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
  • E04F15/04—Flooring or floor layers composed of a number of similar elements only of wood or with a top layer of wood, e.g. with wooden or metal connecting members
• • 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
  • E04F13/10—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 of wood or with an outer layer of wood
• • 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
  • E04F13/14—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 stone or stone-like materials, e.g. ceramics concrete; of glass or with an outer layer of stone or stone-like materials or glass
  • E04F13/142—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 stone or stone-like materials, e.g. ceramics concrete; of glass or with an outer layer of stone or stone-like materials or glass with an outer layer of ceramics or clays
• • 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
  • E04F13/14—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 stone or stone-like materials, e.g. ceramics concrete; of glass or with an outer layer of stone or stone-like materials or glass
  • E04F13/144—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 stone or stone-like materials, e.g. ceramics concrete; of glass or with an outer layer of stone or stone-like materials or glass with an outer layer of marble or other natural stone
• • 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
  • E04F15/08—Flooring or floor layers composed of a number of similar elements only of stone or stone-like material, e.g. ceramics, concrete; of glass or with a top layer of stone or stone-like material, e.g. ceramics, concrete or glass
• • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
  • E04—BUILDING
  • E04F—FINISHING WORK ON BUILDINGS, e.g. STAIRS, FLOORS
  • E04F2201/00—Joining sheets or plates or panels
  • E04F2201/01—Joining sheets, plates or panels with edges in abutting relationship
  • E04F2201/0107—Joining sheets, plates or panels with edges in abutting relationship by moving the sheets, plates or panels substantially in their own plane, perpendicular to the abutting edges
• • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
  • E04—BUILDING
  • E04F—FINISHING WORK ON BUILDINGS, e.g. STAIRS, FLOORS
  • E04F2201/00—Joining sheets or plates or panels
  • E04F2201/04—Other details of tongues or grooves
  • E04F2201/043—Other details of tongues or grooves with tongues and grooves being formed by projecting or recessed parts of the panel layers
• • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
  • E04—BUILDING
  • E04F—FINISHING WORK ON BUILDINGS, e.g. STAIRS, FLOORS
  • E04F2201/00—Joining sheets or plates or panels
  • E04F2201/09—Puzzle-type connections for interlocking male and female panel edge-parts
  • E04F2201/091—Puzzle-type connections for interlocking male and female panel edge-parts with the edge-parts forming part of the panel body

Definitions

• the invention provides an interlockable surface covering element of generally circular shape which can be fitted and interlocked with other such elements to provide a complete surface covering having no gaps.
• the element is preferably formed from rounds of wood which may be fitted together in the manner of parquet.
• Parquetry and other surface covering materials have been used as floor and wall coverings in many forms and sizes. To avoid the wood raising and buckling, parquet is commonly interlocked by means of a tongue and groove construction. Other surface covering elements such as tiles are generally cemented in place. The elements have been provided in a variety of shapes, such as squares, rectangles, hexagons, diamonds etc., the shape being dictated by the need to cover the surface completely without leaving any gaps. Circular elements cannot be used alone since when abutted they leave generally triangular shaped gaps.
• the invention provides an interlockable surface covering element for interlocking with other such elements to completely cover the surface, which comprises: a first planar portion on one side of the element and extending partway through the thickness of the element; and a second planar portion on the other side of the element and extending partway through the thickness of the element; each planar portion having a shape of threefold rotational symmetry about a central axis perpendicular thereto, the shape being capable of fitting together with other such shapes without leaving any gaps; and the first and second planar portions being in such relationship to each other as to provide interlockable protrusions and undercuts, whereby the element can be interlocked into an array with othe such elements.
• the elements have protrusions and undercuts so that they may be interlocked together (in the manner of a tongue and groove interlock) so as to prevent lifting or buckling of the elements of the array.
• one or both planar portions are generally circular and have an outer periphery whose envelope has a radius r. the periphery being divided into 6 sectors each of 60° and each alternate sector being re-entrant and also having a radius r.
• the non-re-entrants of one element are accepted by the re-entrants of another element to create a complete covering without any gaps.
• the second planar portion may be a hexagon whose sides coincide with the sectors of the first planar portion.
• each portion may differ, it is generally convenient that each portion extend halfway through the thickness of the element.
• the array of elements can be used to provide a non-buckling wall or floor covering. In fact, it is not necessary to attach the array to a surface in order to maintain its integrity, since the interlocking of the elements provides an array which is self supporting.
• the element may be moulded from a ceramic or plastics material.
• the element may also be made from marble, stone, slate or brick.
• the construction is most appropriate for use with wood which may buckle as it expands and contracts under the effects of heat and moisture.
• the wood may be used with its grain running along the plane of the element.
• a particularly pleasing appearance is obtained by using rounds cut across a wooden log so as to exhibit the tree ring structure. Used in this way, there is need to remove only a minimal amount of wood from the circular round thereby minimising wastage.
• the interlocking nature of the elements also minimises the need for sanding the array to provide a smooth surface.
• Figure 1 is a plan view of an element which is generally circular on one side and hexagonal on the other side.
• Figure 2 is an elevation in the direction shown.
• Figure 3 is a further elevation in the direction shown
• Figure 4 is a further elevation in the direction shown. -4 -
• Figure 5 is a section along line A- A
• Figure 6 is a section along line B-B
• Figure 7 is a perspective view of the element.
• Figure 8 is a perspective view of an element which is generally circular on both sides, and
• Figure 9 shows how the elements may be fitted together.
• Figures 1 to 7 show an element which is generally circular on one side (having a series of lobes and re-entrants) and is hexagonal on the other side.
• the element comprises a first planar surface portion 1 and a second planar portion 2.
• the first planar portion is generally circular having an envelope of radius r and being divided into six sectors each of included angle 60°.
• the periphery of each alternate sector is a re-entrant 3, 4, 5 also of radius r; the other sectors being in the form of lobes 6, 7, 8.
• the first planar portion 1 extends halfway through the thickness of the element.
• the second planar portion 2 (which is underneath as viewed according to Figure ⁇ 1) is a hexagon concentric with the first planar portion and whose maximum diameter is 2r.
• the hexagon has six sides 10 to 15 which coincide with the six sectors of the first planar portion. Where a re-entrant 3, 4, 5 coincides with hexagon sides 10, 12, 14 an undercut is created. Where lobes 6, 7. 8 overlie hexagon sides 11, 13, 15 a protrusion is created. Since the configuration of the protrusions and undercuts is complementary, the elements may be fitted together.
• Figure 8 shows a further embodiment which has a circular envelope of lobes and re-entrants on both sides, the re-entrants 20. 2.1. 22 of the first planar portion 1 overlying the lobes 23. 24, 25 of the second planar portion 2.
• the second planar portion is generally circular rather than hexagonal.
• Figure 9 shows how the generally circular first planar portions of seven elements 30 to 36 according to the first embodiment may be fitted together to provide a surface free of gaps.
• lobe 41 fits neatly into re-entrant 40.
• the hexagonal second planar portions fit neatly together in a hexagonal array.
• Element 36 is a typical element formed from a round of wood. It is locked in position by the surrounding elements 30 to 35 by means of the interlocking protrusions and undercuts.
• elements can be interlocked to provide either the circular pattern shown in Figure 9 or the reverse hexagonal array, thereby providing a choice of surface patterns.

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• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Architecture (AREA)
• Civil Engineering (AREA)
• Structural Engineering (AREA)
• Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
• Ceramic Engineering (AREA)
• Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
• Wood Science & Technology (AREA)
• Dispersion Chemistry (AREA)
• Floor Finish (AREA)
• Finishing Walls (AREA)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Publications (2)

Family

ID=3771444

Family Applications (1)

Country Status (2)

Families Citing this family (4)

Citations (4)

Family Cites Families (5)

• 1986
  • 1986-11-20 WO PCT/AU1986/000355 patent/WO1987004480A1/en not_active Application Discontinuation
  • 1986-11-20 EP EP86906729A patent/EP0289488A1/de not_active Withdrawn

Patent Citations (4)

Non-Patent Citations (1)

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