Modular vinyl floor with continuous air shock absorber

Abstract

The present invention relates to a modular vinyl floor normally used in residential and commercial environments, which is installed using interlocking sheets that are laid on top of existing floors and have a continuous air shock absorber in their lower part, preferably in a honeycomb format in which a plurality of hexagons are joined together by one of their lateral edges, to absorb impacts with the aim of reducing or eliminating injuries in the event of a user falling. The vinyl floor with continuous air shock absorption provides the novel technical effect of greater impact absorption as well as having efficient means for interlocking the sheets.

Description

[0001] MODULAR VINYL FLOORING WITH CONTINUOUS AIR SHOCK ABSORBER

[0002] Subject:

[0003]

[0001] This Invention Patent relates to a modular vinyl flooring typically used in residential and commercial environments, which are installed from interlocking sheets overlapping existing floors, which have a continuous air shock absorber on their underside, preferably in a honeycomb shape in which a plurality of hexagons are joined together by one of their lateral edges, to cushion the impact with the aim of reducing or eliminating injuries in the event of a fall by the user. As a new technical effect, the vinyl flooring with continuous air shock absorber has greater impact absorption combined with the fact that it has efficient means for interlocking between the sheets.

[0004] State of the Art:

[0005]

[0002] Modular floors installed in an overlapping manner are already known in the art, generally made of plastic material with cushioning, assembled by fitting together the pieces, normally square and / or rectangular. They are intended for sports courts, containing a non-slip upper surface, without coating, that is, of the plastic material itself.

[0006]

[0003] Modular vinyl flooring is typically used in residential and commercial environments because it allows for a variety of designs to be applied to the vinyl, such as wood-like graphics. Generally, the sheets are installed directly over the existing floor, requiring the application of a layer of contact adhesive or double-sided film / tape, which is done before application in the environment.

[0007]

[0004] Regarding patent references, document BR202019017180-0, filed on August 18, 2019, entitled “Modular Board with Impact Cushioning for Vinyl Flooring” is known, from the same holder, which describes a vinyl flooring consisting of boards joined together by male and female fittings, which has on its underside a plurality of homogeneously distributed oval-shaped shock absorbers. Said shock absorbers are made of thermoplastic elastomeric rubber, so that they can deform when cushioning the impact, and have several vertical concavities along their ends, with the function of facilitating their fitting / disengaging on the boards. The vinyl finish is fixed to said board.

[0008]

[0005] This construction method has some problems that are only identified through use. The first concerns poor damping quality, resulting from the fact that the shock absorbers have a linear oval shape, effectively creating damping lines and not providing uniform damping across the entire plate. Furthermore, because the flexible shock absorbers are in direct contact with the plate during damping, their natural deformation due to impact absorption creates a vacuum zone between the shock absorber and the plate, making it difficult for the shock absorber to return to its original shape. This compromises damping quality, causing differences in damping between regions of the same plate and resulting in irreversible damage to the shock absorbers themselves, requiring replacement.

[0009]

[0006] In view of this, the floor becomes uneven, as this solution provides for a simple tongue-and-groove joint, using inverted L-shaped joints, without any means of engagement to prevent the tiles from becoming unhinged in the event of irreversible damage to the shock absorbers. As this type of flooring is increasingly being installed in daycare centers, schools, hospitals, and other establishments, due to its durability and ease of cleaning, shock absorber failures and unevenness are highly undesirable.

[0007] Another situation resulting from the simple tongue-and-groove joint provided in the previous solution, without any means of engagement, is the unhinging caused by unevenness in the floor on which the tiles are installed. In addition to the unhinging of the tiles, which in itself can cause accidents, cracks and other damage to the upper covering occur.

[0010]

[0008] In this way, the inventor was motivated to develop new means of fitting between the plates and also efficient and durable means of damping, which were not found in the prior art. Inventive Concept:

[0011]

[0009] The present Modular Vinyl Flooring with Continuous Air Shock Absorber uses shock absorbing means from a single shock absorber, preferably in a honeycomb shape in which a plurality of hexagons are joined together by one of their lateral edges. Said single shock absorber has a continuous cavity on its lower face naturally filled with air, which is fitted into a housing of its own in the same shape, which comprises a plurality of internal supports with the aim of forming an air chamber.

[0012]

[0010] The fittings between the plates, in turn, have a construction such that the female and male fitting have a retaining tooth from an inclined face, determining the formation of a track in each fitting. For the fitting between two plates, these need to be inclined so that the retaining teeth of the male couplings are fitted into the tracks of the female coupling, and so that the retaining teeth of the female couplings are fitted into the tracks of the male coupling, interlocking.

[0013]

[0011] Thus, the present development aims to meet the following main objectives:

[0014] - provide efficient, durable and evenly distributed cushioning throughout the entire plate, and - fit and lock the floor plates together quickly and easily, eliminating the need for glue, adhesives or tools for installation, in addition to maintaining the same distance between them, resulting in an excellent final aesthetic effect.

[0015]

[0012] The concept of the present air shock absorber utilizes the formation of an air chamber internal to the shock absorber, which allows air to move automatically during impact cushioning. Since the air-filled cavity of the shock absorber faces upwards, in contact with the floor plate, when any force occurs, the air chamber formed between the shock absorber and the floor plate, next to the shock absorber itself, automatically dampens the force. The automatic displacement of the air when the force is stopped, causes the flexible shock absorber, preferably elastomer, to automatically return to its initial state, allowing it to be activated immediately, in the next movement.

[0013] The shock absorber is preferably manufactured using recycled flexible material, or 100% recyclable virgin flexible material, as raw material.Modular flooring panels are made from 100% recyclable recycled or virgin polymer, which, like the shock absorber, helps protect the environment and collects waste. The top covering is made from vinyl or its derivatives and is attached to the polymer panel with glue.

[0016] Summary:

[0017]

[0014] The Modular Vinyl Flooring with Continuous Air Damper, in this way, is essentially comprised of the union between plates on which there is the vinyl covering, equipped at the bottom with at least one damper, which contains at least one cavity in one part, and is fitted into the housing that comprises a plurality of protruding pins, forming an air chamber.

[0018]

[0015] The Modular Vinyl Flooring with Continuous Air Damper, additionally, comprises the fact that each plate has along its ends a plurality of male and female fittings, wherein the male fitting comprises a retention tooth provided with an inclined face, which determines the formation of the track, and the female fitting comprises a retention tooth provided with an inclined face, which determines the formation of the track.

[0019]

[0016] The Modular Vinyl Flooring with Continuous Air Shock Absorber additionally determines that the shock absorber is unique and has a shape consisting of a plurality of hexagons joined together by one of its lateral edges.

[0020] Field of Application:

[0021]

[0017] The application of this Modular Vinyl Flooring with Continuous Air Damper is as a modular flooring with overlapping installation containing damping devices.

[0022] Advantages:

[0023]

[0018] Modular Vinyl Flooring with Continuous Air Shock Absorber has the following advantages:

[0024] • Allows for more efficient damping, due to the joint action of the air and the flexible shock absorber;

[0025] • Provides efficient, continuous and homogeneous cushioning across the entire modular floor plate, as the plate has a continuous housing in which the shock absorber is placed, providing greater comfort during use and reducing or even eliminating injuries caused by falls onto the floor, especially considering use by elderly people and children;

[0026] • Easy to install and remove for possible maintenance, as the plates fit together quickly and easily, as does the floor shock absorber;

[0027] • Prevents damage to the shock absorber or unevenness in the subfloor from causing unevenness in the vinyl laminated boards, as they are interlocked with each other; • Additionally, installing the boards on the existing subfloor or base does not require the application of glues or adhesives, nor does it require the application of tapes, which means lower costs and reduced generation of waste and use of petroleum-derived chemicals;

[0028] • Because the shock absorber is manufactured using recycled rubber as raw material, it allows for a reduction in the amount of non-reused plastic waste, making this a durable application that favors environmental issues and mitigates damage caused by rubber waste.

[0029] • Results in an excellent final aesthetic result, due to the diverse possibilities of models printed on the vinyl covering. Illustrations:

[0030]

[0019] In order to facilitate research and provide understanding of this patent, as recommended in the report, according to a basic and preferred form of implementation prepared by the applicant, reference is made to the attached illustrations, which form part of and support this report described where, the:

[0031] FIG. 01 - shows the top perspective of a panel that makes up the vinyl flooring;

[0032] FIG. 02 - shows the bottom perspective of a plate that makes up the vinyl flooring;

[0033] FIG. 03 - shows the bottom perspective of a panel that makes up the vinyl flooring, in detail;

[0034] FIG. 04 - shows the bottom perspective of a board that makes up the vinyl flooring in detail, without a shock absorber, showing the male and female fitting;

[0035] FIG. 05 - shows the side view of the plate that makes up the floor, showing the detail of the male fitting; FIG. 06 - shows the side view of two plates that make up the floor, fitted together, showing the detail of the male and female fitting;

[0036] FIG. 07 - shows the perspective of two plates that make up the floor showing the fitting means, at which point the plates are arranged at an angle;

[0037] FIG. 08 - shows the top view of the shock absorber;

[0038] FIG. 09 - shows the shock absorber CC cut;

[0039] FIG. 10 - shows Detail A of the shock absorber;

[0040] FIG. 1 1 - shows the perspective of the shock absorber;

[0041] FIG. 12 - shows a detailed bottom perspective of the shock absorber;

[0042] FIG. 13 - shows the top perspective in detail of the shock absorber;

[0043] FIG. 14 - shows the perspective of the housing with shock absorber, with the housing presented transparently allowing the visualization of the internal protruding pins;

[0044] FIG. 15 - shows the exploded view of the housing and shock absorber, with the housing presented transparently, allowing the internal protruding pins to be seen.

[0045] Description:

[0046]

[0020] The Modular Vinyl Flooring with Continuous Air Damper comprises a floor formed from the union of plates consisting of three parts each: covering (1), plate (2) and damper (3).

[0047]

[0021] The coating (1) is fixed to the plate (2) by adhesive means, is made of vinyl, and can contain the most varied engravings on its upper face, such as, for example, resembling wood, stone, etc.

[0048]

[0022] The plate (2) serves as support for the covering (1), where the shock absorber (3) is fitted, being the structural part of the floor. It may preferably have a rectangular shape, but can also take the form of a square, triangle or any other shape in which it is possible to have fitting means between them. To allow fitting and locking between several units, each plate (2) has along its ends a plurality of male (4) and female (5) fittings, preferably arranged in an intercalated manner.

[0049]

[0023] The male fitting (4) consists of a retaining tooth (6) provided with an inclined face (7), which determines the formation of the track (8), the male fitting (4) being arranged protrudingly at the ends of the plate (2), so that it can be fitted into the female coupling (5) of a subsequent plate (2). Each female fitting (5), likewise, comprises a retaining tooth (9) provided with an inclined face (10), which determines the formation of the track (11), and is arranged internally at the ends of the plate (2). The inclined face (12) of the track (11) allows the plates (2) to be fitted and unfitted together.

[0050]

[0024] For the fitting between two plates (2), one of them needs to be inclined in such a way that the retaining tooth (4) of the male fitting (4) is aligned with the inclined face (10) of the retaining tooth (9) of the female fitting (5), and thus the retaining tooth (4) can be fitted into the rail (11) when the plates (2) are aligned again in the horizontal position. In this way, the engagement between the two plates (2) occurs, so that the disengagement is only possible if one of the plates (2) is inclined again, carrying out the movement in the reverse position. Therefore, the disengagement between two plates (2) is not possible due to unevenness in the subfloor or deformities in the shock absorbers, which is why there is locking and not just fitting.

[0051]

[0025] The shock absorber (3) consists of a single piece, made of flexible material, preferably elastomer material, and preferably has a honeycomb shape in which a plurality of hexagons are joined together by one of their lateral edges.

[0052]

[0026] On its upper face, the shock absorber (3) has a cavity (12) that runs continuously throughout the interior of the shock absorber, which is naturally filled with air. This face is called upper because it will face upwards, directly in contact with the plate (2). Alternatively, the continuous cavity (12) can be replaced by several non-interconnected cavities, also naturally filled with air.

[0053]

[0027] Each plate (2), in turn, has on its lower face a housing (13), which must have the same shape as the shock absorber (3). Internally, the housing (13), near its inner end, there is a plurality of protruding pins (14), arranged side by side with a small space between them, which will serve as stops for the shock absorber (3).

[0054]

[0028] When the shock absorber (3) is fitted inside the housing (13), an air chamber is formed, as the air naturally fills and is confined in the space determined by the continuous cavity (12) and housing (13), also filling the spaces between the protruding pins (14).

[0055]

[0029] When pressure is applied to the floor, due to a step, for example, the shock absorber (3), being made of flexible material, dampens the movement, increasing, in turn, the pressure in the internal air chamber. When the pressure is released, this pressure accumulated by the air chamber causes the shock absorber (3) to quickly return to its original position, becoming ready for the next immediate damping.

[0056]

[0030] The protruding pins (14), in addition to allowing the movement of the air present in the air chamber, also act as limiters, assisting and driving the return of the shock absorber (3) to its original shape.

[0031] Alternatively, the protruding pins (14) can be arranged inside the housing (13) in random positions, and not aligned with the inner end, which will generate the same result.

[0057]

[0032] Likewise, the honeycomb shape of the shock absorber (3) can be changed to any other shape that allows the formation of the air chamber, generating the same result. Likewise, the single shock absorber (3) can be replaced by 2 or 3 parts that integrate, as long as they are homogeneously distributed throughout the lower part of the plate (2). To guarantee the desired technical effect, the plate (2) must contain at least one shock absorber (3).

[0058] Conclusion:

[0059]

[0033] In this way, the Modular Vinyl Flooring with Air Damper is supported by unprecedented technical and functional characteristics, therefore deserving the legal protection requested.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. MODULAR VINYL FLOOR WITH CONTINUOUS AIR SHOCK ABSORBER formed from the union between plates (2) on which there is the covering (1), equipped at the bottom with at least one shock absorber (3) is characterized by the fact that at least one shock absorber (3) contains at least one cavity (12) and is fitted into the housing (13) which comprises a plurality of projecting pins (14).

2. MODULAR VINYL FLOOR WITH CONTINUOUS AIR SHOCK ABSORBER according to claim 1 is characterized by the fact that each plate (2) has along its ends a plurality of male (4) and female (5) fittings, with the male fitting (4) comprising a retention tooth (6) provided with an inclined face (7), which determines the formation of the rail (8), and the female fitting (5) comprising a retention tooth (9) provided with an inclined face (10), which determines the formation of the rail (11).

3. MODULAR VINYL FLOOR WITH CONTINUOUS AIR SHOCK ABSORBER according to claim 1 is characterized by the fact that the shock absorber (3) is unique and has a shape consisting of a plurality of hexagons joined together by one of their lateral edges.

Images