Interlocking Polymeric Floor Panels with Barbs

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing flooring systems are expensive and difficult to move, making them unsuitable for recreational surfaces that need to be converted for different activities, and they fail to prevent artificial turf from sliding.

Innovation Solution

Interlocking polymeric panels with a grid structure and textured top surface, featuring barbs to secure artificial turf and other coverings, allowing for easy assembly and disassembly while preventing lateral movement.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If traditional base materials like plywood or cement are used, then support strength is improved, but installation cost and complexity increase, and removability decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesupport strengthVSAvoidinstallation cost and complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The flooring system is divided into separate modular polymeric panels that can be independently manufactured and assembled. Each panel is a discrete unit with interlocking features, allowing the system to be installed in sections rather than requiring monolithic concrete or plywood bases. This segmentation reduces installation complexity and cost while maintaining structural support.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the material parameters from traditional rigid construction materials (plywood, cement) to polymeric materials with specific physical properties. The polymeric panels are designed with particular density, flexibility, and interlocking geometries that provide adequate support strength while being easier to install and remove compared to traditional materials.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Stability of the object's composition

If traditional base materials are installed, then structural stability is improved, but ease of movement and reconfiguration decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoidease of movement

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The flooring system transitions from a static, permanent installation to a dynamic, reconfigurable structure. The polymeric panels are designed to be easily assembled and disassembled through interlocking mechanisms, allowing the flooring to be moved and reconfigured between different recreational uses (ice rink, basketball court, concert stage) while maintaining structural stability during use.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Ease of operation

If a smooth top surface is used, then ease of installation of covering materials is improved, but prevention of lateral movement of covering materials decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of installationVSAvoidprevention of lateral movement

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The top surface of the polymeric panels incorporates localized texturing features (barbs, ridges, or patterns) at specific locations where covering materials contact the surface. These localized textured areas provide friction and mechanical interlocking to prevent lateral movement of artificial turf or other coverings, while the overall installation process remains simplified compared to traditional bases.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentUS8266857B2Interlocking floor system with barbs for retaining covering

Publication Date: 2012.09.18 CH3 SOLUTIONS LLC

AI summary

A flooring system includes multiple polymeric panels that are interlocked into a floor system and then covered with a material such as carpet and artificial turf. A top surface of the polymeric panels includes barbs to hold the material from moving laterally during use.