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.

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 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Abstract: A decking system and clip apparatus used therein are provided. According to one aspect of the invention, the clip apparatus typically includes a top portion and a pair of lateral projections extending from opposite sides of the top portion. Each lateral projection is configured to contact a respective decking member, thereby maintaining a predefined distance between the decking members. The clip apparatus further typically includes a pair of spaced-apart downward projections extending downward from the top portion, the downward projections being separated by a void sized to receive the joist.

Abstract: A cushion block for using in a build-up surface formed by strips has two male coupling devices at one end, two female coupling devices at an opposite end corresponding to the male coupling devices, a retaining device protruded from one side thereof and adapted to secure the strip to the corresponding side of the cushion block, and a deformable body connected between the male coupling devices and the female coupling device. The male and female coupling devices are so made such that multiple cushion blocks are connectable in a line in a linking direction by engaging the male coupling devices of one cushion block into the female coupling devices of another. The deformable body is deformable in the linking direction to compensate expansion of the strips due to absorption of moisture.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Abstract: The invention relates to a floor with strips each defining a length and width and along the side and end edges provided with either end tongue or groove. The floor is laid in groups each including a number of tongue and groove assembled strips fastened to a subfloor by means of at least one fastener such as a screw or nail which is driven into the subfloor via at least one stepped transverse hole designed with at least one step in the respective strip and resting against the at least one step with a fastener head covered by a cover plug in the transverse hole. In mounted position, the plug is so stuck that it cannot be stepped down into the transverse hole by e.g. a spike heel which will not be able to damage or break the plug either, as the plug is made of a strong and durable metal such as e.g. bronze or steel. The length of each strip is longer than the width of the strip multiplied by the number of strips in a group. The strips engage each other in a strong and at the same time beautiful braided pattern.

Abstract: A fire rated glass flooring system comprising a first layer of glass which is a structural glass and a second layer of glass which is a fire rated glass, together with a structural frame supporting the flooring system, wherein the two layers of glass are positioned one above the other and are separated by at least one load transferring means. The flooring system is more aesthetic than conventional frames as the usr of a load transferring means allows the first and second layers of glass to be brought closer together and hence the structural frame supporting the system is less visible through the system.

Abstract: A modular rail system for holding a panel includes individual components that can be mixed and matched making it easy to customize to fit any length and provides for the use of an array of accent materials. The modular rail system includes at least first and second columns and first and second rails extending between the columns, wherein the columns and first rail each includes a recess for securing one edge of the panel.

Abstract: A suspended concrete flooring system (100) comprising a plurality of spaced-apart load-bearing members (110) or supporting walls that support a plurality of joists (122) having opposing sides and arranged substantially at right-angles to the load-bearing members. The joists have a support shelf (127) running the length of each opposing side for the purpose of supporting a plurality of fiber cement corrugated sheets (130) that span the space between the joists. A shrinkage control mesh (140) is arranged atop the corrugated sheets and is oriented generally in the direction of the load-bearing members and the joists. A thin layer of concrete (150) is formed over the corrugated sheets and the shrinkage control mesh, to form a flat, horizontal floor surface (151). The load-bearing members and the joists are made of strong, lightweight materials, such as steel.

Abstract: A method of constructing a stainless-steel floor on a floor bed includes providing support members on the floor bed, placing a stainless-steel plate on the support members; and bonding the stainless-steel plate to the floor bed by using mortar to fill the space between the stainless-steel plate and the floor bed, or by using adhesive.

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.

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.

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.

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).

Abstract: The invention relates to two panel elements (1 and 2) which are flexibly connected to one another, at least one profiled lateral edge being provided on each of the panel elements for the flexible connection which, as connecting edges (5 and 6), have a suitable bearing and contact surface for an adhesive strip connecting the panel elements (1 and 2), so that the swivel axis is in the area of the adhesive strip. To prevent a transparent effect in the joint area, the connecting edges (5 and 6) have a further profiling (11, 12) which enters a form-locking connection (13) when the connecting edges (5 and 6) are turned on one another. Furthermore, the invention comprises the method and the facility (17) for producing the flexibly connected panel elements (1 and 2).

Abstract: A combination floor pad includes at least one base pad, and a plurality of composite base boards fixed on the base pad. Thus, the base boards can be securely locked in the base pad rigidly and stably, thereby preventing the base boards from being detached or loosened from the base pad. In addition, the base boards can be closely secured by the side ribs and the positioning ribs, so that dirt or dust is not deposited between the base boards easily, thereby facilitating the user cleaning the base boards.

Abstract: An athletic floor assembled on a foundation having a capacity to absorb vibration, eliminate dead spots, and remain stable and resistant to the damaging effects of moisture which comprises discrete sections of reproducible subflooring constructions which are separated from each other so there are gaps between every section which prevents the ripple effect transmission of vibration forces which combines a wood nailing bed underlayment engaged inside the open face of a c-channel support system in which such engaged components are held in fixed elevation over the foundation and supported on strips of resilient material, and further comprising anchoring clips having a vertical riser member and engagement tabs at a top and which are engaged to the channels inside deflexure slot aperture cut in the channels and engaged to the foundation by fastening tab means at the bottom end and adapted to permit the entire floor construction to experience slidable vertical deflexure movement as limited by the limits of the defle

Abstract: A soundproof flooring system for overlying a sub floor includes a resilient soundproof membrane laying down on the sub floor. Elongated supports disposed generally parallel and spaced relationship relative to each other lay down on the membrane in alternate fashion with elongated spacers. Each support includes an elongated channel with a core slip encased therein. The plywood slip has a rib with an outer surface protruding out from the channel to support and secure the finish floor thereto. Each spacer slightly protrudes out upwardly from the rib outer surfaces of the plywood slips to support the finish floor thereon. The wood planks of the finish floor are transversely secured to the plywood slips using a bonding agent with staples or cleats.

Abstract: A resilient floor includes a plurality of parallel spaced rows of sleeper assemblies, or substructure members, supported by pads over a base, with a wear layer of floorboards secured to the rows of substructure members. The substructure members include an elongated lower panel with a pair of spaced rows of pads secured along the bottom surface of the panel, and corresponding rows of nailing strips secured to the top surface of the panel, to which the wear layer is secured. The panel may also include an middle row of designations, such as holes, for locating anchors to anchor the panel to the base, if it is desired to anchor the floor. Compared to other resilient floors the substructure members of this invention simplify and reduce installation and handling time, resulting in reduced labor costs. The structure itself also provides high strength and durability, but with reduced quantity and cost of material.

Abstract: An athletic floor assembled on a foundation having a capacity to absorb vibration, eliminate dead spots, and remain stable and resistant to the damaging effects of moisture which comprises discrete sections of reproducible subflooring constructions which are separated from each other so there are gaps between every section which prevents the ripple effect transmission of vibration forces which combines a wood nailing bed underlayment engaged inside the open face of a c-channel support system in which such engaged components are held in fixed elevation over the foundation and supported on strips of resilient material and further comprising anchoring clips having a vertical riser member and engagement tabs at a top and which are engaged to the channels inside deflexure slot aperture cut in the channels and engaged to the foundation by fastening tab means at the bottom end and adapted to permit the entire floor construction to experience slidable vertical deflexure movement as limited by the limits of the deflex

Abstract: A clamping device for combined floors includes a base member having a snapper, a first rib and a second rib extending upwardly form the base member and adapted to be received in the combined floors for connecting the combined floors. The base member has a &pgr;-shaped bracket extending from a first end of the base member and a T-shaped space defined in a second end of the base member. The &pgr;-shaped bracket is reciprocally and movably received in the T-shaped space of an adjacent base member so that the clamping device is connected to one another.

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.

Abstract: An area between a wall and a floor of a building can be covered by a baseboard molding unit of the present invention. The baseboard molding unit of the present invention includes a wall-mounted track section that can be fixed to a wall by fasteners and which includes a dovetail joint element and a baseboard element that has a dovetail groove defined therein that is slidably, yet securely held on the dovetail joint element. Corner pieces are used for inside and for outside corners.

Abstract: The present invention concerns an adhesive bonded thermoplastic coating for the underside of a floor that will add significant moisture resistance, wear resistance, transverse crack resistance, and make a better looking, more marketable product. The plastic coated vehicular trailer floor has a plurality of wood planks having a top surface, a bottom surface and a first and second side surfaces, the plank having a width that is less than the lateral width of the floor, each plank being formed by a plurality of boards arranged side-by-side, each board being formed of a plurality of segments joined end-to-end to one another by shaped coupling portions. The planks are arranged side by side such that at least one of the first and second side surfaces faces one of the second or first side surfaces of adjacent planks. Each of the planks has a planar polymer layer formed of an un-reinforced polymer, being bonded to the bottom surface of the planks with an adhesive layer.

Abstract: A construction beam defining a pair of lateral surfaces and a pair of abutment surfaces. The beam defines a set of alternating grooves and intermediate segments extending between the grooves. When the abutment surfaces are abuttingly positioned against other surfaces, the grooves being filled with air provide vibration dampening and thus reduced noise transmission. The air-filled grooves also provide thermal insulation. The configuration of the grooves allows trough flow of air reducing the risks of trapping moisture that could lead to rotting. The intermediate segments are optionally made of resilient material.

Abstract: A building construction for floors including joists that have vertical, threaded, through-running holes for level-adjusting spacer screws, which protrude from the joist on its underside for adjusting the top side of the joist to a desired level, an elastic damping body being arranged at the anterior screw portion and having an outer part, which forms a resilient connection between the screw and the substructure, and an inner part, which is located inside a central hole in the screw. The inner part forms a resilient engagement element for cooperation with an inner support surface in the bottom part of the screw. An attachment element for anchoring the screw to the substructure extends through a central hole in the damping body. The cross section of the inner part is greater than the diameter of the bottom part.

Abstract: A floor for a bumper car amusement ride is of modular construction. A base of each module may be of wood and has a multitude of openings for inserted reception of threaded studs welded to the underside of sheet metal panels extending lengthwise thereof. Nut elements, upon removal, permit panel removal and replacement. Dielectric spacers on each base insulate metal panels of different polarity. A metal framework supports the floor modules.

Abstract: A hidden dual loading spring-type floor board fastening mount structure comprised of a plurality of wooden floor boards, fastening mounts, and lengths of soft padding. Each wooden floor board has a tongue and a groove respectively formed along its long and short sides, with the fastening mount having a first tang and a second tang projecting upward from its top surface that enables engagement to the wooden floor boards. The fastening mount has a T-shaped slide block extending from one side and a T-shaped recess formed in its other side. In the invention herein, since the T-shaped slide block of the fastening mount is inserted into the T-shaped recess of another fastener mount and, furthermore, two in-line stays are postured against the two spring holes of another fastener mount, the two adjacent fastener mounts are interconnected into a flexibly extendible and retractable, tie member-form, floor board fastening mount structure, which effectively facilitates the installation of the wooden floor boards.

Abstract: A ladder-shaped subassembly for use in assembling a subfloor for an athletic floor that is anchored, resilient, ventilatable, and DIN certifiable. Long nailing strips form the long members of the ladder-shape while shorter transverse anchor strips secured below the long members form the rung members of the ladder shape. The anchor strips have resilient pads secured to their lower face. The ladder-shaped subassemblies are positioned on a base so that the long members are abutting and the long members of the subassemblies are spaced apart from each other approximately the same distance as they are spaced from each other on the subassembly thereby creating an open channel through which ventilating air can flow between the flooring above the subassemblies and the base below the subassemblies. Anchors engage the anchor strips so as to permit the downward flexure of the floor but limit the upward rebound of the floor.

Abstract: A wood floor assembly includes wood floors, joint bases, soft pads, and U-shaped clips. The wood floor has a first elongated side protruded with an insertion flange, and a second elongated side recessed with an insertion groove. The insertion flange has a bottom edge recessed with a first insertion snap groove, and the insertion groove has a bottom edge recessed with a second insertion snap groove. The joint base has a first side protruded with an insertion block and a second side recessed with an insertion recess. The joint base has a top face protruded with a first locking plate and a second locking plate. The first locking plate is formed with a first locking hook portion and a second locking hook portion. The U-shaped clip is clamped and positioned two adjacent joint bases.

Abstract: An impact and energy absorbing product for floors, walls, panels, crash mats and other flat surfaces. More particularly, the invention teaches the usage of coiled springs in conjunction with polymeric materials or metals such as titanium or steel, to help absorb and dissipate forces of humans and other objects coming in contact with said flat surfaces. Depending upon the exact environment in which the same are to be used, the coiled springs may be constructed of polymers or metals such as titanium or steel—lightweight, yet durable materials to accomplish the purposes of the invention. In the preferred mode of attachment, an insert is fitted to each end of each spring, with a flared insert then placed into a molded female slot upon a flat surface to hold the spring in place. Thus, a floor or wall surface may comprise a series of female slots such that multiple springs can easily slide therein.

Abstract: A flooring device for aligning and laying tiles. The flooring device includes a panel having an upper surface and a lower surface. The panel is flexible. The upper surface has a plurality of recesses therein bounded by ridges. A plurality of tiles each has a shape substantially identical to the recesses. Each of the tiles is positionable in one of the recesses. Each of the tiles has an upper edge, a bottom edge and a peripheral edge extending between the upper and bottom edges.

Abstract: A spacer plate for use in making a hollow floor has a plurality of truncated cone-shaped spacer elements extending from one side of the plate, and distributed in a row wise and column wise arrangement, for supporting the spacer plate from an underfloor, and also formed in the spacer plate are grooves formed in the same side of the plate as the spacer elements for holding a pipe conducting a heating or cooling medium, with the grooves surrounding at least a half of the circumference of the pipe to securely hold the pipe in place on the plate, so that the heating or cooling medium conducted through the pipe can come into heat exchange relationship not only with an upper floor laid on top of the spacer plate but also with air conducted through space existing between the spacer plate and the underfloor.

Abstract: An elevated batten system according to the present is designed to eliminate the need to install the vertical and horizontal battens in separate steps. By attaching pads or blocks to the underside of the horizontal battens during assembly, the function of the vertical strips is contained in the resulting batten assembly itself.

Abstract: A floorboard system includes a plurality of floorboards, wherein each of the floorboards is a rectangular floorboard provided with long edges and short edges and having a floorboard body provided with an integrated long edge locking system and an integrated short edge locking system for mechanical joining, both vertically and horizontally, the floorboards, along the long edges thereof and along the short edges thereof. The long edge locking system differs from the short edge locking system in respect of at least one of material composition and material properties. And, at least one of the long edge locking system and the short edge locking system includes a separate element which is integrally connected with the floorboard body at the factory and is made of a material other than that included in the floorboard body.

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.

Abstract: An entire decking system of PVC extrusions and molded plastic fasteners centered around utilizing structural “T” profiles which incorporate diagonal web elements in a truss configuration and eliminate the need for joist support. The system being entirely of plastic eliminates differential movement in thermal expansion and contraction caused by dissimilar material use between components. The system is capable and intended to be installed rapidly, above grade, and without the use of foundations. Also incorporated in the system design are railings which mount directly into the fascia members of the deck, eliminating the need for railing posts and the attendant fastening difficulties presented by these.

Abstract: A ladder-shaped subassembly for use in assembling a subfloor for an athletic floor that is anchored, resilient, ventilatable, and DIN certifiable. Long nailing strips form the long members of the ladder-shape while shorter transverse anchor strips secured below the long members form the rung members of the ladder shape. The anchor strips have resilient pads secured to their lower face. The ladder-shaped subassemblies are positioned on a base so that the long members are abutting and the long members of the subassemblies are spaced apart from each other approximately the same distance as they are spaced from each other on the subassembly thereby creating an open channel through which ventilating air can flow between the flooring above the subassemblies and the base below the subassemblies. Anchors engage the anchor strips so as to permit the downward flexure of the floor but limit the upward rebound of the floor.

Abstract: An above-grade decking system having a plurality of deck members overlying a plurality of joists with clip member connectors connecting the deck members to the joists. The present decking system is particularly adapted for use with concrete composite materials that are shaped into construction materials and textured to resemble wood or stone products. The clip members are shaped to hold the deck members onto the joists. The clip members fit into slots in the deck members and are attached to the joists using commonly available connectors. The deck members can be shaped and configured to fit together with the clip members therebetween.

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.

Abstract: A decorative wood surface system having permanent decorative marking wherein the marking is made with a decorative strip inserted between pieces of interlocking wood surface such that the decorative strip conforms to the interlocking pieces and engages with them. Typically, the interlocking wood surface system is tongue and groove hardwood, and the decorative strip is a brass, steel, aluminum, plastic or resin strip adapted such that is conforms to the tongue and groove, and engages with it to provide a permanent decorative wood surface.

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.