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US 5,958,540 AGranted
Fastener for layered floor coverings and method of fastening layers
AssigneeInterface, Inc.
InventorsRaymond A. Berard, Claude Edward Terry, Harold F. Adams, William A. McDonough, Michael Braungart
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Mechanical fasteners having parallel barbs extending vertically from a horizontal planar member to secure layers of a floor covering. When interposed between floor covering layers the barbs penetrate and anchor into a floor covering material. When a consumer desires to separate the layers, and to replace or recycle one or all the layers of the floor covering, he can do so readily by pulling the layers apart, and then securing new layers together with the mechanical fastener.
Claims14
A floor covering comprising:
- a. a backing layer having a top surface and a bottom surface in which the bottom surface of the backing layer rests on the floor;
- b. a facing layer having a top surface and a bottom surface in which the bottom surface of the facing layer rests on the top surface of the backing layer;
- and
- c. a fastener defining a plane and having a plurality of rigid barbed prongs extending substantially vertically from the plane positioned such that the prongs partially protrude into but not through the facing layer.
1 more element
A covering for use on a floor comprising:
- a. a backing layer having a top surface and a bottom surface in which the bottom surface of the backing layer rests on the floor;
- b. a plurality of facing layer tiles, each having a top surface and a bottom surface in which the bottom surface of the each of the facing layer tiles rests on the top surface of the backing layer and in which each of the facing layer tiles are adjacent to other facing layer tiles;
- and
- c. a plurality of fasteners, each fastener defining a plane and having a plurality of rigid barbed prongs extending substantially vertically from the plane positioned such that the prongs partially protrude into but not through the backing layer and facing layer tiles, and in which at least some of the fasteners are positioned partially under at least two adjacent facing layer tiles.
1 more element
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.