Floorboard Assembly with Hooked Fasteners
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional hardwood flooring methods are time-consuming and costly, and existing floorboard assembly designs either require expensive and environmentally unfriendly glue or suffer from loosening issues with locking devices, and are not practical for installation in non-rectangular rooms without compromising the floor's integrity and aesthetics.
Innovation Solution
A floorboard assembly system using rectangular floorboards with coupling tongues and grooves, and fasteners with elastic members and a hooked portion, allowing for secure engagement and installation in two directions relative to a reference line, eliminating the need for glue and wood screws, and accommodating various room shapes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a tooth is formed on the locking device to prevent loosening, then the reliability of the locking connection is improved, but the floor board suffers destructive damage and becomes difficult to re-use
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a recessed portion as an intermediary element between the locking device and the floor board. The hooked portion of the locking device engages with this recessed portion rather than directly with the floor board surface, thereby preventing direct contact and damage to the floor board while maintaining reliable locking connection
Solution Approach 2:
The floor board is segmented into distinct functional zones: a coupling groove for joining adjacent boards, and a recessed portion specifically designed for fastener engagement. This segmentation allows the locking function to be separated from the structural integrity function, enabling reliable locking without compromising the floor board's reusability
2Strength
If conventional hardwood flooring methods using glue are used, then the bonding strength and floor integrity are improved, but the installation cost increases and environmental friendliness deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the chemical bonding system (glue) with a mechanical locking system consisting of fasteners with hooked portions that engage with recessed portions on the floor boards. This mechanical substitution eliminates the need for harmful chemicals while maintaining strong bonding through physical interlocking
Solution Approach 2:
The floor boards are designed with self-contained coupling grooves and recessed portions that enable automatic mechanical interlocking when assembled. The system serves itself through the inherent structural features of the floor boards, eliminating the need for external adhesives or additional fastening materials
3Ease of manufacture
If floorboards are designed for single-direction installation, then the manufacturing simplicity is maintained, but the adaptability to various room shapes and installation directions is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The floor board design incorporates universal coupling grooves and recessed portions that function identically in both longitudinal and transverse directions. This multi-functionality allows the same floor board design to be installed in any direction, adapting to various room shapes without requiring different manufacturing specifications
Data Source
AI summary
A floorboard assembly includes floor boards and fasteners. Each floor board includes a rectangular body including a coupling tongue and a coupling groove at two opposite sides, a first pressure block and a second pressure block respectively disposed at a bottom side relative to the coupling tongue and the coupling groove, a recessed portion disposed in an outer upper side of the first pressure block and a step respectively disposed in an outer upper side of the second pressure block. Each fastener includes a base panel having a front baffle and a rear baffle at two opposite sides, a partition rib spaced between the front and rear baffles, and a hooked portion curved from the top of the partition rib.