Imitation wood plank

Abstract

An imitation wood plank comprises an elongate planar member having a top surface, a bottom surface and opposing sides. The top surface includes a wood grain pattern. The bottom surface includes a central portion and side margins disposed on opposing sides of the central portion. An adhesive material for adhering the elongate member to a sub-floor is applied to the central portion and extends substantially the entire length of the elongate member. The side margins are free of adhesive and provide a pathway for moisture to migrate from the sub-floor through gaps between adjacent imitation wood planks.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An imitation wood plank comprising:
 an elongate planar member formed of a thermoplastic material and having a top surface, a bottom surface, and opposing sides, wherein the bottom surface includes a central portion and two side margins disposed on opposing sides of the central portion;   a wood grain pattern formed on the top surface of the planar member;   a pressure sensitive adhesive applied to a central portion of bottom surface of the planar member and extending substantially the entire length of the planar member;   wherein the side margins on the bottom surface on either side of the central portion are free of adhesive.   
     
     
         2 . The imitation wood plank of  claim 1  wherein the adhesive comprises an alkali-resistant adhesive. 
     
     
         3 . A floor system comprising:
 a sub-floor;   a plurality of imitation wood planks disposed over the sub-floor, each wood plank comprising:
 an elongate planar member formed of a thermoplastic material and having a top surface, a bottom surface, and opposing sides, wherein the bottom surface includes a central portion and two side margins disposed on opposing sides of the central portion; 
 a wood grain pattern formed on the top surface of the planar member; 
 a pressure sensitive adhesive applied to a central portion of bottom surface of the planar member and extending substantially the entire length of the planar member for adhering the wood planks to the sub-floor; 
 wherein the side margins on the bottom surface on either side of the central portion are free of adhesive to allow moisture to migrate from the sub-floor through gaps between adjacent wood planks. 
   
     
     
         4 . The floor system of  claim 3  wherein the adhesive comprises an alkali-resistant adhesive.