Strip Floor Joint With Elastic Tabs
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing strip floor connection methods using adhesives or metallic connectors face issues such as inability to inspect or replace individual strips without disassembling the entire floor, high costs, weight, and accidental bending during handling, as well as increased noise and environmental health concerns due to adhesive drying times and metallic material usage.
Innovation Solution
A joint for strip floors comprising a single linear plastic bar with elastically deformable S-shaped tabs that protrude laterally from a central planar body, allowing for rapid installation and removal of strips without adhesives, reducing production, storage, and transport costs, while maintaining stability and noise reduction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If adhesive is used to connect strips, then stable connection is achieved, but the floor cannot be inspected or individual strips replaced without removing the entire floor
Solution Approach 1:
The connector is divided into multiple independent tabs that can be individually engaged with seats in the strips. Each tab acts as an independent connection element, allowing selective engagement and disengagement of individual strips while maintaining connection of other strips through their respective tabs.
Solution Approach 2:
The connector employs elastic tabs that can dynamically adjust their engagement state. The tabs are designed to be engaged during installation for stable connection, and can be selectively disengaged when individual strip replacement is needed, providing both stability and replaceability as required.
2Strength
If adhesive is used to connect strips, then stable connection is achieved, but environmental health deteriorates due to adhesive drying time and emissions
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces the chemical bonding mechanism of adhesives with a mechanical connection system using elastic tabs and seats. This mechanical engagement provides stable connection without the harmful emissions and drying time associated with adhesive chemicals, eliminating the environmental health impact while maintaining connection strength.
3Productivity
If metallic bars with multiple separate tabs are used, then rapid installation without adhesives is achieved, but production and transport costs increase due to high material cost and weight
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the material parameter from metal to plastic for the connector body and tabs. This parameter change significantly reduces both the weight and material cost of the connector while maintaining the elastic deformation capability needed for rapid installation. The plastic material allows the tabs to be formed with appropriate elasticity without the high costs associated with metallic materials.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention merges multiple separate tabs into a single integrated plastic connector body. Instead of using multiple separate metallic tabs that would require individual handling and installation, the tabs are combined into one piece that can be installed as a single unit, reducing both material quantity and installation complexity while maintaining the rapid installation advantage.
4Strength
If metallic material is used for the connector, then structural strength is achieved, but weight and transport costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the material parameter from metal to plastic, fundamentally altering the weight-to-strength ratio. The plastic material provides sufficient structural strength for the connector application while being significantly lighter than metallic alternatives, thereby reducing transport costs and handling difficulty without sacrificing the structural integrity needed for reliable connection.
5Adaptability or versatility
If multiple separate tabs are provided on the same edge, then connection capability is improved, but accidental bending during transport or handling occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges multiple separate tabs into a single integrated plastic connector body where the tabs are formed as continuous elastic elements. This integration provides mutual support and reinforcement, preventing accidental bending during transport or handling while maintaining the connection capability of multiple tabs. The unified structure distributes mechanical stresses across the entire connector rather than concentrating them on individual separate tabs.
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
Enables rapid and adhesive-free installation of strip floors with low production and transportation costs, allows for easy replacement of individual strips, and reduces noise and environmental impact by using plastic material that can withstand accidental bending and maintain structural integrity.
Implementation Method 1
a first tab and a second tab, which are elastically deformable and selectively associable at adapted seats provided in a lower region and longitudinally with respect to said strips
Data Source
AI summary
A joint for floors that are provided by way of a series of strips, constituted by a single linear bar which is constituted by a central planar body from which a first tab and a second tab, which are elastically deformable, protrude laterally.The first tab and the second tab are selectively associable at adapted seats provided in a lower region and longitudinally with respect to the strips and adjacent to the longitudinal perimetric edges thereof.Each one of the first tab and the second tab has a first portion, substantially arc-shaped, meant for blending with the planar body, which protrudes toward the outside of the planar body, a second portion, contiguous and blended with the respective first portion, protruding and directed toward the inside of the planar body, and a third portion, contiguous and blended with the second portion, which protrudes toward the outside of the planar body.