Patent ID: 6449918
Filing Date: 2002-09-17
Classification: E04F

Abstract:
A disengageable connector for assembling and sealing laminate flooring panels of a flooring system for forming a temporary or permanent laminate flooring surface on top of a support structure, said connector comprising:a base comprising an upper surface and a lower surface; an extension extending vertically from said base, wherein said extension comprises a vertical support and at least one horizontal flange, wherein said at least one horizontal flange comprises an angled portion sloped in relation to said base, said at least one horizontal flange shaped to disengageably mate with a recess in an edge of a flooring panel to make a vertical connection, at least one ridge extending vertically from either side of the base spaced from said extension, said at least one ridge shaped to disengageably mate with a channel in a bottom surface of a flooring panel to make a horizontal connection; and a seal attached to a member selected from the base, the extension and the at least one ridge, wherein when at least two flooring panels are connected using the connector, the resultant visible flooring surface consists of only the top wear surface of the panels.