초록 ▼

The present invention provides a 100% bamboo plank with an interlocking system and associated manufacturing methods. In one embodiment, the 100% bamboo plank comprises first, second, and third layers of 100% bamboo, wherein the layers are laminated together. The layers are independently precondition

The present invention provides a 100% bamboo plank with an interlocking system and associated manufacturing methods. In one embodiment, the 100% bamboo plank comprises first, second, and third layers of 100% bamboo, wherein the layers are laminated together. The layers are independently preconditioned to control moisture content therein. Each layer can be preconditioned by alternately elevating and lowering the moisture content in a plurality of sequential cycles before the layers are laminated together. The middle layer is oriented so its grain is substantially perpendicular to the edges of the plank. The plank had joinery portions formed along the edges, and joinery includes an asymmetric upper joinery member and lower joinery member arrangement for, and at least a portion of the upper joinery member and lower joinery member portions are formed in the second layer.

대표청구항 ▼

We claim: 1. A bamboo flooring plank comprising: first, second and third layers of 100% bamboo laminated together, wherein: the first layer having a first plurality of bamboo fibers oriented generally parallel to each other to form a first grain of the layer, the first layer having been preconditio

We claim: 1. A bamboo flooring plank comprising: first, second and third layers of 100% bamboo laminated together, wherein: the first layer having a first plurality of bamboo fibers oriented generally parallel to each other to form a first grain of the layer, the first layer having been preconditioned to a first moisture content upon completion of preconditioning, wherein the moisture content of the first layer is preconditioned by alternately lowering and elevating the moisture content in a first plurality of sequential cycles before the first layer is laminated with the second and third layers; the second layer of having length and a second plurality of bamboo fibers oriented generally parallel to each other to form a second grain of the layer, wherein the second grain is substantially perpendicular to the length, the second layer having been preconditioned to a second moisture content upon completion of preconditioning, wherein the second layer is preconditioned by alternately lowering and elevating in a second plurality of sequential cycles different than the first plurality of sequential cycles before the second layer is laminated with the first and third layers, the second layer having a first edge portion with a first locking joinery portion, and having a second edge portion, a second locking joinery portion shaped and sized to lockably interconnect with a first joinery portion of another bamboo plank; and the third layer having a third plurality of bamboo fibers oriented generally parallel to each other to form a third grain of the layer, the third layer having been preconditioned to a third moisture content of the third layer upon completion of preconditioning, wherein the third layer is preconditioned by alternately lowering and elevating the moisture content in a third plurality of sequential cycles before the third layer is laminated with the first and second layers, wherein the first and second moisture contents are different upon completion of the first and second layers being preconditioned and before the first, second and third layers are laminated together. 2. The bamboo flooring plank of claim 1 wherein the first, second and third moisture contents are different from each other upon completion of the first, second, and third layers being preconditioned and before the first, second and third layers are laminated together. 3. The bamboo flooring plank of claim 1 wherein the first layer has a first thickness and the second layer has a second thickness different than the first thickness. 4. The bamboo flooring plank of claim 1 wherein the second locking joinery portion has a substantially planer projecting portion formed in the second layer having a thickness of at least approximately 0.10 mm. 5. The bamboo flooring plank of claim 1 wherein the first and second joinery portions have a grain substantially perpendicular to the first and second edges. 6. The bamboo flooring plank of claim 5 wherein the second locking joinery portion is a lower joinery member. 7. The bamboo flooring plank of claim 1 wherein the first grain is cross-plied relative to the second grain. 8. The bamboo flooring plank of claim 1 wherein the first grain is substantially perpendicular to the second grain. 9. The bamboo flooring plank of claim 1 wherein the second grain is cross-plied relative to the third grain. 10. A bamboo flooring system comprising a plurality of interconnectable laminated bamboo flooring planks, each of the bamboo flooring planks comprising first, second and third layers of 100% bamboo laminated together, wherein: the first layer having a first plurality of bamboo fibers oriented generally parallel to each other to form a first grain of the layer, the first layer having a first thickness and having been preconditioned to have a first moisture content upon completion of preconditioning, wherein the moisture content of the first layer is preconditioned by alternately adjusting the moisture content in a first plurality of sequential cycles before the first layer is laminated with the second and third layers; the second layer of having a length and second plurality of bamboo fibers oriented generally parallel to each other to form a second grain of the layer, wherein the second grain is substantially perpendicular to the length, the second layer having a second thickness different than the first thickness, the second layering having been preconditioned to a second moisture content, wherein the second layer is preconditioned by alternately adjusting in a second plurality of sequential cycles different than the first plurality of sequential cycles before the second layer is laminated with the first and third layers, the second layer having a first edge portion with a first interlocking member, and having a second edge portion a second interlocking member shaped and sized to lockably interconnect with a first interlocking member of another bamboo plank; and the third layer of having a third plurality of bamboo fibers oriented generally parallel to each other to form a third grain of the layer, the third layer having a third thickness different than the second thickness, the third layer being preconditioned to a third moisture content, wherein the third layer is preconditioned by alternately adjusting in a third plurality of sequential cycles before the third layer is laminated with the first and second layers, wherein the first moisture content is different than the second moisture content upon completion of the first and second layers being preconditioned and before the first, second and third layers are laminated together. 11. The bamboo flooring system of claim 10 wherein the second moisture content is different than the third moisture content upon completion of the second and third layers being preconditioned and before the first, second and third layers are laminated together. 12. The bamboo flooring system of claim 10 wherein the second locking joinery portion has a substantially planer projecting portion formed in the second layer having a thickness of at least approximately 0.10 mm. 13. The bamboo flooring system of claim 10 wherein the first and second joinery portions have the second grain therein substantially perpendicular to the first and second edges. 14. The bamboo flooring system of claim 13 wherein the second locking joinery portion Is a lower joinery member. 15. The bamboo flooring system of claim 1 wherein the first grain is cross-plied relative to the second grain. 16. The bamboo flooring system of claim 1 wherein the first grain is substantially perpendicular to the second grain. 17. A bamboo flooring plank comprising: first, second and third layers of 100% bamboo laminated together, wherein: the first layer having a first plurality of bamboo fibers oriented generally parallel to each other to form a first grain of the layer, the first layer having been preconditioned to a first moisture content upon completion of preconditioning, wherein the moisture content of the first layer is preconditioned by alternately lowering and elevating the moisture content in a first plurality of sequential cycles before the first layer is laminated with the second and third layers; the second layer of having length and a second plurality of bamboo fibers oriented generally parallel to each other to form a second grain of the layer, wherein the second grain is substantially perpendicular to the length, the second layer having been preconditioned to a second moisture content upon completion of preconditioning, wherein the second layer is preconditioned by alternately elevating and lowering in a second plurality of sequential cycles different than the first plurality of sequential cycles before the second layer is laminated with the first and third layers, the second layer having a first edge portion with a first locking joinery portion, and having a second edge portion, a second locking joinery portion shaped and sized to lockably interconnect with a first joinery portion of another bamboo plank, wherein the second locking joinery portion has a substantially planer projecting portion formed in the second layer having a thickness of at least approximately 0.10 mm; and the third layer having a third plurality of bamboo fibers oriented generally parallel to each other to form a third grain of the layer, wherein the first and second moisture contents are different upon completion of the first and second layers being preconditioned and before the first, second and third layers are laminated together.