U.S. patent application number 10/271820 was filed with the patent office on 2003-05-22 for floor grid system.
Invention is credited to Bushey, Bret L., Bushey, Dennis J., Bushey, Richard D..
Application Number | 20030093964 10/271820 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 26955128 |
Filed Date | 2003-05-22 |
United States Patent
Application |
20030093964 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Bushey, Richard D. ; et
al. |
May 22, 2003 |
Floor grid system
Abstract
A floor grid system including a number of interconnectable tiles
is provided. The tiles are interconnected with one another to form
a floor surface through the use of locking assemblies extending
between the tiles. The assemblies can be formed entirely on the
tiles, or can include separate connectors engageable with the
assemblies on adjacent tiles to interconnect the tiles and form the
floor surface.
Inventors: |
Bushey, Richard D.;
(Kenosha, WI) ; Bushey, Dennis J.; (East Troy,
WI) ; Bushey, Bret L.; (Caledonia, WI) |
Correspondence
Address: |
BOYLE FREDRICKSON NEWHOLM STEIN & GRATZ, S.C.
250 E. WISCONSIN AVENUE
SUITE 1030
MILWAUKEE
WI
53202
US
|
Family ID: |
26955128 |
Appl. No.: |
10/271820 |
Filed: |
October 16, 2002 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60329906 |
Oct 16, 2001 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
52/592.1 ;
52/459 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E04F 2201/0517 20130101;
E04F 2203/06 20130101; E04F 2201/091 20130101; E04F 2201/035
20130101; E04F 2201/095 20130101; E04F 2201/0138 20130101; E04F
15/02 20130101; E04F 15/02005 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
52/592.1 ;
52/459 |
International
Class: |
E04D 001/36; E04C
003/00; E04B 002/18; E04B 002/32 |
Claims
We hereby claim:
1. A flooring system comprising: a) a pair of floor coverings
including at least one locking key extending completely along one
side of each floor covering, the at least one locking key having a
base extending outwardly from the one side of the floor covering,
and an upwardly extending vertical member disposed on the base
opposite the floor covering that defines a channel between the
upwardly extending vertical member and the floor covering, and at
least one securing key extending completely along another side of
each floor covering, the at least one receiving key having a cap
extending outwardly from another side of the floor covering and a
downwardly extending vertical member disposed on the cap opposite
the floor covering that defines a slot between the downwardly
extending vertical member and the floor covering, wherein the at
least one locking key on one floor covering is engageable with the
at least one securing key on the other floor covering.
2. The system of claim 1 wherein the upwardly extending member
includes an inwardly tapering inner surface.
3. The system of claim 2 wherein the downwardly extending member
includes an inwardly tapering inner surface.
4. The system of claim 1 wherein each floor covering comprises: a)
a pair of locking keys extending along adjacent sides of the floor
covering; and b) a pair of receiving keys extending along adjacent
sides of the floor covering opposite the pair of locking keys.
5. The system of claim 1 wherein the at least one locking key and
at least one receiving key on each floor covering are formed of a
generally flexible material.
6. The system of claim 5 wherein the at least one locking key and
the at least one receiving key on each floor covering are
integrally formed with the floor covering.
7. The system of claim 5 wherein the at least one locking key and
the at least one receiving key are formed of a material selected
from the group consisting of: wood, plastic and rubber.
8 The system of claim 1 wherein the pair of floor coverings are
generally square in shape.
9. A flooring system comprising: a) a pair of floor coverings, each
floor covering including a recess disposed along at least one side
of the floor covering; and b) an elongate connection member
positionable within the recess for interconnecting the pair of
floor coverings.
10. The system of claim 9 wherein each recess is disposed on a
bottom surface of each of the pair of floor coverings.
11. The system of claim 9 wherein the connection member includes at
least one securing member extending from the connection member into
at least one of the floor coverings.
12. The system of claim 11 wherein each floor covering includes a
channel extending inwardly into each of the pair of floor coverings
from the recess.
13. The system of claim 12 wherein the connection member includes a
pair of securing members disposed on opposite sides of the
connection member, each securing member receivable in a channel of
a corresponding floor covering.
14. The system of claim 13 wherein each channel defines a notch
engageable by a ridge disposed on a corresponding securing member
received therein.
15. The system of claim 13 wherein the securing members are formed
integrally with the connection member.
16. The assembly of claim 13 wherein the securing members are
outwardly extending parallel elongate legs disposed on opposite
sides of the connection members.
17. A connector for connecting two adjacent flooring pieces of a
floor system, the connector comprising: c) an upper portion
positionable over the flooring pieces; d) a lower portion
positionable under the flooring system pieces; and e) a central
support positionable between the flooring pieces, the central
support joining the upper portion and lower portions and defining a
pair of channels between the upper portion and lower portion on
opposite sides of the central support that are configured to
receive one side of each flooring piece.
18. The connector of claim 17 wherein the central support is
integrally formed with the upper portion and the lower portion.
19. The connector of claim 17 further comprising a.number of
projections disposed on the upper portion and the lower portion
opposite the central portion and extending inwardly into the
channels.
20. The connector of claim 17 wherein the upper portion, lower
portion and central support are formed of a generally rigid
material.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional
Patent Application Serial No. 60/329,906, which was filed on Oct.
16, 2001.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to flooring assemblies and
more specifically to a flooring assembly including a number of
flooring pieces interconnected with one another in a grid to form
the assembly.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] In order to provide durable and aesthetically pleasing
surfaces to a floor of a building, many different types of floor
surfaces have been developed. Many of these types of floor surfaces
require significant time and effort to properly install the
flooring surface during the construction of the building. Due to
the amount of time and effort required to install these floors, and
to accommodate circumstances where it is desired to change the
appearance of a floor, a number of alternative flooring assemblies
have been developed which can be installed in a very short period
of time as an original floor or over an existing floor while still
providing the durability and aesthetic appearance desired from the
flooring surface.
[0004] With these alternative flooring assemblies, in order to
speed the process of installing the flooring, most are formed of a
number of individual panels, tiles, boards, etc., which are placed
in succession down on the floor to be covered by the surface in a
grid pattern. The tiles are put down on the floor in such a manner
that the tiles are retained in a desired configuration adjacent one
another to cover the entire floor in a generally seamless manner.
To accomplish this, the panels forming the assembly are joined to
one another using some type of interlocking mechanism that enables
the panels to be properly positioned with respect to one another
during installation and maintained in this position after
installation. The locking mechanisms used can take the form of
engaging members formed directly on each panel, or separate locking
members that are engageable between adjacent pairs of panels.
[0005] However, the types of interlocking mechanisms utilized with
panels in flooring assemblies are often very difficult to properly
engage in order to provide the desired appearance to the flooring
assembly. For example, in assemblies having rigid panels or tiles,
on many occasions the interlocking mechanisms break upon
engagement, involve multiple engaging parts and are difficult to
properly engage, or are misconfigured to prevent the proper
interlocking of the mechanism between the panels. Further, in those
flooring assemblies having relatively flexible tiles or panels, on
many occasions the locking mechanism provided for the panels cannot
securely hold the panels together to provide the necessary
engagement between adjacent panels due to the flexibility of the
panels.
[0006] Therefore, it is desirable to develop a floor grid system or
assembly that provides interlocking tiles for use in forming a
floor surface which can be easily and reliably connected to one
another using a locking mechanism which does not exhibit the
problems found in prior art flooring assemblies.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] It is an object of the present invention to provide a floor
system including a number of relatively flexible tiles or panels
that can be readily and securely interlocked with one another to
form a floor surface.
[0008] It is another object of the present invention to provide a
floor system in which the interlocking parts of the respective
tiles can be engaged with one another directly, or through the use
of a separate locking member to ensure the proper positioning of
the tiles with respect to one another.
[0009] It is still another object of the present invention to
provide a floor system in which the tiles can be formed from a
variety of different flexible materials which enable the floor
surface to have the desired appearance while also enabling the
tiles to be securely interlocked with one another.
[0010] The present invention is a floor system or assembly that is
formed from a number of interlocking panels or tiles positioned in
a grid-like pattern. The tiles are formed of any suitable flexible
material and include an upper surface which provides the desired
appearance for the floor constructed using the system. Each tile
includes a number of interlocking members positioned on each of the
sides of the tile. Each interlocking member allows an individual
tile to be fixed to tiles positioned adjacent the tile in a simple
and quick manner in order to form a seamless floor surface.
Alternatively, the individual tiles forming the system can be
joined to one another utilizing connecting or locking members that
are quickly and easily engaged with each pair of adjacent tiles to
maintain the tiles in a desired configuration.
[0011] Various other features, objects and advantages of the
present invention will be made apparent from the following detailed
description taken together with the drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] The drawings furnished herewith illustrate a preferred
construction of the present invention in which the above advantages
and features are clearly disclosed as well as others which will be
readily understood from the following description of the
illustrated embodiment.
[0013] In the drawings:
[0014] FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a floor grid system in
accordance with the present invention;
[0015] FIG. 2 is a top plan view of a panel for use in the floor
grid system of FIG. 1;
[0016] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the floor grid system of
the present invention taken along line 3-3 of FIG. 1;
[0017] FIG. 4 is a top plan view of a second embodiment of a panel
for the floor grid system of the present invention;
[0018] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 5-5 of
FIG. 4;
[0019] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view, similar to FIG. 3, showing
the floor grid system of the present invention incorporating the
panel of FIG. 4;
[0020] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view, similar to FIG. 6, showing
a third embodiment of the floor grid system of the present
invention;
[0021] FIG. 8 is a bottom plan view of the third embodiment of the
floor grid system of the present invention;
[0022] FIG. 9 is a bottom plan view of a fourth embodiment of the
floor grid system of the present invention;
[0023] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 10-10 of
FIG. 9; and
[0024] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view, similar to FIG. 10,
showing the floor grid system of the present invention utilized
with carpet panels.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0025] Referring now to the drawing figures in which like reference
numerals designate like parts throughout the disclosure, a floor
grid system constructed in accordance with the present invention is
generally designated by the reference numeral 10 in FIGS. 1-3.
Floor grid system 10 includes a plurality of interlocking panels or
tiles 12 that are formed of any suitable material, such as wood,
metal, plastic, rubber, or ______________ , among others, that is
sufficiently flexible for use in forming the tiles 12. Each tile 12
can have any desired polygonal shape, but is preferably generally
square in shape, including first and second sides 14 and 16,
respectively, having corresponding outwardly directed locking
elements 18 projecting therefrom. Each locking element 18 includes
a base 19 projecting outwardly from the tile 12 and an upwardly
extending vertical member 20 having an inner surface 22 spaced from
a corresponding side 14 and 16 oftile 12 so as to define a wall
receiving channel 23 therebetween. Third and fourth sides 24 and 26
of the tile 12 include corresponding locking elements 28 projecting
therefrom. Each locking element 28 includes a cap 29 extending
outwardly from the tile 12 and a downwardly extending vertical
member 30 having an inner surface 32 spaced from a corresponding
side 24 and 26 of tile 12 so as to define a wall receiving channel
33 therebetween. In a preferred embodiment, the vertical members 20
and 30 on the corresponding locking elements 18 and 28,
respectively, have a generally half-dovetailed-shaped
cross-section, for reasons hereinafter described. However, the
vertical members 20 and 30 may also have inner surfaces 22 and 32,
respectively, that are vertical, if desired.
[0026] In order to interlock the tile 12 with an adjacent tile 12a,
tiles 12 and 12a are positioned adjacent each other. The upwardly
extending vertical member 20 of one of the locking elements 18 of
tile 12 is inserted into wall receiving channel 27 defined by one
of the locking elements 18 of adjacent tile 12a. Downwardly
extending vertical member 30 of the selected locking element 28 of
tile 12a is inserted into corresponding wall receiving channel 23
of the selected locking element 18 of tile 12. The half-dovetail
configuration of vertical members 20 and 30 maintain the connection
between tiles 12 and 12a. Further, because each of the tiles 12 and
12a is formed of a material that has a certain amount of
flexibility, the locking elements 18 and 28 can deform when engaged
with one another to prevent breakage.
[0027] Referring to FIGS. 4-6, an alternate embodiment of a tile
for use in the floor grid system of the present invention is
generally designated by the reference numeral 34. Tile 34 includes
first and second sides 36 and 38, respectively, having a plurality
of keys 40 projecting from lower portions 42 thereof. Third and
fourth sides 44 and 46 include recesses 48 formed in lower portions
50 thereof. It can be appreciated that keys projecting from sides
36 and 38 of tile 34 are adapted to form a mating relationship with
corresponding recesses 48 in sides 44 and 46 of tile 34 so as to
interlock tile 34 to an adjacent tile 34a, FIG. 6.
[0028] Referring now to FIGS. 7-8, a still further embodiment of a
tile for use in connection with the floor grid system 10 of the
present invention is generally designated by the reference numeral
52. Tile 52 can have any polygonal shape, but is preferably
generally square and includes a lower surface 54 having recesses 55
formed therein. Each recess 55 includes a vertical channel 56 that
extends into the tile 52 generally parallel to a corresponding side
58 of tile 52. The channel 56 includes a notch 57 opposite the
recess 55.
[0029] To interlock adjacent tiles 52 and 52a, the tiles 52 and 52a
are positioned next to each other with sides 58 abutting one
another. Each leg 60a and 60b of a generally U-shaped connection
member 60 formed of a generally rigid material, such as a metal or
hard plastic, is positioned within the recesses 55 such that the
legs 60a and 60b are inserted into the corresponding channels 56 of
adjacent tiles 52 and 52a, respectively. Each leg 60a and 60b
includes a ridge 61 that, when the member 60 is properly positioned
within the recesses 55, seats in the notches 57 in each channel 56
so as to interlock the adjacent tiles 52 and 52a. The legs 60a and
60b can also be formed separately from the connection member 60 and
adapted to be inserted through openings (not shown) in the member
60 into the channels 56. In this configuration, the legs 60a and
60b can take the form of nails, screws, carpet tacks, or any other
suitable fasteners.
[0030] Referring to FIGS. 9-11, a further embodiment of a floor
grid system in accordance with the present invention is generally
designated by the reference numeral 62. Floor grid system 62
includes generally H-shaped connectors 63 used to interconnect
polygonal, but preferably generally square tiles 64, shown in FIG.
10, or polygonal, but preferably generally square pieces of
carpeting 66, shown in FIG. 11. Each connector 63 is formed of a
generally rigid material, similar to connection member 60, and
includes a vertical central support 68 having vertically spaced
upper leg 70 and lower leg 72, respectively, projecting from a
first side 68a thereof. Inner surfaces 70a and 72a of legs 70 and
72, respectively, define a channel 73 therebetween for receiving
and compressing slightly a side of tile 64 or carpet 66.
Projections 70b and 72b project from corresponding inner surfaces
70a and 72a, respectively, into the channel 73 so as to retain the
side of tile 64 therein.
[0031] Vertically spaced upper leg 74 and lower leg 76 also project
from second side 68b of vertical central support 68. Legs 74 and 76
have inner surfaces 74a and 76a, respectively, which define a
channel 77 for receiving a corresponding side of an adjacent tile
64a therein. Projections 74b and 76b project from corresponding
inner surfaces 74a and 76a, respectively, of legs 74 and 76,
respectively, so as to retain the side of tile 64a within the
channel 77.
[0032] Alternatively, the central support 68 can be formed of upper
and lower separable pieces (not shown) that can be releasably
engaged with one another to secure the tiles 64 or panels 66 within
the connectors 63.
[0033] Various alternatives are contemplated as being within the
following claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming
the subject matter regarded as the invention.
* * * * *