Lateral edges of the modular plastic floor tiles are provided with latches which fit into loops with an interference fit. The latch and loop structure may include an undercut behind the lateral edge of the tile. The loops flex in order to impose a compressive force on mating tile edges.
대표청구항▼
1. A system of modular floor tiles for use in creating a flooring surface, the floor tile system comprising: a first modular floor tile and a second modular floor tile, each of the first and second floor tiles having a body molded from a polymer and having a substantially planar, horizontal web, the
1. A system of modular floor tiles for use in creating a flooring surface, the floor tile system comprising: a first modular floor tile and a second modular floor tile, each of the first and second floor tiles having a body molded from a polymer and having a substantially planar, horizontal web, the web having an upper surface and a lower surface including a general lower surface, a plurality of edge surfaces of the web extending from the upper surface of the web to the general lower surface thereof, the edge surfaces including a first edge surface on the first tile and a second edge surface on the second tile such that when the first modular floor tile is joined to the second modular floor tile, a first edge surface of the first tile will mate with a second edge surface of the second tile;at least one latch disposed adjacent to the first edge surface and to downwardly depend from the general lower surface of the web, the latch including a laterally inward facing surface that is laterally inwardly displaced from the first edge surface, a point on the inward facing surface being disposed at an innermost limit;at least one loop disposed adjacent to the second edge surface, the loop extending laterally outwardly beyond the second edge surface and joined to the second edge surface at first and second connection points spaced from each other in a direction parallel to the second edge surface, an inner loop surface of the loop including a point disposed at an outermost limit of the inner loop surface; andthe latch of the first tile adapted to be received into a loop of the second tile so as to be joined to the first tile, an interference region defined by the superimposition of the inner loop surface and the inward facing surface of the latch when the latch and loop are in an unstretched and unflexed condition, a thickness of the interference region in a direction orthogonal to the second edge surface varying as a function of the distance from a nearer one of the first and second connection points, an interference between the innermost limit of the inward facing surface of the latch and outermost limit of the inner loop surface causing the loop to elastically flex, thereby biasing together the first edge surface of the first tile and the second edge surface of the second tile, wherein the loop is more elastically flexible than the latch. 2. The floor tile of claim 1, wherein the web edge surfaces are planar. 3. The floor tile of claim 1, wherein the web edge surfaces are orthogonal to the web of the body. 4. The floor tile of claim 1, wherein each first edge surface has associated therewith a plurality of latches. 5. The floor tile of claim 1, wherein each second edge surface has associated therewith a plurality of loops. 6. The floor tile of claim 1, wherein the web has two first edge surfaces and two second edge surfaces. 7. The floor tile of claim 1, wherein the latch has a horizontal ledge which extends laterally outwardly beyond the first edge surface, the ledge of the latch of a first tile adaptable to mate with the general lower surface of a second tile at a location adjacent the second edge surface of the second tile. 8. The floor tile of claim 7, wherein the latch has a laterally outward beveled surface which extends downwardly and laterally inwardly from the ledge, the beveled surface adaptable to cam against the second edge of the second tile when the latch is inserted into a loop of the second tile, until the ledge snaps past the second edge surface to engage the general lower surface of the second tile. 9. The floor tile of claim 1, wherein the latch has a laterally outward surface, an undercut formed into the lower surface of the web adjacent to and parallel with the second edge surface to extend an interior length of the loop between the connection points so as to define a downwardly depending flange with a free end, a depth of the undercut selected such that the downwardly depending flange will flex in a laterally inward direction when the laterally outward surface of the latch of the first tile is slid along the second edge surface of the second tile. 10. The floor tile of claim 9, wherein the downwardly depending flange has a lower surface, the lower surface of the downwardly depending flange being relieved from the general lower surface of the web such that the lower surface of the downwardly depending flange is upwardly displaced from the general lower surface of the web. 11. The floor tile of claim 1, wherein the laterally inward facing surface of the latch includes a ramped and substantially flattened surface extending downwardly and laterally outwardly from the point defining the innermost limit of the laterally inward facing surface of the latch. 12. The tile of claim 1, wherein a length of the loop, as measured in a direction along the second edge surface and in parallel to the web, is many times a depth of the loop as measured in a direction at right angles to the length of the loop and in parallel to the web.
연구과제 타임라인
LOADING...
LOADING...
LOADING...
LOADING...
LOADING...
이 특허에 인용된 특허 (58)
Council Walter S. ; Adams ; Jr. Jimmy L., Composite modular floor tile.
Bibi-Roubi Albert (24 RUE DE L\Ourcq 77 Fresnes-sur-Marne FR) Bibi-Roubi Robert (24 RUE DE L\Ourcq 77 Fresnes-sur-Marne FR), Element for use in making a playing surface.
Schacht, Benny; Buyck, Pieter, Finishing set for a floor covering and holder, as well as finishing profile, for a finishing set, and method for manufacturing a finishing profile and a skirting board.
Hawley, James K.; Flores, Elizabeth A.; Gareau, Roberta I.; Hayes, Christine; Sarb, Patrice J., Integral bath mat with zoned characteristics and method of making a bath mat.
Menconi K. Anthony (6835 County Line La. Burr Ridge IL 60521) Gribauskas ; Jr. Joseph F. (21 W. 246 Audubon Rd. Lombard IL 60148), Modular surface such as for use in sports.
Hus, Michael E.; Langmaid, Joseph A.; Peterson, Curt E.; Wenzel, Jeffrey D., Molded parts with fabric surface areas and processes for their production.
Cowelchuk,Glenn A.; Reed,Randy S.; Schoemann,Michael P.; Youngs,John D., Trim panel assembly having integrated energy management characteristics and method of manufacture.
※ AI-Helper는 부적절한 답변을 할 수 있습니다.