Abstract: A flooring material having a textile pad substructure with a density of greater than 10 pounds per cubic foot is provided. The textile pad has reinforcement and binding fibers. The binding fibers are thermoplastic and are used to bind the reinforcement fibers together. The pad is created by heating and compressing a fibrous textile batt so that it has a density of greater than 13 pounds per cubic foot.

Abstract: An easy-to-install and remove flooring system comprises three components: 1) a plurality of rolled-out liners, 2) a plurality of tiles, particularly resilient tiles, and 3) an adhesive adhering the tile to the liner. A grid pattern matching the size of the tiles is printed on the liner to enable easy centering and balancing of the tile in the room. The edge portions of adjacent liners are adjacent or overlapped. At least some of the tiles are adhered to two of the liners.

Abstract: A flooring system may comprise a top floor layer, a subfloor, and/or an underlayment material disposed between the sub-floor and the top floor layer. The top floor layer may include a plurality of luxury vinyl tiles, configured such that respective tile joints may be formed between adjacent luxury vinyl tiles. The underlayment material may comprise a cross-linked, polyolefin foam. The composition of the underlayment material may be such that the tile joints between the adjacent luxury vinyl tiles may bend by less than about 45 degrees over a twelve hour period when 3.1 pounds per square inch (psi) of pressure is applied. The underlayment material may have a compressive creep of less than fifty percent of an original thickness associated with the underlayment material at a load of 3.1 psi and/or a compressive strength of more than 15 psi.

Abstract: A modular floor system comprises modular floor panels and zippers that are fabricated in a manufacturing facility and subsequently installed in a facility. By virtue of being fabricated in the manufacturing facility the modular floor is subsequently installed in the sports facility with minimal labor and cost, while providing superior performance.

Abstract: Floor panel of the type comprising a hard top layer forming a decorative surface, from which, together with other identical or similar floor panels, a floor covering can be formed, wherein this floor panel includes at least one sound-absorbing layer which is integrated into the floor panel and is located between other layers of this floor panel.

Abstract: A modular floor includes a plurality of interconnected, uniform and elongated floor sections. Each floor section includes a wear layer, an upper subfloor panel, a lower subfloor panel and a plurality of parallel spacers sandwiched between the upper and lower subfloor panels. The spacers extend horizontally outwardly from three sides of the sections, including both longitudinal sides and one transverse side, but are recessed on the remaining transverse side. The parallel spacers extend into the recesses of adjacently located floor sections, alongside the corresponding spacers of those floor sections, along the longitudinal sides. At the transverse sides, each section has a spacer that extends into an adjacently located section in the same row and also receives a spacer from an adjacently located section in the same row. The sections have hardware connections that are concealed from view, and connecting each subsequent section requires two fasteners.

Abstract: A flooring system having a top floor layer, a sub-floor, and an underlayment material disposed between the sub-floor and the top floor layer is disclosed. The underlayment material may include a cross-linked, polyolefin foam having a moisture vapor transmission rate of less than about 3.0 lb/1000 ft2/24 hr, and an average sound pressure level of less than about 15 dB over a range of about 300 Hz to about 1000 Hz. Foam density, gel fraction, and resin blend may combine to provide an underlayment material having such reflective sound and moisture vapor barrier properties.

Abstract: Floor panel of the type comprising a hard top layer forming a decorative surface, from which, together with other identical or similar floor panels, a floor covering can be formed, wherein this floor panel includes at least one sound-absorbing layer which is integrated into the floor panel and is located between other layers of this floor panel.

Abstract: One embodiment of a safety surfacing tile comprises a top surface; a plurality of series of first members supporting the top surface and extending across a transverse length of the safety surfacing tile; a plurality of series of second members supporting the top surface and extending across a length of the safety surfacing tile perpendicular to the transverse length; and a grid of voids formed by the intersecting first and second members on an underside of the top surface, wherein the grid of voids absorbs impact energy from an object impacting the top surface.

Abstract: An elastic underlayer for floorings, for instance, floorings for sports facilities such as synthetic-grass coverings, comprises a first laminar structure and a second laminar structure that enclose between them pouches filled with granular elastic material. The structures in question comprise a layer of non-woven fabric coupled with a polyolefin layer. The polyolefin layers enclose between them the pouches, which preferably have a parallelepiped shape with a square base, with sides having a length of 20-60 mm, typically 45 mm, and a height of between 20 and 40 mm, typically 30 mm. The pouches are filled with granular elastic material, such as granules of recycled tires having a size of between 0.5 and 7.0 mm.

Abstract: A flooring material having a textile pad substructure with a density of greater than 10 pounds per cubic foot is provided. The textile pad has reinforcement and binding fibers. The binding fibers are thermoplastic and are used to bind the reinforcement fibers together. The pad is created by heating and compressing a fibrous textile batt so that it has a density of greater than 13 pounds per cubic foot.

Abstract: Floor panel of the type comprising a hard top layer (3) forming a decorative surface, from which, together with other identical or similar floor panels (1), a floor covering can be formed, wherein this floor panel (1) includes at least one sound-absorbing layer (4) which is integrated into the floor panel (1) and is located between other layers of this floor panel (1).

Abstract: A decking/flooring system includes a substrate, a layer of sealing material applied over and in contact with a surface of the substrate, a texture layer applied over and in contact with the sealing material layer, an adhesive layer applied over and in contact with the texture layer, and a finish layer. A method for installing the decking/flooring system is also described.

Abstract: Modular floor tiles and modular floors are described herein. A modular floor tile may include a top surface layer, a plurality of edge surfaces, an interlocking mechanism for attachment to adjacent tiles, and a support system. The support system may additionally include a first rigid level and at least one resilient support member disposed under the top surface layer, the at least one resilient support member extending to a distance further from the top surface layer than the first rigid level. The at least one resilient support member may be compressible toward the top surface layer. A modular floor may include a plurality of interlocking tiles connected to one another. A method of forming a modular floor that includes an interlocking modular tile is also disclosed.

Abstract: An anti-fatigue flooring system includes at least one anti-fatigue area adjacent a work station in a room. The anti-fatigue area includes an anti-fatigue member of a resilient foam material and transition members located about the anti-fatigue member. Flooring extends over the anti-fatigue member and the transition members so that the anti-fatigue member and the transition members are located between the flooring and the subfloor. The transition members transition the flooring from the top of the anti-fatigue member down to the subfloor located about the transition members. The flooring is preferably secured to the top of the anti-fatigue member, the top of the transition members, and the subfloor about the anti-fatigue area.

Abstract: A water vapor barrier material for a building structure includes a base entangled net material and a composite nonwoven. The composite nonwoven includes a film layer with a nonwoven layer on each side of the film layer. The film layer has a water vapor transmission rate of less than 10.0 g-MIL/100-in2/day at a temperature of 100 degrees Fahrenheit and 90 percent relative humidity.

Abstract: The present invention provides a modular flooring system including a ramp to facilitate entry and exit from the flooring system. The ramp may be modular and interconnect with all or parts of a perimeter of the flooring system, and the ramp may also interconnect with adjacent ramp members.

Abstract: Horizontally engineered floor boards are provided by this invention. The floor board includes a top decorative layer placed on a plurality of strips. The plurality of strips are arranged to have some in X-axis orientation and some in Y-axis orientation. The plurality of strips also has characteristics that allow the wood floor board to be installed as a tile.

Abstract: The present invention is related to a floor construction. To provide a floor that is able to serve the different aspects of the use and the user himself, in particular to aspects related to longer standing periods, a floor construction is proposed that comprises a resilient layer (12) with a variable resilience and an adapting surface (14) and means for varying the grade of resilience. In one exemplary embodiment the resilient layer (12) comprises a cavity structure with a number of cavities (18). The cavities (18) are filled with a medium (20) with a variable flexibility. The medium (20) is enclosed in a number of containers 22 with a flexible, non-expandable envelope and the flexibility of the medium can be modified.

Abstract: The present invention is an anchoring biscuit device for joining three boards. It includes, (a) an at least partially flat horizontal top element having an imaginary center line, having opposite side walls, and having a top view footprint adapted to be inserted into grooves of adjacent boards; (b) at least one substantially vertical support member attached to the underside of the top element and extending downwardly therefrom for a predetermined length for joinder of two adjacent boards which contain the grooves for receiving portions of the top into the grooves; and (c) at least one compressive element located on the device, with at least one portion of the at least one compressive element, from a top view footprint, being located away from the imaginary center line and away from the vertical support member, wherein the compressive element is adapted to at least partially collapse under a predetermined compressive force.

Abstract: A noise control flooring system is presented herein for reducing noise transmission in a building structure that contains the system. The system comprises a solid substrate layer, a compressible layer overlying at least a portion of the substrate layer, and an entangled net layer that overlies at least a portion of the compressible layer, wherein the net layer is comprised of multiple polymer filaments and air, together forming a void space. A separation layer overlies at least a portion of the entangled net layer. The separation layer carries a floating solid substrate layer thereupon. This solid substrate layer provides loading for causing the compressible layer to compress into the overlying entangled net layer.

Abstract: An acoustical flooring underlayment for placement between a subfloor and a finished floor, includes a mat having an upper surface, an opposite lower surface and including a plurality of corrugations creating a plurality of depressions in the upper surface. A layer of foam is applied to the upper surface and constructed and arranged to fill the depressions for creating a generally planar top surface configured for accommodating the finished floor.

Abstract: A system for setting tiles uses a number of tile assemblies and joining elements (21a) interconnecting adjacent tile assemblies. Each tile assembly—has a tile member (3a) and a support member. The support member is connected to the underside of the tile member, and is provided with recesses for accommodating parts of the joining elements. The support member has a number of openings and/or projections (12a) extending in a direction perpendicular to a main surface of the tile member. The joining element has an elongate strip-like member provided with openings (30a) and/or projections fitting into corresponding projections and/or openings of the support members of two adjacent tile assemblies.

Abstract: A floor including a flooring plate and a plurality of spaced apart stiffening columns extending from an underside of the flooring plate. The columns remain substantially rigid up to a predetermined critical pressure and then buckle as the pressure increases. The columns are at least partially surrounded by a resilient underlayment. Deflection stops may extend from the flooring plate to prevent over-buckling and/or permanent deformation of the stiffening columns. In some examples, the deflections stops may assist the floor in providing a substantially rigid surface at very high pressures.

Abstract: A method for installing flooring boards is provided. The method comprises laying down a two layer pad on a floor, applying a band of adhesive, laying a flooring board on the top of the two shifted-layer pad and the edge of the floor board occupying one half of the width of the band, and laying an adjacent floor board, which covers the remaining of the band of the adhesive.

Abstract: Modular floor tiles and modular floors are described herein. A modular floor tile may include a top surface layer, a plurality of edge surfaces, an interlocking mechanism for attachment to adjacent tiles, and a support system. The support system may additionally include a first rigid level and at least one resilient support member disposed under the top surface layer, the at least one resilient support member extending to a distance further from the top surface layer than the first rigid level. The at least one resilient support member may be compressible toward the top surface layer. A modular floor may include a plurality of interlocking tiles connected to one another. A method of forming a modular floor that includes an interlocking modular tile is also disclosed.

Abstract: A portable floor panel has at least one absorption layer and at least one load-distributing layer laminated thereto and forming therewith a circumferential edge in turned formed with notches and teeth oriented such that notches and teeth of adjacent panels fit with one another.

Abstract: A flooring, preferentially designed to be used for laying running tracks, includes a treading layer constituted by an elastomer mass and a supporting layer also constituted by an elastomer mass. The supporting layer has, on the side opposite to the treading layer, an array of cavities delimited by ribbings constituting a mesh of uniform ribbings. The cavities are cavities having an elongated shape in the direction of running on the flooring. The cavities occupy a volume equal to at least 28%, and preferentially at least 30%, of the volume of the supporting layer.

Abstract: A noise and vibration mitigating mat having top and bottom surfaces comprises a first layer formed of recycled bound rubber product, the first layer having a contoured bottom surface and a generally flat top surface, a second layer on the top surface of the first layer, the second layer being formed of a fabric and a third layer on the second layer and being formed of recycled rubber product.

Abstract: A roof/wall structure includes a substantially rigid substrate and a waterproof membrane adhesively joined to an outer surface of the substrate. The membrane includes a layer of thermoplastic or elastomeric waterproof material, a layer of cushion material bound to an inner surface of the layer of waterproof material, and a pressure sensitive adhesive bound to a side of the layer of cushion material remote from the layer of waterproof material and bound to the substrate.

Abstract: A pressure sensitive adhering floor panel includes a panel body. The panel body has a top surface, a bottom surface, a first side surface and a second side surface opposite to the first side surface. The bottom surface is coated with a foam layer and a pressure sensitive adhesive layer. A bottom of the foam layer is flush with that of the pressure sensitive adhesive layer. The pressure sensitive adhesive layer is adjacent to the second side surface. The first side surface is formed with a male engaging portion, and the second side surface is formed with a female engaging portion adapted to mate with a male engaging portion of another panel body.

Abstract: A flooring system having a top floor layer, a sub-floor, and an underlayment material disposed between the sub-floor and the top floor layer is disclosed. The underlayment material may include a cross-linked, polyolefin foam having a moisture vapor transmission rate of less than about 3.0 lb/1000 ft2/24 hr, and an average sound pressure level of less than about 15 dB over a range of about 300 Hz to about 1000 Hz. The foam may have a compressive strength of at least about 0.85 kg/cm2. Foam density, gel fraction, and resin blend may combine to provide an underlayment material having such reflective sound and moisture vapor barrier properties.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a new plastic floor, which comprises: a rectangular floor body; it is characterized by that: a first/second extension side is protruded at two adjacent sides of the floor body and connected to each other; a first/second mating portion is set vertically at outer ends of the first/second extension side; a first/second recessed side is connected at the other two adjacent sides of the floor body and coupled with the first/second extension side; a first/second mated portion is set within the first/second recessed side correspondingly to the first/second mating portion; two adjacent floor bodies are positioned by perpendicular mating of the first/second mating portion and the first/second mated portion.

Abstract: A multi-layer floor panel unit, which can be assembled with a plurality of similar units to form a floor which is capable of repeatedly being disassembled and reassembled at different times and/or in different locations, includes a pressure-resistant and wear-resistant upper layer; a pressure-resistant lower layer, attached to the upper layer, and having grooves at vertical edges of the lower layer; and connecting strips in the grooves, for connecting adjacent multi-layer floor panel units, the connecting strips having horizontal legs with thickened portions thereon, the thickened portions being for clamping the connecting strips in the grooves.

Abstract: A modular floor system comprises modular floor panels and zippers that are fabricated in a manufacturing facility and subsequently installed in a facility. By virtue of being fabricated in the manufacturing facility the modular floor is subsequently installed in the sports facility with minimal labor and cost, while providing superior performance.

Abstract: An anti-fatigue flooring system includes at least one anti-fatigue area adjacent a work station in a room. The anti-fatigue area includes an anti-fatigue member of a resilient foam material and transition members located about the anti-fatigue member. Flooring extends over the anti-fatigue member and the transition members so that the anti-fatigue member and the transition members are located between the flooring and the subfloor. The transition members transition the flooring from the top of the anti-fatigue member down to the subfloor located about the transition members. The flooring is preferably secured to the top of the anti-fatigue member, the top of the transition members, and the subfloor about the anti-fatigue area.

Abstract: A flooring system includes a foam pad having an upper surface and a lower surface, and having a tapered section having a slope. The flooring system also includes a coating of a primer material disposed upon at least the slope of the tapered section of the upper surface of the foam pad. A coating of an adhesive is disposed upon at least the coating of the primer material. The flooring system also includes a covering where at least a portion of a surface of the covering is in contact with the coating of adhesive.

Abstract: A somewhat flexible floor assembly is supported by a matrix of spaced-apart vertically-adjustable devices, such as electrically-operated jacks operated by servo motors. The devices are centrally individually controlled whereby height of the devices may be individually varied so that the floor surface may have its contour varied as desired. Somewhat flexible metal rods are supported by the jacks, and they in turn support joist assemblies which support a subfloor and flooring surface. The vertically-adjustable devices may be controlled by a computer, which may access data corresponding to a number of selectable pre-configured contours, such that selection of one of the pre-configured contours causes the height of the devices to vary so as to move the floor surface to a configuration corresponding to the selected pre-configured contour. The pre-configured contour may be, for example, a simulation of a real-life golf green.

Abstract: A compliant insert for flexibly supporting a synthetic floor tile above a ground surface that includes one or more elongate bodies, with each elongate body having a longitudinal axis oriented parallel to a top surface of the floor tile, a top face having an attachment interface for coupling to a tile support structure extending downward from an underside of the floor tile, and a bottom face of having at least one contact flat for contacting the ground surface and at least one upwardly-directed recess for allowing liquids to flow underneath the insert. Each of the elongate bodies also has a thickness and stiffness sufficient, in an unloaded state, to elevate the support structure a distance above the ground surface.

Abstract: A noise-reducing substrate for use in a flooring system which ha a subfloor and a floating floor upper layer. The substrate comprises a series of edge butted panels, each having a bottom surface, a top surface and side surfaces. A profile in the bottom surface of the substrate changes the substrate's effective stiffness improving the noise isolation of the substrate compared to the stiffness and noise isolation of the panel without the profile. Additionally, the profile reduces the weight of the panel, thereby reducing manufacturing and installation costs. Material hardness and profile flatness of the upper surface provide the strength and texture required to allow for installation of the floating floor layer without the need for an additional rigid backing material. Such a system greatly improves the impact noise reduction on floor/ceiling systems while keeping the installation cost low and adding little to the total system thickness.

Abstract: A modular sub-flooring system for supporting an overlayment above a ground surface includes a plurality of sub-floor tiles situated about a ground surface, with each sub-floor tile having a substantially-flat top surface that is adapted to receive and support an overlayment, and a connection interface with opposing engagement surfaces. The sub-flooring system also includes a plurality of removable bridge connectors, with each of the bridge connectors having a plurality of tile interfaces, and with each tile interface having complimentary engagement surfaces configured to engage with the opposing engagement surfaces of the connection interfaces. The tile interfaces of the bridge connectors couple to the respective connection interfaces of any adjacent sub-floor tiles to restrain the relative vertical movement between the adjacent sub-floor tiles while facilitating controlled relative lateral movement between the sub-floor tiles.

Abstract: The principles described herein provide floor tiles and modular floors. The floor tiles include inserts that increase traction. The inserts may be removable and protrude from a top surface of the floor tiles. The tiles may include a locking system that allows adjacent tiles to interlock, while also permitting a predetermined amount of lateral sliding relative to one another. The modular tiles may be injection molded and the inserts may comprise an elastomer. The floor tiles may also provide four layers of traction, providing more sure footing than previous flooring systems.

Abstract: An affordable, sustainable building, comprising substantially entirely mass-produced, prefabricated constituent parts manufactured off-site, the prefabricated constituent parts comprising a foundation, a frame module comprising a plurality of frames, wherein the frame module is secured to the foundation, a reversible connector to connect the plurality of frames to form the frame module, a wall panel configured to be mounted onto the frame module, a floor panel configured to be mounted onto the frame module, and a ceiling panel configured to be mounted on to the frame module. Each constituent part forms part of a library of parts from which the constituent parts are selected. The constituent parts are preferably made in standardized sizes to facilitate efficient mass production. The constituent parts are predominantly made of recyclable material so as to be environmentally friendly.

Abstract: The disclosed invention relates to a sound control mat, comprising: a resilient layer of extruded polymer monofilaments, and a fiberglass scrim adhered to the resilient layer. A floor assembly employing the foregoing sound control mat is disclosed.

Abstract: A flooring system for use on a planar base surface including a plurality of rectangular panels matingly secured together; a plurality of plastic rectangular base members comprising top latches to be lockingly secured to the panels and an arrangement to be matingly secured to an adjacent base member; a plurality of parallel transverse supports comprising two recessed seats of cross-section between two ends; and a plurality of longitudinal supports comprising first and second T members and a cross member between the T members. Tops and bottoms of the base members, the transverse supports, and the longitudinal supports are flush. Ends of the transverse support are rotatably fitted in side sleeves of two opposite base members. Cross members are lockingly fitted in the recessed seats.

Abstract: The present invention provides floor tiles and modular floors. The floor tiles may include a locking system that allows adjacent tiles to interlock, while also permitting a predetermined amount of lateral sliding relative to one another. The modular tiles may be injection molded, and a minor change in the mold facilitates variation to the amount of lateral slide allowed between interlocked tiles. The floor tiles may also provide three layers of traction, providing more sure footing than previous flooring systems. In addition, the floor tiles may comprise a two-tier suspension system that yields a flex or spring-like effect.

Abstract: This invention provides a flooring apparatus comprising: (a) a flooring plate; (b) a plurality of columns extending from an underside of the flooring plate, wherein at least some of the columns deform when the flooring plate is subjected to a pressure equal to or greater than a critical buckling pressure; and (c) a matrix material in at least partial contact with the columns. The present disclosure includes many variations of such apparatus, such as various column designs, material selection criteria, and end-use considerations. This invention also provides a flooring system for mitigating injuries associated with falls, the system comprising a plurality of flooring apparatus each provided in accordance the present disclosure. The flooring system can include one or more types of modular tiles, or any other configuration (such as mats).

Abstract: Prefabricated stable floor element comprising a supporting element made of concrete, with a service face situated at the top when in use and a bottom face situated on the bottom side, whereby the service face has one or several recesses or openings, characterized in that in at least one of these recesses or openings has been provided an insert element made of rubber or an elastic synthetic material, which insert element reaches as of the inner space in the recess or the opening in which it has been provided in order to fix the insert element, to right underneath, in line with or above the service face, i.e. seen in the position of use of the stable floor element.

Abstract: Modular floor tiles and modular floors are described herein. A modular floor tile may include a top surface layer, a plurality of edge surfaces, an interlocking mechanism for attachment to adjacent tiles, and a support system. The support system may additionally include a first rigid level and at least one resilient support member disposed under the top surface layer, the at least one resilient support member extending to a distance further from the top surface layer than the first rigid level. The at least one resilient support member may be compressible toward the top surface layer. A modular floor may include a plurality of interlocking tiles connected to one another. A method of forming a modular floor that includes an interlocking modular tile is also disclosed.

Abstract: An acoustic isolation medium configured for placement between a subfloor and a finished floor with a poured underlayment, includes a first layer being a sound reduction mat disposed upon the subfloor, a second layer placed upon the first layer and being one of a sheet of fibrous material and a web of limp mass material with a high internal damping coefficient, and a third layer placed upon the second layer and being the other of a sheet of the fibrous material and a web of the limp mass material.