Keys, Mortises, Or Key And Mortise On Opposed Edges Or Faces Patents (Class 52/592.1)
  • Patent number: 10612249
    Abstract: A floor panel is arranged for forming a floor covering, and substantially consists of synthetic material and has a decorative upper side. The floor panel, on at least one pair of opposite edges, comprises coupling parts which allow coupling two of such floor panels to each other. The coupling parts effect a locking in a first direction perpendicular to the plane of the floor panels as well as in a second direction perpendicular to the respective edge and in the plane of the floor panels. The at least one of the coupling parts comprises a separate locking element, which, in coupled condition, provides for at least a locking in the first direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2020
    Assignee: FLOORING INDUSTRIES LIMITED, SARL
    Inventor: Mark Cappelle
  • Patent number: 10556447
    Abstract: Building panels, especially floor panels, and a method of forming embossed in register surfaces with a digital ink head that applies a curable ink on the panel surface or on an upper side of a foil as a coating and forms an ink matrix that is used to create a cavity in the surface by applying a pressure on the ink matrix.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2020
    Assignee: CERALOC INNOVATION AB
    Inventors: Darko Pervan, Tony Pervan
  • Patent number: 10519674
    Abstract: Floor covering, made of floor elements, which, at least at two opposite sides, comprise a male and a female coupling part, which allow that two of such floor elements can be interconnected at the respective sides at the respective sides by pushing one of these floor elements with the associated male coupling part, by means of a downward movement, home into the female coupling part of the other floor element, wherein at least one of said coupling parts, either the male coupling part or the female coupling part, is made as least partially in a filled synthetic material composite, such as extruded wood.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2019
    Assignee: FLOORING INDUSTRIES LIMITED, SARL
    Inventor: Mark Cappelle
  • Patent number: 10487506
    Abstract: A join is provided for end-joining elongate timber flanges. The join includes: an elongate planar web having an upper portion running along the longitudinal axis, and a lower portion running along the longitudinal axis; the elongate planar web having, in order running along the longitudinal axis, a first region, a second region and a third region, the second region having a greater width than the first and third regions; and a first elongate timber flange having a slot engaging upper portions of the first and second regions of the planar web; a second elongate timber flange have a slot engaging the upper portions of the second and third regions of the planar web. The lower edge of the planar web extends beyond the edge of the first and second elongate timber flanges so as to provide an engagement point for a further elongate timber flange.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2019
    Inventors: Andrew Thornton, James Thornton
  • Patent number: 10434743
    Abstract: A manufacturing process, and related products, for fabricating translucent articles in the form of tiles. The manufacturing process includes holding together a stack of corrugated cardboard pieces and saturating the cardboard pieces with an impregnating agent. Additional steps may include machining the cardboard pieces to define a block of a desired shape, slicing the block into tile components, and/or coating one or more tile components with a coating material to produce the article. Articles include translucent tiles made of corrugated cardboard pieces saturated with an impregnating agent. The tiles may be arranged to define a surface, such as a floor, a wall, a roof, a lighting installation, an architectural construction element, an architectural aesthetic element, or a solar panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2019
    Assignee: METACOMB, INC.
    Inventor: Vsevolod Tsodokov
  • Patent number: 10415613
    Abstract: A set of panel-shaped elements includes a first panel-shaped element, a second panel-shaped element, and a third panel-shaped element. The first panel-shaped element includes at least one recess that extends through the first panel-shaped element from a first side to a second side. The second panel-shaped element includes a first profiled portion, which is configured to extend into the recess from the first side of the first panel-shaped element. The third panel-shaped element includes a second profiled portion, which is configured to extend into the recess from the second side of the first panel-shaped element and for locking engagement with the first profiled portion. The set of panel-shaped elements can be assembled using a method where the third element is moved into locking engagement with the first and second elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2019
    Assignee: VALINGE INNOVATION AB
    Inventor: Christian Boo
  • Patent number: 10407920
    Abstract: Hard panels formed from a wood-based material and having a decorative layer for floor coverings are provided, at least on two opposite edges, with coupling devices made in one piece with the panels wherein similar panels may be coupled together to form a floor covering, wherein these coupling devices provide for an interlocking in a direction perpendicular to the plane of coupled panels, as well as in a direction perpendicular to the edges concerned and parallel to the plane of coupled panels. These coupling devices are constituted of a tongue and a groove. The top side of the tongue has a protrusion that cooperates with a meshing recess located in the lower side of the upper lip of the groove of the coupling devices, and a portion extending generally parallel with the plane of the panel to form a contact surface cooperating with the lower side of the upper lip of the groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2019
    Assignee: FLOORING INDUSTRIES LIMITED, SARL
    Inventors: Bernard Thiers, Mark Cappelle
  • Patent number: 10378223
    Abstract: A form assembly for creating structural supports is disclosed. Embodiments of the present invention provide a form assembly for molding a structural support of a predetermined configuration using a moldable forming composition. The present invention provides non-planar interlocking stackable form members for adjusting the height of molded support structures such as joists and beams.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2019
    Assignee: ABT, Inc.
    Inventors: Gery Swink, Ken Mahaffey
  • Patent number: 10358831
    Abstract: Floor covering, made of floor elements, which, at least at two opposite sides, comprise a male and a female coupling part, which allow that two of such floor elements can be interconnected at the respective sides at the respective sides by pushing one of these floor elements with the associated male coupling part, by means of a downward movement, home into the female coupling part of the other floor element, wherein at least one of said coupling parts, either the male coupling part or the female coupling part, is made as least partially in a filled synthetic material composite, such as extruded wood.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2019
    Assignee: FLOORING INDUSTRIES LIMITED, SARL
    Inventor: Mark Cappelle
  • Patent number: 10301830
    Abstract: Floorboards provided with a mechanical locking system including a locking strip protruding from a first edge of a first floorboard. The locking strip is provided with a locking element configured to cooperate with a locking groove at a lower side of a second edge of a second floorboard for locking the first edge and the second edge in a horizontal direction. The first edge and the second edge are configured to be assembled by a vertical downward motion of the second edge towards the first edge. The second edge is provided with a calibrating groove adjacent the locking groove. The disclosure also relates to a method for producing a mechanical locking system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2019
    Assignee: VALINGE INNOVATION AB
    Inventor: Christian Boo
  • Patent number: 10287777
    Abstract: A set of panels including a first panel and a second panel. A first edge of the first panel and a second edge of the second are configured to be locked together and assembled by a vertical displacement of the second edge relative the first edge. The first edge includes a locking element configured to cooperate with a locking groove at the second edge for locking in a horizontal and in the vertical direction. The first edge includes a tongue configured to cooperate with a tongue groove at the second edge for locking in a vertical direction. An upper part of the first edge includes a first guiding surface and a lower edge of the lower lip includes a second guiding surface. An upper part of the locking element includes a third guiding surface and a lower edge of the locking groove includes a fourth guiding surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2019
    Assignee: VALINGE INNOVATION AB
    Inventor: Christian Boo
  • Patent number: 10221576
    Abstract: Building panels, especially floor panels, which are provided with a locking system including several separate strip parts connected to the panel edge. A strip part, configured to lock panels horizontally and to be fixed to a panel edge, including a strip body with an inner part configured to be fixed under the panel edge and an outer part configured to extend outside the panel edge, wherein the inner part comprises a fixing element configured to lock the strip part to the panel edge in a horizontal direction, wherein the outer part including a locking protrusion, located above the strip body and configured to lock the strip part to the panel edge vertically and a locking element configured to lock the panels in a horizontal direction, and wherein the inner part includes a cavity formed in the strip body and located between the fixing element and the locking protrusion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2019
    Assignee: CERALOC INNOVATION AB
    Inventors: Darko Pervan, Tony Pervan
  • Patent number: 10125498
    Abstract: Hard panels formed from a wood-based material and having a decorative layer for floor coverings are provided, at least on two opposite edges, with coupling devices made in one piece with the panels wherein similar panels may be coupled together to form a floor covering, wherein these coupling devices provide for an interlocking in a direction perpendicular to the plane of coupled panels, as well as in a direction perpendicular to the edges concerned and parallel to the plane of coupled panels. These coupling devices are constituted of a tongue and a groove. The top side of the tongue has a protrusion that cooperates with a meshing recess located in the lower side of the upper lip of the groove of the coupling devices, and a portion extending generally parallel with the plane of the panel to form a contact surface cooperating with the lower side of the upper lip of the groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2018
    Assignee: FLOORING INDUSTRIES LIMITED, SARL
    Inventors: Bernard Thiers, Mark Cappelle
  • Patent number: 10125499
    Abstract: Floor covering, made of floor elements, which, at least at two opposite sides, comprise a male and a female coupling part, which allow that two of such floor elements can be interconnected at the respective sides at the respective sides by pushing one of these floor elements with the associated male coupling part, by means of a downward movement, home into the female coupling part of the other floor element, wherein at least one of said coupling parts, either the male coupling part or the female coupling part, is made as least partially in a filled synthetic material composite, such as extruded wood.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2018
    Assignee: FLOORING INDUSTRIES LIMITED, SARL
    Inventor: Mark Cappelle
  • Patent number: 10030390
    Abstract: This inventions is a prefabricated roof plate element (6) comprising load carrying girders including longitudinal upper and lower steel frame parts placed at opposed sides of the roof plate element. The girders are corrugated at opposing upper and lower sides in the longitudinal direction at which vertical side walls of the steel frame parts are interconnected connection plates which are part of the load carrying girders. The lower steel frame parts (4) preferably are interconnected by an integral steel panel part (8) forming the bottom of the roof plate element and a ceiling of a building. The prefabricated roof plate element has uniform roof plate elements (20, 54) which are interconnected side by side, to form a wider prefabricated roof plate element. Cavities thereof are filled with insulation material and afterwards provided with a common top plate construction (70, 72) and a common roof foil covering (74).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Inventor: Peehr Mathias Ørnfeldt Svensson
  • Patent number: 9915046
    Abstract: A self alignment structure for joining extruded members. The self-aligning structure includes one or more decking members including an upper panel and a lower panel connected by webbing members. One side of the decking member has a void space between the upper panel and lower panel and another side the decking member may have a vertical webbing member between the upper panel and the lower panel. The self aligning structure further includes an upper shelf and lower shelf, each shelf extending horizontally relative to the vertical webbing member. The shelves being operable to align a neighboring decking member, forming abutment joints in preparation for a friction stir welding process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: HFW Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Casey Dean Allen, Bryan Matthew Tweedy
  • Patent number: 9890542
    Abstract: Floor covering, made of floor elements, which, at least at two opposite sides, comprise a male and a female coupling part, which allow that two of such floor elements can be interconnected at the respective sides at the respective sides by pushing one of these floor elements with the associated male coupling part, by means of a downward movement, home into the female coupling part of the other floor element, wherein at least one of said coupling parts, either the male coupling part or the female coupling part, is made as least partially in a filled synthetic material composite, such as extruded wood.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: FLOORING INDUSTRIES LIMITED, SARL
    Inventor: Mark Cappelle
  • Patent number: 9856657
    Abstract: Hard panels formed from a wood-based material and having a decorative layer for floor coverings are provided, at least on two opposite edges, with coupling devices made in one piece with the panels wherein similar panels may be coupled together to form a floor covering, wherein these coupling devices provide for an interlocking in a direction perpendicular to the plane of coupled panels, as well as in a direction perpendicular to the edges concerned and parallel to the plane of coupled panels. These coupling devices are constituted of a tongue and a groove. The top side of the tongue has a protrusion that cooperates with a meshing recess located in the lower side of the upper lip of the groove of the coupling devices, and a portion extending generally parallel with the plane of the panel to form a contact surface cooperating with the lower side of the upper lip of the groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: FLOORING INDUSTRIES LIMITED, SARL
    Inventors: Bernard Thiers, Mark Cappelle
  • Patent number: 9688049
    Abstract: A formed building element or “log” comprising a top filler section and a bottom filler section affixed on opposite sides of a center reinforcement member. The center reinforcement member may be a steel or metal rod or tube. The reinforcement member, which may be of approximately the same length of the filler sections, has one end extending out from the end of the building element. The extended end may have a vertical hole extending from top to bottom, adapted to accept a rod pin, which may or may not be threaded. Matching holes extend from the top to bottom of the filler section at the opposite end of the building element, so adjacent building elements may be attached end-to-end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Inventor: Steve Bryan
  • Patent number: 9657483
    Abstract: Building panels, especially floor panels, which are provided with a locking system including several separate strip parts connected to the panel edge. A strip part, configured to lock panels horizontally and to be fixed to a panel edge, including a strip body with an inner part configured to be fixed under the panel edge and an outer part configured to extend outside the panel edge, wherein the inner part comprises a fixing element configured to lock the strip part to the panel edge in a horizontal direction, wherein the outer part including a locking protrusion, located above the strip body and configured to lock the strip part to the panel edge vertically and a locking element configured to lock the panels in a horizontal direction, and wherein the inner part includes a cavity formed in the strip body and located between the fixing element and the locking protrusion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2017
    Assignee: CERALOC INNOVATION AB
    Inventors: Darko Pervan, Tony Pervan
  • Patent number: 9644653
    Abstract: A lightweight board having an upper covering layer, which extends in a longitudinal direction, a lower covering layer, which extends parallel to the upper covering layer and is spaced apart from the upper covering layer in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, a light middle layer, which extends between the upper covering layer and the lower covering layer, and a bar, which extends between the upper covering layer and the lower covering layer and consists of wood or wood-based material. To simplify the production of a connection arrangement, the bar has a machine-worked tongue profile and/or groove profile, which is formed for mechanical locking in the longitudinal direction and in the direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction with a corresponding profile of a further component. The invention also relates to a corresponding connection arrangement and a corresponding method for producing a connection arrangement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2017
    Assignee: Fritz Egger GmbH & Co. OG
    Inventors: Bruno Reiter, Helmut Nerf
  • Patent number: 9624676
    Abstract: Hard panels formed from a wood-based material and having a decorative layer for floor coverings are provided, at least on two opposite edges, with coupling devices made in one piece with the panels wherein similar panels may be coupled together to form a floor covering, wherein these coupling devices provide for an interlocking in a direction perpendicular to the plane of coupled panels, as well as in a direction perpendicular to the edges concerned and parallel to the plane of coupled panels. These coupling devices are constituted of a tongue and a groove. The top side of the tongue has a protrusion that cooperates with a meshing recess located in the lower side of the upper lip of the groove of the coupling devices, and a portion extending generally parallel with the plane of the panel to form a contact surface cooperating with the lower side of the upper lip of the groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: FLOORING INDUSTRIES LIMITED, SARL
    Inventors: Bernard Thiers, Mark Cappelle
  • Patent number: 9493938
    Abstract: Light weight fiber-reinforced polymeric (FRP) structural building panels and panel assemblies, sized and configured for construction of non-portable wall structures permanently fixed to the ground. Fibers in the panel are typically oriented within 15 degrees of a top-to-bottom, e.g. axial, direction in the panel providing, in part, enhanced top-to-bottom crush strength of a panel/wall. The panels typically have a bias to deflect toward the surface of the panel which faces outwardly of the building, toward the backfill soil which faces the panel on the outside the building. Panels of the invention typically have mass of no more than 18 pounds per foot height per linear foot length of the building panel, and vertical crush resistance capacity of at least 2000 pounds per linear foot length of the building panel, using a safety factor of 3.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Assignee: Composite Panel Systems, LLC
    Inventors: Glenn P. Schiffmann, Gerhard P. Schiffmann, Daniel J. Wojtusik
  • Patent number: 9482013
    Abstract: Hard panels formed from a wood-based material and having a decorative layer for floor coverings are provided, at least on two opposite edges, with coupling devices made in one piece with the panels wherein similar panels may be coupled together to form a floor covering, wherein these coupling devices provide for an interlocking in a direction perpendicular to the plane of coupled panels, as well as in a direction perpendicular to the edges concerned and parallel to the plane of coupled panels. These coupling devices are constituted of a tongue and a groove. The top side of the tongue has a protrusion that cooperates with a meshing recess located in the lower side of the upper lip of the groove of the coupling devices, and a portion extending generally parallel with the plane of the panel to form a contact surface cooperating with the lower side of the upper lip of the groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2016
    Assignee: FLOORING INDUSTRIES LIMITED, SARL
    Inventors: Bernard Thiers, Mark Cappelle
  • Patent number: 9410313
    Abstract: A mortar-less building block system including interlocking building blocks, joist hangers, truss brackets, and insulation member disposed exterior to the block; the block having a front face and a back face, a top face and a bottom face, and a protrusion side face and a recess side face all connected to form the building block; the front face and the back face each have a pair of longitudinal recesses aligned with the longitudinal recesses of the front face and the back face, and the top face further having a transverse recess centrally located on the top face transversely intersecting the pair of longitudinal recesses, creating intersection points; the recess side face having a transverse recess aligned with the transverse recess of the top face, and the protrusion side face having a transverse protrusion designed to mate with the transverse recess of an other of the building block; the bottom face having at least one transverse protrusion for mating with the recess of a top face of an other of the building
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2016
    Inventor: Gary Summers
  • Patent number: 9394699
    Abstract: Hard panels formed from a wood-based material and having a decorative layer for floor coverings are provided, at least on two opposite edges, with coupling devices made in one piece with the panels wherein similar panels may be coupled together to form a floor covering, wherein these coupling devices provide for an interlocking in a direction perpendicular to the plane of coupled panels, as well as in a direction perpendicular to the edges concerned and parallel to the plane of coupled panels. These coupling devices are constituted of a tongue and a groove. The top side of the tongue has a protrusion that cooperates with a meshing recess located in the lower side of the upper lip of the groove of the coupling devices, and a portion extending generally parallel with the plane of the panel to form a contact surface cooperating with the lower side of the upper lip of the groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2016
    Assignee: FLOORING INDUSTRIES LIMITED, SARL
    Inventors: Bernard Thiers, Mark Cappelle
  • Patent number: 9388586
    Abstract: Hard panels formed from a wood-based material and having a decorative layer for floor coverings are provided, at least on two opposite edges, with coupling devices made in one piece with the panels wherein similar panels may be coupled together to form a floor covering, wherein these coupling devices provide for an interlocking in a direction perpendicular to the plane of coupled panels, as well as in a direction perpendicular to the edges concerned and parallel to the plane of coupled panels. These coupling devices are constituted of a tongue and a groove. The top side of the tongue has a protrusion that cooperates with a meshing recess located in the lower side of the upper lip of the groove of the coupling devices, and a portion extending generally parallel with the plane of the panel to form a contact surface cooperating with the lower side of the upper lip of the groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2016
    Assignee: FLOORING INDUSTRIES LIMITED, SARL
    Inventors: Bernard Thiers, Mark Cappelle
  • Patent number: 9388585
    Abstract: Hard panels formed from a wood-based material and having a decorative layer for floor coverings are provided, at least on two opposite edges, with coupling devices made in one piece with the panels wherein similar panels may be coupled together to form a floor covering, wherein these coupling devices provide for an interlocking in a direction perpendicular to the plane of coupled panels, as well as in a direction perpendicular to the edges concerned and parallel to the plane of coupled panels. These coupling devices are constituted of a tongue and a groove. The top side of the tongue has a protrusion that cooperates with a meshing recess located in the lower side of the upper lip of the groove of the coupling devices, and a portion extending generally parallel with the plane of the panel to form a contact surface cooperating with the lower side of the upper lip of the groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2016
    Assignee: FLOORING INDUSTRIES LIMITED, SARL
    Inventors: Bernard Thiers, Mark Cappelle
  • Patent number: 9376823
    Abstract: Hard panels formed from a wood-based material and having a decorative layer for floor coverings are provided, at least on two opposite edges, with coupling devices made in one piece with the panels wherein similar panels may be coupled together to form a floor covering, wherein these coupling devices provide for an interlocking in a direction perpendicular to the plane of coupled panels, as well as in a direction perpendicular to the edges concerned and parallel to the plane of coupled panels. These coupling devices are constituted of a tongue and a groove. The top side of the tongue has a protrusion that cooperates with a meshing recess located in the lower side of the upper lip of the groove of the coupling devices, and a portion extending generally parallel with the plane of the panel to form a contact surface cooperating with the lower side of the upper lip of the groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2016
    Assignee: FLOORING INDUSTRIES LIMITED, SARL
    Inventors: Bernard Thiers, Mark Cappelle
  • Patent number: 9366037
    Abstract: A floor covering made of floor elements which have at least at two opposite sides a male coupling part and a female coupling part. The floor elements comprise a substrate substantially consisting of a filled synthetic material composite, a top layer having a thickness from 1 to 15 millimeters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2016
    Assignee: FLOORING INDUSTRIES LIMITED, SARL
    Inventor: Mark Cappelle
  • Patent number: 9334657
    Abstract: Hard panels formed from a wood-based material and having a decorative layer for floor coverings are provided, at least on two opposite edges, with coupling devices made in one piece with the panels wherein similar panels may be coupled together to form a floor covering, wherein these coupling devices provide for an interlocking in a direction perpendicular to the plane of coupled panels, as well as in a direction perpendicular to the edges concerned and parallel to the plane of coupled panels. These coupling devices are constituted of a tongue and a groove. The top side of the tongue has a protrusion that cooperates with a meshing recess located in the lower side of the upper lip of the groove of the coupling devices, and a portion extending generally parallel with the plane of the panel to form a contact surface cooperating with the lower side of the upper lip of the groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2016
    Assignee: FLOORING INDUSTRIES LIMTED, SARL
    Inventors: Bernard Thiers, Mark Cappelle
  • Patent number: 9260870
    Abstract: A set of mutually lockable panels comprises a first panel having an edge including a male part and a second panel having an edge including a female part for receiving the male part of the first panel in unlocked condition of the panels. The male part has an outer side which, in locked condition of the panels, is directed to the second panel in a direction substantially parallel to the front face of the first panel, and an opposite inner side which is provided with a locking surface. The female part comprises a locking member, which is pivotable about a pivot axis that extends substantially parallel to the edge of the second panel and an actuator for rotating the locking member from its unlocked condition to a locked condition of the panels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: IVC N.V.
    Inventors: Bruno Paul Louis Vermeulen, Jan Eddy De Rick
  • Patent number: 9234356
    Abstract: Hard panels formed from a wood-based material and having a decorative layer for floor coverings are provided, at least on two opposite edges, with coupling devices made in one piece with the panels wherein similar panels may be coupled together to form a floor covering, wherein these coupling devices provide for an interlocking in a direction perpendicular to the plane of coupled panels, as well as in a direction perpendicular to the edges concerned and parallel to the plane of coupled panels. These coupling devices are constituted of a tongue and a groove. The top side of the tongue has a protrusion that cooperates with a meshing recess located in the lower side of the upper lip of the groove of the coupling devices, and a portion extending generally parallel with the plane of the panel to form a contact surface cooperating with the lower side of the upper lip of the groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Assignee: FLOORING INDUSTRIES LIMITED, SARL
    Inventors: Bernard Thiers, Mark Cappelle
  • Patent number: 9200460
    Abstract: A floor covering made of floor elements which have at least at two opposite sides a male coupling part and a female coupling part. The coupling parts allow two of the floor elements to be interconnected at their respective sides by pushing one of the floor elements with the male coupling part, by means of a downward movement, into the female coupling part of the other floor element. At least one of the coupling parts, either the male coupling part or the female coupling part, is made as least partially in a filled synthetic material composite.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2015
    Assignee: FLOORING INDUSTRIES LIMITED, SARL
    Inventor: Mark Cappelle
  • Patent number: 9194133
    Abstract: A floor covering is composed of a plurality of hard floor panels wherein the floor panels show a common general decor and may differ from each other in respect to their appearance and/or on their own have zones of a differing appearance. The floor panels, at least at two opposite sides or edges thereof, are provided with coupling parts allowing that two of such floor panels can cooperate with each other at these sides. At least some of the floor panels possess at least one chamfer, such as a beveled edge or the like, wherein the surfaces of these chamfers are provided, at least partially, with a separately applied decorative covering including at least a decorative layer. The appearance of the decorative covering is realized in a manner varying in function of differences occurring in the decor of the floor covering.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2015
    Assignee: FLOORING INDUSTRIES LIMITED, SARL
    Inventor: Bernard Thiers
  • Patent number: 9169654
    Abstract: Semi-floating floorboards/building panels having mechanical joint systems, a core with curved edge portions so the surface layer on top of the core will be located below the panel surface, and where the edges of the floorboard have a bevel such that in which the joint system, when two floorboards are joined and pressed towards each other, the surface layer 31 and a part of the core 30 of the joint edge portion 19 in the second joint edge 4b overlaps the surface layer 31 that is substantially parallel to the horizontal plane of the first joint edge 4a of the other floorboard. Further, floorboards/building panels are produced by machining the surface structure with a plurality of core grooves 20, 20? and applying the surface layer 31 on the upper side of the core 30 to at least partly cover a floor element. A pressure is applied and the surface layer 31 forms around the core grooves 20, 20?.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2015
    Assignee: VALINGE INNOVATION AB
    Inventor: Magnus Wallin
  • Patent number: 9133620
    Abstract: A prefabricated panel system includes a plurality of panel assemblies to be adjoined together to form partitions. A panel assembly comprises two panel members disposed in spaced relation via a plurality of connecting members disposed therebetween; at least one of the connecting members defining a male connector projecting from a male connecting end; at least one of the plurality of connecting members defining a female connector defining a recess in a female connecting end; the panel assembly connectable to at least one other panel assembly by disposing the male connector of one panel assembly within the recess of another panel assembly. The system also includes a base channel to be disposed along a floor to receive and house the prefabricated panel assemblies, as well as a cap channel to be disposed along a cap portion of the panel assemblies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2015
    Inventors: Rafael Huguet, Sr., Rafael Huguet, Jr.
  • Patent number: 9121181
    Abstract: A locking element is arranged on one component, the locking element being bringable into locking engagement with a locking recess on the other component for the purpose of a vertical lock. The locking element is provided with functional elements, via which the components are substantially horizontally and vertically locked. The locking element can be designed as a profiled slide that has a locking projection with a first guiding surface which is positioned angularly with respect to the installation plane and which comes into contact with a locking surface or another circumferential section of the locking recess during the connecting process such that a force component that causes a movement from a release position into a locked position is applied to the profiled slide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2015
    Assignee: HAMBERGER INDUSTRIEWERKE GmbH
    Inventor: Peter M. Hamberger
  • Patent number: 9091075
    Abstract: A locking element is arranged on one component, the locking element being bringable into locking engagement with a locking recess on the other component for the purpose of a vertical lock. The locking element is provided with functional elements, via which the components are substantially horizontally and vertically locked. The locking element can be designed as a profiled slide that has a locking projection with a first guiding surface which is positioned angularly with respect to the installation plane and which comes into contact with a locking surface or another circumferential section of the locking recess during the connecting process such that a force component that causes a movement from a release position into a locked position is applied to the profiled slide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2015
    Assignee: HAMBERGER INDUSTRIEWERKE GmbH
    Inventor: Peter M. Hamberger
  • Patent number: 9068356
    Abstract: Hard panels formed from a wood-based material and having a decorative layer for floor coverings are provided, at least on two opposite edges, with coupling devices made in one piece with the panels wherein similar panels may be coupled together to form a floor covering, wherein these coupling devices provide for an interlocking in a direction perpendicular to the plane of coupled panels, as well as in a direction perpendicular to the edges concerned and parallel to the plane of coupled panels. These coupling devices are constituted of a tongue and a groove. The top side of the tongue has a protrusion that cooperates with a meshing recess located in the lower side of the upper lip of the groove of the coupling devices, and a portion extending generally parallel with the plane of the panel to form a contact surface cooperating with the lower side of the upper lip of the groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2015
    Assignee: FLOORING INDUSTRIES LIMITED, SARL
    Inventors: Bernard Thiers, Mark Cappelle
  • Patent number: 9038345
    Abstract: This specification describes a tray substrate for tile flooring that can be used in narrow grout line modular floating tile assemblies. The tray is preferably made of plastic and has vertical tray edges around the top of the tray substrate with upward and downward tabs protruding from the sides of the tray substrate wherein some of the tabs are at least partially recessed under the surface of the tray.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Assignee: CoMc, LLC
    Inventor: Yu Lin Tang
  • Patent number: 9032685
    Abstract: A building panel, such as a flooring panel or wall panel and a method of assembling the same into a floor, wall cladding, etc. The panel is provided with a locking means in the form of groove (6) and tongue (7) forming a tongue/groove joint for assembling of the panels. In a preferred embodiment, the groove (6) and the tongue (7) are made of water resistant material and fanned with a snap-together joint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Assignee: PERGO (EUROPE) AB
    Inventors: Goran Martensson, Magnus Kulik
  • Patent number: 9010060
    Abstract: This application relates to a light-weight, multi-purpose construction panel. The panel may be formed, for example, from molded plastic. Each panel includes a substantially planar deck on a first side thereof and a second side comprising alternating male and female sleeves arranged in honeycomb-like compartments defined by a plurality of wall elements. A pair of panels may be releasably coupled together with their respective second sides facing inwardly to form a construction assembly. When a pair of panels is coupled together, the male sleeves of one panel matingly fit within the females sleeves of the other panel, and vice versa. The panel assemblies may be used for many different construction applications including flooring, roofing and wall structures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Inventor: Antonio Rapaz
  • Patent number: 8997429
    Abstract: Floor covering, including hard floor panels which, at least at the edges of two opposite sides, are provided with coupling parts, cooperating which each other, substantially in the form of a tongue and a groove, wherein the coupling parts are provided with integrated mechanical locking elements which prevent the drifting apart of two coupled floor panels in a direction (R) perpendicular to the related edges and parallel to the underside of the coupled floor panels, and provide a snap-action coupling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Unilin Beheer B.V.
    Inventors: Stefan Simon Gustaaf Moriau, Mark Gaston Maurits Cappelle, Bernard Paul Joseph Thiers
  • Patent number: 8978335
    Abstract: The invention relates to a panel designed for mechanical connection with at least one further, identical panel by means of pivoting, with a tongue and groove profile (6, 8) for fastening the panels (2, 4) at the same height with respect to one another, comprising a groove profile (6) with a short groove cheek (14), a groove bottom (16) and a long groove cheek (18) on at least one side of the panel and a tongue profile (8) corresponding to the groove profile (6) on at least one side of the panel, wherein the long groove cheek (18) has a greater thickness (M) at its free end (20) than in the region under the free end of the short groove cheek (14), and wherein in the assembled state the tongue and groove each have upper bearing faces (24a, 24b), which are inclined with respect to the surface (10) of the panel (2, 4), and lower bearing faces (26a, 26b) which are rounded, and with locking means (28a, 28b) for fastening the panels (2, 4) in the same plane with respect to one another, comprising a locking face (28b
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: tilo GmbH
    Inventors: Heinz Kiefel, Franz Schrattenecker
  • Patent number: 8973328
    Abstract: A floor tile expansion joint accommodates differential thermal expansion or contraction of modular floor tiles used in flooring applications. One or more rows of floor tile expansion joints may be connected to modular floor tiles for various floor tile applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: MacNeil IP LLC
    Inventors: Frederick W. Masanek, Jr., David F. MacNeil
  • Patent number: 8973313
    Abstract: Buildings which include rudimentary plumbing can be transported as a set of disassembled modular parts and then assembled on site. The assembled building includes a water reservoir in the roof and a sewage reservoir in the base, so as to enable gravity-based water supply and sewage disposal in the absence of traditional plumbing and sewage infrastructure. Building envelope elements having internal reservoirs, and methods for constructing such building envelope elements are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Inventors: Michael Bettiol, Richard George Weatherston, Alan Shaidle
  • Patent number: 8966853
    Abstract: A fastening system for floor panels, which has profiles on small faces of the panels. Opposite retaining profiles match so that similar panels can be interlinked. The panels have opposite first retaining profiles configured so on a panel in first line, a new panel can be locked in second line by attaching the new panel to the installed panel at an angle relative to the installed panel and then swiveling it down into the plane of the installed panel. The panel has opposite second retaining elements that have corresponding hook elements. A hook connection can be established by a hook element of the new panel and hook element of a panel already installed in second line by swiveling the new panel. Every hook connection is associated with an additional locking element that prevents the release of the hook connection in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the installed panels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Akzenta Paneele + Profile GmbH
    Inventor: Hans-Juergen Hannig
  • Patent number: 8966852
    Abstract: Floor panel, with a horizontally and vertically active locking system allowing that two of such floor panels can be connected to each other at said sides by providing one of these floor panels, by means of a downward movement, in the other floor panel; wherein the vertically active locking system comprises a locking element in the form of an insert; wherein this locking element comprises at least a pivotable lock-up body; characterized in that the pivotable lock-up body comprises a support portion which is rotatable against a support surface pertaining to the floor panel concerned, and more particularly in a seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Flooring Industries Limited, Sarl
    Inventor: Mark Cappelle
  • Patent number: 8955268
    Abstract: A modular tile configured to interlock with multiple tiles to form a modular floor covering over a floor. The tile includes a top surface having a periphery defining side walls extending downward from the top surface, the side walls having a coupling portion configured to couple with other tiles adjacent thereto to form the modular floor covering. The tile also includes a bottom side, opposite the top surface, having a support grid including an array of downward extending polymeric post structures, at least some of the post structures including at least one resilient end portion configured to be positioned against the floor to facilitate controlled deflection of the post structures. The post structures may comprise primary and secondary post structures, with the secondary post structures limiting the deflection of the primary post structures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Assignee: Connor Sport Court International, LLC
    Inventors: Mark L. Jenkins, Jeremiah Shapiro, Cheryl Forster, Vaughn W. North, David L. Stott