Rotatable Cam Locking Joint for Flooring Gap Elimination
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing flooring systems face challenges with installation complexity, gaps between panels leading to dust accumulation and unsanitary conditions, and visual disruptions due to inadequate joint connections, which affect the aesthetic and durability of the flooring.
Innovation Solution
A mechanical locking joint system featuring an interlocking joint with a rotatable cam and stopper mechanism, providing a tight locking connection between flooring panels, ensuring flush alignment and easy installation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a tongue-and-groove interlocking joint is used, then installation is simplified and does not require gluing or nailing, but gaps remain between adjacent floor panels leading to dust accumulation and unsanitary conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and eliminates the gap problem by introducing a filling component that occupies the space between adjacent flooring panels. The filling component is integrated into the joint system, removing the harmful gap space that would otherwise accumulate dust and debris.
Solution Approach 2:
The filling component is nested within the joint structure between flooring panels. It fits into the space created by the tongue-and-groove connection, effectively utilizing the joint geometry to eliminate gaps while maintaining the floating floor installation method.
2Ease of operation
If a simple interlocking joint is used, then installation is easy and uncomplicated, but the joint creates visual disruption in the surface pattern of the laminate flooring
Solution Approach 1:
The filling component is designed with specific local qualities including decorative surfaces and patterns that match the flooring panels. This allows the joint area to aesthetically blend with the surrounding flooring, eliminating visual disruption while maintaining the simple interlocking installation method.
3Productivity
If adjacent panels are pushed together to lock the joint, then connection is achieved, but the panels do not lie completely flush and gaps remain
Solution Approach 1:
The joint system is designed to be self-aligning and self-adjusting. As panels are pushed together, the mechanism automatically ensures flush alignment without requiring precise manual positioning, achieving both quick installation and high precision alignment.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The mechanical locking joint system ensures a durable, aesthetically pleasing, and easy-to-install flooring solution by eliminating gaps and maintaining panel alignment, thus enhancing the appearance and usability of the flooring.
Implementation Method 1
The tongue enters the arcuate groove and presses against the rotatable cam and the rotatable cam rotates until the stopper reaches an end of the recess, thus providing a tight locking connection.
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
A joint for connecting two adjacent flooring panels together in a substantially vertical manner includes a rotatable locking member (10) made of plastic, metal or another resilient material. The rotatable locking member is located within a groove (36) or opening of one flooring panel (12) and the second flooring panel (14) has a tongue (48) shaped to mate with the rotatable locking member. Upon installation, the rotatable member rotates and locks around the back of the tongue via a groove above the tongue. The rotatable locking member includes a resilient arm (24), which is bent away from its initial rest position upon installation, so that when the rotatable locking member locks onto the tongue, the resilient arm is bent providing a biasing force, which holds the panel securely in position.