Shock absorbing floor covering system

Abstract

The present invention provides a cushioned impervious flooring usually formed in place. At least one layer of closed cell cushion is overlaid with a reinforcing mesh having interstitial spaces, a layer of adhesive is applied to adhere the reinforcing mesh to the cushion and to adhere the reinforcing layer to a layer of sheet flooring. Tapered edges provide gentle transition from the cushioned impervious flooring to adjacent surfaces at a different elevation. Joints in the closed cell cushion, reinforcing layer and sheet flooring are offset from each other to provide smooth installation and more strength.

1 . A shock absorbing floor covering comprising:
 a layer of closed cell cushion;   a layer of reinforcing mesh having a plurality of interstitial spaces there through;   a layer of sheet flooring having a decorative side and an opposite underside;   a layer of adhesive substantially coating said reinforcing mesh and said interstitial spaces, said adhesive adhering said underside of said sheet flooring to said reinforcing mesh and said cushion.   
   
   
       2 . A shock absorbing floor covering comprising:
 a layer of closed cell cushion;   a layer of reinforcing material comprising;
 a plurality of first strands oriented in a first direction; 
 a plurality of second strands oriented in angular relation to said first strands; and, 
 a plurality of perforations formed between said first and second strands; 
   a layer of sheet flooring having a decorative side and an opposite underside;   a layer of adhesive substantially coating said reinforcing layer and said perforations, said adhesive adhering said underside of said sheet flooring to said reinforcing material, and said reinforcing material to said cushion.   
   
   
       3 . The shock absorbing floor covering according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 said adhesive being located within a plurality of said interstitial spaces, and   said adhesive adhering said cushion directly to said underside of said sheet flooring within said interstitial spaces.   
   
   
       4 . The shock absorbing floor covering according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 said closed cell cushion provided in sections having cushion edges;   said reinforcing layer provided in sections having reinforcing edges;   said sheet flooring provided in sections having flooring edges; and,   said cushion edges, said reinforcing edges, and said flooring edges are substantially offset from each other.   
   
   
       5 . The shock absorbing floor covering according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 said closed cell cushion having a tapered edge.   
   
   
       6 . The shock absorbing floor covering according to  claim 1  wherein said closed cell cushion is at least 0.25 inches thick. 
   
   
       7 . The shock absorbing floor covering according to  claim 1  wherein said closed cell cushion is at least 0.50 inch thick 
   
   
       8 . The shock absorbing floor covering according to  claim 1  wherein said closed cell cushion is at least 1.0 inches thick 
   
   
       9 . The shock absorbing floor covering according to  claim 1  wherein said at least one layer of closed cell cushion closed cell cushion is at least two layers and is at least 1.0 inches thick 
   
   
       10 . The shock absorbing floor covering according to  claim 2  wherein said layer of reinforcing material atop said closed cell cushion, said reinforcing material has at least 3 strands per inch in a first direction and at least 3 strands angularly to said first direction 
   
   
       11 . The shock absorbing floor covering according to  claim 2  wherein said layer of reinforcing material atop said closed cell cushion, said reinforcing material has at least 5 strands per inch in a first direction and at least 5 strands angularly to said first direction 
   
   
       12 . A shock absorbing floor covering comprising:
 a closed cell cushion having a thickness and a tapered edge;   a layer of reinforcing material atop said closed cell cushion, said reinforcing material having multiple perforations;   a layer of adhesive applied atop said reinforcing material and through said perforations to adhere said layer of reinforcing material to said cushion of sheet flooring;   a layer of sheet flooring applied with decorative side up atop said layer of adhesive to adhere said sheet flooring to said reinforcing material and cushion.   
   
   
       13 . The shock absorbing floor covering of  claim 12  wherein said tapered edge is between 1 and 24 times as wide as said thickness of said closed cell cushion. 
   
   
       14 . The shock absorbing floor covering of  claim 12  wherein said tapered edge is between 6 and 18 times as wide as said thickness of said closed cell cushion. 
   
   
       15 . The shock absorbing floor covering of  claim 12  wherein said tapered edge is substantially 12 times as wide as said thickness of said closed cell cushion. 
   
   
       16 . A shock absorbing floor covering comprising:
 a closed cell cushion having a tapered edge;   a layer of perforated reinforcing material atop said closed cell cushion;   a layer of adhesive applied to said reinforcing material and through said perforations to adhere said layer of perforated reinforcing material to said closed cell cushion; and   a layer of sheet flooring applied with decorative side up atop said layer of adhesive to adhere said sheet flooring to said reinforcing material and cushion.   
   
   
       17 . The method of making an impermeable cushioned floor covering comprising said steps of:
 placing a closed cell cushion;   placing a permeable reinforcing layer on top of said closed cell cushion;   applying an adhesive on said reinforcing layer and through said permeable reinforcing layer into contact with said closed cell cushion; and   placing an impermeable sheet on said reinforcing layer and in contact with said adhesive.   
   
   
       18 . The method of making an impermeable cushioned floor covering of  claim 17  wherein said permeable reinforcing layer is perforated plastic sheet. 
   
   
       19 . The method of making an impermeable cushioned floor covering of  claim 17  wherein said permeable reinforcing layer is a woven metal mesh. 
   
   
       20 . The method of making an impermeable cushioned floor covering of  claim 17  wherein said impermeable reinforcing layer is plastic sheet. 
   
   
       21 . The method of making an impermeable cushioned floor covering of  claim 17  wherein said impermeable reinforcing layer is sheet flooring. 
   
   
       22 . The method of making an impermeable cushioned floor covering of  claim 17  wherein said permeable reinforcing layer is a woven steel mesh. 
   
   
       23 . The method of making an impermeable cushioned floor covering of  claim 17  wherein said permeable reinforcing layer is a woven aluminum mesh.