System and Method for Floor Covering Installation

• US 20090094919A1
• Filed: 11/13/2008
• Published: 04/16/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 09/19/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Interface Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Interface Incorporated
• Inventors: Scott, Graham A.H., Oakey, David D., Bradford, John P., Gray, Keith N.
• Granted Patent: US 8,381,473 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 52/403.1
• CPC Class Codes: A47G 27/0243 Features of decorative rugs or carpets
• CPC Class Codes: A47G 27/0475 Laying carpet tiles
• CPC Class Codes: E04F 15/02 Flooring or floor layers composed of a number of similar elements of webs E04F15/16
• CPC Class Codes: E04F 2201/07 with connections using a special adhesive material
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/23914 Interlaminar
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/24008 including fastener for attaching to external surface
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/24017 Hook or barb
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/24025 Superposed movable attached layers or components
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/2848 Three or more layers
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/2857 including metal or compound thereof or natural rubber

Abstract

Connectors for joining adjacent modular floor covering units. The connectors include a film and an adhesive layer coated on one side of the film. To install tiles using the connectors, a first tile is placed on the floor and a connector is positioned so that the adhesive layer faces upward and does not contact the floor. The connector is typically positioned so that only a portion of the adhesive layer adheres to the underside of the tile, leaving the remainder of the connector extending from the underside of the tile. Tiles are then positioned adjacent the first tile so that a portion of the connector adheres to the adjacent tiles. In this way, the connectors span adjacent tile edges. The tiles are assembled on a underlying flooring surface without the need to attach them to the floor surface. Rather, the tiles are linked to each other with the connectors, so that the tiles create a floor covering that “floats” on the underlying floor surface.

Claims

1-17. -17. (canceled)

18. A floor covering installation comprising:

a. an intermediate substrate covering a flooring surface;

b. tiles positioned adjacent one another above the intermediate substrate; and

c. connectors connecting the tiles, at least some of the connectors comprising a layer of releasable adhesive located on a side of a film and at least some of the connectors positioned;

(i) above the intermediate substrate without adhering to the intermediate substrate;

(ii) not to abut other connectors; and

(iii) to span adjacent edges of adjacent tiles and extend along only a portion of the adjacent edges,

wherein the layer of adhesive contacts and forms a bond with the undersides of adjacent tiles and prevents relative movement between the adjacent tiles.

19. The installation of claim 18, wherein the intermediate substrate comprises a plastic film.

20. The installation of claim 18, wherein the intermediate substrate comprises a cushion pad.

21. The installation of claim 19, wherein the plastic film is a barrier to moisture.