| CPC E04F 15/182 (2013.01) [E04F 15/185 (2013.01); F24D 3/142 (2013.01); F24D 3/146 (2013.01)] | 16 Claims |
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1. A flooring underlayment comprising a membrane, the membrane including:
a) a body panel having a panel top surface and a panel underside surface spaced apart from the panel top surface by a panel thickness, the panel top surface and panel underside surface oriented generally horizontally when in use;
b) a plurality of discrete dimples projecting downward from the panel underside surface, each dimple having a dimple upper end open to the panel top surface, a closed dimple lower end spaced apart from the panel underside surface, and a dimple sidewall extending between the dimple upper end and the dimple lower end, each dimple having a dimple height extending vertically from the panel underside surface to the dimple lower end, the dimple sidewall configured to inhibit collapse of the dimple height when a load is applied to the flooring underlayment during use; and
c) a plurality of grooves open to the panel top surface and formed within a groove body projecting downward from the panel underside surface, each groove shaped to receive an elongated heating element therein;
wherein each groove body includes a groove lower end disposed at an elevation below the panel underside surface, each groove body having a groove height extending vertically from the panel underside surface to the groove lower end, wherein the groove height is in a range from about 30 percent of the dimple height to about 90 percent of the dimple height, and wherein a ventilation gap is provided below the groove bodies and above an underlying surface to facilitate ventilation below the panel underside surface and around adjacent ones of the plurality of dimples.
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