GB2529499A

GB2529499A - A vehicle flooring system

Info

Publication number: GB2529499A
Application number: GB1500436.9A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Daniel Steedman
Original assignee: LINDBERG GLOBAL Ltd
Current assignee: LINDBERG GLOBAL Ltd
Priority date: 2015-01-12
Filing date: 2015-01-12
Publication date: 2016-02-24
Anticipated expiration: 2035-01-12
Also published as: GB201500436D0; GB2529499B; DE102016100407A1

Abstract

A vehicle flooring system 10, particularly suitable for use when retrofitting seats to a vehicle, comprises a plurality of planks 20, where a recessed channel 50 is provided on a first surface 22 of at least one plank 20. An anchor point 80 for attachment to and restraining movement of a load is releasably attached to and positionable within channel 50. A cover 100, which may be flush with or slightly proud of surface 22, may be provided in channel 50 away from anchor point 80 or when anchor point 80 is not used. Planks 20 may be releasably connected together using male and female connectors 70 on opposing long sides of each plank 20; adjacent planks may respectively have first surface 22 and a substantially smooth second surface 21 uppemost.

Description

A vehicle flooring system The present invention relates generally to a vehicle flooring system and a method of installing a vehicle flooring system in a vehicle and finds particular, although not exclusive, utility in converting vehicles for the provision of seating.

There is a market for converting existing load carrying vehicles to one.s \vhich include seating. iypically, this involve.s bolting se.ats to the existing floor of the vehicle.

Tjowever, the attachment of the seats must comply with relevant standards and legislation including a so-called "pull-test". it has been found that attaching seats directly to the existing floors of such vehicles is not adequate and therefore typically a false floor is added over the top of the existing door. this false floor typically comprises extmded aluminium planks glued to the existing floor. The seats are then attached to this new floor.

Such known planks typically include a continuous track section on the upper surhice thereof. These continuous tracks include an open channel within which are formed a series of holes for attaching the seats thereto. Tiowever, these suffer from issues such as debris collecting in the unused portions of the channels, the debris being unsightly arid uriiiygicniic; thc tracks causing a trip hazard because they are raised abovc the upper surtace of the planks; and the raised nature of the tracks also creating difficulties in fitting an overlying finishing layer (such as carpet. vinyl etc.) on top.

it is desirable to have a flooring system \vhich overcomes these issues and others. in a first aspect, therefore, the invention provides'avchicle flooring system comprising a plurality of planks, at least one of\vhich includes a recessed channel on a first surface thereof, in nse, and an anchor point which is releasably attached to, and positionable within, the channel, the anchor point for attaching loads so as to restrain the movement thereof relative to the vehicle.

The anchor point is a separate piece from the plank and may slide into and along the channel. The upper surface of the anchor point may he flush @evel) with the first surface so as to provide no trip-hazard. More importantly, only as nuny anchor points as required may be provided and positioned as necessary such that there is no need to have unused anchor point present.

the at least one plank may have a substantially smooth unbroken second surface, opposite from the first surface. in this \vay, if a plank is required to create a continuous overall floor hut no fixing is required aiong its length then the phnk may he turned-over thus providing a length of unbroken floor with no channels present.

The at least one plank may include a male connector along one side and a female connector along the opposite side for re]easably attaching together adjacent planks, wherein the sides he between the first and second surfaces. The connectors may be arranged such that one plank may be rotated into a connected position relative to an adjacent plank.

The connectors may be arranged to releasably connect first and second adjacent planks with the first plank having its first surface uppermost and the second plank having its second surface uppermost. this may be effected by the connectors operating with adjacent planks in either orientation (i.e. \vith a channel exposed on its upper surface or hidden underneath).

The anchor point may he arranged to he releasahly fixed within the channel by the attachment of a member above so that, in use, an edge of the channel is clamped 1 5 between the anchor point and the member. The attachment may he by means of a bolt extending through a seat bracket and releasably attachable to a threaded portion provided \vithin the anchor point. By undoing the bolt the anchor points may be moved if a changc to thc seating plan is required. Iiiis obviates the need for multiple unused anchor positions as in the prior aft.

The vehicle flooring system may farther comprise at least one cover strip for releasably covering portions of the channel not occupied by the anchor point, the cover strip may comprise extruded aluminium, the cover strip may be cut to length as required at the time of instillation. More than one may be used as required. they may he removed and replaced \vith different lengths if the seating plan is changed in the future as discussed above.

The channel may include a catch member projecting radially into the channel on each side thereof, and the at least one cover strip may include a flat surface for positioning, in use, parallel with the first surface, and an ann depending from either side thereof, each arm including two snap beads for positioning the at least one cover strip relative to the channel in two positions, the snap beads arranged to engage with the catch members.

the at least one cover strip may be arranged to fit in the channel such that, when so fitted, the top of the cover strip is flush with the first surface of the plank thereby producing a 5LT1)starltii:illy planar surface across the first surface. Alternatively.

the cover strip may be arranged to tit in the channel such that, when so fitted, the top of the cover strip is shghtl proud above the first surface of the plank to thereby re]easably clamp, in use, a floor covenng between the first surhice and the cover stnp.

Tn a second aspect, the invention provides a vehicle including a velncle flooring system according to the first aspect.

in a third aspect, the invention provides a method of installing a vehicle flooring system in a vehicle comprising the steps of providing a vehicle flooring system according to the first aspect, attaching a plurality of planks to the floor of a vehicle TO wherein each plank is positioned as required with either its first or second surfaces uppermost, and wherein each plank is releasably attached to the adjacent plank, inserting at least one anchor point into, and positioning it relative to the length of an exposed channel.

Each plark may be releasably attached to an adjacent plank by means of the co- 1 5 operating male and female connectors.

The method may further comprise the step of inserting cover strips to cover the portions of exposed channel not occupied by the anchor point Ihc above arid other eliaraetcristics, fcatures arid advaritagcs of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction xvith the accompanying dra\vings, which illustrate, by xvay of example. the principles of the invention, this description is given for the sake of example only, without limiting the scope of the invention. Ihe reference figures quoted below refer to the attached drawings.

Fignre i is a perspective view of part of a vehicle flooring system; Fignre 2 is a close-up view of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a perspective view of a plank forming part of the vehicle flooring system; Figure 4 is a perspective view of two planks being connected together; and Figure 5 is a perspective view of part of an alternative arrangement of components forming a vehicle flooring system.

The present invention will be described with respect to certain drawings but the invention is not limited thereto hut only by the claims. The drawings described are only schematic and are non-limiting. Each dra'ing may not include all of the features of the invention and therefore should not necessarily he considered to he an enihodirnent of the invention. Tn the drawings, the size of some of the elements may he exaggerated and not drawn to scale for illustrative purposes. The dimensions and the relative dimensions do not correspond to actual reductions to practice of the invention.

Furthermore, the tenns first, second, third and the like in the description and in the claims, are used for distinguishing betareen similar elements and not necessarily for describing a sequence, either temporally, spatially, in ranking or in any other manner. It is to be understood that the terms so used arc interchangeable under appropnate circumstances and that operation is capable in other sequences than described or illustrated herein.

Moreover, the terms top, bottom, over, under and the like in the description and the claims are used for descriptive purposes and not necessarily for describing relative positions. It is to he understood that the terms so used are interchangeable under appropriate circumstances and that operation is capable in other orientations than described or illustrated herein.

Tt is to be noticed that the term "comprising" used in the claims, should not be interpreted as being restricted to the means listed thereafter; it does not exclude other clcrjicrits or stcps. It is thus to be interpreted as specifying tlic prescncc of tlic statcd features, integers, steps or components as referred to, but does not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps or componentr, or groups thereof. Thus, the scope of the expression "a device comprising means A and B" should not be limited to devices consisting only of components A and B. it means that with respect to the present invention, the only relevant components of the device are A and B. Reference throughout this specification to "an embodiment" or ccan aspect" means that a particular feature, structure or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment or aspect is included in at least one embodiment or aspect of the present invention. Thus, appearances of the phrases "in one embodiment", "iii an embodiment", or "in an aspect" in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment or aspect, but may refer to different embodiments or aspects. Furthermore, the particular features, structures or characteristics of any embodiment or aspect of the invention may he combined in any suitable tfl1ulner, as would he apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art from this

disclosure, in one or more embodiments or aspects.

Similarly, it should be appreciated that in the description various features of the invention are sometimes grouped together in a single embodiment, figure, or description thereof for the purpose of streamhning the disclosure and aiding in the understanding of one or more of the various inventive aspects. this method of disclosure, however, is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that the claimed invention requires more features than are expressly recited in each claim. Moreover, the description of any individual drawing or aspect should not necessarily be considered to be an embodiment of the invention. Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive aspects lie in fewer than all features of a single foregoing disclosed embodiment. thus, the claims following the detailed description are hereby expressly incorporated into this detailed description, with each claim standing on its own as a separate embodiment of this invention.

Furthermore, while some embodiments described herein include some features 1 5 included in other embodiments, combinations of features of different embodiments are meant to be within the scope of the invention, and form yet further embodiments, as will be understood by those skilled in the art. IJor example, in the following claims, any of the claimed emnbodimucrits cart be used in arty corribination.

Tn the description provided herein, numerous specific details are set forth.

However, it is understood that embodiments of the invention may be practised without these specific details. In other instances, well-known methods, structures and techniques have not been shown in detail in order not to obscure an understanding of

this description.

In the discussion of the invention, unless stated to the contrary, the disclosure of alternative values for the upper or lower limit of the permitted range of a parameter, coupled with an indication that one of said values is more highly preferred than the other, is to be construed as an implied statement that each intennediate value of said parameter, lying between the more preferred arid the less preferred of said alternatives, is itself preferred to said less preferred value and also to each value lying betsveen said less preferred value and said intermediate value.

The use of the term "at least one" may mean only one in certain circumstances.

the principles of the invention will now he described by a detailed description of at least one drawing relating to exemplary features of the invention. It is clear that other arrangements can he conhgured according to the knowledge of persons skilled in the art without departing from the underlying concept or technical teaching of the invention, the invention being limited only by the terms of the appended claims.

Figure 1 shows two planks 21) each comprising an upper planar surface 22 and a lower planar surface 21 separated by two large box-Sections 30 and two smaller box-sections 40, one provided between the two large box-sections 30 and one to the right of the right hand large box-section. the box-sections provide rigidity and run along the longitudinal length of the planks. The lower surface 21 is substantially continuous and unbroken. the upper surface 22 includes tvo channels 50 each located above the smaller box-sections 40.

The two planks 20 are connected together by co-operating connectors 60, 70 provided along each side thereof Although not shown, additional planks may he connected to the presently available sides of the two planks 20 so as to form a substantially continuous flooring which may he glued or otherwise fixed to the existing floor of a vehicle to thereby strengthen it for the Purpose of affixing seats, or other loads, such as wheelchairs.

Each channel includes a catch member 56 projecting radially in\vard from either sidc thereof. Ihe catch ricribcrs 56 arc locatcd slightly bclow the lcvcl of the uppcr surfhce 22 of the planks 20. Each catch member 56 has a substantially square cross-sectional shape, when viewed looking along the longitudinal length of the plank. with a chamfered edge on the upper "outside" corner.

in one channel a cover strip 100 has been fully positioned. tim cover strip 100 includes an upper planar surface iOO which fr flush with the upper surface 22 of the plank 20 so as to create a substantially unbroken continuous surface.

The cover strip 100 is held in place \vithin the channel 50 by means of two anris 110, each provided along at least some of the length of the cover strip and depending in parallel relationship from the underside of the upper surface 100. Each ann includes two beads 120 arranged on the radially outer surfaces thereof. The beads tnay be snap-b cads.

When fully positioned in the channel 50 the upper beads 120 on either side are held in place underneath the catch members 56 and the upper planar surface sits on, and is supported by, the catch members 56.

Also shown in Figure 1 is ui anchor point 80. This has the form of a short (relative to the length of the planks 20) body having a cross-section in the shape of an inverted Roman letter "T". The wider hwer portion is configured tci closely fit within the channel beneath the catch members 56. The upper narrower portion extends upwardly from the lower portion and has an upper surface 85 which fits Hush with the upper surface 22 of the plank 20. A hole. 90 is provided \vithin the upper surface 85.

This may be threaded for receiving a bolt. the bolt may pass through an eye to which hjads may be attached to or a scat bracket. For instance, the seat bracket (not shown) may have a\vidth greater than the anchor point 80 such that part of it rests on the upper surface 22 of the plank 20 and part rests on the anchor point 85. As the bolt is rotated within the hole 90 it \vill pull the anchor point 80 upwards. the lo\ver portion of the anchor point \vill he forced against the underside of the catch members 56 \vhich \vill hold the seat bracket firmly in place. In other words, the catch members 56 \vill be clamped between the seat bracket and the lower wider Pothomi of the anchor point 80.

Once the anchor points 80 have been positioned within the channels 50 as required, and before the seats have been attached, cover strips 100 may be cut to the required length and fitted into the remaining open portions of the channels 50. this will hold thc uichor points 80 in their approximriatc posinomislomg tliciri to miiovc slightly to allow for tolerances in the seat brackets or other such features when attached thereto. It is also contemplated that in one instance the cover strips are installed before the seats are attached to the anchor points.

Figure t also shows another cover strip 100 on the right hand side above the channel 50 waiting to be inserted into it. the beads t20 are more clearly visible on this cover strip 100.

Figure 2 sho\vs a connection between two adjacent planks 20. On the left hand side of the right hand plank 20 two male connectors 60 are shown one above the other.

These comprise two at-ins 62 extending perpendicularly away from the side wall 34 of the left hand box-section 30. These arms 62 may extend all the way along the sides of the plank 20, although it is to be understood that they may be provided in discrete discontinuous sections. At the end of each arm 62 a bead 64 is provided extending down\vardly on the lower arm and upwardly on the upper ann.

On the right hand side of the left hand plank 20 iwo female connectors 70 are shown one above the other. these comprise of Iwo arms 72 extending perpendicularly 2lWiy from the side tvall 44 of the right hand smaller box-section 40. These arms 72 extend all the way along the sides of the plank 20, as they form pan of the upper 22 and lower surfaces 21 of the plank 20. At the end of each ann 72 a head 74 is provided extending downwardly on the upper ann and upwardly on the lower arm.

Also shown are two reinforcing ribs 76 extending away from the sidewall 44 in a similar manner to the uppe.r and lower arms 72 and configured that with the two adjacent planks 20 connected together their distal ends rest against the outer face of the sidewall 34 of the right hand plank 20.

Figure 2 shows how with the tvo planks connected the male 60 and female connector 70 are interconnected such that the tvo upper and lower beads 64, 74 have snapped-over one another and are interlocked thus preventing the tvo planks to come apart in a lateral direction.

In Figure 3, an additional floor covering 110 has been placed on top of the upper surface 22 of the planks. This may be a non-slip flooring.

Although it is possible tc install the cover strips 100 flush with the planks so that their upper surfaces are at the same level as the upper surface of the platks 20 (as shown by the left hand cover strip 100 in Figure 1) it is also possible to use the cover strips to hold down the additional floonrig as shown.

Tn this case the cover strips 100 are installed into the channels 50 such that the lower beads 120 are in contact with the undersides of the catch members 56. the upper bead rests against the chamfered surface provided on the upper portion of the catch members 56.

By installing the cover strips 100 in this way a small gap is provided between the underside of the upper surface of the cover strip and the upper surface of the plank 20.

In other words, the cover strips are slightly proud of the upper surface of the planks 20.

The additional floor covering may occupy this gap and he slightly compressed as the cover strip is installed to snore securely hold the additional flooring in place. This is referenced "A" in Figure 3.

This alternative positioning of the cover sthp may be advantageous as it allows access to the channels 50 tnore easily, if the anchor point need moving or additional ones added, and without cutting of the additional flooring 110.

Figure 4 shows how nvo adjacent planks 20 may be attached to one another.

the right hand plank 20 can he seen to he angled slightly above the plane formed by the

S

upper surfice 22 of the left hand plank 20. In this position the upper beads 64, 74 have snapped over one another and the lower male bead 64 and arm 62 is shown sliding-up the lower female bead 74. The plank 20 is moved in a rotating manner as indicated by arrow "B" such that as the right hand side of the right hand plank is lowered the lower beads 64, 74 will also snap over one another.

Figure 5 shows an alternative arrangement of planks 20, 25 whereby the right hand plank 25 has been inverted by comparison to the. plank shown in Figure 1. This means that the continuously unbroken surthce 21 is now upperniost and flush with the upper surface 20 of the other planks. Ihis is possible due to the way in which the male 60 and female 70 connectors co-operate being symmetrical about a plane parallel with the surfaces 21,22 of the planks.

This arrangement is useful for locations within the vehicle where no channels 50 and therefore no anchors 80 are required.

The left hand plank 20 has one channel 50 including a cover strip 100; the centre platk 20 has one channel open and ready to receive anchor points and one channel including a cover stnp 100.

Although the planks shown in these Figures include vo channels 50 each it is contemplated that thc system may include planks which have only one channel, rio channels at all, or snore than two channels. Furthennore, the planks may have differing widths and/or lengths. the planks may be arranged and connected together so that sonic may include exposed channels on their upper surfaces and some may have only a continuously unbroken upper surface.

Claims

(:LAIMS I. A vehicle flooring system comprising a plurality of planks, at least one of which includes a recessed channel on a first surface thereof, in use, and an anchor point which is releasably attached to, and posiorahlc within, the channel, the anchor point for attaching loads so as to restrain the movement thereof relative to the vehicle.
2. the vehicle flooring system according to claim 1, wherein the at least one plank has a substantially smooth unbroken second surface, opposite from the first surface.
3. The vehicle flooring system according to either one of claims 1 and 2, wherein the at least one plank includes a male connector along one side and a female connector along the opposite side for releasably attaching together adjacent planks, wherein the sides lie bettveen the first and second surfaces.
4. The vehicle flooring system according to claim 3, wherein the connectors are arranged to releasably connect first and second adjacent planks with the first plank having its first surface uppermost and the second Plank having its second surface uppermost.
5. the vehicle flooring system according to any preceding claim, wherein the anchor point is arranged to be releasably fixed within the channel by the attachment of a member above so that, in use, an edge of the channel is clamped between the anchor point and the member.
6. the vehicle flooring system according to any preceding claim, further comprising at least one awer strip for releasably covering portions of the channel not occupied by the anchor point.
7. The vehicle flooring system according to claim 6, \vherein the channel includes a catch member projecting radially into the channel on each side thereof, and flc* at least one cover strip includes a flat surface for positioning, in use, parallel with the first surface, and an ann depending from either side thereof, each ann including Iwo snap heads fbr positioning the at least one cover strip relative tc the channel in two positions, the snap beads arranged to engage with the catch members.
8. The vehicle flooring system according to either one of claims 6 and 7.wherein the at least one cover strip is arranged to fit in the channel such that, when so fitted, the top of the at least one cover strip is flush with the first surface of the plank thereby producing a substantially planar surface across the first surface.
9. The vehicle flooring system according to any one of claims 6 to 8. wherein the at least one cover strip is arranged to fit in the channel such that, when so fitted, the top of the at least one cover strip is slightly proud above the first surfhce of the plank to thereby releasably clatnp, in use, a floor covering betiveen the first surface and the at last one cover strip.
10. A vehicle including a vehicle flooring system according to any preceding claim.
11. A vehicle flooring system substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompiuaying drawings.
12. A method of installing a vehicle flooring system in a vehicle comprising the steps of providing a vehicle flooring system according to any one of claims 1 to 9, attaching a plurality of planks to the floor of the vehicle wherein each plank is positioned as required with either its first or second surfaces uppermost, and wherein each plank is releasably attached to the adjacent plank, inserting at least one anchor point into, and positioning it relative to the length of an exposed channel.
13. The method of claim 12, when dependent directly or indirectly on either one of claims 3 and 4. wherein each plank is releasably attached to an adjacent plank by means of the co-operating male and female connectors. Ii
14. The method of claim 12, when dependent directly or indirectly on claim 6, further comprising the step of inserting cover stnps to cover the portions of exposed channd not occupied by the anchor point.Amendments to the claims have been made as follows (:LAIMS 1. A vehicle flooring system comprising a plurality of planks, at least one of which includes a recessed channel on a first surface thereof, in use, and an anchor point which is releasably attached to, and posiorahle within, the channel, the anchor point for attaching loads so as to restrain the movement thereof relative to the vehicle, the vehicle flooring system further comprising at least one cover stnp for releasably covering portions of the channel not occupied by the anchor point, \vherein the at least one cover strip is arranged to fit in the channel such that, when so fitted, the top of the at least one cover strip is flush with the first surface of the plank thereby producing a substantially planar surface across the first surface.2. The vehicle flooring system according to claim 1, wherein the at least one plank has a substantially smooth unbroken second surfbce, opposite froni LI') the first surface.o 3. The vehicle flooring system according to either one of claims 1 and 2, r wherein the at least one plank includes a male connector along one side and 0 20 a female connector along the opposite side for releasably attaching together 0 adjacent planks, wherein the sides he hetvveen the first and second surfaces.4. The vehicle flooring system according to claim 3, wherein the connectors are arranged to releasahly connect first and second adjacent planks with the first plank having its first surface uppermost and the second plank having its second surface uppermost.5. The vehicle flooring system according to any preceding claim, wherein the anchor point is arranged to he releasably fixed within the channel by the attachment of a member above so that, in use, an edge of the channel is clamped between the anchor point and the member.6. the vehicle flooring system according to any preceding claim, wherein the channel includes a catch member projecting radially into the channel on each side thereof, and the at least one cover strip includes a flat surface for positioning, in use, parallel with the first surface, and an arm depending from either side thereof, each arm including two snap beads for positioning the at least one cover strip relative tc the channel in two positions, the snap beads arranged to engage with the catch members.7. A vehicle includingavehicle flooring system according to any preceding claim.It) 8. A vehicle flooring system substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.9. A method of installing a vehicle flooring system in a vehicle comprising the steps of providing a vehicle flooring system according to any one of claims 1 to 6, attaching a plurality of planks to the floor of the vehicle wherein each plank is posthoted as required with either its first or second surfaces IC) uppermost, and wherein each plank is releasably attached to the adjacent plank, inserting at least one anchor point into, and positioning it relative to 0 tlic lcrigtli of, an exposed channel. r 200 10. The method of claim 9, \vhen dependent directly or indirectly on either one 0 of claims 3 and 4. wherein each plank is releasably attached to an adjacent plank by means of the co-operating male and female connectors.ii. The method of claim 9, further comprising the step of inserting cover strips to cover the portions of exposed channel not occupied by the anchor point.