GB2448545A

GB2448545A - A floor panel

Info

Publication number: GB2448545A
Application number: GB0707700A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Moshe Lew
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2007-04-20
Filing date: 2007-04-20
Publication date: 2008-10-22
Also published as: GB0707700D0

Abstract

The invention relates to a rectangular floor panel 1 comprising two long sides, each provided with a coupling means comprising a first plurality of projections 2 on the first long side, and a second plurality of similarly dimensioned and configured projections 3 on the second long side. The first and second plurality of projections are dimensioned and configured for interlocking with similarly dimensioned and configured projections of a further floor panel. The coupling means are provided in the plane of the floor panel. The first plurality of projections 2 on the first long side may or may not be diametrically opposed to the second plurality of projections 3 on the second long side. The projections may be dovetail projections (A figure 6), mushroom-shaped (B figure 6), T-shaped (C figure 6) or rounded projections (D figure 6). The floor panel may be a flexible plastic laminate material with a wood effect. A later embodiment relates to a floor covering comprising a plurality of said floor panels.

Description

V I

I

A FLOOR PANEL

The present invention relates to a floor panel and more particularly relates to a rectangular floor panel for use in providing a floor covering.

It has been proposed previously to provide various types of floor covering comprising rectangular floor panels. Prior proposed rectangular floor panels are often in the form in which the long sides of said floor panels provide coupling means in the form of a tongue and groove. Typically, such rectangular floor panels are constructed out of commonly available materials, such as wood, metal or other durable materials and may further comprise a top layer comprised of laminated material in order to provide an aesthetically pleasing floor covering. Such systems are known in the art as "laminate floors".

A rectangular floor panel of the type generally discussed above is intended to allow the user to assemble the floor panels in a desirable staggered conformation, akin to a "brick-work" conformation. The rectangular floor panels are placed side-by-side and interlocked in a direction perpendicular to the tongue and groove surface.

Typically, rectangular floor panels of this type interlock through a snap-fit joint where the interlocking is created by the tension forced created by the contact between the tongue and groove at the joint. These joints can be difficult to engage, are not flexible and such a tension force can weaken the joint over time. Additionally, due to the inflexible nature of these joints, if the surface to which the floor covering is being applied is uneven, the joints loosen over time allowing particulate materials, such as dirt and water to filter through the joints causing damage to the floor panels. Typically, the surface to which the floor covering is applied must be sanded or prepared before laying the floor covering requiring increased expenditure and labour.

Generally, interlocking rectangular floor panels of this type require that the coupling means of one floor panel must be moved along the coupling means of an adjacent floor panel either in the plane of the two floor panels or at an angle of up to 45 in relation to the plane of the two floor panels prior to interlocking the floor panels together. This has the disadvantage of making assembly of the floor covering difficult in confined spaces, such as narrow hallways and at the edges of rooms.

When assembling prior proposed floor panels in a staggered conformation, measurements are required to ensure that the panels are evenly staggered in relation to each other in order to provide an aesthetically pleasing floor covering. This is further compounded, in some prior proposed arrangements, by the absence of a mechanism to prevent the interlocked floor panels from lateral movement in the plane of the floor panel.

It has been proposed previously to provide various types of floor covering comprising floor panels with "teeth-like" projections. These floor panels are square in shape and are provided with "teeth-like" projections on all four sides.

This type of floor covering is commonly constructed out of durable materials and is typically found in warehouses and gyms. In these previously proposed floor coverings, the joints provided by the interlocked projections are visible, making them aesthetically unattractive and unsuitable for use in domestic flooring. Further, it is desirable in domestic flooring to produce wood or laminated flooring with a finish representative of natural rectangular floor boards and therefore, previously proposed square floor panels are undesirable.

The present invention seeks to provide an improved floor panel and floor covering which does not suffer from the above-mentioned problems.

According to the present invention there is provided a rectangular floor panel wherein the two long sides thereof are provided with coupling means, the coupling means comprising a first plurality of projections on a first long side of the floor panel and a second plurality of similarly dimensioned and configured projections on the second long side of the floor panel wherein the first plurality of projections on the first long side are dimensioned and configured for interlocking with similarly dimensioned and configured projections on a long side of a further floor panel and wherein the coupling means are provided in the plane of the floor panel.

This arrangement has the advantage of producing a rectangular floor panel comprising a plurality of projections which can mesh with complementary projections on an adjacent floor panel to provide a strong interlocked connection between adjacent floor panels that resists lateral movement in the plane of the floor panel. Conveniently, the projections remove the requirement to measure the distance along each floor panel when assembling the floor panels in a staggered conformation providing ease of assembly to the user.

Advantageously, the floor panels of the present invention can be assembled in confined spaces, such as narrow hallways, owing to the fact that the coupling means on adjacent floor panels can be engaged without requiring the coupling means of one floor panel to be moved along the coupling means of an adjacent floor panel either in the plane of the two floor panels or at an angle of up to 45 in relation to the plane of the two floor panels prior to interlocking the floor panels together. Conveniently, the absence of projections on the short sides of the rectangular floor panel allows the floor panel to be trimmed to the appropriate length without affecting its meshing properties. More conveniently, the absence of projections on the short sides of the rectangular floor panel presents fewer problems when the skirting of a room is reached as only the projections on one of the long sides requires trimming or folding under the skirting.

Preferably, the coupling means the coupling means further comprises on the first long side at least one first half-projection being substantially half of the dimension of a first projection and on the second long side at least one second half-projection being substantially half of the dimension of a second projection wherein the at least one first half-projection and at least one second half-projection are diagonally opposed. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the first half-projections and second-half projections are flush with the short sides of said floor panel. Such an arrangement has the advantage of providing a half-projection where a full projection would overlap the end of the long side of the panel, allowing a half-projection to be provided on the long side where otherwise a gap would have to be provided allowing for a stronger interlocking between adjacent floor panels.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the first plurality of projections on the first long side and the second plurality of projections on the second long side are diametrically opposed. Advantageously, adjacent floor panels can be interlocked in a staggered or a non-staggered conformation.

In another embodiment of the invention, the first plurality of projections on the first long side and the second plurality of projections on the second long side are not diametrically opposed. Advantageously, adjacent floor panels can be interlocked in a staggered or a nonstaggered conformation.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the first plurality of projections on the first long side and the second plurality of projections on the second long side are not diametrically opposed and the coupling means further comprises on the first long side one first half-projection being substantially half of the dimension of a first projection and on the second long side one second half-projection being substantially half of the dimension of a second projection wherein the first half-projection and second half-projection are diagonally opposed and wherein the first and second-half projections are flush with the short sides of said floor panel.

In another embodiment of the invention, the first plurality of projections on the first long side and the second plurality of projections on the second long side are diametrically opposed and the coupling means further comprises on the first long side one first half-projection being substantially half of the dimension of a first projection and on the second long side one second half-projection being substantially half of the dimension of a second projection wherein the first half-projection and second half-projection are diagonally opposed and wherein the first and second-half projections are flush with the short sides of said floor panel and wherein the first and second half-projections are flush with the short sides of said floor panel.

In a further embodiment of the invention, the first plurality of projections on the first long side and the second plurality of projections on the second long side are diametrically opposed and the coupling means further comprises on the first long side at least one first half-projection being substantially half of the dimension of a first projection and on the second long side at least one second halfprojection being substantially half of the dimension of a second projection wherein the at least one first half-projection and at least one second half-projection are diagonally opposed and wherein the first and second half-projections are flush with the short sides of said floor panel.

ifl a preferred embodiment of the invention, the first piuraiity of projections and the second plurality of projections are substantially configured in the form of a dovetail, a rounded dovetail or a 1-shape. A number of different types of projections capable of providing a strong interlocked connection between adjacent floor panels can be employed in the present invention. Preferably, they are of a ujigsawliken shape, having the advantage of preventing lateral movement of the panel in the plane of the floor panel when adjacent floor panels are interlocked. More preferably, the first plurality of projections and the second plurality of projections are dimensioned to be at least twice as wide as they are in length.

In another embodiment of the invention, the space between adjacent first projections forms a first aperture dimensioned and configured to receive a second projection provided on a further floor panel of any preceding claim. In yet another embodiment of the invention the space between adjacent second projections forms of a second aperture dimensioned and configured to receive a first projection provided on a further floor panel of any preceding claim.

Conveniently, when the first and second apertures receive a second and first projection respectively, a tight meshing is achieved preventing the passage of particulate materials, such as dirt and water, through the meshed area.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the floor panel is comprised of flexible material. Advantageously, the flexible nature of the floor panels allows said floor panels to be laid over uneven surfaces. Adjacent floor panels can be interlocked through their pluralities of projections to form a strong interlocked connection which is not adversely loosened over time.

In another embodiment of the invention, the floor panel is further provided with a layer comprised of laminated material formed with the floor panel.

Preferably, the layer comprised of laminated material is affixed to the floor panel. Conveniently, the layer comprised of laminated material provides an aesthetically pleasing finish to the floor covering by removing the pluralities of projections from view. More preferably, the layer comprised of laminated material is flexible and yet more preferably is comprised of plastic with wood effect. Advantageously, such material is aesthetically pleasing as well as being flexible, allowing the floor panels to be laid over uneven surfaces and avoiding the expenditure and labour associated with sanding or preparing the surface.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the layer comprised of laminated material is flush with the first plurality of projections on the first long side of said floor panel and flush with the second long side of said floor panel and further, the layer comprised of laminated material is flush with the short sides of said floor panel. In another embodiment of the invention, the layer comprised of laminated material is flush with the second plurality of projections on the second long side of said floor panel and flush with the first long side of said floor panel and further, the layer comprised of laminated material is flush with the short sides of said floor panel. Conveniently, such an arrangement where the layer of laminate material overlaps the projections on one long side of the floor panel but not the projections on the other long side of the floor panel provides not only an aesthetically pleasing floor covering but also provides a mechanism for allowing a plurality of floor panels to be placed adjacent to one another with the top layer comprised of laminated material of one floor panel forming close contact with the top layer comprised of laminated material of an adjacent floor panel. Conveniently, when the skirting board of a room is reached, the uncovered projections of the floor panel can be removed or placed under the skirting board.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the first plurality of projections and the second plurality of projections are formed with said floor panel. In another embodiment of the invention, the first half-projections and the second half-projections are formed with said floor panel.

Another embodiment of the invention is provided wherein in use the coupling means are interlocked so as to resist lateral movement of the panel in the plane of the floor panel. In yet another embodiment of the invention, the short sides of the floor panel are provided with coupling means.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention a floor covering comprising a plurality of the floor panels of the invention is provided.

In order that the invention may be more readily understood, and so that further embodiments thereof may be appreciated, the invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which FIGURE 1 shows in A. a plan view of a single floor panel wherein the first plurality of projections and the second plurality of projections are staggered i.e. not diametrically opposed, in relation to each other; B. a plan view of two floor panels corresponding to Figure IA meshed through their complementary projections to provide a staggered conformation and; C. a plan view of the floor covering in use showing the layer comprised of laminated material.

FIGURE 2 shows in A. a plan view of a single floor panel wherein the first plurality of projections and the second plurality of projections are non-staggered i.e. diametrically opposed, in relation to each other; B. a plan view of two floor panels corresponding to Figure 2A meshed through their complementary projections to provide a staggered conformation; C. a plan view of the floor covering in use showing the layer comprised of I 1 I....J.

Ia, I III iai,.a I I ua, 01 IU, D. a side view corresponding to the cross-section (X-X) of the floor panel in Figure 2C, showing the layer comprised of laminated material in relation to the other layers of the floor panel.

FIGURE 3 shows in Al and A2. a plan view of a single floor panel wherein the first plurality of projections and the second plurality of projections are staggered i.e. not diametrically opposed, in relation to each other and further showing diagonally opposed half-projections; B. a plan view of three floor panels corresponding to two panels of Figure 3A1 and one panel of Figure 3A2 meshed together through their complementary projections to provide a staggered conformation and; C. a plan view of the floor covering in use showing the layer comprised of laminated material.

FIGURE 4 shows in Al and A2. a plan view of a single floor panel wherein the first plurality of projections and the second plurality of projections are non-staggered i.e. diametrically opposed, in relation to each other and further showing diagonally opposed half-projections; B. a plan view of three floor panels corresponding to two panels of Figure 4A1 and one panel of Figure 4A2 meshed together through their complementary projections to provide a staggered conformation and; C. a plan view of the floor covering in use showing the top layer comprised of laminated material.

FIGURE 5 shows in A. a pan view of a single floor panel wherein the first and second projections are non-staggered i.e. diametrically opposed, in relation to each other and further showing diagonally opposed half-projections; B. a plan view of two floor panels corresponding to Figure 5A meshed through their complementary projections to provide a staggered conformation; C. a plan view of the floor covering in use showing the top layer comprised of laminated material.

FIGURE 6 shows in A. to E. plan views of the different types of projections that can be utilised in the present invention; A. Dovetail projections; B. Mushroom-shaped projections; C. T-shaped projections; D. Rounded projections; E. Rounded dovetail projections.

Referring initially to Figure 1 of the accompanying drawings, a floor panel I is provided, the floor panel having a plurality of jigsaw-like projections 2,3, the projections being provided on the long sides of the rectangular floor panel.

Referring to Figure IA of the accompanying drawings, the first plurality of projections 2 on the first long side are similarly dimensioned and configured as one another. Similarly, the second plurality of projections 3 on the second long side are similarly dimensioned and configured as one another. Figure IA further illustrates an embodiment of the invention where the first plurality of projections 2 on the first long side are not diametrically opposed to the second plurality of projections 3 on the second long side, i.e. sets of projections 2 and 3 are staggered with respect to one another.

Figure I B of the accompanying drawings illustrates two interlocked floor panels 6 and 7 of Figure 1A arranged in a staggered conformation where the second plurality of projections 3 on the second long side of the floor panel 6 are dimensioned and configured to interlock with the similarly dimensioned and configured first plurality of projections 2 on the first long side of the floor panel 7 to create a strong connection 8, which resists lateral movement of the floor panels in the plane of said floor panels.

II

Figure IC of the accompanying drawings illustrates a preferred embodiment of the floor panel in use where the floor panel is provided with a layer comprised of laminated material 4 and at least one other layer 5 comprised of flexible materials such as, wood, plastic, metal or rubber, by way of example. It is envisaged that the layer comprised of laminated material 4 is comprised of flexible materials, such as, plastic with wood effect. Referring to Figures 1 to of the accompanying drawings, the plurality of projections 2 and 3 are preferably formed with the layers of the floor panel 5. However, it is envisaged that they can alternatively be separately attached to the layers of the floor panel5.

Figure IC illustrates that the layer comprised of laminated material 4 can cover one set of projections 2 on floor panel 6, such that when a floor covering 6, 7 is constructed, the layer comprised of laminated material 4 on floor panel 6 is flush with the layer comprised of laminated material 4 on the floor panel 7, creating an aesthetically pleasing floor covering where the other layers of the floor panel 5 and, in particular, the projections 2, 3 and connection 8 are covered and therefore not visible. It can be appreciated that the layer comprised of laminated material 4 can alternatively cover one set of projections 3 on floor panel 6.

The second plurality of projections 3 on the floor panel 7, which are not overlapped by the layer comprised of laminated material 4 are free to interlock with a first plurality of projections on the first long side of a further floor panel of Figure IA or alternatively, can placed under the skirting panel or removed.

Referring to Figure 2A of the accompanying drawings an embodiment of the invention is shown where the first plurality of projections 2 on the first long side are diametrically opposed to the second plurality of projections 3 on the second long side, i.e. they are opposed directly opposite each other and are not staggered. Figure 28 illustrates two interlocked floor panels 9 and 10 of Figure 2A arranged in a staggered conformation where the second plurality of projections 3 on the second long side of the floor panel 9 are dimensioned and configured to interlock with the similarly dimensioned and configured first plurality of projections 2 on the first long side of the floor panel 10 to create a strong connection 8, which resists lateral movement of the floor panels in the plane of said floor panels.

Figure 2C of the accompanying drawings illustrates a preferred embodiment of the floor panel in use where the floor panel is provided with a layer comprised of laminated material 4 and at least one other layer 5 comprised of flexible materials such as, wood, plastic, metal or rubber, by way of example. It is envisaged that the layer comprised of laminated material 4 is comprised of flexible materials, such as, plastic with wood effect.

Figure 2C further illustrates that the layer comprised of laminated material 4 can cover one set of projections 2 on floor panel 9, such that when a floor covering 9, 10 is constructed, the layer comprising laminated material 4 on floor panel 9 is flush with the layer comprising laminated material 4 on the floor panel 10, creating an aesthetically pleasing floor covering where the other layers of the floor panel 5 and, in particular, the projections 2, 3 and connection 8 are covered and therefore not visible. It can be appreciated that the layer comprised of laminated material 4 can alternatively cover one set of projections 3 on floor panel 9.

The second plurality of projections 3 on the floor panel 10, which are not overlapped by the layer comprised of laminated material 4 are free to interlock with a first p!Uf3ity of projections on the first long side of a further floor panei of Figure 2A or alternatively, can placed under the skirting panel or removed.

Figure 2D of the accompanying drawings shows a cross-section (X--X) of the floor panel 1 of Figure 2C further illustrating the preferred juxtaposition of the layer comprised of laminated material 4 and the at least one other layer 5 of the floor panel. It can be appreciated that the layer of the floor panel comprised of laminated material 4 overlaps the other layers 5 of the floor panel and the first plurality of projections 2 on the first long side of the floor panel without overlapping the second plurality of projections 3 on the second long side of the floor panel or the short sides of said floor panel. Similarly, it is envisaged that the layer of the floor panel comprised of laminated material 4 can overlap the other layers 5 of the floor panel and the second plurality of projections 3 on the second long side of the floor panel without overlapping the first plurality of projections 2 on the first long side of the floor panel or the short sides of said floor panel.

Referring to Figures 3A1 and 3A2 of the accompanying drawings, the first plurality of projections 2 on the first long side are similarly dimensioned and configured as one another. Similarly, the second plurality of projections 3 on the second long side are similarly dimensioned and configured as one another.

Further, Figures 3A1 and 3A2 illustrate a first half-projection 11 on the first long side of the floor panel and a second half-projection 12 on the second long side of the floor panel. It is envisaged that the first half-projection 11 is substantially half of the dimension of a first projection 2 and the second half-projection 12 is substantially half of the dimension of a second projection 3.

Figures 3A1 and 3A2 illustrate that the first half-projections and second half-projections can be provided on either end of the first long side and second long side, respectively, of the floor panel 1. Further, it can be appreciated that the half-projections 11, 12 are diagonally opposed. It is envisaged that the first half-projection 11 and second half-projection 12 are flush with the short sides *k fle,,r ririI %# Figures 3A1 and 3A2 further illustrate an embodiment of the invention where the first plurality of projections 2 on the first long side are not diametrically opposed to the second plurality of projections 3 on the second long side.

Figure 3B illustrates three interlocked floor panels, two of Figure 3A1 13, 13 and one of Figure 3A2 14 arranged in a staggered conformation where the second plurality of projections 3 and the second half-projection 12 on the second long side of the floor panel 13 are dimensioned and configured to interlock with the similarly dimensioned and configured first plurality of projections 2 and first half-projection 12 on the first long side of the floor panels 13, 14 to create a strong connection 8, which resists lateral movement of the floor panels in the plane of said floor panels. It is envisaged that the floor covering can be comprised of a plurality of the floor panels of Figure 3A1 or a plurality of the floor panels of Figure 3A2 or a combination thereof.

Figure 3C of the accompanying drawings illustrates a preferred embodiment of the floor panel in use where the floor panel is provided with a layer comprised of laminated material 4 and at least one other layer 5 comprised of flexible materials such as, wood, plastic, metal or rubber, by way of example. It is envisaged that the layer comprised of laminated material 4 is comprised of flexible materials, such as, plastic with wood effect.

Figure 3C further illustrates that the layer comprised of laminated material 4 can cover one set of projections 2 on floor panel 14 such that when a floor covering 13, 13, 14 is constructed, the layer comprising laminated material 4 on floor panel 13 is flush with the layer comprising laminated material 4 on the floor panel 14 creating an aesthetically pleasing floor covering where the other layers of the floor panel 5 and, in particular, the projections 2, 3 and connection 8 are covered and therefore not visible. It can be appreciated that the layer comprised of laminated material 4 can alternatively cover one set of projections 3 on floor panel 13.

The second plurality of projections 3 on the floor panel 14 which are not overlapped by the layer comprised of laminated material 4 are free to interlock with a first plurality of projections on the first long side of a further floor panel of Figure 3A1 or 3A2. Alternatively, the second plurality of projections 3 can be placed under the skirting panel or removed.

Referring to Figures 4A1 and 4A2 of the accompanying drawings, an alternative embodiment of the invention is shown where the first plurality of projections 2 on the first long side are similarly dimensioned and configured as one another. Similarly, the second plurality of projections 3 on the second long side are similarly dimensioned and configured as one another. Further, Figures 4A1 and 4A2 illustrate a first half-projection 11 on the first long side of the floor panel and a second half-projection 12 on the second long side of the floor panel. It is envisaged that the first half-projection 11 is substantially half of the dimension of a first projection 2 and the second half-projection 12 is substantially half of the dimension of a second projection 3. Figures 4A1 and 4A2 illustrate that the first half-projections and second half-projections can be provided on either end of the first long side and second long side, respectively, of the floor panel 1. Further, it can be appreciated that the half-projections 11 and 12 are diagonally opposed. It is envisaged that the first half-projection 11 and second half-projection 12 are flushwith the short sides of the floor panel.

Figures 4A1 and 4A2 further illustrate an embodiment of the invention where the first plurality of projections 2 on the first long side are diametrically opposed to the second plurality of projections 3 on the second long side.

Figure 4B illustrates three interlocked floor panels, two of Figure 4A1 15, 15 and one of Figure 4A2 16 arranged in a staggered conformation where the second plurality of projections 3 and the second half-projection 12 on the second long side of the floor panel 15 are dimensioned and configured to interlock with the similarly dimensioned and configured first plurality of projections 2 and first half-projection 12 on the first long side of the floor panels 15, 16 to create a strong connection 8, which resists lateral movement of the floor panels in the plane of said floor panels. It is envisaged that the floor covering can be comprised of a plurality of the floor panels of Figure 4A1 or a plurality of the floor panels of Figure 4A2 or a combination thereof.

Figure 4C of the accompanying drawings illustrates a preferred embodiment of the floor panel in use where the floor panel is provided with a layer comprised of laminated material 4 and at least one other layer 5 compnsed of flexible materials such as, wood, plastic, metal or rubber, by way of example. It is envisaged that the layer comprised of laminated material 4 is comprised of flexible materials, such as, plastic with wood effect.

Figure 4C further illustrates that the layer comprised of laminated material 4 can cover one set of projections 2 on floor panel 15 such that when a floor covering 15, 15, 16 is constructed, the layer comprising laminated material 4 on floor panel 15 is flush with the layer comprising laminated material 4 on the floor panel 16 creating an aesthetically pleasing floor covering where the other layers of the floor panel 5 and, in particular, the projections 2, 3 and connection 8 are covered and therefore not visible. It can be appreciated that the layer comprised of laminated material 4 can alternatively cover one set of projections 3 on floor panel 15.

The second plurality of projections 3 on the floor panel 16 which are not overlapped by the layer comprised of laminated material 4 are free to interlock with a first plurality of projections on the first long side of a further floor panel of Figure 4A1 or 4A2. Alternatively, the second plurality of projections 3 can be placed under the skirting panel or removed.

It can be appreciated that a plurality of first half-projections 11 can be provided on the first long side of the floor panel and that, similarly, a plurality of second half-projections 12 can be provided on the second long side of the floor panel.

Figure 5 of the accompanying drawings illustrates an alternative embodiment of the invention where the first plurality of projections 2 on the first long side are similarly dimensioned and configured as one another. Similarly, the second plurality of projections 3 on the second long side are similarly dimensioned and configured as one another. Further, Figure 5 illustrates two first half-projections 17, 18 on the first long side of the floor panel and two second half-projections 19, 20 on the second long side of the floor panel. It is envisaged that the first half-projections 17, 18 are substantially half of the dimension of a first projection 2 and the second half-projections 19, 20 are substantially half of the dimension of a second projection 3. It is envisaged that the first half-projections and second half-projections can be provided on at the ends of the first long side and second long side, respectively, of the floor panel 1. Further, it can be appreciated that the first half-projection 17 and second half-projection 20 are diagonally opposed. Similarly, the first half-projection 18 and second half-projection 19 are diagonally opposed. It is envisaged that the first half-projections 17, 18 and second half-projections 19, are flush with the short sides of the floor panel.

Figure 5A further illustrates an embodiment of the invention where the first plurality of projections 2 on the first long side are not diametrically opposed to the second plurality of projections 3 on the second long side.

Figure 5B illustrates two interlocked floor panels 21, 22 of Figure 5A arranged in a staggered conformation where the second plurality of projections 3 and the second half-projections 19, 20 on the second long side of the floor panel 21 are dimensioned and configured to interlock with the similarly dimensioned and configured first plurality of projections 2 and first half-projections 17, 18 on the first 10fl9 side of the floor panel 22 to create a strong connection 8, which resists lateral movement of the floor panels in the plane of said floor panels.

Figure 5C of the accompanying drawings illustrates a preferred embodiment of the floor panel in use where the floor panel is provided with a layer comprised of laminated material 4 and at least one other layer 5 comprised of flexible materials such as, wood, plastic, metal or rubber, by way of example. It is envisaged that the layer comprised of laminated material 4 is comprised of flexible materials, such as, plastic with wood effect.

Figure 5C further illustrates that the layer comprised of laminated material 4 can cover one set of projections 2 on floor panel 21 such that when a floor covering 21,22 is constructed, the layer comprising laminated material 4 on floor panel 21 is flush with the layer comprising laminated material 4 on the floor panel 22 creating an aesthetically pleasing floor covering where the other layers of the floor panel 5 and, in particular, the projections 2, 3 and connection 8 are covered and therefore not visible. It can be appreciated that the layer comprised of laminated material 4 can alternatively cover one set of projections 3 on floor panel 21.

The second plurality of projections 3 on the floor panel 22 which are not overlapped by the layer comprised of laminated material 4 are free to interlock with a first plurality of projections on the first long side of a further floor panel of Figure 5A or alternatively, can placed under the skirting panel or removed.

Referring to Figure 6 of the accompanying drawings, examples of the preferred types of projections are shown, including, dovetail (Figure 6A), mushroom-shaped (Figure 6B), T-shaped (Figure 6C), rounded (Figure 6D) and rounded dovetail (Figure 6E). It can be appreciated that the projections cab be dimensioned to be at least twice as wide as they are in length. It is envisaged that alternative projections can be employed in the present invention provided that complementary projections on adjacent floor panels are configured to interlock and provide a strong connection between adjacent floor panels.

In the present specification "comprise" means "includes or consists of" and "comprising means "including or consisting or.

The features disclosed in the foregoing description, or the following Claims, or the accompanying drawings, expressed in their specific forms or in terms of a means for performing the disclosed function, or a method or process for attaining the disclosed result, as appropriate, may, separately, or in any combination of such features, be utilised for realising the invention in diverse forms thereof.

Claims

CLAIMS: 1. A rectangular floor panel wherein the two long sides thereof

are provided with coupling means, the coupling means comprising a first plurality of projections on a first long side of the floor panel and a second plurality of similarly dimensioned and configured projections on the second long side of the floor panel wherein the first plurality of projections on the first long side are dimensioned and configured for interlocking with similarly dimensioned and configured projections on a long side of a further floor panel and wherein the coupling means are provided in the plane of the floor panel.
2. The floor panel of Claim I wherein the coupling means further comprises on the first long side at least one first half-projection being substantially half of the dimension of a first projection and on the second long side at least one second half- projection being substantially half of the dimension of a second projection wherein the at least one first half-projection and at least one second half-projection are diagonally opposed.
3. The floor panel of Claim I or 2 wherein the first half-projections and second-half projections are flush with the short sides of said floor panel.
4. The floor panel of any of Claims 1 to 3 wherein the first plurality of projections on the first long side and the second plurality of projections on the second long side are diametrically opposed.
5. The floor panel of any of Claims I to 3 wherein the first plurality of projections on the first long side and the second plurality of projections on the second long side are not diametrically opposed.
6. The floor panel of Claim 5 wherein the coupling means further comprises on the first tong side one first half-projection being substantially half of the dimension of a first projection and on the second long side one second half-projection being substantially half of the dimension of a second projection wherein the first half-projection and second half-projection are diagonally opposed and wherein the first and second-half projections are flush with the short sides of said floor panel.
7. The floor panel of Claim 4 wherein the coupling means further comprises on the first long side one first half-projection being substantially half of the dimension of a first projection and on the second long side one second half-projection being substantially half of the dimension of a second projection wherein the first half-projection and second half-projection are diagonally opposed and wherein the first and second-half projections are flush with the short sides of said floor panel and wherein the first and second half-projections are flush with the short sides of said floor panel.
8. The floor panel of Claim 4 wherein the coupling means further comprises on the first long side at least one first half-projection being substantially half of the dimension of a first projection and on the second long side at least one second half- projection being substantially half of the dimension of a second projection wherein the at least one first half-projection and at least one second half-projection are diagonally opposed and wherein the first and second half-projections are flush with the short sides of said floor panel.
9. The floor panel of any of Claims 1 to 8 wherein the first plurality of projections and the second plurality of projections are substantially configured in the form of a dovetail, a rounded dovetail or a T-shape.
10. The floor panel of any of Claims I to 9 wherein the first plurality of projections and the second plurality of projections are dimensioned to be at least twice as wide as they are in length.
11. The floor panel of any of Claims I to 10 wherein the space between adjacent first projections forms a first aperture dimensioned and configured to receive a second projection provided on a further floor panel of any preceding claim.
12. The floor panel of any of Claims 1 to 11 wherein the space between adjacent second projections forms of a second aperture dimensioned and configured to receive a first projection provided on a further floor panel of any preceding claim.
13. The floor panel of any of Claims 1 to 12 wherein the floor panel is comprised of flexible material.
14. The floor panel of any of Claims I to 13 further provided with a layer comprised of laminated material formed with the floor panel or affixed to the floor panel.
15. The floor panel of Claim 14 wherein the layer comprised of laminated material is flexible.
16. The floor panel of Claim 14 or 15 wherein the laminated material is comprised of plastic with wood effect.
17. The floor panel of any of claims 14 to 16 wherein the layer comprised of laminated material is flush with the first plurality of projections on the first long side of said floor panel and flush with the second long side of said floor panel and further wherein the layer comprised of laminated materia is flush with the short sides of said floor panel.
18. The floor panel of any of claims 14 to 16 wherein the layer comprised of laminated material is flush with the second plurality of projections on the second long side of said floor panel and flush with the first long side of said floor panel and further wherein the layer comprised of laminated material is flush with the short sides of said floor panel.
19. The floor panel of any of Claims I to 18 wherein the first plurality of projections and the second plurality of projections are formed with said floor panel.
20. The floor panel of any of Claims 2 to 19 wherein the first half-projections and the second half-projections are formed with said floor panel.
21. The floor panel of any of Claims I to 20 wherein in use the coupling means are intetlocked so as to resist lateral movement of the panel in the plane of the floor panel.
22. The floor panel of any of Claims I to 21 wherein the short sides are provided with the coupling means of any preceding claim.
23. A floor covering comprising a plurality of floor panels according to any of Claims I to 22.
24. A floor panel substantially as herein described with reference to and as shown in Figures 1 to 5 of the accompanying drawings.
25. A floor panel substantially as herein described with reference to and as shown in Figures 1 to 5 of the accompanying drawings as modified by Figure 0.
26. A floor covering substantially as herein described with reference to and as shown in Figures 1 to 5 of the accompanying drawings.
27. A floor covering substantially as herein described with reference to and as shown in Figures 1 to 5 of the accompanying drawings as modified by Figure 6.
28. Any novel feature or combination of features disclosed herein.