Thin decorative surface covering

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10465390-B2
Application number	US-201515512302-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Sep 18, 2015
Priority date	Sep 18, 2014
Publication date	Nov 5, 2019
Grant date	Nov 5, 2019

Abstract

A decorative surface covering element has a height of 4 mm or less from its top surface to the bottom surface. The surface covering element is configured as a multi-layered compound with a polymer-based core layer laminated between a backing layer and a wear layer, the core layer comprising a core material having a lesser shore hardness than the backing layer and the wear layer. The surface covering element comprises a first connecting profile, integral with the multi-layered compound, that extends along at least one of the edges of the surface covering element. The first connecting profile comprises at least one protrusion realized in the core layer, the protrusion having side surfaces for being seized between opposite surfaces of a recess in a second connecting profile, configured for mating with the first connecting profile, of another decorative surface covering element.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. A decorative surface covering element with a top surface, a bottom surface and lateral edges, said decorative surface covering element having a height of 4 mm or less,
said decorative surface covering element being configured as a multi-layered compound comprising a polymer-based core layer laminated between a backing layer and a wear layer, said core layer comprising a core material having a lesser shore hardness than said backing layer and said wear layer;
said decorative surface covering element comprising a first connecting profile, integral with said multi-layered compound, extending along at least one of said edges, said first connecting profile comprising at least one protrusion realised in said core layer, said protrusion having side surfaces for being seized between opposite surfaces of a recess in a second connecting profile, configured for mating with said first connecting profile, of another decorative surface covering element;
said decorative surface covering element comprising a second connecting profile, integral with said multi-layered compound, extending along another one of said edges, said second connecting profile comprising at least one recess realised in said core layer, said recess having opposite surfaces for seizing a protrusion of a first connecting profile of another decorative surface covering element, wherein the first and second connecting profiles form a contact surface in the connected state, wherein the first and second connecting profiles are shaped in such a way that the contact surface that forms in the connected state amounts at least to 7 mm 2 per mm along the edges comprising said first and second connecting profiles;
the second connecting profile comprising, a connector base extending parallel to the backing layer and wear layer, a hook-shaped ridge elevated from a top side of the connector base opposite a hooked side of the hook-shaped ridge, the recess having the opposites sides delimited toward the bottom by the connector base and toward the top side by an overhang;
the first connecting profile comprising an overhanging connector base forming the protrusion having the side surfaces for being seized between the opposite surfaces of the recess in the first connecting profile, wherein the front edges of the protrusion are chamfered for facilitating insertion of the protrusion into the recess, the protrusion having on a rear side a toothed profile for co-operating with the hooked side of the hook shaped ridge of the second connection profile, the toothed profile comprising a chamfered bottom edge.

2. The decorative surface covering element as claimed in claim 1 , wherein said protrusion comprises a tongue extending parallel to said layers.

3. The decorative surface covering element as claimed in claim 1 , wherein said first connecting profile comprises a connector base parallel to said layers and wherein said protrusion comprises a ridge elevated or lowered from said connector base.

4. The decorative surface covering element as claimed in claim 3 , wherein said first connecting profile comprises a plurality of protrusions formed as mutually parallel ridges elevated or lowered from said connector base.

5. The decorative surface covering element as claimed in claim 1 , wherein said protrusion comprises a barb profile.

6. The decorative surface covering element as claimed in claim 1 , wherein said recess comprises an undercut for cooperating with a barb profile.

7. The decorative surface covering element as claimed in claim 1 , wherein said second connecting profile comprises a connector base parallel to said layers and a ridge elevated or lowered therefrom.

8. The decorative surface covering element as claimed in claim 1 , wherein said second connecting profile comprises a connector base having formed therein a plurality of mutually parallel recesses.

9. The decorative surface covering element as claimed in claim 1 , wherein said first and second connecting profiles are shaped in such a way that elastic deformation of at least one of said first and second connecting profiles occurs when said decorative surface covering element is connected with another decorative surface covering element.

10. The decorative surface covering element as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the contact surface that forms in the connected state amounts at least to 9 mm 2 per mm along the edges comprising said first and second connecting profiles.

11. The decorative surface covering element as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the contact surface that forms in the connected state amounts at least to 12 mm 2 per mm along the edges comprising said first and second connecting profiles.

12. The decorative surface covering element as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the contact surface that forms in the connected state amounts at least to 15 mm 2 per mm along the edges comprising said first and second connecting profiles.

13. The decorative surface covering element as claimed in claim 1 , wherein said core layer comprises a fiberglass mat embedded and anchored in said core material, said fiberglass mat extending into said first connecting profile.

14. The decorative surface covering element as claimed in claim 1 , wherein said backing layer and said wear layer have each a shore C hardness of at least 80 and wherein said core layer has a shore C hardness at least 5 units below the lower of the shore C hardness of said backing layer and the shore C hardness of said wear layer.

15. The decorative surface covering element as claimed in claim 1 , wherein said core layer has a coefficient of dynamic friction comprised in the range from 0.50 to 0.65 when determined according to European Standard EN 13893.

16. The decorative surface covering element as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the first connecting profile and the second connecting profile are configured so as to allow movement of the connected profiles along the direction of the respective edge when the first connecting profile and the second connecting profile are in the connected state.

17. The decorative surface covering element as claimed in claim 1 , comprising a second connecting profile, integral with said multi-layered compound, extending along another one of said edges,
wherein said second connecting profile comprises at least one recess realised in said core layer, said recess having opposite surfaces for seizing a protrusion of a first connecting profile of another decorative surface covering element,
wherein said backing layer and said wear layer have each a shore C hardness of at least 80 and wherein said core layer has a shore C hardness at least 5 units below the lower of the shore C hardness of said backing layer and the shore C hardness of said wear layer,
wherein said core layer has a coefficient of dynamic friction comprised in the range from 0.50 to 0.65 when determined according to European Standard EN 13893, and
wherein the first and second connecting profiles are shaped in such a way that a contact surface that forms in the connected state amounts at least to 7 mm 2 per mm along the edges that are in contact.

18. A method for installing a decorative surface covering on a floor, comprising:
providing decorative surface covering elements, each one of said decorative surface covering elements having a top surface, a bottom surface and lateral edges, said decorative surface covering element having a height of 4 mm or less,
each one of said decorative surface covering elements being configured as a multi-layered compound comprising a polymer-based core layer laminated betw

Assignees

• Tarkett Gdl Sa

Inventors

• Bladh Jonas
• Simon Jean-Yves
• Pailler Frédéric
• Peres Richard

Classifications

• E04F2201/0161

  with snap action of the edge connectors · CPC title

• E04F2201/0146

  with snap action of the edge connectors · CPC title

• E04F2201/0115

  with snap action of the edge connectors · CPC title

• E04F15/105 Primary

  of organic plastics with or without reinforcements or filling materials · CPC title

• E04F2201/042

  with grooves positioned on the rear-side of the panel · CPC title