Tie Along And Within Edge Or Face Groove; E.g., Spline Patents (Class 52/586.1)
  • Patent number: 11899370
    Abstract: A tile system for covering a surface. The tile system comprises a first tile assembly connected to a second tile assembly by a connector. Each tile assembly comprises a first tile stacked on a second tile, the first tile and the second tile joined to a reinforcing material disposed therebetween. The connector comprises a first component and a second component that is complementary to the first component. The first component is mounted to the first tile assembly, and the second component is mounted to the second tile assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2023
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2024
    Assignee: Tac-Fast Systems SA
    Inventor: Joseph Rocco Pacione
  • Patent number: 11609501
    Abstract: A tile system for covering a surface. The tile system comprises a first tile assembly connected to a second tile assembly by a connector. Each tile assembly comprises a first tile stacked on a second tile, the first tile and the second tile joined to a reinforcing material disposed therebetween. The connector comprises a first component and a second component that is complementary to the first component. The first component is mounted to the first tile assembly, and the second component is mounted to the second tile assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2023
    Assignee: Tac-Fast Systems SA
    Inventor: Joseph Rocco Pacione
  • Patent number: 11498656
    Abstract: An airfoil system is provided that includes an airfoil. This airfoil includes a first exterior surface, a second exterior surface, a first airfoil segment and a second airfoil segment. The airfoil extends widthwise between the first exterior surface and the second exterior surface. The first airfoil segment includes first composite material and a receptacle. A base of the receptacle is embedded within the first composite material. The second airfoil segment includes second composite material and a key. A base of the key is embedded within the second composite material. The key is mated with the receptacle thereby attaching the second airfoil segment to the first airfoil segment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2022
    Assignee: Rohr, Inc.
    Inventor: Anthony Lacko
  • Patent number: 11428003
    Abstract: A construction system includes a set of constituent elements, at least one of which includes at least two superimposed folds each including at least two wooden structural boards. In this system, at least two constituent elements are fixed together by a non-adhesive fixing device and at least two adjacent folds are held against each other by non-adhesive holding device. The faces in contact with two structural boards are at least partially provided, at their contact interface, with a set of grooved patterns arranged so as to prevent the structural boards from sliding one relative to the other along at least one first immobilisation axis. A method for manufacturing such a construction system is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2022
    Inventors: Jeanne Bouchôou, François-Xavier Cordier, Gael Defer, Romain Munsch
  • Patent number: 11365545
    Abstract: Method for manufacturing a plastic panel having a first side (1) with a hook (11), a first assembly cavity (12) and a locking cavity (13) which is recessed and whose upper side forms a bearing surface and a protrusion (21) comprising a beak (24) in the junction plane, an inset recess (23) continuing by a bearing point (32) connecting with a groove (31), a flexible lock (3) which can retract by elastic deformation into the recess (23) during the assembly movement of the panel (100a) to be installed and extend inside the locking cavity (13). According to the method, the first side (1) is machined (I) to its final section and with the blank of the second side (2) with a protruding tab (4) which is locally heated (II) after cooling (III) to bend it and form the lock (3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2022
    Assignees: KREAFIN GROUP SA
    Inventor: Thierry Miclo
  • Patent number: 10927540
    Abstract: A construction system for structural frameworks of buildings is described, comprising a first and a second structural elements mutually connected by connecting elements, the first and second structural elements being vertically assembled to make a pillar of the framework, a third and a fourth structural elements mutually connected by connecting elements to make a beam of the framework, the third and fourth structural elements being assembled transversally to the first and second structural elements, the third and/or fourth structural elements being associated as joint to the first and/or to the second structural element, the third and fourth structural elements being further connected to the first and the second structural elements by connecting elements, to make the framework, the first, second, third and fourth structural elements being composed of a panel having height and width greater than the thickness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2021
    Assignee: LEAPFACTORY S.R.L.
    Inventors: Luca Gentilcore, Stefano Testa
  • Patent number: 10895439
    Abstract: A modular armor system configured to be readily attached and detached from a frame surrounding a window in a vehicle or other structure, such as a building. The modular armor system may be configured to provide any desired ballistics protection rating. In one embodiment, the modular armor system includes a ballistics-grade armor panel having an outer strike face and an inner surface opposite the outer strike face. The modular armor system also includes a fastener coupled to the ballistics-grade armor panel. The fastener is configured to detachably couple the ballistics-grade armor panel to the frame surrounding the window in the vehicle or other structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2021
    Assignee: PPG INDUSTRIES OHIO, INC.
    Inventors: Carlo A. Scarinci, David Palermo
  • Patent number: 10794059
    Abstract: Building or structural panels may be joined, such as to form walls or floors. The panels may be connected in various orientations via one or more connectors. The connectors may mount to anchors associated with the panels. The panels may have outer skins located over an expanded core comprising a matrix of supporting elongate members and voids or openings, with the anchors located at edges of the panels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2020
    Inventor: Joseph C. Fleming, III
  • Patent number: 10400458
    Abstract: Improved interlocking flooring system that allows for a solid wood floor to be fully finished on all surfaces to provide moisture protection and can be installed over a solid subfloor surface without need for attachment to the subfloor with nails, adhesives or other fastening methods. Adjacent interlocking strips are held securely in place by a plurality of novel asymmetric locking strips.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2019
    Inventor: David W Moeller
  • Patent number: 10190611
    Abstract: A panel including an upper side, an underside, a basic body, complementary locking elements, which are provided in pairs on mutually opposite panel edges, and at least one pair of locking elements having a receiving hook and an arresting hook. The receiving hook has a hook periphery and a receiving recess. The arresting hook has an arresting recess, an arresting shoulder, a transverse-joint surface and a vertically acting arresting contour. The receiving hook also has a transverse-joint surface and a form-fitting contour. The arresting hook also has a horizontal locking surface on its arresting shoulder. The receiving hook also has a horizontal locking surface in the receiving recess and contains a receiving opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: AKZENTA PANEELE + PROFILE GMBH
    Inventor: Hans-Jürgen Hannig
  • Patent number: 10138637
    Abstract: Floorboards with a mechanical locking system that allows movement between the floorboards when they are joined to form a floating floor. A semi-floating floor including rectangular floorboards joined with a mechanical locking system and in which locking system the joined floorboards have a horizontal plane which is parallel to a floor surface and a vertical plane which is perpendicular to the horizontal plane, said locking system having mechanically cooperating locks for vertical joining parallel to the vertical plane and for horizontal joining parallel to the horizontal plane of a first and a second joint edge and in which locking system a vertical lock including a tongue which cooperates with a tongue groove and the horizontal lock including a locking element with a locking surface which cooperates with a locking groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2018
    Assignee: VALINGE INNOVATION AB
    Inventor: Darko Pervan
  • Publication number: 20150135627
    Abstract: A connecting joint between two panels of a glazed wall is intended to cooperate with a face of each panel and includes: at least one support having a first external face and a second external face; a first fastener arranged on the first external face of the support; a second fastener arranged on the second external face of the support. The right-angle separation force of the first fastener, measured on a glass panel with a mobile-jaw tensile testing machine with a 100 mm/min displacement speed of the mobile jaw, lies between 3 and 20 N/cm, while the right-angle separation force of the second fastener, measured on a glass panel with a mobile-jaw tensile testing machine with a 100 mm/min displacement speed of the mobile jaw, is greater than or equal to 30 N/cm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2013
    Publication date: May 21, 2015
    Applicant: SAINT-GOBAIN GLASS FRANCE
    Inventors: Béatrice Mottelet, Jean-François Outin
  • Publication number: 20150128519
    Abstract: A plurality of intermediate deck boards span across joists in a decking system in which each deck board includes a lower frame portion extruded of a first material and an insert body inserted into the top side of the lower frame portion which is formed of a second material. Additional extruded members are used as starting and ending rows of the deck boards and as finishing boards across the ends of the intermediate deck boards, in which each of the deck boards defines a respective portion of an upper deck surface of the assembled deck structure. The perimeter extruded members include mounting channels for mounting a railing structure thereon.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2014
    Publication date: May 14, 2015
    Inventors: Tory Weber, Brian Boettger, Stephan Lachevrotiere, Francois Parenteau
  • Publication number: 20150113903
    Abstract: An illustrative embodiment of a tile and support structure may include a plurality of tiles, which may be generally rectangular in shape, engaged with one or more support structures. The tile may be formed with four edges, wherein two opposing edges may be formed with grooves therein and the other two opposing edges may be formed with protrusions thereon. The support structure may be formed with a generally vertical spine having two rails extending outward from a distal end thereof. The support structure may also include two generally horizontally extending flanges, which may be formed with a trough therein. The trough may include a plurality of apertures formed therein. One side of the trough may be defined by a lip.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 27, 2014
    Publication date: April 30, 2015
    Inventor: Mark A. McManus
  • Patent number: 9016021
    Abstract: A pad stud assembly for securing a portion of a wall panel system to a wall and for selectively hanging a pad on the wall includes a pad stud and a pad stud receiving portion having an opening configured to receive a first portion of a fastener and a portion of the pad stud.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: Vertical Dimensions, LLC
    Inventor: Steven J. McBride
  • Patent number: 9010067
    Abstract: A method of mechanically joining wood panels side edge to side edge by providing a panel with a groove between a top and bottom surfaces of the panel having two holding ramps with an angle of between 25 degrees and 60 degrees relative to the groove insertion axis which is parallel to the top surface; providing a connector adapted to mate with the groove of the panel having two right-side sub-tongues extending from right side and two left-side sub-tongues extending from the left side of a rectangular base support, and outward extending distal catches on the sub-tongues in a direction substantially normal to the groove insertion axis; and inserting the sub-tongues with distal catches into the groove along the groove insertion axis allowing the distal catches on the two right-side or two left-side sub-tongues to touch the two holding ramps causing the sub-tongues to flex.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Inventors: Geoffrey Alan Baker, Nicholas Gerrard Vitale
  • Patent number: 9003736
    Abstract: A system for a floor covering that includes covering panels (10A, 10B) made of a hard material, having relatively little thickness (e), with upper and lower surfaces (1a, 2a; 1b, 2b), perimetral edges (3a, 3b) and recesses (4a, 4b), and attachment parts (20) made of a relatively flexible material and having projecting members (21a, 21b) and spacing members (22a, 22b). In practice, the projecting members (21a, 21b) of the attachment parts are introduced in the recesses (4a, 4b) of the covering panels (10A, 10B) assuring the link between covering panels (10A, 10B), and the spacing members (22a, 22b) of the attachment parts (20) remain between the facing edges (3a, 3b) of the covering panels (10A, 10B) filling a gap (G) between them in the form of a joint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Silicalia, SL
    Inventors: Erik Schoneveld, Francisco Sanchis Brines, Lorente Aroca, Teresa Estruch Millet, Serafin garcia Navarro
  • Patent number: 9003735
    Abstract: A floor panel assembly includes adjacent floor panels connected together along edges thereof with a locking element extending between the edges. The locking element has a first locking surface; a locking portion at one end; a control portion near another end; and a connecting portion connecting the locking portion to the control portion. The connecting portion is slidably accommodated in a channel of one of the panels and pushed towards a first end of the channel when the locking element is moved or deformed from a first position to a second position by the control portion, the front position being when the panels are disconnected and movable relative to each other and the second position being when the panels are fixedly connected to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Spanolux N.V.—Div. Balterio
    Inventors: Bruno Paul Louis Vermeulen, Jan Eddy De Rick
  • Patent number: 8991055
    Abstract: Floor covering, made of floor elements, which, at least at two opposite sides, comprise a male and a female coupling part, which allow that two of such floor elements can be interconnected at the respective sides at the respective sides by pushing one of these floor elements with the associated male coupling part, by means of a downward movement, home into the female coupling part of the other floor element, wherein at least one of said coupling parts, either the male coupling part or the female coupling part, is made as least partially in a filled synthetic material composite, such as extruded wood.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Flooring Industries Limited, SARL
    Inventor: Mark Cappelle
  • Publication number: 20150082729
    Abstract: The panel fastener has two components, each of which is mounted on an end piece of a wall panel and which are slid together to secure adjacent wall panels together. The two components have mating shapes that cause the components to move towards each other as components slide together in order to move and secure the pair of panels together in a tightened manner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2014
    Publication date: March 26, 2015
    Inventor: Brion Gompper
  • Patent number: 8978335
    Abstract: The invention relates to a panel designed for mechanical connection with at least one further, identical panel by means of pivoting, with a tongue and groove profile (6, 8) for fastening the panels (2, 4) at the same height with respect to one another, comprising a groove profile (6) with a short groove cheek (14), a groove bottom (16) and a long groove cheek (18) on at least one side of the panel and a tongue profile (8) corresponding to the groove profile (6) on at least one side of the panel, wherein the long groove cheek (18) has a greater thickness (M) at its free end (20) than in the region under the free end of the short groove cheek (14), and wherein in the assembled state the tongue and groove each have upper bearing faces (24a, 24b), which are inclined with respect to the surface (10) of the panel (2, 4), and lower bearing faces (26a, 26b) which are rounded, and with locking means (28a, 28b) for fastening the panels (2, 4) in the same plane with respect to one another, comprising a locking face (28b
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: tilo GmbH
    Inventors: Heinz Kiefel, Franz Schrattenecker
  • Patent number: 8979052
    Abstract: The external material clamp comprises the fixed plate fixed to the foundation of the wall of the building, the horizontal plate extending forwardly from the center of the fixed plate, the upper support plate projected upwardly from the front end of the horizontal plate to support the upper side external wall with engagement, the lower support plate supporting the upper end of the external material 50 in the lower side with engagement, and the receiving plate at least a part of which is located above the horizontal plate to contact with the external material in the upper side with receiving a part of the load thereof. With this configuration, the load of the upper side external material is shared by the lower side external material and the receiving plate of the external material clamp.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: Kmew Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masaki Uota, Kouichi Tominaga
  • Patent number: 8966853
    Abstract: A fastening system for floor panels, which has profiles on small faces of the panels. Opposite retaining profiles match so that similar panels can be interlinked. The panels have opposite first retaining profiles configured so on a panel in first line, a new panel can be locked in second line by attaching the new panel to the installed panel at an angle relative to the installed panel and then swiveling it down into the plane of the installed panel. The panel has opposite second retaining elements that have corresponding hook elements. A hook connection can be established by a hook element of the new panel and hook element of a panel already installed in second line by swiveling the new panel. Every hook connection is associated with an additional locking element that prevents the release of the hook connection in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the installed panels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Akzenta Paneele + Profile GmbH
    Inventor: Hans-Juergen Hannig
  • Patent number: 8966852
    Abstract: Floor panel, with a horizontally and vertically active locking system allowing that two of such floor panels can be connected to each other at said sides by providing one of these floor panels, by means of a downward movement, in the other floor panel; wherein the vertically active locking system comprises a locking element in the form of an insert; wherein this locking element comprises at least a pivotable lock-up body; characterized in that the pivotable lock-up body comprises a support portion which is rotatable against a support surface pertaining to the floor panel concerned, and more particularly in a seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Flooring Industries Limited, Sarl
    Inventor: Mark Cappelle
  • Patent number: 8959856
    Abstract: The present invention concerns a building assembly comprising joining profiles provided with profile contact sides, a corner profile provided with corner profile contact sides, and insulation panels orientated in two planes wherein the joining profile contact sides and the corner profile contact sides are adapted for receiving opposite contact sides of the insulation panels, such that the insulation panels are retained between the corner profile and the joining profiles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: Rockwool International A/S
    Inventors: Stefan Völkner, Preben Riis
  • Publication number: 20150020469
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a flooring system base unit (1), made of a resilient material, and comprising a first portion (3) having a first surface (4) which, in use, contacts the floor to cover, and a second surface (5), opposite to said first surface (4), a second portion (7) set above said first portion (3), at least one space (9) provided on said second surface (5) of said first portion (3) and provided by a side edge of said second portion (7), anchoring means provided through said first and second portions (3, 7) to anchor said base unit (1) to the floor to cover.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2011
    Publication date: January 22, 2015
    Applicant: Tarkett GDL
    Inventor: William Thornton
  • Patent number: 8919068
    Abstract: Novel devices, systems, and methods for providing exterior flooring that can be installed over existing exterior surfaces, such as surfaces of an outdoor deck, are provided herein. In some aspects, a joint device or joint member for an exterior floor covering can include a body portion and at least one tongue portion extending from the body portion. The joint device can be adapted to connect adjacent floor panels and secure the floor panels to an underlying surface. The joint device can, but is not required to pass liquid therebetween. The joint device and adjacent floor panels can be made of water resistant materials. The joint device can further include an optional opening adapted to receive an attachment member for attaching portions of the joint member to an underlying surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: Pergo (Europe) AB
    Inventors: Thomas S. Wright, Patrick George Smith, Marc Schultze
  • Patent number: 8915039
    Abstract: In some embodiments, a durable solid-wood door or other rigid block assembly includes two generally-planar, mutually-parallel solid-wood boards each having a plurality of mutually-parallel dovetail-connection channels running generally along an internal surface of each of the boards, and a solid-wood central keying structure disposed between the two solid-wood boards. The central keying structure includes a plurality of two-sided sliding dovetails keys sized to slide within the dovetail-connection channels to secure the two-mutually-parallel solid-wood boards to each other via sliding dovetail connections to the central keying structure. Alternating wood grain orientations may be used to reduce warping. Each board may include multiple laterally-adjacent monolithic slabs interconnected via tongue-and-groove edge connections, with the dovetail connection channels extending across multiple slabs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2014
    Inventor: Vasile C. Oros
  • Patent number: 8904728
    Abstract: A temporary, non-load bearing wall panel that when joined together with other like panels, is used as a barrier (also known as a barricade wall) that keeps a construction area, vacant store, or any other undesirable element out of the reach and view of pedestrians. If required by the end user, the panels could be laminated with a visual graphic for reasons of aesthetic enhancement, advertisement of service, announcement of future business expectations, etc. A door and/or window display, dust curtains, etc. may be added to the panels as dictated by the end user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: DeZaio Productions, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael DeZaio
  • Patent number: 8898989
    Abstract: Gusset Block Construction deals with a block that is cored from all sides. The blocks are cubes and elongated cubes with a pyramid or elongated pyramid shaped cavity on each side resulting in a block in which each of the twelve edges is central on a gusset shape extending from said edge to the central axis of the block. With the use of a second octahedron block that fits within the pyramid shaped cavities a wall that requires no fastening can be built by placing octahedrons in the top cavities of a layer of blocks and placing another layer of blocks on it. These blocks will be able to come apart at the joints during an earthquake without completely disassembling and can return to original position when the earthquake stops. They can be molded in a two piece split mold and are scaleable; tapered piers could be made.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Inventor: Thomas E Phillips
  • Publication number: 20140338278
    Abstract: A field-deployable construction set for the assembly of a Relocatable Habitat Unit (RHU), used for simulating real world environments without costly construction expenses. The various panels, supports, and accessories used to construct an RHU provide the user with innumerable options for floor plans and building design, further providing significant options for reconfiguration of floor, ceiling, and wall panels without having to disassemble the structure. The exterior composition of the expanded polymer foam is customizable to provide a realistic environment for high quality training in a versatile system that is deployable by truck or aircraft and can be assembled with only a single tool.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2014
    Publication date: November 20, 2014
    Inventor: Stuart Charles Segall
  • Patent number: 8887468
    Abstract: Panels are shown which are provided with a mechanical locking system allowing perpendicular connection with a snap action.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: Valinge Flooring Technology AB
    Inventors: Niclas Håkansson, Darko Pervan
  • Patent number: 8875465
    Abstract: Flooring panel or wall panel and a use thereof in a wet room. The panel is provided with a locking means in the form of groove and tongue forming a tongue/groove joint for assembling of the panels. The groove and the tongue are preferably made of water tight material and formed with a snap-together joint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: Pergo (Europe) AB
    Inventor: Göran Mårtensson
  • Patent number: 8869485
    Abstract: Floor panels (1, 1?) are shown, which are provided with a mechanical locking system on long (5a, 5b) and short edges (4a, 4b) allowing installation with angling of long edges and where the short edge locking system has a displaceable tongue that is displaceable essentially in one direction from an inner unlocked position to an final locked position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: Valinge Innovation AB
    Inventor: Darko Pervan
  • Patent number: 8863463
    Abstract: The present invention concerns an insulation building system comprising an assembly having at least one frame profile, a plurality of joining profiles and insulation panels, wherein the insulation panels are retained between the joining profiles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: Rockwool International A/S
    Inventors: Henrik Bøgeskov, Peter Hesselholt, Michael A. Thorsted
  • Patent number: 8844243
    Abstract: An arbitrary structural insulated panel and an adjoining structural insulated panel, which include magnesium oxide boards as the exterior panels, can be connected together by a first spline and a second spline. The arbitrary structural insulated panel is first connected to a building floor foundation. Then the first spline and the second spline are adhered into the arbitrary structural insulated panel. The adjoining structural insulated panel is then secured to the arbitrary structural insulated panel as the first spline and the second spline engage with the adjoining structural insulated panel. A plurality of fasteners is used as the final step to further secure the arbitrary structural insulated panel and the adjoining structural insulated panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Inventor: Jerry Gillman
  • Patent number: 8839584
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for connecting and locking two building boards, in particular floor panels, on their longitudinal sides and/or transverse sides in the horizontal and vertical direction through an essentially vertical joining movement. The building boards have a top side and an underside. On their lateral edges (I, II) to be connected to one another are provided with profiles corresponding to one another, and a locking element is provided in the profile of the first building board, which locking element has an inner end and an outer end and is inserted with the inner end in a groove of the first building board, and which interacts with a locking depression provided in the profile of the second building board such that the two building boards are automatically locked in the vertical direction with the joining movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Assignee: Flooring Technologies Ltd.
    Inventor: Oliver Sokol
  • Patent number: 8834992
    Abstract: A thermoplastic laminate plank is described wherein the thermoplastic laminate plank comprises a core, a print layer, and optionally an overlay. The core comprises at least one thermoplastic material and has a top surface and bottom surface wherein a print layer is affixed to the top surface of the core and an overlay layer is affixed to the top surface of the print layer. Optionally, an underlay layer can be located and affixed between the bottom surface of the print layer and the top surface of the core. A method of making the thermoplastic laminate plank is further described which involves extruding at least one thermoplastic material into the shape of the core and affixing a laminate on the core, wherein the laminate comprises an overlay affixed to the top surface of the print layer and optionally an underlay layer affixed to the bottom surface of the print layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: Valinge Innovation AB
    Inventors: Hao A. Chen, Richard Judd
  • Patent number: 8806829
    Abstract: An anchoring device of highly resilient material of varying thicknesses, to accommodate the irregularly cut slots into which the anchors fit, is additionally embedded with one or more layers of high-strength material of solid or particulate form. The high-strength material, metal, for example, is notched to accommodate buckling, extension, and compression of planks secured by the anchor and has folds for increased strength. Multiple attachment apertures through the anchor allow use of a single anchor to secure two adjacent planks. The anchor is designed to keep planks separated from joists so that water can evaporate and not cause rot and to keep attached planks evenly spaced. The high-strength material is embedded into the anchor during the manufacturing molding process. Small openings within a layer of high-strength material provide for molten plastic of the molding process to reach all high-strength material surfaces creating a strong bond between plastic and high-strength material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: The Ipé Clip Fastener Company, LLC
    Inventors: Robert J. Pelc, James Dean Upchurch
  • Patent number: 8806828
    Abstract: The invention is a system based on adaptors and replacement panel design that allows replacement of a panel that is surrounded by other panels in an interlocking floor system. Since the panel to be replaced is surrounded by panels that cannot be disturbed, only vertical motion is available to allow the replacement panel to be positioned into the space. One side of the adaptors of the invention mates to the surrounding panels in a standard manner. The other side of the adaptors provides an interface that allows vertical interlocking of the new replacement panel. The replacement panel of the intervention provides interfaces along its edges that allow vertical mating with the adaptors' vertical interlocking mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Inventor: Yogin P. Suthar
  • Patent number: 8800150
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing floorboards with a surface layer and a core involves joining a surface layer formed of flexible and resilient fibers to a core to form a floor element having a surface layer of flexible and resilient fibers, such that the flexible and resilient fibers are exposed on an outermost surface of the floorboards, cutting the surface layer of the floor element to form a cut line, and machining a joint edge with a set of rotary milling tools to provide at least part of an upper joint edge of a floorboard. At least a portion of the machining of the joint edge occurs at the cut line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: Valinge Innovation AB
    Inventor: Darko Pervan
  • Patent number: 8793956
    Abstract: The invention relates to a panel which is suitable for use as wall and/or ceiling paneling, in addition to an associated method for laying said panels and a method for the production thereof. The inventive panel for a wall or ceiling comprises coupling means. The coupling means are embodied in such a way that the panel can be joined to other panels in various positions. Said positions can, for example, involve various distances between the longitudinal edges of two panels that are arranged in parallel. According to the inventive laying method, a first panel is engaged with a second panel in a first step, whereupon the panels assume an angular position in relation to each other. At least one of the panels, particularly the first panel, is pivoted in a second step on a common plane, whereupon the panels become locked in relation to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: Kronoplus Technical AG
    Inventors: Christian Leopolder, Maik Moebus
  • Patent number: 8776473
    Abstract: Floor panels are shown, which are provided with a mechanical locking system including a tongue with rocker arms that allows locking by a vertical turning motion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Valinge Innovation AB
    Inventors: Darko Pervan, Agne Pålsson
  • Patent number: 8739493
    Abstract: An interlocking joint system can be used to build emergency shelters. The system provides emergency structures that can be assembled by anyone but still handle heavy weather. The system also provides an armorable air droppable structure for military. Shelters built with the system require no tools or special training and such shelters typically become stronger as more force is applied to the joints. The shelter design laterally redirects how wind load and weight load affects the structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Inventor: Todd Jackson Carnes
  • Patent number: 8733061
    Abstract: A truss bracket for mounting roof trusses and floor joists to wall systems absent traditional wood frame top plates utilizing in-plane end load bearing panels, resembling a chair, comprises a base plate with a vertical receiving plate extending upwards from the rear of the base plate for receiving a typical roof truss or floor joist and having downwardly extending mounting tabs along the left and right sides of the base plate suitable for being received by grooves in top track grooves of an in-plane end load bearing panel wall system or for attachment to the vertical sides of panels of a wall. The truss bracket provides high uplift load capacity by arranging all fasteners to the wall system and the truss or joint in shear when loaded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: Bamcore LLC
    Inventor: William D McDonald
  • Patent number: 8707650
    Abstract: Floor panels are provided with a mechanical locking system including a flexible locking element in a locking groove, which during a horizontal motion is displaced vertically.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: Valinge Innovation AB
    Inventors: Darko Pervan, Marcus Bergelin
  • Patent number: 8707651
    Abstract: The invention concerns a system comprising at least two panels, particularly floor panels for forming a covering. The panels have first and second lateral edges, which can be connected by a movement substantially perpendicular to the covering. The first lateral edge has a locking member coupled to a spring so that an inner position exerts a restoring force on the locking member in the direction of the outer position. The second lateral edge has a locking element that cooperates with the locking member. The locking member and locking element each have a locking face. To withstand higher vertical extraction forces, the first and second lateral edges are designed to connect by a movement directed from top to bottom of the second lateral edge, and the locking faces, when connected, lock the second lateral edge against upward lifting, while the locking member is supported with respect to the panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: Fritz Egger GmbH & Co. OG
    Inventor: Paul Stockl
  • Patent number: 8695290
    Abstract: The invention provides systems and methods for splicing solar panel racks. Solar panel racks may include one, two, or more solar rack sections that may be connected to one another with an internal splice. The internal splice may internally support the adjoining solar racks. The solar rack may be secured to a support surface using one or more feet. The solar panel racks may be configured to support the weight of one or more solar modules. One or more solar module securing component may be used to secure the solar modules to a solar rack surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Ironridge, Inc.
    Inventors: William Kim, Craig Carni, Victor Zuidema
  • Patent number: 8689512
    Abstract: Floor panels (1, 1?, 1?) are shown, which are provided with a mechanical locking system on long and short edges (5a, 5b, 4a, 4b) allowing installation with vertical folding and where the long edge (5a, 5b) locking system prevents separation of the short edges (4a, 4b) during the folding action.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Valinge Innovation AB
    Inventor: Darko Pervan
  • Patent number: 8689511
    Abstract: Building or structural panels may be joined, such as to form walls or floors. The panels may be connected in various orientations via one or more connectors. The connectors may mount to anchors associated with the panels. The panels may have outer skins located over an expanded core comprising a matrix of supporting elongate members and voids or openings, with the anchors located at edges of the panels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Inventor: Joseph C. Fleming, III