CROSS-CUT BLUE BLOCK FLOORING

Abstract

A wood flooring made from beetle-kill pine trees comprising: a plurality of cross cut wood planks, where said wood portions are cut from beetle-kill pine trees, where said wood planks are arranged over a floor surface. The plurality of cross cut wood planks may include a set of horizontal planks; and a set of vertical planks wherein a plurality of sets of horizontal planks and a plurality of sets of vertical planks are arranged in an alternating fashion to completely cover a floor. The plurality of cross cut wood planks creates a uniquely blue colored floor surface due to beetle kill pine tree.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO OTHER APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/364,884 filed on Jul. 16, 2010.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to flooring used in a home or building wherein a beetle-kill pine tree is cut on a cross-section to create a plurality of planks and then arranged to cover an entire floor.

2. Description of Related Art

The mountain pine beetle is a pest infesting many of the forests along the Rocky Mountains, especially problematic in Colorado. The mountain pine beetle kills pine trees by burrowing through the bark, laying eggs and leaving a trail of blue fungi normally found on the surface of the beetle's exoskeleton. The blue fungus blocks the tree resin from forming, which is the tree's natural defense to fighting against the beetles. As a result, the pine trees are depleted of nutrients and eventually die, leaving behind acres of blue stained dead trees.

Local authorities and residents are trying to figure out how to clear all of the dead trees because they pose an extreme fire hazard to the surrounding forest. But rather than dump the trees some businesses are trying to develop creative ways to use the blue-stained trees as a resource rather than a waste. A few manufacturers are trying to use the dead pine trees as lumber for buildings and homes. A unique aspect of the lumber is that the wood remains blue. This may be desirable to the more modern home buyers or seen as problematic for the more conservative buyer not interested in purchasing a blue home. Other businesses are creating furniture and flooring from the beetle-kill pine trees, because the smaller wood pieces may have wider appeal.

Typically, wood flooring is comprised of a series of vertically cut wood pieces, arranged on a floor to create a thin, smooth layer of slats. The arrangement of the slats or planks may be a simple layout of long rows, a more intricate pattern of alternating slats or even cut wood with detailed shapes. Traditionally, the vertically cut wood flooring is more susceptible to damage and needs to be refinished and replaced over time.

It would be desirable in the art to utilize the unique qualities of the beetle kill pine to create an alternative flooring option for modern consumers. It would be beneficial in the art to provide a flooring that is not only aesthetically pleasing but also durable and long-lasting.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a wood flooring made from beetle-kill pine trees comprising: a plurality of cross cut wood planks, where said wood portions are cut from beetle-kill pine trees, where said wood planks are arranged over a floor surface. The plurality of cross cut wood planks may include a set of horizontal planks; and a set of vertical planks wherein a plurality of sets of horizontal planks and a plurality of sets of vertical planks are arranged in an alternating fashion to completely cover a floor. The plurality of cross cut wood planks creates a uniquely blue colored floor surface due to beetle kill pine tree. The present invention further relates to a method of creating a wood floor from beetle kill pine trees comprising the steps of: cutting across the grain of a beetle kill pine tree; creating rectangular planks with the cut wood; and arranging the rectangular planks in a desired configuration onto a surface.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The advantages and features of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following detailed description and claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein like elements are identified with like symbols, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a top view of a cross-cut plank in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a top view of a section of cross-cut blue block flooring in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a section of cross-cut blue block flooring in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the description of several views of the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention relates to a flooring comprised of cross-cut planks of beetle-kill pine. The planks are manufactured by cutting across the grain of the wood, and then shaping the cut wood into rectangular blocks. The planks are then arranged in a variety of patterns to cover a floor in a house, office, building or multiple other locations where wood flooring may be desired. Since the planks are cross-cut, the flooring may withstand more daily wear and tear than traditional vertically cut floors, thus increasing the lifespan of the flooring. Finally, by using the beetle-kill pine the flooring has a natural blue color not found in any other wood floors.

Turning now to the drawings, referring to FIG. 1, a top view of a cross-cut plank (10) is shown in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The cross-cut plank (10) comprises a width or short side (12), and a length or long side (14). A plurality of cross-cut planks may be arranged next to each other to create a flooring for the inside of a house, office or building.

Referring to FIG. 2, a top view of a section of cross-cut blue block flooring (100) is shown in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The section of cross-cut blue block flooring (100) may be arranged in a plurality of designs and patterns. Shown in FIG. 1 is an alternating pattern wherein a set of horizontal planks (102a and 102b) alternates with a set of vertical planks (104a and 104b). The short sides of the set of horizontal planks (102a and 102b) may line up against the long sides of the set of vertical planks Accordingly, the short sides of the set of vertical planks (104a and 104b) may line up against the long side of a set of horizontal planks (102a and 102b). The set of horizontal planks (102a and 102b) and the set of vertical planks (104a and 104b) may alternate to cover an entire floor.

Referring to FIG. 3, a perspective view of a section of cross-cut blue block flooring (100) is shown in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The set of horizontal planks (102a and 102b) and the set of vertical planks are shown in the alternating pattern. The planks may have a thickness (106) of ¾ inch. The thickness (106) may be higher or lower depending on the type of building of where the floor will be and how much use the floor will endure. A floor with a greater thickness may be used in a location which receives a high volume of foot traffic, whereas a floor with a lesser thickness may be used in areas with a less foot traffic or in more decorative locations. For example, in an entrance hallway of a home the thickness (106) of the planks may be ¾ inches or greater, but in a dining room which does not get used often the thickness may be ¾ inch or less.

By cutting the beetle-kill pine across the grain of the wood, rather than with the grain, the cross-cut blue block flooring enables the wood to withstand heavy use and pressure. The cross-cut blue block flooring may not warp, bend, splinter or crack as easily as vertically-cut flooring. Also, using the beetle-kill pine gives the cross-cut blue block flooring a unique blue color desirable as a modern alternative to most flooring colors on the market today. The unique blue color may also be desirable on a wall wherein the cross-cut blue block flooring may be used as a wall paneling as well.

The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed, and obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The exemplary embodiment was chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical application, to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.

Claims

1. A wood flooring made from beetle-kill pine trees comprising:

a. a plurality of cross cut wood planks, where said wood portions are cut from beetle-kill pine trees, where said wood planks are arranged over a floor surface.

2. The wood flooring according to claim 1, where said plurality of cross cut wood planks includes a set of horizontal planks; and a set of vertical planks wherein a plurality of sets of horizontal planks and a plurality of sets of vertical planks are arranged in an alternating fashion to completely cover a floor.

3. The wood flooring according to claim 1, where said plurality of cross cut wood planks creates a blue colored floor surface.

4. A method of creating a wood floor from beetle kill pine trees comprising the steps of:

a. cutting across the grain of a beetle kill pine tree;

b. creating rectangular planks with the cut wood; and

c. arranging the rectangular planks in a desired configuration onto a surface.

5. The method according to claim 4, where said step of arranging includes:

a. creating a set of horizontal planks;

b. abuting a set of vertical planks next to the set of horizontal planks; and

c. continuing an alternating arrangement of the horizontal planks and vertical planks to cover the surface.