Fastening device template

Abstract

A fastening device template for joining mosaic pieces together having two variants that are easy to install by unskilled labor so as to help them achieve professional result. The device can be for assembling individual planks that together make up a floor covering such as solid wood flooring and engineered flooring, or it can be used for tiles. It can also be used to assemble individual parts which, together, create a piece of furniture. In this application, the generic term “mosaic” or “mosaic units” will be used to describe the individual pieces which, as indicated hereinabove, have a multitude of possible uses. Mosaic units can be assembled in all possible XYZ plans: side-to-side, side-to-face, side-to-end, end-to-end, end-to-face. In order to do so, the invention has an elongated clip core. At least one wing member attached to and extending a portion of the length of the clip core, and resilient leg members adapted to be frictionally inserted within a groove of a mosaic piece.

Claims

1. An assembly of at least two mosaic pieces made of wood, each having a groove and a fastening device for joining said two mosaic pieces together, said device comprising an elongated clip core comprising at least one wing member, wherein each said wing member is terminated by a perpendicular protruding tip; said at least one wing member attached to and extending a portion of the length of said clip core, said at least one wing member consisting of a resilient leg member adapted to flex and be inserted within said groove of said mosaic piece; wherein each said groove being longitudinal with ends terminated by a protruding void tip at a distal end thereof and said fastening device positioned within each said groove of said mosaic pieces such that said elongated clip core ended by said protruding tips coincides inside said groove, with said protruding tips of said fastening device coinciding inside said protruding void tips of each said groove to thereby hold said mosaic pieces together, said protruding void tips of each said groove comprising an exterior angle providing a space for said perpendicular protruding tip and opposing surfaces of the at least two mosaic pieces slanted to form an angle of about 0.5 degrees therebetween, providing an inverted “V” shape space between the at least two mosaic pieces.

2. The fastening device of claim 1, wherein said fastening device can be made from a material chosen from a list of materials including plastic, metal, ferrous material, and wood.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1 Isometric view of a first variant of the invention showing insertion through the side of a mosaic.

(2) FIG. 2 Isometric, view of a second variant of the invention showing insertion through the side of a mosaic.

(3) FIGS. 3a-b End view, and end view detail, respectively, of the invention of FIG. 1 in context of use in a side by side mosaic configuration.

(4) FIG. 3c End view detail of two pieces of the invention of FIG. 1 in context of use in a side by side mosaic configuration.

(5) FIGS. 4a-b End view, and end view detail, respectively, of the invention of FIG. 2 in context of use in a side by side mosaic configuration.

(6) FIGS. 5a-b shows first variants of FIG. 1 with two distant tips below.

(7) FIGS. 6a-c shows first variants of FIG. 2 with toothed legs.

(8) FIGS. 7a-b shows second variants of FIG. 2 with square angles.

(9) FIGS. 8a-b shows third variants of FIG. 2 with crossed legs.

(10) FIGS. 9a-b shows fourth variants of FIG. 2 with a tip for insertion at one end.

(11) FIG. 10 shows a second variant of FIG. 1 with two circular rings ending longitudinal clip core.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

(12) In the following description and in the accompanying drawings, the reference numerals refer to identical parts in the various figures.

(13) FIG. 1 shows a fastening device (10) having a clip core (12) and wings (14). The clip core is having a central large protruding tip (37), the ends thereof are wings (14), and each wing (14) is ending by a protruding tip (34). The protruding tips (24) are configured and sized for frictional insertion into complementarily configured and sized grooves (18) formed by a longitudinal channel (18′) with protruding void tip channel (18″) at a distal end thereof. An exterior angle (44) in the protruding void tips channels (18″) provides enough space for the perpendicular protruding tips (34) to continue to flex and be deformed when the mosaic pieces made of wood are transformed. For example when the wood dries, the wood decreases in volume and compresses the fastening device which stretches and fills the space formed by the exterior angle, and make coincides each protruding tip (34) with the inner contours of the corresponding protruding void tip channel (18″).

(14) The fastening device remains then always flexible, and the mosaic pieces are always joined together whatever the transformations of the wood.

(15) FIG. 2 shows a second variant (10′) of the fastening device having a clip core (12′) between two wings (15,15′). Each wing generally consists in twin legs (16) that are resiliently flexible to allow for frictional insertion into a groove made within a plank, board, piece of furniture henceforth referred to as a mosaic (20). Each leg is ending by a protruding tip.

(16) FIGS. 3a-3b show the fastening device (10′) which connects two mosaics (20) placed side by side. In FIG. 3b one sees the fastening device having a clip core (12), two wings and a central large protruding tip (37).

(17) In FIG. 3a each of the mosaic pieces (20) comprises an angle their longitudinal side, they are inclined inwardly at the junction side, the inclination provides space for the elongated clip core (12) to continue to flex, to be deformed. And to be inserted within the grooves until the elongated clip core coincides with the inner contour of the groove. An angle (48) is formed above the clip core by both inward inclinations of each of the longitudinal sides of each of the mosaic pieces, and is about 0.5°. This angle is very important for the mosaic pieces made of wood because, when the wood dries and decreases in volume, the wood compresses the fastening device which stretches and fills the space formed by the angle of about 0.5°, and make coincides the elongated clip core (12) with the inner contours of the groove (18).

(18) One sees the tiny space (46), the space occupied by the angle (48) below the clip core of the fastening device (10).

(19) FIG. 3c shows two fastening devices (10) disposed against each other so that their central large protruding tips are pressed together. Both pieces connect two mosaics (20) placed side by side. The protruding tips of both fastening devices are configured and sized for frictional insertion into complementarily configured and sized grooves made in the mosaics (20).

(20) As seen in FIGS. 4a-4b, the fastening device (10′) with a central large protruding tip (37) at the clip core (12′) is frictionally interacting a part of the mosaic (20). The use of resilient deformation for insertion of one element into another element wherein both elements present complementarily configured and sized shapes is known in the art and need not be further discussed herein.

(21) FIGS. 5a-5b show variants (24) of the fastening device of FIG. 1 which have two protruding tips (22,22′) instead of the central large protruding tip (37). Such device (24) may be used for connecting two mosaics (20) with a V-shaped space in between.

(22) FIGS. 6a-c show first variants (26,26′,26″) of FIG. 2 with toothed legs and clip cores in a rectangular shape.

(23) FIGS. 7a-b show second variants (28,28′) of FIG. 2 with all the angles square.

(24) FIGS. 8a-b show third variants (36,36′) of FIG. 2 with crossed legs.

(25) FIGS. 9a-b show fourth variants (32,32′) of FIG. 2 having a pair of wings (15) at a side of the clip core (12′) and the other side of the clip core is ending with a tip to be frictionally inserted or screwed inside a piece of furniture for furniture.

(26) FIG. 10 show a second variant of FIG. 1 having circular rings (52,52′) ending a longitudinal clip core (12) instead of protruding tips. The circular rings are configured and sized for frictional insertion into complementarily configured and sized grooves, during the insertion the circular rings are compressed and they expand to their initial shape inside the groove.

(27) As to a further discussion of the manner of usage and operation of the present invention, the same should be apparent from the above description. Accordingly, no further discussion relating to the manner of usage and operation will be provided.

(28) With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention. Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.

(29) TABLE-US-00002 PARTS 10 Fastening device 10′ Second variant fastening device 12,12′ Clip cores 14 Wing 15,15′ Opposite pair of wings 16 Legs member 18 Groove 18′ Longitudinal channel of the groove 18 18″ Protruding void tip channel of the groove 18 20 Mosaics 22,22′ Two distant protruding tips 24 Fastening device having protruding tips 22,22′ 34 Protruding tip 37 Central large protruding tip 26,26′,26″ Fastening devices with toothed legs 28,28′ Fastening devices having square angles 32,32′ Fastening devices ending with tips for insertion 42 A tip for insertion by friction 42′ A screwed tip 44 Exterior angle of the protruding void tip channel 18″ 46 Tiny space 48 Angle of about 0.5° 50 Fastening device with circular rings ending the core. 52,52′ Circular rings