Patent ID: 8215077

Claim:
A plurality of interlocking floor tiles comprising: a rectangular upper first portion of each tile having a decorative wear-resistant upper traffic surface, and smooth straight sides dimensioned to fit closely against straight sides of adjacent tiles with minimal space therebetween; a rectangular lower second portion, devoid of a decorative wear resistant surface, affixed to the upper portion by a pressure sensitive adhesive on a lower surface of the first portion, the second portion having straight sides; a plurality of spaced-apart tongues extending outwardly from a first two adjacent straight sides of the second portion, each tongue having a stalk extending from a first straight side and a head, having a greater width than the stalk, attached to the stalk; a plurality of spaced-apart pockets extending inwardly from a second two adjacent straight sides of the second portion opposite the first two adjacent straight sides of the second portion, exposing the adhesive on the lower surface of the first portion at the pocket; the first two adjacent sides having no pockets; the second two adjacent sides having no tongues; the tongues and pockets so constructed that the pockets fit onto the tongues of adjacent tiles, when the first portion is positioned closely against first portions of adjacent tiles; edges of the pocket and the head of the tongue that prevent movement of adjacent tiles away from each other being close fitting in order to precisely position upper first portions of adjacent tiles against one another, wherein the close fitting tongue is prevented from movement within the close fitting pocket and other edges of the pocket and tongue that do not prevent such movement being loose fitting to facilitate installation wherein the loose fitting tongue is allowed to move within the loose fitting pocket; and the exposed adhesive on the lower surface of the upper portion adapted to adhesively permanently engage the tongues.