High strength in-floor decoupling membrane
OwnerMatthew Kriserinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Apparatus and associated methods relate to a flexible membrane defining pathways for receiving a flexible conduit, and further defining attachment regions between the pathways formed with overhanging walls. In an illustrative example, the membrane may be vacuum-formed plastic sheet material. In some embodiments the flexible conduits may conduct electricity or heat transfer fluids, for example. In various implementations, the overhanging walls in the attachment regions may advantageously provide improved vertical attachment strength to a rigid planar substrate placed over a mortar filled into the attachment regions.
Claims16
A strengthened underlayment apparatus to support and isolate a rigid veneer floor covering from a flexible, moveable, or shiftable sub-floor, the strengthened underlayment apparatus comprising:
- an isolation membrane defining:
- a plurality of channels lying in a common plane between a top plane and a bottom plane, the plurality of channels being shaped to receive an elongate tubular conduit, the plurality of channels forming a network of straight segments that interconnect between a plurality of intersections in which the elongate tubular conduit lying in some of the straight segments may change direction without leaving the common plane;
- and,
- a plurality of support pedestals each comprising an exterior wall that extends toward the top plane, each of the support pedestals forming a generally triangular shape in the common plane, each of the support pedestals further defining an attachment reservoir having an interior wall and a bottom wall forming the attachment reservoir, wherein the interior wall of each of the attachment reservoirs is formed with a dovetail feature such that, in a plane parallel to the common plane, the perimeter of the interior wall is greater at a first height between the bottom plane and the top plane than the perimeter of the interior wall at a second height between the bottom plane and the top plane,
- wherein the second height is closer to the top plane than the first height,
- wherein each attachment reservoir extends part way between the bottom plane and the top plane.
An underlayment apparatus for a supporting and isolating a rigid veneer floor covering from a flexible, movable, or shifting subfloor, the underlayment apparatus comprising:
- a plurality of support pedestals each comprising an exterior wall that extends toward a top plane each of the plurality of support pedestals forming a generally triangular shape in a common plane, each of the plurality of support pedestals further defining an attachment reservoir having an interior wall and a bottom wall forming the attachment reservoir, wherein the interior wall of each of the attachment reservoirs is formed with a dovetail feature such that, in a plane parallel to the common plane, the perimeter of the interior wall is greater at a first height between the bottom plane and the top plane than the perimeter of the interior wall at a second height between the bottom plane and the top plane, wherein the second height is closer to the top plane than the first height,
- wherein each attachment reservoir extends part way between the bottom plane and the top plane;
- means for supporting a rigid veneer floor covering above the subfloor;
- means for isolating the rigid veneer floor covering from movement of the subfloor;
- and
- means for positioning a tubular radiant heating element between the rigid veneer floor covering and the subfloor.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.