WO2009015492A1 - Appareil de planchéiage sans joints destiné à être utilisé dans des revêtements de sol, procédé de découpe de bordure pour former celui-ci, et revêtement de sol formé à partir de celui-ci - Google Patents

Appareil de planchéiage sans joints destiné à être utilisé dans des revêtements de sol, procédé de découpe de bordure pour former celui-ci, et revêtement de sol formé à partir de celui-ci Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2009015492A1
WO2009015492A1 PCT/CA2008/001431 CA2008001431W WO2009015492A1 WO 2009015492 A1 WO2009015492 A1 WO 2009015492A1 CA 2008001431 W CA2008001431 W CA 2008001431W WO 2009015492 A1 WO2009015492 A1 WO 2009015492A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
underlying
overhanging
edge
floor
floor base
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/CA2008/001431
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Chen-Chi Mao
Original Assignee
Zaxxon Usa Llc
Lamwood Products (1990) Ltd.
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Zaxxon Usa Llc, Lamwood Products (1990) Ltd. filed Critical Zaxxon Usa Llc
Publication of WO2009015492A1 publication Critical patent/WO2009015492A1/fr

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Classifications

    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E04—BUILDING
    • E04F—FINISHING WORK ON BUILDINGS, e.g. STAIRS, FLOORS
    • E04F15/00—Flooring
    • E04F15/02—Flooring or floor layers composed of a number of similar elements
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E04—BUILDING
    • E04F—FINISHING WORK ON BUILDINGS, e.g. STAIRS, FLOORS
    • E04F15/00—Flooring
    • E04F15/02—Flooring or floor layers composed of a number of similar elements
    • E04F15/10—Flooring or floor layers composed of a number of similar elements of other materials, e.g. fibrous or chipped materials, organic plastics, magnesite tiles, hardboard, or with a top layer of other materials
    • E04F15/105—Flooring or floor layers composed of a number of similar elements of other materials, e.g. fibrous or chipped materials, organic plastics, magnesite tiles, hardboard, or with a top layer of other materials of organic plastics with or without reinforcements or filling materials
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E04—BUILDING
    • E04F—FINISHING WORK ON BUILDINGS, e.g. STAIRS, FLOORS
    • E04F2201/00—Joining sheets or plates or panels
    • E04F2201/04—Other details of tongues or grooves
    • E04F2201/043—Other details of tongues or grooves with tongues and grooves being formed by projecting or recessed parts of the panel layers

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to the field of floor tiles and/or planks for use in floor coverings, and more particularly, to a one-piece flooring apparatus for use in floor coverings, an edge-cutting method of forming same, and a floor covering formed from same.
  • Various known methods may have been previously used to apply and/or secure different prior art types of flooring (i.e., tiles, floor planks, linoleum, hardwood, etc.) to each other and/pr to a floor base to form floor coverings.
  • One such exemplary method may have involved a first application of an adhesive material to the floor base and/or to the back of the flooring, with the aim of securely adhering the flooring in place on the floor base. It may have been relatively time consuming and/or difficult to install prior art floor coverings, especially in the case of prior art floor coverings which may have required an adhesive in order to be affixed to the floor base and/or to the back of the flooring.
  • This problem is one which may have been still further exacerbated in situations requiring the selection, preparation and/or application of a suitable adhesive. For example, in some cases, it may have been necessary to select a specific adhesive suitable to the type of flooring being utilized. Further, it may have been necessary to precisely apply the adhesive to the floor base in an amount sufficient to hold the flooring in place. [0003] In the prior art, additional time may also have been required to allow for adequate drying of the adhesive once the flooring was installed. Post-application cleanup of any adhesive located on the surface of the flooring may also have been required. Further, a "two-part" installation of such prior art floorings may have involved costs associated with the preparation and/or application of specific adhesives during the first part of the installation process, and costs associated with the application of the flooring itself (during the second part of the installation process).
  • adhesive coatings may have been pre-applied to the back of flooring materials during the manufacturing process.
  • Such prior art self-adhesive flooring e.g., peel-and-stick vinyl tiles and/or sticky-back tiles
  • Prior art self-adhesive floor coverings may, however, have suffered from their own inherent and/or related problems.
  • prior art self-adhesive floor coverings may have been manufactured with an insufficient amount of adhesive material applied to the undersides thereof.
  • these prior art floor coverings may have failed to stick properly and/or completely to the floor base, and/or they eventually may have peeled away from the floor base in places, thus requiring the application of additional adhesive and/or the replacement of floor covering in whole or in part.
  • some prior art self-adhesive floorings may have been somewhat unsuitable for installation over a wide variety of floor surfaces — e.g., floor surfaces that may not be flat, smooth, and/or clean.
  • prior art floorings may have been associated with one or more of the following potential problems: (1) prior art floorings may have required the maintenance of relatively precise temperature and/or humidity levels during installation; (2) they may have involved additional costs and/or time associated with providing a level and/or clean floor base, potentially requiring additional floor processing steps to be performed (e.g v applying an additional layer of leveling cement and/or concrete to the floor base); and (3) prior art floorings may have involved additional costs, after installation, insofar as they may have been subject to shrink cracks and/or wraps appearing in the floor covering due to differential expansion and/or contraction of the floor base (e.g., in response to temperature changes) relative to the floor covering.
  • Wooden floorings may also be subject to significant expansion and/or contraction in humid and/or arid environments, and/or with temperature variations.
  • Wooden floorings also may be highly subject to moisture damage —whether from surface moisture or from moisture trapped under the flooring or between flooring gaps, or whether by rotting and/or warping of the wooden flooring material. Additionally, many prior art wooden floorings may have been required to be secured to the floor base using mastic, nailing and/or by other fastening means.
  • prior art floor coverings may have been adapted for installation, and/or to be maintained in place, without the need for any adhesive between the flooring material and the floor base.
  • Exemplary in this regard are prior art "two-piece" floor plank and/or tile structures. These two-piece flooring structures may typically have included a floor surface layer and a floor base layer.
  • An intermediate adhesive layer may also have been provided, in prior art two-piece flooring structures, to join the floor surface and base layers to one another in a laterally offset relation, such as to provide an overhanging portion of the floor surface layer and a complementary underlying portion of the floor base layer.
  • prior art two-piece flooring structures may have required a significant additional expenditure of manufacturing time, effort and/or costs - e.g., to properly and/or consistently join the two layers in laterally offset relation to one another and/or within acceptable installation tolerances. Additionally, prior art two-piece flooring structures may have been subject, over time, to potential slippage and/or separation of their two distinct layers.
  • a one-piece flooring apparatus for use with a floor base to form a floor covering.
  • the apparatus includes a single undivided piece formed from a resilient material.
  • the single undivided piece has an upper portion and a lower portion substantially contiguous with the upper portion.
  • the upper portion defines a substantially planar upper shape.
  • the upper portion has a top surface and an upper marginal portion substantially about a perimeter of the planar upper shape.
  • the upper marginal portion includes an overhanging portion extending out from over the lower portion.
  • the lower portion defines a substantially planar lower shape.
  • the lower portion has a bottom surface and a lower marginal portion substantially about a perimeter of the planar lower shape.
  • the lower marginal portion includes an underlying portion extending out from under the upper portion.
  • the bottom surface operatively engages the floor base in substantially juxtaposed relation.
  • the overhanging portion of at least a first aforesaid apparatus operatively engages the underlying portion of at least a second aforesaid apparatus to form the floor covering.
  • the top surface of the first aforesaid apparatus together with the top surface of the second aforesaid apparatus is operatively presented, from the floor covering, as a substantially continuous visible surface.
  • the upper shape and/or the lower shape may preferably, but need not necessarily, be congruent polygons.
  • Each of the polygons may preferably, but need not necessarily, have three or more substantially straight sides.
  • the polygons may preferably, but need not necessarily, be substantially rectangular.
  • Each aforesaid overhanging portion and/or each aforesaid underlying portion may preferably, but need not necessarily, respectively have a longitudinal side portion and/or an end portion which may preferably, but need not necessarily, together define a substantially horizontal "L"-shape.
  • the polygons may preferably, but need not necessarily, be substantially square.
  • Each aforesaid side portion may preferably, but need not necessarily, have a length substantially equal to that of each aforesaid end portion.
  • the overhanging portion may preferably, but need not necessarily, include an overhanging bottom portion and/or an overhanging edge portion.
  • the overhanging edge portion may preferably, but need not necessarily, substantially engage the overhanging bottom portion, preferably in substantially normal relation.
  • the overhanging bottom portion and/or the overhanging edge portion may preferably, but need not necessarily, together define a substantially vertical overhanging "L"-shape.
  • the overhanging bottom portion of at least the first aforesaid apparatus may preferably, but need not necessarily, operatively engage the underlying portion of at least the second aforesaid apparatus.
  • the overhanging portion may preferably, but need not necessarily, include an overhanging bottom portion and/or an overhanging edge portion.
  • the overhanging edge portion may preferably, but need not necessarily, substantially engage the overhanging bottom portion.
  • the overhanging edge portion may preferably, but need not necessarily, be substantially arcuate.
  • the overhanging bottom portion and/or the overhanging edge portion may preferably, but need not necessarily, together define a substantially vertical overhanging "J"-shape.
  • the overhanging bottom portion of at least the first aforesaid apparatus may preferably, but need not necessarily, operatively engage the underlying portion of at least the second aforesaid apparatus.
  • the underlying portion may preferably, but need not necessarily, include an underlying top portion and/or an underlying edge portion.
  • the underlying edge portion may preferably, but need not necessarily, substantially engage the underlying top portion, preferably in substantially normal relation.
  • the underlying top portion and/or the underlying edge portion may preferably, but need not necessarily, together define a substantially vertical underlying "L"-shape.
  • the overhanging portion of at least the first aforesaid apparatus may preferably, but need not necessarily, operatively engage the underlying top portion of at least the second aforesaid apparatus.
  • the underlying portion may preferably, but need not necessarily, include an underlying top portion and/or an underlying edge portion.
  • the underlying edge portion may preferably, but need not necessarily, substantially engage the underlying top portion.
  • the underlying edge portion may preferably, but need not necessarily, be substantially arcuate.
  • the underlying top portion and/or the underlying edge portion may preferably, but need not necessarily, together define a substantially vertical underlying "J"-shape.
  • the overhanging portion of at least the first aforesaid apparatus may preferably, but need not necessarily, operatively engage the underlying top portion of at least the second aforesaid apparatus.
  • the overhanging portion may preferably, but need not necessarily, include an overhanging bottom portion.
  • the underlying portion may preferably, but need not necessarily, include an underlying top portion.
  • the overhanging bottom portion and/or the underlying top portion may preferably, but need not necessarily, be each provided with a substantially texturized surface.
  • the overhanging bottom portion of at least the first aforesaid apparatus may preferably, but need not necessarily, operatively engage the underlying top portion of at least the second aforesaid apparatus.
  • the upper marginal portion may preferably, but need not necessarily, also include an upper marginal edge portion.
  • the overhanging portion of at least the first aforesaid apparatus may preferably, but need not necessarily, operatively engage the upper marginal edge portion of at least the second aforesaid apparatus.
  • the lower marginal portion may preferably, but need not necessarily, also include a lower marginal edge portion.
  • the lower marginal edge portion of at least the first aforesaid apparatus may preferably, but need not necessarily, operatively engage the underlying portion of at least the second aforesaid apparatus.
  • the overhanging portion may preferably, but need not necessarily, have a width substantially equal to that of the underlying portion.
  • the width of the overhanging portion and/or the underlying portion may preferably, but need not necessarily, be at least about five millimeters (5 mm). According to an aspect of a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the width of the overhanging portion and/or the underlying portion may preferably, but need not necessarily, be at least about ten millimeters (10 mm). According to an aspect of a still further preferred embodiment of the invention, the width of the overhanging portion and/or the underlying portion may preferably, but need not necessarily, be at least about twenty millimeters (20 mm).
  • the overhanging portion may preferably, but need not necessarily, be operatively positioned at an overhanging height, above the floor base, which may preferably be about equal to the thickness of the lower portion.
  • the underlying portion may preferably, but need not necessarily, be located at an underlying depth, below the top surface, which may preferably be about equal to the thickness of the upper portion.
  • the single undivided piece may preferably, but need not necessarily, have an overall thickness such as to afford a flexibility, which preferably enables the single undivided piece to conform to surface contours of the floor base.
  • the overall thickness may preferably, but need not necessarily, be about 3.5 millimeters (mm) or less. According to an aspect of a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the overall thickness may preferably, but need not necessarily, be about three millimeters (3 mm) or less. According to an aspect of a still further preferred embodiment of the invention, the overall thickness may preferably, but need not necessarily, be about 2.5 millimeters (mm) or less.
  • the single undivided piece may preferably, but need not necessarily, have a predetermined yieldability to surface irregularities of the floor base, such that the bottom surface, preferably when lying in flat contact on the floor base, may preferably conform to surface irregularities of the floor base.
  • the resilient material may preferably, but need not necessarily, include a synthetic plastic material.
  • the resilient material may preferably, but need not necessarily, include a linoleum material, a vinyl material, a polyvinyl chloride material, and/or a derivative thereof.
  • the resilient material may preferably, but need not necessarily, include a non-synthetic material.
  • the resilient material may preferably, but need not necessarily, include an inorganic compound material, a rubber mineral composite material, a chlorine-free material, and/or a derivative thereof.
  • the top surface may preferably, but need not necessarily, be provided with a wood grain design resembling natural wood.
  • the apparatus may preferably, but need not necessarily, also include at least one adhesive layer applied to the single undivided piece.
  • the adhesive layer may preferably, but need not necessarily, be applied to the overhanging portion, to the underlying portion, and/or to the bottom surface.
  • the apparatus may preferably, but need not necessarily, also include a flexible cushioning material securely engaging the bottom surface.
  • the cushioning material may preferably, but need not necessarily, be operatively interposed between the bottom surface and the floor base.
  • the cushioning material may preferably, but need not necessarily, substantially conform to surface contours of the floor base.
  • the cushioning material may preferably, but need not necessarily, be a foam material and/or a rubber material.
  • the cushioning material may preferably, but need not necessarily, have a multi-layer structure.
  • the apparatus may preferably, but need not necessarily, also include a self-adhesive strip securely engaging the cushioning material.
  • the self-adhesive strip may preferably, but need not necessarily, be operatively interposed between the cushioning material and the floor base.
  • the self-adhesive strip may preferably, but need not necessarily, be operatively secured to the floor base.
  • the apparatus may preferably, but need not necessarily, be for use as a floor plank.
  • the apparatus may preferably, but need not necessarily, be for use as a floor tile.
  • a floor covering apparatus for use with a floor base.
  • the apparatus includes at least the first aforesaid apparatus, and the second aforesaid apparatus.
  • the overhanging portion of at least the first aforesaid apparatus engages the underlying portion of at least the second aforesaid apparatus.
  • the top surface of the first aforesaid apparatus, together with the top surface of the second aforesaid apparatus, is presented as the substantially continuous visible surface.
  • Each aforesaid bottom surface operatively engages the floor base in substantially juxtaposed relation.
  • a method of forming the one-piece flooring apparatus includes step (a) of edge cutting a first upper perimeter section from an upper portion of a single undivided piece.
  • the first upper perimeter section is edge cut to a predetermined depth below a top surface of the upper portion.
  • at least a first underlying portion is defined in a lower portion of the single undivided piece.
  • the method also includes step (b) of edge cutting a first lower perimeter section from the lower portion of the single undivided piece.
  • the first lower perimeter section is edge cut to a predetermined height above a bottom surface of the lower portion. In this manner, at least a first overhanging portion is defined in the upper portion of the single undivided piece.
  • the method may preferably, but need not necessarily, also include step (a.l), preferably after step (a), of edge cutting a second upper perimeter section from the upper portion of the single undivided piece.
  • the second upper perimeter section may preferably, but need not necessarily, be edge cut to the predetermined depth below the top surface of the upper portion.
  • a second underlying portion may preferably, but need not necessarily, be defined in the lower portion of the single undivided piece, preferably substantially adjacent to the first underlying portion.
  • the first underlying portion and/or the second underlying portion may preferably, but need not necessarily, together define a substantially horizontal "L"-shape.
  • the method may preferably, but need not necessarily, also include step (c), preferably after step (b), of edge cutting a second lower perimeter section from the lower portion of the single undivided piece.
  • the second lower perimeter section may preferably, but need not necessarily, be edge cut to the predetermined height above the bottom surface of the lower portion.
  • a second overhanging portion may preferably, but need not necessarily, be defined in the upper portion of the single undivided piece, preferably substantially adjacent to the first overhanging portion.
  • the first overhanging portion and/or the second overhanging portion may preferably, but need not necessarily, together define a substantially horizontal "L"-shape.
  • step (b) may preferably, but need not necessarily, be performed after step (a).
  • step (a) may alternately be performed after step (b).
  • Figure IA is a top plan view of a one-piece flooring apparatus according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
  • Figure IB is a side elevational view of the apparatus shown in Figure IA;
  • Figure 1C is a sectional view along sight line 1C-1C of Figure IA;
  • Figure ID is a front elevational view of the apparatus shown in Figure IA;
  • Figure IE is a sectional view along sight line IE-IE of Figure IA;
  • Figure 2A is a top plan view of a floor covering apparatus according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, shown in a partially assembled configuration;
  • Figure 2B is a side elevational view of the apparatus shown in Figure 2A;
  • Figure 2C is a sectional view along sight line 2C-2C of Figure 2A;
  • Figure 2D is a front elevational view of the apparatus shown in Figure 2A;
  • Figure 2E is a sectional view along sight line 2E-2E of Figure 2A;
  • Figure 3 is a top front right isometric view of the apparatus of Figure 2A, with a one-piece flooring apparatus shown removed therefrom;
  • Figure 4 is an enlarged view of encircled area 4 of Figure 2E;
  • Figure 5 is a view similar to Figure 4 showing "J"-shaped overhanging and underlying portions of a floor covering apparatus according to an alternate embodiment of the present invention;
  • Figure 6A is a top front right isometric view of a single undivided piece after a first edge-cutting step in a method according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention
  • Figure 6B is a view similar to Figure 6A after a second edge-cutting step in the method
  • Figure 6C is a view similar to Figure 6A after a third edge-cutting step in the method.
  • Figure 6D is a view similar to Figure 6A after a fourth edge-cutting step in the method, so as to form the apparatus shown in Figure IA.
  • the apparatus 20 includes a single undivided piece 22,52 which has an upper portion 22 and a lower portion 52. As best seen in Figures 1C and IE, the lower portion 52 is substantially contiguous with the upper portion 22.
  • the single undivided piece 22,52 is a resilient material, preferably a synthetic plastic material. More preferably, the resilient material is a vinyl plastic material, such as polyvinyl chloride (PVC).
  • the upper portion 22 defines a substantially planar upper shape 24.
  • the lower portion 52 defines a substantially planar lower shape 54.
  • both the upper shape 24 and the lower shape 54 are substantially rectangular (as shown in Figures IA to 3 and in Figures 6A to 6D) and/or square (not shown).
  • the upper portion 22 has two longitudinal side portions 36 and two opposing end portions 38.
  • the lower portion 52 has two longitudinal side portions 66 and two opposing end portions 68. All of the side portions 36, 66 and end portions 38, 68 are preferably substantially straight.
  • the upper portion 22 preferably includes a top surface 28 that may be provided with an aesthetically pleasing design (not shown) in a wide variety of different patterns, including, for example, a wood grain design resembling natural wood.
  • the upper portion 22 also includes an upper marginal portion 30, which is provided substantially about a perimeter 26 of the planar upper shape 24.
  • the upper marginal portion 30 includes an overhanging portion 32 and an upper marginal edge portion 46 which is preferably distinct from the overhanging portion 32.
  • the overhanging portion 32 extends out from over the lower portion 52.
  • one of the side portions 36 together with an adjacent one of the end portions 38 defines a substantially horizontal "L"-shape 34.
  • the lower portion 52 preferably includes a bottom surface 58, as well as a lower marginal portion 60.
  • the lower marginal portion 60 is provided substantially about a perimeter 56 of the planar lower shape 54.
  • the lower marginal portion 60 includes an underlying portion 62 and a lower marginal edge portion 76 which is preferably distinct from the underlying portion 62.
  • the underlying portion 62 extends out from under the lower portion 52.
  • one of the side portions 66 together with an adjacent one of the end portions 68 defines a substantially horizontal "L"-shape 64.
  • the overhanging portion 32 preferably includes overhanging edge and bottom portions, 42 and 44 respectively.
  • the overhanging edge and bottom portions, 42 and 44 engage one another in substantially normal relation, such as to together define a substantially vertical overhanging "L"- shape 4OA (as best seen in Figure 4).
  • the overhanging edge portion 42 may be substantially arcuate, such that the overhanging edge and bottom portions, 42 and 44, together define a substantially vertical overhanging "J"-shape 4OB (as shown in Figure 5).
  • the underlying portion 62 preferably includes underlying edge and bottom portions, 72 and 74 respectively, which engage one another in substantially normal relation.
  • the underlying edge and bottom portions, 72 and 74 together define a substantially vertical underlying "L"- shape 7OA (as best seen in Figure 4).
  • the underlying edge portion 72 may be substantially arcuate, such that the underlying edge and bottom portions, 72 and 74, together define a substantially vertical overhanging "J"-shape 7OB (as shown in Figure 5).
  • alternate embodiments of the apparatus 20 according to the present invention may include an overhanging "L"-shape 4OA (as best seen in Figure 4) in conjunction with an underlying "J"-shape 7OB (as shown in Figure 5), and vice-versa.
  • each apparatus engages the floor base 10 in substantially juxtaposed relation.
  • the single undivided piece 22,52 has a predetermined yieldability to surface irregularities of the floor base 10.
  • the predetermined yieldability is such that the bottom surface 58, when lying in substantially flat contact on the floor base 10 (as best seen in Figures IB to IE), can conform to surface irregularities (not shown) of the floor base 10.
  • the flooring apparatus 20 may be employed independent of floor covering 100, and vice versa.
  • the overhanging portion 32 of a first flooring apparatus 20 operatively engages the underlying portion 62 of an adjacent second flooring apparatus 20. More specifically, and as best seen in Figures 4 and 5, the overhanging bottom portion 44 of the first flooring apparatus 20 engages with the underlying top portion 74 of the adjacent second flooring apparatus 20.
  • the overhanging edge portion 42 and the lower marginal edge portion 76 of the first flooring apparatus 20 respectively engage the upper marginal edge portion 46 and the underlying edge portion 72 of the adjacent second flooring apparatus 20, in abutting relation.
  • the top surfaces 28, 28 of adjacent flooring apparatuses 20, 20 together form a substantially continuous visible portion 102 of the floor covering 100.
  • the top surfaces 28 are visibly presented by the floor covering 100.
  • the floor covering 100 may be provided with the same aesthetically pleasing design (not shown) as the top surfaces 28 - i.e., in a wide variety of different patterns, including, for example, a wood grain design resembling natural wood.
  • the overhanging portion 32 has a width (as indicated generally by dimension "W" in Figures 4 and 5) which is substantially equal to that of the underlying portion 62.
  • the overhanging portion 32 and the underlying portion 62 preferably enable substantially seamless connection, in a horizontal plane, between neighboring ones of the apparatus 20, 20 (as best seen in Figures 2C, 2E and 4-5).
  • the width "W" of the overhanging and underlying portions 32, 62 may be between about five millimeters (5 mm) and about twenty millimeters (20 mm). In one preferred embodiment, the width "W" is about ten millimeters (10 mm).
  • the overhanging portion 32 is positioned at a height (as indicated generally by dimension "H” in Figures 6C and 6D) above the bottom surface 58.
  • the height "H” is approximately equal to the thickness of the lower portion 52.
  • the underlying portion 62 is positioned at a depth (as indicated generally by dimension "D” in Figures 6A and 6B) below the top surface 28.
  • the depth "D" is approximately equal to the thickness of the upper portion 22.
  • the single undivided piece 22,52 has an overall thickness (as indicated generally by dimension "T” in Figures 6 A to 6C).
  • the overall thickness "T” is such as to afford a flexibility which enables the single undivided piece 22,52 to conform to surface contours (not shown) of the floor base 10.
  • the overall thickness "T” is preferably the sum of the thickness "D" of the upper portion 22 and the thickness "H” of the lower portion 52.
  • the overall thickness "T” of the single undivided piece 22,52 is between about 2.5 millimeters (mm) and about 3.5 millimeters (mm). In one preferred embodiment, the overall thickness "T” is about three millimeters (3 mm).
  • each aforesaid flooring apparatus 20 may be installed with or without an adhesive layer 80 substantially interposed between the bottom surface 58 thereof and the floor base 10.
  • the floor covering 100 may be installed with or without an adhesive substantially interposed between adjacent or neighboring ones of the flooring apparatus 20.
  • the floor covering 100 is shown installed without adhesive between adjacent flooring apparatuses 20, 20.
  • one or more of the overhanging bottom portion 44 and the underlying top portion 74 may be provided with substantially texturized surfaces (not shown), so as to facilitate mating engagement, and increase a coefficient of static and/or kinetic friction, between the two.
  • the overhanging edge portion 42, the lower marginal edge portion 76, the upper marginal edge portion 46, and/or the underlying edge portion 72 may be provided with substantially texturized surfaces to similar effect. Frictional engagement between neighboring flooring apparatuses 20, 20 may advantageously enable same to be held in place in relation to one another and/or in relation to the floor covering 100 as a whole.
  • the flooring apparatus 20 and floor covering 100 may advantageously allow for ready installation, renewal, replacement and/or removal of the floor covering 100. Additionally, the flooring apparatus 20 and floor covering 100 may afford (i) lower costs during installation and/or manufacturing, (ii) reduced installation times, (iii) ready and facile movement and/or arrangement during and/or after installation to a desired location and/or configuration on the floor base 10, (iv) a reduced likelihood of forming shrink cracks and/or wrapping at the joints, and/or (v) an increased ability to reuse and/or recycle the flooring apparatus 20 and floor covering 100 once removed from the floor base 10.
  • the flooring apparatus 20 may include the adhesive layer 80 interposed between its bottom surface 58 and the floor base 10.
  • the flooring apparatus 20 may be manufactured with the adhesive layer 80 (as a peel-and- stick adhesive and/or a self-adhesive) already provided as a part thereof, and/or the adhesive layer 80 may be applied to the bottom surface 58 after manufacture and/or during installation of the flooring apparatus 20.
  • the overhanging edge portion 42, the overhanging bottom portion 44, the lower marginal edge portion 76, the underlying edge portion 72, the underlying top portion 74, and/or the upper marginal edge portion 46 may be provided with an adhesive.
  • the flooring apparatus 20 may be manufactured to provide the adhesive layer (as a peel-and-stick adhesive and/or a self-adhesive) thereon, and/or the adhesive may be applied thereto after manufacture and/or during installation.
  • the adhesive may preferably enhance and/or strengthen the secure engagement and/or connection between neighboring ones of the flooring apparatus 20 and/or between the bottom surface 58 thereof and the floor base 10.
  • the adhesive may be selected specific to the floor base 10 and/or the resilient material used to form the flooring apparatus 20.
  • the flooring apparatus 20 may additionally include a flexible cushioning material 90 - e.g., a foam materials and/or a rubber material - securely interposed between the adhesive layer 80 and the floor base 10.
  • the cushioning material 90 may preferably be secured to the bottom surface 58 via the adhesive layer 80.
  • the flooring apparatus 20 may be manufactured with the cushioning material 90 already secured to the bottom surface 58, and/or the cushioning material 90 may be applied to the bottom surface 58 after manufacture and/or during installation of the flooring apparatus 20.
  • the cushioning material 90 may interposed between the bottom surface 58 and the floor base 10, without being fixed and/or secured to the bottom surface 58 other than by compression after installation of the floor covering 100.
  • the cushioning material 90 may help bottom surface 58 and/or the flooring apparatus 20 to conform to surface contours and/or irregularities of the floor base 10.
  • the cushioning material 90 may also help the flooring apparatus 20 and/or the floor covering 100 resist lateral movement (e.g., slippage) along and/or relative to the floor base 10.
  • the flooring apparatus 20 may be manufactured with a slip-resistant material (not shown) - e.g., an adhesive material, a foam material and/or a rubber material - securely affixed to the bottom surface 58 thereof.
  • the cushioning material 90 may act as the slip-resistant material.
  • the slip-resistant material may help to increase the frictional forces and/or the coefficient of static and/or kinetic friction between the flooring apparatus 20 and the floor base 10.
  • this feature may help to reduce movement of the flooring apparatus 20 along the floor base 10.
  • an adhesive strip (not shown) may be provided on a lower surface of the slip-resistant material (e.g., the cushioning material 90).
  • the adhesive strip may preferably be a self-adhesive strip and is adapted for contact with floor base 10.
  • the adhesive strip may operatively secure the flooring apparatus 20 to the floor base 10, preferably so as to resist slippage and/or lateral movement of the flooring apparatus 20 along or relative to the floor base 10.
  • the below-described method may be employed independent of the flooring apparatus 20 and/or of the floor covering 100 which are described hereinabove, and vice versa.
  • the method includes steps (a), (a.l), (b) and/or (c).
  • a first upper perimeter section 162 is edge-cut, from the upper portion 22, to a predetermined depth "D" below the top surface 28.
  • a first underlying portion 62A is defined in the lower portion 52 of the single undivided piece 22,52.
  • step (a.l) is performed after step (a).
  • step (a.l) and as may be best appreciated from a consideration of Figure 6B, a second upper perimeter section 262 is edge-cut, from the upper portion 22, to the predetermined depth "D".
  • a second underlying portion 62B is defined in the lower portion 52 of the single undivided piece 22,52.
  • the second underlying portion 62B is substantially adjacent, and substantially normal, to the first underlying portion 62A.
  • Step (b) may be performed before or after step (a).
  • a first lower perimeter section 132 is edge-cut from the lower portion 52 to a predetermined height "H" above the bottom surface 58. In this manner, a first overhanging portion 32A is defined in the upper portion 22 of the single undivided piece 22,52.
  • step (c) is performed after step (b).
  • step (c) and as may be best appreciated from a consideration of Figure 6D, a second lower perimeter section 232 is edge-cut, from the lower portion 52, to the predetermined height "H". In this manner, a second overhanging portion 32B is defined in the upper portion 22 of the single undivided piece 22,52.
  • the second overhanging portion 32B is substantially adjacent, and substantially normal, to the first overhanging portion 32A. It may be additionally appreciated, from a consideration of Figures IA and 6D, that the first and second overhanging portions, 32A and 32B, together define the horizontal "L" -shape 34 (shown in Figure IA) of the overhanging portion 32.
  • the flooring apparatus 20 is equally applicable to other polygon shapes, including triangle shapes, square shapes, and/or diamond shapes.
  • the polygons may or may not be regular polygons.
  • the planar upper and lower shapes, 24 and 54 respectively may or may not be congruent with one another.
  • two or more different types of flooring apparatus 20 may be provided to form an interlocking pattern of differently shaped floor planks and/or tiles.

Abstract

Une planche ou un carreau de revêtement de sol sans joints comporte un unique morceau non divisé formé d'un matériau élastique et muni d'une partie supérieure et d'une partie inférieure contiguë à la partie supérieure qui présentent des parties de bordure situées sensiblement autour de leur périphérie respective. La partie de bordure supérieure est pourvue d'une partie en surplomb s'étendant vers l'extérieur à partir du dessus de la partie inférieure. La partie de bordure inférieure est pourvue d'une partie sous-jacente s'étendant vers l'extérieur à partir du dessous de la partie supérieure. Une surface inférieure engage une base de sol. Des parties en surplomb et sous-jacente de planches ou de carreaux adjacents s'engagent les unes aux autres pour former un revêtement de sol. Des surfaces supérieures présentent une surface visible continue. L'invention porte également sur un procédé de découpe de bordure pour former la planche ou le carreau.
PCT/CA2008/001431 2007-08-02 2008-08-01 Appareil de planchéiage sans joints destiné à être utilisé dans des revêtements de sol, procédé de découpe de bordure pour former celui-ci, et revêtement de sol formé à partir de celui-ci WO2009015492A1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
CN200720155686.7 2007-08-02
CNU2007201556867U CN201103225Y (zh) 2007-08-02 2007-08-02 塑胶地板结构

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2009015492A1 true WO2009015492A1 (fr) 2009-02-05

Family

ID=39950249

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/CA2008/001431 WO2009015492A1 (fr) 2007-08-02 2008-08-01 Appareil de planchéiage sans joints destiné à être utilisé dans des revêtements de sol, procédé de découpe de bordure pour former celui-ci, et revêtement de sol formé à partir de celui-ci

Country Status (2)

Country Link
CN (1) CN201103225Y (fr)
WO (1) WO2009015492A1 (fr)

Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US9212493B2 (en) 2005-03-31 2015-12-15 Flooring Industries Limited, Sarl Methods for manufacturing and packaging floor panels, devices used thereby, as well as floor panel and packed set of floor panels
US10113318B2 (en) 2005-03-31 2018-10-30 Flooring Industries Limited, Sarl Floor panel for forming and enhanced joint
US20200141123A1 (en) * 2018-11-06 2020-05-07 Moulure Alexandria Moulding Inc. Wall panel with assymetrically rabbeted edges

Families Citing this family (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN203213530U (zh) * 2013-05-17 2013-09-25 惠州市耐宝塑胶制品有限公司 一种自粘胶塑胶地板
CN109610772A (zh) * 2016-05-30 2019-04-12 丽水市正明机械科技有限公司 一种压接式无渗漏封塑胶地板

Citations (6)

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4141944A (en) * 1976-03-29 1979-02-27 Gebruder Kommerling Kunststoffwerke G.M.B.H. Process for the production of imitation wood from synthetic resins
US6148884A (en) * 1995-01-17 2000-11-21 Triangle Pacific Corp. Low profile hardwood flooring strip and method of manufacture
CA2377960A1 (fr) * 1999-06-24 2001-01-04 Flexiteek International A/S Revetement de surface pouvant epouser la forme de cette surface
US7127860B2 (en) * 2001-09-20 2006-10-31 Valinge Innovation Ab Flooring and method for laying and manufacturing the same
CA2545319A1 (fr) * 2005-12-29 2006-11-20 Tru Woods Limited Lame de parquet avec dessous amortisseur
CA2568978A1 (fr) * 2005-12-29 2007-02-28 Norman Stone Carreau de sol

Patent Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4141944A (en) * 1976-03-29 1979-02-27 Gebruder Kommerling Kunststoffwerke G.M.B.H. Process for the production of imitation wood from synthetic resins
US6148884A (en) * 1995-01-17 2000-11-21 Triangle Pacific Corp. Low profile hardwood flooring strip and method of manufacture
CA2377960A1 (fr) * 1999-06-24 2001-01-04 Flexiteek International A/S Revetement de surface pouvant epouser la forme de cette surface
US7127860B2 (en) * 2001-09-20 2006-10-31 Valinge Innovation Ab Flooring and method for laying and manufacturing the same
CA2545319A1 (fr) * 2005-12-29 2006-11-20 Tru Woods Limited Lame de parquet avec dessous amortisseur
CA2568978A1 (fr) * 2005-12-29 2007-02-28 Norman Stone Carreau de sol

Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US9212493B2 (en) 2005-03-31 2015-12-15 Flooring Industries Limited, Sarl Methods for manufacturing and packaging floor panels, devices used thereby, as well as floor panel and packed set of floor panels
US10113318B2 (en) 2005-03-31 2018-10-30 Flooring Industries Limited, Sarl Floor panel for forming and enhanced joint
US20200141123A1 (en) * 2018-11-06 2020-05-07 Moulure Alexandria Moulding Inc. Wall panel with assymetrically rabbeted edges

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