Abstract: Disclosed are adhesive systems and methods of making and using such systems. Exemplary adhesive systems include protrusions and/or grooves that can interleave to form a reversible adhesive interaction.

Abstract: A touch fastener strip includes a sheet-form material substrate having a front face, an array of fastener elements integrally molded with a resin base layer on the front face of the substrate and an array of discrete regions of resin (e.g., gripping elements) integrally molded with a resin base layer through apertures in the sheet-form material on the back face of the substrate. The array of fastener elements forms a discrete band of fastener elements extending longitudinally along the front face of the fastener strip, and the array of gripping elements forms a discrete band of gripping elements extending longitudinally along the back face of the fastener strip.

Abstract: Apparatus, systems and methods for forming a structure that includes a metal and a composite material are disclosed. According to one aspect, a layer stack includes a metal layer with a first surface, the first surface including at least one protruding feature. The layer stack also includes a non-metal layer molded to the first surface of the metal layer, wherein the non-metal layer is molded over and/or around the at least one protruding feature.

Abstract: Impact absorbing padding includes a unitary piece including a polymeric material commingled with a structural element. The polymeric material includes a material having a first temperature-responsive stiffness, and the structural element includes an element fabricated from a shape memory alloy formulated to have a second temperature-responsive stiffness that is converse to the first temperature-responsive stiffness.

Abstract: A mushroom-type hook strap for mechanical fasteners has a series of hooks integrally formed on the strap, with each hook formed by a polygonal shape situated on top of an axis of a single stem, thereby forming a mushroom type hook having a polygonal head portion on the axis of the single stem, with protruding portions in substantially every direction for engaging fabric loops of a loop strap.

Abstract: A closure part, particularly for forming hermaphroditic closures, has at least one carrier band (16) with a web shape and at least one pair of surface regions (17a, 17b) arranged opposite of each other and connectable at least partially along a connecting region (19) to a main body (26) as third component. Individual closure bodies (2) at least in part of the surface regions (17a, 17b) are located outside of the connecting region (19) and adjacent to it. The bodies protrude from the carrier band (16) and form a fixing feature (24) for further closure parts of the same or different kinds.

Abstract: Is hereby provided a method of securing a plastic part to a composite structure, the method comprising providing a composite structure, performing at least one hole in the composite structure, providing a plastic part including a surface and at least one pin extending therefrom, the at least one pin being sized and designed to mate with the at least one hole to create a clamping force capable of temporarily securing the plastic part to the composite structure, applying bonding material between the surface and the composite structure to bond the surface to the composite structure, engaging the at least one pin with the corresponding at least one hole and adding pressure to engage the at least one pin with the corresponding at least one hole and spreading the bonding material between the plastic part and the composite structure, and curing the bonding material to permanently secure the additional part to the composite structure.

Abstract: A steam permeable pad for a steam appliance, such as a steam mop or garment press. The pad includes an outer fabric layer and an internal steam management layer which may include a terry fabric. The pad may further include a laminate of jerry fabric, cushioning knit, and open mesh. An attachment feature allows the pad to be mounted to a head or frame of the steam appliance.

Abstract: A device for bridging a gap may be provided. The device may comprise a piece of material having a rectangular shape and that is of a size to cover at least a portion of a gap between a washer and a dryer, and a pair of magnets attached to the piece of material near opposite ends of the piece of material.

Abstract: A mechanical fastening system having an engaging component and a receiving component. The receiving component has a first bond line, a second bond line, a bond zone, and a plurality of consecutive sweep regions. The second bond line is disposed adjacent to the first bond line such that a portion of the second bond line overlaps a portion of the first bond line. The bond zone circumscribes the first bond line and the second bond line. The plurality of consecutive sweep regions are disposed within the bond zone. At least one sweep region includes a portion of both the first bond line and the second bond line, and the remaining sweep regions include at least a portion of the first or the second bond lines. The receiving component has a bond ratio greater than or equal to about 1 and less than or equal to about 20.

Abstract: The invention relates to a panel including an upper side, an underside, a basic body, complementary locking means, which are provided in pairs on mutually opposite panel edges, and at least one paid of locking means having a receiving hook and an arresting hook. The receiving hook has a hook periphery and a receiving recess. The arresting hook has an arresting recess, an arresting shoulder, a transverse-joint surface and a vertically acting arresting contour. The receiving hook has a transverse-joint surface and a form-fitting contour. The arresting hook also has a horizontal locking surface on its arresting shoulder. The receiving hook also has a horizontal locking surface in the receiving recess.

Abstract: A rub rail system for a vessel including a rigid track extrusion attached to a vessel, a resilient flexible fender extrusion, and a shock absorbing inner core. The inner core is disposed in the fender extrusion and the core is substantially softer than the fender extrusion. The fender extrusion is configured to matingly engage the track extrusion. The fender extrusion has an upper barb engaging an upper receiving cavity of the track extrusion and a lower barb engaging a lower receiving cavity of the track extrusion. The track extrusion has an upper tang engaging an upper recess of the fender extrusion and a lower tang engaging a lower recess of the fender extrusion. The track extrusion also includes an upper lip configured to engage a top portion of the perimeter of the vessel and a lower lip configured to engage a lower portion of the perimeter of the vessel.

Abstract: An assembly includes a top cushion layer made of first EVA material defining a flat top surface formed with a non-skid pattern and a bottom surface opposite to the top surface. Also included is a resilient middle cushion layer made of second EVA material softer than the first EVA material. The middle cushion layer defines a top surface supporting the bottom surface of the top cushion layer and a bottom surface opposite to the top surface of the middle cushion layer. The assembly includes a bottom cushion layer made of EVA material and defining a top surface supporting the bottom surface of the middle cushion layer and a bottom surface opposite to the top surface of the bottom cushion layer. The bottom surface of the bottom cushion layer includes at least one fastener configured to removably engage and disengage a complementarily configured fastener substrate on a deck by hand.

Abstract: A touch fastener strip includes a sheet-form material substrate having a front face, an array of fastener elements integrally molded with a resin base layer on the front face of the substrate and an array of discrete regions of resin (e.g., gripping elements) integrally molded with a resin base layer through apertures in the sheet-form material on the back face of the substrate. The array of fastener elements forms a discrete band of fastener elements extending longitudinally along the front face of the fastener strip, and the array of gripping elements forms a discrete band of gripping elements extending longitudinally along the back face of the fastener strip.

Abstract: Object moulded in thermoplastic material in any shape having an outer surface from which protrudes at least one hook in one piece with the moulded object, in particular a hook field, the moulded object and the hook(s) having been formed by injection moulding, each hook comprising a base part and a head or hooking part protruding from the base part and being delimited by first and second lateral surfaces each extending on the outer surface of the moulded object, being separated from each other by an intermediate surface forming the edge of the hook, the curve sections, defined by the intersections of at least one of the first and/or second lateral surfaces with planes which are in parallel with the base plane from which the hook protrudes and which are at given distances h from this base plane, have a curvature which varies as a function of the distance h, the curvature of the curve section for h=0 (the base plane and said parallel plane merging) being greater than the curvature of at least one curve section f

Abstract: An interlockable floor construction runner provides temporary protection of floor surfaces. The runner utilizes interlockable structures to reduce hazardous bunching, slipping, or other unintended movement of the runner structure. The floor runner structure includes a runner having a first end, a second end, a first layer and a second layer. A first fastener is coupled to the first layer proximate the first end of the runner. A second fastener is coupled to the second layer proximate the second end of the runner. The second fastener is complimentary to the first fastener such that the second fastener is selectively couplable to an adjacently positioned first fastener of a second runner.

Abstract: The invention relates to a hook and loop fastener element having an electrically non-conductive carrier (4), preferably made of a plastic material, defining a gripping surface (6) from which gripping elements (8) extend that can engage with counter-elements for forming a hook and loop closure, at least one electrical conductor (14) being present within the gripping surface (6), characterized in that the carrier is provided in the form of a carrier band defining a longitudinal axis, and that said band is wrapped by the at least one conductor over at least part of the length thereof.

Abstract: A molded male surface fastener includes resin invasion preventing walls, which prevent an invasion of a molding foamable resin material of a cushion body, on right and left edge portions along a longitudinal direction of a surface of a flat base member made of a thermoplastic resin, a plurality of engaging elements provided between left and right resin invasion preventing walls, and a linear sealing body that is continuously disposed in the longitudinal direction of the base member along a peripheral portion of a top portion of each resin invasion preventing wall. When an engaging element forming surface of the surface fastener is placed on a concavo-convex surface of foaming body molding cavities of a foaming mold, if the mold has the same magnetic force as that in the related art, the linear sealing body is well adhered along the concavo-convex surface.

Abstract: An impact resistant insert for a protective pad and having a stiffener layer of impact resistant, thermoformable material retaining a preset curve at ambient temperature such as to substantially return to the preset curve upon deformation, the stiffener layer becoming temporarily more flexible under heat such that the preset curve can be modified to a different preset curve with the stiffener layer subsequently maintaining the different preset curve at ambient temperature. Also, an impact resistant insert for a protective pad and having a front layer of flexible material, a stiffener layer of multicell material having front and rear surfaces with the front surface being connected to the front layer, the stiffener layer being substantially resistant to impact forces, retaining a preset curve and substantially returning to the preset curve upon deformation, and a rear layer of flexible material connected to the rear surface of the stiffener layer.

Abstract: Lightweight, hook-engageable materials capable of functioning as hook-engageable fasteners are treated and configured for use for economical and attractive displays and decorations. Laminates of the material with various substrates with associated printing are used to form visually attractive point of purchase, merchandise or trade show displays. Self-supporting or stable materials having lettering or designs on their surface are used to form banners or floor coverings. Non-woven materials with varied areal density of fibers perform those functions with particular economy. Low density knit fabrics are also useful according to broad features of the invention. Methods are shown to produce reinforced corrugated board and desirably laminated and printed materials having hook-engageable surfaces.

Abstract: A protective sheathing apparatus comprising an elongated flexible member, first fastening elements, second fastening elements, an attachment section, and one or more third fastening elements is provided. The first fastening elements and the second fastening elements are affixed in proximity to a first lengthwise edge and a second lengthwise edge of the elongated flexible member respectively. The affixed second fastening elements detachably engage with the affixed first fastening elements for defining a generally cylindrical lengthwise channel within the elongated flexible member for accommodating one or more longitudinal objects. The attachment section is attached to and extends outwardly from a first widthwise edge and/or a second widthwise edge of the elongated flexible member for enabling detachable engagement with another protective sheathing apparatus.

Abstract: A fastening member used for, e.g., a disposable absorbent article is disclosed. The fastening member extends in a longitudinal direction and in a lateral direction and has a lateral centerline. The fastening member comprises a base panel and a shaped tab extending laterally from the base panel. The shaped tab has a longitudinal centerline, a lateral centerline, a distal portion and a proximal portion. The shaped tab has a contour edge comprising a shaped upper edge and a shaped lower edge. The shaped upper edge and the shaped lower edge are symmetric with respect to the longitudinal centerline of the shaped tab when relatively shifted in the longitudinal direction and are asymmetric with respect to the lateral centerline of the fastening member.

Abstract: Absorbent articles such as disposable diapers, incontinent briefs, diaper holders, training pants and the like, having elastomeric ear panels and a fastening system that provides the user with different options as to how the absorbent article may be fitted to and removed from the wearer. The absorbent articles allow the wearer to choose between conventional and pull-on diaper configurations, or combinations thereof, and properly and comfortably fit a large range of wearer sizes. Further, the absorbent articles can be pulled on and/or off as a pant. This feature is provided by the ear panels which maintain sufficient tension to hold the diaper on the wearer throughout the period of use without harming the wearer's skin, while providing enough stretch to allow the diaper to be pulled up or down over the wearer's hips. The fastening system is refastenable for convenience yet strong enough to maintain the diaper in a fastened configuration without becoming detached if the diaper is pulled on or off the wearer.

Abstract: Certain embodiments utilize carpet tiles of varying sizes and/or shapes that are connected together using connectors to form a carpet tile installation. In some instances, the carpet tiles used in the carpet tile installation have different colors, patterns, shapes, and/or styles. In some embodiments, carpet tiles of a standard size and shape, such as one-half square meter carpet tiles, are partitioned into carpet tile fractions. In certain embodiments, these carpet tile fractions are used in conjunction with larger carpet tiles in a carpet tile installation. In other embodiments, these carpet tile fractions may be connected to other carpet tile fractions to form a combination carpet tile that is then used in a carpet tile installation. Among other things, the use of different sized and/or shaped carpet tiles increases the randomness or diversity and/or improves other aspects of the appearance of the floor coverings formed by the carpet tile installations.

Abstract: A strap for fastening an accessory to a photographic flash unit may have a stretchable substrate; an outer fastener strip attached to the stretchable substrate, the outer fastener strip having one of hook fastener material and loop fastener material; and an inner fastener strip attached to the stretchable substrate, the inner fastener strip having the other of hook fastener material and loop fastener material; wherein the outer fastener strip has at least one slack region having an amount of slack when the stretchable substrate is in an undeflected condition.

Abstract: A male touch fastener strip includes an elongated base having a thickness and defining a longitudinal direction and a lateral direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction across the base between longitudinal edges of the base, and a field of male fastener elements each having a stem extending from a broad face of the base and a head at an upper end of the stem and overhanging the base for engaging fibers. The fastener element stems and broad face of the base together form a unitary mass of resin. The male touch fastener strip also includes longitudinal barrier walls rising from the broad face of the base on either side of the field of male fastener elements, and a pair of segmented walls rising from the broad face of the base, each segmented wall of the pair disposed laterally outboard of a respective nearest one of the longitudinal barrier walls and including a series of wall segments defining longitudinal gaps therebetween.

Abstract: In order to ensure that upon destruction of a brittle article, in particular such as a ceramics element in the form of a frame receiving an apparatus, if possible no free fragments at all become detached therefrom, according to the invention the frame itself or a plate that is integrally moulded therewith and extends over the frame opening remote from view behind the apparatus is non-positively or positively connected at discrete points or in continuous segments in different regions to a connecting part injection-moulded from tough-elastic material. In turn, the connecting part can simultaneously be configured for detachably fastening the ceramics element to the apparatus or to an alternative construction part.

Abstract: A fluid absorption device is provided. The device having a plurality of absorbent sheets. The absorbent sheets formed in a stack and removably attached to each other by an adhesive. The sheets are designed to be removed from each other one at a time for use in the absorption of fluids.

Abstract: In a first embodiment a safety mat for use with a parapet cap on a wall is disclosed. The cap extends over the top of the wall and partially down each side of the wall. The safety mat includes a durable flexible pad having a width greater than a width of the top wall; a first cinch down strap extending at a first end thereof from an interior of the pad toward a first width end; and a second cinch down strap extending at a first end thereof from the interior of the pad toward a second width end.

Abstract: Connectors for joining adjacent modular floor covering units. The connectors include a film and an adhesive layer coated on one side of the film. To install tiles using the connectors, a first tile is placed on the floor and a connector is positioned so that the adhesive layer faces upward and does not contact the floor. The connector is typically positioned so that only a portion of the adhesive layer adheres to the underside of the tile, leaving the remainder of the connector extending from the underside of the tile. Tiles are then positioned adjacent the first tile so that a portion of the connector adheres to the adjacent tiles. In this way, the connectors span adjacent tile edges. The tiles are assembled on a underlying flooring surface without the need to attach them to the floor surface.

Abstract: Security guard strap covers that are selectively attachable to a conventional strap (e.g., a camera strap) and configured to prevent someone from cutting the strap when worn by a user. The security guard strap covers are embedded with a substantially cut-resistant material, such as a steel cable, which functions to protect straps from being cut or slashed with a knife or other cutting tool. The security guard strap cover protects a substantial portion of the length of a strap that is typically located on the back side of a user whereat the risk of cutting by a thief is the greatest.

Abstract: A multi-polymer T-molding edge banding primarily to use on an edge of composite wood furniture, wherein the T-molding comprises a core layer with barb, the core layer generally being fabricated from a thermoplastic olefin; a top layer substantially covering the outboard face of the core layer, the top layer being fabricated from a polymer such as polypropylene; and a top coat of curable material laid over the top layer.

Abstract: A fixing system has at least one adhesion closure part (9) which can be fixed by its fixing side (7) onto the free side (19) of a fixing part (11). The other functional side of the fixing part is at least partially provided with an active substance (15) which can be activated. When activated, the substance forms a fixing connection with the fixing side (5) of a third part (1,3).

Abstract: Removable protection for a support structure for the human body, the support structure having a rear portion, a front portion, a side portion and elements of said support structure including a covering element to be applied on the rear portion and/or on the front portion and/or on the side portion of the support structure, the covering element having one or more extensions for fastening the covering element to the elements of the support structure and/or to the support structure itself, wherein the covering element has suitable dimensions for covering at least a portion of the rear portion and/or of the front portion and/or of the side portion and such a flexibility as to adjust to the shape of the same.

Abstract: A method of making a structured surface is disclosed. The method includes providing a thermoplastic backing with multiple rows of upstanding elements. The upstanding elements include stems with proximal ends attached to the thermoplastic backing and distal caps, and each distal cap has an overhanging portion that extends beyond the stem in a first direction. For at least some of the multiple rows, an implement is passed between two adjacent rows, wherein the implement contacts the overhanging portion of at least some of the distal caps in the two adjacent rows such that at least part of the overhanging portion is turned in a second direction, different from the first direction. A structured surface that can be prepared by the method is also provided along with a fastening laminate that includes a carrier and the structured surface and an absorbent article that includes the fastening laminate. A tool useful for carrying out the method is also provided.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention relate to systems, methods, and apparatus for insulating and/or identifying beverages of a tower beverage dispenser. Particularly, a tower wrap can provide sufficient insulation to a beverage tower of the tower beverage dispenser. For example, the tower wrap can prevent substantial rise in temperature of the beverages located within the beverage tower, while the beverage passes through or remains within the beverage tower.

Abstract: A fastener product includes an elongate strap, projections molded of resin extending from a first region of the strap, and a head element molded of resin extending from a second region of the strap. The head element includes a hole sized to receive an end of the strap.

Abstract: An ornamental plate structure includes a supporting base and a sliding button. The sliding button includes a pressing portion, a first sliding portion, a fastening portion, and a contacting portion. The ornamental plate structure further includes a stopping component for stopping the contacting portion as the pressing portion moves in a first direction to drive the contacting portion simultaneously, a constraining component for constraining bending deformation of the contacting portion as the pressing portion is pressed in a second direction to drive the contacting portion simultaneously, and an ornamental plate. The ornamental plate includes a plate, a hooking component and a fixing component. The fixing component includes a wedging portion and a second sliding portion. The wedging portion wedges inside the fastening portion as the second sliding portion slides relative to the first sliding portion so as to fix the ornamental plate on the supporting base.

Abstract: A hook, in a mechanical fastener, includes a hook body having a base, at least one hook arm and a hook body side-curved portion corresponding to the at least one hook arm, the at least one hook arm including a hook end and a neck portion between the hook body and the hook end, the neck portion having an inner curved portion opposing to the hook body side-curved portion. The hook body side-curved portion is defined by a portion of a circumference of a first circle, the inner curved portion of the neck portion is defined by a portion of a circumference of a second circle and the hook end is defined by a portion of a circumference of a third circle.

Abstract: A panel-forming assembly which is intended to be fixed to a surface of a vehicle or an aircraft, for example the floor of the trunk or a surface of the hatch of the spare-wheel compartment, and comprising, on the one hand, a panel of foam of expanded thermoplastic material, in particular expanded polypropylene or expanded polystyrene, which is constituted of an agglomeration of balls made of thermoplastic material and, on the other hand, hooks and/or loops issuing from the panel and intended to cooperate with loops and/or hooks issuing from the said one surface of a vehicle, characterized in that the assembly comprises an intermediate element (4) comprising a plate (5) from a face of which project the hooks (6) and/or the loops issuing from the panel that cooperate with the loops and/or the hooks (3) issuing from the surface of the vehicle, while from a face opposite the said one face of the plate there projects at least one piece (7) in the form of a fir tree comprising elements in the form of fir-tree branc

Abstract: An assembly comprising a molded article and a cover that covers the molded article, a longitudinal groove being formed in the molded article while being open to the outside, two elements having hooks being overmolded in the molded article so as to form the bottom of the groove at least in part, the hooks penetrating into openings in loops stemming from the cover so as to hook therein and thereby fasten the cover to the molded article, and at least two overmolded elements having hooks are provided that form the bottom of the trench at least in part by being placed one behind the other in the longitudinal direction, the two elements having hooks being separated from each other by an intermediate zone in which there is no element having hooks, and means are provided for preventing the cover from riding up towards the top of the trench.

Abstract: A mold-in fastening member which is composed of a strip of substrate, engaging elements formed on one surface of the substrate, and an elastomer layer completely surrounding the engaging elements, the substrate having slits or notches which extend from a widthwise central portion of the substrate to a widthwise end portion of the substrate. The mold-in fastening member bends in conformity with a two- or three-dimensionally complicated shape of a molded article. The mold-in fastening member prevents the surface having the engaging elements from being covered with a foamable liquid molding resin during a mold-in process, thereby preventing the engaging elements from losing the engaging function.

Abstract: A protective article for a horse includes a protective member and a replaceable securing member. The protective member includes a body portion extending between a pair of opposing ends and dimensioned to be wrapped around and secured to a horse's body part, and further includes a first engagement member coupled to the body portion adjacent one end, and a second engagement member coupled to the body portion adjacent the other end. The replaceable securing member is adapted to be selectively engaged with the engagement members in a manner that urges the engagement members towards one another. The replaceable securing member includes a first securing assembly adapted to be manually reversibly secured to the first engagement member, and a second securing assembly adapted to be manually reversibly secured to the second engagement member, the first securing assembly securing to the first engagement member independently of the second securing assembly.

Abstract: A touch fastener product has a base strip of resin carrying both mechanical fastener projections and adhesive, in some cases disposed on raised portions of the base strip. The fastener projections are arranged in discrete fields with lanes between the fields, and the adhesive is disposed within the lanes. The adhesive in each lane is shorter, as measured perpendicularly from the base strip, than the projections nearest the lane, by a distance that is less than ten percent of the width of the lane. In some cases molded stems extend through the adhesive in the lanes. The fastening face of the molded base strip is treated to give the fastening face a higher surface energy than the back face, to resist adhesive delamination during unspooling.

Abstract: During a method for the production of a touch-and-close fastener (10), preferably of at least one plastic material, a backing (12) with a plurality of protruding stems (14) is connected to individual heads (16). For at least a part of the stems (14), their free ends (18) come into contiguous or embedded contact with a contact face (20) of each assignable head (16). The invention relates additionally to an apparatus for carrying out the method and to a fastener produced according to the method.

Abstract: A mechanical fastening system having an engaging component and a receiving component. The receiving component has a first bond line, a second bond line, a bond zone, and a plurality of consecutive sweep regions. The second bond line is disposed adjacent to the first bond line such that a portion of the second bond line overlaps a portion of the first bond line. The bond zone circumscribes the first bond line and the second bond line. The plurality of consecutive sweep regions are disposed within the bond zone. At least one sweep region includes a portion of both the first bond line and the second bond line, and the remaining sweep regions include at least a portion of the first or the second bond lines. The receiving component has a bond ratio greater than or equal to about 1 and less than or equal to about 20.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to a placemat. More particularly, the invention encompasses a placemat for a container. The present invention is also directed to a novel placemat that can be placed inside a lunch box or a similar container. The present invention is also directed to a novel placemat that can be removably secured to the inside surface of a lid or an inside surface of a container. The novel placemat could also have either discrete magnets or at least one magnetic layer secured thereto. The present invention is also directed to a combination placemat and lunch box.

Abstract: A method and apparatus of reducing heat loss and cooling loss from a bank building caused by automatic teller machines, night drop vaults, and cash deal drawers.

Abstract: An ornamental bunting that may include a length of textile folded to form a plurality of pleats, the length of textile including a top edge, a bottom edge, a first lateral side, and a second lateral side; a first coupling member adapted to attach each of the plurality of pleats at a location between the first lateral side and the second lateral side; and a second coupling member adapted to attach a first bottom portion of the bottom edge with a second bottom portion of the bottom edge.

Abstract: Connectors for joining adjacent modular floor covering units. The connectors include a film and an adhesive layer coated on one side of the film. To install tiles using the connectors, a first tile is placed on the floor and a connector is positioned so that the adhesive layer faces upward and does not contact the floor. The connector is typically positioned so that only a portion of the adhesive layer adheres to the underside of the tile, leaving the remainder of the connector extending from the underside of the tile. Tiles are then positioned adjacent the first tile so that a portion of the connector adheres to the adjacent tiles. In this way, the connectors span adjacent tile edges. The tiles are assembled on a underlying flooring surface without the need to attach them to the floor surface. Rather, the tiles are linked to each other with the connectors, so that the tiles create a floor covering that “floats” on the underlying floor surface.