Method for installing wood flooring

Abstract

There is provided a flooring system for hardwood floors comprised of a plurality of elongated slats wherein the slats are held in position by a plurality of connectors, each connector having a base secured to a substrate, a vertical portion extending upwardly from the base, and a generally horizontal portion extending into a groove formed in a sidewall of the elongated slat. The system permits the slats to be installed with a minimum of labor and also permits removal of the slats and their later re-use.

Description

[0001] The present application is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 10 / 287,575 filed Nov. 4, 2002, which in turn is a continuation-in-a-part of application Ser. No. 09 / 915,069 filed Jul. 25, 2001.FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0002] The present invention relates to a connector and more particularly, relates to a connector for use in a flooring system. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003] There are many different types of flooring which are used both in residential and commercial applications. Flooring systems range from hardwood floors to various composite wood products, tiles, linoleum, slate, carpets, etc. Each of the aforementioned types of flooring has various advantages and disadvantages, with some of the parameters for suitability for any particular installation being cost of the flooring material, cost of installation, durability, appearance, ease of maintenance, etc. [0004] For residential and many commercial installations, the use of wood and particularly a hardwood is ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0006] It is an object of the present invention to provide a flooring system for installing a plurality of elongated slats, the system being one wherein installation is substantially faster than the use of nails.

[0019] In a preferred embodiment, the groove designed to receive the tongue portion preferably has an overall generally V-shaped configuration. In the even more preferred embodiment, the groove is defined by upper and lower groove walls. Each of the upper and lower groove walls preferably have initially generally parallel portions adjacent the sidewall and which end tapered inwardly to formed the V-shaped configuration. It is been found that this arrangement provides for a more solid locking arrangement and also prevents splintering of the wood.

[0020] An advantage of the present system is that the wood slats can have a thickness substantially less than that which is conventionality required. In the industry, the slats typically have a thickness in the order of 1.9 cm. This thickness is required in order that the slats can be nailed without splitting.

[0021] According to the present invention, a preferred embodiment provides for a slat thickness in the order of 0.95 cm. This reduced thickness has a number of advantages. As will be appreciated, from the same amount of lumber, one is able to increase the amount of flooring obtained. Further more, due to the reduced thickness, the board can be somewhat more flexible in order to adapt to any substrate irregularities.

[0024] The flooring system of the present invention is extremely adaptable and indeed the boards or slats can be removed and reused. In the case of excess wear on the boards they can be removed and could be sent for factory refinishing.

Problems solved by technology

Historically, some of the drawbacks associated with hardwood flooring have been the cost of installation and maintenance.

Although there are a number of automatic nailing guns which are suitable for performing this operation, thus speeding up the installation, it is still a time consuming operation.

Still further, many of the hard woods used for flooring have a tendency to split when the nail is driven.

This is again very time consuming and thus increases the expense of installation.

Still further, wood floors, in high traffic areas, are subject to a wear factor.

It is also an extremely messy and possibly health threatening operation as fine particles of dust spread throughout the area.

Before applying the coating to the wood, all dust particles must be removed; this is often a tedious process.

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