IP Library Granted Patent US 11,236,516
Granted Patent B2
US 11,236,516 · App. 16/883,934 · Granted Feb 1, 2022

Mold-resistant field-assembled flooring systems

Inventor: James R. Metzger (Santa Ana, CA)
E04F15/203E04B1/82E04B1/86E04F15/182E04B1/942
View Patent ↗
Loading inventors, assignments & file history…
Monitor This Case
Get email alerts when status or documents change.
Order Certified Copies
Most orders are placed with the USPTO same day — all within 24 business hours.
Order via The Patent Place →
Pre-filled with this patent's details
Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 11,236,516
App. No.
16/883,934
Granted
Feb 1, 2022
Kind
B2
Abstract

Described herein are methods for installing field-assembled flooring systems wherein the underlayment is a hybrid design that includes a combination of structural board and cementitious product. The hybrid design is configured to reduce or eliminate the curing time requirement after pouring the cementitious product (e.g., gypsum concrete). The field-assembled flooring systems can reduce or eliminate the chances of the onset of mold due to high moisture levels by removing the cementitious product from the prone areas and replacing it with structural boards. The structural boards (e.g., cellulose fiberboards) can be installed in non-critical areas such as underneath cabinets, around the perimeter of the floor, under bathtubs, in non-walk-in closets, anywhere drywall reaches the floor, or the like.

Claims (26)

1. A method for installing a hybrid underlayment of a flooring system, the method comprising:

adhering water-resistant isolation boards to a subfloor in a targeted area, the targeted area lying within a first portion of the subfloor adjacent to a wall frame, the water-resistant isolation boards adhered to the subfloor adjacent to the wall frame so that there is a gap between individual water-resistant isolation boards and the wall frame of less than or equal to 3/16 inches;

adhering water-resistant structural boards to a top side of the water-resistant isolation boards; and

pouring cementitious product in a second portion of the subfloor so that the poured cementitious product is level with a top side of the water-resistant structural boards,

wherein the water-resistant isolation boards and the water-resistant structural boards define a pour stop for the cementitious product such that the cementitious product does not contact the wall frame and wherein the pour stop reduces formation of mold by inhibiting water from the cementitious product entering respective said water-resistant isolation boards and respective said water-resistant structural boards.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the water-resistant isolation boards comprise boards formed with processing oils added during manufacture to improve water resilience.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the water-resistant isolation boards comprise a homogeneous composition with resistance to moisture.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the water-resistant isolation boards have a density between 30 lb/ft 3 and 50 lb/ft 3 .

5. The method of claim 1 wherein the water-resistant isolation boards have a density between 26 lb/ft 3 and 28 lb/ft 3 .

6. The method of claim 1 wherein the water-resistant isolation boards comprise engineered wood products prepared from wood fiber extracted from chips and pulped wood paste.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein the water-resistant isolation boards comprise cellulose fiberboards.

8. The method of claim 1 wherein the water-resistant isolation boards are different from the water-resistant structural boards.

9. The method of claim 1 wherein the water-resistant isolation boards are the same as the water-resistant structural boards.

10. A flooring system having a hybrid underlayment, the flooring system comprising:

water-resistant isolation boards adhered to a subfloor in a targeted area, the targeted area lying within a first portion of the subfloor adjacent to a wall frame, the water-resistant isolation boards adhered to the subfloor adjacent to the wall frame so that there is a gap between individual water-resistant isolation boards and the wall frame of less than or equal to 3/16 inches;

water-resistant structural boards adhered to a top side of the water-resistant isolation boards; and

a cementitious product poured on a second portion of the subfloor so that the poured cementitious product is level with a top side of the water-resistant structural boards,

wherein a combination of the water-resistant isolation boards and the water-resistant structural boards define a pour stop for the cementitious product such that the cementitious product does not contact the wall frame and wherein the pour stop reduces formation of mold by inhibiting water from the cementitious product entering respective said water-resistant isolation boards and respective said water-resistant structural boards.

11. The flooring system of claim 10 wherein the water-resistant isolation boards comprise boards formed with processing oils added during manufacture to improve water resilience.

12. The flooring system of claim 10 wherein the water-resistant isolation boards comprise a homogeneous composition with resistance to moisture.

13. The flooring system of claim 10 wherein the water-resistant isolation boards have a density between 30 lb/ft 3 and 50 lb/ft 3 .

14. The flooring system of claim 10 wherein the water-resistant isolation boards have a density between 26 lb/ft 3 and 28 lb/ft 3 .

15. The flooring system of claim 10 wherein the water-resistant isolation boards comprise engineered wood products prepared from wood fiber extracted from chips and pulped wood paste.

16. The flooring system of claim 10 wherein the water-resistant isolation boards comprise cellulose fiberboards.

17. The flooring system of claim 10 wherein the water-resistant isolation boards are different from the water-resistant structural boards.

18. The flooring system of claim 10 wherein the water-resistant isolation boards are the same as the water-resistant structural boards.

Continuity (3)
Continuation 16269556 · Feb 6, 2019
Provisional Application 62627154 · Feb 6, 2018
Related Publication 20200354973A1 · Nov 12, 2020
Cited By (1)
US 12,252,888