U.S. patent application number 13/982908 was filed with the patent office on 2014-01-30 for panel connection system.
This patent application is currently assigned to OLIVER JAMES FURNITURE LIMITED. Invention is credited to Gary James Bishop.
Application Number | 20140026513 13/982908 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 43825015 |
Filed Date | 2014-01-30 |
United States Patent
Application |
20140026513 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Bishop; Gary James |
January 30, 2014 |
PANEL CONNECTION SYSTEM
Abstract
A panel connection system comprising a fixing plate and a
locking member, the fixing plate having a surface with a raised
central portion which is flanked by first and second protrusions,
wherein the locking member is configured to receive the central
portion of the fixing plate. A plurality of panels with shoulder
portions have recesses which are cooperatively received by the
protrusions such that the shoulder portions of the panels are
adjacent the central portion. The locking member has a recess which
cooperatively secures with the central portion to secure the panels
to the fixing plate.
Inventors: |
Bishop; Gary James;
(Coulsdon, GB) |
Assignee: |
OLIVER JAMES FURNITURE
LIMITED
KENT
GB
|
Family ID: |
43825015 |
Appl. No.: |
13/982908 |
Filed: |
February 3, 2012 |
PCT Filed: |
February 3, 2012 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/GB12/50229 |
371 Date: |
October 10, 2013 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
52/589.1 ;
52/745.05 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E04F 2201/0517 20130101;
E04F 15/02038 20130101; E04B 5/02 20130101; E04F 15/02016 20130101;
E04F 19/062 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
52/589.1 ;
52/745.05 |
International
Class: |
E04F 15/02 20060101
E04F015/02; E04B 5/02 20060101 E04B005/02 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Feb 3, 2011 |
GB |
1101820.7 |
Claims
1. A panel connection system comprising a fixing plate, a locking
member and first and second panels, the fixing plate having a
surface on which a raised central portion and first and second
protrusions are located, the first and second protrusions extending
away from the fixing plate in a perpendicular direction, the first
and second panels each having an upper surface, an opposing lower
surface, at least one side face and a shoulder portion extending
outwards from the side face of the panel in a direction parallel to
the lower surface of the panel, each panel further comprising a
recess to be received by one of the first and second protrusions,
wherein the locking member engages the central portion of the
fixing plate and secures the shoulder portions of the panels.
2. A panel connection system according to claim 1, wherein the
fixing plate comprises additional means for fixing the plate to an
external surface.
3. A panel connection system according to claim 1, wherein the
central portion extends away from the fixing plate in a
perpendicular direction.
4. A panel connection system according to claim 1, wherein the
locking member has a first surface and a second opposing surface
and a recess located between the first and second opposing surfaces
which is shaped and dimensioned to engage with the central portion
of the fixing plate.
5. A panel connection system according to claim 1, wherein the
locking member is a strip of elongate material.
6. A panel connection system according to claim 5, wherein the
strip comprises a flexible material.
7. A panel connection system according to claim 1, wherein the
fixing plate is a strip of elongate material.
8. A panel connection system according to claim 7, wherein the
fixing plate comprises a rigid material.
9. A panel connection system according to claim 4, wherein the
recess of the locking member is configured to receive the central
portion of the fixing plate such that the first surface of the
locking member is adjacent the first panel and the second surface
of the locking member is adjacent the second panel.
10. A panel connection system according to claim 9, wherein the
locking member is located entirely in a gap formed between the
first and second panels.
11. A method of constructing a panel system comprising: inserting
first and second panels into a panel connection system, the panel
connection system comprising a fixing plate and a locking member,
the fixing plate having a surface with a raised central portion
located between first and second protrusions, the first and second
protrusions extending away from the fixing plate in a perpendicular
direction, each panel having an upper surface, an opposing lower
surface, at least one side face and a shoulder portion extending
outwards from the side face of the panel in a direction parallel to
the lower surface of the panel, and each panel further comprising a
recess to be received by a corresponding one of the first and
second protrusions; and engaging the locking member with the
central portion of the fixing plate to secure the shoulder
portions.
12. A method of constructing a panel system according to claim 11,
wherein a first surface of the locking member is adjacent to the
first panel and a second surface of the locking member is adjacent
to the second panel.
13. A method of disassembly of a panel system comprising: removing
at least one panel from a panel connection system, the panel
connection system comprising a fixing plate and a locking member,
the fixing plate having a surface with a raised central portion
located between first and second protrusions, the first and second
protrusions extending away from the fixing plate in a perpendicular
direction, each panel having an upper surface, an opposing lower
surface, at least one side face and a shoulder portion extending
outwards from the side face of the panel in a direction parallel to
the lower surface of the panel, and each panel further comprising a
recess to be received by a corresponding one of the first and
second protrusions, the method comprising the steps of: disengaging
the locking member from the central portion of the fixing plate to
free the shoulder portions; and detaching at least one panel from
the corresponding protrusion of the fixing plate in a perpendicular
direction away from the fixing plate.
14. A method of disassembly of a panel system according to claim
13, wherein the locking member is a flexible elongate strip and the
step of disengaging the locking member comprises removing the
flexible elongate strip from the central portion first at one end
of the strip and then successively along the length of the strip.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to an assembly of panels in an
interconnected and coplanar arrangement, and in particular to a
method for the assembly and disassembly of individual panel
sections, or small groups of component panel sections, so that they
may be constructed or replaced with ease. It has particular
application to the laying of floor panels.
BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION
[0002] A flooring system comprises a number of interlocking floor
boards or panels composed of hardwood or of a material which is
designed to look and feel like hardwood, but which costs only a
fraction of the price. This material is typically composed of a
resinous substance topped with a printed paper layer that resembles
a wood grain and is traditionally used in laminate flooring
systems. While most laminate or hardwood flooring systems connect
together using a simple tongue and groove mechanism, such as for
example the floor panel with a tongue, groove and strip as
disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,856,785 (Pervan), some systems consist
of panels that are glued together using a wood adhesive. These
modern flooring systems therefore have the advantage of easy
installation and lasting durability.
[0003] The panels of a traditional tongue and groove flooring
system, when installed, need to be inserted at an angle to allow
adjoining panels to interconnect and lock together. The panels
therefore are not smooth and uniform but instead have sides with a
tongue portion on one side, and an associated groove on the other
as their name suggests. This can provide a problem when panels are
required to be shaped around an existing or immovable object such
as a door frame, skirting board or toilet bowl. This is not only in
terms of cutting the panel so that it is shaped to fit the required
area, but also in terms of inserting the shaped panel at the
appropriate angle in order to mate and lock with a corresponding
panel. In addition, both hardwood and laminate flooring systems are
installed as floating floor systems, meaning that the component
panels are not attached directly to the subfloor. This can often
lead to problems where a floor may have a tendency to provide
vertical movement or `bounce` as you walk across it. Unfortunately,
it is also very difficult to remove or replace individual panels in
a tongue and groove or glued panel flooring system due to the
interconnection means of the respective types of panel
employed.
[0004] In some instances, it is desirable to be able to replace a
small number of the panel sections of the floor panel system
without having to remove all of the panel sections which are laid
down. For example, this could be in order to replace a small
damaged section of the floor panel system which may have been
affected by gradual wear and tear or by the impact of a sudden
accident, such as water damage from a faulty dishwasher or washing
machine. It could also be desirable to gain access to the area
located immediately underneath the floating floor system for easy
access to pipe-work or electrical cabling which may be positioned
underneath the floor panels.
[0005] There is currently no standard system available which allows
for the removal of small sections of laminate or hardwood floor
panels without having either a) to remove every single panel in the
flooring system to get to the required area, in the case of a
tongue and groove flooring system, or b) to physically cut up
existing panels in a floor system in the case when a glued panel
system is preferred. The process of replacing floor panels can
therefore be both time consuming and/or damaging to an existing
flooring system.
[0006] It would therefore be advantageous to provide a panel
connection system which allows a coplanar and interconnected
flooring system to be constructed with ease. In addition, it would
be desirable to provide a panel connection system which can be
securely mounted to a sub-floor to avoid the problems of unwanted
bounce as a person walks across the surface of it. It would also be
highly advantageous to provide a panel connection system to allow
individual panels or small sections of a flooring system to be
removed and/or replaced with ease, in a quick and efficient manner,
should the need arise.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] Accordingly, a first embodiment of the invention provides a
panel connection system comprising a fixing plate and a locking
member, the fixing plate having a surface on which a raised central
portion and first and second protrusions are located, the first and
second protrusions extending away from the fixing plate in a
perpendicular direction, the system further comprising first and
second panels each having an upper surface, an opposing lower
surface, at least one side face and a shoulder portion extending
outwards from the side face of the panel in a direction parallel to
the lower surface of the panel, the panels further comprising
recesses to be received by the first and second protrusions,
wherein the locking member engages the central portion of the
fixing plate and secures the shoulder portions.
[0008] The central portion of the fixing plate preferably extends
in a perpendicular direction away from the fixing plate, with the
end of the central portion defining a circular cross-section. The
central portion is flanked on either side of the surface of the
fixing plate with first and second protrusions which extend away
from the surface of the fixing plate, and which are shaped and
dimensioned to receive and cooperatively secure with associated
recesses in panels from a flooring system.
[0009] The locking member has a recess formed between a first
surface and a second opposing surface. Preferably, the recess
formed between the two surfaces of the locking member is shaped and
defined to cooperatively engage with the central portion of the
fixing plate.
[0010] In an embodiment of the invention, the panel connection
system is adapted to connect with or be mounted securely to the
sub-floor in a flooring panel system. The fixing plate of the panel
connection system is configured to receive additional fixing or
locking means, which may for example take the form of a screw or
adhesive, to allow the fixing plate of the panel connection system
to be held securely in place in a flooring system.
[0011] An embodiment of the invention provides an interconnected
and coplanar flooring panel system having the panel connection
system and individual panel components connected and secured
thereto. The fixing plate of the panel connection system, which may
be secured to the sub-floor of a flooring system, receives a
plurality of panels each having an upper surface, an opposing lower
surface, at least one side face, a shoulder portion and having
recesses which are mounted on cooperatively shaped and dimensioned
protrusions of the fixing plate, where the shoulder portions of the
panels may be positioned in abutment against the central portion of
the fixing plate.
[0012] The recess of the locking member is then cooperatively
secured with the central portion of the fixing plate such that a
first surface of the locking member is adjacent a first panel and
the second surface of the locking member is adjacent a second
panel. Preferably, the locking member is located entirely in a gap
formed between the first and second panels.
[0013] It will be apparent to an appropriately skilled person in
the art, that panels come in a variety of dimensions, colours and
materials. It is therefore anticipated that the locking member of
the panel connection system may be suitably coloured or textured to
match the finish and size of the panels that are mounted on the
fixing plate or, if preferred, to contrast with the panels. It is
equally anticipated that although an embodiment of this invention
illustrates that the locking member may be located entirely in the
recess formed between adjoining panels, the shape of the surface of
the locking member on display to a user is not limited to a `v`
shape in order to replicate a flash gap typically found in flooring
systems. Other designs for the shape of the locking member may
include those to reflect a `scallop` or `flat and flush`
effect.
[0014] In an alternative embodiment of the invention, a plurality
of panel components in an interconnected and coplanar flooring
panel system may be removed from and/or replaced in the panel
connection system. The locking member is removed from the
cooperatively formed central portion of the fixing plate, and a
panel or plurality of panels may then be removed from the fixing
plate and replaced if required.
[0015] It will also be appreciated by a person skilled in the art
that the panel connection system is not limited to the application
of flooring systems. It is envisaged that the panel connection
system may also provide methods for the construction and removal or
replacement of panels in other areas where you would expect to find
panels in an interlocking and coplanar arrangement systems such as
walls, ceilings, lofts or roofs. In this specification the terms
`upper` and `lower` are used to label the relative positions of
parts of the apparatus with reference to their orientation when the
system is installed on a horizontal floor. However, the various
components may naturally be manufactured, stored or supplied in any
orientation and the system may be installed on other surfaces which
are not horizontal.
[0016] The embodiments of the invention described solve the problem
of the removal of small sections of panels in a flooring system
without having to remove an entire section of floor panels, or cut
and remove a section of the floor, in order to gain access to the
selected area. In particular, the panel connection system provides
a method to mount and replace a variety of differently sized and
shaped panels in a flooring system with ease, as and when required.
In addition, the panel connection system provides a method for the
vertical insertion of panels, or the removal/replacement of panels
in a floor panel system, in order to eliminate the problems
associated with the cutting and insertion of scribed floor panels
that are required to fit around existing or immovable objects.
[0017] Further advantageous embodiments of the invention will
become apparent to those ordinarily skilled in the art upon review
of the following description of specific embodiments and with
reference to the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0018] Specific embodiments of the invention are described by way
of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which
like numerals are used to indicate like parts and in which:
[0019] FIG. 1 is an end view of the panel connection system
comprising a fixing plate and a locking member;
[0020] FIG. 2 shows in vertical cross-section a panel having a
shoulder portion that is employed in the panel connection
system;
[0021] FIG. 3 shows in vertical cross-section the fixing plate
receiving a plurality of panels with shoulder portions, further
showing the fixing plate in engagement with the locking member to
securely fasten the panels together; and
[0022] FIG. 4 shows an alternative embodiment of the invention
where an additional recess is created above an upper surface of the
central portion when the locking member is engaged with the central
portion of the fixing plate, in order to facilitate the removal of
the locking member from the fixing plate with a suitable tool.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0023] Referring now to the drawings, FIG. 1 shows the component
parts of the panel connection system generally indicated as 1. The
panel connection system 1 forms part of the construction of a
flooring system, as described in more detail below.
[0024] The panel connection system 1 comprises a fixing plate 2 and
a locking member 3. The fixing plate 2 is formed from a rigid
material such as metals, woods or plastics. It is anticipated that
it could be manufactured by the extrusion of a plastic material,
for example polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) or other such materials.
The fixing plate 2 comprises a horizontal surface 4 which has a
central portion 5 projecting away from the surface in a
perpendicular direction ending in a circular cross-section 6. The
fixing plate 2 is further flanked on either side of the central
projection by first and second protrusions 7, 8 which also extend
away from the surface 4 in a perpendicular direction. It is
understood that when the fixing plate 2 is placed on an external
surface, the first and second protrusions 7, 8 will extend away
from the horizontal surface 4 of the fixing plate 2 in a vertical
direction. Although not shown on the drawing, it will be
appreciated by a person skilled in the art that the fixing plate 2
may comprise additional fixing means to secure the fixing plate 2
to a surface such as a sub-floor, for example apertures to receive
screws or an adhesive layer.
[0025] The locking member 3 is formed from a flexible or yieldable
plastic material, which allows the locking member 3 to retain a
lateral and longitudinal flexibility. The locking member 3 has a
first surface 9 and a second opposing surface 10, and a recess 11
formed between the first 9 and second 10 opposing surfaces. The
recess 11 is shaped and dimensioned to cooperatively engage with,
and form a secure connection with the circular cross-section 6 of
the central portion 5. It should be noted that although FIG. 1
shows the recess 11 of the locking member 3 to cooperatively engage
with the circular cross-section 6 of the central portion 5 of the
fixing plate 2, any other combination of suitably shaped and
dimensioned recess 11 and central portion 5 may also be
adopted.
[0026] FIG. 2 illustrates a panel 12 that is employed in the panel
connection system 1. The panel 12 has an upper surface 17, an
opposing lower surface 16, at least one side face 14 and a shoulder
portion 15 extending outwards from the side face 14 of the panel 12
in a direction parallel to the lower surface 16 of the panel 12.
Each panel 12 further comprises a recess 13 to be received by one
of the first 7 and second 8 protrusions of the fixing plate 2.
[0027] The panel connection system 1 enables the construction of a
coplanar and interconnected arrangement of floor panels 12. FIG. 3
illustrates the way in which the fixing plate 2 receives and mates
with the floor panels 12 of FIG. 2, such that the first and second
protrusions 7, 8 of the fixing plate 2 interlock with corresponding
recesses 13 in the floor panels 12. When the panel 12 is vertically
lowered into position on the fixing plate 2 to align the recess 13
of the panel 12 with the protrusion 7, 8 of the fixing plate 2, the
shoulder portion 15 of the panel 12 is in abutment with the
upwardly projecting central portion 5. It is anticipated that
although the material to manufacture the fixing plate 2 will be
rigid, the material may still permit a small lateral movement of
the central portion 5 such that the panels 12 may still be lowered
from a significantly downward vertical direction to avoid the
central portion 5, and become attached to the fixing plate 2.
[0028] Once the panels 12 are in position, the locking member 3 is
applied to secure the panels 12 in the panel connection system 1.
The recess 11 of the locking member 3 is engaged with the circular
cross-section 6 of the central portion 5 of the fixing plate 2. In
engagement, the interlocking action of the recess 11 and central
portion 5 aligns the locking member 3 in abutment with the side
faces 14 of the panels 12 already attached to the fixing plate 2,
such that the first surface 9 of the locking member 3 is in
abutment with a side face 14 of a panel 12, and the second surface
10 of the locking member 3 is in abutment with a side face 14 of an
adjoining panel 12 in a floor panel system. In addition, the
presence of the shoulder portion 15 provides an additional locking
means to prevent movement of the panels 12 in an upwardly vertical
direction when the panel connection system 1 is in use.
[0029] The locking member 3 may be engaged with the central portion
5 either by hand, or by using an appropriate tool (not shown), such
as for example a small hammer. It is anticipated that a tool having
a roller attachment may be fashioned to allow the locking member 3
to mate with and engage with the central portion 5 of the fixing
plate 2 in a fluid movement. The recess 11 of the locking member 3
is engaged with the circular cross-section 6 of the central portion
5 of the fixing plate 2. In engagement, the interlocking action of
the recess 11 and central portion 5 aligns the locking member 3 in
abutment with the side ends 14 of the panels 12 already attached to
the fixing plate 2, such that the first surface 9 of the locking
member 3 is in abutment with a side face 14 of a panel 12, and the
second surface 10 of the locking member 3 is in abutment with a
side face 14 of an adjoining panel 12 in a floor panel system.
[0030] The component parts of the panel connection system 1 permit
the release and/or replacement of a panel 12 or small group of
panels 12 without the need to remove all components of a panel
floor system 1. That is to say that it is unnecessary to remove all
of the panels 12 and panel connection system 1 apparatus to gain
access to a specified area of the sub-floor. A panel 12 or group of
panels 12 may be removed in the following manner. In order to
release a panel 12 from the panel connection system 1, the recess
11 of the locking member 3 is first disengaged from the central
portion 5, to permit access to and release of the panels 12 of
interest. The locking member 3 may be removed from the central
portion 5 either by hand, or by using an appropriate tool (not
shown), such as for example a tool with a simple hook attachment at
one end. It is anticipated that such a tool having a hook
attachment may be fashioned to engage with and release a first end
of the locking member 3. Once released, the remainder of the
locking member 3 may be removed from the central portion 5 in a
fluid movement. The panels 12 may then be removed from the fixing
plate 2 in an upwardly vertical direction by disengaging the first
and/or second protrusions 7, 8 from the associated recesses 13 in
the panel 12.
[0031] In an embodiment of the invention when it is anticipated
that the locking member 3 may be a flexible elongate strip and that
the fixing plate 2 may also be a rigid elongate strip, one end of
the locking member 3 may be unhooked or released from the
corresponding end of the central portion 5 of the fixing plate 2
and then further disengaged from successive points along the length
of the central portion 5 until the locking member 3 is fully
released. The selected panel 12 or panels 12 of interest may then
be removed in the manner as previously outlined.
[0032] FIG. 4 highlights an alternative embodiment of the invention
in which the shape of the recess 11 does not perfectly match the
circular cross-section 6 of the central portion 5 but is enlarged
to leave a void 18 above an upper surface of the central portion 5
when the arms of the locking member 3 are engaged with the central
portion 5 of the fixing plate 2. The void 18 facilitates the
removal of the locking member 3 from the fixing plate 2 with a
suitable tool (not shown), by allowing the tool to be inserted into
the void 18 so that the locking member 3 may be unhooked or
released from the corresponding end of the central portion 5 of the
fixing plate 2. The locking member 3 is then further disengaged
from successive points along the length of the central portion 5
until the locking member 3 is fully released.
[0033] The various features and configurations of each of the
embodiments described herein, including protrusions 7, 8,
associated recesses 13, locking members 3, shoulder portions 15 and
the like, may be used in the various combinations other than those
illustrated as will be apparent to a skilled person. It will be
understood from the foregoing that the embodiments of the invention
enable a floor panel system to be constructed and mounted with ease
upon a sub-floor, and that individual panels 12 or small sections
of panels 12 that are laid down in a flooring system may be removed
and/or replaced with the aid of the fixing plate 2 and locking
member 3 of the panel connection system 1. The invention is not
limited to the embodiments disclosed herein which may be modified
or varied without departing from the scope of the invention defined
by the claims.
* * * * *