With Spacing Sleeper Or Subflooring Patents (Class 52/480)
  • Patent number: 6470641
    Abstract: An assembly device without visible screws for assembly of two parallel wooden slats comprises an intercalated fixing element engaged in two positioning grooves arranged side by side in the side faces. The fixing element comprises a metal slide having: a base part equipped with an oblong aperture extending longitudinally in the central part for the screw to pass through, two securing wings oriented in opposite directions from one another and designed to press in the grooves when the screw is tightened, and a screw head whose external dimension is greater than the visible second gap which is arranged above the grooves between the upper edges of the two wooden slats.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2002
    Inventor: Didier Faure
  • Patent number: 6470647
    Abstract: A wall board adjustment structure includes at least two brackets respectively fixedly fastened to the wall of a building at different elevations and aligned vertically in a line, the brackets each having a base panel fixedly fastened to the wall of the building, a support panel perpendicularly extended from the base panel, and a plurality of flanges perpendicularly upwardly extended from a top side of the support panel and defining a plurality of coupling grooves; a ribbed frame coupled to the brackets and disposed in parallel to the wall of the building, the ribbed frame having a flat base, back coupling means disposed a back side of the flat base, and front coupling means disposed at a front side of the flat base; at least two hanging plates respectively coupled between the back coupling means of the ribbed frame and the brackets to hold the ribbed frame in parallel to the wall of the building, the hanging plates each having a first hook flange hooked in one coupling groove of one bracket, and a second hook
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2002
    Inventor: Yi-Cheng Hsueh
  • Publication number: 20020152702
    Abstract: A wood floor structure includes a pad layer composed of a plurality of pads and each pad has at least two taper-shaped protrusions extending from each side thereof. Each pad has a rod extending from a top surface thereof. A plurality of wood strips each have at least one hole defined in a bottom thereof so as to receive said rod in said at least one hole.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2002
    Publication date: October 24, 2002
    Inventor: Zhi-Wen Tseng
  • Publication number: 20020148186
    Abstract: Boards, whether or of wood or man made materials, have downwardly converging sides in the manner of an inverted trapezoid to create a downwardly expanding space between such boards when used for decking, porches, balconies, walkways and the like. The downwardly expanding space between adjacent boards reduces the likelihood of clogging by debris and the like to which the decking, etc. is expected to be subjected.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2002
    Publication date: October 17, 2002
    Inventor: Denis W. Kasten
  • Patent number: 6446405
    Abstract: A locking system for mechanical joining of floorboards, in which immediately juxtaposed upper parts of taco adjacent joint edges of two joined floorboards together define a joint plane perpendicular to a principal plane of the floorboards, the locking system providing a joining of the two joint edges perpendicular to the joint plane, the locking system including a locking groove which is formed in an underside of and extends in parallel with a first of the two joint edges at a distance from the joint plane and a portion projecting from a lower part of a second of the two joint edges and below the first joint edge and integrated with a body of the board, the projecting portion supporting at a distance from the joint plane a locking element cooperating with the locking groove, the projecting portion being located entirely outside the joint plane seen from a side of the second joint edge, and the projecting portion having a material composition other than that of the body of the board, tie projecting portion inc
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2002
    Assignee: Valinge Aluminium AB
    Inventor: Darko Pervan
  • Publication number: 20020121064
    Abstract: A plank having a wood core with a groove formed in each of its sides and a protective cladding formed on its top surface. The wood core is formed by bonding a plurality of wood strips or chips together. The cladding is provided by a sheet of a material selected from the group consisting of plastic, polyvinyl chloride (PVC), acrylic, polycarbonate, and composites thereof that is bonded to the top surface, or by two or another number of sheets of a material selected from the group consisting of polyester, phenol, epoxy, and composites thereof, that are sprayed or rolled onto the top surface. T-shaped connector clips can be provided with the arms receivable in the grooves of the plank for securing adjacent planks together.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2001
    Publication date: September 5, 2002
    Inventor: Ronald D. Erwin
  • Publication number: 20020108341
    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: Application
    Filed: April 9, 2002
    Publication date: August 15, 2002
    Inventor: Douglas J. Hamar
  • Publication number: 20020108340
    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: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2001
    Publication date: August 15, 2002
    Inventor: Paul W. Elliott
  • Patent number: 6427395
    Abstract: An elongated member suitable for flooring, decking, or seating, having a top plate formed as an extrusion of plastic material, wherein the top plate includes ribs constituted by protruding parts of parallel, spaced, elongated friction elements co-extruded therewith, the friction elements being formed of plastic having distinctly greater softness or flexibility than the main parts of the top plate and suitable for providing a non-slip surface. The member may include an elongated support formed as a relatively rigid extrusion of plastic material having a base plate with upstanding side walls and a central support portion, the top plate overlying the support and having edge formations engaging the side walls. Alternatively, the top plate and support may be formed integrally by extrusion, or the top plate may be part of a plank cover having integrally formed ribs for spacing the top plate above a plank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2002
    Assignee: Western Profiles Limited
    Inventors: Glenn R. Elsasser, Frederic E. C. Wall
  • Publication number: 20020092255
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2002
    Publication date: July 18, 2002
    Applicant: Robbins, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael W. Niese, Paul W. Elliott
  • Patent number: 6418691
    Abstract: The flooring includes a treading layer extending in a given plane, and supporting formations extending from the treading layer along respective directions of extension, in which at least some of the supporting formations extend with their respective direction of extension, which is oblique with respect to the given plane of the treading layer. The supporting formations include first supporting formations in the form of a first array of ribs, which are substantially parallel to one another and extend from said treading layer with their respective directions of extension, which are oblique with respect to the given plane of the treading layer, and second supporting formations include a second array of ribs, which extend from the treading layer in a substantially orthogonal direction with respect to the given plane of the treading layer and are set crosswise with respect to the first array of ribs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2002
    Assignee: Mondo S.p.A.
    Inventor: Fernando Stroppiana
  • Patent number: 6418690
    Abstract: The specification discloses an outdoor deck surface unit in which a plurality of boards, suitable for outdoor use, are secured to an underlying substrate. The deck units cover an area of from about 2 to about 6 square feet, such that they are large enough that an entire deck surface can be created relatively quickly, but are sufficiently small that a deck surface unit can be readily lifted, moved, placed and handled by a single individual.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2002
    Inventors: Charles E. Wheatley, Colin G. Carr
  • Patent number: 6416269
    Abstract: The invention resides in a fastener for securing a first board to an underlying supporting member and to at least one other board running adjacent and parallel to the first board. The fastener has a thin flat body portion having front and rear faces, with a first prong extending outwardly from the front face of the body portion for driving into a first board. The fastener also includes a second prong extending outwardly from the rear face of the body portion for penetrating a second board, with the second prong running adjacent and parallel to in a direction opposite from that of the first prong. The body portion of the fastener has an opening for receiving a connector through the opening which is inclined to and passes through the body portion for fastening the body portion to a supporting member which supports and underlies the first and second boards.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2002
    Inventors: David Martel, David Young Hartmann
  • Patent number: 6408584
    Abstract: A pre-fabricated wood underlayment and tile system comprising, in layers, wood underlayment, layer of adhesive, and a layer of vinyl or ceramic tile with a plastic film protectant that is peeled away after installation which provides a pre-fabricated panel to be attached to any flat surface such as a floor or a wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2002
    Inventor: Rhonda Annette Rodriguez
  • Patent number: 6397543
    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: December 23, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2002
    Inventor: Douglas J Hamar
  • Patent number: 6367217
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2002
    Assignee: Robbins, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael W. Niese, Paul W. Elliott
  • Patent number: 6363671
    Abstract: A floor assembly (10) including a plurality of rectangular panels (12) disposed in end-to-end relationship in adjacent rows with the panels (12) of one row overlapping the panels (12) of the next adjacent row, the panels being in abutting edge to edge relationship. A groove (18) is disposed in each of the abutting edges and a dowel strip (20) is adhesively secured in one of the grooves (18) of the abutting edges of adjacent panels (12). A discrete and resilient block (22) extends downwardly from the bottom surface (16) of the corner of each panel (12) to engage a support surface. A plurality of hooks (26) engage the outer peripheral edges of the peripheral panels (12). Each of the hooks (26) includes a tubular element (36) secured to the bottom surface (16) and a cable (38) and a tensioning device (40) places the cable (38) in tension between the elements (36) of first and second hooks (26).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2002
    Inventor: Edward O'Mara
  • Patent number: 6363675
    Abstract: An anchored resilient ventilated athletic flooring structure having vertical restraints secured to a base in parallel relationship to each other and the restraints have outwardly directed flanges, parallel spaced apart struts positioned under the flanges and transverse to the vertical restraints, a resilient upward biasing means secured under the struts so that the struts are resiliently engaged with the outward directed flanges of two adjacent vertical restraints, parallel spaced apart nailers secured transversely to the top surface of the struts and parallel to the vertical restraints, and a wood flooring secured transversely to the nailers. The spaced apart relationships or the struts and nailers provides a ventilated subfloor. The spaced apart relationships of the vertical restraints, struts and nailers permits the “tuning” of the subfloor by modifying the size and spacing of the subfloor components to effect changes in the measurable properties of the floor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2002
    Inventor: Floyd Shelton
  • Publication number: 20020020135
    Abstract: Squeaks in floors or stairs will be eliminated by the usage of this device. By the usage of screws as fasteners, the ability of securing each to one another, works especially in a situation as this. The SQUEAKBUSTER device. It is a metal bracket invented solely for the purpose of removing squeaks in a floor system that is either in a residential or commercial structure. This device has a number of predetermined pattern of holes in the top flange, as well in the side flange areas. This bracket or system is to join two perpendicular members together, tightly where there has been a separation between the joists and subfloor, where there is a space or gap. Also in an area where the plywood is rubbing up against the shaft or staff of the nail. That is creating a squeak in the floor system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2001
    Publication date: February 21, 2002
    Inventors: Orville Lehman Grove, Janice Marie Grove
  • Publication number: 20010049917
    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: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2001
    Publication date: December 13, 2001
    Inventors: Peter Simonelli, Michael Simonelli
  • Patent number: 6327828
    Abstract: A structural member having a top flange, a web and a bottom support. The top flange transitions into the web and the web transitions into the bottom support. The overall height of the structural member varies to accommodate structural panels, including insulation and acoustical panels, of similar or different thicknesses. In one preferred embodiment, an apparatus having a plurality of structural members attached to corresponding bearing plates is used as a sub-purlin to provide an economical roofing system which allows for retrofitting and easy detection and replacement of damaged roofing panels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2001
    Assignee: Decks, Inc.
    Inventor: Frank E. Carroll
  • Patent number: 6324803
    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 (1, 2). 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 (1, 2) and at right angles to the joint. Both the first and second mechanical connections allow mutual displacement of joined panels (1, 2) in the direction of the joint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2001
    Assignee: Välinge Aluminum AB
    Inventor: Tony Pervan
  • Patent number: 6321499
    Abstract: An assembly type wood floor comprising a high frame and a floor. The high floor is a net-like lattice frame formed by a plurality of upper plates, a plurality of lower plates and a plurality of flat plates. At first, the shape grooves of the upper plates is engaged with the U shape grooves of the lower plates, and the lower extended rod on the two sides of the bottom of the shape groove may be inserted into the positioning holes on the two sides of the nut of the upper plate. The upper extending rods on the two sides of the top of the U shape grooves are inserted into the positioning holes on the two sides of the nut of the upper plate. Next, the groove on the lower surface of the flat plate is engaged to the engaging plate of the upper plate and the pillar on the center of the engaging groove is inserted into the positioning hole on the middle section of the engaging plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2001
    Inventor: Fu-Min Chuang
  • Patent number: 6311443
    Abstract: This invention provides an apparatus, method, and system to arrange a deck or balcony with the use of pre-manufactured deck panels. The deck panels are inexpensive, easy to install, remove, or add to, and only requires common framing hardware.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2001
    Inventor: Robert Allazetta
  • Publication number: 20010034994
    Abstract: Retrofit connectors that secure together the outside sheathing and underlying structural members of wood-frame or masonry houses, preventing damage when subjected to lateral stresses from a hurricane, or transverse loads from an earthquake. The connectors have special bushings and bearing surfaces that tie the outside sheathing and underlying structural members together, but allow deflection, and transfer of energy to other structural members. Different embodiments of the connectors allow them to adapt to most wood-frame and masonry homes, and to most roof pitches.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2001
    Publication date: November 1, 2001
    Inventor: Thomas C. Thompson
  • Patent number: 6286272
    Abstract: Process for installing against a support (S), the ground in particular, a covering consisting of planks, laths, wooden panels (1) which consists in leveling the surface to be overlaid, then in fixing against the said surface (S), side-by-side planks (1), leaving a space between them and the ground. The process is characterized in that the spacing and the fixing of the planks (1) constituting the covering is obtained by means of pairs of elements (3, 4) distributed over the length of the said planks, which elements (3, 4) take the form of blocks, of which the one (3) is fixed transversely on the lower face of the plank and the second (4) over the ground, the opposite faces of the said blocks (3, 4) comprising interlockable complementary zones (7) ensuring the mutual securing of the said elements (3, 4).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2001
    Inventor: Jean-Luc Sandoz
  • Patent number: 6282848
    Abstract: A floor, wall and ceiling construction for a magnetically shielded room which provides a stable and homogeneous magnetically shielded space or environment having an extremely high attenuation value while absorbing exterior as well as interior vibrations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2001
    Assignee: Imedco AG
    Inventor: Urs Schlapfer
  • Patent number: 6279279
    Abstract: The invention relates to an aerated flooring system for use in athletic arenas or gymnasiums. The flooring system includes a top layer that provides a surface for the activities to be conducted on the floor. The system also includes at least one ventilation device. The ventilation device covers an air flow shaft within the flooring system, helping to prevent debris from falling in the air flow shaft, but allowing air to flow through the ventilation device. The ventilation device allows air to ventilate out of the flooring system. A support layer below the top layer provides support to the flooring system. A ventilation layer below the flooring is sized to allow air movement through the layer. The air flow shafts allow air to travel from the ventilation layer to the ventilation device. A base is below the ventilation layer and provides support for the flooring system above. A blowing device is controlled by a computer system that monitors the system using sensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2001
    Inventor: Mark Larimore
  • Patent number: 6247285
    Abstract: There is disclosed a flooring panel which comprises a supporting plate made of wood material and provided on at least one face with a covering. The supporting plate is provided at its edges with tongues and grooves which fit into and onto corresponding grooves and tongues on further similar panels. Each edge of the supporting plate has both a groove and a tongue to provide a firm connection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2001
    Inventor: Maik Moebus
  • Patent number: 6233896
    Abstract: A method of flooring using butting panels fixed to a frame primarily of joists, joints transverse of the longitudinal axes of the joists being largely unnogged. To support such joints unsupported by a framing element reliance is placed on panel edge to panel edge adhesion. In a preferred form particle board panels each provided with an edge groove have the effect of ensuring both a sufficient availability of adhesive for an effective butt joint whilst, in addition, providing a keying or splining between the adjacent panels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2001
    Assignee: Carter Holt Harvey Limited
    Inventor: Michael John Coup
  • Patent number: 6230460
    Abstract: A resilient flooring system including a number of laterally spaced, shock absorbers for positioning upon a fixed subfloor. Each shock absorber includes a sole plate and a top plate retained in a spaced-apart relationship by a number of rubber spheres. The sole plate and the top plate have vertically aligned and cup-shaped sockets therein for retaining the spheres. A vertically movable decking is positioned atop the shock absorbers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2001
    Inventor: Wesley Howard Huyett
  • Patent number: 6219983
    Abstract: A covering plate (5), for flooring in conveyances such as a railway car, is provided with a securing track (11) for securing seats, etc. The covering plate (5) is formed by a sandwich structure having a central core (24) arranged between an outer plate (25), which extends across the entire size of the covering plate, and second outer plates (26). The securing track (11) is formed in a profile (27) embedded in the sandwich structure so that a securing track (11) extends at a right angle to lateral edges (14) of the covering plate (5). As either end of the profile is provided with tracks (29) for receiving tight-fitting pins (30), a floor structure can be mounted easily and rapidly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2001
    Assignee: DaimlerChrysler Rail Systems (Denmark) A/S
    Inventors: Jens Jørgen Gråkjaar Jensen, Claus Bratsbjerg, Per Andersen
  • Patent number: 6209267
    Abstract: A modular decking system for use in constructing a deck of the type normally attached to a house or cottage includes a plurality of square, typically one meter by one meter, frames which are mounted on posts; deck or floor panels which are mounted on the frames; finishing planks for mounting on the outside edges of the frames to finish the base of the deck; and a railing assembly including posts for mounting on the corners of the base and at the junction between finishing planks, and rectangular fence panels which are connected to the posts, mainly by sliding the panels into longitudinally extending grooves in the posts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2001
    Inventor: Hugh A. Dantzer
  • Patent number: 6199335
    Abstract: A floor structure for use on an ice surface includes sheets of rigid, lightweight material each having a topside and a bottom side which includes a margin and geometric recesses and recess dividers. Only the margins and recess dividers are in contact with the ice surface when this floor structure is laid upon the ice. The recess dividers effectively seal the geometric recesses creating sealed pockets which trap ambient air thus creating a thermal insulating effect which substantially prevents the coldness from the ice from penetrating the sheets to the topsides and prevents condensation from forming on the topsides making it safe for the users to move about upon this floor structure unlike other floor structures which are used on ice. In addition, this floor structure does not stick or freeze to the ice unlike the other floor structures, because it has a substantially smaller surface area which is in direct contact with the ice, making it much easier to remove and reuse.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2001
    Assignee: SpaceAge Synthetics, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen E. Brenot, Arnold G. Althoff, Randy M. Schneider
  • Patent number: 6189279
    Abstract: A floating floor system for installation over a subfloor. The underlay has a polymer film with a relatively low coefficient of friction between itself and a floating floor cast to a relatively thin and dense open-celled foam with a relatively high coefficient of friction between itself and the subfloor. Also contemplated is a method for installing the underlay between the subfloor and the floating floor, wherein the foam surface of the underlay is placed against the subfloor and the floating floor is positioned onto the film layer of the underlay.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2001
    Assignee: L&P Property Management Company
    Inventor: Doug Fiechtl
  • Patent number: 6189274
    Abstract: A horizontal support structure for a building area divided into sub-areas. The structure comprises a primary support system of girders arranged spaced apart and parallel to each other. A secondary support system of joists is arranged essentially cross-wise on top of the primary support system. The joists are selectively supported on the girders such that joists under different sub-areas are supported by different girders.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2001
    Inventor: Ahto Ollikainen
  • Patent number: 6182411
    Abstract: Indicated is a structural flooring component for vehicles which has a bottom plate (10) and a number of profile parts (20) for the attachment of equipment components to the floor. The bottom plate (10) has a number of molded in support surfaces which are arranged at given intervals and form downward pointing protrusions in the bottom plate (10). Each of the support surfaces holds a flooring connection profile (20), the cross section of which is smaller than that of the support surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2001
    Assignee: Lear Corporation
    Inventors: Antje Ganser, Alexander Koblischke, Peter Groche
  • Patent number: 6182410
    Abstract: An edge lock is provided for use in a flooring system having a plurality of floor panels. The edge lock mechanically and releasably locks together adjacent edges of pairs of adjacent floor panels during assembly of the flooring system, and when said adjacent floor panels are laying flat on a subfloor with upper corner portions of said adjacent edges being mutually spaced apart, the edge lock includes a lock for forming a first mechanical connection for locking the adjacent edges to each other in a vertical direction, and for forming a second mechanical connection for locking the adjacent edges to each other in a horizontal direction at right angles to the edges. The lock includes a locking groove extending parallel to and spaced from a first one of the adjacent edges of one of the adjacent floor panels and being open at a rear side of the one adjacent floor panel, and a flexible and resilient locking strip integrated with another of the adjacent floor panels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2001
    Assignee: Välinge Aluminium AB
    Inventor: Tony Pervan
  • Patent number: 6178705
    Abstract: The suspension and sound-insulation system is intended to be used in houses or buildings. In this system, a finishing panel is attached to a rigid structure surface by a plurality of rubber cylinders each provided with an open cavity extending axially. Each cylinder is attached to the structure surface by a suspension rod provided with opposite ends, which is inserted into the cavity of the cylinder and whose opposite ends are folded so as to extend the structure surface and be fixed thereto. The finishing panel is attached to suspension bars that are attached to the cylinders by other suspension rods passing through the cavities of the cylinders. The cavities of the rubber cylinders are axially offset and the cylinders are oriented during their installation in such a manner that their cavities are closer to the structure surface and to the suspension bars. The other suspension rods are also shaped and sized to receive and support one of the suspension bars.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2001
    Inventor: Yvon Lefebvre
  • Patent number: 6173548
    Abstract: A floor for a basketball court or the like assembled from a plurality of separate floor sections arranged in staggered rows with each section including a plurality of spaced apart sleepers, a subfloor secured to the sleepers, and a wood strip flooring layer secured to the subfloor. Abutting edges of adjoining floor sections are reinforced by tongues and complementary edge pockets mounted on respective abutting edges of adjoining sections. The edge pockets may be formed by recessing the subfloor inwardly of outer edges of the sleepers and the flooring layer. A similar edge pocket may be formed on the adjoining floor section that the tongue is received into. Each tongue is preferably fabricated of a tough, non-marring polymeric material such as ultra-high molecular weight plastic. Alternatively, a similar tongue and pocket arrangement may be formed by mounting a tongue and bracket set on the subfloors of adjoining floor sections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2001
    Inventors: Douglas J. Hamar, Mark S Young
  • Patent number: 6170212
    Abstract: A deck system including cooperating plastic planks, fastener covers and end caps. Each of the plastic planks has at least one channel in the upper surfaces which extends the length of the plank. Each channel includes at least one pair of opposed ledges. Each fastener cover is configured for insertion into one of the channels. The fastener cover is an elongate member having an upper face portion and a pair of legs downwardly depending from the upper face portion and extending substantially the entire length thereof. The fastener cover includes a pair of upper laterally projecting flanges and a pair of lower laterally projecting flanges. When a fastener cover is inserted into a channel, the pairs of upper and lower flanges receive the at least one pair of ledges with a gap sufficient to accommodate displacement of the fastener cover arising from ice expansion in the channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2001
    Assignee: CertainTeed Corporation
    Inventors: Mark G. Suchyna, Robert G. Kearful
  • Patent number: 6164031
    Abstract: A resilient flooring formed over a base floor which includes a plurality of parallel spaced channel members secured with the base floor. Each channel member which forms a channel includes a base, spaced vertical sides and inwardly directed rims secured at upper ends of each of said sides. At least one resilient member is positioned between adjacent of the channel members and sub-floor panels are arranged between the channel members over the resilient member. Opposed ends of the sub-floor panels adjacent the channel members are formed with a recessed shoulder. Adjacent shoulders form a groove across the sub-floor panels. Flooring strips are secured with the sub-floor panels forming a flooring surface. Clips which engage the rims of the channel members and with the shoulders of the sub-flooring panels, act to secure the resilient flooring a maximum position away from the base floor while allowing movement toward the base floor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2000
    Inventor: James Counihan
  • Patent number: 6158185
    Abstract: A resilient base flooring for assembly on a base surface having a plurality of sub-floor panels carried above the base surface in substantial side-by-side and end-to-end arrangement to form a base floor having continuous uninterrupted surfaces. A plurality of flooring boards are secured with and are arranged to extend transversely of the sub-floor panels to define an integral flooring system. Resilient members are disposed between the sub-floor panels and the base surface to provide resilient support for the integral flooring. A first limit bar is connected with the base surface and a second limit bar is supported by an inner surface of the sub-floor panels. The limit bars have overlying edges which interact beneath the lower surface of the sub-flooring panels to limit vertical movement of the integral flooring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2000
    Inventor: James Counihan
  • Patent number: 6141931
    Abstract: A floor transition piece is provided for spanning between first and second floorings having vertically offset top surfaces, such as a wood flooring and a vinyl flooring. The transition piece comprises an elongated body having a transition surface for extending between the vertically spaced top surfaces of the floorings when the piece is installed. The body includes structure for interlocking with one of the floorings, which may include a tongue or groove when utilized with wood floorings comprising a plurality of slats interlocked by a tongue-and-groove arrangement. Moreover, the body presents a recessed surface configured to be spaced from and at least partly overlie the top surface of the other flooring so as to present a gap therebetween, when the transition piece is installed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2000
    Inventor: Kenneth R. Simmons
  • Patent number: 6134854
    Abstract: A flooring system for use with floating floors is described which includes a glider bar having base portions including extending rails in the form of dovetail protrusions. The bases and rails are longitudinally moveable relative to anchoring plates, which anchoring plates are affixed to a subflooring. Flush finished floor moldings are slid longitudinally along the rails and are glued or mechanically fixed, at one side only, to the adjacent floating laminate flooring. By this assembly, smooth transitions between adjacent floating floors, or where floating floors meet another hard floor covering, or carpet, can be achieved. The system can also be used with flush stair nosing elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2000
    Assignee: Perstorp AB
    Inventor: Oliver Stanchfield
  • Patent number: 6122873
    Abstract: The invention includes a subfloor assembly for supporting a floor surface on a substrate. The subfloor assembly includes a plurality of plate members extending in parallel relation along the substrate, with a space formed between adjacent plate members. A plurality of sleeper members extending longitudinally along the substrate, and are located in the spaces between adjacent plate members. First resilient members are positioned on the upper surface of each of said plate members, and second resilient members are positioned below the lower surface of each of said sleeper members. The floor surface is attached to an upper surface of said sleeper members. The second resilient members are preferably more compressible than the first resilient members. The subfloor assembly also preferable has a plurality of brackets that limit upper movement of the sleeper members but permit downward movement of the sleeper members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2000
    Assignee: Connor/AGA Sports Flooring Corporation
    Inventor: Erlin A. Randjelovic
  • Patent number: 6115981
    Abstract: A sleeper system, used to attach covering flooring with a base floor. The improved arrangement comprises a metallic channel secured with the base floor. The channel comprises a horizontal base, spaced vertical and parallel sides, and an inwardly directed tab formed with the upper end of each of the sides. The tabs extending along a plane which is parallel with the plane of the base of the channel. A resilient pad is located within and extends along the channel. A wooden stud having an upper surface of a first width, a lower surface of a lesser second width and a pair of side surfaces with inwardly extending portions connecting with the lower surface is provided for placement within the channel. The stud has a plurality of attachment clips secured with each of its side walls. Each attachment clip includes a longitudinal extension having a portion spaced laterally from each side wall. An outwardly directed hook is formed at the lower end of each attachment clip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2000
    Inventor: James Counihan
  • Patent number: 6112479
    Abstract: A floor assembly having a plurality of elongated extrusions and a cooperating snap connector that is secured to a rigid underlying support. Each extrusion includes a pair of outer leg members and a pair of inner leg members, each of the outer leg members being connected to an adjacent inner leg member by horizontal support member. Each inner leg member includes a retaining tab extending therefrom. The snap connector includes an elongated base portion and a pair of flanges attached to opposed major sides of the base portion. The retaining tabs cooperate with the bottom section of the flanges to mechanically secure the extrusions to the snap connector. The snap connector is secured to the rigid underlying support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2000
    Assignee: Thermal Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas J. Andres
  • Patent number: 6101768
    Abstract: A raised floor panel is strengthened with a grated core. The working surface of the floor panel may be either solid or perforated. The floor panel is supported by a center pedestal that extends from a sub-floor. The angle of the panel can be varied by pivoting the platform of the pedestal that supports the floor panel. Two ventilation damping panels, surrounding the column of the pedestal, are connected together and may be positioned in several configurations to change the ventilation characteristics of the raised floor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2000
    Inventors: Gary Springstead, Gary Meyer, Guy Muller
  • Patent number: RE37615
    Abstract: An anchored/resilient floor system includes at least one upper flooring layer supported by parallel rows of attachment members which are supported above a base by a plurality of compressible pads, the attachment members being secured to the base at predetermined positions therealong by a fastener construction which permits downward deflection under loaded conditions but prevents vertical raising of the members beyond their initial static position. The attachment members are anchored in a manner which does not hold the pads in a precompressed state when the floor is unloaded. The fastener construction may include a one, two or three piece construction. The single member fastener construction is particularly suitable for reanchoring or retrofitting an already installed floor at a significantly lower cost than that of installing a new floor, and the one-piece fastener construction also may be adapted for use with a portable floor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2002
    Assignee: Robbins, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael W. Niese