Portable Dance Floor With Removable Sheeting Layers

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Solution Overview

Problem

Portable floors are heavy and costly due to their construction, making it impractical for consumers to purchase additional panels for varying surface appearances, and existing solutions do not efficiently allow for surface changes without requiring multiple panels.

Innovation Solution

A portable floor system with removable sheeting layers between a base layer and a transparent top flooring layer, using a tongue and groove locking mechanism with detachable framing elements, allowing for easy replacement of sheeting layers with different designs without needing new base panels, and utilizing transparent materials like acrylic or glass for durability and visibility.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple floor panels with different top surfaces are purchased to alter surface appearance, then surface appearance variety is improved, but cost and storage requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesurface appearance varietyVSAvoidnumber of floor panels

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The floor panel is segmented into three distinct layers: a base layer, a removable sheeting layer with the top surface, and a transparent top flooring layer. This segmentation allows the sheeting layer to be detached and replaced independently, enabling surface appearance changes without replacing entire floor panels.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The sheeting layer containing the top surface design is extracted as a separate, removable component from the floor panel assembly. This extracted layer can be removed and replaced with different designs, allowing surface appearance variety while maintaining the same base panel structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple floor panels with different top surfaces are purchased to alter surface appearance, then surface appearance variety is improved, but storage space requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesurface appearance varietyVSAvoidstorage space

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSVolume of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The removable sheeting layer fits within the structure of the floor panel, nesting between the base layer and the transparent top flooring layer. This allows multiple sheeting layers to be stored compactly within or alongside the panel structure, reducing external storage requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

3Adaptability or versatility

If additional floor panels are purchased for different surface appearances, then design flexibility is improved, but economic cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedesign flexibilityVSAvoideconomic cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The sheeting layer is designed as a relatively inexpensive, replaceable component compared to the entire floor panel. Multiple sheeting layers with different designs can be produced at lower cost, allowing economical design changes without the high expense of manufacturing multiple complete floor panels.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

4Strength

If traditional tongue and groove locking mechanisms are used, then structural integrity is improved, but ease of assembly and disassembly deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural integrityVSAvoidease of assembly and disassembly

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The locking mechanism incorporates movable framing elements that can be shifted between locked and unlocked positions. The framing elements include movable sides that can be released to allow easy assembly and disassembly, then secured to provide structural integrity during use.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The locking mechanism uses set screws that engage with the framing elements to provide sufficient locking force for structural integrity, while allowing the framing elements to remain partially movable for easy assembly and disassembly when the set screws are loosened.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Data Source

PatentUS7546707B1Portable floor

Publication Date: 2009.06.16 SIGNATURE SYSTEMS GROUP LLC

AI summary

A portable dance floor is disclosed. The portable dance floor is comprised of floor panels which are fitted together with a tongue and groove locking method well known in the art. Each floor panel has a base layer, a transparent top flooring layer and a sheeting layer disposed therebetween. The top flooring layer is preferably made of a clear acrylic sheet having suitable physical characteristics capable of supporting the weight of individuals thereupon. Each floor panel is designed so that the sheeting layer can be removed and replaced with a different sheeting layer which can comprise a holographic top surface or a light capable display which is viewable through the transparent top flooring layer.