U.S. patent application number 14/301943 was filed with the patent office on 2015-04-09 for system for installing and securing construction materials.
The applicant listed for this patent is NEWTECHWOOD, LTD.. Invention is credited to Cliff Chorsum Lam, Richard Chorfoam Lam, Terry Y. Lam.
Application Number | 20150096256 14/301943 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 52775820 |
Filed Date | 2015-04-09 |
United States Patent
Application |
20150096256 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Lam; Richard Chorfoam ; et
al. |
April 9, 2015 |
SYSTEM FOR INSTALLING AND SECURING CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS
Abstract
A system for installing and securing construction materials. The
system provides for constructing structures which comprise a
covering. The system uses an installing and securing clip attached
to a support structure. The installing and securing clip can grasp
and hold in place a construction material used for a covering. The
system allows for attaching construction materials while keeping
the attachment mechanism largely out of sight for desired
aesthetics. The system also allows for easy removal of construction
material for repair or replacement.
Inventors: |
Lam; Richard Chorfoam;
(Houston, TX) ; Lam; Cliff Chorsum; (Houston,
TX) ; Lam; Terry Y.; (Houston, TX) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
NEWTECHWOOD, LTD. |
Humble |
TX |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
52775820 |
Appl. No.: |
14/301943 |
Filed: |
June 11, 2014 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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14301771 |
Jun 11, 2014 |
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14301943 |
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PCT/CN2013/086196 |
Oct 30, 2013 |
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14301771 |
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61887914 |
Oct 7, 2013 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
52/582.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E04F 15/02044 20130101;
E04F 2015/02094 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
52/582.1 |
International
Class: |
E04F 15/02 20060101
E04F015/02 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Oct 30, 2013 |
CN |
PCT/CN2013/086198 |
Claims
1. An installing and securing system for use with a construction
material, wherein the installing and securing system allows for
attachment of the construction material to a support structure,
wherein the installing and securing system comprises: a. a
construction material; b. a support structure; c. at least one
installing and securing clip comprising: (i) a clip seating
surface, wherein the clip seating surface is adapted to seat on the
support structure; (ii) a clip attachment surface for grasping the
construction material, wherein the clip attachment surface further
comprises: 1. a grasping protrusion; or 2. a grasping adhesive; and
d. a support structure attachment for attaching the installing and
securing clip to the support structure.
2. The installing and securing system of claim 1, wherein the
construction material comprises at least one of: a. a material used
for a deck; b. a material used for flooring; c. a material used for
wall covering; d. a material used for ceiling covering; e. a
material used for roof covering; and f. a material used for
fencing.
3. The installing and securing system of claim 2, wherein the
construction material comprises at least one of: a. a decking
board; b. a floor board; c. a wall panel; d. a ceiling tile; e. a
shingle, a roof tile, or other roof covering; and f. a fence
component.
4. The installing and securing system of claim 1, wherein the
construction material comprises at least one of: a. a wood; b. a
stone; c. a plastic; d. a composite; e. a polymer; f. a synthetic
construction material; and g. a natural construction material.
5. The installing and securing system of claim 1, wherein the
support structure comprises a complementary surface, wherein the
complementary surface is shaped to receive the clip seating surface
in a substantially snug manner.
6. The installing and securing system of claim 1, wherein the
support structure is substantially rigid and capable of fixedly
supporting a combined weight, wherein the combined weight is a
weight of any installing and securing clips used and a weight of
any construction materials used.
7. The installing and securing system of claim 1, wherein the
installing and securing clip further comprises a clip positioner,
wherein the clip positioner selectively orients the installing and
securing clip with respect to the support structure.
8. The installing and securing system of claim 1, wherein the
installing and securing clip further comprises a clip aligner,
wherein the clip aligner is adapted to cooperatively interact with
another clip aligner.
9. The installing and securing system of claim 8, wherein the clip
aligner performs at least one of the following functions: a.
properly aligns the installing and securing clip with a separate
installing and securing clip; b. properly spaces the installing and
securing clip with a separate installing and securing clip; c.
properly aligns the construction material with a separate
construction material; and d. properly spaces the construction
material with a separate construction material.
10. The installing and securing system of claim 7, wherein the clip
positioner and the clip aligner act in concert to perform at least
one of the following functions: a. properly align the installing
and securing clip at a desired orientation to the support
structure; and b. properly align the construction material at a
desired orientation to the support structure.
11. The installing and securing system of claim 1, wherein the
grasping protrusion comprises a structure extending from the clip
attachment surface and is adapted to grasp the construction
material and substantially constrain a movement of the construction
material relative to the clip attachment surface.
12. The installing and securing system of claim 1, wherein the
grasping adhesive is an adhesive material disposed upon the clip
attachment surface and in contact with the construction material,
and further wherein the grasping adhesive substantially constrains
the movement of the construction material relative to the clip
attachment surface.
13. The installing and securing system of claim 1, wherein the
support structure attachment comprises at least one of: a. a
mechanical fastener, wherein the mechanical fastener is selected
from the group consisting of: (i) a nail; (ii) a screw; (iii) a
bolt; (iv) a dowel pin; (v) a rivet; and (vi) a staple; b. an
adhesive; c. a hook and loop fastener; and d. a magnet.
14. The installing and securing system of claim 1, wherein the
installing and securing clip further comprises a mechanical stop,
wherein the mechanical stop substantially constrains the
construction material from displacement in a direction
substantially parallel to the installing and securing clip
attachment surface.
15. A kit for constructing a structure, the kit comprising: a. a
plurality of construction materials; and b. a plurality of
installing and securing clips, wherein each installing and securing
clip comprises: (i) a clip seating surface, wherein the clip
seating surface is adapted to seat firmly on a support structure;
(ii) a clip attachment surface for grasping the construction
material, wherein the clip attachment surface further comprises: 1.
a grasping protrusion; or 2. a grasping adhesive; (iii) a clip
positioner, wherein the clip positioner selectively orients the
installing and securing clip with respect to the support structure;
and (iv) a clip aligner, wherein the clip aligner is adapted to
cooperatively interact with another clip aligner; and wherein the
construction materials are formed to specific dimensions for being
grasped by the plurality of installing and securing clips to form
the structure.
16. The kit of claim 15, further comprising a plurality of support
structure attachments for attaching the installing and securing
clips to the support structure.
17. The kit of claim 15, further comprising a plurality of support
structure components for constructing a support structure.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] The present application is a Continuation in Part of
co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/301,771 filed on
Jun. 11, 2014, entitled "MODULAR FLOORING SYSTEM," which is a
Continuation of International Patent Application Serial No.
PCT/CN2013/086198 filed on Oct. 30, 2013, entitled "MODULAR
FLOORING SYSTEM," and claims priority to and the benefit of
co-pending U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/887,914
filed on Oct. 7, 2013, entitled "MODULAR FLOORING SYSTEM." These
references are hereby incorporated in their entirety.
FIELD
[0002] The present embodiments generally relate to a system for
attaching construction materials to a structure.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Often structures are constructed by creating a frame and
covering that frame with a construction material. For example, dry
wall is attached to framing in a house, or floorboards are attached
to a support structure, and many outdoor decks have a frame
supporting wooden boards.
[0004] The mechanism of attaching the construction material to the
frame often is often complicated and cumbersome, due to a desire to
keep the attachment mechanism unseen for cosmetic reasons.
[0005] Alignment of multiple pieces of construction material, as
well as rapid construction of structures is hampered by the desire
to keep the attachment mechanism out of sight.
[0006] A need exists for a system for constructing structures that
have a covering in a cost effective, efficient, consistent, and
rapid manner that does not require any specialized skills.
[0007] The present embodiments meet this need.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] The detailed description will be better understood in
conjunction with the accompanying drawings as follows:
[0009] FIG. 1 is a side view of an installing and securing system
as installed on a support surface.
[0010] FIG. 2A is a detail view of an embodiment of an installing
and securing clip with a grasping protrusion.
[0011] FIG. 2B is a detail view of an embodiment of an installing
and securing clip with a grasping adhesive.
[0012] FIG. 3 shows two installing and securing clips with the clip
aligners linked.
The present embodiments are detailed below with reference to the
listed Figures.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS
[0013] Before explaining the present apparatus in detail, it is to
be understood that the apparatus is not limited to the particular
embodiments and that it can be practiced or carried out in various
ways.
[0014] Specific structural and functional details disclosed herein
are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis of the
claims and as a representative basis for teaching persons having
ordinary skill in the art to variously employ the present
invention.
[0015] The present invention relates to a system for rapidly
constructing a structure with a material covering in a cost
effective, efficient, consistent, and rapid manner that does not
require any specialized skills.
[0016] It is desirable for cosmetic purposes to attach a covering
material to a frame without the means of attachment being visible.
Many structures require the use of multiple pieces of covering
material to completely cover the structure, or make the structure
usable. For example, applications such as building indoor walls,
constructing an outdoor deck, or installing flooring material all
involve using a frame covered by multiple pieces of material.
[0017] Attaching the covering material to the frame presents
complications with respect to hiding the attachment means. Present
methods and equipment used for such purposes are cumbersome and
time consuming. Proper alignment and spacing of the covering
material, as well as proper alignment and spacing of the attachment
means presents a challenge in the construction of structures.
[0018] The present invention provides a system that addresses all
of the above issues in a cost effective manner that can be employed
without the need for specialized skills.
[0019] The present invention relates to an installing and securing
system for use with a construction material, wherein the installing
and securing system allows for a secure attachment of the
construction material to a support structure.
[0020] The system can be employed to form a structure in a rapid
manner, which is easy to repair, and cosmetically and aesthetically
pleasing.
[0021] The system can comprise a construction material, a support
structure, and at least one installing and securing clip.
[0022] The construction material can be any material used to cover
a frame to form a structure.
[0023] Construction materials can include outdoor deck flooring,
indoor flooring, wall coverings, ceiling coverings, roof coverings,
fencing, or similar structures. These materials can be used in the
form of decking boards, floor boards, wall panels, ceiling tiles,
shingles, roof tiles, other roof coverings, or fence components
such as fence panels, fence pickets, fence posts, or fence
gates.
[0024] These construction materials can comprise wood, stone,
plastic, composite, polymers, synthetic construction materials, or
natural construction materials. Different sizes, shapes, and
compositions of construction materials can be accommodated by the
system.
[0025] The support structure embodiments can vary based upon the
application. The support structure, or sometimes referred to herein
as frame, can be capable of supporting the construction material
and the installing and securing clip.
[0026] Support structures can include wall studs for hanging
drywall, support beams for an outdoor deck, ceiling frames for
attaching ceiling tiles, and the like.
[0027] The support structure provides a location for the attachment
of the installing and securing clip and the construction material.
The support structure can be substantially rigid, and capable of
supporting the weight of any installing and securing clips used and
a weight of any construction materials used.
[0028] The installing and securing clip is designed to hold a
construction material in place while remaining largely unseen. The
installing and securing clip can properly align and space itself,
and therefore properly align and space the construction
material.
[0029] For example, when constructing an outdoor deck using current
methods, decking boards are placed upon a deck frame, and fastened
to the frame from below to substantially hide the fasteners from
view. This often results in uneven spacing between boards,
misaligned boards, and a cumbersome procedure for fastening.
[0030] In contrast, the installing and securing clips can be
rapidly and easily installed on a frame. The installing and
securing clips can self-align and space themselves, allowing users
to swiftly construct a structure such as a deck without requiring
any specialized skills or tools. In addition, the construction
material (in this instance decking boards) can be designed to have
no spaces between and completely hide the installing and securing
clip from view.
[0031] The installing and securing clip can have a clip seating
surface, wherein the clip seating surface is adapted to seat firmly
on the support structure. For example, if the support structure
contains tubular members, the seating surface can be curved to
complement the support structure. This is an instance in which the
support structure comprises a complementary surface, wherein the
complementary surface is shaped to receive the clip seating
surface.
[0032] While the embodiments shown reflect a flat seating surface
for firm seating on a flat surface, the seating surface can have
alternate geometries to mate with the geometry of a support
structure.
[0033] The installing and securing clip can have a clip attachment
surface for grasping the construction material. The clip attachment
surface can be a grasping protrusion for mechanically securing the
construction material, or a grasping adhesive such as epoxy or
glue.
[0034] The grasping protrusion can be a structure extending from
the clip attachment surface which is adapted to grasp the
construction material and substantially constrain the movement of
the construction material relative to the clip attachment
surface.
[0035] The grasping adhesive can be any adhesive material disposed
upon the clip attachment surface and in contact with the
construction material which substantially constrains the movement
of the construction material relative to the clip attachment
surface.
[0036] The installing and securing clip can have a support
structure attachment for attaching the installing and securing clip
to the support structure. The support structure attachment can be
selected based upon the application, but can be any attachment
means to substantially secure the installing and securing clip to
the support structure.
[0037] Support structure attachments can include nails, screws,
bolts, dowel pins, rivets, staples, adhesives, hook and loop
fasteners, magnets, and the like.
[0038] The installing and securing clip can have a clip positioner,
wherein the clip positioner selectively orients the installing and
securing clip with respect to the support structure. The clip
positioner can be implemented to orient the clip perpendicularly to
the support structure, or angled for other desirable installations
of construction materials.
[0039] For example, the clip positioner can perpendicularly orient
the installing and securing clip on an outdoor deck to have decking
boards that run straight across the deck frame, or alternatively
the clip positioner can orient the installing and securing clip at
an angle to provide a desirable cosmetic effect with the decking
boards.
[0040] The installing and securing clip can have a clip aligner,
wherein the clip aligner is adapted to cooperatively interact with
another clip aligner. The clip aligner can both space and align the
installing and securing clips with other installing and securing
clips for a desired installation. The clip aligner can both space
and align the construction materials with other construction
materials for a uniform appearance and fit.
[0041] The clip positioner and the clip aligner can act in concert
to properly align the installing and securing clip at a desired
orientation to the support structure and properly align the
construction material at a desired orientation to the support
structure.
[0042] The above system can be provided in a kit for constructing a
structure. The kit can be designed for various applications, such
as for forming a section of fence, a section of flooring, an
outdoor deck, a section of drywall, and the like.
[0043] The kit can have a plurality of construction materials
designed for the application, such as decking boards for an outdoor
deck, floor boards for a section of flooring, etc. The construction
materials can be precut or formed to specific dimensions for being
grasped by the plurality of installing and securing clips to form
the structure.
[0044] The kit can have a plurality of installing and securing
clips as described above. The clips can have a clip seating surface
adapted to seat firmly on a support structure, as well as a clip
positioner and a clip aligner both selected for the desired look of
the completed structure.
[0045] The installing and securing clips can each have a clip
attachment surface for grasping the construction material and
substantially constraining the movement of the construction
material with respect to the installing and securing clips.
[0046] In embodiments, the kit can have support structure
attachments for attaching the installing and securing clips to the
support structure. The kit in embodiments can also have components
of a support structure for constructing a support structure.
[0047] Turning now to the Figures, FIG. 1 is a side view of an
installing and securing system 100 as installed on a support
surface.
[0048] In embodiments, the support structure 130 can be below the
installing and securing clips 140a and 140b. This embodiment is
representative of an application such as an outdoor deck, a
flooring installation, and the like. The support structure can have
a complementary surface 132, which can be flat, to receive the clip
seating surface, which can also be flat.
[0049] In embodiments, the clip positioners 143a and 143b can
orient the installing and securing clips 140a and 140b
perpendicularly to the support structure 130. The clip aligner of
each clip can be attached to properly space and align the
installing and securing clips 140a and 140b.
[0050] In embodiments, the construction materials 110a and 110b can
be installed in the installing and securing clips 140a and 140b and
held in place by grasping protrusions 146a-146d.
[0051] The construction materials can be formed to be grasped by
grasping protrusions, as well as to completely hide clip
positioners 143a and 143b from view, which results in a desired
aesthetic in the finished structure.
[0052] Also evident in this embodiment is the ease of repair. If
construction materials are damaged after installation, for example
a floorboard is cracked after installation, removal and replacement
of the construction material is facilitated through the use of
installing and securing clips. In this example, a single floorboard
can be easily removed and replaced.
[0053] FIG. 2A is a detail view of an embodiment of an installing
and securing clip 140a with a grasping protrusion.
[0054] In this embodiment, the installing and securing clip 140a is
shown with a support structure attachment 149, a clip attachment
surface 144, a clip seating surface 142, a clip positioner 143a,
clip aligners 141a-141d, and grasping protrusions 146a and
146b.
[0055] The support structure attachment 149 is shown as a screw,
but can be any attachment means to secure the installing and
securing clip 140a to a support structure.
[0056] The clip attachment surface 144 is shown as a flat face to
receive a construction material. The clip attachment surface 144
can be curved, roughened, comprise protrusions, have material
removed, and the like based upon the desired use.
[0057] For example, sections of the installing and securing clip
140a can be removed to make the installing and securing clip
lighter or to allow a clear view of the support structure beneath
during installation. For engineered construction materials, the
clip attachment surface 144 can be shaped to complement the
construction material.
[0058] In embodiments, the clip seating surface 142 can be flat to
seat upon a flat support structure. In alternate embodiments, the
clip seating surface can be curved, roughened, comprise
protrusions, and the like based upon the desired use and support
structure to be utilized.
[0059] The clip positioner 143a can orient the installing and
securing clip 140a with respect to the support structure. In this
embodiment, the clip positioner 143a can serve to orient the
installing and securing clip 140a perpendicularly to a support
structure having a flat side.
[0060] In other embodiments, the clip positioner 143a can be angled
to orient the installing and securing clip 140a in the same plane
at a different angle. The clip positioner 143a can also act to tilt
the installing and securing clip 140a if desired.
[0061] The clip aligners 141a-141d can form a complementary male
and female connection on either end of installing and securing clip
140a. The clip aligners can properly align and space the installing
and securing clip 140a.
[0062] For example, in an installation for an outdoor deck, the
clip aligners can ensure that all construction materials are
parallel to each other, and at the desired spacing.
[0063] The grasping protrusions 146a and 146b can grip a
construction material.
[0064] In embodiments, the installing and securing clip 140a can
further comprise a mechanical stop 145 to prevent movement of a
construction material parallel to the installing and securing clip
140a. The mechanical stop 145 can have protrusions to engage the
construction material and hold it in place.
[0065] FIG. 2B is a detail view of an embodiment of the installing
and securing clip with a grasping adhesive.
[0066] In this embodiment, the installing and securing clip 140a
can have a grasping adhesive 148 in lieu of grasping
protrusions.
[0067] The installing and securing clip 140a is shown having clip
aligners 141a-141d, clip positioner 143a, clip attachment surface
144, and support structure attachment 149.
[0068] FIG. 3 shows two installing and securing clips with the clip
aligners linked.
[0069] In this embodiment, clip aligners 141a and 141b, are shown
as female and male connectors respectively on one end of the
installing and securing clip 140a. Clip aligners 141f and 141e, are
shown as female and male connectors respectively on one end of the
installing and securing clip 140b.
[0070] Clip aligners 141d and 141c, are shown as female and male
connectors respectively on the opposing end of the installing and
securing clip 140a. Clip aligners 141h and 141g, are shown as
female and male connectors respectively on the opposing end of the
installing and securing clip 140b.
[0071] In this embodiment, female clip aligner 141d can securely
attach to male clip aligner 141e, and male clip aligner 141c can
securely attach to male clip aligner 141f. As shown, the installing
and securing clips 140a and 140b are properly spaced, and aligned
with each other. In this embodiment, the alignment of the
installing and securing clips 140a and 140b is in a linear
fashion.
[0072] In this embodiment, the clip aligners serve to properly
space and align the installing and securing clips as well as the
construction materials for an aesthetically pleasing cosmetic
result.
[0073] While these embodiments have been described with emphasis on
the embodiments, it should be understood that within the scope of
the appended claims, the embodiments might be practiced other than
as specifically described herein.
* * * * *