Modular Floor Tile Sliding Lock Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current modular floor tiles are rigidly connected, which fails to absorb impact energy, leading to discomfort and injuries during dancing and sports activities due to inadequate traction and lack of flexibility.
Innovation Solution
The modular floor tiles feature a locking system with loops and locking tab assemblies allowing lateral sliding, combined with a multiple-tier suspension system and traction layers, enabling flexibility and improved traction through interlocking plastic tiles with cantilevered spring fingers for alignment and biasing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If rigid connections are used to connect floor tiles, then structural integrity is maintained, but impact energy cannot be absorbed leading to discomfort and injuries
Solution Approach 1:
The locking system transitions from a static rigid connection to a dynamic connection that permits controlled lateral movement. The sliding lock mechanism allows tiles to move relative to each other within defined limits, enabling the floor to dynamically respond to impact forces while preserving overall structural integrity through the interlocking geometry.
Solution Approach 2:
The connection parameters are changed by introducing lateral sliding clearance (at least 0.0625 inches) between interlocking elements. This parameter modification allows the system to absorb impact energy through controlled displacement while maintaining sufficient connection strength to prevent tile separation.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If lateral sliding capability is introduced between tiles, then impact energy is absorbed and comfort is improved, but structural integrity may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs a dynamic locking mechanism that provides both stability and movement capability. The sliding lock allows controlled lateral displacement to absorb impact while the interlocking geometry and friction forces maintain sufficient structural integrity to prevent tile separation during normal use.
Solution Approach 2:
By modifying the clearance parameter between interlocking elements to at least 0.0625 inches, the system achieves optimal balance between lateral mobility for impact absorption and connection strength for structural integrity. This parameter change enables the floor to deform elastically under impact while maintaining overall structural coherence.
3Shape
If smooth surfaces are used on floor tiles, then aesthetic appearance is improved, but traction is insufficient leading to slipping hazards
Solution Approach 1:
The surface is designed with differentiated local qualities: the overall tile maintains a clean aesthetic appearance, while specific localized regions incorporate traction-enhancing features such as textured patterns or material variations. This allows the floor to provide both visual appeal and slip resistance where needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The floor tile incorporates composite surface structures combining smooth aesthetic regions with textured traction regions. This may involve using different materials or surface treatments on different areas of the same tile to simultaneously achieve desirable appearance and adequate traction properties.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution provides a comfortable, impact-absorbing, and slip-resistant surface by allowing lateral displacement between tiles, enhancing user experience and reducing the risk of injuries during dynamic activities.
Implementation Method 1
The plurality of loops and the center posts of the plurality of locking tab assemblies are sized with a lateral sliding clearance of at least 0.0625 inches... the flanking hooks snap fit over the lips of the locking loops
Implementation Method 2
The spring fingers maintain a regular spacing between adjacent, interlocked, modular tiles
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides floor tiles and modular floors. The floor tiles may include a locking system that allows adjacent tiles to interlock, while also permitting a predetermined amount of lateral sliding relative to one another. The modular tiles may be injection molded, and a minor change in the mold facilitates variation to the amount of lateral slide allowed between interlocked tiles. The floor tiles may also provide three layers of traction, providing more sure footing than previous flooring systems. In addition, the floor tiles may comprise a two-tier suspension system that yields a flex or spring-like effect.