TWM547546U - Reusable locking element and interlocking tile system - Google Patents

Abstract

A locking element for engaging a set of overlapping apertures formed by at least two overlapping tiles each tile having one or more apertures. The aperture is defined as an opening having a surrounding edge. Said locking element has a head attached to or integrated with a body. A longitudinal axis is arranged parallel to the body. Said locking element has a substantial T-shaped cross-section in a first plane parallel to said longitudinal axis. Said head has a first head cross-section in a head plane intersecting the longitudinal axis at a head angle, where said first head cross-section is larger than the aperture. Said body has a body cross-section in a second plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. Said body cross-section is smaller than the head cross-section and complemen-tary to the shape of the aperture. There is at least one second plane perpendicular to said longitudinal axis and to said body. The second plane defines at least one body cross-section. Said at least one body cross-section is complementary to the shape of the apertures. The body has at least one recess groups, where each recess group has one or more recesses in a recess plane substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.

Description

Reusable locking element and interlocking tile system

This creation relates to locking elements and interlocking tile systems for constructing and deconstructing ramps or the like in a fast and reliable manner. Another feature of the interlocking tile system is that each section can be reused.

Currently, interlocking tile systems are used for a variety of purposes for permanent and/or temporary construction, such as slopes, for wheelchair users to pass through door steps, stairs or the like.

The interlocking tile system can also be a temporary slope used during festivals. Temporary slopes can be used during festivals to move heavy equipment to the stage.

As we all know, time is the main factor in the construction or deconstruction of the festival area, because time is money. Therefore, there is a need for an interlocking tile system that can be quickly assembled and disassembled, which will save costs. If the individual parts of the interlocking tile system are reusable, there will be additional positive effects as there is no rubbish left.

EP 1192322 discloses a ramp set, It fits on the sides of the sill so that the top surface of the sill is not covered, so the door can still be switched. The ramp configuration is modular, based on the use of light, engageable plastic tile elements having a common shape and a wedge shape, respectively, and this makes it possible to construct inexpensive custom ramp configurations in a more general manner, with the potential Use tile elements again. The ramp set is not easily deconstructed because the long pin must be forced to remove, which would break the long pin; therefore, the ramp set is not fully reusable.

Creative goal

The goal of this creation is to create locking elements and interlocking tile systems that can be assembled quickly and that can be reused in individual parts.

Creative description

The present solution solves this problem by providing a locking element for engaging a collection of overlapping apertures formed by at least two overlapping tiles, each tile having one or more apertures. The aperture is defined as having an opening around the edge.

The locking element has a head attached to or integral with a body. The longitudinal axis is arranged parallel to the body.

The locking element has a substantially T-shaped cross section in a first plane parallel to the longitudinal axis.

The head has a first head section in a plane of the head intersecting the longitudinal axis at a corner, wherein the first head section is larger than The pores.

The body has a body section in a second plane that is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. The body section is smaller than the head section and is complementary to the shape of the aperture.

The body has at least one group of recesses, wherein each group of recesses has one or more recesses in a plane of the recess that is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.

The locking element has a group of recesses, instead of having a group of projections extending from the body of the locking element, as known from the prior art document US2004005430. This feature changes the way the locking element works and the way the interlocking tile system works.

By having one or more recesses, the locking element engages the aperture, whereas in the prior art document US2004005430, the aperture cooperates with the locking element. The benefit is that this creation can be used for different tiles with different apertures. The skilled artisan only needs to use the teachings of the present invention to design the locking element based on the shape of the aperture. This creation will reduce the sway of overlapping tiles, which will result in increased stability.

As is well known in the art, if the locking element has a wedge, the locking element can be forced through the overlapping aperture stack. However, it will not be possible to remove the locking element without damaging the locking element or tile. The locking element can be damaged by drilling the structure of the locking element. However, such processing is time consuming and will result in small pieces of garbage. Small pieces of trash may be further trapped in the structure of overlapping tiles that may accumulate in the structure over time.

In an embodiment, the locking element can have a plurality of recesses Grouping to enable the locking element to engage a number of differently designed tiles. This tile engagement can be performed by adding a group of recesses in different body sections. In addition, the shape and number of the recesses of each recess group may also differ depending on the aperture of the tile.

In an advantageous embodiment, the recess has a beveled surface. This will create an initial tension between the recess and the edge of the aperture. The force may be large enough to break the tile (when the tile is not made of a ductile material) so that the tile can release stress.

In one embodiment, the body has a body section that substantially corresponds to the shape of the collection of apertures of the overlapping tiles. The benefit is that the overlap tiles have been locked in place only by inserting the locking elements into the overlapping aperture sets. The overlapping tiles can no longer move relative to the body, so the person assembling the tiles only needs to ensure that the other apertures are aligned; thus forming a collection of overlapping apertures. This effect is further increased if another locking element is inserted into the same tile set, away from the first overlapping aperture set and placed in another overlapping aperture set. Importantly, be aware that inserts can be made without the use of tools. Furthermore, the locking element can still be removed by means of a hand tool.

In one embodiment, the head angle is 90 degrees, which is the case when a tile having a flat structure (i.e., a surface that is substantially perpendicular to the axis of the overlapping aperture) is processed.

In another embodiment, the head angle is less than 90 degrees, which is the case when a ramp or the like of a slope is processed. The interlocking component will be able to properly interact by having a head angle such that the head can follow the slope of the tile.

In one aspect of the present invention, the plane of the recess intersects the horizontal axis at a concave angle.

The benefit of having a concave angle between the plane of the recess and the longitudinal axis is that the interaction between the edge of the aperture and the group of recesses increases as the locking element rotates such that the recess engages the edge of the aperture.

The concave angle can be chosen to be between 65 and 88 degrees.

The recess angle can in particular be chosen between 82 and 88 degrees.

In one aspect of the present creation, the set of recesses can include a single recess along the entire perimeter of the body.

When the body section has exactly the same shape and area as the aperture, a single recess along the perimeter of the body is specifically used. Otherwise, the locking element will not be able to rotate without damaging the edges of the aperture and/or the locking element.

In one aspect of the present invention, the locking element can be made of an injection molded polymer. The injection molded polymer can be urea, PUR, POM or PP.

The benefit of using injection molded polymers is that the injection molding system is inexpensive and fast to manufacture.

In one aspect of the present invention, the head has a second head section between the body and the first head section. The second head section is parallel to the first head section and is complementary to the shape of the aperture.

A benefit of having a second head section that is complementary to the shape of the aperture is that it will further increase the interaction between the locking element and the tile.

In an advantageous embodiment, the recess has an angled surface. When the locking member is rotated such that it engages the edge of the aperture, the surface will form an initial tension between the recess and the edge of the aperture. The initial tension forces the locking member toward the overlapping tiles and vice versa. This initial tension can be released or partially released when the second head section is forced into the aperture. This will lock the interlocking tile system even further, as the reverse operation will have to occur to unlock the interlocking tile system.

In one aspect of the present invention, the body section and the first head section each have a rectangular shape. It should be noted that the rectangle is also square. The benefit of having a rectangular shape is that the rectangle is stable and simple, which makes manufacturing faster and cheaper.

However, the present creation is not limited to a rectangular shape. The locking element can have a body section and a first head section that is triangular, oval, hexagonal or higher order polygonal.

The body section does not have to have a circular shape, but the first head section may have a circular shape.

The body section and the first head section may have different shapes that are independent of each other.

In an embodiment, the first head section may be rectangular with two sides longer than the other two sides; thus providing the user with a longer lever arm when turning the locking element.

In one aspect of the present invention, each side of the body section is not parallel to either side of the first head section.

It is possible to insert a locking member into the overlapping aperture set; Therefore, it is impossible to see if the locking member properly engages the edge of the aperture in the lower tile.

Typically, the user first inserts the locking member into any number of overlapping aperture sets, after which the user rotates the locking element thereby engaging the locking element with the collection of overlapping tiles. If the head is not twisted relative to the body, the user will not be able to see which locking members are in rotational engagement with the overlapping tiles and which locking members are not rotationally engaged with the overlapping tiles.

The present work is also directed to an interlocking tile system comprising a collection of overlapping apertures formed by at least two overlapping tiles, each tile having one or more apertures.

The interlocking tile system has at least one locking element.

The locking element has a head attached to or integral with a body. The longitudinal axis is arranged parallel to the body.

The locking element has a substantially T-shaped cross section in a first plane parallel to the longitudinal axis.

The head has a first head section in a plane of the head intersecting the longitudinal axis at a corner, wherein the first head section is larger than the aperture.

The body has a body section in a second plane that is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. The body section is smaller than the head section and is complementary to the shape of the aperture.

There is at least one second plane that is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis and perpendicular to the body. The second plane defines at least one body section. The at least one body section is complementary in shape to one of the apertures.

The body has at least one group of recesses, wherein each group of recesses has one or more recesses in a plane of the recess that is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.

The locking element is first inserted into the overlapping aperture set by its body, and the locking element is pivotally engaged with the at least two overlapping tiles by rotating the locking element by 35 to 55 degrees, whereby at least one concave group Engage with at least one tile.

In one aspect of the present creation, the tile can be made of a ductile material. The ductile material can be an injection molded polymer such as urea, PUR, POM or PP.

The benefit of using injection molded polymers is that the injection molding system is inexpensive and fast to manufacture.

The tile should be made of a ductile material, because if the tile is not made of a ductile material, the tile may break due to the force between the tile and the locking member.

In one aspect of the present invention, the tile has a lip that surrounds the aperture, the lip being complementary to the first head section.

The lip surrounding the aperture will further lock the interlocking member because the head of the interlocking element can interact with the lip while protecting the head from lateral forces.

Furthermore, it will be easier to see which locking members are in rotational engagement with the overlapping tiles and which locking members are not rotationally engaged with the overlapping tiles.

100‧‧‧Locking components

110‧‧‧T-section

120‧‧‧ first plane

200‧‧‧ head

210‧‧‧First head section

212‧‧‧Second head section

220‧‧‧ head plane

230‧‧‧ head corner

300‧‧‧ Subject

310‧‧‧ body section

320‧‧‧ second plane

330‧‧‧ distal

400‧‧‧ recessed group

410‧‧‧ recess

420‧‧‧ recessed plane

430‧‧‧ concave corner

500‧‧‧ longitudinal axis

600‧‧‧Interlocking tile system

610‧‧ watt

620‧‧ ‧ overlapping tiles

630‧‧‧ pores

640‧‧‧ overlapping pores

650‧‧‧ lip

Embodiments of the present invention will be described in the drawings, wherein: Figure 1 illustrates an embodiment of a locking element; Figure 2 illustrates a second embodiment of the locking element; Figure 3 illustrates a third embodiment of the locking element; Figure 4 illustrates a locking element Fourth Embodiment; Figure 5 illustrates a view of an embodiment of an interlocking tile system; Figure 6 illustrates two close-up views of the interaction between the head and the aperture; Figure 7 illustrates a fifth embodiment of the locking member; Figure 8 The relative displacement of the cross section is illustrated; and Figure 9 illustrates the working principle of the lip and the first head section.

1 illustrates a first view of an embodiment of a locking element 100 having a head 200 attached to a body 300 having two sets of recesses 400', 400". The group of recesses closest to the head 200 The set includes a single recess 410' along the perimeter of the body 300. The other recess set 400" includes a recess 410".

In this embodiment, the recess 410" is beveled; this will create an initial stress as the locking element 100 rotates, thereby causing the recess 410', 410" to engage the edge of the overlapping aperture set 640 (not shown), This prompted tile 610 to be together.

The free distal end of the body 300 tapers such that the locking member 100 is easily inserted into the aperture 630 (not shown).

The figure additionally discloses a longitudinal axis 500, a first plane 220, a second plane 320, and a recess plane 420.

2 illustrates a second embodiment of a locking element 100 having a head 200 attached to a body 300 having two sets of recesses 400A, 400B. The set of recesses closest to the head 200 includes a single recess 410 along the perimeter of the body 300. The other recess group 400B includes two recesses 410B', 410B", and each recess 410B', 410B" of the recess group 400B is disposed on a portion of the periphery of the main body 300.

In this embodiment, the recesses 410B', 410B" are beveled; this will create an initial stress when the locking element 100 is rotated, thereby causing the locking element 100 to engage the edge of the overlapping aperture set 640 (not shown).

The free distal end of the body 300 tapers such that the locking member 100 is easily inserted into the aperture 630 (not shown).

The head 200 has a second head section 212 that is complementary in shape to the aperture 630.

3 illustrates yet another embodiment of a locking element 100 having a head 200 attached to a body 300 having three sets of recesses 400A, 400B, 400C. The set of recesses closest to the head 200 includes a single recess 410A along the perimeter of the body 300. The other two recess groups 400B, 400C each include a recess 410B, 410C.

In this embodiment, the recesses 410B, 410C are beveled; this will create an initial stress when the locking element 100 is rotated, thereby causing the locking element 100 to engage the edge of the overlapping aperture set 640 (not shown).

The free distal end of the body tapers such that the locking member 100 is easily inserted into the aperture 630 (not shown).

4 illustrates yet another embodiment of a locking element 100 having a head 200 attached to a body 300 having three sets of recesses 400A, 400B, 400C. The recess group 400A closest to the head 200 includes a single recess 410A along the perimeter of the body 300. The other two recess groups 400B, 400C each include two recesses 410B', 410B", 410C', 410C". Each of the recesses 410B, 400C is disposed on a portion of the periphery of the body 300.

In this embodiment, the recesses 410B', 410B", 410C', 410C" are beveled; this will create an initial stress when the locking element 100 is rotated, such that the locking element 100 and the edge of the overlapping aperture set 640 (in the figure) Engaged.

The free distal end of the body tapers such that the locking member 100 is easily inserted into the aperture 630 (not shown).

The head 200 has a second head section 212 that is complementary in shape to the aperture 630.

FIG. 5 illustrates a view of an embodiment of an interlocking tile system 600 having overlapping tiles 620 formed from two tiles 610. Tile 610 has several sets 640 of overlapping apertures. Each aperture 630 is provided with a peripheral lip 650.

Two locking elements 100 have been inserted into the interlocking tile system 600. Locking element 100 is similar to the embodiment shown in Figures 1 and 2.

Figure 6 illustrates two close-up views of the interaction between the head 200 and the aperture 630 before (A) and after (B) the locking element has been rotationally engaged with the overlapping tile 620. These close views are from Figure 5.

Moreover, the figure illustrates how the lip 650 protects the head 200 from lateral forces.

Figure 7 illustrates a first view of a fifth embodiment of the locking member 100.

The locking element 100 has a head 210 having a first head section 210 that defines a head plane 220 that intersects the horizontal axis 500 with a head angle 230, which in this embodiment is different from 90 degree. The locking element 100 also includes a body 300 having two sets of recesses 400A, 400B. The recess group 400A closest to the head 200 includes a single recess 410A along the perimeter of the body 300. The other recess group 400B includes two recesses 410B', 410B", and each recess 410B', 410B" of the recess group 400B is disposed on a portion of the periphery of the body 300. The recess plane 420 intersects the horizontal plane 500 at a concave angle 430.

Figure 8 illustrates two embodiments (8A, 8B) of the first head section 210 and the second head section 212 and how the body section 310 is placed relative to each other.

In FIG. 8A, the body section 310 is rotated 45 degrees relative to the first head section 210 and the second head section 212. In other embodiments, the body section 310 is rotated 35 to 55 degrees relative to the first head section 210 and the second head section 212.

In Figure 8B, the second head section 212 is relative to the first head The section 210 and the body section 310 are rotated 45 degrees. In other embodiments, the second head section 210 is rotated 35 to 55 degrees relative to the first head section 210 and the body section 310.

Figure 9 illustrates the operation of the lip 650 and the first head section 210. A protrusion of the second head section 212 and the body section 310 is also shown. However, such protrusions are usually not visible.

FIG. 9A shows an aperture 630 having a lip 650 that is complementary to the shape of the first head section 210 along the edge of the aperture 630. Interlocking member 100 has been inserted into aperture 630 and this situation is similar to the situation in Figure 6A.

When the interlocking element 100 is rotated 45 degrees, at least one group of the recesses is engaged with at least one edge of the at least one aperture 630. FIG. 9B illustrates the mutual position of the locking element 100 after the rotation of the locking element with the aperture 630 having a circumferential lip 650.

This is similar to Figure 6B.

100‧‧‧Locking components

200‧‧‧ head

220‧‧‧ head plane

300‧‧‧ Subject

320‧‧‧ second plane

400’‧‧‧ recessed group

400"‧‧‧ recessed group

410’‧‧‧ recess

410"‧‧‧ recess

420‧‧‧ recessed plane

500‧‧‧ longitudinal axis

Claims (10)

A locking element (100) for engaging a set of overlapping apertures (640) formed by at least two overlapping tiles (620), each tile (610) having one or more apertures (630), the locking element ( 100) having a head (200) attached to or integral with a body (300), the longitudinal axis (500) being arranged parallel to the body (300), the locking element (100) being parallel to the One of the longitudinal axes (500) has a substantially T-shaped cross section in a first plane, the head (200) being in a head plane (220) intersecting the longitudinal axis (500) at a head angle (230) Having a first head section (210) having a body section (310) in a second plane (320) perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (500), the body section (310) being smaller than the a head section (210) having at least one recess group (400), each recess group (400) having a recess plane (420) substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (500) One or more recesses (410). The locking element (100) of claim 1 wherein the recess plane (420) intersects the horizontal axis (500) at a concave angle (430). A locking element (100) according to claim 1 wherein the recess group (400) comprises a single recess (410) along the periphery of the body (300). The locking member (100) of claim 1, wherein the locking member (100) is made of an injection molded polymer. The locking member (100) of claim 1, wherein the head (200) has a second head section (212) between the body (300) and the first head section (210), The second head section (212) is parallel to the first head section (210) and has a shape similar to one of the body sections (310). The locking member (100) of claim 1, wherein the main body section (310) and the first head section (210) each have a rectangular shape. A locking element (100) according to claim 6 wherein each side of the body section (310) is not parallel to either side of the first head section (210). An interlocking tile system (600) comprising a set of overlapping apertures (640) formed by at least two overlapping tiles (620), each tile (610) having one or more apertures (630), as claimed in the patent application At least one locking element (100) according to any one of items 1 to 7 for engaging at least one overlapping aperture set (640) having attachment to a body (300) or The body is integral with one of the heads (200), a longitudinal axis (500) is disposed parallel to the body (300), and the locking element (100) is parallel to a first plane of the longitudinal axis (500) (120) ) having a substantially T-shaped cross section (110), The head (200) has a first head section (210) in a head plane (220) intersecting the longitudinal axis (500) with a head angle (230), wherein the first head section (210) Greater than the aperture (630), the body (300) has a body section (310) in a second plane (320) perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (500), the body section (310) being smaller than the head section (210) and complementary to the shape of the aperture (630) having at least one recess group (400), each recess group (400) being substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (500) The recessed plane (420) has one or more recesses (410) therein, the locking element (100) is first inserted into the overlapping aperture set (640) by its body (300), and the locking element (100) is The locking element (100) is rotated 35 to 55 degrees to pivotally engage at least two overlapping tiles (620) whereby at least one of the sets of recesses (400) engages at least one of the tiles (610). An interlocking tile system (600) according to claim 8 wherein the tile (610) has a lip (650) surrounding the aperture (630), the lip (650) and the first head section (210) Complementary. An interlocking tile system (600) according to claim 8 or 9, wherein the tile (610) is made of an injection molded polymer.