MXPA01009250A

MXPA01009250A - Multidirectional panels.

Info

Publication number: MXPA01009250A
Application number: MXPA01009250A
Authority: MX
Inventors: John Nelson Thomas
Original assignee: Premark Rwp Holdings Inc
Priority date: 2000-09-14
Filing date: 2001-09-13
Publication date: 2002-04-15
Also published as: EP1188879B1; IL144689A0; EP1188879A1; SG104274A1; ZA200107201B; DE60109868T2; AR030716A1; JP3663162B2; AU6358401A; KR20020021339A; KR100486439B1; TW577951B; BR0103833A; NO20014440D0; JP2002138653A; CN1236182C; CN1343824A; ES2240290T3; CA2354841A1; AU763968B2

Abstract

A multi-directional laminate flooring panel for use in constructing a floor, the panel comprising: a top surface, a bottom surface and sides extending between the top and bottom surfaces, wherein the sides have identical grooved profiles. A multi-directional laminate flooring system comprising: at least two panels, wherein each panel comprises a top surface, a bottom surface and sides extending between the top and bottom surfaces, wherein the sides have identical recessed profiles; and a connector (30) separate from the at least two panels for connecting the at least two panels together to form a floor. A method for constructing a flooring surface, the method comprising: mating a connector (30) with a groove of a first panel, wherein the first panel has a top surface, a bottom surface and sides extending between the top and bottom surfaces, wherein each side has a groove; positioning a second panel in the same plane as the first panel, wherein the second panel has a top surface, a bot tom surface and sides extending between the top and bottom surfaces, wherein each side has a groove; and mating the connector (30) with a groove of the second panel while the first and second panels are in the same plane, wherein the mated connector (30) is below the top surfaces of the first and second panels.

Description

MULTIDIRECTIONAL PANELS DECLARATION OF CONTINUATION This is a continuation in part of pending application No. 09 / 436,317 filed on November 8, 1999.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to floor surfaces, preferably decorative floor surfaces. In addition, the present invention relates to a system for constructing a floor surface, for example, a decorative floor surface. Specifically, the present invention relates to thin laminated floor surfaces comprising an upper wear surface, preferably of a decorative nature, a reinforcing substrate material or layer, and optionally, a backing material or layer. The present invention also relates to components, systems, and methods for constructing a decorative laminar floor surface capable of disengagement from individual floor panels. In addition, the present invention relates to decorative laminar floor products or components, for example, panels and elements for connecting the panels.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Some systems have been proposed in the attempt to provide a means to easily build a floor surface; however, none to date has found overwhelming acceptance in the trade, especially in relation to the "floating floor" surfaces, laminar, thin, capable of disengaging. Typically, floor sheet panel manufacturers have produced a floor product that contains both a tongue and groove profile within the floor panel itself. The tongue profile is machined on one side and one end of the panel with the groove that is machined on the opposite side and end of the same panel. This type of manufacturing creates a panel that has a directional orientation or "no side" (right or left orientation). In prior art systems, a panel is manufactured having an upper wear surface. After fabrication, the panel is machined on the edges to remove a portion of the upper wear surface to form a tongue extension for insertion into a corresponding slot of an adjacent panel. To form the tongue, the upper wear surface has to be machined in this way, decreasing the number of square feet, salable from floor to panel. In addition, the removal of more wear top surface accelerates the wear of the tool and in this way, the tools require more maintenance and / or replacement. As a result, the cost and time of manufacture is increased. Also in the prior art systems, a reinforcing substrate material is manufactured and then a portion is machined to form the groove. Typically, when a floor surface using the prior art systems is constructed with portable tongue / groove panels, the construction starts in one wall and proceeds through the space towards the other wall. And, normally, a space in which the floor is to be placed is not of a dimension that is equally divisible by the size of a floor panel, that is, the panels in a final wall have to be cut longitudinally and widthwise to to fit in. In prior art systems that use portable panels, once the panel is cut there is a substantial possibility that the remaining portion will be unusable. For example, in a prior art system using rectangular panels with tabs and grooves on opposite intersecting edges respectively, when cutting a panel longitudinally two panel pieces are formed with a long edge of each of which is a tab or a slot. In the final wall, a portion of a panel may be needed with a slot in the long edge and this is inserted. As a result, only one piece of panel having a tongue on the long edge remains without a long slot edge. Many of the prior art systems, for example, the systems in U.S. Patent Nos. 5,706,621 and 5,860,266, require maintaining a new panel that is to be joined at an angle relative to a principal plane of a first panel placed and angulating downward the new panel to be mechanically locked under a portion of the first panel. This is repeated until the floor is built. If panel number 5 in a sequence of 20 panels needs to be replaced, for example, due to damage, panels 6 to 20 must be removed in reverse order to reach panel number 5. This is particularly disadvantageous in large floor systems subject to excessive wear in certain areas, for example, in an environment of retail space. A number of known proposed systems are discussed to provide a background for the present invention. U.S. Patent No. 3,310,919 entitled "Portable Floor" describes a floor comprising a plurality of identical panels having straight sides, coupling elements on the sides for coupling the arrangement with cooperating coupling elements on adjacent panels, and means operatively associated with the coupling elements to releasably lock adjacent panels in a contiguous side-by-side relationship. As illustrated in Figure 2, the panels are coupled together using screws 19 and fastening nails. U.S. Patent No. 3,657,852 entitled "Floor tiles" discloses a floor or tile consisting of either a single piece composed of any one of a range of different materials or a plurality of overlapping laminations each composed of any one of a class of materials. The floor tiles are formed with a plurality of identical tabs, projecting laterally, and, on their lower side, with a number of identical cavities which open towards the periphery of the tiles and alternate around the periphery with the tabs The tabs and cavities are formed in such a way that any tongue of any of the tiles is adapted to fit and fit into any cavity of any of the other tiles and when they are coupled in this way, it is retained against the longitudinal removal of the tile. cavity so that, when two tiles are located in a common plane, the relative movement between them in the plane is avoided. U.S. Patent No. 4,449,346 entitled "Panel Assembly" discloses a panel assembly that includes at least two panels and a connector member for mounting the panels to a support surface, the panels being placed from edge to edge in coplanar relationship with their respective facing edges spaced apart from each other, and the connector member between the edges of the panel facing and locking the panels internally together being fixedly secured to the support surface. Each panel has first and second surfaces in parallel planes first and second and each has on its respective edge a tongue and a groove. The tongue and groove extend along the edge of the panel between the first and second planes, and respectively project an opening outward angularly towards the first plane. The connector member comprises an elongated body that fills the space between the edges of the facing panel and has on each side thereof a tongue and groove respectively projecting to an opening outwards angularly towards the second plane. The tongue and the groove on either side are complementary to engage in a fixed manner with the groove and the respective tongue on the facing edges of the respective adjacent panel. The connector member cooperates with the panels to push the panels toward each other in a narrow locking engagement as a result of a compression force exerted on the member in the direction toward the support surface when the member is secured to the surface of support. The patent states that the provision of such connector member eliminates the hitherto known practice of driving nails or screws into the edges of the panel to secure the panels to the supporting surface, while still providing a tight linkage between the panels. As shown in Figure 2, the connecting member is fixedly secured to the support surface using the screw 86. Further, "the top surface 56 of the connector member 14 is coplanar with the flat upper surfaces 16 and 18 of the panels 10 and 12"and therefore, forms a part of the upper wear surface, which is easily visible. U.S. Patent No. 4,135,339 entitled "Slinged floor system" discloses a sill floor system which is said to be easily assembled, provides a firm and comfortable base for enclosed animals, resists corrosion, opposes accumulation of animal waste, it is easily cleaned, and can be used to cover distances significantly greater than the prior art splint. The slanted floor system is said to comprise a plurality of generally parallel, elongated, separated slats. Each tablet has an upper surface that carries load with opposite outer edges, separated between them. Each board also has a bottom surface substantially parallel to the top surface and a pair of side surfaces integral with the top surface and the bottom surface. The side surfaces are joined with the upper surface along recessed lines from the outer edges of the upper surface. The side surfaces are said to taper more towards each other in first positions, adjacent to the upper surface, then extending substantially parallel to each other and vertically relative to the lower surface in second portions. It is established that this forms with the upper and lower surface a main compartment generally enclosed in a Y-shape. The patent discloses that each tablet also includes a first pair of projection receiving means extending longitudinally along the first tapered portion of its side surfaces and a second pair of projection receiving means extending longitudinally along the second portion of the side surfaces. The adjacent slats are said to be connected and locked in a spaced relation to one another in a plurality of connectors. Each connector has a pair of projections, with each projection being capable of being received by one of the first pair of projection receiving means on each of two adjacent slats, and the second pair of projection receiving means on each of two adjacent slats . At least one of the first and second projection pairs in the connectors are adapted to lock internally with their corresponding projection receiver means in the adjacent slats. As stated above, and as shown in Figures 1 and 4, the upper wear surface of the slats are spaced apart to provide a space to facilitate the object of the invention, ie to oppose the accumulation of waste. animal. Furthermore, as shown in the same figures, the projections and connecting means can also be assembled by sliding the edges of the slats and the connector together when held in coplanar relation parallel to one another. As shown, the connector member does not extend to the total length of the splint members.

U.S. Patent No. 4,461, 131 entitled "Panel interconnect system" discloses an assembly of panels of rectangular shape, for example, a floor, in which the panels comprise corrugated top and bottom sheets separated by a core, elongate fittings extending along the adjacent edges of the adjacent panels and having receiving means of lateral extension between the edge portions of the panels sheets. Each accessory has an open channel up located beyond the edge of the associated panel. Adjacent fittings or hardware and adjacent panels are secured together by elongated connector strips which have parallel elongated ears received within the channels of the adjacent fittings or fittings. As shown in Figure 3, the strips 40 form a portion of the upper wear surface and are thus visibly distinct from the upper surface 10 of the floor panels P. U.S. Patent No. 4,796,402 entitled "Silent footprint parquet floor" discloses a silent tread parquet floorboard, in which the sounds of the footsteps that are perceptible from one room to another are silenced using a non-homogeneous fiber board with a pressed surface in the layers of Support construction provided under the surface wear layer of the parquet board. The patent discloses that the board has longitudinal and end sides formed with a tongue and groove by means of which the board will cooperate with the adjacent boards to form a self-quiet parquet floor. U.S. Patent No. 5,022,200 entitled "Internally Lockable Sections for Portable Floors and the like" discloses an improved locking mechanism that is said to include first and second members that fit together for fastening purposes. The second locking member has pins mounted thereon for movement along defined paths between first and second positions, referred to in the patent as closed and open projections. The patent discloses means for pushing the pins normally to their closed positions. It is stated that the first locking member has means to move the pins to their open positions when the two locking members are moved together and to allow the pins to return to their closed positions after engagement of the first and second locking members. The first locking member has engaging surfaces that contact the pins when forces are applied to move the first and second locking members apart. The shape or inclination of these coupling surfaces relative to the defined movement trajectories of the pins is such as to cause substantial interference of the first locking member with the pins which prevent the movement of the pins towards the open position and therefore , avoids the withdrawal of the locking member. A separate opening mechanism is provided to move the pins to the open position and thus allow the decoupling of the mechanism. According to a preferred embodiment described in the patent, a first locking member includes a flange and the second locking member includes elements to define a recess to receive the flange. The pins are generally positioned within the receiving space, and the flange includes surfaces on its outer edge to move the pins to the open position, in hook-like portions that have mating surfaces that engage the pins in a locked position. The patent also discloses an improved panel construction as claimed wherein a panel is formed in a simple molding process which encapsulates a core member within urethane, molds the tongue portions and the groove of the edges with recesses formed in the same to receive the members of work, and joins the decorative surface of bearable floor. U.S. Patent No. 5,157,890 entitled "Floor" describes a floor system of individual panel assemblies that can be internally coupled in a cooperative manner. The patent discloses that the periphery of each panel is joined by frame members having two generally separate parallel tabs and a generally perpendicular screen extending therebetween. On one side of the frame between the upper and lower flanges, the frame members include a rail or track for receiving a serrated block. The toothed block comprises a generally rectangular base with a toothed tongue extending therefrom. The base is received grooved in the rail of a frame member and the tongue is received within the rail of an adjacent frame member. The frame members can be miter cut to a desired length and the corners held together by a corner fastener. U.S. Patent No. 5,179,812 entitled "Floor Product" describes a floor product comprising a wooden panel having an L-shape surrounding the base of which is located beneath the wooden panel. The patent discloses the use of a plurality of parallel aluminum crosspieces which are connected to the base of the panel. These crosspieces are said to comprise a groove. In practice, the patent discloses that the two floor products that have similar bonding arrangements are jointly secured by placing the base of the frame of each product within the groove and the elongated members of the other product. The connection can not be uncoupled unless one of the floor panels is tilted one relative to the other. U.S. Patent No. 5,295,341 entitled "Set spring closure floor system" discloses a floor system having a base member having an upper side, a lower side, and four circumferentially spaced outer edges, a connector tongue secured to an outer edge by rib and internal locking slot, a slot connector secured to another outer edge by a rib and internal locking slot, a tongue connector having compressible side walls that converge forward that terminate on surfaces of transverse rear locking, the slot connector having a large internal slot and a small external opening. The side walls of the tongue in a compressed position being less than said outer slot opening to pass through the outer opening but capable of elastically expanding to be larger than said outer opening to secure a tongue and groove. The patent discloses that the connectors are preferably fixed to the base members and the recesses of the outer edges by additional tabs and grooves and that these are fixed to the base members in the factory during manufacture. U.S. Patent No. 5,736,227 entitled "Laminate wood floor product and wood floor" discloses a floor product which includes a decorative topcoat, an intermediate layer bonded to the topcoat, a basecoat bonded to the intermediate layer. The upper, intermediate and base layers are joined to define an elongated, laminated wood floor strip. A tongue and groove are formed in the respective lateral edges of the floor strip. The tongue and groove extend along the length of the floor strip, and tie adjacent floor strips together side by side to form an assembled wood floor. The base layer has a multiplicity of striated cuts closely spaced therebetween transverse to the length of the floor strip along substantially the total length of the floor strip. Stretch marks release tension and increase flexibility in the wood strip to adhere more closely to irregularities in the sub-floor. United States Patent No. 3, 694,983 entitled "Pile or plastic tile for floor and similar applications", discloses tiles adapted to constitute by juxtaposition a continuous, flat or diversified mat or a textile, plastic or other material covering. Each tile is secured to a back of the same dimensions but having projections along two adjacent edges of the tile to form an embedded strip. Each strip is provided with means which allow it to couple together fastener elements provided in the condition embedded below the edges of two sides of the adjacent tile. The fastener elements have a thickness less than that of said backing so that in the assembled condition no additional thickness is produced relative to the normal backing thickness. U.S. Patent No. 3,859,000 entitled "Road construction and panel for making the same" discloses a road construction composed of a plurality of single piece peripheral frame members fixed together to define a polygonal configuration and each of the members having an L-shaped projection in a general manner extending from them. The projection is adapted to be internally locked with an identical projection of an associated member. Each panel also has a pair of load bearing sheets fixed on opposite sides of their frame members. U.S. Patent No. 5,706,621 entitled "System for joining construction boards", describes a system for mechanically placing and joining building panels, especially antinoise floors, especially thin, hard. The patent discloses that each adjacent joining edge of two panels engages with one another to provide a first mechanical connection that locks the joining edges in a first direction perpendicular to the main plane of the panels. In each joint, the patent states that there is provided a strip that is integrated with or integrally formed with a joining edge and which projects behind the other joining edge. The patent discloses that the strip has locking elements projecting upwardly engaging in a locking slot on the rear side of the other joint edge to form a second mechanical connection that locks the panels in a second direction parallel to the main plane of the panels. panels and at right angles with respect to the joint. Both of the first and second mechanical connections allow mutual movement of the panels joined in the direction of the joint. The patent discloses that the strip is mounted in the factory on the underside of the panel and extends through the entire joining edge. The patent discloses that the strip can be made of flexible, resilient aluminum, and can be mechanically fixed, by means of glue or any other suitable manner. The patent discloses that alternatively, the strip can be integrally formed with a strip panel. According to the patent, "in any case, strip 6 must be integrated with panel 1, that is, it must not be mounted on the strip panel in relation to the placement." U.S. Patent No. 5,860,266 entitled "Method for joining construction boards" describes a method for mechanically placing and joining rectangular construction panels in parallel rows. The patent describes the following steps: (a) placing a new panel of the panels adjacent to the long edge of a first panel previously placed in a first row and a short edge of a second panel previously placed in a second adjacent row, such that the new panel is in the second row while keeping the new panel at an angle relative to a main plane of the first panel, so that the new panel is separated from its final longitudinal position relative to the second panel and so that the edge long of the new panel is provided with a locking groove which is placed in contact with a locking strip on the adjacent long edge of the first panel; (b) subsequently angled down the new panel to accommodate a locking element of the strip of the first panel within a locking slot of the new panel, whereby the new panel and the first panel are mechanically connected to each other in a second direction with respect to the long edges connected in this way, wherein the long edges, and the downward angled position of the new panel, are coupled together and thus mechanically locked together in a first direction as well; and (c) moving one of the panels in its longitudinal direction relative to the first panel towards a longitudinal end position and towards a locking element of one of the short edges of the new panel and the second panel closes upward in a slot of locking of another edge of the short edges, whereby the new panel and the second panel are mechanically connected to each other in both the first and second directions with respect to the connected short edges. The patent states that strip 6 projects horizontally from a panel and is factory-mounted on the underside of the panel and extends to the entire edge of the panel. The patent discloses that strip 6 can be made of flexible, resilient aluminum foil, and can be mechanically fixed by means of glue or any other suitable manner. The patent discloses that another strip material can be used, such as sheets of other metals, as well as aluminum or plastic sections. Alternatively, the patent teaches that the strip 6 can be integrally formed with the strip panel. The patent states that "in any case, the strip 6 must be integrated with a strip panel, ie it must not be mounted on the strip panel in connection with the placement." Japanese Patent Application No. 56-5347 entitled "A method for partially recovering floor plates" discloses floor plates placed on a floor layer with tongue joints coupled with groove joints. The patent teaches that a saw is inserted into a space A between both side plates of the floor of a floor plate to be replaced and that the tongue joints are trimmed, thereby cutting the connection between the floor plates and the floor plate to be replaced is removed. The patent teaches that the tongue joints subsequently left in the groove joints of the adjacent floor plates are removed. The portion where the tongue joints were before the floor plates were cut and the groove joints are formed again. The patent states that Figure 4 shows a new floor plate and that along both sides of the floor plate relatively shallow and wide channels are formed in relatively deep concave portions. The lower part of the concave portion is serrated to retain a foamed synthetic resin. The new floor plate is then inserted into the position where the removed floor plate was located and as a state where the new floor plate is flush with the adjacent floor plate. The foamed resin is made foam and hardened. The hardened foamed resin expands at the groove joints to form a tongue joint. It is also noted that the new floor plate in contact with the floor layer is secured by adhesive. The Japanese patent application No. 1 -30691 entitled "Floor plates" discloses floor plates that are to be placed on an earthen floor characterized by having a decorative thin plate of laminated wood on the surface layer of a base material in a sheet form. A coupling projection is formed on one side of the base material while the concave portion of coupling to which the above coupling projection can be coupled is formed at the other end thereof while a concave coupling portion to which the previous coupling projection can be coupled is formed at the end of the other side thereof. The patent teaches that the floor plates include a retaining projection formed on one side of the coupling projection and on one side of the coupling concave portion. And a retaining concave portion to which the retaining projection that is engaged is formed on the other side of the coupling projection and on the other side of the concave coupling portion. The patentschrift patent No. 200949 discloses in FIGS. 1 and 2 floor panels having four edges where two edges include an upper slot for insertion therefrom of an adjacent panel., while the other two edges include an extension including a shaped tooth that is to be inserted below the upper slot portion of an adjacent panel when assembled.

The patentschrift No. 1 534 278 discloses in Figures 1 to 3 the assembly of two adjacent structures wherein the first structure includes a groove and a notch for receiving a corresponding piercing tongue of an adjacent structure to be connected thereto. The patent offenlegungsschrift 25 02 992 describes a floor panel especially suitable for use in the production of a temporary floor, such as, for example, in a tent. The floor panel is disclosed to have a flat spun surface that bends back over at least two edges, one of which is giving a different profile and the other having a counter profile adjustment. The patent teaches that these bent sections are preferably on two opposite sides, one being approximately U-shaped with its outer rod and a resulting channel-like opening that faces upwards and the counter profile of a rod at right angles to the Threaded surface. The patent teaches that said profiles can be provided alternately, on all four edges of the panel. It is disclosed that the panels can be made of plastic, and formed in a simple piece, corrugated projections below preferably of a soft material. As shown in Figure 3, the panels are assembled together using a slot and tab arrangement. The German patent offenlegungsschrift DE 3041781 A1 describes the internal connection of two panels where the panels include a tongue on one edge and a groove on the other edge to provide internal locking connections between the two panels used especially to build a skating rink or a bowling game hall. The patent discloses that the root of the tongue that there are two parallel sides with facing pieces aligned at right angles to the edge of equal thickness. The patent discloses that the groove has two initial parallel side walls against which the lateral face pieces of the tongue are to be supported. It is described that this part of the groove is succeeded by a recess with a semi-trapezoidal shape or a recess with a totally trapezoidal shape. The patent discloses that the tongue can be rounded on the opposite sides to its side face with acute angle. The German patent offenlegungsschrift DE 35 44 845 A1 discloses a board used for the manufacture of solid wooden panels which consist of glued boards that join complementary profiles. The longitudinal edges of the boards have a joining profile whose sections extend at an angle with respect to the edge of the vertical board. The application discloses that the joining profile has two vertical sides displaced, sideways, parallel straight, which are connected at their internal ends by transverse straight sides. The internal flank upwards encloses an acute angle with the surface of the board, while the other side forms an obtuse angle with the associated surface of the board. The vertical sides and the transversal sides enclose acute angles. The European patent application No. 0248127 entitled "Table surface for a truck" describes a table surface for a truck consisting of a plurality of planks which are fixed to at least two beams that are part of the chassis of a truck. The planks consist of extruded aluminum and are fixed to the chassis by means of fasteners with planks to lock internally to secure the planks of the relative movement between them. Patenttihakemus-Patentansokan 843067 (PCT / SE 83/00423) discloses a means for interconnecting adjacent panels where the edges of the panels to be connected include tabs and slots. In addition, located on either side of the tongue and groove joint of the two connected panels are recesses formed in said panels for receiving a U-shaped metal fastener means for retaining the two panels together at the tongue and groove joint.

French application No. 2 697 275 describes the formation of a surface from slabs of rectangular shape placed on a flat horizontal surface. The application discloses that the body of the earthenware has sections formed on all four sides and that the earthenware can be mechanically joined together by way of a number of ribs running longitudinally along the earthenware, which are formed in such a way which slide into a matching slot in the adjacent tile. Figure 2 appears to describe a member 33 for connecting two adjacent slabs. As shown, the upper surface of the member 33 forms a portion of the upper wear surface of the resulting floor. This can also be seen in Figure 1 where the members 5 and 6 form a part of the upper wear surface. Japanese application No. 54-65528 shows in Figures 1 to 3 a particular tongue and groove arrangement for connecting two adjacent panels. French application No. 2 568 295 describes a prefabricated floor system consisting of a series of flat panels which are directly placed on the base. The panels are made, for example, of a resinous composite either containing reinforcement elements or incombination granules of a durable material such as quartz or silicon carbide. The patent discloses that the panels have internal locking joints on all their edges, made in the form of projections and recesses, and the lower surface of each panel can be covered with a layer of non-decomposable and flexible cellular material which is capable of to compensate for irregularities in the surface of the ground. United Kingdom Patent Application No. 424,057 describes a method for constructing a parquet floor which comprises the use of reversible rectangular blocks, each having protruding flanges forming sphenoidal grooves on each of its four sides, each slot extending to through the whole of the side on which it is situated. The patent teaches that the grooves on the two neighboring sides have their mouths facing up when the mouths of the other two grooves on the other two sides face downwards, whereby a plurality of said blocks can be formed in a floor covering in which each block is fixed on each side in which it lies contiguous with the side of another of said blocks. It is stated that the method also comprises the use of connection members having tabs adapted to fit under the projecting flanges of two adjacent blocks where a change of placement direction is required. U.S. Patent No. 1, 237,744 entitled "Improved construction structure", describes that this relates to a construction structure composed of panels joined at their edges by first tongue and groove connections having elements located in the plane of the construction structure as well as by second tongue and groove connections having elements located perpendicular to said plane. U.S. Patent No. 1, 430,423 entitled "Binding structure" discloses in Figures 1 and 2 a specific tongue and groove / groove and toothed joint structure for interconnecting plastic and metal materials. United Kingdom patent application No. 2 117 813A entitled "Pivotal assembly for simulated wall panels" discloses a joint assembly comprising a pair of strips secured to the edges of the respective panels by bending the outer linings of the panels and by a Assembly joint in the insulating foam material inside the panels. The application discloses that the connecting strips provide a curved tongue and groove. The groove strip has a pivotal body of semi-cylindrical shape such that one strip can be pivoted relative to the other by a tongue to enter the groove. The application discloses that a locking strip is provided that is inserted into a slot to secure the panels together.

U.S. Patent Application No. 2 256 023A entitled "Gasket" describes a joint between the side joining edges of two similar panels in which one panel has a channel section recess open to the front face and the other panel it has a rib facing towards the rear face for reception within the recess to restrict the spacing of the panels to provide a predetermined expansion space between the adjacent side edges. The application discloses that the panels can be tabbed boards and slots for the construction of, for example, a door. The application discloses in the figures a particular tongue and groove / notch and the toothed joint. Utlengningsskrift No. 157871 describes in the figures the connection of two joint members using a tongue and groove joint on the edges and which includes recesses formed in said panels separated from the joint for the reception of a U-shaped member for hold the two panels together in the tongue / groove joint. Utlaggningsskrift No. 7114900-9 discloses in Figures 1 to 3 means for connecting two adjacent members using connecting blocks 2, 5 and 9 wherein said blocks form a part of the upper wear surface. The application further discloses a U-shaped member for insertion on the back side of the panels to retain the two panels together in the joint where the joint block exists. International publication No. WO 84/02155 entitled "Device for joining together building board, such as floor boards" describes a device for joining together construction boards, such as floor boards, shore surface to shore surface. The application describes a system wherein the boards comprise a groove in the back side of each board, the groove running over the total length of the board parallel to its joining edge, and a substantially U-shaped spring device, the ends of the which are each adapted to couple the groove of a board, and which is re-tensioned in such a way that, when coupling, the boards are held tightly together on the surface of the edge to the surface of the edge. The patentschrift 200949 discloses in Figures 1 to 6 panels for joining one another where the panels include on two intersecting edges strips of extension tongue and on the intersecting edges an extension slot strip. The international publication WO 93/13280 entitled "A device for joining floorboards" discloses a device for joining floorboards comprising an elongated body in flat shape with adapted ends for coupling a longitudinal groove in each of the floorboards of Union. Each end is formed at a distance from the ends of the plate-shaped body such that the plate-shaped body supports the boards on each side of the grooves. U.S. Patent No. 3,538,665 entitled "Parquet Floor" describes a silent parquet floor comprising rectangular two-layer floor units composed of a parquet layer and a backing layer. The lower face of the backing layer being provided with marginal recesses along the four sides of the unit and a strip of backing material which is inserted into the space formed by said marginal recesses to bridge the junction between the units adjacent. The patent discloses that the material of the backing layer has a modulus of elasticity under tension that does not exceed 5000 kg / cm2. The offenlegungsscrift 26 16 077 A discloses a connection core with a flange for connecting plates resting flat on a support substrate. The patent application discloses the arrangement that is especially useful for connecting prefabricated parquet floor elements. The application discloses that a flexible connection arrangement is provided which replaces rigid connectors such as adhesives or nails. The application states that the system is advantageous because it adapts to the expansion and shrinkage stresses which therefore, prevents cracking. It was established that the connection core prevents the overlap of the edges of the plate on non-uniform substrates and in use the connection core discharged in tension when the plates expand. By contracting the plates, the connection core pulls the plates together and prevents the formation of space. French application No. 1 293 043 discloses in Figures 1 to 3 a tile having four edges wherein a series of intersecting edges includes a tongue extending therefrom and two other intersecting edges include an open slot in the direction of the underside of the tile. Figures 4 to 6 disclose tiles having four edges where two intersecting edges include a notch and an open slot toward the upper side of the panel and the other two intersecting edges have a notch and an open slot toward the bottom of the panel. The utlaggningsskrift No. 8206934-5 discloses the joining of two panels where a tongue and groove arrangement is used. The drawings further disclose a U-shaped fastener for insertion into the panels on either side of the joint to retain the two panels together in said joint. International publication WO 97/47834 entitled "Floor cover, consisting of strong floor panels and methods for manufacturing said panels" discloses a floor covering consisting of strong floor panels which, at least on the edges of the floor two opposite sides are provided with coupling parts that cooperate with each other. The coupling parts are substantially in the form of tabs and grooves characterized in that the parts are provided with integrated mechanical fastening elements. The fixing means prevent the two floor panels coupled in a direction perpendicular to the related edges from moving apart and parallel to the bottom side of the coupled floor panels. In view of the prior art, there is a need for floor panels that do not have an "inverted bevel" configuration.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION According to one embodiment, the present invention comprises an internal connection detachable floor system for use in the formation of temporary or permanent floor surfaces from individual floor panels on the upper part of a floor structure. support. The system preferably comprises two or more floor panels comprising a top wear surface and a bottom surface to be in contact with the support structure. The panels, according to this embodiment, comprise at least three edges wherein all of the edges have identical grooves or recesses formed therein to receive a projection of a connector. Preferably, the slots or recesses substantially extend the total length of the edges of the panel. The preferred connector comprises a base and an extension extending vertically from the base, spaced from and substantially parallel to the base. The extension is formed to be received in a detachably vertical connected manner in at least one recess of at least one panel. According to a preferred embodiment, the preferred connector of the system of the present invention further includes an extension that is formed to be received in a detachably horizontal connected manner in at least one slot or recess of the panels. According to another embodiment of the present invention, the base of the novel connector element has grooves and / or recesses formed therein, and at least one panel edge is formed to be received in a detachably connected horizontal manner in the groove or recess of the connector. the base of the connector element. The groove or recess may be formed in the base or in part of the extension described above.

According to still another embodiment of the present invention, an extension of the connector according to the present invention has a slot or other recess formed therein, and at least one panel is formed to be received in a detachably connected horizontal manner in the slot or the other recess of this extension. According to a further embodiment of the present invention, the distance from the base of the connector to the upper or most extreme point of the extension, preferably tongue-shaped, of the connector is less than the distance from the lower surface towards the upper wear surface of the panels. According to another embodiment of the present invention, a releasable interconnect floor system is provided for use in forming temporary or permanent floor surfaces on the top of a support structure from individual floor panels. The system comprises two or more floor panels, preferably laminates, and at least one elongated connector, for example, a rail or rail. The floor panels preferably have an upper wear surface, an intermediate reinforcing substrate material, and a lower surface to be in contact with the floor support structure. The panels preferably have four edges with identical grooves formed therein, preferably on all edges, to receive a vertically extending extension of the rail. The panels also have notches or other recesses, for example channels, formed on their lower surfaces formed to receive junctions, projections or other protrusions of the connector. Preferably, the grooves and channels substantially extend the total length of the edges of the panels. The connector, according to one embodiment of the present invention, has a base with preferably a single extension extending vertically therefrom formed to be received in a detachably vertical connected manner 2 in the grooves or other recesses on the edges of the connector. panels. Preferably, the connector is substantially, but equal, long as the edges of the panel that will be connected. Preferably, the extension extends to the total length of the connector. The base of the connector further has two points of attachment, projections, or two other projections extending vertically from either side of the base separate from the single extension. The projections or ridges are configured to be received in a detachably horizontal connected manner in the notches or other recesses, eg, channels in the bottom surface of the panels. Preferably, the projections extend substantially the total length of the edges of the panels. When the panels are connected using the connector, the resulting visible floor surface consists of only the upper wear surface of the panels. According to another embodiment of the present invention, a vertical and horizontal interconnecting floor system is provided for use in the formation of a floor surface on the top of a support surface. The system comprises two or more individual floor panels, preferably laminated floor panels, having a thickness, and at least one connecting rail. The floor panels have an upper wear surface and a lower surface to be in contact with a support surface. The panels have at least three edges where all the edges have first recesses or identical grooves formed therein. The first recesses or slots are configured to receive a first projection or connecting flange from the rail. The panels also have second recesses, for example, channels, located along the lower surfaces of the panels open in the direction of the floor or support surface to receive a second projection or connection projection from the rail. The rail, or rail, according to this embodiment, has a base, a first projection or connection flange, and a second projection or connection shoulder. The first projection or connection tab is connected to and vertically extends a distance from the base and is configured to be received within the first recesses or slots of the panels to form a vertical connection between the panels. The second projection or connection shoulder is connected to and vertically extends a distance from the base, preferably a distance less than the first projection, and is formed to be received within the second recesses or channels of the panels to form a horizontal connection between panels. According to this embodiment, the distance from the base of the rail or rail to the uppermost vertical portion of the first projection or flange is less than the distance between the upper wear surface and the bottom surface of the panel in contact with the surface of support so that when two panels are connected, said first and second connections form a floor surface consisting of only the upper wear surface of the panels. According to a further embodiment of the present invention, a decorative laminar floor system, releasable, is provided for application to an existing floor surface without the use of adhesives or traditional fastening devices. The system comprises a plurality of identical floor panels and individual connectors. The individual floor panels have a decorative wear upper surface and comprise at least three edges each having an identical receiver located on said edges, that is, each edge of each panel comprises the same configuration. The connectors, preferably comprise rails or rails, of substantially the same length as the edges of the panels. The rails have a first projection and a second pair of projections that extend vertically from them. The first projection being configured for the insertion in the receivers for the detachable vertical interconnection of the individual floor panels on its edges. The second pair of projections being configured for insertion into the receivers for the detachable horizontal interconnection of the individual floor panels and their edges. Preferably, the first projection and the second pair of projections substantially extend the total length of the rail. And when the panels are interconnected using the connectors, according to this embodiment, the visible surface of the resulting floor only consists of the decorative top surface of wear, that is, no part of the connector forms a part of the visible surface of the floor. According to one embodiment, the present invention is directed to a releasable connector for vertically and horizontally interconnecting individual floor panels to form a laminate floor surface on top of a support structure. The connector preferably comprises a base for contacting the support structure. The base, according to one embodiment, has a projection or extension that extends vertically therefrom in a direction away from the support structure. The projection or extension has upper and lower portions consisting of identical left and right halves, each half preferably comprising a tab-like extension or flange extending a distance substantially parallel to and spaced above the base. Optionally, according to a particularly preferred embodiment, the base includes two additional projections or protrusions extending vertically therefrom. These projections or projections are separated from each other and are located on either side of the projection or extension. According to still another embodiment, the present invention is directed to individual floor panels for use in the formation of a floor surface on a support structure, said floor surface composed of said panels interconnected horizontally and vertically in a releasable manner. The panels, according to this embodiment, comprise an upper surface, a lower surface, and edges between the upper and lower surface. The upper surface comprises a decorative wear surface. The edges comprise identical grooves and / or recesses that substantially extend the total length of the edges. The lower surface comprises identical channels formed therein and open towards the support structure or remote from the upper surface. These channels are parallel to, spaced from, and preferably extend substantially the total length of the edges. According to one aspect of the invention, there is provided a multi-directional laminar floor panel for use in the construction of a floor, the panel comprising: an upper surface, a lower surface, and sides extending between the upper surface and lower, where the sides have identical grooved profiles. According to a further aspect of the invention, there is provided a multi-directional laminar floor system comprising: at least two panels, wherein each panel comprises an upper surface, a lower surface, and sides extending between the surfaces upper and lower, wherein the sides have identical recess profiles, and a separate connector of at least two panels for connecting at least two panels together to form a floor. According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a multidirectional laminar floor panel comprising: an upper surface, a lower surface, and sides extending between the upper and lower surfaces, wherein each side has a groove and the bottom surface has a channel that extends parallel to each slot. According to yet another aspect of the invention, there is provided a method for constructing a floor surface on a subfloor support, the method comprising: placing a first panel on the subfloor support, wherein the first panel has a top surface , a lower surface and sides that extend between the upper and lower surfaces, where each side has a slot; joining a connector with a slot in the first panel; place a second panel in the subfloor support; wherein the second panel has an upper surface, a lower surface and sides extending between the upper and lower surfaces, wherein each side has a groove; and coupling the connector with a slot in the second panel, wherein the attached connector is below the upper surface of the first and second panels. According to a further aspect of the invention, there is provided a method for constructing a floor surface, the method comprising: joining a connector with a groove of a first panel, wherein the first panel has an upper surface, a lower surface and sides extending between the upper and lower surfaces, wherein each side has a groove; placing a second panel in the same plane as the first panel, wherein the second panel has an upper surface, a lower surface and sides extending between the upper and lower surfaces, wherein each side has a groove; and coupling the connector with a slot in the second panel while the first and second panels are in the same plane, wherein the coupled connector is below the upper surfaces of the first and second panels. The present invention is directed to a unique and novel system for easily joining and detaching a floor surface, preferably a thin laminar floor surface (less than one inch thick) of the "antinox" type. The system is designed such that traditional additional fastening elements are not needed, for example, nails, screws, adhesives, tacks, staples, etc., are unnecessary. The system of the present invention accomplishes this task without the need for special tools or floor placement experience. The present inventive system achieves its advantages by preferably using identical joining panels with preferably identical novel edges which make the assembly easy and flexible, even for a novice.

In addition, the present inventive system provides a simple connection element to be used in connection with all the edges of the novel panels again, making the assembly and disassembly easy. More importantly, due to the fact that at least two edges of the panels have recesses formed therein during fabrication, less intermediate reinforcement substrate material is needed to manufacture the panels and in this way, saving resources and / or less material of the upper decorative surface is wasted, that is, it is not necessary to remove as much portion of the upper wear surface to provide the interconnection system of the invention. A further advantage of the invention is that the panels can be oriented in any direction (during installation) without the need to mechanically modify a tongue or groove profile produced in the factory. These panels can be manufactured in a cost effective manner (without reed profile to be machined). The amount of material (approximately 1/8 inch wide) needed to mechanically create the tongue profile does not have to be machined. The result is a significant reduction in cost due to the elimination of the tools needed to produce the tab profile. Also, this results in an additional net sealable surface area of 1/8 inch. The material previously machined to form a tongue profile (approximately 1/8 inch wide) is now machined into a groove profile. The creation of a groove, as opposed to a tongue, produces additional surface area. The larger surface area results in higher income because the surface area is available to be sold, rather than machined and discarded. The system of the present invention also eliminates "seam swelling" or "lifting" caused by typical tongue and groove systems. When moisture (water) penetrates the seam above the floor or reaches the seam below the floor panel the seam profile swells. By way of explanation, the profile of the tongue will grow in size and the groove profile will shrink or contract in size. This causes the total thickness of the panel to change (grow in thickness) in the seam area. The result is "lifted" directly above the seam area. Since the present invention uses a connector having flanges to form the joint between the two panels, the flange is no longer made of a material that absorbs moisture. Therefore, there is no tongue that expands upon absorbing moisture in such a way that the "raised" is no longer a problem when the present inventive system is used.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The present invention will be better understood by reading the following description of the non-limiting modalities with reference to the accompanying drawings in which similar parts are identified in each of the various figures by the same reference characters and which are briefly described as follows: Figure 1 illustrates one embodiment of the connector of the present invention. Figure 2 illustrates one embodiment of the connector of the present invention. Figure 3 illustrates one embodiment of the connector of the present invention. Figure 4 illustrates one embodiment of the connector of the present invention. Figure 5 illustrates one embodiment of the connector of the present invention. Figure 6 illustrates one embodiment of the connector of the present invention. Figure 7 illustrates one embodiment of the connector of the present invention. Figure 8 illustrates one embodiment of the connector of the present invention. Figure 9 illustrates one embodiment of the connector of the present invention. Figure 10 illustrates one embodiment of the connector of the present invention. Figure 11 illustrates one embodiment of the connector of the present invention.

Figure 12 illustrates one embodiment of the connector of the present invention. Figure 13 illustrates one embodiment of the connector of the present invention. Figure 14 illustrates a particular embodiment of the connector of the present invention, (9x scale); 1.00 = 1 inch). Figure 15 illustrates a shaded view of a preferred embodiment of the connector of the present invention. Figure 16 illustrates one embodiment of the connector of the present invention. Figure 17 illustrates one embodiment of the connector of the present invention. Figure 18 illustrates a preferred embodiment of the connector of the present invention and a preferred embodiment of the panels of the present invention. Figure 19A is a top view of a panel having grooves truncated in the backing layer. Figure 19B is an end view of the panel of Figure 19A. Figure 20A is a top view of a connector having angled ends. Figure 20B is an end view of the connector shown in Figure 20 A. Figure 20C is a side view of the connector shown in the Figures 20A and 20B. Figure 21 is a top view of a partially assembled section of the floor covering comprising square panels and connectors with angled ends. Figure 22 is a top view of a partially assembled section of the floor covering comprising square and triangular panels and connectors with angled ends.

Figure 23 is a top view of a partially assembled section of the floor covering comprising rectangular panels, transverse connectors and longitudinal connectors. Figure 24A is a top view of a transverse connector. Figure 24B is an end view of the transverse connector shown in Figure 24A. Figure 24C is a side view of the transverse connector shown in Figures 24A and 24B. Figure 25 is a side view of a transverse connector assembled with two longitudinal connectors, where the end views of the longitudinal connectors are shown. Figure 26A is a top view of a rectangular panel having integral grooves. Figure 26B is an end view of the panel shown in Figure 26A. Figure 27 is a top view of a partially assembled floor system having panels in the form of a hexagon and a triangle. However, it should be noted that the appended drawings illustrate only the typical embodiments of this invention and therefore should not be considered limiting of their scope, since the invention may admit other equally effective modalities.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION In a preferred embodiment, the present inventive system is directed to decorative panels of laminar floor, squares, tiles, rectangles, etc. each having an upper wear surface, an intermediate substrate or reinforcing material below the upper surface, and optionally, a backing layer surface bonded to the intermediate substrate material to be in contact with the existing or supporting floor or surface ground. The upper wear surface of the panels of the present invention preferably comprises decorative laminates or laminates prepared by thermal and pressure consolidation. These panels have been commercially produced for a number of years, and have found general acceptance in the construction and furniture industry against table surfaces and surfaces, bathroom and kitchen work surfaces, wall paneling, partitions and doors. Such decorative laminates can be described as containing a number of sheets that are consolidated to form a composite or unitary structure bearing a surface decoration, which can vary from something as simple as a solid color to something as complex as a beta finish. simulated wood in relief. More specifically, a decorative laminate, useful in the present invention, generally comprises a plurality of layers of sheets of paper impregnated with synthetic resin consolidated or joined together in a unitary structure under heat and pressure. In normal practice, the decorative laminate assembly, from the bottom up, consists of a core of one or more sheets impregnated with phenolic resin, above which lies a decorative sheet impregnated with melamine resin and / or an impregnated cover with melamine resin. The core or base member functions to impart rigidity to the laminate and usually comprises a solid substrate which may or may not be formed before the initial lamination step. Before stacking, the leaves of the core member are impregnated with a solution of alcohol in water of phenol and formaldehyde or a formaldehyde precursor, dried and partially cured in a hot air oven, and finally cut into sheets. Examples of said core or core member include: (1) a plurality of sheets of kraft paper with reams of 90 to 150 pounds impregnated throughout and bonded with a substantially fully cured phenolic resin which has been converted to a Thermoset state during the initial rolling step; (2) a pre-cured plastic laminate such as thermo-hardened polyester resin laminates reinforced with glass fibers or the like; (3) a wood product such as board, agglomerate, wood waste, chipboard, plywood or similar; (4) a mineral-based board such as cement-asbestos boards, laminated rock, gypsum board or the like; (5) boards impregnated with plastic; (6) plastic / wood compositions; (7) plastic compositions; (8) closed cell polyurethane foams, for example, RIM foam; (9) boards impregnated with urethane; (10) a combination of these substrates; or (11) any material suitable for performing the desired function of the core or core member. The decorative sheet, useful in the panels of the present invention, generally functions to give an attractive appearance to the laminate, and also gives the panel its surface characteristics (i.e., resistance to chemical agents, to heat, to light, to impact and abrasion). The decorative sheet is typically an alpha cellulose paper, filled with pigment, of high quality with a ream weight of 50 to 125 which has been impregnated with a water-alcohol solution of melamine-formaldehyde resin, dried and partially cured, and finally cut into leaves. The decorative sheet can be a solid color or it can comprise a design or decorative pattern, or a photographic reproduction of natural materials, such as wood, marble, leather, etc. As stated above, the decorative sheet and / or a cover sheet can be impregnated with melamine resin. The decorative laminate useful in the manufacture of the panels of the present invention is generally obtained by, but not limited to, placing the core impregnated with resin and the decorative sheets between plates coated with steel, steel or stainless steel and subjecting the laminar stack at temperatures ranging from about 150 ° F to about 500 ° F and pressures ranging from about 800 to about 1600 psi for a sufficient time to consolidate the laminate and cure the resins (generally from about 25 minutes to an hour). This causes the resin within the paper sheets to flow, cure, and consolidate the sheets into a composite or unitary laminated mass referred to in the art as a high pressure decorative laminate (HPDL). More than one laminate can be formed at one time by inserting a plurality of sheets assembled in a stack with each assembly being separated by a release sheet which allows the individual laminates to be separated after consolidation. Finally, the decorative laminates are further processed and are generally bonded to a reinforcing substrate, such as a medium to high density agglomerate, wood / plastic compositions, wood, agglomerates, boards, asbestos board, chipboard, ceramics, filled or unfilled plastics, rigid closed-cell foams, or the like. If a cushioning effect is desired, the reinforcement substrate may be composed of open cell foam. The decorative laminate useful in the practice of the present invention can also be obtained by placing the impregnated core with resin and the decorative sheets between steel, steel or stainless steel plates, and subjecting the sheet pile to temperatures varying from about 150. ° F to about 500 ° F and pressures ranging from below about 800 to about 1600 psi for a sufficient time to consolidate the laminate and cure the resins. This causes the resin within the paper sheets to flow, cure and consolidate the sheets into a composite or unitary laminate known in the art as a low pressure decorative laminate (LPDL).

In addition, according to one embodiment, the reinforcing substrate of the present invention can be prepared from any suitable thermoplastic capable of extruding, as long as it has the structural and mechanical properties necessary for the desired end use. In particular, it is preferred that the substrate have a series of compression that is approximately equal to or better than the agglomerate board or the conventional agglomerate with medium density or high density (wherein the series or compression values are measured in accordance with ASTM. F970, as the thickness decreases as a function of compression stress). Preferably, this thickness decreases to 2000 psi at most 0.01 in, more preferably at most 0.005 in, and most preferably at most 0.001 in. Possibly, the reinforcing substrate useful in the practice of the present invention comprises one or more members selected from the group consisting of rigid urethanes (eg, RIM foam), poly (acrylonitrile / butadiene / styrene) (hereinafter referred to as ABS) resins such as fire retardant ABS resins and glass-filled ABS resins; polycarbonate, high impact polystyrene (HIPS), polystyrene, polyphenylene oxide (PPO), and polyvinyl chloride (PVC). Preferably, the reinforcing substrate is prepared from a mixed resin system containing, but not limited to, one or more of the polymers listed above. In addition, these polymers can be full or unfilled, although from a viewpoint of impact resistance and physical property, filled polymers are better. Preferred fillers include calcium carbonate, talc, silica, glass fibers, alumina and wollastonite, calcium carbonate and wollastonite being the most preferred, and calcium carbonate being most preferred. Non-limiting examples of reinforcing agents include inorganic or high molecular weight organic products, including glass microspheres, glass fibers, asbestos, boron fibers, carbon and graphite fibers, whiskers, quartz and silica fibers, alumina fibers, melted fiber and organic fiber materials.

When such conventional ingredients are used, these will generally be present in a range of about 0.01 to about 50 weight percent of the total weight of the reinforcing substrate member, preferably within a range of about 1 to about 25 weight percent of the weight of the reinforcing substrate member. total weight of the member. Additional optional layers can be inserted between the core member and the decorative surface member, on the back of the reinforcing substrate member, or on the decorative surface member. It should be understood that backing layers and / or decorative layers can be co-extruded with the reinforcement substrate member, or can be applied after the extrusion step by any suitable method. The panels, according to one embodiment of the present invention, are preferably water repellent and most preferably substantially waterproof. As with conventional floor panels, the panels present include a decorative layer, a substrate, and a backing layer. The decorative layer and the backing layer are respectively bonded to the substrate in a conventional manner to form the present panel. According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention wherein the reinforcing substrate material is agglomerated, the backing layer includes from the bottom up, a hydrophobic waterproof layer and three layers of kraft paper impregnated with phenol formaldehyde resin . As with the resin impregnated bottom layer of the decorative layer, the top layer impregnated with resin of the backing layer is sanded to bond to the substrate. The water-proof hydrophobic layer can be a DYLARK type compound. DYLARK is a maleyan styrene-anhydride copolymer manufactured by NOVA Chemicals, Inc. DYLARK exhibits outstanding bonding characteristics with paper impregnated with phenolic resin. It is thought that the excellent binding characteristics are a result of the carboxyl groups found in the maieic anhydride of the DYLARK copolymer. The carboxyl groups link with the phenolic resin to produce a very stable laminate. Although DYLARK is described as the preferred material for the lower layer of the backing, other functionally and structurally equivalent polymers can be used without departing from the spirit of the present invention. Not only is it desirable to prevent moisture from penetrating the backing layer but also to maintain the original moisture content as the panel was made to prevent warpage of the panel. In addition, although kraft paper impregnated with phenol formaldehyde resin is used according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, other papers impregnated with resin (or similar materials) can be used without departing from the spirit of the present invention. The resin impregnated layers are maintained in the present backing layer to balance the resin impregnated layers commonly found in the decorative layers, which can be used in combination with the backing layer. That is, the layers impregnated with resins in the decorative layer and in the backing layer expand and contract in a similar manner as a result of the temperature to maintain the substantially flat configuration of the floor panel. If the layers impregnated with resins in the backing layer were not included, the decorative panel would expand and contract at a different rate than the backing layer. This would cause the floor panel to warp in an undesirable way. As such, it can be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that the phenolic layers can be varied to maintain a balanced relationship between the backing and decorative layers. As established with one aspect of the invention, the substrate is a poly (acrylonitrile-c-butadiene-c-styrene) (ABS) foam. The construction of the backing layer and the substrate results in a waterproof floor panel which is not susceptible to the harmful environmental conditions commonly encountered in certain environments. Specifically, the ABS substrate and the maleate styrene-anhydride copolymer layer creates a moisture barrier, which protects the resin impregnated layers from the undesirable effects of moisture. The floor panels described above are manufactured using techniques known in the art. During manufacture, the panels can be machined to form the appropriate recesses on the edges or preferably, they can be manufactured where at least two edges have recesses formed therein during the manufacture of the panel and therefore, reduce the amount of the material needed to manufacture the panel. In addition, the panel of the present invention, according to one embodiment, can be manufactured using injection molding techniques where all the edges are formed. The connector of the present invention includes a number of modalities. Referring now to Figures 1 to 18, where the same numbers are used to identify the components of a connector of the present invention, end views of some embodiments of the connector 1 are shown. The connector 1 comprises a base 2 and an extension 15. The base 2 is a substantially flat portion for seating on the floor or surface to be covered by the assembled panels and connectors. The extension 15 is a projection similar to a "T" having a vertical support 3 and two horizontal tabs 4 and 5. The support 3 is the vertical portion of the "T" and the tabs 4 and 5 are those portions that extend horizontally on top of the "T". As shown in many of the illustrative embodiments, the connector 1 has ridges 6 and 7 which extend vertically from the base 2 near the distant ends of the base 2 distant from the center where the support 3 is fixed to the base 2 In additional modalities, the connector 1 has depressions 8 and 9 on the upper surface of the base 2 immediately adjacent to the opposite sides of the support 3. At the distal ends of the flanges 4 and 5 of the T-shaped extension 15, some embodiments of the connector 1 have vertically extending projections 10 and 1 1. In some embodiments, a groove or channel 12 is formed in the upper part of the T-shaped extension 15 between the vertically extending projections 10 and 1 1. Modalities of the connector 1 further comprise notches 13 and 14 which are located on the underside of the proximal ends of the flanges 4 and 5 where these are connected to the support 3. Preferably the system of the present invention comprises a connector 1 having an extension in the form of T and shoulders 6 and 7, and the panels having recesses and channels so that two panels can be detachably interconnected using the connector in a horizontal and vertical manner without the use of glue or other adhesives. It is to be understood that Figures 1 to 18 do not imply that they limit the scope of the invention but that they are provided to give exemplary embodiments, including the preferred embodiment, of some components of the novel connector of the present invention. Actually, some combinations of different modalities of some individual components of the connector may be used, ie, some base configurations 2 illustrated in, for example, but not limited to, Figures 1, 2, 7, 8, 9, 10 , 1 1, 12, etc. which may be used with some embodiments of the extension, for example, but not limited to Figures 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 16, 17, 18, etc. even when the configuration of the exact combination can not be graphically shown in the figures. Preferably, the connector is less than .240 in. In height. The connector of the present invention can be manufactured from materials selected from the group consisting of filled or unfilled plastics, rubbers, wood compositions, ceramics, metals, and combinations thereof. Preferably, in use with the preferred laminar floor panels, the connector of the present invention is fabricated from metal or plastic. Depending on the material and size, the connector can be manufactured using techniques known in the art, for example, the connector is preferably manufactured from aluminum. The panels of the present invention include recesses formed therein configured to receive a connector so that when the panels are connected, the visible top surface of the floor only consists of the top surface of the wear, i.e. preferably, a decorative layer. . The projections of the connector and the recesses of the panel are formed such that when two panels are joined together using a connector of the present invention, the panels are vertically connected together, that is, if two panels are connected by their edges, the edges of the panels are connected to each other. Opposite panels do not move up or down (vertically) one in relation to the other and thus, provide a uniform level seam between the two. For example, in a preferred embodiment, once connected the panels are coupled against relative movement relative to one another in the direction of a plane extending vertically from the support surface and perpendicular thereto. In a particularly preferred embodiment, in addition to the vertical connection the panels and connectors are configured in such a way as to provide a horizontal connection between the adjacent panels on their edges, that is, if two panels are connected on their edges, the edges can not be move one another horizontally resulting in a space between the adjacent panels. For example, and according to a modality, once connected, the panels embed against relative movement relative to each other in a horizontal direction with respect to the supporting surface parallel thereto. Some non-limiting embodiments of the connector of the present invention have been described and although they are not shown, the panels of the present invention are necessarily configured, for example, to correspond to these connectors to obtain the advantages of the present invention. It is understood that the panels can be configured to provide an exact fit with the connectors or a non-exact fit, while obtaining the advantages of the present invention. For example, where a permanent structure is desired, a mode that allows space for the glue to accumulate between the panels and the connectors may be appropriate. In addition, when using certain reinforcing substrate materials it may be undesirable for the panels and connectors to fit or fit together exactly, especially when a temporary structure is desired. For example, some space between certain portions of the projections of the connector and the recesses of the panels can be tolerated while the advantages of the invention are obtained, especially a resulting floor having only the upper visible wear surface with level seams. uniform. The panels are constructed in such a way that they internally connect detachably with the connectors of the present invention, that is, while the connectors and panels are securely connected to perform the function of a floor surface, the panels can, if desired, be removed by lifting a panel and separating the panel from the connector, disengaging the interconnection of the panel / connector. The panels of the present invention, according to one embodiment, are constructed in such a way that when they are connected together using a connector of the present invention, they always form a seam of uniform, hermetic level in the panels. The panels according to a preferred embodiment are constructed so that the depth of the recess or channel in the lower surface of each panel is always at a certain distance from the upper wear surface. As stated above, these recesses or channels are formed to receive a projection projecting from the base of a connector (preferably a rail) to releasably interconnect two panels together in a horizontal manner. Therefore, at the point of interconnection, both panels lie on the connector. Consequently, even when the support structure or the floor is not uniform or not level, the seam is always uniform and level, hermetic. In this way, even if the thickness of the panels varies, a uniform level seam is provided when two panels are interconnected because the depth of the recesses or channels in the lower surface of each panel is formed to be at a certain distance of the upper wear surface. Therefore, the upper wear surface of two adjacent panels will always be at the same level, i.e. at a certain distance from the protrusions of the base of the connector. Preferably, the panels of the present inventive system vary in thickness from about .240 in. To about .320 in. According to another embodiment, the panels are less than one inch thick. The system of the present invention also provides panels that utilize substantially all of the fabricated sheet wear upper surface and therefore provide an economic advantage over many of the prior art systems. Using the system of the present invention, the amount of the upper wear surface of the panels that need to be machined to remove any part of the decorative top surface from already manufactured and paid wear is greatly reduced. Substantially all of the manufactured decorative wear top surface is sold to the end user, eliminating the waste experienced in the prior art systems. As a result, the total square foot length of the salable floor produced by a plant is increased and costs are reduced. further, the connectors of the present invention are not fixed to the panels at the factory and therefore, it is not required that adhesive or other fastener be applied, again, reducing material costs, labor costs, and manufacturing time . In a preferred embodiment, the panels are manufactured having all the necessary recesses formed therein using injection molding techniques. In another preferred embodiment, where the intermediate reinforcement substrate of the panel is extruded, only two edges have to be machined to form the recesses therein, the other two edges running in the machine direction are formed during extrusion. The two above provide additional savings due to the fact that the amount of the reinforcement intermediate substrate material used is reduced, ie it never occurs. The system of the present invention also provides panels that are less susceptible to damage than the tongue and groove systems of the prior art. For example, it is known that the tabs of the panels are susceptible to damage during loading, handling and even assembly and disassembly. If a tongue is broken or substantially deformed, it will not be able to engage the groove of an adjacent panel and therefore becomes unusable. The panels of the present invention do not include tabs, these only have recesses or slots formed therein. It is difficult, if not impossible, to damage a recess or groove during boarding, handling, assembly and disassembly. Therefore, the panels of the present invention are more durable than many of the panels of the prior art. This is a significant advantage in relation to the use of panels for "antinoise floor" surfaces and temporary floor constructions which will be removed and reassembled many times. The system of the present invention provides connectors (preferably made of metal) which are quite hard, and easy and inexpensive to replace, as compared to the cost of a new panel. The inventive systems present substantially reduce, if not eliminate, the risk of damaging a panel to the point that it is inoperable. The floor system of the present invention provides a floor surface which is easy to repair and / or change. The panels of the present inventive system do not require a simple directional positioning sequence, so that a damaged panel can be removed and replaced by first removing the adjacent panels in any direction. Adjacent panels can be removed in a direction that has the least number of panels, to simplify the removal and replacement process. The present inventive system substantially reduces the time and the deterioration of removing and replacing panels. In addition, since the floor can be constructed in multiple directions, more than one person can construct different portions of a single floor surface simultaneously. According to one of the assembling processes, the panels are placed in a central portion of the floor space and the panels are added outward from the center. This is especially advantageous in connection with the installation of large floor surfaces, for example, retail spaces. The panels of the present inventive system also provide substantially greater aesthetic flexibility than the panels of the prior art. For example, since the panels are not driven to the right or to the left, that is, one or unidirectional, but instead they are of multiple directions because each bank is identical, each individual panel can be placed on a floor surface which is built in a very attractive way to look at. On the other hand, the panels of the present inventive systems allow for flexibility when designing and constructing parquet-type surfaces. For example, it is known that a panel is usually manufactured where the beta runs in the direction of the machine, however, because the panels of the present invention are multidirectional, the direction of the beta on the floor surface can easily be alternated to form a parquet floor, or a floor of any beta design. The panels of the present inventive system also reduce waste during the construction of the floor. With the panels of the present invention, that is, each panel is constructed with groove on all edges such that any portion of the remaining panel after completing the floor to a portion of the end wall is also possibly usable to complete another portion. from the floor to the final wall.

The panels of the present inventive system are constructed so that to assemble two panels together it is not necessary to retain one panel at an angle relative to the other and angulating down the new panel in place. The fact that the panels can be interconnected by forcing two together while these are placed in the same plane is very advantageous in relation to building certain portions of the floor surfaces challenged by some physical boundaries, for example, the interface between a floor surface and a fireplace. Referring now to Figure 6, the preferred embodiment of the connector 1 of the present invention is composed of a base 2, an extension 15, shoulders 6 and 7 spaced apart from and on either side of the extension 15 and projecting vertically to from the base 2. The shoulders 6 and 7 are preferably rounded in the upper portion as shown, and tapered, that is, they decrease in height as they move away from the center of the base 2 towards the base end. In this way, the portion of the shoulders closest to the center of the base 2 and the extension 15 extend the greater distance vertically. A particularly preferred embodiment of the connector 1 of the present inventive system is shown in Figure 14. The scale of Figure 14 is 9 times the actual size. It should also be understood, however, that it does not show that the base 2 of the connector 1 can be constructed such that it does not touch the support structure, that is, where the connector is completely surrounded by two connection panels. Referring to Figures 19A and 19B, top and end views, respectively, of a square panel 20 are shown. The panel 20 has an upper wear surface 21, an intermediate substrate 22 and a backing layer surface 23. In the embodiment shown, the panel 20 has four slots 24 in the intermediate substrate 22 on each of the four sides of the panel 20. In addition, the panel 20 has four channels 25 on the surface of the backing layer 23 that run parallel to and slightly apart from each of the four sides of the panel 20.

In an alternative embodiment (not shown), two or more channels 25 are formed on the surface of the backup layer 23 adjacent to each side of the panel 20. Of course, in this embodiment, the connector 1 has two or more corresponding highlights ( 6 or 7) on each side of the connector. A connector is shown in Figure 20A to 20C for joining panels as illustrated in Figures 19A and 19B. Top, end and side view of connector 1 are shown, respectively. The connector 1 has a base 2 and an extension 15 as described above. The base 2 has two shoulders 6 and 7 on the upper surface. The extension 15 has a support 3 and two tabs 4 and 5. The extension 15 has a groove 12 in its upper part. The ends of the connector 1 are angled at 45 degrees (see Figure 20A) to create end faces 16. Since the end faces 16 at the same end are each cut at 45 degrees, a point with a 90 degree angle is formed. in the middle part of connector 1 on each end. As shown in Figure 21, a floor assembly section comprises square panels 20 joined together by the connectors 1. The end faces 16 of two connectors 1 are placed in contact with each other where the connectors at the sides are secured. or adjacent sides of a single panel 20. One benefit of this configuration is that the upper wear surface of the panels 20 are fully supported by the connectors 1, even at the corners where the connectors 1 are located. they make some of the panels 20 in triangular shapes. The triangular shapes increase the decorative possibilities of the assembled floor covering. A possible arrangement of said assembled floor portion is shown in Figure 22. Of course, different connectors 1 are required to join the triangular panels. These must have extreme faces cut to 22.5 degrees in some cases and 45 degrees in others.

In additional modalities, the panels have square, rectangular, triangular, pentagon, hexagon and octagon geometries. In accordance with the assembly systems of the present invention, it is possible to assemble panels having these geometries because the panels and connectors assemble while the panels are laid flat on the subfloor support. For example, in Figure 27, a top view of hexagonal panels 20 is shown in a partially assembled floor system. Although connectors 1 are used to make connections between panels 20, connectors 1 are not shown for simplicity. Panel 20b is in position for connection to panels 20f and 20g. Since the panels 20f and 20g are already assembled, they are laid flat on the support of the subfloor. The panel 20b is connected by placing the panel 20b flat on the subfloor and sliding the panel 20b towards the panels 20f and 20g. The contact with the panels 20f and 20g is made simultaneously and the panel 20b is closed under pressure in the coupling connection with the connectors (not shown) between the panels. Similarly, panel 20a is shown in the position for connection to panels 20c, 20d and 20e. Panel 20a is placed on the sub-floor adjacent to the other panels to be in the same plane as the other panels. The panel 20a is then slid to the panels 20b, 20c and 20d until contact is made simultaneously with the panels. Figure 18 best illustrates a panel / connector assembly. The panels 20 will be fixed to the connectors 1 by "snapping" a flange 4, 5 of a connector 1 into a slot 24 of a panel 20. The initial contact is made when the flange 4, 5 is inserted into a slot 24 Since the panel 20 and the connector 1 are moved further towards one another, the shoulder 6, 7 slides across the surface of the backing layer 23 of the panel. When the panel 20 and the connector 1 are made to move completely together, the flange 4, 5 extends completely towards the groove 24 and the shoulder 6, 7"closes under pressure" in the channel 25. Throughout the total process, the base 2 of the connector 1 and the panel 20 remain substantially in the same plane. Since the connectors 1 and panels 20 remain in the same plane during assembly, it is possible to simultaneously connect one panel to multiple other panels. This simple-to-press "snap-on" assembly process allows the use of panels of various geometries, as described above. Referring to Figure 23, another configuration for a floor covering of the present invention is shown comprising panels that are rectangularly formed. In this embodiment, the panels 20 are joined by two types of separate connectors: longitudinal connectors 30 and transverse connectors 31. In one embodiment of the invention, the longitudinal connectors 30 encompass some panels 20 and are therefore much larger than any panel 20 given in the longitudinal direction. In another embodiment of the invention, the longitudinal connectors 30 are of approximately the same length as the panels 20 in the longitudinal direction. The transverse connectors 31 are of approximately the same length as the width of the panels 20. The transverse connectors 3 extend at right angles between two adjacent longitudinal connectors 30, parallel. In the configuration shown in Figure 23, each set of panels 20 extending end to end in the longitudinal direction are offset from each set of adjacent panels running end to end in the longitudinal direction. Because the panels end up at different locations on either side of a particular longitudinal connector, the assembly is significantly stronger since the joints are more evenly dispersed within the assembly. If the ends of the panels were not displaced from one row to another, the floor weakness in a "four corners" area would occur where adjacent transverse connectors 31 join a single longitudinal connector 30. Also for similar reasons, in some embodiments of the invention, the ends of the longitudinal connectors do not coincide with the longitudinal ends of the panels 20 so that the connectors comprise at least two consecutive panels 20. Referring to Figures 24a to 24c, top and side views, respectively, of a transverse connector 31 are shown. Similar to the previously described connectors, this transverse connector 31 has a base 2 and an extension 15. The extension 15 is composed of a support 3 and flanges 4 and 5. The cross connector 31 further comprises projections 6 and 7 located at opposite ends of the base 2. A significant feature of the transverse connector 31 is that the extension 15 is larger than the base 2. Therefore , at both ends, the extension 15 extends beyond the base 2. As shown in Figure 24c, at both ends of the extension 15, there are cuts 32 and 33. The size and shape of the cuts 32 and 33 are negative images of the shoulders 6 and 7. A view of a transverse connector 31 assembled to two longitudinal connectors 30 is shown in Figure 25. The longitudinal connectors 30 are viewed from the extremity while The cross connector 31 is seen from the side. The longitudinal connectors 30 are in parallel while the transverse connector 31 is located between and at right angles to the longitudinal connectors 30. A cut 32 of the transverse connector 31 is positioned immediately above the shoulder 7 of the longitudinal connector on the right. As shown in the Figure, the cut 33 of the transverse connector 31 is immediately above the shoulder 6 of the longitudinal connector 30 to the left. As discussed previously, the extension 15 of the transverse connector 31 extends over portions of the base 2 of the longitudinal connectors 30. Referring to Figures 26a to 26b, top and end views of a rectangular panel are shown. This panel 20 is particularly suitable for assembly with the longitudinal and transverse connectors described in Figures 23 to 25. Similar to the panels previously described, this panel has an upper wear surface 21, an intermediate substrate 22, and a surface of backing layer 23. The panel 20 also has a slot 24 for engaging the tabs 4 and 5 of the connectors 30 and 31. The slot 24 extends completely around the perimeter of the panel 20. The panel 20 also has four channels 25 which they run parallel to each of the four sides of the panel. The channels 25 are cut or formed in the lower part or surface of the backing layer 23 of the panel 20. The channels 25 extend completely from side to side of the panel. The channels 25 of the panel 20 are adapted to engage shoulders 6 and 7 of the longitudinal and transverse connectors 30 and 31. Although the particular embodiments of the floor systems and their components as shown here and disclosed in detail are fully capable of To obtain the objects and advantages set forth hereinbefore, it should be understood that these are solely illustrative of the preferred embodiments of the invention and are not intended to be limited by the details of the construction or design herein shown differently as described in the appended claims.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. A multi-directional laminar floor panel for use in the construction of a floor, said panel comprising: an upper surface, a lower surface and sides extending between the upper and lower surfaces, wherein the sides have identical grooved profiles. 2. A panel according to claim 1, wherein the panel thickness varies from about .240 in. To about .320 in. 3. A panel according to claim 1, wherein a slot on each side substantially extends the total length of the side. 4. A panel according to claim 1, wherein a slot on each side extends toward and intersects a slot on an adjacent side. The panel according to claim 1, further comprising channels in the lower surface of said panel, wherein a channel extends parallel to each side. The panel according to claim 5, wherein the channels on the lower surface of said panel substantially extend the total length of the sides. The panel according to claim 5, wherein each channel on the lower surface of said panel extends toward and intersects with another channel. 8. The panel according to claim 1, wherein the panel has a geometry selected from the group of geometries consisting of a square, rectangle, triangle, pentagon, hexagon and octagon. 9. A panel according to claim 1, further comprising an intermediate substrate between the upper and lower surfaces, wherein the intermediate substrate of the panel comprises a material selected from the group of materials consisting of medium density agglomerate, high agglomerate. density, wood / plastic compositions, woods, ceramics, plastics without fillers, filled plastics, rigid closed cell foams, and combinations thereof. A multi-directional laminar floor system comprising: at least two panels, wherein each panel comprises an upper surface, a lower surface and sides extending between the upper and lower surfaces, wherein said sides have lowered profiles identical; and a connector separated from said at least two panels to connect at least two panels together to form a floor. 11. A system according to claim 10, wherein the thickness of each panel of said at least two panels ranges from about .240 in. To about .320 in. 12. A system according to claim 10, wherein each recessed profile comprises a slot. 13. A system according to claim 10, wherein each recessed profile substantially extends the total length of each side. 14. A system in accordance with claim 10, wherein each recessed profile extends toward an underside with a profile lowered from the other side. 15. A system according to claim 10, further comprising channels in the lower surface of each panel that correspond to the sides of said panel. 16. The system according to claim 15, wherein a channel on the bottom surface of each panel substantially extends the total length of the corresponding side. The system according to claim 15, wherein a channel on the lower surface of each panel extends toward and intersects with the other channel. 18. The system according to claim 10, wherein each panel has a geometry selected from the group of geometries consisting of a square, rectangle, triangle, pentagon, hexagon and octagon. 19. The system according to claim 10, wherein a connector is a longitudinal connector. The system according to claim 10, wherein a connector is a transverse connector. 21. A system according to claim 10, wherein each panel further comprises an intermediate substrate between the upper and lower surfaces, wherein the intermediate substrate comprises a material selected from the group of materials consisting of medium density agglomerate, high density agglomerate, plastic wood compositions, woods, ceramics, unfilled plastics, filled plastics, closed cell rigid foams, and combinations thereof. 22. A multi-directional laminar floor panel comprising: an upper surface, a lower surface and sides extending between the upper and lower surfaces, wherein each side has a groove and the lower surface has a parallel extending channel to each slot. 23. A method for constructing a floor surface on a subfloor support, said method comprising: placing a first panel on the subfloor support, wherein the first panel has a top surface, a bottom surface and sides extending between the top and bottom. upper and lower surfaces, where each side has a groove; attach a connector with a slot of the first panel; place a second panel on the support of the subfloor; wherein the second panel has an upper surface, a lower surface and sides extending between the upper and lower surfaces, wherein each side has a groove; and coupling the connector with a slot in the second panel, wherein the coupled connector is below the upper surface of the first and second panels. 24. A method according to claim 23, further comprising placing the first and second planar panels on the subfloor support during the coupling of the first and second panels. 25. A method for constructing a floor surface, the method comprising: coupling a connector with a slot in a first panel, wherein the first panel has an upper surface, a lower surface and sides extending between the upper and lower surfaces , where each side has a slot; placing a second panel within the same plane as the first panel, wherein the second panel has an upper surface, a lower surface and sides extending between the upper and lower surfaces, wherein each side has a groove; and coupling the connector with a slot in the second panel while the first and second panels are in the same plane, wherein the coupled connector is below the upper surfaces of the first and second panels.