CONNECTOR AND SYSTEM FOR MECHANICALLY JOINING ABUTTING CONSTRUCTION ELEMENTS
A connector for mechanically joining abutting construction elements each having a groove therein, comprising a support, at least one split tongue extending from the support, the split tongue including flexible sub-tongues having angled catches for engaging steps located in the groove. During insertion the sub-tongues are flexed toward each other and remain in a partially restored configuration. This, combined with the angled catches, reduces the space between the abutting construction elements.
This application is a Continuation in Part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/705,593 filed on Feb. 13, 2010, which is herein incorporated by reference.
TECHNICAL FIELDThe present disclosure relates to a connector and system for mechanically joining abutting construction elements, more specifically building panels, floating floors, concrete block, concrete brick, concrete tile floors or walls, or the like.
BACKGROUNDMethods and systems for laying and joining building panels is known in the prior art. More specifically, by way of example, U.S. Pat. No. 7,051,486 to Pervan discloses a locking system for a floorboard having connectors which are integrated with the floorboard and adapted to connect the floorboard with an identical floorboard in a horizontal direction. The connectors consist of a locking strip which projects from the vertical plane of the floorboard and has a locking element which engages a downward open locking groove of the floorboard. The locking strip is a separate part which is mechanically fixed to the floorboard in a horizontal and vertical direction and consists of a machined sheet-shaped material which is made of a wood-based material.
SUMMARYThe present disclosure provides a connector for mechanically joining abutting construction elements each having a groove therein, comprising:
-
- a support;
- at least one split tongue extending from the support, the split tongue including flexible sub-tongues having angled catches for engaging steps located in the groove;
wherein the sub-tongues are flexed toward each other during insertion of the split tongue into the groove, the sub-tongues remaining in a partially restored configuration after insertion, the partially restored configuration and the angled catches combining to reduce the space between the abutting construction elements.
The present disclosure also provides a connector as above, wherein the sub-tongues are biased away from each other at rest.
The present disclosure also provides a connector, wherein the split tongue and the grooves run parallel to a line formed by the common joint of the abutting construction elements such that the flexing of the flexible sub-tongues is perpendicular to the line.
The present disclosure also provides a connector, wherein the support is configured such as to limit entry of the split tongue into the groove.
The present disclosure further provides a system for mechanically joining abutting construction elements, comprising:
-
- a first and second construction elements each having therein a groove containing steps;
- a connector comprising:
- a support;
- at least one split tongue extending from the support, the split tongue including flexible sub-tongues having angled catches for engaging the steps of the first and second construction elements;
wherein the sub-tongues are flexed toward each other during insertion of the split tongue into the groove, the sub-tongues remaining in a partially restored configuration after insertion, the partially restored configuration and the angled catches combining to reduce the space between the first and second construction elements.
The present disclosure further still provides a system, wherein the sub-tongues are biased away from each other at rest.
The present disclosure further still provides a system, wherein the split tongue and the grooves run parallel to a line formed by the common joint of the first and second construction elements such that the flexing of the flexible sub-tongues is perpendicular to the line.
The present disclosure further still provides a system, wherein the support is configured such as to limit entry of the split tongue into the groove.
Embodiments of the disclosure will be described by way of examples only with reference to the accompanying drawing, in which:
Similar references used in different Figures denote similar components.
DETAILED DESCRIPTIONGenerally stated, the non-limitative illustrative embodiment of the present disclosure provides a connector and system for mechanically joining abutting construction elements, more specifically building panels, floating floors, concrete block, concrete brick, concrete tile floors or walls, or the like. The connector and system of the present disclosure provides a viable, robust, split tongue connector that can be cheaply extruded, designed to be of a uniform cross section while remaining very robust. This makes the connector inexpensive to produce and is a real competitive advantage over the prior art.
The connector is also designed to be inserted into either a side or the bottom of a construction element; this allows, for example, the affixing of wooden or plastic nosing to a countertop, push trim onto vinyl windows, affix decorative panels to wall and ceiling surfaces, etc.
The connector is further designed such as to pull abutting construction elements ever so closer, allowing it to absorb tolerance errors in the grooves of the construction elements.
Referring to
The panels used in flooring typically have two relatively flat surfaces: the upper surface 18, 20, which is the surface typically walked on, and a lower surface 26, the surface which is in contact with the surface supporting the floor. The panels typically have four edge surfaces (two side edge surfaces and two end edge surfaces), that are typically perpendicular to the upper surface where the two side edge surfaces are relatively long and parallel to each other; and the other two edge surfaces that are relatively short and similarly parallel to each other. The result is a panel which is typically long and narrow.
Typically a groove such as groove 24 is formed in a long side and short end edge, and tongues 22 are formed on the long side and short end edges opposite those on which the grooves are formed. The panels are assembled so that the groove on the edge of one panel mates with the tongue on the edge of its adjacent panel; and typically the tongues and grooves join adjacent panels on both their long and short edges.
Typically, forming the tongues on the long and short side edges of a panel creates a loss of between 2% to 5% of saleable panel face surface.
The present disclosure is directed toward providing a new improved apparatus, method and system of joining panels together which eases the installation of the tongue in the groove, and eliminates the loss in saleable surface material associated with the formation of a tongue on the side and end edges of a panel. In another embodiment, the present disclosure also provides improved apparatus, method and system of joining other construction materials, e.g., concrete brick, concrete block, and concrete tile.
Referring to
The front or top surface of each panel 14, 16 is the decorative face of the panel that is exposed to view, while the rear surface 26 is the normally unfinished surface that faces the support structure. The tongue edge 10 is the panel edge that remains after the panel tongue is formed and the groove edge 12 is the panel edge that remains after the panel groove is formed. The groove 34 that is formed into the tongue is called the tongue groove to differentiate it from the groove 24 in the panel which is called the panel groove. Formation of a tongue with one or more grooves provides a tongue with two or more sub-tongues 30, 32 which adjoin the tongue groove 34, or grooves.
As a consequence of their reduced thickness, the sub-tongues 30, 32 are able to flex in a direction that is normal to the tongue axis as shown in
Referring to
In another embodiment, and referring to
In another embodiment, a grooved tongue can be used to hold the tongue in place in its groove. Referring to
It is clear that if the panel facing edge of the catches and the panel facing vertical edge of the groove steps in
The size of the lateral space required to allow for fabrication tolerances can be reduced by forming the sub-tongue catch edges at an angle “a” that is normal to the tongue axis, as shown in
The angle “c” of the groove step edge is typically 90° but if can be either more or less than 90°.
However, regardless of how easy the split tongue makes installation of the tongue in the groove, or how securely the tongue is held in the groove after installation, the geometries described above do not eliminate the loss of saleable panel surface that results from the fabrication a tongue which is integral with the edge of a panel. It is known that the loss of panel surface material can, however, be avoided by the use of an auxiliary connector such as is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,051,486 to Pervan.
Referring to
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As can be seen in
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The auxiliary connector of
The left and right first and second sub-tongues can be composed of, for example, a plastic such as PVC or a metal such as steel, bronze, etc., and extend outward from the same side of support member 80.
Referring to
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The left grooved or split tongue consists of left, non-flexing, sub-tongue 92 and left flexing sub-tongue 74 with tongue groove 96 between them and catch 76 on sub-tongue 74. The right grooved or split tongue consists of right, non-flexing, sub-tongue 94 and right flexing sub-tongue 70 with tongue groove 98 between them and catch 72 on sub-tongue 70.
Referring to
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The left grooved or split tongue consists of left, non-flexing, sub-tongue 92 and left flexing sub-tongue 74 with tongue groove 96 between them and catch 76 on sub-tongue 74. The right grooved or split tongue consists of right, non-flexing, sub-tongue 94 and flexing sub-tongue 70 with tongue groove 98 between them and catch 72 on sub-tongue 70.
Referring to
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If the construction element (e.g., a concrete brick or concrete block or concrete tile) is formed by the hardening of a material in a mold, the auxiliary groove containing member can be integrated into the element as part of the fabrication process. Alternatively, a suitable groove containing member can be incorporated into the edge of the construction element and the auxiliary groove containing member adhesively integrated into the element after it is formed (either at the element fabrication site or, later, when the element is at a construction site.).
The groove in the auxiliary groove containing member is made to mate with a connector such as that shown in
Referring to
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The auxiliary groove element integrated into the all four sides (left, right, top and bottom) of a construction element allows the construction elements to be joined so as to form a wall without the need for mortar in between the elements. This should allow walls to be built more quickly in good weather or bad by inexperience workers.
Should mortar be desired in the spaces between the construction elements, this can easily be accommodated by lengthening the connector shown so that a mortar receiving space is left between the right and left or bottom and top edges of the construction element.
In either case, with or without mortar, the presence of the connectors should serve to provide a construction that is less prone to failure during earthquakes due to the ability of the auxiliary connectors to flex rather than fracture when strained.
Referring to
If the construction element (e.g., a concrete brick or concrete block or concrete tile) is formed by the hardening of a material in a mold, the auxiliary groove containing member can be integrated into the element as part of the fabrication process. Alternatively, a suitable groove can be incorporated into the surface of the construction element and the auxiliary groove element adhesively integrated into the construction element after it is formed (either at the construction element fabrication site or, later, when the construction element is at a construction site.).
The groove in the auxiliary groove containing member is made to mate with a normal connector such as that shown in
Referring to
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The auxiliary groove element integrated into the all four under-surfaces (left, right, top and bottom) of a construction element allows the construction elements to be joined so as to form a wall without the need for mortar in between the elements. This should allow walls to be built more quickly in good weather or bad by inexperienced workers.
Should mortar be desired in the spaces between the construction elements, this can easily be accommodated by lengthening the connector 80 in
In either case, with or without mortar, the presence of the connectors should serve to provide a construction that is less prone to failure during earthquakes due to the ability of the auxiliary connectors to flex rather than fracture when strained.
In the various embodiments disclosed therein, the connector includes one or more split tongues, or tongue elements, where each sub-tongue 60, 62, 70, 74 is provided with an angled catch 66, 72, 76 which is configured to engage the connector with a mating panel. The tongue elements are made of sufficiently elastic material so as to allow the sub-tongues 60, 62, 70, 74, which at rest are biased away from each other, to flex toward each other during insertion into the panel groove 48, 86, 100 and to constantly exert outward pressure on the groove steps 50, 88 after insertion, the panel groove 48, 86, 100 dimensions not allowing the sub-tongues 60, 62, 70, 74 to be fully restored. This, combined with the angle of the sub-tongue catches 66, 72, 76, provides for the continued pulling of the connector into the panel groove 48, 86, 100, which continued entry is limited by the vertical support struts 68, 70 or the support member 80. The depth of the panel groove 48, 86, 100 is such that the sub-tongues 60, 62, 70, 74 do not enter into contact with its bottom end when the connector is fully engaged therein. This, combined with the continued pulling of the connector into the panel groove 48, 86, 100, allows for the absorption of tolerance errors in the panel groove 48, 86, 100.
Although the present disclosure has been described with a certain degree of particularity and by way of an illustrative embodiments and examples thereof, it is to be understood that the present disclosure is not limited to the features of the embodiments described and illustrated herein, but includes all variations and modifications within the scope and spirit of the disclosure as hereinafter claimed.
Claims
1. A connector for mechanically joining abutting construction elements each having a groove therein, comprising: wherein said sub-tongues are flexed toward each other during insertion of said split tongue into said groove, said sub-tongues remaining in a partially restored configuration after insertion, said partially restored configuration and said angled catches combining to reduce the space between said abutting construction elements.
- a support;
- at least one split tongue extending from said support, said split tongue including flexible sub-tongues having angled catches for engaging steps located in said groove;
2. The connector of claim 1, wherein said sub-tongues are biased away from each other at rest.
3. The connector of claim 1, wherein said split tongue and said grooves run parallel to a line formed by the common joint of said abutting construction elements such that the flexing of said flexible sub-tongues is perpendicular to said line.
4. The connector of claim 1, wherein said support is configured such as to limit entry of said split tongue into said groove.
5. The connector of claim 1, wherein said split tongue and said grooves run parallel to a line formed by a common joint of said abutting construction elements such that the flexing of said flexible sub-tongues is perpendicular to said line.
6. The connector of claim 5, wherein said split tongue extends from said support such as to be inserted into an edge of said abutting construction elements in a direction perpendicular to a plane formed by said common joint.
7. The connector of claim 5, wherein said support includes at least one vertical support strut configured to support a top surface of said abutting construction elements after insertion into said groove.
8. The connector of claim 5, comprising two split tongues extend from said support in opposite directions.
9. The connector of claim 5, wherein said split tongue extends from said support such as to be inserted in a direction perpendicular to a bottom surface of said abutting construction elements.
10. The connector of claim 9, comprising a plurality of said split tongues extending from said support in a common direction.
11. A system for mechanically joining abutting construction elements, comprising: wherein said sub-tongues are flexed toward each other during insertion of said split tongue into said groove, said sub-tongues remaining in a partially restored configuration after insertion, said partially restored configuration and said angled catches combining to reduce the space between said first and second construction elements.
- a first and second construction elements each having therein a groove containing steps;
- a connector comprising:
- a support;
- at least one split tongue extending from said support, said split tongue including flexible sub-tongues having angled catches for engaging said steps of said first and second construction elements;
12. The system of claim 11, wherein said sub-tongues are biased away from each other at rest.
13. The connector of claim 11, wherein said split tongue and said grooves run parallel to a line formed by the common joint of said first and second construction elements such that the flexing of said flexible sub-tongues is perpendicular to said line.
14. The system of claim 11, wherein said support is configured such as to limit entry of said split tongue into said groove.
15. The system of claim 11, wherein said split tongue and said grooves run parallel to a line formed by a common joint of said first and second construction elements such that the flexing of said flexible sub-tongues is perpendicular to said line, and wherein said support is configured such as to limit entry of said split tongue into said groove.
16. The system of claim 15, wherein said split tongue extends from said support such as to be inserted into an edge of said first or second construction elements in a direction perpendicular to a plane formed by said common joint.
17. The system of claim 14, wherein said support includes at least one vertical support strut configured to support a top surface of said first and second construction elements after insertion into said groove.
18. The system of claim 17, comprising a channel between said groove and said edge for receiving a portion of said support.
19. The system of claim 15, comprising two split tongues extend from said support in opposite directions.
20. The system of claim 15, wherein said split tongue extends from said support such as to be inserted in a direction perpendicular to a bottom surface of said first and second construction elements.
21. The system of claim 20, comprising a plurality of said split tongues extending from said support in a common direction.
22. The system of claim 15, wherein said groove comprises a tapered portion such that said groove is at its narrowest at said steps.
23. The system of claim 15, wherein said groove of at least one of said first and second construction elements is formed into an auxiliary groove containing member adapted to be integrated into said at least one of said first and second construction elements.
24. The system of claim 23, wherein said groove comprises a tapered portion such that said groove is at its narrowest at said steps.
Type: Application
Filed: Apr 15, 2013
Publication Date: Oct 16, 2014
Inventors: Geoffrey Alan BAKER (Sandisfield, MA), Nicholas Girard VITALE (Albany, NY)
Application Number: 13/863,324
International Classification: E04B 1/38 (20060101); E04F 13/08 (20060101); E04F 15/02 (20060101);