Removable Parquet Interlock for Reversible Floor Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing floor assembly solutions for massive wood floors are difficult to implement, irreversible, and result in ecological waste due to non-reusability, with additional costs from locking elements.
Innovation Solution
A floorboard design featuring a tongue and groove system with specific geometric ratios and sliding movement, allowing reversible interlocking without additional fastening means, suitable for both engineered and massive wood floors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If nailed or glued laying is used for massive floor, then the floorboards can be assembled, but the assembly is irreversible and results in destruction of the floor when removal is needed
Solution Approach 1:
The floorboard is divided into distinct components: a tongue portion extending from one edge and a groove portion at another edge. These segmented features enable reversible interlocking through mechanical engagement without permanent fastening, allowing the floor to be disassembled and reassembled multiple times.
Solution Approach 2:
The tongue of one floorboard is inserted into the groove of an adjacent floorboard, creating a nested interlocking structure. This nesting mechanism provides secure assembly while maintaining reversibility, as the tongue can be withdrawn from the groove without damage to the floorboards.
2Ease of manufacture
If nailed laying is used for massive floor, then the floorboards can be assembled, but the implementation is difficult requiring joists and suitable equipment
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the fastening function from external elements (nails, glue, joists) and integrates it directly into the floorboard structure itself through the tongue and groove features. This eliminates the need for separate fastening systems and reduces assembly complexity to simple interlocking.
Solution Approach 2:
The tongue and groove features are self-contained within the floorboards, enabling the floor system to assemble and secure itself without external fastening tools or additional components. The interlocking mechanism is inherent to the floorboard design, making the system self-sufficient.
3Ease of manufacture
If glued laying is used for massive floor, then the assembly is simpler to implement, but it is not reversible and results in ecological waste
Solution Approach 1:
The floor assembly system transitions from a static, permanent connection (glue) to a dynamic, reversible connection. The tongue and groove allow the floor to be easily assembled and disassembled, enabling the floor to adapt to different locations and uses throughout its lifecycle, thereby reducing waste and improving sustainability.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a parquet strip (1) comprising a first front edge (2) and a second front edge (3), the first front edge (2) being arranged to engage with a second front edge (3) of another parquet strip, the first front edge (2) comprising a first front wall and a tongue (6) comprising a first convex bearing surface arranged on a first side of the tongue, a second bearing surface arranged on a second side of the tongue opposite to the first side, the second bearing surface being extended in the direction of the distal end of the tongue by a rounded portion, the second front edge (3) comprising a second front wall having a groove (7) defining an opening, the width of the opening of the groove (7) being equal to the distance between the first bearing surface of the tongue (6) and the rounded portion increased by a functional clearance (J1) dimensioned so that the ratio of the distance between the first bearing surface of the tongue (6) and the rounded portion and the width of the opening of the groove (7) is substantially between 0.7 and 0.99, the length of the tongue (6), considered between the first front wall and an end of the tongue located on the tongue (6) opposite the first front wall, being less than the depth of the groove (7).