Interconnecting disengageable flooring system

• US 6,769,217 B2
• Filed: 10/07/2002
• Issued: 08/03/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 11/08/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Premark RWP Holdings, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Premark RWP Holdings, Inc.
• Inventors: Nelson, Thomas John
• Primary Examiner(s): Mai, Lanna
• Application Number:
  US10/265,900
• Publication Number:
  US 20030074855A1
• Time in Patent Office: 666 Days
• Field of Search: 525/70, 525/81, 525/881, 525/821, 525/862
• US Class Current: 52/582.1
• CPC Class Codes: E04F 15/04 only of wood or with a top layer of wood, e.g. with wooden or metal connecting members rollable parquet E04F15/16
• CPC Class Codes: E04F 2201/05 Separate connectors or inserts, e.g. pegs, pins, keys or strips

Abstract

The present invention relates to a disengageable interconnecting flooring system for use in forming a temporary or permanent flooring surface on top of a support structure from individual flooring panels. The system includes two or more flooring panels comprising a top wear surface and a bottom surface for contact with the support structure. The panels have at least three edges and all edges have recesses formed therein. The system further comprises a connector having a base and a projection extending vertically from the base. The projection extending from the base is shaped to be received in a disengageable vertical connected fashion into the recesses of the panels. Preferably, the connector is comprised of a base having a projection extending the entire length thereof. In a preferred embodiment, the connector and panels further comprise means for connecting the panels in a disengageable horizontal fashion.

Claims

1. A disengageable interconnecting flooring system for use in forming a temporary or permanent flooring surface on top of a support structure from individual flooring panels, the system comprising:

two or more flooring panels and at least one connector track;

each flooring panel comprising a top wear surface and a bottom surface for contact with the support structure, the flooring panels being multidirectional and comprising at least three edges wherein all edges have identical recesses formed therein for receipt of at least one projection from the connector track, each of the flooring panels further including an outwardly tapering channel associated with each edge and extending substantially parallel to each respective edge, each channel being formed within the bottom surface, each channel includes a top portion and outwardly tapering walls extending from the top portion toward a bottom of the flooring panel such that the channel becomes wider as it extends from the top portion toward the bottom of the flooring panel to create an opening which is wider at the bottom of the flooring panel than at the top portion of the channel;

the connector track comprising a base and a projection extending vertically from the base, the projection shaped to be received in a disengageable horizontal connected fashion into the recesses of at least two panels to form a flooring surface completely consisting of the top wear surface of the flooring panels, the connector track further includes at least two protrusions extending vertically from the base, the protrusions are spaced apart from the projection and are located on either side of the projection beyond a lateral extent of the projection, each of the at least two protrusions including a tapered surface shaped and dimensioned to fit with the channels of the flooring panel wherein the tapered surface includes a ramping first surface facing away from the projection such that the ramping first surface extends upwardly from the base at an acute angle permitting respective flooring panels to ride up the protrusion during assembly of the flooring system.

2. The system according to claim 1, wherein the recesses extend substantially the entire length of the flooring panels.

3. The system according to claim 1, wherein the channels extend substantially the entire length of the bottom surface of the flooring panels.

4. The system according to claim 1, wherein the projection extends substantially the entire length of the connector track.

5. The system according to claim 1, wherein each protrusion extends substantially the entire length of the connector track.

6. The system according to claim 1, wherein the projection is connected to the base of the connector track via a support extending vertically from the base.

7. The system according to claim 6, wherein the projection angularly extends from the support extending from the base.

8. The system according to claim 1, wherein the base of the connector track is shaped to rest on the support structure.

9. The system according to claim 1, wherein each channel includes a first wall extending from the top portion toward the bottom of the flooring panel and a second wall extending from the top portion toward the bottom of the flooring panel, and the first wall and the second wall extend in opposite directions relative to a plane extending through a center of the top portion and perpendicular to a plane in which the flooring panel lies.

10. The system according to claim 1, wherein each channel includes a first wall extending from the top portion toward the bottom of the flooring panel and a second wall extending from the top portion toward the bottom of the flooring panel, and the first wall defines an obtuse angle relative the bottom of the flooring panel and the second wall defines an obtuse angle relative the bottom of the flooring panel.