GB2420568A

GB2420568A - An interconnectable panel

Info

Publication number: GB2420568A
Application number: GB0426217A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Graham Colyer
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2004-11-30
Filing date: 2004-11-30
Publication date: 2006-05-31
Also published as: GB0426217D0

Abstract

A panel (10) is provided and is connectable with one or more other such panels to form an extended surface, such as a dance floor. One or more edges (13, 14) of the panel (10) have joint means for forming a joint with complimentary joint means on an adjacent panel edge. The joint means comprise an interengaging projection (20a - 20d) and a recess (30a - 30d) for engaging a respective corresponding recess and projection on an adjacent panel edge. The projection and recess are positioned immediately adjacent one another along the length of the panel edge. In use the joint formed between adjacent panels is adapted to resist relative movement of panels in three directions: i) resistance of separation of panels i.e. being pulled apart; ii) resistance of movement in at least one direction transverse the length of the joint; and iii) resistance of movement in at least one direction parallel the length of the joint.

Description

1 2420568

AN INTERCONNECTABLE PANEL

The present invention relates generally to a panel and particularly to a panel having some means of interconnecting it with one or more other such panels to form an extended surface.

Panelling systems are widely used for purposes such as permanent flooring and temporary flooring for exhibitions or dance floors, in which a secure and level surface is required.

It is preferable for such flooring systems to permit simple assembly and/or disassembly without the use of tools or separate interconnecting elements such as screws or other such fixings for holding panels stably with respect to each other.

Document US 2004/0035079 describes a panelling system using tongue and groove joint couplings and hook joint couplings which prevent relative separation of adjacent panels and hinder relative vertical movement transverse the length of the joint. However, the couplings do not prevent relative horizontal movement between plates parallel to the length of the joint so that relative sliding movement can occur. Document US 5,950,388 describes a floor panelling system in which upper and lower lips are arranged alternately along the longitudinal edges of panels and can interengage with mirror image lips on an adjacent panel. Accordingly relative movement of panels parallel to the length of the joint can be prevented and relative movement transverse the length of the joint can also be prevented.

However, relative separation of panels is not prevented by this arrangement.

The present invention seeks to address the problems with prior art panelling systems.

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a panel adapted for connection with other such panels to form an extended surface, one or more edges of the panel having joint means for forming a joint with complimentary joint means on an adjacent panel edge, the joint means comprising an interengaging projection and a recess for engaging a respective corresponding recess and projection on an adjacent panel edge to prevent separation of the panels in use, in which the projection and recess are positioned immediately adjacent one another along the length of the edge whereby to resist relative movement of the panel in at least one direction transverse the length of the joint and in at least one direction parallel to the length of the joint.

The present invention therefore provides interconnection means which resist relative movement of panels in a direction parallel to the length of the joint and in a direction transverse the length of the joint and also resists separation of panels in use. By minimising relative movement between adjacent panels a surface comprising panels positioned together to form tight fitting joints with an outer appearance devoid of large gaps and cracks can be provided to avoid the risk of stumbling edges, particularly when the panels are subject to point loading.

The joint means may comprise a plurality of projections and recesses which alternate along at least part of the length of the edge of the panel. Therefore the projections from the joint means can interdigitate with projections on an opposing panel edge to produce a strong and stable connection. In addition, a plurality of projections engaged in a plurality of corresponding recesses will allow the joint means to resist relative movement of panels in both directions parallel to the length of the joint.

The joint means may be adapted to resist movement of the panel in both directions transverse andlor parallel the length of the joint. Resistance of movement in both directions parallel to the length of the joint would, for example, require a minimum of two projections flanking one recess or two recesses flanking one projection.

This arrangement would also resist relative twisting movement along the length of the joint between panels.

The joint means may extend along the entire length of the panel edge. Whilst it is of course possible for one or more projection and recess to be in one or more connecting segments along a panel edge, a joint in which the joint means extend along the entire length is capable of resisting relative movement to the same degree regardless of where load is applied.

The interengaging projection may comprise a hook which hooks into a recess to prevent relative separation of adjacent panels.

The joint means may be formed as an integral part of the panels. Accordingly the projection and recess may be cut or otherwise formed from a single sheet of material which then comprises the panel. Alternatively, the joint means may be provided on a separate element which is attachable to the edge of a panel.

The joint means may be adapted for releasable interconnection with complimentary joint means on an adjacent panel edge. Accordingly the panel could form part of a temporary floor structure or the like which could be quickly and easily assembled and disassembled. Alternatively the joint means may be configured to allow a more permanent interconnection for situations in which a flooring structure or the like is required on a more permanent basis. The projection could therefore be formed so as to engage the recess on a more permanent basis.

The joint means may be adapted so that the panel edge must be inclined relative to an adjacent panel edge in order to allow connection or release. In order to assemble an extended surface therefore a panel would need to be presented to an adjacent panel with its edge inclined to allow the projection to enter the recess.

Thereafter the panel could be pivoted relative to the adjacent panel in order to engage the projection fully into the recess and to form a planar surface.

The panel may be substantially rectangular, although panels of any suitable shape such as square, triangular, or other polygon with one or more flats could be provided with joint means so as to be connectable to adjacent panels of the same or a different shape.

The panel may be formed from wood, although any suitable material such as plastics material or rubber could be used depending on the proposed usage for an extended surface formed using the panels.

S The panel niay be formed from plywood with multiple layers in order to give increased strength or other benefits.

The panel may be f'ormed from birch wood, which has been found by the inventor to be a particularly useful material for forming extended surfaces such as dance floors which will be heavily used.

The recess may have a shape complimentary to the projection such that their external surfaces are mirror images so that the projection can fit tightly within the recess to form a strong and stable connection.

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a plurality of panels as described hereinabove connected together to form an extended surface.

The extended surface may comprise, for example, a permanent flooring system, a temporary dance floor or a wall covering.

According to a third aspect of the present invention there is provided joint means for a panel for allowing a joint to be formed between a panel and an adjacent panel, the joint means coniprising an interengaging projection and a recess for engaging a respective corresponding recess aiid projection on an adjacent panel, in which the projection and recess are positioned immediately adjacent one another.

The present invention will now be more particularly described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of an interconnectable panel formed according to the present invention; Figure 2 is a diagrammatic plan view of the panel of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a diagrammatic end face view of the panel of Figures 1 and 2; Figure 4 is a magnified view of an interengaging projection formed as part of the panel of Figures 1 to 3; Figure 4A is a view of the panel part of Figure 4 interengaged with another such panel part; Figures 5A to SF illustrate the method of connecting a panel as shown in Figures 1 to 4 to another such panel; Figure 6 is a diagrammatic plan view of a panel formed according to an alternative embodiment; Figure 7 is a diagrammatic underplan view of the panel of a panel of the type shown in Figure 6 shown connected in edge-to-edge contact with another such panel; Figure 8A is a plan view of a panel formed according to a further embodiment; Figure 8B is an underplan view of the panel of Figure 8A; Figure 9A is an end face view of the panel of Figure 8A; Figure 9B is an end face view of the panel shown in Figure 8B; Figure IOA is a side face view of the panel shown in Figure 8A; Figure lOB is a side face view of the panel shown in Figure 8B; Figure 11 is a plan view of a panel formed according to a further embodiment; Figure 12 is a plan view of a panel formed according to an alternative embodiment; Figure 13 is a diagrammatic plan view of an extended flooring surface formed from a plurality of panels made in accordance with the present invention; Figure 13A is a section of a trim piece forming part of the extended surface shown in Figure 13; Figure 14 is a diagrammatic plan view of a panel formed according to a further embodiment of the present invention; and Figure 15 is a diagrammatic plan view of a panel formed according to a still further embodiment of the present invention.

Referring first to Figures 1 to 3 there is shown a panel generally indicated 10. The panel 10 is generally in the form of a rectangular plank and comprises a top surface 11, a bottom surface 12, lateral side edges 13, 14 and end edges 15, 16.

in this embodiment the panel 10 is formed from a single solid piece of birch plywood. The top surface 11 has a smooth finish so that when the panel 10 is interconnected with other such panels as described in more detail below, it can form part of an extended surface useable as, for example, a dance floor. The bottom surface 12 may also be smooth or relatively smooth, although as it will form in use the base of the panel which will be placed directly on a surface to be covered, the quality of the finish does not need to be as high as for the top surface 11.

In this embodiment the end edges 15, 16 are flat and cannot serve as a point of attachment for other such panels.

The side edges 13, 14 are formed with joint means which allow a joint to be formed with complimentary joint means on an adjacent panel edge.

The side edges 13, 14 are formed with interengaging projections in the form of hook elements 20a - 20d and recesses 30a - 30d.

The projections 20a and 20b are positioned immediately adjacent the recesses 30a and 30b along the length of the edge 13. Similarly the projections 20c and 20d are positioned immediately adjacent the recesses 30c and 30d along the length of the edge 14. In this embodiment therefore the projections and recesses alternate along the length of the edges.

The edge 14 is a mirror image of the edge 13. That is to say that the projections 20c and 20d of the edge 14 are opposite the recesses 30a and 30b of the edge 13 and the recesses 30c and 30d of the edge 14 are opposite the projections 20a and 20b oIthe edge 13.

The projections and recesses are the same length, that is to say that they have the same longitudinal extent along the length of the edges.

Referring now also to Figure 4 the projection 20c is shown in more detail. The projection 20c extends from the bottom of the side edge 14 to form a projecting toe-like element. The projection 20c comprises a base wall 2lc which is a continuation of the bottom surface 12, an end surface 22c which extends upwardly orthogonal to the end of the base surface 21c and an upper surface 23c which extends from the end surface 22c back into the side edge 14.

The upper surface 23c is a gentle sinuous curve. A generally triangular nose portion 24c is defined above the mid-point M of the curve and a generally triangular rebate 25c is defined below the mid-point M. In this embodiment the mid-point M of the upper surface 23c occurs at a point corresponding to half the thickness T of the edge 14. In other embodiments (not shown) the thickness T and/or the positioning of the projections/recesses may mean that the mid-point M is at a point other than at a height of /2 T. The recesses 30a - 30d are formed as mirror images of the projections 20a - 20d and are cut into the bases of the edges 13, 14 so as to be inwardly displaced from but parallel to the projections 20a - 20d.

Ref'erring now to Figure 4A the panel 10 of Figure 4 is shown connected to the opposite edge of an identical panel 110. The method of connecting the panels 10, is described in more detail with reference to Figures 5A to 5F.

The projection 20c of the panel 10 is engaged in the recess 130a of the panel 110.

Similarly, the projection 120a of the panel 110 is shown in dotted lines engaged in the recess 30c of the panel 10. The projections 20d, 120b are also engaged in respective recesses 130b, 30d (see Figures 1 and 2) but are not shown in Figure 4A.

The nose portion 24c fits within rebate 135a and the nose portion 134a sits within rebate 25c. Similarly the nose portion l24a fits within rebate 35c and the nose portion 34c fits within rebate 125a. Accordingly the respective mirror image surfaces 23c, 133a and 123a, 33c are parallel and fit tightly together.

Referring now to Figures 5A to SF the method of' connecting a panel 10 to an identical panel 110 is shown. In the following drawings like reference numbers denote like features. For the purposes of simplicity the sectional representation of the panels 10, 110 in Figures SA to 5F shows only one projection 20c and one recess 130a.

In order for the panels 10, 110 to be interconnectable the panels 10, 110 are in the same orientation as each other. Accordingly the projections 20c and 20d of the edge 14 of the panel 10 are opposite the recesses 130a and 130b of the edge 113 of the panel 110.

Referring first to Figure 5A the panels 10, 110 are brought into proximity with each other so that the edges 14 and 113 are adjacent and so that the projections 20c, 20d are aligned with the recesses 130a, 130b.

Referring now to Figure 5B it can be seen that the panels 10, 110 cannot simply be pushed together whilst they lie in the same plane. This is because the nose portion 24c of the projection 20c cannot pass the corresponding nose portion 134a of the recess 130a. In addition, the panel 110 cannot simply be lowered directly on top of the panel 10 because when the recess 130a is directly above the projection 20c the projections 120a, 120b (not shown) of the panel 110 would lie over the centre of the adjacent panels 10, 110 and thus could not be lowered due to the obstruction caused by the top surface 11 above the recesses 30c, 30d. Accordingly, in order for the panels 10, 110 to be interconnected they must first be inclined with respect to each other as shown in Figure Sc.

With the panels 10, 110 inclined as shown in Figure SC they can now be brought together until they are positioned as shown in Figure SD with the vertices defined by the edges 14, 113 and the respective top surfaces 11, 111 in abutment. In this position the projections 20c, 20d on the panel 10 slide between and become interdigitated with the projections 120a, 120b on the panel 110.

Thereafter the panels 10, 110 are pivoted with respect to each other about a pivot point P generally defined by the intersection of the vertices. The top surface 23c of the projection 20c contacts the corresponding surface 1 33a of the recess I 30a and the recess nose portion l34a effectively slides down the surface 23c as shown in Figure 5E.

Continued turning of the panels 10, 110 with respect to each other completes the interconnection as shown in Figure 5F. In this position the nose portion 24c of the projection 20c sits within the rebate 135a of the recess 130a and the nose portion l34a sits within the rebate portion 125c of the projection 20c. Because the recess 130a is a mirror image of the projection 20c a tight connection can be formed.

in practice, as the panels 10, 110 are interconnected as described in relation to Figures 5A to SF both of the projections 20c, 20d enter respective corresponding recesses 130a, 130b and the resulting joint is in some ways like a zip. At all points along the length of the joint either a projection is in a recess or a recess is in a projection. The cumulative effect of the plurality of projectionlrecess interengagements is a very strong and stable overall joint structure which is formed in the absence of adhesives or other permanent or semi-permanent fixing means.

In the position shown in Figure 5F relative movement between the panels 10, 110 is restricted. Separation of the joint, that is to say linear movement of the panels 10, 110 away from each other, is resisted by the engagement of the projections in the recesses and in particular the engagement of the projection and recess nose portions within respective rebates. In addition, relative movement of the panels 10, 110 in the vertical direction transverse the length of the joint is restricted because the projections and recesses are positioned immediately adjacent one another so that, for example, any downward movement on the panel 10 which would tend to push the projection 20c down out of the recess 130a is resisted by the adjacent and inverted engagement of the projection 120a in the recess 30c.

Furthermore, because the projections and recesses are positioned immediately adjacent one another relative movement of the panels 10, 110 in both directions parallel to the length of the joint is also resisted. This is because the recesses are flanked by projections and accordingly the projections interdigitate so that relative movement parallel to the length of the joint is restricted. Moreover, because the joint means provided by the projections and recesses extend along the entire length of the edges, the panels resist relative movement to the same extent regardless of the point along their lengths at which a load is applied.

Referring now to Figure 6 there is shown a panel 210 according to an alternative embodiment. Whilst in the embodiment illustrated in Figures 1 to 5 joint means are formed along the entire length of the panel edges, in this embodiment joint means are formed only in one or more discrete segments at one or more points along the length of the panel edges 213, 214.

The panel edge 213 has a recess 230a and immediately adjacent to it is a projection 220a. The panel edge 214 has a projection 220c opposite the projection 230a and immediately adjacent to it is a recess 230c which is opposite the projection 220a.

The projections 220a, 220c and the recesses 230a, 230c are of equal length.

Referring now to Figure 7 the panel 210 is shown flipped over and connected to an identical panel 310. The projection 220c of the panel edge 214 is engaged in the recess 330a of the panel edge 313 and the recess 330c receives the projection 320a.

The method of interconnection is substantially the same as that described in relation to Figures 5A to 5F.

Referring now to Figures 8 to 10 there is shown a panel 410 according to an alternative embodiment. Figures 8A, 9A and 1OA show views of the panel 410 with the panel resting on its bottom surface and Figures 8B, 9B and lOB show views of the panel 410 when flipped over to rest on its top surface.

In this embodiment the panel 410 has projections 420a to 420d and recesses 430a to 430d along side edges 413, 414 in the same way as the panel 10 shown in Figures 1 to 5. In addition, the end edge 415 has a projection 420e and a recess 430e and the end edge 416 has a projection 420f and a recess 43 Of. The presence of the projections and recesses in the end edges 415, 416 enables the panel 410 to be connected not only along its side edges 413, 414 but also along its end edges 415, 416 to otherpanels.

Referring now to Figure 11 there is shown a panel 510 according to an alternative embodiment. The panel 510 is generally similar to the panel 10 shown in Figures I to 5 except that there is an increased number of projections and recesses along the side edges 513, 514. Accordingly side edge 513 has projections 520g to 5201 and recesses 530g to 530i and side edge 514 has projections 520k to 520n and recesses 530k to 530n.

Because the projections and recesses on the panel 510 are of substantially equal dimensions, a further panel can be connected at a number of points along its length. For example, a panel 610 which is identical to the panel 510 could be connected mid way along its length so that the projections 520k, 5201 of the panel 610 engage the recesses 5301, 530j of the panel 510. In this way panels can only be connected with respect to each other at one of several defined points with respect to each other and this can make laying such panels together easier.

Referring now to Figure 12 there is shown a panel 710 according to an alternative embodiment.

In this embodiment the side edge 713 has a projection 720o at its end adjacent the end edge 715 which is half the length of intermediate projections 72Op to 720r. A projection 720s at the other end of the side edge 713 is also of half length.

Similarly the side edge 714 includes terminal recesses 730t, 730x at either end which are half the length of intermediate recesses 730u to 730w. Intermediate recesses 730o to 730r and intermediate projections 720t to 720w arc of full length.

The arrangement of projections and recesses in the panel 710 allows for panels to be laid offset to each other so that, for example, the projection 720s would engage in the recess 730t of a corresponding panel (not shown).

Referring now to Figure 13 there is shown an extended surface 1 formed by the interconnection of a plurality of panels 2 formed according to the present invention. The panels 2 are laid in a "brick bond" pattern and combinations of different panels with different dimensions and different interconnection capabilities are used to form the generally rectangular surface 1. In this embodiment the panels must be inclined with respect to each other to allow their interconnection as described generally in relation to Figures 5A to 5F.

Each of the two longer sides of the rectangular surface 1 is flanked by trim pieces 3 which are generally rectangular in section with a chamfered outer edge 4 (as shown in Figure 13A) so that the exposed side edges of the panels 2 do not present a tripping hazard. The end edges of the panels which define the shorter edges of the surface are also similarly chamfered; this is possible because they do not have any interconnection means.

The trim pieces 3 may be connected together and to panels 2 by any convenient means and this may comprise the provision of joint means which can interconnect with exposed joint means on the panel edges.

Referring now to Figure 14 there is shown a panel 810 according to an alternative embodiment. The panel 810 is generally octagonal in shape and includes joint means along parallel edges 813, 814. The edge 813 includes a projection 820a and a recess 830a. The edge 814 includes a projection 820c and a recess 830c.

Referring now to Figure 15 there is shown a panel 910 according to an alternative embodiment. The panel 910 is formed from a generally squareshape body 940 with edges 941, 942, 943, 944. In this embodiment joint means are provided by separate elements 945, 946, 947, 948 which each have a projection 945a - 948a and a recess 945b - 948b. The elements 945 - 948 are removably attachable to the body edges 941 - 944 to provide it with joint means for attaching it to other such panels which may have separate joint means or may have integrally formed joint means.

Claims

1. A panel adapted for connection with other such panels to form an extended surface, one or more edges of the pane! having joint means for forming a joint with complimentary joint means on an adjacent panel edge, the joint means comprising an interengaging projection and a recess for engaging a respective corresponding recess and projection on an adjacent panel edge to prevent separation of the panels in use, in which the projection and recess are positioned immediately adjacent one another along the length of the edge whereby to resist relative movement of the panel in at least one direction transverse the length of the joint and in at least one direction parallel to the length of the joint.

2. A panel as claimed in Claim 1, in which the joint means comprise a plurality of projections and recesses which alternate along at least part of the length of the edge of the panel.

3. A panel as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2, in which the joint means extend along the entire length of the panel edge.

4. A panel as claimed in any of Claims I to 3, in which the interengaging projection comprises a hook.

5. A panel as claimed in any preceding Claim, in which the joint means is formed as an integral part of the panel.

6. A panel as claimed in any of Claims 1 to 4, in which the joint means are formed on a separate element attachable to the panel edge.

7. A panel as claimed in any preceding Claim, in which the joint means are adapted for releasable interconnection with complimentary joint means on an adjacent panel edge.

8. A panel as claimed in any preceding Claim, in which the joint means are adapted so that the panel edge must be inclined relative to an adjacent panel edge to allow connection or release.

9. A panel as claimed in any preceding Claim, in which the panel is substantially rectangular.

10. A panel as claimed in any preceding Claim, in which the panel is formed from wood.

11. A panel as claimed in any preceding Claim, in which the panel is formed from plywood.

12. A panel as claimed in any preceding Claim, in which the panel is formed from birch wood.

13. A panel as claimed in any preceding Claim, in which the recess has a shape complimentary to the projection.

14. A plurality of panels as claimed in any preceding Claim connected together to form a surface.

15. Joint means for a panel for allowing a joint to be formed between a panel and an adjacent panel, the joint means comprising an interengaging projection and a recess for engaging a respective corresponding recess and projection on an adjacent panel, in which the projection and recess are positioned immediately adjacent one another.

16. A panel substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to, and as shown in, the accompanying drawings.

17. A surface substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to, and as shown in, the accompanying drawings.

18. Joint means substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to, and as shown in, the accompanying drawings.