GB2518983A - Plank and interlocking structure - Google Patents

Plank and interlocking structure Download PDF

Info

Publication number
GB2518983A
GB2518983A GB1417365.2A GB201417365A GB2518983A GB 2518983 A GB2518983 A GB 2518983A GB 201417365 A GB201417365 A GB 201417365A GB 2518983 A GB2518983 A GB 2518983A
Authority
GB
United Kingdom
Prior art keywords
plank
tab
cross member
shelf
side face
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
GB1417365.2A
Other versions
GB201417365D0 (en
Inventor
Joseph Anthony Rostron
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Indespension Ltd
Original Assignee
Indespension Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Indespension Ltd filed Critical Indespension Ltd
Publication of GB201417365D0 publication Critical patent/GB201417365D0/en
Publication of GB2518983A publication Critical patent/GB2518983A/en
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B62—LAND VEHICLES FOR TRAVELLING OTHERWISE THAN ON RAILS
    • B62D—MOTOR VEHICLES; TRAILERS
    • B62D25/00—Superstructure or monocoque structure sub-units; Parts or details thereof not otherwise provided for
    • B62D25/20—Floors or bottom sub-units
    • B62D25/2054—Load carrying floors for commercial vehicles
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E04—BUILDING
    • E04C—STRUCTURAL ELEMENTS; BUILDING MATERIALS
    • E04C2/00—Building elements of relatively thin form for the construction of parts of buildings, e.g. sheet materials, slabs, or panels
    • E04C2/30—Building elements of relatively thin form for the construction of parts of buildings, e.g. sheet materials, slabs, or panels characterised by the shape or structure
    • E04C2/38—Building elements of relatively thin form for the construction of parts of buildings, e.g. sheet materials, slabs, or panels characterised by the shape or structure with attached ribs, flanges, or the like, e.g. framed 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
    • E04F15/02005—Construction of joints, e.g. dividing strips
    • 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
    • E04F15/02038—Flooring or floor layers composed of a number of similar elements characterised by tongue and groove connections between neighbouring flooring 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
    • E04F15/02044—Separate elements for fastening to an underlayer
    • 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
    • E04F15/06—Flooring or floor layers composed of a number of similar elements of metal, whether or not in combination with other material
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B62—LAND VEHICLES FOR TRAVELLING OTHERWISE THAN ON RAILS
    • B62D—MOTOR VEHICLES; TRAILERS
    • B62D25/00—Superstructure or monocoque structure sub-units; Parts or details thereof not otherwise provided for
    • B62D25/20—Floors or bottom sub-units
    • 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
    • E04F2015/021—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 fixed by means of hooking means on the back side of the flooring elements
    • 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
    • E04F2201/0123—Joining sheets, plates or panels with edges in abutting relationship by moving the sheets, plates or panels parallel to the abutting edges

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Architecture (AREA)
  • Civil Engineering (AREA)
  • Structural Engineering (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
  • Transportation (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Floor Finish (AREA)

Abstract

A plank 1 with a top face 2 and two side faces 3a, 3b, where a first tab 6 extends from the first face; and a shelf 4 extends from the second face; the shelf has a slot 5 for receiving a first tab from another plank, and a second tab 7 defining a notch 8, wherein the notch is suitable for receiving a cross member support (9, fig 2). The side faces may be perpendicular to the top face. The first tab may be parallel to the first face and may comprise an undercut. The shelf may be perpendicular to the second face and the slot may be present along the join between them. The second tab may be parallel to the second face and may comprise an undercut. Multiple planks may be used to form an interlocking structure or flooring system, and the floor may be used on a flatbed trailer.

Description

PLANK AND INTERLOCKING STRUCTURE
The present invention relates to a piank and an interlocked structure (e.g. a flooring system), use of a plank to form an interlocking structure (e.g. a flooring system) and a method of assembling an interlocking structure (e.g. a flooring system).
Current flooring materials, for example for vehicles such as trailers, typically comprise a single sheet of material, or a collection of planks joined together. Both of these systems are typically screwed or glued into place. When using a fixing system comprising screws and bolts, water ingress can occur leading to degradation of the floor arid/or surrounding areas such as a vehicle chassis. This can reduce the life expectancy of the product. The use of single sheets can also result in expensive repairs since even localised damage results in a need to replace the entire sheet rather than solely the damaged areas, It would therefore be desirable to provide a system suitable for use as a flooring material which overcomes the aforementioned issues.
According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a plank IS comprising a top face and two side faces, wherein a first side face has a first tab extending therefrom, a second side face has a shelf extending therefrom, and wherein the shelf comprises a slot for receiving a first tab from another plank, and a second tab defining a notch, wherein the notch is suitable for receiving a cross member support.
According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided an interlocked structure comprising at least two planks according to the first aspect of the invention, wherein the tab from one plank is received within the slot from another plank.
According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a flooring system that comprises at least two planks according to the first aspect of the invention.
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided use of a plank according to the first aspect of the invention, and optionally also a cross member support, to form an interlocking structure.
According to a fifth aspect ofthe present invention, there is provided a method of assembling an interlocked structure, comprising the steps of sliding a plank according to the first aspect of the invention alongside another plank according to the first aspect of the present invention, such that the tab from one plank is received in the slot of another plank and locks to prevent removal without sliding.
The planks of the present invention allow an interlocking structure to be assembled which is very strong and rigid, with only small levels of deflection for a given load, but which can easily and quickly be assembled and also disassembled to replace faulty or damaged planks. Since no screws or bolts are required, water ingress is minimised and thus degradation of the interlocking structure is also minimised, Also there are none of the unsightly depressions that can be caused by fixing methods such as screws and bolts, The interlocking structure also has many areas of retention, thereby reducing localised stresses.
Preferably at least one, more preferably both, ofthe first and second side faces of the plank are substantially perpendicular to the top face. Preferably the first tab is substantially parallel to at least one side face, preferably the first side face, and more preferably it is substantially parallel to both side faces. Preferably the first tab comprises an undercut, wherein this undercut enables the first tab to engage with a slot from another plank upon sliding such that two planks can lock together to prevent removal without reversal of the sliding action. Preferably there are multiple first tabs on one side face, for example at least two, at least three, at least four or at least five first tabs.
Preferably the shelf is substantially perpendicular to at least one side face, more preferably to both side faces. Preferably the slot is positioned along a joint between the shelf and the second side face, although it can also be positioned on the second side face itself or on the shelf itself Preferably there are multiple slots on one shelf, for example at least two, at least three, at least four or at least five slots. Preferably each slot corresponds to a first tab at the same longitudinal distance along the adjacent plank.
Preferably, the second tab extends from the shelf, preferably perpendicular to it, The second tab defines a notch by comprising an undercut, and this undercut is suitable for receiving a cross member support. The cross member support can fonn part of a series of cross member supports, for example on a trailer, There can be multiple second tabs and notches on one shelf for example at least two, at least three, at least four or at least five. Preferably, the cross member support(s) are C-shaped in cross section.
IS Multiple planks can bejoined together by sliding action alone, in which one tab enters a corresponding slot and is slid along the ongitudinal axis of the slot to lock the planks together. No other fixing mechanism is required, e.g. no screws, bolts orglue. The interlocked structure formed by multiple planks can be used in many applications, for example in flooring systems (e.g. in vehicles such as trailers), or in cladding forbuildings (e.g. roof cladding). An end piece can be butted up to, or fixed to, the interlocked structure to keep it in a "locked" configuration.
Multiple or single planks can also be joined onto a cross member support, or a series of cross member supports. Typically at least one cross member support is received into the notch of at least one plank, preferably by sliding at least one plank onto a fixed cross member support, and preferably multiple cross member supports are received into multiple notches on multiple planks to form a flooring system supported by cross member supports.
The planks of the present invention are typically made of wood, metal, plastics or ceramic, preferably metal, most preferably steel.
The present invention will now be illustrated, by way of example only, by reference to Figures 1 and 2.
Figure 1 shows a close up of several planks joined together to form an interlocked structure.
Figure 2 shows several planks joined together, from above and installed onto a trailer.
In Figure 1, a single plank exhibits a top face (2), first and second side faces (3a and 3b respectively), a shelf (4), a slot (5), a first tab (6), a second tab (7) and a notch (8).
As can be seen, both side faces (3a and 3b) are perpendicular to the top face (2), the first tab (6) is parallel to the first side face (3a), the shelf (4) is perpendicular to the second side face (3b), and the second tab (7) is parallel to the second side face (3b). The first tab (6) from the first plank (t) passes through a slot in the adjacent phmk.
In Figure 2, several planks (1) are interlocked and are fixed to C-shaped cross member supports (9), They have been fixed to cross member supports (9) by sliding notches (8) onto the C-shaped cross member supports. The planks and cross member supports together form a trailer floor.

Claims (10)

  1. SCLAIMS1, A plank comprising a top face and two side faces, wherein: a first side face has a first tab extending therefrom; and a second side face has a shelf extending therefrom; and wherein the shelf comprises: a slot for receiving a first tab from another plank, and a second tab defining a notch, wherein the notch is suitable for receiving a cross member support.
  2. 2. A plank according to claim 1, wherein both side faces are substantially perpendicular to the top face.
  3. 3. A plank according to either of claims 1 or 2, wherein the first tab is oriented substantially parallel to the first side face.
  4. 4. A plank according to any preceding claim, wherein the first tab comprises an undercut.
  5. 5, A plank according to any preceding claim, wherein the shelf is oriented substantially perpendicular to the second side face.
  6. 6. A plank according to any preceding claim, wherein the slot is present substantially along a joint between the second side face and the shelf
  7. 7. A plank according to any preceding claim, wherein the second tab is oriented substantially parallel to the second side face.
  8. 8. A plank according to any preceding claim, wherein the second tab comprises an undercut.
  9. 9. An interlocked stmcture comprising at least two planks according to any ofclaims 1 to 8, wherein the tab from one plank is received within the slot from another plank.
  10. 10. An interlocked structure according to claim 9, additionally comprising a cross member support wherein this cross member support is received within the notch of at least one plank.L A flooring system comprising at least two planks according to any of claims Ito 8.12. The flooring system of claim t 1, additionally comprising a cross member support, 13. Use of a plank according to any of claims 1 to 8, and optionally a cross member support, to form an interlocking structure.14. A method of assembling an interlocked structure, comprising the step of sliding a plank according to any of claims toô alongside another plank according to any of IS claims Ito 6, such that the tab from one plank is received in the slot of another plank and locks to prevent removal without sliding.15. A method according to claim 14, additionally comprising the step of sliding at least one plank according to any of claims 1-6 over a cross member support.
GB1417365.2A 2013-10-02 2014-10-01 Plank and interlocking structure Withdrawn GB2518983A (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB201317450A GB201317450D0 (en) 2013-10-02 2013-10-02 Plank and interlocking structure

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
GB201417365D0 GB201417365D0 (en) 2014-11-12
GB2518983A true GB2518983A (en) 2015-04-08

Family

ID=49585187

Family Applications (2)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
GB201317450A Ceased GB201317450D0 (en) 2013-10-02 2013-10-02 Plank and interlocking structure
GB1417365.2A Withdrawn GB2518983A (en) 2013-10-02 2014-10-01 Plank and interlocking structure

Family Applications Before (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
GB201317450A Ceased GB201317450D0 (en) 2013-10-02 2013-10-02 Plank and interlocking structure

Country Status (1)

Country Link
GB (2) GB201317450D0 (en)

Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP2599934A2 (en) * 2009-01-30 2013-06-05 Välinge Innovation Belgium BVBA Mechanical locking of floor panels
GB2510724A (en) * 2014-03-03 2014-08-13 Andrew Wai Lit Low Modular flooring having seperate interlocking boards and connectors

Patent Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP2599934A2 (en) * 2009-01-30 2013-06-05 Välinge Innovation Belgium BVBA Mechanical locking of floor panels
GB2510724A (en) * 2014-03-03 2014-08-13 Andrew Wai Lit Low Modular flooring having seperate interlocking boards and connectors

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB201417365D0 (en) 2014-11-12
GB201317450D0 (en) 2013-11-13

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US3055461A (en) Interlocking metallic structural members
US20150076861A1 (en) Flexible composite lap joint for trailer flooring
US9683372B2 (en) Stair systems and wall assemblies comprising same
US20130224419A1 (en) Composite panel and joint construction
CA2456513A1 (en) Panel and fastening system for such a panel
US20160348371A1 (en) Profile system for fixing coverings, in particular roof sealing sheets
AU2003229185A1 (en) Agricultural floor panel
GB2518983A (en) Plank and interlocking structure
CA2887826C (en) Frame extension for vehicle and method
CN208309919U (en) Splicing construction
US20140259981A1 (en) Storage building and a roof panel system for use with storage buildings
JP4367373B2 (en) Flooring joint structure
CN104791345A (en) Zongzi-shaped corner tenon used for furniture
US20080224002A1 (en) Truss Bracket
US10071779B1 (en) Vehicle cargo support bracket
JP2014034212A (en) Panel-connecting structure
JP5702611B2 (en) Leveling jig
GB2587954A (en) Temporary flooring
EP3330454B1 (en) Connection system and method for fitting floor covering modules together
US10239737B1 (en) Modular automobile lift
CN104939550A (en) Spliced floor for storage cabinet
CN204797194U (en) It assembles floor to put thing cabinet
JP3189158U (en) Step elimination block
US11406184B2 (en) Snap lock system, method and use for connecting construction elements
KR20140059043A (en) Reinforcement apparatus for h-beam column and reinforcement method using that

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
WAP Application withdrawn, taken to be withdrawn or refused ** after publication under section 16(1)