초록 ▼

A novel planking system utilizing an inventive groove design is provided. The novel groove is defined by two opposing side walls and a groove end wall. The groove side walls present two generally opposed tongue-engaging projections that automatically provide a uniform space between planks during ins

A novel planking system utilizing an inventive groove design is provided. The novel groove is defined by two opposing side walls and a groove end wall. The groove side walls present two generally opposed tongue-engaging projections that automatically provide a uniform space between planks during installation, and accommodate expansion of the planks after installation by breaking away when force is exerted on the projections by an adjacent plank. The present invention is also concerned with a combination of planks having an inventive tongue-and-groove configuration, as well as inventive methods of assembling planks to accommodate the expansion and contraction of the assembled planks after installation.

대표청구항 ▼

We claim: 1. A method of assembling porch planks to accommodate expansion and contraction of the assembled planks, said method comprising: securing a first plank to a support, said first plank presenting a first edge surface and a tongue extending from said first edge surface, said tongue comprisin

We claim: 1. A method of assembling porch planks to accommodate expansion and contraction of the assembled planks, said method comprising: securing a first plank to a support, said first plank presenting a first edge surface and a tongue extending from said first edge surface, said tongue comprising: a tongue end wall; and a pair of tongue side walls extending between the tongue end wall and said first edge surface; and positioning a second plank adjacent said first plank, said second plank presenting a second edge surface and a groove projecting inwardly from said second edge surface along a groove axis, said groove comprising: a groove end wall; and a pair of groove side walls extending between said groove end wall and said second edge surface, said groove side walls presenting generally opposed tongue-engaging projections spaced from said groove end wall and from said second edge surface in alignment substantially perpendicular to said groove axis, wherein said positioning comprises inserting said tongue into said groove so that the tongue is received in the groove and said tongue end wall is directly engaged by said tongue-engaging projections, thereby providing an interior space between said tongue end wall and groove end wall, and first and second spaces between said first edge surface and second edge surface. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein said second plank is unitarily formed. 3. The method of claim 1, wherein said tongue-engaging projections are shearable upon encountering pressure from said first plank upon the expansion of one or both of said planks, so as to prevent said assembled planks from buckling. 4. The method of claim 1, said tongue having a tongue length being defined between said tongue end wall and a plane coinciding with the plane of said first edge surface, and a tongue width being defined between said tongue side walls, wherein said tongue-engaging projections are spaced apart a distance that is less than said tongue width, and are spaced from said second edge surface a distance that is less than said tongue length. 5. The method of claim 1, wherein said first and second planks comprise a wood composite material. 6. A combination of planks utilizing a tongue-and-groove arrangement comprising: a first plank, presenting a first edge surface and a tongue extending from side first edge surface, said tongue comprising: a tongue end wall; and a pair of tongue side walls extending between the tongue end wall and said first edge surface; and second plank adjacent said first plank, said second plank presenting a second edge surface and a groove projecting inwardly from said second edge surface along groove axis, and receiving said tongue, said groove comprising: a groove end wall; and a pair of groove side walls extending between said groove end wall and said second edge surface, said groove side walls presenting generally opposed tongue-engaging projections spaced from said groove end wall in alignment substantially perpendicular to said groove axis, said tongue having a tongue width being defined as the narrowest distance between said tongue side walls, wherein said tongue-engaging projections are spaced apart a distance that is less than said tongue width, thereby engaging said tongue end wall. 7. The combination of claim 6, said tongue having a tongue length being defined between said tongue end wall and a plane coinciding with the plane of said first edge surface, wherein said tongue-engaging projections are spaced from said second edge surface a distance that is less than said tongue length, thereby engaging said tongue end wall, and providing an interior space between said tongue end wall and groove end wall, and first and second spaces between said first edge surface and second edge surface. 8. The combination of claim 6, each of said planks having respective lengths and respective end portions, wherein said tongue-and-groove arrangement extends along the length of said planks and terminates at the respective end portions. 9. The combination of claim 6, wherein said tongue side walls are inwardly sloped, terminating at said tongue end wall resulting in a tapered tongue, and wherein said groove side walls are inwardly sloped, terminating at said groove end wall to correspond to said tapered tongue. 10. The combination of claim 6, said projections having a height of at least about 0.031 mm. 11. The combination of claim 6, said projections having a width of at least about 0.030 mm. 12. A method of assembling porch planks to accommodate expansion and contraction of the assembled planks, said method comprising: securing a first plank to a support, said first plank presenting a first edge surface and a tongue extending from said first edge surface, said tongue comprising: a tongue end wall; and a pair of tongue side walls extending between the tongue end wall and said first edge surface; and positioning a second plank adjacent said first plank, said second plank presenting a second edge surface and a groove projecting inwardly from said second edge surface long a groove axis, said groove comprising: a groove end wall; and a pair of groove side walls extending between said groove end wall and said second edge surface, said groove side walls presenting generally opposed tongue-engaging projections spaced from said groove end wall in alignment substantially perpendicular to said groove axis, said tongue having a tongue length being defined between said tongue end wall and a plane coinciding with the plane of said first edge surface, and a tongue width being defined between said tongue side walls, wherein said tongue-engaging projections are spaced apart a distance that is less than said tongue width, and are spaced from said second edge surface a distance that is less than said tongue length, wherein said positioning comprises inserting said tongue into said groove so that the tongue is received in the groove and said tongue end wall is engaged by said tongue-engaging projections, thereby providing an interior space between said tongue end wall and groove end wall, and first and second spaces between said first edge surface and second edge surface. 13. The method of claim 12, wherein said second plank is unitarily formed. 14. The method of claim 12, wherein said tongue-engaging projections are shearable upon encountering pressure from said first plank upon the expansion of one or both of said planks, so as to prevent said assembled planks from buckling. 15. The method of claim 12, wherein said first and second planks comprise a wood composite material.