Interlocking Flooring Panels With Ventilated Clip-On Feet
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing modular flooring systems require numerous tools and fasteners for assembly and disassembly, causing time-consuming installation and potential damage to soft surfaces like grass or dirt due to sinking ribs and moisture trapping.
Innovation Solution
A flooring system with interlocking panel assemblies featuring feet equipped with clip assemblies that allow quick coupling and decoupling, and openings for moisture and air flow, along with cam locks, tongue and groove, and slide locks for efficient panel connection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If numerous tools and fasteners are used to connect flooring panels, then connection strength is improved, but assembly time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The flooring panel is divided into modular units with integrated interlocking mechanisms. Each panel contains built-in tongues, grooves, and cam locks that segment the connection function into discrete, pre-fabricated components, eliminating the need for separate fasteners and tools during assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The flooring panels incorporate self-locking cam locks and self-aligning tongue-and-groove mechanisms that automatically engage and secure panels together during assembly. This self-service feature eliminates the need for external tools or fasteners, allowing workers to simply push panels together to achieve secure connections.
2Strength
If ribs are placed on the bottom side of flooring panels, then structural strength is improved, but surface damage occurs on soft ground
Solution Approach 1:
The bottom surface of the panel is segmented into multiple discrete ribs rather than a single large support structure. This segmentation distributes the contact points with the ground, reducing the pressure at each individual rib and preventing the cookie-cutter effect on soft surfaces like grass or dirt.
Solution Approach 2:
The ribs on the bottom side of the panel have varying local properties - they are strategically positioned and sized to provide structural support where needed while maintaining spacing that prevents excessive ground penetration. The local geometry of each rib is optimized to balance strength requirements with ground protection.
3Strength
If solid bottom surface is used on flooring panels, then structural integrity is improved, but moisture trapping and air flow restriction occur
Solution Approach 1:
The bottom side of the flooring panel incorporates a porous structure with ribs forming cavities and openings. This porous design allows air to circulate and moisture to escape from beneath the panel while still maintaining sufficient structural integrity to support the flooring system's load requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The solid bottom surface is segmented into a ribbed structure with cavities between the ribs. This segmentation creates channels for air flow and moisture evacuation while the ribs themselves maintain the structural integrity needed to support the panel and flooring system.
Data Source
AI summary
A flooring system with interlocking panels includes at least one panel assembly. The panel assembly includes a panel and at least one foot. A bottom side of the panel includes ribs forming cavities. Each cavity includes a rib with an opening. The foot is configured to couple to the bottom side of the panel. The foot includes clip assembles coupled to the top side of the foot. Each clip assembly includes a flexible plate and a hook. The first end of the flexible plate is coupled to the top side of the foot. The second end of the flexible plate is decoupled from top side of the foot. The hook resides at the second end of the flexible plate and is configured to reside within the opening in the rib of a corresponding cavity. The foot includes openings that allow moisture and air to traverse.