Nonwoven Surface Covering Elements Having Tongue And Groove
AssigneeShaw Industries Group, Inc.
InventorsJames Burns, Derek S. Bass, Thomas Odum
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A surface covering element can have a rigid core. The rigid core can include at least one densified fiber batt. The rigid core can have a first surface and an opposed second surface that are spaced apart along a first axis. The rigid core can have a plurality of edges that define a periphery of the rigid core. The plurality of edges can include at least a first edge and an opposed second edge that are spaced along a second axis that is perpendicular to the first axis. The first edge can include a tongue, and the second edge can define a groove.
Claims20
A surface covering element comprising:
- a rigid core comprising a plurality of layers of densified fiber batts, the rigid core comprising a first surface and an opposed second surface that are spaced apart along a first axis, wherein the rigid core comprises a plurality of edges that define a periphery of the rigid core, wherein each densified fiber batt comprises a plurality of fibers, wherein at least a portion of the plurality of fibers have been melted to bind to adjacent fibers of the plurality of fibers;
- wherein the plurality of edges comprise at least a first edge and an opposed second edge that are spaced along a second axis that is perpendicular to the first axis, wherein the first edge comprises a tongue, wherein the second edge defines a groove,
- wherein the tongue has opposed first and second surfaces that are spaced along the first axis, wherein the first and second surfaces are oriented at an oblique angle with the first surface of the rigid core.
A surface covering element comprising:
- a rigid core comprising a plurality of layers of densified fiber batts, the rigid core comprising a first surface and an opposed second surface that are spaced apart along a first axis, wherein the rigid core comprises a plurality of edges that define a periphery of the rigid core, wherein each densified fiber batt comprises a plurality of fibers, wherein at least a portion of the plurality of fibers have been melted to bind to adjacent fibers of the plurality of fibers;
- wherein the plurality of edges comprise at least a first edge and an opposed second edge that are spaced along a second axis that is perpendicular to the first axis, wherein the first edge comprises a tongue, wherein the second edge defines a groove,
- wherein the groove is defined between opposed inner surfaces, wherein the opposed inner surfaces comprise first opposed portions the first opposed portions each form an oblique angle with the first surface of the rigid core.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.