SURFACE COVERING SYSTEMS

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to surface covering systems and more specifically, though not exclusively, to systems for covering floors or walls.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Typically, flooring systems comprise flooring elements which are laid side-by-side on a sub-floor to form a floor covering. In conventional flooring systems, the conventional flooring elements include wooden planks, stone or marble slabs, tiles etc. which are fixed directly to the sub-floor or to an underlay which is fixed to the sub-floor. A popular alternative is to use flooring elements which imitate the traditional appearance of conventional floor coverings. These flooring elements are often laminates and are formed from a dense core and a printed surface covered in a protective layer. They are a cheaper and often a more wear and stain resistant alternative to the conventional flooring elements.

In floating floor systems, the flooring elements are attached to each other but not to the sub-floor. This allows for the movement (expansion and contraction) of the flooring elements with changes in temperature and/or humidity and avoids buckling. An expansion space is provided around the perimeter of the laid floor covering. In such a system, the flooring elements are fixed together either by mechanical means or by adhesive. Interlocking flooring elements are known where each flooring element has a tongue and a groove extending along oppositely facing sides to mechanically fix the flooring elements together. The advantage of tongue-groove flooring elements is that they are easy to lay and remove if required. The flooring elements can be laid directly over the sub-floor or to an underlay, such as a sound dampening material such as foam or felt, which is floating on the sub-floor.

On stairs, flooring elements called "nosings" are commonly used. These nosing elements are arranged to be fixed to steps and each have a leading edge which is

shaped to extend beyond the stair step when the nosing element is laid in position. When in position, an oppositely facing edge of the nosing element from its leading edge abuts an adjacent flooring element. The challenge concerning the attachment of nosing elements to the step is that both horizontal and vertical movement must be minimized for safety yet at the same time allowing for expansion of the material of the nosing element and allowing for movement of adjacent floor coverings through expansion and/or contraction.

In known flooring systems, the nosing element does not form part of the floating floor system as it is attached directly to the sub-floor. Therefore, the nosing element cannot move relative to the sub-floor or relative to the other flooring elements during their expansion and contraction. Typically, conventional laminated floating floor systems can expand and contract by 0.25 inch between winter and summer which is related to the moisture differences between the seasons. Therefore, in order to avoid buckling of the floor covering, a gap must be left between the nosing element and the adjacent flooring element of the floating floor to allow the floating floor to expand and contract as required. This gap is covered by tape or a plug of some sorts, or the nosing element overlaps the adjacent element. In both cases, the upper surface of the flooring is not flush (level) which can create a safety hazard.

A similar problem with such floating floor systems occurs at the transition of other floating and fixed systems such as the joins between floor covering systems between rooms or at the transition of a floating flooring system with another surface such as another floating flooring, hard surface, carpet or tiles etc, as this transition also requires the use of a molding or transition element which overlaps the two flooring systems.

This overlapping element creates a raised protrusion which may cause a safety issue and also be susceptible to damage. It is also not as aesthetically pleasing as if the two flooring systems were flush with another.

An example of a floating floor system where the upper surface of the nosing is not flush with the upper surface of the adjacent flooring element is described in US

5,806,253. In this patent, the nosing element is mechanically fixed directly to the sub- floor. The nosing has a nose portion with a rounded front surface for defining a leading

edge on a stair step and flanges extending away from the nose portion. The flanges are at right angles to one another and are arranged to receive the end portions of adjacent floor elements. The nosing element extends above the upper surface of the adjacent flooring elements presenting a trip hazard. Furthermore, this design does not provide any space for expansion of the flooring elements.

In US 5,787,674 a laminate covered stair nosing element is described which can be laid flush with the upper surface of an adjacent laminate flooring element of a floating floor system. The nosing element is mechanically fixed to metal sheeting which is fixed to the sub-floor. Therefore, the nosing element does not form part of the floating floor structure. Vertical lift-off of the nosing element is prevented by the nosing element wrapping over the metal sheeting at the edge of the step, and horizontal movement is prevented by prongs extending from the metal sheet.

WO 01/59234 discloses the concept of using a plate-like connector (glider bar) to connect a nosing element to an adjacent floor element so that the upper faces of the nosing element and the floor element lie on the same plane (i.e. are flush with each other). The system described in WO 01/59234 includes a glider bar having a base portion including extending rails in the form of dovetail protrusions. The bases and rails are longitudinally moveable relative to connecting plates which are fixed to a sub- floor. The floor elements are slid longitudinally along the rails and are fixed at one side only to the adjacent floating laminate flooring. However, as the distance of adjacent rails are fixed in this system, there is no flexibility regarding the use of non- conventional flooring elements. Furthermore, although the glider bar is moveable relative to the connecting plates which allows for some accommodation of movement of the adjacent floating floor system, movement of the glider bar away from the sub- floor is not limited which can provide a tripping hazard when the system is applied to a stair, for example, and nosing elements are fixed to the glider bar.

Therefore, it is desired to overcome or reduce at least some of the above-described problems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An object of the present invention is to provide an improved surface covering system. The present invention reduces the difficulties and disadvantages of the aforesaid designs by providing a plate for a surface covering system for moveably connecting a first covering element to a surface, said plate having an upper surface, upper and lower edges and two oppositely facing side edges and comprising: a first fastening member protruding from the upper surface for connecting the first covering element to the plate, and a second fastening member for moveably connecting the plate to the surface, wherein the second fastening member is arranged, in use, to limit the transverse movement of the plate away from the surface whilst allowing longitudinal movement of the plate relative to the surface.

In this way, the first covering element can move relative to the surface to accommodate for movement of adjacent covering elements which can avoid gapping between the two adjacent covering elements or buckling of the two adjacent covering elements. Also, the plate allows for two adjacent surface covering elements to be laid side-by-side and with their upper surfaces level or flush. A practical application of the plate is in joining a nosing floor element to a floating floor system.

Advantageously, the second fastening member includes an opening in the plate, said opening being shaped to receive a fastener which can be fixed to the surface through the opening so that the plate is moveable about the fastener in use, whilst the fastener limits the transverse movement of the plate away from the surface. In a preferred embodiment, the opening is elongate shaped and is in a substantially central portion of the plate. However, the opening can have another shape and be positioned away from the central portion of the plate.

The plate can include a fastener having a shaft portion which is receivable through the opening of the second fastening member and a head portion which has a larger diameter than the diameter of the opening, wherein, in use, the head portion is retained on the upper surface of the plate and limits the transverse movement of the plate away from the surface whilst moveably connecting the plate to the surface.

The first fastening member can be shaped to interlock with a corresponding groove in

the first covering element. The first fastening member can be a hook-shaped rail extending between the two side edges of the plate. The rail can be continuous or intermittent. A second covering element can be laid over and connected to an upper edge portion of the plate, adjacent to the first covering element by virtue of the first fastening member being positioned inwardly from the upper edge of the plate. The second covering element can be connected to the plate by adhesive applied to the upper surface of the plate.

Optionally, the plate may include a third fastening member protruding from the upper surface of the plate for more securely connecting the first covering element to the plate, the third fastening member being shaped to engage with a corresponding groove in the first covering element. The third fastening member can be a rail extending between the two side edges of the plate and can be positioned inwardly from the lower edge of the plate in a lower edge portion of the plate. Adhesive can be applied to the upper surface of the plate to more securely connect the first covering element to the plate.

The present invention also encompasses a surface covering system comprising: a first covering element having upper and lower surfaces, upper and lower ends and two oppositely facing side edges; a plate for moveably connecting the first covering element to a surface, the plate having upper and under surfaces, upper and lower edges and two oppositely facing side edges; a first fastening member co-operable between the first covering element and the plate for connecting the covering element to the plate; and a second fastening member co-operable between the plate and the surface for moveably connecting the plate to the surface, wherein the second fastening member is arranged, in use, to limit the transverse movement of the plate away from the surface whilst allowing longitudinal movement of the plate relative to the surface.

Advantageously, the second fastening member includes an opening in the plate, said opening being shaped to receive a fastener which can be fixed to the surface through the opening so that the plate is moveable about the fastener in use. Preferably, the opening is elongate shaped and is in a substantially central portion of the plate. The first covering element can have a groove in its under surface which corresponds in size and position to the opening in the plate.

Advantageously, the first fastening member is an inter-engaging formation acting between the first covering element and the plate. The first fastening member can be a protrusion on the plate upper surface which is shaped to interlock with a corresponding groove in the first covering element. The protrusion can be a hook-shaped rail extending between the two side edges of the plate. The first fastening member is positioned inwardly from the upper edge of the plate to allow a second covering element to be laid over and connected to an upper edge portion of the plate, adjacent to the first covering element. Adhesive can be applied between the upper surface of the plate and the second covering element to connect the second covering element to the plate.

Optionally, the system may further comprise a third fastening member protruding from the upper surface of the plate for more securely connecting the first covering element to the plate. The third fastening member can be shaped to engage with a corresponding groove in the first covering element. The third fastening member can be a rail extending between the two side edges of the plate and is positioned inwardly from the lower edge of the plate in a lower edge portion of the plate.

Adhesive may be applied between the plate and the first covering element to more securely connect the first covering element to the plate.

Preferably, the second fastening member further includes a fastener having a shaft portion which is receivable through the opening for moveably connecting the plate to the surface and a head portion which has a larger diameter than the diameter of the opening to retain the head portion on the upper surface of the plate to limit the transverse movement of the plate away from the surface in use.

The surface can be a floor and the first covering element a floor covering element, such as a nosing element for a step. The second covering element can be a floor covering element of a floating floor system. Alternatively, the surface can be a wall and the first covering element a wall covering element.

From another aspect of the present invention, the surface covering system comprises a

first covering element having upper and lower surfaces, upper and lower ends and two oppositely facing side edges, a plate for moveably connecting the first covering element to a surface, the plate having upper and under surfaces, upper and lower edges and two oppositely facing side edges; and an inter-engaging formation acting between the first covering element and the plate for connecting the covering element to the plate, and a fastening system for moveably connecting the plate to the surface, the fastening system being arranged, in use, to limit the transverse movement of the plate away from the surface whilst allowing longitudinal movement of the plate relative to the surface.

Preferably, the fastening system comprises an opening in the plate and a fastener receivable in the opening. The fastener can have a head portion and a body portion, the body portion being receivable through the opening to moveably connect the plate to the surface and the head portion limits the transverse movement of the plate away from the surface in use. Preferably, the opening is elongate shaped and is in a substantially central portion of the plate.

Advantageously, the inter-engaging formation comprises a first protrusion extending from the upper surface of the plate which is inter-engageable with a corresponding first groove in the first covering element. Optionally, the inter-engaging formation can further comprise a second protrusion extending from the upper surface of the plate which is inter-engageable with a corresponding second groove in the first covering element.

In one embodiment, the surface is a floor and the first covering element is a floor covering element. The first covering element can be a nosing element for a step. Alternatively, the surface can be a wall and the first covering element a wall covering element.

The present invention also extends to a method of installing a covering element to a surface, said method comprising: providing a plate for moveably connecting the first covering element to the surface; moveably connecting the plate to the surface by a first fastening member of the plate such that the transverse movement of the plate away

from the surface is limited whilst allowing longitudinal movement of the plate relative to the surface; and engaging a second fastening member protruding from the upper surface of the plate with a corresponding groove in an upper end of the covering element. The first fastening member can be a fastener and moveably connecting the plate to the surface includes mechanically fastening the fastener to the surface through an opening in the plate.

The method further comprises providing a second covering element and overlying an attaching a portion of the second covering element to the plate adjacent the first covering element.

From yet another aspect, the present invention also encompasses a surface covering system kit comprising: a first covering element having upper and lower surfaces, upper and lower ends and two oppositely facing side edges; a plate for moveably connecting the first covering element to a surface, the plate having upper and under surfaces, upper and lower edges and two oppositely facing side edges; a first fastening member co- operable between the first covering element and the plate for connecting the covering element to the plate; and a second fastening member co-operable between the plate and the surface for moveably connecting the plate to the surface, wherein the second fastening member is arranged, in use, to limit the transverse movement of the plate away from the surface whilst allowing longitudinal movement of the plate relative to the surface.

The present invention also provides a surface covering system kit comprising a first covering element having upper and lower surfaces, upper and lower ends and two oppositely facing side edges, a plate for moveably connecting the first covering element to a surface, the plate having upper and under surfaces, upper and lower edges and two oppositely facing side edges; and an inter-engaging formation acting between the first covering element and the plate for connecting the covering element to the plate, and a fastening system for moveably connecting the plate to the surface, the fastening system being arranged, in use, to limit the transverse movement of the plate away from the surface whilst allowing longitudinal movement of the plate relative to the surface.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Further aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the description in association with the following in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a surface covering system according to an embodiment of the present invention including a connecting plate and a flooring element, adjacent a conventional flooring element;

Figure 2 is a cross-section along line A-A' of Figure 1 ;

Figure 3 is a cross-section along line A-A' of Figure 1 after force has been applied in the X direction;

Figure 4 is a perspective view of the connecting plate of Figure 1, the connecting plate having first and second connectors;

Figure 5(a) is an exploded profile view of the first connector of Figure 4;

Figures 5(b) and (c) are exploded profile views of alternative embodiments of the first connector of Figure 4;

Figure 6(a) is an exploded profile view of the second connector of Figure 4;

Figures 6(b) to (d) are exploded profile views of alternative embodiments of the second connector of Figure 4;

Figure 7(a) is a perspective view of the flooring element of Figure 1;

Figure 7(b) is a plan view of the under surface of the flooring element of Figure 7(a);

Figure 8 is a plan view of a partly laid floor using the connecting plate and the flooring θ

element according to the embodiment of the present invention of Figure 1 adjacent conventional flooring elements;

Figure 9 is a perspective view of the partly laid floor of Figure 8;

Figure 10 is a perspective view of a surface covering system according to a second embodiment of the present invention including a connecting plate and a flooring element, adjacent a conventional flooring element;

Figure 11 is a cross-section along line A-A' of Figure 10;

Figure 12 is a perspective view of a surface covering system according to a third embodiment of the present invention including a connecting plate and a flooring element, adjacent a conventional flooring element;

Figure 13 is a cross-section along line A-A' of Figure 12;

Figure 14 is a side view of a further embodiment of the flooring element of Figure 10, with only the flooring element shown for clarity overlying carpet; and

Figure 15 is a side view of a variation of the flooring element of Figure 14, with only the flooring element shown for clarity.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

This invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or of being carried out in various ways. Also, the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. The use of "including", "comprising", or "having", "containing", "involving" and variations thereof herein, is meant to encompass the items listed thereafter as well as additional

items.

With reference to Figures 1 to 9, a surface covering system according to one embodiment of the present invention is generally illustrated at 10. The surface covering system is illustrated in the drawings and described below in relation to a floor covering system. However, the invention is not limited to a floor covering system and extends to the application of the system and its individual components to other surfaces such as walls and ceilings.

The surface covering system 10 includes a surface covering element 12 and a connecting plate 14. In this embodiment of the invention, the surface covering system is a flooring system 10 and the surface covering element is a flooring element 12. The flooring element 12 is illustrated in Figures 1 to 3, and 7 to 9 as a nosing element for mounting over stairs although the flooring element 12 of the present invention is not limited to nosing elements, as will be seen below in relation to Figures 12 to 15. Both the connecting plate 14 and the flooring element 12 are arranged to be laid adjacent a conventional flooring element 16, which in this embodiment is a conventional laminate flooring element of a floating floor system. The flooring elements 12, 16 are arranged to be fixed to the connecting plate 14, hence also securing them to one another, with the connecting plate 14 being arranged to be moveably mounted to the surface on which it rests, such as the floor 18 or sub-floor 19. In Figure 1, the connecting plate 14 is moveably connected to the floor whereas the conventional flooring element 16 of the floating floor system is laid over the sub-floor 19.

In this way, flooring elements 12, 16 of different types can be laid flush beside each other and movement of the flooring elements 12, 16 due to contraction or expansion is accommodated by the connecting plate 14 being able to move relative to the floor 18 to avoid buckling and warping, or gapping of the flooring elements 12, 16. This is illustrated in Figure 3 which shows a force being exerted in the X-direction by the conventional flooring element 16 due to, for example, expansion of the conventional flooring element 16 or of the floating floor system. This causes the connecting plate 14 to move in the X-direction relative to the floor 18, to accommodate the movement of adjacent flooring elements thereby avoiding buckling or gapping between the laid

flooring elements. The connecting plate 14 can be considered as a three-way connecting device because, in use, it connects two adjacent flooring elements together in a side-by-side relationship and moveably connects these flooring elements to the floor.

The connecting plate 14 is shown in greater detail in Figure 4 and is of generally rectangular shape having an upper surface 20 and an under surface 22 which are substantially parallel to each other, an upper edge 24, a lower (leading) edge 26 and two oppositely facing side edges 28, 30. Protruding or extending from the upper surface 20 of the connecting plate 14 are first and second connectors 32, 34 in the form of rails, spaced from each other and extending from side edge 28 to side edge 30. The first rail 32 is positioned at an upper edge portion 36 of the connecting plate 14 and the second rail 34 is positioned at a leading edge portion 38 of the connecting plate 14. A generally elongate opening 40 or slot is positioned in a central portion 42 of the connecting plate, between the first and second rails 32, 34, for receiving a fixing member or connector 46 such as a screw, rivet, stud or pin (best seen in Figures 1-3). The fixing member 46 has a body portion 44 and a head portion 48. The width of the opening 40 is such that the head portion 48 of the fixing member 46 is retained on or above the upper surface 20 of the connecting plate 14 when the body 44 of the fixing member 46 is inserted into the opening 40. In this embodiment, the opening 40 is elliptical shaped but it can also be any other shape, preferably an elongated shape. In this embodiment, the side edge-to-side edge dimension of the connecting plate 14 should preferably be wide enough to cover the width of the step on which the nosing element 12 is being laid. However, the connecting plate 14 can be narrower to exclude coverage of non-load bearing areas of the flooring element e.g. under a banister.

The connecting plate 14 is preferably made of a light metal alloy for floor applications, or of any other suitable material for the intended application. For the application of the surface covering system 10 to walls, the connecting plate can be made of a plastic material for reduced weight or of any other suitable material. The connecting plate 14 can be made by any known conventional means such as by extrusion or by moulding.

As can be seen most clearly in Figure 5(a), the first rail 32 is hook-shaped (like an

inverted "L") when viewed from the side, and comprises a base portion 50 extending substantially perpendicularly from the upper surface 20, and an end portion 52 which is angled with respect to the base portion 50. The end portion 52 of the first rail 32 is at substantially right angles to the base portion 50. The shape of the first rail 32 can vary from that as described, as shown in Figures 5(b) and (c). In Figure 5(b), the end portion 52 is angled at greater than 90 degrees to the base portion 50 and in Figure 5(c) the join between the base and the end portions 50, 52 is rounded rather than angular. Other shapes of the first rail 32 are also possible which also prevent lift-off of the surface covering element 12 from the connecting plate 14.

The second rail 34 can be seen most clearly in Figure 6(a) and comprises a protrusion extending from the upper surface 20 of the connecting plate 14 and extending between the two side edges 28, 30. The second rail 34 has an even thickness along its height 53. Alternative shapes of the second rail 34 are also possible and, as can be seen in Figures 6(b) to (d), they include protrusions which are barbed 54 at either their free ends 56 (Figures 6(b) and (c)) or along their height 53 (Figure 6(d)). In the case of Figures 6(b)-(d), the second rail 34 will also prevent lift-off of the nosing 12 to some degree, although this is not an essential function of the second rail 34.

Referring now to Figures 7(a) and (b), the flooring element 12 is of generally rectangular shape when viewed in plan. It has an upper surface 58, an under surface 60, an upper end 62, a lower (leading) end 64, an upper edge 66, and two oppositely facing side edges 68, 70. As is known conventionally with nosing flooring elements, the upper surface 58 of the flooring element 12 is continuous, and has an overhang 72 or nose at the leading end 64 of the flooring element 12 which is shaped to extend beyond the stair step when the nosing 12 is laid in position to cover the edge of the step. The under surface 60 of the flooring element 12 has two parallel grooves 74, 76 extending between the side edges 68, 70. The first groove 74 is for accommodating the height of the head portion 48 of the fixing member when the flooring element 12 is mounted on the connecting plate 14 and it is appropriately positioned and sized for this purpose. The second groove 76 is for accommodating the second rail 34 of the connecting plate 14 when the flooring element 12 is mounted to the connecting plate 14 and it is appropriately positioned and sized for this purpose. At the leading end 64 of the undersurface 60 of the flooring element 12 there is a shoulder 78 which is intended to

abut the edge of the step when the nosing element 12 and the connecting plate 14 are mounted to the step. There is a third groove 80 at the upper end 62 of the flooring element 12, extending between the two side edges 68, 70 which corresponds in size to the first rail 32 such that the first rail 32 is received in the groove 80 when the flooring element 12 is mounted to the connecting plate 14. Specifically, the upper end 62 of the undersurface 60 ends short of the upper end 62 of the upper surface 58 to accommodate the base portion 50 of the first rail 32, and the third groove 80 extending along the upper end 62 is shaped to receive the end portion 52 of the first rail 32. The grooves 74, 76, 80 also serve to minimize the weight and material required for the flooring element 12. The flooring element 12 is made in a manner and from materials used typically for conventional flooring elements. Alternatively, a conventional flooring element can be adapted to conform with the present invention by forming the grooves 74, 76, 80 as described above, such as on its undersurface and its upper end.

When the flooring element 12 and the connecting plate 14 are assembled and mounted to the floor 18, seen most clearly in Figure 2, the first rail 32 is received in the third groove 80 and prevents the upward movement of the flooring element 12 away from the connecting plate 14 as well as the backwards movement of the flooring element 12 towards the upper edge 24 of the connecting plate 14. The second rail 34 is received in the first groove 74 and prevents the backwards and forwards movement of the flooring element 12 towards the upper and lower edges 24, 26, respectively, of the connecting plate 14. The fixing member 46 moveably connects the connecting plate 14 to the floor 18 to prevent the connecting plate 14, and hence the flooring element 12 from being detached from the floor 18. However, the fixation of the fixing member 46 through the opening 40 of the connecting plate 14 and into the floor 18 allows lateral movement of the connecting plate 14, in a longitudinal direction (towards and away from its upper and leading edges 24, 26) along the floor 18. This degree of freedom of movement of the connecting plate 14 means that expansion and contraction of the flooring element 12 will be accommodated by the movement of the connecting plate 14.

When the connecting plate 14 and flooring element 12 are laid next to a floating floor covering system, as in this embodiment, a leading edge portion 82 of the conventional flooring element 16 overlies the upper edge portion 36 of the connecting plate 14 such that the leading edge portion 82 of the conventional flooring element 14 abuts the base

portion 50 of the first rail 32. Advantageously, the two flooring elements 12, 16 can be laid such that their upper surfaces are flush with one another. The conventional flooring element 16 is fixed to the connecting plate 14 by adhesive 84 or by any other suitable means. In this embodiment, the adhesive 84 is in the form of a double-sided adhesive tape applied to the upper edge portion of the connecting plate. The adhesive tape can be an urethane adhesive which is used conventionally in the automobile industry and which has a protective ribbon which can be unpeeled to reveal the adhesive just before the flooring element 16 is laid over the connecting plate 14. Advantageously, the bonding of the flooring element 16 to the connecting plate 14 will increase over time as pressure is applied to the floor through pedestrian traffic. Therefore, as the conventional flooring element 16 is fixed to the connecting plate 14, when the floating floor system moves from expansion or contraction of the flooring elements, this will also cause the connecting plate 14 to move relative to the floor 18.

The assembly of the surface covering system 10 and its operation will now be described with reference to Figures 1, 2, 8 and 9. In the embodiment illustrated in Figures 1 to 9, as the flooring element 12 in this embodiment is a nosing for use on stairs, the connecting plate 14 is positioned with its under surface 22 against the floor 18 and its leading edge 26 aligned with the end of the top stair. Alternatively, the leading edge 26 of the connecting plate 14 is laid so that its leading edge slightly extends over the stair edge. In this way, if the flooring elements are in an expanded state when laid, this configuration will accommodate contraction of the flooring elements. The connecting plate 14 is then moveably fixed to the floor 18 using the fixing member 46. When a screw is used as the fixing member 46, it is fully screwed into the floor 18, then loosened by approximately a quarter turn to provide sufficient space between the head portion 48 of the screw 46 and edges of the opening 40 for the connecting plate 14 to be able to move longitudinally. If a degree of transverse movement of the connecting plate 14 is also required, more space is provided between the head portion 48 of the screw 46 and the upper surface 20 of the connecting plate 14. However, the head portion 48 of the fixing member 46 will limit the transverse (vertical) movement of the connecting plate 14 away from the floor and hence avoid complete lift-off of the connecting plate 14 from the floor. The protective ribbon (not shown) of the adhesive tape 84 is removed. The leading edge portion 82 of the conventional flooring element 16 is laid over, and secured to, the connecting plate

upper portion 36 so that the leading edge 82 of the conventional flooring element abuts the base portion 50 of the first rail 32.

The flooring element 12 is then mounted to the connecting plate 14 by levering the third groove 80 of the flooring element 12 over the first rail 32 of the connecting plate 14 and lowering the flooring element 12 into position with the first and second grooves 74, 76 of the flooring element 12 corresponding positionally to the fixing member head 48 and second rail 34 of the connecting plate 14. The upper surface 58 of the flooring element 12 is gently tapped, if necessary, to ensure that the flooring element 12 is in the correct position and has been fully lowered. Alternatively, if the space around the connecting plate 14 permits, the flooring element 12 can be slid into position from one of the side edges 28, 30 of the connecting plate 14 towards the other side edge 30, 28. In this respect, at least the third groove 80 is sized to permit a pressure fit between the flooring element 12 and the connecting plate 14. When there is less space, the flooring element 12 can be partially slid onto the connecting plate 14 leaving the opening 40 exposed, before the connecting plate 14 is moveably connected to the floor 18. The flooring element 12 can be dismantled from the connecting plate 14 by tapping the underside of the flooring element 12 upwards, or by lifting the flooring element 12 away from the connecting plate 14.

The floating floor system can be laid in a conventional manner either before or after the nosing 12 is positioned on the connecting plate 14. Typically, a floating floor system is laid over the sub-floor 19 which can be a membrane for damping sound and for water resistance. In this case, the membrane extends up to the upper edge 24 of the connecting plate 14 and not under the connecting plate 14 itself. Different thicknesses of the flooring elements and underlay can be accommodated by providing connecting plates 14 and flooring elements 12 with different thicknesses.

The surface covering system of Figures 10 and 11 differs from the embodiment of Figures 1 to 9 in that a further strip of adhesive 88 is provided on the connecting plate 14 at its lower end portion 38, between the second rail 34 and the leading edge 26 of the connecting plate 14, and optionally, along a front edge of the conventional flooring element 16 abutting the base portion 50 of the first rail 32 (shown in Figure 11).

Adhesive 88 may also be applied to the shoulder 78 of the flooring element 12 on its undersurface 60. This provides further fixation of the flooring elements 12, 16 to the connecting plate 14.

A third embodiment, shown in Figures 12 and 13, differs from the second embodiment of Figures 10 and 11, in that the flooring element 12 is not a nosing for use on stairs and therefore has no overhang. Also, the connecting plate 14 does not have a second rail and the flooring element 12 does not have the second groove corresponding to the second rail. Instead, the flooring element 12 is fixed to the connecting plate 14 by the second strip of adhesive 88 at the leading edge portion 38 of the connecting plate 14. The flooring element 12 of Figures 12 and 13 can be laid besides other floor coverings and floor covering systems such as vinyl, linoleum, tiles and carpet, or mouldings or trim at its leading edge.

In a fourth embodiment of the invention, shown in Figure 14, the flooring element has been adapted to be laid besides textile surface coverings, such as carpet, at its leading end 64. Accordingly, the flooring element 12 of Figure 14 has a recess 90 on its undersurface 60 at the lower end 64 for overlapping the end of a textile covering 92, in use. The flooring element 12 of Figure 14 can also be laid beside any other suitable floor covering not shown or described here. The profile at the leading end 64 of the floor covering 12 can be adapted to suit the neighbouring floor covering and application, as can be seen in Figure 15. In these cases, the connecting plate 14 need not be attached to the textile as its forward and backward movement will simply expose and cover the piece of textile from beneath the leading end 64 of the flooring element 12.

Although the present invention has been described hereinabove by way of preferred embodiments thereof, it can be modified without departing from the spirit and nature of the subject invention as defined in the appended claims. For example, although the first and second rails 32, 34 have been illustrated as being continuous, they need not be and can be interrupted or a single connector. The rails 32, 34 could be in the form of intermittent protrusions, or even a single protrusion which does not extend to the side edges. The adhesive 84, 88 applied between the connecting plate 14 and the flooring

elements 12, 16 has been described as an adhesive tape. However, any other suitable type of adhesive can be used by either applying it to the connecting plate or to the flooring element. The dimensions and shapes of the connecting plate 14 may vary from those illustrated in order to suit the application. For example, the surface covering system 10 of the present invention may be used with a reducer at the transition between different heights of floor such as at room partitions. Alternatively, the system of the present invention 10 can be used on walls where, for example, wood paneling is used. In this case, the connecting plate 14 is moveably connected to the wall by connecting the fixing member 46 into the wall. Other applications include the ends of walls or corners. In all these applications, the advantage of the present system is that two different types of surface coverings can be laid side-by-side and with their upper surfaces flush or level with each other. The system of the invention need not be laid only with floating floor systems, any other type of flooring system is compatible with the present invention. The shape of the first connector can vary from that shown. For example, it could be shaped to mechanically fix the conventional flooring element to the connecting plate.

Instead of the elongate opening and screw moveable fastening system of the connecting plate, any other suitable moveable fastening system can be used. Alternative methods of moveably connecting the connecting plate to the floor are also possible. For example, the connecting plate 14 and fixing member 46 could be integral yet still moveable with respect to each other by the incorporation of slideable rails or other such means. Also, the fixing member 46 could be provided with a lip, spaced from the head portion to define tracks with which the opening edges of the anchoring plate would co-operate and move within. Alternatively, instead of the connecting plate 14 moveably connecting the flooring element 12 to the floor 18, the flooring element 12 itself could be moveably connected directly with the floor. Of course, in areas of flooring or wall surface covering where no expansion is expected (e.g. staircase steps), the surface covering element can be directly fixed to the surface. The means of mechanical fixation of the flooring element to the plate could also vary from the protrusion 32 described above. For example, the undersurface of the flooring element could have a protrusion for engagement with a corresponding groove on the upper surface of the plate. Any other inter-engaging formation between the plate and the surface covering element is within the scope of the present invention.