32l are depicted on the inside of each outer square.
A plurality of tubes 40a-40bl can be formed at each corner of each outer square. One outer square can have four tubes. The tubes can have an inner diameter of 0.5 inches.
The outer square 28a can have tubes 40a-40d and the outer square 28b can have tubes 40e-40h.
Each outer square can have the same number of tubes formed at the corners of the outer square.
A plurality of support members 44a-44z can be used. One to four support members can extend from each tube.
The outer square 28a has tube 40d with support member 44w extending from it towards a tube of outer square 281.
The outer square 28a has tube 40c with support member 44x extending from it towards a tube of outer square 281 that is different from the tube to which support member 44w connects.
The outer square 28b has a tube 40h with a support member 44y extending towards a tube 40aw of an inner square labeled as 34a.
The outer square 28b has a tube 40g with a support member 44z extending from it in parallel to support member 44y towards a different tube of the same inner square 34a.
In embodiments, the outer squares are not solid and can have open centers and can be configured to be suggestive of a square frame.
A plurality of inner squares can be used. Inner squares 34a, 34b, and 34d are labeled.
Each inner square can have an inner square outer perimeter 36a, 36b, and 36d and an inner square inner perimeter 38a, 38b, and 38d.
The inner square 34a has inner square outer perimeter 36a and inner square inner perimeter 38a. The inner square 34a has tubes 40az, 40ay, and 40aw.
The inner square 34b has inner square outer perimeter 36b and inner square inner perimeter 38b. The inner square 34b has tubes 40ba, 40bd, and 40bc.
The inner square 34d has inner square outer perimeter 36d and inner square inner perimeter 38d. The inner square 34d has tubes 40bl and 40bi.
The support members in this system can connect a tube from an outer square to an outer square, a tube from an outer square to an inner square, and between tubes of the inner squares.
Spacers can connect from a tube of one square to a tube of an adjacent square.
A plurality of hooks can be secured to each inner perimeter of each outer square and each inner square. In embodiments, the hooks can be C-shaped.
The hooks formed in a C-shape, can be secured to the inner perimeter of each square with each hook being secured at a midpoint of the hook, with the open ends of the C-shape all oriented towards a center of the square
Outer square 28a has hooks 46a, 46c and 46d are labeled. Outer square 28b has hooks 46e and 46h labeled. Outer square 28l has hooks 46as and 46av labeled.
Inner square 34a has hooks 46aw and 46az labeled. Inner square 34b has hooks 46ba and 46bd labeled. Inner square 34d has hooks 46bi and 46bl labeled.
In this Figure, four hooks are depicted in the outer and inner square, but are not labeled
In embodiments, from 2 hooks to 8 hooks can be used per inner perimeter of each square.
In embodiments, one hook can be used on each side of a square.
In embodiments, the hooks can be mounted in at least two of the four corners of one or all of the squares.
A plurality of male locking means 48a-48h and a plurality of female locking means 49a-49h are shown formed on each side of the frame opposite the plurality of spacers.
The male and female locking means are in a spaced apart relationship from each other on a side of the frame.
Also shown is a first message board 90. The message board can support printed text or contain embossed text, images, logos or an emergency message.
In this Figure, the interlocking impact resistant semi-rigid base 12a is shown with the fourth side 24 of the frame.
Each of the plurality of tubes can have foot portions 42n-42aa extending at an angle 450 from 70 degrees to 100 degrees from a frame plane 25. In embodiments, the foot portion can extend at 90 degrees from the frame plane 25 on a side opposite the side shown in
The foot portions can support the frame apart from a surface 8.
In this side view, male locking means 48c and 48d and female locking means 49c and 49d can be seen. The locking means can be configured to receive opposing locking means from another interlocking impact resistant semi-ridge base.
Interlocking impact resistant semi-rigid base 12b is shown interlocking with interlocking impact resistant semi-rigid base 12a. In this example, the interlocking impact resistant semi-rigid base 12b uses its male locking means to engage the female locking means of interlocking impact resistant semi-rigid base 12a. Interlocking impact resistant semi-rigid base 12b simultaneously uses its female locking means to engage male locking means of interlocking impact resistant semi-rigid base 12a. This secure interlock enables the system to be highly durable.
The interlocking impact resistant semi-rigid base 12a can have foot portions 42a-42an. The first side 18, the second side 20, the third side 22 and the fourth side 24 are also shown.
The removable clip 50a can be used to connect the interlocking impact resistant semi-rigid bases.
The removable clip 50a can have a clip base 52.
In the top and side views, a pair of grippers 58a and 58b is shown. Each gripper can extend from the top side 56 of the clip base 52. The first gripper 58a can attach to the clip base 52 on a side opposite a second gripper 58b.
The pair of grippers 58a and 58b can each have a lip 55a and 55b for securing a single board to the removable clip 50a.
In one or more embodiments, the lips of the pair of grippers can face each other.
The removable clip 50a has a plurality of connecting rods 60a, 60b, 60c and 60d extending from the clip base 52 on the bottom side 54.
Each connecting rod can have a ridge. Ridge 61a is on rod 60a, ridge 61b is on rod 60b, and ridge 61c is on rod 60c for locking into or engaging one of the hooks.
A second message board 92 can be formed in the clip base 52. The message board can support printed text or contain embossed text, images, logos or an emergency message.
Also shown is a slot 96 which can receive a device for providing a penetrating grip into a board held by the grippers of a clip attached to a base.
The outdoor flooring or decking system can include a plurality of boards. In embodiments, each board of the system can have an identical length.
Each board can be formed to slide within the grippers of a clip for a secure engagement with the clip while the clip is engaged with the base.
In this embodiment, each board 62a of the plurality of boards can have a board top 68 with a first width 70 and a board bottom 74 with a second width 76. The second width can be at least 10 percent less than the first width.
A first groove 78a can be formed on one side of the board between the board top 68 and the board bottom 74. A second groove 78b can be formed on the opposite side of the board between the board top and the board bottom.
Each groove can extend the length of the board for engagement with the pair of grippers.
Board holes 94a-94d can be formed in the board 62a extending the entire length of the board without penetrating the groove, board top or board bottom.
The fang securing mechanism 98 can be removably inserted into the slot shown in
The fang securing mechanism can have a thickness from 0.2 millimeters to 0.4 millimeters and a length from 1 millimeter to 4 millimeters.
The flooring system 10 is shown over one interlocking impact resistant semi-rigid base 12a supporting two removable clips 50a and 50b, with each removable clip supporting a single board 62a and 62b. The pair of grippers 58a and 58b can hold board 62a to the removable clip 50a by engaging each groove 78a and 78b of the board 62a.
The pair of grippers 58c and 58d can hold board 62b to the removable clip 50b by engaging each groove 78c and 78d of the board 62b.
In embodiments, the spacers can have a length from 0.05 inches to 0.125 inches.
In embodiments, the spacers and the squares can be formed from an identical material as the frame.
In embodiments, the base can be a molded component with an ability to withstand temperatures from −30 degrees Fahrenheit to 150 degrees Fahrenheit without breaking.
In embodiments, from 1 spacer to 32 spacers can be connected to the frame and extend toward the center point in the frame.
In embodiments, the surface can be concrete, hard packed dirt, or another even, solid surface.
In embodiments, from 2 support members to 8 support members can extend from each outer perimeter of each square.
In embodiments, a first message board can be formed in the base as shown in
In embodiments, a second message board can be formed in the removable clip base as shown in
In embodiments, the connecting rods can be oriented in a diamond pattern to enable orientation of the boards in two directions. The connecting rods can be separated by an angle from 80 degrees to 120 degrees.
In embodiments, 2 male locking means and 2 female locking means can be used per side of the frame.
In embodiments, from 4 removable clips to 16 removable clips per base can be used.
While these embodiments have been described with emphasis on the embodiments, it should be understood that within the scope of the appended claims, the embodiments might be practiced other than as specifically described herein.
The present application is a Continuation of International Patent Application Ser. No. PCT/CN2013/086198 filed on Oct. 30, 2013, entitled “MODULAR FLOORING SYSTEM,” and claims priority to and the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/887,914 filed on Oct. 7, 2013, entitled “MODULAR FLOORING SYSTEM.” These references are hereby incorporated in their entirety.
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| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20150096250 A1 | Apr 2015 | US |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 61887914 | Oct 2013 | US |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | PCT/CN2013/086198 | Oct 2013 | US |
| Child | 14301771 | US |
