Floor plank

Abstract

The floor plank is a laminate of two layers of flexible plastic sheet material laminated together in offset relationship to define an offset marginal portion for each of the layers. Each of the offset marginal portions have oppositely facing adhesive coated surfaces. A foam layer and/or a fiberglass sheet can also be included in the laminate structure of the floor plank. The floor plank can conform to surface contours of a floor base. The bottom layer of the floor plank, whether it is plastic sheet or foam, is conformable to surface irregularities of the floor base. A one piece releasable packaging device covers the oppositely facing adhesive coated surfaces of the offset marginal portions.

Description

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the accompanying drawings,

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a floor plank incorporating one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an assembly pattern thereof;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken on the line 3-3 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken on the line 4-4 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view thereof on a floor base;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing the flexibility characteristics of the floor plank;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a floor plank incorporating another embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of an assembly pattern thereof;

FIG. 9 is a sectional view taken on the line 9-9 of FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a sectional view taken on the line 10-10 of FIG. 8;

FIG. 11 is a sectional view thereof on a floor base;

FIGS. 12-14 are perspective views of a packaging system for the floor plank incorporating another embodiment of the invention, before, during and after installation in a floor plank;

FIG. 15 is a plan view of the packaging system packaging device; and,

FIG. 16 is a perspective view of a floor plank incorporating a further embodiment of the invention.

Claims

1. A method of packaging a floor plank comprising a laminate of two layers of plastic sheet material both of identical polygonal shape, laminated together in offset relationship to define an offset marginal portion for each of the layers, such that the offset marginal portion of each layer extends beyond at least two side edges of the other layer, each of the offset marginal portions having oppositely facing adhesive coated surfaces, said method comprising providing one continuous strip of flexible releasable material to cover the exposed adhesive coated surfaces of both of the offset marginal portions by contacting a first portion of the releasable cover material against the adhesive coating of one offset marginal portion and contacting a second portion of the releasable cover material on the adhesive coated surface of the other offset marginal portion.

2. The method of claim 1 including forming the releasable material with a closed polygonal periphery.

3. The method of claim 1 including forming the releasable material with a rectangular outer periphery and a rectangular inner periphery, and an open inner rectangular space surrounded by the releasable material.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the releasable material is a silicone coated paper.

5. The method of claim 1 including forming the releasable material as a one piece member.