Patents by Inventor Evan J. Stover

Evan J. Stover has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 10006211
    Abstract: A flooring system includes a plurality of individual flooring pieces, such as floor panels, each having a wear surface, an opposing mounting surface and a retention groove disposed within the mounting surface. A floor panel connector used to interconnect at least two of the floor panels has a base, at least one mast extending from an upper surface of the base and a pair of flexible arms. Each flexible arm extends transversely from opposing sides of the at least one mast and has an extending end. Contacting portions extending from a lower surface of the base are configured to engage the support surface and create a spacing between each flexible arm and the support surface to permit each flexible arm to elastically deflect toward the support surface when pressure is exerted on a floor panel. This deflection enables the extending end of each flexible arm to engage the retention groove of a corresponding floor panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2018
    Inventors: Evan J. Stover, Lee R. Stover
  • Publication number: 20160356048
    Abstract: A flooring system includes a plurality of individual flooring pieces, such as floor panels, each having a wear surface, an opposing mounting surface and a retention groove disposed within the mounting surface. A floor panel connector used to interconnect at least two of the floor panels has a base, at least one mast extending from an upper surface of the base and a pair of flexible arms. Each flexible arm extends transversely from opposing sides of the at least one mast and has an extending end. Contacting portions extending from a lower surface of the base are configured to engage the support surface and create a spacing between each flexible arm and the support surface to permit each flexible arm to elastically deflect toward the support surface when pressure is exerted on a floor panel. This deflection enables the extending end of each flexible arm to engage the retention groove of a corresponding floor panel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 16, 2016
    Publication date: December 8, 2016
    Inventors: Evan J. Stover, Lee R. Stover
  • Patent number: 9441379
    Abstract: A flooring system includes a plurality of individual flooring pieces, such as floor panels, each having a wear surface, an opposing mounting surface and a retention groove disposed within the mounting surface. A floor panel connector used to interconnect at least two of the floor panels has a base, at least one mast extending from an upper surface of the base and a pair of flexible arms. Each flexible arm extends transversely from opposing sides of the at least one mast and has an extending end. Contacting portions extending from a lower surface of the base are configured to engage the support surface and create a spacing between each flexible arm and the support surface to permit each flexible arm to elastically deflect toward the support surface when pressure is exerted on a floor panel. This deflection enables the extending end of each flexible arm to engage the retention groove of a corresponding floor panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Inventors: Evan J. Stover, Lee R. Stover
  • Publication number: 20160060880
    Abstract: A flooring system includes a plurality of individual flooring pieces, such as floor panels, each having a wear surface, an opposing mounting surface and a retention groove disposed within the mounting surface. A floor panel connector used to interconnect at least two of the floor panels has a base, at least one mast extending from an upper surface of the base and a pair of flexible arms. Each flexible arm extends transversely from opposing sides of the at least one mast and has an extending end. Contacting portions extending from a lower surface of the base are configured to engage the support surface and create a spacing between each flexible arm and the support surface to permit each flexible arm to elastically deflect toward the support surface when pressure is exerted on a floor panel. This deflection enables the extending end of each flexible arm to engage the retention groove of a corresponding floor panel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 20, 2015
    Publication date: March 3, 2016
    Inventors: Evan J. Stover, Lee R. Stover