# US 2013/0152492 A1 · Surface covering incorporating a locking joint > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2013/0152492 A1 - Document ID: US20130152492A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 13/575,732 - Filed: 2011-01-28 - Published: 2013-06-20 - Earliest claimed: 2010-01-28 - Inventors: Derek Whitaker - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20130152492A1 ## CPC - E04F 15/02038: {characterised by tongue and groove connections between neighbouring flooring elements} - E04F 15/02: Flooring or floor layers composed of a number of similar elements (of webs E04F15/16) - E04F 15/02011: {with joint fillings integrated in the flooring elements} - E04F 15/02016: {with sealing elements between flooring elements (sealings of joints between building constructions in general E04B1/68)} - E04F 15/02144: {by magnets} - E04F 2201/0153: by rotating the sheets, plates or panels around an axis which is parallel to the abutting edges, possibly combined with a sliding movement - Y10T 403/70: Interfitted members - E04F: FINISHING WORK ON BUILDINGS, e.g. STAIRS, FLOORS (windows, doors E06B) - Y10T: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION ## Abstract Surface coverings comprising individual covering elements, such as for decking are known. However, known constructions have problems including separation of the joints between planks as the material of the covering elements contracts over time. Existing products make use of harmful solvent based adhesives for securing the elements together, the application of which is also labour intensive. A surface covering comprising two or more covering elements, each covering element having a first part comprising a female member; a second part comprising a male member for engagement with a female member, the first part having a top surface and a basal surface, the basal surface extending beyond the top surface to provide an open recess for reception of the male member, the second part having a top surface and a basal surface and a male member protruding therebetween, the female member and the male member providing an interference fit upon engagement. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A surface covering comprising two or more covering elements, each covering element having A first part comprising a female member; A second part comprising a male member for engagement with a female member, The first part having a top surface and a basal surface, the basal surface extending beyond the top surface to provide an open recess for reception of the male member, The second part having a top surface and a basal surface and a male member protruding therebetween, the female member and the male member providing an interference fit upon engagement. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) A surface covering according to claim 1 in which the open recess extends between the top surface and the basal surface beneath the top surface to receive the male member beneath the top surface. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) A surface covering according to claim 1, in which the top surface terminates adjacent the open recess in an inclined surface. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) A surface covering according to claim 1 in which the first part is further provided with an abutment and the second part is provided with a recess, the abutment being accommodated within the recess upon engagement. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) A surface covering according to claim 4, in which one of the abutment and recess is provided with a protrusion, the other of the abutment and recess is provided with a groove, the protrusion being received within the groove upon engagement. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) A surface covering according to claim 1, in which upon engagement of the male and female part a channel is formed in an upper part of the covering between the male and female parts. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) A surface covering according to claim 6, in which a sealing element is located in the channel. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) A surface covering according to claim 7, in which upon engagement the sealing element is under compression. ### Claim 9 (depends on 7) A surface covering according to claim 7, in which the sealing element is formed as a co-extrusion with the female or male part of each covering element. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) A surface covering according to claim 9 in which the sealing element is located on the male part above the male member. ### Claim 11 (depends on 7) A surface covering according to claim 7, in which the sealing element is located in the channel subsequent to engagement. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) A surface covering according to claim 1, in which the upper surface of at least one covering element is provided with one or more of a roughened surface, channels or grooves. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) A surface covering according to claim 1, in which the lower surface of at least one covering element is provided with one or more of a roughened surface, channels or grooves. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) A surface covering according to claim 1, in which each covering element is provided with ducts or channels extending along a length of the covering element. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) A surface covering according to claim 1, in which at least one covering element is provided with at least one photovoltaic cell. ### Claim 16 (depends on 14) A surface covering according to claim 14, in which the at least one photovoltaic cell is retained in an upper surface of the covering element, or in which the photovoltaic cell is retained beneath a transparent or substantially transparent part of the covering element. ### Claim 17 (depends on 1) A surface covering according to claim 1, in which at least one covering element is provided with at least one lighting element. ### Claim 18 (depends on 1) A surface covering according to claim 1, in which at least one covering element is provided with one or more magnetic elements. ### Claim 19 (depends on 1) A surface covering according to claim 1, in which at least one covering element is provided with one or more stiffening elements. ### Claim 20 (depends on 1) A surface covering according to claim 1, in which the basal surface is provided with apertures extending therethrough. ### Claim 21 A joint having a first part comprising a female member; a second part comprising a male member for engagement with a female member, the first part having a top surface and a basal surface, the basal surface extending beyond the top surface to provide an open recess for reception of the male member. the second part having a top surface and a basal surface and a male member protruding therebetween, the female member and the male member providing an interference fit upon engagement.