U.S. patent application number 12/843033 was filed with the patent office on 2012-01-26 for floor and tile system with pad.
Invention is credited to David Liu.
Application Number | 20120017528 12/843033 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 45492411 |
Filed Date | 2012-01-26 |
United States Patent
Application |
20120017528 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Liu; David |
January 26, 2012 |
FLOOR AND TILE SYSTEM WITH PAD
Abstract
A method for installing flooring boards is provided. The method
comprises laying down a two layer pad on a floor, applying a band
of adhesive, laying a flooring board on the top of the two
shifted-layer pad and the edge of the floor board occupying one
half of the width of the band, and laying an adjacent floor board,
which covers the remaining of the band of the adhesive.
Inventors: |
Liu; David; (Marietta,
GA) |
Family ID: |
45492411 |
Appl. No.: |
12/843033 |
Filed: |
July 25, 2010 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
52/309.1 ;
52/403.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E04F 13/142 20130101;
E04F 15/02188 20130101; E04F 13/0885 20130101; E04F 15/0215
20130101; E04F 15/082 20130101; E04F 15/02194 20130101; E04F
13/0862 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
52/309.1 ;
52/403.1 |
International
Class: |
E04F 15/22 20060101
E04F015/22; E04C 2/20 20060101 E04C002/20 |
Claims
1. A pre-assembled pad with flooring elements comprising: a pad
with a top side and a bottom side; a plurality of bands of adhesive
on the top side of the pad; and a plurality of flooring elements
placed on the top side of the pad, each element being placed
between two bands.
2. The pre-assembled pad with flooring elements of claim 1, wherein
the pad further being covered with restickable glue on at least one
side.
3. The pre-assembled pad with flooring elements of claim 1, the pad
further comprising a plurality of grooves and each band of adhesive
being place in one groove.
4. The pre-assembled pad with flooring elements of claim 1; wherein
the pad further comprising a net that allows the bands of adhesive
to penetrate.
5. The pre-assembled pad with flooring elements of claim 1, wherein
the pad being a double-layer pad composed of a first layer and a
second layer, the first layer placed on top of the second layer,
the first layer being offset from the second layer.
6. The pre-assembled pad with flooring elements of claim 1, wherein
adhesive being epoxy grout.
7. The pre-assembled pad with flooring elements of claim 1, wherein
the adhesive being urethane grout or urethane glue.
8. The pre-assembled pad with flooring elements of claim 1, wherein
the adhesive being polymer modified grout.
9. The pre-assembled pad with flooring elements of claim 1, wherein
the flooring elements being porcelain tiles.
10. The pre-assembled pad with flooring elements of claim 1,
wherein the flooring elements being stone tiles.
11. The pre-assembled pad with flooring elements of claim 1,
wherein the flooring elements being floor boards.
12. The pre-assembled pad with flooring elements of claim 1,
wherein the flooring elements being floor boards interlaced with
tiles.
13. A flooring system comprising: a first floor board; a second
floor board; and a pad with pressure sensitive glue, the pad having
a top side, wherein the first floor board and the second floor
board being placed adjacent to each other on the top side of the
pad, the first floor element and second floor board being capable
of sliding before a pressure being applied.
14. The flooring system of claim 13, wherein the back side of each
floor board being coated with a layer of material that bonds to the
pad with pressure sensitive glue.
15. The flooring system of claim 14, wherein the layer of material
being a pad pre-coated with pressure sensitive glue.
16. The flooring system of claim 13, wherein the pad with pressure
sensitive glue is attached to the back side of each floor board,
the floor boards being directly attached to a sub-floor when a
pressure is applied to the floor boards.
17. The flooring system of claim 16, wherein the pad is smaller
than the floor boards, wherein the first floor board being placed
adjacent to the second floor board and the gap formed between the
first floor board and the pad, a band of glue being applied in the
gap to attach the floor boards together and also to attach the
floor boards to a sub-floor.
18. The flooring system of claim 13, wherein the adhesive being
applied to a joint between the first floor board and the second
floor board.
19. A pad for installing flooring elements having at least one side
covered with pressure sensitive restickable glue.
20. A pad for installing flooring elements having a plurality of
grooves.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The invention relates to flooring, and more particularly, to
method of installing padded flooring tiles.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Stone tiles, ceramic tiles, and porcelain tile are normally
installed on cement board with mortar and grout. The installation
process generally involves the following steps. First, previous
floor needs to be removed and cleaned, and then the mortar must be
mixed and applied onto the floor. After the mortar is applied and
before it cures, a cement board is laid on the top of the floor and
a layer of mortar is applied on the top of the cement board. Tiles
are placed on the top of the cement board before the mortar is
cured. After the tiles are firmly attached to the concrete board,
grout can be applied to fill the gaps between the tiles. After the
grout is applied, the excess of grout needs to be removed and the
tiles are then cleaned. Grout sealant is applied to make the grout
stain resistant. If the tiles are installed on a plywood subfloor
instead of the concrete floor, the cement board can be nailed
instead of affixed using the grout.
[0003] The process above is wet and requires experience; it could
not be easily mastered by a DIY installer. For professional
installer, the process described above is laborious and lengthy.
Most time is spent waiting for mortar to cure and grout to dry,
especially for small job such as bathroom. Therefore, there is a
need for a process that enables easy and quick installation of
tiles, and it is to this method the present invention is primarily
directed.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] The present invention provides a method for installing floor
covering. The installing process is broken into two stages. First
pre-assembled pads with ceramic floors are prepared, then these
pre-assembled pads are used to cover the floor. The invention
introduces use of a pad covered with restickable glue.
[0005] In another embodiment of the invention there is provided a
method for installing a flooring covering. The method comprises
laying a band of adhesive on the top of a pad with a resticakable
glue layer, the band of adhesive having a width and laying a first
flooring element on the pad. The first flooring element has a first
edge, the first edge being placed on the band of adhesive, and the
first edge does not occupy more than half of the width of the band
of adhesive. The method further comprises laying a second flooring
element on the pad. The second flooring element has a second edge
and the second edge is placed on the band of adhesive and adjacent
to the first edge. Finally the pad is placed on a floor.
[0006] In another embodiment, the present invention provides a
pre-assembled pad with flooring elements. The pre-assembled pad
comprises a pad with a top side and a bottom side, a layer of
restickable glue placed on the bottom side of the pad, a plurality
of bands of adhesive on the top side of the pad, and a plurality of
flooring elements placed on the top side of the pad, each element
being placed between two bands.
[0007] In yet another embodiment of the present invention there is
provided a method for installing a wall covering. The method
comprises the steps of attaching a pad with a restickable glue
layer on both sides of the pad on a wall, laying a band of adhesive
on the top of a pad, the band of adhesive having a width, and
laying a first flooring element on the pad. The first flooring
element has a first edge, the first edge being placed on the band
of adhesive, and the first edge does not occupying more than half
of the width of the band of adhesive. Finally the method comprises
the step of laying a second flooring element on the pad, the second
flooring element having a second edge, the second edge being placed
on the band of adhesive and adjacent to the first edge.
[0008] In yet another embodiment, the present invention provides a
method for installing a floor covering. The method comprises the
steps of covering a pad with a layer of resticakable glue, laying a
first flooring board on the pad, the first flooring board having a
first tongue and a first groove, placing an adhesive on the first
tongue, sliding a second flooring board with a second tongue and
second groove on the pad, the second groove being engaged to the
first tongue, and placing the pad on a floor.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] Features and advantages of embodiments of the invention will
become apparent as the following Detailed Description proceeds, and
upon reference to the Drawings, where like numerals depict like
elements, and in which:
[0010] FIG. 1 is a cross section view of a padded ceramic tiles
installed on a floor;
[0011] FIG. 2A is a cross-section illustration of an alternative
embodiment of a pad for installing ceramic pads;
[0012] FIG. 2B illustrates an alternative embodiment for the
groove;
[0013] FIG. 2C illustrates yet another alternative embodiment of
the invention for glue down installation;
[0014] FIG. 2D illustrates yet another alternative embodiment of
the invention with a wood veneer;
[0015] FIG. 3 illustrates a cross-section view of an alternative
embodiment with a double layer pad;
[0016] FIG. 4 is a cross-section view of an alternative embodiment
of a double layer pad with ceramic tiles;
[0017] FIG. 5 is an illustration of a double layer pad of FIG.
4;
[0018] FIG. 6 illustrates an alternative embodiment of the present
invention;
[0019] FIG. 7 is a top view of a floor installed with ceramic tiles
and wooden boards;
[0020] FIG. 8 illustrates an embodiment for wall installation;
[0021] FIG. 9 illustrates an installation method of the present
invention for hardwood floor boards with tongue and groove;
[0022] FIG. 10 illustrates two hardwood floor boards after
installation;
[0023] FIG. 11 illustrates an alternative way to install the
hardwood floor boards;
[0024] FIG. 12 illustrates an easy way to engage two adjacent floor
boards; and
[0025] FIG. 13 is a flowchart of a method for installing ceramic
floor according to the invention
[0026] FIG. 14 illustrates an alternative embodiment of the present
ion;
[0027] FIGS. 15 and 16 illustrate yet another alternative
embodiment of the present invention;
[0028] FIGS. 17-19 illustrate alternative methods of
installation.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0029] The present invention provides a method for installing
padded floor tiles and/or floor boards. The method eliminates use
of cements to affix tiles and user of grout for filling gaps
between the tiles. The installed floor offers soft sensation to
users who walk on this floor and also reduces noises generally
associated with the ceramic or wood floors. The installed ceramic
floor also offers some flexibility, thus preventing cracks that
often are associated with ceramic/stone tiles. The ceramic/stone
tiles the present invention are pre-assembled on a soft and
flexible pad with use of restickable glue and this pad serves as a
cushion that provides soft feeling for people who walk on it. The
flexible pad also eliminates the need for preparation of the
underlayment or subfloor, which means that the ceramic tiles can be
installed on top of the subfloor that is not perfectly leveled.
Because of the pre-installed flexible pad comes with a layer of
restickable glue, there is no need for application of additional
glue during the installation time; consequently, the installation
process can be made easy and fast. The flexible pad also prevents
spilled liquid to reach the underlayment and subfloor easily and
thus preventing damage to the underlayment or subfloor. The
subfloor in the context of this application can be wood surface or
a cement slab. The restickable glue is not liquid glue; it is a
high viscosity polymer based glue. One example of restickable glue
is EVA (ethylene vinyl acetate) class of glue.
[0030] FIG. 1 is a cross section view 100 of a padded ceramic tiles
102 installed on a floor 110. The pad 104 is affixed onto the floor
110 and the ceramic tiles 102 are first secured to the pad 104
through a layer of restickable glue 112 and then firmly attached
with a band adhesive/grout 106. The band of the adhesive/grout 106
is laid on the top of the pad 104 and the edge of a ceramic tile
102 is placed on the top of the adhesive/grout 106. The
adhesive/grout 106 can be epoxy grout, urethane grout, urethane
glue, liquid nail, for stone and tile, or other type of glue that
can be used with stone or tile. The width of the band is preferably
1 cm-3 cm.
[0031] The ceramic tiles 102 are preferably gauged tiles, gauged
marble, or granite tiles, i.e., their edges have been through the
grinding process, thus having a perfect sizing and no grout line is
needed. The gauged tiles can be aligned easily and have a better
presentation; however, they are not necessary. In the case of non
gauged tiles are used, then flexible grout, such as urethane grout
or epoxy grout, is recommended. The flexible grout will mask out
the imperfections on the tile edges.
[0032] The adhesive 106 plays several functions in the installation
of ceramic tiles. The adhesive 106 glues two adjacent ceramic tiles
102 together and also glues the ceramic tiles to the pad 104. The
adhesive 106 provides certain flexibility to the ceramic tiles 102,
such that the ceramic tiles 102 are flexible in relation to the pad
104. The adhesive 106 also provides mechanical support for the
ceramic tiles 102, so that the ceramic tiles 102 act like one
single piece once installed on the pad 104. The adhesive 106 also
serves the role of grout and seals the "grout" line, so that no
water will leak between the ceramic tiles 102. In the case of the
tiles are joined by epoxy grout, the epoxy grout will serve as
mortar, grout, and grout sealer. The adhesive 106 can also be
polymer modified grout, which is a grout (sanded or unsanded) mixed
with some glue and additive such as PVA.
[0033] The pad 104 plays several functions in the installation of
ceramic tiles. The pad 104 being soft and flexible enables greater
gripping force between the pad 104 and the ceramic tiles 102. The
pad 104 also serves as cushion that absorbs shock and other impact
forces, thus reducing the breakage of ceramic tiles 102. Because of
the cushion effect, when a user walks on the installed ceramic
tiles, the user feels the softness generally associated with
expensive tapestry. The pad 104 serves also as a moisture barrier,
preventing the water from reaching the sub-floor. The pad 104 is
also a good insulator of coldness and helps to keep the floor warm.
The restickable glue 112 helps to hold the tiles 102 during the
installation and also helps to prevent water spreading. The pad 104
is stretchable, the pad also serve as membrane that prevents tiles
from cracking when the subfloor moves. The pad 104 can be made from
EVA foam, non woven cloth, urethane foam, rubber pad, PE foam, PVC
tiles, foam, plastic films/membranes, wood veneer, laminate veneer,
carpet, etc. The weakness of softness of the pad 104 is overcome by
the flexibility of adhesive/epoxy grout. The tiles do not have to
be installed on the hard board, where stress often cracks, and the
installation procedure is complicated and cost is high. The concept
of the tile installed on a soft pad eliminates the stress, and
allows the soft pad to absorb stress and impact.
[0034] As shown in FIG. 1, a band 108 of the adhesive is spread on
the top of the pad 104, and a tile 102 is placed on the top of this
band 108 of adhesive. As two adjacent tiles are placed, the
adhesive is squeezed to fill the gap between the ceramic tiles 102.
The adhesive also is also pushed down onto the pad 104, forming a
little depression as shown in adhesive 106. The pad 104 with tiles
102 are placed on the top of the subfloor 110. The pad 104 is
preferably not firmly attached to the subfloor 110 and the pad 104
"floats" over the subfloor 110. The floating pad 104 reduces the
possibility of tiles 102 cracking because of different expansion
rate between the subfloor 110 and the ceramic tiles 102. The pad
104 can be also attached firmly to the subfloor as well. The
attachment can be done by glue, adhesive, restickable glue, staple,
etc.
[0035] FIG. 2A is a cross-section illustration 200 of an
alternative embodiment of a pad 204 for installing ceramic pads
102. The pad 204 has multiple longitudinal grooves 206 that run
along its width. The groove 206 can be made by heat pressing down
the pad 204 or adding an additional layer (not shown) on top of the
pad 204. A band of the adhesive 208 is deposited onto the groove
206. As tiles 102 are placed on the top of the pad 204, the
adhesive 208 is squeezed between the ceramic tiles 102, and a film
210 of adhesive 208 fills up the gap between the ceramic tiles 102.
The groove 206 enables formation of a strip 202, which provides a
thick and firm link between the ceramic tiles 102. The strip 202 of
inverted T shape fills the joint between the two ceramic tiles 102
and the pad 204. The strip 202 serves support for connecting the
ceramic tiles 102 and the pad 204 together. This connection reduces
the vertical movement and forces between two adjacent tiles as one
tile is being stepped on and another tile is not. This also reduces
the potential disconnection/cracking between the two adjacent
tiles. In case of grout is used between tiles, this inverted T
connection will stabilize the grout line. The strip 202 also
provides certain flexibility to the floor formed by the ceramic
tiles 102 and the pad 204. When the pad 204 with the ceramic tiles
102 is placed on a subfloor 110, the pad 204 serves as a cushion
providing sensation of softness to a user walking on the top of the
finished floor.
[0036] FIG. 2B illustrates an alternative embodiment 220 for the
groove. The groove 226 can have different shapes: such as
rectangle, oval, triangle, or stair shapes. FIG. 2B also shows
ceramic tiles 102 placed over double pads 224, 230. The pad 230 can
be one layer of plastic film, enforced fiber cloth, or non weave
cloth. FIG. 2C illustrates yet another alternative embodiment 250
for the invention. In the embodiment 250, the tile floor is not
floating, but glued down. The pad 252 is a net that allows the glue
to penetrate onto the subfloor 110 and the tiles are glued down
onto the subfloor 110. This embodiment is suitable for shower
usage. This embodiment is also useful for wall tile installation
since the net can be stapled onto the plywood before grout
application. This eliminates the need for cement board because the
tiles are sealed with glue and epoxy grout. FIG. 2D illustrates
another alternative embodiment 280 where the groove can be further
strengthened with a wood veneer, a plastic sheet, or a laminate
sheet. The wood veneer 282 is strong mechanically and can be glued
down. on stone or tile. The wood veneer 282 is installed in a
perpendicular direction relative to the tiles 102. This improved
the structure may further stabilize the grout or two pieces of tile
after installation. Though the pad is a soft cushion, but at joint,
it could be stabilized as a solid substrate.
[0037] FIG. 3 illustrates a cross-section view of an alternative
embodiment 300 with a double layer pad 302. The pad 302 has two
layers 308, 310 of sub-pads. Two layers of sub-pads 308 and 310 are
offset of each other. The ceramic tiles 102 are attached to first
sub-pad 310 of the pad 302 through adhesive 306. There is an
over-hang portion 312 of the first sub-pad 310 that extends beyond
the second sub-pad 308 and there is a trailing portion 314 of the
second sub-pad 308 that extends beyond the first sub-pad 310. When
two double layer pads 302 are placed adjacent to each other, the
over-hang portion 312 of one pad 302 is placed on the top of the
trailing portion 314 of another pad 302. The adhesive can be used
to glue two adjacent pads 302 together. Because the sizes of the
tiles are often slight different from their standard size, with
this double layer, the portion of the pad over hangs can be
adjusted to allow the groove distance between two adjacent
tiles.
[0038] FIG. 4 is a cross-section view of an alternative embodiment
400 of a double layer pad 402 with ceramic tiles 304. In this
embodiment, adhesive 404 is placed on a semi-circular groove. FIG.
5 is an illustration 500 of a double layer pad of FIG. 4. The
double layer pad is formed by a lower layer 504 and a top layer 506
and a plurality of semi-circular grooves 502 are distributed on the
top layer 506. The grooves 502 may have other shapes. The top layer
506 is shifted from the lower layer 504 and the top layer 506 is
partially over hang from the lower portion 504.
[0039] FIG. 6 illustrates an alternative embodiment 600 of the
present invention. In this embodiment 600, ceramic tiles 606
interlaced with wooden boards 604 are placed on a pad 602. The
ceramic tiles 606 and wooden board 604 may have similar dimensions
and are attached onto the pad 603 through adhesive as described
above. The ceramic tiles 606 may have different dimensions from the
wooden board 604 as shown in FIG. 7.
[0040] FIG. 7 is a top view of a floor 700 installed with ceramic
tiles 704 and wooden boards 702. In the floor 700, the ceramic
tiles 704 are placed on a pad and separated from each other by
wooden edges 702. In the traditional tile installation, this mix of
wood board and ceramic tile is not easy to handle because wood
board is not able to be attached with mortar or grout. The water in
mortar will warp the wood and it will not firmly bond the wood
boards. With this method, tile and wood board can be easily
installed on the same pad with same adhesive or epoxy grout. For
floor board 700 shown in FIG. 7 and embodiment 600 shown in FIG. 6,
other non-wooden boards such as porcelain tiles and stone tiles may
also be used.
[0041] The present invention may also be applicable for wall
installation as shown in FIG. 8. FIG. 8 illustrates an embodiment
800 for wall installation. The ceramic tiles 804 are attached onto
a pad 802. Both sides of the pad 802 are covered with restickable
glue 808 that helps to secure the pad 802 on the wall and also
helps to secure the ceramic tiles 804 in place while adhesive 806
that glues two adjacent ceramic tiles 804 together cures. The pad
802 can be secured onto the wall by glue, screws, staples, nails,
or other attaching means. The pad is mounted on a mesh net where
the net allows the restickable glue to directly glue the pad onto
the wall. The restickable glue also temporary holds the tile at a
wall position, while the glue on the groove after cure will hold
the tile permanently.
[0042] The present invention can also be applied to installation of
hardwood floor boards. Normally, hardwood floor boards are glued or
nailed onto a subfloor and more recently they can also be installed
"floating" with mechanical locks. However, these installation
methods are less than desired for the following reasons. The glued
down floor made from engineered wood boards often experience
delamination because of different expansion rate of materials and
the floating floor is prone to water leakage.
[0043] The present invention provides an easy way for installing
floor boards. Generally, a first row of floor boards is placed and
pressed onto a pad with a pressure sensitive glue. Pressure
sensitive glue/adhesive adheres to most surfaces with very slight
pressure. They are available in solvent and latex or water-based
forms. They adhere with just finger or hand pressure and do not
require activation by water, solvent or heat. The pressure
sensitive glue will not take effect until a pressure is applied.
The second row of the floor board will be slid into their position.
The floor board will not stick to the pad because the pressure is
not applied yet. After the second row of floor boards is well
positioned, installer can simply step on the second raw floor
boards, which will glue to pad firmly. The glue on the pad is
pre-manufactured glue, which can be used directly to hold the floor
board securely. Floor boards can be hardwood, laminate, bamboo,
vinyl, or engineered material. The floor board bottom can be
coated, treated, or covered a layer of material, such as laminate
floor boards and plastic films, that have strong bonding with
restickable glue. The floating hardwood floor installation for
pressure sensitive pad: [0044] 1: The floor board is pressed down
(stepped on) onto a pressure sensitive glue covered pad. The pad is
not glued unless the press is applied. [0045] 2. Slide next row of
the floor boards. The glue does not stick to the boards because the
pressure is not applied yet. The board can be hand press/slide in,
or hammered into the position. [0046] 3. Press down (step on) the
newly installed the boards onto the glue such that the pad firmly
grip the new boards. The floating hardwood floor installation for
laminate floor: [0047] 1. The laminate board is pressed down
(stepped on) to a pressure sensitive glue covered pad. The pad is
not glued until the pressure is applied. [0048] 2. Laminate flip
down, and slide next row the floor boards. The glue does not stick
to the boards because the pressure is not applied yet. The boards
can be hand press/slide in, or hammered into the position. [0049]
3. Press down (step on) the newly installed the board to all the
glue pad firmly grip the new board.
[0050] FIG. 14 is an illustration 1400 of the floor boards
installed according to the above process. Each floor board 1404,
1406 is equipped with a pressure sensitive glue covered pad 1402;
one floor board can be slid next to another floor board. The system
can further be improved with glue to bond the floor boards. The
glue applied could be a permanent glue, which better enforcement
for the floor system. The glue can glue two boards, it can also be
used to glue them to the pad. For wood floor, White Glue (PVA),
Yellow Glue, most wood glue can be applied for this case. Liquid
nail, polyurethane glue can also be used for this case as well.
Most of glues are easy to cleaned with water or wet mop/sponge if
the glue surfaced to surface of the wood floor. The floor boards
are firmly held by the restickable glue, the board will not move or
shift as the applied glue cures.
[0051] FIGS. 15 and 16 illustrate another floor board installed
according to the present invention. Hardwood floating installation
method based on pressure sensitive pad: [0052] 1. The floor board
1502 is laid down on a pressure sensitive glue pad 1506. The pad
does not stick until the pressure is applied. [0053] 2. The wood
glue is applied to groove the floor board, some excessive glue 1508
may be applied to allow the wood board to glue to the pad.
[0054] 3. Slide next row 1504 the floor board. The glue does not
stick to this board because the pressure is not applied yet. The
board can be hand press/slide in, or hammered into the position. No
gap is left between the boards. [0055] 4. Press down (step on) the
newly installed the board to allow the glue pad firmly grip the new
board.
[0056] FIG. 17 illustrates an alternative embodiment with a net
1706 for the pad, which allows the floor to glue onto the subfloor.
The pad still uses the pressure sensitive glue. Directly glue down
method can also be used as shown in FIGS. 18 and 19. The pad is
attached to floor boards, which are smaller than the floor board.
The glue can applied at the joint area; the glue will glue floor
boards together and, at the same time, glue them to the subfloor.
The floor pad also holds the floor in the position. The floor pad
also uses a pressure sensitive glue and allow the 2.sup.nd raw
floor slide to position then press down to secure the position. The
glue can also be temperature sensitive glue; temperature sensitive
glue will become adhesive when it is heated up to a certain
temperature.
[0057] The installation method of the present invention can be used
with hardwood floor boards with tongue and groove features as shown
in FIG. 9. A pad 902 covered with a layer of restickable glue is
placed on a floor, a first floor board 904 with a tongue 912 and a
groove 914 are placed on the top of the pad 902. The restickable
glue holds the floor board 904 in place while an adjacent floor
board 904 is placed. An adhesive 906 is placed on the tongue 912 of
the first floor board 904 before the groove 914 of the second floor
board 904 is slid onto the tongue 912 of the first floor board 904.
The adhesive 906 is compressed between the two floor boards and
glues them together preventing liquid from penetrating between the
two floor boards as shown in FIG. 10. Because the pad 902 is
flexible, the pad 902 expands and contracts with the floor boards
904.
[0058] FIG. 13 is a flowchart 1300 of a method for installing a
floor covering according to the invention. The installation is made
easy by dividing the installation into two stages. The pad is
covered with a layer of restickable glue and a band of adhesive is
spread on the top of the pad, step 1302. After the band of adhesive
is placed, a ceramic tile is laid on the pad with an edge of the
ceramic tile on the top of the band of adhesive, step 1304.
Preferably the edge of the ceramic the does not occupy more than
half of the width of the band of the adhesive. A second ceramic
tile is placed adjacent to the first ceramic tile. The edge of the
second ceramic tile is also placed on the top of the band of
adhesive and the second ceramic the is pressed against the first
ceramic tile, step 1306. The compression between two ceramic tiles
forces the band of adhesive to fill up the gap between two ceramic
tiles with part of the band of adhesive attached to the underside
of two ceramic tiles and to the pad. The placement of ceramic tiles
is repeated until the pad is filled with ceramic tiles. With
multiple pads assembled with ceramic tiles, an installer can then
place the pads on the floor, step 1308. The pads are placed
adjacent to each other, thus covering the floor. The resulting
floor is covered with "floating" ceramic tiles. If the pad is a
double layer pad as described above, during the installation of the
pads, the over-hang of a pad is placed on the top of the trailing
portion of another pad. Though the above installation process is
described based on ceramic tiles, the process is equally applicable
for installing other flooring elements such hardwood floor boards
described above.
[0059] The terms and expressions which have been employed herein
are used as terms of description and not of limitation, and there
is no intention, in the use of such terms and expressions, of
excluding any equivalents of the features shown and described (or
portions thereof), and it is recognized that various modifications
are possible within the scope of the claims. Other modifications,
variations, and alternatives are also possible. Accordingly, the
claims are intended to cover all such equivalents. Dimensions in
the drawings here presented are not to the scale unless otherwise
indicated. It is intended that different features shown in
different figures in this specification may be combined
interchangeably.
* * * * *