Patent ID: 6769217
Filing Date: 2004-08-03
Classification: E04F

Abstract:
A disengageable interconnecting flooring system for use in forming a temporary or permanent flooring surface on top of a support structure from individual flooring panels, the system comprising:two or more flooring panels and at least one connector track; each flooring panel comprising a top wear surface and a bottom surface for contact with the support structure, the flooring panels being multidirectional and comprising at least three edges wherein all edges have identical recesses formed therein for receipt of at least one projection from the connector track, each of the flooring panels further including an outwardly tapering channel associated with each edge and extending substantially parallel to each respective edge, each channel being formed within the bottom surface, each channel includes a top portion and outwardly tapering walls extending from the top portion toward a bottom of the flooring panel such that the channel becomes wider as it extends from the top portion toward the bottom of the flooring panel to create an opening which is wider at the bottom of the flooring panel than at the top portion of the channel; the connector track comprising a base and a projection extending vertically from the base, the projection shaped to be received in a disengageable horizontal connected fashion into the recesses of at least two panels to form a flooring surface completely consisting of the top wear surface of the flooring panels, the connector track further includes at least two protrusions extending vertically from the base, the protrusions are spaced apart from the projection and are located on either side of the projection beyond a lateral extent of the projection, each of the at least two protrusions including a tapered surface shaped and dimensioned to fit with the channels of the flooring panel wherein the tapered surface includes a ramping first surface facing away from the projection such that the ramping first surface extends upwardly from the base at an acute angle permitting respective flooring panels to ride up the protrusion during assembly of the flooring system.