Two Dimensionally Sectional Layer Patents (Class 428/44)
  • Publication number: 20020122912
    Abstract: There is provided a mat having multiple sets of pins, each set of pins being located within a surrounding, characterized in that the pins do not extend significantly beyond the highest point of the surrounding. Thus the pins are protected by the surrounding and are less likely to break after extended use. The mat may be provided with areas adapted for the receipt (of strips of textile materials, e.g. carpeting which advantageously has a hard-backing and is able to snap into the areas provided. The inclusion of the textile material combines a scraping function together with the visual appearance of a carpet. The strips of textile material will be separated by sets of pins as described above. A set of such mats is also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 10, 2000
    Publication date: September 5, 2002
    Inventors: THOMAS A P BROCK, KEIJO J NURMENTAUS, PATRICK MOREL
  • Patent number: 6444284
    Abstract: A floor mat system having a plurality of individual floor mats disposed in a frame assembly includes floor mats sized in a manner so that a transport vehicle having wheels can be rolled over the floor mat system in any direction without two wheels of the transport vehicle contacting a single floor mat at any given time. This floor mat arrangement prevents two wheels of the transport vehicle from working together to dislodge the floor mats. As such, each individual floor mat of the system has a width and a length sized to be less than the wheel base distance and the tract distance of the transport vehicle. The width and length of each floor mat is also designed such that two wheels cannot reside on a single floor mat diagonally. The floor mats may also have a plurality of support knobs extending down from the ribs to provide additional support to the floor mat. The support knobs are configured and located so as not to clog the fluid flow channels under the floor mat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2002
    Assignee: R & L Marketing and Sales Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald N. Kessler, Myron E. Ullman
  • Publication number: 20020119275
    Abstract: The present invention is a mat system, having two embodiments, each of which are capable of removing the dirt from the soles of mat users' shoes. The mats are comprised of a plurality of individual tiles that interlock along complementary edge portions. One embodiment of the mat system is a thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) mat that has a plurality of projections that remove dirt. The second embodiment, also having a TPE structure and a lesser number of projections, features several carpet strips that provide additional dirt removal means. Once the individual tiles are connected, the outermost complementary edges may be covered by a plurality of border strips that provide an aesthetically pleasing and functionally necessary finished edge to the mat. The border strips are secured to one another by a mechanical clip that is also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2000
    Publication date: August 29, 2002
    Inventor: Jon L. Williamson
  • Publication number: 20020119280
    Abstract: Cushion backed carpet tiles and carpet tile installations which can be installed without adhesives are described. The carpet tiles are manufactured according to rigid specifications in order that no corner of any of the individual tiles is {fraction (1/16)}″ or greater off the floor due to curl, and no corner on the tile has cup of greater than {fraction (3/16)}″. In this way, a substantially to entirely adhesive-free carpet tile installation can be achieved, with the installation being capable of withstanding the rigors of a variety of typical types of wear, such as rolling traffic, etc., without shifting or snowplowing over adjacent tiles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2000
    Publication date: August 29, 2002
    Inventor: Kenneth B. Higgins
  • Publication number: 20020119276
    Abstract: A flexible shock absorbing component providing cushioning for surfaces, especially wall and floor surfaces, is described. The shock absorbing component includes two sheets of thermoplastic, each sheet with inwardly facing, opposing, resiliently compressible indentations extending into a cavity between the two sheets. The shock absorbing component also includes a layer of particulate matter applied to and adhered to the outer surface of one of the sheets, to provide wear and weather resistance. A moderator may also be attached to the outer surface of the sheet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2001
    Publication date: August 29, 2002
    Inventor: Joseph J. Skaja
  • Patent number: 6428870
    Abstract: Tubular segments may be nestably interconnected, with the lower end of one tubular segment compressively inserted into the upper end of another tubular segment. A mat formed of such tubular members, and a fluid storage system formed of a plurality of such vertically stacked mats, are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2002
    Inventor: William W. Bohnhoff
  • Patent number: 6428871
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for forming a decorative, resilient, wood product from an engineered structural wood product. The invention includes utilizing a sheet of engineered structural wood product, cutting the sheet lengthwise into planks, stacking the planks and adhering the planks together and slicing the edge grain off the adhered planks and placing the slices side-by-side to form large areas of exposed side grain. The slices can be attached to a substrate, and the slices can be further treated to produce a decorative wood product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2002
    Inventor: Michael Cozzolino
  • Publication number: 20020086129
    Abstract: A rubber or plastic floor mat has a series of parallel upper ribs on its upper surface which define slots in which respective strips or carpeting or the like are removably held. The strips are retained along their lengths by retaining means which run continually or continuously along the slots. The strip retainers include hook-and-loop fasteners (e.g., VELCRO), and/or overhanging edges above the strip edges, preferably formed in one-piece fashion along the side of the upper ribs adjacent the slots. The overhangs may be interrupted, e.g., crenelated as seen from above, and may include bevels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 3, 2001
    Publication date: July 4, 2002
    Inventor: Ronald N. Kessler
  • Patent number: 6405509
    Abstract: The invention relates to a light weight structural element, in particular in the shape of a panel, especially for building construction, containing a support structure. The light weight structural element contains at least two supporting rods, which at their ends are interconnected by cross-bars. Between the supporting rods and the cross-bars may be a core; wherein the surfaces of the supporting rods are interconnected by an adhesive skin made from a material of a thickness between 0.5 and 5 mm. The invention also relates to the construction technique of constructing buildings using the light weight structural elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2002
    Inventor: Ivan Razl
  • Publication number: 20020071927
    Abstract: A floor mat system having a plurality of individual floor mats disposed in a frame assembly includes floor mats sized in a manner so that a transport vehicle having wheels can be rolled over the floor mat system in any direction without two wheels of the transport vehicle contacting a single floor mat at any given time. This floor mat arrangement prevents two wheels of the transport vehicle from working together to dislodge the floor mats. As such, each individual floor mat of the system has a width and a length sized to be less than the wheel base distance and the tract distance of the transport vehicle. The width and length of each floor mat is also designed such that two wheels cannot reside on a single floor mat diagonally. The floor mats may also have a plurality of support knobs extending down from the ribs to provide additional support to the floor mat. The support knobs are configured and located so as not to clog the fluid flow channels under the floor mat.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2002
    Publication date: June 13, 2002
    Inventors: Ronald N. Kessler, Myron E. Ullman
  • Patent number: 6316069
    Abstract: A process for manufacturing structures from worn out tires and a structural member made by that process. Sidewalls are cut from the tire leaving a circular strip, which is cut transversely to produce an elongated approximately rectangular strip. Spaced slits are cut into the long edges of the strips to form slats suitable for use in manufacturing structures. Two slats are bonded together in a face-to-face arrangement to form a unitary pair of bonded slats. Additional pairs of slats are then bonded to the first pair of slats. All slats are bonded with similar sides in contact; that is, tread side to tread side or inside to inside. The resulting beam can have adjacent corners removed to provide a parking stop configuration. Preferably, the slats are bonded with an elastomer or mechanical fasteners such as ring nails or staples. A thick elastomer, having a thickness of at least about ⅛ inch may be coated over the beam. Beams may be combined to form guard rails, walls, panels, etc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2001
    Inventors: Rick L. Bove, Dallas Halfacre
  • Patent number: 6309716
    Abstract: Sets of tessellatable elements are disclosed, in which a relatively low number of different elements may be combined together to provide very attractive tessellating patterns. The elements may be in the form of tiles, for paving or for covering flooring or walls, for example, game pieces, including television and computer games, pieces for use in maze construction and for many other applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2001
    Inventors: Adrian Fisher, Edward Taylor Pegg, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6254956
    Abstract: A floor, wall or ceiling covering which comprises one or more substantially random interpolymers prepared by polymerizing one or more &agr;-olefin monomers with one or more vinylidene aromatic monomers and/or one or more hindered aliphatic or cycloaliphatic vinylidene monomers, and optionally with other polymerizable ethylenically unsaturated monomer(s). The floor, wall or ceiling covering has a good balance of properties, such as sufficient flexibility and conformability to uneven or contoured surfaces for efficient application to floors, walls, or ceilings, sufficient scratch resistance, sufficient indentation resistance, indentation recovery and/or sufficient abrasion resistance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2001
    Assignee: The Dow Chemical Company
    Inventors: Jerker B. I. Kjellqvist, Stephen R. Betso, Ronald Wevers, Johan A. Thoen, John O. Bieser
  • Patent number: 6248415
    Abstract: The present invention relates to aqueous polyurethane dispersions prepared from a polyisocyanate component and one or more isocyanate-reactive compounds wherein at least 5% by weight of polyisocyanate component is a diisocyanate corresponding to formula (I) wherein R is a difunctional, C4 to C18, aliphatic, cycloaliphatic or aromatic hydrocarbon residue obtained by removing the NCO groups from an organic diisocyanate and R′ is a monofunctional, C1 to C18 hydrocarbon radical, which may contain ether oxygen atoms. The present invention also relates to the use of these PUR dispersions for coating any substrates, preferably wood substrates, such as parquet flooring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2001
    Assignee: Bayer Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Josef Pedain, Eberhard Arning, Dieter Mager, Lutz Schmalstieg, Ronald-Karl Jerg
  • Patent number: 6203879
    Abstract: A repeating series of tiles has at least three tiles in a series. Each tile within the series has at least one side capable of interfacing with a side of at least one other tile within the series. Each tile within the series has a different shape in the pile direction than the other tiles within the series such that the last tile within the series is capable of interfacing with the first tile of the next series. Further, each tile within the series has at least one side capable of interfacing with at least one tile within another series in order to have adjoining rows of series of tiles. The present invention further includes both a method for producing and assembling a repeating series of tiles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2001
    Assignee: Mannington Carpets, Inc.
    Inventor: Peter Desai
  • Patent number: 6190086
    Abstract: A method for laying a mosaic in which a quantity of n individual mosaic elements are arranged on a common support surface so as to be separated from one another by joints, preferably for laying natural stones to form natural stone paving.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2001
    Assignee: Pflaster-Mueller GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Heiko Mueller, Thomas Mueller
  • Patent number: 6180199
    Abstract: A method for adhesively joining two members includes the steps of mixing non-compressible beads with an adhesive, applying the resulting mixture to one of the members and hemming one member over the other in overlapping relationship. Apparatus for performing this method includes a container for containing a mixture of an adhesive and a plurality of non-compressible beads, an applicator for applying the mixture to one of the members, and hemming means for hemming one member over the other in overlapping relationship. A metering device for dispensing adhesive fluid is constructed with a dispensing rod having a cooling means for facilitating operation of the metering device. The present invention finds particular utility in bonding together the inner and outer panels of an automotive door assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2001
    Assignee: The Budd Company
    Inventors: James Morton Herring, Jr., Bruce Norman Greve
  • Patent number: 6149998
    Abstract: A heat laminated fabric hinge and a method of making same, where the heat laminated fabric hinge comprises a first member with a hinge attachment surface, a second member with a hinge attachment surface, and a fabric hinge member. The fabric hinge member is secured to the hinge attachment surfaces of the first and the second members by heat lamination, whereby at least some of the fibers of the fabric hinge member are embedded within the hinge attachment surfaces of the first and the second members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2000
    Inventor: Siebolt Hettinga
  • Patent number: 6114002
    Abstract: Hygienic mat which can be used standing steadily on it to wipe the feet after a shower or a bath and which at the same time can be folded, as well as being light and portable. Its characteristic is to comprise a first and a second pad (2a, 2b) hinged on adjacent borders (3) in a folding relationship between an open flat position and a closed book-like position. Each pad (2a, 2b) preferably engages with a flat stiff support (4a, 4b) in a recesses (5a, 5b) defined by a boundary rim (6) raised from a stiff bottom (4). Preferably, the pads (2a, 2b) have a permeable spongy towel-like absorbing cloth (9) attached to a resilient base sheet (10) and are hinged by means of either a a flexible strip (7) or a plurality of joints (8). Gripping means (13) fixed to the boundary of said pads or supports are advantageously provided for.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2000
    Assignees: Roberto Risaliti, Patrizio Innocenti
    Inventor: Burgassi Rinaldo
  • Patent number: 6110555
    Abstract: A metal-ceramic laminar-band multi matrix composite, intended for use in oxidizing, reductive or inert media at temperatures up to 1500.div.2800.degree. C. and a method of the manufacture is provided. The composite material contains up to 85 vol. % of an oxide component, for example, yttria, zirconia, hafnia, up to 85 vol. % of a compound devoid of oxygen, such as zirconium carbide, and 15.div.75 vol. % of a refractor metal, such as tungsten, molybdenum or chromium. Each of the above mentioned components of the composite exists in the form of a plurality of curved tapes. The tapes of every component are joined with the tapes of other components forming multilayer curved band-like chips, which are randomly interlaced in a compact 3-dimensioned pattern of the chips. The novel composites have high mechanical properties, are thermal- and crack resistant, and have a good thermal-shock and oxidation-erosion resistance at temperatures of 1200.degree. C. to 2800.degree. C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2000
    Assignee: Ceramight Composites Ltd.
    Inventors: Samuel Katz, Michael Katz
  • Patent number: 6096409
    Abstract: An image bearing composite optical material is formed as a laminated flexible sheet having an image bearing photographic quality film layer variously bonded between outer and inner translucent layers of paper, fabric, or synthetic materials. The composite optical material provides two sharply distinct appearances dependent upon being viewed under backlit or ambient illumination conditions. Full-colored and precisely detailed images are produced under backlighted conditions; a plain appearance is produced otherwise. Improved embodiments include a nonbilateral structure wherein a middle image bearing film layer is bonded over its entire adjacent surface with an outer translucent layer, and is bonded at widely separated points or along thin lines with an inner translucent layer to produce an air gap there between. The air gap embodiment negates image transmission under nonbacklit viewing conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2000
    Inventor: Michael K. McLaughlin
  • Patent number: 6080464
    Abstract: A reflector for a medical luminaire, for use with an incandescent bulb or a discharge bulb, which includes a reflector blank having a reflecting surface, the reflecting surface being provided with a plurality of trapezoidal facets tapering toward the point of intersection with the axis of rotation, the facets being arrayed on at least 8 circular rings around an axis of rotation of the reflector and at least 50 facets being provided in each circular ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2000
    Assignee: Heraeus Med GmbH
    Inventors: Uwe Gampe, Stefan Greif, Jorg Eduard Hartge
  • Patent number: 5985397
    Abstract: A coated synthetic resin tile comprising a base portion and a veneer said base comprising a moisture impervious material such as a thermoset or thermoplastic resin. A filler of up to about 10% calcium carbonate having a 2 (two) sigma particle size between about 5.11 and 6.18 microns and an aluminum trihydrate flame retardant of about 60%-70% having a two (2) sigma particle size of between about 42.38 and 58.72 microns and an aluminum trihydrate of about 20%-40% having a two (2) sigma particle size of between about 8.26 and 9.68 microns to provide a class A flame spread rating. The veneer comprising a layer selected from the group consisting of an acrylic impregnated wood veneer and a hardwood veneer having a vinyl upper layer bonded to said base portion with a polyurethane adhesive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 16, 1999
    Inventors: Alvin E. Witt, Matthew F. Humphreys, Joseph E. Tomasko
  • Patent number: 5976689
    Abstract: A method of making coated synthetic resin tile. A resin admixture is formed and cured to form a tile base. The tile base is sized and gauged to a desired size, followed by mating an upper veneer layer on the tile. The upper layer is selected from the group consisting of an acrylic impregnated wood veneer and a hardwood veneer having a vinyl upper layer. The veneer is bonded to the tile base with a fabric and an adhesive and pressure. The veneer mated tile is then sized to a final desired tile size and configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 2, 1999
    Assignee: Permagrain Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Alvin E. Witt, Matthew F. Humphreys, Joseph E. Tomasko
  • Patent number: 5976656
    Abstract: The damper coating for shocks produced by a collision, or impacts produced by a shockwave, contains at least one layer of a crushing material (2) intended to cover a surface to be protected, the external layer of the crushing material (2) being, according to the present invention, covered by a skin (4) capable of providing a widening of the area affected by the shock or impact. The skin (4) contains, in particular, several layers (5.sub.1 ; 5.sub.2 ; 5.sub.3) of scales (6.sub.1 ; 6.sub.2 ; 6.sub.3), the scales of one layer being offset in staggered rows with respect to the scales of the following layer and being separated from the neighbouring scales of the same layer or capable of being separated from the latter on the application of the shock or impact. The structure of this damper coating is designed to dampen the impact under a reduced thickness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 2, 1999
    Assignee: Institut Fran.cedilla.ais du Petrole
    Inventor: Andre Giraud
  • Patent number: 5958540
    Abstract: Mechanical fasteners having parallel barbs extending vertically from a horizontal planar member to secure layers of a floor covering. When interposed between floor covering layers the barbs penetrate and anchor into a floor covering material. When a consumer desires to separate the layers, and to replace or recycle one or all the layers of the floor covering, he can do so readily by pulling the layers apart, and then securing new layers together with the mechanical fastener.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 28, 1999
    Assignee: Interface, Inc.
    Inventors: Raymond A. Berard, Claude Edward Terry, Harold F. Adams, William A. McDonough, Michael Braungart
  • Patent number: 5942300
    Abstract: A flexible laminated sheet flooring product for covering a subfloor. The flooring product includes a resilient top layer defining a wearing surface of the flooring product. A fiber backing is laminated to the top layer for dimensionally supporting the layer. A pressure sensitive adhesive coating is permanently applied to the fiber backing and releasible from a protective covering without separation of the fiber backing from the top layer. The coating has sufficient tack for releasibly adhering the flooring product to the subfloor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 24, 1999
    Assignee: Skitech Partners
    Inventor: Robert W. Lukowski, Sr.
  • Patent number: 5919575
    Abstract: A plastic laminated structural board is provided for use in a variety of applications such as furniture fabrication. The plastic laminated structural board utilizes a composite structure which includes a polymer layer adhered to an underlying paperboard core. The polymer layer masks surface imperfections in the underlying paperboard core, and the polymer layer is substantially free from imperfections and provides a strong and smooth surface for receiving a decorative paper layer. A polymer layer may by adhered to both sides of the paperboard core. Both sides of the composite structure may be finished with a decorative paper layer. The polymer layer may be impregnated with filler material to provide bonding sites and moisture permeability sites in the polymer layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 6, 1999
    Assignee: Rock-Tenn Company
    Inventors: Edward Eton Bowns, IV, David Carl Thornton
  • Patent number: 5888603
    Abstract: A birefringent material have two major parallel surfaces and a method of making such a material, wherein the said material comprises plural identical uniaxial birefringent polymeric films, each of said uniaxial films having an optical axis, or comprising plural identical biaxial birefringent polymeric films, each of said biaxial films having an acute bisectrix of the optical axes, wherein the material is formed from a stack of said films, with the optical axes or the acute bisectrixes of the films in the stack being aligned, and wherein said stack has been cut or skived at an angle to the optical axes or the acute bisectrixes thereof, such that when incident light passes through said material in a direction perpendicular to said major surfaces of the material, the incident light having a first plane of polarization is displaced relative to the incident light having a second plane of polarization, the first and second planes of polarization being perpendicular to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 30, 1999
    Inventor: James L. Fergason
  • Patent number: 5863632
    Abstract: A decorative photographic floor tile comprising an enlarged photographic print to create a visual decor for use in commercial settings. The photographic floor tile comprises a lamination of clear vinyl on top of a photographic print with a self-adhesive peel-away backing. A method of using the decorative photographic floor tile to create a visual decor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 26, 1999
    Inventor: Darcy Bisker
  • Patent number: 5858496
    Abstract: An optically transparent article is prepared from an optically transparent first piece and an optically transparent second piece. A channel pattern is scribed into a surface of the first piece to a preselected depth. A metallic stripe pattern is deposited into the channel pattern, with the thickness of the metallic stripe pattern being less than the depth of the channel pattern. The second piece is placed over the first piece and sealed thereto at a peripheral boundary such that the second piece does not contact the metallic stripe pattern. A bus connection is optionally made to the metallic stripe, preferably from the periphery of either the first or second piece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 12, 1999
    Assignee: Exotic Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Donald Fisher, Charles Warner
  • Patent number: 5834099
    Abstract: Disposable paper products, such as paper toweling, are provided with an indicator means which is disposed on said disposable paper product in a discontinuous or combination discontinuous/continuous pattern. The indicator means gives a visually recognizable signal to a user that desirable properties of the disposable paper product are maintained, even after the disposable paper product has become wetted with a substantially transparent aqueous liquid. The wet gray scale difference for the disposable paper product of the present invention is at least about 64 gray scale units when the disposable paper product is wetted with a substantially transparent aqueous liquid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 10, 1998
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Mark John Steinhardt, Donn Nathan Boatman, Frederick Martin Joffe, Barbara Ann Ludwig, Barry Robert Silber, Paul Dennis Trokhan
  • Patent number: 5834081
    Abstract: A plastics tile (9) is made up of a plurality of discrete plastics pieces (10, 11, 12) which are shaped relative to each other and assembled together to abut edge to edge in lower regions of the pieces and form a recess above each mutually abutting edge of abutting pieces in upper regions of the pieces. The pieces are joined together along said mutually abutting edges below the recesses to form a unitary tile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 10, 1998
    Assignee: The Amtico Company Limited
    Inventor: Luigi Fanti
  • Patent number: 5830549
    Abstract: A flooring product for application to a subfloor which includes a wooden flooring component for installation with like flooring components to form a floor. The flooring component has a top surface for being exposed after installation and a bottom surface, a layer of an adhesive applied and permanently adhered directly to the bottom surface of the flooring component for providing an attachment interface surface for adhering the flooring component to the subfloor, and a protective release cover applied and releasably adhered to the attachment interface surface of the adhesive to protect the adhesive until removal of the release cover when the flooring component is applied to the subfloor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 3, 1998
    Assignee: Triangle Pacific Corporation
    Inventors: James C. Sweet, B. Shannon Fuller
  • Patent number: 5827592
    Abstract: A floor element for covering a base in which the bearing surface consists of a wood fibre board which is covered with a transparent lacquer coating at least on the bearing surface. This floor element can be laid together with other such floor elements on a flat base to form a floor, by joining the elements together by the side edges. The floor element is very durable due to the fact that it undergoes less delamination under the effects of moisture and is more scratch-resistant and hard-wearing. Furthermore, the floor element has a very attractive, natural-looking appearance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 27, 1998
    Assignees: Menno Van Gulik, Robert Bartholomeus Mentzen
    Inventors: Menno Van Gulik, Robert Bartholomeus Mentzen, Jozef Hendrik Catharina Maria Gerardus Eymael
  • Patent number: 5763056
    Abstract: A light blocking transparency assembly comprises a single sheet of transparency film and two foldable opaque flaps. The flaps overlap when in their folded position. The inventive construction provides improved feedability of the assembly through a variety of imaging devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 9, 1998
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Virtudes Ramirez Lund, James Beard Svacha
  • Patent number: 5709923
    Abstract: Paired numerals for use on sports clothing incorporate a common design theme throughout the numerals from 00 to 99 in which a left numeral set from 0 to 9 has each number of the set associated with a portion of the overall design theme and a right numeral set from 0 to 9 as each number of the set provided with the remaining portion of the design theme such that the portion of the design which appears in association with any number of the left numeral set compliments the design portion of any number in the right numeral set such that when any number from the left set is placed normally adjacnet and to the left of any number from the right set, the overall design theme will be completed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 20, 1998
    Assignee: Stahls', Inc.
    Inventor: Fred Ciaramitaro
  • Patent number: 5705250
    Abstract: A wear and shock resistant ceramic-cored composite panel (11) for use in equipment exposed to heavy abrasive materials comprising a plurality of commensurately shaped generally planar layers. The layers are comprised of and sequentially arranged in the following order: a ceramic layer (12); a first fiberglass reinforced plastic composite layer (13); a resilient core layer for absorbing impact energy imparted indirectly thereto by the heavy abrasive materials (14); and a second fiberglass reinforced plastic composite layer (16), wherein the layers are consecutively bonded together in the order set out above by an adhesive, then secured to various sites of wear inside equipment by known types of attachment or utilized as structural members themselves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 6, 1998
    Inventor: Thomas C. Hudson, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5670222
    Abstract: An attachment construction for a sheet glass is disclosed. The construction includes a frame to be secured to a construction structure. A sheet glass is attached to this frame by fitting a peripheral edge of the sheet glass into the frame. A metal holder is disposed in contact with the peripheral edge of the sheet glass for holding the sheet glass. The sheet glass is attached to the frame via the holder member placed in contact with the sheet glass.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 23, 1997
    Assignee: Nippon Sheet Glass Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Keisuke Tanaka, Kiminari Sugiura
  • Patent number: 5635266
    Abstract: Vinyl heat welding rod for seam sealing vinyl resilient flooring, whether in sheet or tile form, are used to obtain a homogeneous, monolithic appearing surface. This rod is specifically made to duplicate the appearance of the flooring material. For a chip-image flooring structure, a sheet of multicolored chips having a similar, but different formulation from that of the flooring material is prepared and the sheet is cut into suitable strips, heat pressed in a rod mold, end adhered or further molded to form the desired length, and used as a vinyl heat welding rod for sealing seams in flooring. Thus, the chip pattern is evident in the seam area and does not appear different when compared to the adjacent surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 1992
    Date of Patent: June 3, 1997
    Assignee: Armstrong World Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Edwin J. Quinn, Manuel A. Velez, Richard M. Ringer, Michael E. Buckwalter
  • Patent number: 5616389
    Abstract: A surface covering tile is disclosed having integral connecting elements about its edges to enable hinged interconnection between adjacent-like tiles. The connecting elements are longitudinally arranged about the peripheral edges of the tile and comprise semi-cylindrical curved female elements, protruding tongue elements and semi-cylindrical bar-like male elements. The elements are arranged such that the female and tongue elements cooperate to engage with the male elements of adjacent tiles. The tile is further adapted to receive a surface covering such as a carpet or mat, preferably an air permeable covering which will permit air to pass through apertures in the surface of the tile to the ground below.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 1, 1997
    Inventor: Warren J. Blatz
  • Patent number: 5601900
    Abstract: An anti-skid mat for placement upon a slippery support surface comprising a resilient matrix sheet member having a top surface and a bottom surface. An abrasive structure on the bottom surface of the resilient matrix sheet member is for preventing slippage of the resilient matrix sheet member on the slippery support surface. This forms a safe walkway for a person, when the person steps upon the top surface of the resilient matrix sheet member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 11, 1997
    Inventor: Herbert Doscher
  • Patent number: 5562964
    Abstract: Improved detaching of perforated roll products of paper or nonwovens is achieved by selectively reducing strength of the sheet along the perforation line at the edges of the sheet. This is achieved by lowering the bonded length (the sum total of the distance between perforations) at the edges of the sheet relative to that within the central portion of the sheets. Greater bonded lengths in the middle of the sheet enable the sheet to pass through converting operations with minimal breaks, while having lower bonded lengths at the outer edges allows the user to more easily start a tear in the sheet at the perf line and reduce the number of "ears" left on the roll as a result of detaching.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 8, 1996
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Corporation
    Inventor: Richard E. Jones
  • Patent number: 5541005
    Abstract: A large ceramic substrate article for electronic applications including at least one layer of sintered ceramic material, the layer including a plurality of greensheet segments of ceramic material joined edge to edge. Also disclosed is a method of fabricating a large ceramic greensheet article as well as a large ceramic substrate article.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 30, 1996
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Raschid J. Bezama, Jon A. Casey, Mario E. Ecker, Shaji Farooq, Irene S. Frantz, Katherine G. Frase, David H. Gabriels, Lester W. Herron, John U. Knickerbocker, Sarah H. Knickerbocker, Govindarajan Natarajan, John Thomson, Yee-Ming Ting, Sharon L. Tracy, Robert M. Troncillito, Vivek M. Sura, Donald R. Wall, Giai V. Yen
  • Patent number: 5527128
    Abstract: A ground covering is provided by linking together individual elements; the elements each comprise a first portion and a second portion linked by a hinge allowing the connected elements to be rolled up in the form of a carpet for easy storage and transport.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 18, 1996
    Assignee: Portapath International Limited
    Inventors: Christopher C. Rope, Pamela A. Rope, Ian M. D. Gaylor
  • Patent number: 5527579
    Abstract: The invention relates to a wood surface layer for a parquet and a method for manufacturing the same. A piece of fresh wood is cut in the cross-grain direction into slices or blocks which are carried through a microwave oven. Immediately downstream of the oven, as the slices or blocks are cooling, the surface thereof is coated with a water-soluble polyalcohol which impregnates in wood as a result of the action of a vacuum developing within the wood. The polyalcohol replaces some of the cell-wall water of wood and thus prevents the formation of seasoning cracks and the moisture induced movements in wood.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 18, 1996
    Assignees: Jyrki Aho, Jutta Casserly
    Inventor: Yrjo Aho
  • Patent number: 5520388
    Abstract: Single-member sets of zoomorphic tiles, in which any single tile, if duplicated, can tile the plane in periodic ways, or, with duplicates of its mirror image, in either periodic or non periodic ways, and which can also form tilings of the plane in conjunction with duplicates of any other appropriately sized but differently shaped embodiment or embodiments of the invention. The diverse and variable arrangements show vertices at which 3, 4, 5, and 6 tiles meet. These tiles, tilings, patches and rosettes of tiles may be used in puzzles, games and other recreations, for teaching certain aspects of geometry, for various purposes in conjunction with computers, for the decoration of fabrics or other surfaces, for the shape of food items such as cookies, or for other uses to which tiles or tilings may be put.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 28, 1996
    Inventor: John A. L. Osborn
  • Patent number: 5486391
    Abstract: A panel (10) for use as a space divider (100) or to be attached to furniture (102) is described. The panel has a molded polystyrene beads (STYROFOAM.TM.) bead board core (12) encased in a plastic film layer (14) which stabilizes the panel and allows the panel to be used as a tack board. A decorative outer cover (18) is provided over the core and plastic layer to increase the aesthetic quality and versatility of the panel. Support plates (26) are provided along the edges (12C) of the core underneath the plastic layer to increase the structural strength of the panel and to enable attachment of the panels to each other or to other furniture. Attachment rails (20) are provided on the outside of the panel to protect the edges of the panel and enable a connector hinge (22) to be attached to the panel for connecting two panels together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 23, 1996
    Inventor: Jeffrey D. Tyner
  • Patent number: 5439749
    Abstract: Disclosed is a composite wood structure including (a) first and second spaced layers, and (b) a core interposed between the layers. A sheet-like vapor barrier is between the layers and limits migration of moisture through the barrier to less than about 6 grams per square meter of barrier area per hour. The wood structure is thereby made warp-resistant. In another embodiment, the structure has a vapor barrier on an outer surface and may have one or more additional vapor barriers between structure layers. Preferred vapor barrier materials include melamine formaldehyde impregnated paper, phenol formaldehyde impregnated paper, thermoset materials, thermoplastic materials and aluminum foil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 8, 1995
    Assignee: Andersen Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas A. Klasell, Leland R. Miller
  • Patent number: RE36458
    Abstract: Vinyl heat welding rod for seam sealing vinyl resilient flooring, whether in sheet or tile form, are used to obtain a homogeneous, monolithic appearing surface. This rod is specifically made to duplicate the appearance of the flooring material. For a chip-image flooring structure, a sheet of multicolored chips having a similar, but different formulation from that of the flooring material is prepared and the sheet is cut into suitable strips, heat pressed in a rod mold, end adhered or further molded to form the desired length, and used as a vinyl heat welding rod for sealing seams in flooring. Thus, the chip pattern is evident in the seam area and does not appear different when compared to the adjacent surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 21, 1999
    Assignee: Armstrong World Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Edwin J. Quinn, Manuel A. Velez, Richard M. Ringer, Michael E. Buckwalter