GB2593868A

GB2593868A - Flooring systems

Info

Publication number: GB2593868A
Application number: GB2004087.9A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Camacho Christopher
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2020-03-20
Filing date: 2020-03-20
Publication date: 2021-10-13
Also published as: GB202004087D0

Abstract

A flooring system, comprises a positioning device 30, and a plurality of floor boards 10 to be laid parallel to each other on the positioning device 30, wherein the positioning device 30 is resistant to extension and compression and comprises first and second projection means adapted to engage respective first and second recesses 28 at the underside of each floor board 10. The first projection means and first recess 28 provide a snug-fit engagement with each other and the second projection means and second recess 28 provide a loose-fit engagement with each other in a transverse dimension of the floor board 10. The system is such that each floor board 10 can be removably secured in position while being allowed to expand and contract transversely, restrained from displacement in a longitudinal dimension. The positioning device may be a positioning strip received in a cut out 26 in the boards. In an alternative system a positioning device is fixed to a foundation or substrate for fixing a flooring thereto.

Description

FLOORING SYSTEMS

The present invention relates to flooring systems, in particular to systems for mounting hardwood floorings.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A hardwood floor will tend to take up moisture from its new environment and expand slightly when it is initially installed. In addition, over time a hardwood floor will tend to respond to changes in a room's relative humidity by expanding in humid periods and contracting/shrinking in dry conditions. Solid hardwood floorings will tend to expand and contract more across the width of the grain with less movement along its length. In order to accommodate expansion after installation, boards may be stalled in abutment with an edge or perimeter expansion gap that is concealed under wall skirting. However, in large rooms the edge or perimeter expansion gap required is so large that a skirting of standard thickness is not adequate to conceal it. Also, some areas of a room may not have skirting such as the tops or sides of a staircase.

A hardwood floor is most often installed by nailing or stapling down to a plywood subfloor and/or gluing together or to the subfloor. Individual boards interlock edgeto-edge to form a single mat-like surface that rests on a substrate. However, nails can be pulled loose due to the natural movement of the hardwood in its environment. Also, replacement of damaged boards is difficult with glued or nailed down flooring, since it is not easy to disassemble the boards after installation.

Thus, a need exists to provide a flooring system which at least overcomes the disadvantages of the prior art.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention accordingly provides a flooring system, comprising a positioning device, and a plurality of floor boards to be laid parallel to each other on the positioning device, wherein the positioning device is resistant to extension and compression and comprises first and second projection means adapted to engage respective first and second recesses at the underside of each floor board, and wherein the first projection means and the first recess provide a snug-fit engagement with each other and the second projection means and the second recess provide, in a transverse dimension of the floor board, a loose-fit engagement with each other, the system being such that each floor board can be removably secured in position while being allowed to expand and contract transversely.

Preferably, the first recess is an indent having a circular or substantially circular opening and the first projection means is a projection adapted to be received within the indent.

In a first embodiment of the flooring system, the positioning device comprises a plurality of spaced-apart projections, and each floor board comprises a plurality of spaced-apart indents in its underside, wherein each projection of the positioning device is adapted to engage a respective indent of the floor board, and wherein for each floor board there is at least one snug-fit engagement and at least one loose-fit engagement between an indent and a corresponding projection in a transverse dimension of the floor board, the system being such that each floor board can be removably secured in position while being allowed to expand and contract transversely In a second embodiment of the flooring system, the second projection means of the positioning device comprises an elongate base member adapted to be received within the second recess. When in engagement with each other, the base member preferably lies flush with the underside surface of the floor board. The second recess may extend the width of the floor board. The positioning device may comprise a plurality of longitudinally spaced projections extending from the base member.

In the assembled state of the flooring system according to the first embodiment, the loose-fit engagement with a projection and an indent may be where opposed transversely spaced surfaces of the indent are separate from, or have a clearance with, the projection. In this way, transverse expansion or contraction of the floor board is permitted. Opposed longitudinally spaced surfaces of the recess or indent of the floor board may be adjacent, or in contact with, the projection in the assembled state of the flooring system. In this way, longitudinal displacement/movement, expansion or contraction of the floor board is limited.

The snug-fit engagement secures the floor board in position so that it is restrained from displacement/movement in the longitudinal and transverse dimension of the floor board. The loose-fit engagement allows expansion and contraction of the floor board in a transverse dimension of the floor board while restraining displacement/ movement in the longitudinal dimension.

The recess or indent may comprise opposed surfaces longitudinally spaced and extending transversely of the floor board. In addition, the recess or indent may comprise opposed surfaces transversely spaced and optionally connecting the opposed transversely extending surfaces. The projection is adapted to contact at least the opposed transversely extending surfaces of the recess or indent when received therein. The projection may be in contact with all surfaces of the recess or indent when received therein, thereby providing a snug-fit engagement. The projection may be in contact with only the opposed transversely extending surfaces, (longitudinally spaced) of the recess or indent when received therein, thereby providing a loose-fit engagement.

In the assembled state of the system according to the first or second embodiment, a snug-fit engagement between recess or indent and projection is preferably provided approximately midway between the longitudinal edges of the floor board.

Preferably, a plurality of snug-fit engagements are provided spaced-apart on a longitudinal axis, preferably the central longitudinal axis, of the floor board. At least one loose-fit engagement between recess or indent and projection may be provided on either side of a snug-fit engagement in a transverse dimension of the floor board.

In the first embodiment, the floor board may comprise a group of two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight or nine indents on its underside in the transverse dimension. Preferably, the group of indents is repeated at a spaced-apart interval in the longitudinal dimension of the floorboard. Preferably, at least one indent in the group is adapted to be a snug-fit with a corresponding projection in the positioning member and the remaining indents in the group are adapted to be a loose-fit with a corresponding projection. More preferably, a group of three or five indents are provided. The indent adapted to be a snug-fit with a corresponding projection preferably lies in the middle of the group.

Preferably, each projection of the positioning member is in the form of a pin. The pins may have a height of about 1-15 mm, preferably about 2-10 mm, more preferably about 3-8 mm, even more preferably 4-5 mm.

First and second projection means provided in the transverse dimension for each floor board may be spaced by about 40-100 cm, preferably about 50-80 cm, such as about 60 or about 70 cm in the longitudinal dimension of the floor board.

In one embodiment, the plurality of projections of the positioning member are identical in size and shape. In another embodiment, the plurality of indents on the underside of a floorboard are identical in size and shape. In the flooring system, either the indents or the projections received therein are substantially identical in size and shape.

In one embodiment, the floor boards have flat longitudinal edges. The flat longitudinal edges may lie substantially perpendicular to the upper surface face of the floor board. By having non-interlocking edges, floor boards can be easily installed, removed and replaced by simply lowering onto and lifting off the positioning member In an alternative embodiment, floor boards have edges that are adapted to interlock. Interlocking edges may be engaged during installation of a floor by rotation of one

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floor board relative to an adjacent floor board about its interlocking edge. By having interlocking edges, dirt that falls in the gap between adjacent floor boards can easily be removed using a vacuum cleaner.

In one embodiment, the positioning device comprises an elongate member, such as a length of metal strip, having longitudinally spaced-apart projections. In an alternative embodiment, the positioning device comprises a panel having spaced apart projections. The thickness of the elongate member or panel may be about 1-10 mm, preferably about 2-5 mm. The thickness of the elongate member or panel is preferably such as to provide adequate shear strength to prevent breakage. The projections may be longitudinally spaced from each other at about 20-50 mm intervals, preferably at about 25-35 mm intervals. Preferably, each projection is identical in size and shape, and, more preferably, in the form of a pin. The width of the elongate member may be 10-30 mm, preferably 20 mm.

Preferably, the positioning device is made of metal, preferably a non-corrosive metal, or hard plastic.

Preferably, respective elongate positioning devices are connectable to each other by interlocking engagement means provided at both their ends.

In one embodiment, at least some of the indent openings in the underside of the floor board are circular and/or substantially circular. A substantially circular opening may be the form of a circle squashed in one dimension, e.g., in the longitudinal dimension of the floor board, or in the form of an oval. Alternatively, the recesses or indents may be transverse slots or grooves. The diameter of the circular openings may be up to about 5 mm, preferably about 3-4 mm, more preferably about 2 mm. In order to allow expansion or contraction of the floor board in the transverse dimension, a clearance between projection and indent side surfaces in a loose-fit engagement may be about 0.2-0.8 mm, such as about 0.25 or 0.5 mm.

According to another aspect, the present invention provides a positioning device for a wooden floor made up of floor boards, each having first and second recesses at its underside, wherein the device is resistant to extension and compression and comprises first and second projection means adapted to engage the respective first and second recesses, and wherein the first projection means and the first recess are adapted to form a snug-fit engagement with each other and the second projection means and the second recess are adapted to form, in a transverse dimension of the floor board, a loose-fit engagement with each other In one embodiment, the second projection means of the positioning member comprises an elongate base member and the first projection means comprises a projection extending from the base member The elongate base member may comprise a length of metal strip.

The positioning member may comprise a plurality of spaced-apart of projections, each of which is adapted to engage one of a plurality of the indents in the floor board.

According to another aspect, the present invention provides a floor board comprising a wooden top surface and having first and second recesses at its underside. The first recess may be an indent having a circular or substantially circular opening. The second recess may be either a transverse cut-out or an indent having a circular or substantially circular opening. The floor board may comprise a plurality of transversely spaced-apart indents in its underside.

Preferably, an indent having a circular opening is provided approximately mid-way between the longitudinal edges of the floor board, and indents having a substantially circular opening are provided between the circular opening and each longitudinal edge.

In one embodiment, the floor board comprises a recess in its underside for receiving the elongate base or body of the positioning device and providing a loose-fit engagement therewith. The recess may be a transverse cut-out, which may extend the full width of the floor board. A recess or indent providing a snug-fit with a corresponding projection on the positioning device may be provided within the boundaries of the recess providing a loose-fit engagement with the elongate base of the positioning device.

The floor board according to the present invention may comprise non-interlocking longitudinal edges, optionally flat longitudinal edges. Preferably, the flat longitudinal edges are perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the flat top face of the floor board.

According to yet another aspect, the present invention provides a method of fixing a wooden floor to a foundation or a substrate, which method comprises fixing a positioning device to the foundation or substrate, laying a first floor board so that its underside is in engagement with the positioning device, laying a second floor board on the positioning member beside the first floor board in engagement with the device, repeating the procedure with further floor boards, wherein the positioning device is effective to removably secure the floor board in position while allowing transverse expansion and contraction of the floor board.

Preferably, the positioning device and the floor boards used in the method are as described above.

Preferably, the positioning member is effective to provide an expansion gap between adjacent floor boards.

In one embodiment, the positioning device is an elongate member and the floorboards are mounted transversely on the elongate member. Alternatively, the positioning device comprises a base member in the form of a panel and a plurality of projections extending from the panel, wherein each floor board engages a plurality of projections when in position on the positioning device.

In the method of fixing a wooden floor to a foundation or substrate according to the present invention, the floor boards may be laid on the positioning member in engagement therewith by lowering the floorboard onto the positioning member and pressing down manually. Removal of one or more floor boards for replacement may be achieved by lifting the floor board up off the positioning device.

According to the method of the present invention, the floor boards may have longitudinal edges that interlock and the method comprises engaging the edges of the second floor board with the edges of the first floor board, lowering the second floor board onto the positioning device by rotation of the second floor board about the engaging edges, and repeating the procedure with further floor boards, as required.

It should be appreciated that the floor boards are effectively retained in place, despite not being fastened to the subfloor or to each other, and are replaceable and quickly and easily installed without special tools.

It can be understood from the preceding description that the system according to the present invention solves the problems of the prior art because it allows the simple installation of hardwood flooring so there is no need to employ experienced workers in laying such wooden floorings. Also, it safeguards the appearance of the wooden flooring because there is no need to drive nails through the visible surface or risk glue spillage thereon. Fuither, removal and/or replacement of individual boards as required is made possible in a simple manner Furthermore, in the event that plumbing, heating or electric installations are arranged under the flooring, the system prevents such installations from being damaged when nailing the floorboards.

The accompanying drawings illustrate an embodiment of the present invention and, together with the detailed description, serve to explain the principles of the present invention. The drawings are only for the purpose of illustrating preferred embodiments of the present invention, and are not to be construed as limiting.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

Figure 1 is a view from one end of a representative floor board according to the present invention; Figure 2 is a side view of a representative positioning device according to the present invention; Figure 3 is an exploded perspective view from below of a representative flooring system according to the present invention; Figure 4 is an alternative exploded perspective view of Figure 3; Figure 5 is a perspective view from above of a representative flooring system according to the present invention showing a single floor board and a single positioning device; Figure 6 is a perspective view from above of a representative flooring system according to the present invention showing a plurality of floor boards and a plurality of positioning members; Figure 7 is a view from above of part of a representative positioning device according to the present invention; Figure 8 is a perspective view from above of the interconnecting ends of representative positioning devices according to the present invention; and Figure 9 is a transverse cross-sectional view of adjacent representative floor boards according to the present invention showing their interlocking edges.

The various views are not necessarily to scale relative to one another.

Definitions The following definitions shall apply throughout the specification and the appended claims.

Unless otherwise stated or indicated, the term "removable" means able to be installed without the use of fastening means, such as glue, nails or staples, and taken off, or away from, the required position without the use of special tools. For example, a removable floor board as intended herein is a floor board which can be freely removed and positioned or re-positioned.

The term "snug-fit" engagement means a secure engagement that may be achieved by pressing the floor board down into engagement with the positioning member manually, without special tools.

A "loose-fit" engagement may be achieved by placing the floor board down into engagement with the positioning member without pressing down on the floor board.

Within the context of the present application, the terms "comprises" and "comprising" are interpreted to mean "includes, among other things". These terms are not intended to be construed as "consists of only".

The term "about" or "approximately" or "substantially" means plus or minus 20%, more preferably plus or minus 10%, even more preferably plus or minus 5%, most preferably plus or minus 2 °/o.

The following detailed description should not be construed as limiting. For example, all dimensions provided are exemplary and not limiting of the scope of the present invention. The scope of the present invention is defined by the appended claims.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

With reference to the accompanying drawings, an easy to install flooring system according to the principles of the present invention will be described.

With reference to Figure 1, floor boards 10 employed with the flooring system of the present invention are of wood, which can be hardwood, such as maple, or oak. In a particular embodiment, the floor boards can be of a width 135 mm and a thickness of 18 mm. The floor boards 10 have flat top faces 12, and may have longitudinal edge tongues 14 of any desired configuration.

As is more clearly seen in Figure 9, the edge with the tongue 14 has upper and lower vertical longitudinal edge faces, 16 and 18, respectively, therealong. The floor boards 10 on their edges opposite to those provided with the tongues 14 have longitudinal edge grooves 20 for the reception of tongues 14 of contiguous boards. The edge grooves 20 have a top horizontal face 22 and a bottom slanted face 24 so that when the tongue 14 is received in the groove 20 there is a close fit with the tongue and the top face 22 of the groove 20 and a gap between the tongue 14 and the bottom face 24 of the groove 20. This facilitates installation, removal and replacement of boards.

With reference to Figures 3 and 4, transverse cut-outs 26 are provided in the underside of the floor board of depth 3 mm and a plurality of blind bores 28 of depth 4 mm and a diameter of 3-4 mm are provided within the cut-out. The cut-outs 28 are shaped to received an elongate rack 30 having a base 32 of indeterminate length, preferably made of a metal such as stainless steel, of width 20 mm and thickness 3 mm and having projections in the form of pins of height 4 mm at constant intervals of 27 mm. The pins 34 and bores 28 are spaced to allow for an expansion gap of 1 mm between the longitudinal edges 36 of adjacent boards 10.

As is more clearly seen in Figure 7, a group of five bores 28A, 28B, 28B, 28C, 28C, are provided in a transverse dimension of the underside of a floor board 10 with the middle bore 28A having a circular opening of diameter 3 mm, the two bores 28B adjacent thereto each having a transversely stretched circular opening of width 3.25 mm and the two bores 28C furthest from the middle or central longitudinal axis of the board 10 each having a further transversely stretched circular opening of width 3.5 mm. Thus, in the group of transversely spaced-apart indents, the indents 28C, 28C, adjacent to the longitudinal edges 36 of the floor board provide a looser fit transversely than the indents 28B, 28B, closer to the central longitudinal axis of the floorboards 10.

The ends of the elongate racks 30 are provided with interlocking ends, 38, 40 (Figure 8) so that two or more racks 30 can be secured together to provide a desired length according to the dimension of the room or area to be boarded.

When the boards 10 are in place, with the tongues 14 extending into the grooves 20, an expansion gap of width 1 mm is provided between each floor board and the next.

In laying the floor according to the method of the invention, several metal strips 32 are connected together to form convenient lengths and those lengths are placed on the substrate, such as concrete screed, on which the floor is to be laid, in a parallel disposition perpendicular to the length of the floorboards 10 and uniformly spaced apart, for example, by 400mm. The projections 34 of the rack 30 point upwards. The racks 30 are secured onto the substrate by screws 42.

A first floorboard 10 is placed upon the racks 30 with the wear surface 12 upward so that the pin projections 34 of each length of rack 30 enter the bores 28 of the first floorboard. The central portion of the exposed or wear surface 12 of the floorboard is driven down by manual pressure, such as from the hand or foot of the installer. A second floorboard is then engaged, groove 20 over tongue 14, with the first floorboard, rotated about the engaged edge 36 so that it is lowered onto the rack 30 and gently pushed down until the bores 28 therein engage with all the pins 34 as before. With all the pins 34 received in the bores 28 of a second board, an expansion gap 44 is established by virtue of the particular spacing between adjacent bores in each floor board or pins in each rack.

Further floorboards are placed in position and pushed down in the manner described.

The laying of boards is then continued until the floor is complete, with trimming of the last boards are necessary.

In use, in the first few months after laying, the floor expands and the resulting displacement is distributed all over its surface to close the expansion gap without any noticeable displacement at the floor edges parallel to the boards. There is little or no lengthwise expansion of the floorboards as a result of moisture absorption.

As described above, the flooring system according to the present invention can be easily and securely fixed to a mounting surface such as a foundation or a substrate. Thus, the present invention provides an improved flooring system.

While the preferred embodiments have been described above, it should be readily apparent to those skilled in the art that a number of modifications and changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. For example, while the positioning device has been shown with projections of a substantially circular cross-section, the projections can be any shape, for example square or rectangular in cross-section so long as they allow transverse expansion or compression of a floor board and limit longitudinal expansion and compression thereof Also, the specific materials mentioned are not the only materials which can be used.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A flooring system, comprising a positioning device, and a plurality of floor boards to be laid parallel to each other on the positioning device, wherein the positioning device is resistant to extension and compression and comprises first and second projection means adapted to engage respective first and second recesses at the underside of each floor board, and wherein the first projection means and first recess provide a snug-fit engagement with each other and the second projection means and second recess provide a loose-fit engagement with each other in a transverse dimension of the floor board, the system being such that each floor board can be removably secured in position while being allowed to expand and contract transversely 2. A flooring system according to claim 1, wherein the first recess is an indent having a circular opening and the first projection means is a projection adapted to be received within the indent.3. A flooring system according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the positioning device comprises a plurality of spaced-apart projections, and each floor board comprises a plurality of spaced-apart indents at its underside, wherein each projection of the positioning device is adapted to engage a respective indent of the floor board, and wherein each floor board comprises at least one indent providing a snug-fit engagement with a corresponding projection and at least one indent providing a loose-fit engagement with a corresponding projection in a transverse dimension of the floor board.4. A flooring system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein a clearance is provided between the projection means and the sides of the recess in the transverse dimension, thereby providing the loose-fit engagement.5. A flooring system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein a snug-fit engagement between recess and projection means is provided approximately midway between the longitudinal edges of the floor board.6. A flooring system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein a group of two to nine indents are provided in the transverse dimension of the floor board and the group is repeated at a longitudinally spaced interval.7. A flooring system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first projection means is a pin or rod and the first recess is a blind bore, optionally wherein the transverse cross-section of the pin or rod is circular or square.8. A flooring system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the positioning device is an elongate member comprising longitudinally spaced-apart projections.9. A flooring system according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the second projection means of the positioning device comprises an elongate base member and the second recess is a cut-out at the underside of the floor board adapted to receive the base member, optionally wherein, when in engagement with each other, the base member lies flush with the underside of the floor board.10. A positioning device for a wooden floor made up of floor boards, each having first and second recesses at its underside, wherein the device is resistant to extension and compression and comprises first and second projection means adapted to engage the respective first and second recesses, and wherein the first projection means and first recess are adapted to provide a snug-fit engagement with each other and the second projection means and second recess are adapted to provide a loose-fit engagement with each other in a transverse dimension of the floor board.11. A positioning device according to claim 10, comprising at least two spaced-apart projections adapted to engage corresponding indents at the underside of each floor board.12. A positioning device according to claim 10, wherein the second projection means is an elongate base member and the first projection means is a projection extending from the base member.13. A positioning device according to claim 12, wherein the elongate base member comprises a length of metal strip.14. A floor board comprising a wooden top surface layer and having first and second recesses at its underside, optionally wherein the first recess is an indent having a circular opening and/or the second recess is either a transverse cut-out or an indent having a substantially circular opening.15. A floor board according to claim 14, comprising non-interlocking longitudinal edges, optionally flat longitudinal edges, preferably wherein the flat longitudinal edges are substantially perpendicular to the flat top face of the floor board.16. A method of fixing a wooden floor to a foundation or a substrate, which method comprises fixing a positioning device to the foundation or substrate, laying a first floor board so that its underside is in engagement with the positioning device, laying a second floorboard on the positioning member beside the first floor board in engagement with the device, repeating the procedure with further floor boards, wherein the positioning device is effective to removably secure the floor board in position while allowing transverse expansion and contraction of the floor board.17. A method according to claim 16, wherein a predetermined expansion gap is provided between each floorboard and the next.