Patent Application
20250179822
The subject matter disclosed generally relates to a floor system for a scene, in particular a floor system for a scene where shows are presented, such as music shows, theater or dance shows. The subject matter disclosed furthermore generally relates to a multi-layer tile of a floor system comprising a lightweight tile structure that is easily reversible and removable for quick scene modifications.
Traditional removable or reversible floor systems for scenes, typically made of dense plywood, pose challenges due to their weight and difficulty in handling.
There is a therefore need for a lighter and more manageable floor system.
In some aspects, the description herein relates to a multi-layer tile of a floor system for scenes or stages, the multi-layer tile having a top surface and a bottom surface, the multi-layer tile including: a frame, the frame defining a rigid structure; a core component, the core component forming a central layer of the multi-layer tile, the core component having a top wall, a bottom wall and a side wall, and the core component being inserted in the frame such that the frame surrounds the side wall of the core component; and a first panel and a second panel, the first panel and the second panel being denser than the core component, the first panel and the second panel providing top and bottom layers and providing the top surface and the bottom surface of the multi-layer tile, the first panel and the second panel being respectively affixed to the top wall and the bottom wall of the core component, wherein the first panel and the second panel extend beyond the core component over a section of the frame and bound the section of the frame in-between.
In some aspects, the description herein relates to a multi-layer tile, wherein the first panel and the second panel are made of plywood.
In some aspects, the description herein relates to a multi-layer tile, wherein the frame includes outward projections that surround the first panel and the second panel.
In some aspects, the description herein relates to a multi-layer tile, wherein the outward projections of the frame are substantially flush with the top surface and the bottom surface of the multi-layer tile.
In some aspects, the description herein relates to a multi-layer tile, wherein the core component is made of a composite material.
In some aspects, the description herein relates to a multi-layer tile, wherein the composite material is glass fiber.
In some aspects, the description herein relates to a multi-layer tile, wherein at least a portion of the frame is made of extruded metal.
In some aspects, the description herein relates to a multi-layer tile, wherein the extruded metal is aluminum.
In some aspects, the description herein relates to a multi-layer tile, further including adhesive bounding the first panel, the core component and the second panel together.
In some aspects, the description herein relates to a multi-layer tile, wherein the frame includes a plurality of casing components and a plurality of corner components, wherein each one of the corner components adjoins two of the casing components neighboring one another.
In some aspects, the description herein relates to a multi-layer tile, wherein at least one of the corner components includes a bore for receiving a securing means for securing the multi-layer tile to a receiving structure.
In some aspects, the description herein relates to a multi-layer tile, wherein each one of the first panel and the second panel has a bore extending thereacross, wherein the bores of the panels and of at least one of the corner components are aligned to one another, providing a common bore passing through the multi-layer tile.
In some aspects, the description herein relates to a multi-layer tile, wherein the corner components are made of a metallic material.
In some aspects, the description herein relates to a multi-layer tile, wherein the frame includes a bottom protrusion and a top a protrusion extending away to the core component, whereby providing a clearance in-between the top and bottom protrusions away to the core component.
In some aspects, the description herein relates to a multi-layer tile, wherein the frame further includes outward projections that surround the first panel and the second panel, the outward projections extending from the protrusions distant to the core component.
In some aspects, the description herein relates to a multi-layer tile, wherein the frame further includes inward projections extending from the protrusions distant to the core component.
In some aspects, the description herein relates to a multi-layer tile, wherein the inward projections further include a portion extending at least partially towards the core component, thereby defining a hook.
In some aspects, the description herein relates to a multi-layer tile, wherein the frame includes an inner wall adjoining the core component, an outer wall distant to the inner wall, and a void in-between the inner wall and the outer wall.
In some aspects, the description herein relates to a method 1, including the steps of: laying down the multi-layer tile on a receiving structure with its bottom surface laid against the receiving structure, the first multi-layer tile having a bore extending thereacross; and inserting securing means into the bore of the multi-layer tile to secure it to the receiving structure.
In some aspects, the description herein relates to a method, further including: removing the securing means from the bore, thereby releasing the multi-layer tile from the receiving structure; flipping the multi-layer tile, thereby having the multi-layer tile laying on the receiving surface with its bottom surface distant and facing away to the receiving structure; and inserting the securing means back into the bore of the multi-layer tile to secure it to the receiving structure upside-down.
Features and advantages of the subject matter hereof will become more apparent in light of the following detailed description of selected embodiments, as illustrated in the accompanying figures. As will be realized, the subject matter disclosed and claimed is capable of modifications in various respects, all without departing from the scope of the claims. Accordingly, the drawings and the description are to be regarded as illustrative in nature and not as restrictive and the full scope of the subject matter is set forth in the claims.
Further features and advantages of the present disclosure will become apparent from the following detailed description, taken in combination with the appended drawings, in which:
It will be noted that throughout the appended drawings, like features are identified by like reference numerals.
The realizations will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying figures, in which realizations are illustrated. The foregoing may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the illustrated realizations set forth herein.
With respect to the present description, references to items in the singular should be understood to include items in the plural, and vice versa, unless explicitly stated otherwise or clear from the text. Grammatical conjunctions are intended to express any and all disjunctive and conjunctive combinations of conjoined clauses, sentences, words, and the like, unless otherwise stated or clear from the context. Thus, the term “or” should generally be understood to mean “and/or” and so forth.
Recitation of ranges of values and of values herein or on the drawings are not intended to be limiting, referring instead individually to any and all values falling within the range, unless otherwise indicated herein, and each separate value within such a range is incorporated into the specification as if it were individually recited herein. The words “about”, “approximately”, or the like, when accompanying a numerical value, are to be construed as indicating a deviation as would be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art to operate satisfactorily for an intended purpose. Ranges of values and/or numeric values are provided herein as examples only, and do not constitute a limitation on the scope of the described realizations. The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (“e.g.,” “such as”, or the like) provided herein, is intended merely to better illuminate the exemplary realizations and does not pose a limitation on the scope of the realizations. No language in the specification should be construed as indicating any unclaimed element as essential to the practice of the realizations. The use of the term “substantially” is intended to mean “for the most part” or “essentially” depending on the context. It is to be construed as indicating that some deviation from the word it qualifies is acceptable as would be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art to operate satisfactorily for the intended purpose.
In the following description, it is understood that terms such as “first”, “second”, “top”, “bottom”, “above”, “below”, and the like, are words of convenience and are not to be construed as limiting terms.
The terms “top”, “up”, “upper”, “bottom”, “lower”, “down”, “vertical”, “horizontal”, “interior” and “exterior” and the like are intended to be construed in their normal meaning in relation with normal installation of the product.
It should further be noted that for purposes of this disclosure, the term “coupled” means the joining of two members directly or indirectly to one another. Such joining may be stationary in nature or movable in nature. Such joining may be achieved with the two members or the two members and any additional intermediate members being integrally formed as a single unitary body with one another or with the two members or the two members and any additional intermediate members being attached to one another. Such joining may be permanent in nature or alternatively may be removable or releasable in nature.
The invention introduces a multi-layer floor system comprising a multi-layer tile structure with a particularly advantageous frame. The multi-layer tile incorporates plywood panels providing top and bottom layers that provide the top and bottom surfaces, with a core component made of a less dense material providing a central layer, such as a composite material (e.g., glass fiber). A frame, preferably made of extruded aluminum, encloses the panels and the core component, particularly outward projections, including upper and lower outward lips enclose the panels.
The floor system relates to removable or reversible floors for scenes. Usually, such removable or reversible floor systems are made of plywood. The color may need to be changed, and the plywood can therefore be painted in the suitable color. When two shows are presented on the same scene and require different colors, the floor may be reversed upside down, with each surface being painted in the appropriate color. However, such floors are usually very heavy. And since they are made of plywood, they are dense. Typically, they are made of reversible and displaceable tiles of a floor system. The tiles are quite heavy and hard to dismount, reverse or displace.
The floor system according to the present invention comprises a multi-layer tile. The multi-layer tile for the floor system according to the invention comprises plywood only on the top surface and on the bottom surface thereof. In between, there is provided a thick layer of much less dense material, such as a composite material, e.g., glass fiber, thereby considerably reducing the overall density of the tile, making it much lighter and easier to return or to displace by scene operators. The panels and core component can be secured together using an adhesive applied on the adjoining surfaces.
In order to more properly secure and hold them together firmly, the plywood panels, the core component of less dense composite material, and a frame are provided, according to the invention. The frame is made of a rigid material, providing a rigid structure, with the frame be potentially and advantageously an extrusion. For example, the frame can be made of extruded metal. Preferably, the frame is made of extruded aluminum, which is a material having a low density, which is suitable for the present application. The frame forms a periphery for the two plywood panels and for the core component of composite material, and participates in holding in place all parts together to form a tile of the floor system. The frame comprises outward projections, forming an upper outward lip and a lower outward lip which surrounds the panels.
Advantageously, a corner component is provided in a metal material, such as aluminum, and which comprises a bore. Bores are present also in the panels, aligned to one another, thereby extending across the tile, and in consequence providing a bore allowing the insertion of a pin therethrough for securing the tile to a permanent floor or other holding structure on the scene.
Now referring to
In
According to an embodiment, adhesive is also used to secure at least one of a) the panels (12, 14) and b) the core component (16) to the frame (18).
As well shown in
An inner surface (50) of the frame (18) contacts the core component (16), according to an embodiment, with an adhesive applied between the frame (18) and the core component (16), for participating in holding the layers (12, 14) and core component (16) together and within the frame (18).
The multi-layer floor system allows for quick changes of scenes by providing a lightweight and reversible tile structure. The plywood panels (12, 14) offer a durable surface, while the core component (16), having reduced density relative to the panels (12, 14), participates in providing a lightweight tile (10). The frame (18) eases the handling, the manipulation and the securing process of the tile (10) by scene operators while protecting edges of the plywood panels (12, 14).
Advantages of the invention according to the disclosure include having lightweight and easily reversible tiles allowing quick scene modifications; the tiles having surfaces made of durable plywood panels for a robust performance surface, and the tiles having a core component made of a composite, low-density material participating in having lightweight tiles. Outward projections of the frame encloses and protects the edges of the panels, and the frame provides easy way to secure and firmly assemble the tiles with external elements. The frame, preferably made of extruded aluminum, is both easy to fabricate and has a light weight contributing to this particular advantage of the invention.
Therefore, the present invention introduces an innovative multi-layer tile and associated floor system tailored for scenes or stages for shows, events and the like. The combination of plywood panels, a core component of less dense material of the core component, and a sturdy frame results in a lightweight, durable, and easily reversible tile structure.
The tiles are easy to install, including by laying them down on a floor and securing them with pins to the floor. Configuration of the tiles are furthermore easy to modify by removing securing pins of tiles, and e.g., flipping tiles upside down thereby showing the previously hidden face. Once flipped, the flipped tiles can be secured, thereby easily providing a floor having a different look.
Alternative or additional methods of installation are also available; these methods involving steps of securing the frames or neighboring tiles to one another, or using alternative means to align the tiles to one another, or to secure the frame to the receiving structure.
While preferred embodiments have been described above and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, it will be evident to those skilled in the art that modifications may be made without departing from this disclosure. Such modifications are considered as possible variants comprised in the scope of the disclosure.
This application claims priority from provisional U.S. patent application No. 63/605,274, filed Dec. 1, 2023, entitled MULTI-LAYER FLOOR SYSTEM COMPRISING A LIGHTWEIGHT TILE.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 63605274 | Dec 2023 | US |
