Field of the invention
[0001] The present invention relates to a floor system comprising coupling means for coupling
of at least two floor plates positioned side by side forming a joint between the floor
plates.
Technical background
[0002] It is common to use floor racks, consisting of wood board, as floor covering for
patios, balconies, wet rooms, restaurants etc. However there are sometimes an unwanted
clattering sound if the floor racks are put on hard and/or uneven ground. Further
an uneven ground could tend to cause the floor racks to separate. There can also be
problems covering a surface with an attractive pattern if the surface does not correspond
exactly with the dimensions of the floor racks. Different sizes of floor racks are
usually designed of different sizes of wood boards, which makes it impossible to combine
different sizes of floor racks with out any visible notice.
Summary of the invention
[0003] One object of the present invention is to achieve a cheap and improved floor system.
[0004] A further object according to the present invention is to achieve a floor system
that will solve at least one of the objects above.
[0005] The above mentioned objects and other objects, that will be clear from the following
description is obtained by a system according to the enclosed claims.
[0006] According to an aspect of the invention a floor system is disclosed comprising coupling
means for coupling of at least two floor plates positioned side by side forming a
joint between the floor plates. The floor plate is provided with an engagable portion
with an undercut, wherein the coupling means has an engaging portion with an engaging
part which is dimensioned to, when mounted, extend into said undercut of the engagable
portion of the edge side opposite the joint edge of the floor plate. In this way a
connecting force is achieved, which forces two floor plates against each other. Since
the engaging part is engaged in the undercut a stable connection is achieved that
will not run the risk of coming loose unintentionally. The engagable portion with
undercut can be integrated in the floor plate or the distance element and does not
request any extra parts that would increase the cost.
[0007] Preferably the dimension of the part A, extending into the undercut and engaged in
the vertical direction, somewhat exceeds the dimension of the undercut B in the same
direction. This will provide a barb effect and when the coupling element is in mounted
position this difference in extension tend to keep the engaging portion in the undercut.
This retaining effect can be achieved by self-locking, geometrical locking and/or
friction in combination with the geometrical differences in dimension/extension.
[0008] Preferably the coupling part has a guiding surface in connection with the engaging
part for temporary movement of the engaging part, which by a resilient snap action
will fall into said undercut for connection of two floor plates. The geometry, for
instance the guiding surface, and the resilient characteristics of the coupling means
makes it easy to snap a number of floor plates together by positioning them next to
each other and press them towards the ground, such that the coupling means will snap
into the floor racks. Further the guiding surface will increase the tolerances for
positioning of a floor rack next to another when they are about to be interconnected.
Due to the geometry of the coupling means and the resilient properties it is also
possible to disassemble the floor racks from each other.
[0009] In a preferred embodiment the guide surface has a sharp griping edge, which in mounted
position will engage with the floor plate. This in combination with the above mentioned
barb effect will provide a retaining effect of the coupling means in the undercut.
[0010] Advantageously the guide surface has an angle approximately 45° relatively to the
horizontal plane. Of course it is possible to use other angles for the guiding surface,
for example in the range 30-60° in relation to the horizontal plane. The angle of
the guiding surface will affect the force that guides the engaging part which will
snap resilient into the undercut when connecting. Further this angle will also affect
the tolerance and force that is needed to force a floor rack to connection with a
coupling means and another floor rack.
[0011] Preferably the coupling means is made of a strip of resilient material. In a preferred
embodiment the coupling means is manufactured by bending of a resilient strip of steel.
[0012] Advantageously there are space provided for the distance elements, which holds the
floor plates together, and are positioned in the same plane when two floor plates
are packaged with their under sides against each other. One of the floor plates provides
a free space for the distance element of the other floor plate. By packing the floor
racks with the under sides against each other with crossbar/distance elements in the
same plane approximately 33% of the space can be saved compared to if the floor racks
would have been piled straight on top of each other.
[0013] Preferably at least a third of the under side of the floor plate is free from distance
element in at least one direction. This provides the floor racks to fit into each
other in a space saving way.
[0014] Advantageously the floor plate is provided with distance parts made of an elastomer
material which is thicker than the material of the coupling means, this provides drainage
under the floor plate. These distance parts are preferably positioned at certain points
under the distance elements of the floor plates to provide a possible passage also
across an elongated distance element. Distance parts made of an elastomer material
does also provide a shock- and sound absorbing effect.
Brief description of drawings
[0015] By way of example, currently preferred embodiments of the present invention will
now be described with reference to the accompanying figure of drawing in which;
Fig 1 discloses a perspective view seen at an angle from below of a floor system according
to the invention.
Fig 2 discloses a perspective view of a coupling means.
Fig 3a-c shows a side view of a sequence for coupling two floor racks together.
Fig 4 discloses a side view of floor plates piled on top of each other.
Fig 5a-b discloses perspective views of floor plates of different sizes.
Fig 6 shows a side view of a floor plate and a coupling means.
Fig 7 discloses in a side view a part of a floor plate and a coupling means in coupled
position.
Fig 8 shows a perspective view at an angle from below of a part of two connected floor
plates.
Description of Preferred Embodiment
[0016] The floor system consist of floor plates 2, or racks, and coupling means 1 for connecting
the floor plates. The floor plates 2 consist of a number of upper boards 13 kept together
by two cross bars (distance elements) 10 which are attached, for example, with nails,
screws or glue on the under side of the upper boards 13. It is also possible to hold
the boards of the plates together in other ways than with underlying cross bars 10
for example with fasteners direct between the boards 13.
[0017] The underlying distance elements 10 has a L-shaped cross section that is mounted
in such a way that an undercut 5 is formed on the inner edges of the distance elements
10. Four shorter distance elements 11 are also mounted, with a similar undercut as
for the crossbars 10, on the under side of the floor plates such that the distance
elements 10,11 together forms a pattern of two C-shapes positioned with their openings
towards each other. The shorter distance elements 11 makes it possible to connect
the floor plates along all four joint edges.
[0018] To achieve the undercuts 5 of the plates it is possible to use a number of different
alternative (not shown) like for example holes with different diameters at different
dept, special fasteners forming an undercut or shorter machined portions of the crossbars
to achieve the undercuts. Further it is also possible to create the undercuts direct
in the upper boards for example in the embodiment where the upper boards are held
together by fasteners direct between the boards.
[0019] The coupling means 1 according to the invention is made of a resilient strip of metal
approximately 15cm long, 10-15mm wide and a thickness less than 1mm, but it can also
be designed with other dimensions and materials. By three bendings of the metal strip
in each end, a profile is achieved according to fig 2. The C-shaped engaging portion
6 is formed for engaging the crossbar 10 and the engagable portion 4 with relatively
good fitting. The upper part of the C-shaped engaging portion 6 forms, together with
the tilted guiding surface, an engaging part 7 which resiliently will snap into the
undercut 5 of the floor plate 2. In the shown embodiment this resilience is performed
mainly in the long straight bottom portion of the coupling means 1. In alternative
embodiments the resilience can be provided by other portions of the coupling means
or even by separate parts. In a further alternative embodiment a coupling means 1
is used having an engaging portion 6 and engaging part 7 corresponding to what has
been described above in one end, as the other end is attached, for example, pivoting
in the plane of the plate with a screw or rivet direct in the floor plate.
[0020] The connection of two floor plates 2,2' to each other is performed by first mounting
desired number of coupling means 1, suitably two on each joint side, of the first
plate which is positioned with the right side up on the ground. Due to that the upper
edge of the guiding surface 8 of the coupling means provides a remaining barb effect
when the coupling means 1 initially is engaged in the undercut of the plate 2, all
coupling means will remain in position which facilitates the assembly. In this way
the coupling means 1 are also prevented from coming out of position during the assembly.
The barb effect is achieved by positioning the engaging part 7 of the coupling means
at the undercut 5 of the plate and pressing it slightly into the undercut. Due to
that the dimension A in fig 6 is slightly larger than the dimension B a resilient
detaining compression of the engaging part is achieved when it is mounted in the undercut
5. Next step in the connection is to position the neighbouring plate 2', of course
with desired coupling means attached to the plate 2', adjacent the first plate 2 and
move the second plate towards the ground (fig 3a). The guiding surfaces 8 of the coupling
means of the first plate will help to guide the other plate 2' to correct position
at the same time as the other plate will press towards the guiding surfaces 8 of the
coupling means and in this way the coupling means 1 will be resiliently tensioned
(fig 3b). At the continued movement of the second plate downwards towards the ground
the engaging parts 7 of the coupling means will resiliently snap into the undercut
5 of the second plate and in this way connect the two plates without tools (fig 3c).
[0021] It is also possible to adjust the two plates 2,2' in relation to each other by pushing
them sideways after they have been engaged. Further it is also possible to mount a
single plate at an empty position in the middle of a pattern of plates.
[0022] Dismounting of floor plates is performed in the opposite way compared to the mounting.
It is also possible to dismount a plate from the middle of a pattern of plates, in
this case a tool will facilitate disengagement of the coupling means from above through
the slit between the plates.
[0023] In fig 1 is shown a system according to the invention where different sizes of plates
are combined. The plates 2,2' can also be placed in check pattern or with all the
upper boards in the same direction.
[0024] Fig 4 shows how the floor plates efficiently and space-saving can be stacked in pairs
with the undersides against each other to, for example, be loaded in a container.
[0025] Fig 8 shows how the shorter distance elements 11 makes it possible to connect two
floor plates 2,2' in the direction across the upper boards 13.
[0026] In the preferred embodiment the coupling means does not constitute distance element
in the joint between two plates, but if a slit is desired between the floor plates
the distance parts, for example made of wood, can be used. In this way it is possible
to achieve a distance between the plates that corresponds to the distance between
the boards of the floor plates.
[0027] Distance parts 12 made of rubber with a thickness of 3mm which are attached under
the floor plates 2 makes it possible to use the floor plates also in bath rooms and
showers since the water is allowed to flow under the floor plates. The coupling means
1 can be mounted both across and along the direction of the boards of the rack to
achieve a desired pattern of for example parallel boards or check pattern. The upper
boards 13 which the plates are made of has the same dimensions (15x45mm) independent
of the size of the plate. This makes it possible to combine different sizes of plates
without causing an unattractive impression.
1. A floor system comprising coupling means (1) for coupling of at least two floor plates
(2) positioned side by side forming a joint (3) between the floor plates characterized in that said floor plate (2) is provided with an engagable portion (4) with an undercut (5),
wherein the coupling means (1) has an engaging portion (6) with an engaging part (7)
which is dimensioned to, when mounted, extend into said undercut (5) of the engagable
portion (4) of the edge side opposite the joint edge of the floor plate (2).
2. A floor system according to claim 1, wherein the dimension of the engaging part (7),
extending into the undercut and engaged in the vertical direction, somewhat exceeds
the dimension of the undercut (5) in the same direction.
3. A floor system according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said coupling part
(1) has a guiding surface (8) in connection to the engaging part (7) for temporary
moving of the engaging part (7), which by a resilient snap action will fall into said
undercut (5) for connection of two floor plates (2,2').
4. A floor system according to claim 3, wherein said guide surface (8) has a sharp griping
edge (9), which in mounted position will engage with the floor plate (2).
5. A floor system according to any of the claims 3 to 4, wherein the guide surface (8)
has an angle approximately 45° relatively to the horizontal plane.
6. A floor system according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the coupling means
(1) is made of strip of a resilient material.
7. A floor system according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said coupling means
(1) is manufactured by bending of a resilient strip of steel.
8. A floor system according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the distance element
(10), which holds the floor plates (2) together, is positioned in the same plane when
two floor plates (2,2') are packaged with their under sides against each other, wherein
one of the floor plates provides a free space for the distance element (10) of the
other floor plate.
9. A floor system according to claim 8, wherein at least a third of the under side of
the floor plate (2) is free from distance element (10) in at least one direction.
10. A floor system according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said floor plate
(2) is provided with distance parts (12) made of an elastomer material that is thicker
than the material of the coupling means (1), which provides drainage under the floor
plate (2).