Static structures (e.g. – buildings) – Specified wear or friction-type traffic-carrying surface
Reexamination Certificate
1999-12-22
2001-09-11
Callo, Laura A. (Department: 3635)
Static structures (e.g., buildings)
Specified wear or friction-type traffic-carrying surface
C052S263000, C052S385000, C052S480000, C404S046000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06286272
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention deals with an improved process making it possible to install against a support, ground, wall, ceiling etc., a covering consisting of planks or laths made of wood, or other similar materials; it also deals with a new type of covering, flooring in particular, obtained by implementing this process.
In the subsequent description, the invention will be described in respect of the making of floors or terraces made outdoors and which are therefore subjected to inclement weather, but it is obvious that the invention is not limited to such an application and can be applied to any other sector where similar problems arise.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
A great many proposals have been made hitherto for making ground or wall coverings from wooden panels or planks.
Thus, the document DE 21 23 206 describes a covering consisting of wooden panels or planks which are fixed against a surface, side-by-side, leaving a space between the said surface and the underside of the covering.
According to this document, the spacing and the fixing of the elements of the covering is obtained by means of a pair of elements distributed, the one over the whole surface of the planks, the other against the surface to be overlaid.
Such fixing elements call upon clipable cones disposed against the entire surface to be overlaid and the underside of the covering.
Such a fixing means which is envisaged for use for making interior parquet floors cannot, in any circumstances, allow its use to be contemplated for making exterior wooden floors or terraces on account of the fact that the main problem which arises in such circumstances is that of the durability of the constructed works which are subjected directly to inclement weather and the sun.
Indeed, wood being a biopolymer, it is by definition biodegradable, especially as regards the cellulose and hemicellulose compounds, since these compounds are in fact polysaccharides (chemistry of sugars), and therefore offer very little resistance over time, and are much coveted by microorganisms of the xylophagous type.
Accordingly, if good outdoor durability of the wood is required, it is vital to comply with two essential conditions, namely not to have direct contact with the ground and not to allow water (rain or similar) to stagnate or remain trapped on or in the wood.
Moreover, it is obvious that the durability will also depend on the species of wood used and also on any treatment, for example chemical treatment in a high-pressure autoclave, which increases durability.
Lastly, in the case of terraces or other external works, it is vital to achieve a structure which makes it possible to support the passage of considerable loads, such as for example an urban cleaning machine.
The solution described in the aforesaid patent does not in any event make it possible to solve such problems.
Indeed, in this document, the fixing elements call upon clipable cones disposed against the entire surface to be overlaid and the underside of the covering.
If such a fixing means is envisaged for a covering intended to be used outdoors, during such use, all of the cone surfaces can fill with water, and this will cause degradation of the wooden structure.
Additionally, the solution of this document does not in any event allow ventilation of the lower layers of the covering.
Moreover, the use of cones distributed over the entire surface demands deployment on a perfectly flat surface and does not allow any adjustment.
Lastly, the solution described in this document can be regarded as a non-structural solution and would therefore not be able to support the passage of considerable loads, such as for example urban cleaning machines.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Now, a simple and efficient process has been found, and it is this which is the subject of the present invention, which makes it possible, in the case of terraces or floors implemented outdoors, not only to distance the laths, panels, planks of wood from the ground, thus allowing ventilation and run-off of water after rain, but also permits a possibility of fixing the structure from the underside, eliminating any risks of entry of water by capillarity which occurs when using means of fixing from above (screws, bolts).
Moreover, the process in accordance with the invention permits the production of structure coverings making it possible to support the passage of considerable loads, such as urban cleaning machines.
In a general manner, the invention therefore relates to a process for installing against a support, the ground in particular, a covering consisting of planks, laths, wooden panels, which consists in leveling the surface to be overlaid, then in fixing against the said surface, side-by-side planks, leaving a space between them and the ground, the spacing and the fixing of the said planks constituting the covering being obtained by means of pairs of elements distributed the one over the length of the said planks, the other over the support to be overlaid.
The process according to the invention is characterized in that the said fixing elements take the form of mutually spaced elementary blocks which extend transversely the one over the lower face of the plank and the second over the ground, the opposite faces of the said blocks comprising interlockable complementary zones ensuring the mutual securing of the said elements.
According to a preferred embodiment in accordance with the invention, the said fixing blocks are of parallelepipedal general shape and comprise a rectangular base surmounted by a plurality of teeth spaced apart, the lateral faces of which advantageously exhibit a slight conicity, of the order of from 3 to 5°. Consequently, fixing is obtained by simply engaging the teeth of the block fixed underneath the plank between the teeth of the block fixed to the ground.
The very small conicity of each tooth makes it possible to obtain a self-tightening assembly and direct fixing by friction, installation being obtained in a very simple manner with the aid of a hammer blow on the plank.
Preferably, the teeth are distributed in series over the length of each elementary block, openings being provided in the thickness of the base, in the zones situated between two series of teeth so as to make it possible to screw the linking blocks on the one hand, to the underside of the plank and on the other hand, to the ground or other structural elements (walls, ceilings).
To prevent the system from coming loose, especially following large temperature swings to which the terrace is subjected or on account of water ingress, it is conceivable, during installation, to deposit a spot of adhesive on the teeth of one or both fixing blocks. The amount of adhesive interfaced on the tooth being proportional to the tensile strength of the joining assembly, it will therefore be calculated for, for example, removing the plank with a predetermined force of for example the order of 100 kg. It will be possible to adapt the force of resistance by making a profile comprising a greater or lesser number of teeth offering a greater or lesser surface for adhesion or bonding.
Another solution for ensuring the mutual securing of the fixing blocks and strengthening the resistance to crushing, consists in providing means for anchoring at the end of one or more teeth which are able to be snap-fitted against the lower face of the block opposite the end of the said teeth when the two elementary blocks are associated.
The fixing blocks in accordance with the invention will be made from any appropriate material, but will preferably be based on a thermosetting polymer which is resistant to water and to thermal swings with little dimensional variation as well as to aggressive cleaning agents and which can be bonded with no particular constraint.
By way of indication, polyamide, polyethylene or polypropylene may be used as substance. Of course, the choice of such materials is not limiting.
Regarding the adhesive which may optionally be used to improve the bond between the two elementary blocks, use may be made of an adhesive of epoxy type, or c
Callo Laura A.
Wall Marjama & Bilinski
LandOfFree
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