Modular Flooring Mats With Lattice And Cam Locks
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current modular flooring systems face challenges with maintaining high strength and durability under heavy loads, consistent alignment, and easy connection/disconnection of sections, while also protecting the underlying surface from damage and environmental factors.
Innovation Solution
A modular flooring system comprising mats made from a single unitary piece of high-strength plastic with an integrated self-aligning connection system, featuring an internal lattice structure and metal cam locks for enhanced stability and ease of assembly, which reduces the likelihood of cracking and shifting, and includes features for water and debris protection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If modular floor mats are constructed from plastic or polymeric materials to provide high strength and low weight, then ease of storage and portability is improved, but the coefficient of thermal expansion becomes relatively high causing significant dimensional changes and cumulative expansion/contraction over large areas
Solution Approach 1:
The patent selects specific polymeric materials with optimized thermal expansion coefficients and incorporates expansion joints or flexible connection elements that accommodate dimensional changes. The flooring system design includes gaps or movable connectors between panels that allow for thermal expansion and contraction without causing buckling or cracking, thus maintaining dimensional stability while preserving the lightweight polymer construction.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite material structures combining polymers with reinforcement elements (such as fiberglass, metal alloys, or cross-linked polymer networks) that reduce the effective coefficient of thermal expansion. These composite constructions maintain the lightweight and high-strength advantages of polymers while significantly improving dimensional stability under temperature variations.
2Device complexity
If connectors are constructed from the same plastic, metal, or polymeric material as the panels and connected directly to the panel, then device complexity is reduced, but damage to one connector point necessitates replacement of the entire panel increasing cost and time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the flooring system with modular connectors that are separable from the panels, allowing individual connector replacement without replacing entire panels. The connectors are engineered as independent replaceable components with standardized interfaces, enabling localized repair of damaged connection points while preserving the integrity of the surrounding flooring structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the connector function from the panel structure, creating standalone connector elements that can be independently replaced. These removable connectors interface with standardized receptacles in the panels, allowing damaged connectors to be removed and replaced without affecting the panel itself, thus improving repairability while maintaining system simplicity.
3Force
If heavy duty modular floor mats are designed to support heavy loads, then load bearing capacity is improved, but the likelihood of cracking and breaking under excessive heavy loads increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes composite material constructions combining polymers with reinforcement fibers (glass, carbon, or metal) or layered structures that significantly enhance crack resistance and toughness. These composite materials maintain high load-bearing capacity while preventing catastrophic failure through distributed reinforcement that stops crack propagation and absorbs impact energy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates energy-absorbing features such as deformable connection elements, cushioning layers, or ductile reinforcement zones that yield under excessive load before catastrophic failure occurs. These preemptive cushioning elements dissipate impact energy and prevent sudden cracking or breaking, thereby improving reliability under extreme loading conditions while maintaining normal load-bearing performance.
Data Source
AI summary
A modular flooring system is disclosed which is designed to support heavy loads while providing stability and ground protection. The invention contemplates a modular mat having an integral main body with offset mounting and assembly flanges and a lattice interior. The mat is constructed from a unitary piece of high strength plastic. Each flange edge contains an outward radiused edge, while each non- flange edge contains an inward radiused edge. Each flange engages with a corresponding flange on an adjacent tile, allowing the outward radiused and inward radiused edges to properly mate. One or more metal cam locks located along the upper flange edges are secured into corresponding cam receptacles located along the lower flange edge. The mats may utilize optional top covers to prevent water and debris from entering the mats. The modular flooring system provides increased strength and stability and protection of the subsurface in heavy industrial applications.