A load distributing and absorbing system that lies below a barrier layer that is exposed to percussive and/or point-applied forces. The load distributing and absorbing system has one or more load distributing and absorbing tiles. At least some of the tiles have an underlayment infrastructure positioned below a barrier layer. The underlayment infrastructure includes one or more hat-shaped absorbing members. Each has a ceiling primarily for load distribution and a curvilinear wall primarily for load absorption extending from the ceiling. A transition feature is provided to smoothly graduate from one height and type of load distributing and absorbing tile to a load distributing and absorbing tile of another type and height. He system distributes and absorbs forces applied to the barrier layer over a broad area when applied either on a seam between adjacent tiles or within a tile.

A floor element for forming a floor covering, wherein the floor element comprises a decorative layer made of a ceramic material; a support layer arranged below the decorative layer; and a reinforcing layer arranged in between the decorative layer and the support layer, wherein the support layer comprises edges provided with coupling elements configured to realize a mechanical coupling with coupling elements of an adjacent floor element.

A panelized lath and drainage plane panel and system is disclosed. A panel comprises a patterned polymer board providing a continuous drainage plane and a metallic lath affixed to the patterned polymer board, such that a first pair of adjacent edges include an exposed surface of the patterned polymer board. The panel may also include a second pair of adjacent edges, opposite the first pair of adjacent edges include an overhang of metallic lath. The system provides an open-air space between the exterior of the structure and the polymer board to allow the egress of liquid water and water vapor. A wall system using such panels is also disclosed. Typically, a manmade or natural stone veneer or a stucco is applied over the system.

The present invention relates to a floor panel and to a floor covering including a plurality of such floor panels. The present invention particularly relates to a laminated floor panel. The floor panel of the invention includes a hook that protrudes from an upward tongue of one floor panel to engage a clearance between an upward tongue block and an upward tongue of an adjacent floor panel.

The cushioning preform comprises two layers of foam material, e.g. polyethylene foam, laminated together in a laterally offset relation to one another, with or without a polyethylene film therebetween. Each of the foam layers is of rectangular cross-section has a surface section of greater density than the remaining section thereof. Rolls of the preform may be unrolled into a flattened condition on a substrate, such as a concrete floor, with a stepped edge of each unrolled preform overlaid by an adjacent unrolled preform and adhered thereto by a glue on the stepped edge.

A method of applying a protective film to a construction panel comprising: (a) selectively applying an adhesive composition to a peripheral region of a surface of the construction panel; and/or selectively applying an adhesive composition to a peripheral region of a surface of the protective film; and (b) applying a protective film to the surface of the construction panel to bond the protective film to the construction panel. A construction panel comprising a protective film layer on a surface of the panel and a peripheral adhesive composition layer located between said surface of the panel and the protective film layer, wherein the peripheral adhesive composition layer extends from an edge of the panel and across from about 0.1% to about 25% of the width of the surface.

A lightweight universal panel mat made of plastic or elastomeric material and having a first section that provides a relatively flat surface and provides a frame for receiving a plurality of removable panels that form a working surface within the panel mat. The panel mat includes a second section having geometry that supports the first section. The mats also include first, second, third and fourth sides forming a perimeter of the mat, wherein the first and second sides include upper structures having a sloped lower surface and the third and fourth sides include lower structures having sloped upper surfaces. The sloped surfaces are configured to allow for overlapping with sloped surfaces other like mats for interlocking therewith while forming a generally flat continuous top and bottom surface of the overlapped mats. The mats may be interlocked by a fastening member which fits in aligned openings of the adjacent mats for connection therewith.

A panelized lath and drainage plane panel and system is disclosed. A panel comprises a patterned polymer board providing a continuous drainage plane and a metallic lath affixed to the patterned polymer board, such that a first pair of adjacent edges include an exposed surface of the patterned polymer board. The panel may also include a second pair of adjacent edges, opposite the first pair of adjacent edges include an overhang of metallic lath. The system provides an open-air space between the exterior of the structure and the polymer board to allow the egress of liquid water and water vapor. A wall system using such panels is also disclosed. Typically, a manmade or natural stone veneer or a stucco is applied over the system.

[Object] To provide a building material capable of solving the problem of peeling-off, turning-up, and displacement of a protective sheet from a coating during storage, transport, and construction and capable of solving the problem of degradation of surface finishing of the coating as a result of the protective sheet being peeled off from a coating surface of the building material. [Solution] A building material 10 includes a base material 1 having a design surface on a surface thereof, a coating 2 that is formed on the design surface and that has a surface having a 60-degree specular gloss of 80 or greater, and a protective sheet 3 affixed to the coating 2 so as to be peelable. The coating 2 has a pencil hardness of HB or higher. The adhesive force between the coating 2 and the protective sheet 3 is 2 to 8 N/20 mm.

A floor element for forming a floor covering, wherein the floor element comprises a decorative layer made of a ceramic material; a support layer arranged below the decorative layer; and a reinforcing layer arranged in between the decorative layer and the support layer, wherein the support layer comprises edges provided with coupling elements configured to realize a mechanical coupling with coupling elements of an adjacent floor element.