Connection for laminate flooring

Abstract

A locking connection between first, second and third adjacent flooring panels. A tongue and groove connection is used for joining the long edges of the first and second pieces. The long edge of the third piece is inserted into an engaging relationship with the long edge of the first piece with the third piece is a tilted relationship with the first piece while a male protuberance on the short edge is aligned with a female groove of the second piece. The third piece is then tilted downwardly relative to the first and second pieces until it reaches the horizontal position and the groove has accepted the male protuberance along its full length.

1 . A locking connection between first, second and third adjacent pieces of flooring, said connection comprising a female and a male connection along the long sides of said first and third adjacent pieces of said flooring and a male and female connection along the short sides of said second and third adjacent pieces of flooring, said female and male connections between said long sides of said first and third adjacent pieces allowing a limited amount of relative movement between said first and third pieces and said female and male connections extending in a plane which is generally perpendicular to the plane of said flooring in said final assembled generally horizontally position.  
   
   
       2 . Locking connection as in  claim 1  wherein said flooring is laminate flooring.  
   
   
       3 . A method of connecting first, second and third adjacent pieces of flooring, said first and said third of said adjacent pieces being connected along their long sides and two (2) of said adjacent pieces being joined along their short sides, said method comprising bringing said third adjacent piece into contact with said first adjacent piece while said third piece is tilted relative to said first piece and bringing said short side of said third piece into contact with said short side of said second piece while in said tilted position, tilting said third piece downwardly into a generally horizontal final position while said short side of said third piece enters into a compressive relationship with said short side of said second piece.  
   
   
       4 . Method as in  claim 3  wherein said flooring is laminate flooring.