GB2263233A - Apparatus and method for installing floor coverings - Google Patents

Abstract

A method of securing a free edge (25) of sheet material floor covering (13) (especially one of plastics) to a fixture, eg a drainage channel fixture (10). An attachment element (14) (especially one of plastics material) is clamped onto the fixture (10) and the attachment element (14) forms a suitable base to which the free edge (25) of the shoot material floor covering (13) can be welded or otherwise bonded, eg by heat welding together. Any gap between the free edge (25) and the fixture (10) can be eliminated by filling the gap with weld material (26). <IMAGE>

Description

APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR INSTALLING FLOOR COVERINGS This invention relates to a method of installing floor coverings, and apparatus therefor, especially, but not exclusively, for installing plastics sheet material floor coverings in an environment which is expected to be wet from time to time.

It is known to have drainage channels and gulleys set into the floors of buildings, or other man-made structures. For example, drainage channels are sometimes set into the floor adjacent a swimming pool, or in a shower area. Whilst it is possible to have the floor finished in plain concrete or tiles, it is often desired to have a more pleasant floor covering, such as a plastics sheet material, akin to a plastic carpet, covering a concrete base. Securing the sheet material to the concrete adjacent the drainage channel has long been problematical.

One known way of providing a neat edge to the floor covering at a drainage channel is disclosed in GB 2187947 which shows the provision of an edging strip shaped to receive the free edge of the sheet material in a downwardly sloping recessed flange. The strip has a chamfered clamping member which is screwed down onto the free edge of the sheet material to hide it and clamp it in place in the strip. The top surface of the clamping member is at the same surface as the general level of the top surface of the sheet material.

However, at the point where the sheet material bends downwards into the recess the chamfered edge of the clamping member does not quite contact the covering sheet material and this results in a groove at the transition. This groove forms a trap for dirt and bacteria.

The aim of the present invention is to provide a new way of fixing flexible floor coverings.

According to a first aspect the invention consists in a method of securing the free edge of sheet material surface covering to a fixture or fitting to which the sheet is to extend comprising providing the fixture with a plastics material attachment element and welding or otherwise bonding the free edge of the sheet to the attachment element.

Preferably the attachment element is mounted or secured to a metal component of the fixture or fitting.

Preferably the attachment element is provided on an intermediate member which is in turn secured to the fixture or fitting. The method preferably comprises the step of selecting one of a plurality of configurations that the intermediate member, or attachment element, can take relative to the fixture or fitting, thereby selecting a chosen distance or depth between the top surface of the attachment element or intermediate member and an upper surface or edge of the fixture or fitting adjacent which the attachment element or intermediate member is mounted.

The sheet material surface covering may be a floor covering, and the fixture may be part of, or associated with, a drainage channel or gully.

The method preferably also comprises providing the fixture with an abutment member to which the sheet is to extend.

The method may also comprise providing a sealing strip, cord, caulk, or the like between the fixture or fitting and the attachment element or intermediate member.

According to a second aspect the invention consists in a method of securing the free edge of sheet material surface covering to an abutment member to which the sheet is to extend, comprising providing an attachment element, connecting the abutment member to the attachment element, and welding or otherwise bonding the free edge of the sheet to the attachment element.

The attachment element is preferably made of plastics material. Preferably the attachment element and sheet material are made of the same material, or similar materials.

The method also preferably comprises overlying the free edge of the sheet over a portion of the attachment element.

The abutment member preferably has an abutment face and the free edge of the sheet is preferably spaced from the abutment face and the gap between them filled with filler material, which may be weld material.

Alternatively we may not leave a significant gap between the free edge and the abutment face.

The welding of the sheet to the attachment element and/or the abutment member may be done by using a weld or filler rod which is melted so as to flow and join the components.

The sheet is preferably of plastics material.

The abutment member preferably has a top surface, which is preferably at right angles to the abutment face, and the top surface of the welded sheet is arranged to be in substantially the same plane as the top surface of the abutment member. A packing shim may be used, for example under the abutment member.

Alternatively, the attachment element may be mountable in two (or more) different configurations so as to present its upper surface at selectable different levels.

The attachment element may comprise a strip which is put under a portion of the sheet adjacent to the free edge, and/or is put under a portion of the abutment member.

The method preferably comprises forming a groove or recess in a floor bed over which the sheet material floor covering lays; attaching the abutment member to the attachment element; putting the attachment member in the recess so that its upper surface is substantially level with the upper surface of the main body of the bed; laying the sheet up to or over a portion of the attachment element and/or abutment member, and welding the sheet to the attachment element and/or the abutment member. As mentioned previously, in a modification the attachment element may be provided on an intermediate member which is secured to the abutment member.

The attachment element (or intermediate member) may be supplied already fitted to the abutment member, or they may be connected together on site.

Preferably the abutment member, and/or intermediate member, and/or the attachment element are mounted in the recess by the use of a setting cement, grout, or the like.

The abutment member may be attached to the attachment element or intermediate element before they are introduced into the recess.

The attachment element preferably has a flat strip surface.

The abutment member may be an edging strip provided at the transition between two types of floor covering, or a part (for example a flange) of a drainage channel, or a surround frame for receiving a cover (for example a drain or access panel cover) An access or drain cover may have sheet material floor covering fixed to it in accordance with the invention.

According to a third aspect the invention comprises a surface for a floor or work surface for a room or other structure comprising a main surfacing bed; a sheet material surface covering overlying the bed; and a fixture or fitting to which the sheet surface covering extends, the fixture having a plastics material attachment element to which the sheet surface covering is welded or otherwise bonded.

Preferably the attachment element and sheet surface covering have upper surfaces in substantially the same plane.

The fixture or fitting may have an abutment member to which the attachment element is secured.

The sheet surface covering may extend to the abutment member.

The plastics material attachment element may have first and second portions extending generally at right angles to each other. The attachment element may be L-shaped or an angular S-shape.

According to a fourth aspect the invention comprises a surface for a floor or work surface for a room or other structure comprising a main surfacing bed; a sheet material surface covering overlying the bed; an abutment member adjacent an edge of the surface covering; and an attachment element connecting the abutment member to the surface covering: and in which the surface covering is welded or otherwise bonded to the attachment element and/or the abutment member.

The attachment element may connect the surface covering to the abutment element via an intermediate element.

The abutment member and surface covering preferably each have an upper surface, and there preferably is a smooth transition between their upper surfaces.

The abutment member is preferably set into the bed and has a flange whose top surface is substantially flush with the top surface of the surface covering at their interface.

A gap is preferably provided between the abutment member and the surface covering, the gap being filled with filler material, which may be weld material.

The attachment element may go under a flange of the abutment member and/or under the edge portion of the surface covering, but is preferably received in or mounted on an intermediate member which goes under a flange of the abutment member and/or under the edge portion of the surface covering.

The abutment member may be an edging strip, or a part of a drainage channel, or a part of a surround frame adapted to receive a cover.

According to a fifth aspect of the invention I provide an attachment element for use in any of the preceding aspects of the invention.

Embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of an example only with reference to the accompanying drawings of which: Figure 1 shows typical prior art; Figure 2 shows schematically flooring incorporating a drainage channel and a floor covering fitted in accordance with the invention; Figure 3 shows detail of the junction between the floor covering and the drainage channel; Figure 4 shows an edging assembly at the transition between two floor coverings of different types; Figure 5 shows a drain cover and associated surround frame set into the floor; Figures 6 and 7 show further drainage channels and floor Coverings; Figure 8 shows a fragmentary cross-sectional view of another drainage channel installation; and Figures 9 and 10 show components of the installation of Figure 8.

The prior art arrangement shown in Figure 1 has a sheet material floor covering 1 overlying a concrete floor bed 2 which defines a recess in which a metal channel section 4 is received. The free edge of the covering 1 is entered into the channel 4 and a clamping strip 5 is screwed down onto the free edge of the covering using screws 6. At the point where the covering 1 bends so as to enter the channel 4, and where the clamping strip 5 contacts the covering, the strip 5 typically does not quite follow the contour of the covering and a groove or gap 7 is left. This groove 7 can collect dirt and harbour bacteria.

A stainless steel drainage channel 10 (abutment means) is shown in Figures 2 and 3 inset into a concrete floor bed 11. The channel 10 has a removable cover grid 12 which allows liquid to flow into the channel. The bed 11 is covered with a vinyl sheet floor covering 13 which is attached to the channel 10 by means of a vinyl weld flange 14 (attachment element). The details of the arrangement are best seen in Figure 3. The channel 10 is initially supported in a recess in the bed 11 by adjustable legs 10' prior to concrete 11' being poured into the recess around the channel.

The channel 10 has a base 15, lower side walls 16, shoulders 17, upper side walls 18, and an out-turned flange 19. Keying means is provided to hold the flange 19 relative to the concrete 11'. For the embodiment of Figures 2 and 3 the keying means comprises flat-headed anchor lugs 23 projecting from the underside of the flange 19 to a distance greater than the thickness of the weld strip 14. The flange 19 has screw-threaded studs 20. A clamping strip 21 (preferably rigid) and the weld strip 14 are provided with a pattern of holes complementary to the screw threaded studs 20 and the lugs 23.

An alternative would be to provide the keying means on the clamping strip 21 instead of or in addition to those of the flange 19. Of course the strip 21 could be fixed to the flange 19 by means other than screws.

The weld strip 14 and the clamping strip 21 are placed over the studs 20 of the flange 19 and the lugs 23. Nuts 24 are then fitted onto the studs 20 which project through the apertures 22, and the nuts tightened. The whole arrangement securely holds the weld strip 14 to the flange 19 for an initial period whilst the concrete 11' sets.

The bed 11 has a recess (unreferrenced) formed in it (either during its initial casting or afterwards) which is larger than the channel 10 that it is to receive. The recess also has space for the clamping strip 21, studs and nuts 20 and 24, the legs 10', and the weld strip 14.The cement, grout, or the like, 11' is poured into the space between the channel 10 and the bed 11, after the channel has been correctly positioned and the height-adjustment legs 10' adjusted appropriately.

After the concrete 11' has set the flooring is then laid and the free edge, referenced 25, of the floor covering 13 is then laid over the weld strip 14.

The free edge 25 is spaced a little way from the end of the flange 19. Alternatively, the channel 10 can be covered over with covering 13 and the covering material over the channel then cut away.

Once the free edge of the covering 13 has been established adjacent the flange 19 the covering 13 is then welded to the weld strip 14 and the gap between the free edge 25 and the flange 19 filled with weld material 26 by using a plastics material welding filler rod in a known manner.

The welding may be heat welding, ultrasonic welding, or any other form of welding, and may also involve applying pressure to the free edge region.

It will be appreciated that the covering 13 is welded to the weld strip 14 by the weld material 26.

The weld material forms a smooth transition between the upper surfaces of the vinyl floor covering and the flange 19, and also serves to seal the junction between the floor covering and the drainage channel 13 in a water tight manner. The weld material 26 fills the gap between the flange 19 and the covering 13, but does not necessarily weld, or seal, to the steel flange 19 The arrangement described does not suffer from the problems of a surface groove being left at the mechanical clamping of sheet floor covering to an edging strip and is therefore more hygienic. It also eliminates the need for exposed fixings (such as screws) on the top surface of the flange 19 which could harbour dirt, work loose, be deliberately unscrewed, or get lost.Furthermore, the channel 10 is simpler and cheaper to produce than channels incorporating the prior art clamping method described.

Another, and important, advantage of the present system is that it can be used to fix floor coverings of the kind having raised studs, bars, or the like. The prior art clamping systems have difficulty in coping with floor coverings with raised studs since the thickness of the free edge of the sheet material to be clamped varies along its longitudinal length. It is particularly difficult to clamp such profiled floor coverings well enough for the junction to be completely water-tight.

The fact that the welded join of the sheet material floor covering also serves as a water-tight seal avoids problems associated with water seeping under the floor covering and causing it to lift up. It also assists the water run-off from the floor to the drainage channel.

The clamping strip 21 may be L-or U-shaped channel section, or may be omitted, as may the lugs 23 and the studs 20.

If it is desired to have the level of the top surface of the flange 19 in the same plane as that of the covering 13, and if the flange is too thin for this to be so in the arrangement of Figure 3, a shim may be introduced between the flange 19 and the weld strip 14 to raise the level of the flange 19. If the flange 19 is too thick, the weld strip 14 may be rebated to accommodate part of the thickness of the flange.

Although the above discussion has referred to welding the covering to the weld strip it will be appreciated that we could glue them together, either instead of or in addition to welding. It will also be appreciated that the fixing of the strip 14 to the flange 19 could be achieved in any suitable way, for example by adhesives, and may not even be necessary at all in some circumstances.

In further embodiments the clamping strip 21 may be bonded (for example by adhesive) to the weld strip 14 instead of, or in addition to, being mechanically held to it. In some circumstances it may be possible to omit the clamping strip 21. Such a structure may or may not have anchor lugs 23 provided on the underside of the flange 19 projecting through appropriate holes on the weld strip 14. One arrangement which may be preferred is to bond the flange 19 to a height adjustment shim, and bond the shim to the weld strip 14. The clamping strip 21 may or may not be provided in that arrangement, but a reinforcing strip may or may not take its place and be bonded to the weld strip 14.

Figure 4 shows an edging assembly, being the junction between a plastics sheet floor covering 13' (of the kind with raised studs) with a tiled floor area 40. Similar components have been given similar reference numerals.

Instead of the weld strip 14 being secured to a flange of a drainage channel it is secured to one flange 19' of an L-shaped edging, or transition, strip 41. Again, a good transition between the sheet floor covering 13' and the flange of the member adjacent the covering is achieved by welding the covering 13' to a weld strip 14.

It will be appreciated that the edging assembly can be inserted into the bed 11 after, before, or during, laying of the tiles of the flooring 40, and the sheet covering 13' could be largely fitted before the flooring 11' is finished off by insertion of the edging assembly and welding (although the usual method will be to fit the covering 13' last).

Figure 5 shows the sealing of vinyl sheet floor covering adjacent a frame 50 which supports a manhole cover 51. The cover 51 shown comprises an outer frame 52 with reinforcing wire mesh 53. A void is shown at reference No. 54.

The cover 51 may have a surface covering of the vinyl sheet floor covering which may be welded to it in the same manner as that of the main floor covering to the frame 50.

Whilst I have discussed sheet floor covering material the invention is also applicable to other surface coverings, for example coverings of work surfaces.

Figure 6 shows an alternative way of joining a plastics sheet material floor covering 60 to a channel assembly 61.

The channel assembly 61 comprises a stainless steel bottom trough member 62 having out-turned flanges 63 and a pair of parallel side members 64 secured to the trough member 62 via screw-threaded studs 65 provided on the underside of the flanges 63 and nuts 66.

The side members 64 have opposedly directed upper and lower flanges 67 and 68, the lower of which has holes to accommodate the studs 65 and the upper of which extends parallel to the upper surface of the bed 11. The covering 60 overlies the flanges 67. The flanges 67 are made of plastics material, or some other material weldable to the sheet covering 60, and the sheet covering 60 is welded to the inward corner of the flanges 67, as shown by weld 69. It will be noted that the weight of the cover grid 12 and any loading thereon is supported by the stainless steel flange 63.

The structure of Figure 6 may have a shim introduced between the lower surface of flange 63 and the upper surface of flange 68. This allows the structure to accommodate coverings 60 of different thicknesses.

Figure 7 shows another way of fixing a floor covering 70 (or other covering) to a fixture or fitting, such as a drainage channel assembly 71. The assembly 71 comprises an L-shaped attachment element 77 and a generally U-shaped stainless steel channel member 72 having a base 73 and side walls having a lower portion 74, a kinked shoulder portion 75, and an offset upper portion 76. The upper edge of the offset portion 76 is flush with the upper surface of covering 70. The L-shaped attachment element 77 is screwed (or otherwise affixed) to the channel member 72 and the free edge of the covering 70 overlies the element 77. The free edge of the covering 70 is preferably slightly offset from the vertical edge of the element 77, and slightly spaced from the upper portion 76.The attachment element 77 is made of plastics material or other material to which the covering 70 can be satisfactorily fixed. A weld 78 joins the free edge of the covering 70 to the element 77 and fills the gap between the covering 70 and the upper portion 76. The shoulder 75 carries the weight of the grid 12, and more importantly carries the weight of any load which the grid 12 bears.

In a modification of the embodiment of Figure 7 the element 77 is attached to the portion 76 via height adjustment means. This enables the structure to accommodate coverings 70 of different thicknesses. The height adjustment means may comprise slots in the portion 76, or element 77, through which clamping screws extend, the portion 76 and element 77 being relatively vertically movable when the clamping screws are slack and held fast to each other when they are tight.

It will be appreciated that the channel assemblies 61 and 71 can be keyed to the concrete 11' by keying lugs and that similar fixing arrangements can be applied to an edging to end a sheet of covering material or join two sheets. The arrangements of Figures 6 and 7 can of course be applied to the situation of Figure 5.

Figure 8 shows a stainless steel drainage channel 80 set into a concrete bed 81. A vinyl sheet floor covering 82 is heat welded at weld 83 to a PVC attachment element 84 which is mounted on an extruded aluminium intermediate member 85. The intermediate member 85 is held against a flange 86 of the channel 80 by a nut 87 screwed onto a pin 88 which projects from the underside of the flange 86. In fact a row of pins 88 are provided spaced apart along the longitudinal length of the channel.

The attachment element 84 is best shown in Figure 10 and comprises a long strip having an abutment edge portion 89, a keying edge portion 90 spaced transversely from the abutment edge portion 89, and a flat base portion 91. The keying edge portion 90 has a pointed cross-section. The abutment edge portion 89 has first and second, oppositely directed shoulder projections 92 and 93 each having a flange-engaging shelf 94 and abutment face 95 adapted to co-operate with the flange 86, and each having a free edge-engaging abutment face 96 adapted to co-operate with the free edge of the sheet covering 82. The heights of the two abutment faces 95 are the same, but those of the abutment faces 96 are different in order to accmmodate floor coverings of different thicknesses, as will be described later.

The intermediate member 85 is best shown in Figure 9 and comprises a channel engaging portion 97, a floor covering engaging portion 98, and an attachment element receiving portion 99 which has on each side a profile complementary to that of a respective side of the attachment element. The intermediate member has the form of a long strip and has an upper profiled surface 100 and a lower profiled surface 101. The two surfaces 100 and 101 have similar profiles, except that the profile surfaces of the attachment element receiving portions are spaced from the central plane 102 of the member 85 by different amounts 103 and 104. The portion 99 defines a recess 100' on one side and a recess 101 on its other side adapted to receive the attachment element 84, as shown in Figure 8, with the portion 98 and the element 84 defining a continuous smooth upper surface.The channel-engaging portion 98 has upper and lower recesses or slots 105 and 106 adapted to receive a sealing cord or strip 107 (such as an EPDM seal). As seen in Figure 8, this seal is provided in only the upper slots that is adjacent the flange 86. A series of spaced holes 108 is provided in the portion 98 complementary to the pins 88 of the channel 80.

The user must decide which way up to attach the intermediate member to the flange 86 because the distance between the top of the flange 86 and the top of the base portion 91, and the top surface of the portion 98, will vary depending upon which way up the member 85 is attached. This is because the profiles 100 and 101 are not equi-distant from the central plane 102. In figures 8 and 9 the arrangement is set to receive a thick floor covering 82. If the member 85 were attached to the flange the other way up the surface 101 would be closer to the top of the flange and the arrangement would be suitable for a thinner floor covering.

Having decided which way up the member 85 should be to suit the thickness of the floor covering, the user slides, or places, the attachment element 84 into the upper recess 100' or 101', taking care that the attachment element is the correct way up (because the shoulders 92 and 93 are different heights, and the upper profiled surface 100 or 101 will be complementary only to one of them). The user introduces the sealing cord 107 into the appropriate slot 105 or 106 and locates the holes 108 over the pins 88, and then tightens the bolts 87 so as to hold the intermediate member 85 to the channel 80. The sealing cord could be introduced before the attachment element.

Once the nuts 87 are tightened the attachment element is retained to the intermediate element and cannot accidentally be displaced.

Instead of assembling the attachment element, intermediate member, and seal cord himself they may be provided to the user already assembled, or part assembled.

Once the combined assembly of the channel 80, intermediate member 85 and attachment element 84 have been finally positioned the concrete bed 81 can be poured around them (or at least their final setting in the bed performed). It will be noted that the portion 98 has a keying formation 108 to assist in keying the intermediate member to the bed. When the combined assembly is firmly set in the bed 81 the floor covering 82 can be laid and its free edge welded to the upper abutment shoulder 96 of the attachment element (usually using a filler rod).

The underside of the edge region of the free edge of floor covering may be secured to the upper surface of the base portion 91 of the intermediate member by any suitable bonding means, such as by gluing or by solvent welding.

The arrangement of Figures 8 to 10 has no need for a shim because of the dual purpose nature of the intermediate element and attachment element Indeed, if a modification is made so that the attachment element can have two different configurations of its upper surface relative to each of recesses 100' and 101' an arrangement capable of accommodating four different thicknesses of floor covering can be envisaged.

The seal 107 prevents leakage of water between faces 95 and the flange 86 from permeating too far.

As the intermediate member is made of metal it is strong and can support the flange 86 without trouble.

Where strength is not a requirement the attachment element could be integrally moulded as part of a combined attachment element/intermediate member which would then be a large plastics "attachment element".

The arrangement of Figures 8 to 10 can of course be applied to an access cover, drain channel, or any other situation disclosed.

Claims (26)

1. A method of securing the free edge of sheet material surface covering to a fixture or fitting to which the sheet is to extend comprising providing the fixture with a plastics material attachment element and welding or otherwise bonding the free edge of the sheet to the attachment element.

2. A method according to claim 1 in which the attachment element is mounted or secured to a metal component of the fixture or fitting.

3. A method according to claim 1 or claim 2 in which the attachment element is provided on an intermediate member which is in turn secured to the fixture or fitting.

4. A method according to any preceding claim which further comprises the step of selecting one of a plurality of configurations that the intermediate member, or attachment element, can take relative to the fixture or fitting, thereby selecting a chosen distance or depth between the top surface of the attachment element or intermediate member and an upper surface or edge of the fixture or fitting adjacent which the attachment element or intermediate member is mounted.

5. A method according to any preceding claim in which the sheet material surface covering is a floor covering.

6. A method according to any preceding claim in which the fixture is part of, or associated with, a drainage channel or gully or an access panel cover.

7. A method according to any preceding claim which also comprises providing the fixture with an abutment member to which the sheet is to extend.

8. A method of securing the free edge of sheet material surface covering to an abutment member to which the sheet is to extend, comprising providing an attachment element, connecting the abutment member to the attachment element, and welding or otherwise bonding the free edge of the sheet to the attachment element.

9. A method according to any preceding claim in which the attachment element is made of plastics material.

10. A method according to any preceding claim in which the attachment element and sheet material are made of the same material, or similar materials.

11. A method according to any preceding claim which comprises overlying the free edge of the sheet over a portion of the attachment element.

12. A method according to any preceding claim which comprises forming a groove or recess in a floor bed over which the sheet material floor covering lays; attaching the abutment member to the attachment element; putting the attachment member in the recess so that its upper surface is substantially level with the upper surface of the main body of the bed; laying the sheet up to or over a portion of the attachment element and/or abutment member, and welding the sheet to the attachment element and/or the abutment member.

13. A method according to any preceding claim in which the abutment member, and/or intermediate member, and/or the attachment element are mounted in the recess by the use of a setting cement, grout, or the like.

14. A method according to any preceding claim in which the attachment element has a flat strip surface.

15. A surface for a floor or work surface for a room or other structure comprising a main surfacing bed; a sheet material surface covering overlying the bed; and a fixture or fitting to which the sheet surface covering extends, the fixture having a plastics material attachment element to which the sheet surface covering is welded or otherwise bonded.

16. A surface according to claim 15 in which the attachment element and sheet surface covering have upper surfaces in substantially the same plane.

17. A surface according to claim 15 or claim 16 in which the fixture or fitting has an abutment member to which the attachment element is secured

18. A surface according to claim 17 in which the sheet surface covering extends to the abutment member.

19. A surface for a floor or work surface for a room or other structure comprising a main surfacing bed; a sheet material surface covering overlying the bed; an abutment member adjacent an edge of the surface Covering; and an attachment element connecting the abutment member to the surface covering; and in which the surface covering is welded or otherwise bonded to the attachment element and/or the abutment member.

20. A surface according to any one of claims 15 to 19 in which the attachment element connects the surface covering to the abutment element via an intermediate element.

21. A surface according to any one of claims 15 to 20 in which the abutment member is set into the bed and has a flange whose top surface is substantially flush with the top surface of the surface covering at their interface.

22. A surface according to any one of claims 15 to 21 in which a gap is provided between the abutment member and the surface covering, the gap being filled with filler material, which may be weld material.

23. A method of securing the free edge of sheet material surface covering substantially as described herein with reference to Figures 2 and 3; or Figure 4; or Figure 5; or Figure 6; or Figure 7: or Figures 8 to 10 of the accompanying drawings.

24. A surface for a floor or work surface for a room or other structure substantially as described herein with reference to Figures 2 and 3; or Figure 4; or Figure 5; or Figure 6; or Figure 7; or Figures 8 to 10 of the accompanying drawings.

25. An attachment element for use in the methods of, or in the surface of, any of claims 1 to 24.

26. An attachment element substantially as described and illustrated herein with reference to Figures 2 and 3; or Figure 4; or Figure 5; or Figure 6; or Figure 7; or Figures 8 to 10 of the accompanying drawings.