(57) Disclosed is laminate flooring (10) and other articles with tongues (26) and grooves
(16) for joining sections of the flooring or articles and a method of making the tongue
and groove joints. The lower surfaces (28,18) of the tongues (26) and grooves (16)
are indexing surfaces for aligning the wear surfaces (12) of the flooring sections.
The tongues (26) and grooves (16) are made such that when the tongue (26) is fully
inserted into the groove (16), a continuous space is formed between the upper surface
(27,17) of the tongue (26) and groove (16). The grooved edges (25,15) are cut at an
acute angle to the surface (12). This provides a space between the upper surfaces
(27,17) of the tongue (26) and groove (16) and between the edge surfaces (25,15) above
the tongues (26) and grooves (16) toward the wear surfaces (12) of the flooring sections.
Glue in the joint, upon curing, resists penetration of moisture and increases the
strength of the joint.
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