Replaceable Floorboard Mating Structure for Subfloor Clip

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Solution Overview

Problem

Traditional floor coverings require the entire section to be removed and replaced when a single floorboard is damaged, leading to inefficiency and inconvenience.

Innovation Solution

The development of a floor covering system with replaceable floorboards featuring mating structures on each lateral side, allowing for adjacently assembled floorboards to be easily removed and replaced, utilizing a clip system for secure fastening to the subfloor.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of repair

If traditional floor coverings are assembled as a permanent structure, then the floor covering provides structural stability and continuity, but when a floorboard is damaged the entire section must be removed and replaced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of floorboard replacementVSAvoidfloor covering structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of repairVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The floor covering is divided into individual replaceable floorboard segments that can be independently removed and replaced. Each floorboard is a separate module with mating structures that allow it to be detached from adjacent floorboards and the subfloor, enabling repair of only the damaged segment rather than the entire floor covering.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Mating structures serve as intermediary components between floorboards and between floorboards and the subfloor. These mating structures include engagement features that connect adjacent floorboards laterally and attachment features that secure floorboards to the subfloor, facilitating easy assembly and disassembly while maintaining structural integrity during use.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Duration of action of stationary object

If floorboards are permanently fixed to the subfloor, then the floor covering provides long-term stability, but replacement of damaged floorboards requires removal of the entire floor covering section

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedurability of floor coveringVSAvoidtime required for floorboard replacement

Core Design Contradiction:

Duration of action of stationary objectVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The floor covering system transitions from a static permanent structure to a dynamic system where floorboards can be easily attached and detached. The mating structures provide stable connection during normal use but allow for quick disassembly when replacement is needed, enabling the system to adapt between stable operation and easy maintenance modes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The mating structures are pre-configured with engagement and attachment features that enable rapid installation and removal. The floorboards are designed with predetermined attachment points and connection mechanisms that allow for quick replacement without requiring complex installation procedures or specialized tools.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If the entire floor covering is removed and redone when a floorboard is damaged, then complete replacement ensures uniform quality, but it leads to waste of materials and increased costs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvequality consistency of floor coveringVSAvoidwaste of floor covering materials

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The damaged floorboard is extracted and removed from the floor covering system while leaving the remaining floorboards in place. This selective removal allows replacement of only the defective component rather than the entire assembly, reducing material waste while maintaining the quality and integrity of the undamaged portions of the floor covering.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

Only the damaged floorboard is discarded and replaced, while the majority of the floor covering system is recovered and retained in service. This approach maximizes the utilization of existing materials and minimizes waste by preserving functional components rather than disposing of the entire floor covering.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #34Discarding and recovering

Data Source

PatentUS10260242B2Floor covering with replaceable floorboards

Publication Date: 2019.04.16 ST LAURENT ANDRE

AI summary

A floor covering comprises at least first and second floorboards. Each floorboard respectively defines opposite longitudinal ends, an exposed outer surface and an opposite underside surface for engaging a subfloor, and comprises mating structures at each lateral side thereof. The first and second floorboards are configured to be adjacently assembled in a side-to-side arrangement with the mating structure of one of the lateral sides of the first floorboard vertically and removably mating with the mating structure of one of the lateral sides of the second floorboard. The floor covering includes at least one clip for being fastened to the subfloor and comprises mating structures at each lateral side thereof for vertically and removably receiving the respective mating structures first and second floorboards at each lateral side thereof.