U.S. patent application number 14/304464 was filed with the patent office on 2015-12-17 for synthetic modular flooring apparatus.
The applicant listed for this patent is Connor Sport Court International, LLC. Invention is credited to Michael T. Bradfield, Michael Buerger, Ronald N. Cerny, Dana Hedquist.
Application Number | 20150361675 14/304464 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 54834041 |
Filed Date | 2015-12-17 |
United States Patent
Application |
20150361675 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Cerny; Ronald N. ; et
al. |
December 17, 2015 |
Synthetic Modular Flooring Apparatus
Abstract
A modular tile is disclosed having a substantially rigid top
surface supported above a ground surface by an understructure. The
rigid top surface is defined by sidewalls forming an outer
perimeter and four corners. Four modular tiles can be disposed
adjacent one another at common adjoining corners. A bottom side of
each of the four modular tiles has at least first and second
cavities disposed about the corner of the tile. One of two bridge
connectors is disposed about the common adjoining corners of the
plurality of four modular tiles.
Inventors: |
Cerny; Ronald N.; (Park
City, UT) ; Bradfield; Michael T.; (Riverton, UT)
; Hedquist; Dana; (Taylorsville, UT) ; Buerger;
Michael; (Draper, UT) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Connor Sport Court International, LLC |
Salt Lake City |
UT |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
54834041 |
Appl. No.: |
14/304464 |
Filed: |
June 13, 2014 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
52/509 ;
52/506.01 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E04F 15/02452 20130101;
E04F 2015/02127 20130101; E04F 15/105 20130101; E04F 15/02038
20130101; E04F 15/0247 20130101; E04B 5/026 20130101; E04F 2201/095
20130101 |
International
Class: |
E04F 15/02 20060101
E04F015/02; E04B 5/02 20060101 E04B005/02; E04F 15/024 20060101
E04F015/024; E04B 1/61 20060101 E04B001/61 |
Claims
1. (canceled)
2. (canceled)
3. (canceled)
4. (canceled)
5. (canceled)
6. (canceled)
7. (canceled)
8. (canceled)
9. (canceled)
10. (canceled)
11. (canceled)
12. A modular tile assembly, comprising: a plurality of four
modular tiles each comprising a substantially rigid top surface
supported above a ground surface by an understructure, wherein the
rigid top surface is defined by sidewalls forming an outer
perimeter and four corners, wherein each of the four modular tiles
is disposed adjacent one another at common adjoining corners;
wherein a bottom side of each of the four modular tiles comprises
at least first and second cavities disposed about the corner of
each tile, wherein each of the cavities are circumscribed by a
wall; a bridge connector disposed about the common adjoining
corners of the plurality of four modular tiles, the bridge
connector comprising a top plate coupled to a bottom plate wherein
the top plate is disposed about a top surface of each tile and the
bottom plate is disposed about a bottom surface of each tile; and
wherein the bottom plate comprises four upright posts, wherein each
post is configured to mate with at least one of the first and
second cavities disposed about the corner of each of the tiles.
13. The modular tile assembly of claim 12, wherein at least one of
the four posts of the bottom plate is configured to press-fit into
the first cavity of one of the tiles.
14. The modular tile assembly of claim 13, wherein the at least one
of the four posts of the bottom plate configured to press-fit into
the first cavity has an outer width that is larger than a
corresponding inner width of the first cavity.
15. The modular tile assembly of claim 13, wherein the at least one
of the four posts comprises a plurality of vertical slots disposed
about a distal end of the post.
16. The modular tile assembly of claim 14, wherein at least one of
the other four posts has an outer width that is less than an inner
width of the second cavity.
17. The modular tile assembly of claim 12, wherein the top plate of
the bridge connector is shaped to approximate a cross having an
aperture disposed within a center of the cross and wherein the
bottom plate comprises an aperture having a center that is
collinear with a center of the aperture of the top plate.
18. (canceled)
19. (canceled)
20. (canceled)
21. A modular tile assembly, comprising: a plurality of four
modular tiles each comprising a substantially rigid top surface
supported above a ground surface by an understructure, wherein the
rigid top surface is defined by sidewalls forming an outer
perimeter and four corners, wherein each of the four modular tiles
is disposed adjacent one another at common adjoining corners;
wherein a bottom side of each of the four modular tiles comprises
at least first and second cavities disposed about each corner of
each of the four modular tiles; a bridge connector disposed about
the common adjoining corners of the plurality of four modular
tiles, the bridge connector comprising a top plate coupled to a
bottom plate wherein the top plate is disposed about a top surface
of the common adjoining corners and the bottom plate is disposed
about a bottom surface of the common adjoining corners; and wherein
the bottom plate comprises four upright posts, wherein each post
extends upward from the bottom plate and is configured to mate with
at least one of the first and second cavities disposed about the
corners of each of the tiles and wherein a first of the four
upright posts is configured to press-fit into a first cavity of one
of the four tiles and a second of the four upright posts is
configured to clearance-fit into a second cavity of one of the
other of the four tiles.
22. The modular tile assembly of claim 21, wherein at least two of
the four upright posts are disposed near corners of the bottom
plate.
23. The modular tile assembly of claim 22, wherein at least one of
the four upright posts is disposed nearer the center of the bottom
plate relative to the at least two upright posts disposed near the
corners of the bottom plate.
24. The modular tile assembly of claim 23, wherein the at least one
upright post disposed nearer the center of the bottom plate
relative to the at least two upright posts disposed near the
corners of the bottom plate has a height less than the at least two
upright posts and a greater width than the at least two upright
posts.
25. The modular tile assembly of claim 23, wherein the at least one
upright post disposed nearer the center of the bottom plate
relative to the at least two upright posts disposed near the
corners of the bottom plate is configured to press-fit into the
first cavity of one of the four tiles.
26. The modular tile assembly of claim 23, wherein the at least two
upright posts disposed near the corners of the bottom plate are
configured to clearance-fit into the second cavity of two of the
four tiles.
27. The modular tile assembly of claim 23, wherein the at least two
upright posts disposed near the corners of the bottom plate have a
length that is greater than the at least one upright post disposed
nearer the center of the bottom plate.
28. The modular tile assembly of claim 21, wherein the center of
the first cavity and the center of the second cavity are collinear
with one another and with a corner of the tile.
29. The modular tile assembly of claim 21, wherein the first cavity
has a width smaller than the second cavity.
30. A modular tile assembly, comprising: a plurality of four
modular tiles each comprising a substantially rigid top surface
supported above a ground surface by an understructure, wherein the
rigid top surface is defined by sidewalls forming an outer
perimeter and four corners, wherein each of the four modular tiles
is disposed adjacent one another at common adjoining corners,
wherein each of the four modular tiles comprises an L-shaped
aperture disposed about the corner of the tile and passing through
the corner of the tile; wherein a bottom side of each of the four
modular tiles comprises at least first and second cavities disposed
about each corner of each of the four modular tiles; a bridge
connector disposed about the common adjoining corners of the
plurality of four modular tiles, the bridge connector comprising a
top plate coupled to a bottom plate wherein the top plate is
disposed about a top surface of the common adjoining corners and
the bottom plate is disposed about a bottom surface of the common
adjoining corners; wherein the bottom plate comprises four upright
posts, wherein each post extends upward from the bottom plate and
is configured to mate with at least one of the first and second
cavities disposed about the corners of the tiles; and wherein the
top plate comprises a plurality of intersecting arms and a
plurality of skirts extending downward from the corners of the
intersecting arms, and wherein the plurality of skirts are
configured to mate with L-shaped apertures disposed in each of the
tiles.
31. The modular tile assembly of claim 30, wherein the width of the
L-shaped apertures is less than the width of the skirts.
Description
FIELD OF THE TECHNOLOGY
[0001] The present technology relates to synthetic flooring and
more particularly to devices and methods for absorbing extreme
loads placed on a top surface of a modular synthetic floor
tile.
BACKGROUND OF THE TECHNOLOGY AND RELATED ART
[0002] Modular floors have been used for numerous years in
connection with improved safety, appearance, and function. In
recent years, modular flooring products have been used for these
purposes and more frequently used in connection with industrial
activities. Many of these flooring products, however, are heavy,
difficult to assemble and transport. Specifically, in order for
modular flooring products to withstand the rigors of heavy,
industrial activity, such flooring products have been constructed
of metal. Synthetic flooring products have been constructed of
material that is too soft or pliable to withstand the loads
associated with heavy, industrial activity. Moreover, the means of
assembling, connecting, and transporting the metal modular floors
has required specialized equipment and/or required a significant
amount of time and manpower. It is therefore beneficial to provide
an improved modular flooring assembly with improved technology for
withstanding extreme loads.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0003] The present technology will become more fully apparent from
the following description and appended claims, taken in conjunction
with the accompanying drawings. Understanding that these drawings
merely depict exemplary aspects of the present technology, they are
therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope. It will be
readily appreciated that the components of the present technology,
as generally described and illustrated in the figures herein, could
be arranged and designed in a wide variety of different
configurations. Nonetheless, the technology will be described and
explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of
the accompanying drawings in which:
[0004] FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of a synthetic modular
floor tile in accordance with one aspect of the technology;
[0005] FIG. 2 is a top view of the synthetic modular floor tile of
FIG. 1;
[0006] FIG. 3 is a side view of the synthetic modular floor tile of
FIG. 1;
[0007] FIG. 4 is a bottom view of the synthetic modular floor tile
of FIG. 1;
[0008] FIG. 5 is an enlarged perspective view of the corner of the
synthetic modular floor tile of FIG. 1;
[0009] FIG. 6 is an enlarged top view of the corner of the
synthetic modular floor tile of FIG. 1;
[0010] FIG. 7 is a top perspective view of an assembly of four
synthetic modular floor tiles coupled to a hoist in accordance with
one aspect of the technology;
[0011] FIG. 8 is a top perspective view of three modular floor
tiles joined at a common corner with a bridge connector in
accordance with one aspect of the technology;
[0012] FIG. 9 is a top view of four modular floor tiles joined at a
common corner showing a top portion of a bridge connector in
accordance with one aspect of the technology;
[0013] FIG. 10 is a bottom view of four modular floor tiles joined
at a common corner showing a bottom portion of a bridge connector
in accordance with one aspect of the technology;
[0014] FIG. 11 is a side view of a bridge connector coupling tiles
together in accordance with one aspect of the technology;
[0015] FIG. 12 is a top perspective view of a bridge connector
coupling tiles together in accordance with one aspect of the
technology;
[0016] FIG. 13 is a bottom perspective view of a bridge connector
coupling tiles together in accordance with one aspect of the
technology;
[0017] FIG. 14 is a side view of a bridge connector in accordance
with one aspect of the technology; and
[0018] FIG. 15 is a top perspective view of the bridge connector of
FIG. 14.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0019] The following detailed description of exemplary aspects of
the technology makes reference to the accompanying drawings, which
form a part hereof and in which are shown, by way of illustration,
exemplary aspects in which the technology may be practiced. While
these exemplary aspects are described in sufficient detail to
enable those skilled in the art to practice the technology, it
should be understood that other aspects may be realized and that
various changes to the technology may be made without departing
from the spirit and scope of the present technology. Thus, the
following more detailed description of the aspects of the present
technology is not intended to limit the scope of the technology, as
claimed, but is presented for purposes of illustration only and not
limitation to describe the features and characteristics of the
present technology and to sufficiently enable one skilled in the
art to practice the technology. Accordingly, the scope of the
present technology is to be defined solely by the appended
claims.
[0020] The following detailed description and exemplary aspects of
the technology will be best understood by reference to the
accompanying drawings, wherein the elements and features of the
technology are designated by numerals throughout.
[0021] Generally speaking, the present technology describes an
improved modular floor tile 20 having a top surface 30 comprising a
substantially rectangular rigid top surface supported above a
ground surface by an understructure 50, wherein the rectangular
rigid top surface is defined by sidewalls 21 forming an outer
perimeter and four corners 22. Each of the corners 22 of the tile
20 comprises at least two T-shaped apertures 40 therein. A
longitudinal axis 41a of one of the two T-shaped apertures 40 is
normal to a longitudinal axis 41b of the other T-shaped aperture
40. The T-shaped apertures 40 provide a mechanism for installation
and removal of bridge connectors used to connect adjacent tiles
together. In addition, the present technology comprises a plurality
of four modular tiles 20 disposed adjacent one another at common
adjoining corners. A bottom side of each of the four modular tiles
20 comprises at least first 51 and second 52 cavities disposed
about the corner 22 of the tile 20. A first bridge connector 200 is
disposed about the common adjoining corners of the plurality of
four modular tiles 20, the bridge connector 200 comprises a top
plate 210 coupled to a bottom plate 240 wherein the top plate 210
is disposed about a top surface 30 of the tile 20 and the bottom
plate 240 is disposed about a bottom surface of the tile 20. The
bottom plate 240 comprises four posts, wherein each post is
configured to mate with at least one of the two cavities 51, 52
disposed about the corner 22 of the tile 20. A second bridge
connector 100 is also disposed about common adjoining corners of
the plurality of four modular tiles 20. The modular tiles discussed
herein may be used as a primary floor or as a sub-floor supporting
other flooring arrangements on top.
[0022] Both the bridge connectors 100, 200 and the modular tiles 20
can be made from a durable plastic or similar synthetic material,
including but not limited to any plastic, rubber, foam, concrete,
epoxy, fiberglass, or other synthetic or composite material.
Furthermore, both the bridge connectors 100, 200 and the modular
tiles 20 can be formed using any manufacturing process familiar to
one of skill in the art for forming plastic, synthetic and/or
composite parts, including but not limited to injection-molding,
compression-molding, thermoforming, extrusion, casting, resin
impregnation or transfer-molding processes, etc. The plastic or
synthetic material can be configured with a pre-determined modulus
of elasticity and coefficient of thermal expansion to control the
impact absorption and thermal expansion characteristics of each
individual floor tile and for the overall flooring system. In one
aspect, moreover, the synthetic material can include one or more
recycled components which can reduce costs and result in a more
environmentally-benign flooring system.
[0023] With specific reference now to FIGS. 1 through 3, an
improved modular floor tile 20 having a substantially flat top
surface 30 is disclosed. The tile 20 comprises sidewalls 21 forming
an outer perimeter about the tile 20. In one aspect of the
invention, the sidewalls 21 extend from a top 30 of the tile 20 to
the ground surface upon which it is intended to lay. A side
connection interface comprises a tab 24 projecting outwards from a
sidewall 21 of the tile 20 and which is next to a complimentary
cut-out 25 extending inward from the same sidewall 21. The tab 24
and cut-out 25 can together form a pair of puzzle pieces that
interconnect in a non-rigid fashion with a matching pair of puzzle
pieces formed into adjacent tiles. Moreover, the interconnecting
puzzle pieces can be sized so that the tab 24 fits loosely within
the cut-out 25 so as to not restrict lateral movement once the
modular sub-flooring system has been assembled.
[0024] A plurality of holes 31 are disposed about the flat top
surface 30. The holes 31 are disposed near the corner 22 of the
tile 20 and are used for drainage of fluids about the top surface
30 as well as for transportation of a tile assembly. Holes 31 may
also function as anchoring holes for spikes to secure the flooring
to the ground. Each corner 22 of the tile 20 comprises a connection
system for coupling a bridge connector. Different bridge connectors
may be used on the corner connector system and are discussed in
greater detail below. Each corner connector system comprises at
least two T-shaped apertures 40 therein. A longitudinal axis 41a of
one of the two T-shaped apertures 40 is normal to a longitudinal
axis 41b of the other T-shaped aperture 40. The T-shaped apertures
40 provide a mechanism for installation and removal of bridge
connectors used to connect adjacent tiles together. As used herein,
the "top" of the T-shaped aperture 40 refers to the top of the "T"
element which is the side adjacent the outer side wall 21 of the
tile 20. In one aspect of the technology, the top portion 42a of a
first one of the at least two T-shaped apertures 40 is
substantially parallel to a first side 26a of a first corner of the
tile 20 and a top portion 42b of the second T-shaped aperture 40 is
substantially parallel to a second side 26b of the first corner. In
one aspect of the invention, the corner 22 of the tile 20 has a
continuous perimeter from the first side 26a to the second side
26b.
[0025] In accordance with one aspect of the technology, a top of
the T-shaped apertures 40 comprises a face 43 tapering away from
the outer perimeter 27 and sidewalls 26a, 26b positioned normal to
the top surface 30 of the tile 20. A bottom 44 of the T-shaped
apertures 40 comprises a face 45 tapering towards the outer
perimeter 27. The bottom 44 has a first sidewall 44a tapered
towards a second sidewall 44b wherein the second sidewall 44b is
tapered towards the first sidewall 44a. Moreover, the bottom 44 of
the T-shaped aperture 40 has a bottom wall 44c that tapers towards
the outer perimeter 27 of the tile 20. The tapered faces 44a, 44b,
44c of the bottom 44 of the T-shaped aperture 40 tapers from the
top surface 30 of the modular tile 20 to below top surface 30. A
top portion 45 of the bottom 44 of the T-shaped aperture 40 also
tapers towards the outer perimeter 27. The face of tapered top
portion 45 tapers from the top surface 30 to below a top of the
corner sidewall 28. An upper surface of a top 42 of the T-shaped
aperture 40 is disposed at the same elevation as the corner
sidewall 28. The bottom 44 of the T-shaped aperture 40 is disposed
at the same elevation as the top surface 30 of the tile 20. In one
aspect of the invention, the top 42 of the T-shaped aperture 40 is
disposed at an elevation below the bottom 44 of the aperture 40.
The tapered faces of the aperture facilitate placement and removal
of bridge connectors. The tapered faces of the T-shaped aperture
terminate in a ledge defining a tab. The tab is configured to mate
with the end of a clip on a bridge connector. In accordance with
one aspect of the invention, an L-shaped aperture 46 is disposed
adjacent to and between the T-shaped apertures 40. An inner edge 47
of the L-shaped aperture 46 is disposed at an elevation below the
rigid top surface 30 of the tile 20. The rigid top surface 30 of
the tile 20 tapers downward towards the inner edge 47 of the
L-shaped aperture 46 at location 48.
[0026] Referring to FIGS. 14 and 15, as noted above, the corner
connection systems are intended to facilitate placement of one or
more types of bridge connectors. In accordance with one aspect of
the technology, a bridge connector 100 is disclosed comprising a
center body 101 and arms 102 of the bridge connector 100, and
upwardly-facing tip bearing surfaces 103 located near the tips of
each of a pair of fingers 104 that together form an end clip. The
end clips extend downwardly from the ends of each of the four arms
102 that project radially outward from the center body 101 of the
bridge connector 100. A set of L-shaped skirts 105 can extend
downwardly from the center body 101 having a corner radius matching
the radius of the L-shaped aperture 46, and with a vertical notch
106 separating the skirts 105 and the fingers 104. The skirts 105
comprise a plurality of posts 106 located on either end of the
L-shaped skirt 105 and function to displace debris or other
materials that may have accumulated in the L-shaped pocket prior to
installation of the skirt 105. The length of the body of the skirt
105 is less than the depth of the L-shaped aperture 46.
[0027] Two or more floor tiles 20 can be aligned adjacent to each
other (either by being placed next to each other or by using an
alignment interconnection) so that the structural features of the
respective connection interfaces formed into the corners 22 of each
floor tile 20 are substantially aligned with each other. Thus,
adjacent T-shaped apertures 40 line up together to form adjacent
holes configured to receive adjacent fingers 104 of the bridge
connector 100. Likewise, the L-shaped-apertures 46 line up together
to form adjacent holes configured to receive the skirts 105
extending downwardly from either side of the central body 101 of
the bridge connector 100. Two fingers 104 from one arm 102 and two
skirts 105 of a bridge connector 100 can then be inserted,
respectively, into the combined adjacent T-shaped apertures 40 and
adjacent L-shaped apertures 46, so that the complimentary
engagement surfaces of the tile connection interface are coupled
together. In one aspect, the bridge connector 100 can be made from
a moderately bendable or flexible synthetic material that permits
each arm 102 of the bridge connector 100 to flex slightly. This
flexibility can allow the bridging interconnection to restrain the
relative vertical movement between the sub-floor tiles in a
non-rigid manner while continuing to maintain a substantially
smooth top surface alignment across adjacent edges and despite any
variations in the angular orientation or tilt of the individual
sub-floor tiles.
[0028] Referring now generally to FIG. 4, the underside 50 of the
floor tile 20 can include a plurality of intersecting support ribs
53 that are coupled to or integrally-formed with the underside
surface 50 that provides the top surface of the floor tile 20. The
bottom edges of the support ribs 53 can thus define the bottom
plane of the floor tile 20, and can be located over both prepared
and unprepared ground surfaces. In one aspect, a prepared ground
surface can comprise a smoothed or flattened surface of dirt,
grass, clay, sand or loose aggregate, etc., which can shift upwards
into the cavities 54 formed by the intersecting support ribs 53 to
further surround and grip the lower sides of the support ribs 53.
In another aspect, the prepared ground surface can comprise
pre-existing concrete or asphalt slabs which can grip the bottom
edges of the floor tiles 20 through friction alone. This may be
necessary, for instance, in cases where the concrete or asphalt may
be in a poor state of repair, and thus would be unsuitable to
support an overlayment directly, but would also be prohibitively
expensive to remove and dispose of before installing the new
flooring system.
[0029] In one aspect of the modular flooring system, both the
sidewalls 26 and the perimeter-defining support ribs 53 running
underneath and parallel to the outer edges or sidewalls 26 of the
floor tile 20 can extend all the way to the ground surface, so as
to provide maximum support along the outer perimeter edges of each
floor tile 20. In another aspect of the modular flooring system,
however, the perimeter-defining support ribs 53 can be set-back a
distance from the sidewalls. This set-back can provide more space
directly underneath the outer edges and second connection interface
for shifting or displacement of the ground surface, as well as lift
the bottom edge of the sidewalls 26 a distance above the ground
surface. Additional cavities 51 and 52 are formed near the corner
22 of the floor tile 20 and are configured to engage with a bridge
connector 200. In one aspect of the invention, cavity 51 is
configured to provide an interference fit or "press fit" with the
bridge connector 200 and cavity 52 is configured to provide a
clearance fit with the bridge connector 200.
[0030] With reference now to FIGS. 8 through 13, a bridge connector
200 is disclosed providing a connection system that is usable with
the corner connection system used with bridge connector 100. That
is, bridge connector 200 may be used on the same corner 22 of floor
tile 20 as the bridge connector 100. In accordance with one aspect
of the technology, bridge connector 200 comprises a top member 210
and bottom member 240 configured to mate with one another about a
top and bottom portion, respectively, of the corner 22 of tile 20.
In one aspect of the technology, the top member 210 comprises a
plate having a center body 211 with four arms 212 extending
laterally outward from the center body 211. The length of the arms
212 are sized to approximate the area defined by top of T-shaped
aperture 40 and corresponding side of the L-shaped aperture 46.
However, in one aspect, the arms 212 are slightly smaller than that
area to allow for some movement of the bridge connector 200.
[0031] A plurality of skirts 213 extend downward from the corners
214 of intersecting arms 212. The skirts 213 are generally L-shaped
and extend downward from adjacent arms 212. When disposed on a top
portion of corner 22 of tile 20, the skirts 213 are configured to
mate with L-shaped aperture 46 and arms 212 are configured to be
seated within the area defined by corner 22 that is lower in
elevation than the top surface 30 of tile 20. That is, a bottom
portion of the top member 210 rests on the top of the corner 22,
including 42a and 42b. In one aspect of the technology, the
L-shaped aperture 46 is approximately 0.25 inches wide. The skirts
213 intended to mate with the L-shaped aperture 46 are
approximately 0.0625 inches wide. In this manner, a certain amount
of lateral movement is allowed to accommodate movement of the
corner 22 of the tile 20 when subject to extreme loads to minimize
plastic deformation of the tile 20 or the bridge connector 200.
However, in one aspect of the technology, the width of the L-shaped
aperture 46 and the width of the skirt 213 are substantially
similar. An aperture 216 is disposed within the center of the top
plate 210 extending through stem 217. The aperture 216 and stem 217
are configured to receive a fastening member 218 therethrough for
connection with the bottom member 240. A nut is molded into the
bottom plate 240 that mates with fastener 218.
[0032] In one aspect of the technology, the bottom member 240
comprises a plate having four upright posts 241a and 241b
configured to mate with cavities 51 or 52 of tile 20. Upright posts
241a are located near the exterior edge 242 of bottom member 240
and are located so as to mate with cavity 52. The outer perimeter
of upright post 241a is less than the inner perimeter of the cavity
52 such that when disposed within the cavity 52, upright post 241a
creates a clearance fit or a loose fit allowing lateral movement of
the upright post 241a within cavity 52. Upright post 241b is
located near the center of bottom member 240 and is located so as
to mate with cavity 51. The outer perimeter of upright post 241b is
similar to or slightly larger than the inner perimeter of cavity
51. In this manner, when upright post 241b is disposed within
cavity 51, a press fit or tight fit is created such that there is
little to no lateral movement of upright post 241b within cavity
51. In one aspect of the technology, a top portion of upright post
241b is tapered inwardly to assist in placement of the post 241b
within cavity 51.
[0033] A stem 245 is disposed within the center of the bottom
member 240 adapted to receive the fastener 218 therein to fasten
the top member 210 and bottom member 240 together. A plurality of
guide members 246 are disposed about the bottom of stem 245 and are
arranged about the bottom of stem 245 to provide an area where the
corner 22 of tile 20 may be seated. A slot 244 is disposed within
the sidewall of each upright post 241b allowing the sidewalls to
flex inwardly to accommodate placement of the upright post 241b
within cavity 51. With upright post 241a forming a clearance fit
and upright posts 241b forming a press fit, a plurality of four
tiles 20 coupled at a common corner by bridge connector 200 have
vertical and lateral give when subjected to extreme loads. In an
assembled flooring system coupled together with bridge connector
200, extreme loads placed on the tiles 20 may deform the subsurface
terrain. The resulting deformation may place extreme strain on the
tile connection mechanisms resulting in failure of the connection
mechanism or plastic deformation of the tiles 20 themselves.
[0034] While the example shown in the attached figures illustrates
one aspect where three of the posts are designed for a clearance
fit and one post is designed for a press fit, it is understood that
any number of combinations of press fit and clearance fit posts can
be used herein. For example, three upright posts may be configured
to be press fit and one post may be configured to a clearance fit
as suits a particular application. Moreover, two upright posts may
be configured to be press fit and two may be configured for a
clearance fit. The two posts configured for clearance fit may be
adjacent or may be oriented diagonally about the bottom of the
bridge connector. Likewise, the two posts configured for a press
fit may be adjacent or may be oriented diagonally. In one aspect of
the technology, the posts configured for a clearance fit have a
length sized to approximate the depth of cavity 52. Because the
posts 241a are intended to move about within cavity 52, the posts
241a are relatively longer to minimize the possibility that the
post becomes dislodged from cavity 52 during an event where the
corner 22 is subject to extreme deformation.
[0035] In one aspect of the technology, tiles 20 are coupled
together in a single panel 280 comprising four tiles 20 as shown in
FIG. 7. The tiles 20 are coupled at a common corner using bridge
connector 200 so as to support the top and bottom portion of the
common corner. A hoist 290 with four arms 291 is used to transport
panel 280 by connecting with holes 31 in the top surface 30 of the
tiles 20. In another aspect of the invention, a single panel
comprising ten interconnected tiles is used for transportation of
the flooring system. In this aspect, the panel of tiles 20
comprises ten tiles disposed in a five-tile-by-two-tile arrangement
or twenty tiles in a four-tile-by-five-tile arrangement. Common
corners are bolted or riveted together and intended to maintain the
panels in a semi-permanent arrangement. The fasteners extend
through lateral holes that permit lateral movement from thermal
expansion and use of the tiles while preventing dislocation or
separation of the panels in an upward or downward direction. During
construction of a flooring system using the panels, adjacent sides
of different panels are vertically coupled through complementary
tab 24 and cut-out 25 portions of the tile 20.
[0036] Common corners between adjacent panels are coupled together
using either the bridge connector 100 or bridge connector 200 as
suits a particular purpose. In one aspect, bridge connector 100 is
used when removal of a single top piece is desired to unlock
corners. For example, when the duration of the connection is
expected to be relatively shorter, the load placed on the flooring
system is relatively small, and/or the potential deformation of the
flooring system due to lack of compaction or density of the
subsurface is relatively low. In contrast, bridge connector 200 is
used, for example, when the duration of the connection is expected
to be longer, the load placed on the flooring system is relatively
large, and/or the potential deformation of the flooring system due
to lack of compaction or density of the subsurface is relatively
high. Bridge connectors 100 and 200 may be used in the same
flooring system to account for variations in subsurface conditions
over the extent of the floor. For example, if one area is expected
to bear significant loads, but other areas of the same floor are
expected to bear smaller loads, different connection bridges are
used in the different areas. Likewise, if one area is less compact
than another, different connection bridges are used to accommodate
the varying subsurface terrain.
[0037] The foregoing detailed description describes the technology
with reference to specific exemplary aspects. However, it will be
appreciated that various modifications and changes can be made
without departing from the scope of the present technology as set
forth in the appended claims. The detailed description and
accompanying drawings are to be regarded as merely illustrative,
rather than as restrictive, and all such modifications or changes,
if any, are intended to fall within the scope of the present
technology as described and set forth herein.
[0038] More specifically, while illustrative exemplary aspects of
the technology have been described herein, the present technology
is not limited to these aspects, but includes any and all aspects
having modifications, omissions, combinations (e.g., of aspects
across various embodiments), adaptations and/or alterations as
would be appreciated by those in the art based on the foregoing
detailed description. The limitations in the claims are to be
interpreted broadly based on the language employed in the claims
and not limited to examples described in the foregoing detailed
description or during the prosecution of the application, which
examples are to be construed as non-exclusive. For example, in the
present disclosure, the term "preferably" is non-exclusive where it
is intended to mean "preferably, but not limited to." Any steps
recited in any method or process claims may be executed in any
order and are not limited to the order presented in the claims.
Means-plus-function or step-plus-function limitations will only be
employed where for a specific claim limitation all of the following
conditions are present in that limitation: a) "means for" or "step
for" is expressly recited; and b) a corresponding function is
expressly recited. The structure, material or acts that support the
means-plus-function are expressly recited in the description
herein. Accordingly, the scope of the technology should be
determined solely by the appended claims and their legal
equivalents, rather than by the descriptions and examples given
above.
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