U.S. patent application number 11/427096 was filed with the patent office on 2007-01-18 for interlocking tile.
Invention is credited to Paul Kerkhof, Michael W. Stegner.
Application Number | 20070011980 11/427096 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 37660378 |
Filed Date | 2007-01-18 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070011980 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Stegner; Michael W. ; et
al. |
January 18, 2007 |
Interlocking Tile
Abstract
An interlocking tile is used to form a floor with adjacent tiles
each tile preferably has four sides with first interlocks on the
first and second sides and second interlocks on the third and
fourth side. The tile can interlock with adjacent tiles as long as
the interlocking sides are parallel. The tiles can interlock even
when they are aligned with one another in only one direction.
Inventors: |
Stegner; Michael W.;
(Windsor, CA) ; Kerkhof; Paul; (Windsor,
CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
DARYL W SCHNURR;MILLER THOMSON LLP
ACCELERATOR BUILDING
295 HAGEY BLVD., SUITE 300
WATERLOO
ON
N2L 6R5
CA
|
Family ID: |
37660378 |
Appl. No.: |
11/427096 |
Filed: |
June 28, 2006 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60694261 |
Jun 28, 2005 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
52/586.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E04F 15/105 20130101;
E04F 2201/0138 20130101; E04F 15/082 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
052/586.1 |
International
Class: |
E04B 2/00 20060101
E04B002/00 |
Claims
1. An interlocking tile for use in a floor having several tiles,
said tile interlocking with one or more adjacent tiles, said tile
comprising an upper surface, a bottom and four sides, two adjacent
sides of said four sides having first interlocks thereon and two
remaining adjacent sides of said four sides having second
interlocks thereon, said first interlocks being shaped to interlock
with second interlocks on said adjacent tiles, said second
interlocks being shaped to interlock with first interlocks on
adjacent tiles, said first interlocks extending downward from said
upper surface, said second interlocks extending upward beyond a
footprint of said upper surface, said first and second interlocks
being shaped so that said tile can interlock with one or more
adjacent tiles when the adjacent tiles are aligned in one direction
with said tile.
2. An interlocking tile for use in a floor with other interlocking
tiles, said tile comprising an upper surface, bottom and four
sides, two adjacent sides of said four sides having first
interlocks thereon and two adjacent sides of said four sides having
second interlocks thereon, said first interlocks being sized and
shaped to interlock with second interlocks on adjacent tiles and
said second interlocks being sized and shaped to interlock with
first interlocks on adjacent tiles, said interlocks extending
substantially along a length of one side, said interlocks being
capable of interlocking with one another when said tiles are
aligned in one direction.
3. An interlocking tile as claimed in claim 2 wherein a side of
said tile that interlocks with an adjacent tile is parallel to said
adjacent tile.
4. An interlocking tile for use in forming a floor with other
interlocking tiles, said tile comprising at least three sides with
the first side and the second side of said at least three sides
being adjacent to one another, said tile having an upper surface, a
first side having a first interlock thereon extending downward from
said upper surface, a second side having a second interlock
extending outward beyond a footprint of said upper surface, said
second interlock extending upward, said first interlock and said
second interlock each having a contact face that lies in a vertical
plane parallel to said first and second sides respectively.
5. A plurality of interlocking tiles for use in forming a floor,
said tiles being sized and shaped to interlock with one another,
each tile having four sides and an upper surface, a first side and
a second side of said four sides being adjacent to one another and
each having a first interlock thereon, said first interlock
extending downward from said upper surface, a third side and fourth
side being adjacent to one another and opposite to said first and
second side respectively, said third and fourth side each having a
second interlock thereon, there being two second interlocks, said
second interlocks extending outward beyond a footprint of said
upper surface, said second interlocks extending upward, there being
two first interlocks and two second interlocks, said interlocks
each having a contact face that lies in a vertical plane parallel
to that side where each interlock is located, said first and second
interlocks corresponding to one another so that the first interlock
of one tile interlocks with the second interlock of another tile
and so on to form a floor.
6. A plurality of interlocking tiles as claimed in claim 5 wherein
one first interlock of a first tile interlocks with a second
interlock of a second tile and another first interlock of said
first tile interlocks with a second interlock of a third tile and
so on to form said floor.
7. A plurality of interlocking tiles as claimed in claim 4 wherein
said tile has a bottom surface, said bottom surface having a
plurality of legs thereon, with ribs extending between adjacent
legs, said ribs being arc-shaped
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] This invention relates to interlocking tile used to form a
floor and, more particularly, to interlocking tile having an
interlocks that are sized and shaped to interlock with tiles that
are aligned with each other in one direction or two directions.
[0003] 2. Description of the Prior Art
[0004] It is known to have floor tiles that interlock with one
another. However, previous floor tiles can only interlock when two
interlocking tiles are aligned with one another in two directions.
Previous interlocking tiles can only interlock when the two tiles
that are to interlock with one another are precisely positioned in
alignment relative to one another in two directions or an upper
surface of the interlocked tiles does not lie in one horizontal
plane, or the tiles are too expensive, or the tiles are too
difficult to lock or interlock, or the interlocks break easily or
too much labour input is required to install the tiles.
[0005] Some previous tiles can slip out of the interlocking
relationship too easily. When tiles must be aligned with one
another in two directions in order to be interlocked to one
another, a great deal of time is required in order to lay the tiles
to form a floor as very precise work is required in order to align
the tiles in two directions. Also, when the tiles must be aligned
in two directions in order to interlock properly, when the
alignment is slightly off, the tiles can become progressively more
misaligned as each tile is laid. Sometimes, tiles previously laid
must be taken apart from one another and reinstalled in order to
improve the alignment.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] It is an object of the present invention to provide a tile
of at least three sides, and preferably four sides, that interlocks
with adjacent tiles to form a floor. It is a further object of the
present invention to provide a tile that interlocks with adjacent
tiles to provide a floor with a continuous horizontal upper surface
except for narrow cracks between tiles. It is still a further
object of the present invention to provide an interlocking tile
that interlocks with adjacent tiles as long as the tile is aligned
with adjacent tiles in at least one direction.
[0007] An interlocking tile is used in forming a floor with other
interlocking tiles. The tile comprises at least three sides and has
an upper surface. A first side has a first interlock extending
downward therefrom from the upper surface. The first side and the
second side of the at least three sides are adjacent to one
another. A second side has a second interlock extending outward
beyond a footprint of the upper surface. The second interlock
extends upward, the first interlock and the second interlock each
having a contact face that lies in a vertical plane parallel to the
first and second sides respectively.
[0008] An interlocking tile is used in a floor with other
interlocking tiles. The tile comprises an upper surface, bottom and
four sides. Two adjacent sides of the four sides have first
interlocks thereon and two adjacent sides of the four sides have
second interlocks thereon. The first interlocks are sized and
shaped to interlock with second interlocks on adjacent tiles of the
other interlocking tiles. The interlocks extend substantially along
a length of one side. The interlocks are capable of interlocking
with one another when the tiles are aligned in one direction.
[0009] A plurality of interlocking tiles are used in forming a
floor, the tiles being sized and shaped to interlock with one
another. Each tile has four sides and an upper surface. The first
side and the second side of the four sides are adjacent to one
another and each has a first interlock thereon. The first interlock
extends downward from the upper surface. A third side and fourth
side is adjacent to one another and opposite to the first and
second side respectively. The third and fourth side each has a
second interlock thereon. There are two second interlocks, the
second interlocks extending outward beyond a footprint of the upper
surface. The second interlocks extend upward. There are two first
interlocks and two second interlocks, the interlocks each having a
contact face that lies in a vertical plane parallel to that side
where each interlock is located. The first and second interlocks
correspond to one another so that the first interlock of one tile
interlocks with the second interlock of another tile and so on to
form a floor.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an interlocking tile when
viewed from a top;
[0011] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an interlocking tile when
viewed from a bottom;
[0012] FIG. 3 is a top view of an interlocking tile;
[0013] FIG. 4 is a bottom view of an interlocking tile;
[0014] FIG. 5 is a side view of an interlocking tile showing a
first interlock;
[0015] FIG. 6 is a side view of an interlocking tile showing a
second interlock;
[0016] FIG. 7 is a schematic top view of part of a floor formed
from a plurality of tiles in which the tiles are aligned with one
another in two directions; and
[0017] FIG. 8 is a schematic top view of part of a floor formed
from a plurality of tiles where the tiles are aligned with one
another in one direction.
DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0018] In FIG. 1, an interlocking tile 2 has an upper surface 4 and
four sides, being a first side 6, a second side 8, a third side 10
and fourth side 12. A first interlock 14 extends from each of the
first and second sides 6, 8. A second interlock 16 extends from
each of the third and fourth sides 10, 12. The first interlock 14
extends downward from the sides 6, 8. The second interlock 16
extends outward from the sides 10, 12 and upward, the second
interlock being affixed to the third and fourth sides 10, 12 by a
plurality of tabs 18.
[0019] In FIG. 2, the same reference numerals are used as those
used in FIG. 1 for those components that are identical. It can be
seen that the interlocking tile 2 is not only upside down in FIG.
2, but is oriented differently with the first side 6 and fourth
side 12 located toward a front of the drawing and the second side 8
and third side 10 oriented toward a rear of the drawing. A bottom
20 has a plurality of posts 22. The posts are interconnected by a
plurality of arc shaped connectors 24. The connectors 24 extend
parallel to the first and third sides 6, 10, parallel to the second
and fourth sides 8, 12 as well as diagonally. The connectors 24 add
strength to the tile 2 to support the upper surface 4 (not shown in
FIG. 2). In addition, there are three rectangular shaped supports
25 extending diagonally through the tile 2 in one direction,
approximately equidistant from one another. Numerous variations can
be made to the design of the bottom of the tile. For example, more
or fewer than four cylindrical supports 26 can be used. The
rectangular supports 25 can extend in two directions, 90 degrees
apart from one another or they can be eliminated entirely. It can
be seen that there are four main cylindrical supports 26, there
being one cylindrical support 26 located in each quadrant of the
tile at a point of intersection of the rectangular shaped supports
25.
[0020] From FIGS. 1 and 2, it can be seen that the second
interlocks 16 have a gap 28 located at a mid point thereof along
each of the third and fourth sides 10, 12. The tile 2 shown in
FIGS. 1 and 2 is preferably a twelve inch square tile. Such a tile
can be designed with a different support structure on the bottom
and/or can have the second interlocks extending along the third and
fourth sides with the gap 28 eliminated. The support structure can
vary, for example, for smaller tiles, the rectangular diagonal
supports 24 can be eliminated. Smaller tiles can also have the
cylindrical supports 26 eliminated in the four quadrants but can
have one cylindrical support 26 located at a centre of the tile.
The arc shaped supports eliminate material and make the tile
lighter without significantly reducing the strength of the tile in
a vertical direction.
[0021] In FIGS. 3 and 4, there is shown a top view and bottom view
respectively of the tile 2. The same reference numerals are used in
FIGS. 3 and 4 as those used in FIGS. 1 and 2 to describe those
components that are identical. The first interlocks 14 have a
contact surface 30 that extends along the first and second sides 6,
8 in a direction parallel to those sides respectively. The second
interlocks 16 have a contact surface 32 that extends along the
third and fourth sides 10, 12 in a direction that is parallel to
each of those sides. The first interlocks correspond to the second
interlocks so that a first interlock on one tile can interlock with
a second interlock on another tile (only one tile is shown). The
tiles interlock with one another to form a floor. One tile, with
four exposed sides, can have a minimum of four adjacent tiles
interlocked to that one tile. Preferably, the tiles interlock in
such a manner that there is a line of contact between adjacent
sides of adjacent tiles and the upper surface of two or more
adjacent tiles is substantially continuous and interrupted only by
the line of contact. The first and second interlocks are sized and
shaped so that adjacent tiles need only be aligned with a first
tile in one direction. In other words, in order for two tiles to
fit together, the tiles must be parallel to one another, but one
tile could have two tiles interlocked with the one tile along the
same side. While the tiles fit tightly together, except for that
tight fit and any obstruction caused by other tiles, two
interlocked tiles can be forced to slide relative to one another
along the line of contact while the two tiles remain in an
interlocked position. Therefore, when laying the tiles and
particularly when the tiles are all of the same colour, an
installer does not have to be concerned if the tiles are not
aligned in two directions, as long as the tiles are aligned in one
direction.
[0022] In FIGS. 5 and 6, the same reference numerals are used as
those used in FIGS. 1 to 4 for those components that are identical.
In FIG. 5, the tile 2 is oriented with the first side 6 towards the
front of the drawing. The second side 8 is located on the right and
the fourth side 12 is located on the left. The first side 6 has the
first interlock 14 located thereon and the second side 8 has the
first interlock 14 located thereon. The first interlocks 14 have
the contact face 30. The third side 12 has the second interlock 16
extending outward and then upward therefrom. The second interlock
has the contact face 32 located therein. The first and second sides
6, 8 each have an inner wall 34 located just inside each of the
sides 6, 8. The inner walls 34 have a plurality of vertical ribs 36
located thereon to add strength to the sidewalls 34. It can be seen
that the first interlock 14 and the second interlock 16 each have a
U-shaped cross section and are sized so that the first interlock
from one tile can fit within the second interlock on an adjacent
tile and vice-versa.
[0023] In FIG. 6, the tile 2 is oriented so that the third side 10
faces the front of the drawing. The second side 8 is located along
the right hand side and the fourth side 12 is located along the
left hand side of the drawing. The third side 10 has the second
interlock 16 located thereon and the second side 8 has the first
interlock 14 located thereon. The second interlock 16 is also
located along the fourth side 12. The same reference numerals are
used in FIG. 6 as those used in FIG. 5 to describe those components
that are identical.
[0024] In FIG. 7, there is shown a schematic top view of part of a
floor formed from nine tiles 2 where the first interlock 14 of one
tile interlocks with the second interlock 16 of the adjacent tile.
Tiles 2 in FIG. 7 are aligned with one another in two
directions.
[0025] In FIG. 8, the same reference numerals are used as those
used in FIG. 7 for those components that are identical. There are
seven tiles shown in FIG. 8 and the tiles are aligned in one
direction, but misaligned in a second direction. It can be seen
that the two tiles in each of the outside rows 40 is misaligned
from left to right with the center row 42.
* * * * *