Patent Publication Number: US-2021180332-A1

Title: Polyurethane floor with wood look, and related apparatus

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/944,508 filed on Dec. 6, 2019, the disclosure of which is expressly incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to synthetic floors, and particularly to a synthetic floor with a “wood look.” 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     In recent years, synthetic floors have achieved a high degree of popularity for institutional venues such as school gymnasiums and recreational centers, due to their relatively long life and ease of maintenance. Currently, two types of synthetic floors dominate the U.S. market, namely, vinyl floors and poured polyurethane floors. 
     Vinyl synthetic floors provide a reasonably high degree of shock absorption, uniformity, and comfort for athletes, and can also serve as a good choice for non-sport activities, including conferences, assemblies, or other events, due in part to their relatively low cost. However, with respect to a number of factors, polyurethane floors compare advantageously with vinyl floors. Among those factors are toughness, durability, less susceptibility to temperature changes, relatively long life, and the ability to withstand high point loads and rolling loads which are associated with heavy equipment. 
     Perhaps most importantly, a poured polyurethane floor is seamless, whereas a vinyl floor has seams. Eventually, if the underlying adhesive deteriorates or force is applied to the seam of a vinyl floor, the floor will fail along one or more seams. Also, a vinyl floor&#39;s susceptibility to expansion and contraction with temperature changes is particularly acute along the seams. Simply stated, the seams magnify some of the above-described vulnerabilities of a vinyl floor. 
     A polyurethane floor can be multicolor, by changing the top coat colors, and this change does not affect the overall performance of the floor. In contrast, with a vinyl floor the colors must be cut in, which requires even more seams. 
     For almost all buildings, a polyurethane floor will last for the life of the building, including refurbishments. In fact, a polyurethane floor can be re-topcoated after 12 years. In contrast, a vinyl floor will eventually need to be removed, discarded and replaced. Further, because a removed vinyl floor cannot be reused or recycled, it instead will typically end up in a landfill. In comparison, after a relatively long and useful life, a polyurethane floor can be ground up and reused. For these reasons, a polyurethane floor is more environmentally friendly than a vinyl floor. 
     Further, because polyurethane floors are made of poured urethane, they are relatively easy to repair. The repair can be localized, at the site of the problem. In contrast, when a vinyl floor needs to be repaired, it must be patched in and then re-seamed. 
     Some vinyl floors have a top surface that is intended to provide a “wood look.” For example, a synthetic vinyl floor sold under the ELASTIWOOD™ trademark has a wood look. However, the wood look appears on a vinyl AEP (area elastic performer) layer, and thus, as a vinyl floor, this floor suffers from all of the same limitations described above with respect to other vinyl floors. Moreover, this wood look results from a maple print on the vinyl that is warranted by the manufacturer for only one year. This means that unless the original wood look is periodically reprinted or replaced, this so-called maple print provides only a temporary wood look. 
     A polyurethane floor can be installed so as to have the same friction coefficient as a wood floor. Currently, such floors do not have a wood look. For example, one commercially available synthetic floor, a polyurethane floor, is sold under the ELASTIPLUS™ trademark. This particular floor does not have a wood look. 
     Another type of synthetic, polyurethane floor currently sold in the market is known as the POLYTURF PLUS™ floor. Again, this floor does not have a wood look. In contrast, the same supplier of the POLYTURF PLUS™ floor does supply a wood look vinyl floor under the trademark OMNISPORT™. 
     Despite these known advantages of a polyurethane floor over a vinyl floor, often the driving factor in a purchase decision will be the desire for a wood look on the surface of the floor, to mimic the look of a hardwood floor. In such cases the resulting choice will often be a vinyl floor, despite the above-described accompanying disadvantages. 
     It is an object of this invention to achieve a wood look for a synthetic floor while at the same time avoiding all of the above-described disadvantages of a synthetic vinyl floor. 
     It is another object of this invention to achieve a synthetic floor with a wood look where the floor and the wood look last longer than that of currently available synthetic vinyl floors. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention achieves the above-stated objectives by modifying the uppermost wear layer of a poured polyurethane floor, prior to curing, to create woodgrain markings, and then after curing of the same layer, marking floorboard lines thereon to create a floorboard look. The woodgrain markings create a woodgrain look, and the floorboard lines create a floorboard look, which together forms a wood look. The installer then locks in the wood look, i.e., the woodgrain markings and the floorboard lines, with a top or finishing coat. 
     According to one preferred embodiment of the invention, the woodgrain markings are achieved by moving a blacktop brush in a generally parallel direction over the uncured uppermost wear layer. The bristles of this type of brush cause various woodgrain-like streaks to form in the wear layer. The effect of these grain-like streaks is greater if the color of the underlying layer differs, which is typically 2 mm thick, from that of the uppermost wear layer, particularly if it is darker, i.e., black or dark gray. 
     According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, after the uppermost wear layer has cured, the installer then moves a floorboard marking apparatus, or tool, along the same general direction as the floor grains. This apparatus holds a plurality of markers in a spring-loaded and downwardly-biased condition, so that wheeled movement of the tool along the floor causes a plurality of parallel floorboard lines to be marked onto the top surface of the cured uppermost wear layer, generally in alignment with the orientation of the woodgrains previously caused by the brush. 
     Preferably, the apparatus includes a wheel-mounted base, upwardly extending handles, and a transversely oriented frame that holds the markers, and also holds two outer elongated guides. The wheels are relatively wide and preferably machined to a flat surface, to better assure consistent and steady movement over the floor, which typically occurs by an operator using the upwardly extending handles during movement. 
     Thereafter, the installer marks the lateral transverse lines of the floorboards in various appropriate locations, to create the appearance of multiple parallel rows of floorboards laid end to end, i.e., the floorboard look. After the woodgrain markings and the floorboard lines have been marked on the top surface of the uppermost wear layer, the installer then applies a top coat to protect and lock the markings and the lines in place, to lock in the wood look. 
     The techniques described herein result in a poured seamless polyurethane floor with a wood look that will last as long as the floor itself. Accordingly, for school gymnasiums, recreational centers, and similar venues, floor purchasers will now have the option to choose a synthetic floor that includes all of the known benefits of a poured polyurethane floor, but which also includes a highly desired wood look. Moreover, for all practical purposes this inventive seamless floor, with a wood look, is permanent. 
     In one embodiment of the invention, a synthetic floor with a wood look includes a substrate, a base layer adhered to the substrate, a seal layer formed on top of the base layer, a coating of polyurethane formed on top of the seal layer, the coating of polyurethane having woodgrain markings formed therein and a plurality of floorboard lines marked thereon, and a clear sealer topcoat formed on top of the coating of polyurethane, thereby to seal and protect the wood-grain markings formed in the coating and the floorboard lines marked thereon. In another embodiment, the coating of polyurethane is formed on top of an underlying coating of polyurethane that is formed on the seal layer. In yet another embodiment, the underlying coating of polyurethane and the coating of polyurethane are two different colors. Still further, a fabric mesh layer may be included on top of the seal layer for additional lateral integrity, and a rubber base may be fixed to the clear sealer topcoat to cover a joint between the floor and a surrounding wall. 
     In one embodiment of the invention, a floorboard marking apparatus is used to mark floorboard lines on the floor. The floorboard marking apparatus includes a base supported by a plurality of wheels and having at least one upwardly extending handle and a frame mounted to a front of the base, the frame having an elongated length extending transversely to the base and greater than a width of the base. The floorboard marking apparatus further includes a plurality of rearwardly extending fingers hingeably mounted to the frame. Each of the plurality of fingers supports a marker and is held in a downwardly biased position by a spring to cause the marker to engage the floor, to mark the floorboard lines thereon. First and second guides mount to opposite outermost ends of the frame. 
     According to one aspect of the present invention, the first and second guides extend beyond the front of the base. Further, the first and second guides may be mounted to the frame by a support arm that is configured to space the corresponding first and second guides away from the frame. Preferably, at least one of the plurality of fingers is bent in a downward direction toward the floor, and at least one of the plurality of fingers is positioned to a side of the base. Further, the base preferably includes at least one stop bar that extends from the side to a position underneath the at least one of the side-positioned fingers. Still further, at least one of the plurality of fingers may extend through an aperture in the base. Even further, one or more of the plurality of fingers may be mounted to the frame with a hinge, along a hinge axis, to facilitate removable holding of the marker. 
     Those skilled in the art will more readily appreciate and understand the features of the present invention when considered in the context of the accompanying drawings, which are briefly described in the next second and then described in more detail in the section thereafter. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a cross-sectional view that shows a wood-look polyurethane floor according to one preferred embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 1A  shows an enlarged section of the wood-look polyurethane floor shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 2  is a schematic flowchart that shows a sequence of steps performed by an installer to make the wood-look polyurethane floor of the present invention. 
         FIG. 3A  is a perspective view that shows an installer using a brush to create woodgrain markings, according to a preferred embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 3B  is a perspective view that shows a floorboard marking apparatus used to create floorboard lines, according to a preferred embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 4  is an enlarged perspective view of the floorboard marking apparatus shown in  FIG. 3B . 
         FIG. 5  is a side view of the floorboard marking apparatus shown in  FIGS. 3B and 4 . 
         FIG. 6  is a top view of the floorboard marking apparatus shown in  FIGS. 3B, 4, and 5 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  shows a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a polyurethane floor  10  with a woodgrain or “wood look,” and can be best understood when considered in the context of a conventionally installed poured polyurethane floor. As best shown in  FIG. 1A , the polyurethane floor  10  comprises a base layer  12  of uniform thickness that is adhered to an underlying substrate  14  with an adhesive  16 . The base layer  12  typically comes in rolled sheets, and the installer applies a uniform layer of sealer  18  to the top of the base layer  12 . The sealer  18  is typically a polyurethane. A fabric mesh layer  20  may reside on top of the sealer  18  for lateral stability, if desired. Thereafter, a coating of polyurethane  22 , alternatively referred to as the wear or structural layer, is applied to the top of the sealer  18 . Typically the polyurethane structural layer  22  is poured on and is evenly distributed, as known in the art, to produce a layer having a uniform thickness of about two millimeters. Thereafter, the installer may add an additional layer of the same material, with the same thickness, thereby to build the total thickness up to a desired thickness, such as four millimeters, four example. Finally, the installer applies a final clear seal top coat layer  24 , or finish layer, to protect the polyurethane structural layer(s)  22 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 1 , depending on the location of the floor  10 , the installer may install a rubber base  26 , such as perimeter molding, to cover a joint between the floor  10  and a surrounding wall  28 . Typically, the rubber base  26  is anchored to the floor  10  and wall  28  using a standard base cement, and it protects the floor  10  surface from erosion and wear from normal use. Furthermore, if the end of the floor  10  does not abut the wall  28 , a reducer  30  may be installed to create a smooth transition from the floor  10  to the substrate  14 . The reducer  30  also minimizes wear and damage to the exposed end of the floor  10 . Although the features of the invention are illustrated or described in connection with a basketball court, it is understood that the present invention may be used with any type of synthetic floor that requires a woodgrain or wood look, such as a gymnasium floor, a track, or a bowling lane, for example. 
       FIG. 2  is a flow chart that shows the steps performed to make the polyurethane floor  10  with a woodgrain or wood look. In this regard, the substrate  14  is commonly a pre-existing floor having a hard surface, such as a concrete floor or pad, for example. The substrate  14  may need to be prepped prior to installation of the polyurethane floor  10 . In some instances, the surface of the substrate  14  to be coated may need to be prepared by cleaning and/or stripping to remove previous coatings, priming, or other debris. For a newly formed substrate  14 , such as newly poured concrete, the surface may need to be inspected for proper levelness tolerance, dryness, and possible contamination. In any event, the substrate  14  must be in a clean and acceptable condition prior to forming the polyurethane floor  10  thereon. 
     As shown in  FIG. 2 , according to a first step  102 , the installer applies the base layer  12  to the lower substrate  14 . The base layer  12  may be polyurethane or, in the preferred embodiment, a base mat such as a rubber granulated shock pad, for example. Where the base layer  12  is a base mat, step  102  further requires the installer to apply adhesive  16  to the substrate  14 , such as a two-component Tacly Adhesive, before application of the base mat to the substrate  14 . The installer may use a notched trowel to apply the adhesive  16  to the substrate  14 . Thereafter, the installer applies the base mat to the adhesive  16  covered substrate  14 . Often the base mat is rolled for storage and requires unrolling for installation to the substrate  14 . To ensure a seamless compression fit of the base mat to the substrate  14 , a flooring roller may be necessary to roll flat the base mat for adherence to the substrate  14 . The base layer  12  supplies underlying resilience for the floor  10 , and can vary in thickness and hardness as desired. 
     Once the base layer  12  has been applied to the substrate  14 , the next step  104  involves applying the sealer  18  to the base layer  12  to create the seal layer. In this step, the installer applies the sealer  18 , such as a two-component EG2000 Sealer, to the top of the base layer  12  and allows the sealer  18  to cure, which generally takes a minimum of 12 hours. The sealer  18  may be spread over the top of the base layer  12  using a trowel. Once the sealer  18  is applied, but not yet fully cured, a layer of fabric mesh  20  may be placed on the sealer  18 , if desired. The fabric mesh  20  provides lateral stability for the floor  10  and may be formed of a nylon or polyester weave, or other like material. After the sealer  18  has fully cured, the installer then applies the first coating of the polyurethane structural layer  22  to the sealer  18 , in step  106 . The first coating of the polyurethane structural layer  22  typically comprises a pigmented polyurethane resin. This step  106  may include two or more separate applications of polyurethane to form the structural layer  22  depending upon the desired characteristics for the floor  10 . Each application of polyurethane may be a different color, for example. To this end, each application of polyurethane resin requires sufficient cure time, which may take anywhere from 12 to 48 hours. 
     According to the next step  108 , the installer then adds the woodgrain markings to the floor  10  prior to completion of the curing of the top-most polyurethane structural layer  22 . As shown in  FIG. 3A , the installer preferably forms the woodgrain markings by moving a blacktop or concrete brush  32  or broom over the topmost semi-cured polyurethane structural layer  22 , generally in parallel rows across the entire floor  10 . If desired, some degree of waviness may be added by the installer as he/she moves the brush  32  over the surface, so as to create a more natural woodgrain appearance. According to the preferred embodiment, steps  106  and  108  are typically completed contemporaneously. For example, where the floor  10  being formed is a basketball court, after the completion of steps  102  and  104 , one or more installer(s) next mark off the perimeter and centerlines of the basketball court using chalk. The installers may also use masking tape or plastic sheeting to tape off the baselines for a clean “pull-off” area at both ends of the court after the completion of steps  106  and  108 . With respect to steps  106  and  108 , the installers may pour one half of the basketball court at a time. For each half of the court, the installers may apply the polyurethane structural layer  22 , including forming the woodgrain markings therein, in small sections, such as a four foot wide strip running the length of a half of the court. In this regard, one installer rolls out a four foot wide section of the polyurethane structural layer  22  to a uniform application. Once completely rolled out and uniform, another installer then applies the brushed striations into the partially cured polyurethane structural layer  22  to create the woodgrain markings. The step  108  of creating the woodgrain markings is preferably performed about 5-10 minutes after initial curing of the polyurethane structural layer  22  has begun. Typically, application of the brushed striations is completed by making two passes over the polyurethane structural layer  22  with the brush  32 . Each pass is a single, non-stop procedure performed by placing the brush  32  on the centerline, then stroking (i.e., pulling or pushing) the brush  32  over the polyurethane structural layer  22  the length of the half-court, in a direction that would represent the longitudinal orientation of floorboards. However, fewer or more passes may be performed as necessary to achieve the desired woodgrain markings. This process is then repeated for each four-foot section for the first half of the court, and then again for the second half of the court. To this end, the brush  32  causes woodgrain markings in the semi-cured polyurethane structural layer  22  due to the darker, base layer  12  residing therebelow. Once steps  106  and  108  are complete, the polyurethane structural layer  22  is then permitted to fully cure. Although this specification describes steps  106  and  108  being performed sequentially on smaller sections of the floor  10 , these steps  106  and  108  could be performed on the entire floor  10  at once, if desired. 
     Once steps  106  and  108  are complete for the entire floor  10 , and the polyurethane structural layer  22  has cured, a plurality of floorboard lines  36  or other markings such as boardmarkings, game lines, and logos, for example, may then be applied to the floor  10 , at step  110 . Generally, for floors requiring game lines and logos, such as a basketball court, the installer applies the game lines and logos to the floor  10  after the polyurethane structural layer(s)  22  have fully cured. In any event, once the polyurethane structural layer(s)  22  has cured, at step  110 , the installer then adds parallel longitudinal floorboard line markings  36  to the cured polyurethane structural layer  22  to mimic the look of hardwood floorboards, as best shown in  FIG. 3B . The longitudinal floorboard lines  36  are typically oriented in a generally parallel direction with the woodgrain markings. As shown, preferably, the installer uses a floorboard marking apparatus  34 , or tool, to create the longitudinal floorboard lines  36 , which will be described in additional detail below. Thereafter, the installer adds appropriately spaced transverse floorboard lines  38  to mimic a row of floorboards laid end to end. The transverse floorboard lines  38  may be applied by hand using a guide or other suitable tool. Alternatively, the transverse floorboard lines  38  may be applied using the floorboard marking apparatus  34 . 
     After the floorboard lines  36 , boardmarkings, game lines, logos, and other related markings are applied to the floor  10  in step  110 , the installer next applies the top coat or clear sealer  24  to seal and protect the woodgrain markings and the floorboard lines  36 , at step  112 . Sufficient cure time must pass before proceeding from step  110  to step  112 , which is typically at least 24 to 48 hours. Step  112  is typically completed in the same day by a multi-person crew of installers. In this regard, the installers may apply the clear sealer  24  to the floor  10  in small sections, such as an eight or ten foot wide strip running across the short dimension of the floor  10  (e.g., from sideline to sideline for a basketball court). For each section, the installer rolls out the clear sealer  24  to a uniform thickness using a roller, as is known in the industry. This process is then repeated for each section until the clear sealer  24  is applied to the floor  10 , as desired, and the clear sealer  24  is permitted to cure. Again, although this application refers to sequential coating of smaller sections of the floor  10 , step  112  could be performed so as to coat the entire floor  10  at once with the clear sealer  24 . Once the clear sealer  24  has fully cured, which typically takes anywhere from 24 hours to one week, depending on environmental conditions, the floor  10  is ready for use. 
       FIGS. 4-6  show a preferred embodiment of the floorboard marking apparatus  34 . As described above and shown in  FIG. 3B , the floorboard marking apparatus  34  is used at step  110  to apply parallel longitudinal floorboard lines  36  to the cured polyurethane structural layer  22  of the floor  10 . These floorboard lines  36  mimic the look of a hardwood floor (i.e., multiple parallel rows of floorboards laid end to end). As shown in  FIG. 4 , the floorboard marking apparatus  34  includes a base  40  supported by a plurality of wheels  42 , a transversely oriented, elongated frame  44  mounted to the front of the base  40 , and a pair of spaced apart handles  46  extending upwardly from the base  40 . The frame  44  includes a pair of elongated guides  48  located at opposite, outermost ends  50  of the frame  44 , and a plurality of fingers  52  hingedly mounted to the frame  44  and extending in a rearward direction toward the base  40 . Each finger  52  is configured to support a marker  54 , such as a Sharpie®-type permanent marker, such that a marking end or tip  84  of the marker  54  is biased in a downward direction toward the floor  10  so as to engage the floor  10  for marking floorboard lines  36  thereon, as described in further detail below. As shown in  FIGS. 4, 5, and 6 , the apparatus  34  uses four wide-rimmed wheels  42  that are preferably machine-ground to a flat condition. This assures optimum surface to surface contact between the wheels  42  and the floor  10  surface during movement, to thereby facilitate controlled rolling movement of the base  40  over the floor  10  during floorboard marking. 
     The handles  46  are used by the installer to maneuver the floorboard marking apparatus  34  and to apply appropriate downward force on the apparatus  34  during movement, particularly while marking the floorboard lines  36  on the floor  10 . With reference to  FIGS. 4 and 5 , the handles  46  are spaced apart across a width of the base  40 , and each handle  46  extends from the rear of the base  40  to the front of the base  40 . The installer grasps the handles  46  to push the floorboard marking apparatus  34  across the floor  10 . Each handle  46  is generally U-shaped and configured to be removably attached to the base  40 . The base  40  includes a pair of attachment points  56  for receiving and supporting each handle  46  in an upright position. As shown, for each pair of attachment points  56 , one attachment point  56  is located proximate to the rear of the base  40  and the other attachment point  56  is located proximate to the front of the base  40 . Once engaged with the attachment points  56 , each end of the handle  46  is configured to be locked in place thereto via a locking mechanism  58 , such as a clevis pin, wire lock pin, cotterless hitch pin, or other similar locking device. The handles  46  may further include one or more braces  60  extending therebetween, or between each handle  46  and the base  40  to provide additional support. The brace(s)  60  are removably attached to the handles  46  using a nut and bolt combination, a bolt having a screw handle, or other suitable structure. In any event, the handles  46  are preferably removably attached to the base  40  so that they can be removed for convenience when storing or transporting the floorboard marking apparatus  34 . 
     With continued reference to  FIGS. 4 and 5 , the frame  44  is mounted to the front of the base  40  in a transverse orientation to support a plurality of fingers  52 . The frame  44  may be removably mounted to the base  40  using bolts, for example, or be permanently fixed to the base  40  by welding, for example. In any event, the frame  44  extends along the front of the base  40  and has an elongated length greater than the width of the base  40 , such that a portion of the frame  44  extends beyond each side of the base  40 . The frame  44  includes a pair of opposing elongated guides  48  which are positioned beyond the opposite, outermost ends  50  of the frame  44 . Each guide  48  is held to the frame  44  by a corresponding support arm  62  that extends therefrom. More specifically, a proximal end  64  of each support arm  62  is mounted to the frame  44  such that the support arm  62  extends outwardly from the outermost end  50  thereof, to a distal end  66  to which the corresponding guide  48  is mounted. Thereby, each support arm  62  spaces a respective guide  48  a distance away from the corresponding outermost end  50  of the frame  44 . Each support arm  62  may be removably mounted to the frame  44  using a bolt having a screw handle, for example, or alternatively, may be fixed to the base  40  by welding, for example. In either case, the distal end  66  of each support arm  62  includes a tab  68  or extension to which the guide  48  is mounted, where the tab  68  extends perpendicular to the support arm  62  to facilitate mounting of the guide  48  in a desired position. The guides  48  extend beyond the front of the frame  44  to enable the installer to visually align the movement of the floorboard marking apparatus  34  in the desired direction, to create parallel floorboard lines  36  on the floor  10  surface, as shown in  FIG. 6 . To accommodate for different floorboard widths, for example, the support arms  62  may be adjustable laterally, to thereby alter the spacing of the guides  48  from the corresponding outermost ends  50  of the frame  44 . 
     The frame  44  includes a plurality of fingers  52 , with each finger  52  adapted to removably hold a corresponding marker  54  in a spring-loaded, downwardly-biased condition so as to engage the floor  10  and to mark a line thereon as the operator moves the floorboard marking apparatus  34  across the floor  10 . In this regard, each finger  52  is hingedly mounted to a rearwardly extending flange  70  formed on the top of the frame  44 , and biased downwardly by a spring  72 . Each finger  52  mounts to the flange  70  with a hinge  74  having a hinge pin  76  that defines a horizontal hinge axis for the finger  52 , and each hinge  74  extends from the flange  70  rearwardly to position the respective finger  52  behind the frame  44 . The hinges  74  are spaced apart predetermined distances along the length of the frame  44 , at distances which generally correspond to the widths of a standard floorboard. In an alternative embodiment, the spacing of the hinges  74  and fingers  52  may be adjustable to accommodate different floorboard widths. 
     As best shown in  FIG. 5 , each hinge  74  includes a first hinge leaf  78  mounted to the flange  70  and a second hinge leaf  80  connected to the first hinge leaf  78 , wherein the second hinge leaf  80  is part of, or transitions to the finger  52  as a unitary piece. To couple each finger  52  to the flange  70 , the first and second corresponding hinge leaves  78 ,  80  are coupled together with the hinge pin  76 , nut and bolt combo, or other similar means, which defines the hinge axis for each finger  52 . In this configuration, each finger  52  extends from a corresponding hinge  74  in a rearward direction and terminates at an end of the mount  82  for rearwardly mounting of a corresponding marker  54  thereto. In this regard, to best position the writing end  84  of the marker  54  on the floor  10 , a portion of each finger  52  is angled in a direction from horizontal downwardly toward the floor  10 . That is, when the first and second hinge leaves  78 ,  80  are horizontally aligned (i.e., coplanar), the corresponding finger  52  is bent or curved such that the end of the finger  52  and the corresponding mount  82  are angled downwardly from the horizontal plane defined by the hinge leaves  78 ,  80 , so as to position the marker  54  in contact with the floor  10 . The portion of the finger  52  may be angled downwardly between 15 degrees to 45 degrees from horizontal, and more preferably, angled 30 degrees, downwardly from horizontal. As shown, each mount  82  also includes a retainer  86  such as one or more elastic bands, clamps, straps, or other similar structure for removably mounting the marker  54  to the finger  52 . This type of retainer  86  further allows for adjustability of the marker  54  within the mount. As shown, a barrel of each marker  54  is received in each corresponding mount  82  such that the marker  54  extends in a direction parallel to the angled portion of the finger  52  and toward the floor  10  for marking the floorboard lines  36  thereon. 
     With continued reference to  FIG. 5 , the spring  72  of each finger  52  is configured to ensure engagement of the writing end or tip  84  of the marker  54  with the floor  10 . In this regard, the spring  72  generates a downward bias on the finger  52  to assure continued contact of the marker  54  with the floor  10  during movement of the floorboard marking apparatus  34  therealong. As shown, for each finger  52 , a rearward end of the spring  72  is attached to a bracket  90  on the underside of the finger  52 . The forward end of the spring  72  is attached to the frame  44 , which may have an aperture  92  or other attachment point  56  for attachment thereof, as shown in  FIG. 4 . As a result of the hinged attachment of the finger  52  to the frame  44 , the spring  72  biases the finger  52  in a downward direction about the hinge axis and toward the floor  10 . More particularly, the spring  72  biases the marker  54  toward the floor  10 . To limit downward movement of the fingers  52  that are located beyond the sides of the base  40 , the base  40  may include one or more stop bars  94 , as best shown in  FIG. 6 . Each stop bar  94  mounts to a corresponding side of the base  40  and extends therefrom in a direction parallel to the frame  44 . The stop bars  94  are positioned underneath the fingers  52  and are configured to be in a confronting relationship with the corresponding fingers  52 . In this regard, the fingers  52  are configured to abut the stop bar  94  at a certain rotational position about the hinge axis to thereby limit the downward biasing movement of the finger  52  by the spring  72 . As seen in  FIGS. 4 and 6 , some fingers  52  are positioned over the base  40  of the floorboard marking apparatus  34  and extend through corresponding apertures  96  in the base  40  to engage the floor  10 . In an alternative embodiment, the center of the base  40  may include a single opening for all the fingers  52  positioned over the base  40 . In any case, for these fingers  52 , a portion of the base  40  may serve a similar function as the stop bars  94  to limit downward movement of the fingers  52  by each spring  72 . 
     Those skilled in the art will appreciate that this specification identifies and describes presently preferred embodiments of this invention. Such persons skilled in the art will also recognize that this specification focuses on currently known examples related to the present invention, but that these currently known examples should not be treated as limitations. Accordingly, the following claims set forth the subject matter which applicant regards as patentable over the known prior art, not the specific examples described above, nor any other specific details of this disclosure not included in the relevant claims.