GB2526522A

GB2526522A - Method of laying flooring

Info

Publication number: GB2526522A
Application number: GB1406672.4A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Wadi Gorgi
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2014-04-14
Filing date: 2014-04-14
Publication date: 2015-12-02
Also published as: GB201406672D0

Abstract

A method of fitting flooring having a composite image 50 comprises the laying of first and second floor boards 10, 20. Preformed on each of the boards is a part of an image 100, 200, such that when the boards are placed in a side-by-side longitudinally staggered relationship, the parts of the image are aligned to form a composite image. The parts of the image may be formed by providing an inlay into a recess. The first and second boards may be joined by a tongue and groove joint 21, 12. Further boards 30 may be provided with or without parts of the image. Also claimed is a kit of parts.

Description

METHOD OF LAYING FLOORING

Background of the Invention

The present invention relates to a flooring system and a method of laying the same. In particular, the present invention relates to a flooring system in which a surface image is provided when laid.

It is often desirable to include an image on flooring, such as a wooden or laminate floor. As is known in the art, images can be added to wooden or laminate floor by the use of paint or stencils, after the floor has been fitted.

In some cases, it is desirable to have an image on the surface of the flooring, such as, for example, a company logo, writing, a picture, a pattern, or the like. Usually, these images are provided by painting and stencilling on the floorboards after they are fitted, as mentioned above. It is also known in the art to inlay a picture or pattern within the flooring after it has been laid. The process involves laying the floor and then using a router to form a recess in the floor. An inlay is then inserted into the recess whilst the flooring is in situ. However, this requires a skilled professional to perform the fitting of the inlay at the site the flooring has been laid, which can be very costly and time consuming.

What is needed therefore is a more efficient method of fitting a flooring system that allows for a complete image, such as company logo or the like, to be included in the flooring system.

Summary of the Invention

The present invention provides a method for fitting flooring having a composite image thereon, said method comprising: providing a first flooring board having a first part of said image preformed in or on said first board; providing a second flooring board having a second part of said image preformed in or on said second board; laying said first board and said second board side-by-side in a longitudinally staggered relationship such that the first and second pads of said image are aligned to form said composite image.

The present invention provides a method of laying a flooring that has an image extending over a plurality of the boards in a cost and time effective manner.

Said first part of said image and/or said second pad of said image may be formed by providing an inlay into a recess on said first board and/or said second board prior to said step of laying said first and second boards side-by-side.

Said first part of said image and said second pad of said image may be formed by providing a plurality of inlays into a plurality of recesses on said first board and/or said second board prior to said step of laying said first and second boards side-by-side.

The image portions may be created in or on said boards and then the boards may be transpoded to a different location to lay the boards, thereby creating the composite image. The image pads may be created in each board whilst each board is separate from the other boards, or alternatively by laying the boards together and forming the composite image over the boards before separating then and transpoding them to the desired location.

The inlay(s) may have a depth in the board as measured from the upper surface of the board of a 0.5 mm; »= 1 mm; »= 1.5 mm; »= 2 mm; »= 2.5 mm; »= 3 mm; »= 4mm; a 5mm; a 6mm; a 7mm; a 8mm; a 9mm; or a 10mm; and/or the inlay(s) may have a depth in the board as measured from the upper surface of the board of «= 0.5 mm; «= 1 mm; «= 1.5 mm; «= 2 mm; «= 2.5 mm; «= 3 mm; «= 4mm; «= 5mm; «= 6mm; s 7mm; «= 8mm; «= 9mm; or «= 10mm.

Cedain depths of inlay may be desired, for example, in order to easily remove an inlay by sanding or planing it away. Greater depths may be desired to prevent the inlay being worn away when it is walked on.

The first board preferably has a groove and said second board preferably has a tongue. The method may further comprise inserting said tongue of said second board into said groove of said first board. The method may further comprise moving said second board in a longitudinal direction such that said second part of said image is aligned with said first part of said image.

The method may then comprise securing the boards in place such that they do not move longitudinally relative to each other, e.g. by gluing or nailing the boards to each other or the surface below them.

The method may further comprise providing a third flooring board having a third part of said image preformed in or on to said third board; and laying said third board in a side-by-side and longitudinally staggered relationship with said second board such that said second board is arranged between said first and third boards.

The third part of said image may be formed by providing an inlay or a plurality of inlays into a recess or a plurality of recesses in said third board prior to said step of laying said third board.

The second board preferably has a groove or tongue and said third board preferably has a tongue or groove. The method comprising inserting said tongue or groove of said third board into said groove or tongue of said second board. The method preferably further comprises moving said third board in a longitudinal direction such that said third part of said image is aligned with said second part of said image.

Preferably, at least one additional board is connected in an end to end relationship with at least one of the first, second or third boards, wherein the at least one additional board may or may not have part of the image thereon. Additional boards are preferably connected to one or both ends of each of the first, second and third boards. The method may comprises connecting »= 4; »= 6; »= 8; »= 10; »= 20; »= 30; »= 40; »= 60 »= 80; or »= 100 boards together in end to end and side by side configuration so as to form a continuous floor.

Preferably, the composite image is visually and/or physically continuous between adjacent boards having said parts of the image.

The present invention also provides a kit of flooring boards for forming a composite image when laid together, said kit comprising: a first flooring board having a first part of said image preformed in or on said first board; a second flooring board having a second part of said image preformed in or on said second board; wherein said first board and said second board are configured such that when the boards are laid together side-by-side in a longitudinally staggered relationship the first and second parts of said image are aligned so as to form said composite image.

The boards of the kit are preferably configured so as to perform any one of the methods described herein.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Fig. 1 shows a board for use in a flooring system.

Fig. 2 shows a plurality of separate boards for use in the flooring system in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 3 shows a view of a floor laid with the plurality of boards of Fig. 2 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

Detailed Description of the Invention

Referring now to Figure 1, there is shown a rectangular elongate flooring board 10. Rectangular elongate board 10 has a tongue 11 along one elongate side 1OA and a groove 12 along an opposing elongate side 108. Rectangular board 10 also has a groove 13 along a short end 1OC and a tongue 14 along an opposing short end 100. The flooring system of the present invention comprises a plurality of such boards that are to be interlocked into a continuous and integral floor when the flooring is being laid. Laterally adjacent boards are interlocked by fitting the tongue 11 of one board into the groove 12 of the laterally adjacent board. Longitudinally adjacent boards are interlocked by fitting the tongue 14 of one board into the groove 13 of the longitudinally adjacent board. The boards are preferably laid and interlocked such that all laterally adjacent boards are staggered longitudinally in relation to each other, as is conventional.

The flooring system is configured such that when the boards are laid an image is displayed in the flooring. Each of a plurality of the boards in the system has a portion of the image to be displayed thereon. When these boards are laid together such that portions of the image are aligned, a composite image is displayed that is formed from the image portions on the individual boards. The portions of the image on laterally adjacent boards that together form a continuous portion of the image, are located at different longitudinal positions on their respective boards. As such, the boards can be laid in a longitudinally staggered relationship whilst still forming a continuous image between the latelally adjacent boards. The image portions on the boards may also be configured to be continuous longitudinally between boards in the end-to-end direction.

The system may comprise any number of boards, such as »= 2; »= 4; »= 6; »= 8; »= 10; »= 20; »= 30; »= 40; »= 60? 80; or? 100. Of these, a plurality of boards have portions of the image thereon. For example, the number of boards that have portions of the image thereon maybe? 2; »= 4; a 6; »= 8; »= 10; a 20; »= 30; »= 40; »= 60 »= 80; or? 100. It will be appreciated that not all of the boards in the system need have portions of the image thereon.

The image displayed by the plurality of boards that is described herein is preferably a single image such an icon, motif, visually continuous or repeating pattern, continuous writing such as well known words or company names. The image may be a coloured image.

The image is preferably formed in the boards by having been inlaid into the boards and the boards are then laid and aligned thereafter so as to form the composite image. Less preferably, the image portions may be painted, printed, stickers or otherwise displayed on the boards.

Board 10 may be a solid wood board or may be a laminate board e.g. formed from an MDF body and having a veneer on the upper surface. Preferably, the veneer does not form part of the image described herein.

Referring now to Figure 2, there is shown a plurality of rectangular elongate boards of the type shown in Figure 1. Figure 2 shows a first rectangular elongate board 10 having a first part of an image 100 thereon. A second rectangular elongate board 20 is also shown in Figure 2 having a second part of the image 200 thereon. There is also shown a third rectangular elongate board 30 having a third part of the image 300 thereon. Of course, as described above, there may be a greater number of boards than the number shown in Figure 2, at least some of which have a part of the image thereon.

As an example, Figure 2 shows an image formed over three elongate boards 10, 20 and 30. However, it is to be understood that the image could be formed over just two elongate boards, such as 10 and 20. The image could also be formed over more than three elongate boards.

First rectangular elongate board 10 has a tongue 11 along one elongate side 1OA and a groove 12 along an opposing elongate side lOB. First rectangular board 10 also has a tongue (not shown in Figure 2) along a short end 100 and a groove (not shown in Figure 2) along an opposing short end 1OD.

Second rectangular elongate board 20 has a tongue 21 along one elongate side 20A and a groove 22 along an opposing elongate side 20B. Second rectangular board 20 also has a tongue (not shown) along a short end 200 and a groove (not shown) along an opposing short end 200.

Third rectangular elongate board 30 is provided and has a tongue 31 along one elongate side 30A and a groove 32 along an opposing elongate side 303.

Third rectangular board 30 also has a tongue (not shown) along a short end 30C and a groove (not shown) along an opposing short end 30D.

The first, second and third elongate boards are preferably the same width and length, but may have different lengths and widths as necessary.

As described above, the image 50 is added to, or preformed on or in, the boards prior to fitting the flooring system together so that the boards form a complete image 50 (shown in Figure 3) when the boards have been fitted together.

In a preferred embodiment, the elongate boards are recessed in their upper surfaces so as to receive inlays that, together, will ultimately form the image 50 over a number of boards. The inlays can be formed from wood or laminate and are placed in the recessed portion, formed in each of the elongate board. The inlays may be secured by using glue, or any other type of adhesive known in the art, in the recess formed in each of the elongate boards. A press machine, as is known in the art, is applied to the inlays to secure these in place. When the boards are laid and fitted together, the complete image 50 is formed by aligning the separate image parts 100, 200, 300 that are provided on boards 10, 20, 30, as described in more detail below.

The inlays can have a depth of between 0.6 and 3mm. The recess in the elongate boards would also have a depth of between 0.6 and 3mm. For example, an inlay of depth of about 0.6 mm would allow the boards to be sanded down to remove the inlays if desired, exposing the plain boards beneath, with suitable ease.

Alternatively, an inlay thickness of 2-3 mm would allow the boards to be sanded to improve the finish or repair the finish after time without removing the inlays.

A method of fitting a flooring system in accordance with the present invention will now be described.

As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the first and second parts of the image 100, 200 are aligned along imaginary lines A and A' to form part of the image 50. The tongue 21 of second board 20 can be inserted into the groove 12 of first board 10.

Second board 20 can then be moved in a longitudinal direction (shown in Figures 2 and 3) such that imaginary lines A and A' are aligned. The boards 10, 20 can then be secured in place by gluing or by nailing/stapling.

Also shown in Figures 2 and 3 is a third board 30. The second and third pads of the image 200, 300, are aligned along imaginary lines B and B' to form a pad of the image 50. The tongue 31 of third board 30 can be inserted into the groove 22 of second board 20. Third board 30 can then be moved in a longitudinal direction such that imaginary lines B and B' are aligned. The third board 30 can then be secured in place by gluing or by nailing/stapling.

In a preferred embodiment, when the first, second and third pads of image are aligned along imaginary lines A -A' and B -B', the first 10, second 20, and third 30 boards are offset such that the ends 100, 1 OD of the first board are not aligned with the ends bC, 20D of the second board and the ends 200, 20D of the second board are not aligned with the ends 300, 30D of the third board, i.e., when the boards are correctly fitted together, as described above, the boards are staggered longitudinally such that their ends are offset from one another and not coincident. This improves the overall strength of the floor as the joints between the longitudinal ends of the boards only extend continuously over a limited length. The image pads are arranged on the boards so that when the boards are put together the image is continuous between the boards.

In a preferred embodiment, a fourth board (not shown) may be fitted in an end to end relationship with the first board 10. The tongue on the short end of the fourth board can be inseded into the groove on the shod end 1OD of the first board 10. The fourth board can then be secured in place by gluing or by nailing/stapling, as is known in the ad. Boards such as the foudh board may be connected in an end to end relationship with any other boards. Fudher boards may be connected in end to end relationship in the manner described above with one or both ends of each of the first, second and third boards. These boards may also be interlocked with each other in the lateral direction so as to form a secure and continuous flooring.

As has been described, a floor surface may be produced by connecting the boards in a side by side and end to end relationship. It is envisaged that when the boards are connected, a complete image 50 is formed (shown in Figure 3). As mentioned above, the first pad of the image 100, second pad of the image 200, and third part of the image 300 are aligned when fitting together the boards in a side by side configuration so as to form the complete image 50 on the floor surface, as shown in Figure 3.

While the embodiments of Figures 2 and 3 show an image formed when image parts are aligned along the longitudinal direction of the boards, it is envisaged that the image 50 may also or alternatively be formed when image parts are aligned along the lateral direction of the boards.

It is envisaged that a person wishing to lay such a floor having an image would buy a kit of boards having decorative inlays preformed in or on the boards such that, when fitted together in a staggered relationship, they form a complete and continuous image.

The invention may take a form different to that specifically described above.

For example, a different number of boards and inlays could be used to form a complete image. Further, the image can take many different forms such as a company logo, a pattern, writing, one or more pictures, or the like.

Further modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the present invention.

For example, although the boards have been described as interlocking via a tongue and groove mechanism, other interlocking mechanisms are contemplated.

Less preferably, the boards need not even be interlocked and may, for example, be secured to a surface below the boards. -10-

Claims

Claims 1. A method for fitting flooring having a composite image (50) thereon, said method comprising: providing a first flooring board (10) having a first part of said image (100) preformed in or on said first board (10); providing a second flooring board (20) having a second part of said image (200) preformed in or on said second board (20); laying said first board and said second board side-by-side in a longitudinally staggered relationship such that the first and second parts of said image (100, 200) are aligned to form said composite image (50).
2. The method of claim 1 wherein said first part of said image (100) and/or said second part of said image (200) is formed by providing an inlay into a recess on said first board (10) and/or said second board (20) prior to said step of laying said first and second boards side-by-side.
3. The method of claim 1 or 2 wherein said first part of said image (100) and said second part of said image (200) is formed by providing a plurality of inlays into a plurality of recesses on said first board (10) and/or said second board (20) prior to said step of laying said first and second boards side-by-side.
4. The method of claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the inlay has a depth in the board as measured from the upper surface of »= 0.5 mm; »= 1 mm; »= 1.5 mm; »= 2 mm; »= 2.5 mm; »= 3mm; »= 4mm; »= 5mm;? 6mm; »= 7mm; »= 8mm;? 9mm; or »= 10mm; and/or wherein the inlay has a depth in the board as measured from the upper surface of 0.5 mm; «= 1 mm; «= 1.5 mm; «= 2mm; «= 2.5 mm; «= 3mm; «= 4mm; «= 5 mm;«=6mm;«=7mm;sBmm;s9mm;or «=lOmm.
5. The method of any preceding claim wherein said first board (10) has a groove (12) and said second board has a tongue (21), said method further comprising inserting said tongue (21) of said second board (20) into said groove (12) of said first board (10) and moving said second board (20) in a longitudinal direction such that said second part of said image (200) is aligned with said first part of said image (100). -11 -
6. The method of any preceding claim wherein said method further comprises providing a third flooring board (30) having a third part of said image (300) preformed in or on to said third board (30); and laying said third board (3) in a side-by-side and longitudinally staggered relationship with said second board (20) such that said second board is arranged between said first (10) and third (30) boards.
7. The method of claim 6, wherein said third part of said image (300) is formed by providing an inlay or a plurality of inlays into a recess or a plurality of recesses in said third board prior to said step of laying said third board (30).
8. The method of claim 6 or 7 wherein said second board (30) has a groove (22) or tongue and said third board has a tongue (31) or groove, said method further comprising inserting said tongue (31) or groove of said third board (30) into said groove (22) or tongue of said second board (20) and moving said third board (30) in a longitudinal direction such that said third part of said image (300) is aligned with said second part of said image (200).
9. The method of any preceding claim, wherein at least one additional board is connected in an end to end relationship with at least one of the first, second or third boards, wherein the at least one additional board may or may not have part of the image (50) thereon.
10. The method of any preceding claim, wherein the composite image is visually and/or physically continuous between adjacent boards having said parts of the image.
11. A kit of flooring boards for forming a composite image (50) when laid together, said kit comprising: a first flooring board (10) having a first part of said image (100) preformed in or on said first board (10); a second flooring board (20) having a second part of said image (200) preformed in or on said second board (20); -12-wherein said first board and said second board are configured such that when the boards are laid together side-by-side in a longitudinally staggered relationship the first and second parts of said image (100, 200) are aligned so as to form said composite image (50).
12. A method of fitting a flooring system having an image substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.
13. A flooring system or kit having an image (50) substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.