Floor covering system

Abstract

A floor covering system ( 10 ) including a first layer ( 14 ) of planar material and a second layer ( 12 ) of planar material. At least a portion of the second layer ( 12 ) is adapted for laminating engagement with the first layer ( 12 ) to define a floor covering. The system further includes a locating means for locating two or more of the second layers in a substantially aligned configuration, wherein the second layer ( 12 ) is adapted to receive the locating means.

1 . A floor covering system including:
 a first layer of planar material;   a second layer of planar material, at least a portion of said second layer being adapted for laminating engagement with said first layer to define a floor covering; and   a locating means for locating two or more of said second layers in a substantially aligned configuration,   wherein said second layer is adapted to receive said locating means.   
   
   
       2 . A floor covering system according to  claim 1 , including one or more locating protrusions extending from one surface of said first layer. 
   
   
       3 . A floor covering system according to  claim 2 , wherein said second layer includes one or more locating apertures disposed on one surface thereof, said apertures being adapted for complementary engagement with said locating protrusions. 
   
   
       4 . A floor covering system according to  claim 3 , wherein said locating apertures extend from the top to the bottom surface of said second layer. 
   
   
       5 . A floor covering system according to any one of  claims 2  to  4 , wherein said first layer includes four of said locating protrusions. 
   
   
       6 . A floor covering system according to any one of  claims 3  to  5 , wherein said second layer includes four of said locating apertures. 
   
   
       7 . A floor covering system according to any one of  claims 3  to  6 , wherein said locating apertures are cut from said second layer to form two or more off-cut portions and wherein said off-cut portions are bonded to one surface of said first layer to define said locating protrusions. 
   
   
       8 . A floor covering system according to any one of  claims 2  to  7 , wherein said locating protrusions are symmetrically disposed about said first layer. 
   
   
       9 . A floor covering system according to any one of  claims 2  to  7 , wherein said locating protrusions are asymmetrically disposed about said first layer. 
   
   
       10 . A floor covering system according to any one of  claims 3  to  9 , wherein said locating apertures are symmetrically disposed about said second layer. 
   
   
       11 . A floor covering system according to any one of  claims 3  to  9 , wherein said locating apertures are asymmetrically disposed about said second layer. 
   
   
       12 . A floor covering system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said second layer includes a pair of interlocking portions disposed at its longitudinally opposed edges. 
   
   
       13 . A floor covering system according to  claim 12 , wherein said interlocking portions are adapted to substantially laterally restrain longitudinally adjacent pairs of said second layers upon installation. 
   
   
       14 . A floor covering system including:
 a first layer of planar material;   a second layer of planar material, said second layer being in laminated engagement with said first layer to define a modular floor tile; and   a locating member engageable with at least a portion of said modular floor tile for locating two or more of said modular floor tiles in a substantially aligned configuration.   
   
   
       15 . A floor covering system according to  claim 14 , wherein said modular floor tile includes one or more locating apertures disposed on one surface thereof. 
   
   
       16 . A floor covering system according to  claim 15 , wherein said locating member includes one or more locating protrusions extending from one surface thereof, said protrusions being adapted for locating engagement with said locating apertures. 
   
   
       17 . A floor covering system according to  claim 14  or  claim 15 , wherein said one or more apertures include one or more elongate slots. 
   
   
       18 . A floor covering system according to  claim 16  or  claim 17 , wherein said one more locating protrusions include one or more elongate flanges. 
   
   
       19 . A floor covering system according to any one of  claims 14  to  18 , wherein said locating member is in the form of an extruded track substantially formed from a plastics material. 
   
   
       20 . A floor covering system according to any one of  claims 14  to  18 , wherein said locating member is in the form of an extruded track substantially formed from extruded aluminium. 
   
   
       21 . A floor covering system according to any one of the preceding claims wherein said first or second layers includes a design pattern on its top surface. 
   
   
       22 . A floor covering system according to  claim 21 , wherein said design pattern substantially resembles a wood, marble, ceramic or a slate surface. 
   
   
       23 . A floor covering system according to  claim 21  or  claim 22 , wherein said design pattern is printed on a supplementary layer, which is bonded to one surface of said first or second layer. 
   
   
       24 . A floor covering system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said second layer includes and adhesive means for bonding said second layer to said first layer. 
   
   
       25 . A floor covering system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said first or second layer is sized to substantially correspond to standard ceramic, slate, marble tile or wood plank dimensions. 
   
   
       26 . A floor covering system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said first and second layers are substantially formed from a resilient plastics material such as polyvinyl chloride. 
   
   
       27 . A floor covering system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said first layer is a floor plank and said second layer is an underlay. 
   
   
       28 . A floor covering system according to any one of  claims 14  to  27  including a secondary adhesive means for bonding said locating member to one or more of said modular floor tiles. 
   
   
       29 . A floor covering system according to  claim 28 , wherein said secondary adhesive means is disposed on said locating member. 
   
   
       30 . A floor covering system substantially as herein described with reference to any one of the embodiments of the invention illustrated in the accompanying drawings and/or examples. 
   
   
       31 . A method for installing a floor covering system in accordance with any one of the preceding claims, said method including the steps of:
 i. laying two or more of said second layers on a subfloor; and   ii. laying said first layer over two or more of said second layers such that said locating means locates said second layers in an aligned configuration.   
   
   
       32 . A method for installing a floor covering system substantially as herein described with reference to any one of the embodiments of the invention illustrated in the accompanying drawings and/or examples. 
   
   
       33 . A modular underlay tile for a floor system, said underlay tile including:
 substantially planar upper and lower surfaces, said underlay tile being adapted for substantial aligned engagement with one or more other modular underlay tiles to form an underlay for said floor system.   
   
   
       34 . A modular underlay tile according to  claim 33  including two or more interlocking portions disposed on two or more corresponding edges of said tile. 
   
   
       35 . A modular underlay tile according to  claim 34 , wherein said interlocking portions are adapted to substantially restrain at least adjacent pairs of said underlay tiles, upon installation. 
   
   
       36 . A modular underlay tile according to any one of  claims 33  to  35 , wherein said underlay tile is substantially formed from a resilient plastics material such as polyvinyl chloride. 
   
   
       37 . A modular underlay tile substantially as herein described with reference to any one of the embodiments of the invention illustrated in the accompanying drawings and/or examples.