US20050144879A1 - Strip for forming floor coverings - Google Patents

Strip for forming floor coverings Download PDF

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Publication number
US20050144879A1
US20050144879A1 US10/992,812 US99281204A US2005144879A1 US 20050144879 A1 US20050144879 A1 US 20050144879A1 US 99281204 A US99281204 A US 99281204A US 2005144879 A1 US2005144879 A1 US 2005144879A1
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US
United States
Prior art keywords
strip
horizontal plane
tongue
groove
floor coverings
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Abandoned
Application number
US10/992,812
Inventor
Giovanni Fiorino
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Gardesa SpA
Original Assignee
Individual
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Individual filed Critical Individual
Assigned to GARDESA S.P.A. reassignment GARDESA S.P.A. ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: FIORINO, GIOVANNI
Publication of US20050144879A1 publication Critical patent/US20050144879A1/en
Abandoned legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E04—BUILDING
    • E04F—FINISHING WORK ON BUILDINGS, e.g. STAIRS, FLOORS
    • E04F15/00—Flooring
    • E04F15/02—Flooring or floor layers composed of a number of similar elements
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E04—BUILDING
    • E04B—GENERAL BUILDING CONSTRUCTIONS; WALLS, e.g. PARTITIONS; ROOFS; FLOORS; CEILINGS; INSULATION OR OTHER PROTECTION OF BUILDINGS
    • E04B1/00—Constructions in general; Structures which are not restricted either to walls, e.g. partitions, or floors or ceilings or roofs
    • E04B1/38—Connections for building structures in general
    • E04B1/61—Connections for building structures in general of slab-shaped building elements with each other
    • E04B1/6108—Connections for building structures in general of slab-shaped building elements with each other the frontal surfaces of the slabs connected together
    • E04B1/612—Connections for building structures in general of slab-shaped building elements with each other the frontal surfaces of the slabs connected together by means between frontal surfaces
    • E04B1/6125—Connections for building structures in general of slab-shaped building elements with each other the frontal surfaces of the slabs connected together by means between frontal surfaces with protrusions on the one frontal surface co-operating with recesses in the other frontal surface
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E04—BUILDING
    • E04F—FINISHING WORK ON BUILDINGS, e.g. STAIRS, FLOORS
    • E04F2201/00—Joining sheets or plates or panels
    • E04F2201/01—Joining sheets, plates or panels with edges in abutting relationship
    • E04F2201/0138—Joining sheets, plates or panels with edges in abutting relationship by moving the sheets, plates or panels perpendicular to the main plane
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E04—BUILDING
    • E04F—FINISHING WORK ON BUILDINGS, e.g. STAIRS, FLOORS
    • E04F2201/00—Joining sheets or plates or panels
    • E04F2201/02—Non-undercut connections, e.g. tongue and groove connections
    • E04F2201/027—Non-undercut connections, e.g. tongue and groove connections connected by tongues and grooves, the centerline of the connection being inclined to the top surface

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a strip for forming floor coverings.
  • Fitting together a plurality of square or rectangular strips or planks produces wood floor coverings.
  • the strips are attached to the underlying floor by glue or are nailed directly onto it.
  • This system has the drawback of being fairly complicated and that subsequent changes can be made only by breaking the strips.
  • the strips are rested freely on the floor and are coupled together by tongues and grooves secured to each other by glue.
  • the floor obtained in this manner also known as a floating floor, presents the advantage of simple installation and of allowing slight floor movement to accommodate possible expansion or shrinkage.
  • One object of the invention is to eliminate these drawbacks by providing a strip, which enables floor coverings to be formed in a simple and comfortable manner.
  • Another object of the invention is to provide a strip, which enables coverings to be formed in which the gap problem is eliminated.
  • Another object of the invention is to provide a strip for forming floor coverings in which the entry of dirt and moisture is prevented.
  • a strip for forming floor coverings the strip being constructed in such a manner as to present an upwardly facing flat surface lying in a first horizontal plane and a downwardly facing structurally flat surface lying in a second horizontal plane.
  • the strips are provided along at least two opposing edges with substantially tongue and groove coupling elements formed integrally with the strip and cooperating with each other, wherein the tongue and the groove present a plane of symmetry substantially inclined to the horizontal plane.
  • FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a strip for forming the covering of the invention.
  • FIGS. 2 and 3 are cross-sections through two strips while being applied to form the floor covering.
  • the strip 2 for forming the floor covering is of substantially rectangular shape, but could also be square.
  • the surfaces of the minor sides 4 of each strip are substantially perpendicular to the horizontal surfaces 6 .
  • the surfaces of the major sides 8 of each strip are provided with elements for its coupling to the adjacent strip.
  • a longitudinal surface of the strip presents a first vertical portion 10 which extends into a portion 12 inclined outwards by an angle greater than 60° to the vertical portion 10 to form a tongue 14 and then bends into an inclined portion 16 forming an angle of 90° to the longitudinal axis of the tongue, to then join a further vertical portion 18 which forms the lower part of the longitudinal surface.
  • the other longitudinal surface presents a first vertical portion 20 the height of which corresponds substantially to the height of the first vertical portion 10 and then bends towards the interior of the strip to form a groove 22 the height of which corresponds to the width of the tongue 14 and has a depth greater than the length of the tongue 14 .
  • the groove 22 extends into an inclined portion 24 disposed parallel to the inclined portion 16 of the first edge and into a second vertical portion 26 the height of which corresponds to the vertical height of the portion 18 of the first edge.
  • the procedure is as follows: a first row of strips is secured to the floor so that they lie in mutual contact along their surfaces 4 . A second row of strips is then applied along their longitudinal surfaces by inserting the tongues 14 into the corresponding grooves 22 .

Abstract

A strip for forming floor coverings, the strip being constructed in such a manner as to present an upwardly facing flat surface lying in a first horizontal plane and a downwardly facing structurally flat surface lying in a second horizontal plane, the strip being provided along at least two opposing edges with tongue and groove coupling elements formed integrally with the strip and cooperating with each other, the tongue and the groove present a plane of symmetry substantially inclined to the horizontal plane.

Description

    BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
  • The present invention relates to a strip for forming floor coverings.
  • Fitting together a plurality of square or rectangular strips or planks produces wood floor coverings.
  • These square or rectangular strip or plank elements can be applied by various methods.
  • According to a first method, the strips are attached to the underlying floor by glue or are nailed directly onto it. This system has the drawback of being fairly complicated and that subsequent changes can be made only by breaking the strips.
  • According to another method, the strips are rested freely on the floor and are coupled together by tongues and grooves secured to each other by glue.
  • The floor obtained in this manner, also known as a floating floor, presents the advantage of simple installation and of allowing slight floor movement to accommodate possible expansion or shrinkage.
  • This system has, however, the drawback that following expansion or shrinkage, undesirable gaps can form between adjacent pieces if, for example, the glue connections break.
  • One object of the invention is to eliminate these drawbacks by providing a strip, which enables floor coverings to be formed in a simple and comfortable manner.
  • Another object of the invention is to provide a strip, which enables coverings to be formed in which the gap problem is eliminated.
  • Another object of the invention is to provide a strip for forming floor coverings in which the entry of dirt and moisture is prevented.
    • SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
  • All these and further objects, which will be apparent from the ensuing description, are attained according to the invention by a strip for forming floor coverings, the strip being constructed in such a manner as to present an upwardly facing flat surface lying in a first horizontal plane and a downwardly facing structurally flat surface lying in a second horizontal plane. The strips are provided along at least two opposing edges with substantially tongue and groove coupling elements formed integrally with the strip and cooperating with each other, wherein the tongue and the groove present a plane of symmetry substantially inclined to the horizontal plane.
    • BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
  • The present invention is described in detail hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
  • FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a strip for forming the covering of the invention; and
  • FIGS. 2 and 3 are cross-sections through two strips while being applied to form the floor covering.
    • DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
  • As can be seen from the figures, the strip 2 for forming the floor covering is of substantially rectangular shape, but could also be square.
  • The surfaces of the minor sides 4 of each strip are substantially perpendicular to the horizontal surfaces 6. The surfaces of the major sides 8 of each strip are provided with elements for its coupling to the adjacent strip.
  • Specifically, a longitudinal surface of the strip presents a first vertical portion 10 which extends into a portion 12 inclined outwards by an angle greater than 60° to the vertical portion 10 to form a tongue 14 and then bends into an inclined portion 16 forming an angle of 90° to the longitudinal axis of the tongue, to then join a further vertical portion 18 which forms the lower part of the longitudinal surface.
  • The other longitudinal surface presents a first vertical portion 20 the height of which corresponds substantially to the height of the first vertical portion 10 and then bends towards the interior of the strip to form a groove 22 the height of which corresponds to the width of the tongue 14 and has a depth greater than the length of the tongue 14.
  • The groove 22 extends into an inclined portion 24 disposed parallel to the inclined portion 16 of the first edge and into a second vertical portion 26 the height of which corresponds to the vertical height of the portion 18 of the first edge.
  • To form the floor with the strip of the invention, the procedure is as follows: a first row of strips is secured to the floor so that they lie in mutual contact along their surfaces 4. A second row of strips is then applied along their longitudinal surfaces by inserting the tongues 14 into the corresponding grooves 22.
  • From the foregoing description it is apparent that the strip of the present invention presents numerous advantages, and in particular:
      • it enables the strips to be fixed together without using glue or screws,
      • it enables a strip to be easily and rapidly replaced if damaged, without having to break the adjacent strips,
      • it enables floors to be formed in which gap problems are eliminated and in which dirt and moisture cannot enter, as the vertical pressure exerted during walking is transformed into a horizontal thrust which tends to maintain the strips in mutual contact.
      • it is self-levelling.

Claims (2)

1. A strip for forming floor coverings, said strip being constructed in such a manner as to present an upwardly facing flat surface lying in a first horizontal plane and a downwardly facing structurally flat surface lying in a second horizontal plane, said strip being provided along at least two opposing edges with tongue and groove coupling elements formed integrally with said strip and cooperating with each other, characterised in that said tongue and said groove present a plane of symmetry substantially inclined to the horizontal plane.
2. The strip as claimed in claim 1, wherein the plane of symmetry of the tongue and groove is disposed at 45° to the horizontal plane.
US10/992,812 2003-12-23 2004-11-22 Strip for forming floor coverings Abandoned US20050144879A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
IT000027U ITVE20030027U1 (en) 2003-12-23 2003-12-23 LISTEL FOR REALIZING FLOOR COVERINGS
ITVE2003U000027 2003-12-23

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US20050144879A1 true US20050144879A1 (en) 2005-07-07

Family

ID=34708544

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US10/992,812 Abandoned US20050144879A1 (en) 2003-12-23 2004-11-22 Strip for forming floor coverings

Country Status (2)

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US (1) US20050144879A1 (en)
IT (1) ITVE20030027U1 (en)

Cited By (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20090266019A1 (en) * 2005-10-04 2009-10-29 Mcintosh Jonathan Modular flooring assemblies
US20100005757A1 (en) * 2005-01-10 2010-01-14 Collison Alan B Snap together floor structure
GB2467471A (en) * 2005-10-04 2010-08-04 Comc Llc Modular flooring assemblies with sloped edges
US20100313509A1 (en) * 2009-06-10 2010-12-16 Mcintosh Jonathan Medallion insert for modular flooring assemblies
US8782989B2 (en) 2009-06-11 2014-07-22 Comc, Llc Narrow lined modular flooring assemblies
US8806832B2 (en) 2011-03-18 2014-08-19 Inotec Global Limited Vertical joint system and associated surface covering system

Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US316175A (en) * 1885-04-21 Alfred putney
US1124228A (en) * 1913-02-28 1915-01-05 Ross Houston Matched flooring or board.
US6324809B1 (en) * 1997-11-25 2001-12-04 Premark Rwp Holdings, Inc. Article with interlocking edges and covering product prepared therefrom
US20030154684A1 (en) * 2000-04-14 2003-08-21 Arnaud Becker Device for assembling the longitudinal edges of panels, lath or wainscots
US20040035080A1 (en) * 2000-05-15 2004-02-26 Arnaud Becker Device for assembling longitudinal edges of panels, laths or wainscots, with force distribution

Patent Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US316175A (en) * 1885-04-21 Alfred putney
US1124228A (en) * 1913-02-28 1915-01-05 Ross Houston Matched flooring or board.
US6324809B1 (en) * 1997-11-25 2001-12-04 Premark Rwp Holdings, Inc. Article with interlocking edges and covering product prepared therefrom
US20030154684A1 (en) * 2000-04-14 2003-08-21 Arnaud Becker Device for assembling the longitudinal edges of panels, lath or wainscots
US20040035080A1 (en) * 2000-05-15 2004-02-26 Arnaud Becker Device for assembling longitudinal edges of panels, laths or wainscots, with force distribution

Cited By (14)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US7779602B2 (en) 2005-01-10 2010-08-24 Comc, Llc Snap together floor structure
US20100005757A1 (en) * 2005-01-10 2010-01-14 Collison Alan B Snap together floor structure
US8146319B2 (en) 2005-10-04 2012-04-03 Comc Llc Modular flooring assemblies
GB2467471A (en) * 2005-10-04 2010-08-04 Comc Llc Modular flooring assemblies with sloped edges
GB2467471B (en) * 2005-10-04 2010-10-20 Comc Llc Modular flooring assemblies
US20090266019A1 (en) * 2005-10-04 2009-10-29 Mcintosh Jonathan Modular flooring assemblies
US8631624B2 (en) 2005-10-04 2014-01-21 Comc, Llc Modular flooring assemblies
US20100313509A1 (en) * 2009-06-10 2010-12-16 Mcintosh Jonathan Medallion insert for modular flooring assemblies
US8230654B2 (en) 2009-06-10 2012-07-31 Comc, Llc Medallion insert for modular flooring assemblies
US8458974B2 (en) 2009-06-10 2013-06-11 Comc, Llc Medallion insert for modular flooring assemblies
US8782989B2 (en) 2009-06-11 2014-07-22 Comc, Llc Narrow lined modular flooring assemblies
US8806832B2 (en) 2011-03-18 2014-08-19 Inotec Global Limited Vertical joint system and associated surface covering system
US9103126B2 (en) 2011-03-18 2015-08-11 Inotec Global Limited Vertical joint system and associated surface covering system
US10000935B2 (en) 2011-03-18 2018-06-19 Inotec Global Limited Vertical joint system and associated surface covering system

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
ITVE20030027U1 (en) 2005-06-24

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Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
AS Assignment

Owner name: GARDESA S.P.A., ITALY

Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:FIORINO, GIOVANNI;REEL/FRAME:015417/0037

Effective date: 20041115

STCB Information on status: application discontinuation

Free format text: ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO RESPOND TO AN OFFICE ACTION