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US 9,188,348 B2Granted
Method and apparatus for positioning heating elements
AssigneeProgress Profiles SPA
InventorDavid D. Larson
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An underlayment system is provided that includes a plurality of bosses that emanate from a common base member. The bosses and bases preferably include an opening therethrough that will allow for subsequent layers of adhesive to interact and bond to each other. The bosses are also spaced in such a way to help secure a wire snugly therebetween.
Claims29
An underlayment that is adapted to receive and secure at least one heating element of a radiant heating assembly, comprising:
- a first base;
- a first boss having a first outer surface extending from the first base, a first upper surface parallel to the first base, and a first bottom surface, the boss having a uniform thickness from the first base to the first upper surface;
- a second base;
- a second boss having a second outer surface extending from the second base, a second upper surface planar with the first upper surface, and a second bottom surface, the boss having a uniform thickness from the second base to the second upper surface;
- a third base;
- a third boss having a third outer surface extending from the third base, a third upper surface planar with the first upper surface, and a third bottom surface, the boss having a uniform thickness from the third base to the third upper surface;
- a fourth base;
- a fourth boss having a fourth outer surface extending from the fourth base, a fourth upper surface planar with the first upper surface, and a fourth bottom surface, the boss having a uniform thickness from the fourth base to the fourth upper surface;
- wherein the first outer surface and the second outer surface are spaced a predetermined distance to frictionally secure the at least one heating element, wherein the third outer surface and the fourth outer surface are spaced the predetermined distance, wherein the first outer surface and the third outer surface are spaced the predetermined distance, wherein the second outer surface and the fourth outer surface are spaced the predetermined distance, wherein the first outer surface and the fourth outer surface are spaced a distance greater than the predetermined distance, wherein the second outer surface and the third outer surface are spaced the distance greater than the predetermined distance, wherein the first boss, the second boss, the third boss, and the fourth boss are configured in a two-dimensional array such that a line drawn between a center of the first boss and a center of the fourth boss intersects a line drawn between a center of the second boss and a center of the third boss at a single point, and wherein the first base, second base, third base, and fourth base are all interconnected as a single piece of material;
- and
- wherein the first upper surface, second upper surface, third upper surface, and fourth upper surface facilitate a direct bonding surface with an adhesive.
8 more elements
A floor assembly comprising:
- an underlayment layer having a base with a plurality of bosses extending therefrom which are configured in a two-dimensional array, wherein at least one boss of the plurality thereof includes an opening therethrough and wherein the base includes at least one opening external to and between the plurality of bosses, wherein the plurality of bosses include a plurality of upper surfaces facilitating a plurality of direct bonding surfaces with an adhesive, wherein each of the plurality of bosses has a uniform thickness between the base and the respective upper surface of each boss;
- and
- a heating member positioned between bosses of the plurality thereof wherein the bosses firmly secure the heating member.
A method of installing a floor, comprising:
- providing an underlayment layer having a single base with a plurality of bosses therefrom that are configured in a two-dimensional array on the single base, wherein at least one boss of the plurality thereof includes an opening therethrough and wherein the base includes at least one opening between the plurality of bosses, wherein the plurality of bosses includes a plurality of upper surfaces facilitating a direct bonding surface with an adhesive, and wherein each of the plurality of bosses has a uniform thickness between the base and the respective upper surface of each of the plurality of bosses;
- bonding the underlayment layer to a subfloor with a first adhesive layer therebetween;
- and
- locating a heating member between bosses of the plurality thereof wherein the bosses firmly secure the heating member.
1 more element
An underlayment for association with an in-floor heating element, the underlayment layer comprising a base layer with a first boss and a second boss extending therefrom that are adapted to secure the heating element, the improvement comprising:
- the first boss includes a first upper surface, the second boss includes a second upper surface co-planar with the first upper surface, and wherein the first and second upper surfaces facilitate a direct bonding surface with an adhesive, wherein the first boss and the second boss has a uniform thickness between the base layer and the respective first upper surface and second upper surface.
A radiant-heating system comprising:
- an anti-fracture membrane;
- a heating element;
- and
- an underlayment layer including:
- a plurality of octagonal bosses disposed in an orthogonal-type matrix orientation on top of a single base layer, wherein the plurality of octagonal bosses each comprise an upper surface parallel to the single base layer, the upper surface of the plurality of octagonal bosses facilitating a direct bonding surface with a first adhesive and the single base layer facilitating a direct bonding surface with the anti-fracture membrane, and at least two of the plurality of octagonal bosses comprise at least one of a tab and a lip to retain the heating element interposed between at least two of the plurality of octagonal bosses.
2 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.