Abstract: A fastening system for attaching an expandable building panel or surface covering system to a substrate is provided. The fastening system includes at least one slip clip which, when utilized, allows for longitudinal movement of the building panel, while substantially preventing transverse movement. Typically, a spring clip will be used in combination with the slip clip to apply pressure to the panel, thereby allowing expansion and contraction of the panel in a longitudinal direction while eliminating gaps between the adjacent end-to-end panels. A method of installing building panels using the described fastening system is also provided.

Abstract: An indirect fluorescent lighting fixture arrangement for a suspended grid ceiling that includes elements that combine with the ceiling grid to form a fixture. A panel frame element engages the grid from below and simultaneously acts as part of the ceiling and part of the fixture.

Abstract: A composite board that can be fastened by fastening means which goes through the board from one face to the op site face, said composite board providing a retraction resistance of at least 15 pounds. The board comprises a polymer sheet having two opposed faces wherein each face has a lightweight sheet material attached to it, wherein the polymer sheet can be punctured and penetrated by fastening means and the polymer sheet is deflected snugly around the fastening means where the sheet is punctured so that the sheet provides resistance to removing the fastening means. The polymer sheet may comprise polyamide, polystyrene, polyvinyl chloride, polyester, or acrylic, and has a preselected thickness in the range of 30 to 50 mils.

Abstract: A suspended ceiling system has a plurality of ceiling panels and a plurality of clips holding the ceiling panels to the ceiling runners. Each ceiling panel has two opposed surfaces and four sides with at least two sides having an extended edge each of which are substantially perpendicular to one of the opposed surfaces. Each extended edge has at least one protruding lip.The upper portion of each clip has a flange to attach the clip to a ceiling surface by suitable means which goes through the flange and penetrates the ceiling. The lower portion of each clip has two opposed, protruding members which are substantially perpendicular to the ceiling surface when the clip is attached to the ceiling. At least one of the protruding members has a groove shaped to receive the protruding lip of the ceiling panel.

Abstract: The furring tape is a nominal 1" to 2" wide by 0.005" to 0.100" thick strip of plastic tape with a peel and stick adhesive on one face of the strip. The strip is adhered to drywall to grip staples used to secure ceiling tiles to the drywall.

Abstract: A suspended ceiling system has a plurality of ceiling panels, ceiling runners, and a plurality of clips holding the ceiling panels to the ceiling runners. Each ceiling panel has two opposed surfaces and four sides with at least two sides having an extended edge each of which are substantially perpendicular to one of the opposed surfaces. Each extended edge has a protruding lip. The length of the protruding lip is limited so that the protruding lip does not extend for the entire length of the extended edge.

Abstract: A surface covering product is disclosed which comprises a substrate material, an impervious coating upon said material with a decorative design as part of the impervious coating, and, raised transparent or slightly translucent elements printed upon said coating. The raised elements are formed as convex-shaped lens elements and comprise a thixotropic plastic containing particles of solid material.

Abstract: A surface covering product is disclosed which comprises a substrate material, a granular material layer and discrete elements pressed into the granular material. The granular material appears as colored particles of material in the area around the discrete elements and are partially visable through the discrete elements because of their positioning below the discrete elements.

Abstract: A stress-free embossed, ornamented surface covering, suitable for use as a floor or wall tile, is made by: providing a decorated resinous film on a release carrier, with the decorated surface of the film facing away from the carrier; providing on a release carrier a pre-formed, low-density, reinforced, porous thermoplastic base material, which may include hollow, non-thermoplastic particles; interfacing the decorated surface of the film with the top surface of the base material; perforating the film, after removal of the release carriers; and, subjecting the structure to high frequency electrical energy and pressure in a flatbed press having a cooled embossing plate and a cooled back-up plate, to emboss the structure, fuse the resins and render the film substantially impermeable.

Abstract: A mixture of vinyl plastisol, suspension grade resin and expanded perlite is prepared in a manner such that the particles of perlite are not significantly damaged. The mixture is placed on a substrate and fused, thereby producing a foam-like material which is usable as a decorative covering. Alternatively, the mixture can be cast on a release surface and allowed to stand until the majority of the perlite particles have migrated to the top surface, thus leaving a layer of material containing substantially no perlite along the lower surface which interfaces with the release surface. Upon fusing this stratified mixture and separating the release surface, the fused material is inverted. The layer of material which contains substantially no perlite becomes the protective surface and the remaining portion of the fused material, which is foam-like in nature, becomes the resilient support. Such syntactic foams may be used as replacements or substitutes for mechanically frothed or chemically blown foams.