Tile Cladding System And Method For Mounting Tile Elements On A Building Surface

Abstract

The tile cladding system having a mounting plate and a number of tile elements. Each tile element has a front side adapted to face away from a building surface and a back side adapted to be connected to a front side of the mounting plate. The front side of the mounting plate and the back side of each tile element are provided with a number of protrusions and/or indentations in such a way that protrusions may fit into indentations in order to form a snap-fit or friction fit connection. The mounting plate have such a configuration that the mounting plate is able to bend.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a tile cladding system for mounting tile elements on a building surface, including a mounting plate and a number of tile elements, the mounting plate having a longitudinal direction, a transverse direction, a front side adapted to carry the tile elements and a back side adapted to be attached on the building surface, each tile element having a front side adapted to face away from the building surface and a back side adapted to be connected to the front side of the mounting plate, the front side of the mounting plate being provided with a number of protrusions and/or indentations and the back side of each tile element being provided with a number of protrusions and/or indentations corresponding to respective protrusions and/or indentations of the mounting plate in such a way that protrusions may fit into indentations in order to form a snap-fit or friction fit connection.

[0002] DE 40 26 472 A1 discloses a tile cladding system including a layer of artificial material bonded to the rear face of a tile. Within this artificial layer, cylindrically shaped recesses are formed. These recesses are matched by cylindrical extrusions formed on a layer of material which is fixed to the surface to be tiled. The tiles are attached by a push fitting when matching recesses to protrusions. The tiles can be removed without damage and re-used, and the system is suitable for wall, ceiling and floor tiling. However, the application of the material forming cylindrical extrusions on the surface to be tiled may be cumbersome.

[0003] DE 10 2011 009 655 A1 discloses a similar tile cladding system.

[0004] The object of the present invention is to provide a more versatile tile cladding system whereby the mounting of the tile elements on the building surface is facilitated.

[0005] In view of this object and according to one aspect, the mounting plate is bendable. More particularly according to this aspect is provided a tile cladding system for mounting tile elements on a building surface, including a mounting plate and a number of tile elements, the mounting plate having a longitudinal direction, a transverse direction, a front side adapted to carry the tile elements and a back side adapted to be attached on the building surface, each tile element having a front side adapted to face away from the building surface and a back side adapted to be connected to the front side of the mounting plate, the front side of the mounting plate being provided with a number of protrusions and/or indentations and the back side of each tile element being provided with a number of protrusions and/or indentations corresponding to respective protrusions and/or indentations of the mounting plate in such a way that protrusions may fit into indentations in order to form a snap-fit or friction fit connection, wherein the mounting plate is bendable.

[0006] In this way, the mounting plate may be supplied in rolled up form before it is attached to the building surface, thereby greatly improving the mounting procedure. Longer lengths of mounting plate may advantageously be attached to the building surface gradually, as the length of mounting plate is unrolled.

[0007] According to one additional embodiment/aspect, the mounting plate comprises a material and/or has physical dimensions configured to make the mounting plate bendable.

[0008] In some such further embodiments, the mounting plate comprises or consists of a thermoplastic polymer, such as acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS). ABS is particularly suited for use as a material for a mounting plate as disclosed herein due to having a relatively low expansion coefficient, being ro-bust, and being resistant to the application of various chemicals. Furthermore, ABS is recyclable.

[0009] In some further embodiments, the mounting plate has a length of about 180 centimetres in the longitudinal direction, about 60 centimetres in the transverse direction, and a thickness of about 0.75 millimetres and in such cases--with the mounting plate material being ABS--it is possible to roll the mounting plate into a roll or rolled-up shape having a diameter of only about 35 centimetres due only to these parameter values.

[0010] According to another embodiment/aspect, the mounting plate is provided with a number of lines or tracks of transverse perforations each line or track extending in the transverse direction and being mutually spaced in the longitudinal direction and wherein the transverse perforations have such a configuration that the mounting plate is able to bend.

[0011] According to yet another embodiment/aspect, the mounting plate is provided with a number of transverse portions being of a bendable material (different than the material of the mounting plate or at least other parts thereof) thereby enabling the mounting plate to bend. In other words, lines or tracks of bendable material in the transverse direction is/are a part of the mounting plate. Such bendable material may e.g. be a fabric or cloth, rubber, etc.

[0012] According to a further embodiment/aspect, the mounting plate is provided with a number of transverse grooves extending in the transverse direction and being mutually spaced in the longitudinal direction, and the transverse grooves have such a configuration that the mounting plate is able to bend.

[0013] In some embodiments, the transverse grooves, the transverse perforations, and the transverse portions of a bendable material of the mounting plate may each additionally compensate for possible irregularities of the building surface so that an even surface may nevertheless be formed by the front sides of the respective tile elements.

[0014] In some embodiments (with transverse grooves), the transverse grooves are formed in the front side of the mounting plate. Thereby, the process of adhesion of the mounting plate to the building surface, as the length of mounting plate is unrolled, may be facilitated and may result in more accurate positioning, because bending of the mounting plate at the grooves will generally not change the length of the back side of the mounting plate in the longitudinal direction.

[0015] In addition, the transverse grooves in the front side of the mounting plate may serve to receive signal wires and/or power cables which may also easily be installed at a later stage, because some of the tile elements may even without special tools simply be removed and mounted again after arrangement of the wires and/or cables. The wires and/or cables may then be hidden by the tile elements.

[0016] In some embodiments (regardless of how the mounting plate is enabled to bend), the back side of the mounting plate is provided with a number of grooves (being different from the transverse grooves). Thereby, the adhesion of the mounting plate to the building surface may be improved, partly because these grooves may serve as reservoirs for surplus adhesive, and partly because these grooves may increase the contact area of the adhesive arranged between the back side of the mounting plate and the building surface.

[0017] Such grooves in the back side of the mounting plate may be in the form of longitudinal grooves extending in the longitudinal direction. Thereby these grooves may be arranged transversely to the above-mentioned transverse grooves, and the combination of longitudinal and transverse grooves may impart flexibility to the mounting plate in both directions and thereby compensate even better for possible irregularities of the building surface so that an even surface may nevertheless be formed by the front sides of the respective tile elements.

[0018] In some embodiments (regardless of how the mounting plate is enabled to bend), the mounting plate has two opposed edge areas extending in the longitudinal direction at either side of a central area of the mounting plate, and a general material thickness of the mounting plate in each of said opposed edge areas is smaller than a general material thickness of the mounting plate in the central area. Thereby, two adjacent mounting plates may be arranged with overlapping edge areas and an even surface may nevertheless be formed by the front sides of the respective tile elements mounted thereon. The overlapping edge areas may avoid or minimise leakage of water and/or dirt to the underlying building surface.

[0019] In some such further embodiments, a first of said opposed edge areas is provided with some of said protrusions and/or indentations and a second of said opposed edge areas is not provided with protrusions and/or indentations. Thereby, a broader overlap between adjacent mounting plates may be obtained with a better sealing effect as a result.

[0020] In some such additional embodiments, the tile cladding system includes a fixation tool having at least two, preferably four, protrusions and/or indentations corresponding to respective protrusions and/or indentations of the mounting plate and so that the fixation tool may form a fitting connection with two adjacent mounting plates at the same time. Thereby, the fixation tool may define the correct relative mounting position between said two mounting plates and thereby vastly facilitate the mounting process of the mounting plate on the building surface. Furthermore, a more precise mounting of the entire tile cladding system may be ensured so that an even surface may be formed by the front sides of the respective tile elements.

[0021] Alternatively, the fixation tool is formed as a plate compared to the thickness of the edges areas, and/or corresponding recesses are formed at the edges of the mounting plates in order to take up the fixation tool. Thereby, the fixation tool may be left in place when mounting the tile elements on the mounting plates.

[0022] In a further alternative embodiment, the fixation tool is integrated as a part of the mounting plates, possibly in the form of a flap extending from one of the opposed edges areas of each mounting plate. In this case, the fixation tool should be left in place when mounting the tile elements on the mounting plates and therefore be formed thin with corresponding recess as mentioned above.

[0023] In some embodiments (regardless of how the mounting plate is enabled to bend), the front side of the mounting plate is provided with a number of protrusions, e.g. in the form of at least substantially cylindrical studs or other forms e.g. as disclosed herein, the front side of the mounting plate has no indentations, the back side of each tile element is provided with a number of indentations, preferably in the form of at least substantially cylindrical holes corresponding to respective protrusions of the mounting plate, and the back side of each tile element has no protrusions. Thereby the mounting plate may be configured relatively thin, because the protrusions will extend into the indentations of the tile elements.

[0024] In some embodiments (regardless of how the mounting plate is enabled to bend), at least one, preferably some or all, of the protrusions each is an at least substantially square stud with rounded corners and/or wherein a first end (being furthest away from the front side of the mounting plate) of the at least one protrusion is angled or slanted at least partly so the protrusion is smaller closer to first end of the protrusion than at a second end, opposite the first end (i.e. being closest to the front side of the mounting plate).

[0025] In some embodiments (regardless of how the mounting plate is enabled to bend), the mounting plate comprises at least one groove, cut-out, or opening in the front side of the mounting plate configured to receive a part of one or more signal wires and/or power cables, and/or at least one tile element comprises at least one groove, cut-out, or opening in a side wall (e.g. arranged in pairs as disclosed herein) of the tile element configured to receive a part of one or more signal wires and/or power cables.

[0026] The present invention further relates to a method of mounting tile elements on a building surface by means of a mounting plate having a longitudinal direction and a transverse direction, whereby a back side of the mounting plate is attached on the building surface, preferably by gluing, and whereby a back side of each tile element is connected to a front side of the mounting plate by fitting protrusions on the front side of the mounting plate and/or on the back side of each tile element into corresponding indentations on the front side of the mounting plate and/or on the back side of each tile element, thereby forming a snap-fit or friction fit connection between the respective tile elements and the mounting plate.

[0027] The method is characterised in that the mounting plate is bendable, in that, before attaching the mounting plate to the building surface, the mounting plate is supplied in rolled up form, and in that, upon attachment of the mounting plate on the building surface, the mounting plate is unrolled.

[0028] In this way the mounting procedure may be greatly improved. Longer lengths of mounting plate may advantageously be attached to the building surface gradually, as the length of mounting plate is unrolled.

[0029] In some embodiments, the mounting plate comprises a material and/or has physical dimensions configured to make the mounting plate bendable.

[0030] In some embodiments, the mounting plate is provided with a number of lines or tracks of transverse perforations, each line or track extending in the transverse direction and being mutually spaced in the longitudinal direction and wherein the transverse perforations have such a configuration that the mounting plate is able to bend.

[0031] In some embodiments, the mounting plate is provided with a number of transverse portions being of a bendable material.

[0032] In some embodiments, the mounting plate is provided with a number of transverse grooves extending in the transverse direction and being mutually spaced in the longitudinal direction, wherein the transverse grooves have such a configuration that the mounting plate is able to bend, and wherein, upon attachment of the mounting plate on the building surface, the cross-sectional area of the transverse grooves generally changes.

[0033] Furthermore, the grooves of the mounting plate may compensate for possible irregularities of the building surface so that an even surface may nevertheless be formed by the front sides of the respective tile elements.

[0034] In some embodiments, upon attachment of the mounting plate on the building surface, the cross-sectional area of the transverse grooves generally increases. Thereby, the process of adhesion of the mounting plate to the building surface, as the length of mounting plate is unrolled, may be facilitated and may result in more accurate positioning, because bending of the mounting plate at the grooves will generally not change the length of the back side of the mounting plate in the longitudinal direction.

[0035] In some embodiments, a first length of mounting plate is attached to the building surface, whereby, subsequently, a second length of mounting plate is attached to the building surface so that an edge area of the second length of mounting plate overlaps an edge area of the first length of mounting plate. Thereby, an even surface may nevertheless be formed by the front sides of the respective tile elements mounted thereon. The overlapping edge areas may avoid or minimise leakage of water and/or dirt to the underlying building surface.

[0036] A number of tile elements may be connected to both the first and the second length of mounting plate, so that said number of tile elements thereby bridge said first and second length of mounting plate. Possible irregularities of the building surface may be even better hidden by said bridging tile elements as sudden steps between adjacent tile elements at the edges of the mounting plates may be avoided.

[0037] In some embodiments, before finally fixing the second length of mounting plate to the building surface, a fixation tool is brought into fitting engagement with protrusions and/or indentations on both said first and second length of mounting plate, thereby positioning the second length of mounting plate in relation to the first length of mounting plate. Thereby, the advantages mentioned above may be obtained.

[0038] Preferably, the fixation tool is removed from said first and second length of mounting plate before the attachment of tile elements on said first and second length of mounting plate is finished. Thereby, the fixation tool may be reused for the positioning of subsequent mounting plates. Furthermore, the fixation tool may not interfere with the subsequently mounted tile elements.

[0039] According to some (further) embodiments or aspects of a tile cladding system as disclosed herein and/or a method of mounting tile elements as disclosed herein, the material of the mounting plate may also be flexible and/or elastic in itself so that the mounting plate is able to bend, at least to some extent, even without the transverse grooves formed therein.

[0040] According to some (further) embodiments or aspects of a tile cladding system as disclosed herein and/or a method of mounting tile elements as disclosed herein, the mounting plate may be perforated or consist of or comprise a web, net, etc. and/or comprise transverse portions of bendable material.

[0041] The invention will now be explained in more detail below by means of examples of embodiments with reference to the very schematic drawing, in which

[0042] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a mounting plate of the tile cladding system according to one embodiment of the invention;

[0043] FIG. 2a is a partial cross-sectional view along the line II-II of FIG. 1 on a larger scale schematically illustrating longitudinal grooves;

[0044] FIG. 2b is a partial cross-sectional view along a line perpendicular to line II-II in FIG. 1 on a larger scale schematically illustrating transverse grooves;

[0045] FIG. 3 is a plan view illustrating the back side of a tile element of the tile cladding system according to the invention, on a larger scale relative to FIG. 1;

[0046] FIG. 4 is a plan view illustrating a fixation tool of an embodiment of the tile cladding system according to the invention, on a larger scale relative to FIG. 1;

[0047] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a mounting plate of the tile cladding system according to another embodiment of the invention;

[0048] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a mounting plate of the tile cladding system according to yet another embodiment of the invention;

[0049] FIG. 7 is a partial cross-sectional view along the line II-II of FIG. 5 or 6 on a larger scale;

[0050] FIG. 8a is a perspective cut-out view of a mounting plate of a tile cladding system as disclosed herein schematically illustrating a number of protrusions according one embodiment thereof;

[0051] FIG. 8b is a front or top view of a protrusion of a mounting plate according to FIG. 8a;

[0052] FIG. 8c is a cross-sectional side view of a protrusion of a mounting plate according to FIGS. 8a and 8b; and

[0053] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a tile element of a tile cladding system as disclosed herein.

[0054] FIGS. 1, 2a, and 2b illustrate an embodiment of a tile cladding system 1 according to the present invention for mounting tile elements 2 on a not shown building surface in the form of a wall, floor, ceiling or the like. The tile cladding system 1 includes a mounting plate 4 and a number of tile elements 2. In at least some uses, more than one mounting plate 4 is typically used. The mounting plate 4 is illustrated in FIG. 1 during unrolling, and FIG. 2a illustrates in part a cross-sectional view along the line II-II in FIG. 1 (i.e. seen along a longitudinal direction L of the mounting plate 4) while FIG. 2b illustrates a partial cross-sectional view along a line perpendicular to line II-II in FIG. 1 (i.e. seen along a transverse direction T of the mounting plate 4). Only the upper part of the mounting plate seen in FIG. 1 is illustrated in the cross-sectional view of FIG. 2a while a middle or central part is illustrated in FIG. 2b. The mounting plate 4 may be cut in suitable length in order to fit the relevant building surface, and the mounting plate 4 is preferably adhered to the building surface by means of a suitable adhesive, however, any suitable fastening or securing elements or means may be used, such as for example screws, nails, or the like.

[0055] As mentioned, the mounting plate 4 has a longitudinal direction L and a transverse direction T and furthermore a front side 5 adapted to carry the tile elements 2 and a back side 6 adapted to be attached on the building surface. Each tile element 2 has a front side 7 adapted to face away from the building surface, typically into the interior of a room of a building, and a back side 8 adapted to be connected to the front side 5 of the mounting plate 4. Typically, the tile elements 2 may have a rectangular periphery, but in fact the periphery could have any suitable form, and tile elements with different forms of periphery may be combined on the same mounting plate 4. The front side 5 of the mounting plate 4 is provided with a number of protrusions 9 in the form of at least substantially cylindrical studs, and the back side 8 of each tile element 2 is provided with a number of indentations 10 in the form of at least substantially cylindrical holes corresponding to respective protrusions 9 of the mounting plate 4 in such a way that protrusions 9 may fit into indentations 10 in order to form a snap-fit or friction fit connection. Although in the embodiment shown, the protrusions 9 are illustrated as cylindrical studs and the indentations 10 are illustrated as cylindrical holes, these elements may have any suitable form in order to provide a snap-fit or friction fit connection. For instance, the protrusions 9 could have the form of tongues and the indentations 10 could have the form of corresponding grooves. It should be mentioned that although FIG. 1 illustrates only some of the protrusions 9 in the form of at least substantially cylindrical studs on the mounting plate 4, typically, the protrusions 9 will be distributed at least substantially regularly over the entire front side 5 of the mounting plate 4, possibly apart from an area along one or more edges as explained below.

[0056] Furthermore, according to an aspect of the present invention, the mounting plate 4 is provided with a number of transverse grooves 11 extending in the transverse direction T and being mutually spaced in the longitudinal direction L, as illustrated in FIG. 1. It should be noted that although FIG. 1 illustrates only some of the transverse grooves 11, typically, the transverse grooves 11 will be distributed at least substantially regularly over the entire front side 5 of the mounting plate 4. The transverse grooves 11 have such a configuration that the mounting plate 4 is able to bend, that is, the deepness and width of the transverse grooves 11 are adapted to a general material thickness t.sub.1 in a central area 15 of the mounting plate 4 and to the material properties of the mounting plate 4 in such a way that the mounting plate 4 may bend and can be rolled up 3 in its longitudinal direction, for instance as illustrated in FIG. 1. The mounting plate 4 may be formed of any suitable material or combination of materials, however, it is preferred that the mounting plate 4 and the protrusions 9 formed thereon is formed as an integrated plastic moulding. Although the mounting plate 4 is bendable as a result of the transverse grooves 11, the material of the mounting plate 4 may also be flexible and/or elastic in itself so that the mounting plate 4 would be able to bend, at least to some extent, even without the transverse grooves 11 formed therein (e.g. as disclosed in connection with FIG. 6 and elsewhere) or be bendable according to other measures (e.g. as disclosed in connection with FIG. 5 and elsewhere). In particular, it is preferred that the mounting plate 4 is suitable as a moisture/vapour barrier in order to avoid that water leaks into the underlying building surface. Likewise, the tile elements 2 may be formed of any suitable material or combination of materials and may have different functions apart from defining the aesthetic appearance of the surface formed by the tile elements. For instance, some tile elements could form a mirror.

[0057] Preferably, the transverse grooves 11 are formed in the front side 5 of the mounting plate 4. Thereby, the process of adhesion of the mounting plate 4 to the building surface, as the length of mounting plate 4 is unrolled, see FIG. 1, may be facilitated and may result in more accurate positioning. This is because bending of the mounting plate 4 at the transverse grooves 11 will generally not change the length of the back side 6 of the mounting plate 4 in the longitudinal direction L. On the other hand, if the transverse grooves 11 are formed in the back side 6, the length of the back side 6 will be reduced during unrolling of the mounting plate 4 onto the building surface, thereby resulting in a contact force between the mounting plate 4 and the building surface in the longitudinal direction during application. This may result in a less precise positioning of the mounting plate 4.

[0058] In addition, the transverse grooves 11 in the front side 5 of the mounting plate 4 may serve to receive not shown signal wires and/or power cables which may also easily be installed at a later stage, because some of the tile elements 2 may even without special tools simply be removed and mounted again after arrangement of the wires and/or cables. The wires and/or cables may then be hidden by the tile elements 2.

[0059] It is understood that although the transverse grooves 11 enables the mounting plates 4 to be provided in rolled-up form and may be unrolled during mounting on the building surface, the mounting plates 4 may also be provided in their plane form, for instance in a stack. The transverse grooves 11 may still serve for the different purposes mentioned above, such as to provide flexibility and to receive wires and cables. In this case, flexibility of the mounting plates may still be an advantage during attachment to the building surface.

[0060] In the embodiment illustrated, the back side 6 of the mounting plate 4 is provided with a number of longitudinal grooves 12 extending in the longitudinal direction L. Thereby, the adhesion of the mounting plate 4 to the building surface may be improved, partly because these longitudinal grooves 12 may serve as reservoirs for surplus adhesive, and partly because these longitudinal grooves 12 may increase the contact area of the adhesive arranged between the back side 6 of the mounting plate 4 and the building surface.

[0061] The longitudinal grooves 12 are in the embodiment illustrated arranged at right angles to the above-mentioned transverse grooves 11, and the combination of longitudinal and transverse grooves 11, 12 may impart flexibility to the mounting plate 4 in both directions and thereby compensate even better for possible irregularities of the building surface so that an even surface may nevertheless be formed by the front sides 7 of the respective tile elements 2. Of course, increased flexibility of the mounting plate 4 may likewise be achieved by arranging the longitudinal grooves 12 at other suitable angles, such as for instance 70 degrees, with respect to the transverse grooves 11.

[0062] As illustrated in the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the mounting plate 4 has two opposed edge areas 13, 14 extending in the longitudinal direction L at either side of the central area 15 of the mounting plate 4. A general material thickness t.sub.2 of the mounting plate 4 in each of said opposed edge areas 13, 14 is smaller than, e.g. about half of, a general material thickness t.sub.1 of the mounting plate 4 in the central area 15. Thereby, two adjacent mounting plates 4 may be arranged with overlapping edge areas 13, 14 and an even surface may nevertheless be formed by the front sides 7 of the respective tile elements 2 mounted thereon. The overlapping edge areas 13, 14 may avoid or minimise leakage of water and/or dirt to the underlying building surface.

[0063] In an embodiment, the mounting plate 4 has a width in its transverse direction T of approximately 50, 60, or 70 centimetres and/or a length in its longitudinal direction L of approximately 170, 180, or 190 centimetres; however, any suitable width and length is possible. The general material thickness t.sub.1 of the mounting plate 4 in the central area 15 may for instance be about 0.5 to about 1.5 millimetres, be about 0.8 to about 1.2 millimetres, or be approximately 0.70, 0.75, or 0.80 millimetres and the general material thickness t.sub.2 of the mounting plate 4 in each of said opposed edge areas 13 may for instance be about 0.25 to about 0.75 millimetres, be about 0.4 to about 0.6 millimetres, or be approximately 0.5 millimetres. However, any suitable dimensions are possible and may depend on the material used for the mounting plate 4.

[0064] In a not shown embodiment, a first of said opposed edge areas 13, 14 is provided with some of said protrusions 9 and/or indentations and a second of said opposed edge areas 13, 14 is not provided with protrusions and/or indentations. Thereby, a broader overlap between adjacent mounting plates 4 may be obtained with a better sealing effect as a result.

[0065] FIG. 2b is a partial cross-sectional view along a line perpendicular to line II-II in FIG. 1 on a larger scale schematically illustrating transverse grooves. Shown is a part of a mounting plate 4 of the tile cladding system 1 with the front side 5 being provided with a number of protrusions 9 and the back side 6 comprising a number of transverse grooves 11. FIG. 2b illustrates part of the mounting plate 4 as seen from `above` or `below` in the orientation of FIG. 1.

[0066] FIG. 3 is a plan view illustrating the back side of a tile element of the tile cladding system according to the invention, on a larger scale relative to FIG. 1. Shown is a back side 8 of a tile element 2 comprising a number of indentations 10 as disclosed herein.

[0067] In the embodiment illustrated in the figures, the tile cladding system 1 in-eludes a fixation tool 16 illustrated in FIG. 4 and having four at least substantially cylindrical indentations 17 corresponding to respective protrusions 9 of the mounting plate 4. Thereby, the fixation tool 16 may form a fitting connection with two adjacent mounting plates 4 at the same time and define the correct relative mounting position between said two mounting plates 4. Thereby, the mounting process of the mounting plate on the building surface may be vastly facilitated. Furthermore, a more precise mounting of the entire tile cladding system 1 may be ensured so that an even surface may be formed by the front sides 7 of the respective tile elements 2.

[0068] In an alternative not shown embodiment, the fixation tool 16 is formed as a plate compared to the thickness of the edges areas 13, 14, and/or corresponding recesses are formed at the edges of the mounting plates 4 in order to take up the fixation tool 16. Thereby, the fixation tool 16 may be left in place when mounting the tile elements 2 on the mounting plates 4.

[0069] In a further alternative not shown embodiment, the fixation tool 16 is integrated as a part of the mounting plates 4, possibly in the form of one or more flaps extending from one of the opposed edges areas 13, 14 of each mounting plate 4. Said one or more flaps may also be an integrated part of the opposed edges areas 13, 14. In these embodiments, the fixation tool or tools 16 may be left in place when mounting the tile elements 2 on the mounting plates 4 and may therefore be formed thin with corresponding recess or recesses as mentioned above. Thereby, a separate fixation tool is not necessary.

[0070] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a mounting plate of the tile cladding system according to another embodiment of the invention. The illustrated embodiment corresponds to the one in FIG. 1 except that instead of the mounting plate 4 being provided with a number of transverse grooves (11 in FIG. 1), the mounting plate 4 comprises a number of transverse perforations 11', i.e. instead of a transverse groove a number of perforations are arranged along a track or line in the transverse direction T of the mounting plate. The perforations may e.g. be cut-outs, punch-outs, holes, etc. of any suitable shape e.g. circular, elongated, etc. The perforations along a track or line (or of different tracks or lines) need not be the same. Alternatively, one or more of the perforations is/are indentations or recesses instead, i.e. the perforation(s) do/does not go all the way through the mounting plate 4. In such embodiments, the indentations or recesses may be located on the front side 5 or the back side 6 of the mounting plate, respectively.

[0071] It should be noted that although FIG. 5 illustrates only some of the lines or tracks of transverse perforations 11', typically, the lines or tracks of transverse perforations 11' will be distributed at least substantially regularly over the entire front side 5 of the mounting plate 4. The transverse perforations 11' have such a configuration that the mounting plate 4 is able to bend, that is, the deepness, width, and/or height of the transverse perforations 11' are adapted to a general material thickness in a central area 15 of the mounting plate 4 and to the material properties of the mounting plate 4 in such a way that the mounting plate 4 may bend and can be rolled up 3 in its longitudinal direction, for instance as illustrated in FIG. 5.

[0072] In an alternative embodiment, the lines or tracks of the transverse perforations 11' (or the transverse grooves 11) are respectively replaced by respective transverse portions of another material being--in this case then--more bendable or pliable than the material of the mounting plate 4. Such another material may e.g. be a fabric or cloth, rubber, etc. In other words, a transverse line or track of another (more bendable) material is used instead of a transverse perforation 11' or instead of a transverse groove 11.

[0073] Additionally, the particular embodiment of FIG. 5 does not (compared to the embodiment of FIG. 1) comprise any longitudinal grooves extending in the longitudinal direction L (see 12 in FIG. 2A) and not two opposed edge areas 13, 14 with a thickness being smaller than a general material thickness of the mounting plate 4 in a central area 15, even though some embodiments may comprise one or more of these.

[0074] FIG. 7 illustrates in part a cross-sectional view along the line II-II in FIG. 5 (i.e. seen along a longitudinal direction L of the mounting plate 4). Only the upper part of the mounting plate seen in FIG. 5 is illustrated in the cross-sectional view of FIG. 7.

[0075] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a mounting plate of the tile cladding system according to yet another embodiment of the invention. The illustrated embodiment corresponds to the one illustrated in FIG. 6 except that transverse grooves (11 in FIG. 1) and no perforations (11' in FIG. 5) are present.

[0076] Rather, the material of the mounting plate is flexible and/or elastic in itself so that the mounting plate 4 is able to bend, at least to some extent, as disclosed herein even without transverse grooves or perforations formed therein.

[0077] The extent that a mounting plate is able to bend will depend heavily on the material properties of the mounting plate 4 and potentially also, at least to some extent, the dimensions (length in the longitudinal direction L, height in the transverse direction T, and/or thickness) of the mounting plate 4, that is, the material properties of the mounting plate 4 is adapted to the length (L), the height (T), and/or the general material thickness in a central area 15 of the mounting plate 4 in such a way that the mounting plate 4 may bend and can be rolled up 3 in its longitudinal direction, for instance as illustrated in FIG. 6.

[0078] Again, FIG. 7 illustrates in part a cross-sectional view along the line II-II in FIG. 6 (i.e. seen along a longitudinal direction L of the mounting plate 4), where only the upper part of the mounting plate is illustrated in the cross-sectional view of FIG. 7.

[0079] FIG. 7 is a partial cross-sectional view along the line II-II of FIG. 5 or 6 on a larger scale. FIG. 7 illustrates in part a cross-sectional view along the line II-II in FIG. 5 or 6 (i.e. seen along a longitudinal direction L of the mounting plate 4). Only the upper part of the mounting plate seen in FIG. 5 is illustrated in the cross-sectional view of FIG. 7.

[0080] As can be seen, in these embodiments of the mounting plate the thickness (t.sub.1) is the same and there is no provision of longitudinal grooves.

[0081] FIG. 8a is a perspective cut-out view of a mounting plate of a tile cladding system as disclosed herein schematically illustrating a number of protrusions according one embodiment thereof. Shown is a portion of a mounting plate 4 (e.g. one as shown in either of FIGS. 1, 5, and 6) comprising a number of protrusions 9 on the front side 5 of the mounting plate 4.

[0082] FIG. 8b illustrates a protrusion 9 of FIG. 8a seen from one end, e.g. its front, and FIG. 8c illustrates a cross-section protrusion 9 along line I-I in FIG. 8b.

[0083] In this particular embodiment, each protrusion 9 is an at least substantially square stud with rounded corners. Additionally, a first or a `top` end of a protrusion 9 (i.e. the end being furthest away from the front side 5 of the mounting plate 4) is angled or slanted at least some distance so it is smaller closer to the top of the protrusion 9 enabling easier mating with an indentation with a tile element.

[0084] Such a protrusion 9 has an especially reliable releasable fit with a mating indentation of a tile element (see e.g. 10 and 2 elsewhere) as disclosed herein and in particular with a mating indentation of a tile element as shown in FIG. 9 having indentations each having a mating circular opening.

[0085] FIG. 8b is a front or top view of a protrusion of a mounting plate according to FIG. 8a. Shown is one exemplary embodiment of a protrusion 9 of FIG. 8a. The rounded corners have a predetermined radius or curvature R.sub.2 matching or mating with an inner radius of an inner circular opening of a mating indentation of a tile element as shown in FIG. 9. Furthermore, an angle .alpha. is indicating an orientation of the protrusion 9 in relation to the horizontal direction (when the mounting plate is level with the horizontal direction). The angle .alpha. is in some embodiments (and as illustrated) 45.degree. or about 45.degree..

[0086] FIG. 8c is a cross-sectional side view of a protrusion of a mounting plate according to FIGS. 8a and 8b. Illustrated is a cross-section of a protrusion 9 of FIGS. 8a and 8b located on the front side 5 of a mounting plate 4 illustrating the rounded corners (upper leftmost arrow in the orientation of the drawing) and slanted or angled top of the protrusion (longer arrow just to the right in the orientation of the drawing of the upper leftmost arrow). Further indicated is an angle .theta. defining the curvature of where the protrusion 9 meets or join with the mounting plate 4.

[0087] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a tile element of a tile cladding system as disclosed herein. Illustrated is a tile element 2 comprising a number of indentations 10 in the form of at least substantially cylindrical holes or openings corresponding to or mating with respective protrusions (see e.g. 9 elsewhere) of a mounting plate as disclosed herein in such a way that respective protrusions may fit into respective indentations 10 in order to form a snap-fit or friction fit connection.

[0088] The shown embodiment of a tile element 2 works particularly well with protrusions as illustrated in FIGS. 8a-8c.

[0089] Further illustrated is the provision of at least one cut-out or opening 18 in a side wall of the tile element 2, the cut-out or opening 18 defining an opening configured to receive a part of one or more signal wires and/or power cables. In some embodiments, cut-outs or openings 18 are arranged in pairs where one of the pair is located in one side wall of the tile element 2 and the other of the pair is located (e.g. directly across but not necessarily so) in an opposing side wall of the tile element 2. The shown embodiment comprises four pairs so each side wall of the tile element 2 comprises two cut-outs or openings 18.

[0090] The cut-outs or openings 18, enables that installed wires and/or cables readily can be hidden by tile elements. Due to easy removal and re-attachment of tile elements with the mounting plate, even without special tools, it is easy to install any wires and/or cables at a later stage.

[0091] In an embodiment of a method as disclosed herein, a back side 6 of the mounting plate 4 is attached on the building surface, preferably by gluing, and a back side 8 of each tile element 2 is connected to a front side 5 of the mounting plate 4 by fitting protrusions 9 on the front side 5 of the mounting plate 4 into corresponding indentations 10 on the back side 8 of each tile element 2, thereby forming a snap-fit or friction fit connection between the respective tile elements 2 and the mounting plate 4. Before attaching the mounting plate 4 to the building surface, the mounting plate 4 is supplied in rolled up form 3, and, upon attachment of the mounting plate 4 on the building surface, the cross-sectional area of the transverse grooves 11 generally changes.

[0092] According to an embodiment of the disclosed method, wherein the transverse grooves 11 are formed on the front side 5 of mounting plate 4, the cross-sectional area of the transverse grooves 11 generally increases upon unrolling of the mounting plate 4. Thereby, the process of adhesion of the mounting plate 4 to the building surface, as the length of mounting plate 4 is unrolled, may be facilitated and may result in more accurate positioning, because bending of the mounting plate 4 at the transverse grooves 11 will generally not change the length of the back side 6 of the mounting plate 4 in the longitudinal direction L.

[0093] In an embodiment of the method as disclosed herein, a first length of mounting plate 4 is attached to the building surface, whereby, subsequently, a second length of mounting plate 4 is attached to the building surface so that an edge area 14 of the second length of mounting plate 4 overlaps an edge area 13 of the first length of mounting plate 4. Thereby, an even surface may nevertheless be formed by the front sides 7 of the respective tile elements 2 mounted thereon. The overlapping edge areas 13, 14 may avoid or minimise leakage of water and/or dirt to the underlying building surface.

[0094] Possibly, a number of tile elements 2 are connected to both the first and the second length of mounting plate 4, said number of tile elements 2 thereby bridging said first and second length of mounting plate 4. Possible irregularities of the building surface may be even better hidden by said bridging tile elements 2 as sudden steps between adjacent tile elements 2 at the edges of the mounting plates 4 may be avoided.

[0095] In an embodiment of the method as disclosed herein, before finally fixing the second length of mounting plate 4 to the building surface, the fixation tool 16 is brought into fitting engagement with protrusions 9 on both said first and second length of mounting plate 4, thereby positioning the second length of mounting plate 4 in relation to the first length of mounting plate 4. Preferably, the fixation tool 16 is removed from said first and second length of mounting plate 4 before the attachment of tile elements 2 on said first and second length of mounting plate 4 is finished. Thereby, the fixation tool 16 may be reused for the positioning of subsequent mounting plates 4. Furthermore, the fixation tool 16 may not interfere with the subsequently mounted tile elements 2.

[0096] The mounting plates 4 may be arranged with their longitudinal direction L in any suitable direction, for instance, if the relevant building surface is a wall, the longitudinal direction L of the mounting plates 4 may be arranged in horizontal or vertical direction of the surface of the building.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

[0097] L longitudinal direction [0098] T transverse direction [0099] t.sub.1 general material thickness in central area [0100] t.sub.2 general material thickness in opposed edge areas [0101] 1 tile cladding system [0102] 2 tile elements [0103] 3 rolled-up mounting plate [0104] 4 mounting plate [0105] 5 front side of mounting plate [0106] 6 back side of mounting plate [0107] 7 front side of tile element [0108] 8 back side of tile element [0109] 9 protrusions [0110] 10 indentations [0111] 11 transverse grooves [0112] 12 longitudinal grooves [0113] 13, 14 opposed edge areas of mounting plate [0114] 15 central area of mounting plate [0115] 16 fixation tool [0116] 17 indentations of fixation tool [0117] 18 cut-out in a tile element defining an opening for receiving a part of a wire or cable

Claims

1. A tile cladding system for mounting tile elements on a building surface, including a mounting plate and a number of tile elements, the mounting plate having a longitudinal direction, a transverse direction, a front side adapted to carry the tile elements and a back side adapted to be attached on the building surface, each tile element having a front side adapted to face away from the building surface and a back side adapted to be connected to the front side of the mounting plate, the front side of the mounting plate being provided with a number of protrusions and/or indentations and the back side of each tile element being provided with a number of protrusions and/or indentations corresponding to respective protrusions and/or indentations of the mounting plate in such a way that protrusions may fit into indentations in order to form a snap-fit or friction fit connection, wherein the mounting plate is bendable.

2. The tile cladding system according to claim 1, wherein the mounting plate comprises a material and/or has physical dimensions configured to make the mounting plate bendable.

3. The tile cladding system according to claim 1, wherein the mounting plate is provided with a number of lines or tracks of transverse perforations, each line or track extending in the transverse direction and being mutually spaced in the longitudinal direction and wherein the transverse perforations have such a configuration that the mounting plate is able to bend.

4. The tile cladding system according to claim 1, wherein the mounting plate is provided with a number of transverse portions being of a bendable material.

5. The tile cladding system according to claim 1, wherein the mounting plate is provided with a number of transverse grooves extending in the transverse direction and being mutually spaced in the longitudinal direction, and wherein the transverse grooves have such a configuration that the mounting plate is able to bend.

6. The tile cladding system according to claim 5, wherein the transverse grooves are formed in the front side of the mounting plate.

7. The tile cladding system according to claim 1, wherein the back side of the mounting plate is provided with a number of grooves, preferably in the form of longitudinal grooves extending in the longitudinal direction.

8. The tile cladding system according to claim 1, wherein the mounting plate has two opposed edge areas extending in the longitudinal direction at either side of a central area of the mounting plate, and wherein a general material thickness of the mounting plate in each of said opposed edge areas is smaller than a general material thickness of the mounting plate in the central area.

9. The tile cladding system according to claim 8, wherein a first of said opposed edge areas is provided with some of said protrusions and/or indentations and a second of said opposed edge areas is not provided with protrusions and/or indentations.

10. The tile cladding system according to claim 1, wherein the tile cladding system includes a fixation tool having at least two, preferably four, protrusions and/or indentations corresponding to respective protrusions and/or indentations of the mounting plate and so that the fixation tool may form a fitting connection with two adjacent mounting plates at the same time.

11. The tile cladding system according to claim 1, wherein at least one, preferably some or all, of the protrusions each is an at least substantially square stud with rounded corners and/or wherein a first end, being furthest away from the front side of the mounting plate, of the at least one protrusion is angled or slanted at least partly so the protrusion is smaller closer to first end of the protrusion than at a second end, opposite the first end.

12. The tile cladding system according to claim 1, wherein the mounting plate comprises at least one groove, cut-out, or opening in the front side of the mounting plate configured to receive a part of one or more signal wires and/or power cables, and/or wherein at least one tile element comprises at least one groove, cut-out, or opening in a side wall of the tile element configured to receive a part of one or more signal wires and/or power cables.

13. A method of mounting tile elements on a building surface by means of a mounting plate having a longitudinal direction and a transverse direction, whereby a back side of the mounting plate is attached on the building surface, preferably by gluing, and whereby a back side of each tile element is connected to a front side of the mounting plate by fitting protrusions on the front side of the mounting plate and/or on the back side of each tile element into corresponding indentations on the front side of the mounting plate and/or on the back side of each tile element, thereby forming a snap-fit or friction fit connection between the respective tile elements and the mounting plate, characterised in that the mounting plate is bendable, in that, before attaching the mounting plate to the building surface, the mounting plate is supplied in rolled up form, and in that, upon attachment of the mounting plate on the building surface, the mounting plate is unrolled.

14. The method according to claim 13, wherein the mounting plate comprises a material and/or has physical dimensions configured to make the mounting plate bendable.

15. The method according to claim 13, wherein the mounting plate is provided with a number of transverse perforations/each line or track extending in the transverse direction and being mutually spaced in the longitudinal direction and wherein the transverse perforations have such a configuration that the mounting plate is able to bend.

16. The method according to claim 13, wherein the mounting plate is provided with a number of transverse portions being of a bendable material.

17. The method according to claim 13, wherein the mounting plate is provided with a number of transverse grooves extending in the transverse direction and being mutually spaced in the longitudinal direction, wherein the transverse grooves have such a configuration that the mounting plate is able to bend, and wherein, upon attachment of the mounting plate on the building surface, the cross-sectional area of the transverse grooves generally changes.

18. The method of mounting according to claim 17, whereby, upon attachment of the mounting plate on the building surface, the cross-sectional area of the transverse grooves generally increases.

19. A method of mounting according to claim 13, whereby a first length of mounting plate is attached to the building surface, whereby, subsequently, a second length of mounting plate is attached to the building surface so that an edge area of the second length of mounting plate overlaps an edge area of the first length of mounting plate, and whereby, possibly, a number of tile elements are connected to both the first and the second length of mounting plate, said number of tile elements thereby bridging said first and second length of mounting plate.

20. A method of mounting according to claim 19, whereby, before finally fixing the second length of mounting plate to the building surface, a fixation tool is brought into fitting engagement with protrusions and/or indentations on both said first and second length of mounting plate, thereby positioning the second length of mounting plate in relation to the first length of mounting plate, and whereby, preferably, the fixation tool is removed from said first and second length of mounting plate before the attachment of tile elements on said first and second length of mounting plate is finished.