Patent Application
20110047907
Embodiments of the present invention are generally related to underlayments associated with radiant floor or wall heating systems. More specifically, one embodiment of the present invention includes a plurality of protrusions that are adapted to locate and firmly secure wires or pipes associated with a radiant heating system.
In-floor and in-wall heating and cooling is well known that utilizes heat conduction and radiant heat, for example, for indoor climate control rather than forced air heating that relies on convection. The heat is usually generated by a series of pipes that circulate heated water or by electric cable, mesh or film that provide heat when a current is applied thereto. In-floor radiant heating technology is used commonly in homes and businesses today.
Electrical floor heating systems have very low installation costs and are well suited for kitchens, bathrooms or in rooms that require additional heat, such as basements. One advantage of electric floor heating is the height of installation. For example, floor buildup can be as little as about one millimeter as the electric cables are usually associated with a specialized installation board or directly onto the sub floor. Electric underfloor heating is also installed very quickly, usually taking a half a day to a day depending on the size of the area to be heated. In addition, warm up times are generally decreased because the cables are installed approximate to the finished flooring, i.e. tile, wherein direct connection is made with the heat source rather than a stored water heater as in fluid-based systems. Electric systems are offered in several different forms, such as those that utilize a long continuous length cable or those that employ a mat with embedded heating elements. In order to maximize heat transfer, a bronze screen or carbon film heating element may be also used. Carbon film systems are normally installed under the wire and onto a thin insulation underlay to reduce thermal loss to the sub floor. Vinyls, carpets and other soft floor finishes can be heated using carbon film elements or bronze screen elements.
Another type of in-floor heating system is based on the circulation of hot water, i.e., a “hydronic” system. In a hydronic system, warm water is circulated through pipes or tubes that are incorporated into the floor and generally uses pipes from about 11/16 inch to 1 inch to circulate hot water from which the heat emanates. The size of tubes generally translates into a thicker floor, which may be undesirable. One other disadvantage of a hydronic system is that a hot water storage tank must be maintained at all times, which is less efficient than an electric floor heating system.
In order to facilitate even heating of a floor, the wires must preferably be spaced at specific locations. One such system is disclosed in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2009/0026192 to Fuhrman (“Fuhrman”), which is incorporated by reference in its entirety herein. Fuhrman discloses a mat with a plurality of studs extending therefrom that help dictate the location of the wires. The mat with associated studs is placed over a sub floor with a layer of adhesive therebetween. Another layer of adhesive is placed above of the studs. The studs also guide the finishers to form a correct floor thickness. The studs thus provide a location for interweaving the wire or wires that are used in the heating system. The wire of Fuhrman, however, is not secured between adjacent studs and still may separate therefrom, which may cause uneven heating or wire damage. Furthermore, Fuhrman discloses a continuous mat wherein subsequent layers of adhesive are not able to interact with those previously placed.
Thus it is a long felt need in the field of flooring to provide a system that allows for the location and securement of various wires associated with an in floor heating system that also facilitates the creation of a sturdy floor. The following disclosure describes an improved underlayment that is adapted for securing a plurality of wires or water tubes, which also provides the mechanism for allowing successive layers of adhesive to interact with each other to form a more cohesive flooring system.
It is one aspect of the present invention to provide a system for securing a plurality of wires or tubes associated with an in floor heating system (hereinafter “heating element”). More specifically, one embodiments of the present invention is a system comprised of a base member with a plurality of bosses emanating therefrom. The bosses are spaced in such a way to firmly secure at least one heating element therebetween. Some embodiments of the present invention also employ ring shaped bosses, which will be described in further detail below. Again, the bosses are preferably positioned in such a way to firmly secure heating elements, thereby protecting the wire and maintaining a preferred location thereof. In one embodiment of the present invention the lower layer of the base is applied with heat reflective thin foil layer that directs heat toward the finished floor as opposed to the subfloor. The underlayment layer of one embodiment of the present invention is made by vacuum forming, thermal forming, injection molded, blow molded, cast or any other similar forming technique.
It is another aspect of the present invention to provide an underlayment layer that facilitates bonding of successive flooring layers. More specifically, the base of one embodiment of the present invention includes at least one opening that allows adhesive applied above and below the underlayment layer to communicate. “Adhesive” as used herein shall mean thin set, mortar, grout, self-leveling underlayment, etc. Adhesives are used to firmly associate the underlayment layer with a subfloor, wherein a layer of adhesive is initially applied to the subfloor with the underlayment layer placed thereon. Some embodiments of the present invention include a base with a roughened contact surface or that is associated with a wire or plastic mesh material to help facilitate the bond between the underlayment layer and the layer of adhesive. Next, the plurality of heating elements are associated with the bosses of the underlayment layer. Once the predetermined wire configuration is achieved, a second adhesive layer is placed atop of the underlayment layer and associated wires, which fills the spaces between adjacent bosses. Grout or other adhesives are then placed atop of the second layer of adhesive that is adapted to receive tiles, wood flooring etc. In one embodiment of the present invention, the base includes at least one opening therethrough to allow the first layer of adhesive to interact with the second layer of adhesive, thus providing a continuous adhesion path through the thickness of the underlayment layer.
The opening (and holes described below) may also allow water to flow through the underlayment layer. More specifically, often in floor heating systems are used in outdoor environments. The openings in the bosses and the base may thus be used to allow water flow from the floor through the subfloor to a catch basin or a drainage system. The openings also allow for air to percolate through the floor during fabrication, which helps some types of adhesive cure.
In a related aspect of the present invention, embodiments employ a boss having an opening therethrough. That is, some bosses of the present invention are ring shaped having an inner diameter and an outer diameter. The inner diameter may also be associated with an opening in the base such that the second layer of adhesive may be located within the boss to communicate with the first layer of adhesive which also creates an enhanced bond between the first layer of adhesive and the second layer of adhesive. Bosses of some embodiments of the present invention are also at least partially hollow with a plurality of holes associated with an upper surface thereof. The hollow bosses decrease the weight of the underlayment layer which facilitates placement of the same. In addition, material savings are appreciated by using hollow bosses. Hollow bosses may in one embodiment receive a first layer of adhesive such that the second layer of adhesive communicates with the first layer of adhesive through the plurality of holes. Other embodiments of the present invention omit such holes and provide an airtight or at least semi airtight volume of air that is heated by the heating elements to help regulate the heat being emanated by the floor.
It is another aspect of the present invention to provide spacing between adjacent bosses that is uniquely suited to the diameter or shape of the heating element to help firmly secure the same. In addition, some embodiments of the present invention employ bosses that are non rigid and somewhat compliant that flex to receive the heating element. This interference or frictional fit between heating element and boss helps secure and protect the heating elements.
It is another aspect of the present invention to provide an underlayment layer with at least one boss that helps facilitate the remaining construction of the floor. More specifically, some embodiments of the present invention include bosses with upwardly projecting protrusions that act as guides to help the finisher ascertain the amount of adhesive or grout needed to bring the floor up to a predetermined grade. It is contemplated that such protrusions be used to place grout atop the bosses wherein top surfaces of the protrusions remain uncovered by the grout to define the finished grade. This will allow the finisher to be confident that the grout is at the desired level without having to make many measurements.
It is another aspect of the present invention to provide bosses having an outwardly protruding lip. More specifically, in one embodiment, the upper portion of the boss side surface, which will be shown in greater detail below, may be comprised of a continuous surface or at least one tab that ultimately is positioned in the space between adjacent bosses. Preferably, the tab is resiliently deflectable such that the heating element may be placed between adjacent bosses by flexing the same. Thereafter, the surface or tab will help maintain the position of the heating element between two adjacent bosses.
It is one aspect of the present invention to provide an underlayment that is adapted to receive and secure at least one heating element of a radiant heating assembly, comprising: a first base having an outer diameter and an inner diameter; a first boss having an outer diameter and an inner diameter extending from the first base, the first boss having a first outer surface; a second base having an outer diameter and an inner diameter; a second boss having an outer diameter and an inner diameter extending from the second base, the second boss having a second outer surface; and wherein the first outer surface and the second surface are spaced a predetermined distance to frictionally secure the at least one heating element.
It is another aspect of the present invention to provide an underlayment layer having a base with a plurality of bosses extending therefrom, wherein at least one boss of the plurality thereof includes an opening therethrough and wherein the base includes at least one opening between the plurality of bosses; and a heating member positioned between bosses of the plurality thereof wherein the bosses firmly secure the heating member.
It is yet another aspect of the present invention to provide a method of installing a floor, comprising: providing a sub-floor; providing an underlayment layer having a base with a plurality of bosses therefrom, wherein at least one boss of the plurality thereof includes an opening therethrough and wherein the base includes at least one opening between the plurality of bosses; bonding the underlayment layer to the subfloor with an adhesive layer therebetween and associating a heating member; and locating a heating member between bosses of the plurality thereof wherein the bosses firmly secure the heating member.
It is still yet another aspect of the present invention to provide an underlayment for association with an in-floor heating element, the underlayment layer comprising a base layer with a first boss and a second boss extending therefrom that are adapted to secure the heating element, the improvement comprising: a hole though the first boss.
The Summary of the Invention is neither intended nor should it be construed as being representative of the full extent and scope of the present invention. Moreover, references made herein to “the present invention” or aspects thereof should be understood to mean certain embodiments of the present invention and should not necessarily be construed as limiting all embodiments to a particular description. The present invention is set forth in various levels of detail in the Summary of the Invention as well as in the attached drawings and the Detailed Description of the Invention and no limitation as to the scope of the present invention is intended by either the inclusion or non-inclusion of elements, components, etc. in this Summary of the Invention. Additional aspects of the present invention will become more readily apparent from the Detail Description, particularly when taken together with the drawings.
The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of the specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and together with the general description of the invention given above and the detailed description of the drawings given below, serve to explain the principles of these inventions.
To assist in the understanding of the present invention the following list of components and associated numbering found in the drawings is provided herein:
It should be understood that the drawings are not necessarily to scale. In certain instances, details that are not necessary for an understanding of the invention or that render other details difficult to perceive may have been omitted. It should be understood, of course, that the invention is not necessarily limited to the particular embodiments illustrated herein.
Referring now to
The bosses 10 of one embodiment of the present invention are between about 1/16 inches wide. The spacing between individual bosses 10 is between about 1 inch to 1.5 inches. One skilled in the art, however, will appreciate that the boss sizes and spacing therebetween may be altered to accommodate different sizes of heating elements. That is, the concepts as shown herein may be freely scalable to accommodate any heating element. The bosses of some embodiments of the present invention extend at least about 3/16 inches from the base. The boss/base combinations are interconnected and include an opening 38 therebetween to help to facilitate bonding and curing of adhesives positioned above and below the underlayment layer 2. The bases may also include an opening 42 position within the inner surface 18 of each boss 10 to facilitate adhesive bonding as well.
Referring now specifically to
Preferably, the bases 6 and bosses 10 are made of fiber polyethylene, polystyrene or polypropylene and are blow molded, thermally extruded, vacuum and/or pressure formed, and thermally molded. The bosses 10 are of such a material not to deform a temperatures as high as 104 degrees F. and preferably withstand temperatures of about 120 degrees F.
Referring now specifically to
Referring now to
The underlayment layer 2 is placed a top the adhesive 56 and firmly secured thereto, preferably via an anti-fracture membrane 60. More specifically, embodiments of the present invention contemplate providing an anti-fracture membrane (or similar type of membrane or material) in the form of a woven substrate or layer that is removably attached to the underside of the underlayment layer 2 (perhaps by an adhesive or by a lamination-type process whereby the underlayment layer 2 is heated up and the anti-fracture member 60 is pressed there against to create a physical bond between the anti-fracture membrane 60 and the underlayment layer 2).
Some embodiments of the present invention include an underlayment layer 2 with a roughened bottom surface that allows for the adhesive to securely adhere thereto. Other embodiments include an integrated or otherwise associated wire, woven, or plastic mesh, preferably in the form of the anti-fracture membrane 60, to help facilitate the bond between the adhesive 56 and the underlayment layer 2. Although an anti-fracture membrane 60 is described herein as a layer of wire, woven, and/or plastic mesh, one skilled in the art will appreciate that the anti-fracture membrane 60 may include any type of material or combination of materials in any type of format that is capable of facilitating a physical connection between the underlayment layer 2 and the adhesive 56 and/or isolating cracks in the sub floor by displacing mechanical stresses across a broader area of the underlayment layer 2.
A plurality of wires 46 or one wire 46 laid in a serpentine path is placed within the channels 58 between bosses 10. Although one wire 46 is shown positioned between the bosses 10, one skilled in the art will appreciate that a single wire may be placed between bosses 10 in a zig-zag or serpentine configuration. Alternatively, a plurality of wires may be placed on the underlayment layer 2 in a preferred configuration, usually depending upon the desired heating.
After the wires 46 are placed in the predetermined location, another layer of adhesive 62 is applied atop the underlayment layer 2. The second adhesive 62 layer will necessarily fill the spaces between the bosses 10 and will fill the internal space of each boss 10 and interact with the first layer of adhesive 58 to form a cohesive structure. The second adhesive layer 62 may reside over the top surface 22 of the bosses 10 as well or may be flush with the bosses 10. Adhesive 62 is associated with a plurality of flooring members 66, such as tile, stone, brick, pavers, slate, concrete, or wood with grout 70 positioned therebetween.
Referring now to
Referring now to
Referring now to
While various embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail, it is apparent that modifications and alterations of those embodiments will occur to those skilled in the art. However, it is to be expressly understood that such modifications and alterations are within the scope and spirit of the present invention, as set forth in the following claims.
