Abstract: Fastening system for anchoring wood floors to a base includes a fastener having a pointed distal end and a proximal head end, a sleeve for retaining structural members, the sleeve having a central bore therethrough, a countersink extending from a proximal end of the sleeve coaxially with the central bore, and an annular flange extending outwardly from the sleeve proximal end. The system further includes a driver for driving the fastener through the sleeve bore and into the base, the driver including a nozzle having a bore for receiving the fastener, the nozzle being adapted to enter the sleeve countersink. The driver further includes a hammer disposed in the nozzle and movable to engage the head of the fastener and to drive the fastener into locking engagement with the base, to fix the sleeve to the base, and thereby fix the structural members to the base.

Abstract: The principles described herein provide floor tiles and modular floors. Some embodiments of the floor tiles and modular floors include multiple levels of support. One of the levels of support may be a resilient level that compresses comfortably under a load. Another level of support may include a generally rigid level that supports the floor or tile after the resilient level has compressed a predetermined distance. One embodiment includes a third generally rigid level of support that supports the floor or tile under certain loads. Some embodiments of the floor tiles include inserts for increased traction. The inserts may be removable and protrude from a top surface and/or a bottom plane 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 and the resilient support level may comprise an elastomer.

Abstract: A shock absorber for a sports floor assembly. The shock absorber has a base portion and a truncated pyramid portion. The base portion is formed of an elastomeric material and is connectable to a sub-flooring of the floor assembly with the second side positioned adjacent to the sub-flooring. The pyramid portion extends from the first side of the base portion. The pyramid portion is formed of an elastomeric material and has stepped sides.

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 said grooves for receiving portions of said top into said grooves; and, (c) at least one compressive element located on aid device, with at least a portion of said at least one compressive element, from a top view footprint, being located away from said imaginary center line and way from said vertical support member, wherein said compressive element is adapted to at least partially collapse under predetermined compressive force.

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: The composite structure for protecting a main core comprises a laminated surface covering having a rigid protective layer and an elastomeric member. A damage tell-tale is inserted between the rigid protective layer and the elastomeric member. The composite structure thus serves both to protect the core and to reveal damage suffered by the core. The structure is applicable, for example, to protecting a structural element of a vehicle such as a helicopter.

Abstract: A spring-biased floor for gymnastic and cheerleading competitions is formed from a plurality of interlocked panels having overlapping edges. Springs are mounted on the bottom of the panels, including beneath the overlapped edges. The primary panels include L-shaped ledges extending along two adjacent sides, while finishing panels include a ledge along only one side. The springs mount onto heads extending downwardly from the panels and having a 360° lip over which the springs are snap fit.

Abstract: Vertically joined flooring material comprising floor elements (1) with a mainly triangular, square, rectangular, rhomboidal or polygonal shape, as seen from above. The floor elements (1) are provided with edges (2) which are provided with joining members (20), a lower side (5) and a decorative top surface (3). The flooring material comprises a combination of at least two types of floor elements (1), which types comprises female floor elements (1?) and male floor elements (1?). The female floor element (1?) is provided with a female joining member (21) on at least half of the number of its edges (2) and a male joining member (22) on less than half of the number of its edges (2). The male floor element (1?) is provided with a male joining member (22) on at least two thirds of the number of its edges (2) and a female joining member (21) on less than one third of the number of its edges (2.

Abstract: The invention relates to a floor, wall or ceiling panel (2) or strip, which is designed for placing on and/or fastening to a floor, a wall or a ceiling of a room. According to the invention, the panel or the strip has at least one active component with an air pollutant- and/or odorous substance-reducing action.

Abstract: A gymnastic floor structure includes an elastic collective floor substrate 30 having a given area formed by arranging a plurality of plywood unit floor panels 3 equipped with a plurality of elastically supporting leg members 2 provided on a bottom surface thereof on a floor surface of a building, and an elastic layer including a flat cushioning air mat 4 and a fiber mat 5 as essential structural elements provided on the floor substrate 30. The air mat 4 includes a linking body 41 in which a pair of textile inner sheets 41a and 41b are linked by a plurality of linking threads 43 and airtight external sheets 42 and 42a entirely covering the linking body 41, and has an airtight space 44 therein.

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.

Abstract: A sub-floor assembly for a sports flooring system includes a plurality of sub-floor panel components each formed of a plastic material and each having a formed channel wherein the formed channels of the plurality of sub-floor panel components are linearly aligned. A first strip of anchoring material is disposed within the linearly aligned formed channels of the plurality of sub-floor panel components and is used to attach a plurality of flooring strips to the sub-floor panel components.

Abstract: A skidproof floor material combing a skidproof technology and production of a modeling totem is a tile or stone, a surface of which is pasted with an anti-lubricant of a high-technology special formula. Several thousands of nano cavities are formed using capillaries of the stone, and suction force is increased when a floor is wet and the tiles are compressed, by applying a principle of vacuum suction. Therefore, a floor friction coefficient will be increased to a safety standard, and a skidproof effect for the tiles can be achieved. Moreover, a modeling totem can be completely manifested on the tile, so as to provide a skidproof floor material having a safely skidproof effect and features of visual pleasingness and arts.

Abstract: A vibration damper comprises a vibration dampening structure and a load bearing plate disposed on the vibration dampening structure. The vibration dampening structure includes a slip resistant layer and at least one foam layer disposed between the slip resistant layer and the load bearing plate. A resilient mounting layer is disposed on the load bearing plate. The vibration damper may act directly between an underlying support surface and equipment or may act between the underlying support surface and a sheet of flooring.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system for constructing tread surfaces comprising polygonal elements (1) where each element has a top surface and a number of substantially straight side edges arranged perpendicular to the top surface along the periphery of said top surface and that all side edges (2) are provided with a number of receiving openings (3) each opening adapted to receive and maintain a connector member, and that said elements (1), furthermore, along one or more of said side edges (4) are provided with one or more integrated and protruding connector members (5) which each are adapted to fit into said receiving openings (3).

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: The invention concerns a subfloor which is provided between a hard base (11) and a floor such as a laminate or parquet floor resting on the latter, whereby this subfloor is composed of laterally connecting mats (9, 10) having a core (1) made of a synthetic foam provided with an underlay (2) and a top layer (3) made of a synthetic foil, whereby this underlay (2) and top layer (3) represent a flap (4, 5) which extends over the side edge of said core (1), so that this flap (4, 5) overlaps with the mat (9, 10) connecting onto this side edge.

Abstract: A floor repair kit (1) for repairing a damaged area (22) on a flooring material (21). To use, a user first adds tint (6) to a filler (9) to create a tint/filler mixture (26). Then, the user adds a hardener (15) to the tint/filler mixture (26) to create a tint/filler/hardener mixture (27). The tint/filler/hardener mixture (27) is then applied to a damaged area (22) on a flooring material (21) and permitted to harden. A protective material (14) is secured over the hardened tint/filler/hardener mixture (27) and over an area of the flooring material (21) surrounding the damaged area (22). The protective material (14) located over the hardened tint/filler/hardener mixture (27) is cut to expose the hardened tint/filler/hardener mixture (27) and the exposed hardened tint/filler/hardener mixture (27) is then sanded. Finally, the user removes the protective material (14) from the flooring material (21) to reveal a repaired floor (28).

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a back-grooved laminate wood flooring in which a high pressure melamine laminate (HPL) is laminated on a waterproof plywood layer. The back-grooved laminate wood flooring comprises an upper HPL (20), an adhesive layer (40) and a waterproof plywood layer (10) wherein the upper HPL (20) includes a second core layer (25), a first core layer (23), a decorative paper layer (22) and a surface-protective paper layer (21) layered in this order from the bottom, the upper HPL (20) and waterproof plywood layer (10) are adhered to each other by the adhesive layer (40), and the waterproof plywood layer (10) is back grooved.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a back-grooved laminate wood flooring in which a wood veneer of high pressure resin impregnation laminate (WPL) is laminated on a base selected from a vinyl chloride (PVC) resin layer, on oriented strand board (OSB), a high-density fiberboard (HDF) and a waterproof plywood. More specifically, the back-grooved laminate wood flooring comprises a WPL (20), an adhesive layer (40) and a base (10) (a polyvinyl chloride resin layer, OSB, HDF or waterproof plywood) wherein the WPL (20) includes a base-reinforcing layer (24), a natural veneer layer (23), a resin-impregnated overlay layer (22) and a surface UV coating layer (21) layered in this order from the bottom. The back-grooved laminate wood flooring further exhibits excellent soundproofing performance.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a kind of high intensity bamboo wood laminated flooring which fully utilizes bamboo and wood. The structure includes a filling layer made from bamboo wood veneer and other bamboo wood materials, a groove at one side of the filling layer, a flange at the other side of the filling layer, and an exterior decorative layer above the filling layer. The product takes full advantage of bamboo and wood as raw materials. This premium product possesses nature texture, color and luster of timber, and its mechanical performance and decorative effect are equivalent to or even exceeding solid wood flooring, which means it has enormous economic and social value.

Abstract: Floor covering, including hard floor panels which, at least at the edges of two opposite sides, are provided with coupling parts, cooperating which each other, substantially in the form of a tongue and a groove, wherein the coupling parts are provided with integrated mechanical locking elements which prevent the drifting apart of two coupled floor panels in a direction (R) perpendicular to the related edges and parallel to the underside of the coupled floor panels, and provide a snap-action coupling.

Abstract: Floor laying system (10) for joining together floorboards (12), comprising grooves (16) made in opposing side edges of the boards, and a separate profiled rail (14), which is disposed between the side edges of the boards and couples together the boards and which has legs (18) projecting to opposite sides from a central section of the rail, which legs are designed to lockingly engage in the grooves (16) in the respective opposing side edges of the floorboards (12). The legs (18) of the profiled rail (14) delimit a channel-shaped cavity which can accommodate at least one line element. The profiled rail (14) has legs (18), which supportively bear against diagonally opposing bevelled faces (30, 34) of the grooves (16) in two adjacent boards (12), in addition to which a slot (36) running substantially parallel with the top and bottom sides of the respective board opens into the groove (16) to form a resilient tongue (37).

Abstract: A modular wood flooring system comprising a plurality of multi-layer flooring sections, provided in pre-measured sectional units and adapted for rapid installation is disclosed. Each flooring section includes a resilient bottom layer, an intermediate sub-floor layer, and a top wood flooring layer. The ends of adjoining sections are staggered to avoid the appearance of a straight line seam. Each flooring section further includes a top edge portion adapted with a recessed latching mechanism to allow the sections to be mechanically connected. A first flooring section is adapted with a male latch member and a second flooring section is adapted with a female latch receiving member for receiving the male latch member of an adjoining first flooring section.

Abstract: A fret-shaped sheath for laying floors and/or linings and their following quick pulling away in case of replacement, including a fixed sheath (1) and a removable sheath (2) able to fit each other by their frets, wherein removable sheath is provided with elements suitably disposed along the joint surfaces between the sheaths and able to form rooms close to the joint surfaces which are prevented from being filled with glue or mortar of cement in order to retain the capability of being deformed of the joint surfaces between the fixed sheath and the removable sheath.

Abstract: A mat assembly particularly suited for heavy equipment transit and support, such as roadway construction and the like. The mat assembly is made up of a number of structural members preferably having a “double I-beam” cross-sectional shape. Each I-beam has spaced apart flanges with edges preferably formed in tongue and groove profiles. When butted together, the tongue and grooves of adjacent I-beams mesh. Filler blocks are disposed in the cavities between the webs of the I-beams. Tension members extending through the webs and filler blocks tie multiple I-beams together to form the mat assembly. Preferably, both the I-beams and filler blocks are formed of a plastic material, via extrusion or other molding methods. The resulting mat is capable of bearing very high loads yet is decay resistant.

Abstract: A noise-reducing substrate for use in a flooring system, the flooring system having a subfloor and a decorative upper layer. The substrate comprises a series of edge butted panels, each of which has a bottom surface, a top surface and side surfaces. Each panel's top surface and oppositely facing bottom surface are parallel to each other and are spaced apart by the thickness of the substrate. A profile in the bottom surface of the substrate changes the substrate's effective stiffness and improves 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.

Abstract: The present invention provides a cushioned impervious flooring usually formed in place. At least one layer of closed cell cushion is overlaid with a reinforcing mesh having interstitial spaces, a layer of adhesive is applied to adhere the reinforcing mesh to the cushion and to adhere the reinforcing layer to a layer of sheet flooring. Tapered edges provide gentle transition from the cushioned impervious flooring to adjacent surfaces at a different elevation. Joints in the closed cell cushion, reinforcing layer and sheet flooring are offset from each other to provide smooth installation and more strength.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for connecting anchor sheets to each other and/or to a floor. The approach includes using attachment pieces which fit into an area of reduced thickness of the anchor sheet which surround a cut away of the anchor sheet. In one embodiment, the attachment pieces are corners which overlap areas of reduced thickness on a number of anchor sheets.

Abstract: The invention relates to a locking system for mechanical joining of floorboards (1, 1?), a floorboard having such a locking system and a flooring made of such floorboards. The locking system has mechanical cooperating means (36, 38; 6, 8, 14) for vertical and horizontal joining of adjoining floorboards. The means for horizontal joining about a vertical plane (F) comprise a locking groove (14) and a locking strip (16) which is located at opposite joint edge portions (4a, 4b) of the floorboard (4). The locking strip (6) projects from the joint plane (F) and has an upwards projecting locking element (8) at its free end. The locking groove (14) is formed in the opposite joint edge portion (4a) of the floorboard at a distance from the joint plane (F). The locking groove (14) and the locking element (8) have operative locking surfaces (10, 11).

Abstract: A method and apparatus for connecting anchor sheets to each other and/or to a floor. The approach includes using attachment pieces which fit into an area of reduced thickness of the anchor sheet which surround a cut away of the anchor sheet. In one embodiment, the attachment pieces are corners which overlap areas of reduced thickness on a number of anchor sheets.

Abstract: A sub-floor assembly for a sports flooring system includes a plurality of sub-floor panel components each formed of a plastic material and each having a formed channel wherein the formed channels of the plurality of sub-floor panel components are linearly aligned. A first strip of anchoring material is disposed within the linearly aligned formed channels of the plurality of sub-floor panel components and is used to attach a plurality of flooring strips to the sub-floor panel components.

Abstract: A resilient floor surface for indoor and outdoor, residential, commercial and sporting applications includes a resilient underpad formed of expanded polypropylene product (“EPP”) and suitable for being laid down directly on the ground or other subfloor surface in a floating arrangement not requiring securing to the ground or other subfloor surface, and a floor covering material applied upon the resilient underpad as a covering for the resilient underpad. The surface covering is of the type suitable for floor surfacings, sport playing surfacings and decorative and sports surface coatings, and is selected from hardwood flooring, synthetic rubber and/or plastic flooring tiles and panels, rubber flooring tiles and panels, laminated wood flooring, residential and commercial carpets, crumb rubber surface coatings, EPDM (ethylene-propylene terpolymer) surface coatings, polyurethane surface coatings and any other suitable coatings.

Abstract: A dimpled sheet, with a flat area and a plurality of dimples protruding over the flat area, each having a dimple casing and a dimple cover, wherein contact surfaces for placement of the dimpled sheet against a subsurface are formed on the side of the dimples by the outer sides of the dimple covers. The proportion of the total contact surface of all dimples of the total surface of the dimpled sheet is greater than 35%, with the base surface of the dimpled sheet being formed from the flat area and the base surface of all dimples at the level of the flat area. The dimpled sheet has a protection coefficient (PC) of more than 10.000, whereby the PC is: PC=(CS)2×DH with CS=total contact surface of all dimples in [%] of the total base surface of the dimpled sheet DH=dimple height [min].

Abstract: A locking system for mechanical joining of floorboards includes horizontal joining of a first and a second joint edge portion of a first and a second floorboard respectively at a vertical joint plane; vertical joining of the first and second joint edge portions; wherein the tongue, the tongue groove, the locking element and the locking groove have a configuration that allows insertion of the locking element into the locking groove by inward angling of the second floorboard towards the first floorboard while maintaining contact between the joint edge portions, and wherein the tongue, the tongue grove, the locking element and the locking groove have a configuration that allows insertion of the locking element into the locking groove by a substantially vertical snap action.

Abstract: A portable flooring system has one or more hinge members which can be used to quickly connect and secure panels or slats of the flooring system for deployment, while also allowing fast disassembly and stacking for storage or transport. The hinge member(s) can comprise a living hinge element interfacing with a pair of female elements or a female element and a male element of adjoining flooring slats. In one embodiment, the hinge elements are welded or otherwise permanently affixed to the flooring panels.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an athletic surface having a resilient layer operatively positioned on the supporting structure including a top playing surface; and a bottom surface associated with the supporting base structure. The bottom surface associated with the supporting base structure includes a first side surface and a second side surface, both of which extend in the longitudinal direction of the layer. The said bottom surface also includes a first end surface and a second end surface, both of which extend in the transverse direction of the layer. The top playing surface of the athletic flooring system includes a drainage facilitating means associated with the top surface.

Abstract: In a preferred embodiment, a floor crack isolation system includes a membrane and a deformable adhesive. The membrane includes a basemat, having at least three plies, a ply of a meltblown polymer sandwiched between two plies of spunbond polymer; and a flexible coating applied to the basemat, the coating having a cementitious hydraulic component, a polymer comprising a water-soluble, film-forming polymer; and water. The finished membrane is flexible and is bonded to a subfloor with a deformable adhesive. A method of making the floor crack isolation system includes obtaining a coated, three-ply, flexible membrane and applying it to a subfloor with a deformable adhesive.

Abstract: A locking system for a floor panel includes a first connecting device, a second connecting device, and a third connecting device. The first connecting device includes a combination lock including an upwardly directed locking element configured to cooperate with a locking groove. The combination lock further including a flexible tongue in a displacement groove. The displacement groove and the flexible tongue of the combination lock are configured to cooperate with a tongue of a third connecting device.

Abstract: A module includes at least an associated two-layer structure with one first layer being a polymer base layer highly loaded with mineral fillers contributing to the rigidity of the module, and a second layer made from a printed polymer film defining the decorative part of the module, and the protection of the decorative part. An outer surface of a rigidifying base layer is designed to form a spacer means in the form of a plate of dimensions substantially greater than the format of the module, over all or part thereof, to constitute after abutment of the modules and/or edge jointing of the plate edges, a zone for receiving a sealant such as a binder, putty and like bonding.

Abstract: The invention relates to the use of aqueous, isocyanate-free, polyurethane dispersions with a solid content of ?30 wt. % and a solvent content of ?10 wt. % in sports floor coverings. The inventive polyurethane dispersions are particularly suitable for use as bonding agents for elastic coatings, spray coatings or flow coatings on elastic or rigid undersurfaces, adhesion promoters or primary coatings, fillers for sealing pores, adhesives for gluing pre-fabricated plastic coatings or for sealing sports floor coverings. The inventive polyurethane dispersions are environmentally friendly and easy to manufacture. They are also partly characterized by improved product features, e.g. mechanical properties, UV resistance and color stability, with respect to the corresponding sports floor coverings.

Abstract: A two-ply flooring plank is disclosed having two layers or “plies” with a bottom layer having a grain that runs generally transverse to a top layer or “cross-ply” to provide dimensional stability to the plank. The bottom layer includes a number of strips secured to the bottom of the top layer. The bottom layer strips are also placed with gaps between the individual strips of the second layer to allow flexibility of the flooring plank, which allows the flooring to more easily conform to irregularities in a subfloor upon which the flooring plank is mounted.

Abstract: A sub-floor assembly having sub-floor panels that are adapted to be integrally overlapped while providing clearance for channel sections when the floor deflects under load. Clearance for the channel sections may be achieved by providing pockets in an upper layer of a first sub-floor panel in the area where the channel sections engage a second sub-floor panel with which the first sub-floor panel is in overlapping engagement.

Abstract: A two-ply flooring plank is disclosed having two layers or “plies” with a bottom layer having a grain that runs generally transverse to a top layer (i.e., “cross-ply”) to provide dimensional stability to the plank. The bottom layer includes a number of strips secured to the bottom of the top layer. The bottom layer strips are also placed with gaps between the individual strips of the second layer to allow flexibility of the flooring plank, which allows the flooring to more easily conform to irregularities in a subfloor upon which the flooring plank is mounted.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for preventing splinters and minimizing the number of injuries attributable to falling onto pressure-treated wooden members, such as landscape ties or timbers used in play areas and landscape projects, through the use of a resilient cover. A cover and various embodiments include a moldable or extrudable waterproof material in the form of a channel having a top wall and two opposing side walls. The combination of channel thickness and composition provides an impact resistance suitable to prevent injuries when one falls upon it. The inner dimensions of the channel are such that the channel fits tightly over the top and sides of a construction beam or timber.

Abstract: A floor support assembly including first and second subfloors is disclosed. The first subfloor is supported over a substrate by a plurality of pads. Each pad is housed in a corresponding recess formed in the first subfloor. Each recess includes a ridge that is in contact only with its respective pad when the floor is in a lightly loaded position. In a more aggressively athletically loaded state, the pad contacts the ridge and a portion of the top of the recess. In a non-athletic fully loaded state, the first subfloor plate near the load rests on the substrate. The second subfloor is located above the first subfloor and is supported by the first subfloor. A method of installing the same is also disclosed.

Abstract: Floorboards for installation of floors in herringbone pattern are formed with two opposite sides inverted relative to each other. The invention further comprises methods for producing and making floorings comprising such floorboards, as well as fitting pieces and sets of parts for such floorings.

Abstract: The invention relates to a system for laying and mechanically joining building panels, especially thin, hard, floating floors. Adjacent joint edges of two panels engage each other to provide a first mechanical connection locking the joint edges in a first direction perpendicular to the principal plane of the panels. In each joint, there is further provided a strip which is integrated with one joint edge and which projects behind the other joint edge. The strip has an upwardly protruding locking element engaging in a locking groove in the rear side of the other joint edge to form a second mechanical connection locking the panels in a second direction parallel to the principal plane of the panels and at right angles to the joint. Both the first and the second mechanical connection allow mutual displacement of joined panels in the direction of the joint.

Abstract: A panel-type subfloor assembly for an anchored/resilient floor includes a plurality of elongated panels laid end-to-end in parallel rows along a first direction, the panels having elongated slots formed therein that are oriented at an oblique angle relative to the first direction. For the entire floor, this results in a plurality of aligned rows of elongated slots oriented at an oblique angle relative to the first direction. Each slot cooperates with an elongated fastener, namely an elongated dual flanged channel held by at least one pin. The fastener is positioned within the respective slot and adapted to hold the respective panel to the base along two longitudinal edges of the slots, in a manner that limits upward movement of the panel while permitting downward deflection.

Abstract: The invention relates to a system for laying and mechanically joining building panels, especially thin, hard, floating floors. Adjacent joint edges (3, 4) of two panels (1, 2) engage each other to provide a first mechanical connection locking the joint edges (3, 4) in a first direction (D1) perpendicular to the principal plane of the panels. In each joint, there is further provided a strip (6) which is integrated with one joint edge (3) and which projects behind the other joint edge (4). The strip (6) has an upwardly protruding locking element (8) engaging in a locking groove (14) in the rear side (16) of the other joint edge (4) to form a second mechanical connection locking the panels (1, 2) in a second direction (D2) parallel to the principal plane of the panels and at right angles to the joint. Both the first and the second mechanical connections allow mutual displacement of joined panels (1, 2) in the direction of the joint.