U.S. patent application number 12/514873 was filed with the patent office on 2010-04-15 for system and a method of dry laying of covering elements for floors or walls and a support for said system.
Invention is credited to Davide Carra, Alessandro Fogli.
Application Number | 20100088982 12/514873 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39184675 |
Filed Date | 2010-04-15 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100088982 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Fogli; Alessandro ; et
al. |
April 15, 2010 |
SYSTEM AND A METHOD OF DRY LAYING OF COVERING ELEMENTS FOR FLOORS
OR WALLS AND A SUPPORT FOR SAID SYSTEM
Abstract
The system comprises at least one laminar element (103; 104)
with a first face of contact with a laying surface (F) and a second
face of contact with at least one covering element (R). Strips
(121) defining joints between covering elements (R) are arranged
around the edges and corners of the covering elements (R) to define
and fill the joints between mutually adjacent covering elements.
Corner elements for mutual connection of said strips are further
provide to retain the strips around the respective covering
element.
Inventors: |
Fogli; Alessandro; (Modena,
IT) ; Carra; Davide; (Modena, IT) |
Correspondence
Address: |
MCGLEW & TUTTLE, PC
P.O. BOX 9227, SCARBOROUGH STATION
SCARBOROUGH
NY
10510-9227
US
|
Family ID: |
39184675 |
Appl. No.: |
12/514873 |
Filed: |
November 15, 2007 |
PCT Filed: |
November 15, 2007 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/IT07/00806 |
371 Date: |
December 14, 2009 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
52/177 ;
52/483.1; 52/582.1; 52/588.1; 52/747.11 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E04F 15/082 20130101;
E04F 15/02194 20130101; E04F 2201/095 20130101; E04F 2201/091
20130101; E04F 2201/0138 20130101; E04F 15/02016 20130101; E04F
13/0862 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
52/177 ;
52/483.1; 52/588.1; 52/747.11; 52/582.1 |
International
Class: |
E04F 13/00 20060101
E04F013/00; E04C 2/38 20060101 E04C002/38; E04F 15/00 20060101
E04F015/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Nov 20, 2006 |
IT |
FI2006A000285 |
Jun 5, 2007 |
IT |
FI2007A000135 |
Claims
1. A kit for dry laying of covering elements for walls or floors,
comprising at least one laminar element with a first face of
contact with a laying surface and a second face of contact with at
least one covering element, the kit comprising: strips defining
joints between covering elements, which can be applied along the
edges of the covering elements; corner elements wherein said corner
elements are provided with constraint members co-acting with
interlocking members on said strips, for constraining and anchoring
the strips around the edges of the respective covering element.
2. A kit for dry laying of covering elements for walls or floors,
comprising plane laminar elements with a first face of contact with
a laying surface and a second face of contact with a covering
element, said laminar elements comprising along their own edges
members for interlocking between adjacent plane laminar elements,
the kit comprising: strips defining joints between covering
elements, which can be applied along the edges of the covering
elements; a plurality of locking seats made in said plane laminar
elements, for respective anchoring members for mutual anchorage
between plane laminar elements and covering elements, said
anchoring members comprising an insert that can be engaged into a
respective seat of the plane laminar element and has means of
constraint to a covering element, said locking seats comprising a
shaped peripheral edge to form a shape fit with the edge of the
corresponding anchoring member.
3. The kit according to claim 2, further comprising corner elements
for mutual connection between said strips, interlocking members
being provided for mutually anchoring said strips and said corner
elements and retaining said strips around the edges of said
covering elements.
4. The kit according to claim 1, wherein said strips have a
substantially rectilinear development.
5. The kit according to claim 1, wherein said strips are separate
from the plane laminar elements.
6. The kit according to claim 1, wherein said corner elements have
a plurality of arms that converge towards a central area of the
corner element, said arms having members of constraint for
respective strips defining the joints between adjacent covering
elements.
7. The kit according to claim 1, wherein said corner elements for
connection of the strips are separate from the plane laminar
elements.
8. The kit according to claim 1, wherein said strips are made of
impermeable material and form seals around the edges of the
covering elements.
9. The kit according to claim 1, wherein said strips are made of
elastic material.
10. The kit according to claim 1, wherein said strips have recesses
at least in the proximity of the ends, in which projections of said
corner elements engage.
11. The kit according to claim 1, wherein said interlocking members
between adjacent plane laminar elements are designed for fitting
adjacent plane laminar elements via a relative movement in a
direction substantially orthogonal to the face of the plane laminar
element.
12. The kit according to claim 1, wherein said interlocking members
comprise cavities and appendages made along the edges of the plane
laminar element, the cavities being open along the corresponding
edge of the plane laminar element and at least towards the second
face of the plane laminar element, for inserting in said cavities
corresponding appendages of adjacent laminar elements with a
movement substantially orthogonal to the laying surface.
13. The kit according to claim 1, wherein said locking seats for
locking the anchoring members for mutual anchorage between plane
laminar elements and covering elements are formed by through
openings that traverse the thickness of the plane laminar
element.
14. The kit according to claim 1, wherein said anchoring members
comprise an insert that can be engaged into the seat of the plane
laminar element and has a thickness not larger than the thickness
of the plane laminar element so that, when an anchoring member is
mounted in the respective seat, said anchoring member is set with
its top surface flush with the second face of the plane laminar
element.
15. The kit according to claim 14, wherein the edge of each locking
seat for said anchoring members comprises an edge forming an
undercut, into which the anchoring member is engaged, said
anchoring member having a peripheral edge shaped accordingly so
that said peripheral edge engages into the undercut formed in the
peripheral edge of the seat.
16. The kit according claim 1, wherein said anchoring members
comprise an adhesive on one of their faces, for adherence to the
covering element.
17. The kit according to claim 1, wherein said locking seats for
the anchoring members have a convex peripheral edge, in which a
concave peripheral edge of the corresponding anchoring member
engages.
18. The kit according to claim 1, further comprising an antislip
covering on the first face.
19. The kit according to claim 18, wherein said antislip covering
is set according to a grating pattern.
20. The kit according to claim 18, wherein said anchoring members
comprise a bottom surface provided with a layer of antislip
material.
21. A method for dry laying of a floor or covering formed by a
plurality of covering elements, the method comprising the following
steps: laying at least one laminar element on a surface to be
covered; by means of corner elements, anchoring along the edges of
said covering elements strips defining the joints between said
covering elements; applying to said at least one plane laminar
element a plurality of covering elements equipped with said
strips.
22. A planar supporting element for dry laying of covering elements
for floors or walls, the planar supporting element comprising: a
plane laminar element with a first face of contact with a laying
surface and a second face of contact with a covering element, and
along the edges of which are set interlocking members for
interlocking with adjacent plane laminar elements, wherein on the
second face of said supporting element are set strips defining a
joint between adjacent covering elements, and comprising at least
one locking seat for an anchoring member for anchorage between the
covering element and the plane laminar element, said locking seat
comprising a shaped peripheral edge to form a shape fit with the
edge of an anchoring member.
23. The supporting element according to claim 22, wherein said
interlocking members are shaped for fitting adjacent supports via a
relative movement in a direction substantially orthogonal to the
face of the plane laminar element.
24. The supporting element according to claim 22, wherein said
interlocking members comprise cavities and appendages arranged
along the edges of the plane laminar element, the cavities being
open along the corresponding edge of the plane laminar element and
at least towards the second face of the plane laminar element,
facing the covering element, for inserting in said cavities
corresponding appendages of adjacent laminar elements with a
movement substantially orthogonal to the laying surface.
25. The supporting element according to claim 22, wherein said at
least one locking seat for the anchoring member is formed by a
through opening that traverses the thickness of the plane laminar
element.
26. The supporting element according to claim 22, wherein said
anchoring member comprises an insert that can be anchored into said
seat of the plane laminar element and having means for constraint
to a covering element.
27. The supporting element according to claim 22, wherein said
anchoring member comprises an insert that can be anchored into the
seat of the laminar element and has a thickness not larger than the
thickness of the plane laminar element, so that, when the anchoring
member is mounted in the respective seat, said anchoring member is
set with its top surface flush with the second face of the plane
laminar element.
28. The supporting element according to claim 22, wherein the edge
of the locking seat for the anchoring member comprises an edge
forming an undercut, constrained to which is the anchoring member
having a peripheral edge shaped accordingly so as to be constrained
into the undercut formed in the peripheral edge of the seat.
29. The supporting element according to claim 22, wherein said at
least one anchoring member comprises an adhesive on one of its
faces so as to adhere to the covering element.
30. The supporting element according to claim 22, wherein said
strips defining the joint between adjacent covering elements are
arranged to form a cross, substantially orthogonal to the edges of
the plane laminar element and intersect approximately at the center
of the plane laminar element.
31. The supporting element according to claim 22, wherein said
strips defining the joint between adjacent covering elements divide
the plane laminar element into at least four areas, each of which
is equipped with at least one seat for a respective anchoring
member.
32. The supporting element according to claim 31, wherein said
strips divide the supporting element into four areas, each area
having a dimension substantially corresponding to one quarter of
the dimensions of the covering element.
33. The supporting element according to claim 22, wherein said at
least one locking seat for an anchoring member has a convex
peripheral edge anchored to which is a concave peripheral edge of
said anchoring member.
34. The supporting element according to claim 22, further
comprising an antislip covering on the first face.
35. The supporting element according to claim 34, wherein said at
least one anchoring member comprises a bottom surface provided with
a layer of antislip material.
36. A kit for dry laying of covering elements, comprising a
plurality of supporting elements, each supporting element
comprising a plane laminar element with a first face of contact
with a laying surface and a second face of contact with a covering
element, and along the edges of which are set interlocking members
for interlocking with adjacent plane laminar elements, wherein on
the second face of said supporting element are set strips defining
a joint between adjacent covering elements, each supporting element
comprising at least one locking seat for an anchoring member for
anchorage between the covering element and the plane laminar
element, said locking seat comprising a shaped peripheral edge to
form a shape fit with the edge of an anchoring member.
37. The kit according to claim 36, further comprising a plurality
of anchoring members.
38. The kit according to claim 36, further comprising spacers to be
set between said supports.
39. The kit according to claim 38, wherein said spacers each
comprise a laminar element, provided on the edges of which are
interlocking members complementary to the interlocking members of
said supports.
40. The kit according to claim 38, wherein said spacers comprise a
strip designed to form at least part of a joint between adjacent
covering elements.
41. A floor or covering comprising a plurality of supports and a
plurality of covering elements anchored to a structure via said
supports, each support comprising a plane laminar element with a
first face of contact with a laying surface and a second face of
contact with a covering element, and along the edges of which are
set interlocking members for interlocking with adjacent plane
laminar elements, wherein on the second face of said supporting
element are set strips defining a joint between adjacent covering
elements, each support comprising at least one locking seat for an
anchoring member for anchorage between the covering element and the
plane laminar element, said locking seat comprising a shaped
peripheral edge to form a shape fit with the edge of an anchoring
member.
42. The kit according to claim 2, wherein said strips have a
substantially rectilinear development.
43. The kit according to claim 3, wherein said strips have a
substantially rectilinear development.
44. The kit according to claim 2, wherein said corner elements have
a plurality of arms that converge towards a central area of the
corner element, said arms having members of constraint for
respective strips defining the joints between adjacent covering
elements.
45. The kit according to claim 3, wherein said corner elements have
a plurality of arms that converge towards a central area of the
corner element, said arms having members of constraint for
respective strips defining the joints between adjacent covering
elements.
46. The kit according to claim 2, wherein said corner elements for
connection of the strips are separate from the plane laminar
elements.
47. The kit according to claim 2, wherein said strips are made of
impermeable material and form seals around the edges of the
covering elements.
48. The kit according to claim 3, wherein said strips are made of
impermeable material and form seals around the edges of the
covering elements.
49. The kit according to claim 2, wherein said strips are made of
elastic material.
50. The kit according to claim 2, wherein said strips have recesses
at least in the proximity of the ends, in which projections of said
corner elements engage.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention relates to methods and systems for
laying covering elements for floors and walls, such as in
particular, but not exclusively, tiles made of various
materials.
[0002] More in particular, the present invention relates to
improvements to systems of dry laying, i.e., ones that do not
require application of binding pastes or other adhesive products
for anchoring the covering elements to a base.
STATE OF THE ART
[0003] In the present description and in the annexed claims, by
covering is meant as a whole a structure, obtained by setting
covering elements, such as floor tiles, wall tiles, slabs or the
like, alongside one another, for covering any structure, whether
this be vertical, inclined, or horizontal. Consequently, by
covering is meant both a covering for floors and a covering for
vertical walls.
[0004] In the production of said there is normally used a binding
paste, with which the tiles or other covering elements are bonded
to the surface of the structure to be covered. Between the tiles,
or other covering elements, set adjacent to one another, empty
spaces, referred to as "joints", are left, which are then filled
with a suitable material. The floors and coverings thus made can be
removed only by breaking the covering elements and moreover call
for specialized staff for laying thereof.
[0005] A further drawback of this system of laying is represented
by the fact that the floor becomes practicable after laying of the
covering only when the binding paste has started to grip, which
takes a rather long time during which no other work, for example,
finishing, can be carried out in the same environment.
[0006] There have consequently been studied systems of dry laying,
in which the covering elements do not require bonding on the
surface of the structure, but are rather applied with the aid of
locking supports. Examples of systems of dry covering of this type
are described in the WO-A-02/077389, WO-A-03/040491 and
WO-A-2005/052279.
[0007] These known systems present considerable limitations and
drawbacks. In fact, they are based upon the use of covering
elements that are individually equipped with a rear support in the
form of a frame or the like, with systems of mutual fitting or
locking between adjacent elements. Provided along the edges of the
support are strips that form the joint gaps between adjacent
covering elements. It is necessary to provide each individual
covering element with a respective frame or support for laying
thereof. The covering element and frame or support are bonded
together by the manufacturer. These elements, provided with said
supports are then laid dry, the individual frames being fitted to
one another, said frames being for this purpose equipped with
interlocking elements projecting underneath the rear surface of the
covering element bonded on each support.
[0008] The mounting or laying of the elements equipped with the
respective supports is a relatively complex operation. Furthermore,
having to equip each covering element with its support via bonding
entails a considerable increase in costs and also in the
encumbrance and weights of the material to be transported.
[0009] The type of interlocking between supports designed to form
an individual covering is such that, in the case where it is
necessary to replace a damaged covering element, said replacement
requires dismantling of at least part of the covering, since it is
not possible to remove the individual damaged covering element. Nor
is it possible to replace covering elements individually, for
example, for modifying the aesthetic appearance of the
covering.
[0010] Furthermore, since each covering element must be equipped
with its own support, which has, along two sides, strips forming
the joints, to each format of tile or other covering element there
must correspond a respective support format. It is thus necessary
to produce as many different supports as there are formats of the
covering elements that are to be equipped with the supports
themselves for dry laying.
OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0011] According to one aspect the present invention provides a
support for dry laying of covering elements and a corresponding
system of dry laying of covering elements that will alleviate or
overcome either totally or in part at least some of the aforesaid
drawbacks.
[0012] According to some embodiments, the invention envisages a
system for dry laying of covering elements for walls or floors,
comprising at least one laminar element with a first face of
contact with a laying surface and a second face of contact with at
least one covering element, characterized in that it comprises:
[0013] strips defining joints between covering elements, which can
be applied along the edges of the covering elements; [0014] corner
elements for mutual connection of said strips, so that said strips
are retained around the respective covering element.
[0015] According to some embodiments, the planar laminar element is
a flexible or pliable layer of a suitable material, preferably an
acoustically insulating material, which is placed on the surface to
be covered, and on which the covering elements are simply placed,
the laminar element filling a gap between the surface to be covered
and the covering elements.
[0016] According to some embodiments, the system comprises a
plurality of plane laminar elements provided along their edges with
members for interlocking between adjacent plane laminar elements,
such that a continuous or substantially continuous layer is formed
between the surface to be covered and the covering elements.
According to some embodiments, the plane laminar elements are
further preferably provided with a plurality of locking seats for
respective anchoring members for mutual anchorage between plane
laminar elements and covering elements. In such embodiments, the
covering elements, such as tiles or the like, are individually
anchored to an underlying layer formed by the mutually interlocked
plane laminar elements. Each covering element, such as a tile, can
be removed independently of the other elements, by removing the
anchoring element(s) from the corresponding locking seats provided
in the plane laminar elements.
[0017] To obtain a high degree of flexibility, the strips are
separate from the plane laminar elements; i.e., they constitute
elements separate from the laminar elements themselves. They are
anchored around the covering elements via the corner elements for
mutual connection. The shape and/or size of the covering elements
becomes in this way altogether independent of the shape and/or size
of the plane laminar elements. Furthermore, there are obtained
multiple possibilities of laying of the covering elements according
to different patterns, without constraints as regards the shape and
arrangement of the plane laminar elements.
[0018] Also the corner anchoring elements are advantageously
separate from the plane laminar elements for the same purposes.
Some advantages of the present invention can, however, be achieved
even though the corner anchoring elements are fixed to the plane
laminar elements.
[0019] In a possible embodiment, the corner elements have a
plurality of arms that converge towards a central area of the
corner element, said arms having members of constraint for
respective strips defining the joints between adjacent covering
elements.
[0020] In a preferred embodiment, there are provided interlocking
members for interlocking between strips and corner elements, for
example, engagement members, which enable, for example, stretching
of the strips by elastically lengthening them. In one embodiment,
the strips have recesses at least in the proximity of the ends, in
which projections of said corner elements engage.
[0021] In one embodiment each locking seat of the members for
mutual anchorage between plane laminar elements and covering
elements is formed by a through opening that traverses the
thickness of the plane laminar element. The anchoring members can
each comprise an insert that can be fitted in a respective seat of
the plane laminar element and have means of constraint to a
covering element, which can comprise a biadhesive tape.
[0022] Further features of the system of dry laying according to
the invention are set forth in the annexed claims and will be
better understood from the description and the annexed drawings,
which shows a possible non-limiting embodiment of the
invention.
[0023] According to a further aspect, the invention regards a
method for dry laying of a floor or covering formed by a plurality
of covering elements, comprising the following steps: [0024] laying
and fitting together, on at least one part of a surface to be
covered, a plurality of plane laminar elements equipped with
interlocking members, which fit together along their edges, and
anchoring members for anchorage of the covering elements; [0025]
applying along the edges of said covering elements strips defining
the joints between said covering elements; [0026] applying to said
plane laminar elements a plurality of covering elements equipped
with said strips, anchoring them to said plane laminar elements via
said anchoring members.
[0027] According to a further aspect, the invention envisages a
support for dry laying of covering elements for floors or walls,
comprising a plane laminar element with a first face of contact
with a laying surface and a second face of contact with a covering
element, and set along the edges of which are members for
interlocking with adjacent plane laminar elements, and set on the
second face of which are strips defining a joint between adjacent
covering elements, said support being characterized in that it
comprises at least one locking seat for a member for anchorage
between the covering element and the plane laminar element.
[0028] According to a different aspect, the invention envisages a
support for dry laying of covering elements for floors or walls,
comprising a plane laminar element with a first face of contact
with a laying surface and a second face of contact with a covering
element, set along the edges of which are members for interlocking
with adjacent plane laminar elements, and set on the second face of
which are strips defining a joint between adjacent covering
elements, said support being characterized in that said strips are
set so as to cross one another in a substantially central area of
said plane laminar element, dividing said plane laminar element
into a plurality of areas, and in that associated to each of said
areas into which the plane laminar element is divided are members
for anchoring the covering elements to the plane laminar
element.
[0029] With supports of this type, dry laying of covering elements
is much simplified. It is not necessary to bond a support on each
covering element, but rather it is possible to keep the covering
elements, such as tiles or the like, separated from the supports
themselves. The latter can be laid on the surface to be covered,
and the covering elements are then inserted in the spaces delimited
by the strips forming the joints and associated to the laminar
supports. The covering elements can be easily detached from the
supports with a simple movement substantially orthogonal to the
laying surface. This makes possible simple and fast replacement of
individual covering elements without dismantling the covering
itself. This results in a greater ease in replacing damaged
covering elements, but also a considerable simplicity in replacing,
for example, parts of a covering, for modifying the exterior
appearance of the covering as a whole. This enables, for example,
modification of a floor of a shop or other sales outlet, a public
establishment, an environment for trade fairs and exhibitions,
show-rooms or the like.
[0030] Furthermore, since it is not necessary to bond individual
supports to individual covering elements, the system of production
becomes much less costly. The manufacturer of tiles or other
covering elements can produce traditional covering elements and
possibly supply his own customers with the supports for dry laying
that may be combined to any one of the covering elements in the
catalogue. Transport of the material becomes simpler and the
production of said materials less expensive.
[0031] Also possible is the separate production of supports for dry
laying by specialized firms, which supply said supports to the end
customer or to the person who carries out laying, who may then
combine to said supports any covering element of his own choice,
produced by a manufacturer different from the manufacturer of the
supports.
[0032] Further advantageous features and embodiments of the
supports according to the invention are set forth in the annexed
claims and will be described in greater detail in what follows with
reference to non-limiting embodiments illustrated in the attached
drawings.
[0033] The invention also concerns a system of dry laying that uses
the aforesaid supports, as well as a floor or covering comprising a
plurality of supports of the type described above with
corresponding covering elements anchored to the structure to be
covered using said supports.
[0034] According to a different aspect, the invention regards a
method for dry laying of a floor or a covering formed by a
plurality of covering elements, characterized by the following
steps: [0035] laying and fitting together, on at least one part of
a surface to be covered, a plurality of plane laminar elements
equipped with interlocking members that fit together along their
own edges, with strips defining the joints between covering
elements on a face of said elements facing the opposite side with
respect to said surface and with anchoring members for anchorage of
the covering elements; [0036] applying to said supports a plurality
of covering elements, anchoring them to said plane laminar elements
via said anchoring members, each covering element being constrained
to a plurality of adjacent plane laminar elements.
[0037] Further advantageous features and embodiments of the method
according to the invention will be described in greater detail in
what follows and are set forth in the annexed claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0038] The invention will be better understood from the ensuing
description and the annexed drawings, which show a practical
non-limiting embodiment of the invention. More in particular, in
the plates of drawings:
[0039] FIG. 1 is a top plan view of a laminar element on the side
where the covering elements rest;
[0040] FIG. 2 is a cross section according to II-II of FIG. 1;
[0041] FIG. 3 is a plan view from beneath according to of FIG.
2;
[0042] FIG. 4 is an enlargement of the detail indicated by IV in
FIG. 2;
[0043] FIG. 5 a side view of a member for anchorage between the
laminar element and the covering element;
[0044] FIG. 6 is a top plan view according to VI-VI of FIG. 5;
[0045] FIG. 7 is a top plan view of a strip for definition of the
joint gaps between covering elements;
[0046] FIG. 8 a side view according to VIII-VIII of FIG. 7;
[0047] FIG. 9 is a longitudinal cross section according to IX-IX of
FIG. 7;
[0048] FIG. 10 is a cross-shaped corner element for mutual
connection between the strips in a side view;
[0049] FIG. 11 is a top plan view according to XI-XI of FIG.
10;
[0050] FIGS. 12 and 13 are top plan views of corner connection
elements with three arms and two arms, respectively;
[0051] FIG. 14 is a top plan view of a covering element surrounded
by four strips with four respective corner elements for mutual
connection;
[0052] FIG. 15 is a view from beneath of a set of six laminar
elements assembled; and
[0053] FIG. 16 is a view from above of a portion of covering or
floor obtained with the system according to the invention;
[0054] FIG. 17 is a top plan view of a portion of a floor or wall
covering made with tiles and joints according to FIGS. 7-9 and
corner connection elements according to FIGS. 10 to 13 in a
different embodiment of the invention;
[0055] FIG. 18 is a cross-section according to line XVIII-XVIII of
FIG. 17;
[0056] FIG. 19 is a top plan view of a support according to the
invention in a possible embodiment;
[0057] FIG. 20A is a cross section according to A-A of FIG. 19;
[0058] FIG. 20B is an enlargement of an anchoring member for
anchoring the covering element to the support;
[0059] FIG. 21 is a portion of a floor on which the supports have
been prearranged for subsequent application of the covering
elements;
[0060] FIG. 22 is the same floor as that of FIG. 21, on which four
covering elements have been laid;
[0061] FIG. 23 is a top plan view of a spacer element to be
combined with the supports of FIG. 19 for use with a different
format of tile or covering element;
[0062] FIG. 24 is a cross section according to XXIV-XXIV of FIG.
23;
[0063] FIG. 25 is a portion of a floor with applied thereon
supports according to FIG. 19 and spacers according to FIGS. 23 and
24 for dry laying of covering elements of larger dimensions;
[0064] FIG. 26 is the portion of floor of FIG. 25 with two covering
elements laid;
[0065] FIG. 27 is a top plan view of a different spacer to be used
in combination with the supports of FIG. 19;
[0066] FIG. 28 is a cross section according to XXVIII-XXVIII of
FIG. 27;
[0067] FIG. 29 is a portion of a floor with laid thereon supports
according to FIG. 19 with spacers according to FIG. 27; and
[0068] FIG. 30 is the portion of floor of FIG. 29 with a covering
element laid thereon.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION
[0069] A first embodiment of a system according to the invention
will be described here below with reference to FIGS. 1-16.
[0070] A first component of the system of dry laying of elements
(such as tiles or the like) for covering a floor, a wall or the
like, formed by a laminar element is shown in detail in FIGS. 1 to
4. The laminar element, designated by 103, comprises edges 103B,
provided along which are interlocking members for interlocking
between adjacent plane laminar elements. In one embodiment, the
plane laminar element 103 has an approximately square development,
as illustrated in the drawing, but this is not strictly binding.
The shape of the plane laminar elements may also be rectangular or
polygonal with a number of sides other than four. One and the same
system of laying can also have plane laminar elements of different
shapes, for example, for applying a covering according to complex
patterns, or else on surfaces having an irregular shape.
[0071] Designated by 103X and 103Y are, respectively, the rear face
and the front face of the plane laminar element 103. The face 103X
is designed to rest on the floor or on the wall that is to be
covered with the system according to the invention, whereas the
rear surfaces of the covering elements, such as tiles or the like,
come to rest on the face or surface 103Y.
[0072] In one embodiment,-provided on the surface 103X are antislip
systems designated by 105. In one embodiment, the antislip elements
105 form a grating projecting from the rear surface 103X of the
plane laminar element 103. The grating 105 can be made, for
example, of plastic material with a high coefficient of friction,
synthetic rubber, natural rubber, or the like.
[0073] In one embodiment, the interlocking members set along the
edges 103B of the plane laminar element 103 comprise appendages
103E and recesses or cavities 103F having a shape complementary to
that of the appendages 103E. In one embodiment, the appendages have
an approximately circular development. In one embodiment, set along
two concurrent sides of the plane laminar element 103 are cavities
or recesses 103F, whilst set along the other two sides are
appendages 103E. The appendages 103E and recesses or cavities 103F
can be shaped so as to form undercuts to provide a more effective
mutual fitting.
[0074] The plane laminar element 103 is equipped with anchoring
members for anchorage between the plane laminar element 103 and the
covering elements designed to be applied on a complex of plane
laminar elements 103 fitted together. In one embodiment, the plane
laminar elements 103 have a plurality of locking seats 107 for
anchoring members for mutual anchorage between the plane laminar
elements 103 and the covering elements. In one embodiment, the
locking seats 107 are circular, as illustrated in the drawing, but
it should be understood that also different shapes may be used, for
example, oval seats, or else polygonal seats, such as triangular or
square ones, preferably with rounded corners, or shapes of other
kinds. Advantageously, the edge of the seat 107 is rounded, as may
be seen in particular in the enlargement of FIG. 4, where the edge
of the seat 107 is designated by 107A. In other words, the edge
107A has in cross section an approximately convex circular
profile.
[0075] Preferably, the locking seats 107 are uniformly distributed
along the entire development of the plane laminar element 107; for
example, it is possible to envisage from two to ten, preferably
from four to six, seats 107 parallel to each side of a square plane
laminar element 103.
[0076] The anchoring members, designated by 109, can be inserted in
a stable way (see FIGS. 5 and 6) within the locking seats 107. In
plan view the anchoring members 109 have a development
complementary to that of the locking seats 107. In the example
illustrated, the anchoring members 109 thus have a circular
development in plan view. The edge 109A of the anchoring members
109 has a shape, which is complementary to the shape of the edges
107A of the locking seats 107. If the edge 107A of the locking
seats 107 has a convex rounded shape, as illustrated in the example
shown, the edges 109A of the anchoring members 109 have a concave
rounded shape. A reverse arrangement is not ruled out, i.e., with
interlocking members 109 having convex edges and seats 107 with
concave edges 107A. Preferably, the seats 107 are through seats,
i.e., they traverse the entire thickness of the plane laminar
element 103, even though the possibility that said seats have a
depth smaller than the thickness of the plane laminar element is
not to be ruled out. In the preferred embodiment, the anchoring
members 109 thus have a thickness equal to the thickness of the
plane laminar elements 103, except possibly for the thickness of
the antislip material 105.
[0077] The anchoring members 109 can be inserted in the seats 107
by snap action and remain stably anchored in said seats thanks to
the concave and convex conformation of the edges 107A and 109A,
respectively.
[0078] In an advantageous embodiment, applied on the top face of
the anchoring members 109, designated by 109Y, is a length of
bi-adhesive tape 111, possibly protected with a protective sheet
111X (FIG. 5). The protective element or sheet 111X protects the
top face of the bi-adhesive tape 111 and is removed when the
anchoring member 109 has been inserted in the corresponding seat
107 and the covering element must be applied in the way that will
be described hereinafter.
[0079] A further component of the laying system according to the
invention is represented by strips 121 that, when the system is
laid, define the joints between adjacent covering elements,
applied, via the anchoring members 109, to a set of plane laminar
elements 103 joined together.
[0080] FIGS. 7, 8 and 9 show an embodiment of the strips according
to the invention. In one embodiment, the strips 121 are made of
elastic material. This enables an easier application of the strips,
according to the procedures described herein. Preferably, the
strips 121 are made of an impermeable material, for example,
synthetic rubber or the like, which guarantees water tightness
between adjacent covering elements.
[0081] In one embodiment, the strips 121 have longitudinal sides
121A and a top wall 121B. Defined between the longitudinal sides
121A and the top wall 121B are hollow spaces 121C, 121D, the hollow
spaces 121D being set at the ends of the strips 121.
Advantageously, in one embodiment, the ends of the strips 121 are
defined by edges converging in a vertex 121E to facilitate mounting
of the strips themselves. The vertex 121E defines an angle of
approximately 90.degree..
[0082] In a preferred embodiment, the spaces or cavities 121D set
at the ends of the strips 121 are delimited at least frontally by
respective walls 121F, inclined from the top downwards and from the
end towards the central part of the strip, to which there
corresponds a similar inclination of the external sharp edges or
vertices 121E mentioned above.
[0083] The cavities or sockets 121D serve as anchorage for the
strip to a corner element for mutual connection between a number of
strips that converge in a vertex of a covering element. The corner
connection elements can have various shapes, as illustrated in
FIGS. 10 to 13.
[0084] With initial reference to FIGS. 10 and 11, according to one
embodiment, a first type of corner connection element, designated
by 131, has an approximately cross-shaped or X-shaped development
with arms 131A of the cross substantially equal to one another and
set at right angles with respect to one another. Made on each arm
131A is an appendage 131B projecting upwards. The appendage 131B is
shaped in a way complementary to the space or socket 121D made at
each end of the strips 121. More specifically, the appendages 131B
have an approximately prismatic development with two inclined sides
131C and 131D. The side 131C is located in a position closer to the
centre of the corner anchoring element and is inclined, from the
top downwards and from the inside towards the outside of the
anchoring element itself. Said side 131C co-operates with the side
or wall 121F of the cavity or socket 121D of the corresponding
strip. There is thus obtained a system of anchorage with an
undercut, i.e., with an engagement between the appendages 131B and
the strips 121 thanks to the inclination of the walls 131C and
121F.
[0085] The strips 121 at rest have a dimension that can be slightly
smaller than the side of the covering element for which the strip
is intended. There may consequently be strips 121 of different
dimensions according to the dimension of the covering elements that
are to be laid with the system according to the invention. If the
covering elements are square, for example, of 20.times.20 cm or of
30.times.30 cm, to lay them strips 121 will be used that are all
the same as one another and of dimensions such as to reach, when
applied to the covering elements, the length of approximately 20 or
30 cm respectively. If the covering elements are, instead,
rectangular, for example, 15.times.30 cm, strips of two different
lengths will be used.
[0086] Since it may be necessary to have available a number of
strips different from four that converge in one and the same point,
the corner anchoring elements can have a shape different from that
of the elements 131 of FIGS. 10 and 11. For example (FIG. 12),
corner-anchoring elements 141 can be provided comprising just three
arms designated by 141A, set at 90.degree. and 180.degree. as
illustrated in FIG. 12. Each arm 141A has an appendage or
projection 141B having a shape that is substantially the same and
with similar functions as those of the projections or appendages
131B of the corner anchoring elements 131.
[0087] FIG. 13 shows a further corner anchoring element designated
by 151, which comprises just two arms 151A set at 90.degree., each
equipped with an appendage or projection 151B having a shape that
is substantially the same as that of the projections 131B and 141B
of the corner anchoring elements 131 and 141 respectively.
[0088] The corner anchoring elements 131, 141 and 151 serve for
applying around the covering elements the strips 121, which form
the joints between adjacent covering elements. Shown in FIG. 14 is
a covering element, for example, a tile, as a whole designated by
R, around which four strips 121 have been applied one along each
side of the covering element R. In the example shown, the covering
element R is square and hence the strips 121 that surround it are
the same as one another. On the other hand, as has been mentioned,
the system can be used for laying covering elements R also having a
different shape, in which case strips 121 can possibly be used,
which have different lengths according to the length of the sides
of the covering element R.
[0089] Two respective strips 121 converge at each vertex V of the
covering element R, which strips are anchored to corresponding
corner anchoring elements. In the example shown, four cross-shaped
corner-anchoring elements 131 are provided. As may be understood
from FIG. 14, each strip 121 is stretched along the respective edge
of the covering element R and anchored via the sockets or cavities
121D to corresponding appendages 131B of the opposed corner
anchoring elements 131, set at the respective vertices V of the
covering element R.
[0090] Lying of the covering or floor with the system so far
described is performed in the way described in what follows.
Applied in adequate number on the surface to be covered are plane
laminar elements 103, fitted together by means of the cavities 103F
and the appendages 103E made along the edges. Each plane laminar
element 103 can be already equipped in its own seats 107 with the
anchoring members 109, each of which is still protected at the top
by the sheet 111X that covers the bi-adhesive 111. What is obtained
is a substantially continuous surface that covers the entire wall
or the floor on which the covering elements R are to be laid,
without striplike elements defining the joints between the covering
elements R. Consequently, it may be understood that, once the plane
laminar elements 103 have been laid on the surface thus obtained, a
covering can be laid that is made with covering elements R having
any shape and size, arranged according to any pattern, for example,
partially at 90.degree. and partially in diagonal with respect to
the surrounding walls. There are thus no constraints on the choice
of the covering element R and on the distribution of said elements.
The plane laminar elements 103 have a universal use and can be used
with any shape and size of the covering element R itself.
[0091] Laying is carried out by applying to a first covering
element R or to a first set of covering elements R the strips 121
using the corner anchoring elements 131 or 141 or 151. For example,
a single covering element R can be provided, as shown in FIG. 14,
by possibly replacing the two corner anchoring elements 131 with
corresponding corner anchoring elements 141 or 151 if the element R
is to be laid along a wall or in a corner of a floor. When the
covering element R has been equipped with its strips 121, it is
applied in the desired point of the floor, the lengths of
protective film 111X being removed from the corresponding anchoring
members 109 on which the covering element R is applied. The number
of anchoring members 109 to be provided for application of the
covering element R depends upon the shape and size of the
latter.
[0092] Once this operation has been performed, between the opposite
arms of two corner anchoring elements 131 that have arms 131A
projecting from the covering element R, there can be inserted, so
that it bears upon the corresponding strip 121, a subsequent
covering element R, around which via further corner anchoring
elements 131, 141 or 151 the respective strips 121 are fixed. The
process continues in the same way up to completion of the covering
of the floor or wall. Obviously before setting the next covering
element R up against the strip 121 that has already been laid, the
protective elements 111X must be removed from the bi-adhesive 111
of the corresponding anchoring members 109.
[0093] Proceeding in this way, it is possible to obtain a complete
covering of the floor or wall, also with complex arrangements of
covering elements, as illustrated in particular in the example of
FIG. 16. In this example, there has been obtained a floor with a
frame of covering elements R1, along the walls, with sides parallel
and orthogonal to the walls themselves. Further covering elements
R2 laid in diagonal configuration have been set within the frame,
also using elements R3 cut in half. Set between adjacent covering
elements R1, R2 and R3 are strips 121 that define the joint gaps.
In the points of convergence of four vertices of four adjacent
covering elements R2, cross-shaped corner anchoring elements 131
will be provided, whilst at the vertices, designated by V3, where
an element R2 is located positioned adjacent to a covering element
R1, there will be set a corner anchoring element of the type
designated by 151. The strips 121 that surround the covering
elements R1 are, instead, fixed with corner anchoring elements with
three arms of the type 141, except in the points where the elements
R1 are located, positioned in the corners of the floor, where an
element with four arms 141 is used.
[0094] It may be understood from what has been described above how
with the system according to the invention it is possible to obtain
an extreme versatility in the laying of covering elements R, R1,
R2, R3 of various shapes using basic elements that are always the
same; the plane laminar elements 103, the corner anchoring elements
131, 141 and 151, and the anchoring members 109. Only the strips
121 can be provided with variable dimensions according to the
dimensions and shape of the covering elements. Furthermore, with
the system according to the invention there are practically no
constraints on the arrangement of the covering elements on the
plane, as exemplified in FIG. 16.
[0095] The anchoring members 109 enable removal of individual
covering elements R, R1, R2, R3 in the case where it were to become
necessary to make a replacement owing to breaking or simply because
it is desired or necessary to change the aesthetic appearance of
the floor or wall. For this purpose, it is sufficient to pull the
covering element R-R3 away, for example, using suction-cup means,
detaching from the respective seat 107 the anchoring member or
members 109 that are attached on the rear surface of the covering
element to be removed. It is sufficient to overcome the force with
which the anchoring members 109 are fixed in the seats 107 in order
to achieve removal of the corresponding covering element. Spare
anchoring members 109 are then inserted in the seats 107 left
empty, the protective film 111X is removed from the portions of
bi-adhesive 111, and a new covering element can be inserted in the
space left empty by the covering element that has been removed.
[0096] FIGS. 17 and 18 show a further embodiment of the invention.
The same reference numbers are used to designate the same or
corresponding elements. More specifically, FIG. 17 shows a portion
of a surface, such as a floor or a wall, with a covering formed by
covering elements R, e.g. tiles or the like. The tiles are
surrounded by joints formed by strips 121. Four strips 121 converge
in each vertex of the covering elements R. As described in
connection with FIGS. 1-17, the strips 121 are preferably made of
resilient material, such as rubber and are kept under traction
along each edge of the corresponding tile or covering element R.
This is achieved by means of cross-shaped corner anchoring elements
131 (not shown in these Figures), which substantially correspond to
the corner anchoring elements 131 shown in the preceding Figures
and described herein before.
[0097] As shown in the cross section of FIG. 18, the covering
elements R rest on one or more plane laminar elements 104. In this
embodiment the plane laminar element(s) is/are formed by a simple
layer of suitable material, without locking seats for the anchoring
elements which serve for mutual anchorage between the laminar
element(s) and the covering elements. The covering elements are
simply placed on the laminar element, which form an insulating or
filling layer between the surface to be covered, in this case a
floor F, and the covering elements R. The laminar element 104 can
be made of rubber or the like, and can have suitable acoustic
insulating features.
[0098] The covering system of FIGS. 17 and 19 is mounted quite in
the same way as the system described in connection with FIGS. 1-16,
except that the plane laminar elements are placed on the floor
without interlocking them to one another. In some embodiments, a
single laminar element is placed on the floor F. The covering
elements R are then simply placed on the plane laminar element(s)
along with the joint-forming strips 121, which are placed around
the covering elements R quite in the same way as disclosed above.
The joints formed by the strips made of rubber or other suitable
material keep the covering elements R in place. Each covering
element can thus be disassembled independently of the other
surrounding corresponding elements R.
[0099] A further embodiment of the invention is disclosed herein
below reference being made to FIGS. 19-30.
[0100] Illustrated in FIG. 19 is a support 1 for dry laying of
covering elements according to a possible embodiment of the
invention.
[0101] In one embodiment, the support 1 has a substantially plane
laminar element 3, which, in this embodiment, has a substantially
square development. As may be seen in particular in FIGS. 20A and
20B, the plane laminar element 3 has strips 5 arranged to form a
cross, substantially orthogonal to the sides 3A, 3B, 3C and 3D of
the plane laminar element 3. As will emerge clearly from what is
set forth hereinafter, the strips 5 define the joints between
adjacent covering elements, i.e., they are designed to fill the
empty spaces that separate the edges of the covering elements
themselves.
[0102] In an advantageous embodiment, the strips 5 divide the plane
laminar element 3 into four approximately equal areas or sectors,
in each of which are set members for anchoring the covering
elements to the support 1.
[0103] In an advantageous embodiment, the anchoring members
comprise, preferably for each area into which the plane laminar
element 3 is divided, a locking seat 7 (see in particular FIG. 20A)
within which an anchoring member 9 (illustrated in isolation in
FIG. 20B) can be restrained.
[0104] In an advantageous embodiment, the anchoring member 9 has a
substantially circular development. It can advantageously have a
thickness S equal to the thickness of the plane laminar element 3.
In this way, when the anchoring member 9 is retained into the
corresponding seat 7, it is set with its rear face 9A and front
face 9B substantially flush with the corresponding rear face 3X and
front face 3Y of the plane laminar element 3. The seat 7 is
consequently a through seat. It should on the other hand be
understood that, in a different embodiment, the seat 7 can have a
depth smaller than the thickness S of the plane laminar element 3
and accordingly the anchoring member 9 will have a thickness
smaller than the thickness S, substantially equal to the depth of
the seat 7.
[0105] To constrain the anchoring member 9 and the plane laminar
element 3 together, according to a possible embodiment of the
invention joint systems can be used. In a possible embodiment of
the invention, for this purpose the edge of the seat 7 has a
conformation defining an undercut, in which the corresponding edge
of the anchoring member 9 is restrained.
[0106] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention,
illustrated in the figures, the seat 7 has an internal edge 7A, the
cross section of which has a convex profile, to which a
corresponding concave peripheral profile 9C of the anchoring member
9 is constrained. Also possible is a complementary conformation,
i.e., with an anchoring member 9 having a convex peripheral edge
that is constrained to a concave edge of the seat 7.
[0107] The mutual anchorage between the components 3 and 9 is
obtained via deformation of the sharp edge 9S and constraint of the
convex profile 7A in the concave profile 9C. It should be
understood that the diameter of the anchoring member 9 is
substantially the same as the diameter of the seat 7, even though
this does not appear from FIGS. 20A and 20B, since therein the two
components 3 and 9 are represented at different scales. There may
of course be a slight difference of diameter between the two
components, to have, for example, a degree of play between the
convex profile 7A and the concave profile 9C. The dimensions will
be in any case such as to guarantee mutual fitting of the two
components 3 and 9 for the purposes described herein.
[0108] In a different embodiment (not shown), the anchorage may be
obtained via elastic members, such as tabs or the like, provided on
one and/or the other of the elements 3 and 9.
[0109] In an alternative, even though less advantageous, embodiment
the mutual joining between the components 3 and 9 may be obtained
via an adhesive, for example, with a bi-adhesive tape set between
the rear surface 9A of the anchoring element 9 and a bottom wall of
the seat 7, which, in this case, would not be a through seat, but
rather would have a depth smaller than the thickness S of the plane
laminar element 3.
[0110] Set on the front face 9B of the anchoring element 9 is an
anchorage means 11 for anchoring to a covering element. Said
anchorage means 11 can be formed, for example, by a length of a
bi-adhesive film or tape, applied to the face 9B and provided with
a layer of adhesive on the top face, i.e., the face that faces the
opposite side with respect to the anchoring member 9, possibly
protected by a removable protective film, sheet, or lamina F, which
is removed at the moment of laying of the covering elements.
[0111] Set along the edges 3A-3D of the plane laminar element 3 are
members for interlocking between adjacent plane laminar elements.
In an advantageous embodiment, said interlocking members comprise
appendages 3E arranged along the consecutive edges 3B and 3C of
each plane laminar element 3 and cavities 3F having a shape
complementary to that of the appendages 3E and provided on the
other two consecutive edges 3A and 3D.
[0112] In an advantageous embodiment, the appendages 3E have an
expanded shape (in the example illustrated in the figures, with an
approximately circular profile) for housing into the cavities 3F of
similar conformation in such a way as to prevent relative movement
between the plane laminar elements 3 on the plane laying surface,
after their installation.
[0113] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the appendages
3E have (see FIG. 20A) a thickness S equal to the thickness of the
plane laminar element 3 so as to be advantageously obtained by
simple cutting or dinking of a plane semifinished element. In this
case, the cavities 3F will be through cavities, open along the
corresponding edge 3A or 3D of the plane laminar element 3. Not to
be ruled out, however, is the possibility of the appendages 3E
having a different thickness, and preferably one smaller than the
thickness S of the central part of the plane laminar element 3. In
this case, the seats or cavities 3F may not be through ones and may
have a depth smaller than the thickness S and be open towards the
front surface 3Y of the plane laminar element to enable fitting of
the appendages 3E in the cavities 3F via relative movement of the
supports 1 in a direction substantially orthogonal to each plane
laminar element 3.
[0114] Illustrated in FIG. 21 is a portion of a plane surface P,
typically a floor, where a covering must be provided, using the
supports 1 for dry laying as described with reference to FIGS. 19,
20A and 20B. More in particular, FIG. 21 illustrates the portion of
floor P adjacent to a corner A between walls M1 and M2. It is to be
understood that what will be described hereinafter may also apply
to the production of coverings of vertical or inclined walls,
instead of floors.
[0115] Applied on the plane surface of the floor P to be covered
are supports 1 of the type illustrated in FIG. 19. As may be noted
in FIG. 21, by locking together the supports 1 by means of the
appendages 3E that enter into the cavities 3F, a grating (with a
square mesh in the example illustrated) is formed on the surface P,
said grating being made of the strips 5, set end-on, of the
individual supports 1. Set along the walls M1 and M2 are portions
of supports 1 cut along the strips 5. More in particular a first
portion 1X is provided in the corner between the walls M1, M2 with
a dimension equal to one quarter of the support 1, cut on the
outside of the strips 5, in such a way that there remain on the
portion 1X the two portions of strip 5 that come to bear head-on
with the strips 5 of the adjacent portions designated by 1Y and
obtained by cutting of corresponding supports 1 in half. The
portions 1Y are obtained by cutting respective supports 1 in half
along one or the other of the two strips 5.
[0116] The dimension of the supports 1 corresponds to one of the
possible formats of the covering elements. For example, the
supports 1 illustrated in the figures can have sides L 30 cm in
length. Consequently, the grating formed by the strips 5 of the
various supports 1 set end-on will have square meshes with sides
having a length L=30 cm. Inserted within each of said meshes is a
covering element R as illustrated as a whole for four of the meshes
formed by the supports 1 in FIG. 22. As may be noted in said
figure, also along the walls M1 and M2 there are provided meshes
having a square shape and sides L.times.L=30.times.30 cm via the
use of portions 1X and 1Y.
[0117] The covering elements R are anchored to the supports 1 by
means of the bi-adhesive 11. Each covering element R is anchored to
four areas of four adjacent supports 1 via four portions of
bi-adhesive tape 11 applied to four corresponding anchoring members
9. Along the walls M1 and M2 the anchorage will be in part on areas
of entire supports 1 and in part on portions 1X, 1Y.
[0118] The laying of a covering for a floor P or a wall using the
supports 1 is extremely practical and fast. In fact, in a first
step the individual supports 1 are applied, being fitted to one
another by means of the appendages 3E and the cavities 3F,
providing a supporting structure, completed along the walls M1, M2
by portions 1X, 1Y of supports 1. Once this has been done, the
individual covering elements R are applied in the meshes formed by
the strips 5 set end-on with respect to one another of the various
supports 1 and of the respective portions 1X, 1Y via simple removal
of the protective film F of the bi-adhesive.
[0119] The individual supports 1 can be produced and sold complete
with the anchoring members 9 already inserted and fitted in the
seats 7 and provided with the bi-adhesive 11. Not ruled out,
however, is the possibility of these components 3, 9, 11 being sold
separately; for example, the anchoring members 9 equipped with the
bi-adhesive 11 can be sold separate from the plane laminar elements
3, and the person who carries out laying of the covering will
insert the individual components 9 in the seats 7 before proceeding
to application of the tiles or covering elements R. Furthermore,
also the bi-adhesive 11 might not be applied previously on the
anchoring members 9 but rather sold separately, for example, in
sheets from which individual pre-cut portions of bi-adhesive 11 can
be detached by the user, who will then apply them to the anchoring
member 9 possibly already inserted in its seat 7, or else still to
be inserted in the latter. Since the anchoring members 9 and the
plane laminar elements 3 cannot be obtained by dinking, i.e.,
cutting the anchoring members 9 from the plane laminar element 3,
on account of the concave and convex profiles 7A and 9C, but rather
must be produced separately, the manufacturer could offer on the
market a product at a lower cost, in which the assembly of the
anchoring members 9 on the plane laminar elements 3, as well as
possibly also the application of the bi-adhesive 11, are entrusted
to the end user.
[0120] In a modified embodiment, the anchoring members 9 could be
without bi-adhesive 11 and made for receiving, for example, a glue
to be applied to areas or points directly by the user. For example,
a simple silicone sealant could be used, to be applied using a
normal silicone gun on the surface 9B of the anchoring members 9
inserted in the seats 7.
[0121] Whatever the manner with which the anchoring member 9 is
inserted in the respective seat 7 of the plane laminar element 3
and with which the covering element or tile R is fixed (using
bi-adhesive, glue, or the like) to the anchoring members 9, it is
always possible to remove one or more tiles or covering elements R
individually to replace them, for example, in the case of breakage
or when it is desired to change the appearance of the covering. In
fact, for this purpose it is sufficient to exert an adequate
traction force on the covering element R in a direction orthogonal
to the plane P of the floor or of the wall on which the covering
has been applied. Said traction force will bring about detachment
of the anchoring members 9 from the corresponding plane laminar
elements, via release of the connection formed by the shaped edges
7A and 9C. It will then be convenient to detach, for example, with
the aid of a cutter, the individual anchoring members 9 that remain
adherent to the rear face of the covering element R that has been
removed. Said element is then replaced simply by inserting new
anchoring members 9 into the seats 7 that have remained free within
the mesh from which the covering element R has been removed. Said
new anchoring members 9 can in fact be produced for being sold also
as spare pieces or additional components with respect to the
laminar elements 3.
[0122] The covering elements R, which have been removed in order to
carry out modification of the aesthetic appearance of the covering,
can be reused at a later date.
[0123] The supports 1 so far described can be used for dry laying
of covering elements also of different formats with respect to the
format L.times.L of the support 1. For this purpose there can be
provided spacers or inserts of the type illustrated as a whole in
FIG. 23 and designated by 21. These inserts or spacers 21 comprise
a plane laminar element 23 provided with appendages 23E having a
shape that is the same as the appendages 3E of the plane laminar
elements 3, and cavities 23F that are the same as the cavities 3F
of the plane laminar elements 3 of the supports 1. The spacers or
inserts 21 have a rectangular shape of sides L.times.L/2. Parallel
to the edges of smaller length L/2 is provided a strip 25 of cross
section equal to the cross section of the strips 5 provided on the
supports 1.
[0124] Illustrated in FIG. 25 is the laying of supports 1 combined
to spacers or inserts 21. Laying is obtained, in a way similar to
what was described previously with reference to FIG. 22, by placing
a corresponding spacer or insert 21 along the sides of each element
of support 1. The strips 5 and 25 of the supports 1 and of the
spacers 21 consequently form a square-mesh lattice with mesh
dimensions equal to 3/2L. When the support 1 has a dimension of
30.times.30, the meshes obtained with the use of said supports 1
and of the inserts or spacers 21 will have a dimension of
45.times.45 cm. Illustrated in FIG. 26 is the portion of floor of
FIG. 25 with two covering elements or tiles R applied in two of the
meshes formed by the strips 5 and 25. Anchorage of the covering
elements R is obtained in the way described above.
[0125] In this embodiment, the spacers or inserts 21 are without
anchoring members 9, but could be provided with anchoring members
9, just as the supports 1 are provided therewith. On the other
hand, already with four anchoring members 9 for each mesh, as shown
in FIG. 25, an adequate fixing of each covering element R is
obtained.
[0126] Formed in each mesh is a central empty area V having a
square shape, in which no laminar element is provided. This area is
sufficiently small as not to represent a drawback to proper laying
of the covering material. On the other hand, in a modified
embodiment of the invention, there may be envisaged the use of
plane laminar inserts having a shape corresponding to the
development in plan view of the area V, which come to fill also
this portion of floor.
[0127] Along the walls that surround the floor P on which the
covering is applied with the system illustrated in FIG. 25 there
are set other portions 1X or 1Y of supports 1 and portions 21X of
the inserts or spacers 21, obtained by cutting said spacers along
the central strip 25.
[0128] Shown in FIG. 27 is a different insert or spacer designated
by 31 and formed by a plane laminar element 33 with appendages 33E
and cavities 33F along the edges 33A, 33B, 33C and 33D. Provided
along a centre line of the plane laminar element 33 is a strip 35
with a cross section equal to that of the strips 5 of the supports
1. The dimension of the inserts or spacers 31 is equal to
L.times.L. They thus have the same development in plan view as the
supports 1, but have a single strip 35, instead of two, and in this
embodiment are without anchoring members 9, even though it is
possible also in this case to envisage one or two anchoring members
9 on each of the two halves in which the spacer or insert 31 is
divided by the central strip 35.
[0129] Shown in FIG. 29 is the use of supports 1 combined to
inserts or spacers 31. The strips 5 and 35 set end-on with respect
to one another form square meshes with side 2L. If the support 1
has a dimension 30.times.30 cm, the square meshes that are thus
obtained have a dimension 60.times.60 cm. A covering formed by
covering elements R of dimensions 60.times.60 cm can thus be
dry-laid on the floor P. Also in this case, empty areas V are
obtained within each square mesh, which can be possibly filled, if
necessary, with plane laminar inserts having a corresponding shape.
It is also possible to envisage that said inserts will be provided
with anchoring elements or members 9 in a way similar to what is
envisaged for the supports 1.
[0130] As illustrated in the drawings, both the supports 1 and the
inserts 21 and 31 can be provided, on the rear face 3X, 21A and 31A
of an antislip covering, for example, a rubber layer, for a better
adhesion to the underlying laying surface. The plane laminar
elements 3, the inserts or spacers 21, 31, and the anchoring
members 9 can be made of any suitable material, for example,
moulded plastic, wood, etc. The production by moulding of plastic
material having adequate capacity of elastic deformation enables
the edges 7A and 9C to be made with the same operation of moulding,
without any need for subsequent processing operations, and
consequently proves particularly advantageous.
[0131] So far described have been supports of size 30.times.30 cm
and corresponding inserts for dry laying of tiles or other covering
elements of larger dimensions. It should be understood, on the
other hand, that the same principles can be used for obtaining
supports of different dimensions (for example, 45.times.45 or
60.times.60 cm) and also of different shapes, for example,
rectangular, without ruling out the possibility of envisaging also
supports for tiles or other covering elements of other shape.
[0132] It is understood that the drawings merely show one example
provided purely as a practical embodiment of the invention, it
being possible for said invention to vary in the forms and
arrangements, without thereby departing from the scope of the idea
underlying the invention itself. The possible presence of reference
numbers in the annexed claims has the purpose of facilitating
reading of the claims with reference to the description and the
drawings, and in no way limits the scope of protection represented
by the claims.
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