Static structures (e.g. – buildings) – Veneer tiles held by nonload-bearing grid – Integral projections on backer
Patent
1993-11-15
1996-04-23
Friedman, Carl D.
Static structures (e.g., buildings)
Veneer tiles held by nonload-bearing grid
Integral projections on backer
52177, 525861, E04F 1510, E04F 1522
Patent
active
055092446
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a system of plastic flooring tiles and of the type, in which single tiles are designed as slightly resilient user friendly flooring members to be laid out on hard floors, with the tiles being adapted to be joined edged to edge by interengaging coupling members.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
A flooring system of the aforementioned type is disclosed in, for example, DK-C-155,616, in which it is possible to achieve a very effective coupling of the tiles by special projecting coupling parts which can be brought into engagement with complementary coupling means located retracted from the single side edges of the tiles.
While it is no doubt possible to obtain a rigid coupling between the proposed conventional tiles, though in a rather difficult manner conditioned by a pronounced resilient flexibility of the tiles and/or rather high efforts for establishing the locking engagement, it has been found as a considerable drawback that the coupling parts may be broken when the tiles are subjected to external forces and, consequently, the relevant tiles will have to be replaced as they will be without any holding connection with neighboring or adjoining tiles.
This is mainly explainable by the fact that climate conditioned heating and air conditioning of the floor will produce different degrees of associated expansion and contraction of the layers constituted by the rigid support surface and the plastic tile layer thereon, respectively, whereby, for example, a relative contraction of the tile layer will imply large pulling forces in the coupling parts integrally associated with the tiles. The coupling parts may be constructed correspondingly heavily but then without overcoming the associated productional problems relating to a desired minimization of the material consumption of the coupling parts.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
With the present invention the viewpoint is adopted that it is uneconomical to secure the tiles, generally, by making their coupling parts extremely heavy and resistant, as it will then be better to use non-integrated coupling parts, which, when breakage might occur, are easily replaceable, while it is also endavoured to make it easier to effect the coupling of the tiles.
According to the invention use is made of tiles, the side edges of which are provided exclusively with receiver portions for separate coupling members, whereby these coupling members may consist of relatively small units for interconnecting the tiles. In cases where these units are broken it will be sufficient to mount new coupling members, without any changing out of the tiles themselves, whereby, for obvious reasons, a required repair will be much less expensive to carry out.
It has already been proposed to use separate coupling members between the tiles, but only in a manner such that the tiles would be difficult to join, and for the invention it is a further objective to provide a solution, whereby the coupling is easy to effect, inter alia in a manner such that the tiles may be premounted with coupling members on one pair of sides, such that these coupling members are readily engageable with the complementary sides of other tiles. By such a premounting the tiles will appear as full-cast units and yet be easy to mount, while the advantage is maintained that the coupling members will still be separately replaceable in case they should be broken by the displacement forces.
Against this background the invention provides for coupling members comprising a cross connector part having widened head portions of both ends thereof, while the tiles, along their side walls, are shaped with slots extending upwardly from the underside of the tile adapted to receive the cross connector part, while behind these slots, the tiles are provided with vertical channel portions for receiving the head portions in such a guided manner that an inserted coupling member that is upwardly into the channel portion will be held therein by a light clamping or snap lock action and will thus be stabilized
REFERENCES:
patent: 841998 (1907-01-01), Mulford
patent: 1028058 (1912-05-01), Nordenkampf
patent: 3500606 (1970-03-01), Wharmby
patent: 4807412 (1989-02-01), Frederiksen
Friedman Carl D.
Horton-Richardson Yvonne
LandOfFree
Flooring system having joinable tile elements, particularly plas does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Flooring system having joinable tile elements, particularly plas, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Flooring system having joinable tile elements, particularly plas will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2301464