Patent ID: 7441385

Claim:
A method of forming a surface comprising: providing a first surface element comprising: an upper surfaces a lower surface; a first edge and a second edge, opposite said first edge, joining said upper surface to said lower surface, sized and shaped to permit joining to a second surface element by relative rotational movement; and a third edge and a fourth edge, opposite said third edge, joining said upper surface to said lower surface, sized and shaped to permit snap-action locking to a third surface element by relative vertical movement; and said third edge comprising a spring part positioned in a cavity wherein said upper surface comprises: a decorative paper impregnated with a resin; hard particles to impart an abrasion resistance to the upper surface; and one or more sheets of alpha-cellulose, impregnated with a resin; said hard particles being selected from the group consisting of a alpha-aluminum oxide, silicon carbide and silicon oxide; said spring part is formed from plastic; and a second surface element, comprising an edge sized and shaped to join with said first edge of said first surface element through relative rotational movement; and a third surface element, comprising an edge sized and shaped to join with said third edge of said first surface element through relative vertical movement; wherein said third edge of said first surface element and said edge of said third surface element lock said first surface element to said third surface element limiting relative vertical movement, and said first edge of said first surface element and said edge of said second surface element lock said first surface element to said second surface element limiting relative vertical movement, joining said first edge said first surface element to a second surface element through relative rotational movement; and joining said third edge to a third surface element through relative vertical movement.