Floor Covering System

Abstract

A floor covering system (10) including a first layer (14) of planar material and a second layer (12) of planar material. At least a portion of the second layer (12) is adapted for laminating engagement with the first layer (12) to define a floor covering. The system further includes a locating means for locating two or more of the second layers in a substantially aligned configuration, wherein the second layer (12) is adapted to receive the locating means.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to floor covering systems.

[0002] The invention has been developed primarily as a floating floor covering system and will be described hereinafter with reference to this application. However, it will be appreciated that the invention is not limited to this particular field of use.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] The following discussion of the prior art is intended to place the invention in an appropriate technical context and enable the associated advantages to be fully understood. However, any discussion of the prior art throughout the specification should not be considered as an admission that such art is widely known or forms part of the common general knowledge in the field.

[0004] Flooring systems, which have no part secured to the building structure or "subfloor" are known. These types of flooring systems are free to float above the subfloor and are often referred to as "floating floors". Advantageously, floating floors are relatively easy to install and are able expand and contract with changes in humidity and temperature and as a result, are hard wearing and develop minimal gaps during use.

[0005] Floating floor systems typically include an underlay formed from a resilient and moisture repellent material, and a series of floor planks, which are laid over the underlay and interconnect to define the main floor surface. The floor planks normally consist of a thin layer of softwood or hardwood bonded to a high-density fibreboard substrate. They are also often pre-coated to enhance their wearability (polyurethane is common), but it's possible to coat after installation.

[0006] In an alternate type of floating floor system, the floor planks are in the form of laminate tiles formed primarily from polyvinyl chloride (PVC), which have a design pattern printed on their upper surface to resemble a desired surface finish. This alternate type of floating floor has the advantage of being harder wearing than the above-mentioned wood type floating floor as well as being quieter and softer to walk on and better adapted for installation in wet areas. Such a flooring system is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,155,871 in the name of Tru Woods Limited.

[0007] In this system, a laminate tile is formed from two layers of flexible PVC material, with the lower layer performing the underlay function and the top layer having the desired pattern on its upper surface. The two layers are laminated together in an offset arrangement to define two marginal portions along the long edges of each tile. These marginal portions include an adhesive coating to allow adjacent tiles to be joined in a lap joint formation thereby to progressively build up the floating floor.

[0008] However, a problem with such a system is that a significant amount of skill and care is required to align adjacent tiles during installation. Furthermore, a slight misalignment during installation may be magnified many times over upon completion of the flooring installation. This misalignment may result in unsightly gaps at the periphery of the completed floor.

[0009] It is an object of the present invention to overcome or ameliorate at least one of the disadvantages of the prior art, or to provide a useful alternative.

[0010] Moreover, it is an object a preferred form of the invention to provide a floating flooring system that is relatively easy to maintain alignment between components during installation.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

[0011] According to a first aspect, the invention provides a floor covering system including: [0012] a first layer of planar material; [0013] a second layer of planar material, at least a portion of the second layer being adapted for laminating engagement with the first layer to define a floor covering; and [0014] a locating means for locating two or more of the second layers in a substantially aligned configuration, [0015] wherein the second layer is adapted to receive the locating means.

[0016] In one embodiment, the floor covering system includes one or more locating protrusions extending from one surface of the first layer. Preferably, the second layer includes one or more locating apertures disposed on one surface thereof, the apertures being adapted for complementary engagement with the locating protrusions.

[0017] Preferably, the locating apertures extend from the top to the bottom surface of the second layer. More preferably, the first layer includes four of the locating protrusions. Even more preferably, the second layer includes four of the locating apertures.

[0018] In one embodiment, the locating protrusions are symmetrically disposed about the first layer.

[0019] In one embodiment, the locating protrusions are asymmetrically disposed about the first layer.

[0020] In one embodiment, the locating apertures are symmetrically disposed about the second layer.

[0021] In one embodiment, the locating apertures are asymmetrically disposed about the second layer.

[0022] In one embodiment, the locating apertures are cut from the second layer to form two or more off-cut portions and wherein the off-cut portions are bonded to one surface of the first layer to define the locating protrusions.

[0023] In one embodiment, the second layer includes a pair of interlocking portions disposed at its longitudinally opposed edges. The interlocking portions are preferably adapted to substantially laterally restrain longitudinal adjacent pairs of the second layers upon installation.

[0024] According to a second aspect, the invention provides a floor covering system including: [0025] a first layer of planar material; [0026] a second layer of planar material, the second layer being in laminated engagement with the first layer to define a modular floor tile; and [0027] a locating member engageable with at least a portion of the modular floor tile for locating two or more of the modular floor tiles in a substantially aligned configuration.

[0028] In one embodiment, the modular floor tile includes one or more locating apertures disposed on one surface thereof. The one or more apertures preferably include one or more elongate slots.

[0029] In one embodiment, the locating member includes one or more locating protrusions extending from one surface thereof, the protrusions being adapted for locating engagement with the locating apertures. The one more locating protrusions preferably include one or more elongate flanges.

[0030] In one embodiment, the locating member is in the form of an extruded track substantially formed from a plastics material.

[0031] In one embodiment, the locating member is in the form of an extruded track substantially formed from extruded aluminium.

[0032] In one embodiment, one of the first or second layers includes a design pattern on its top surface. The design pattern preferably resembles a wood, marble, ceramic or a slate surface.

[0033] In one embodiment, the design pattern is printed on a supplementary layer, which is bonded to one surface of the first or second layer.

[0034] In one embodiment, the second layer includes an adhesive means for bonding the second layer to the first layer.

[0035] In one embodiment, the first or second layer is sized to correspond to standard ceramic, slate, marble tile or wood plank dimensions.

[0036] In one embodiment, the first and second layers are substantially formed from a resilient plastics material such as polyvinyl chloride.

[0037] In one embodiment, the first layer is a floor plank and the second layer is an underlay.

[0038] In one embodiment, the floor covering system includes a secondary adhesive means for bonding the locating member to one or more of the modular floor tiles. In this embodiment, the secondary adhesive means is disposed on the locating member.

[0039] According to yet a further aspect, the invention provides a method for installing a floor covering system in accordance with the first aspect, the method including the steps of: [0040] laying two or more of the second layers on a subfloor; and [0041] laying the first layer over two or more of the second layers such that the locating means locates the second layers in an aligned configuration.

[0042] In accordance with a further aspect, the invention provides a modular underlay tile for a floor system, the underlay tile including: [0043] substantially planar upper and lower surfaces, the underlay tile being adapted for substantial aligned engagement with one or more other modular underlay tiles to form an underlay for the floor system.

[0044] In one embodiment, the modular underlay tile including two or more interlocking portions disposed on two or more corresponding edges of the tile. The interlocking portions are preferably adapted to substantially restrain at least adjacent pairs of the underlay tiles, upon installation.

[0045] In one embodiment, the underlay tile is substantially formed from a resilient plastics material such as polyvinyl chloride.

[0046] Reference throughout this specification to "one embodiment", "some embodiments" or "an embodiment" means that a particular feature, structure or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, appearances of the phrases "in one embodiment", "in some embodiments" or "in an embodiment" in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment, but may. Furthermore, the particular features, structures or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner, as would be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art from this disclosure, in one or more embodiments.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0047] Preferred embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0048] FIG. 1a is a plan view of an underlay in accordance with a first embodiment of the invention;

[0049] FIG. 1b is an elevation view of the underlay of FIG. 1a;

[0050] FIG. 1c is a perspective view of the underlay of FIG. 1a;

[0051] FIG. 2a is a plan view of a floor plank in accordance with a first embodiment of the invention;

[0052] FIG. 2b is an elevation view of the floor plank of FIG. 2a;

[0053] FIG. 2c is an underside view of the floor plank of FIG. 2a;

[0054] FIG. 2d is a partly disassembled perspective view of the floor plank of FIG. 2a;

[0055] FIG. 3a is a partly assembled view of a floor covering system in accordance with a first embodiment of the invention;

[0056] FIG. 3b is an underside view of the floor covering system of FIG. 3a;

[0057] FIG. 4a is a plan view of an underlay in accordance with a second embodiment of the invention;

[0058] FIG. 4b is an elevation view of the underlay of FIG. 4a;

[0059] FIG. 4c is a perspective view of the underlay of FIG. 4a;

[0060] FIG. 5a is a plan view of a floor plank in accordance with a second embodiment of the invention;

[0061] FIG. 5b is an elevation view of the floor plank of FIG. 5a;

[0062] FIG. 5c is an underside view of the floor plank of FIG. 5a;

[0063] FIG. 5d is a partly disassembled perspective view of the floor plank of FIG. 5a;

[0064] FIG. 6a is a partly assembled view of a floor covering system in accordance with a second embodiment of the invention;

[0065] FIG. 6b is an underside view of the floor covering system of FIG. 6a;

[0066] FIG. 7a is a plan view of an underlay in accordance with a third embodiment of the invention;

[0067] FIG. 7b is an elevation view of the underlay of FIG. 7a;

[0068] FIG. 7c is a perspective view of the underlay of FIG. 7a;

[0069] FIG. 8a is a plan view of floor plank in accordance with a third embodiment of the invention;

[0070] FIG. 8b is an elevation view of the floor plank of FIG. 8a;

[0071] FIG. 8c is an underside view of the floor plank of FIG. 8a;

[0072] FIG. 8d is a partly disassembled perspective view of the floor plank of FIG. 8a;

[0073] FIG. 9a is a partly assembled view of a floor covering system in accordance with a third embodiment of the invention;

[0074] FIG. 9b is an underside view of the floor covering system of FIG. 9a;

[0075] FIG. 10a is a plan view of an underlay in accordance with a fourth embodiment of the invention;

[0076] FIG. 10b is an elevation view of the underlay of FIG. 10a;

[0077] FIG. 10c is a perspective view of the underlay of FIG. 10a;

[0078] FIG. 11a is a plan view of a floor plank in accordance with a fourth embodiment of the invention;

[0079] FIG. 11b is an elevation view of the floor plank of FIG. 11a;

[0080] FIG. 11c is an underside view of the floor plank of FIG. 11a;

[0081] FIG. 11d is a partly disassembled perspective view of the floor plank of FIG. 11a;

[0082] FIG. 12a is a partly assembled view of a floor covering system in accordance with a fourth embodiment of the invention;

[0083] FIG. 12b is an underside view of the floor covering system of FIG. 12a;

[0084] FIG. 13 is a further partly assembled view of the floor covering system of FIG. 12a;

[0085] FIG. 14a is a plan view of an underlay in accordance with a fifth embodiment of the invention;

[0086] FIG. 14b is an elevation view of the underlay of FIG. 14a;

[0087] FIG. 14c is a partly disassembled perspective view of the underlay of FIG. 14a;

[0088] FIG. 15a is a plan view of a floor plank in accordance with a fifth embodiment of the invention;

[0089] FIG. 15b is an elevation view of the floor plank of FIG. 15a;

[0090] FIG. 15c is an underside view of the floor plank of FIG. 15a;

[0091] FIG. 15d is a partly disassembled perspective view of the floor plank of FIG. 15a;

[0092] FIG. 16a is a partly assembled view of a floor covering system in accordance with a fifth embodiment of the invention;

[0093] FIG. 16b is an underside view of the floor covering system of FIG. 16a;

[0094] FIG. 17 is further partly assembled view of the floor covering system of FIG. 16a; and

[0095] FIG. 18 is a partly assembled view of a floor covering system in accordance with a sixth embodiment of the invention.

PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

[0096] Referring initially to FIGS. 1 to 3, there is provided a floor covering system 10 in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention. The system includes a plurality of planar underlays 12 for contact with a subfloor, and a plurality of planar floor planks 14 for overlaying engagement with the underlays.

[0097] Each underlay includes four locating apertures 16 symmetrically disposed about its surface 18. In the illustrated embodiment, the apertures extend all the way through the underlay. However, in other not shown embodiments the apertures may not extend all the way through the underlay.

[0098] Upon overlaying engagement, these apertures engage with four complementary locating protrusions 20 extending from the undersides 22 of the floor planks 14. In this respect, a locating means is provided by the protrusions, which in turn, is received by the underlays 12. The underlays further include an adhesive coating on their upper side 14 so that upon the overlaying engagement, the floor plank is securely bonded along its planar surface or "laminated" with the underlays. Alternatively, the adhesive coating may be applied to the underside of the floor planks.

[0099] The arrangement is such that the locating protrusions 20 engage with the locating apertures 16 to allow a single floor plank to positively and accurately position two or more adjacently located underlays 12 in a respectively aligned side-by-side and/or end-to-end configuration. In this way, a floor covering is defined and a complete floor can be built up progressively with each underlay being accurately aligned with adjacent underlays.

[0100] As best shown in FIG. 2, each floor plank 14 includes a design pattern 24 printed on its upper surface so as to resemble, for example, a marble, ceramic or wood textured surface. Alternatively, the design pattern may be printed on a supplementary layer, which is laminated to the floor plank's upper surface. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the underlays and floor planks have a square shape and therefore would most likely be used to resemble a marble, slate, ceramic or other type of square type floor tile.

[0101] As is commonly known in the art, the underlays 12 and floor planks 14 are predominantly formed from a flexible polyvinyl chloride material, otherwise known as PVC or vinyl. The completed floor is therefore hardwearing, easy to walk on and suitable for wet areas. In addition, using a resilient polyvinyl chloride material allows a degree of planar compliance to compensate for floor surface irregularities when laid. Of course, it should be understood that other materials could be used in combination with the PVC such as for example, resins and/or polyurethane, without departing from the scope of the invention.

[0102] As is best shown with reference to FIG. 2d, in a preferred form of fabrication, the apertures 16 are cut from the underlay to define cut portions 26, and the protrusions 20 are formed by bonding the cut portions 26 to the underside 22 of the floor plank using an appropriate adhesive, or any other fixing method as is commonly known in the art. It should be noted that this process of cutting and bonding would normally be performed during automated manufacture and, as a result, the apertures and protrusions would be accurately positioned within desired tolerances.

[0103] Referring now to FIG. 3, to assemble the floor covering system 10, four underlays 12 are first laid onto a subfloor in an adjacent formation, ideally starting from a wall 28 or other aligning feature. It should be understood that at this stage, it is only required to approximately align the underlays relative to each other. Also, no fixing is required to secure the underlays to the subfloor because the flooring system 10 is a "floating type" and therefore, allows for contraction and expansion of the assembled floor during use.

[0104] A single floor plank 14 is then placed down onto the underlays 12 allowing the protrusions 20 to engage one aperture 16 from each underlay. Another two underlays 12 are then laid down in an adjacent formation again only approximating an aligned configuration with one edge or end of the already laid underlays. Another floor plank can then be placed down so that the protrusions 20 engage one or more apertures 16 from each underlay. It will be appreciated that as a result of the engagement between corresponding protrusions and apertures, the laid underlays will move into exact relative alignment. At the same time, the corresponding floor planks 14 will be also accurately aligned with respect to the underlays.

[0105] This process continues until the underlays 12 and floor planks 14 cover the desired floor surface. Upon completion, what gaps in the floor surface that remain are covered by half sized floor planks, either cut on site or supplied in half sizes. In addition, an edge trim (not shown) or moulding (not shown) may also be provided to seal any smaller peripheral gaps, as in commonly known in the art.

[0106] As mentioned earlier there is an adhesive coating disposed on the upper side 14 of each underlay 12. It is proposed that this coating will be exposed by the removal of a disposable cover strip (not shown). The coating may also be of the type that reacts when in contact with the floor plank such that the bond formed becomes stronger over time. Advantageously, this feature will allow any laying mistakes to be easily corrected.

[0107] Referring now to FIGS. 4 to 6, there is provided a second embodiment of the floor covering system 10 of the present invention. This embodiment is similar to the first embodiment except that both of the underlays 12 and floor planks 14 now have a rectangular shape of substantially identical dimensions so that the completed assembly more readily resembles typical wood type flooring.

[0108] As shown in FIG. 6, the assembly procedure for this embodiment is essentially identical to that described above for the first embodiment except that the underlays 12 are now laid such that their longer edges 30 do not continue all the way to the periphery 32 of the desired flooring surface. Instead, the peripherally located floor planks 14a are overlaid so that their longer edges 34 continue to the periphery 32. For this reason, only two of the peripheral floor plank's protrusions 20 engage with the peripheral underlay's apertures 16, with the remaining unengaged protrusions 20 resting directly on the subfloor to support the overhung portion of the floor planks 14a.

[0109] Of course, in this embodiment it can be seen that in order to achieve a staggered laying pattern, some cutting of the floor planks will be required. This situation is exemplified by reference to floor plank 14b, which will be cut along line 15 so that it ends generally flush with the wall 28. Alternatively a half floor plank may be supplied.

[0110] Referring now to FIGS. 7 to 9, there is depicted a third embodiment of the floor covering system of the present invention. This embodiment discloses similar shaped underlays and floor planks to the second embodiment except that the underlays 12 now include a pair of complementary interlocking portions 36 disposed at their longitudinally opposed ends. As can be seen in FIG. 9, the respective interlocking portions 36 engage upon assembly to provide an extra degree of lateral restraint between longitudinally adjacent underlays upon installation.

[0111] Accordingly, the assembly procedure for this embodiment is essentially identical to that described above for the second embodiment except that a certain degree of trimming of the interlocking portions 36 may be required proximate the wall 28. To assist in any trimming, a cut or perforation line (not shown) may be provided on the interlocking portions.

[0112] Referring now to FIGS. 10 to 13, there is provided a fourth embodiment of the present invention. This embodiment is similar to the second embodiment in that, the underlays 12 and the floor planks 14 have a rectangular shape of substantially identical dimensions. However, in this embodiment, the protrusions 20 are asymmetrically disposed about each floor plank 14. For this reason, a slight modification to the assembly procedure is now required. As best shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, the short edges 38 of the peripheral underlays are now also offset from the periphery of the desired floor surface, and the short edges of the floor planks continue to the periphery 32. Advantageously, this embodiment allows for a floor plank 14 to always cover the region 40 where the short ends of the underlays 12 join.

[0113] Referring now to FIGS. 14 to 17, there is provided a fifth embodiment of a present invention. This embodiment is similar to the fourth embodiment in that, the protrusions are asymmetrically disposed about the floor plank. However, in this embodiment, the apertures 16 are now also asymmetrically disposed about the underlay 12. Notwithstanding this difference, installation of this embodiment is substantially identical to that described for the fourth embodiment. Advantageously, this embodiment provides even a greater degree of covering of the end join region of the underlay.

[0114] It should be noted that during installation of the fourth and fifth embodiments, a certain degree of trimming of both the underlays 12 and floor planks 14 may be required.

[0115] Whilst the above embodiments all stipulate that the protrusions 20 extend from the underside of the floor plank 14 and that the apertures 16 are disposed in the underlay 12, it should be appreciated that this structural arrangement may be reversed without departing from the scope of the invention. That is, in other not shown embodiments, the apertures may be disposed in the floor plank and the protrusions may extend from one side of the underlay.

[0116] Referring now to FIG. 18, there is depicted a further embodiment of the floor covering system 10 of the present invention. In this embodiment, the floor plank 14 and underlay 12 are already in laminated engagement to define a modular floor tile 41. Alternatively, in another form of this embodiment, the modular floor tile is integrally formed to include both underlay and floor plank portions. It should be noted, that these modular floor tiles are generally formed from the same materials as the floor planks and underlays of the first five embodiments and include a design pattern on the upper surface of the floor plank portion.

[0117] In this embodiment, there is provided a locating member in the form of an aluminium or plastic extruded track 42. The track includes flange portions 44 for engagement with corresponding slots 46 disposed near the lateral and longitudinal sides of the modular floor tiles. Upon this engagement, either longitudinally or laterally adjacent modular floor tiles are positioned in a generally aligned configuration relative to each other.

[0118] An adhesive coating 44 is located on the upper side of the track 42 to create a permanent bond between the track and the adjacent modular floor tiles upon assembly. In this way, a floor covering can be gradually built up by laying down more and more tracks 42 in between adjacent pairs of the modular floor tiles 41.

[0119] It will be appreciated that the above six embodiments demonstrate alternate structural forms of the present invention. The disclosed embodiments advantageously teach a floating flooring system that is relatively easy to install because exact alignment between the adjacent components occurs automatically upon assembly. Advantageously, the system is supplied in kit form, which includes both the underlays and floor planks, or modular floor tiles and extruded tracks, and assembly may only require a single tool, such as a knife or scissors, to trim any edges. Consequently, the flooring system of the present invention advantageously does not necessarily require any skilled labour for assembly and is therefore particularly suited to "do-it-yourself" home renovators and/or builders.

[0120] Ideally the components are formed from standard materials, which are well suited to high-speed automated manufacture and, accordingly, are relatively inexpensive to manufacture.

[0121] Although the invention has been described with reference to specific examples, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the invention may be embodied in many other forms. In particular, it should be appreciated that the underlays, floor planks, apertures and protrusions may take a variety of shapes and configurations, other than those specifically illustrated.

[0122] Moreover, it should be understood that the underlays 12 may be used in isolation without the corresponding floor planks 14. It has been found that an assembly of these `modular` type underlays may be used in normal floating floor applications such as an underlay for floorboards and/or vinyl sheets. Under these circumstances, the underlays would not require, and would not be provided with, any locating apertures 16. However, they may include the complementary interlocking portions 36 disposed at its longitudinal or potentially lateral ends to provide relative alignment between adjacent underlays.

Claims

1. A floor covering system including: a first layer of planar material; a second layer of planar material, at least a portion of said second layer being adapted for laminating engagement with said first layer to define a floor covering; and a locating means for locating two or more of said second layers in a substantially aligned configuration, wherein said second layer is adapted to receive said locating means.

2. A floor covering system according to claim 1, including one or more locating protrusions extending from one surface of said first layer.

3. A floor covering system according to claim 2, wherein said second layer includes one or more locating apertures disposed on one surface thereof, said apertures being adapted for complementary engagement with said locating protrusions.

4. A floor covering system according to claim 3, wherein said locating apertures extend from the top to the bottom surface of said second layer.

5. A floor covering system according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein said first layer includes four of said locating protrusions.

6. A floor covering system according to any one of claims 3 to 5, wherein said second layer includes four of said locating apertures.

7. A floor covering system according to any one of claims 3 to 6, wherein said locating apertures are cut from said second layer to form two or more off-cut portions and wherein said off-cut portions are bonded to one surface of said first layer to define said locating protrusions.

8. A floor covering system according to any one of claims 2 to 7, wherein said locating protrusions are symmetrically disposed about said first layer.

9. A floor covering system according to any one of claims 2 to 7, wherein said locating protrusions are asymmetrically disposed about said first layer.

10. A floor covering system according to any one of claims 3 to 9, wherein said locating apertures are symmetrically disposed about said second layer.

11. A floor covering system according to any one of claims 3 to 9, wherein said locating apertures are asymmetrically disposed about said second layer.

12. A floor covering system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said second layer includes a pair of interlocking portions disposed at its longitudinally opposed edges.

13. A floor covering system according to claim 12, wherein said interlocking portions are adapted to substantially laterally restrain longitudinally adjacent pairs of said second layers upon installation.

14. A floor covering system including: a first layer of planar material; a second layer of planar material, said second layer being in laminated engagement with said first layer to define a modular floor tile; and a locating member engageable with at least a portion of said modular floor tile for locating two or more of said modular floor tiles in a substantially aligned configuration.

15. A floor covering system according to claim 14, wherein said modular floor tile includes one or more locating apertures disposed on one surface thereof.

16. A floor covering system according to claim 15, wherein said locating member includes one or more locating protrusions extending from one surface thereof, said protrusions being adapted for locating engagement with said locating apertures.

17. A floor covering system according to claim 14 or claim 15, wherein said one or more apertures include one or more elongate slots.

18. A floor covering system according to claim 16 or claim 17, wherein said one more locating protrusions include one or more elongate flanges.

19. A floor covering system according to any one of claims 14 to 18, wherein said locating member is in the form of an extruded track substantially formed from a plastics material.

20. A floor covering system according to any one of claims 14 to 18, wherein said locating member is in the form of an extruded track substantially formed from extruded aluminium.

21. A floor covering system according to any one of the preceding claims wherein said first or second layers includes a design pattern on its top surface.

22. A floor covering system according to claim 21, wherein said design pattern substantially resembles a wood, marble, ceramic or a slate surface.

23. A floor covering system according to claim 21 or claim 22, wherein said design pattern is printed on a supplementary layer, which is bonded to one surface of said first or second layer.

24. A floor covering system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said second layer includes and adhesive means for bonding said second layer to said first layer.

25. A floor covering system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said first or second layer is sized to substantially correspond to standard ceramic, slate, marble tile or wood plank dimensions.

26. A floor covering system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said first and second layers are substantially formed from a resilient plastics material such as polyvinyl chloride.

27. A floor covering system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said first layer is a floor plank and said second layer is an underlay.

28. A floor covering system according to any one of claims 14 to 27 including a secondary adhesive means for bonding said locating member to one or more of said modular floor tiles.

29. A floor covering system according to claim 28, wherein said secondary adhesive means is disposed on said locating member.

30. A floor covering system substantially as herein described with reference to any one of the embodiments of the invention illustrated in the accompanying drawings and/or examples.

31. A method for installing a floor covering system in accordance with any one of the preceding claims, said method including the steps of: i. laying two or more of said second layers on a subfloor; and ii. laying said first layer over two or more of said second layers such that said locating means locates said second layers in an aligned configuration.

32. A method for installing a floor covering system substantially as herein described with reference to any one of the embodiments of the invention illustrated in the accompanying drawings and/or examples.

33. A modular underlay tile for a floor system, said underlay tile including: substantially planar upper and lower surfaces, said underlay tile being adapted for substantial aligned engagement with one or more other modular underlay tiles to form an underlay for said floor system.

34. A modular underlay tile according to claim 33 including two or more interlocking portions disposed on two or more corresponding edges of said tile.

35. A modular underlay tile according to claim 34, wherein said interlocking portions are adapted to substantially restrain at least adjacent pairs of said underlay tiles, upon installation.

36. A modular underlay tile according to any one of claims 33 to 35, wherein said underlay tile is substantially formed from a resilient plastics material such as polyvinyl chloride.

37. A modular underlay tile substantially as herein described with reference to any one of the embodiments of the invention illustrated in the accompanying drawings and/or examples.