Flooring apparatus
OwnerKyle R. Gillininventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
In certain embodiments, a flooring apparatus provides improved traction, improved wear resistance and improved structural support. The flooring apparatus may include an elongated member that includes a top surface and a bottom surface. The top surface may include a cutout portion that extends along at least a portion of a longitudinal axis of the elongated member. One or more inserts are positioned at least partially within the cutout portion. The insert may include a texturized top surface and may be constructed of a polymer material or other material with improved traction and, in certain embodiments, improved wear resistance.
Claims32
A flooring apparatus, comprising:
- an elongated member that includes a top surface and a bottom surface, wherein the top surface comprises a cutout portion that is formed along at least a portion of the top surface of the elongated member and extends along at least a portion of a longitudinal axis of the elongated member;
- and
- a friction-increasing insert positioned at least partially within the cutout portion and secured to the cutout portion, wherein at least a portion of the insert is vertically offset from the top surface of the elongated member,
- wherein the cutout portion includes a floor, a first sidewall and a second sidewall,
- wherein at least one of the first and second sidewalls and the floor of the cutout portion comprise a plurality of holes to receive an adhesive therein.
A method of manufacturing a flooring apparatus, the method comprising:
- providing an elongated member comprising a top surface and a bottom surface;
- creating a cutout portion extending at least partially in the top surface of the elongated member;
- and
- securing an insert at least partially within the cutout portion, wherein at least a portion of the insert is vertically offset from the top surface of the elongated member,
- wherein securing the insert at least partially within the cutout portion comprises inserting an adhesive between the insert and the cutout portion.
A flooring apparatus, comprising:
- an elongated member that includes a top surface and a bottom surface, wherein the top surface comprises a cutout portion that is formed along at least a portion of the top surface of the elongated member and extends along at least a portion of a longitudinal axis of the elongated member;
- and
- a friction-increasing insert positioned at least partially within the cutout portion and secured to the cutout portion,
- wherein at least a portion of the portion of the friction-increasing insert is vertically offset from the top surface of the elongated member and sits below the top surface of the elongated member and does not protrude beyond the top surface of the elongated member and does not protrude beyond the bottom surface of the elongated member.
A flooring apparatus, comprising:
- an elongated member that includes a top surface and a bottom surface, wherein the top surface comprises a cutout portion,
- wherein the cutout portion comprises a trough having a first trough depth measured from the top surface to a floor of the trough,
- wherein the trough is formed along at least a portion of the top surface of the elongated member and extends along at least a portion of a longitudinal axis of the elongated member;
- and
- a friction-increasing insert positioned at least partially contacting the top surface of the elongated member and at least partially covering the cutout portion of the elongated member and secured to the cutout portion by an adhesive within the trough,
- wherein at least a portion of the friction-increasing insert is spaced a first trough depth apart from the floor of the trough and forms a cavity bounded between the friction-inserting insert and the floor of the trough on a first two sides, and between sidewalls of the cavity on a further two sides,
- wherein the adhesive within the trough is within the cavity between the friction-inserting insert and the floor of the trough, and
- wherein at least a portion of the friction-increasing insert is adhered to the cutout portion by the adhesive within the cavity between the friction-inserting insert and the floor of the trough.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.