US6526710B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Flooring system
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1998-10-23
•
Granted: 2003-03-04
•
Expires: 2018-10-23
Abstract
Abstract A flooring system includes a board ( 6 ) having a lower surface ( 2 ) in which arcuate grooves ( 3 ) are formed. Grooves ( 3 ) are arranged in a grid, having points of intersection ( 5 ). Each groove ( 3 ) extends from one edge of the board to the opposite edge of the board. The grooves serve to enable the passage of electrical wire which might be used for telephones, computers, hi-fi systems or other applications. The system makes such cabling unobtrusive and is particularly suitable where access to an under floor area is limited or non-existent.
Inventors
- 👤 Andrew Killen
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 13:09
CPC Classifications
E; E04; E04F; E04F15/00; E04F15/02; E04F15/10; E04F15/024; E04F15/02405; E04F15/02411
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 33
Claim 1
Independent Claim
152 words
A flooring system including: a board having a substantially planar upper surface and a lower surface, and at least one groove extending from an edge of the lower surface to another edge of the lower surface, the or each groove being sized to receive at least one cable; the board further including at least one discrete recess located in the at least one side wall; and at least one inflexible connecting element, each inflexible connecting element adapted for insertion in a respective one of the recesses and further adapted for being inserted into one of the recesses of an adjacent board in use of the system to interlock the boards to restrict their displacement relative to each other such that the inflexible connecting element alone interlocks adjacent boards and when in use is concealed from view at the planar upper surface in a manner so as to prevent access to that element.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
152 words
A flooring system including: a board having a substantially planar upper surface and a lower surface, and at least one groove extending from an edge of the lower surface to another edge of the lower surface, the or each groove being sized to receive at least one cable; the board further including at least one discrete recess located in the at least one side wall; and at least one inflexible connecting element, each inflexible connecting element adapted for insertion in a respective one of the recesses and further adapted for being inserted into one of the recesses of an adjacent board in use of the system to interlock the boards to restrict their displacement relative to each other such that the inflexible connecting element alone interlocks adjacent boards and when in use is concealed from view at the planar upper surface in a manner so as to prevent access to that element.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
28 words
The flooring system as claimed in claim 1 wherein the boards are placed such that the at least one groove is aligned with a groove of another board.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
The flooring system as claimed in claim 2 wherein the or each board is substantially rectangular or square in shape.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
37 words
The flooring system as claimed in claim 3 wherein the or each groove is straight and extends from an edge of the lower surface to an opposite edge of the lower surface of the or each board.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
25 words
The flooring system as claimed in claim 4 wherein each board in the system has a plurality of grooves which are arranged in a grid.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
18 words
The flooring system as claimed in claim 5 wherein each groove is substantially arched or arcuate in profile.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
74 words
The flooring system as claimed in claim 1 wherein each board has four side walls with the least one recess in each side thereof, each of the recesses being adapted to receive the inflexible connecting element, the inflexible connecting element being also received in one of the recesses of an adjacent like board to restrict at least one of a vertical and a horizontal displacement of the boards relative to each other when positioned.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
17 words
The flooring system as claimed in claim 7 wherein the inflexible connecting element is an elongate member.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
15 words
The flooring system as claimed in claim 8 wherein the elongate member is a dowel.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
44 words
The flooring system as claimed in claim 9 wherein markings are applied to the upper surface of each board to indicate at least one of the location of the grooves and the junctions where one of the grooves intersects with another of the grooves.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
26 words
The flooring system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein each board is made from particle board, plywood, or a dense plastics material.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
20 words
The flooring system as claimed in claim 1 wherein the or each board is substantially rectangular or square in shape.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
37 words
The flooring system as claimed in claim 1 wherein the or each groove is straight and extends from an edge of the lower surface to an opposite edge of the lower surface of the or each board.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
37 words
The flooring system as claimed in claim 2 wherein the or each groove is straight and extends from an edge of the lower surface to an opposite edge of the lower surface of the or each board.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
25 words
The flooring system as claimed in claim 1 wherein each board in the system has a plurality of grooves which are arranged in a grid.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
25 words
The flooring system as claimed in claim 2 wherein each board in the system has a plurality of grooves which are arranged in a grid.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
25 words
The flooring system as claimed in claim 3 wherein each board in the system has a plurality of grooves which are arranged in a grid.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
18 words
The flooring system as claimed in claim 1 wherein each groove is substantially arched or arcuate in profile.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
18 words
The flooring system as claimed in claim 2 wherein each groove is substantially arched or arcuate in profile.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
18 words
The flooring system as claimed in claim 3 wherein each groove is substantially arched or arcuate in profile.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
18 words
The flooring system as claimed in claim 4 wherein each groove is substantially arched or arcuate in profile.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
44 words
The flooring system as claimed in claim 1 wherein markings are applied to the upper surface of each board to indicate at least one of the location of the grooves and the junctions where one of the grooves intersects with another of the grooves.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
44 words
The flooring system as claimed in claim 2 wherein markings are applied to the upper surface of each board to indicate at least one of the location of the grooves and the junctions where one of the grooves intersects with another of the grooves.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
44 words
The flooring system as claimed in claim 3 wherein markings are applied to the upper surface of each board to indicate at least one of the location of the grooves and the junctions where one of the grooves intersects with another of the grooves.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
44 words
The flooring system as claimed in claim 4 wherein markings are applied to the upper surface of each board to indicate at least one of the location of the grooves and the junctions where one of the grooves intersects with another of the grooves.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
44 words
The flooring system as claimed in claim 5 wherein markings are applied to the upper surface of each board to indicate at least one of the location of the grooves and the junctions where one of the grooves intersects with another of the grooves.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
44 words
The flooring system as claimed in claim 6 wherein markings are applied to the upper surface of each board to indicate at least one of the location of the grooves and the junctions where one of the grooves intersects with another of the grooves.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
44 words
The flooring system as claimed in claim 7 wherein markings are applied to the upper surface of each board to indicate at least one of the location of the grooves and the junctions where one of the grooves intersects with another of the grooves.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
44 words
The flooring system as claimed in claim 8 wherein markings are applied to the upper surface of each board to indicate at least one of the location of the grooves and the junctions where one of the grooves intersects with another of the grooves.
Claim 31
Independent Claim
256 words
A method for installing a flooring system, said method comprising the steps of: (a) providing a board having a substantially planar upper surface and a lower surface having at least one groove formed therein, with at least one side wall extending between the upper and the lower surfaces and at least one groove extending from an edge of the lower surface to another edge of the lower surface, the or each groove being sized to receive at least one cable, the board further including at least one discrete recess located in the at least one side wall; (b) providing at least one inflexible connecting element, each inflexible connecting element adapted for insertion in one of the recesses and further adapted for being inserted into one of the recesses of an adjacent board in use of the system to interlock the boards to restrict their displacement relative to each other such that the element alone interlocks the adjacent boards; (c) laying a plurality of the boards of an existing floor with the boards placed such that the at least one groove is aligned with one of the grooves of another board; and (d) aligning the recess in the at least one side wall of one of the boards with another of the recesses of an adjacent board to enable the insertion of the inflexible connecting element in both recesses such that the inflexible connecting element in use is concealed from view at the planar upper surface in a manner so as to prevent access to that element.
Claim 32
Independent Claim
256 words
A method for installing a flooring system, said method comprising the steps of: (a) providing a board having a substantially planar upper surface and a lower surface having at least one groove formed therein, with at least one side wall extending between the upper and the lower surfaces and at least one groove extending from an edge of the lower surface to another edge of the lower surface, the or each groove being sized to receive at least one cable, the board further including at least one discrete recess located in the at least one side wall; (b) providing at least one inflexible connecting element, each inflexible connecting element adapted for insertion in one of the recesses and further adapted for being inserted into one of the recesses of an adjacent board in use of the system to interlock the boards to restrict their displacement relative to each other such that the element alone interlocks the adjacent boards; (c) laying a plurality of the boards of an existing floor with the boards placed such that the at least one groove is aligned with one of the grooves of another board; and (d) aligning the recess in the at least one side wall of one of the boards with another of the recesses of an adjacent board to enable the insertion of the inflexible connecting element in both recesses such that the inflexible connecting element in use is concealed from view at the planar upper surface in a manner so as to prevent access to that element.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method as claimed in claim 30 further comprising the step of running the at least one cable through at least one groove of the boards.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2006-03-03 | 2006-09-02 | 2007-03-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2010-03-03 | 2010-09-02 | 2011-03-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2014-03-03 | 2014-09-02 | 2015-03-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |