Static structures (e.g. – buildings) – Module or panel having discrete edgewise or face-to-face... – Having integral key
Reexamination Certificate
1999-10-12
2001-04-03
Wilkens, Janet M. (Department: 3636)
Static structures (e.g., buildings)
Module or panel having discrete edgewise or face-to-face...
Having integral key
C052S592100
Reexamination Certificate
active
06209278
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to flooring panels and, more particularly, to flooring panels having connection members for simply and effectively installing adjacent flooring panels to one another.
2. Background Description
WO 97/47384 A1 shows flooring panels in FIGS. 5-7 and FIGS. 22-25. Specifically, these flooring panels may be connected to one another without, for example, the need to glue them to the sub-floor or connecting them with additional connection devices such as tracks. The connection members of two flooring panel can thereby be joined parallel to the sub-floor by linearly sliding them into each other; however, in order to achieve a seamless joint between the connection members the lower projection of the first connection member must be bent downwards during the connecting process and, due to its elastic properties, snap back to its original configuration thereby catching the upper projection on the under side of the tongue. This results in the inability to again separate the two connecting members by simple linear sliding.
Alternatively, it is possible to introduce the second connecting member into the first connecting member with an arc-like movement. In this manner, the bending movement of the lower projection can be minimized while still achieving stability of the connection with respect to lateral separation.
However, a problem with such prior art connecting members is that a previously laid flooring panel must be significantly raised when joining additional flooring panel. This is due to the fact that the previously laid flooring panel is usually connected with other panels thereby making it difficult to raise from the sub-floor. It is also noted that the connecting member may be damaged since there may be too much stress on the lower projection and/or the tongue.
As a further problem, high strains may be created on both connecting members in the lower region between the lower projection of the first connecting member and the tongue of the second connection member subsequent to the installation thereof This is because high strain is directed to these connecting member due to a tight “fit” achieved at the upper side of the installation ledges of the connecting members and also on the sub-floor side. Additionally, the production of these connection members, which have a complex form especially inside the groove, is technically difficult. This is due to the milling of the connection members being complex thus increasing the costs typically attributable to the expensive machinery.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention overcomes the above problems, and creates a flooring panel that is easy to lay, achieves good tightness of the connecting members, and can be produced at a relatively low cost. These advantages are provided by a flooring system that includes connection members as described below.
The present invention is directed to a flooring panel which includes a first connection member and a second connection member. The first connection member includes an upper projection having a first installation ledge, a lower projection having a lower indentation and protuberance, and a groove between the upper and lower projection. The second connection member, located opposite the first connection member, includes a second installation ledge whose underside has a tongue for joining with the groove of an adjacent first connecting member of another flooring panel. The underside of the tongue has an upper protuberance and an upper indentation next to the upper protuberance, and the lower indentation is designed to accept the upper protuberance while the groove is designed to accept the lower protuberance. In addition, the tongue and the groove are designed to slope in the direction of the base of the groove.
In other words, the connection members of the present invention include a tongue having an upper auxiliary protuberance and an upper auxiliary indentation on its underside while a lower projection has a lower auxiliary protuberance and a lower auxiliary indentation. The lower auxiliary protuberance fits in the upper auxiliary indentation of an adjacent flooring panel and the lower auxiliary indentation similarly fits the upper auxiliary protuberance of an another flooring panel. The lower protuberance, lower auxiliary protuberance, lower indentation and lower auxiliary indentation are positioned on the lower projection preferably outside the groove and extend to the outer end of the first connection member at the first installation ledge.
Through the configuration of the lower auxiliary protuberance and upper auxiliary protuberance that can be joined with the corresponding lower auxiliary indentation and upper auxiliary indentation of other adjacent connection members, it is now possible to inexpensively achieve a tight fit between adjacent flooring panels through the upper protuberance, upper auxiliary protuberance, upper indentation, upper auxiliary indentation, lower protuberance, lower indentation, lower auxiliary protuberance, and lower auxiliary indentation. Such a tight fit between adjacent flooring panels also provides tight fitting on the surfaces and/or edges facing the sub-floor. Thus, tight fitting flooring panels with bearing forces distributed over several points or surfaces is achieved. This results in a good durability of the connection in a simple manner even with exertion of higher forces and strains.
Also, since the upper protuberance, upper auxiliary protuberance, upper indentation, and upper auxiliary indentation on the lower side of the tongue of the second connection member and the lower protuberance, lower auxiliary protuberance, lower indentation, and lower auxiliary indentation are located in well set-out locations, e.g., outside the groove and further out than the first installation ledge, these shapes can be produced very precisely and at relatively low cost. This results in a relatively less manufacturing time due to the small use of tools, such as, for example, milling machines, and a relatively low production cost.
Since the indentations, auxiliary indentations, protuberances, and auxiliary protuberances are formed outside the groove and further out than the installation ledge, the second connection member can be very easily lifted during the joining of the panels (without the tongue already firmly residing in the groove) so that a slight lifting of the second connection member is made possible with little or no distortion.
Inasmuch as the tongue and the groove slope in the direction of the base of the groove, it is also possible to obtain a self-centering of the connection members. Advantageously, the groove slopes over its whole length and the tongue also slopes along its whole length or at least along the length of the groove. Due to this configuration, it is possible to obtain self-centering and therefore adequate “force” distribution along the length of the groove, while simplifying the joining process. Thereby, the danger of damaging the tongue or a projection is minimized by the excellent joining ease and force distribution provided by the invention.
Thus, by using the invention it is now possible to produce a connection profile on the lower projection and the tongue that provides a seal with four bearing surfaces. This results in excellent tightness between adjoining flooring panels, and excellent distribution of the support on the lower installation point over a large surface without the need to significantly bend the lower projection during the installation process. It is noted that this type of connection is especially well suited for the longitudinal edge of a flooring panel because the connection has either a small bending of the lower projection or an arc-like relative motion between the connection members. Thus, the flooring panels can be assembled by joining the longitudinal edges and then by longitudinally sliding further flooring panels until a connection of the cross-edge with another flooring panel is achieved.
Inasmuch as the upper and lower si
Kronotex GmbH
McGuireWoods LLP
Wilkens Janet M.
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