Classifications

• • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
  • E04—BUILDING
  • E04F—FINISHING WORK ON BUILDINGS, e.g. STAIRS, FLOORS
  • E04F15/00—Flooring
  • E04F15/02—Flooring or floor layers composed of a number of similar elements
  • E04F15/04—Flooring or floor layers composed of a number of similar elements only of wood or with a top layer of wood, e.g. with wooden or metal connecting members
• • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
  • E04—BUILDING
  • E04F—FINISHING WORK ON BUILDINGS, e.g. STAIRS, FLOORS
  • E04F15/00—Flooring
  • E04F15/02—Flooring or floor layers composed of a number of similar elements
  • E04F15/02194—Flooring consisting of a number of elements carried by a non-rollable common support plate or grid
• • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
  • E04—BUILDING
  • E04F—FINISHING WORK ON BUILDINGS, e.g. STAIRS, FLOORS
  • E04F15/00—Flooring
  • E04F15/02—Flooring or floor layers composed of a number of similar elements
  • E04F15/04—Flooring or floor layers composed of a number of similar elements only of wood or with a top layer of wood, e.g. with wooden or metal connecting members
  • E04F15/041—Flooring or floor layers composed of a number of similar elements only of wood or with a top layer of wood, e.g. with wooden or metal connecting members with a top layer of wood in combination with a lower layer of other material
• • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
  • E04—BUILDING
  • E04F—FINISHING WORK ON BUILDINGS, e.g. STAIRS, FLOORS
  • E04F15/00—Flooring
  • E04F15/02—Flooring or floor layers composed of a number of similar elements
  • E04F15/06—Flooring or floor layers composed of a number of similar elements of metal, whether or not in combination with other material
• • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
  • E04—BUILDING
  • E04F—FINISHING WORK ON BUILDINGS, e.g. STAIRS, FLOORS
  • E04F15/00—Flooring
  • E04F15/02—Flooring or floor layers composed of a number of similar elements
  • E04F15/08—Flooring or floor layers composed of a number of similar elements only of stone or stone-like material, e.g. ceramics, concrete; of glass or with a top layer of stone or stone-like material, e.g. ceramics, concrete or glass
  • E04F15/082—Flooring or floor layers composed of a number of similar elements only of stone or stone-like material, e.g. ceramics, concrete; of glass or with a top layer of stone or stone-like material, e.g. ceramics, concrete or glass with a top layer of stone or stone-like material, e.g. ceramics, concrete or glass in combination with a lower layer of other material
• • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
  • E04—BUILDING
  • E04F—FINISHING WORK ON BUILDINGS, e.g. STAIRS, FLOORS
  • E04F2201/00—Joining sheets or plates or panels
  • E04F2201/01—Joining sheets, plates or panels with edges in abutting relationship
  • E04F2201/0138—Joining sheets, plates or panels with edges in abutting relationship by moving the sheets, plates or panels perpendicular to the main plane

Definitions

• the invention relates to a modular floor covering with slabs and visible framing modules of said slabs contributing to the aesthetic appearance of the covering.
• the invention relates in particular to a modular covering, the various constituent elements of which are designed so that their relative positioning, and in particular the alignment or the relative orientation of said elements, are automatic, imposed, invariable and do not require the use of any measuring tool.
• the invention relates to a modular floor covering comprising slabs, complementary framing modules which can be placed in relation to each other so as to form an apparent framing lattice for the slabs, and means for assembly of the framing modules together in an orientation which is imposed by the shape of said modules and / or the structure of said assembly means.
• the inventor has determined that it would be desirable to be able to combine framing modules of various types, such as planks of wood or of laminated material or even metal planks, and slabs of all types such as ceramic tiles. terracotta, ceramic, etc., or carpet tiles or other synthetic material such as PVC, or natural fiber tiles (coconut, sisal, seagrass, etc.), or glass tiles.
• Such a coating would allow anyone to compose, from elements manufactured and marketed industrially, a unique floor covering customized to their tastes.
• the inventor further determined that it would be desirable to have a modular floor covering that is easy to maintain and of aesthetic appearance that can be modified at will according to the evolution of fashions or tastes of each.
• FR 2,449,762 describes a floor comprising modular elements forming a rigid and continuous basic network, slabs and finishing strips.
• the modular elements comprise, on the one hand “notched joints” for the attachment of the elements to each other, and on the other hand “ribs transverse “or fins to support the slabs.
• Each modular element is in the form of” branch “and has longitudinal" joints “for its connection to two other aligned elements, and lateral” joints “for its connection to two other perpendicular elements.
• the longitudinal “joints” comprise, at one of the longitudinal ends of the branch, a longitudinal tongue provided with lower teeth and, at the other longitudinal end of the branch, a conjugate longitudinal cavity provided with holes receiving such teeth
• the lateral “seals” comprise, in the middle part on one side of the branch, a lateral tongue provided with teeth and, in the middle part on the other side of the branch, a lateral cavity provided with holes receiving the teeth of a longitudinal tongue, so each modular element has a male type fastening and a female type fastening at its longitudinal ends ales, and a male type fastening and a female type fastening in the middle part of its sides, which make it possible to build a rigid basic network in all planes.
• each slab, carried by the fins of the modular elements which are adjacent to it, is sealed to the ground by mortar, so that the network itself is also sealed to the ground.
• a floor is permanently installed and cannot be changed in its aesthetic aspects once installed.
• EP 178,241 describes a removable floor consisting of filler plates which come to be embedded between the branches of the cross formed by connecting elements.
• Each connecting element comprises a central cut, of thickness equal to half the thickness of the floor and of length equal to the width of the elements, and two cutouts made at each of its ends, these cutouts being arranged alternately, one on one side and the other on the opposite side so as to allow an end-to-end embedding of the elements.
• Each connecting element further comprises a rib along each of its lateral edges, intended to come to fit horizontally in a conjugate lateral groove formed in the edge of the adjacent filling plate.
• the filling plates and connecting elements are thus rigidly fixed to each other. Once installed, such a floor cannot undergo any aesthetic change in shape, materials, etc., without being completely disassembled. Its maintenance is also tedious.
• the presence of lateral mounting grooves in the filler plates limits the choice of materials that can be used for the manufacture of said plates, and in particular forces the use of thick rigid plates, which excludes carpet tiles, of natural fibers. , etc.
• US-5,438,809 and DE-200 01 412 Ul have objectives different from that of the invention and propose floors or coatings which, like the previous floors previously described, require the use of specific slabs and / or are difficult to maintain and can only be completely dismantled if necessary.
• US 5,438,809 aims to provide a floor that can be laid on any floor, without the need to make a leveling screed.
• the floor units which each comprise a flat and rigid support plate, a plurality of decorative tiles and a compressible frame, are joined together by keys in the form of slats. Each key is embedded between two adjacent units, in corresponding grooves formed in the lateral edges of the support plates of said units.
• the invention aims to overcome these drawbacks.
• the invention aims to propose a modular floor covering comprising slabs and visible modules for framing said slabs, in which the slabs can be of all types, and in particular terracotta, ceramic, silica mortar, glass. , carpet, PVC, natural fibers, wood, laminate, etc.
• the invention also aims to propose a method for laying a modular covering allowing the use of tiles of all types.
• an objective of the invention is to allow the use of known tiles, of standard dimensions, shapes and materials.
• An object of the invention is to provide a floor covering whose maintenance and repair are easy and can be carried out by a person without particular skill or competence.
• the invention also aims to provide a coating and a method of installing said coating which allow aesthetic modifications. subsequent coating by a person without particular skill or competence.
• Another objective of the invention is to provide such a floor covering that can be manufactured industrially, at low cost prices and compatible with marketing to the general public.
• an element or a horizontal plane is an element or a plane at least substantially parallel to the ground once the covering has been laid.
• a strip designates an element having a main dimension, in a horizontal plane, much greater than the others, which defines a longitudinal direction of the strip.
• This longitudinal direction can be straight or curved; the lateral edges of the strip can be indifferently straight or curved or serrated for example.
• a transverse direction of said strip can be defined, which is orthogonal to the longitudinal and vertical directions at this point.
• a lateral element of a part is an element extending mainly in a plane orthogonal to its transverse direction, at one end of said part.
• the invention relates to a modular floor covering comprising slabs and at least one series of identical and rigid slab framing modules at least in one plane (which is at least substantially parallel to the ground when the covering is laid), the modules framing of the series (s) being complementary so as to be able to be placed in relation to each other to form an apparent framing lattice of said slabs having meshes of dimensions at least substantially identical to those slabs, characterized in that it comprises means for removable assembly of the framing modules together, adapted to impose a relative orientation of said modules and to rigidly link them in at least one plane (horizontal), so as to allow realize automatically (i.e. without having to define or adjust, visually or by means of a measuring instrument, the relative position of the modules) a rigid framing lattice.
• the removable assembly means are adapted to allow, once the covering has been laid, to remove any of the covering framing modules by only handling said module and / or the only ones. modules and / or slabs adjacent to it.
• the removable assembly means are adapted to allow any of the modules to be removed without having to dismantle or even handle another module, including the modules which are adjacent to it. (and to which it is directly assembled). It is thus possible to replace a damaged framing module or an outdated aesthetic appearance without having to completely disassemble the covering.
• the assembly means are adapted to, once the covering has been laid, allow a first framing module to be dissociated from the framing modules which are adjacent to it by simple displacement of said first module in a vertical direction .
• the floor covering comprises a single series of framing modules, both identical and complementary. It should be noted that, in a version of the invention comprising at least two different series of framing modules (the modules of the same series being identical), the modules of one series are complementary to the modules of the other (or other) series (s) to form a frame for each of the tiles.
• the framing modules of at least one series have a general shape of a straight strip.
• the framing modules of all the series have a general form of straight strip.
• the floor covering comprises a first series of identical modules having a general shape of straight strip of any width and length at least substantially equal to a first side of the slabs ( dimension in a first direction: length or width for rectangular slabs, side for square slabs), and a second series of identical modules having a general shape of a straight strip of length at least substantially equal to the sum of twice the width d '' a module of the first series and double on the other side of the tiles (dimension in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction: width or length for rectangular tiles, side for square tiles).
• the length of the modules of the second series is at least substantially equal to the sum of the width of a module of the first series and the dimension of the tiles in the second direction.
• the removable assembly means are adapted to allow, according to the two adjacent modules considered, either to align the modules, or to impose an angle of 90 ° between them.
• the framing modules of at least one series have a general shape of a non-straight strip adapted to define at least one characteristic angle of a mesh of the trellis (formed by the modules of framing) or a curved portion characteristic of a mesh of the trellis.
• non-straight strip is meant a curved longitudinal direction strip -or having at least one curved portion- or a straight strip formed by several -at least two straight strips having straight longitudinal directions not parallel or a strip having one or more curved portion (s) and one or more straight portion (s).
• a characteristic angle of the mesh is at an angle of a polygonal envelope of the mesh.
• characteristic curve portion of the mesh means a portion of an envelope curve of the mesh. This is to exclude, in the case of slabs with serrated edges for example (the dimensions of the teeth being much smaller than the main dimensions of the slab), the angles or curves formed by the teeth of the slab.
• the framing modules of at least one series comprise at least two straight strips whose longitudinal directions define an interior angle of said polygon.
• the shape of the framing modules is adapted to frame at least one polygon vertex of a slab, that is to say to follow a portion of the contour of a slab which comprises two consecutive sides of the slab (or a fraction of said sides extending from their point of intersection called the vertex).
• the framing modules of at least one series each preferably include at least two orthogonal straight bands.
• the framing modules each include two unique orthogonal straight bands, or, alternatively, three straight bands, one of which is orthogonal to the other two.
• the framing modules of at least one series each comprise two straight orthogonal bands, one, first, of any width and length at least substantially equal to a first side of the slabs (width or length), and the other, second, of length at least substantially equal to the sum of the width of the first strip and the other side of the slabs (second side orthogonal to the first side: length or width), the first strip being fixed, by a longitudinal end, to the center of a lateral face of the second strip so as to define the shape of a T.
• the framing modules of at least one series each comprise two first parallel straight bands, facing one another, of the same length and of any width (preferably of same width), each fixed orthogonally, by a longitudinal end, on a lateral face of a third straight strip, opposite two sections of this third strip delimiting two end portions of the same length and a central portion of said third strip, the central portion having a length at least substantially equal to twice the length of an end portion, so that the framing module has the form of a double T or an LL
• the length of the two first strips is at least substantially equal to one side (length or width) of the slabs; that of the third strip is at least substantially equal to the sum of the cumulative widths of the first and second strips and double the other side (width or length) of said slabs.
• the removable assembly means of two adjacent framing modules, assembled together at least at one point, called assembly point comprise at least one rigid element formed by two portions, called branches, one of said branches being intended to be fitted under one, first, of the framing modules in a corresponding lower housing of said first module extending from the assembly point, the other of said branches being intended to be fitted under the other, second, framing modules in a corresponding lower housing of said second module extending from the assembly point.
• the assembly element comprises an angle formed by two flat plates or two straight bars (each corresponding to a branch of the element) defining between them an angle corresponding to said assembly angle.
• Each of the two strips has, at its longitudinal joining end, a lower recess or groove (e) extending in the longitudinal direction of the strip and forming a housing for receiving one of the plates or bars of the angle.
• the connecting element comprises at minus a straight bar or a straight flat plate.
• Said strips each have, at their longitudinal joining end, a lower recess or groove (e) extending in the longitudinal direction of the strip and forming a housing for receiving a portion of said bar or plate (each portion, for example each half, of the plate or bar defining a branch of the assembly element).
• the two recesses or grooves are offset, and the connecting element comprises two parallel bars or non-aligned plates connected to one another at one of their longitudinal ends.
• the assembly element comprises an angle formed by two flat plates or two straight bars defining between them an angle corresponding to said assembly angle.
• the first strip has a lower recess or groove (e) extending in its longitudinal direction at its longitudinal assembly end and forming a housing for receiving one of the plates or bars of the angle.
• the second strip has a transverse lower notch in its lateral edge at the point of assembly, extended by a lower recess or groove (e) extending in its longitudinal direction and forming a housing for receiving the other plate or bar of the angle iron.
• the angle of assembly is equal to 90 ° and the angle is a square.
• the assembly element comprises at least two straight bars or flat plates (each forming a branch of said element) parallel, connected to one of their longitudinal ends by a bottom.
• the bands each have, in their lateral edge, at their assembly point, a transverse lower notch for receiving said bottom, and a lower recess or groove (e) extending in their longitudinal direction from said assembly point and forming a housing for receiving one of said bars or plates.
• the floor covering further comprises removable blocking means for assembling two adjacent framing modules, capable of preventing relative movement of the framing modules and the element assembly.
• each of the branches of the connecting element preferably comprises a plate or portion of plate (extending, once the adjacent framing modules are assembled, in the longitudinal direction of the strip of the framing module receiving said branch) having at least one tapped hole intended to cooperate with a coaxial tapped hole passing through a lateral edge of the framing module opposite the housing for receiving said plate, in order to fix each of the framing modules on the element assembly by means of a fixing screw (passing through the lateral edge of said module and the branch of the facing connecting element) accessible from said lateral edge of said framing module.
• a framing module to remove a framing module from the floor covering, one or more slab (s) adjacent (s) to said module are removed in order to be able to access the module fixing screws on the various assembly elements. to which it is coupled, the said screws are removed, then the said framing module is lifted in order to dissociate it from the said assembly elements. There is no need to disassemble or even manipulate the adjacent framing modules.
• each framing module comprise at least one interlocking structure intended to come to nest, in a vertical direction, in a mating interlocking structure of an adjacent framing module,
• each framing module only includes male-type nesting structures or only female-type nesting structures
• the covering comprises at least two series of complementary framing modules, a first series of identical framing modules with male-type interlocking structures, and a second series of identical framing modules with conjugated interlocking structures of female type.
• the covering more preferably comprises means for detachably blocking the means for assembling two adjacent framing modules, capable of preventing relative movement of the conjugate interlocking structures of said modules.
• the conjugate interlocking structures are adapted to define, when they are interlocked, a common horizontal bore intended to receive a rod in order to prohibit their relative movement.
• the interlocking structure of a framing module comprises a vertical lug intended to come to fit in a vertical mortise joint of the conjugate interlocking structure of the adjacent framing module.
• the post is then preferably made of a material which can be deformed (at least slightly) in an elastic manner, and has at least one horizontal shoulder defining a head of the post intended to come to be force-fitted into a head conjugated with the mortise in view. to prohibit the relative vertical displacement of the interlocking interlocking structures.
• the framing modules comprise one or more metal profiles each having an upper housing for receiving a decorative blade such as a wooden blade, a blade of laminated material, a metal blade, a blade in silica mortar, ceramic, terracotta, or even a carpet blade, PVC ...
• Laminate means a material composed of sawdust amalgamated with an adhesive and forming a rigid blade on which is pasted at least one sheet of decorative paper, such as a photograph representing the appearance of wood, coated with a protective layer of resin or wax. Such a material, the cost of which is lower than that of raw wood, is particularly solid and resistant; it is commonly used for the production of parquet floors.
• each metal profile incorporates lower elastic damping means defining a bearing surface of the framing module on the ground. These means absorb the noise which could be generated by the impact of the framing module on the ground following mechanical stress such as the step of a person on said module.
• each metal profile comprises, for example, at least one lower housing for receiving a strip of slightly elastic synthetic material, of the rubber or other injected or profiled foam type, projecting from the profile in the vertical direction.
• Such lower housings of the profile can also be used to receive and conceal electric cables.
• the covering optionally includes means for fixing to the ground at least one framing module, such as a fixing flange having at least one horizontal tab screwed into the ground.
• each slab is formed of a plurality of superimposed elementary plates, including at least one lower catching plate and an upper finishing plate.
• the thickness (dimension in the vertical direction) of the lower take-up plate is chosen according to the thickness of the upper finishing plate and the thickness of the framing modules so that the total thickness of the slab or at least substantially equal, preferably exactly equal, to the thickness of the framing modules.
• Each lower take-up plate is chosen from a chipboard, rubber, cardboard, rigid foam, etc. plate. (this list is not exhaustive).
• the take-up plate is preferably made of a sound-insulating material and / or able to absorb the mechanical shocks undergone by the slab.
• the material chosen is thermally insulating or, on the contrary, conductive (especially in the presence of a heated floor). It is in any case the least expensive possible.
• Each upper finishing plate is chosen from a terracotta tile, a ceramic tile, a stone slab, a synthetic fiber plate such as a carpet plate, a plate of synthetic material of the PVC type, a fiber plate such as sisal or coconut or seagrass, a solid wood or laminate plate, an aluminum plate, a stainless steel plate, a tempered glass slab, a combination of a tempered glass slab and a decorative intermediate plate chosen from a piece of fabric, a piece of wallpaper, a plate made of natural fibers of the type known as sisal or of the type known as coconut or seagrass or wicker or rattan, a plate made of synthetic fibers of the carpet type, etc.
• a translucent or transparent upper plate (made of glass for example) may possibly be associated with lighting means such as flexible luminescent tubes.
• the floor covering comprises square tiles with a side at least substantially equal to 50 cm (tiles standard).
• the framing modules comprise one or more strips each having a width (dimension in the transverse direction) at least substantially constant and between 1 cm and 25 cm, preferably between 5 cm and 15 cm, preferably substantially equal to 12, 8 cm.
• Each slab, each framing module has a thickness in the vertical direction at least substantially constant and between 10 and 25mm, preferably between 15 and 20mm.
• complementary framing modules are juxtaposed and assembled together so as to produce a rigid lattice of apparent framing of slabs defining meshes for receiving said slabs.
• there is at least one rigid assembly element between each module and an adjacent framing module by inserting a first branch of said element in the corresponding housing of one of the framing modules and the second branch in the corresponding housing of the other framing module.
• each of the two modules is fixed to the assembly element or elements connecting the two modules by means of fixing screws.
• each framing module is assembled to at least one adjacent framing module by vertical interlocking of their conjugate interlocking structure (s) and, where appropriate, fitting means blocking.
• the position of the rigid trellis - produced by the framing modules - is manually adjusted relative to at least one wall delimiting the ground to be covered. It is optionally possible to fix at least one of the framing modules to the ground, by gluing or by means of a fixing flange having at least one horizontal tab screwed into the ground (such a flange is preferably arranged on the end a framing module adjacent to a wall, so as to hide the said flange by the plinth or quarter-round strip). It is also possible to glue to the ground a lower part of the slabs which do not participate in the aesthetic appearance of the covering, such as the lower take-up plates.
• the invention also relates to a floor covering and a method of laying said covering, characterized in combination by all or some of the characteristics mentioned above and below.
• Figure 1 is a top view of two embodiments of floor coverings according to the invention
• Figure 2 is a schematic view in cross section (vertical) of a portion of a framing module and a slab according to the invention
• FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional (vertical) view of a portion of another embodiment of the framing module and slab according to the invention
• FIG. 1 is a top view of two embodiments of floor coverings according to the invention
• Figure 2 is a schematic view in cross section (vertical) of a portion of a framing module and a slab according to the invention
• FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional (vertical) view of a portion of another embodiment of the framing module and slab according to the invention
• FIG. 4 is a view schematic in perspective of portions of two framing modules, assembled perpendicularly according to a first embodiment of assembly means according to the invention
• Figure 5 is a schematic perspective view of port ns of two framing modules, assembled in parallel according to a first embodiment of assembly means according to the invention
• FIG. 6 is a schematic perspective view of portions of two framing modules, assembled perpendicularly according to a second embodiment of assembly means according to the invention
• FIG. 7 is a schematic perspective view of portions of two framing modules, assembled in parallel according to a second embodiment of assembly means according to the invention
• FIG. 8 is a schematic view in horizontal section of mating interlocking structures of two adjacent framing modules according to the invention
• Figure 9 is a schematic view in vertical section of the interlocking structures of Figure 8
• Figure 10 is a schematic view in vertical section of another embodiment of interlocking structures of two adjacent framing modules according to the invention
• FIG. 11 is a top view of another embodiment of a floor covering according to the invention.
• FIG. 1 illustrates a first embodiment of a floor covering according to the invention, comprising visible framing modules 1, 8, 10 and square tiles 7.
• the outline of framing module 1 is drawn in lines bold in order to clearly define said module. It has the general shape of a double T, made from three strips 2, 3 and 4: the strips 3 and 4 are welded and / or glued and / or fixed orthogonally to the strip 2 by any suitable means, at a of their longitudinal ends 3a, 4a, on a lateral face of said strip 2.
• the strips 3 and 4 are positioned relative to the strip 2 so as to produce a part symmetrical with respect to a transverse plane separating the strip 2 into two equal parts (transverse plane of symmetry of said strip 2), and such that the two symmetrical portions of the module each have the shape of a T, generally symmetrical with respect to a longitudinal (vertical) plane separating strip 3 (respectively 4) in two half-bands of equal width.
• T-shaped framing modules each corresponding to one of the above-mentioned portions of the double T).
• the strips may be entirely metallic strips, preferably hollowed out so as to lighten the structure of the floor covering. It can also be solid, wooden or laminate boards.
• the strips are multi-component: they are made from metal profiles, preferably aluminum, and have an upper decorative strip glued or fixed by any suitable means on the metal profile.
• the material of the decorative strip is chosen according to the desired aesthetic effect.
• the metal profiles serve as a support for the decorative blade, and also allow a seal to be formed between said blade. and the ground. This characteristic is particularly useful in the case of a decorative wooden or laminate plank, particularly sensitive to humidity, not only to preserve said plank once the floor covering has been laid, but also to allow the laying of the covering on a freshly made and still relatively moist soil.
• the profiles used typically have an external width of 12.8 cm. They preferably comprise vertical lateral wings 5 (see FIG. 2) of 0.15 cm in width, defining a housing 59 for receiving a decorative blade 6 of 12.5 cm in width, made of wood, laminate, metal. ..
• the metal profiles consist of a single base for supporting the decorative blades.
• the length of the strips 3 and 4 is at least substantially equal to the dimension of the slab 7, in the example 50 cm, which is the standard dimension of the known square slabs.
• the length of the strip 2 is at least substantially equal to 125.6 cm.
• Long metal profiles typically of the order of 7 m, are machined (extruded) and then cut in the factory to the above-mentioned lengths; the rails thus obtained are welded to form framing modules.
• long laminate or wood planks are respectively manufactured or cut, then cut to the desired lengths and glued to the aluminum rails.
• the very long blades and profiles are assembled before they are cut.
• Each framing module is delivered finished, ready to be placed on the ground.
• the laying of the floor covering according to the invention does not require any bonding operation of elements together, so that the total laying time is reduced by the usual bonding and drying times of known bonded coverings.
• FIG. 1 also illustrates another embodiment of the invention, comprising straight framing modules 20, 21, 22, 23, 221, 222.
• Each of these framing modules comprises a single straight strip.
• the modules 21, 22, 221, 222 have a length substantially equal to 50 cm (dimension of the slab), and a width of the order of 12.8 cm.
• the modules 20 and 23 have a length at least substantially equal to 125.6 cm, and a width of the order of 12.8 cm.
• Such modules are particularly easy to package and store.
• FIG. 2 illustrates a cross section of the strip 2 (or strips 3 and 4) of the framing module 1 and of a portion of the slab 7 adjacent to said strip.
• the metal profile of said strip 2 has two vertical lateral wings 5 (only one of which is illustrated in FIG. 2) and a lower core 14, defining a housing 59 for receiving the blade 6.
• said insulating strip 13 is advantageously bonded to the profile before cutting it to the desired lengths to produce the modules framing.
• the insulating strip and the profile have complementary dovetail structures for their assembly.
• the total thickness (dimension in the vertical direction) of the strip 2 thus obtained is approximately 20 mm.
• the slab 7 is made up of a chipboard 17 to make up of agglomerates 4 to 6.5 mm thick, of a decorative plate 16, such as a square of wallpaper or a plate of woven natural or synthetic fibers or glued (sisal, coconut, seagrass, fabric, carpet ...) 0.5 to 3 mm thick, and a plate 15 of tempered glass about 13 mm thick, so that the slab 7 has a thickness of the order of 20 mm, preferably exactly equal to that of the framing modules.
• the plates are superimposed on each other during the laying of the floor covering, the take-up plate being placed on the ground in the lattice mesh delimited by the adjacent framing modules previously laid. It is not necessary to glue said plates. It is thus easy to remove a slab for replacement, if it is damaged or broken, or for an aesthetic purpose (replacement of the only decorative plate 16 or of the entire slab, depending on the modes and the evolution of individual tastes or in order to harmonize the floor covering with a new mural wallpaper or new furniture). It should be noted that it is possible to combine different tiles (finished floor 44 in carpet, glass, terracotta ...) in the same room, and thus create all the atmospheres and all the possible patterns.
• the only condition for this diversity is to design tiles of the same total thickness, corresponding at least substantially, preferably exactly, to the thickness of the framing modules.
• the finishing plates being preferably chosen from known standard plates, a limited range of lower take-up plates, of thicknesses predefined as a function of the existing finishing plates, can be proposed.
• FIG. 3 illustrates another embodiment of framing modules and tiles according to the invention.
• the Ibis framing module seen in cross section, comprises a metal support profile comprising two vertical lateral wings 5bis and a lower core 18 of cross section advantageously hollowed out in places so as to lighten the profile without affecting its mechanical strength.
• the core 18 comprises lower housings 58 for receiving longitudinal strips 19 of rubber or other slightly elastic and / or insulating material, making it possible in particular to absorb the vertical shocks undergone by the framing module.
• the illustrated embodiment comprises four insulating strips of ovoid shape in contact with the raw soil 57; all other shapes and distributions of the insulating strips are in accordance with the invention.
• the section of the core of the metal profile used to make the framing modules is not limited to that illustrated. Note also that the recesses in the core of the metal profile can be used for the passage of electrical cables.
• the tiles 7bis each comprise a bottom plate 56 of rubber having a thickness of the order of 2 mm, a take-up plate 24 made of chipboard of 10 to 15 mm thick, and a carpet plate 23 of 3 to 8 mm d 'thickness, the combination of these three elements to obtain a slab 20 mm thick.
• the floor covering according to the invention can be laid floating or, alternatively, glued. Floating installation is preferred for its speed (no time for bonding the elements, nor drying the glue). It also facilitates the subsequent change of a tile and / or a framing module.
• the framing modules are laid and assembled successively: a first module is put in, then a second that is assembled to the first, then a third that is assembled to the second and / or the first, and so on so to produce a rigid lattice sifting the entire part, without worrying about the relative position of the modules, which is adjusted automatically by their shape and the structure of their assembly means.
• the modules 1, 8, 10 in double T can be arranged in staggered rows or, as a variant, aligned opposite one another.
• the slabs are then placed, by vertical embedding, in the meshes produced by the framing modules, which have geometric shape (s) and dimensions identical to those of the slabs, with a play of less than 1 mm (preferably less than 0.5mm) allowing the setting place slabs.
• the tiles are laid on the ground and are preferably neither glued to the ground, nor fixed or glued to the modules that frame them. So that each tile can be laid or removed without having to move the adjacent framing modules.
• Framing modules called extreme modules, located at the edge of the walls of the room to be covered, are optionally cut to the required dimensions using a saw, so as to allow each of said modules to be embedded between the wall and the ( s) framing module (s) adjacent to it.
• Slabs called extreme slabs, located at the edge of the walls of the room, are optionally cut to the dimensions of the floor areas delimited by the extreme framing modules and the adjacent wall.
• Usual peripheral plinths or quarter-round strips) are placed on the extreme edges of the slabs and extreme framing modules, and are glued to the adjacent walls. The installation process is simple and quick, the relative positioning of the framing modules is carried out without possible error. It can be implemented by any person, not possessing any particular aptitude.
• the framing module 20 comprises two opposite longitudinal lower housings 69, 68, formed in the metal profile of said module along its lateral edges 52, 53.
• the metal profile being manufactured by extrusion, the housings 68, 69 are designed in the very shape of the profile and extend over the entire length of the framing module.
• the adjacent framing module 21, arranged perpendicular to the module 20, is preferably made from the same metal profile; it has a lower lateral housing 83 extending longitudinally along its lateral edge 80, and a similar housing 84 along its opposite lateral edge 81.
• the framing module 20 also has, in the assembly zone 20a modules 20 and 21, two notches 67, 82, cut in its lateral edge 52, and spaced by a distance corresponding substantially to the distance separating the two lateral housings 83, 84 of the adjacent module 21 (distance slightly less than the width of module 21).
• the removable assembly means of the modules 20 and 21 further comprise two brackets 60, 61, each formed of two flat plates extending in orthogonal planes (these planes are vertical when the square is observed in its assembly position final).
• the plate (or branch) 62 of the bracket 60 is intended to be fitted vertically in the housing 69 of the framing module 20; the plate (or branch) 63 of said bracket is intended to be vertically fitted into the notch 67 of the module 20 and the housing 83 of the module 21.
• the plate 62 has a hole 64 for receiving a fixing screw, intended to cooperate with a bore 66 formed in the edge 52 of the module 20; the plate 63 of the bracket has a hole 65 for receiving a fixing screw, intended to cooperate with a hole 85 formed in the edge 80 of the module 21.
• the bracket 60 associated with the aforementioned fixing screws allows a rigid connection between the modules 20 and 21, on a first side of the longitudinal end 21a of the module 21.
• the bracket 61 is identical to that previously described and allows a similar connection to be made between the modules 20 and 21 of the other side of the longitudinal end 21a of the module 21.
• the module 20 has three other pairs of notches cut in its lateral edges 52, 53 in the assembly zones 20b, 20c, 20d, to allow its fixing, by means of '' brackets, to the framing modules 22, 222, 221.
• the module 20 is also assembled, at its longitudinal end 54, at the longitudinal end 55 of the adjacent identical module 23. To this end, it has a first lateral bore 77 formed in its lateral edge 52 near the longitudinal end 54, and a second bore formed in its lateral edge 53 in alignment with the first bore. The hole 77 thus opens onto the housing 69; the opposite bore (not referenced) leads to the housing 68.
• the means for assembling the modules 20 and 23 further comprise a first plate 73 interposed between the two modules, partly embedded in the housing 69 of the module 20, and partly in the housing 79 of the module 23, and a second plate 74 partly embedded in the housing 68 of the module 20, and partly in the housing 86 of the module 23.
• the plate 73 includes two holes 75, 76 intended to cooperate respectively with the holes 77 and 78 to receive a screw fixation ; the plate 74 likewise comprises two holes intended to cooperate respectively with the holes (not referenced) passing through the lateral edges 53 and 72.
• the module 20 is therefore associated with two plates 73, 74 for its attachment to the module 23 by its longitudinal end 54 , two plates identical to its other longitudinal end, and eight brackets 60, 61 for its attachment to the modules 21, 22, 221, 222.
• To dismantle such a module it suffices to remove the slabs which are adjacent to it (six slabs in total ), unscrew the twelve fixing screws passing through its two lateral edges (the screws are accessible horizontally from the space initially occupied by the slabs removed), then lift the said framing module.
• the framing module 22 is associated with four brackets. To dismantle such a module, simply remove the two slabs which are adjacent to it, unscrew the four fixing screws crossing its two lateral edges (the screws are accessible horizontally from the location of the removed slabs), then lift said module framing.
• FIGS. 6 and 7. A second embodiment of the removable assembly means according to the invention is illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7.
• the straight framing module 100 For its attachment to a perpendicular straight framing module 101, the straight framing module 100 comprises two lateral wings 115 , 116, extending horizontally beyond its lateral edge 103, at a distance from the ground (that is to say from the lower surface of the module in contact with the ground).
• Each wing 116, 115 thus defines a lower housing 116a, 115a. It should be noted that these wings form an integral part of the metal profile of the module 100.
• the extradited metal profile, used to make said module initially comprises, in the extension of the lateral edge 103, a single wing extending over the entire length of the profile.
• the module 101 preferably made from the same metal profile, has two lateral lateral wings 104, 105.
• the means for assembling the module 100 and the module 101 also comprise two brackets 106, 113, each formed of two plates planes extending in the same plane.
• the plate (or branch) 107 of the flat bracket 106 is intended to be fitted under the lateral wing 116 of the framing module 100; the plate (or branch) 108 of said bracket is intended to be fitted under the lateral wing 105 of the adjacent framing module 101.
• the longitudinal ends 128, 129 of the lateral wings 116, 105 are cut at an angle, at 45 °, so as to be able to abut one against the other when the modules are assembled.
• the plate 107 of the flat bracket 106 has a vertical hole 109 for receiving a fixing screw, intended to cooperate with a vertical hole 112 formed in the wing 116 of the module 100; the plate 108 of said bracket has a vertical hole 110 for receiving a fixing screw, intended to cooperate with a vertical hole 111 formed in the wing 105 of the module 101.
• the flat bracket 106 associated with the two fixing screws above, allows to impose the relative orientation of the two modules 100, 101, and to rigidly link them to each other on a first side of the longitudinal end of the module 101.
• the bracket 113 provides a connection similar on the other side of the longitudinal end of said module 101.
• the framing module 100 is also connected, by one of its longitudinal ends, to a module 130 having two opposite horizontal lateral wings 124, 125.
• the framing module 100 has two similar wings 127, 126, located in the extension , respectively, of the wings 116, 123.
• the means of assembling the modules 100 and 130 further comprise a first plate 119 interposed between the two modules, partly embedded under the wing 127 of the module 100, and partly under the wing 124 of the module 130, and a second plate 120 embedded partly under the wing 126 of the module 100, and partly under the wing 125 of the module 130.
• the plate 119 includes two holes 121, 122 intended to cooperate, respectively, with holes 117, 118 passing vertically through the wings 127, 124, to receive a fixing screw; the plate 120 likewise comprises two holes intended to cooperate respectively with two holes (not referenced) passing through the lateral wings 126, 125.
• the plates 119, 120 and associated screws produce two rigid connections of the modules 100 and 130, on the one and the another, laterally, of said modules.
• the slabs associated with such modules each comprise a take-up plate, in agglomerate for example, the surface of which corresponds to the surface on the ground delimited by the outer edges of the lateral wings of the adjacent framing modules.
• the thickness of this take-up plate is chosen so that the plate is flush with the upper horizontal surface of said wings.
• a finishing plate of larger dimensions is placed on this take-up plate; it also rests on the side wings of the adjacent framing modules so as to completely cover said wings.
• it suffices to remove the slabs which are adjacent to it it suffices to remove the slabs which are adjacent to it (it is possible to remove only the finishing plates from said slabs, etc.), to remove the screws for fixing said module to the plates and flat brackets with which it is associated. (the screws are accessible vertically from the locations of the removed cover plates), and lift the module.
• the framing module 1 comprises, at the free longitudinal end 12 of its strip 3, a re-entrant nesting structure 26, called female interlocking structure, formed in particular of lower grooves 31 formed, in the longitudinal direction, in the core 14 of the metal profile of said strip 3 and defining ribs 32.
• Said ribs 32 are traversed in transverse direction by a bore 27
• the core 14 of the metal profile thus has at its end 12 an alternation, in the transverse direction, of teeth (or ribs) 32 and grooves 31, surmounted by the decorative blade 6, whose extreme transverse face 6a (also called longitudinal end) is located in the extension vertical of the end face 32a of the teeth 32, so as to mask the interlocking structure 26.
• the adjacent framing module 8 has a mating interlocking structure 25, known as a male interlocking structure, extending in projection, in the transverse direction of its strip 46, from the lateral face 45 of said strip (or more precisely of its metal profile 47, on which the structure 25 is welded).
• the nesting structure 25 alternates, in the longitudinal direction of the strip 46, of ribs 30 - intended to fit into the grooves 31 of the neighboring module 1 - and of grooves 33 - intended to receive the ribs 32 of the module 1-.
• the ribs 30 are pierced by a bore 28 of the same section as the bore 27 of the structure 26.
• the interlocking of the two conjugate structures can be carried out in the longitudinal direction of the strip 3 of the module 1 (which corresponds to the direction transverse of the strip 46 of the module 8) if the surrounding space allows, or in the vertical direction: for this purpose, the structure 26 of the strip 1 is presented above and vertically above the structure 25 of the strip 8.
• the bores 26 and 27 are produced so that they coincide to form a single common horizontal cylindrical bore when the two interlocking structures are assembled, and the end faces 32a and 6a, respectively of the profile 14 and of the decorative strip 6 of the module 1, are in abutment against the face 45 of the profile 47.
• Said common bore is intended to receive a rod 29, in order to secure the two structures (and therefore the two adjacent modules).
• a thread is machined in any of the ribs 30 or 32, and the rod used is a screw (or a rod threaded on at least part of its body, for example over a length of the order of the width of the rib 30 threaded).
• the bores 26 and 27 are smooth and the rod used is a stud or other pin.
• the Ibis module has, at the longitudinal end 12bis of one of its bands, a re-entrant nesting structure 34, said female structure, comprising a vertical mortise 37 (or vertical bore) formed in a thickness of its metal profile 18, set back, in the longitudinal direction, from the end faces 6a and 18a respectively of the decorative strip and the metal profile of said strip.
• the mortise is intended to receive a stud 36 of a male interlocking structure 35 projecting in the transverse direction of the strip 46bis of the adjacent frame module 8bis (projecting structure).
• the pin 36 is formed at a distance from the lateral face 45bis of said strip 46bis adapted so that the end faces 6a and 18a of the Ibis module are in abutment against said face 45bis when the interlocking structures are interlocked.
• the tenon is formed at a distance from the lateral face 45bis adapted so that there is a clearance between the faces 6a, 18a and 45bis facilitating the interlocking of the structures 34 and 35, said clearance being chosen minimal and preferably less at 0.5 mm.
• the mortise 37 is preferably provided with shoulders 39 on which are intended to rest on the conjugate shoulders 38 of the stud 36. The shoulders 38 and 39 prohibit any relative vertical movement of the interlocking structures, once these have been embedded. 'one in the other.
• the interlocking of structures 34 and 35 is carried out vertically, by presenting the end 12bis of the Ibis module above and facing the interlocking structure 35 of the module 8bis, and by embedding the tenon 36 in the mortise 37.
• the person installing the floor covering must exert some pressure on the end 12bis of the Ibis module to allow the interlocking, by tapping on said end using its foot or any suitable object (small mass for example).
• At least one of the interlocking structures preferably the pin 36, is designed in a slightly flexible and elastic material to facilitate the interlocking of the structures and guarantee the effectiveness of the locking means (shoulders 38 and 39).
• aluminum interlocking structures in the case of aluminum profiles 18 and 47bis are in accordance with the invention. It should be noted that such a framing module can be removed without the need to deposit an adjacent slab.
• each framing module only comprises interlocking structures of the same type, that is to say either male (protruding and / or tenon), or female (re-entrant and / or mortise), whether they are lateral interlocking structures or extreme (at the longitudinal ends).
• To dismantle a framing module comprising only female structures it suffices to lift the said module in view of decoupling its nesting structures from the conjugate structures of the adjacent modules (it is unnecessary to manipulate the said adjacent modules), after having previously, if necessary, remove the adjacent slabs and the locking rods from said interlocking structures.
• the modules (with female interlocking structures) which are adjacent to it must be dismantled beforehand.
• the floor covering according to the invention can be laid on any floor: concrete floor, screed, wooden floor, etc.
• the floor does not have to be perfectly smooth.
• a floor with roughness or unevenness can be covered with the coating according to the invention, provided that the height under a rule of 2m does not exceed 5 mm.
• FIG. 11 illustrates another embodiment of the invention comprising framing modules 40 with four bands forming a peripheral frame of a slab 41.
• modules are each associated with at least four assembly elements (not shown ) for their connection to four adjacent modules.
• Each decorative blade has a tab at each of its ends for its junction with the neighboring orthogonal blade. Alternatively, it has straight ends.
• the framing modules can have a shape other than those described and illustrated, since this shape and / or the assembly means make it possible to position them relative to each other in a simple and systematic manner, without having , in particular, to measure a distance or a relative angle, and to constitute a rigid lattice for receiving the slabs.
• the slabs can be of any geometric shape, and in particular polygonal. In the case of hexagonal tiles, each framing module comprises, for example, five strips, four of which are of the same length, two strips of the same length being fixed to each longitudinal end of the fifth strip so as to form angles of 120 ° between them and with said fifth strip.
• octagonal tiles can be combined with square tiles to form a covering according to the invention.
• the corresponding framing modules are, for example, formed of 2 symmetrical portions defining, relative to one another, on one of their lateral faces, a right angle corresponding to the top of a square slab, and defining each, on their other lateral face, two angles corresponding to two consecutive vertices of an octagonal slab.
• a floor covering with round slabs, etc. It should be noted however that such coverings have a higher cost price than those with square or rectangular slabs, since they require, for the manufacture of a framing module, a higher number of cutting and / or welding operations for profiles and decorative blades.

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• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Architecture (AREA)
• Civil Engineering (AREA)
• Structural Engineering (AREA)
• Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
• Wood Science & Technology (AREA)
• Ceramic Engineering (AREA)
• Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
• Floor Finish (AREA)

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Citations (5)

• 2003
  • 2003-01-07 AT AT03712214T patent/ATE425323T1/de not_active IP Right Cessation
  • 2003-01-07 AU AU2003216789A patent/AU2003216789A1/en not_active Abandoned
  • 2003-01-07 JP JP2003560328A patent/JP2005515325A/ja active Pending
  • 2003-01-07 CA CA002472158A patent/CA2472158A1/fr not_active Abandoned
  • 2003-01-07 WO PCT/FR2003/000025 patent/WO2003060256A1/fr active Application Filing
  • 2003-01-07 RU RU2004123618/03A patent/RU2004123618A/ru not_active Application Discontinuation
  • 2003-01-07 EP EP03712214A patent/EP1470302B1/de not_active Expired - Lifetime
  • 2003-01-07 DE DE60326540T patent/DE60326540D1/de not_active Expired - Fee Related
  • 2003-01-07 CN CNA038020521A patent/CN1612969A/zh active Pending
• 2004
  • 2004-08-06 NO NO20043291A patent/NO20043291L/no not_active Application Discontinuation

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