FLOOR AND TILE SYSTEM WITH PAD
A method for installing flooring boards is provided. The method comprises laying down a two layer pad on a floor, applying a band of adhesive, laying a flooring board on the top of the two shifted-layer pad and the edge of the floor board occupying one half of the width of the band, and laying an adjacent floor board, which covers the remaining of the band of the adhesive.
The invention relates to flooring, and more particularly, to method of installing padded flooring tiles.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONStone tiles, ceramic tiles, and porcelain tile are normally installed on cement board with mortar and grout. The installation process generally involves the following steps. First, previous floor needs to be removed and cleaned, and then the mortar must be mixed and applied onto the floor. After the mortar is applied and before it cures, a cement board is laid on the top of the floor and a layer of mortar is applied on the top of the cement board. Tiles are placed on the top of the cement board before the mortar is cured. After the tiles are firmly attached to the concrete board, grout can be applied to fill the gaps between the tiles. After the grout is applied, the excess of grout needs to be removed and the tiles are then cleaned. Grout sealant is applied to make the grout stain resistant. If the tiles are installed on a plywood subfloor instead of the concrete floor, the cement board can be nailed instead of affixed using the grout.
The process above is wet and requires experience; it could not be easily mastered by a DIY installer. For professional installer, the process described above is laborious and lengthy. Most time is spent waiting for mortar to cure and grout to dry, especially for small job such as bathroom. Therefore, there is a need for a process that enables easy and quick installation of tiles, and it is to this method the present invention is primarily directed.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention provides a method for installing floor covering. The installing process is broken into two stages. First pre-assembled pads with ceramic floors are prepared, then these pre-assembled pads are used to cover the floor. The invention introduces use of a pad covered with restickable glue.
In another embodiment of the invention there is provided a method for installing a flooring covering. The method comprises laying a band of adhesive on the top of a pad with a resticakable glue layer, the band of adhesive having a width and laying a first flooring element on the pad. The first flooring element has a first edge, the first edge being placed on the band of adhesive, and the first edge does not occupy more than half of the width of the band of adhesive. The method further comprises laying a second flooring element on the pad. The second flooring element has a second edge and the second edge is placed on the band of adhesive and adjacent to the first edge. Finally the pad is placed on a floor.
In another embodiment, the present invention provides a pre-assembled pad with flooring elements. The pre-assembled pad comprises a pad with a top side and a bottom side, a layer of restickable glue placed on the bottom side of the pad, a plurality of bands of adhesive on the top side of the pad, and a plurality of flooring elements placed on the top side of the pad, each element being placed between two bands.
In yet another embodiment of the present invention there is provided a method for installing a wall covering. The method comprises the steps of attaching a pad with a restickable glue layer on both sides of the pad on a wall, laying a band of adhesive on the top of a pad, the band of adhesive having a width, and laying a first flooring element on the pad. The first flooring element has a first edge, the first edge being placed on the band of adhesive, and the first edge does not occupying more than half of the width of the band of adhesive. Finally the method comprises the step of laying a second flooring element on the pad, the second flooring element having a second edge, the second edge being placed on the band of adhesive and adjacent to the first edge.
In yet another embodiment, the present invention provides a method for installing a floor covering. The method comprises the steps of covering a pad with a layer of resticakable glue, laying a first flooring board on the pad, the first flooring board having a first tongue and a first groove, placing an adhesive on the first tongue, sliding a second flooring board with a second tongue and second groove on the pad, the second groove being engaged to the first tongue, and placing the pad on a floor.
Features and advantages of embodiments of the invention will become apparent as the following Detailed Description proceeds, and upon reference to the Drawings, where like numerals depict like elements, and in which:
The present invention provides a method for installing padded floor tiles and/or floor boards. The method eliminates use of cements to affix tiles and user of grout for filling gaps between the tiles. The installed floor offers soft sensation to users who walk on this floor and also reduces noises generally associated with the ceramic or wood floors. The installed ceramic floor also offers some flexibility, thus preventing cracks that often are associated with ceramic/stone tiles. The ceramic/stone tiles the present invention are pre-assembled on a soft and flexible pad with use of restickable glue and this pad serves as a cushion that provides soft feeling for people who walk on it. The flexible pad also eliminates the need for preparation of the underlayment or subfloor, which means that the ceramic tiles can be installed on top of the subfloor that is not perfectly leveled. Because of the pre-installed flexible pad comes with a layer of restickable glue, there is no need for application of additional glue during the installation time; consequently, the installation process can be made easy and fast. The flexible pad also prevents spilled liquid to reach the underlayment and subfloor easily and thus preventing damage to the underlayment or subfloor. The subfloor in the context of this application can be wood surface or a cement slab. The restickable glue is not liquid glue; it is a high viscosity polymer based glue. One example of restickable glue is EVA (ethylene vinyl acetate) class of glue.
The ceramic tiles 102 are preferably gauged tiles, gauged marble, or granite tiles, i.e., their edges have been through the grinding process, thus having a perfect sizing and no grout line is needed. The gauged tiles can be aligned easily and have a better presentation; however, they are not necessary. In the case of non gauged tiles are used, then flexible grout, such as urethane grout or epoxy grout, is recommended. The flexible grout will mask out the imperfections on the tile edges.
The adhesive 106 plays several functions in the installation of ceramic tiles. The adhesive 106 glues two adjacent ceramic tiles 102 together and also glues the ceramic tiles to the pad 104. The adhesive 106 provides certain flexibility to the ceramic tiles 102, such that the ceramic tiles 102 are flexible in relation to the pad 104. The adhesive 106 also provides mechanical support for the ceramic tiles 102, so that the ceramic tiles 102 act like one single piece once installed on the pad 104. The adhesive 106 also serves the role of grout and seals the “grout” line, so that no water will leak between the ceramic tiles 102. In the case of the tiles are joined by epoxy grout, the epoxy grout will serve as mortar, grout, and grout sealer. The adhesive 106 can also be polymer modified grout, which is a grout (sanded or unsanded) mixed with some glue and additive such as PVA.
The pad 104 plays several functions in the installation of ceramic tiles. The pad 104 being soft and flexible enables greater gripping force between the pad 104 and the ceramic tiles 102. The pad 104 also serves as cushion that absorbs shock and other impact forces, thus reducing the breakage of ceramic tiles 102. Because of the cushion effect, when a user walks on the installed ceramic tiles, the user feels the softness generally associated with expensive tapestry. The pad 104 serves also as a moisture barrier, preventing the water from reaching the sub-floor. The pad 104 is also a good insulator of coldness and helps to keep the floor warm. The restickable glue 112 helps to hold the tiles 102 during the installation and also helps to prevent water spreading. The pad 104 is stretchable, the pad also serve as membrane that prevents tiles from cracking when the subfloor moves. The pad 104 can be made from EVA foam, non woven cloth, urethane foam, rubber pad, PE foam, PVC tiles, foam, plastic films/membranes, wood veneer, laminate veneer, carpet, etc. The weakness of softness of the pad 104 is overcome by the flexibility of adhesive/epoxy grout. The tiles do not have to be installed on the hard board, where stress often cracks, and the installation procedure is complicated and cost is high. The concept of the tile installed on a soft pad eliminates the stress, and allows the soft pad to absorb stress and impact.
As shown in
The present invention may also be applicable for wall installation as shown in
The present invention can also be applied to installation of hardwood floor boards. Normally, hardwood floor boards are glued or nailed onto a subfloor and more recently they can also be installed “floating” with mechanical locks. However, these installation methods are less than desired for the following reasons. The glued down floor made from engineered wood boards often experience delamination because of different expansion rate of materials and the floating floor is prone to water leakage.
The present invention provides an easy way for installing floor boards. Generally, a first row of floor boards is placed and pressed onto a pad with a pressure sensitive glue. Pressure sensitive glue/adhesive adheres to most surfaces with very slight pressure. They are available in solvent and latex or water-based forms. They adhere with just finger or hand pressure and do not require activation by water, solvent or heat. The pressure sensitive glue will not take effect until a pressure is applied. The second row of the floor board will be slid into their position. The floor board will not stick to the pad because the pressure is not applied yet. After the second row of floor boards is well positioned, installer can simply step on the second raw floor boards, which will glue to pad firmly. The glue on the pad is pre-manufactured glue, which can be used directly to hold the floor board securely. Floor boards can be hardwood, laminate, bamboo, vinyl, or engineered material. The floor board bottom can be coated, treated, or covered a layer of material, such as laminate floor boards and plastic films, that have strong bonding with restickable glue. The floating hardwood floor installation for pressure sensitive pad:
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- 1: The floor board is pressed down (stepped on) onto a pressure sensitive glue covered pad. The pad is not glued unless the press is applied.
- 2. Slide next row of the floor boards. The glue does not stick to the boards because the pressure is not applied yet. The board can be hand press/slide in, or hammered into the position.
- 3. Press down (step on) the newly installed the boards onto the glue such that the pad firmly grip the new boards.
The floating hardwood floor installation for laminate floor: - 1. The laminate board is pressed down (stepped on) to a pressure sensitive glue covered pad. The pad is not glued until the pressure is applied.
- 2. Laminate flip down, and slide next row the floor boards. The glue does not stick to the boards because the pressure is not applied yet. The boards can be hand press/slide in, or hammered into the position.
- 3. Press down (step on) the newly installed the board to all the glue pad firmly grip the new board.
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- 1. The floor board 1502 is laid down on a pressure sensitive glue pad 1506. The pad does not stick until the pressure is applied.
- 2. The wood glue is applied to groove the floor board, some excessive glue 1508 may be applied to allow the wood board to glue to the pad.
3. Slide next row 1504 the floor board. The glue does not stick to this board because the pressure is not applied yet. The board can be hand press/slide in, or hammered into the position. No gap is left between the boards.
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- 4. Press down (step on) the newly installed the board to allow the glue pad firmly grip the new board.
The installation method of the present invention can be used with hardwood floor boards with tongue and groove features as shown in
The terms and expressions which have been employed herein are used as terms of description and not of limitation, and there is no intention, in the use of such terms and expressions, of excluding any equivalents of the features shown and described (or portions thereof), and it is recognized that various modifications are possible within the scope of the claims. Other modifications, variations, and alternatives are also possible. Accordingly, the claims are intended to cover all such equivalents. Dimensions in the drawings here presented are not to the scale unless otherwise indicated. It is intended that different features shown in different figures in this specification may be combined interchangeably.
Claims
1. A pre-assembled pad with flooring elements comprising:
- a pad with a top side and a bottom side;
- a plurality of bands of adhesive on the top side of the pad; and
- a plurality of flooring elements placed on the top side of the pad, each element being placed between two bands.
2. The pre-assembled pad with flooring elements of claim 1, wherein the pad further being covered with restickable glue on at least one side.
3. The pre-assembled pad with flooring elements of claim 1, the pad further comprising a plurality of grooves and each band of adhesive being place in one groove.
4. The pre-assembled pad with flooring elements of claim 1; wherein the pad further comprising a net that allows the bands of adhesive to penetrate.
5. The pre-assembled pad with flooring elements of claim 1, wherein the pad being a double-layer pad composed of a first layer and a second layer, the first layer placed on top of the second layer, the first layer being offset from the second layer.
6. The pre-assembled pad with flooring elements of claim 1, wherein adhesive being epoxy grout.
7. The pre-assembled pad with flooring elements of claim 1, wherein the adhesive being urethane grout or urethane glue.
8. The pre-assembled pad with flooring elements of claim 1, wherein the adhesive being polymer modified grout.
9. The pre-assembled pad with flooring elements of claim 1, wherein the flooring elements being porcelain tiles.
10. The pre-assembled pad with flooring elements of claim 1, wherein the flooring elements being stone tiles.
11. The pre-assembled pad with flooring elements of claim 1, wherein the flooring elements being floor boards.
12. The pre-assembled pad with flooring elements of claim 1, wherein the flooring elements being floor boards interlaced with tiles.
13. A flooring system comprising:
- a first floor board;
- a second floor board; and
- a pad with pressure sensitive glue, the pad having a top side,
- wherein the first floor board and the second floor board being placed adjacent to each other on the top side of the pad, the first floor element and second floor board being capable of sliding before a pressure being applied.
14. The flooring system of claim 13, wherein the back side of each floor board being coated with a layer of material that bonds to the pad with pressure sensitive glue.
15. The flooring system of claim 14, wherein the layer of material being a pad pre-coated with pressure sensitive glue.
16. The flooring system of claim 13, wherein the pad with pressure sensitive glue is attached to the back side of each floor board, the floor boards being directly attached to a sub-floor when a pressure is applied to the floor boards.
17. The flooring system of claim 16, wherein the pad is smaller than the floor boards, wherein the first floor board being placed adjacent to the second floor board and the gap formed between the first floor board and the pad, a band of glue being applied in the gap to attach the floor boards together and also to attach the floor boards to a sub-floor.
18. The flooring system of claim 13, wherein the adhesive being applied to a joint between the first floor board and the second floor board.
19. A pad for installing flooring elements having at least one side covered with pressure sensitive restickable glue.
20. A pad for installing flooring elements having a plurality of grooves.
Type: Application
Filed: Jul 25, 2010
Publication Date: Jan 26, 2012
Inventor: David Liu (Marietta, GA)
Application Number: 12/843,033
International Classification: E04F 15/22 (20060101); E04C 2/20 (20060101);