MXPA98006258A - Finishing product for floor based wood pre-finished with adhesive aplic - Google Patents

Abstract

A finishing product for floors, for application to a sub-floor, including a wood floor finishing component for installation with similar floor finishing components, to form a floor. The floor finish component has a top surface to be exposed after installation and a base surface, a pressure sensitive adhesive that is transported in a foam tape applied and permanently adhered directly to the base surface of the floor finish component , to provide a connecting interface surface for adhering the floor finish component to the sub-floor, and a protective release cover applied and releasably adhered to the interface surface of the adhesive to protect the adhesive until removal of the cover of release, when the floor finish component is applied to the sub-pi

Description

FINISHING PRODUCT FOR PRE-FINISHED WOOD-BASED FLOOR, WITH ADHESIVE APPLIED TECHNICAL FIELD AND BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to a floor finish product based on pre-finished wood, with applied adhesive. Wood floor finishes are typically installed by nailing decorative wood trim strips adjacent to a subfloor to form an essentially seamless or jointed wood floor finish surface or by applying strips of wood. finishing for a wood-based floor to a sub-floor that is pre-coated with, for example, a mastic-type layer in which the floor finishing strips are embedded. there are significant differences in the problems associated with parquet blocks against floor finishing strips based on hard or solid wood. Since parquet blocks are usually square, they are substantially more stable and less prone to buckling and detachment of the subfloor. Hartco currently manufactures a parquet product that can be serviced. There is a need in the market for a finished floor product based on pre-finished wood strip, which can be attached by an adhesive directly to a suitable subfloor, and which will serve with the same durability and longevity as other finishing systems for wooden floor, more expensive. This floor finish product should preferably have the same solid "feel" as the solid hardwood floor of all thickness, of the type typically nailed on site, with nothing of the "spring" or "bounce" that characterizes the floor finishing systems glued to the prior art, which are based on relatively thick foam-based adhesive pads to adhere the system to the sub-floor. The product according to the application is faster, easier and less expensive to install than an already finished finishing system for an unfinished floor or a floor finishing system that is placed on a layer of pre-applied mastic. The product has particular application in the post-market floor finishes for use by "do-it-yourself" owners who want the expensive look of high quality hardwood floor finish without the disruption resulting from an installed floor by contractor. Currently, there is a tendency to return to the use of floor finishes based on hardwood and many homeowners are removing the existing floor mats, in order to replace them with hardwood floors. A floor finishing system that can be installed on a sub floor in which a carpet was previously installed, without the need to cut out doors and moldings to accommodate a greater thickness is convenient, since it simplifies the installation process of those who practice the do-it-yourself system. The floor finishing product according to this request meets those needs. In particular, the combination of substantially increased flexibility of the floor finishing strip and a much thinner foam tape and aggressive adhesive, provide a high quality, longer lasting and stable product, without the disadvantages observed in previous products. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Therefore, it is an object of the invention to provide a finishing system for wood flooring with applied adhesive, which can be easily installed by do-it-yourself installers. Another object of the invention is to provide a floor finishing system based on applied adhesive wood that is as durable as conventional wood-based floor finishing systems, such as nailed floor finishing systems. Another object of the invention is to provide a finishing system for wood-based flooring, with applied adhesive, which utilizes an adhesive that does not significantly contribute to the thickness of the floor finish product.

Another object of the invention is to provide a floor finishing system which after installation, it is indistinguishable in appearance and service from conventional wood-based floor finishing systems, such as nailed floor finishing systems. Another object of the invention is to provide a finishing system for wood-based flooring, with applied adhesive, which is of sufficiently low profile, so that it can be installed in sub-floors where carpet was previously installed, without having to lower it the doors and moldings. Another object of the invention is to provide a wood-based floor finishing system with applied adhesive, which can be installed in a wide variety of sub-floors without extensive preparation. Another object of the invention is to provide a finishing system for wood-based flooring, with applied adhesive, which is aggressively bound to the sub-floor. These and other objects of the present invention are achieved in the preferred embodiments described below, by providing a wood-based floor finishing strip, comprising an upper surface having a decorative finish and a base surface opposite the top surface . The base surface has a multiplicity of closely spaced spaces extending in the floor finishing strip from the base surface transverse to the length of the floor finishing strip, over substantially the entire length of the floor finishing strip for relieving tension and increase flexibility in the wood strip to adhere more closely to irregularities of a sub-floor. Interlocking means extend over the length of the floor finishing strip into opposite first and second side edges to lock adjacent flooring strips adjacent to each other side-to-side to form an assembled wood floor. The interlocking means comprises a tongue formed on the first side edge of the floor finishing strip and a groove formed in the second side edge of the floor finishing strip. The tongue and groove provide coupling connection with complementary elements in adjacent floor finishing strips. The floor finishing strips have opposite end portions, each of the end portions having a flat area encompassing the entire surface area of the end portion perpendicular to the plane of the floor finishing strip for confining flange engagement with areas similar planks in adjacent floor finishing strips. At least one strip of foam tape coated with pressure sensitive adhesive is applied to the base surface to adhere the floor finishing strip to the sub-floor. A protective cover covers the adhesive until removal just before installation in the sub-floor. Preferably the foam tape includes adhesive on the tape to adhere the tape to the base surface of the floor finishing strip. According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the foam tape comprises a closed cell polyethylene foam. According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, the adhesive comprises an acrylate pressure-sensitive adhesive. According to yet another preferred embodiment of the invention, the floor finishing component is selected from the group consisting of solid wood strip, laminated wood strip, solid parquet block, laminated parquet block. According to another preferred additional embodiment of the invention, the adhesive layer is placed on the base surface of the floor finishing strip in a spaced relation to both side edges, to provide a connecting interface surface for adhering the finishing component from floor to sub-floor, while allowing interconnection of the finishing strip for floor with a finishing strip for adjacent floor without adhesive contact with the subfloor. According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, the floor finishing strip includes a lower layer, an upper layer, an intermediate layer and a base layer laminated together in register with each other. According to another additional preferred embodiment of the invention, the spaces in the floor finishing strip are formed by notching the base layer of the floor finishing strip. According to another further preferred embodiment of the invention, the spaces in the floor finishing strip are formed by adhering a plurality of pieces of wood spaced together to the intermediate layer. According to another further preferred embodiment of the invention, the floor finishing strip includes two spaced and parallel stretches of foam tape extending over the length of the floor strip. According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, a finishing strip for wood-based flooring is provided, comprising an upper surface having a decorative finish and a base surface opposite the top surface. The base surface has a multiplicity of closely spaced spaces extending in the floor finishing strip from the base surface transverse to the length of the floor finishing strip over substantially the entire length of the floor finishing strip to relieve tension and increase flexibility in the wood strip to adhere more closely to irregularities of a sub-floor. Interlocking means extend over the length of the floor finishing strip in opposite first and second side edges to lock flooring strips adjacent to each other side-to-side to form an assembled wood floor. The locking means comprise a tongue formed in the first side edge of the floor strip and a groove formed in the second side edge of the floor finishing strip. The tongue and groove provide coupling connection with complementary elements in adjacent floor finishing strips. The floor finishing strips have opposite end portions, each of the end portions having a simple flat area encompassing the entire surface area of the end portion, perpendicular to the plan or of the floor finishing strip for confining coupling to top with similar flat areas in adjacent floor finishing strips. At least one strip of foam tape coated with pressure sensitive adhesive is applied to the base surface to adhere the floor finishing strip to the sub-floor. A protective cover covers the adhesive until it is removed just before instag it in the sub-floor. The foam tape is no thicker than .794 mm (1/32 in) or approximately 8% of the total thickness of the floor finishing strip. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Some of the objects of the invention have been set forth above. Other objects and advantages of the invention will appear as the invention progresses, when taken in conjunction with the following drawings, wherein: Figure 1 is a perspective view of the finished side of a floor finishing strip according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, - Figure 2 is a perspective view of the unfinished side of the floor finishing strip illustrated in Figure 1; Figure 3 is a vertical cross-sectional view enlarged laterally through the floor finishing strip illustrated in Figures 1 and 2; Figure 4 is a fragmentary side view of the floor finishing strip, - Figure 5 is a fragmentary enlarged vertical cross-sectional view, longitudinally through the floor finishing strip shown in Figures 1 and 2; Figure 6 is a perspective view of a floor created from floor finishing strips assembled according to one embodiment of the invention. Description of the Preferred Modality and Best Mode General Description Now with specific reference to the drawings, a finishing strip for wooden floor according to one embodiment of the present invention, is illustrated in Figure 1, and generally shows in the number of reference 10. The finishing strip for floor 10 can be of any suitable length, width and thickness, but typical sizes and constructions are finishing strips for solid oak or laminate flooring, with thicknesses of 6.35, 9.53 and 23.8 mm (1 / 4, 3/8 and 15/16"), with a width between 57.2 and 203.2 mm (2 1/4" and 8") and with a length of up to 1.52 meters (5 feet) or as blocks of parquet. Three layer laminate is illustrated in the Figures, see particularly Figure 3. The floor finishing strip 10 has an upper surface 11, which may be finished or unfinished, an opposing base surface 12, opposite side edges 13 and 14 and end edges 15 and 16. The strip of a 10 for floor 10 includes a slot 18 extending over side edge 13 and a coupling tongue 19, which extends over the opposite side edge 14. The slots 18 and tabs 19 of the adjacent floor finishing strips, engage to form a substantially seamless floor. As illustrated in Figures 2 and 3, the base surface 12 is provided with transverse notches . The notches 20 extend from side to side in closely spaced relation, transverse to the length of the floor finishing strip 10, over substantially the entire length of the floor finishing strip 10, substantially as described in the US Pat. the USA No. 5,283,102 of the applicant. According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the notches 20 have a width of 3,175 mm (1/8"), a depth of 3,175 mm. (1/8") and are spaced 25.4 mm (1") to the center. Other widths, depths and spacings are also possible. As illustrated in Figure 2, the floor finishing strips 10 according to a preferred embodiment of the invention, are a laminated structure having three layers of wood 10A, 10B, 10C, bonded together with heat and pressure. According to one embodiment of the invention, the upper layer 10A is a layer of thin, high-quality wood, without stains, without imperfections, solid, such as oak, while the middle and base layers 10B and 10OC, are and strips with imperfections of the same type of wood, or a less expensive type of wood. In embodiments wherein stained wood or with imperfections are used in the base coat 10C, the pressure sensitive adhesive system described below provides a cosmetic cover on all or some and a portion of other imperfections, up to application of the floor strip of cacao 10 to the sub-floor. This provides an improved appearance to the product and more precisely reflects the current quality of the entire product. Two tape strips 22 and 23 of a pressure sensitive foam adhesive system adhere to the base surface 12 of the floor finish strip 10, as illustrated in Figure 2. The adhesive tape strips 22 and 23 are they apply in stretches that extend longitudinally from one end of the finishing strip for floor 10 to the other. See also generally Figure 4. As best illustrated in Figure 5, each of the tape strips of adhesive system 22 and 23 (exemplified by strip 22), is a laminated structure that includes a first layer of acrylate adhesive. whereby the structure is linked to the finishing strip for floor 10. One side of a layer of polyethylene foam tape 25, provides a substrate for holding and transporting the adhesive layer 24, and simultaneously providing a convenient degree of cushioning to the finishing strips for floor 10 before installation to form a floor. The other side of the foam tape layer 25 supports a second layer of acrylate adhesive 26 which is covered by release paper 27 and protects the adhesive layer 26, until the floor finishing strip 10 is ready to be applied to the sub. -floor, at which time it is removed as described below. The preferred pressure sensitive system as generally described above is a double coated polyethylene foam tape, description of product No. 4492 manufactured by Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company dated 1994, incorporated herein by reference. The adhesive applied to polyethylene foam is an acrylate adhesive that has an aggressive adhesive capacity. The preferred thickness of the adhesive system is .79 mm (1/32"). According to a preferred method, the adhesive tape strips 22 and 23 are supplied by the manufacturer in a long continuous strip on a roll, which includes a release film or paper (not shown), which protects the adhesive that will bond with the base surface 12 until the application of the tape strips 22 and 23 to the base surface 12 of the floor finishing strip 10. The base surface 12 it is treated with a belt sander that uses 150 grit sandpaper, and then heat to approximately 51.7 to 57.2 ° C (125 to 135 ° F). The heating softens the adhesive as it contacts the wood and creates a more intimate bond. Alternatively, rubber-based adhesives may be employed and preferably may be preferable under some conditions and circumstances. The release paper is removed and the adhesive layer is exposed, as the tape strips are pressed onto the base surface of the floor finish strip 10. The strips are preferably spaced from both side edges 13 and 14 of the strip finishing for floor 10, leaving bare wood on both side edges and adjacent portions of the base surface 12 of the floor finishing strip 10. Preferably, each of the strip strips 22 and 23 has a width of 1,905 cm (3/4") and are displaced symmetrically with respect to the center line of the finishing strip for floor 10. This provides a centered length of bare wood extending over the length of the finishing strip for floor 10 between the strips of ribbon 22 and 23 and two sections of bare wood, each with a width of 3,175 mm (1/8") wide that extend on opposite lateral edges 13 and 14.

Other configurations are possible and optimized depending on the thickness, width and flexibility of the floor finishing strips, and anticipated sub-floor features. In some applications, a strip of tape with a simple wider adhesive or three or more parallel strips may be more convenient. The opposite ends 15 and 16 of the wood-based floor finishing strip 10 are formed without tongue and groove interlock means, but are cut to provide a butt-confining connection between the end 15 and the end 16 of strips of finishing for laminated wood-based floor 10. The butt-confining ends 15 and 16 of the finishing strip for laminated wood flooring 10 allow an absolutely level joint that will not open. A chamfer 30 is formed at both ends 15 and 16 in the base layer 10C of the wood-based floor finishing strip 20. Each of the chamfers 30 forms a notched area adjacent to the lower edge of the ends 15 and 16. The chamfers 30 allow the wood floor finishing strip 10 to freely flex in accordance with the sub-floor surface, without affecting or otherwise interfering with the placement of adjacent laminated wood-based floor finishing strips. For this reason, floor finishing strips based on adjacent end-to-end laminated wood 10, can be made to be perfectly placed at border-edge level, without using tongue and groove means or other interlocking means. The ability to remove the tongue and groove interlock means at the ends 15 and 16 of the floor finishing strip 10 simplifies installation, since each strip 10 can be placed on the sub-floor in an exact end alignment with the end 15 of a finishing strip for floor 10, level against the end 16 of the finishing strip for adjacent floor 10. In this way, the floor finishing strip 10 requires only moving sideways to lock tongue 19 a floor finishing strip 10, within the groove 18 of the laterally adjacent floor finishing strip 10. The end-to-end confining coupling supply between adjacent laminated wood-based floor finishing strips end-to-end 20, provides a much smoother and more consistent floor finishing surface, because the tongue and side edge groove connections 19 and 18 hold ends 15 and 16 as well as sides. In addition, the finishing strip for floor 10 as described in the above embodiment, can be cut to length and placed in pieces anywhere on the floor, since a tongue and groove or other positive interlocking means are no longer required for interlocking the ends 15 and 16 together with adjacent laminate wood floor finishing pieces 10. It should be noted in particular that the end edges 15 and 16 on the chamfer 30 are flat and perpendicular to the plane of the upper and base surfaces 11. and 12, so that there is no space when the end-to-end floor finish strips 10 are attached. As illustrated in Figure 6, the installation of the floor finish strip 10 as described more specifically below , creates a finished hardwood floor, indistinguishable from other floors that are more expensive and difficult to install. The strength of the adhesive and the bond between the adhesive, the wood and the sub-floor were tested when preparing a test sample by applying a floor finishing strip to a section of conventional sub-floor material, to create a structure of proof. A weight of 4.54 kg (10 pounds) is connected to the floor finishing strip, to apply vertical traction. The test structure has withstood several months of this traction without loosening any of the floor strip 10 of the adhesive or the sub-floor. The finishing strip for floor 10 can be applied to a number of different sub-floor constructions, such as plywood, oriented fiber board or 40.16 kg particleboard board. The floor can also be installed on existing floors. If the existing floor is a wooden floor, all wax must be removed, as the adhesive is designed not to adhere to waxed surfaces - therefore, the use of a release paper coated with wax. Floors finished with polyurethane do not require detaching from the strip, as long as the finish is well attached. The vinyl floor finish can be used as long as the wear layer is intact and has a wear layer of polyurethane or PVC. The floor can be installed on a concrete sub-floor if it is clean and free of dust. This condition can be achieved by sweeping and vacuuming the floor carefully since dust is the most significant problem. Gypsum powder and similar materials prevent the adhesive from sticking to the subfloor, so cleaning to remove these and similar materials is very important. Installation Method A chalk cord, framing square and a miter saw are usually the only tools required for installation. In most cases, no tampering is necessary. The floor finish is properly adhered by applied pressure, as workers walk in both directions on the floor, as applicable. A cutoff tolerance of 5% is usually sufficient. The sub-floor should be checked for damage, leveling and cleaning and corrected, if necessary. First, the installer finds the starting point depending on the pattern and string, in a conventional way. A "dry" adjustment of the finishing strip for floor 10 is performed to determine the necessary cuts. The ends are measured before removing the release paper 27, the ends are adjusted dry, then cut, then the release paper 27 is removed to expose the adhesive and the finishing strip for floor 10 is carefully pressed into the sub. -floor. The finishing strip for floor 10 is applied to the sub-floor on a tangled string, with the groove 18 in the string and the tongue 19 away from the installer. Other cuts around thermal registers, pipes and the like, are made as the floor finishing strips 10 are installed, and before removal of the release paper 27, as described above. As noted above, marginal areas of the base surface of the floor finishing strips 10 are not covered with pieces of adhesive tape 22 and 23. The release paper 27 is removed and the tongue 19 of the floor finishing strip is removed. 10 is inserted into the slot 18 of the finishing strip for adjacent floor 10 at an angle. The absence of adhesive in the marginal area of the base surface 12 adjacent to the tongue 19 allows placement of the floor finishing strip 10, very closely adjacent to the newly placed floor finishing strip 10 without the newly exposed adhesive contacting the sub-floor. The tongue 19 can therefore be completely inserted into the adjacent groove 18 and the floor finishing strip 10 is firmly pressed onto the sub-floor in a single movement. The adhesive layer 26 is sufficiently stiff, so that the floor finishing strip should be very substantially in its final position before being pressed to the sub-floor. Footwear moldings, radiant pipe flanges and covers for thermal records are re-installed. The entire floor is rammed after installation of the finishing strips for floor 10 and the installation is complete. A finishing strip for floor was described.

Various details of the invention can be changed without departing from its scope. In addition, the above description of the preferred embodiment of the invention and the best mode for practicing the invention are provided for the purpose of illustration only and not for the purpose of limitation - the invention is defined by the claims.

Claims (12)

1. CLAIMS 1.- A finishing strip for wood-based floor, characterized in that it comprises: (a) an upper surface that has a decorative finish; (b) a base surface opposite the top surface, the base surface has a multiplicity of closely spaced spaces, which extend within the floor finishing strip from the base surface transverse to the length of the floor finishing strip, substantially over the entire length of the floor finishing strip, to relieve tension and increase flexibility in the wood strip to adhere more closely to sub-floor irregularities; (c) locking means extending over the length of the floor finishing strip in first and second opposing side edges, for interlocking floor finishing strips adjacent to each other side-by-side, to form an assembled wood floor , the locking means comprise a tongue formed on the first side edge of the floor finishing strip and a groove formed on the second side edge of the floor finishing strip, each of the tongue and groove providing engaging connection with elements complementary in adjacent floor finishing strips; (d) the floor finishing strips have opposite end portions, each of the end portions having a simple flat area encompassing the entire surface area of the end portion perpendicular to the plane of the floor finishing strip, for butt confining coupling with similar planar areas in adjacent floor finishing strips; and (e) at least one strip of foam tape coated with pressure-sensitive adhesive, which is applied to the base surface to adhere the floor finishing strip to the sub-floor, and which includes a protective cover that coats the adhesive to removal just before installation in the sub-floor.
2. 2. A floor finishing product according to claim 1, characterized in that the foam tape includes an adhesive on the tape to adhere it to the base surface of the floor finishing strip.
3. 3. A floor finishing product according to claim 2, characterized in that the foam tape comprises a closed cell polyethylene foam.
4. 4. A floor finishing product according to claim 1, 2 or 3, characterized in that the adhesive comprises an acrylate-based pressure sensitive adhesive.
5. 5. A floor finishing product according to claim 4, characterized in that the floor finishing component is selected from the group consisting of solid wood strip, laminated wood strip, solid parquet block or laminated parquet block.
6. 6. A floor finish product according to claim 1, characterized in that the adhesive layer is placed on the base surface of the floor finishing strip in a spaced relation to both side edges, to provide a surface with connecting interface. , to adhere the floor finishing component to the sub-floor, while allowing the floor finishing strip to be interconnected with an adjacent similar floor finishing strip without contact of the adhesive with the sub-floor.
7. 7. A floor finishing product according to claim 1, characterized in that the floor finishing strip includes a top layer, an intermediate layer and a base layer laminated together in register with each other.
8. 8. A floor finishing product according to claim 7, characterized in that the spaces in the floor finishing strip are formed by notching the base layer of the floor finishing strip.
9. 9. A floor finishing product according to claim 7, characterized in that the spaces in the floor finishing strip are formed by adhering a plurality of pieces of wood spaced together to the intermediate layer.
10. 10. A floor finishing product according to claim 7, characterized in that the floor finishing strip includes two spaced and parallel stretches of foam tape extending over the length of the floor finishing strip.
11. 11. A floor finishing product according to claim 10, characterized in that the adhesive layer is placed on the base surface of the floor finishing strip in spaced relation to both side edges, to provide a connection interface surface for adhere the floor finishing component to the subfloor, while allowing the floor finishing strip to be interconnected with adjacent floor finishing strips, without contact of the adhesive with the subfloor.
12. 12. A finishing strip for wood-based floor, characterized in that it comprises: (a) an upper surface having a decorative finish, - (b) a base surface opposite the upper surface, the base surface has a multiplicity of spaces closely spaced, extending within the floor finishing strip, from the base surface transverse to the length of the floor finishing strip, over substantially the entire length of the floor finishing strip, to relieve tension and increase flexibility in the wood strip to adhere more closely to irregularities of the sub-floor, - (c) locking means extending over the length of the floor finishing strip in first and second opposite lateral edges, for locking finishing strips to adjacent to each other side-by-side, to form an assembled wood floor, the interlocking means comprise a tongue formed on the first side edge of the ac strip. floor trim and a groove formed in the second side edge of the floor finishing strip, each of the tabs and grooves provide engaging connection with complementary elements in adjacent floor finishing strips, - (d) the finishing strips for floor have opposite end portions, each of the end portions having a simple flat area encompassing the entire surface area of the end portion perpendicular to the plane of the floor finishing strip, for butt confining coupling with similar planar areas in adjacent floor finishing strips; and (e) at least one strip of foam tape coated with pressure-sensitive adhesive, which is applied to the base surface, to adhere the floor finishing strip to the sub-floor and which includes a protective cover that coats the adhesive to Removal just before installation in the sub-floor, the foam tape has a thickness no greater than 10% of the total thickness of the floor finishing strip.