Systems and Methods for Modular Floor Installation
First Claim
1. A connector for joining floor covering tiles, the connector comprising:
- a base; and
an attachment structure on the base, the attachment structure comprising one or more projections,wherein, when the connector is positioned on an underlying surface with the attachment structure of the connector facing upwards, the attachment structure forms mechanical connections with undersides of two or more of the floor covering tiles to prevent relative movement of the two or more floor covering tiles when subjected to ordinary foot traffic, rolling traffic, and stresses applied during cleaning and maintenance.
4 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Connectors for joining adjacent modular floor covering units. The connectors include a base or film and one or more attachment members. As an exemplary use of a connector to install tiles, a first tile is placed on the floor and a connector is positioned so that an attachment member faces upward and attaches to the first tile. One or more other tiles are then positioned adjacent the first tile so that the same or other attachment members of the connector attach to the adjacent tiles. In certain embodiments, an attachment member comprises projections that form a mechanical connection with the undersides of the tiles. For example, a connector may comprise a plastic unit with raised ridges that interact with corresponding indentations on the undersides of the tiles. A connector can also or alternatively form a connection with tiles and/or the underlying floor surface by having a high coefficient of friction.
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Citations
22 Claims
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1. A connector for joining floor covering tiles, the connector comprising:
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a base; and an attachment structure on the base, the attachment structure comprising one or more projections, wherein, when the connector is positioned on an underlying surface with the attachment structure of the connector facing upwards, the attachment structure forms mechanical connections with undersides of two or more of the floor covering tiles to prevent relative movement of the two or more floor covering tiles when subjected to ordinary foot traffic, rolling traffic, and stresses applied during cleaning and maintenance. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A connector for joining floor covering tiles, the connector comprising:
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a base; and an attachment structure on the base, the attachment structure having a high coefficient of friction, wherein, when the connector is positioned on an underlying surface with the attachment structure of the connector facing upwards, friction between the connector and the undersides of the two or more floor covering tiles sufficient to prevent relative movement of the two or more floor covering tiles when subjected to ordinary foot traffic, rolling traffic, and stresses applied during cleaning and maintenance. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10)
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11. An installation of floor covering tiles, the installation comprising:
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floor covering tiles positioned adjacent to one another above a floor; and one or more connectors connecting the floor covering tiles to one another, each connector comprising a base and an attachment structure on the base; wherein the one or more connectors are positioned above the floor, wherein an attachment structure of each connector faces upwards and forms a mechanical connection with undersides of two or more of the floor covering tiles, preventing relative movement of the two or more floor covering tiles when subjected to ordinary foot traffic, rolling traffic, and stresses applied during cleaning and maintenance. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. An installation of floor covering tiles, the installation comprising:
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floor covering tiles positioned adjacent to one another above a floor; and one or more connectors between the floor covering tiles and the floor connecting the floor covering tiles to one another, each connector comprising a base and an attachment structure comprising a raised boundary between two or more of the floor covering tiles and projecting to a height sufficient to prevent relative movement of the two or more floor covering tiles when subjected to ordinary foot traffic, rolling traffic, and stresses applied during cleaning and maintenance. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21)
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22. A floor covering installation comprising:
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a plurality of cushion modules, each having an underside, a topside, and edges, that are positioned on a flooring surface; and connectors positioned to span adjacent edges of at least some of the adjacent cushion modules to secure the modules to one another, wherein the connectors are positioned to adhere to or form a mechanical connection with adjacent cushion modules, wherein each connector comprises a base that is relatively stiff so that a connector positioned partly in contact with a side of a cushion module will project beyond an edge of the cushion module in roughly the same plane as the side of the cushion module without significantly curl or droop down.
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Specification