Abstract: A belt and belt connector is provided for forming a continuous belt loop. The belt connector includes a first element insertable into a first end of the belt and a second element insertable into a second end of the belt. The first element may include exterior threads for positively engaging the interior of the belt. Additionally, the belt connector may include a connecting link that connects the first and second elements so that the first and second elements are pivotable relative to one another. Additionally, the connecting link may be configured to that the first element is pivotable relative to the connecting link about a first pivot axis and the connecting link may be pivotable relative to the second element about a second pivot axis that is transverse the first pivot axis.

Abstract: A device is configured to store information indicating a threshold bandwidth with which a multi-lane link is permitted to operate. The device may establish the multi-lane link with a peer device. The multi-lane link may include multiple lanes used to communicate data with the peer device. The device may determine fault states for the lanes included in the multi-lane link. A fault state, for a particular lane, may indicate that the particular lane is faulty. The device may determine an available bandwidth for the multi-lane link based on the fault states for the lanes. The device may selectively terminate the multi-lane link or operate the multi-lane link at the available bandwidth based on whether the available bandwidth satisfies the threshold bandwidth.

Abstract: A belt and belt connector is provided for forming a continuous belt loop. The belt connector includes a first element insertable into a first end of the belt and a second element insertable into a second end of the belt. The first element may include exterior threads for positively engaging the interior of the belt. Additionally, the belt connector may include a connecting link that connects the first and second elements so that the first and second elements are pivotable relative to one another. Additionally, the connecting link may be configured to that the first element is pivotable relative to the connecting link about a first pivot axis and the connecting link may be pivotable relative to the second element about a second pivot axis that is transverse the first pivot axis.

Abstract: A floating floor system includes a plurality of interlocking floor panels, each including a base layer formed from a first material having a first hardness; a body formed from the base layer and having a top surface and a bottom surface; a first locking edge portion formed from the base layer and including a locking channel defined by a channel floor and first and second channel sidewalls extending upward from the channel floor toward the top surface; a second locking edge portion formed from the base layer and including a locking ridge protruding downward away from an upper surface of the second locking edge portion and defined by a ridge surface and first and second ridge sidewalls; wherein at least one of the sidewalls includes a portion formed from a second material having a second hardness that is less than the first hardness.

Abstract: A floating floor system includes a plurality of floor panels, each of the floor panels comprising a base layer, a wear layer forming an uppermost surface of the floor panel, a first locking edge portion having a first locking profile that includes a first channel having a first channel floor, the first locking edge portion being formed by the wear layer and the base layer, the first locking profile further comprising a first channel bed thickness measured between the uppermost surface and the first channel floor, and wherein the wear layer forms at least 5% of the first channel bed thickness, and a second locking edge portion having a second locking profile that includes a second vertical ridge, the second locking edge portion located opposite the first locking edge portion.

Abstract: The invention is directed to dimensionally stable flooring panels that have mechanical locking profiles. The flooring panels having at least two layers that include a wear layer and a substrate layer, wherein the wear layer forms a part of the mechanical locking profiles.

Abstract: A sound-absorbing floating floor system includes a plurality of interlocking floor panels. Each floor panel includes a main body, a first locking edge portion defining a first locking tab and channel, and a second locking edge portion defining a second locking tab and channel. The first locking tab comprises a terminal cap portion. The first locking edge portion may comprise upper and lower rigid core layers and a resilient layer interspersed therebetween. The resilient layer extends through the first locking edge portion to isolate the cap portion of the first locking tab from the lower rigid core layer. In some embodiments, the main body includes the resilient layer which extends into the first locking edge portion. The second locking edge portion may also include the resilient layer. A plurality of floor panels may be assembled and interlocked via the locking tabs and channels to form a floating floor system.

Abstract: A floating floor system and a floor panel and method for use with the same that includes an improved mechanical interlock system. The mechanical interlock system allows laterally adjacent floor panels that are mechanically interlocked to slide relative to one another a predetermined distance in a longitudinal direction, while prohibiting relative translation in the vertical and transverse directions. In one embodiment, the predetermined distance eliminates the need for precision cuts during installation, thereby making installation fast and easy. In a further embodiment, the invention optimizes the floor panels (and floating floor system.) to balance ease of installation and horizontal locking strength between laterally adjacent floor panels.

Abstract: A floating floor system and a floor panel and method for use with the same that includes a snap-fit locking assembly that provides vertical locking between adjacent floor panels to minimize and/or prevent ledging therebetween. In one embodiment, a protuberance and a recess are also provide on the floor panels to provide horizontal locking. The snap-fit locking assembly comprises: a locking member protruding from a first flange and comprising an undercut surface; and a locking slot formed in a second flange. The snap-fit locking assembly is configured so that when the locking member of a first one of the panels is disposed within the locking slot of a second one of the panels, the first and second panels are vertically locked together via mechanical interaction between the undercut surface of the locking member of the first panel and a locking surface of the second flange of the second panel.

Abstract: A device is configured to store information indicating a threshold bandwidth with which a multi-lane link is permitted to operate. The device may establish the multi-lane link with a peer device. The multi-lane link may include multiple lanes used to communicate data with the peer device. The device may determine fault states for the lanes included in the multi-lane link. A fault state, for a particular lane, may indicate that the particular lane is faulty. The device may determine an available bandwidth for the multi-lane link based on the fault states for the lanes. The device may selectively terminate the multi-lane link or operate the multi-lane link at the available bandwidth based on whether the available bandwidth satisfies the threshold bandwidth.

Abstract: A device is configured to store information indicating a threshold bandwidth with which a multi-lane link is permitted to operate. The device may establish the multi-lane link with a peer device. The multi-lane link may include multiple lanes used to communicate data with the peer device. The device may determine fault states for the lanes included in the multi-lane link. A fault state, for a particular lane, may indicate that the particular lane is faulty. The device may determine an available bandwidth for the multi-lane link based on the fault states for the lanes. The device may selectively terminate the multi-lane link or operate the multi-lane link at the available bandwidth based on whether the available bandwidth satisfies the threshold bandwidth.

Abstract: Described herein are flooring systems comprising: a first floor panel and a second floor panel, each of the first and second floor panels comprising: a top surface, a bottom surface, and a plurality of peripheral edges extending between the top and bottom surfaces; and a coupling surface formed on one peripheral edge; the coupling surfaces of the first and second floor panels being disposed proximate to each other forming a joint; and a thermally activated solid adhesive interspersed between the coupling surfaces of the first and second floor panel. Methods of installing these systems are also described.

Abstract: A floating floor system includes a plurality of interlocking floor panels, each including a base layer formed from a first material having a first hardness; a body formed from the base layer and having a top surface and a bottom surface; a first locking edge portion formed from the base layer and including a locking channel defined by a channel floor and first and second channel sidewalls extending upward from the channel floor toward the top surface; a second locking edge portion formed from the base layer and including a locking ridge protruding downward away from an upper surface of the second locking edge portion and defined by a ridge surface and first and second ridge sidewalls; wherein at least one of the sidewalls includes a portion formed from a second material having a second hardness that is less than the first hardness.

Abstract: A sound-absorbing floating floor system includes a plurality of interlocking floor panels. Each floor panel includes a main body, a first locking edge portion defining a first locking tab and channel, and a second locking edge portion defining a second locking tab and channel. The first locking tab comprises a terminal cap portion. The first locking edge portion may comprise upper and lower rigid core layers and a resilient layer interspersed therebetween. The resilient layer extends through the first locking edge portion to isolate the cap portion of the first locking tab from the lower rigid core layer. In some embodiments, the main body includes the resilient layer which extends into the first locking edge portion. The second locking edge portion may also include the resilient layer. A plurality of floor panels may be assembled and interlocked via the locking tabs and channels to form a floating floor system.

Abstract: Described herein are flooring systems comprising: a first floor panel and a second floor panel, each of the first and second floor panels comprising: a top surface, a bottom surface, and a plurality of peripheral edges extending between the top and bottom surfaces; and a coupling surface formed on one peripheral edge; the coupling surfaces of the first and second floor panels being disposed proximate to each other forming a joint; and a thermally activated solid adhesive interspersed between the coupling surfaces of the first and second floor panel. Methods of installing these systems are also described.

Abstract: A floating floor system and a floor panel and method for use with the same that includes a snap-fit locking assembly that provides vertical locking between adjacent floor panels to minimize and/or prevent ledging therebetween. In one embodiment, a protuberance and a recess are also provide on the floor panels to provide horizontal locking. The snap-fit locking assembly comprises: a locking member protruding from a first flange and comprising an undercut surface; and a locking slot formed in a second flange. The snap-fit locking assembly is configured so that when the locking member of a first one of the panels is disposed within the locking slot of a second one of the panels, the first and second panels are vertically locked together via mechanical interaction between the undercut surface of the locking member of the first panel and a locking surface of the second flange of the second panel.

Abstract: A floating floor system includes a plurality of floor panels, each of the floor panels comprising a base layer, a wear layer forming an uppermost surface of the floor panel, a first locking edge portion having a first locking profile that includes a first channel having a first channel floor, the first locking edge portion being formed by the wear layer and the base layer, the first locking profile further comprising a first channel bed thickness measured between the uppermost surface and the first channel floor, and wherein the wear layer forms at least 5% of the first channel bed thickness, and a second locking edge portion having a second locking profile that includes a second vertical ridge, the second locking edge portion located opposite the first locking edge portion.

Abstract: Described herein is a flooring member comprising: a panel body and a sound-deadening composition applied to a vertical portion of at least one of a first or a second profiled edge of the panel body, the sound-deadening composition including: a first wax having a melting point between about 53° C. and about 56° C. and a second wax having a melting point between about 67° C. and about 71° C.

Abstract: Described herein are hybrid wood products comprising: a first layer comprising a first thermally compressed cellulosic substrate; a second layer comprising a fiberboard, a wood-plastic composite, or a vinyl composite; and a locking profile.

Abstract: A process for the densification of a cellulosic substrate, the process comprising: providing an apparatus comprising: a top calendar roll; a bottom calendar roll; and an in-feed conveyor; wherein the distance between the top calendar roll and the bottom calendar roll defines a separation gap; providing a cellulosic substrate having a thickness greater than the separation gap; and feeding the cellulosic substrate through the separation gap between the top calendar roll and the bottom calendar roll.