Flooring panel with first and second decorative surfaces

Abstract

A flooring panel for a flooring system comprises a core interposed between a first decorative surface and a second decorative surface. The core has opposing first and second side surfaces extending substantially perpendicular to the first and second decorative surfaces. The first and second decorative surfaces have different visible designs, and at least the first side surface is provided with at least a portion of a locking member.

1 . A flooring panel for a flooring system, comprising:
 a core interposed between a first decorative surface and a second decorative surface, the core having opposing first and second side surfaces extending substantially perpendicular to the first and second decorative surfaces, the first and second decorative surfaces being impregnated cellulosic layers having different visible designs; and   at least the first side surface being provided with at least a portion of a locking member.   
   
   
       2 . The reversible flooring panel of  claim 1 , wherein the flooring panel is symmetrical about a central axis extending substantially parallel to the first and second decorative surfaces and substantially perpendicular to the first and second side surfaces. 
   
   
       3 . The reversible flooring panel of  claim 1 , wherein the second side surface has at least a portion of a locking member, the locking member of the first side surface corresponding to the locking member of the second side surface. 
   
   
       4 . The reversible flooring panel of  claim 1 , wherein the core is a high density fiberboard or medium density fiberboard. 
   
   
       5 . The reversible flooring panel of  claim 4 , wherein the locking member on the first side surface is a tongue and the locking member on the second side surface is a groove. 
   
   
       6 . The reversible flooring panel of  claim 4 , wherein the locking member on the first side surface is a substantially L-shaped first locking extension and the locking member on the second side surface is a substantially L-shaped second locking extension. 
   
   
       7 . The reversible flooring panel of  claim 4 , wherein the locking member includes a flexible securing member separate from the flooring panel. 
   
   
       8 . A flooring system, comprising:
 at least a first and second flooring panel, the first and second flooring panels each having a core interposed between a first decorative surface and a second decorative surface, the core having opposing first and second side surfaces extending substantially perpendicular to the first and second decorative surfaces, the first side surface of the first flooring panel being positioned adjacent to the second side surface of the second flooring panel, the first and second decorative surfaces being impregnated cellulosic layers having different visible designs; and   a locking member extending between the first side surface of the first flooring panel and the second side surface of the second flooring panel that locks the first flooring panel to the second flooring panel.   
   
   
       9 . The flooring system of  claim 8 , wherein the first and second flooring panels are symmetrical about a central axis extending substantially parallel to the first and second decorative surfaces and substantially perpendicular to the first and second side surfaces. 
   
   
       10 . The flooring system of  claim 8 , wherein the first decorative surface of the first flooring panel is in the same plane as the first decorative surface of the second flooring panel. 
   
   
       11 . The flooring system of  claim 8 , wherein the first decorative surface of the first flooring panel is in the same plane as the second decorative surface of the second flooring panel. 
   
   
       12 . The flooring system of  claim 8 , wherein the core is a high density fiberboard or medium density fiberboard. 
   
   
       13 . The flooring system of  claim 8 , wherein the first and second flooring panels are mounted on a sub-floor, the first and second flooring panels being reversible such that the first decorative surfaces or the second decorative surfaces of the first and second flooring panels can be mounted adjacent to the sub-floor. 
   
   
       14 . The flooring system of  claim 13 , wherein the first decorative surface of the first flooring panel is mounted adjacent to the sub-floor and the second decorative surface of the second flooring panel is mounted adjacent to the sub-floor. 
   
   
       15 . The flooring system of  claim 14 , wherein the locking member prevents the first and second flooring panels from moving in a direction substantially perpendicular to the first and second side surfaces and in a direction substantially perpendicular to the first and second decorative surfaces. 
   
   
       16 . The flooring system of  claim 8 , wherein the first and second flooring panels are identical. 
   
   
       17 . The flooring system of  claim 8 , wherein the locking member includes a tongue and a groove. 
   
   
       18 . The flooring system of  claim 17 , wherein the tongue has opposing lateral surfaces provided with indentations corresponding to projections provided on opposing lateral surfaces of the groove. 
   
   
       19 . The flooring system of  claim 17 , wherein the tongue is provided with a hook material corresponding to a loop material provided on the groove. 
   
   
       20 . The flooring system of  claim 17 , wherein at least the groove is provided with an adhesive. 
   
   
       21 . The flooring system of  claim 17 , wherein the tongue has opposing lateral surfaces provided with roughened surfaces corresponding to roughened surfaces provided on opposing lateral surfaces of the groove. 
   
   
       22 . The flooring system of  claim 17 , wherein the tongue has at least one indentation corresponding to at least one projection provided on the groove. 
   
   
       23 . The flooring system of  claim 17 , wherein the tongue has opposing lateral surfaces provided with curved profiles corresponding to curved profiles provided on opposing lateral surfaces of the groove. 
   
   
       24 . The flooring system of  claim 8 , wherein the locking member includes substantially L-shaped first locking extension extending from the first side surface and a substantially L-shaped second locking extension extending from the second side surface. 
   
   
       25 . The flooring system of  claim 24 , wherein the first and second locking extensions each have a mating projection and a mating recess. 
   
   
       26 . The flooring system of  claim 25 , wherein the mating projections have opposing lateral surfaces provided with indentations corresponding to projections provided on opposing lateral surfaces of the mating recesses. 
   
   
       27 . The flooring system of  claim 25 , wherein the mating projections are provided with a loop material corresponding to hook material provided on the mating recesses. 
   
   
       28 . The flooring system of  claim 25 , wherein at least the mating recesses are provided with an adhesive. 
   
   
       29 . The flooring system of  claim 25 , wherein the mating projections have opposing lateral surfaces provided with roughened surfaces corresponding to roughened surfaces provided on opposing lateral surfaces of the mating recesses. 
   
   
       30 . The flooring system of  claim 25 , wherein the mating projections are provided with at least one indentation corresponding to at least one projection provided on the mating recesses. 
   
   
       31 . The flooring system of  claim 25 , wherein the mating projections have opposing lateral surfaces provided with curved profiles corresponding to curved profiles provided on opposing lateral surfaces of the mating recesses. 
   
   
       32 . The flooring system of  claim 8 , wherein the locking member includes a flexible securing member separate from the first and second flooring panels.