Patent · US Expired

Articles with tongue and groove joint and method of making such a joint

US5618602A · kind A · utility

394Cited by
2References
16Claims
0Family size

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateMar 22, 1995
Grant dateApr 8, 1997
Priority date
Expiry dateMar 22, 2015

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY10T428/24777
  • WIPO fieldCivil engineering
  • WIPO sectorOther fields

Abstract

Disclosed is laminate flooring and other articles with tongues and grooves for joining sections of the flooring or articles and a method of making the tongue and groove joints. The lower surfaces of the tongues and grooves are indexing surfaces for aligning the wear surfaces of the flooring sections. The tongues and grooves are made such that when the tongue is fully inserted into the groove, a continuous space is formed between the upper surface of the tongue and groove. The grooved edges are cut at an acute angle to the surface. This provides a space between the upper surfaces of the tongue and groove and between the edge surfaces above the tongues and grooves toward the wear surfaces of the flooring sections. Glue in the joint, upon curing, resists penetration of moisture and increases the strength of the joint.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.