US 7,051,486 · Granted 2006-05-30
The Click-Lock Floorboard Patent That Revolutionized DIY Installation
Imagine wooden floorboards that snap together like LEGO bricks instead of requiring nails or glue. This patent covers a clever mechanical locking strip attached to the edge of each board that lets them lock together seamlessly—so DIY homeowners can install beautiful floors without professional tools or help.
The plain-English version
What it protects
The claim covers a floorboard design where a separately machined metal or composite locking strip is mechanically joined to the board's edge in a way that allows adjacent boards to interlock and hold together without adhesives or fasteners. What's protected here is the specific geometry and mechanical connection method of that locking strip, preventing competitors from making boards that interlock using the same design approach.
Why it matters
This patent became foundational to the floating floor industry, which exploded in the early 2000s as homeowners sought easier, faster, and reversible flooring options. By enabling boards to lock together mechanically, Valinge's innovation removed the need for professional installation, subfloor preparation expertise, and permanent adhesives—transforming flooring from a contractor's job into a weekend DIY project. This shift opened an enormous consumer market for engineered and laminate floors.
Real-world use
Every time someone installs a modern click-lock laminate or engineered wood floor in their bedroom or kitchen, they're using the mechanical locking principle this patent locked down—snapping boards together at an angle until they click into place.
Original USPTO abstract
Floorboards with a mechanical locking system having a separately machined strip which is mechanically joined with the floorboard.
Patent details
- Publication number
- US 7,051,486
- Filing date
- 2003-04-15
- Grant date
- 2006-05-30
- Assignee
- Valinge Aluminium Ab
- Inventor(s)
- PERVAN DARKO
- CPC class
- E04F15/04
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