Patents by Inventor Luc Maertens

Luc Maertens has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 12123441
    Abstract: Composed element, wherein this composed element comprises at least two panel-shaped elements, which substantially are formed from a board material; wherein said panel-shaped elements are interconnected at an angle by means of coupling devices including a tongue and a groove, which coupling devices substantially are made as profiled parts in the board material; and wherein said coupling devices also include locking elements, which, in coupled condition, prevent the moving apart of the tongue and groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2023
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2024
    Assignee: UNILIN BV
    Inventors: Luc Maertens, Mark Cappelle, Luc Vanhastel, Luc Deman, Guy Van Hooydonck
  • Patent number: 12071966
    Abstract: A piece of furniture, comprising a first and second furniture part, which are coupled to each other at an angle by means of mechanical coupling means. A female part is made as an oblong slot in the second furniture part with an insertion opening for introducing a male part. When coupling the first furniture part and the second furniture part to each other, the male part is brought from an insertion position in the insertion opening to an end position in the female part by moving the male part and the female part along each other. The male part is situated on a narrow end of the first furniture part and is positioned with its center line between the central plane of the first furniture part and the inner side of the first furniture part. The slot is realized in the inwardly directed flat side of the second furniture part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2023
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2024
    Assignee: INTER IKEA SYSTEMS B.V.
    Inventors: Luc Maertens, Luc Deman, Guy Van Hooydonck, Benny Schacht
  • Patent number: 12018706
    Abstract: A composed element, such as a piece of furniture, wherein the composed element comprises at least a rear wall, as well as a number of constructional parts forming a whole in which the rear wall has to be provided. The rear wall forms the rear side of the composed element and includes one or more rear wall parts. The composed element comprises seats for installing at least one of the rear wall parts, which are configured such that the rear wall part can be slid into the seats starting from the rear side of the composed element from a position differing from the final plane in which the rear wall part will be situated in the final condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2023
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2024
    Assignee: UNILIN BV
    Inventors: Luc Maertens, Luc Deman, Mark Cappelle, Luc Vanhastel, Maarten Marres, Jan Van Troys
  • Patent number: 11788568
    Abstract: Composed element, wherein this composed element comprises at least two panel-shaped elements, which substantially are formed from a board material; wherein said panel-shaped elements are interconnected at an angle by means of coupling devices including a tongue and a groove, which coupling devices substantially are made as profiled parts in the board material; and wherein said coupling devices also include locking elements, which, in coupled condition, prevent the moving apart of the tongue and groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2023
    Assignee: FLOORING INDUSTRIES LIMITED SARL
    Inventors: Luc Maertens, Mark Cappelle, Luc Vanhastel, Luc Deman, Guy Van Hooydonck
  • Patent number: 11739779
    Abstract: A piece of furniture, comprising a first and a second furniture part, which are coupled to each other at an angle by means of mechanical coupling means. A female part is made as an oblong slot in the second furniture part with an insertion opening for introducing a male part. When coupling the first furniture part and the second furniture part to each other, the male part is brought from an insertion position in the insertion opening to an end position in the female part by moving the male part and the female part along each other. The male part is situated on a narrow end of the first furniture part and is positioned with its center line between the central plane of the first furniture part and the inner side of the first furniture part. The slot is realized in the inwardly directed flat side of the second furniture part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2023
    Assignee: INTER IKEA SYSTEMS B.V.
    Inventors: Luc Maertens, Luc Deman, Guy Van Hooydonck, Benny Schacht
  • Patent number: 11668335
    Abstract: A composed element, such as a piece of furniture, wherein the composed element comprises at least a rear wall, as well as a number of constructional parts forming a whole in which the rear wall has to be provided. The rear wall forms the rear side of the composed element and includes one or more rear wall parts. The composed element comprises seats for installing at least one of the rear wall parts, which are configured such that the rear wall part can be slid into the seats starting from the rear side of the composed element from a position differing from the final plane in which the rear wall part will be situated in the final condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignee: FLOORING INDUSTRIES LIMITED, SARL
    Inventors: Luc Maertens, Luc Deman, Mark Cappelle, Luc Vanhastel, Maarten Marres, Jan Van Troys
  • Patent number: 11319977
    Abstract: A composed element includes at least two panel-shaped elements, which each have an edge zone in which coupling means are present in a profiled part respectively extending in the longitudinal direction of the respective edge zone, and each including an end face extending transversely to the respective edge zone. The profiled parts allow the coupling of the panel-shaped elements together in an interlocking manner. At least one of the panel-shaped elements includes an arrangement which hides from view at least a portion of the profiled part formed at the pertaining edge zone at the location of the end face.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2022
    Assignee: FLOORING INDUSTRIES LIMITED, SARL
    Inventors: Luc Maertens, Mark Cappelle, Luc Vanhastel, Luc Deman, Guy Van Hooydonck
  • Patent number: 11085475
    Abstract: Composed element, wherein this composed element comprises at least two panel-shaped elements, which substantially are formed from a board material; wherein said panel-shaped elements are interconnected at an angle by means of coupling devices including a tongue and a groove, which coupling devices substantially are made as profiled parts in the board material; and wherein said coupling devices also include locking elements, which, in coupled condition, prevent the moving apart of the tongue and groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2021
    Assignee: FLOORING INDUSTRIES LIMITED, SARL
    Inventors: Luc Maertens, Mark Cappelle, Luc Vanhastel, Luc Deman, Guy Van Hooydonck
  • Patent number: 10935063
    Abstract: A composed element includes at least two panel-shaped elements, which each have an edge zone in which coupling means are present in a profiled part respectively extending in the longitudinal direction of the respective edge zone, and each including an end face extending transversely to the respective edge zone. The profiled parts allow the coupling of the panel-shaped elements together in an interlocking manner. At least one of the panel-shaped elements includes an arrangement which hides from view at least a portion of the profiled part formed at the pertaining edge zone at the location of the end face.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2021
    Assignee: UNILIN BV
    Inventors: Luc Maertens, Mark Cappelle, Luc Vanhastel, Luc Deman, Guy Van Hooydonck
  • Patent number: 10844891
    Abstract: A piece of furniture, comprising a first and a second furniture part, which are coupled to each other at an angle by means of mechanical coupling means. A female part is made as an oblong slot in the second furniture part with an insertion opening for introducing a male part. When coupling the first furniture part and the second furniture part to each other, the male part is brought from an insertion position in the insertion opening to an end position in the female part by moving the male part and the female part along each other. The male part is situated on a narrow end of the first furniture part and is positioned with its center line between the central plane of the first furniture part and the inner side of the first furniture part. The slot is realized in the inwardly directed flat side of the second furniture part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2020
    Assignee: UNILIN BV
    Inventors: Luc Maertens, Luc Deman, Guy Van Hooydonck, Benny Schacht
  • Patent number: 10731689
    Abstract: Composed element including at least two panel-shaped elements, which each have an edge zone in which coupling means are present in the form of a profiled part respectively extending in the longitudinal direction of the respective edge zone, as well as each including an end face extending transversely to the respective edge zone, wherein said profiled parts allow coupling the panel-shaped elements together in an interlocking manner, wherein at least one of the panel-shaped elements includes an arrangement which hides from view at least a portion of the profiled part formed at the pertaining edge zone at the location of the end face.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Assignee: UNILIN, BVBA
    Inventors: Luc Maertens, Mark Cappelle, Luc Vanhastel, Luc Deman, Guy Van Hooydonck
  • Patent number: 10570938
    Abstract: A composed element, such as a piece of furniture, wherein the composed element comprises at least a rear wall, as well as a number of constructional parts forming a whole in which the rear wall has to be provided. The rear wall forms the rear side of the composed element and includes one or more rear wall parts. The composed element comprises seats for installing at least one of the rear wall parts, which are configured such that the rear wall part can be slid into the seats starting from the rear side of the composed element from a position differing from the final plane in which the rear wall part will be situated in the final condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2020
    Assignee: UNILIN, BVBA
    Inventors: Luc Maertens, Luc Deman, Mark Cappelle, Luc Vanhastel, Maarten Marres, Jan Van Troys
  • Patent number: 10524567
    Abstract: Composed element, with at least two wood-based panel-shaped elements; wherein said panel-shaped elements can be coupled to each other at an angle and with a miter joint by means of a locking tongue and groove connection; wherein the tongue consists of a split tongue, with thus at least a first tongue portion and a second tongue portion, as well as a slit situated there between; characterized in that said slit, seen in cross-section, globally extends according to a direction which deviates from the direction of the center line of the panel-shaped element on which the tongue is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Assignee: UNILIN, BVBA
    Inventors: Pieter Devos, Luc Maertens, Luc Deman
  • Patent number: 10323670
    Abstract: Composed element including at least two panel-shaped elements, which each have an edge zone in which coupling means are present in the form of a profiled part respectively extending in the longitudinal direction of the respective edge zone, as well as each including an end face extending transversely to the respective edge zone, wherein said profiled parts allow coupling the panel-shaped elements together in an interlocking manner, wherein at least one of the panel-shaped elements includes an arrangement which hides from view at least a portion of the profiled part formed at the pertaining edge zone at the location of the end face.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2019
    Assignee: UNILIN, BVBA
    Inventors: Luc Maertens, Mark Cappelle, Luc Vanhastel, Luc Deman, Guy Van Hooydonck
  • Patent number: 10285499
    Abstract: Composed element, with at least two wood-based panel-shaped elements; wherein said panel-shaped elements can be coupled to each other at an angle and with a miter joint by means of a locking tongue and groove connection; wherein the tongue consists of a split tongue, with thus at least a first tongue portion and a second tongue portion, as well as a slit situated there between; characterized in that said slit, seen in cross-section, globally extends according to a direction which deviates from the direction of the center line of the panel-shaped element on which the tongue is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2019
    Assignee: UNILIN BVBA
    Inventors: Pieter Devos, Luc Maertens, Luc Deman
  • Patent number: 10104960
    Abstract: Composed element, with at least two wood-based panel-shaped elements; wherein said panel-shaped elements can be coupled to each other at an angle and with a miter joint by means of a locking tongue and groove connection; wherein the tongue consists of a split tongue, with thus at least a first tongue portion and a second tongue portion, as well as a slit situated there between; characterized in that said slit, seen in cross-section, globally extends according to a direction which deviates from the direction of the center line of the panel-shaped element on which the tongue is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2018
    Assignee: UNILIN, BVBA
    Inventors: Pieter Devos, Luc Maertens, Luc Deman
  • Patent number: 9939001
    Abstract: Connection device for two furniture parts which have to be interconnected, with a first connection portion which is realized at least as a spreading system and which is intended for being provided in a recess in a first furniture part, with a second connection portion which is intended for extending outside of the recess for cooperating with a second furniture part in this manner, as well as an activation mechanism for activating the spreading system, wherein the spreading system comprises at least two mutually rotatable parts, a first part and a second part, respectively, wherein the mutual rotation of which, in function of the realized mutual angle position, effects a spreading effect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2018
    Assignee: UNILIN, BVBA
    Inventors: Luc Deman, Luc Maertens
  • Patent number: 9797427
    Abstract: Composed element including at least two panel-shaped elements, which each have an edge zone in which coupling means are present in the form of a profiled part respectively extending in the longitudinal direction of the respective edge zone, as well as each including an end face extending transversely to the respective edge zone, wherein said profiled parts allow coupling the panel-shaped elements together in an interlocking manner, wherein at least one of the panel-shaped elements includes an arrangement which hides from view at least a portion of the profiled part formed at the pertaining edge zone at the location of the end face.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Assignee: UNILIN, BVBA
    Inventors: Luc Maertens, Mark Cappelle, Luc Vanhastel, Luc Deman, Guy Van Hooydonck
  • Patent number: 9781997
    Abstract: A composed element, such as a piece of furniture, wherein the composed element comprises at least a rear wall, as well as a number of constructional parts forming a whole in which the rear wall has to be provided. The rear wall forms the rear side of the composed element and includes one or more rear wall parts. The composed element comprises seats for installing at least one of the rear wall parts, which are configured such that the rear wall part can be slid into the seats starting from the rear side of the composed element from a position differing from the final plane in which the rear wall part will be situated in the final condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2017
    Assignee: Unilin BVBA
    Inventors: Luc Maertens, Luc Deman, Mark Cappelle, Luc Vanhastel, Maarten Marres, Jan Van Troys
  • Patent number: 9695856
    Abstract: Composed element, wherein this composed element comprises at least two panel-shaped elements, which substantially are formed from a board material; wherein said panel-shaped elements are interconnected at an angle by means of coupling devices including a tongue and a groove, which coupling devices substantially are made as profiled parts in the board material; and wherein said coupling devices also include locking elements, which, in coupled condition, prevent the moving apart of the tongue and groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: UNILIN, BVBA
    Inventors: Luc Maertens, Mark Cappelle, Luc Vanhastel, Luc Deman, Guy Van Hooydonck