Abstract: A method of making a floor panel includes the steps of: providing an adhesive on a release member; laminating or marrying the release member to a bottom layer such that the adhesive is between the release member and the bottom layer; removing a portion of the release member to expose an area of the adhesive; and adhering a top layer to the area such that the top layer is offset with respect to the bottom layer in a direction of length and width and a marginal end portion of a top surface of the bottom layer and a marginal end portion of the bottom surface of the top layer is exposed.

Abstract: A method of making a floor panel includes the steps of: providing an adhesive on a release member; laminating or marrying the release member to a bottom layer such that the adhesive is between the release member and the bottom layer; removing a portion of the release member to expose an area of the adhesive; and adhering a top layer to the area such that the top layer is offset with respect to the bottom layer in a direction of length and width and a marginal end portion of a top surface of the bottom layer and a marginal end portion of the bottom surface of the top layer is exposed.

Abstract: A packaging system and a method of packaging a plurality of floor panels in a box includes floor panels having a top layer and a bottom layer. The top layer has a top surface with a visible decorative pattern and a bottom surface adhered to a top surface of the bottom layer such that the bottom layer is offset from the top layer in a direction of length and width and a marginal end portion of the top surface of the bottom layer and a marginal end portion of the bottom surface of the top layer is exposed. At least one of the marginal end portions has an adhesive. The floor panels are stacked in the box in pairs. Each of the pairs is stacked such that the top surfaces of the top layers of each of the pairs of the floor panels are facing each other.

Abstract: An installation tool for installing floor tiles includes a base and an arm. The base and the arm each have opposing top and bottom surfaces and opposing sides. The sides of the base extend substantially perpendicular to the sides of the arm. At least one spacer is provided on at least one of the sides of the base and at least one spacer is provided on at least one of the sides of the arm. Each of the spacers has an alignment member extending substantially perpendicular to the top and bottom surfaces of the base and the arm. Each of the alignment members has a thickness equal to a desired spacing between adjacent floor tiles.

Abstract: A method of making a floor panel includes the steps of: providing an adhesive on a release member; laminating or marrying the release member to a bottom layer such that the adhesive is between the release member and the bottom layer; removing a portion of the release member to expose an area of the adhesive; and adhering a top layer to the area such that the top layer is offset with respect to the bottom layer in a direction of length and width and a marginal end portion of a top surface of the bottom layer and a marginal end portion of the bottom surface of the top layer is exposed.

Abstract: A packaging system and a method of packaging a plurality of floor panels in a box includes floor panels having a top layer and a bottom layer. The top layer has a top surface with a visible decorative pattern and a bottom surface adhered to a top surface of the bottom layer such that the bottom layer is offset from the top layer in a direction of length and width and a marginal end portion of the top surface of the bottom layer and a marginal end portion of the bottom surface of the top layer is exposed. At least one of the marginal end portions has an adhesive. The floor panels are stacked in the box in pairs. Each of the pairs is stacked such that the top surfaces of the top layers of each of the pairs of the floor panels are facing each other.

Abstract: The invention provides press brake technology. In more detail, the invention involves a press brake tool holder having a thermally-responsive actuator. In certain embodiments, the actuator comprises a thermally-expandable polymer and/or a shape-memory alloy.

Abstract: The invention provides press brake and press brake tooling technology. Certain embodiments of the invention provide a press brake tool that has an elongated, retractable safety key. In certain embodiments, the invention provides click-in/slide-out press brake tools. In some of these embodiments, the tool has a safety key defining a flat (i.e., a planar wall section/planar surface) that is adapted for sliding along a surface of a tool holder when the tool is dismounted from the holder by moving the tool horizontally out of the holder. In certain embodiments, the flat has a longitudinal length of at least about 0.008 inch (in some cases, at least about 0.010 inch, at least about 0.015 inch, or at least about 0.020 inch), ranging up to the full longitudinal length of the tool. In certain embodiments, the invention provides a press brake tool and a tool holder in combination. Finally, the invention in some embodiments provides methods of press brake operation.

Abstract: A press brake tool that is adapted to be mounted in a tool holder. The tool has a lockable safety key that is moveable between an extended position and a retracted position. The press brake tool has a lock that is operatively coupled to the safety key and is movable between a locked position wherein the safety key is locked in the extended position and an unlocked position wherein the safety key is permitted to move between the extended position and the retracted position. Also provided is a press brake tool having a particularly advantageous, longitudinally-elongated safety key.

Abstract: An American style press brake tool and tool holder having a safety key. The holder has a body with walls defining a downwardly open, tool receiving recess having a top, a downwardly facing force-delivering shoulder adjacent the bottom of said recess, and a shelf within said recess having an upwardly facing surface spaced upwardly from said force-delivering shoulder. The tool comprises a body having a lower work-engaging surface, an upwardly facing force-receiving shoulder engageable with the shoulder of the tool holder, and an upwardly extending tang receivable in said recess, the upper end of the tang being spaced from the top of the recess. A manually operable actuator is spaced below said force-receiving shoulder, and a safety key is coupled to the actuator for movement horizontally into and out of alignment with the shelf between locked and unlocked positions, respectively.

Abstract: Press brake tool holders suitable for releasing and securing press brake tools in response to applied fluid pressure. One press brake tool holder includes a horizontally elongated body having a cam shaft bore disposed longitudinally therethrough, and receiving a slidably and sealingly mounted cam shaft therein. The cam shaft can have at least one axial camming surface, having a large outer diameter region axially tapered to a small outer diameter region, and in contact with a cam follower pin slidably disposed in a cam follower pin bore transversely disposed through the body. The cam follower pin can bear against a pivotally mounted clamp disposed about the body. In response to applied fluid pressure, the camming surface can slide axially, thereby increasing the effective outer diameter as seen by the cam follower pin, thereby urging the cam follower pin outward and against the upper portion of the pivotally mounted clamp, and closing the lower clamp portion about a press brake tool.

Abstract: A tool holder apparatus for a press brake is provided. The apparatus comprises a support plate having a first receiving surface. A pivotable clamp has an engagement portion that is moveable toward the first receiving surface of the support plate by pivoting the clamp. The engagement portion has therein formed a bore in which a lifting shaft is rotatably received. The engagement portion defines an opening communicating with the bore. The shaft has therein formed a notch that is adapted to be engaged through the opening by an exterior corner of a forming tool.

Abstract: Press brake tool holders suitable for releasing and securing press brake tools in response to applied fluid pressure. One press brake tool holder includes a horizontally elongated body having a cam shaft bore disposed longitudinally therethrough, and receiving a slidably and sealingly mounted cam shaft therein. The cam shaft can have at least one axial camming surface, having a large outer diameter region axially tapered to a small outer diameter region, and in contact with a cam follower pin slidably disposed in a cam follower pin bore transversely disposed through the body. The cam follower pin can bear against a pivotally mounted clamp disposed about the body. In response to applied fluid pressure, the camming surface can slide axially, thereby increasing the effective outer diameter as seen by the cam follower pin, thereby urging the cam follower pin outward and against the upper portion of the pivotally mounted clamp, and closing the lower clamp portion about a press brake tool.

Abstract: An American style press brake tool and tool holder having a safety key. The holder has a body with walls defining a downwardly open, tool receiving recess having a top, a downwardly facing force-delivering shoulder adjacent the bottom of said recess, and a shelf within said recess having an upwardly facing surface spaced upwardly from said force-delivering shoulder. The tool comprises a body having a lower work-engaging surface, an upwardly facing force-receiving shoulder engageable with the shoulder of the tool holder, and an upwardly extending tang receivable in said recess, the upper end of the tang being spaced from the top of the recess. A manually operable actuator is spaced below said force-receiving shoulder, and a safety key is coupled to the actuator for movement horizontally into and out of alignment with the shelf between locked and unlocked positions, respectively.

Abstract: Press brake tool holders suitable for releasing and securing press brake tools in response to applied fluid pressure. One press brake tool holder includes a horizontally elongated body having a cam shaft bore disposed longitudinally therethrough, and receiving a slidably and sealingly mounted cam shaft therein. The cam shaft can have at least one axial camming surface, having a large outer diameter region axially tapered to a small outer diameter region, and in contact with a cam follower pin slidably disposed in a cam follower pin bore transversely disposed through the body. The cam follower pin can bear against a pivotally mounted clamp disposed about the body. In response to applied fluid pressure, the camming surface can slide axially, thereby increasing the effective outer diameter as seen by the cam follower pin, thereby urging the cam follower pin outward and against the upper portion of the pivotally mounted clamp, and closing the lower clamp portion about a press brake tool.

Abstract: A tool holder apparatus for a press brake is provided. The apparatus comprises a support plate having a first receiving surface. A pivotable clamp has an engagement portion that is moveable toward the first receiving surface of the support plate by pivoting the clamp. The engagement portion has therein formed a bore in which a lifting shaft is rotatably received. The engagement portion defines an opening communicating with the bore. The shaft has therein formed a notch that is adapted to be engaged through the opening by an exterior corner of a forming tool.

Abstract: An American style press brake tool and tool holder having a safety key. The holder has a body with walls defining a downwardly open, tool receiving recess having a top, a downwardly facing force-delivering shoulder adjacent the bottom of said recess, and a shelf within said recess having an upwardly facing surface spaced upwardly from said force-delivering shoulder. The tool comprises a body having a lower work-engaging surface, an upwardly facing force-receiving shoulder engageable with the shoulder of the tool holder, and an upwardly extending tang receivable in said recess, the upper end of the tang being spaced from the top of the recess. A manually operable actuator is spaced below said force-receiving shoulder, and a safety key is coupled to the actuator for movement horizontally into and out of alignment with the shelf between locked and unlocked positions, respectively.