Patent ID: 8146318

Claim:
A system of surface elements forming a surface comprising: a first surface element comprising: an upper surface; 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 locking to a third surface element by relative vertical movement; said third edge comprising a separate locking part positioned in a cavity, wherein: said upper surface comprising: 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 alpha-aluminum oxide, silicon carbide and silicon oxide; said separate part is formed from at least one member selected from the group consisting of a thermoplastic, a thermosetting resin and a metal; 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.