Identity card press-fitted in wooden flooring

Abstract

 This patent application concerns an identification element for mounting on wooden flooring consisting of a metal plate applied precisely over a woody support having finger joins on its sides.

Description

[0001] This patent application concerns an identification element for mounting on wooden flooring.

[0002] Wooden or parquet flooring are currently very popular; in order to personalise their products and image some manufacturers in the sector have recently started "signing" parquet flooring realised with the wooden strips they produce. More specifically these companies mount an adhesive plate in plastic or similar material, usually in a decentralised position of the wooden flooring, with their brand or similar.

[0003] These plates however give rise to two significant problems; the first is of an aesthetical nature in that they interfere with the cleaning and linearity of the wooden flooring and is therefore not appreciated by the owner; the second is of a technical - practical nature in that these adhesive plates are subject to damage or detachment when the flooring is cleaned or by the abrasive effect of shoe soles.

[0004] The purpose of this invention is to design a special identification element for parquet flooring which is practical and easy to install, as well as being stable, sturdy and attractive.

[0005] In particular the element according to this patent application is designed for mounting on parquet flooring consisting of wooden strips with finger joints at the sides; namely strips provided with a rectilinear groove in proximity of the longitudinal and transverse edges and a conforming ribbing in proximity of the other two edges.

[0006] The strips in question are of the type which are abutted and joined precisely side by side in order to realise an extremely sturdy high quality flooring.

[0007] The element according to the invention consists of a rectangular or square polished metal plate designed to adapt both aesthetically and technically with the type of flooring realised with these strips; said metal plate being glued on a conforming piece of plywood, multi-layer wood or similar.

[0008] Obviously the upper face of the metal plate will be used to show the flooring manufacturer's trademark, brand etc.

[0009] In order to mount the element correctly on the flooring however three conditions are required: firstly its total thickness (metal plate + multi-layer woody support) must be exactly the same as that of the flooring strips; secondly its width must be exactly the same as that of the flooring strips and thirdly that the multi-layer woody support must be provided on the sides with finger joints compatible with those of the flooring strips.

[0010] These conditions make the item in question very easy to mount as well as making it extremely stable and sturdy.

[0011] In fact, after deciding where the element according to the invention is to be placed, the floor layer will abut and join the same in exactly the same way as the flooring strips are abutted and joined side by side by means of the finger joints.

[0012] In other words the floor layer joins the grooves and ribbing of the element in question with the ribbing and grooves of the adjacent flooring strips.

[0013] This type of wedged mounted prevents accidental removal of the element from the flooring.

[0014] Moreover the fact that the manufacturer's trademark, brand etc. are printed or engraved on the upper metal face of the item in question ensures that these will remain unaltered in time without being damaged by cleaning operations or the friction of shoe soles.

[0015] The enormous aesthetical advantage of the item in question is consequently quite evident; the only visible section of the item is in fact simply an elegant metal plate whose colour and polish can be established from time to time according to the colour or grain of the wooden strips used for the flooring.

[0016] For major clarity the description of the invention continues with reference to the enclosed drawing which is intended for purposes of illustration and not in a limiting sense where:

* figure 1 is an axonometric view of the element according to the invention;

* figure 2 shows a flooring strip of the type which can be joined by male and female connection to the element according to the invention.

* figure 3 is a section of a wooden flooring in which the identification element according to the invention has been laid.

[0017] With reference to figure 1, the identification element in question consists of a square metal plate (1) glued precisely on a woody support (2) provided on the two consecutive sides with the same number of rectilinear grooves (3) and on the other two sides with corresponding ribbing (4).

[0018] The groove-ribbing provided on the sides of the item according to the invention can obviously be joined by male and female connection with those of the flooring strips (L) of the type shown in figure 2.

[0019] It should be noted in addition that even if the version of the element shown in figure 1 is provided with a woody support having two grooves and two ribbings on the sides, it is possible to provide the woody support with only one ribbing and one groove in precise proximity of the two opposing sides. In this construction embodiment the other two sides of the woody support will naturally be smooth.

[0020] As a further alternative embodiment the woody support could be provided with a groove in proximity of each side but without ribbing.

Claims

1. An identification element to mount on wooden flooring characterised in consisting of a square or rectangular metal plate (1) glued precisely on a woody support (2) provided with finger joints on its sides.

Drawing