DESCRIPTION

Field of application

The invention which is the subject of the present patent application finds application in the sector of the construction of flooring, in particular in the production of removable parquet flooring intended for sports environments.

In particular, the present invention relates to a coupling system for wooden panels for making removable sports flooring.

State of the art A removable sports parquet is a type of flooring that can be assembled, disassembled, stored, transported, all this to meet the needs of customers, mainly sports clubs or federations who need to have a customized parquet on which to play but do not have a regular sports hall, or they play in arenas where other activities are also carried out such as, by way of example, concerts, fairs, etc. The characteristics of the quality of a system for the construction of a removable sports parquet, in addition to the performance aspects regarding the sporting activity, can typically be summarized in assembly and disassembly speed, ease of assembly and disassembly operations, integrity of the elements in the assembly and disassembly phases, reduced manpower required, solidity and robustness for long-lasting use.

Notoriously, a conventionally removeable parquet consists of a series of panels mutually and solidly associated to form a sports flooring.

Typically each panel consists of a substantially flat surface with a rectangular shape and, therefore, is provided with a pair of long sides and a pair of short sides.

Conventionally, the association between the various panels takes place by means of coupling systems that can be divided into Coupling systems for cooperation of elements associated with the ends of the panels

These coupling systems, for example coupling to rings and pins or spring coupling systems, substantially provide for the coupling of elements associated with the ends of the panels to be associated and the insertion of connection elements for the construction of the flooring. For example, the patent application CN1191261 "SETTING STRUCTURE OF SETTING LAYING FLOOR MATERIAL" describes a system for connecting flooring panels, in particular heating panels for the construction of a floor heating system, said system comprising removable fixing means for fixing a panel to the adjacent panel.

According to what is reported in the aforementioned document, the system provides for the creation of a recess on the lower surface of a first panel, said recess being suitable for the insertion of an element with a concave longitudinal shape and the cooperation between the concave longitudinal shaped element with a longitudinal shaped plate.

In particular, the longitudinally shaped plate comprises a pair of convex lateral profiles which cooperate with the longitudinal concave slot of the concave longitudinal shaped element (20) inserted in the recess (22) giving the longitudinal shaped plate (18) a "U" shaped section.

Document FR2906285 describes a system for the construction of a removable floor, said system being substantially in an element having a "U"-shaped section equipped with lateral ends equipped with flaps, said element being able to be inserted between a panel and the adjacent panel; in particular, each side flap of the element is inserted into a recess obtained for the entire length of the panel on the long side or on the short side or on both.

The solutions described have the significant disadvantage that, due to the mechanical stress to which a sports floor is subjected, the friction effect between the connection element and the wooden surface with which the panel is made would inevitably lead to an instability over time of the set of associated panels. Consequently, in the area of association between the plate-like element and the concave element referred to in the document or between the connection element and the surface of the longitudinal recess referred to in the document, the tension could be such as to generate a detachment of the elements themselves or breakage of the wood to which they are associated, consequently creating a series of related problems for the stability of the entire flooring.

Male / female systems

This type of coupling provides for the association of an element of the "male" type having a longitudinal connection plug associated, typically by gluing, to one of the long sides of the panel which engages an associated longitudinal recess, typically by gluing to one of the long sides of the corresponding panel, to create a "male / female" type coupling system.

Typically in these coupling systems, both the "male" type element and the "female" type element are made of metal to ensure the "male / female" association.

The substantial disadvantage of the solution described consists in the fact that in the "male / female" association area, the tension of the metal elements is such as to generate a detachment of the elements themselves and a break in the wood to which they are associated, consequently creating a series of problems regarding the stability of the entire flooring.

Also known to the state of the art are systems comprising a metal element associated with an end of a first panel, said metal element being substantially constituted by a quadrangular shape with a pair of long sides and a pair of short sides; in particular, the end of a long side comprises a flap with a bend on one end, said flap being inserted into a recess obtained by milling in the end of the long side of a second panel, thereby creating a "first panel/panel" association by association of the respective long sides. These systems have the main disadvantage of generating cracks on the short side of the panels, as the coupling is fixed exclusively to the long side without elements that allow a sufficient hold to the short sides / heads of the panels.

A solution to the aforementioned disadvantage, known to the state of the art, and also implemented by the writer, consists in the realization of a metal coupling system, associated with a first panel and equipped with a sort of flap capable of being inserted into a milling made in the wood of a second panel.

However, even this described solution does not comprise the means for guaranteeing a sufficient hold on the panel heads. To obviate what has been described above, it is known in the state of the art to also equip the short side of the panels / head with a coupling device that is completely similar to that applied to the long side of a first panel and cooperating with a milling made on the short side of the second panel. Despite the solution of the head seal, the aforementioned system entails the disadvantage that, following a repeated series of assembly / disassembly of the system, the surface of the millings made in the wood of the panels over time is compromised by not ensuring sufficient engagement of the metal flap, both on the long side and on the short side of the associated panels.

In the state of the art, an alternative coupling system is also known which comprises a metal plate positioned at the centre of the long side of a first panel, said plate being equipped with a pair of conical pins suitable for be used in a corresponding pair of passage holes made in the long side of the second corresponding panel.

The aforementioned solution involves the significant disadvantage of wear, mainly by friction, of the wooden joint in which the conical pins are inserted, significantly reducing the stability and duration of the "first panel / second panel" association. In particular, being a "pin" type connector, the surface where the connection is made is reduced; consequently the traction energy is substantially concentrated in a surface of a few millimetres with inevitable compromise of the interlocking hole, surface damage and lack of tightness of the connection. In the state of the art, a coupling system is also known which comprises a plate positioned centrally on the long side, said plate being equipped with a pair of front flaps, a side flap positioned on the long right side and a side flap positioned on the long left side.

The above solution also involves the significant disadvantage of wear, mainly by friction, of the wooden joint in which the 4 flaps are inserted, significantly reducing the stability and duration of the "first panel / second panel" association.

The purpose of the invention, which is the subject of the present patent application, is therefore to solve the disadvantages of the state of the art, in particular, by realizing a reversible coupling system between parquet panels for the construction of a flooring for sports use which is simple in the phase of the assembly of the flooring . A further object of the invention, which is the subject of the present patent application, is to provide a solution to such diasadvantages, namely providing a reversible coupling system between parquet panels for the construction of a flooring for sports use which allows easy assembly.

A further object of the invention, which is the subject of the present patent application, is to provide a reversible coupling system between parquet panels for the construction of a flooring for sports use which maintains the integrity of the surface of the panels even after a large number of assembly/disassembly operations.

A further object of the invention, which is the subject of the present patent application, is to provide a reversible coupling system between parquet panels for the construction of a sports floor which allows a stable and safe association of the panels. This, and further purposes, will be achieved by means of the coupling system for parquet panels as well as in the description and in the claims and, as will be shown, in the attached Tables.

Brief description of the drawings

The invention, which is the subject of the present patent application, is shown in the attached Tables in which

Figure 1 top overall view of the coupling system object of the present patent application;

Figure 2 bottom overall view of the coupling system object of the present patent application;

Fig 3 top view of a first part of the coupling system object of the present patent application;

Fig 4 bottom view of a first part of the coupling system object of the present patent application; Fig 5 top detail view of a first part of the coupling system object of the present patent application; Fig 6 bottom detail view of a first part of the coupling system object of the present patent application;

Fig 7 bottom detail view of a first part of the coupling system object of the present patent application; Fig 8 exemplification of a first part of the coupling system associated with a first panel;

Fig 9: overall view of a second part of the coupling system object of the present patent application; Fig 10: overall view of a second part of the coupling system object of the present patent application; Fig 11: detailed view of the side profile of the second part of the coupling system object of the present patent application; Fig 12: view of the coupling system object of the present patent application associated with a pair of panels.

Fig 13: overall view of a series of panels equipped with the coupling system object of the present patent application.

Detailed description With reference to the attached Tables, the coupling system (1) object of the present patent application is made up of a first plate (1.1) and a second plate (1.2).

According to the invention object of the present patent application, at least a first plate (1.1) is associated with the long side of a first panel (20) and at least a second plate (1.2) is associated with a second panel (21) intended to be associated with the first panel (20).

According to the invention which is the subject of the present patent application, the first plate (1.1, Fig 3-7) has a substantially quadrangular shape consisting of a first surface (1.1.1) and a second surface (1.1.2) superimposed on said first surface (1.1.1).

With reference to Fig 3, in particular the first surface (1.1.1) is constituted by a substantially quadrangular shape with a thickness (1.1.1.1); the second surface (1.2.1) is also constituted by a substantially quadrangular shape with a thickness (1.2.1.1) less than the thickness (1.1.1.1) of the first surface (1.1.1).

With particular reference to Fig 4, the first surface (1.1.1) has a through connection slot (1.7) which extends transversely with respect to the second surface (1.1.1). According to the invention which is the subject of the present patent application, the transverse through connection slot (1.7) is positioned on the first surface (1.1.1) in correspondence with the constrained end of the second surface (1.1.2).

With particular reference to Fig 7, the transverse through connection slot (1.7) has a pair of lateral sections (1.7.1, 1.7.2) and a central section (1.7.3). In a preferential, but not exclusive, realization, the internal surfaces of the lateral sections (1.7.1, 1.7.2) of the transverse through slot (1.7) are orthogonal to the plane of the second surface (1.1.1) In a preferential but not exclusive realization, the internal surface of the central portion (1.7.3) of the transverse through slot (1.7) is inclined with respect to the first surface (1.1.1). With particular reference to Fig 5 and Fig 6, the second surface (1.1.2) is superimposed and decentralized with respect to the first surface (1.1.1) to create in the first plate (1.1) a free anterior surface (1.1.4) and a free rear surface (1.1.5) which has (Fig 7) at least one series of through holes (1.1.6.1,1.1.6.n). With reference to Fig 3 and Fig 5, the constrained end (1.8) of the second surface (1.1.3) has a specular conformation to the conformation of the transverse through slot (1.7) of the first surface (1.1.1).

According to the invention, which is the subject of the present patent application, the first plate (1.1) is housed in a first panel (20). In a preferential but not exclusive realization, the first panel (20) consists of a birch multi layer panel or a panel consisting of an odd number of layers of veneer glued together.

In particular (Fig 8) in the thickness of a first panel (20) a recess is obtained in which the first plate (1.1) is housed.

In particular, the first surface (1.1.1) of the first plate (1.1) is inserted in the recess obtained in the thickness of the first panel (20) so that the free rear surface (1.1.5) of the second surface (1.1.2) is flush with the upper surface of the first panel (20) while the free front surface (1.1.4) of the first surface (1.1.4) lies on a lower plane than the plane of the upper surface of the first panel (20) .

In order to ensure a correct association of the first plate (1.1) to the first panel (20), a series of association means, such as screws or the like, is inserted by insertion into the at least three through holes (1.1.6.1.1.1.6.n ) with which the rear free surface (1.1.5) is equipped.

In a preferential form, the first plate (1.1) made according to what was previously described is made of thermoplastic material. With reference to Fig 1, Fig 2, Fig 9 and Fig 10, the second plate (1.2) substantially consists of a quadrangular structure in metal material having a pair of long sides (1.2.1) and a pair of short sides (1.2. 2.1.1.2.2.2).

In particular, a first short side (1.2.2.1, Fig 9) has a pair of through slots (1.2.7) which generate three segments (1.2.3, 1.2.4, 1.2.5) separated hereinafter called "flaps" .

As previously described and with reference to Fig 9, the first short side (1.2.2.1) has two lateral fins (1.2.3, 1.2.4) and a central fin (1.2.5).

In particular, the free end of each lateral flap (1.2.3, 1.2.4) has a fold (1.2.8) arranged at 90 ° with respect to the plane of the surface of the second plate (1.2). In a preferential but not exclusive realization, the central flap (1.2.5) has an angle greater than 90 ° with respect to the plane of the surface of the second plate (1.2).

With reference to Fig 11, according to the invention object of the present patent application, the length of the fold (1.2.8) of each side flap (1.2.3, 1.2.4) is less than the length of the fold (1.2.9) of the central flap (1.2.5). According to the invention, which is the subject of the present patent application, the second short side (1.2.2.2) has a series of through holes (1.2.6.1,1.2.6. n);

According to the invention object of the present patent application, the free end of the second short side (1.2.2.2) has a fold with respect to the plane of the surface of the second plate (1.2) to create an edge (1.2.2.3). In a preferential, but not exclusive, realization, the fold of the second short side is 90 °.

With reference to Fig 12, the edge (1.2.2.3) of the second short side (1.2.2.2) of the second plate (1.2), made according to what was previously described, is inserted into a transverse recess generated on a second panel (21). In a preferential but not exclusive realization, the second panel (21) consists of a birch multi layer panel or a panel consisting of an odd number of layers of veneer, glued together.

For greater solidity of association, the second plate (1.2) is also associated with the surface of the second panel (21) by inserting suitable association means, such as screws, in the through holes 1.2.6.1,1.2.6. n).

According to the invention object of the present patent application, the second plate (1.2) engages the first plate (1.1) associated with the first panel (20).

In particular (Fig 1, Fig 2, Fig 12) each lateral flap (1.2.3,1.2.4) present on the first short side (1.2.2.1) of the second plate (1.2) inserts into the corresponding lateral section (1.7.1,1.7.2) of the transverse through connection slot (1. 7) of the first plate (1.1) and the central flap (1.2.5) inserts into the corresponding central section (1.7.3) of the transverse through connection slot (1.7) of the first plate

(1.1) thus realising the association between the first panel (20) and the second panel (21). According to the above, the coupling system (1) consisting of a first plate (1.1) and a second plate

(1.2) made as described, allows the operator to associate the panels (20,21) more easily than the known solutions thanks to the simplicity of the cooperation system between the first (1.1) and the second plate (1.2).

In particular, the fact that the central flap (1.2.5), having a lower inclination than the inclination of the side flaps (1.2.3, 1.2.4) and having a greater length than the length of the side fins (1.2.3, 1.2.4), allows the insertion into the transverse connection slot (1.7) to take place initially by means of said central flap (1.2.5).

The inclination of the internal surface of the central section (1.7.3) of the transversal connection slot (1.7) therefore acts as an opening for the central flap (1.2.5) allowing both an easy insertion of the side flaps (1.2.3.1.2 .4) is a simple removal. In a preferential and non-limiting realization for the purposes of the novelty and inventive activity requirements of the invention object of the present patent application, each panel (20,21, Fig IB) is equipped with: at least two second plates (1.2) associated with a long side; - at least two first plates (1.1) associated with the opposite long side; at least a second plate (1.2) associated with a short side; at least one first plate (1.1) associated with the opposite short side.

According to the above, the coupling system object of the present patent application achieves the aforementioned purposes, in particular by realizing a panel association system which is simple for the operator and short-lived both regarding the assembly and regarding the disassembly phase. The appropriate choice of materials, in particular the fact that the first plate (1.1) is made of plastic material, overcomes the disadvantages of the state of the art as regards the wear of the wood surface to which the system is associated.

Furthermore, the realization of the second plate (1.2) in metal material with a thickness such as not to be flexible, allows the disadvantages of the state of the art to be overcome thus avoiding bending phenomena and therefore avoiding the wear of the plate engagement surface.