Classifications

• • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
  • E04—BUILDING
  • E04F—FINISHING WORK ON BUILDINGS, e.g. STAIRS, FLOORS
  • E04F15/00—Flooring
  • E04F15/02—Flooring or floor layers composed of a number of similar elements
  • E04F15/02044—Separate elements for fastening to an underlayer
• • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
  • E04—BUILDING
  • E04F—FINISHING WORK ON BUILDINGS, e.g. STAIRS, FLOORS
  • E04F13/00—Coverings or linings, e.g. for walls or ceilings
  • E04F13/07—Coverings or linings, e.g. for walls or ceilings composed of covering or lining elements; Sub-structures therefor; Fastening means therefor
  • E04F13/08—Coverings or linings, e.g. for walls or ceilings composed of covering or lining elements; Sub-structures therefor; Fastening means therefor composed of a plurality of similar covering or lining elements
  • E04F13/0801—Separate fastening elements
  • E04F13/0803—Separate fastening elements with load-supporting elongated furring elements between wall and covering elements
  • E04F13/081—Separate fastening elements with load-supporting elongated furring elements between wall and covering elements with additional fastening elements between furring elements and covering elements
  • E04F13/0821—Separate fastening elements with load-supporting elongated furring elements between wall and covering elements with additional fastening elements between furring elements and covering elements the additional fastening elements located in-between two adjacent covering elements
  • E04F13/0826—Separate fastening elements with load-supporting elongated furring elements between wall and covering elements with additional fastening elements between furring elements and covering elements the additional fastening elements located in-between two adjacent covering elements engaging side grooves running along the whole length of the covering elements
• • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
  • E04—BUILDING
  • E04F—FINISHING WORK ON BUILDINGS, e.g. STAIRS, FLOORS
  • E04F15/00—Flooring
  • E04F15/02—Flooring or floor layers composed of a number of similar elements
  • E04F15/02177—Floor elements for use at a specific location
  • E04F15/02183—Floor elements for use at a specific location for outdoor use, e.g. in decks, patios, terraces, verandas or the like
• • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
  • E04—BUILDING
  • E04F—FINISHING WORK ON BUILDINGS, e.g. STAIRS, FLOORS
  • E04F15/00—Flooring
  • E04F15/02—Flooring or floor layers composed of a number of similar elements
  • E04F15/024—Sectional false floors, e.g. computer floors
  • E04F15/02405—Floor panels
• • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
  • E04—BUILDING
  • E04F—FINISHING WORK ON BUILDINGS, e.g. STAIRS, FLOORS
  • E04F15/00—Flooring
  • E04F15/02—Flooring or floor layers composed of a number of similar elements
  • E04F15/024—Sectional false floors, e.g. computer floors
  • E04F15/02447—Supporting structures
  • E04F15/02452—Details of junctions between the supporting structures and the panels or a panel-supporting framework
• • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
  • E04—BUILDING
  • E04B—GENERAL BUILDING CONSTRUCTIONS; WALLS, e.g. PARTITIONS; ROOFS; FLOORS; CEILINGS; INSULATION OR OTHER PROTECTION OF BUILDINGS
  • E04B9/00—Ceilings; Construction of ceilings, e.g. false ceilings; Ceiling construction with regard to insulation
  • E04B9/22—Connection of slabs, panels, sheets or the like to the supporting construction
  • E04B9/24—Connection of slabs, panels, sheets or the like to the supporting construction with the slabs, panels, sheets or the like positioned on the upperside of, or held against the underside of the horizontal flanges of the supporting construction or accessory means connected thereto
• • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
  • E04—BUILDING
  • E04F—FINISHING WORK ON BUILDINGS, e.g. STAIRS, FLOORS
  • E04F15/00—Flooring
  • E04F15/02—Flooring or floor layers composed of a number of similar elements
  • E04F15/02044—Separate elements for fastening to an underlayer
  • E04F2015/0205—Separate elements for fastening to an underlayer with load-supporting elongated furring elements between the flooring elements and the underlayer
  • E04F2015/02066—Separate elements for fastening to an underlayer with load-supporting elongated furring elements between the flooring elements and the underlayer with additional fastening elements between furring elements and flooring elements
  • E04F2015/02077—Separate elements for fastening to an underlayer with load-supporting elongated furring elements between the flooring elements and the underlayer with additional fastening elements between furring elements and flooring elements the additional fastening elements located in-between two adjacent flooring elements
  • E04F2015/02094—Engaging side grooves running along the whole length of the flooring elements

Definitions

• the present invention refers to a covering for surfaces.
• the present invention refers to a covering of the type that includes a plurality of covering elements, secured to multiple profiles placed in parallel arrangement by means of some fasteners, each inserted, simultaneously, in a longitudinal groove of the profile, and in a groove or lodging of the covering element.
• the document FR 2814184 discloses a covering comprising a structure formed by a plurality of covering plates having in their lower faces a guide formed by a groove leading to a cavity of greater dimensions, as to its cross section, than the opening pertaining to the groove, and longitudinal profiles perpendicular to the mentioned grooves of the plates, said profiles showing, as well, a profile guide formed by a groove that gives access to a cavity of greater dimensions, in cross section, than the groove, staying in the zones of intersection between the guides of the plates and the guides of the profiles some fasteners, simultaneously accommodated in cavities of both the guides of the plate and the profile.
• the fasteners which cannot rotate inside the grooves, are secured by clipping, or elastic deformation of portions of the fastener into the groove and / or by means of screwing.
• the Utility Model document ES 1029601U discloses a similar covering, with guides in the cover plates and in the longitudinal profiles, wherein the fastener is inserted into one of the guides by elastic deformation.
• the patent document ES 2285950 discloses a similar covering, but suitable for outdoors, leaving an opening between the plates for lodging the fasteners, that can slide along the guides of the longitudinal profiles. The upper part of the fasteners is lodged in grooves of the side portions of the plates or covering elements.
• a problem associated with such coverings is the system for securing the fasteners .
• the fasteners must be secured in their position into one of the two grooves, to be able to further introduce them longitudinally into the other groove.
• a screw or nail is utilized that secures the fastener to the profile.
• the object of the present invention to provide a covering providing a low cost solution to the above mentioned problems.
• the object is achieved by the provision of a dimensional interference between the fastener and one of the grooves into which it is introduced, when the fastener is introduced in the orientation corresponding to its installation. Such dimensional interference causes a pressure between the groove and the fastener retaining this latter in position.
• the present invention also provides that the fastener has an asymmetric structure, so that the dimensions of the fastener allow its rotation with respect to an axis which is perpendicular to the groove with which it dimensionally interferes, so that by rotation of the fastener the dimensional interference between the groove and the fastener is eliminated, allowing the fastener to slide freely.
• the present invention comprises a covering, comprising covering plates, fasteners and longitudinal profiles, wherein each profile is provided with a guide which is configured to cooperate with a fastener.
• the guide comprises a groove that gives access to a cavity of greater dimensions, in cross section, than the groove.
• a lateral edge of each plate is provided with a second groove wherein the fastener is configured to cooperate with the second groove to clamp the plate to the profile.
• the fastener has dimensions which permit a rotation between a first position and a second position when the fastener is lodged within said guide.
• the fastener comprises a first shape in a first crosscut and a second shape in a second crosscut.
• the second shape of the fastener enters in dimensional interference with said guide in the second position.
• the first shape of the fastener is in the first position displaceable along the profile.
• the first crosscut is preferably essentially perpendicular to the second crosscut.
• the fastener comprises in a preferred embodiment a polymer material, preferably a thermoplastic material, such as PA (nylon), POM, PC, PP, PET or PE .
• the thermoplastic material may be reinforced by a reinforcing material, such as glass fibre, Kevlar fibre, carbon fibre, talk or chalk.
• the fastener is preferably made of an injection moulded thermoplastic material.
• the present invention discloses a covering comprising a structure formed by a plurality of cover plates joined by means of fasteners to longitudinal profiles, having said profiles in turn a guide profile formed by a groove which gives access to a cavity of greater dimensions, as to its cross section, than the groove, remaining said fastener housed simultaneously in the areas of intersection between the plates and the profile guides housed in the cavities of the guide profile and in a corresponding housing of the plate, being said housing corresponding to the plate a groove located in the side portion of the plate, and each fastener joining two adjacent plates and one profile.
• the fastener has such dimensions that allow its rotation between two positions when it is inserted within said guide, the fastener having as well an asymmetrical shape, so that in one of the rotation positions, corresponding with the installation arrangement, the fastener enters in dimensional interference with the said guide, while in the other position of rotation, such interference does not occur, causing such interference a braking action against the movement of the fastener along the guide.
• the fastener has two positions along two axes or planes, preferably perpendicular to each other. In the orientation corresponding to the first plane, the fastener enters one of the guides and slides longitudinally along the same and when it is rotated by 90° a dimensional interference is caused with said guide, tightening and locking said fastener. In certain embodiments, the rotation can also cause a tightening as to the groove of the plate.
• said dimensional interference causes the tightening between a wall defining the separation between the groove and the cavity of one of the guides and the fastener, while tightening among other elements of the guide and the fastener are also possible.
• the tightening may occur by interference of the fastener and opposite side walls of the guide.
• the fastener comprises, or alternatively is formed by, an elongated head, a first elongated neck adjacent thereto, a second neck adjacent to the first neck and a base adjacent the second neck, being it possible that the head and the first neck be introduced, simultaneously, in guides of two consecutive plates and being intended the second collar and the base to be inserted, respectively, into the groove and into the cavity of the guide of a longitudinal profile.
• the first collar has, according to a first axis of symmetry, a width smaller than the width of the groove of the guide, and according to said second axis located at 90° it has a width greater than the width of said groove, while the base has as said second axis located at 90° a greater width than the guide groove in which is inserted, such when the fastener is rotated, said axis located at 90° is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the guide where the base is placed and, due to the greater width of the first collar and the base with respect to the guide groove where the base is introduced, a tightening is produced by the dimensional interference of the fastener with the wall that separates the groove from the cavity of the guide in which the base is placed.
• a preferred way to obtain this tightening is that the distance between the first neck and the base be slightly smaller than the thickness of cited wall that separates the groove from the cavity of the guide in which the base is placed.
• the covering comprising a fastener with a maximum width of the base, in the first crosscut, is essentially the same, the same or smaller than a width of the groove, allowing the base to be introduced into the cavity through the groove.
• the present invention comprises a covering, comprising a fastener with a width of the second neck, in the first crosscut, is essentially the same or the same as a width of the groove, wherein the fastener is configured to be guided by cooperating guiding surfaces of the second neck and the groove, respectively. More preferably the width of the second neck, in the first crosscut, is in the range of about 90% to about 100% of the width of the groove.
• said dimensional interference comprises cooperating between a first surface of the cavity and a second surface of the base.
• Said first surface of the cavity may be adjacent to the groove.
• Said dimensional interference comprises in an embodiment cooperating between a third surface of the groove and a fourth surface of the second neck.
• Said third surface of the groove is adjacent to the cavity.
• a thickness of material of the profile at the groove is greater than the distance between the first neck and the base in order to obtain said dimensional interference.
• the base has in respect to the first axis or plan of symmetry, a smaller width than the groove of the guide.
• the fastener may be designed as well so that its rotation causes a possible dimensional interference within the guide of the plate. For example, by dimensional interference between the base and the opposed side walls of the cavity of the guide profile, or any other two side walls and/or opposed walls of the guide.
• each plate has corresponding guides at each of its sides, and the adjacent plates show the arrangement of protrusions and recesses conjugated together. More preferably a certain play is provided between consecutive plates .
• the conjugated protrusions and recesses can be arranged either with or without play between plates.
• the borders of the play may be provided or not with conjugated protrusions and recesses, i.e. eventually with parallel borders between consecutive plates.
• the play may have the advantage of allowing drainage of water. Drainage of water may be advantageously for outdoor installation of the covering .
• Figure 1 shows a partially sectioned perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a covering according to the present invention.
• Figure 2 shows a cross section view in which the placement of the fastener joining the various components of the covering is schematically shown.
• Figure 3 is a perspective view of a fastener for the covering according to the present invention.
• Figure 4 is a side elevation view of the fastener of Figure 3.
• Figure 5 is a perspective view showing the introduction of the fastener into the guide of a profile.
• Figure 6 shows a side elevation view corresponding to Figure 3.
• Figure 7 shows a perspective view of the attachment of the fastener in the guide of a profile.
• Figure 8 shows a side elevation view corresponding to Figure 5.
• Figure 9 shows a solution to level the elongated profile on which the coating elements or plates are located.
• Figure 10 shows a perspective view of the introduction of a fastener in a second embodiment within the guide of a profile .
• Figure 11 shows a cross section of the guide in which the fastener shown in the previous figure has been introduced into the guide.
• Figure 12 corresponds to the previous figure, in which the fastener has been rotated 90°, showing the dimensional interference with the guide.
• Figure 13 is a partially sectioned perspective view of a second embodiment according to the present invention.
• Figure 14 shows a sectional view diagrammatically showing the location of the fastener joining together the various components of the covering.
• Figures 1 and 2 show a covering comprising a plurality of covering elements or plates 1, 1', which rest on elongated profiles, parallel one to another.
• the plates 1, 1 ' and the elongated profiles 2 are secured by means of fasteners 3.
• Each of the fasteners 3 are placed simultaneously within guides 11, 11', located on the edges or unseen sides of the plates 1, 1' and inside guides 21 of the profiles 2 (the arrangement of the guide 21 within profile 2 can be seen in Figure 7) .
• Each plate 1, 1' has respective guides 11, 11', each one arranged on one side or edge 19, 19', running longitudinally along the plate.
• the guides 11, 11' show a hollow or cavity.
• the fastener 3 can enter into the guides 11, 11' by pressing, or without it .
• the guides 21 of the profiles 2 run lengthwise along the profiles, being perpendicular to the guides 11 of the plates 1. Also, the guides 21 of the profiles 2 show a hollow or a cavity 212 which is, in cross section, larger than the groove 211 through which access is gained into the cavity. At the intersection or crossover points between the guides
• FIGs 3 and 4 show the fastener 3 used in Figures 1 and 2.
• the fastener 3 shown consists of a flat, elongated head
• the fastener 3 Immediately adjacent to the head 31, the fastener 3 has a first collar
• a function of the first collar 32 is to cause a dimensional interference with the guide 21 in the locking position of the fastener 3.
• the longest dimension of the first collar 32 is bigger than the width of the groove 211 that gives access to the cavity 212 of the guide 21 of the elongated profile 2.
• the shorter dimension of the first collar 32 is also smaller than the width of the groove 211 that gives access to the cavity 212 of the guide 21 of the elongated profile 2.
• a function of the second neck is to be placed in the groove 211 that gives access to cavity 212 of guide 21 of extended profile 2, with capacity of turn with respect to this one.
• the fastener After the second neck 33, the fastener has a foot or base 34 of bigger dimensions than the one of the second neck
• the function of the foot or base 34 is to be placed in the cavity 212 of the guide 21 of the elongated profile
• the fastener is complemented with a through hole 35 in order to possibly put a screw (not in principle necessary) and a groove 36 to split the head 31 into two portions.
• the non-use of the screw is, however, advantageous, because it allows for faster installation.
• the fastener without screw has some capacity to absorb movements, which may be beneficial in the case of expansion of the covering materials.
• the groove 36 allows a somewhat independent behaviour of each of the head portions 31 inserted into the guides 11, 11' or side grooves, enabling greater absorption of deformations due to expansion / contraction of materials.
• Figures 5 to 8 show a process of introducing a fastener 3 into the elongated guide 21 of the profile 2.
• the fastener 3 is inserted in longitudinal direction from the beginning of the elongated profile 2.
• the fastener 3 is inserted with the head 31 and the first elongated neck 32 aligned longitudinally within the guide 21. That is, the long side of the head 31 is aligned with the guide 21. Due to the dimensions of the second collar 33 and the foot or base 34, the fastener 3 may slide to the desired position (see Figures 7 and 8) . Once located, it is rotated 90° to align the long side of the head 31 to the position that will have the guide 11 of the plate 1 (not shown in the figures) .
• the dimensional interference causes a tight fit between the space between the first collar 32 and the base 34 of the fastener, and the wall 213 which defines the separation between the groove 211 and the cavity 212 of the guide 21 of the elongated profile 2. This leads to the locking of the fastener in its place.
• the head enters into the guide of the plate already placed. It may also be desirable, or necessary, to finish entering the fastener 3 into the guide or groove of the plate by means of light blows with a hammer or mallet.
• the consecutive plate may be positioned in place, making the free part of the head 31 to enter into the corresponding guide 11 of the plate which is being introduced.
• the fastener 3 is preferentially made of any suitable material, preferably a thermoplastic.
• the profiles 2 will be made preferably out of a thermoplastic material.
• the plates 1 can be made of any suitable material .
• Figure 9 shows a perspective view of a solution to level the elongated profile 2.
• a good levelling improves fixing quality of the example shown in Figures 1 to 8.
• this levelling is accomplished by placing at regular intervals pegs 29, 29', 29'', 29''' of different heights, which permits to support the profile 9 when the distance between the support surface and the profile 2 is small. When said distance, due to the inclination of the supporting surface, reaches a certain value, it is possible to place variable height supports 28.
• the present invention is applicable both to horizontal surfaces (ceilings, flooring) or to vertical surfaces (walls) .
• the present invention is valid for plates made out of any kind of material.
• the dimensions of the fasteners can be variable, in special the ones in the head 31 in relation, for instance, to the dimensions of the guides 11, 11' .
• the shape of the head 31 could be substantially squared, or of another type.
• the shape of the lateral sides or edges 19, 19' could have no conjugated protrusions and recesses, or no separation could be provided between plates in its upper part 1 y 1' .
• Figures 10 to 12 show the whole process of introduction of a second embodiment of the fastener 3 into the guide 21 of the elongated profile 2.
• the elements are identical or similar to the previous figures and have been designated with identical reference numerals names.
• the fastener is introduced perpendicularly to the guide, i.e., vertically.
• the fastener can be introduced freely in any point of the guide 21.
• the foot or base 34 is elongated, having, therefore, a short dimension or width and a long dimension or length.
• the foot or base in its short dimension presents an inferior width compared to the groove 211 of access to the guide 21.
• the width of the base 34 is the same as that of the second neck 33, while it has a length which is greater than the width of the said groove 211 of access to the guide 21.
• the long dimension or length of the foot or base 34 is parallel to the groove 36 that splits the head 31 in two portions.
• Figure 12 shows how the fastener 3 of figures 9 to 12 is assembled with a tight fit or dimensional interference with the guide in this example.
• the dimensional interference is produced between the thickness of the wall 213 and the distance or the space of the existing void produced by the first neck 32 and the foot or the base 34, in such a way that produces a resistance by friction to the movement of the fastener along the guide 21.
• FIGS 13 and 14 show a second embodiment of covering according to the present invention.
• this embodiment shows the use of the fastener 3 shown in figures 10 to 12.
• the fastener 3 features longer portions 311, 311' in its head 31 and are introduced into the corresponding grooves 111, 111' of the adjacent plates or boards 1, 1' .
• the edges of the adjacent plates 1, 1' leave a groove among each other that allows the fastener 3 to be seen from the top.

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• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Architecture (AREA)
• Civil Engineering (AREA)
• Structural Engineering (AREA)
• General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Slide Fasteners (AREA)
• Connection Of Plates (AREA)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Publications (1)

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• 2014
  • 2014-10-22 WO PCT/IB2014/065548 patent/WO2015159136A1/en not_active Ceased
  • 2014-10-22 EP EP14812600.6A patent/EP3132101A1/de not_active Withdrawn
  • 2014-10-22 CN CN201480078069.4A patent/CN106232915A/zh active Pending
  • 2014-10-22 US US15/304,505 patent/US20170044776A1/en not_active Abandoned

Non-Patent Citations (1)

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