Key On Angularly Related Edges Or Faces Patents (Class 52/591.1)
  • Patent number: 11970857
    Abstract: A modular stiff wall panel assembly for a building structure includes a modular wall panel having a central portion has central ribs spaced therealong, a first wall track engaged with the central portion and having first ribs spaced therealong, and a second wall track engaged with the central portion and having second ribs spaced therealong wherein the second wall track is oppositely spaced from the first wall track, and a plurality of studs engaged with the central portion, the first wall track, and the second wall track. The central ribs, the first ribs, and the second ribs are linearly aligned, respectively, and registered parallel to a longitudinal axis of the studs, respectively. The central ribs, the first ribs, and the second ribs are coplanar on a single plane and disposed at an end-to-end pattern along an entire longitudinal length of the wall panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2023
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2024
    Inventor: Anthony Attalla
  • Patent number: 11608646
    Abstract: A panel including an upper side, a lower side, a core and complementary locking elements provided in pairs on opposing panel edges. At least one pair of locking elements has complementary hook profiles, namely a receiving hook and an arresting hook. The receiving hook has a hook periphery arranged remote from the main body and a receiving recess arranged in the vicinity of the basic body. The receiving recess is open towards the panel upper side, and the arresting hook has an arresting recess, arranged in the vicinity of the basic body and open towards the panel lower side, and has an arresting shoulder remote from the basic body and which, in the vertical joining direction, fits into the receiving recess of the receiving hook. The arresting hook has a vertically locking arresting contour and the receiving hook has a form-fitting contour, which form fits with the arresting contour of the arresting hook.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2023
    Assignee: AKZENTA PANEELE + PROFILE GMBH
    Inventors: Erich Schäfers, Hans-Jürgen Hannig
  • Patent number: 11511210
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a cubic element for construction toys, including three, straight, open-ended channels each formed on an adjacent different face of the cube between two opposite faces of the cube and extending in orthogonal opposite directions to each other (X,Y,Z). Each channel includes a bottom wall and two upwardly extending parallel sidewalls, wherein the width of the bottom wall and the distance between the face which is distal to the channel that is extending orthogonally from the same cube face, and the sidewall adjacent the distal face, are substantially equal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2022
    Inventor: Daniel Gat
  • Patent number: 11408173
    Abstract: The disclosed technology includes a polyurethane foam block including a base having a plurality of recesses and a top surface having a plurality of connective components protruding outward from the top surface where each connective component of the plurality of connective components can align with a recess of the plurality of recesses. The polyurethane foam block can include a plurality of walls extending upward from the base and defining an interior. The polyurethane foam block can include a plurality of partitions extending from the base to the top surface to divide the block into a plurality of cavities, each cavity traversing a height of the block.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2022
    Assignee: LAZARIAN WORLD HOMES
    Inventors: George Fermanian, Thomas Rhee
  • Patent number: 11384487
    Abstract: The invention relates to a paving stone (1) and to a paving produced using same. A strip-shaped connection section (4) is provided at least on one lateral face of the paving stone, which vertically projects from same and interacts with strip-shaped connection sections of adjoining stones in the course of producing a paving and establishing a connection. The connection section (4) has a stepped shape with at least three graduated shoulders one over another. This both achieves a joint that expands in the upward direction, and prevents the pointing from loosening or being cast upward when forces act upon the paving, for example when subject to vibrations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2022
    Inventor: Detlef Schroeder
  • Patent number: 11359370
    Abstract: The invention relates to a construction block (2) made of inert material, such as concrete, comprising two opposite main faces (4, 6), an upper face (8), a lower face (10), and two opposite lateral faces (12, 14), the upper and lower faces (8, 10) and the lateral faces (12, 14) having, respectively, complementary reliefs that are able to interlock when several of the blocks are juxtaposed. The relief of the upper face (8) comprises two tenons (16) extending in parallel and at a distance from the two main faces (4, 6), respectively, and the relief of the lower face (10) comprises two corresponding slots (16?) extending in parallel and at a distance from the two main faces (4, 6), respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2022
    Assignee: ASARS CONSTRUCTIONS
    Inventors: Carlo Spina, Danièle Waldmann-Diederich, Gelen Gael Chewe Ngapeya, Shahriar Agaajani
  • Patent number: 11352799
    Abstract: The invention relates to a glue-down decorative floor covering system. The invention also relates to a glue-down floor covering realized by a plurality of tiles of the glue-down floor covering system according to the invention. The invention further relates to a tile for use in a glue-down floor covering system according to the invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2022
    Assignee: I4F Licensing NV
    Inventor: Eddy Alberic Boucké
  • Patent number: 11261608
    Abstract: Floor panels are shown, which are provided with a mechanical locking system including a flexible tongue in a displacement groove. The flexible tongue may be formed from the core material of the floor panels and inserted during production into the displacement groove. The locking system may be locked with vertical folding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Assignee: VALINGE INNOVATION AB
    Inventor: Darko Pervan
  • Patent number: 11203875
    Abstract: A set (1) of tiles (5) adapted to cover a surface (10) perpendicular to a thickness direction (V) of the tiles (5), each of the tiles comprising at least one upper layer (24), and an underlying rigid core layer (22), the core layer and the upper layer being superimposed in the thickness direction, and the core layer defining a lower surface (S) opposite the upper layer. The tiles comprise at least one first tile (15) having a first edge extending in a longitudinal direction (L), the core layer of the first tile (15) defining a connecting groove (28) in the first edge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2021
    Assignee: TARKETT GDL S.A.
    Inventor: Jonas Bladh
  • Patent number: 10941571
    Abstract: The set of modular timber hollow bricks with thermal insulation properties includes wooden hollow bricks, marked as A and B which have a box structure. Hollow brick A and corner hollow brick B include two boards connected by crossbars in such a way, that they form a peripheral socket on the inside for a connection with the connector. The corner hollow brick B also has a connector on the side surface of the board. Each hollow brick has a circumferential socket, the size of which corresponds to half the thickness of the connector. The corner hollow brick B has a notch on the lateral surface. The hollow brick A and corner hollow brick B have each an additional reinforcing bar inside. The socket is filled with sealing foam before assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2021
    Assignee: CONSTRACT ECO DOMY sp. Z o.o.
    Inventor: Kacper Wasniewski
  • Patent number: 10626619
    Abstract: A surface element designed to be assembled together with similar surface elements to form a unit of a plurality of joined surface elements; said surface elements comprising a core, a decorative upper surface and edges for joining, including a first and a second edges allowing joining by rotational movement, and a third and a fourth edge allowing joining by vertical movement, wherein two adjacent edges of the surface element at the same time, and concurrently with said rotational movement, is joined with a surface element adjacent to the first edge and a surface element adjacent to the third or fourth edge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2020
    Assignee: Unilin Nordic AB
    Inventor: Jorgen Palsson
  • Patent number: 10538911
    Abstract: A flooring product is disclosed herein. The flooring product comprises a pair of oriented strand boards and an acoustic barrier layer. Each oriented strand board includes a first surface, a second surface, a first profiled edge, a stepped section, a second profiled edge, and a recessed section. The acoustic barrier layer is positioned between and at least partially secured to the oriented strand boards. Upon the securing of the acoustic barrier layer to the oriented strand boards, the stepped sections are arranged to form a tongue, where the acoustic barrier layer extends from the tongue to form a first rounded bulge. The recessed sections are arranged to form a groove, where the acoustic barrier layer extends into the groove to form a second rounded bulge. When two flooring products are assembled, the first rounded bulge of one flooring product contacts the second rounded bulge of the other flooring product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2020
    Assignee: Innovative Construction Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Robert Edmonds, Brian Siers
  • Patent number: 10428533
    Abstract: A decorative wall system is provided that includes a number of panels that can be secured to an underlying wall and to one another in an overlapping configuration to provide a multi-layer, three-dimensional appearance to the wall. In one embodiment of the wall system, the system includes individual panels that include a decorative front surface and a rear surface. The rear surface includes undercuts along each side of the rear surface that can be positioned over the side edges of the front surface of an adjacent wall panel. The panels may each include an adhesive layer including compressible strings therein that assist the adhesive in holding the panel on a surface by forming a vacuum between the panel and the surface to which the panel is attached.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2019
    Inventor: Natalie A. Magnusson
  • Patent number: 9540811
    Abstract: This application relates to a light-weight, multi-purpose construction panel. The panel may be formed, for example, from molded plastic. Each panel includes a substantially planar deck on a first side thereof and a second side comprising alternating male and female sleeves arranged in honeycomb-like compartments defined by a plurality of wall elements. A pair of panels may be releasably coupled together with their respective second sides facing inwardly to form a construction assembly. When a pair of panels is coupled together, the male sleeves of one panel matingly fit within the females sleeves of the other panel, and vice versa. The panel assemblies may be used for many different construction applications including flooring, roofing and wall structures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2017
    Inventor: Antonio Rapaz
  • Patent number: 9416534
    Abstract: An interlocking block construction system is provided. A plurality of interlocking blocks may each include: a top portion having a top protruding ridge; a bottom portion having a bottom recessed channel; a first side having a side protruding ridge; and a second side having a side recessed channel. The top protruding ridge of a first interlocking block is formed to fit within a bottom recessed channel of a second interlocking block. The side protruding ridge of the second interlocking block is formed to fit within a side recessed channel of a third interlocking block. The plurality of interlocking blocks connected together form a wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Inventor: Andrew Kovitch
  • Patent number: 9359740
    Abstract: A mesh foundation construction method using hollow blocks is disclosed. The method may include: leveling an upper part of a ground selected for reinforcing; arranging a multiple number of hollow blocks adjacent to one another in a mesh form such that one side touches the upper part of the ground, where a hollow block includes an enclosed sidewall that defines a hollow part, which penetrates from said one side to the other side; and filling the hollow parts with a filler, which includes one or more of gravel and sandy soil. With this method, a ground that does not provide a supporting force sufficient to hold an upper structure can be reinforced to support an upper structure without forming a deep foundation, such as piles, etc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2016
    Assignee: ACEALL CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Tae Chul Yang, Kab Boo Kim
  • Patent number: 9273465
    Abstract: A ceiling system in one embodiment includes an overhead support grid including a plurality of downward facing grid faces and an array of rectilinear grid openings. A plurality of grid-concealment ceiling panels are disposed in the grid openings and arranged diagonally such that corners of the panels are disposed proximate to mating corners of diagonally adjacent panels. Each panel includes peripheral edge portions which extend beneath and at least partially conceal grid faces surrounding the grid opening in which each panel is mounted. In one embodiment, the grid faces are completely concealed. Mating corners of ceiling panels meet at mutually configured chamfered corner surfaces which lie at cruciform intersections between the grid faces. The ceiling panels are arranged in diagonal rows in the support grid. Diagonal rows of filler ceiling panels are provided between diagonal rows of grid-concealment ceiling panels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2016
    Assignee: AWI Licensing Company
    Inventors: Todd M. Bergman, G. Douglas Vernau, Ryan D. Hanuschak
  • Patent number: 9032685
    Abstract: A building panel, such as a flooring panel or wall panel and a method of assembling the same into a floor, wall cladding, etc. The panel is provided with a locking means in the form of groove (6) and tongue (7) forming a tongue/groove joint for assembling of the panels. In a preferred embodiment, the groove (6) and the tongue (7) are made of water resistant material and fanned with a snap-together joint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Assignee: PERGO (EUROPE) AB
    Inventors: Goran Martensson, Magnus Kulik
  • Publication number: 20150082732
    Abstract: Hard panels formed from a wood-based material and having a decorative layer for floor coverings are provided, at least on two opposite edges, with coupling devices made in one piece with the panels wherein similar panels may be coupled together to form a floor covering, wherein these coupling devices provide for an interlocking in a direction perpendicular to the plane of coupled panels, as well as in a direction perpendicular to the edges concerned and parallel to the plane of coupled panels. These coupling devices are constituted of a tongue and a groove. The top side of the tongue has a protrusion that cooperates with a meshing recess located in the lower side of the upper lip of the groove of the coupling devices, and a portion extending generally parallel with the plane of the panel to form a contact surface cooperating with the lower side of the upper lip of the groove.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2014
    Publication date: March 26, 2015
    Inventors: Bernard THIERS, Mark CAPPELLE
  • Patent number: 8938929
    Abstract: The present subject matter relates to a set of panels, in particular floor panels, including a first panel and at least one second panel, wherein the panels have a first edge and a second edge; the first edge and the second edge are configured to establish a connection between the first and the second panels; the first edge includes a lower lip with a step; the second edge includes a downwardly open locking groove, which in a connected state of the panels, or of the edges, cooperates with the step and ensures a lock in a horizontal direction; the connection can be established by a vertical relative movement of the panels with respect to each other; a separate clip is provided which is disposed on the first edge and includes a movable clip head and a clip base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2015
    Assignee: Pergo (Europe) AB
    Inventor: Nils-Erik Engström
  • Patent number: 8919069
    Abstract: An impact attenuating tile system that can be selectively installed and uninstalled without damaging the modular tiles making up the system is disclosed. The system uses a support ladder to support the seam between two modular tiles. The seam can support wheelchairs and other heavy equipment positioned on the seam between two tiles without the tiles coming apart. Additionally, the tiles can be selectively removed without damaging or disfiguring the tiles. The system taught herein allows a user to implement a system which provides fall height attenuation, is ADA complaint, is not prone to creating tripping hazards even under high loads, and can be removed or replaced as deemed appropriate and can be selectively removed without cutting, disfiguring compromising the tiles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: Sof'Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Elouise R. Bird, Morgan Miller, Scott Barker
  • Patent number: 8919063
    Abstract: A building board, in particular a flooring panel of wooden material is provided. The building board includes a top and an underside, in which at least the top is provided with a decorative layer imitating a natural material. The building board further includes connecting mechanisms corresponding to one another and peripheral side surfaces. At least one side surface and at least one connecting mechanism is provided with a pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: Flooring Technologies Ltd.
    Inventor: Frank Oldorff
  • Patent number: 8904729
    Abstract: Hard panels formed from a wood-based material and having a decorative layer for floor coverings are provided, at least on two opposite edges, with coupling devices made in one piece with the panels wherein similar panels may be coupled together to form a floor covering, wherein these coupling devices provide for an interlocking in a direction perpendicular to the plane of coupled panels, as well as in a direction perpendicular to the edges concerned and parallel to the plane of coupled panels. These coupling devices are constituted of a tongue and a groove. The top side of the tongue has a protrusion that cooperates with a meshing recess located in the lower side of the upper lip of the groove of the coupling devices, and a portion extending generally parallel with the plane of the panel to form a contact surface cooperating with the lower side of the upper lip of the groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: Flooring Industries Limited, Sarl
    Inventors: Bernard Thiers, Mark Cappelle
  • Patent number: 8875465
    Abstract: Flooring panel or wall panel and a use thereof in a wet room. The panel is provided with a locking means in the form of groove and tongue forming a tongue/groove joint for assembling of the panels. The groove and the tongue are preferably made of water tight material and formed with a snap-together joint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: Pergo (Europe) AB
    Inventor: Göran Mårtensson
  • Publication number: 20140318071
    Abstract: An impact attenuating tile system that can be selectively installed and uninstalled without damaging the modular tiles making up the system is disclosed. The system uses a support ladder to support the seam between two modular tiles. The seam can support wheelchairs and other heavy equipment positioned on the seam between two tiles without the tiles coming apart. Additionally, the tiles can be selectively removed without damaging or disfiguring the tiles. The system taught herein allows a user to implement a system which provides fall height attenuation, is ADA complaint, is not prone to creating tripping hazards even under high loads, and can be removed or replaced as deemed appropriate and can be selectively removed without cutting, disfiguring compromising the tiles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2013
    Publication date: October 30, 2014
    Inventors: Elouise R. Bird, Morgan Miller, Scott Barker
  • Patent number: 8869487
    Abstract: This invention concerns a system of construction elements for the dry construction of a structure by way of shaped protrusions for mutual connection during assembly. It consists of construction element modules for raising walls, the ceiling and roof, and that the module consists of two elements with adjacent sides connected by a third element, creating a self-tightening connection, and the shaped protrusions of construction elements have two lateral contact surfaces, guiding (1) and self-tightening (2), inclined at specific angles ? and ?, and these angles are determined, respectively, between the perpendicular to the upper or lower protrusion surface and the guiding or self-tightening surface. The invention also includes applications of the specified system for raising compact and low structures, as well as for completing walls in buildings with skeletal constructions, and also as a block system for raising miniature constructions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: HCH Spólka z o.o.
    Inventors: Jerzy Haintze, Andrzej Haintze
  • Patent number: 8793958
    Abstract: Hard panels formed from a wood-based material and having a decorative layer for floor coverings are provided, at least on two opposite edges, with coupling devices made in one piece with the panels wherein similar panels may be coupled together to form a floor covering, wherein these coupling devices provide for an interlocking in a direction perpendicular to the plane of coupled panels, as well as in a direction perpendicular to the edges concerned and parallel to the plane of coupled panels. These coupling devices are constituted of a tongue and a groove. The top side of the tongue has a protrusion that cooperates with a meshing recess located in the lower side of the upper lip of the groove of the coupling devices, and a portion extending generally parallel with the plane of the panel to form a contact surface cooperating with the lower side of the upper lip of the groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: Flooring Industries Limited, Sarl
    Inventors: Bernard Theirs, Mark Cappelle
  • Patent number: 8756882
    Abstract: The tile includes a monolithic support grid structure having a rectangular configuration with four peripheral edges. The support grid structure includes a lattice framework of elongated rib members crisscrossing at right angle on the underside of the support grid structure and defining a network of cells. The support grid structure also includes a plurality of support members, each downwardly projecting from a corresponding intersection between the crisscrossing elongated rib members and having a ground-engaging distal end with a tip that is coincident with a common bottom plane. The tile includes a plurality of tile edge connectors that are positioned on the underside and made integral with the support grid structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: Le Groupe DSD Inc.
    Inventor: Leandre Vachon
  • Patent number: 8726603
    Abstract: A floor board assembly convenient to lay is characterized in that, in one embodiment, it comprises a frame, a filler board and an upper material with the frame and filler board affixed to the underside of the upper material. The frame includes latch tongues that extend outwardly from the lower side edges of the frame, and the tongues have locking projections that fit into recesses arranged just inside the periphery of the underside of the frame. The tongues and intervening spaces (with locking bars behind them) are space along the periphery of the board, such that any side of one board may be joined to any side of a similarly configured board. The upper material may be selected from a variety of materials, including LVT (luxury vinyl tile), carpet, high pressure laminate or other decorative material. The filler board may be selected to accomplish reduced cost, and/or improved acoustics. In other embodiments, a frame and/or upper material may be absent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: Hong Kong Mei Li Sheng Flooring Co., Limited
    Inventor: Huanwen Huang
  • Patent number: 8720150
    Abstract: The invention relates to a panel with complementary locking means provided in pairs on opposite panel edges. One of the locking means is hook profiles with a receiving hook and a locking hook. The free step end of the locking hook is designed narrower than the width of the receiving opening of the receiving hook. The locking contour of the locking hook protrudes at least partially past the plane of the joint surface of the receiving hook so that the free step end fits into the receiving opening far enough at first that a part of the horizontal locking surface of the locking hook makes contact with the horizontal locking surface of the receiving hook during a joining motion without elastic deformation of the hook profiles, and that the receiving hook bends so that the width of the receiving opening can be expanded so that the locking step can be inserted entirely into the receiving recess and the locking contour of the locking hook is further inserted into a form-fit contour of the receiving hook.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: Akzenta Paneele + Profile GmbH
    Inventor: Hans-Juergen Hannig
  • Patent number: 8677714
    Abstract: Floor panels are provided with a mechanical locking system including a flexible locking element in a locking groove which during a horizontal motion is displaced vertically.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: Valinge Innovation AB
    Inventor: Darko Pervan
  • Patent number: 8631625
    Abstract: Hard panels formed from a wood-based material and having a decorative layer for floor coverings are provided, at least on two opposite edges, with coupling devices made in one piece with the panels wherein similar panels may be coupled together to form a floor covering, wherein these coupling devices provide for an interlocking in a direction perpendicular to the plane of coupled panels, as well as in a direction perpendicular to the edges concerned and parallel to the plane of coupled panels. These coupling devices are constituted of a tongue and a groove. The top side of the tongue has a protrusion that cooperates with a meshing recess located in the lower side of the upper lip of the groove of the coupling devices, and a portion extending generally parallel with the plane of the panel to form a contact surface cooperating with the lower side of the upper lip of the groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2014
    Assignee: Flooring Industries Limited, Sarl
    Inventors: Bernard Paul Joseph Thiers, Mark Gaston Maurits Cappelle
  • Patent number: 8627631
    Abstract: Hard panels formed from a wood-based material and having a decorative layer for floor coverings are provided, at least on two opposite edges, with coupling devices made in one piece with the panels wherein similar panels may be coupled together to form a floor covering, wherein these coupling devices provide for an interlocking in a direction perpendicular to the plane of coupled panels, as well as in a direction perpendicular to the edges concerned and parallel to the plane of coupled panels. These coupling devices are constituted of a tongue and a groove. The top side of the tongue has a protrusion that cooperates with a meshing recess located in the lower side of the upper lip of the groove of the coupling devices, and a portion extending generally parallel with the plane of the panel to form a contact surface cooperating with the lower side of the upper lip of the groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2014
    Assignee: Flooring Industries Limited, Sarl
    Inventors: Bernard Paul Joseph Thiers, Mark Gaston Maurits Cappelle
  • Patent number: 8615963
    Abstract: A building structure comprises a post having a vertically extending longitudinal face. A plurality of horizontal logs extends from said longitudinal face and has an end face in abutment with said longitudinal face. The post having an undercut channel in said longitudinal face and extends along said post. At least one of said end faces has a recess aligned with said undercut channel, and a spline assembly extends between said post and said log to secure said log to said post. The spline assembly includes a key located in and extends between said channel and said recess and an insert in one of said undercut channel and said recess. The insert co operates with said key to facilitate relative sliding movement therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Inventor: Robert A. Wrightman
  • Patent number: 8615953
    Abstract: A panel having a core and at least two opposite edges with coupling parts at two opposite edges. The coupling parts of the panels can be coupled to each other by means of a downward movement, such that a locking is obtained in the plane of the panels and perpendicular to the edges, as well as perpendicular to the plane of the panels. The coupling parts at the two edges comprise locking parts ensuring locking in the direction perpendicular to the plane of the panels, and at least one of these locking parts forms part of a flexible portion made in one piece with the core. The flexible portion is bendable at least in the plane of the panel. The panel includes at least one support portion which forms a support against bending of the flexible portion in a direction transverse to the plane of the coupled panels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Flooring Industries Limited, SARL
    Inventor: Mark Cappelle
  • Patent number: 8549807
    Abstract: In a method for manufacturing floor panels that have at least a substrate and a top layer provided on the substrate, the top layer including a thermoplastic layer that is translucent or transparent, the method may involve providing the top layer, including the thermoplastic layer, on the substrate. The method may also involve heating at least the thermoplastic layer, and structuring the thermoplastic layer using a mechanical press element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: Flooring Industries Limited, SARL
    Inventors: Laurent Meersseman, Martin Segaert, Bernard Thiers, Benjamin Clement, Christophe Maesen
  • Patent number: 8528290
    Abstract: Disclosed is a floorboard to provide simplified assembly of flooring panels without damage and achieve enhanced horizontal coupling force. The floorboard includes a tongue part provided at a first flooring panel and a recessed part provided at a second flooring panel. The tongue part includes a tongue protrusion, a tongue bottom portion, and a raised retaining portion protruding downward from the tongue bottom portion. The recessed part includes an upper lip caught by the tongue protrusion when the tongue part is inserted into the recessed part, a lower lip, a raised portion protruding upward from an end of the lower lip, and a guide wall defining an inner wall of the recessed part and having the same contour as an arc drawn by an end of the tongue protrusion as the tongue part introduced between the upper and lower lips is pivotally rotated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Assignees: Sunchang Corporation
    Inventor: Kwang Seok Oh
  • Patent number: 8516767
    Abstract: A joint (1) having a first edge (2) and a second edge (3), the first edge (2) being provided with a distal edge (21) and a downwards protruding heel (22) The distal edge (21) is further provided with an upper joint edge (25) beneath which a groove (23) is arranged. The second edge (3) is provided with lower cheek (31) having a distal end (32) at which an upwards protruding lower cheek heel (33) is arranged. The second edge (3) is further provided with an upper joining edge (35) beneath which an undercut (34) is arranged. A moveable locking element (40) is arranged in the space created by the undercut (34). The moveable locking element (40) have a locking tongue (41), a locking tongue leg (42) and a maneuvering leg (43).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Assignee: Pergo (Europe) AB
    Inventor: Nils-Erik Engstrom
  • Patent number: 8495848
    Abstract: Floor panels (2) are shown with a discontinuous surface (31) layer and core (30), which are mechanically connectable to each other along one pair of adjacent edges, said floor panels comprising at least two floor elements (1, 1?), which are connected with glue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2013
    Assignee: Valinge Innovation AB
    Inventors: Darko Pervan, Christian Boo, Mattias Sjostrand, Tony Pervan
  • Patent number: 8490360
    Abstract: Floor panels are shown with discontinuous surface layers, which are mechanically connectable to each other along one pair of adjacent edges, said floor panels comprising at least two floor elements whereof at least one of the floor elements is non rectangular.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignee: Valinge Innovation AB
    Inventors: Darko Pervan, Christian Boo, Mattias Sjostrand
  • Patent number: 8490361
    Abstract: A large-area protective covering system for installation in a staggered or grid configuration is provided comprised of a plurality of essentially identical large area panels with honeycomb internal structures which have locking systems on the sides and ends for locking the panels in place. The panels, once locked together have little movement along their x, y or z axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignee: Covermaster Inc.
    Inventors: Bob Curry, Ken Curry
  • Patent number: 8474210
    Abstract: A decorative panel is manufactured for installation on a surface of a room. The decorative panel is formed from a material that can be shaped having a decorative portion, two female mounting portions and two male portions. The female portions have punched holes for fastening the panels directly to a surface, and the male portions of an adjacent panel are positioned into the female portions to partially hold the adjacent panel and to obscure from view the punched holes and fastening hardware. The panel design and installation method allows the decorative panels to be attached directly to a building material such as sheet rock without any intervening supporting structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Assignee: American Metal Ceiling Panel Manufacturer
    Inventor: Gary Shapiro
  • Patent number: 8464489
    Abstract: Floor panels are shown with discontinuous surface layers, which are mechanically connectable to each other along one pair of adjacent edges, said floor panels comprising at least two floor elements whereof at least one of the floor elements is non rectangular.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: Valinge Innovation AB
    Inventors: Darko Pervan, Christian Boo, Mattias Sjostrand
  • Patent number: 8448392
    Abstract: A disk shaped modular floor tile includes three sets of a first projection, a second projection, and a third projection wherein the second and third projections of the same set are arranged oppositely to each other; and notches each formed between any adjacent first projection and second projection, any adjacent second projection and third projection, or any adjacent third projection and first projection. The first projection has a convex edge between two adjacent notches. The notch has a concave edge formed continuously with the convex edge. Each of the second projection and the third projection comprises a convex edge formed continuously with the concave edge, a first straight edge formed continuously with the convex edge, and a second straight edge formed continuously between the first straight edge and the concave edge. The second straight edge is at an obtuse angle with respect to the first straight edge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2013
    Inventor: Jen-Tsu Kuo
  • Patent number: 8438814
    Abstract: Hard panels formed from a wood-based material and having a decorative layer for floor coverings are provided, at least on two opposite edges, with coupling devices made in one piece with the panels wherein similar panels may be coupled together to form a floor covering, wherein these coupling devices provide for an interlocking in a direction perpendicular to the plane of coupled panels, as well as in a direction perpendicular to the edges concerned and parallel to the plane of coupled panels. These coupling devices are constituted of a tongue and a groove. The top side of the tongue has a protrusion that cooperates with a meshing recess located in the lower side of the upper lip of the groove of the coupling devices, and a portion extending generally parallel with the plane of the panel to form a contact surface cooperating with the lower side of the upper lip of the groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignee: Flooring Industries Limited, SARL
    Inventors: Bernard Paul Joseph Thiers, Mark Gaston Maurits Cappelle
  • Patent number: 8424257
    Abstract: A modular tile configured to interlock with multiple tiles to form a modular floor covering over a floor. The tile includes a top surface having a periphery defining side walls extending downward from the top surface, the side walls having a coupling portion configured to couple with other tiles adjacent thereto to form the modular floor covering. The tile also includes a bottom side, opposite the top surface, having a support grid including an array of downward extending polymeric post structures, at least some of the post structures including at least one resilient end portion with a radial end surface configured to be positioned against the floor to facilitate controlled deflection of the post structures. The post structures may comprise primary and secondary post structures, with the secondary post structures limiting the deflection of the primary post structures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Inventors: Mark L. Jenkins, Jeremiah Shapiro, Cheryl Forster, Vaughn W. North, David L. Stott
  • Patent number: 8407951
    Abstract: A modular synthetic floor tile comprising: (a) an upper contact surface; (b) a plurality of openings formed in the upper contact surface, each of the openings having a geometry defined by structural members configured to intersect with one another at various intersection points to form at least one acute angle as measured between imaginary axes extending through the intersection points, the structural members having a smooth, planar top surface forming the contact surface, and a face oriented transverse to the top surface; (c) a transition surface extending between the top surface and the face of the structural members configured to provide a blunt edge between the top surface and the face, and to reduce abrasiveness of the floor tile; and (d) means for coupling the floor tile to at least one other floor tile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2013
    Assignee: Connor Sport Court International, LLC
    Inventors: Thayne Haney, Mark Jenkins, Cheryl Forster, Jeremiah Shapiro, Dana Hedquist
  • Patent number: 8402709
    Abstract: A building panel, such as a flooring panel or wall panel and a method of assembling the same into a floor, wall cladding, etc. The panel is provided with a locking means in the form of groove (6) and tongue (7) forming a tongue/groove joint for assembling of the panels. In a preferred embodiment, the groove (6) and the tongue (7) are made of water resistant material and formed with a snap-together joint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2013
    Assignee: Pergo (Europe) AB
    Inventors: Goran Martensson, Magnus Kulik
  • Patent number: 8397466
    Abstract: A grid-top floor tile for outdoor use includes a polymer tile having a grid-type top surface with multiple levels, such as a bi-level surface having an upper lattice and a lower lattice oriented generally transverse to the upper lattice. The multiple levels of the surface are preferably integrally formed with one another and provide drainage gaps therethrough. In a bi-level surface configuration, the lower lattice has a top surface below a top surface of the upper lattice, so as to draw residual moisture below the top surface of the upper lattice. The tile further includes a support structure, configured to support the tile on a support surface and provide drainage pathways beneath the top surface. The tile still further comprises various reinforcement members on each of the loop and pin connectors used to interlock the tiles when forming a flooring assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2013
    Assignee: Connor Sport Court International, LLC
    Inventors: Mark L. Jenkins, Jeremiah Shapiro, Cheryl Forster
  • Patent number: 8387327
    Abstract: Floor panels (1, 1?) are shown, which are provided with a mechanical locking system consisting of a flexible locking element 15 in a locking groove 14 which during a horizontal motion is displaced vertically.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Assignee: Valinge Innovation AB
    Inventor: Darko Pervan