Spacer for installation of flooring system

Abstract

A spacing apparatus for creating a properly dimensioned gap during the installation of a flooring system, the spacing apparatus including a first element having a non-adjustable width (W) corresponding to an intended gap width, the first element extending in a first direction and joined to a projection element, the first direction and the projection element being generally perpendicular to each other, the projection element having a first portion having a non-adjustable width (T-1) corresponding to an intended gap width measured from a surface of the projection element in a direction parallel to the direction of the first element, the projection having a section portion having a non-adjustable width corresponding to a second intended expansion gap measured from a surface of the projection element in a direction parallel to the direction of the first element, wherein each of said intended gaps has a different width and wherein a gap is provided between a flooring plank and a vertical surface.

1 - 18 . (canceled) 
     
     
         19 . A spacing apparatus for creating a properly dimensioned gap during the installation of a flooring system, the spacing apparatus including a first element extending in a first direction and joined to a projection element, the first direction and the projection element being generally perpendicular to each other, the projection element having a first portion having a non-adjustable width (T-1) corresponding to a first intended expansion gap measured from a surface of the projection element in a direction parallel to the direction of the first element, the spacing apparatus further comprising
 the projection having a section portion having a non-adjustable width (T-2) corresponding to a second intended expansion gap measured from said surface of the projection element in a direction parallel to the direction of the first element.   
     
     
         20 . The spacing apparatus according to  claim 19 , wherein the length of said first element in said first direction is greater than the length of said first portion of said projection element and greater than the length of said second portion of said projection element. 
     
     
         21 . The spacing apparatus according to  claim 19 , wherein said first intended expansion gap width (T-1) is greater than said second intended expansion gap (T-2). 
     
     
         22 . The spacing apparatus according to  claim 19 , wherein said width (T-2) is less than said width (T-1). 
     
     
         23 . The spacing apparatus according to  claim 19 , wherein the apparatus includes a two shoulders each formed at the junction of said first element and said projection element. 
     
     
         24 . The spacing apparatus according to  claim 23 , wherein one of said shoulders is for aligning the flooring system against the first portion of said first element. 
     
     
         25 . The spacing apparatus according to  claim 23 , wherein one of said shoulders is for aligning the flooring system against the second portion of said first element. 
     
     
         26 . The spacing apparatus according to  claim 19 , wherein said first element has two surfaces, one of said surfaces for maintaining the flooring system in position during creation of a first intended expansion gap. 
     
     
         27 . The spacing apparatus according to  claim 26 , wherein the second of said two surfaces is for maintaining the flooring system in position during creation of a second intended expansion gap. 
     
     
         28 . The spacing apparatus according to  claim 19 , wherein said first element has a non-adjustable width (W) measured in a direction perpendicular to both said first direction and said projection element, the width (W) being different from each of the widths (T-1, T-2) of said first and second portions of said projection element. 
     
     
         29 . The spacing apparatus according to  claim 19 , wherein said first element has a width (W) corresponding to a third intended expansion gap. 
     
     
         30 . A spacing apparatus for created a properly dimensioned gap during the installation of a flooring system, the gap being defined between an edge of the flooring system and a vertical surface, comprising:
 the spacing apparatus having first, second and third portions, said first portion having a non-adjustable width (W-2), said second portion having a non-adjustable width (T-1) and said third portion having a non-adjustable width (W), each of said portions being selectively positioned between an edge of the flooring system and said vertical surface to form gap of one said non-adjustable widths therebetween.   
     
     
         31 . The spacing apparatus according to  claim 30 , wherein the width (W) is approximately 2.54 cm. 
     
     
         32 . The spacing apparatus according to  claim 19 , wherein the width (T-2) is approximately 0.635 cm. 
     
     
         33 . The spacing apparatus according to  claim 19 , wherein the width (T-1) is approximately 1.27 cm. 
     
     
         34 . The spacing apparatus according to  claim 19 , wherein the apparatus comprises a single moulded body. 
     
     
         35 . The spacing apparatus according to  claim 19 , wherein the apparatus comprises a single moulded body comprised of a rigid suitable thermoplastic. 
     
     
         36 . The spacing apparatus according to  claim 19 , wherein the apparatus is removable and reusable. 
     
     
         37 . A method of installing a flooring system with an expansion gap having a non-adjustable width selected from T-1, T-2 and W comprising placing a spacing apparatus according to  claim 19  on a subfloor adjacent to a vertical surface and placing at least one flooring plank in an abutting relationship to the spacing apparatus.