Connecting device, support element and connecting system for boards

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11326355-B2
Application number	US-201816492257-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Mar 16, 2018
Priority date	Mar 16, 2017
Publication date	May 10, 2022
Grant date	May 10, 2022

Abstract

A connecting system for boards, and a connecting device and a support element for boards are disclosed. The connecting system includes the support element configured to support at least one board and the connecting device configured to releasably fasten the at least one board to the support element. The support element includes at least one lateral surface with at least one locking member arranged on the lateral surface. The connecting device includes at least one arm with a locking member configured for engagement with the locking member of the support element. At least one of the locking member of the support element and the locking member of the connecting device includes a plurality of protrusions forming a plurality of locking positions of the connecting device relative the support element.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. A connecting system for boards, comprising
a support element for supporting at least one board; and
a connecting device configured to releasably fasten the at least one board to the support element, wherein
the support element comprises at least one lateral surface, and at least one locking member arranged on said lateral surface;
the connecting device comprises at least one arm with a locking member configured for engagement with the locking member of the support element; and
at least one of the locking member of the support element and the locking member of the connecting device comprises a plurality of protrusions forming a plurality of locking positions of the connecting device relative the support element.

2. The connecting system according to claim 1 , wherein each of the locking member of the support element and the locking member of the connecting device comprises a plurality of protrusions.

3. The connecting system according to claim 1 , wherein the support element comprises two lateral surfaces, each lateral surface comprising one locking member, and wherein the connecting device comprises two locking members, each locking member of the connecting device arranged to face one of the locking members of the support element, and at least one of the locking members of the support element and the locking members of the connecting device comprises a plurality of protrusions.

4. The connecting system according to claim 3 , wherein the connecting device comprises two opposing arms, each arm comprising the locking member facing the locking member of the other arm, and the locking members of the support element are arranged on said lateral surfaces and are facing in generally opposing directions.

5. The connecting system according to claim 4 , wherein a distance between the locking members of said arms is shorter than a distance between the locking members of said lateral surfaces, whereby said arms are pre-tensioned towards said support element when the connecting device is positioned in locking engagement with said support element.

6. The connecting system according to claim 1 , wherein a top surface of the support element comprises at least one retention element for holding a friction member configured to abut at least one board when the connecting device is positioned in locking engagement with said support element.

7. The connecting system according to claim 6 , wherein the at least one retention element is a mechanical retention element, which comprises a recess having an opening at said top surface.

8. The connecting system according to claim 1 , wherein the support element is slanted between a top surface, which is arranged generally transverse to the lateral surface, and the lateral surfaces of said support element.

9. The connecting system according to claim 1 , wherein the connecting device comprises a first wing and a second wing between which a pressure plate of the connecting device is arranged.

10. The connecting system according to claim 9 , wherein the pressure plate is substantially centered between at least one of said first wing and said second wing.

11. The connecting system according to claim 9 , wherein each wing has a surface generally facing in a direction opposite to the top surface of the pressure plate.

12. The connecting system according to claim 1 , comprising a pressure plate generally arranged perpendicularly to said at least one arm and having a top surface extending at least partially over a longitudinal axis of said at least one arm.

13. The connecting system according to claim 1 , wherein the support element comprises at least one bottom surface generally facing an opposite direction of the top surface of the support element, wherein the bottom surface comprises a drip edge and a support surface, wherein a tip of the drip edge is positioned in substantially a same plane as the support surface or vertically closer to a top surface of the support element than the support surface, and wherein, optionally, a groove is provided in the bottom surface between the drip edge and the support surface.

14. The connecting system according to claim 1 , wherein the connecting device further comprises a first holding member for locking a board transversally relative the connecting device.

15. The connecting system according to claim 14 , wherein the connecting device further comprises a second holding member for locking a board vertically relative the connecting device, the second holding member comprising a protrusion with a release surface that extends in the transversal direction of the connecting device and faces towards the locking member of the connecting device.

16. A support element for a board connecting system, the support element being configured to support at least one board, and comprising:
first and second lateral surfaces, and a locking member arranged on said first lateral surface, wherein the locking member comprises a plurality of protrusions forming a corresponding plurality of locking positions for a connecting device of the board connecting system, the first and second lateral surfaces being connected to one another by a bridging structure at an upper end of the support element; and
first and second base members extending in generally horizontal opposite directions, respectively from lower ends of the first and second lateral surfaces at a bottom end of the support element, wherein outermost ends of the first and second base members are free from vertical overlap by the first lateral surface, the second lateral surface, and the bridging structure.

17. The support element according to claim 16 ,
wherein the locking member is a first locking member and the plurality of protrusions is a first plurality of protrusions,
wherein the second lateral surface comprises a second locking member, and
wherein the second locking member comprises a second plurality of protrusions.

18. The support element according to claim 17 , wherein the first and second locking members are facing in generally opposing directions.

19. The support element according to claim 16 , wherein a top surface comprises at least one retention element for holding a friction member.

20. The support element according to claim 19 , wherein the at least one retention element is a mechanical retention element, which comprises a recess having an opening at said top surface.

21. The support element according to claim 16 , wherein the support element is slanted between respective top surfaces and the first and second lateral surfaces of said support element.

22. The support element according to claim 16 , wherein the support element comprises at least one bottom surface generally facing an opposite direction of a top surface, which is arranged generally transverse to the first lateral surface, wherein the bottom surface comprises a drip edge and a support surface, wherein a tip of the drip edge is positioned in a same plane as the support surface or vertically closer to the top surface than the support surface.

23. A connecting device for releasably fastening at least one board to a support element of a board system, comprising:
a first arm with a first locking member configured for engagement with a first engagement surface of the support element, wherein the first locking member comprises a first plurality of protrusions forming a plurality of locking positions of the connecting device relative the support element; and
a second arm, oppos

Assignees

• Vaelinge Innovation Ab
• Valinge Innovation Ab

Inventors

• Bergelin Marcus

Classifications

• E04F15/06

  of metal, whether or not in combination with other material (gratings as building elements E04C2/42 {; of elements with a metal upper layer; E04F15/02405 takes precedence; metal treads E04F11/112}) · CPC title

• E04F2015/02094

  Engaging side grooves running along the whole length of the flooring elements · CPC title

• E04D3/32

  of plastics, fibrous materials, or asbestos cement · CPC title

• E04F15/02183

  for outdoor use, e.g. in decks, patios, terraces, verandas or the like · CPC title

• E04D3/34

  of specified materials, or of combinations of materials, not covered by any one of groups E04D3/26 - E04D3/32 · CPC title