Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
254 words
A method of laying unitized floor panels, each of said floor panels comprising at least one row having a plurality of unattached wooden tiles, each of said tiles having an upper surface and a lower surface and comprising a plurality of slats assembled in a unitary block, each of said tiles being pre-sanded and including an upper surface coated with a finishing composition, a layer of pressure sensitive adhesive covering at least a portion of the upper surface of the tile, and a flexible carrier and protective sheet covering said adhesive and said tiles and being substantially co-extensive with said tiles, the adhesive bond formed between said sheet and said adhesive being stronger than the adhesive bond formed between said adhesive and said tiles, said method comprising: (a) preparing a sub-floor onto which the panels are to be placed; (b) spreading a second adhesive onto said lower tile surfaces and between said panels and said sub-floor; (c) placing said panels onto said sub-floor and applying pressure to said panels; (d) using said substantially co-extensive flexible carrier and protective sheet and said layer of pressure sensitive adhesive to pull the upper surfaces of all of said tiles into substantial alignment along a generally horizontal plane when said tiles are placed on an irregular surface; (e) applying a subsequent pressure to said panels; and (f) stripping said pressure sensitive adhesive layer and said flexible sheet away from said tiles by pulling said sheet from said tiles after said upper surfaces have been pulled into substantial alignment.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
254 words
A method of laying unitized floor panels, each of said floor panels comprising at least one row having a plurality of unattached wooden tiles, each of said tiles having an upper surface and a lower surface and comprising a plurality of slats assembled in a unitary block, each of said tiles being pre-sanded and including an upper surface coated with a finishing composition, a layer of pressure sensitive adhesive covering at least a portion of the upper surface of the tile, and a flexible carrier and protective sheet covering said adhesive and said tiles and being substantially co-extensive with said tiles, the adhesive bond formed between said sheet and said adhesive being stronger than the adhesive bond formed between said adhesive and said tiles, said method comprising: (a) preparing a sub-floor onto which the panels are to be placed; (b) spreading a second adhesive onto said lower tile surfaces and between said panels and said sub-floor; (c) placing said panels onto said sub-floor and applying pressure to said panels; (d) using said substantially co-extensive flexible carrier and protective sheet and said layer of pressure sensitive adhesive to pull the upper surfaces of all of said tiles into substantial alignment along a generally horizontal plane when said tiles are placed on an irregular surface; (e) applying a subsequent pressure to said panels; and (f) stripping said pressure sensitive adhesive layer and said flexible sheet away from said tiles by pulling said sheet from said tiles after said upper surfaces have been pulled into substantial alignment.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method in accordance with claim 1 wherein preparing said sub-floor comprises removing dust and other undesirable material from said sub-floor.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
26 words
A method in accordance with claim 1 further comprising cutting said floor panels where necessary to conform said floor panels to the shape of said sub-floor.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
30 words
A method in accordance with claim 1 wherein said second adhesive is spread in a predetermined working direction and said panels are placed onto said sub-floor in the same direction.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method in accordance with claim 1 further comprising rolling the panels under pressure prior to complete curing of said second adhesive.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
14 words
A method in accordance with claim 1 wherein said second adhesive includes a solvent.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
15 words
A method in accordance with claim 1 wherein said second adhesive comprises an epoxy adhesive.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
30 words
A method in accordance with claim 1 wherein said sheet includes a plurality of spaced perforations and said stripping occurs after said second adhesive has cured to a desired degree.