Abstract: A radiation curable and abrasion resistant coating composition is provided comprising: (a) 70% to 98% by weight of an urethane-acrylate oligomer; (b) 2% to 30% of fine particles of a filler capable of imparting abrasion resistance having an average particle size in the range of 1-20 microns; (c) optionally a reactive diluent; and (d) optionally an synthetic resin. The coatings when applied to wood floorings impart superior abrasion resistance.

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.

Abstract: A stable condition for surfaces, comprising a stable emulsion containing at least about 25% linseed oil and no more than about 75% water, the percentages being based on the total weight of the conditioner. The conditioner includes a water soluble emulsifier in an amount sufficient to emulsify all of the linseed oil in the water.

Abstract: A floor including a plurality of tiles inter engaging each other by tongue and groove engagement. The tiles include a cement base portion cut to a desired size for a floor tile and being coated with a waterproof coating to substantially maintain the moisture content of the cement at a constant level. The tile also includes a veneer layer on top of the base portion having a combination of wood and vinyl to provide a thin layer having the appearance of wood and a vinyl surface facing up from the layer. In a preferred embodiment the cement base portion includes a pair of parallel sides having tongue and groove cuts along opposite parallel sides to provide interlocking engagement with an adjacent tile. The underside of the groove is angled at an angle sufficient to provide a relief space at the engagement of a groove in an adjacent tile.

Abstract: A floor covering assembly, comprising:a metallic subflooring covering a defined area of flooring, said subflooring being included in a larger area of flooring having a first pattern thereon; anda plurality of groups of tiles for covering said defined area, each group having a different particular pattern, said tiles comprising a laminated structure having a periphery and formed from a bottom layer having a face for contacting with said subflooring and magnetic means for covering the entire face of said bottom layer securing said tile to said subfloor, said bottom layer formed from an elastomeric material having magnetic particles embedded therein, a middle layer bonded to said bottom layer and having support means for providing structural integrity to said tile and for locating said particular pattern, and a top layer bonded to said middle layer and having a surface for accommodating pedestrian traffic, each of said group of tiles having different particular patterns to permit different patterns to be display

Abstract: A wear-resistant wood product such as a wood flooring material having a white or bleached appearance which is obtained by impregnating wood with a solution of a polymeric resin whitening agent in a polymerizable monomer such as methylmethacrylate and, after uniform distribution of the monomer solution throughout the wood is obtained, the monomer is polymerized and the whitening agent precipitated in situ in the polymer matrix as a material having a refractive index sufficiently different from the refractive index of said matrix to impart a bleached or white appearance to said product.

Abstract: Thin, strong, composite masonry-plastic articles having an earthen body impregnated with an in situ polymerized plastic and a drying oil or semi-drying oil; a mastic for forming a stain resistant grout comprising about 70% to 80% sand and about 20% to 30% of a plastic binder; stain-resistant wall and floor structures comprising said composite articles and grout; and a method for installing such wall and floor structures are described.

Abstract: Thin, strong, composite masonry-plastic articles having an earthen body impregnated with an in situ polymerized plastic and a drying oil or semi-drying oil; a mastic for forming a stain resistant grout comprising about 70% to 80% sand and about 20% to 30% of a plastic binder; stain-resistant wall and floor structures comprising said composite articles and grout; and a method for installing such wall and floor structures are described.

Abstract: Improved moisture-resistant fire-retardant decorative floor and wall covering laminates and a method for making the same are described, having an asbestos backing, an intermediate layer of wood veneer and a face wear-resistant layer of vinyl, through which the decorative wood veneer may be seen. The vinyl wear resistant layer is usually clear and colorless. An optional colored vinyl layer may be laminated between the wood veneer and asbestos layer. The asbestos backing resists moisture penetration and transmits the moisture laterally to the edges of the laminate where it escapes. The asbestos and the vinyl face protect the wood veneer from fire, thus providing a highly fire-retardant and moisture-resistant, but decorative floor and wall covering.

Abstract: Changes in temperature and humidity over a long period of time lead to propensities for breaking the adhesive bond between adjacent tiles when the tiles are adhered together only at underfitting-overhanding boundary zones. Propensities for such malfunctioning are minimized by providing two sizes of tiles and laying the rectangular tiles so that in both rectangular directions, the adhesive paths across the floor area are not straight lines, but have offsets and staggers so that there is no straight line of adhesion longer than the length of one and one-half large tiles.