Underlying Compressible Layer Or Pad (e.g., Floor Systems) Patents (Class 52/403.1)
  • Patent number: 7114302
    Abstract: In the floor base panel (40), an area on the support board (33) of the vibration proof support leg (30) is formed solid, and in the other area, a plurality of cavities (41) extending parallel to the floor surface are formed. Thereby, because the vibration energy propagated from the impact point of the floor base panel (40) is reflected on the boundary between the cavity formation area and the solid area, and repeatedly passes the cavity formation area, it is attenuated in a short time, and the vibration energy or sound energy transmitted to a slab (20) can be reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2006
    Assignee: Yamaha Corporation
    Inventors: Rento Tanase, Yoshikazu Honji, Tetsu Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 7097722
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method of joining at least two linoleum sheets. The method includes creating a seam between the linoleum sheets and forming a bead of non-epoxy adhesive on a seam edge or injecting the non-epoxy adhesive into a closed seam. The seam formed by the edges of the linoleum sheets is joined and filled with the adhesive. Excess adhesive is removed and the seam is rolled and the seam adhesive is limited to the area between the linoleum sheets and the substrate within one linoleum sheet thickness of the seam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2006
    Assignee: AWI Licensing Company
    Inventor: Timothy W. McAdoo
  • Patent number: 7096630
    Abstract: A composite mat and sheet structure for installation atop a subfloor to underlie a layer of hardenable, cementicious material such as gypsum concrete or Portland concrete that is poured atop the composite structure to harden in situ.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2006
    Inventors: James R. Keene, Michael L. Jackson
  • Patent number: 7096631
    Abstract: A resilient flooring system in combination with an athletic court having a playing direction and a cross-direction transverse of said playing direction. The flooring system comprises a non-resilient base covered with a resilient layer, and sub-flooring comprising substantially rectangular panel members laid side-by-side and end-to-end in staggered relationship diagonally of the playing direction. The panels are slightly spaced along their ends and sides to form expansion joints. Flooring shorts are arranged over the sub-floor in end-to-end and side-to-side engagement. The shorts are arranged to extend parallel with the playing direction over the entire length of the court. The shorts are also arranged so that a section thereof between opposed ends extends over the expansion joints. Securing members secure each short with the panel members on opposing sides of the expansion slots. Finally, clips are provided to secure the panel members with the base flooring in a manner allowing limited vertical movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2006
    Inventor: James Counihan
  • Patent number: 7096632
    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 corner pieces which overlap areas of reduced thickness on a number of anchor sheets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2006
    Inventor: Joseph Rocco Pacione
  • Patent number: 7093395
    Abstract: A floor composed of a plurality of modular elements comprises a first subassembly consisting of a base component and a first intermediate element and a second subassembly consisting of a second intermediate element and a top component forming a point elastic floor. The two subassemblies are secured together by connecting means with an angular orientation offset such as to define the contact surfaces and allow assembly by interlocking. The intermediate elements are disposed with a median honeycomb structure sandwiched between two stiffening plates of the same format and dimension. The plates are of nonwoven material and have reinforcement and stiffening disposed in a canvass of warp and weft threads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2006
    Assignee: Gerflor
    Inventors: Robert Hinault, Alain Rivat
  • Patent number: 7086205
    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 connection allow mutual displacement of joined panels (1, 2) in the direction of the joint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2006
    Assignee: Valinge Aluminium AB
    Inventor: Tony Pervan
  • Patent number: 7047705
    Abstract: A laminate composition of a thin film of low density polyethylene adhered to a sheet of low density polyethylene foam by means of a very thin layer of low density polyethylene. The polyethylene foam has a low density which is preferably between about 1.9 pcf and about 2.2 pcf. The bottom polyethylene film serves as a vapor barrier. One side of the polyethylene film extends beyond one edge of the polyethylene foam sheet. The laminate composition is installed in a free floating manner on the concrete subflooring, with the polyethylene film or the polyethylene foam sheet contacting the surface of the concrete subflooring. The laminate composition is usually in long strips, so when it is installed one edge of one strip overlies the extended portion of the polyethylene film of an adjacent strip. Tape having adhesive on both sides can be positioned between the overlay region to adhere together the overlaid portions to prevent movement thereof during installation of the laminate wood finish flooring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2006
    Assignee: Pregis Innovative Packaging Inc.
    Inventor: Stephen M. Foster
  • Patent number: 7033666
    Abstract: A flexible shock absorbing component providing cushioning for surfaces, especially wall and floor surfaces, is described. The shock absorbing component includes two sheets of thermoplastic, each sheet with inwardly facing, opposing, resiliently compressible indentations extending into a cavity between the two sheets. The shock absorbing component also includes a layer of particulate matter applied to and adhered to the outer surface of one of the sheets, to provide wear and weather resistance. A moderator may also be attached to the outer surface of the sheet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2006
    Assignee: Skydex Technologies Inc.
    Inventor: Joseph J. Skaja
  • Patent number: 7003925
    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).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2006
    Assignee: Valinge Aluminum AB
    Inventor: Darko Pervan
  • Patent number: 6993877
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2006
    Assignee: Unilin Beheer B.V., Besloten Vennootschap
    Inventors: Stefan Simon Gustaaf Moriau, Mark Gaston Maurits Cappelle, Bernard Paul Joseph Thiers
  • Patent number: 6986229
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2006
    Inventors: Alan B. Collison, Chad A. Collison
  • Patent number: 6966155
    Abstract: A mat perimeter system comprising a mat module, a connector, a resilient border and a resilient corner is disclosed. The mat module has upstanding studs attached on one edge and matching stud receptacles formed into another edge. The studs fit within the stud receptacles allowing the building of a modular mat system. Connectors having two spaced apart rows of studs attached to a base fit within the stud receptacles and allow the creation of another row of studs. Borders and corners fit over the studs to create a desirable perimeter. The studs have locking lips for interlocking with lip recesses formed within the stud receptacles and for interlocking with stud slot lip recesses formed into the borders and corners.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2005
    Inventor: Dale C. H. Nevison
  • Patent number: 6955020
    Abstract: A floor covering panel made of a hard laminated assembly including a wood-base core includes coupling parts formed in one piece with the core, wherein the coupling parts provide locking elements for preventing the drifting apart of coupled panels in directions perpendicular to the mutual edges along which the panels are coupled and perpendicular to the mutual edges and parallel to a plane including coupled floor panels, and further wherein the mechanical locking elements include an upper surface portion of the tongue extending toward the panel upper side and cooperating with a portion of an upper wall of the groove in which the tongue is coupled in locking relationship, and wherein a portion of the upper surface of the tongue includes the surface sloping away from the panel upper side in a distal direction of the tongue at the distal upper end area of the tongue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2005
    Assignee: Unilin Beheer BV, Besloten Vennootschap
    Inventors: Stefan Simon Gustaaf Moriau, Mark Gaston Maurits Cappelle, Bernard Paul Joseph Thiers
  • Patent number: 6941715
    Abstract: A modular prefabricated deck system which includes a plurality of rectangular flooring modules. Each module may include a plurality of laminations, such as a decorative upper element, and a lower support element for supporting the module upon the underlying joist structure of the deck. Additionally, each module may include interlocking structure for engaging adjacent modules upon installation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2005
    Inventor: John Potter
  • Patent number: 6931808
    Abstract: A floor system composed of a finished flooring preferably secured to a subfloor, a plurality of shock absorber members are fixed to the bottom surface of the floor surface at spaced intervals and in which each of the shock absorber members includes an elastomeric base member provided with a cavity which accommodates an insert member for adjusting the cushioning ability of the base member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2005
    Inventor: Douglas J Hamar
  • Patent number: 6928779
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2005
    Assignee: Unilin Beheer BV, Besloten Vennootschap
    Inventors: Stefan Simon Gustaaf Moriau, Mark Gaston Maurits Cappelle, Bernard Paul Joseph Thiers
  • Patent number: 6922963
    Abstract: Moisture and condensation barriers for protecting wood from damage in building structures (particularly but not necessarily in flooring systems) include a liquid rubberized coating material coated onto some of the wood or a barrier sheet having a petroleum-based tar layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2005
    Assignee: Bondo Corporation
    Inventors: Peter Simonelli, Michael Simonelli
  • Patent number: 6920723
    Abstract: A substrate for use in a flooring system which has a subfloor and a decorative upper layer. The substrate is made in a continuous sheet which has a bottom surface, a top surface, side surfaces and end surfaces. The top surface and the oppositely facing bottom surface are essentially parallel to each other and are spaced apart by the thickness of the substrate. Voids are provided in the substrate, the voids are provided between particles of rubber or other similar material. When the substrate is positioned between the subfloor and the decorative top layer, the particles of rubber provide the strength required to prevent deformation of the substrate in the direction of the thickness and the voids contribute to the sound dampening characteristics required to provide decibel reduction across the thickness of the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2005
    Assignee: Dodge-Regupol, Incorporated
    Inventor: Paul Charles Downey
  • Patent number: 6918220
    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).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2005
    Assignee: Valinge Aluminium AB
    Inventor: Darko Pervan
  • Patent number: 6918215
    Abstract: A floor panel is provided for use in a sub-floor application. The floor panel has an upper member and a lower member. The upper member is made from a sheet floor material and the lower member is made from a waterproof sheet material. The lower member has a series of projections extending away from the floor panel and located adjacent to an underlying surface when the panel is in use. The projections allow moisture to drain between the floor panels and the underlying surface and also permit air circulation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2005
    Assignee: Longlac Wood Industries Inc.
    Inventor: Robert K. Smith
  • Patent number: 6907700
    Abstract: Flooring made up of a set of touching parallel floorboards is supported by a set of mutually parallel load-spreading plates placed on the ground via a resilient underlayer on which they rest. The flooring is remarkable by the fact that the floorboards are stuck to the plates by means of beads of elastically-deformable adhesive such as polyurethane placed on the top faces of the plates, preferably in respective longitudinal grooves formed in the top face of the plates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2005
    Assignee: Tarkett Sommer
    Inventor: Pierre Geraud
  • Patent number: 6883287
    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. The slots are longitudinally and transversely oversized relative to the flanges of the fastener, and preferably each fastener is secured to the base via only a single pin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2005
    Assignee: Robbins, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael W. Niese, Paul W. Elliot, John Richard Puening
  • Patent number: 6880305
    Abstract: The invention relates to a strip for a building board (2), exhibiting a board body (S) which is formed with a gripping stud (24). The strip (10) extends from the body (S) and from which are formed gripping elements (26, 28), which are bent round the gripping stud (24) for mechanical fastening of the strip (10) to the body (S), as well as a locking element (12) for enabling mechanical joining of the board (2) to similar boards.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2005
    Assignee: Valinge Aluminium AB
    Inventors: Darko Pervan, Tony Pervan
  • Patent number: 6875500
    Abstract: A flooring system for floors exhibiting surface movement, and/or for cushioning hard floors, which includes an epoxy or polyurethane primer, a two-component ambient temperature cured polyurethane membrane substrate base atop the primer of a urethane grade castor oil, polyether based polyol, a tin catalyst and a thickening agent, along with a polymeric isocyanate activator, and a polyurethane or polyurea, aromatic or aliphatic coating atop the substrate base, in providing a very tough, but flexibly soft non-cracking overlay which moves with the floor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2005
    Inventor: William H. McGrath, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6874287
    Abstract: The invention relates to a steel structural system for erecting stories of buildings, especially stories containing dwelling rooms, work rooms or rooms for accommodating household appliances where at least one floor structure (3) and ceiling structure (30) are provided, that each ceiling structure (30) serves as a floor structure (3) for another story, that load-bearing story supports (2) are arranged on the floor structure (3), and the ceiling structure (30) rests on these story supports, that an elastically sound-dampening joining system (4) is provided, which joins each of the story supports (2) with the floor structure (3), that the joining system (4) has a securing element (5), which is provided for laterally fixing the story support (2) to the floor structure (3), and is joined to the floor structure (3), that the joining system (4) exhibits a separating layer made out of flexible material with a high degree of resilience when deformed and a low plastic long-term compression, and that the separating lay
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2005
    Inventor: Ludwig Felser
  • Patent number: 6871363
    Abstract: A shock absorbing safety floor comprising tile minimizes injury by absorbing the energy created when a portion of a diver's body impacts the bottom or sides of the pool. By absorbing a portion of the energy at impact, the floor decreases the amount of energy absorbed by the diver's body thereby subsequently minimizing injury to the diver. The shock absorbing safety floor compresses to absorb the energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2005
    Inventor: Jeff Richard Sabados
  • Patent number: 6851236
    Abstract: A horizontally level raised terrace floor system for mounting over a non-level or irregular substructure that includes a plurality of spaced apart support pedestals that are fabricated of a heat shearable foam material. Each pedestal is mounted upon the non-horizontally level substructure and the pedestals are heat sheared so that the top surface of each pedestal lies in a common horizontal plane above the substructure. A plurality of flat grates are placed directly upon the pedestals in an edge to edge relationship. A plurality of interlocking paving blocks are laid down over the grates to provide a tight deck over the grates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2005
    Assignee: Syrstone, Inc.
    Inventor: Jeffrey T. Harvey
  • Patent number: 6851237
    Abstract: A wood floor system comprises a plurality of parallel rows of floorboards laid end-to-end, and each of the floorboards includes a compression nub extending along a side surface thereof, adjacent the top surface. These compression nubs affirmatively engage an opposing side surface of an adjacent floorboard row, thereby sealing, or isolating, the top surface of the floor from the side surfaces of the floorboard rows. This uniformly distributes expansion and contraction forces throughout the floor, due to uniform spacing between the floorboard rows. The isolation of the upper floorboard surface from the side surface also prevents undesired downward migration or flow of liquid finishing solution, which can have serious adverse affects for a wood floor. The invention reduces the total volume of finishing solution necessary for finishing the floor, and it also reduces “overwood” during floor installation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2005
    Assignee: Robbins, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Niese, Paul Elliott
  • Patent number: 6837014
    Abstract: A prefabricated underlay material (1) for location between upper surface of a load-bearing floor (8) and a continuous surface material (9), which underlay material comprises a substantially flexible sheet material (2) and dampening projections (3) formed of porous resilient material on one surface of the sheet material and distributed along the surface. Dampening projections (3) comprise strips (13) of foamed polymer or polymer mixture bonded to a first surface (11) of the sheet material without deformation of the surface thereof, which strips are located continuous, or intermittently continuous, with intervals (S) and are either principally straight or substantially undulating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2005
    Assignee: Vircon Oy
    Inventor: Thomas Virtanen
  • Publication number: 20040250505
    Abstract: A method of forming a connection, and a connector, that attaches supported members, such as deck boards, to supporting members, such as deck joists. In some forms, each connector attaches a single supported member. In others, the connector attaches two supported members. Many forms of the connector are possible, but all are narrow enough to fit between two supported members laid side-by-side, all are attached to the supported members by fasteners, and all are driven directly into the supporting members. The resulting structure is characterized by the apparent absence of nails or other fasteners.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 12, 2003
    Publication date: December 16, 2004
    Applicant: Simpson Strong-Tie Company, Inc.
    Inventors: William F. Leek, Charles-Henri Mathis
  • Patent number: 6804923
    Abstract: A modular prefabricated deck system which includes a plurality of rectangular flooring modules. Each module may include a plurality of laminations, such as a decorative upper element, and a lower support element for supporting the module upon the underlying joist structure of the deck. Additionally, each module may include interlocking structure for engaging adjacent modules upon installation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2004
    Inventor: John Potter
  • Patent number: 6802166
    Abstract: The invention relates to wood-product components (1, 2) which are provided, along their longitudinal edges (7) with matching projections and/or recesses by which they are joined together, wherein two recesses in the form of grooves are provided in the underside (15) of each component (1, 2), for accommodating retaining elements (10, 12) of at least one clip (11) arranged under the components (1, 2); wherein the retaining elements (10, 12) extend upward from the clip base body (17); wherein one of the two retaining elements (10) can be engaged with an edge-proximate inside surface (13) of a recess (8, 9′) of one component (1), and the other retaining element (12) can be engaged with an edge-proximate inside surface (20) of a recess (8′, 9) of the adjoining component (2), and wherein one of the retaining elements (10) is a flange element extending upward.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2004
    Inventor: Dirnberger Gerhard
  • Patent number: 6796096
    Abstract: An impact absorbing surface covering adapted for use with a high impact traffic area is provided. A shock pad of post industrial, recycled closed cell foam is used in conjunction with an impervious wear surface, such as rubber, sprayed polyurethane, or artificial turf, in order to provide a durable, impact absorbent area, which can be easily adapted to varying shapes and sizes in a seamless manner to create an economical and resilient alternative for indoor/outdoor, commercial or recreational use. A method for installing an impact absorbing surface covering is also provided in which shock pads comprised of foam, fabric, and mesh layers are positioned on the ground, cement, or a floor, and are covered by a substantially impervious wear surface, thereby creating a non-purous, impact-absorbent, product with an extended life span.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2004
    Assignee: Koala Corporation
    Inventor: Robert G. Heath
  • Publication number: 20040182030
    Abstract: This floor is remarkable in that the plurality of modular elements comprises a first subassembly consisting in the association of a base component (A) and a first intermediate element (B) and a second subassembly consisting in a second intermediate element (C) and a top component (D) forming the point elastic floor, the two subassemblies (S1-S2) being secured together by connecting means with an angular orientation offset such as to define the contact surfaces (13) and allow assembly by interlocking, and in that the intermediate elements (B-C) are disposed with a median honeycomb structure (6) sandwiched between two stiffening plates (7-8) of the same format and dimension, said plates being of nonwoven material and having means of reinforcement and stiffening and in that the plates have means of reinforcement disposed in a canvass of warp and weft threads.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2004
    Publication date: September 23, 2004
    Applicant: GERFLOR
    Inventors: Robert Hinault, Alain Rivat
  • Publication number: 20040172905
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2004
    Publication date: September 9, 2004
    Inventors: Alan B. Collison, Chad A. Collison
  • Patent number: 6763643
    Abstract: Flooring material comprising board shaped floor elements (1) which are provided with edges (2), a lower side (5) and a decorative upper surface (3). The floor elements (1) are intended to be joined by means of separate joining profiles (10). All four edges (2) are provided with one notch-like groove (4) each. The grooves (4) are arranged parallel to its respective edge (2). The joining profiles (10) are provided with lips (11) arranged in pairs. The lips (11) are intended to each be received by one of the grooves (4) so that the floor element (1) with the grooves (4) at the adjacent edges (2) will be guided or fixed vertically via the lips (11) of a joining profile (10). The lips (11) are joined by a middle section (12) of the joining profile (10). The grooves (4) are furthermore provided with an undercut (46) while the lips (11) are provided with hooks (16) that matches the undercut (46) whereby adjacent floor elements (1) will be guided or fixed horizontally via the undercuts (46) and the hooks (16).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2004
    Assignee: Pergo (Europe) AB
    Inventor: Göran Mårtensson
  • Patent number: 6751918
    Abstract: A cover assembly includes an elongated resilient cover for bridging a gap between horizontal structural members. The upper face surface of the resilient cover has spaced apart ribs extending transverse to the flow of traffic and an opposite surface formed with load bearing edge portions engaged for support with opposite lateral margins to the expansion joint. Between the load bearing edge portions the cover supports at least one rigid metal plate. In one embodiment, a central plate bridges the gap between two structural members and the at least two additional plates serve to urge the opposite lateral edges of the cover into supporting engagement with structural members. The cover has a thickness and sufficient elasticity to elastically deform for establishing supporting contact between the marginal support areas and underlying horizontal structural members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2004
    Assignee: Constuction Research & Technology GmbH
    Inventor: Thomas A. Jesko
  • Publication number: 20040107659
    Abstract: The invention concerns a floor construction comprising a plurality of surface portions (12) which each comprise at least one respective material with possibly different properties, in particular properties in regard to human perception when standing on the surface portions (12), wherein the different surface portions (12) are of such an arrangement and configuration that when moving on the floor construction (10) a continuously changing, unforeseeable sequence of different surface portions (12) has to be unavoidably stepped upon.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 25, 2003
    Publication date: June 10, 2004
    Inventor: Josef Glockl
  • Publication number: 20040103602
    Abstract: The flooring is made up of a set of touching parallel floorboards (10) and is supported by a set of mutually parallel load-spreading plates (2) placed on the ground via a resilient underlayer on which they rest; the flooring is remarkable by the fact that said floorboards (10) are stuck to said plates (2) by means of beads of elastically-deformable adhesive (4) such as polyurethane placed on the top faces of the plates (2), preferably in respective longitudinal grooves (3) formed in the top face of the plates. The invention relates to flooring, in particular for playing sports.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 12, 2004
    Publication date: June 3, 2004
    Inventor: Pierre Geraud
  • Patent number: 6742312
    Abstract: A shock absorber for a sports floor assembly. The shock absorber has a base portion and a nodule portion. The base portion is formed of an elastomeric material. The nodule portion extends a distance from one side of the base portion and has a first layer formed of an elastomeric material with a durometer Shore hardness substantially equal to the durometer Shore hardness of the base portion. The nodule portion has a second layer formed of an elastomeric material having a durometer Shore hardness less than the durometer Shore hardness of the base portion and the first layer of the nodule portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2004
    Assignee: Citizens State Bank
    Inventor: Jim Louis Valentine
  • Publication number: 20040088938
    Abstract: The invention relates to a material comprising a felt of mineral fibers, such as glass fibers, intended to be placed under a wood floor, especially of the laminate type, so as to absorb the noise of impact against the wood floor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2003
    Publication date: May 13, 2004
    Applicant: SAINT-GOBAIN ISOVER
    Inventors: Leif Andersson, Eerik Nousiainen
  • Publication number: 20040068950
    Abstract: A flooring system for floors exhibiting surface movement, and/or for cushioning hard floors, which includes an epoxy or polyurethane primer, a two-component ambient temperature cured polyurethane membrane substrate base atop the primer of a urethane grade castor oil, polyether based polyol, a tin catalyst and a thickening agent, along with a polymeric isocyanate activator, and a polyurethane or polyurea, aromatic or aliphatic coating atop the substrate base, in providing a very tough, but flexibly soft non-cracking overlay which moves with the floor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2002
    Publication date: April 15, 2004
    Inventor: William H. McGrath
  • Patent number: 6718715
    Abstract: A pad for a hardwood floor which has an upper layer of floorboards and a lower subfloor, and a plurality of the pads supporting the subfloor and floorboards in spaced relation above a base, each of the pads including horizontally oriented triangular openings defined by angled legs, to optimize the restoring force of the pads and thereby extend the useful life of the hardwood floor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Inventor: Paul W. Elliott
  • Patent number: 6718716
    Abstract: The thermal insulation pad has a compressible insulation strip, a top flexible cover and a bottom flexible cover. A stapling flange and a flashing flange extend widthwise from the top and bottom cover strips respectively along a first side of the insulation strip and are sealed to each other along a bond line near the first side. An interior flange extends widthwise from the top cover strip, along the other side of the insulation strip. The flanges are usable to seal the thermal insulation pad against the weather and air barrier on the outside of a building wall and against the vapour barrier on the inside of a building wall. The flanges extending from the top cover strip are usable to stretch the top cover strip over the insulation strip to form a cushioned liner around a wall opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Inventor: Graham Cowie
  • Patent number: 6715253
    Abstract: This 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 structure (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).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2004
    Assignee: Valinge Aluminium AB
    Inventor: Darko Pervan
  • Publication number: 20040055243
    Abstract: A knockdown aluminum-made floorboard which is integrally formed by way of aluminum extrusion. The aluminum-made floorboard has a hollow main body. Two sides of the main body are respectively formed with a projecting plate and two wing plates continuously extending in lengthwise direction. The projecting plate and wing plates oppositely outward protrude. A front end of the projecting plate is formed with projections. A front end of each wing plate is formed with a stop section for fixedly engaging with the projection of the projecting plate of an adjacent floorboard.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2002
    Publication date: March 25, 2004
    Inventor: Chin-Ho Yeh
  • Publication number: 20040050015
    Abstract: A laminate composition of a thin film of low density polyethylene adhered to a sheet of low density polyethylene foam by means of a very thin layer of low density polyethylene. The polyethylene foam has a low density which is preferably between about 1.9 pcf and about 2.2 pcf. The bottom polyethylene film serves as a vapor barrier. One side of the polyethylene film extends beyond one edge of the polyethylene foam sheet. The laminate composition is installed in a free floating manner on the concrete subflooring, with the polyethylene film or the polyethylene foam sheet contacting the surface of the concrete subflooring. The laminate composition is usually in long strips, so when it is installed one edge of one strip overlies the extended portion of the polyethylene film of an adjacent strip. Tape having adhesive on both sides can be positioned between the overlay region to adhere together the overlaid portions to prevent movement thereof during installation of the laminate wood finish flooring.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 18, 2003
    Publication date: March 18, 2004
    Inventor: Stephen M. Foster
  • Publication number: 20040040242
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 4, 2002
    Publication date: March 4, 2004
    Inventor: Erlin A. Randjelovic
  • Patent number: RE38745
    Abstract: A laminate composition of a thin film of low density polyethylene adhered to a sheet of low density polyethylene foam by means of a very thin layer of low density polyethylene. The polyethylene foam has a low density which is preferably between about 1.9 pcf and about 2.2 pcf. The bottom polyethylene film serves as a vapor barrier. One side of the polyethylene film extends beyond one edge of the polyethylene foam sheet. The laminate composition is installed in a free floating manner on the concrete subflooring, with the polyethylene film or the polyethylene foam sheet contacting the surface of the concrete subflooring. The laminate composition is usually in long strips, so when it is installed one edge of one strip overlies the extended portion of the polyethylene film of an adjacent strip. Then the laminate wood finish flooring, in plank form, is installed on top of the laminate composition in a free floating manner. The laminate wood planks fit together in a tongue-in-groove manner and are glued together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2005
    Assignee: Pactiv Corporation
    Inventor: Stephen M. Foster