Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02557385 2006-08-24
1
LOOSELY LAID NATURAL STONE PANEL FLOOR
The invention relates to a natural stone panel floor,
whereby the floor panels thereof are laid at a distance
from each other on an essentially flat base.
It is well-known to loosely lay natural stone floor
coverings on an essentially flat base for meetings, shift
fairs etc. for later further use. As a compensation for
variations, narrow gaps are formed between the panels,
employing for example cross-shaped plastic spacers, which
are commonly used for laying fixed panels. In this case
however, the result is not an immovable composite structure
of the panels, and any height differences of the ground
cause the panels to tilt and/or form steps at the joints,
which makes the floor mere difficult to walk on and
possibly brings about a risk of falling. Also the free
edges of the panels can be damaged, which in particular
impairs their re-use.
It is the aim of the invention to create a loosely laid
natural stone panel floor which exhibits a mostly flat,
joint-free surface and which is easy to lay and to take up
again.
The solution is attained in such a way that that the floor
panels comprise, respectively, a groove which is arranged
on the lateral surfaces thereof and respectively a plastic
spacer which is arranged between adjacent floor panels,
said spacer supporting a clamping crosspiece on both sides
thereof, which is maintained in a clamped manner in the
groove.
CA 02557385 2006-08-24
2
Favourable embodiments are indicated in the subclaims.
The clamping crosspieces preferably exhibit a horizontal
boundary surface and clamping lamellas in opposite
orientation, which are held in the groove in a clamping
fit. The boundary surface gives an exact reference to the
adjacent groove surface. Favourably, the spacer extends
upward from the clamping crosspieces in the joint up to the
level of the stone panel, distancing the plates, so that a
smooth, well-closed surface is formed above the joint.
Furthermore, it proves to be favourable, to use a
relatively firm plastic such as PP, PE or ABS for the
clamping crosspieces and the intermediate region and to use
a softer component for the upper joint region which is
moulded on by injection.
Preferably the upper edges of the soft region extend
laterally above the joints, far enough to fill the
respective chamfer of the stone, which is bevelled of
approximately 1 mm.
This way no dirty or washing water etc can penetrate. Also
small variations of the joint remain invisible, which by
can occur due to the cutting of the stone and/or
misalignments during use.
Fig. 1 shows favourable embodiments.
Fig. 1 shows a cross section of a joint region with a stone
panel attached.
The side surfaces of the stone panels 1 are provided with a
groove 11, which is preferably situated in the middle at
half the height of the plate.
CA 02557385 2006-08-24
3
A joint spacer 2 extends between the stone panels l,
extending respective clamping crosspieces 20, 21 into the
corresponding grooves 11 on both sides. Preferably the
clamping crosspiece 20, 21 exhibits an essentially smooth
reference surface 22 at the top, defining the height at
which it is situated in relation to the upper surface of
the groove. The soft plastic knobs (24B) attached by means
of injection-moulding, increase the clamping effect and
ensure a sealing against moisture.
Retaining lamellas 23 of conical and/or knob shape extend
downward from the continuous clamping crosspiece region
in a flexible manner providing a clamping fit in the groove
11. A joint region 24 of the spacer 2 extends upward from
the reference surface 22 in the joint, where the upper
joint region 24A is made from a substantially more flexible
material.
The flexible joint region 24A projects from the vertical
joint with diverging edge regions 25 into the respective
chamfer 12 bevelled on the stones 10 and fills it in a
sealing manner.
The grooves are for example 3.0 mm wide and 7 mm deep.
Accordingly, before the installation, the lateral
crosspieces of the connecting element are about 3.2 mm high
and 6.8 mm wide. The joint region 24 of the connecting
element is for example 7 mm high, which corresponds to the
interval between the reference level 22 and the surface of
the stone. The chamfer 12 on the stone 10 is about 1 mm
wide; the projecting region 25 of the joint connector and
spacer 2 is shaped accordingly. The stone panels and the
joint connectors/spacers are also a separate commodity.
CA 02557385 2006-08-24
4
Reference symbols
1 stone panel
11 grooves
12 chamfers
2 plastic spacers
20, 21 clamping crosspieces
22 reference surface
23 lamellas
24 joint region
24A upper, soft joint region
24B sealing and clamping knobs (soft)
25 covering edge regions
