Floor protection mat for protecting surfaces

Abstract

Ground protection plate (1) comprising - a first page (11), - a second page (12), - a third page (13), - a fourth page (14), o wherein the first side (11) and the second side (12) are orthogonal to each other and the third side (13) and the fourth side (14) are orthogonal to each other, wherein the first side (11) and the second side (12) are parallel to the third side (13) and fourth side (14), - a core area (20), - a perimeter area (30) surrounding the core area (20), extending along the first, second, third and fourth sides (11, 12, 13, 14), - with a top surface (40) that has a honeycomb structure (41), - with a bottom surface (50) which has a structure (51) complementary to the honeycomb structure, - wherein the edge area (30) has a handle (31) on each side.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a ground protection plate according to claim 1.

[0002] Ground protection mats are a common sight in practice. They serve to protect surfaces such as forest floors, traffic areas, or other common ground from damage caused by vehicles, machinery, or heavy loads. These ground protection mats can also be used to make uneven, smooth, or slippery surfaces safer to walk or drive on.

[0003] These ground protection panels are typically laid edge to edge and joined together to form a larger area using metal connectors or, less commonly, plastic connectors. Identical ground protection panels are connected with their sides of equal length; usually, the two long sides are twice as long as the two short sides to protect a larger area of ​​ground.

[0004] To transport the ground protection panels to their new location and from their old location, ground protection panels are regularly stacked and transported as stacks.

[0005] A disadvantage of this state of the art is that with frequent assembly and disassembly or heavy use, the floor panels can crack or break at the joints and along the edges. Stacked floor protection panels can also slip, causing the stacks to become uneven or even fall over.

[0006] The purpose of the invention is to overcome the disadvantages of the prior art.

[0007] Features according to the invention are specified in claim 1. Embodiments are the subject of claims 2 to 10.

[0008] According to the invention, a floor protection plate is provided comprising a first side, a second side, a third side, and a fourth side, wherein the first and second sides are orthogonal to each other, and the third and fourth sides are orthogonal to each other, with the first and second sides running parallel to the third and fourth sides. The floor protection plate further comprises a core area, an edge area surrounding the core area and extending along the first, second, third, and fourth sides, with a top surface having a honeycomb structure and a bottom surface having a structure complementary to the honeycomb structure, the edge area having a handle on each side.

[0009] A honeycomb structure on the top surface increases the coefficient of friction, thus improving safety when driving or walking on the floor protection mat. A structured underside also increases the coefficient of friction, so that the floor protection mat is held in place on the ground not only by its own weight but also by increased friction. Furthermore, a structure on both sides allows the floor protection mat to be optimized for two different applications. Honeycomb structures are found in nature and possess exceptional inherent stability. The complementary structure on the underside allows for space-saving and slip-resistant stacking of identical floor protection mats, for example, for storage or transport.The honeycomb structure can then nest within the complementary structure. A honeycomb structure also avoids horizontal structures, at least along one horizontal plane when the base plate is positioned on one side, which can serve as dirt traps, especially during cleaning, and allows for free water drainage. The terms "top" and "bottom" are used for unambiguous identification. The top can also be used as the surface of the base plate facing the ground, so that the bottom represents the walkable surface, and vice versa. The honeycomb structure can be designed to generate maximum, multidirectional traction, thereby ensuring particularly high grip for vehicles and machinery.The opposing, complementary structure can be designed to ensure optimal accessibility, particularly for pedestrians, people using walking aids, and wheeled objects. The profiling can also be multidirectional, and the spacing between individual profile elements can be chosen to be so small as to allow for comfortable and safe walking without an increased risk of tripping.

[0010] In one possible design, each side can have two handles.

[0011] In a technically advantageous embodiment, the honeycomb structure can be formed by rod-shaped elevations, whereby the rod-shaped elevations can be spaced apart from each other.

[0012] Rod-shaped raised sections are easily produced using a mold and, especially with bevels or rounded edges, can create a gentle yet grippy surface. A gap between the rod-shaped raised sections can at least reduce the accumulation of dirt and, particularly when positioned on one side of the base plate, prevent water or dirt pools, such as structural basins. The gaps allow dirt and / or water to drain away.

[0013] Particularly advantageous is that the rod-shaped protrusions can have a continuous, uniform height. This allows them to form a flat surface as a continuous support, which can improve the stability and friction of the ground protection plate.

[0014] In a further technically advantageous embodiment, the rod-shaped elevations can be arranged such that none of the rod-shaped elevations run parallel to the first and second sides and / or none of the rod-shaped elevations run parallel to the third and fourth sides.

[0015] Cleaning can be made particularly easy if the rod-shaped protrusions, when positioned on one side of the base plate, do not form horizontal ridges, but only vertical ridges running at an angle to the side resting on the ground. This allows accumulated dirt, especially with water, to be easily rinsed away, and makes it more difficult or even impossible for dirt and / or water to accumulate, at least in the area of ​​the honeycomb structure.

[0016] In a further technically advantageous embodiment, the edge region can have an edge thickness and the core region a core thickness, wherein the edge thickness is greater than the core thickness.

[0017] High forces can act at the edges, for example, through connecting elements and their engagement with the connection points of the floor protection panel. Such connecting elements can be metal connectors or plastic connectors with a metal plate and screw connection. Particularly during connection or coupling and subsequent loading, high horizontal and vertical forces can act on small areas. In the horizontal direction, shear forces and a flexing effect similar to a "carpet effect" are predominant. In the vertical direction, load peaks can arise from uneven ground, steps, or changes in height. Since these forces primarily act at the edges, a greater edge thickness can ensure a longer service life and / or load-bearing capacity of the floor protection panel. The core thickness can then be reduced, saving weight and volume.Increased edge thickness can also reinforce the handles located in the edge area. In particular, multiple connection points can be arranged in the edge area, allowing several identical ground protection panels to be joined to form complex surface structures.

[0018] A particularly advantageous feature is a two-to-one aspect ratio, where two sides (called long sides) are twice as long as the other two sides (called short sides). Furthermore, flexible coupling is achieved through two connection points: an elongated, oval-shaped double center hole on the long side. The oval shape reliably compensates for tolerances, especially gaps that arise when connectors are used.

[0019] In a further technically advantageous embodiment, the edge thickness can be increased by 10% of the core thickness in the direction of the top and in the direction of the bottom, preferably between 10% and 20%, and more preferably by at least 2 mm in each direction.

[0020] Edge thicknesses that are at least 10% greater than the core thickness in both directions—top and bottom—have proven particularly advantageous. This increased edge thickness represents an optimal compromise between increased stability and increased weight. The range between 10% and 20% has proven especially beneficial in effectively preventing cracking. At the same time, an increased edge thickness in this range has no noticeable impact when driving over or stepping from the core to the edge. In practice, increases of at least 2 mm on each side of the core have proven particularly advantageous. For example, the core could have a thickness of 12 mm and the edge a thickness of 16 mm.

[0021] In a further advantageous embodiment, the edge region can have outlets along two opposite sides in which the edge thickness corresponds to the core thickness.

[0022] For cleaning, a floor panel can, for example, be placed on one of its long sides so that it can be rinsed with a jet of water. Increased edge thickness could encourage the accumulation of dirt and / or water, which can be prevented by inlets on these sides, especially on the long sides. Furthermore, by interrupting the reinforced structure of the edge area, the inlets can improve the flexural strength and flexibility of the floor protection panel along the sides with the inlets.

[0023] In a further advantageous embodiment, the outlets can be arranged at corners of the honeycomb structure, preferably at alternating corners of the honeycomb structure.

[0024] Honeycomb structures can already reduce the accumulation of dirt and / or water when a floor panel is placed on its side for cleaning. In particular, angled, rod-shaped protrusions can channel runoff, effectively pooling dirt and / or water in the corners of the honeycomb structure. Combined with outlets in the corners of the honeycomb structure, this further prevents the accumulation of dirt and / or water during cleaning of the floor protection panel.

[0025] In a further advantageous embodiment, the outlets can be arranged on the sides to which none of the rod-shaped elevations run parallel.

[0026] The combination of outlets along one side and rod-shaped protrusions that do not run parallel to that side can further optimize the drainage of dirt and / or water.

[0027] In a further advantageous embodiment, the complementary structure can have triangles which may be raised above the underside and which may be arranged in such a way that the spaces formed between the triangles may be suitable to at least partially accommodate the honeycomb structure of an adjacent identical base plate, wherein the elevation of the honeycomb structure may preferably be twice as high as the elevation of the complementary structure.

[0028] A complementary triangular structure allows the honeycomb structure of the top surface of a similar floor protection panel to be at least partially integrated into the complementary structure. In particular, the honeycomb structure can nest within the complementary structure, preventing slippage and reducing the stacking height by at least the amount of the interlocking raised sections. Specifically, increasing the thickness of the top surface structure by 5 mm relative to the core thickness and increasing the thickness of the bottom surface structure by 2 mm have proven effective. A smaller thickness of the bottom surface structure, for example, approximately 2 mm, is also advantageous for accessibility and rollability, such as by wheelchairs or trolleys, and significantly reduces the risk of tripping compared to the coarser honeycomb structure of the top surface.

[0029] In another conceivable embodiment, the complementary structure can be designed such that no edges of the triangles run parallel to the first and second sides and / or no edge of the triangles runs parallel to the third and fourth sides. It can be particularly advantageous if the sides to which the complementary structure has no parallel edges are the same sides to which the rod-shaped elevations are not parallel.

[0030] In a further advantageous embodiment, the triangles can have pointed cones at their vertices that can protrude perpendicularly to the underside.

[0031] To further increase the coefficient of friction on the underside with its complementary structure, pointed cones can be incorporated as a slip-resistant, profiled ground contact surface. These pointed cones can penetrate even deeper into the substrate compared to a standard floor covering. If the floor panel is used in reverse, with the top surface on the substrate and the underside as the walking and driving surface, the pointed cones can significantly enhance safety, particularly for pedestrians, by providing a secure grip without being obtrusive. The pointed cones can have a height of 1 mm. In particular, the pointed cones can interlock with soft shoe soles as well as with the tires of bicycles, walkers, wheelchairs, and similar mobility devices. When this side is used as the top surface, the pointed cones can reliably engage with the soft structures of the users, thereby considerably increasing slip resistance.

[0032] In another conceivable embodiment, central protrusions can be provided in each cell of the honeycomb structure. These protrusions can have the same height relative to the core thickness as rod-shaped protrusions. Furthermore, a multitude of smaller protrusions can be arranged within the honeycomb structure, which have a lower height than the rod-shaped protrusions, preferably a lower height than the edge region.

[0033] Such additional central and smaller elevations increase the coefficient of friction of the base plate for applications that engage between the honeycomb profile, such as tires.

[0034] In another conceivable embodiment, the rod-shaped protrusions and central protrusions, which lie in a vertical line extending from a connection point to the opposite side of the base plate and are closest to the connection point, can be flattened. They can have a smaller protrusion than the other rod-shaped protrusions. Preferably, the flattened rod-shaped protrusions and the flattened central protrusions have a protrusion corresponding to the edge zone.

[0035] The flattened surface simplifies the use of a connector or, in some cases, even makes it possible in the first place. Compared to omitting the raised sections, the profile effect and thus the slip-resistant properties of the base plate are improved.

[0036] In another conceivable embodiment, the base plate can have one or two center lines, each running from the center of one side to the center of the opposite side. This center line or lines can run through the core zone and have a raised section that is less pronounced than that of the edge zone. Additionally, holes can be provided in the center of the base plate, around an intersection of the center lines, equidistant from the respective center line, corresponding to connection points from an outer edge of the base plate. The holes and center lines can be understood as intersection or drilling points along which the base plate can be divided and a connection point drilled. They can have a raised section that is less pronounced than that of the edge zone.

[0037] Such center lines and hole points allow defective parts of a base plate to be separated and new connection points to be created, so that the remaining part of the base plate can still be connected and stacked with similar base plates.

[0038] The described advantages arise particularly within the mentioned area boundaries; however, the advantages may also exist beyond one or both of the specific area boundaries, albeit in a weakened form.

[0039] Further features, details and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the wording of the claims and from the following description of exemplary embodiments with reference to the drawings. The drawings show: Fig. 1. A top view of the upper side of an exemplary base plate, Fig. 2 a side view of a section of an exemplary base plate, Fig. 3 a top view of the top surface of a section of an exemplary base plate, Fig. 4 a side view of a section along the AA edge of the Fig. 3, Fig. 5 a top view of the underside of an exemplary base plate, Fig. 6 a top view of the underside of a section of an exemplary base plate, Fig. 7. A top view of the underside of an exemplary base plate with a schematically represented surface structure. Fig. 8 A top view of the top surface of another exemplary base plate.

[0040] In the figures, identical or corresponding elements are designated with the same reference numerals and are therefore not described again unless expedient. Features already described are not described again to avoid repetition and are applicable to all elements with the same or corresponding reference numerals, unless explicitly excluded. The disclosures contained in the entire description are transferable analogously to identical parts with the same reference numerals or component designations. Furthermore, the positional designations chosen in the description, such as top, bottom, side, etc., refer to the directly described and illustrated figure and must be applied analogously to any new position.Furthermore, individual features or combinations of features from the different exemplary embodiments shown and described can also represent independent, inventive or inventive solutions.

[0041] In a first embodiment, the following is shown Fig. Figure 1 shows a top view of the upper surface 40 of a floor protection plate 1 with a first side 11, a second side 12, a third side 13, and a fourth side 14, wherein the first side 11 and the third side 13 are parallel, and the second side 12 and the fourth side 14 are parallel. The first side 11 and the second side 12 are orthogonal to the third side 13 and the fourth side 14. Thus, the floor protection plate 1 is rectangular. The floor protection plate 1 has an edge region 30 and a core region 20, the edge region 30 extending around the core region 20 along sides 11, 12, 13, and 14. On the first side 11 and the third side 13, two handles 31 and four connection points 34 are arranged in the edge region 30. On the second side 12 and the fourth side 14, the handles 31 project from the edge area 30 into the core area 20 and the connection points 34 are arranged in the core area 20.The edge region 30 extends further towards the core region 20 in the area of ​​the handles 31 on the second side 12 and the fourth side 14 than the edge region 30 along the remaining sides 12 and 14. The top surface 40 has a honeycomb structure 41 with rod-shaped protrusions 42 in the core region 20. The rod-shaped protrusions 42 are spaced apart and form corners 43. The honeycomb structure 41 does not have rod-shaped protrusions 42 running parallel to the second side 12 and the fourth side 14. Central protrusions 44 are arranged within the honeycomb structure 41. In the area of ​​the connection points 34, flattened rod-shaped protrusions 42a and flattened central protrusions 44a are provided instead of the rod-shaped protrusions 42 or central protrusions 44. Smaller protrusions 45 are arranged within the honeycomb structure 41, eighteen in this example.Along the second side 12 and the fourth side 14, outlets 33 are arranged at corners 43 of the honeycomb structure 41; essentially, an outlet 33 is arranged at every second corner 43 along these sides 12 and 14. A center line M runs from the second side 12 to the fourth side 14. A center line M also runs from the first side 11 to the third side 13. Four perforations L are arranged around an intersection of the center lines M.

[0042] A side view shows Fig. Figure 2 shows an exemplary base plate 1 with a rim region 30, a top surface 40, and a bottom surface 50. The top surface 40 has a honeycomb structure 41 with rod-shaped protrusions 42, which are visible insofar as they extend beyond the rim thickness 32. The bottom surface 50 has a complementary structure 51 with pointed cones 54, which are visible insofar as they extend beyond the rim thickness 32. The rim thickness 32 is greater than the core thickness 22. Outlets 33 extend along the side shown through the rim region 30, where the rim thickness 32 corresponds to the core thickness 22.

[0043] Fig. Figure 3 shows a section of a ground protection plate 1 with a first side 11 and a second side 12, a top surface 40, an edge region 30, and a core region 20. In the core region 20, the top surface 40 has a honeycomb structure 41 formed by rod-shaped protrusions 42. The rod-shaped protrusions 42 are spaced apart from one another, and none of the rod-shaped protrusions 42 run parallel to the second side 12. The honeycomb structure 41 forms corners 43. Central protrusions 44 are arranged within the honeycomb structure 41. In the area of ​​the connection points 34, flattened rod-shaped protrusions 42a and flattened central protrusions 44a are provided instead of the rod-shaped protrusions 42 or central protrusions 44. Smaller protrusions 45 are arranged within the honeycomb structure 41; in this example, there are eighteen of them.On the second side 12, in the area of ​​a corner 43, an outlet 33 is arranged, which runs orthogonally to the second side 12 and projects from the core area 20 into the edge area 30. A cutting edge A is shown.

[0044] Fig. Figure 4 shows a cross-sectional view of the ground protection plate 1. Fig. Figure 3 shows a section of a ground protection plate 1 with an edge region 30 and a core region 20, where the edge thickness 32 is greater than the core thickness 22. The ground protection plate 1 has a top surface 40 and a bottom surface 50. On the top surface 40, a honeycomb structure 41 is formed from rod-shaped protrusions 42. The honeycomb structure 41 has corners 43 and smaller protrusions 45. On the bottom surface 50, a complementary structure 51 is formed from triangles 52, which have pointed cones 54 at their vertices. The complementary structure 51 also includes spaces 53. The honeycomb structure 41 is raised relative to the core thickness 22. The complementary structure 51 is also raised relative to the core thickness 22. The raised section of the honeycomb structure 41 is greater than the raised section of the complementary structure 51.

[0045] Fig. Figure 5 shows a top view of a bottom surface 50 of an exemplary ground protection plate 1. In the core area 20 of the bottom surface 50, a complementary structure 51 with triangles 52 and spaces 53 is formed. Outlets 33 are arranged on the second side 12 and the fourth side 14, specifically where the complementary structure 51 could accommodate a corner 43 of a honeycomb structure 41 in spaces 53.

[0046] Fig. Figure 6 shows a section of an exemplary base plate 1 in a top view. The complementary structure 51 has triangles 52 and spaces 53, with pointed cones 54 arranged at the vertices of the triangles 52.

[0047] Fig. Figure 7 shows a section of an exemplary base plate 1 in a top view, schematically illustrating how rod-shaped elevations 42, central elevations 44, and smaller elevations 45 of a honeycomb structure 41 are incorporated into the spaces 53 of the complementary structure 51. The incorporated honeycomb structure 41 is shown with dashed lines.

[0048] Fig. Figure 8 shows another exemplary design of a base plate 1 in a top view. It differs from the design of the Fig. 1 in that on the first side 11, the second side 12, the third side 13 and the fourth side 14 the handles 31 and the connection points 34 are enclosed by the edge area 30 and the edge area 30 projects further in the direction of the core area 20 in the area of ​​the handles 31 and connection points 34 than in the remaining area of ​​the sides 11, 12, 13 and 14.

[0049] The invention is not limited to one of the embodiments described above, but can be modified in many ways.

[0050] All features and advantages arising from the claims, the description and the drawing, including design details, spatial arrangements and process steps, can be essential to the invention both individually and in various combinations. Reference symbol list 1 floor protection plate 11 first page 12 second page 13 third page 14 fourth page 20 Core area 22 core strength 30 Edge area 31 handle 32 edge thickness 33 outlets 34 Connection point 40 Top 41 honeycomb structure 42 rod-shaped elevation 42a flattened rod-shaped elevation 43 Corner 44 central increase 44a flattened central elevation 45 smaller increase 50 bottom 51 complementary structure 52 Triangle 53 Corner point 54 conical cones M Center line L hole point

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