Apparatus and methods for installing tongue-and-groove materials

A method for installing tongue-and-groove material, comprising the steps of:

• a) placing a first piece of tongue-and-groove material on an installation surface on which the tongue-and-groove material is to be installed adjacent to at least one of a previously installed piece of tongue-and-groove material and a border member;
• b) placing a pushing member on the installation surface adjacent to the first piece of tongue-and-groove material;
• c) pivotably securing a lever to the installation surface, the lever having a thrust portion and a lever end, so that the pushing member lies between the thrust portion of the lever and the first piece of tongue-and-groove material, and so that rotating the lever urges the pushing member against the first piece of tongue-and-groove material, thereby urging the first piece of tongue-and-groove material against at least one of the previously installed piece of tongue-and-groove material and the border member;
• d) rotating the lever, thereby urging the pushing member against the first piece of tongue-and-groove material, thereby urging the first piece of tongue-and-groove material against at least one of the previously installed piece of tongue-and-groove material and the border member;
• e) securing the pushing member to the installation surface, thereby continuing to urge the first piece of tongue-and-groove material against at least one of the previously installed piece of tongue-and-groove material and the border member after removing the lever from the installation surface;
• f) removing the lever from the installation surface;
• g) securing the first piece of tongue-and-groove material to at least one of the previously installed piece of tongue-and-groove material, the border member, and the installation surface;
• and
• h) removing the pushing member from the installation surface.

An apparatus for installing tongue-and-groove material, comprising a lever having a thrust portion and a lever end, wherein:

• the lever is adapted to be pivotably secured to an installation surface on which the tongue-and-groove material is to be installed so that rotating the lever urges a first piece of tongue-and-groove material against at least one of a previously installed piece of tongue-and-groove material and a border member;
• the lever is provided with a hole therethrough adapted for receiving a securing member therethrough;
• the lever is adapted to be substantially non-pivotably secured to the installation surface by a securing member received through the hole, thereby continuing to urge the first piece of tongue-and-groove material against at least one of the previously installed piece of tongue-and-groove material and the border member;
• and
• the lever is adapted to be removed from the installation surface after the first piece of tongue-and-groove material has been secured to at least one of the previously installed piece of tongue-and-groove material, the border member, and the installation surface.

An apparatus for installing tongue-and-groove material, comprising:

• a lever having a thrust portion and a lever end;
• and
• a pushing member adapted to be positioned between the thrust portion of the lever and a first piece of tongue-and-groove material, wherein:
• the lever is adapted to be pivotably secured to an installation surface on which the tongue-and-groove material is to be installed so that rotating the lever urges the pushing member against the first piece of tongue-and-groove material, thereby urging the first piece of tongue-and-groove material against at least one of a previously installed piece of tongue-and-groove material and a border member;
• the pushing member is provided with a hole therethrough so as to be adapted to be secured to the installation surface, thereby continuing to urge the first piece of tongue-and-groove material against at least one of the previously installed piece of tongue-and-groove material and the border member after removing the lever from the installation surface;
• the lever is adapted to be removed from the installation surface after the pushing member has been secured to the installation surface;
• and
• the pushing member is adapted to be removed from the installation surface after the first piece of tongue-and-groove material has been secured to at least one of the previously installed piece of tongue-and-groove material, the border member, and the installation surface.