COMBINABLE FLOOR PANELS AND AN ASSEMBLY OF THE SAME

Abstract

A combinable floor includes a body, at least one engaging part, at least one crushable portion, and a film. The crushable portion is located between the body and the engaging part. The crushable portion includes at least one groove. The groove has a groove bottom and a groove opening opposite to the groove bottom. The groove opening is set at the lower crushable-portion surface. The length direction of the groove follows the length direction of the body end side. The depth direction of the groove follows the thickness direction of the body. The distance between the groove bottom and the lower body surface is greater than half of the thickness of the body. The film covers and is attached to the upper body surface, the upper crushable-portion surface and the upper engaging-part surface.

Claims

1. A combinable floor panel, comprising: a body, having an upper body surface, a lower body surface and at least one body end side, wherein the body end side is connected to the upper body surface and the lower body surface, and the distance between the upper body surface and the lower body surface is the thickness of the body; at least one engaging part, having an upper engaging-part surface, a starting side, and a terminal side opposite to the starting side, wherein the starting side is connected to the upper engaging-part surface; at least one crushable portion, having an upper crushable-portion surface, a lower crushable-portion surface and two opposite crushable-portion end sides, wherein the two opposite crushable-portion end sides are each connected to the upper crushable-portion surface, the crushable portion is located between the body and the engaging part, the two opposite crushable-portion end sides are respectively connected to the body end side and the starting side of the engaging part, and the upper crushable-portion surface is connected to the upper body surface and the upper engaging-part surface; wherein the crushable portion includes at least one groove, the groove has a groove bottom and a groove opening opposite to the groove bottom, the groove opening is set at the lower crushable-portion surface, the length direction of the groove follows the length direction of the body end side, the depth direction of the groove follows the thickness direction of the body, and the distance between the groove bottom and the lower body surface is greater than half of the thickness of the body; and a film, covering and attached to the upper body surface, the upper crushable-portion surface and the upper engaging-part surface.

2. The combinable floor panel of claim 1, wherein the engaging part is a male fastener, the male fastener is a protruding member, the protruding direction of the protruding member follows a direction perpendicular to the thickness direction of the body, the crushable portion is a male-fastener crushable portion, and the distance between the groove bottom and the upper crushable-portion surface ranges from 1 to 3 mm.

3. The combinable floor panel of claim 2, wherein the width of the groove bottom of the male-fastener crushable portion is smaller than the width of the groove opening of the male-fastener crushable portion.

4. The combinable floor panel of claim 2, wherein the terminal side of the protruding member includes a notch and a protrusion, the notch is adjacent to the upper engaging-part surface, and the protrusion is adjacent to the notch.

5. The combinable floor panel of claim 1, wherein the engaging part is a female fastener, the female fastener is a groove member, the protruding direction of the groove member follows a direction perpendicular to the thickness direction of the body, the crushable portion is a female-fastener crushable portion, and the distance between the groove bottom and the upper crushable-portion surface ranges from 1 to 3 mm.

6. The combinable floor panel of claim 5, wherein the width of the groove of the female-fastener crushable portion ranges from 1.2 to 2 mm, and the lower crushable-portion surface of the female-fastener crushable portion is connected to the lower body surface and the lower engaging-part surface of the female fastener.

7. The combinable floor panel of claim 6, wherein the at least one groove comprises two adjacent grooves, the two adjacent grooves have two adjacent groove side walls, the groove side wall is connected to the groove bottom and the groove opening, and the distance between the two adjacent groove side walls ranges from 1.2 to 2 mm.

8. The combinable floor panel of claim 5, wherein the groove member includes a receiving groove and a peripheral portion defining the receiving groove, the receiving groove has a receiving-groove bottom and a receiving-groove opening, the width of the receiving-groove bottom is greater than the width of the receiving-groove opening, the receiving-groove opening faces the receiving-groove bottom, the peripheral portion has a first flange and a second flange, the first flange and the second flange define the receiving-groove opening, the protruding direction of the first flange follows a direction perpendicular to the thickness direction of the body, the protruding direction of the second flange follows the thickness direction of the body, and the terminal side of the groove member includes the second flange.

9. The combinable floor panel of claim 5, wherein the groove member includes a receiving groove and a peripheral portion defining the receiving groove, the receiving groove has a receiving-groove bottom, a first receiving-groove side surface, a second receiving-groove side surface and a receiving-groove opening, the width of the receiving-groove bottom is greater than the width of the receiving-groove opening, the receiving-groove opening faces the receiving-groove bottom, the first receiving-groove side surface is connected to the receiving-groove bottom and the second receiving-groove side surface, the second receiving-groove side surface is connected to the first receiving-groove side surface and the receiving-groove opening, the peripheral portion has a first flange, the protruding direction of the first flange follows a direction perpendicular to the thickness direction of the body, the upper surface of the first flange is a part of the upper engaging-part surface of the groove member, the lower surface of the first flange is the second receiving-groove side surface, the distance between the intersection line, of the extension of the first receiving-groove side surface and the upper engaging-part surface, and the extension of the groove side wall of the groove ranges from 2 to 3 mm, and the groove side wall is connected to the groove bottom and the groove opening.

10. The combinable floor panel of claim 1, wherein the body, the crushable portion and the engaging part are an integrally formed structure, and the integrally formed structure includes materials of stone powder and polyvinyl chloride resin.

11. A floor assembly, comprising: a first floor panel, having the male fastener of the combinable floor panel of claim 2; and a second floor panel, having thea female fastener of the combinable floor panel of claim 5, wherein the engaging part includes a female fastener, the female fastener is a groove member, the protruding direction of the groove member follows a direction perpendicular to the thickness direction of the body, the crushable portion is a female-fastener crushable portion, and the distance between the groove bottom and the upper crushable-portion surface ranges from 1 to 3 mm, wherein the second flange of the groove member is inserted into the groove of the male-fastener crushable portion, and the distance between the top end of the second flange and the upper crushable-portion surface of the male-fastener crushable portion is greater than the distance between the groove bottom of the male-fastener crushable portion and the upper crushable-portion surface of the male-fastener crushable portion.

12. The floor assembly of claim 11, wherein the first flange of the groove member is inserted into the notch of the protruding member, and the protrusion of the protruding member is inserted into the receiving groove of the groove member and is located in the space defined by the receiving-groove bottom, the first receiving-groove side surface and the second receiving-groove side surface.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0024] The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding of the disclosure and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification. The drawings illustrate examples of the disclosure and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the disclosure.

[0025] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of the floor panel of the present invention.

[0026] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of the structure of the male fastener of the floor panel of the present invention.

[0027] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of the structure of the female fastener of the floor panel of the present invention.

[0028] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of the female fastener of the floor panel of the present invention in a bent and pressed state.

[0029] FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of the engaging state of the male fastener and the female fastener of the floor panel of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

[0030] In the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments, reference is made to the accompanying drawings which form a part hereof, and in which are shown by way of illustration specific embodiments in which the disclosure may be practiced. In this regard, directional terminology, such as top, bottom, front, back, etc., is used with reference to the orientation of the Figure(s) being described. The components of the disclosure can be positioned in a number of different orientations. As such, directional terminology is used for the purpose of illustration and is in no way limiting. On the other hand, the drawings are only schematic, and the sizes of components may be exaggerated for clarity. It is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized, and structural changes may be made without departing from the scope of the disclosure. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. The use of including, comprising, or having and variations thereof herein is meant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof as well as additional items. Unless limited otherwise, the terms connected, coupled, and mounted and variations thereof herein are used broadly and encompass direct and indirect connections, couplings, and mountings.

[0031] Similarly, the terms facing, faces and variations thereof herein are used broadly and encompass direct and indirect facing, and adjacent to and variations thereof herein are used broadly and encompass directly and indirectly adjacent to. Therefore, the description of A component facing B component herein may contain the situations that A component directly faces B component, or one or more additional components are between A component and B component. Also, the description of A component adjacent to B component herein may contain the situations that A component component is directly adjacent to B component or one or more additional components are between A component and B component. Accordingly, the drawings and descriptions will be regarded as illustrative in nature and not as restrictive.

[0032] As shown in FIG. 1 to 3, in one embodiment, the present invention provides a combinable floor panel. The combinable floor panel includes a body 1, at least one engaging part 2, at least one crushable portion 3, and a film 8. The body 1 has an upper body surface 11, a lower body surface 12 and at least one body end side 13. The body end side 13 is connected to the upper body surface 11 and the lower body surface 12. The distance between the upper body surface 11 and the lower body surface 12 is the thickness L5 of the body.

[0033] The engaging part 2 has an upper engaging-part surface 21, a starting side 22 and a terminal side 23 opposite to the starting side 22. The starting side 22 is connected to the upper engaging-part surface 21.

[0034] The crushable portion 3 has an upper crushable-portion surface 31, a lower crushable-portion surface 33 and two opposite crushable-portion end sides 32. The two opposite crushable-portion end sides 32 are each connected to the upper crushable-portion surface 31. The crushable portion 3 is located between the body 1 and the engaging part 2. The two opposite crushable-portion end sides 32 are respectively connected to the body end side 13 and the starting side 22 of the engaging part 2. The upper crushable-portion surface 31 is connected to the upper body surface 11 and the upper engaging-part surface 21.

[0035] Crushable portion 3 includes at least one groove 6. The groove 6 has a groove bottom 61 and a groove opening 62 being opposite to the groove bottom 61. The groove opening 62 is set at the lower crushable-portion surface 33. The length direction of the groove 6 follows the length direction of the body end side 13. The depth direction of the groove 6 follows the thickness direction of the body 1. The distance between the groove bottom 61 and the lower body surface 12 is greater than half of the thickness of the body 1. The term following mentioned throughout the embodiments refers to: parallel, substantially parallel, or facing the same direction.

[0036] The film 8 covers and is attached to the upper body surface 11, the upper crushable-portion surface 31 and the upper engaging-part surface 21 by glue. The film 8 can be a wear-resistant layer, a decorative layer, a waterproof layer, etc. The position of the film 8 corresponding to the groove 6 of the crushable portion 3 can be filled with reinforcing glue to enhance the connection strength.

[0037] Through the above technical solution, the groove 6 in the crushable portion 3 provides space for the engaging part 2 of the floor panel to deform. When the engaging part 2 of the floor panel is subjected to an external force from above or below, the terminal side 23 of the engaging part 2 can be squeezed toward the groove 6, so that the groove 6 is bent with the groove bottom 61 as the center, and one end of the groove opening 62 approaches the other end of the groove opening 62, to withstand and transfer the external force. Since the distance between the groove bottom 61 and the lower body surface 12 is greater than half of the thickness of the body 1, so as to be relatively thin, the area near the groove bottom 61 becomes a location that is easily broken. When the external force is too large, the area near the groove bottom 61 of the crushable portion 3 is broken to protect the engaging part 2 from damage. In addition, since the film 8 covers and is attached to the upper body surface 11, the upper crushable-portion surface 31 and the upper engaging-part surface 21, the film 8 can cover the broken cracks to prevent the cracks from showing or the crushable portion 3 from falling off, affecting the appearance of the floor panel.

[0038] In one embodiment, the body 1, the crushable portion 3 and the engaging part 2 are an integrally formed structure, and the integrally formed structure includes materials of stone powder and polyvinyl chloride resin.

[0039] Through the above technical solution, the integrally formed structure eliminates the need for additional connections among the body 1, the crushable portion 3 and the engaging part 2, so the positions of the connections are not prone to breakage. The materials of stone powder and polyvinyl chloride resin are environmentally friendly, pollution-free, and easy to install.

[0040] As shown in FIG. 2, in one embodiment, the engaging part 2 is a male fastener 4. The male fastener 4 is a protruding member 41. The protruding direction of the protruding member 41 follows a direction perpendicular to the thickness direction of the body 1. The crushable portion 3 is a male-fastener crushable portion 34. The area between the groove bottom 61 of the groove 6 of the male-fastener crushable portion 34 and the upper body surface 11 forms a predetermined fracture zone 7 for breaking. The distance L1 between the groove bottom 61 of the groove 6 of the male-fastener crushable portion 34 and the upper crushable-portion surface 31 ranges from 1 to 3 mm, for example, the distance L1=3 mm.

[0041] If the groove 6 of the male-fastener crushable portion 34 is too deep and the distance L1 is less than 1 mm, it will easily be broken under normal circumstances; if the groove 6 of the male-fastener crushable portion 34 is too shallow and the distance L1 is greater than 3 mm, the external force will not be effectively guided to the groove 6 in the male-fastener crushable portion 34 so that the fracture position will appear at the dotted line D as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3.

[0042] Through the above technical solution, when the engaging part of the floor panel is subjected to an external force, the male fastener can be pressed toward the male-fastener crushable portion, so that male-fastener crushable portion rotates and is bent with the groove bottom as the center. Since the distance between the groove bottom of the male-fastener crushable portion and the upper crushable-portion surface is in the range of 1 to 3 mm, which is thin enough, the groove bottom of the male-fastener crushable portion becomes a position that is easily broken, thereby ensuring the structural integrity of the male fastener.

[0043] In one embodiment, the width of the groove bottom 61 of the male-fastener crushable portion 34 is smaller than the width of the groove opening 62 of the male-fastener crushable portion 34.

[0044] Through the above technical solution, the groove bottom 61 of the male-fastener crushable portion 34 can meet the need for bending. At the same time, the groove opening 62 is set wider than the groove bottom 61, which also facilitates the insertion of a female fastener.

[0045] In one embodiment, the terminal side 23 of the protruding member 41 includes a notch 42 and a protrusion 43. The notch 42 is adjacent to the upper engaging-part surface 21, and the protrusion 43 is adjacent to the notch 42.

[0046] Through the above technical solution, the notch 42 and the protrusion 43 are both suitable for matching and inserting into a female fastener.

[0047] As shown in FIG. 3, in one embodiment, the engaging part 2 is a female fastener 5. The female fastener 5 is a groove member 51. The protruding direction of the groove member 51 follows a direction perpendicular to the thickness direction of the body 1. The crushable portion 3 is a female-fastener crushable portion 35. The distance L2 between the groove bottom 61 of the groove 6 of the female-fastener crushable portion 35 and the upper crushable-portion surface 31 ranges from 1 to 3 mm. The selection considerations for distance L2 are the same as those for distance L1.

[0048] Through the above technical solution, when the engaging part 2 of the floor panel is subjected to an external force, the female fastener 5 can be pressed toward the female-fastener crushable portion 35, so that female-fastener crushable portion 35 rotates and is bent with the groove bottom 61 as the center. Since the distance L2 between the groove bottom 61 of the female-fastener crushable portion 35 and the upper crushable-portion surface 31 is in the range of 1 to 3 mm, which is thin enough, the groove bottom 61 of the female-fastener crushable portion 35 becomes a position that is easily broken, thereby ensuring the structural integrity of the female fastener 5.

[0049] In one embodiment, the groove member 51 includes a receiving groove 52 and a peripheral portion 53 defining the receiving groove 52. The receiving groove 52 has a receiving-groove bottom 521 and a receiving-groove opening 522. The width of the receiving-groove bottom 521 is greater than the width of the receiving-groove opening 522. The receiving-groove opening 522 faces the receiving-groove bottom 521. The peripheral portion 53 has a first flange 531 and a second flange 532. The first flange 531 and the second flange 532 define the receiving-groove opening 522. The protruding direction of the first flange 531 follows a direction perpendicular to the thickness direction of the body 1. The protruding direction of the second flange 532 follows the thickness direction of the body 1. The terminal side 23 of the groove member 51 includes the second flange 532.

[0050] Through the above technical solution, the first flange 531, the second flange 532 and the receiving-groove bottom 521 are suitable for matching and connecting the male fastener 4.

[0051] In one embodiment, the receiving groove 52 further has a first receiving-groove side surface 523 and a second receiving-groove side surface 524. The first receiving-groove side surface 523 is connected to the receiving-groove bottom 521 and the second receiving-groove side surface 524. The second receiving-groove side surface 524 is connected to the first receiving-groove side surface 523 and the receiving-groove opening 522. The upper surface of the first flange 531 is a part of the upper engaging-part surface 21 of the groove member 51. The lower surface of the first flange 531 is the second receiving-groove side surface 524. The distance L3 between the intersection line, of the extension of the first receiving-groove side surface 523 and the upper engaging-part surface 21, and the extension of the groove side wall of the groove 6 ranges from 2 to 3 mm. The groove side wall 63 is connected to the groove bottom 61 and the groove opening 62.

[0052] Through the above technical solution, when the floor panel is subjected to external force, the groove 6 of the female-fastener crushable portion 35 provides a crushable space for the receiving groove 52. The groove 6 needs to be set within a reasonable range next to the receiving groove 52. If the distance L3 is greater than 3 mm, the external force cannot be guided to the groove 6; if the distance L3 is less than 2 mm, the bending effect of the female fastener 5 is not good.

[0053] In one embodiment, the width L4 of the groove 6 of the female-fastener crushable portion 35 ranges from 1.2 to 2 mm, and the lower crushable-portion surface 33 of the female-fastener crushable portion 35 is connected to the lower body surface 12 and the lower engaging-part surface 24 of the female fastener 5. The area between the groove bottom 61 of the groove 6 of the female-fastener crushable portion 35 and the upper body surface 11 forms a predetermined fracture zone 7 for breaking.

[0054] Through the above technical solution, the groove 6 provides a crushable space for the female-fastener crushable portion 35. The width L4 range of the groove 6 is related to the degree to which the floor panel can be bent. After considering the usage environment of the floor panel and the degree to which the floor panel can be bent, the width L4 range of the groove 6 in the female-fastener crushable portion 35 is preferably 1.2 to 2 mm.

[0055] As shown in FIG. 4, in one embodiment, the at least one groove 6 of the female-fastener crushable portion 35 comprises two adjacent grooves 6. The two adjacent grooves 6 have two adjacent groove side walls 63. The groove side wall 63 is connected to the groove bottom 61 and the groove opening 62, and the distance between the two adjacent groove side walls 63 ranges from 1.2 to 2 mm.

[0056] Through the above technical solution, in order to increase the degree to which the floor panel can be bent, two grooves 6 can be provided in the crushable portion 3. The degree of bending is shown by the triangular dotted line in FIG. 4. The distance between the adjacent grooves 6 is roughly equal to the width of each groove 6 to ensure that the strength of the adjacent groove side walls 63 is stable. If it is too thin, the groove side wall 63 will easily break; if it is too thick, the groove side wall 63 will not be easily pressed and deformed.

[0057] As described above, when the floor panel is subjected to an upward or downward external force, the male fastener 4 or the female fastener 5 uses the fracture zone 7 as a fulcrum and is bent and pressed toward the groove 6 of the male-fastener crushable portion 34 or the groove 6 of the female-fastener crushable portion 35 to absorb the external force and prevent the male fastener 4 or the female fastener 5 from breaking.

[0058] As shown in FIGS. 2, 3 and 5, in one embodiment, the present invention provides a floor assembly. The floor assembly comprises a first floor panel 9 and a second floor panel 10. The first floor panel 9 has the above male fastener 4. The second floor panel 10 has the above female fastener 5. The second flange 532 of the groove member 51 is inserted into the groove 6 of the male-fastener crushable portion 34. The distance between the top end of the second flange 532 and the upper crushable-portion surface 31 of the male-fastener crushable portion 34 is greater than the distance between the groove bottom 61 of the male-fastener crushable portion 34 and the upper crushable-portion surface 31 of the male-fastener crushable portion 34.

[0059] Through the above technical solution, the groove 6 of the male-fastener crushable portion 34 provides sufficient insertion space for the second flange 532. When the second flange 532 of the groove member 51 is inserted into the groove 6 of the male-fastener crushable portion 34, the contact damage between the second flange 532 and the male fastener 4 can be reduced. In addition, the male-fastener crushable portion 34 is slightly swung around the groove bottom 61 as the center, absorbing the force from the insertion of the second flange 532, thereby consuming the action force.

[0060] Moreover, the width of the groove bottom 61 of the male-fastener crushable portion 34 is smaller than the width of the groove opening 62 of the male-fastener crushable portion 34, which facilitates the insertion and placement of the second flange 532 in the groove 6.

[0061] In one embodiment, the first flange 531 of the groove member 51 is inserted into the notch 42 of the protruding member 41. The protrusion 43 of the protruding member 41 is inserted into the receiving groove 52 of the groove member 51 and is located in the space defined by the receiving-groove bottom 521, the first receiving-groove side surface 523 and the second receiving-groove side surface 524.

[0062] Through the above technical solution, the first flange 531 cooperates with the notch 42, and the protrusion 43 cooperates with the receiving groove 52, which provides a convenient connection for the male fastener 4 and the female fastener 5. At the same time, the predetermined fracture zones 7 for breaking are formed in the male-fastener crushable portion 34 and the female-fastener crushable portion 35.

[0063] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effects achieved by this invention are: [0064] 1. By setting the male-fastener crushable portion and its groove, a crushable space for dealing with external forces is provided for the male fastener of the floor panel. When the floor panel is subjected to external forces from upward or downward, the male fastener can be bent and squeezed toward the groove of the male-fastener crushable portion to prevent the male fastener from breaking. [0065] 2. By setting the female-fastener crushable portion and its groove, a crushable space for dealing with external forces is provided for the female fastener of the floor panel. When the floor panel is subjected to external forces from upward or downward, the female fastener can be bent and squeezed toward the groove of the female-fastener crushable portion to prevent the female fastener from breaking. [0066] 3. By setting the film on the upper body surface, the upper crushable-portion surface and the upper engaging-part surface of the floor panel, cracks on the surface of the male-fastener crushable portion or the female-fastener crushable portion can be shielded, or the male fastener or female fastener can be prevented from falling off, so as to maintain the beautiful appearance of the floor panel.

[0067] The foregoing description of the preferred embodiments of the disclosure has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the disclosure to the precise form or to exemplary embodiments disclosed. Accordingly, the foregoing description should be regarded as illustrative rather than restrictive. Obviously, many modifications and variations will be apparent to practitioners skilled in this art. The embodiments are chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the disclosure and its best mode practical application, thereby enabling persons skilled in the art in the art to understand the disclosure for various embodiments and with various modifications as are suited to the particular use or implementation contemplated. It is intended that the scope of the disclosure be defined by the claims appended hereto and their equivalents in which all terms are meant in their broadest reasonable sense unless otherwise indicated. Therefore, the term the disclosure, the present disclosure or the like does not necessarily limit the claim scope to a specific embodiment, and the reference to particularly preferred exemplary embodiments of the disclosure does not imply a limitation on the disclosure, and no such limitation is to be inferred. The disclosure is limited only by the spirit and scope of the appended claims. Moreover, these claims may refer to using first, second, etc. following with noun or element. Such terms should be understood as a nomenclature and should not be construed as giving the limitation on the number of the elements modified by such nomenclature unless specific number has been given. The abstract of the disclosure is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract, which will allow a searcher to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure of any patent issued from this disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims. Any advantages and benefits described may not apply to all embodiments of the disclosure. It should be appreciated that variations may be made in the embodiments described by persons skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the disclosure as defined by the following claims. Moreover, no element and component in the present disclosure is intended to be dedicated to the public regardless of whether the element or component is explicitly recited in the following claims.