Lee E Stover

US Patent:

20160060880, Mar 3, 2016

Filed:

Apr 20, 2015

Appl. No.:

14/691012

Inventors:

Evan J. Stover - Tyrone PA, US
Lee R. Stover - Tyrone PA, US

International Classification:

E04F 15/02

Abstract:

A flooring system includes a plurality of individual flooring pieces, such as floor panels, each having a wear surface, an opposing mounting surface and a retention groove disposed within the mounting surface. A floor panel connector used to interconnect at least two of the floor panels has a base, at least one mast extending from an upper surface of the base and a pair of flexible arms. Each flexible arm extends transversely from opposing sides of the at least one mast and has an extending end. Contacting portions extending from a lower surface of the base are configured to engage the support surface and create a spacing between each flexible arm and the support surface to permit each flexible arm to elastically deflect toward the support surface when pressure is exerted on a floor panel. This deflection enables the extending end of each flexible arm to engage the retention groove of a corresponding floor panel.