US20110197535A1

Movatterモバイル変換

Info

Publication number: US20110197535A1
Application number: US12/705,593
Authority: US
Inventors: Geoffrey Alan Baker; Nicholas Gizard Vitale
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: SURELY LINK GROUP Inc
Priority date: 2010-02-13
Filing date: 2010-02-13
Publication date: 2011-08-18
Also published as: CN102080436A; EP2678486A2; CN202108206U; WO2011119266A2; WO2011119266A3

Abstract

There is disclosed apparatus, method and system for mechanically joining abutting construction elements having a first split tongue located at one end of the connector and a second split tongue located at the other end of the connector. The first and second split tongues are adapted to be inserted into and locked onto grooves in abutting construction elements for holding the adjacent construction elements in abutting relationship. In an embodiment the grooves in said construction elements are formed into auxiliary groove containing members adapted to be integrated into an edge or face surface of the construction elements.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to apparatus, method and system for laying and mechanically joining building panels or construction elements, especially floating floors, concrete block, concrete brick, or concrete tile floors or walls.

2. Description of Related Art

Methods and systems for laying and joining building panels is known in the prior art. More specifically, by way of example, U.S. Pat. No. 7,051,486 to Pervan discloses a locking system for a floorboard having connectors which are integrated with the floorboard and adapted to connect the floorboard with an identical floorboard in a horizontal direction. The connectors consist of a locking strip which projects from the vertical plane of the floorboard and has a locking element which engages a downward open locking groove of the floorboard. The locking strip is a separate part which is mechanically fixed to the floorboard in a horizontal and vertical direction and consists of a machined sheet-shaped material which is made of a wood-based material.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to the laying and mechanically joining of building panels, especially thin hard wood floating floors. Each panel is normally connected to and aligned with one another via a tongue and groove mechanism. Formation of the tongue element typically results in some loss of saleable panel surface material. The objective of the present invention is to connect and align adjacent panels without the need to form a tongue element in the edge of one of the panels. Rather the panels are joined via an auxiliary connector element which engages suitably shaped grooves that are formed in the panels in such a manner as to not result in the loss of surface material. The tongues which mate with the grooves are incorporated into the auxiliary connector. The tongues on the connector element are split tongues to permit ease of installation of the connector into a panel and to hold the installed connector in place. The tongues on the auxiliary connector and its mating panel groove can be arranged to allow either lateral mating in which the tongue is inserted into the groove in a direction parallel to the panel surface or normal mating in which the tongue is inserted into the groove in a direction that is normal to the panel surface. The auxiliary connector is of low cost PVC, or other thermoplastic polymer, extrusion with the intent that the cost savings that accrues from the saving of panel surface material more than offsets the cost of the connector.

In an embodiment of the invention there is disclosed a connector for mechanically joining abutting construction elements comprising:

- a first split tongue located at one end of said connector; and
- a second split tongue located at the other end of said connector;
- wherein said first and second split tongues are adapted to be inserted into and locked onto grooves in abutting construction elements for holding the adjacent construction elements in abutting relationship.

In another embodiment of the invention there is disclosed a method for mechanically joining abutting construction elements comprises:

- providing a first split tongue located at one end of said connector; and
- providing a second split tongue located at the other end of said connector;
- wherein said first and second split tongues are adapted to be inserted into and locked onto grooves in abutting construction elements for holding the adjacent construction elements in abutting relationship.

In another embodiment of the invention there is disclosed a system for mechanically joining abutting construction elements comprising:

The foregoing has outlined, rather broadly, the preferred feature of the present invention so that those skilled in the art may better understand the detailed description of the invention that follows. Additional features of the invention will be described hereinafter that form the subject of the claims of the invention. Those skilled in the art should appreciate that they can readily use the disclosed conception and specific embodiment as a basis for designing or modifying other structures for carrying out the same purposes of the present invention and that such other structures do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention in its broadest form.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Other aspects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become more fully apparent from the following detailed description, the appended claim, and the accompanying drawings in which similar elements are given similar reference numerals.

FIGS. 1A and 1B are side views of a prior art tongue and groove joint with lateral insertion;

FIGS. 2A and 2B are side views of the prior art with the split tongue of the present connector replacing the solid tongue of the prior art;

FIG. 3 is a side view showing flexing of the split tongue ofFIGS. 2A and 2B where both members are shown flexing;

FIG. 4 is a side view showing augmentation of split tongue restoring force with a bulk elastic material;

FIG. 5 is a side view showing augmentation of split tongue restoring force with a strip spring material;

FIG. 6 is a side view of a grooved tongue with a locking catch and groove with locking step for receiving the locking catch;

FIGS. 7A,7B and7C show the grooved tongue with locking catches ofFIG. 6 entering the groove with locking steps;

FIG. 8 is a side view of a prior art auxiliary connector;

FIG. 9 is a side view of an auxiliary connector having split or grooved tongues;

FIG. 10 is a side view of the auxiliary connector having split or grooved tongues ofFIG. 9 inserted into a left panel;

FIG. 11 is a side view of the auxiliary connector ofFIG. 9 having split or grooved tongues inserted into both a left and right panel;

FIG. 12 is a side view of the auxiliary connector ofFIG. 9 as it is being inserted into a left and a right panel;

FIG. 13 is a side view of an embodiment of an auxiliary connector with split or grooved tongues in accordance with the principles of the invention;

FIG. 14 is a side view of a panel groove for receiving the auxiliary connector with split or grooved tongues ofFIG. 13 in accordance with the principles of the invention;

FIG. 15 is a side view of the auxiliary connector with split or grooved tongues ofFIG. 13 installed in the panel groove ofFIG. 14; and

FIG. 16 is a side view of the auxiliary connector with split or grooved tongues ofFIG. 13 installed in both first and second panel grooves.

FIG. 17 is a side view of an embodiment of an auxiliary connector with split or grooved tongue in accordance with the principles of the invention;

FIG. 18 is a side view of a panel groove for receiving the auxiliary connector with grooved tongue ofFIG. 17 in accordance with the principles of the invention;

FIG. 19 is a side view of the auxiliary connector with split or grooved tongue ofFIG. 17 installed in the panel groove ofFIG. 18;

FIG. 20 is a side view of the auxiliary connector with split or grooved tongue ofFIG. 17 installed in both first and second panel grooves ofFIG. 18.

FIG. 21 is a side view of an embodiment of an auxiliary connector with tongue in accordance with the principles of the invention;

FIG. 22 is a side view of a panel groove for receiving the auxiliary connector with tongue ofFIG. 21 in accordance with the principles of the invention;

FIG. 23 is a side view of the auxiliary connector with tongue ofFIG. 21 installed in the panel groove ofFIG. 22;

FIG. 24 is a side view of the auxiliary connector with tongue ofFIG. 21 installed in both first and second panel grooves ofFIG. 22.

FIG. 25 is a side view of an auxiliary groove able to be integrated into a construction element to receive and hold a split or grove tongue auxiliary connector of the type shown inFIG. 9;

FIG. 26 is a side view of the auxiliary groove shown inFIG. 25 integrated into the edge of a construction element;

FIG. 27 is a side view of the auxiliary groove shown inFIG. 25 integrated into the edge of a construction element with the auxiliary connector shown inFIG. 9 laterally inserted into and holding onto the channel in the auxiliary groove;

FIG. 28 is a side view of the auxiliary groove shown inFIG. 25 integrated into the edge of a first construction element with the auxiliary connector shown inFIG. 9 inserted into the channel in the auxiliary groove with the right side split tongue of the auxiliary connector laterally inserted into and holding onto the channel of a second auxiliary channel integrated into the edge of a second construction element;

FIG. 29 is a side view of an auxiliary groove able to be integrated into a construction element to receive and hold a split or grooved tongue auxiliary connector of the type shown inFIG. 13;

FIG. 30 is a side view of the auxiliary groove shown inFIG. 29 integrated into the under side of a construction element;

FIG. 31 is a side view of the auxiliary groove shown inFIG. 29 integrated into the edge of a construction element with the auxiliary connector shown inFIG. 13 normally inserted into and holding onto the channel in the auxiliary groove;

FIG. 32 is a side view of the auxiliary groove shown inFIG. 29 integrated into the edge of a first construction element with the auxiliary connector shown inFIG. 13 normally inserted into the channel in the auxiliary groove with the right side split tongue of the auxiliary connector normally inserted into and holding onto the channel of a second auxiliary channel integrated into the edge of a second construction element;

FIG. 33 is a side view of an auxiliary connector having a vertical projection on the left side adhesively connected to a channel in the bottom surface of a first construction element and a split tongue on the right side of the auxiliary connector integrated into a channel in the bottom surface of a second construction element;

FIG. 34 is a side view of an auxiliary connector having a plurality of vertical support struts on the left side adhesively connected to a lateral channel in a first construction element and a split tongue on the right side of the auxiliary connector integrated into a channel in an edge of a second construction element;

FIG. 35 is a side view of an auxiliary connector having a full tongue on the left side which may be adhesively connected to a lateral channel in a first construction element and a split tongue on the right side of the auxiliary connector integrated into a channel in a second construction element where a plurality of vertical support struts are located between the full tongue and the split tongue;

FIG. 36 is a side view of an auxiliary connector having a plurality of horizontal struts which project up on the left side and which are connected to a vertical channel in a bottom surface of a first construction element and a split tongue on the right side of the auxiliary connector integrated into a vertical channel in a bottom surface of a second construction element; and

FIG. 37 is a side view of an auxiliary groove integrated into a first construction element which is adapted to receive and hold a block extender and a split or grove tongue auxiliary connector integrated into the block extender and a second construction element.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring toFIGS. 1A and 1B, there are shown side views of a prior art tongue and groove joint prior to and after being joined together with lateral insertion. Typically, the

adjacent edges

10,12 of

building panels

14,16 must be held in good alignment normal to the panel faces18,20, e.g., in floating laminate flooring, so that the assembled panels appear to form a contiguous flat front or top surface. This alignment and holding is typically achieved by means of atongue22 andgroove24 joint. In many cases the holding feature of the tongue to its groove is accomplished solely by friction between the tongue and groove surfaces, while in other instances the holding action can be augmented with the use of adhesives or by shaping the tongue and its mating groove to provide a mechanical locking feature.

The panels used in flooring typically have two relatively flat surfaces: the

upper surface

18,20, which is the surface typically walked on, and alower surface26, the surface which is in contact with the surface supporting the floor. The panels typically have four edge surfaces (two side edge surfaces and two end edge surfaces), that are typically perpendicular to the upper surface where the two side edge surfaces are relatively long and parallel to each other; and the other two edge surfaces that are relatively short and similarly parallel to each other. The result is a panel which is typically long and narrow.

Typically a groove such asgroove24 is formed in a long side and short end edge, andtongues22 are formed on the long side and short end edges opposite those on which the grooves are formed. The panels are assembled so that the groove on the edge of one panel mates with the tongue on the edge of its adjacent panel; and typically the tongues and grooves join adjacent panels on both their long and short edges.

Typically, forming the tongues on the long and short side edges of a panel creates a loss of between 2% to 5% of saleable panel face surface.

The present invention is directed toward providing a new improved apparatus, method and system of joining panels together which eases the installation of the tongue in the groove, and eliminates the loss in saleable surface material associated with the formation of a tongue on the side and end edges of a panel. In another embodiment, the present invention also provides improved apparatus, method and system of joining other construction materials, e.g., concrete brick, concrete block, and concrete tile.

Referring toFIGS. 2A and 2B, there are shown side views of a split orgrooved tongue28 having afirst projection30, asecond projection32 and aspace34 there between. Thetongue28 is similar to thetongue22 ofFIG. 1A except for the addition of a groove34 (or grooves) formed in the tongue parallel to the direction of insertion.

The front or top surface of each

panel

14,16 is the decorative face of the panel that is exposed to view, while therear surface26 is the normally unfinished surface that faces the support structure. Thetongue edge10 is the panel edge that remains after the panel tongue is formed and thegroove edge12 is the panel edge that remains after the panel groove is formed. Thegroove34 that is formed into the tongue is called the tongue groove to differentiate it from thegroove24 in the panel which is called the panel groove. Formation of a tongue with one or more grooves provides a tongue with two or more sub-tongues30,32 which adjoin thetongue groove34, or grooves.

As a consequence of their reduced thickness, the sub-tongues30,32 are able to flex in a direction that is normal to the tongue axis as shown inFIG. 3. The force that the sub-tongues exert to resist flexing is denoted as the sub-tongue restoring force. In applications where the sub-tongue restoring force is inadequate, it can be augmented by the installation of a spring element into the tongue groove.

FIG. 3 is a side view showing flexing of both members of the split tongue.

Referring toFIG. 4, aspring element36 is provided by a section of bulk elastic material such as rubber or Viton which is inserted between the sub-tongues

In another embodiment, and referring toFIG. 5, a restoring force is provided by using a spring element in the form of aU-shaped element38 which can be made of a spring material such as steel, polyvinylchloride (PVC) or the like.

In another embodiment, a grooved tongue can be used to hold the tongue in place in its groove. Referring toFIG. 6, there is shown a side view of a split or grooved tongue with a locking catch and a groove with a locking step for receiving the tongue.

Thetongue40 inFIG. 6 is designed with acatch46 at the end of sub-tongues44; and themating panel groove48 is designed with an engagingstep50 at the distal end on its upper and lower surfaces. The manner in which the catch interacts with the groove to hold the tongue in place is shown in the installation views shown inFIGS. 7A,7B and7C. As seen inFIG. 7B, during installation, the sub-tongues flex towards the center of the tongue groove to allow the sub-tongue catches to slide over the narrow region of the panel groove. As seen inFIG. 7C, once the catches have passed the edges of the groove, the sub-tongues snap back to their expanded condition and the sub-tongue catches46 engage panel groove steps50.

It is clear that if the panel facing edge of the catches and the panel facing vertical edge of the groove steps inFIG. 6 are exactly perpendicular to the axis of the tongue, then a large lateral space between the panel edges of the adjoining panels would have to be left in the finished panel surface to accommodate the unavoidable tongue and groove fabrication tolerances.

The size of the lateral space required to allow for fabrication tolerances can be reduced by forming the sub-tongue catch edges at an angle “a” that is normal to the tongue axis, as shown inFIG. 6, which will allow the distance between the sub-tongue catch edge and the panel groove step edge to vary by “b” which effectively reduces the lateral space between adjoining panels. The choice of the angle “a” is a trade between the ability to accommodate dimensional variations and how securely the tongue is held in the groove.

The angle “c” of the groove step edge is typically 90° but if can be either more or less than 90° but the difference between the 90° and the angle “c” should be less than the angle “a”.

However, regardless of how easy the split tongue makes installation of the tongue in the groove, or how securely the tongue is held in the groove after installation, the geometries described above do not eliminate the loss of saleable panel surface that results from the fabrication a tongue which is integral with the edge of a panel. It is known that the loss of panel surface material can, however, be avoided by the use of an auxiliary connector such as is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,051,486 to Pervan.

Referring toFIG. 8, there is shown a side view of an auxiliary connector disclosed by Pervan. The tongue (and its lost surface material) on a panel edge is replaced with a groove similar to that on the panels opposite edge; and the connector is fabricated with two opposite facing tongues. As shown inFIG. 8, theright panel52 has agroove54 and theleft panel56 has agroove58 where the

panels

52,56 are joined with anauxiliary connector60 having a left facing tongue and a right facing tongue.

As seen in theFIG. 8, after the two panels are joined, the auxiliary connector is completely hidden from view.

Referring toFIG. 9, there is shown a side view of an auxiliary connector having right and left split or grooved tongues where each sub-tongue has a catch which is provided to engage the connector at its right and left mating panels. More specifically, the auxiliary connector which is symmetrical about its center vertical axis includes left and right upper60 and lower62 sub-tongues separated by atongue groove64, and each sub tongue has acatch66 at its end. Located between the left and right sub-tongues is one or a plurality of panel upper vertical support struts68 and one or a plurality of lower vertical support struts70.

Referring toFIG. 10, there is shown a side view of the auxiliary connector ofFIG. 9 having split or grooved tongues inserted into a left panel, andFIG. 11 is a side view of the auxiliary connector ofFIG. 9 having split or grooved tongues inserted into both left and right panels.FIG. 12 is a side view of the auxiliary connector ofFIG. 9 as it is being inserted into left and right panels.

As can be seen inFIG. 10, thefront surface18 of thepanel14 that extends over thepanel groove48 forms a relatively weak cantilever element. The panel edge vertical support struts68,70 serve to support this relatively weak cantilever element by transferring the load applied to it at the panel face from there to the support surface supporting the panel.

Referring toFIG. 12, the left side ofFIG. 12 shows the grooved tongue auxiliary connector just starting to be inserted into a panel groove, and the right side ofFIG. 12 shows the grooved tongue auxiliary connector partially inserted into its panel groove.

FIGS. 10,11, and12 show the grooved tongue auxiliary connector in which the auxiliary connector tongue is inserted into its mating panel grooves in the lateral direction, i.e., in the plane of the panel surfaces.

Referring toFIG. 13, there is shown a side view of an embodiment of an auxiliary connector with two grooved tongues in accordance with the principles of the invention where the grooved tongue auxiliary connector is adapted to be inserted into mating panel grooves from the rear surface of the panel in a direction which is normal to the panel surface.

The auxiliary connector ofFIG. 13 is symmetrical about its centrally located vertical axis and includes left and right first sub-tongues70 having sub-tongue catches72, left and right second sub-tongues74 having sub-tongue catches76.

The left and right first and second sub-tongues can be composed of, for example, a plastic such as PVC or a metal such as steel, bronze, etc, and extend outward from the same side ofsupport member80.

Referring toFIG. 14, there is shown a side view of a panel groove for receiving the auxiliary connector with grooved tongue ofFIG. 13 in accordance with the principles of the invention.Panel groove86 includes twosteps88 sized to receive the sub-tongue catches72,76 as shown inFIG. 13. In addition, aclearance channel90 is provided in the bottom of the panel for receiving the part ofsupport member80 which is located between two grooved or split tongues.

Referring toFIG. 15, there is shown a side view of the auxiliary connector with split or grooved tongue ofFIG. 13 installed in the panel groove ofFIG. 14 of apanel14 and awaiting installation of a second adjoining panel. The left sub-tongue catches72,76 engage the panel groove steps88 andsupport member80 is located inclearance channel90.

Referring toFIG. 16, there is shown a side view of the auxiliary connector with grooved tongue ofFIG. 13 installed in a panel groove formed into asecond panel16.

Referring toFIG. 17, there is shown a side view of an embodiment of an auxiliary connector with two grooved tongues in accordance with the principles of the invention where the grooved tongue auxiliary connector is adapted to be inserted into mating panel grooves from the rear surface of the panel in a direction which is normal to the panel surface.

The left grooved or split tongue consists of left, non-flexing, sub-tongue92 and left flexingsub-tongue74 withtongue groove96 between them and catch76 onsub-tongue74. The right grooved or split tongue consists of right, non-flexing, sub-tongue94 and right flexingsub-tongue70 withtongue groove98 between them and catch72 onsub-tongue70.

Referring toFIG. 18 there is shown a side view of a panel groove for receiving the auxiliary connector with grooved tongue ofFIG. 17 in accordance with the principles of the invention.Partial panel groove86 includes asingle step88 sized to receive thesub-tongue catch76 as shown inFIG. 17. Inaddition groove100 is provided to receive sub-tongue92 as shown inFIG. 17; and aclearance channel90 is provided in the bottom of the panel for receiving the part ofsupport member80 from which the two split or grooved tongues inFIG. 17 project.

Referring toFIG. 19, there is shown a side view of the auxiliary connector with grooved tongues ofFIG. 17 installed in the panel grooves ofFIG. 18 of apanel102 and awaiting installation of a second adjoining panel. The left sub-tongue catches76 engages the panelpartial groove step88 andsupport member80 is located inclearance channel90. The right side non-flexible sub-tongue92 presses on the side of right side ofpanel groove100 to holdcatch76 of flexible sub-tongue74 in contact withstep88 ofpartial panel groove86 inFIG. 18.

Referring toFIG. 20, there is shown a side view of the auxiliary connector with left grooved tongue ofFIG. 17 installed in the panel groove ofFIG. 18 formed inpanels102, with the right grooved tongue ofFIG. 17 installed in the panel groove ofFIG. 18 formed inpanels104. The right sub-tongue catches72 engages the panelpartial groove step88. The left side of right side non-flexible sub-tongue94 presses on the left side ofpanel groove100 to holdcatch72 of flexible sub-tongue70 in contact withstep88 ofpartial panel groove86 inFIG. 17.

Referring toFIG. 21, there is shown a side view of an embodiment of an auxiliary connector with two tongues in accordance with the principles of the invention where the auxiliary connector is adapted to be inserted into mating panel grooves from the rear surface of the panel in a direction which is normal to the panel surface.

The left grooved or split tongue consists of left, non-flexing, sub-tongue92 and left flexingsub-tongue74 withtongue groove96 between them and catch76 onsub-tongue74. The right grooved or split tongue consists of right, non-flexing, sub-tongue94 and flexingsub-tongue70 withtongue groove98 between them and catch72 onsub-tongue70.

Referring toFIG. 22 there is shown a side view of a panel groove for receiving the auxiliary connector with grooved tongue ofFIG. 21 in accordance with the principles of the invention.Partial panel groove86 includes asingle step88 sized to receive thesub-tongue catch76 as shown inFIG. 21. Inaddition groove100 is provided to receive sub-tongue92 as shown inFIG. 21; and aclearance channel90 is provided in the bottom of the panel for receiving the part ofsupport member80 from which the two split or grooved tongues inFIG. 21 project.

Referring toFIG. 23, there is shown a side view of the auxiliary connector with grooved tongues ofFIG. 21 installed in the panel grooves ofFIG. 22 of apanel102 and awaiting installation of a second adjoining panel. The left sub-tongue catches76 engages the panelpartial groove step88 andsupport member80 is located inclearance channel90 ofFIG. 22. The left side non-flexible sub-tongue92 presses on the left side ofpartial panel groove100 to holdcatch76 of flexible sub-tongue74 in contact withstep88 ofpanel groove86 inFIG. 22.

Referring toFIG. 24, there is shown a side view of the auxiliary connector with left grooved tongue ofFIG. 21 installed in the panel groove ofFIG. 22 formed inpanel102, with the right grooved tongue ofFIG. 21 installed in the panel groove ofFIG. 22 formed inpanel104. The right sub-tongue catches72 engages the panelpartial groove step88. The right side non-flexible sub-tongue94 presses on the right side ofpanel groove100 to holdcatch72 of flexible sub-tongue70 in contact withstep88 ofpartial panel groove86 inFIG. 22.

Referring toFIG. 25, there is shown a side view of an auxiliarygroove containing member106 able to be integrated into the edge of a construction element such as a concrete brick or a concrete block or a concrete tile. The auxiliary groove containing member would preferable be extruded in long lengths in a thermoplastic polymer such as PVC or in a metal such as brass or aluminum. It could also be cast in shorter lengths.

If the construction element (e.g., a concrete brick or concrete block or concrete tile) is formed by the hardening of a material in a mold, the auxiliary groove containing member can be integrated into the element as part of the fabrication process. Alternatively, a suitable groove containing member can be incorporated into the edge of the construction element and the auxiliary groove containing member adhesively integrated into the element after it is formed (either at the element fabrication site or, later, when the element is at a construction site.).

The groove in the auxiliary groove containing member is made to mate with a connector such as that shown inFIG. 9. InFIG. 25, thegroove48 hassides111 which serve to flex the sub-tongues of the auxiliary connector until thecatches66 on the auxiliary connector inFIG. 9 pass thesteps50 at the distal end of the groove inFIG. 25. Thetapered regions110 of thegroove48 may or may not be present and serve to make it easier to install the auxiliary connector into the groove. Theflat regions112 at the entrance ofgroove48 server to act with the vertical leg or

legs

68,70 of the auxiliary connector inFIG. 9 to transfer forces from the top to the bottom of the connector. Steps (or alternatively inclined surfaces)108 inFIG. 25 serve to hold the auxiliary connector firmly in the edge of the construction element.

Referring toFIG. 26 there is shown a side view in which the auxiliarygroove containing member106 shown inFIG. 25 is shown integrated into the edge of aconstruction element114.

Referring toFIG. 27 there is shown a side view in which the auxiliarygroove containing member106 shown inFIG. 25 is integrated into the edge of aconstruction element114 fromFIG. 26, with the left split or grooved tongue of the lateral auxiliary connector shown inFIG. 9 inserted into and held by the interaction ofcatches66 ofFIG. 9 with thesteps50 of the auxiliary connector inFIG. 25.

Referring toFIG. 28 there is shown a side view in which afirst construction element114 with auxiliarygroove containing member106 ofFIG. 25 integrated into its edge and having the left split or grooved tongue of auxiliary the lateral connector ofFIG. 9 inserted and held into the groove in the auxiliary groove containing member; and has the right split or grooved tongue of the lateral connector shown inFIG. 9 inserted to the groove of an auxiliarygroove containing member106 ofFIG. 25 that has been integrated into the left edge ofsecond construction element116 with auxiliarygroove containing member106 ofFIG. 25 integrated into its left edge

The auxiliary groove element integrated into the all four sides (left, right, top and bottom) of a construction element allows the construction elements to be joined so as to form a wall without the need for mortar in between the elements. This should allow walls to be built more quickly in good weather or bad by inexperience workers.

Should mortar be desired in the spaces between the construction elements, this can easily be accommodated by lengthening the connector shown so that a mortar receiving space is left between the right and left or bottom and top edges of the construction element.

In either case, with or without mortar, the presence of the connectors should serve to provide a construction that is less prone to failure during earthquakes due to the ability of the auxiliary connectors to flex rather than fracture when strained.

Referring toFIG. 29, there is shown a side view of an auxiliarygroove containing member118 able to be integrated into the flat under surface of a construction element such as a concrete brick or a concrete block or a concrete tile. This auxiliary groove containing member is particularly suited to being attached by mortar to the undersurface of bathroom or other decorative tile. The auxiliary groove containing member would preferable be extruded in long lengths in a thermoplastic polymer such as PVC or in a metal such as brass or aluminum. It could also be cast in shorter lengths.

If the construction element (e.g., a concrete brick or concrete block or concrete tile) is formed by the hardening of a material in a mold, the auxiliary groove containing member can be integrated into the element as part of the fabrication process. Alternatively, a suitable groove can be incorporated into the surface of the construction element and the auxiliary groove element adhesively integrated into the construction element after it is formed (either at the construction element fabrication site or, later, when the construction element is at a construction site.).

The groove in the auxiliary groove containing member is made to mate with a normal connector such as that shown inFIG. 13. InFIG. 29, thegroove48 has sides122 which serve to flex the sub-tongues of the auxiliary connector until the

catches

72 and76 on the auxiliary connector inFIG. 13 pass thesteps50 at the distal end of thegroove48 inFIG. 29. Thetapered regions120 of thegroove48 may or may not be present and serve to make it easier to install the auxiliary connector into the groove. Theregion90 in the auxiliary groove containing member is cut away to provide room for thesupport leg80 between the two split or grooved tongues inFIG. 13. The top124 of the step serves to locate the auxiliary connector vertically when it is attached to the back of a tile element.

Referring toFIG. 30 there is shown a side view in which the auxiliarygroove containing member118 shown inFIG. 29 is shown integrated onto the undersurface of adecorative tile126 bymortar128 introduced into the space between the auxiliary groove and the tile.

Referring toFIG. 31 there is shown a side view in which the auxiliarygroove containing member118 shown inFIG. 29 is integrated onto the undersurface of adecorative tile126 bymortar128, with the sub-tongues70 and74 of the left split or grooved tongue of the normal auxiliary connector shown inFIG. 13 inserted into and held by the interaction of

catches

72 and76 ofFIG. 13 with thesteps50 of the auxiliary connector inFIG. 29.

Referring toFIG. 32 there is shown a side view in which afirst tile element126 with auxiliarygroove containing member118 ofFIG. 29 integrated into its lower surface and having the left split or grooved tongue of the normal auxiliary connector shown inFIG. 13 inserted and held into thegroove48 in the auxiliary groove; and has the right split or grooved tongue of the normal auxiliary connector shown inFIG. 13 inserted to thegroove48 of an auxiliarygroove containing member118 ofFIG. 29 that has been integrated into the lower surface ofsecond tile element130 withauxiliary groove118 ofFIG. 29 integrated into its lower surface.

The auxiliary groove element integrated into the all four under-surfaces (left, right, top and bottom) of a construction element allows the construction elements to be joined so as to form a wall without the need for mortar in between the elements. This should allow walls to be built more quickly in good weather or bad by inexperience workers.

Should mortar be desired in the spaces between the construction elements, this can easily be accommodated by lengthening theconnector80 inFIG. 13 between the left and right split or grooved tongues so that space to receive mortar is left between the right and left or bottom and top edges of the construction element.

FIG. 33 is a side view of an auxiliary connector having avertical projection140 on the left side adhesively connected to a channel in the bottom surface of afirst construction element142 and asplit tongue144 on the right side of the auxiliary connector integrated into a channel in the bottom surface of asecond construction element146.

FIG. 34 is a side view of an auxiliary connector having a plurality of vertical support struts150 on the left side adhesively connected to a lateral channel in afirst construction element152 and asplit tongue154 on the right side of the auxiliary connector integrated into a channel in asecond construction element156. The small projection in the lateral channel in the first construction element may be eliminated when a similar small projection is present on the end support strut

FIG. 35 is a side view of an auxiliary connector having afull tongue158 on the left side which may be adhesively connected to a lateral channel in afirst construction element160 and asplit tongue162 on the right side of the auxiliary connector integrated into a channel in asecond construction element164 where the auxiliary connector has a plurality of vertical support struts166 located between thefull tongue158 and thesplit tongue162.

FIG. 36 is a side view of an auxiliary connector having a plurality ofhorizontal struts190 which project up on the left side and which are connected to a vertical channel in a bottom surface of afirst construction element192 and asplit tongue194 on the right side of the auxiliary connector integrated into a vertical channel in a bottom surface of asecond construction element196.

FIG. 37 is a side view of anauxiliary groove180 integrated into afirst construction element182 which is adapted to receive and hold ablock extender184 which is locked to the auxiliary grove with a split ofgrove tongue186, and anauxiliary connector188 having a split or grove tongue at each of its ends for connecting theblock extender184 to a secondauxiliary groove190 in asecond construction element192.

While there have been shown and described and pointed out the fundamental novel features of the invention as applied to the preferred embodiments, it will be understood that the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention and not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed. Obvious modifications or variations are possible in light of the above teachings. The embodiments discussed were chosen and described to provide the best illustration of the principles of the invention and its practical application to enable one of ordinary skill in the art to utilize the invention in various embodiments and with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated All such modifications and variations are within the scope of the invention as determined by the appended claims when interpreted in accordance with the breadth to which they are entitled.