MULTI-LAYER MODULAR FLOORING SYSTEM

Abstract

A multi-layer modular flooring system provides a permanent covering for a ground surface. The flooring system comprises multiple floor panels that detachably fit together to cover the ground surface. The flooring system has two adjacent, parallel layers disposed flush against each otheran upper layer that is the walking surface, and a lower layer that is the layer engaged with the ground surface. The upper layer comprises a surface coating, and is shaped with a protruding portion and a corresponding recessed portion that releasably couple to each other. The lower layer is disposed flush against the upper layer, and defined by a resilient, dampening composition. A ground side of the lower layer is coated with a reusable adhesive composition that allows the floor panel to detachably adhere to the ground surface. The coupling of the protruding and recessed portions, and the reusable adhesive restrict lateral motion of the floor panels.

Claims

1. A multi-layer modular flooring system, the system comprising: multiple floor panels detachably fitted together, the floor panels having: an upper layer being coated with a surface coating, the upper layer being shaped to define a protruding portion and a corresponding recessed portion that enable adjacent floor panels to releasably couple to each other; and a lower layer disposed flush against the upper layer, the lower layer comprising a resilient, dampening composition, the lower layer being coated with a reusable adhesive composition, and the reusable adhesive composition includes a pressure sensitive adhesive; wherein the upper layer is defined by a walking side coated with the surface coating, and the walking side is wiped to create a gloss effect on the upper layer, and the lower layer has a ground side coated with the reusable adhesive composition.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the floor panels are in the shape of square.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the floor panels detachably fitted together to cover a ground surface.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein the lower layer is coated with a reusable adhesive composition that allows the floor panel to detachably adhere to the ground surface.

5. (canceled)

6. (canceled)

7. (canceled)

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the protruding portion has a rounded shape, and the protruding portion is about 2.95 cm long.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the recessed portion has a rounded shape, and the recessed portion is about 1.67 cm wide.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein the surface coating comprises a tarnish.

11. (canceled)

12. The system of claim 1, wherein the reusable adhesive composition is washable.

13. A multi-layer modular flooring system, the system comprising: multiple floor panels detachably fitted together to cover a ground surface, the floor panels having: an upper layer being defined by a walking side coated with a surface coating, the upper layer being shaped to define a protruding portion and a corresponding recessed portion that enable adjacent floor panels to releasably couple to each other; and a lower layer disposed flush against the upper layer, the lower layer comprising a resilient, dampening composition, the lower layer being defined by a ground side coated with a reusable adhesive composition that allows the floor panel to detachably adhere to the ground surface, and the reusable adhesive composition includes a pressure sensitive adhesive.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein the floor panels are in the shape of square.

15. (canceled)

16. The system of claim 13, wherein the protruding portion and the recessed portion have a rounded shape, and the protruding portion is about 2.95 cm long, while the recessed portion is about 1.67 cm wide.

17. The system of claim 13, wherein the surface coating comprises a tarnish.

18. (canceled)

19. The system of claim 13, wherein the reusable adhesive composition is washable.

20. A multi-layer modular flooring system, the system consisting of: multiple floor panels detachably fitted together to cover a ground surface, the floor panels having: an upper layer being defined by a walking side coated with a surface coating, the upper layer being shaped to define a protruding portion and a corresponding recessed portion that enable adjacent floor panels to releasably couple to each other, the protruding portion and the recessed portion having a rounded shape, the surface coating comprising a polyvinyl chloride; and a lower layer disposed flush against the upper layer, the lower layer comprising a resilient, dampening composition, the lower layer being defined by a ground side coated with a reusable adhesive composition that allows the floor panel to detachably adhere to the ground surface, the reusable adhesive composition including.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0029] The invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0030] FIG. 1 illustrates an elevated side view of an exemplary multi-layer modular flooring system, showing the upper layer and the lower layer of the floor panels, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; and

[0031] FIG. 2 illustrates a top view of exemplary protruding and recessed portions of the floor panels, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

[0032] Like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the various views of the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0033] The following detailed description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the described embodiments or the application and uses of the described embodiments. As used herein, the word exemplary or illustrative means serving as an example, instance, or illustration. Any implementation described herein as exemplary or illustrative is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other implementations. All of the implementations described below are exemplary implementations provided to enable persons skilled in the art to make or use the embodiments of the disclosure and are not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure, which is defined by the claims. For purposes of description herein, the terms upper, lower, left, rear, right, front, vertical, horizontal, and derivatives thereof shall relate to the invention as oriented in FIG. 1. Furthermore, there is no intention to be bound by any expressed or implied theory presented in the preceding technical field, background, brief summary or the following detailed description. It is also to be understood that the specific devices and processes illustrated in the attached drawings, and described in the following specification, are simply exemplary embodiments of the inventive concepts defined in the appended claims. Specific dimensions and other physical characteristics relating to the embodiments disclosed herein are therefore not to be considered as limiting, unless the claims expressly state otherwise.

[0034] A multi-layer modular flooring system 100 is referenced in FIGS. 1-2. The multi-layer modular flooring system 100, hereafter system 100 is a unique flooring that is laid directly onto a ground surface 112 to provide an aesthetic, secure, non-slip flooring. The system 100 can be laid onto the ground surface 112 to form a walking surface on various types and dimensions of ground surfaces, including a subflooring.

[0035] Furthermore, the system 100 utilizes multiple floor panels 102a-n that fit together in a jigsaw puzzle arrangement, so as to enable covering variously sized, shaped, and dimensioned ground surface 112 areas. The floor panels 102a-n can accommodate different types of ground surfaces, including a concrete surface, a wooden surface, an asphalt surface, and the like. With the unique flooring system 100, laying the floor panels 102a-n onto the ground surface 112 requires minimal skills and tools, as a reusable adhesive composition 116, and a snap-fit coupling between floor panels 102a-n facilitates installation onto the ground surface 112.

[0036] As FIG. 1 shows, the system 100 comprises multiple floor panels 102a-n that detachably fit together to cover the ground surface 112. The system 100 has two adjacent, parallel layers disposed flush against each other. The layers may include an upper layer 104, which serves as the walking surface; and a lower layer 106, which serves to engage the ground surface 112 directly. The floor panels 102a-n are unique in that, once laid onto the ground surface 112, they do not slide or move in an unstable manner.

[0037] FIG. 2 illustrates a top view of exemplary protruding and recessed portions 118, 120 of the floor panels 102a-n. The system 100 utilizes a unique tongue-and-groove joint between floor panels 102a-n is used to eliminate the direct difference between each floor panel (from floor panel 102a to 102n). Thereby achieving the paving requirements.

[0038] Further, the floor panels 102a-n are coated with a reusable adhesive composition 116 that can be used repeatedly without reducing adhesion. After the glue coating is dirty, it can be washed and cleaned, and the adhesion can be restored after drying. Further, the reusable adhesive composition 116 can be reused without reducing adhesion.

[0039] In some embodiments, the system 100 consisting of multiple floor panels 102a-n detachably fitted together to cover a ground surface 112, the floor panels 102a-n have an upper layer 104 that is defined by a walking side 108. The walking side 108 is coated with a surface coating 114. The surface coating 114 may include a PVC, a tarnish, a gloss, a paint, or other floor finishes known in the art.

[0040] The upper layer 104 is shaped to define a protruding portion 118 and a corresponding recessed portion 120 that enable adjacent floor panels 102a-n to releasably couple to each other. This may include a tongue-and-groove relationship in which the protruding portion 118 and the recessed portion 120 detachably mate in a snap-fit relationship. In some embodiments, the protruding portion 118 and the recessed portion 120 have a rounded shape that allows the components to fit together more easily. In one non-limiting embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the protruding portion is about 2.95 cm long, and the recessed portion is about 1.67 cm wide. However, any dimensions for the parts of the floor panel may be used, since the system 100 is scalable.

[0041] In addition, the floor panels 102a-n have a lower layer 106 that is disposed flush against the upper layer 104. The lower layer 106 comprises a resilient, dampening composition 116, which may include a foam material. The resilient dampening composition 116 provides cushion for walking across the floor panels 102a-n. The lower layer 106 is defined by a ground side 110 that faces the ground surface 112. The reusable adhesive composition 116 that is configured to enable the floor panel to detachably adhere to the ground surface 112.

[0042] The reusable adhesive composition 116 may include, without limitation, a thermo-resettable cross-linked polymer, a pressure sensitive adhesive, a tacky adhesive, an acrylic glue, and a glue. However, in other embodiments, any flooring adhesive that may be reused is utilized. The reusable adhesive composition 116 is also washable, so that it stays sticky and smooth; and thereby can be used multiple times and also accommodates different types of ground surfaces.

[0043] In installing the system 100, the floor panels 102a-n are laid out across the ground surface 112 in a desired pattern to cover the ground surface 112. The upper layer 104 of the floor panels 102a-n is fitted together in a jigsaw puzzle arrangement, so as to achieve the desired floor covering. The protruding portion 118 is pushed into the recessed portion 120 in a snap-fit relationship. The ground side 110 of the lower layer 106 is placed onto the ground surface 112 until adhering to the ground surface 112. The walking side 108 may be wiped to create a gloss effect on the upper layer 104.

[0044] These and other advantages of the invention will be further understood and appreciated by those skilled in the art by reference to the following written specification, claims and appended drawings.

[0045] Because many modifications, variations, and changes in detail can be made to the described preferred embodiments of the invention, it is intended that all matters in the foregoing description and shown in the accompanying drawings be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense. Thus, the scope of the invention should be determined by the appended claims and their legal equivalence.