Modular floor covering seaming apparatus and method

A method for joining modular floor coverings, the method comprising:

• placing a connector plate on a supporting surface, said connector plate comprising:
• a plate having an upper surface and a lower surface, said lower surface being substantially smooth and said upper surface having a perimeter edge and being divided into a flat central zone and a set of edge zones, said set of edge zones extending transversely along said perimeter edge between said perimeter edge and said flat central zone;
• a plurality of sharp projections extending upwardly at spaced locations from said set of edge zones, said projections having a top and body portion, the top being tapered to promote piercing engagement with a floor covering backing and the body extending upwards from the upper surface at an angle of less than 90 degrees, and said projections extending inwardly towards said central zone;
• and
• positioning a first floor covering unit having a backing on the connector plate such that the backing of the first floor covering unit covers a first portion of the upper surface of the connector plate;
• and
• securing the first floor covering unit on the connector plate by applying a pressure on the first floor covering unit such that the backing is penetrated by and engaged with the plurality of sharp upstanding projections of the connector plate.