# US 10,767,374 B1 · Floorboard gap fixing tool

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- Number: US 10,767,374 B1
- Document ID: US10767374B1
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B1
- Application number: 15/718,923
- Filed: 2017-09-28
- Granted: 2020-09-08
- Earliest claimed: 2016-09-28
- Applicants: Michael G. Minerd
- Inventors: Michael G. Minerd
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10767374B1

## CPC

- E04F 21/22: of single elements, e.g. flooring cramps {; flexible webs (cutting tiles B28D1/225)}
- B25D 1/00: Hand hammers {(handles therefor B25G1/00; attachment of handles to the hammer head B25G3/00)}; Hammer heads of special shape or materials
- E04F: FINISHING WORK ON BUILDINGS, e.g. STAIRS, FLOORS (windows, doors E06B)
- B25D: PERCUSSIVE TOOLS {(percussive machines for forging B21J; hand-held drilling machines, in general B23B45/00, for wood B27C3/08; drilling machines, used for mining or quarrying, with reciprocating tool which is turned intermittently when out of contact with the working face E21B1/00)}

## Abstract

A tool that lessens or eliminated gaps between adjacent floorboards of a floating floor includes a tubular base member, a pair of end caps attached at distal ends of the base member, and an adhesive pad affixed to a bottom surface of the base member. The adhesive pad removably adheres to one (1) of the floorboards adjacent a gap and the end caps are configured to receive a striking force that transfers the force to the base member and subsequently the floorboard in the direction of the gap.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A floorboard gap fixing tool comprising:
a flat horizontal base member having a first end, a second end, and a bottom side;
a first end cap affixed to said base member first end;
a second end cap affixed to said base member second end; and
an adhesive pad affixed to said bottom side;
wherein said adhesive pad is removably adhered to a substrate;
wherein a striking force delivered to one of said end caps imparts a horizontal movement to said base member and subsequently said substrate when said tool is adhered thereto;
wherein a width of each end cap and said base member is coextensive;
wherein each said end cap and said base member comprises a square cross-section;
wherein each said end cap comprises an insert portion that extends into said base member at a respective end; and
wherein said adhesive pad covers substantially a majority portion of said bottom side.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The floorboard gap fixing tool of claim 1, wherein each said end cap is made of a heavy wall polyethylene material.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The floorboard gap fixing tool of claim 1, wherein said base member is tubular.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The floorboard gap fixing tool of claim 1, wherein each said end cap is made of a heavy wall polyethylene material.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The floorboard gap fixing tool of claim 1, wherein said tubular base member is aluminum.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The floorboard gap fixing tool of claim 1, wherein said adhesive pad is an acrylic foam sheet.

### Claim 7

A floorboard gap fixing tool, comprising:
a flat horizontal tubular base member having a first end, a second end, and a bottom side;
a first end cap removably attached to said base member first end;
a second end cap removably attached to said base member second end; and
an adhesive pad affixed to said bottom side;
wherein said adhesive pad is removably adhered to a substrate;
wherein a striking force delivered to either end cap imparts a horizontal movement to said base member and subsequently said substrate when said tool is adhered thereto;
wherein a width of each said end cap and said base member is coextensive;
wherein each said end cap and said base member comprises a square cross-section;
wherein said adhesive pad covers substantially a majority portion of said bottom side.

### Claim 8 (depends on 7)

The floorboard gap fixing tool of claim 7, wherein each said end cap is a heavy wall polyethylene material.

### Claim 9 (depends on 7)

The floorboard gap fixing tool of claim 7, wherein said base member is tubular.

### Claim 10 (depends on 9)

The floorboard gap fixing tool of claim 9, wherein each said end cap comprises an insert portion that extends into said base member at a respective end.

### Claim 11 (depends on 10)

The floorboard gap fixing tool of claim 10, wherein each said end cap and said base member comprises a square cross-section.

### Claim 12 (depends on 10)

The floorboard gap fixing tool of claim 10, wherein each said end cap is a heavy wall polyethylene material.

### Claim 13 (depends on 7)

The floorboard gap fixing tool of claim 7, wherein said tubular base member is aluminum.

### Claim 14 (depends on 7)

The floorboard gap fixing tool of claim 7, wherein said adhesive pad is an acrylic foam sheet.