Systems and methods can include scoring a backing material of a luxury vinyl plank (“LVP”) to allow an otherwise rigid plank to flex within a scoring section. The scoring section can include multiple parallel grooves that reach a depth that partially scores the backing material. The LVP can be positioned on a stair tread such that the scoring section wraps around an edge of the tread nose. The LVP can be clamped on top and bottom of the stair tread nose to allow adhesives to take effect. A scoring device can include a blade assembly with multiple blades to create multiple scored grooves in one pass.

A stair tread cover suitable for covering at least one step in a staircase. The stair tread cover includes at least a front portion and a back portion. The front and back portion each have a top surface and a bottom surface. At least one friction region is optionally positioned on the bottom surface of the front portion of the stair tread cover, and at least one gripping region is optionally positioned on the top surface of the front portion of the stair tread cover.

A stair tread cover suitable for covering at least one step in a staircase. The stair tread cover includes at least a front portion and a back portion. The front and back portion each have a top surface and a bottom surface. At least one friction region is optionally positioned on the bottom surface of the front portion of the stair tread cover, and at least one gripping region is optionally positioned on the top surface of the front portion of the stair tread cover.

In a mechanism for recycling energy from stairs (200), a step platform (210) is moveable between an upper and lower position. An energy storage device (220), coupled to the platform (210), stores energy when a downward force is applied thereto, causing the step platform (210) to move to the lower position. The energy storage device (220) also releases stored energy as the step platform (210) moves from to the upper position. A controllable locking mechanism (240) locks the step platform (210) in the lower position when the downward force has caused the step platform (210) to move into the lower position. A sensor (250) determines when a downward force has been applied to the next higher step platform (250). A controller (300) signals the controllable locking mechanism (242) to unlock the step platform (250) when the step platform (250) is in the lower position and when the downward force has been applied to the next higher step platform (250).

A method of making a stair nose molding is provided that includes the obtaining a flooring plank. The flooring plank includes a core layer, a padding layer covering the core layer, a first edge and a second edge. Moreover, the method includes milling the padding layer along the first edge of the flooring plank, heating the flooring plank, and positioning the first edge of the flooring plank against a first side of the molding member. Furthermore, the method includes bending the flooring plank about a curved end of the molding member to create a curved part of the flooring plank, positioning a remaining part of the flooring plank adjacent a second side of the molding member, and applying pressure to the remaining part of the plank adjacent the second side of the molding member and to the part of the plank adjacent the first side of the molding machine.

A method of making a stair nose molding is provided that includes the obtaining a flooring plank. The flooring plank includes a core layer, a padding layer covering the core layer, a first edge and a second edge. Moreover, the method includes milling the padding layer along the first edge of the flooring plank, heating the flooring plank, and positioning the first edge of the flooring plank against a first side of the molding member. Furthermore, the method includes bending the flooring plank about a curved end of the molding member to create a curved part of the flooring plank, positioning a remaining part of the flooring plank adjacent a second side of the molding member, and applying pressure to the remaining part of the plank adjacent the second side of the molding member and to the part of the plank adjacent the first side of the molding machine.

A foot traction panel assembly includes a panel body having an exposed top surface, opposing longitudinal sides, and opposing lateral ends. The panel body defines a plurality of narrow slots extending between the opposing sides and opposing ends. A plurality of removable spiked inserts are adapted for being custom arranged adjacent selected slots of the panel body. Each of the spiked inserts has an elongated base and a series of spaced apart rigid spikes attached to the base. The spikes are configured to extend vertically above the top surface of the panel body.

A gripping surface includes a plurality of projections extending away from the gripping surface and a plurality of voids between and defined by the projections. The gripping surface may be disposed on a support surface, such as a deck of a skateboard or a deck of a balance board. The projections may be formed by cutting the support surface with a router, such as a computer numerical control router. The projections may each comprise three or more angles surfaces, whereby angled surfaces of proximal projections are positioned at mirror angles of one another.

A rug mounting system and method includes an elongate fastening driven into a flooring surface. The elongate fastener is coupled with a fastening area and a complementary fastener. The underside of the rug is fitted with a complementary fastening area and fastener. A flat item that includes the fastening area is affixed to the flooring surface, and the elongate fastener is applied to the flooring surface therethrough, thus exposing the lower end fasteners. The rug is then placed over both fastening types and mounted on the ground. One, or more, mounting systems may be used to secure a rug to the ground.

A method of folding plastic composition flooring, including but not limited to LVP, LVT, SPC or WPC, to form a desired shape, such as stair noses, baseboards, quarter rounds, T-moldings, endcaps, or the like. The method includes the steps of incorporating a thermal insulation layer between the plastic composite flooring and a heat generator, applying heat until reaching a heat transmission coefficient to allow the plastic composite flooring to become malleable, removing the heat, applying pressure to the heated section of the plastic composite flooring to form into a desired shape using a positive and negative embossing die mold on the top and bottom heated section of the plastic composite flooring, and removing the embossing die-molds once the plastic composite flooring has cooled down to its initial temperature.