Linear Surface Covering System with Multi-Directional Grooves and Splice Plate
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional linear surface covering systems require tool adjustment and screws for proper installation, and are prone to uneven seams due to warping and twisting of natural material planks, necessitating thicker planks or reinforcement at butt joints.
Innovation Solution
The system features planks with multi-directionally cut grooves that allow clip projections to snap-fit without tool adjustment, and a splice plate with reinforcement wings to stabilize and align planks, eliminating the need for screws and enhancing stability at butt joints.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional groove and clip projection interface is used, then planks can be attached to linear carriers, but tool adjustment is required and assembly is time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The groove and clip projection interface is designed to be self-aligning and self-seating. The clip projection automatically finds and seats itself in the groove without requiring external tools or manual adjustment, making the system self-service during installation.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of requiring the installer to actively push and adjust the clip into the groove, the design inverts the approach by having the groove actively receive and guide the clip projection through its geometry, allowing the female feature to do the work of alignment rather than the male feature.
2Reliability
If conventional straight grooves are used, then planks can be attached to carriers, but clips do not achieve deep seat without tool adjustment
Solution Approach 1:
The groove is pre-formed with a sloped leading surface that guides and directs the clip projection toward its final seated position. This preliminary geometric action within the groove prepares the path for the clip, ensuring it achieves deep seat automatically during insertion without requiring additional tool adjustment.
Solution Approach 2:
The groove geometry is changed from a straight vertical profile to one with sloped surfaces. This parameter change in the groove's shape allows the clip projection to be guided smoothly into place and achieve deep seating through the sloped geometry rather than requiring external forcing tools.
3Shape
If natural material planks are used, then aesthetic appearance is achieved, but planks warp and twist causing uneven seams
Solution Approach 1:
The splice plate is introduced as a third dimensional element that spans across the butt joint of two planks. This additional component provides structural support in the dimensional space above and below the plank surfaces, counteracting the warping and twisting forces that cause uneven seams while preserving the natural aesthetic appearance of the plank faces.
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates a composite structure combining the natural material planks with the splice plate material. This composite construction at the butt joint area provides the dimensional stability needed to prevent uneven seams, while the natural plank materials maintain their aesthetic appearance on the visible surfaces.
4Stability of the object's composition
If plank thickness is increased to prevent uneven seams, then stability at butt joints improves, but device complexity and material usage increase
Solution Approach 1:
The solution segments the stability function from the plank itself and places it in a separate splice plate component. Instead of making the entire plank thicker to achieve stability at the butt joint, the stability function is segmented into a localized reinforcement element that only appears where needed at the joints, maintaining overall system simplicity.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a surface covering system, and, more specifically, to an improved linear surface covering system. The improvement includes each plank of the system having multi-directionally cut grooves. The improvement further includes clip projections which conform substantially to a notch formed by the multi-directional grooves. The system also includes an improved splice plate for stabilizing two adjacent planks positioned in end-to-end relation.