U.S. patent number RE35,380 [Application Number 07/813,343] was granted by the patent office on 1996-11-26 for tile mounting system.
Invention is credited to Stanley R. Bagshaw, Philip L. Rea.
United States Patent |
RE35,380 |
Rea , et al. |
November 26, 1996 |
Tile mounting system
Abstract
A synthetic plastics or other flexible but substantially
inextensible tiling matrix 1 is provided definning an apertured
portion 2 formed with openings 3, half-sized openings 5, and
quarter-sized openings 4, one surface of the matrix portion 2 being
provided with cruciform and rectilinear projections 9 between which
tiles can be installed. The matrix 1 is secured to a wall or other
surface that is to be tiled by use of an adhesive and the tiles are
secured to that wall or other surface and to the matrix portion 2
by a conventional tiling adhesive following which grouting is
installed between the regularly spaced apart tiles in a
conventional manner. The projections 9 have a projecting extent
that is less than the thickness of the tiles so that they will be
concealed after grouting has been completed. Edges of each matrix
portion 2 are provided with interlocking projections 6 and recesses
7 so that one matrix portion 2 can quickly and accurately be
positioned in line relative to others. Projections 8 are provided
to assist in alignment relative to the edges of walls, floors,
ceilings and other surfaces and any guide lines that may be marked
thereon. Areas of the matrix 1 that incorporate a lip to finish the
free edge of the tiled area and areas thereof that are hingedly
interconnected to flank angular corners between walls or other
surfaces are both described and illustrated.
Inventors: |
Rea; Philip L. (Ealing, London
W5 2JL, GB2), Bagshaw; Stanley R. (Hemel Hempstead,
Hertfordshire HP3 8AL, GB2) |
Family
ID: |
10581134 |
Appl.
No.: |
07/813,343 |
Filed: |
December 24, 1991 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
Issue Date |
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873346 |
Jun 12, 1986 |
4761926 |
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Reissue of: |
165917 |
Mar 9, 1988 |
04888928 |
Dec 26, 1989 |
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Foreign Application Priority Data
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Jun 21, 1985 [GB] |
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8515769 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
52/387;
52/389 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E04F
15/02005 (20130101); E04F 15/02194 (20130101); Y10T
428/24273 (20150115); Y10T 428/166 (20150115) |
Current International
Class: |
E04F
15/02 (20060101); E04F 013/08 () |
Field of
Search: |
;52/385,386,387,388,389,180,181 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
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2065207 |
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Jul 1971 |
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FR |
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3333780 |
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Mar 1984 |
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DE |
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712127 |
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Jul 1966 |
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IT |
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Primary Examiner: Mai; Lanna
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Harness, Dickey & Pierce,
P.L.C.
Parent Case Text
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION:
This application is a continuation application of the co-pending
U.S. patent application, Ser. No. 06/873,346, filed Jun. 12, 1986,
U.S. Pat. No. 4,761,926 the disclosure of which is hereby
incorporated by reference.
Claims
We claim: .[.1. A tiling system which comprises the provision of a
first matrix for use in tiling, the first matrix defining an
apertured portion for adhesive attachment to a surface to be tiled,
the apertures constituting a major portion of the area of the first
matrix, the apertured portion being provided with a pattern of
projections, the sizes and positions of the projections enabling
tiles to be fit between the projections, the projections of the
patterns being detachably secured to the apertured portion, the
configuration of the apertured portion being symmetrical, the
configuration having at least one central aperture, a plurality of
lateral apertures, and a plurality of corner apertures, the lateral
apertures and the corner apertures surrounding the central
aperture, a combined matrix being formed when the first matrix is
attached and aligned along a common edge to a second matrix, the
second matrix being identical to the first matrix, the
configuration of the combined matrix being similar to the
configuration of the first matrix, a lateral aperture of the first
matrix combining with a lateral aperture of the second matrix along
the common edge to form a central aperture, and a corner aperture
of the first matrix combining with a corner aperture of the second
matrix along the common edge to form a lateral
aperture..]..Iadd.2. In combination with a plurality of rectilinear
tiles of predetermined dimensions for use in the tiling of a
surface, at least a pair of tiling matrices each matrix having an
apertured portion defining apertures which consitute a major
portion of the area of the matrix and are to receive tiles to be
adhered to the surface, characterized in that the apertured portion
is a two-dimensional framework formed of a flexible but
substantially inextensible synthetic plastic material and
comprising a peripheral frame and horizontal and vertical frame
members intersecting at right angles to each other and defining
apertures therebetween, the framework defining a central zone
containing at least one central aperture of a rectilinear form and
at least one lateral aperture having a rectilinear form which
substantially corresponds to the size and shape of half a said
central aperture and which flank central zone outer edge-located
edges of the central aperture, and each corner of the central zone
substantially coinciding with one corner of a corresponding corner
aperture within the framework and having a rectilinear form which
substantially corresponds to the size and shape of one quarter of a
said central aperture, the frame members making up the apertured
portion carrying thereon a pattern of projections at frame member
intersecting positions whose shapes and positions are such that
tiles can either fit between projections to lie entirely within the
matrix or tiles can fit between projections and bridge adjacent
matrices, with the frame members being so narrow that between edges
thereof and the projections a narrow band of the frame member
exists acting as a ledge for supporting an edge region of a tile
while allowing substantially the entire portion of the tile within
such edge regions thereof to be unsupported by the matrix, for the
tiles to be adhesively secured directly to said surface within the
respective aperture or apertures therein while being spaced apart
from one another by said projections to facilitate uniform grouting
between the tiles, projection and recess means respectively being
provided along frame members defining the peripheral frame of the
matrix area to assist in interlocking the matrix relative to an
adjacent matrix against displacement therebetween in any one
direction during the installation of the matrix on a surface that
is to be tiled and laying the tiles thereon, said combination
characterized in that said tiles have an area which is an even
integer multiple of said central aperture and the projections on
each matrix are initially separate from the apertured portions,
said portions and said projections being provided with cooperating
means that will enable the projections to be attached to the
portions in positions that are appropriate to the size of the
particular tiles that are to cooperate with each matrix.
.Iaddend..Iadd.3. A tiling system which comprises the provision of
a first matrix for use in tiling, the first matrix defining an
apertured portion for adhesive attachment to a surface to be tiled,
the apertures constituting a major portion of the area of the first
matrix and being intended to receive tiles to be adhered to a
surface, characterized in that the apertured portion is a two
dimensional framework formed of a flexible but substantially
inextensible synthetic plastic material and comprising a peripheral
frame and horizontal and vertical frame members intersecting at
right angles to each other and defining apertures therebetween, the
apertured portion being provided with a pattern of projections at
frame member intersecting positions, the sizes and positions of the
projections enabling tiles to fit between the projections, the
projections of the pattern being fixedly or detachably secured to
the apertured portion, the configuration of the apertured portion
being symmetrical, the frame having at least one central aperture,
a plurality of lateral apertures of rectilinear form which
corresponds to the size and shape of half a said central aperture
and which flank central zone outer edge-located edges of the
central aperture, and a plurality of corner apertures surrounding
the central aperture, with the corner apertures each coinciding at
one corner with one corner of said central aperture, the corner
apertures being of rectilinear form which substantially corresponds
to the size and shape of one quarter of a said central aperture,
with the frame members being so narrow that, between the edges
thereof and the projections, a narrow band of the frame member
exists acting as a ledge for supporting an edge region of a tile
while allowing substantially the entire portion of the tile within
such edge regions to be unsupported by the matrix, a combined
matrix being formed when the first matrix is attached and aligned
along a common edge to a second matrix, the second matrix being
identical to the first matrix, such that a lateral aperture of the
first matrix combines with a lateral aperture of the second matrix
along the common edge to form a central aperture, and a corner
aperture of the first matrix combines with a corner aperture of the
second matrix along the common edge to form a lateral aperture,
whereby tiles may be adhesively secured to said surface within the
respective aperture or apertures therein while being spaced apart
from one another by said projection to facilitate uniform grouting
between the tiles, projections and recess means respectively being
provided along frame members defining the peripheral frame of the
matrix area to assist in interlocking of the matrices against
displacement therebetween in any one direction during the
installation of the matrix on a surface that is to be tiled and
laying of tiles thereon. .Iaddend.
Description
This invention relates to a system for the mounting of tiles on
vertical, horizontal or oblique surfaces and can thus be employed
in the tiling of walls, floors, ceilings and other surfaces which
are inclined both to the vertical and the horizontal. It is
conventional for tiles, and particularly glazed ceramic tiles, to
be fixed to flat surfaces by an adhesive which is appropriate to
the nature of the tiles themselves and the surface upon which they
are to be mounted, the tiles being uniformly spaced apart from one
another by relatively short distances and the spacing between them
being filled by so-called "grouting" to produce the neat and
pleasing finish which is well known to everyone. Experienced
professional tilers can apply tiles to a large area at a rapid rate
and will produce the finish that has just been mentioned with very
few, if any, blemishes or noticeable irregularities. However, when
the amateur tiler attempts a similar job, he/she discovers that the
work of the professional tiler is much more difficult than it
appears and cannot be easily duplicated without a lot of experience
and the acquisition of "know-how" for which the mere reading of
instructive literature is no substitute even though it may be of
some help.
According to the invention, there is provided a tiling system
characterized in that is comprises the provision of a matrix
defining an apertured portion for adhesive attachment to a surface
that is to be tiled, the apertured portion being either permanently
provided with, or being constructed to receive, a pattern of
projections whose sizes and positions are such that, in use, tiles
can fit between the projections and be adhesively secured to said
surface by way of the apertured portion and the openings therein
whilst being regularly spaced apart from one another by said
projections to facilitate uniform grouting between the tiles.
For a better understanding of the invention, and to show how the
same may be carried into effect, reference will now be made, by way
of example, to the accompanying drawings, in which:
FIG. 1 is a plan view of a relatively small area of a tiling system
matrix constructed in accordance with the invention,
FIG. 2 is a section, to an enlarged scale, taken on the line II--II
in FIG. 1,
FIG. 3 is a perspective view to substantially the same scale as
FIG. 1 showing an area of the tiling system matrix constructed and
arranged for tiling around a convex corner interconnecting two
relatively perpendicular surfaces.
FIG. 4 is a view to a considerably enlarged scale as seen in the
direction indicated by an arrow IV in FIG. 3 and shows the matrix
area of FIG. 3 in use together with the employment of an auxiliary
member to complete the tiling around the convex corner, and
FIG. 5 is a perspective view to substantially the same scale as
that of FIG. 2 showing one corner of an area of a matrix that may
advantageously be employed along a free edge of a tiled region,
part of one tile also appearing in FIG. 5.
Referring firstly to FIGS. 1 and 2 of the accompanying drawings, a
relatively small area of a matrix 1 is illustrated that is intended
for use in fastening standard 150 millimeter square (approximately
6.times.6 inches) glazed ceramic tiles to the surface of a vertical
wall or, alternatively, to a horizontal or inclined surface. Such
tiles conventionally have a thickness of approximately 5.0
millimeters but the thickness will vary with tile size and other
factors. The matrix 1 could, of course, be dimensioned to
co-operate with square tiles of other dimensions and/or to receive
tiles in staggered rows or other patterns.
The matrix 1 is formed from a somewhat flexible, but substantially
inelastic material which it is prefered should be a synthetic
plastics material, an injection moulding grade of high impact
polystyrene having been found to be very satisfactory for this
purpose although the employment of other synthetic plastics
materials or of alternative somewhat flexible, but inelastic,
materials is by no means excluded. The matrix 1 defines an
apertured portion 2 that, when in use on a flat surface, will be
substantially planar, the portion 2 having a uniform thickness of
substantially 1 millimeter and being formed throughout most of its
area with a regular pattern of substantially square openings 3, at
its four corners with four smaller substantially square openings 4,
and along its edges, between the four corners, with a plurality of
regularly spaced apart substantially oblong openings 5 whose
lengths are the same as the widths, in parallel directions, of the
substantially square openings 3.
FIG. 1 of the drawings show that, at regular intervals along each
of two relatively perpendicular free edges of the illustrated area
of matrix 1, each such edge exhibits a plurality of extensions 6 of
broad dove-tailed configuration whilst, along the other two
relatively perpendicular free edges of the same area of the matrix
1, a plurality of recesses 7 of broad dove-tailed shape are formed
which recesses 7 exactly match the extensions 6 in size and shape.
Each extension 6 and each recess 7 lies midway along the length of
the outermost edge of the opening 4 or 5 which it immediately
neighbours.
In addition to the extensions 6 and recesses 7 that are formed
along the free edges of the area of matrix 1, each of the openings
3 is formed, midway along the length of each of its four edges,
with relatively small V-shaped projections 8 and, similarly, each
opening 5 is formed, midway along each of its two opposite and
parallel longer edges, with further exactly similar projections 8.
With this arrangement, there are straight rows of the projections 8
in exact alignment with the centres of extensions 6 and recesses 7
at opposite edges of the complete area of matrix 1, such rows thus
being in exact parallel relationship with opposite basically
straight edges of the matrix area 1 itself.
It can be seen in FIG. 1 of the drawings that each substantially
oblong aperture 5 is a little less than half the size of each
substantially square opening 3 and also that each smaller
substantially square opening 4 is substantially one quarter the
size of each larger substantially square opening 3.
One side of the matrix 1 is provided with a pattern of projections
9 that stand proud from said side by substantially 2.5 millimeters
which height, it will be noted, is less than the minimum thickness
of a standard glazed ceramic tile that will co-operate therewith.
FIG. 1 of the drawings shows, at locations adjacent each corner of
each substantially square opening 3, the projections 9 in a
cruciform disposition which is not, however, essential. Instead of
the four limbs of each cross being joined together as illustrated,
said four limbs may be spaced apart from one another by a distance
leaving a central region of each cross open or blank. Single
projections 9 that correspond to one limb of one of the cruciform
dispositions are arranged around the four free edges of the area of
matrix 1 that is shown in FIG. 1 of the drawings, each such single
projection 9 being perpendicular to, and being disposed immediately
alongside, the edge concerned and having its length exactly in
alignment with corresponding limbs of a row of the cruciform
disposition projections 9.
In use, the flat side of the matrix 1 which is opposite to that
bearing the projections 9 is secured to a wall or other surface
that is to be tiled by employing an adhesive which may
conveniently, but not essentially, be the same adhesive that is to
be used for fastening the tiles themselves, a solvent-based
neoprene contact adhesive or some other adhesive compatible with
the material from which the matrix 1 is formed. If desired, this
flat side, and/or the side of the matrix 1 bearing the projections
9, may be ribbed or otherwise roughened to improve its keying
co-operation with any adhesive. It has already been emphasied that
FIG. 1 of the drawings shows a relatively small area of the matrix
1 and it is possible for it to be produced in much larger areas,
such as in sheets measuring 121.92 centimeters (4 ft.) long and
121.92 centimeters (4 ft.) wide. The inelastic flexibility of the
matrix material is such that a sheet of the matrix having
relatively large dimensions can be formed into a roll without
permanent deformation but, for transport and handling generally, a
flat configuration is usually more convenient. The use of
relatively small areas of the matrix 1 is advantageous in regard to
handling and storage and larger areas can, of course, be accurately
produced merely by entering the extensions 6 of one "smaller" area
into the matching recesses 7 of a neighbouring area. Across the
junctions between correctly aligned areas of matrix 1 that are
joined together in this way, two substantially oblong openings 5
and the material of the matrix 1 between them will effectively be
equivalent to one of the larger substantially square openings 3
thus spacing apart cruciform disposition projections 9, across such
a junction, by the same distance as the spacing between immediately
neighbouring cruciform disposition projections 9 on a single area
of the matrix 1. Similarly, two neighbouring smaller substantially
square openings 4 effectively correspond to a single substantially
oblong opening 5 and four such smaller substantially square
openings 4 at the four adjoining corners of four areas of matrix 1
are equivalent to a single larger substantially square opening 3.
There will inevitably be places at which some shaping of one or
more areas of matrix 1 will be required to avoid obstructions on
the surface to be tiled and this shaping can be quickly and easily
effected using a strong and sharp pair of scissors.
The straight rows of projections 8 are very useful in lining up the
areas of matrix 1 in parallel relationship with vertical and
horizontal edges of walls, horizontal edges of floors and drawn or
other lines relative to which the eventual rows of tiles must
extend in as parallel relationship as possible. Using adhesive and,
sometimes, scissors, it is usually possible to cover a wall or
other surface with the matrix 1 quite quickly. If the tiling is to
come to a free edge, then use may be made of an area of the matrix
1 such as that of which a small portion is shown in FIG. 5 of the
drawings, such area being, if desired, in the form of a finishing
strip of relatively narrow width. Whatever its formation, the area
of matrix 1 that is shown in FIG. 5 has a lip 11 defining an outer
convexly curved surface which stands proud from the apertured
portion 2 of the matrix area 1 by a distance equal to the thickness
of a tile 10, a part of one such tile 10 being shown in FIG. 5. It
will immediately be seen from FIG. 5 that the lip 11 neatly
finishes the free edge of the tiling without needing to employ
known tiles that are specifically made for that purpose and which,
along one edge, have a rounded and glazed extension of the flat
glazed surface thereof.
The area of matrix 1 exhibiting the lip 11 can, if it is in the
form of a finishing strip, be furnished in a width that will allow
it to co-operate with one of the free edges of one matrix 1, such
as that shown in FIG. 1 of the drawings, to produce, along that
free edge, the spacing between the lip 11 and a parallel row of
limbs of the nearest cruciform disposition projections 9 that is
the same as the spacing between immediately neighbouring cruciform
disposition projections 9 on the surface of a single area of the
matrix 1. Since grouting is usually white in colour, it is
desirable that any finishing strip or other area of matrix 1 that
exhibits the lip 11 should be produced in that colour so that the
eventual visibility of the lip 11 will not be inharmonious. Each
finishing strip or other area of matrix 1 incorporating one of the
lips 11 is provided with extensions 6 and/or recesses 7 to enable
it to co-operate with the recesses 7 and/or extensions 6 of
neighbouring areas of matrix 1. If desired, the lip 11 may define a
shape other than the cylindrical convex curvature which is
illustrated.
It may be that tiling is to be continued round, for example, a
90.degree. convex angle between two vertical walls or between a
vertical wall and a horizontal surface and it is possible to
provide areas of the matrix 1 specifically adapted for that
purpose. FIG. 3 of the drawings shows one such area, said area
comprising two permanently interconnected sections that are moulded
together with a relatively thin, and therefore relatively flexible,
junction 12 between them which junction 12 will bend readily around
any corner rendering the use of, for example, an adhesive tape
unnecessary, such adhesive tape being employable, as an
alternative, to join together two straight, or straightened by
scissors, edges of two initially separate areas of matrix 1 that
are to be secured to relatively inclined surfaces flanking an
angular corner between those surfaces. It will be seen from FIG. 3
of the drawings that, alongside the flexible junction 12 between
the two relatively inclined sections of areas of matrix 1, there
are a plurality of T-shaped projections with the crossbar of each T
extending along the free edge and the upright thereof
perpendicularly away from that edge. Thus, tiles 10 can fit between
cruciform disposition projections 9 and T-shaped projections 9 at
either side of the junction 12 to locate those tiles 10 properly in
much the same way as has already been described.
FIG. 4 of the drawings shows the matrix 1 in use around a
90.degree. angle formed between two flat surfaces and shows the
crossbars of T-shaped projections 9 standing proud from the matrix
portions 2 at the adjacent edges of those portions 2 which flank
the interconnecting flexible junctions 12. A tile quadrant 13 may
be secured by tile adhesive and/or grouting around the corner
between the tiles 10 flanking that corner. Alternatively, an
extruded synthetic plastics quadrant 13 may take the place of
ceramic quadrants 13 having glazed cylindrically curved surfaces.
The angular junction between two walls or other surfaces might not
be a 90.degree. junction and glazed ceramic or synthetic plastics
filling strips subtending angles of 45.degree., 60.degree. and so
on at their centres of curvature can be provided for employment in
such situations. It is not, of course, essential that the exposed
surface of each quadrant 13 or equivalent finishing strip should be
a cylindrically curved surface and an oblique flat surface, an
angular finish or some other desired shape can equally well be
provided.
Once a wall or other surface that is to be tiled has been covered
with the matrix 1, the tiles 10 will fit between the various
projections 9 with a light frictional engagement or can be retained
by a small, easily removable, quantity of adhesive, either
arrangement allowing at least some of the tiles to be temporarily
placed in their final positions before actually using a tiling
adhesive to fix them permanently in those positions. This is
particularly useful if a pattern of tiles is to be produced since
it enables the tiles which bear the pattern elements or decorations
on their surfaces to be temporarily installed to ensure that their
relative spacing, clearance from the floor and the ceiling and so
on, is exactly correct before finally fastening them in position
together with the surrounding "plain" or contrast tiles. The tiles
are installed in a substantially conventional manner merely by
applying a proprietory tiling adhesive onto their rear surfaces and
pressing them into position to spread that adhesive onto the wall
or other surface itself, through the openings 3 and/or 4 and/or 5
and onto the exposed surface of the matrix 1 that surrounds those
openings. The various projections 9 ensure that a substantially
exactly uniform spacing between the tiles is automatically produced
and this spacing is filled with proprietory or other grouting in a
conventional manner by "wiping" it into the spaces between the
tiles and using a damp cloth or the like or a proprietory tool to
remove any excess left on the glazed surfaces of the tiles. It will
be remembered that the projections 9 have a height which is less
than the minimum thickness of the tiles 10 so that the grouting
over the projections 9 have a height which is less than the minimum
thickness of the tiles 10 so that the grouting over the projections
9 will conceal them.
At a 90.degree. angular corner between two walls, as discussed
above, the crossbars of the T disposition projections 9 both
provide the correct spacing, and act as a guide, for the
installation of the ceramic tile quandrants 13 (FIG. 4) or an
equivalent synthetic plastics extrusion either of which may be
provided in a range of different colours to match, or contrast
with, the colours of the neighbouring tiles 10. Alternatives to the
use of the thin synthetic plastics junction 12 that flexibly
interconnect two matrix portions 2 include the employment of the
previously mentioned thin flexible adhesive tape to join said
portions 2 together in the manner of a hinge or providing small
projections along the edge of one portion 2 and recesses of
matching widths along the co-operating edge of the other portion 2
so that, when the two portions 2 are disposed in a manner
equivalent to that illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4 of the drawings,
the projections along one edge will fit in the recesses along the
outer edge to provide a correct location of the matrix 1 around the
angular corner. A still further possibility is to provide alternate
projections and recesses along one edge to co-operate with
alternate recesses and projections along the other edge. The
projections may be of such an extent that they will stand proud of
the surface of the matrix portion 2 having the edge recesses into
which said projections are entered so that the latter can then
serve a similar function to the crossbars of the T-shaped
projections 9 although, with this arrangement, the shape of the
ceramic quandrants 13 or equivalent synthetic plastics extrusions
will need to be modified to co-operate correctly therewith.
The desired and illustrated arrangement of the extensions 6,
recesses 7 and projections 8 is by no means essential; the
extensions 6 and recesses 7 may be given other co-operating shapes
but it is preferred that those shapes should be arranged to
interlock with one another. The projections 8 serve merely for
alignment purposes and any alternative shapes which will
satisfactorily accomplish this may equally well be used. The
spacing between the projections 9 and the shapes and sizes of the
openings 3, 4 and 5 can readily be changed to enable oblong or
other tiles to be used instead of square tiles or for co-operation
with square tiles of sizes which differ from the frequently
employed wall tile size that is mentioned above.
Although rarely employed, even tiles of shapes other than
rectangular could be used, needing only to co-operate with
appropriate shapes and dispositions of the projections 9 and of the
openings in the portions 2 of the matrix 1. Purely as examples,
triangular, hexagonal or circular tiles could advantageously be
mounted by a system in accordance with the invention. Clearly, the
shapes of the openings 3, 4 and 5 that are shown in the drawings
are far from being essential although the illustrated shapes are
probably the most economic as regards use of the material from
which the matrix 1 is formed. Nevertheless, circular, octagonal or
other openings could be used in place of the openings 3 and 4 and
oval or irregular octagonal openings in place of the oblong
openings 5.
In addition to serving for alignment purposes, the projections 8
can be of considerable assistance in providing guidance for cutting
of the matrix 1 where, purely for example, a finishing strip is to
be used along-side a portion of the matrix 1, the finishing strip
being arranged as briefly described with reference to FIG. 5 of the
drawings. It is now conventional to produce new buildings, and to
alter existing buildings, employing pre-fabricated wall panels and
one aspect of the invention involves incorporating areas of the
matrix 1 of this tiling system into such pre-fabricated panels so
that, after installation, the panels are immediately ready for
tiling. Even when this work is to be done by an experienced
professional tiler, the use of the system is of considerable
benefit, particularly if a pattern of tiles is to be installed or a
number of "picture" tiles with a plain surround.
The system which has been described enables even the rankest
amateur tiler to produce large areas of finished tiling both
relatively quickly and relatively easily with an absolute minimum
of blemishes and irregularities, particularly as regards the
grouted spacing between the installed tiles.
Whilst the invention has been described principally in regard to
the tiling of walls, it will immediately be apparent that it is
used in substantially the same way, and with the same benefits, in
the tiling of ceilings, floors and inclined surfaces. The system is
not confined to employment with glazed ceramic tiles and is of
equal assistance when installing synthetic plastics, cork,
non-glazed and other tiles. Since the matrix 1 is inextensibly
flexible, it can be used in the tiling of both concave and convex
curved walls or other surfaces as well as for the tiling of
strictly planar surfaces.
Instead of the projections 9 being integral with, or fixedly
secured to the portions 2 of the matrix 1, each such portion may be
formed with a pattern of relatively small, round, cruciform or
other holes and initially separate projections 9 may be positioned
on the portions 2, using these holes, to suit the size of tiles to
be installed by the system. With this arrangement, the projections
9 can be installed at different points enabling the same matrix 1
to be adjusted for use with tiles of various sizes. Provisions may
be made to produce the matrix 1 in strip form to allow a continuous
"spacer" to be inserted between the matrix strips. The openings 3,
4 and 5 may receive portions of tile mosaic in which several
relatively small tiles are secured to a backing sheet.
* * * * *