The present invention relates to a laminate flooring system and assembly of the loose lay type. The invention further relates to a laminate word flooring product set, and to a laminated plank and subfloor comprised by such a set.

Loose lay flooring is known in the art. For example. Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) tiles are known in which the backside of the PVC tile is provided with a profile. This profile enables the PVC tile to be placed onto the subfloor without the use of adhesives. An example of such a PVC tile can be found in US8800245B1.

Laminate flooring is typically characterized by a lateral locking of the various laminated planks. A known problem of these floors is related to the expansion of the floor due to heat and/or moisture. Often the situation occurs wherein the floor planks get damaged or wherein the floor displays areas where the laminated planks move upwards to relieve the expansion-related stress.

WO2015181295A1 discloses a laminate flooring wherein the subfloor and backside of the laminated planks are each provided with structures, e.g. protrusions and recesses. More in particular, the structures on the backside of the planks and the structures on the subfloor are complementary meaning that when the planks are arranged on the subfloor, a vertical clamping is obtained between the subfloor and the planks.

A drawback of the abovementioned laminate flooring is that these floors require more skill than the earlier mentioned loose lay PVC tiles to place onto the subfloor. More in particular, the laminated planks need to be carefully aligned with the subfloor. Furthermore, unlike loose lay floors, where planks can be removed quite easily due to the absence of a locking, it is difficult to separate a placed plank from the subfloor. It is also difficult to realize a thin floor as the proposed vertical clamping requires the protrusions and recessed to have a certain length and depth, respectively. Finally, the planks are fixed relative to the subfloor. When one of the plank or subfloor expands due to heat and/or moisture a considerable amount of mechanical stress can be build up in the planks.

It is an object of the present disclosure to provide a laminate flooring system of the loose lay type, which floor will not move when pressure is applied and which will not display the problems associated with moisture or heat found in common laminate flooring.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a laminate flooring system of the loose lay type that allows easy removal of individual planks without having to remove a substantial amount of adjacent planks.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a laminate flooring system of the loose lay type to allow a set of multiple patterns of planks to be placed on the subfloor while keeping the abovementioned advantages. ?

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a laminate flooring system of the loose lay type that is easy to lay and/or remove.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, a laminate wood flooring system is provided as defined in claim 1, which system comprises a laminated plank comprising a wooden base layer, and a resilient laminate profiled layer fixedly connected to the wooden base layer. The system further comprises a subfloor comprising a base layer and a resilient subfloor profiled layer fixedly connected to the base layer, wherein the laminate profiled layer comprises a plurality of alternately arranged first protrusions and first recesses, and wherein the subfloor profiled layer comprises a plurality of alternately arranged second protrusions and second recesses. The laminated plank is or can be arranged in a loose lay manner onto the subfloor such that the first protrusions are at least partially received in the second recesses and the second protrusions are at least partially received in the first recesses. The first and second protrusions and the first and second recesses each have curved surfaces such that, when applying a force to the plank in a direction parallel to the subfloor and in the absence of a substantial force being applied to the plank in a direction perpendicular to the plank and towards the subfloor, the plank moves relative to the subfloor in the direction parallel to the subfloor, during which movement each first protrusion moves out of a second recess and into an adjacent second recess and each second protrusion moves out of a first recess and into an adjacent first recess. When applying a substantial force to the plank in the direction perpendicular to the plank and towards the subfloor, the first protrusions engage the second protrusions thereby preventing movement of the plank in the direction parallel to the subfloor. The laminate profiled layer is configured such that it stretches or shrinks together with the wooden base layer under normal moisture and heat conditions without becoming detached from the wooden base layer. Furthermore, the subfloor profiled layer is configured such that the subfloor profiled layer stretches or shrinks together with the laminate profiled layer.

According to the invention, both the planks and the subfloor are provided with a respective profiled layer that is made using a resilient material. This material will stretch or shrink depending on the expansion of the wooden plank. Unlike prior art laminate wood flooring, the planks are not locked to the subfloor. Fixation of the plank is only achieved when sufficient pressure is exerted onto the plank. In this later case, the protrusions of the profiled layers will engage each other, effectively resulting in a high coefficient of friction for the movement of the plank parallel to the subfloor.

A particular advantage of the proposed flooring system is that the planks automatically seek a position in which the profiled layers of the plank and subfloor engage, i.e. protrusions are received in recesses and vice versa. This facilitates placement of the planks. However, at the same time, stress relief is possible because planks may move parallel to the subfloor in the absence of vertical forces onto the planks. The curved surfaces of the first and second protrusions may touch one another when a plank is placed on the subfloor. Due to the curved surfaces of these protrusions, the first protrusions may be aligned to coincide with the second recesses and the second protrusions may be aligned to coincide with the first recesses in a first state since, when a force is applied to a plank in the direction towards the subfloor. More in particular, in a state other than the first state, no or little work has to be applied to the plank to move the plank from the other state to the first state. In the first state however, work would have to be applied to the plank to move the plank from the first state to the other state since the plank would have to be moved upwards.

If the first protrusions engage the second protrusions under the application of a substantial force towards the plank, thereby preventing movement of the plank parallel to the subfloor, the laminate profiled layer can be configured such that it stretches or shrinks together with the wooden base layer under normal moisture and heat conditions without becoming detached from the wooden base layer, wherein the subfloor profiled layer is configured such that the subfloor profiled layer stretches or shrinks together with the laminate profiled layer. Therefore, the laminate wood flooring, formed by a plurality of planks arranged on the subfloor, may form a gapless flooring of planks wherein the planks are arranged with substantially no gaps in between the planks. Since the planks are directly adjacently placed, expansion/contraction of the planks, for example due to changing humidity and/or temperature conditions, is accompanied by a substantially equal stretching/shrinking of the laminate profiled layer and subfloor profiled layer. It is further noted that the subfloor is typically not fixedly connected to the floor it is laid on. This further improves the ability of the laminate wood flooring system to accommodate for changes in humidity and/or temperature conditions without introducing the problems known in the art.

It will be appreciated by a person skilled in the art that the present invention relates to several types of planks that can constitute a flooring such as for example, laminated planks, wooden planks, planks made of expanding / contracting materials or the like. Furthermore, the inventive aspects of the present invention could equally be applied to non- wooden flooring systems such as PVC tiles, ceramic tiles, stone tiles, metal tiles, glass tiles, plastic tiles and the like. In such flooring systems, the wooden base layer would be replaced by a base layer of a different, e.g. polymeric, material, whereas the subfloor would essentially remain the same. Often when laying flooring comprising e.g. ceramic tiles, alignment means such as alignment strings, alignment spacers or the like are used. More specifically, alignment spacers may be, for example, cross spacers alignment spacers used for mutually aligning adjacent tiles. These alignment spacers are often used for creating a gap between tiles that is to be filled with a filling material such as putty, cement or the like. However, slight misalignment of an alignment spacer may cause a substantial misalignment between tiles, especially on large surfaces. Due to the first and second protrusions of present invention, tiles according to present invention may substantially be aligned by engagement of the first protrusions with the second protrusions without the necessity of skillful usage of alignment means and the like. As will be appreciated by a person skilled in the art, the teachings of present invention may also be applied on other surfaces than a flooring, such as, for example, walls, roofs, roads and the like. Further, if the teachings of present application are applied to a w'all, an adhesive may be applied in between the first and second protrusions to prevent a laminated plank from falling of a substantially vertical subfloor.

Due to the resilient properties of the laminate profiled layer, the first protrusions may engage the second protrusions under varying conditions wherein the planks may contract and/or expand. Due to the resilient properties of the laminate profiled layer, stress that might build up under expansion and/or contraction may be relieved from the plank. Thereby, stress buildup in the flooring is prevented that may otherwise lead to undesired properties of the flooring such as non- aligned planks and/or tilting of the flooring.

The base layer of the subfloor may be resilient. Furthermore, the subfloor profiled layer and the resilient base layer of the subfloor may be configured such that the subfloor profiled layer stretches or shrinks together with the laminate profiled layer. Advantageously, if both the subfloor profiled layer and the laminated profiled layer are made of resilient materials, the above described co-moving properties of the subfloor may further be enhanced.

Further, the laminate profiled layer may be identical to the subfloor profiled layer. For example, the patterns formed by the first protrusions and recesses may be identical to the patterns formed by the second protrusions and recesses. Additionally or alternatively, the laminate profiled layer may be formed from essentially the same material as the subfloor profiled layer and may or may not have identical thicknesses. Additionally or alternatively, the depth of the first and second recesses and/or the height of the first and second protrusions may be identical.

The base layer and the subfloor profiled layer may be integrally connected. In such an embodiment, the subfloor may be formed as a single element needed to lay the laminate wood flooring. However, the present invention does not exclude embodiments in which multiple separate layers are stacked on top of one another to form the subfloor.

An isolation layer may be arranged in between the base layer and a support surface, e.g. a concrete floor, on which the laminate wood flooring system is arranged. The isolation layer may be a sound isolating layer, a thermal isolation layer or the like. Alternatively, the isolation layer may be a sound and thermal isolation layer, or further alternatively, the isolation layer may comprise multiple sublayers of different isolating materials.

In some embodiments, the base layer and the isolation layer may be fixedly connected to each other. In such an embodiment the subfloor may be a single element needed to lay the laminate wood flooring. The invention equally relates to systems wherein the isolation layer is or is not fixedly connected to the support surface, and/or wherein the isolation layer is or is not fixedly connected to the base layer.

The laminate profiled layer may comprise a plurality of repeating identical first unit elements, each first unit element comprising a first protrusion and first recess, and wherein the subfloor profiled layer comprises a plurality of repeating identical second unit elements, each second unit element comprising a second protrusion and second recess. The repeating of the unit elements may further increase the abovementioned desirable interactions between the protrusions and recesses since the number of contacting curved surfaces of the protrusions may be increased by the repeating unit elements. Furthermore, having repeating identical unit elements may be advantageous for the production process.

Further, the first unit element may be identical to the second unit element, e.g. first unit elements may be formed from essentially the same material as the second unit elements.

Alternatively or additionally, the first unit elements may constitute a profile that is essentially the same profile as the profile constituted by the second unit elements. Having essentially the same profile may comprise that the first protrusions of the first unit elements are substantially the same as the second protrusions of the second unit elements and that the first recesses of the first unit elements are substantially the same as the second recesses of the second unit elements, wherein the positions of the first protrusions of the first unit elements are configured to coincide with the positions of the second recesses of the second unit elements and that the positions of the first recesses of the first unit elements are configured to coincide with the positions of the second protrusions of the second unit elements.

The repeating of the first and second unit elements may be in only one direction.

Further, the first unit element and the second unit element may each comprise a ridge having a substantially elongated shape in one direction.

Further, the first and second unit elements may be repeated in a direction that is different from a length and/or with direction of the plank, wherein the direction preferably makes an angle with respect to the length direction of the plank of 30 - 60°, more preferably 40 - 50°, even more preferably 45°. If planks are laid next to one another, the first and second unit elements may prevent movement of the planks relative to the subfloor if a substantial force is applied to the surface of the plank perpendicular to the subfloor. Movement of the planks parallel to the subfloor and relative to the subfloor in the width and/or length direction of the plank is further prevented by first and second unit elements that are repeated in a direction different from the length and/or width direction of the plank. Movement of a plank parallel to the subfloor relative to other planks is usually only possible in the width and/or length direction of the plank since other planks are usually arranged adjacent to that plank, therefore this plank can usually only move in that length/width direction where no other plank is present. The combination of these two effects may further prevent the plank to move in any direction parallel to the subfloor.

Alternatively, the first and second unit elements may be repeated in two different directions, preferably two mutually orthogonal directions, wherein both directions are in a plane that is parallel to the surface of the plank.

Furthermore, the first unit element and the second unit element may each comprise a spherical protrusion or a box, beam, or trapezoid like protrusion having substantially rounded edges. The protrusions have substantially rounded edges such that the contacting surfaces of the first and the second protrusions are therefore substantially rounded to allow the protrusions to engage if a substantial force is applied to the surface of the plank and to allow the protrusions to easily move out of the corresponding recesses to accommodate for changing humidity and/or temperature conditions.

The laminate profiled layer may comprise a first laminate region and a second laminate region, and the subfloor profiled layer may comprise a first subfloor region and a second subfloor region, wherein the first laminate region is configured to be aligned with the first subfloor region and wherein the second laminate region is configured to be aligned with the second subfloor region. The first unit element in the first laminate region may be repeated in a first direction, and the first unit element in the second laminate region may be repeated in a second direction.

Moreover, the second unit element in the first subfloor region may be repeated in the first direction, and the second unit element in the second subfloor region may be repeated in the second direction, wherein the first direction and the second direction are different, and preferably orthogonal to each other. In such embodiments, movement of the plank relative to the subfloor in the first direction, provided that a substantial force is applied to the plank towards the subfloor, is prevented by the protrusions of the first unit elements in the first laminate region engaging the protrusions of the second unit elements in the first subfloor region. Additionally, movement of the plank relative to the subfloor in the second direction, provided that a substantial force is applied to the plank towards the subfloor, is prevented by the protrusions of the first unit elements in the second laminate region engaging the protrusions of the second unit elements in the second subfloor region. Consequently, the plank is laterally fixed relative to the subfloor. The subfloor and/or laminate regions preferably have the same dimensions. The regions may preferably have rectangular shapes. Rectangular shapes of the regions may, for example, be beneficial for laying elongated sides of rectangular planks in one direction.

Further, the laminate profiled layer may comprise one or more of said first laminate regions and one or more of said second laminate regions, wherein the first and second laminate regions may be alternately arranged. For example, the planks may have at least two different laminate regions. For example, referring to the first laminate regions as LI and to the second laminate regions as L2, planks may for example be provided of the L1-L2, L1 -L2-L1, L2-L1 -L2, or L1-L2-L1-L2 type.

The subfloor profiled layer may comprise one or more of said first subfloor regions and one or more of said second subfloor regions, wherein the first and second subfloor regions may be alternately arranged. For example the subfloor may have at least two different subfloor regions.

For example, referring to the first subfloor regions as SI and to the second subfloor regions as S2, a subfloor may for example be provided in a matrix form such as:

51 -S2-S 1 -S2

52-S 1-S2-S 1

S1-S2-S1-S2

The plank may comprise only a single row' of laminate regions extending along the longitudinal direction of the plank, whereas the subfloor may comprise a matrix of subfloor regions along said longitudinal direction and a direction perpendicular thereto.

The first and second subfloor regions may each have a square shape with dimensions W x W. If the first and second subfloor regions have a square shape, planks that have corresponding laminate regions may be placed on the subfloor in either direction corresponding to the sides of each subfloor region. For example if a rectangular plank is placed on the subfloor with its elongated dimension along a given direction X, it could also be placed in direction Y, which is orthogonal to direction X. In such embodiments, the first and second subfloor regions and the first and second laminate regions should be such that in both placement directions, corresponding regions in the subfloor profiled layer and laminate profiled layer should be aligned and should have corresponding sizes at least in one direction.

In some embodiments, the planks may be elongated and may have a width and length, wherein the length (Lx) of the planks equals 2 x m x W, with m being an integer > 0, and w'herein the width (Ly) of the planks e uals n x W, or vice versa, with n being an integer > 0; or wherein the length (Lx) of the planks equals 2 x k x W + W / 2, or vice versa . with k being an integer > 0, and w'herein the width (Ly) of the planks equals W / 2. These preferred dimensions reduce the number of required unique planks to lay a subfloor as will be further explained in the detailed description of the drawings.

The subfloor may comprise substantially identical tracks that are adjacently arranged in a third direction, wherein at least some of the planks are arranged such that their longitudinal direction is parallel to the third direction. Preferably, the planks have a length that is greater than the width of the tracks such that each plank that is arranged parallel to the third direction is positioned on more than one track. Thereby, movement of the tracks with respect to one another is prevented due to the planks that are positioned on one or more tracks. Further, the laminate wood flooring system may comprise a plurality of planks, wherein each pair of adjacently arranged tracks of the subfloor is covered by at least one plank. Thereby, movement of the tracks with respect to one another is further prevented due to the planks that are positioned on one or more tracks. Since the subfloor profiled layer is configured to co-move with the laminate profiled layer of the planks.

The subfloor may comprise first alignment indicators in between the subfloor profile regions, and the laminate profiled layer may comprise second alignment indicators in between the laminate profile regions. This allows the planks to be aligned with respect to the subfloor using the first and second alignment indicators. For example, the first laminate regions corresponding to the first subfloor regions may be bordered on one side by a printed line, printed on the laminate profiled layer and likewise the first subfloor regions corresponding to the first laminate regions may be bordered on one side by a printed line, printed on the subfloor profiled layer, thereby alignment of the first laminate region with respect to the first subfloor region may be achieved by aligning the printed lines.

Additionally or alternatively, the first subfloor regions may have a first color and the second subfloor regions may have a second color wherein the first color is different from the second color. The first laminate regions may have a third color and the second laminate regions may have a fourth color, wherein the third color is different from fourth color. The first color is preferably the same color as the third color and/or the second color is preferably the same color as the fourth color. The planks may be aligned with respect to the subfloor using the first, second, third and/or fourth color. This may be achieved by matching the colors of the laminate regions to the corresponding colors of the subfloor regions.

The first and second subfloor regions may comprise a subfloor profile-less zone arranged in a border region of the subfloor regions, wherein in the profile-less zone there are no or substantially no protrusions and/or recesses in the subfloor profiled layer. This subfloor profile-less zone may be beneficial for the alignment of planks relative to the subfloor since the tolerance for proper alignment of the planks on the subfloor may be increased since it is somew'hal easier to place the first laminate region onto the first subfloor region without partially placing a first laminate region onto a second subfloor region and/or vice versa.

The first and second laminate regions may comprise a laminate profile-less zone arranged in a border region of the laminate regions, wherein in the profile-less zone there are no protrusions and/or recesses in the laminate profiled layer. This laminate profile-less zone may be beneficial for the alignment of planks relative to the subfloor since the tolerance for proper alignment of the planks on the subfloor may be increased since it is somewhat easier to place the first laminate region onto the first subfloor region without partially placing a first laminate region onto a second subfloor region and/or vice versa. According to a second aspect of the present invention, a laminate wood flooring product set is provided that comprises a plurality of laminated planks and subfloor as defined above. The invention particularly relates to a product set wherein the subfloor is provided in the form of a roll, which can be rolled out over the support surface, e.g. concrete floor, and which can be cut to define tracks. The plurality of laminated planks and subfloor can be assembled to form the laminate wood flooring system as described above.

Within the context of the present invention, a product set should be construed as a set of planks and subfloor which can be packaged separately or together.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, a laminated plank is provided as described above. According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, a subfloor is provided as described above.

Further characteristics of the present disclosure will be elucidated in the accompanying description of various exemplifying embodiments thereof. In the description reference is made to the annexed figures, where:

Figure 1 is a schematic view of the laminate wood flooring according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

Figure 2 is a schematic view of the laminate wood flooring according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

Figures 3A and 3B are cross-sections of the laminate wood flooring;

Figures 4A - 4E are cross-sections of the laminate wood flooring according to several aspects of the present disclosure;

Figure 5 is a side view of a resilient profiled layer according to an aspect of the present disclosure;

Figure 6 is a side view of a resilient profiled layer according to another aspect of the present disclosure;

Figures 7A and 7B are cross-sections of the laminate wood flooring;

Figure 8 is a schematic view of placing or removing a laminated plank of the laminate wood flooring on a subfloor;

Figure 9 is a schematic view of a placed laminated plank of the laminate wood flooring on a subfloor;

Figure 10 is a schematic view of a subfloor with a plurality of subfloor regions with a subfloor profile;

Figure 11 is a schematic view of another subfloor with a plurality of subfloor regions with a subfloor profile;

Figure 12 is a schematic view of a subfloor with a plurality of subfloor regions with a subfloor profile; Figure 13 is a schematic view of another subfloor with a plurality of subfloor regions with a subfloor profile;

Figures 14 - 17 are schematic illustrations of a plurality of laminated planks according to several aspects of the present disclosure;

Figures 18 - 19 are schematic illustrations of patterns of laminated planks on the subfloor;

Figure 20 is a schematic illustration of tracks of subfloor adjacent to each other;

Figure 21 is a schematic illustration of tracks of subfloor, covered by planks.

In the following description, for the purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present disclosure. It will be apparent, however, that the present disclosure may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are not described in exhaustive detail, in order to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the present disclosure.

As will be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reading this disclosure, each of the individual embodiments described and illustrated herein has discrete components and features which may be readily separated from or combined with the features of any of the other several embodiments without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. Any recited method can be carried out in the order of events recited or in any other order which is logically possible.

It is noted that, as used herein and in the appended claims, the singular forms“a”,“an”, and“the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. It is further noted that the claims may be drafted to exclude any optional element. As such, this statement is intended to serve as antecedent basis for use of such exclusive terminology as“solely,”“only” and the like in connection with the recitation of claim elements or use of a“negative” limitation.

Reference is now made to the figures wherein several exemplifying embodiments of the laminate wood flooring are shown.

Figure 1 shows a laminate wood flooring 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The flooring comprises a plurality of laminated planks 2 and a subfloor 3. To form a flooring, laminated planks 2 can be placed on subfloor 3 in different patterns as discussed later. A laminated plank 2 comprises a w'ooden base layer 21 and a resilient laminate profiled layer 22 fixed thereto by an adhesive.

Subfloor 3 of the laminate wood flooring 1 is placed on a support surface 4, see figure 3A. such as a bare floor of concrete or the like. Subfloor 3 comprises a resilient subfloor profiled layer 32. Subfloor profiled layer 32 may correspond to laminate profiled layer 22. The profiled layers may be substantially the same, i.e. have substantially the same material composition and/or substantially the same structural features. By placing laminated planks 2 onto subfloor 3, a flooring comprising laminated planks 2 can be achieved. Laminate profiled layer 22 is placed on subfloor profiled layer 32, allowing laminated planks 2 to be positioned on subfloor 3 in a loose-lay manner. Due to laminate profiled layer 22 and subfloor profiled layer 32, planks 2 may move relative to subfloor 3 in a direction parallel to subfloor 3 when applying a force to plank 2 in the direction parallel to subfloor 3 and in the absence of a substantial force being applied to plank 2 in a direction perpendicular to plank 2 and towards subfloor 3.

Laminate profiled layer 22 is configured such that it stretches or shrinks together with wooden base layer 21 under normal moisture and heat conditions without becoming detached from wooden base layer 21. Subfloor profiled layer 32 is configured such that subfloor profiled layer 32 stretches or shrinks together with laminate profiled layer 22.

Figure 1 further shows a repeating pattern of first subfloor regions 320 and second subfloor regions 321. In this figure, subfloor regions 320, 321 correspond to regions of subfloor profiled layer 32 having a different orientation of the profile. In figure 1, subfloor regions 320, 321 are each completely covered with a profile. In some embodiments, subfloor regions 320, 321 may have regions in which no profile is arranged. These embodiments will be discussed later.

Planks 2 may expand and/or contract under changing humidity/temperature or other environmental conditions. Due to the loose-lay flooring, stress relieve of planks 2 may be possible since planks 2 may move parallel to subfloor 3. Laminate wood flooring 1 may comprise, at least during the process of laying down floor a plurality of spacers 80 arranged near the edges of the floor, e.g. near walls, for ensuring that planks 2 are arranged spaced apart from the walls. It should be noted that in some embodiments, spacers 80 are preferred but not required.

Figure 2 shows a laminate wood flooring 1 similar to the laminate wood flooring 1 of figure 1. In the laminate wood flooring 1 of figure 2. subfloor profiled layer 32 may have another orientation of a subfloor regions. Moreover, the laminate profiled layer 22 may have a recurring pattern wherein the pattern is repeated in a different direction than the width/length direction of the plank 2. The subfloor profiled layer 32 may have a recurring pattern that corresponds to the recurring pattern of the laminate profiled layer 22.

Figures 3A and 3B show cross-sections of the laminate wood flooring 1. As shown, plank 2 comprises a wooden base layer 21 , fixed to the resilient laminate profiled layer 22 by a first adhesive layer 29. Laminate profiled layer 22 may comprise first protrusions 23 and first recesses 24.

As shown, subfloor layer 3 comprises a base layer 31 fixed to the resilient subfloor profiled layer 32 by a second adhesive layer 39. Subfloor profiled layer 32 may comprise second protrusions 33 and second recesses 34. Additionally, subfloor 3 may comprise an isolation layer (not shown) between base layer 31 and supporting surface 4 and/or between subfloor profiled layer 32 and base layer 31. Such an isolation layer may be a heat and/or sound isolating layer. Such an isolation layer may be fixedly connected to base layer 31 by an adhesive, clips, pins, stitches or the like. Plank 2 is preferably placed on subfloor 3 as shown in figure 3B, wherein first protrusions 23 are partially received in second recesses 34 and second protrusions 33 are partially received in first recesses 24. Due to the curved surfaces of the protrusions, first protrusions 23 are at least partially guided to second recesses 34 and second protrusions 33 are at least partially guided to first recesses 24 under the influence of a force (such as gravity) exerted on plank 2 in the direction of subfloor 3. When a substantial force is applied to plank 2 perpendicular to the surface of plank 2 and towards subfloor 3, first protrusions 23 engage second protrusions 33 thereby preventing movement of plank 2 in a direction parallel to subfloor 3. More in particular, movement of plank 2 in a direction parallel to subfloor 2 is hindered by first protrusions 23 engaging second protrusions 33.

Due to laminate profiled layer 22 and subfloor profiled layer 32, planks 2 may move relative to the subfloor 3 when applying a force to the plank in a direction parallel to subfloor 3 and in the absence of a substantial force being applied to plank 2 in a direction perpendicular to plank 2 and towards subfloor 3. Plank 2 may move relative to subfloor 3 in the direction parallel to subfloor 3, during which movement each first protrusion 23 moves out of a second recess 34 and into an adjacent second recess 34 and each second protrusion 33 moves out of a first recess 24 and into an adjacent first recess 24.

When a substantial force is applied to plank 2 in a direction perpendicular to plank 2 and towards subfloor 3, first protrusions 23 engage second protrusions 33 thereby preventing movement of the plank 2 in the direction parallel to the subfloor 3.

Figures 3A - 3E show cross-sections of different embodiments of laminate wood flooring 1 in accordance with the present invention. In these figures the same numerals are used to indicate identical or similar elements as depicted in figures 3A and 3B. Figures 4A - 4E each show first protrusions 23 and first recesses 24 of laminate profiled layer 22. As in figure 3 A, first protrusions 23 are at least partially received in second recesses 34 and second protrusions 33 are at least partially received in first recesses 24. In figures 4A - 4E, first unit elements 25 are shown that each comprise a first protrusion 23 and first recess 24. Second unit elements 35 are also shown that each comprise a second protrusion 33 and second recess 34. Unit elements 25, 35 are repeated in at least one direction thereby forming profiled layers 22, 32. As apparent from the figures, first unit element 25 and second unit element 35 are preferably identical. However, first unit element 25 and second unit element 35 may also be different.

In figure 4A, first protrusions 23 and second protrusions 33 each have a substantially rounded triangular-like shape. In figure 4B, first protrusions 23 and second protrusions 33 each have a substantially rounded tooth-like shape. In figure 4C, first protrusions 23 and second protrusions 33 each have a fin-like shape substantially rounded on one side. In figure 4D, first protrusions 23 and second protrusions 33 each have a substantially rounded shape. In figure 4E, first protrusions 23 and second protrusions 33 each have a substantially spherical shape. These embodiments are not limiting the invention and other shapes and forms may be possible without departing from the scope of the invention.

First unit elements 25 and second unit elements 35 may be substantially the same, i.e. have substantially the same material composition and/or substantially the same structural features. Unit elements 25, 35 may be repeated in only one direction forming profiled layers 22, 32. Unit elements 25, 35 may, when repeated in one direction only, each comprise a ridge. Alternatively, unit elements 25, 35 may be repeated in two, preferably orthogonal, directions.

Figures 5 and 6 show resilient profiled layers, either laminate profiled layer 22 or subfloor profiled layer 32. Unit element 25, 35 may comprise a protrusion 23, 33 that is substantially spherical as in figure 5, or, unit element 25, 25 may comprise a substantially rounded trapezoid- like protrusion 23, 33 as in figure 6. Alternatively, unit elements 25, 35 may comprise a box or beam like protrusion having substantially rounded edges. In figures 5 and 6, the unit elements 25, 35, shown in a dashed box, are repeated in two orthogonal directions.

In the subfloor 3 of figure 2, the second unit elements 35 may be repeated in a first direction, i.e. an XY-direction that is different from the width direction (Y-direction) and/or the length direction (X-direction) of the laminate plank 2. The first direction may make an angle with the length (X) direction of the laminate plank 2 of approximately 45°. In the subfloor 3 of figure 2 at least one subfloor region may be present, likewise each plank 2 may comprise at least one laminate region. The dimensions of the planks 2 may not have to correspond to the dimensions of the laminate subfloor region since the laminate profiled layer 32 may be substantially the same over the entire subfloor 3, hence no correspondence of the dimensions between laminate/subfloor regions may be required. However, the first unit elements 25 may have to correspond to the second unit elements 35.

Further, a plurality of planks 2 may be adjacently laid on the subfloor 3 of figure 2 with their elongated axis parallel to the X-direction. The planks 2 may be substantially prevented to move in the X- or Y-direction by (directly) adjacent planks 2. If a first plank is not bordered by another plank (that would otherwise border the first plank in the X-direction), the first plank may be able to move in the X-direction, however, due to the XY-orientation of the first and second recesses of the plank 2 and subfloor 3 of figure 2, the plank would then substantially be prevented to move in the X-direction only which is further enhanced if a substantial force is applied to the first plank in a direction perpendicular to the surface of the first plank in the direction of the subfloor.

Figures 7A and 7B illustrate a cross-section of laminate wood flooring 1 comprising a plurality of planks 2. In these figures, subfloor 3 is arranged on supporting surface 4, with a plurality of planks 2 arranged on subfloor 3. If a substantial force 90 (in the Z-direction) is applied to plank 2 in a direction towards subfloor 3, plank 2 is prevented to move in a direction perpendicular to the direction in which force 90 was applied, (i.e. the X and/or Y-direction). If the profiled layers are substantially elongated in the X-direction thereby forming ridges, movement of plank 2 in the Y-direction is especially prevented since the curved surface of first protrusions 23 of the laminate profiled layer 22 engage second protrusions 33 of subfloor profiled layer 32.

Advantageously, when regions of ridged profiled layers have recurring alternating orientations, movement in the X- and Y- direction may be equally prevented as will be elucidated later.

Planks 2 are adjacently arranged to form a substantially gapless flooring. Planks 2 are not interlocked with one another. Under expansion and/or contraction of base layer 21 of planks 2. laminate profiled layer 22 co-expands and/or co-contracts, respectively. Due to above described interaction of laminate profiled layer 22 with subfloor profiled layer 32, subfloor profiled layer 32 will co-expand and/or co-contract with laminate profiled layer 22. Therefore planks 2 will, even under contraction and/or expansion, constitute a gapless flooring.

The non-interlocking of planks 2 is convenient for placing planks 2 but can also be beneficial for removing and/or replacing planks 2. Figure 7B shows how center plank 20 of planks 2 is removed by an upward (in the Z-direction) pointing force 91. Such a force 91 can be the result of. for example, a suction force exerted on the surface of plank 20 or an adhesive force exerted to the surface of plank 20. Due to force 91, center plank 20 can be removed without having to remove, relocate, and/or damage adjacent planks 2.

Figures 7 and 8 show how a plank 2 can be placed and/or removed from subfloor 3. ln this example, plank 2 comprises a first laminate region 220 and a second laminate region 221.

However, the present disclosure is not limited to such an example. Alternative configurations of laminate profiled layer 22 on planks 2 will be discussed later.

As apparent from figure 8, plank 2 can be placed on subfloor 3, wherein first laminate region 220 corresponds to first subfloor region 320, i.e. first protrusions 23 of first laminate region 220 are substantially placed on second recesses 34 of first subfloor profile region 320 and first recesses 24 of first laminate region 220 are substantially placed on second protrusions 33 of first subfloor region 320. Second laminate region 221 corresponds to second subfloor region 321, i.e. first protrusions 23 of second laminate region 221 are substantially placed on second recesses 34 of second subfloor profile region 321 and first recesses 24 of second laminate region 221 are substantially placed on second protrusions 33 of second subfloor region 321.

In the embodiments of figure 8 and 9, first unit element 25 of first laminate region 220 is repeated in one direction (X-direction) while in the other direction (Y-direction) first unit element 25 is substantially elongated forming a set of ridges 40 in the Y-direction. First unit element 25 of second laminate region 221 is repeated in one direction (Y-direction) w'hile in the other direction (X-direction) first unit element 25 is substantially elongated forming a set of ridges 40 in the X- direction. Second unit element 35 of first subfloor region 320 is repeated in one direction (X- direction) while in the other direction (Y-direction) second unit element 35 is substantially elongated forming a set of ridges 40 in the Y-direction. Second unit element 35 of second subfloor region 321 is repeated in one direction (Y-direction) while in the other direction (X-direction) second unit element 35 is substantially elongated forming a set of ridges 40 in the X-direction.

Figures 10 and 11 show two subfloors 3 wherein subfloor profiled layer 32 comprises first subfloor regions 320 and second subfloor regions 321. Lines 40 in these figures correspond to the top surfaces of the protrusions forming ridges 40 as for example in figure 8. Subfloor 3 of figure 10 may correspond to subfloor 3 of figure 8. However, second protrusions 33 of subfloor profiled layer 32 may also have other cross-sections than those of figure 8. For example, second protrusions 33 may have any one of the cross-section shown in figures 4A - 4E or the like.

In figures 10 and 1 1, ridges 40 of first subfloor region 320 are at an angle of about 90 degrees relative to ridges 40 of second subfloor region 321. Although this is a preferred embodiment, the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, another subfloor may combine first subfloor region 320 of figure 10 with second subfloor region 321 of figure 1 1. In such an embodiment, a plank 2, corresponding to subfloor 3, may have a first laminate region 220 that corresponds to first subfloor region 320 and a second laminate region 221 that corresponds to second subfloor region 321. In such a case, the profiles in these regions are not at right angles relative to each other.

Alternatively, as will be understood by a person skilled in the art, first laminate region 220, second laminate region 221. first subfloor region 320, and second subfloor region 321 may correspond to the profiled layers as, for example, shown in figure 5 or 6. As will be understood by a person skilled in the art, many other combinations of profiled layers are within the scope of present invention.

Figure 10 also show's the dimensions of the subfloor regions, wherein preferably all regions have the same dimensions of Sx (in the X-direction) x Sy (in the Y-direction). Preferably, Sx equals Sy. However, if planks 2 are positioned on subfloor 3 in a pattern like planks 204 in figure 19, Sx can also be other values than Sy. It is preferred that Sx = Sy since the laminate wood flooring 1 may be applied for positioning planks 2 on subfloor 3 in different directions (e.g. the pattern of planks 210, 211 and 212 in figure 18).

It will be appreciated by a person skilled in the art that many variations of the above described disclosure are possible. For example, the subfloor may not be limited to the

embodiments of the abovementioned figures. Figure 12 show's a subfloor 3 wherein subfloor 3 comprises first subfloor regions 320, second subfloor regions 321, third subfloor regions 322 and forth subfloor regions 323. The first, second, third and forth subfloor regions are adjacent in this figure, however, these regions comprise a border of subfloor profile-less zone 36. In such a profile- less zone 36 there may be no protrusions and/or recesses in subfloor profiled layer 32.

Alternatively or additionally, laminate profiled layer 22 may comprise profile-less zones in between the laminate profile regions.

Figure 13 shows another subfloor that comprises first and second subfloor regions, where the profiles within these subfloor regions are separated by a profile-less zone 36. This subfloor profile-less zone 36 may be beneficial for the alignment of planks 2 relative to subfloor 3 since the tolerance for proper alignment of planks 2 on subfloor 3 may be increased since it is somewhat easier to place the first laminate region onto the first subfloor region without placing a portion of the first laminate region onto a portion of the second subfloor region that may not correspond to each other. Laminate profiled layer 22 may likewise comprise laminate profiles-zones.

The alignment of planks relative to subfloor profiled layer 32 may further be enhanced by adding alignment indicators in profile-less zones 36. These alignment indicators may also be applied in other embodiments of present disclosure (having a profile-less zone is not required for having alignment indicators). For example, these alignment indicators may comprise several distinguishing symbols, patterns and/or colors that correspond to similar indicators on laminate profiled layer 22 to easily recognize how planks 2 should be positioned relative to subfloor 3 l r matching first protrusions 23 to second recesses 34 and second protrusions 33 to first recesses 24.

In some embodiments, first subfloor regions 320 may have a first color and second subfloor regions 321 may have a second color wherein the first color is different from the second color. First laminate regions 220 may have a third color and second laminate regions 221 may have a fourth color wherein the third color is different front fourth color. The first color is preferably the same color as the third color and/or the second color is preferably the same color as the fourth color. Laminated planks 2 can be aligned with respect to subfloor 3 using the first, second, third and/or fourth color.

Figures 14-17 show a plurality of examples of laminated planks 2 that can be laid on a subfloor comprising two subfloor regions. For each plank, at least one laminate region is indicated. The laminate regions have dimensions of Px x Py. Preferably, the plank laminate regions have dimensions that are equal or half of the dimension of the subfloor regions (wherein the subfloor region is Sx x Sy), i.e. Px = Sx/2 or Px = Sx, and Py = Sy/2 or Py = Sy. Preferably Px = Py or Py = Px/2 or Px = Py/2. Other dimensions are also possible as explained above. However, to have a lesser amount of required unique planks 2 to lay laminate wood flooring 1, the abovementioned dimensions may be preferred.

As will be appreciated by a person skilled in the art, at some borders of laminate flooring 1 , some planks may have to be shaped into alternative dimensions to fit the required dimensions of e.g. a room in which laminate flooring 1 is laid. For example, the laminate planks 2 may have to be sawed into the right dimensions near the edges of the flooring 1. Planks 201 and 202 comprise one laminate region only with one laminate profiled layer. This may be a suitable embodiment for laminate profiled layers 22 of figure 5 and/or 6. However, having only one laminate profile region may not preferred if the laminate profiled layer 22 is formed by a plurality of elongated first protrusions 23 forming ridges 40, since, if only one orientation of ridges 40 is present, the frictional force between the first protrusions and second protrusions may cause a different frictional force if a force is exerted in one direction (e.g. X- direetion) on the plank 201, 202 than when another force is exerted in another direction (e.g. Y- direction) on the plank 201, 202.

For convenience of explanation it is assumed that each of planks 201 - 214:

has dimension Px = Sx / 2 or Px = Sx, and Py = Sy / 2 or Py = Sy, where Sx = Sy; has a length Lx and a width Ly;

first laminate region 220 comprises the same ridges 40 as second laminate region

221 (albeit rotated 90 degrees); and

W Sx Sy (i.e. square subfloor laminate regions).

For plank 203 the length Lx and the width Ly are shown. For example, the dimensions may be Ly = 2 x Py and Lx - 2 x Px and Ly - Lx - W. Such a square plank 203 can be easy to position relatively to the subfloor 3 for the laminate profiled layer 22 plank 203 is discretely rotationally symmetric. The plank 203 can thus be placed on the same position in four different orientations with the first laminate regions 220 and second laminate regions 221 properly corresponding to the first subfloor regions 320 and the second subfloor regions 321 (i.e. matching the first protrusions 23 to the second recesses 34 and the second protrusions 33 to the first recesses 24).

Planks 204, 205, 206, 213 and 214 are preferred embodiments of the present invention. These planks 2 have dimensions:

if Ly = n x W. then Lx = 2 x m x W, or vice versa; or

if Lx = W / 2, then Ly = 2 x k x W + W / 2, or vice versa;

with n, m, k being integers > 0.

If, in a laminate flooring 1 , such planks are used, the number of required unique types of planks is close to one. This will be further explained when discussing figures 18 and 19.

Planks 207, 208 and 209 constitute a further possible set of planks. Planks 210, 211 and 212 constitute another possible set of planks. Such sets of planks may be used for laying a laminate wood flooring 1 such as for example in figure 18. The planks may be laid on the subfloor 3 in a manner as the set of planks 210, 211 and 212 in figure 18, with planks consecutively laid in alternating directions to form a“herringbone pattern.” In the“herringbone pattern” approximately half of the planks are alter natingly laid with their elongated axis in a first direction (e.g. X- direction) and approximately half of the planks are alternatingly laid with their elongated axis in a second (orthogonal) direction (e.g. Y-direction). For example, a plank 212 in figure 17 may be bordered by two planks 210 (one above, one below') and one plank 21 1 on the left, and one other plank 21 1 on the right (whereof the elongated axis may be parallel or perpendicular to the elongated axis of said plank 211 ). The“herringbone pattern” requires, in the example of planks 210, 211 and 212 three unique planks. Planks 211 and 212 could also be used to form a “conventional pattern” as in figure 18 where all planks are laid with their elongated axis in in the same direction.

Figures 18 - 19 show' patterns of planks 2 on the subfloor 3. The laminate profiled layer 22 may correspond to the subfloor profiled layer 32. Different patterns of planks 2 are possible, different planks 2 may enable different patterns of planks 2 to be laid on the subfloor 3. Preferable are planks 204, 205 and 206 since these planks 2 are easily orientated on the subfloor 3 since the laminate profiled layer 22 is easily matched with the subfloor profiled layer 32.

Figures 18 and 19 show' exemplary laminate wood floorings with planks arranged in a “herringbone pattern” (as 21 1, 212 and 213 figure 19) or in a“conventional pattern.” As will be appreciated by a person skilled in the art any of planks 204, 205 or 206 can be laid in either pattern while matching the first and second laminate regions to the first and second subfloor regions w'hile requiring only one unique type of plank 2 for the flooring 1 w here the first protrusions 23 substantially coincide with the second recesses 34 and the second protrusions 33 substantially coincide with the first recesses 24. In contrast, for laying the planks 213 and 214, two (i.e. both) planks are required for the“herringbone pattern” and/or the“conventional pattern”.

A set of planks 207, 208 and 209 or a set of planks 210, 211 and 212 would require at least three unique planks to lay the“herringbone pattern.”

A convenient manner of distributing and/or producing the subfloor 3 may be fabricating the subfloor 3 by forming tracks of subfloor 3, for example, by distributing the subfloor 3 in the form of rolls of tracks 50. Tracks 50 of subfloor 3 may be placed on a supporting surface 4 that is to be provided wdth a laminate wood flooring 1. Figure 20 show's three of tracks 50 of subfloor 3 adjacent to each other. The tracks 50 have a width and length preferably coinciding with an integer (>0) amount of subfloor regions. In the exemplary figure 20, the tracks 50 are tw'o subfloor regions wide (2 xSx) and six subfloor regions long (6xSy), however, the present invention is not limited hereto. When tw'o adjacent tracks 50 are placed on the supporting surface 4, these tracks could, in principle, move with respect to each other. If, for example planks 201 would be laid on the tracks 50, a floor could be obtained. However, if the planks 201 would expand and/or contract, planks 201 on different tracks 50 could move with respect to one another. This may be undesirable since this might lead to gaps in between planks 201 that are placed onto two adjacent tracks. Therefore, it may be important that each track is covered by at least one plank 2 that also covers another track. Examples hereof are shown in figure 21. In figure 21, the three tracks 50 are laid directly adjacent to one another to form the subfloor 3. On the three tracks 50 of this example, planks 2 are placed, whereby on each track 50 at least one plank 2 is covering that track 50 and at least one other track 50. Hereby, movement of planks 2, positioned on different tracks 50, with respect to one another is prevented due to planks 2 that cover adjacent tracks, thereby preventing movement of the tracks with respect to one another.

It is to be understood that this invention is not limited to particular aspects described and, as such, may vary. It is also to be understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular aspects only, and is not intended to be limiting, since the scope of the present invention will be limited only by the appended claims.