ALEXANDRIA, Va., Oct. 21 -- United States Patent no. 12,768,173, issued on Oct. 20, was assigned to VALINGE INNOVATION AB (Viken, Sweden).
"Vertical joint system for a surface covering panel" was invented by Richard William Kell (North Beach, Australia).
According to the abstract* released by the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office: "A vertical joint system for a surface covering panel having an upper and lower surfaces, and a plurality of sides located between the upper and lower surfaces. The joint system has a male part along at least one side and a female part along an opposite side. The female part has a protrusion that extends from the lower surface and an outer most female surface on the protrusion. The male part has a recess that opens...