Anchor sheet and attachment devices

Abstract

A method and apparatus for connecting anchor sheets to each other and/or to a floor. The approach includes using attachment pieces which fit into an area of reduced thickness of the anchor sheet which surround a cut away of the anchor sheet. In one embodiment, the attachment pieces are corners which overlap areas of reduced thickness on a number of anchor sheets.

1 - 28 . (canceled) 
     
     
         29 . A plurality of anchor sheets laid onto a floor, without substantial attachment to the floor, to form a subfloor that, when combined with a decorative covering, is of sufficient mass and rigidity to free float on the floor without buckling or movement when walked upon, at least one anchor sheet of the subfloor comprising: a plastic sheet having a thickness of between 0.020 inches and 0.75 inches, the sheet having a first surface and a second surface, the first surface being substantially covered in hooks of a hook and loop attachment system for detachable attachment to a decorative covering; and the second surface being free of attachment means to the supporting substrate so that the anchor sheet may free float when installed on the floor. 
     
     
         30 . The plurality of anchor sheets of  claim 29 , wherein the sheet has a thickness in the range from 0.062 inches to 0.75 inches. 
     
     
         31 . The plurality of anchor sheets of  claim 30 , wherein the sheet has a thickness of around 0.125 inches. 
     
     
         32 . The plurality of anchor sheets of  claim 29 , wherein the sheet is made of polypropylene or polyethylene. 
     
     
         33 . The plurality of anchor sheets of  claim 30 , wherein the anchor sheet and hooks are injection molded and formed in a single injection molded piece. 
     
     
         34 . The plurality of anchor sheets of  claim 33 , further comprising a cushion attached to the second surface. 
     
     
         35 . The plurality of anchor sheets of  claim 34 , wherein the anchor sheet has a polygonal shape. 
     
     
         36 . The plurality of anchor sheets of  claim 35 , wherein the anchor sheet is rectangular. 
     
     
         37 . The plurality of anchor sheets of  claim 36 , wherein a side of the anchor sheet has a length in the range from two feet to four feet. 
     
     
         38 . The plurality of anchor sheets of  claim 29 , wherein the anchor sheet has a substantially flat lower portion and a substantially flat upper portion, in which the upper portion is offset from the lower portion along an edge thereof to expose a part of the lower portion. 
     
     
         39 . The plurality of anchor sheets of  claim 38 , wherein the upper portion is offset from the lower portion an equal amount along two adjacent edges to expose two adjacent parts of the lower portion. 
     
     
         40 . The plurality of anchor sheets of  claim 29 , further comprising an area countersunk from the first surface for installation of an attachment device within the countersunk area. 
     
     
         41 . The plurality of anchor sheets of  claim 40 , further comprising a complete cut through the anchor sheet, the cut through area being located within the countersunk area. 
     
     
         42 . The plurality of anchor sheets of  claim 40 , wherein the countersunk area is centred on a corner. 
     
     
         43 . The plurality of anchor sheets of  claim 38 , wherein the portions have the same thickness. 
     
     
         44 . The plurality of anchor sheets of  claim 38 , wherein the portions have different thicknesses. 
     
     
         45 . A method of installing an anchor sheet and attachment device subfloor onto a floor, the subfloor to receive a detachable decorative covering, said anchor sheets having an upper surface having a means for detachable attachment to the decorative covering and a section of reduced thickness of a first area of a first shape, comprising the steps of:
 laying the anchor sheets onto a floor;   inserting the attachment devices in the sections of reduced thickness; and   attaching at least some of the attachment devices to either the floor or to the surrounding anchor sheets.   
     
     
         46 . The method of  claim 45 , wherein the anchor sheets are designed to overlap and the step of laying the anchor sheets over a floor includes laying the anchor sheets in overlapping fashion over a floor. 
     
     
         47 . The method of  claim 45  wherein the attachment devices are smaller than the first areas and in which the step of laying the anchor sheets over a floor comprises laying the anchor sheets over a floor so that there is a gap between adjacent anchor sheets. 
     
     
         48 . An anchor sheet for use in a subfloor for detachable attachment to a decorative covering, the anchor sheet comprising: a plastic sheet having a thickness of between 0.062 inches and 0.75 inches, the sheet having a first surface and a second surface, the first surface being substantially covered in hooks of a hook and loop attachment system; and
 a cushion attached to the second surface.   
     
     
         49 . The anchor sheet of  claim 48 , wherein the anchor sheet and hooks are injection molded and formed in a single injection molded piece. 
     
     
         50 . The anchor sheet of  claim 48 , wherein the anchor sheet has a substantially flat lower portion and a substantially flat upper portion, in which the upper portion is offset from the lower portion along an edge thereof to expose a part of the lower portion. 
     
     
         51 . The anchor sheet of  claim 48 , further comprising a countersunk area for installation of an attachment device. 
     
     
         52 . The anchor sheet of  claim 48 , further comprising an attachment device mounted thereto. 
     
     
         53 . The anchor sheet of  claim 29 , further comprising an attachment device mounted thereto. 
     
     
         54 . The anchor sheet of  claim 45 , further comprising an attachment device mounted thereto. 
     
     
         55 . A subfloor comprising a rigid plastic or polymer anchor sheet of between 0.020 inches and 0.75 inches and substantially covered with hooks, being one half of a hook and loop attachment system, the anchor sheet located intermediate between an overlaying decorative covering and a supporting substrate, in which the anchor sheet serves to tie together the decorative covering pieces into a contiguous decorative surface, and in which the anchor sheet is free of attachment means to the supporting substrate, and wherein the thickness and rigidity of the anchor sheet is such that the combined anchor sheet and decorative covering have sufficient rigidity and mass to remain in place without substantial buckling or movement when laid onto the supporting substrate without substantial attachment to the supporting substrate. 
     
     
         56 . A subfloor composed of a plurality of injection molded anchor sheets attached together by an attachment device that allows for motion between the sheets in the plane of the subfloor and having attached thereby on a lower surface a cushion. 
     
     
         57 . The subfloor of  claim 55 , wherein the anchor sheet is injection molded and formed in a single injection molded piece including hooks.