DESCRIPTION

The present disclosure generally relates to the field of flooring. In particular, it relates to a strip for making a flooring and to a flooring made by employing a plurality of such strips.

For making floorings, the use of strips (also called planks), for example of wood or plastic or composite material, is common; the strips are positioned side by side with each other and are fastened to a supporting structure to obtain the flooring.

In particular, in floorings for outdoor use as terraces or areas around a swimming pool, an empty spacing or gap between two side-by-side strips is left to allow the draining of rainwater and a certain degree of thermal expansion of the strips themselves.

In some embodiments according to the prior art, each strip is fastened to the underlying supporting structure (for example, comprised of beams or of a slab) by means of screws that pass through the thickness of the strip along a top-bottom direction. In these embodiments the heads of the screws stay visible, i.e. they are exposed on the visible side of the flooring, and then they often entail an overall aesthetic appearance that may be unpleasant to an observer. Moreover, through holes for the screws should be made through the strip; the drilling and the subsequent insertion of the screws (and / or their subsequent removal for repairs of the flooring) can damage the strip itself, in addition to requiring a certain amount of labor.

In other embodiments according to the prior art, the strips are fastened to the underlying supporting structure by means of brackets or clips having a central body and side wings. The brackets are mounted on the supporting structure by means of screws which fasten the central body of the brackets to the supporting structure, while the wings of the brackets engage and retain the flanks of adjacent strips. In these embodiments, no screws are visible on the sight surface of the strips. However, the brackets stay visible in the gaps between the strips; therefore, a certain unpleasant aesthetic appearance is still found, although less than that of the embodiment with through screws. In addition, the brackets are components specific for these floorings and have a not-negligible cost that should be added to the cost of the strips.

Thus, the present disclosure moves from the setting of the technical problem of providing a strip for flooring that allows to overcome the drawbacks mentioned above with reference to the prior art and / or to achieve further advantages.

This is achieved by providing a strip or plank for flooring according to independent claim 1. Particular embodiments of the subject of the present disclosure are defined in the corresponding dependent claims.

The technical problem is also solved by a flooring according to claim 10 and by a method for making a flooring according to claim 12.

The subject of the present disclosure is useful for making a flooring in which the fastening members for the strips are not visible in the installed flooring, so attaining an aesthetic advantage. This is obtained thanks to specific protrusions on a first lateral face of the strip and on a second lateral face that is opposite the first lateral face. These protrusions provide a bearing and engaging surface for the fastening members, and also a covering surface for the fastening members, hiding the latter from sight.

In particular, the strips which are the subject of the present disclosure can be used for making a flooring of a terrace and allow to leave gaps between the strips without the fastening members being visible in the gaps; the protrusions can be designed to obtain gaps of a required size.

The fastening members can be inexpensive and readily available elements, for example screws, nails with large head, or other elements generally having a stem and a head. In case, brackets or clips may be used as well.

The assembly of a flooring employing the strips which are the subject of the present disclosure is simple and does not require any complex equipment. Moreover, there is no need to make through holes in the strips.

The strips may be made of wood or other materials, with size at will according to the design needs for the flooring. The strips themselves are simple to manufacture and can be obtained by milling according to known techniques.

Further advantages, characteristic features and the modes of use of the subject of the present disclosure will become clear from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments thereof, provided by way of example and not for limitative purposes.

It is clear, however, that each embodiment of the subject of the present disclosure may have one or more of the advantages listed above; in any case it is not required for each embodiment to have simultaneously all the advantages listed.

Reference shall be made to the figures in the accompanying drawings, in which:

- Figure 1 shows a first perspective view of a strip according to the present disclosure;

- Figure 2 shows a second perspective view of the strip of Figure 1 , from an opposite side;

- Figure 3 shows a partially broken-off side view of the strip of Figure 1 ; - Figures 4 to 8 show successive assembling phases of a flooring made by employing a plurality of strips of Figure 1 ;

- Figure 9 shows a plan view of an enlarged detail IX of Figure 7;

- Figure 10 shows a sectional view, according to a section line X-X, of the detail IX of Figure 7;

- Figure 1 1 shows a first perspective view of a second embodiment of a strip according to the present disclosure;

- Figure 12 shows a second perspective view of the strip of Figure 1 1 , from an opposite side.

Referring first to Figures 1 to 3, a strip for flooring according to the present disclosure is denoted by the reference number 1 . For example, the strip 1 is made of wood, but it may also be made of other materials such as a plastic material or a composite material.

The strip 1 has an elongated shape that is substantially rectangular in a plan view and has a height or thickness that is substantially less than the dimensions of the rectangle in the plan view.

The strip 1 comprises a top face 1 1 , a bottom face 12 that is opposite to the top face 1 1 , a first lateral face 21 , a second lateral face 22 opposite to the first lateral face 21 , a third lateral face 31 , a fourth lateral face 32 opposite to the third lateral face 31 .

Basically, the top face 1 1 of each strip 1 is flat and is intended to be visible in an installed flooring 9, i.e. it is a part of the surface of the flooring 9 that can be trodden on, whereas the bottom face 12 is facing an underlying supporting structure 5 of the flooring 9. In other words, the top face 1 1 is an aesthetic face of the strip 1 , whereas the bottom face 12 is a hidden face that rests on the supporting structure 5.

The lateral faces 21 , 22, 31 , 32 extend between the top face 1 1 and the bottom face 12 and then they face the corresponding lateral faces of adjacent strips. In particular, the first lateral face 21 and the second lateral face 22 extend along long sides of the top face 1 1 and bottom face 12, whereas the third lateral face 31 and the fourth lateral face 32 extend along short sides of the top face 1 1 and bottom face 12.

As it will be clearer from the description below, in an installed flooring 9 made using a plurality of strips 1 , the latter are arranged side by side with each other, so that the first lateral face 21 of a strip 1 a is facing the second lateral face 22 of the other strip 1 b for each pair of side-by-side strips 1 a, 1 b.

A first protrusion 21 1 is located on the first lateral face 21 ; the first protrusion 21 1 juts out of a front surface 210 of the first lateral face 21 itself and forms an extension of the bottom face 12 for a first stretch with a length T1 . Basically, as shown in Figure 3, the first lateral face 21 has a step-like shape at the first protrusion 21 1 , i.e. it is L-shaped in a sectional view.

In the example, the first protrusion 21 1 has a substantially rectangular cross-section and has a bottom surface 212 that is a part of the bottom face 12 of the strip 1 , a top surface 213 that is parallel to the bottom surface 212, and a flank 214. The height H1 of the first protrusion 21 1 is lower than the thickness S of the strip 1.

In other words, the first protrusion 21 1 causes the bottom face 12 to extend beyond said front surface 210 on the side of the first lateral face 21 and to extend more than the top face 1 1 .

In the embodiment shown, the first protrusion 21 1 extends along the entire breadth L21 of the first lateral face 21 and of the strip 1 , i.e. it is continuous between the third lateral face 31 and the fourth lateral face 32.

A second protrusion 221 and a third protrusion 231 are located on the second lateral face 22, both jutting out of a front surface 220 of the second lateral face 22 itself. The second protrusion 221 forms an extension of the bottom face 12 for a second stretch with a length T2. In the example, the second protrusion 221 has a substantially rectangular cross-section and has a bottom surface 222 that is a part of the bottom face 12 of the strip 1 , a top surface 223 that is parallel to the bottom surface 222, and a flank 224. The height H2 of the second protrusion 221 is lower than the thickness S of the strip 1 . In particular, the height H2 of the second protrusion 221 is equal to or lower than the height H1 of the first protrusion 21 1 . In other words the second protrusion 221 causes the bottom face 12 to extend beyond said front surface 220 on the side of the second lateral face 22.

The third protrusion 231 forms an extension of the top face 1 1 for a third stretch with a length T3. In the example, the third protrusion 231 has a substantially rectangular cross-section and has a top surface 233 that is a part of the top face 1 1 of the strip 1 , a bottom surface 232 that is parallel to the top surface 233, and a flank 234. The height H3 of the third protrusion 231 is lower than the thickness S of the strip 1. In other words the third protrusion 231 causes the top face 1 1 to extend beyond said front surface 220 on the side of the second lateral face 22.

Basically, as shown in Figure 3, the second lateral face 22 has a cavity or seat 240 between the second protrusion 221 and the third protrusion 231 , i.e. the second lateral face 22 is substantially C-shaped at the second protrusion 221 and third protrusion 231 , in a sectional view.

The third protrusion 231 is jutting out or protruding more than the second protrusion 221 , i.e. it protrudes for a greater length; in other words, the length T3 of the third stretch is greater than the length T2 of the second stretch. Therefore, the top face 1 1 extends more than the bottom face 12, on the side of the second lateral face 22. In the example, the first stretch formed by the first protrusion 21 1 has a length T1 that is roughly equal to the difference TD between the length T3 of the third stretch formed by the third protrusion 231 and the length T2 of the second stretch formed by the second protrusion 221 .

In the embodiment shown, the second protrusion 221 and the third protrusion 231 extend along the entire breadth L22 of the second lateral face 22 of the strip 1 , i.e. they are continuous between the third lateral face 31 and the fourth lateral face 32. In the example, the breadth L22 of the second lateral face 22 is equal to the breadth L21 of the first lateral face 21 , the strip 1 being rectangular in a plan view.

In the example, the third protrusion 231 has a height H3 that changes along the third stretch T3; in particular, the height in the vicinity of its flank 234 is lower than the height in the vicinity of the front surface 220.

Even more in particular, in the embodiment shown, the third protrusion 231 has a step-like shape, i.e. it has a first portion at the cavity 240 having a height H3 and a second portion at front end having a height H30 that is lower than the height H3 of the first portion at the cavity. Then, the bottom surface 232 of the third protrusion 231 has a step between the first portion and the second portion. The first portion extends for an initial stretch with a length T31 , while the remaining stretch of the third protrusion 231 is a part of the second portion at front end. In the example, the length T31 of the initial stretch is approximately equal to the length T2 of the second protrusion 221 .

For example, the strip 1 has a thickness S of 19 mm; the first protrusion 21 1 extends for a first stretch T1 of 10.2 mm and has a height H1 of 6.5 mm; the second protrusion 221 extends for a second stretch T2 of 6 mm and has a height H2 of 6 mm; the third protrusion 231 extends for a third stretch T3 of 16 mm, of which the initial stretch takes up a length T31 of 6 mm, and has a height H3 of 9 mm in the first portion at the cavity and a height H30 of 6 mm in the second portion at front end. The remaining dimensions of the strip 1 , i.e. the breadths L21 and L22 and the depths L31 and L32, have values that are chosen according to the specific needs of the flooring to be made. Depending on the chosen dimensions, the strip 1 may have an elongated shape in a plan view, or it may have a more squat shape or a slab-like shape. As an alternative to the rectangular shape shown in the figures, the strip 1 may possibly have a square or parallelogram-like shape in a plan view.

In the following, referring to Figures 4 to 8, a method for making a flooring 9 by using strips 1 as those described above is illustrated. Figures 4 to 8 are merely for illustrative purposes and therefore only a portion of the flooring 9 is shown in them. It should be understood that the method described can be applied for making a flooring having an extent at will and other supporting structures.

In particular, a single support beam 5 is shown in said figures; the support beam 5 should be considered as exemplary of a more complex supporting structure, for example comprising a plurality of support beams which are mutually parallel.

A first strip, denoted by the reference number 1 a, is positioned on the supporting structure 5 for the flooring, in such a way that the bottom face 12 is facing the supporting structure 5 and the top face 1 1 is facing upwards and is at sight.

A first blocking of the first strip 1 a is obtained for example by inserting beforehand a fastening member into the support beam 5 and pushing the first strip 1 a against it, as shown in Figure 4.

The fastening member 6 generally comprises a stem or body 61 and a head 62, wherein the head 62 has a width or diameter that is greater than the width or diameter D61 of the body 61 . Thus, the head 62 forms at least two wing-portions 621 , 622, which extend sideways from the body 61 at opposite sides, each one for a width E62.

In the specific example, a fastening member 6 having a substantially mushroom-like shape, that even more specifically is a screw, is shown. As an alternative, the fastening member may be inter alia a large-headed nail, a bracket, a clip or another member.

In particular, the stem 61 of the fastening member 6 is inserted (screwed, for example, in the case of a screw) into the beam 5, though leaving the head 62 and a portion of the stem 61 projecting out from the top surface of the beam 5. The first strip 1 a is put on the beam 5 with the second lateral face 22 facing the fastening member 6 and is pushed against the latter, until the second protrusion 221 is inserted between the head 62 and the surface of the beam 5, stopping against the projecting stem 61. The head 62 is then at least partially housed in the cavity 240. The projecting portion of the stem 61 is approximately equal to the height H2 of the second protrusion 221 .

It is clear that, in a supporting structure comprised of a plurality of beams 5, a fastening member 6 will be arranged for all the beams 5 that support the first strip 1 a, so that the cavity 240 houses a plurality of fastening members 6 along its breadth L22 and the strip 1 a is fastened at a plurality of spots along the second lateral face 22. This also applies to all further fastening members 6 and additional strips 1 described below.

A second blocking of the first strip 1 a is obtained through another fastening member or screw 6, which is inserted into the beam 5 in the vicinity of the first protrusion 21 1 of the first lateral face 21 , as shown in Figure 5. The stem 61 of the fastening member 6 is adjacent to the first protrusion 21 1 , in particular to the flank 214 of the latter; a first portion or wing 621 of the head 62 of the fastening member 6 rests on the first protrusion 21 1 , in particular on its top surface 213. Therefore, a corresponding region of the first protrusion 21 1 is enclosed between the head 62 and the beam 5, being substantially clamped between them.

In this way, the first strip 1 a is fastened to the first beam 5. In fact, the lifting thereof from the beam 5 is prevented by the heads 62 of the fastening members 6, which interfere with the respective first protrusion 21 1 and second protrusion 221. The displacement thereof along the beam 5 is prevented from the projecting stems members 61 of the fastening members 6, which act as opposite abutments for the first face 21 and the second face 22.

A second strip 1 b is arranged on the supporting structure 5, in such a way that the second lateral face 22 of the second strip 1 b is facing the first lateral face 21 of the first strip 1 a. As shown in Figures 6 and 7, the second strip 1 b is pushed towards the first strip 1 a, until it is side by side with the latter and the second protrusion 221 is below the head 62 of the fastening member 6.

In other words, the first lateral face 21 of the first strip 1 a faces the second lateral face 22 of the second strip 1 b, and the fastening member 6 is between the first strip 1 a and the second strip 1 b; the stem 61 of the fastening member 6 is adjacent to the second protrusion 221 of the second strip 1 b, in particular to the flank 224. Some distance or play may be between the stem 61 and the flanks 214, 224 of the respective protrusions 21 1 , 221 , to allow thermal expansion of the strips 1 a, 1 b. A second portion or wing 622 of the head 62 of the fastening member 6 rests on the second protrusion 221 of the second strip 1 b, in particular on its top surface 223. Therefore, the second portion of the head 62 of the fastening member 6 is positioned in the cavity 240 of the second strip 1 b and a corresponding region of the second protrusion 221 is enclosed between said second head portion 62 and the beam 5, being substantially clamped between them.

A spacing or gap 90, which is visible on the top surface of the flooring 9, is left between the first strip 1 a and the second strip 1 b. Such a gap 90 allows the draining of water and / or a certain degree of thermal expansion.

Furthermore, as shown in detail in Figures 9 and 10, the third protrusion 231 of the second strip 1 b entirely covers the head 62 of the fastening member 6, thanks to the length T3 of the third protrusion 231 being greater than the length T2 of the second protrusion 221 . The fastening member 6, and in particular the head 62, is hidden by the top face 1 1 of the second strip 1 b and then it is not visible to an observer, when the flooring 9 is completed. In fact, the head 62 is between the top face 1 1 of the second strip 1 b and the beam 5.

In other words, the gap 90 is not positioned in correspondence with the head 62 and is staggered relative to the latter.

In particular, the difference TD between the length T3 of the third protrusion 231 and the length T2 of the second protrusion 221 is greater than or equal to the sum S6 of the width or diameter D61 of the stem 61 and the width E62 of said first portion or wing 621 of the head 62.

The width of the gap 90 is related to the lengths T1 , T2 and T3 of the protrusions 21 1 , 221 , 231 . In particular, if the length T1 of the first stretch formed by the first protrusion 21 1 is roughly equal to the difference TD, the width L90 of the gap 90 is comparable with the diameter D61 of the stem 61 of the fastening member 6. In any case, different design values of the width of the gap 90 may be achieved by providing greater or lower lengths for the first stretch and / or the third stretch.

The step-like shape of the third protrusion 231 , or in any case its cross-section with changing height, is favorable to create a larger seat for the top of the head 62 of the fastening member 6, which for example is convex.

Furthermore, this shape of the third protrusion 231 is favorable to minimize the risk of interference with the head 62 during positioning of the second strip 1 b. For example, the strip 1 b is tilted and the first lateral face 21 is lifted to facilitate the insertion of the second protrusion 221 below the head 62 of the fastening member 6; the shape of the third protrusion 231 allows to avoid that, during the tilting and pushing of the second strip 1 b, the end of the third protrusion 231 goes to hit against the top of the head 62 of the fastening member 6.

A further fastening member 6b is inserted into the beam 5 in the vicinity of the first protrusion 21 1 of the first lateral face 21 of the second strip 1 b, similarly to what is described above for the first strip 1 a. In this way, a fastening also of the second strip 1 b is achieved (Figure 8).

The above-described procedure for mounting the second strip 1 b is repeated similarly for a third strip 1 c and for further strips 1 , until a flooring 9 covering the entire required surface area is assembled.

Figures 1 1 and 12 show a second embodiment of a strip 1 according to the present disclosure. In this variant, the first protrusion 21 1 and the second protrusion 221 do not extend as continuous elements along the entire breadth L21 , L22 of the respective lateral face 21 , 22.

In fact, each first protrusion 21 1 and second protrusion 221 extends for a portion shorter than the breadth of the respective lateral face 21 , 22. In particular, a plurality of first protrusions 21 1 , located on the first lateral face 21 and spaced with a certain distance from each other, and a plurality of second protrusions 221 , located on the second lateral face 22 and spaced with a certain distance from each other, are provided. Between a first protrusion 21 1 and the other, as well as between a second protrusion 221 and the other, there is a spacing or interval at which the respective front surface 210, 220 extends as far as the edge with the bottom face 12.

Each first protrusion 21 1 is aligned with a respective second protrusion 221 , for instance according to an alignment direction which is parallel to the third face 31 and the fourth face 32. In this way, in the installed flooring, each first protrusion 21 1 of a strip 1 a is in correspondence with a second protrusion 221 of a side-by-side strip 1 b, thus providing a fastening region that can be engaged by a respective fastening member 6. The making method described above can be similarly applied also to this second embodiment. Obviously, the number, the position and the width of the first protrusions 21 1 and second protrusions 212 should be chosen also according to the features of the supporting structure and the number and position of the support beams 5.

The subject of the present disclosure has been described hitherto with reference to preferred embodiments thereof. It is to be understood that other embodiments relating to the same inventive idea may exist, all falling within the scope of protection of the claims which are provided hereinbelow.