AU2004200494A1

AU2004200494A1 - Tile

Info

Publication number: AU2004200494A1
Application number: AU2004200494A
Authority: AU
Inventors: George KOTSIOPOULOS
Original assignee: PONALE Pty Ltd
Current assignee: Blackie Family Co Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2003-02-12
Filing date: 2004-02-10
Publication date: 2004-08-26
Anticipated expiration: 2024-02-10
Also published as: AU2004200494B2

Description

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION STANDARD PATENT Applicant(s): PONALE PTY LTD A.C.N. 006 830 842 Invention Title:

TILE

The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me/us: 2

TILE

Field of the Invention This invention relates to a tile and relates particularly, but not exclusively, to a tile that can be interlinked with other tiles to provide a surface across all interlocked tiles over which heavy traffic can pass and wherein the interlocked tiles can be de-interlocked to permit the tile surface to be removed and replaced in other locations.

Description of Prior Art Hitherto, it has been known to provide tiles that can be interlocked, and de-interlocked to permit reassembly at other locations. Typically, tiles of this nature are utilised to provide a surface over unstable ground so that heavy traffic can pass. The tiles can then be dismantled by de-interlocking the tiles and reassembling at other locations. Tiles of this nature have been used extensively by military organisations for transporting vehicles over generally unstable ground or ground that is not required to be damaged. Tiles of this nature also have utility in protecting ground surfaces such as sporting ovals, when events such as exhibitions or concerts are held at those sporting venues. In this way, the ground surface can be protected to enable heavy traffic to pass. Once the event is finished the tiles can be removed thereby enabling the sporting ground to be used for its normal and intended purposes.

A problem with known tiles is that as heavy traffic passes, the tiles tend to creep relative to one another. This is because the tiles are generally interlocked together in a relatively tight way and H \Priyanka\Keep\speci\TILE P52144 CAP.doc 10/02/04 3 pressure exerted on one tile by a heavy vehicle, for example, may push a tile in one direction causing all the tiles to then be pushed as a total assembly. This is undesirable. Further, known tiles suffer from problems when assembled over sporting ovals in that the ground surface is generally interfered by the undersurface of the tiles such that immediately following the removal of the tiles, the ground surface has unwanted undulations or indentations caused by the tiles and the traffic that has passed thereover.

Object and Statement of the Invention The present invention has been devised to mitigate to some degree the problems of the prior art tiles.

Therefore, according to a first broad aspect of the present invention, there is provided a tile for edge interlocking with other identical tiles to form a tiled surface over all the interlocked tiles, said tile having at least two pairs of side edges, each pair of side edges having a first side edge and a second side edge, the first and second side edges extending substantially parallel to one another, and on opposite side edges of the tile, the first side edge having an edge tongue that is upwardly standing in a direction extending from a base of the tile towards the upper surface of the tile, and the second side edge having an edge tongue that is downwardly standing from the top of the tile in a direction extending towards the base of the tile, the arrangement being such that around the perimeter of the tile there is a repeating series pattern of upwardly standing and immediately adjacent downwardly standing tongues, the underside of the tile being provided with a plurality of strengthening ribs that extend in a generally H,\Priyanka\Keep\peci\TILE P52144 CAP.doc 10/02/04 4 right angle relationship relative to the upper surface of the tile, some ribs extending in a direction from one side of the tile to the opposite side of the tile, and some others of the ribs extending in a direction that is generally parallel to and, generally follows the direction of the outer circumference of the tile, the tongues permitting several tiles to be interlocked by an upwardly standing tongue of one tile locating with a downwardly standing tongue of an adjacent tile, the strengthening ribs providing structural stability to the tile, and wherein resistance to lateral spreading of interlocked tiles is inhibited by the structural ribs that extend generally parallel to and generally follow the circumference of the tile engaging with a ground surface.

Most preferably each pair of tongues is such that one of the tongues is provided at the outer edge of an outstanding part of the side edge of the tile relative to a main body part of the tile, and the other tongue is provided at an outer edge of an inwardly extending part of the side edge of the tile relative to the main body part of the tile, so when tiles are interlocked by the tongues locating there will also be interlocking of the outwardly extending part of one tile with the inwardly extending part of another tile.

Most preferably the upper surface of the tile is generally of planar configuration.

Most preferably the upper surface of the tile is provided with an anti slip patterned surface.

Most preferably the tile is of hexagon shape.

Most preferably the strengthening ribs provide H,\Priyanka\Keep\speci\TILE P52144 CAP.doc 10/02/04 5 discrete compartments that are open from the underside of the tile.

Most preferably there is a disconformity of the height of the strengthening ribs between adjacent compartments to allow air to pass from one compartment to another compartment.

Most preferably there are air openings through the upper surface of the tile that extend into one or more compartments.

Most preferably the underside of the tile has exposed receptor means to permit a planar separate base part for the tile to be fitted to the base of the tile so that fastening means that extend from the separate base part can engage with said receptor means.

Most preferably the tile is made from a synthetic plastics material.

Brief Description of the Drawings In order that the invention can be more clearly ascertained an example of a preferred embodiment will now be referred to with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein: Figure 1 is a top perspective view of the tile, Figure 2 is an underneath perspective view of the tile, Figure 3 is a plan view of the tile, Figure 4 is an underneath view of the tile, Figure 5 is a side of the tile in direction A in Figure 3, Figure 6 is a side viewin direction B in Figure 3, Figure 7 is a side view in direction C of Figure 3, H.\Priyanka\Keep\speci\TILE P52144 CAP.doc 10/02/04 6 Figure 8 is a side view in direction D of Figure 3, Figure 9 is an underneath perspective view of a plurality of tiles that are interconnected, Figure 10 is a top perspective view of a plurality of tiles that are interconnected (the anti slip surface of the upper surface of the tiles has not been shown in order to a clarity), and Figure 11 is a close-up cross sectional view showing how downwardly extending tongues of one tile locate with upwardly extending tongues of an adjacent tile when the tiles are interlocked.

Detailed Description of Preferred Embodiments Referring to all the figures, it can be seen that the tile 1 has been produced by moulding. Typically, the tile is made from a synthetic plastics material such as a high density polyethylene. The tile could be made from other materials such as metal or earthenware, however, it is particularly preferred that tile be made from a synthetic plastics material such as high density polyethylene to provide for ease of manufacture, lightness of construction, and durability.

The tile 1 has a plurality of pairs of side edges 3, 5. In the preferred tile, the tile is of hexagonal shape and accordingly there will be three pairs of side edges 3, 5. The tile may have at least two pairs of side edges. In this case it is possible for the tile to be square or rectangular in shape. The tile may have any number of pairs of side edges 3, 5. In the figures, only one pair of the side edges 3, 5 has been shown in order to aid clarity, (and clearly identify the actual pair itself). It is noted that the pair of side edges 3, have a first side edge 7, and a second side edge 9, and that those side edges extend substantially parallel to one H \Priyanka\Keep\speci\TILE P52144 CAP.doc 10/02/04 7 another and on opposite side edges of the tile i.

It should be also noted that the first side edge 3 has a tongue 15 that is upwardly extending in a direction from an undersurface 11 of the tile towards the upper surface of the tile 13. The other side edge 5 of the tile has a tongue 17 that is downwardly extending in a direction from the top or upper surface of the tile 13 to the undersurface 11 of the tile. It can therefore be seen that around the perimeter of the tile there is a repeating series pattern of upstanding tongues and immediately adjacent downwardly standing tongues.

It can be seen that the undersurface or bottom of the tile is provided with a plurality of strengthening ribs 19. The strengthening ribs 19 extend in a generally right angle relationship relative to the upper surface 13 of the tile i. It should also be seen that some of the strengthening ribs 19 extend in a direction from one side of the tile to the opposite side of the tile. These strengthening ribs 19 have been identified with the further numerical designation 21. It should also be seen that some others of the strengthening ribs extend in a direction that is generally parallel to and generally follows the direction of the outer circumference of the tile. These strengthening ribs have been shown with the numerical designation 23. In the preferred example, the strengthening ribs 21 that extend from one side of the tile to the other side of the tile are generally parallel with at least some side edges of the tile. It is also shown that strengthening rib 23 that extend in a general circumferential direction are also generally parallel with some side edges of the tile. This is because of the hexagonal nature of the tile itself.

The tongues 15 and 17 permit several tiles to be interlocked as shown in figures 9 and 10. Here, tongue H.\Priyanka\Keep\speci\TILE P52144 CAP.doc 10/02/04 8 on one tile locates with and overlaps and engages with a tongue 17 on an adjacent tile. This arrangement is clearly shown in figure 11. Here, it is shown that the tongue 15 is of generally thinner configuration than tongue 17. It is also shown the tongue 17 has a generally arcuate surface 25 to nest in a corresponding oppositely arcuate surface 27 associated with tongue 15. This enables the tiles to be interlocked with one another by slightly raising the tiles as diagramnmatically shown in figures 9 and It can be seen that each of the tongues 15 and 17 is provided with structural rigidity by strengthening flanges 27 and 31 respectively.

When the tiles are interconnected as shown in figures 9 and 10, then the tiles provide a surface across all the interlocked tiles which can support heavy traffic.

The strengthening ribs 19 and 21 then provide both structural stability to the individual tiles, and also resistance to lateral spreading of interlocked tiles by the ribs 23 that extend parallel to and follow the circumference of the tile engaging with the ground surface on which the tiles are placed. In this connection, it should be noted that both the strengthening ribs 21 and 23 act to assist the non spreading of the interconnected tiles, as each one of those ribs extends generally parallel to the side edges of the tile. The direction of extending of each of those strengthening ribs 21 and 23 is such that they are also mutually at right angles to any direction of intending spreading, as forces from one tile applied to an adjacent tile generally transmit themselves mutually perpendicular to the respective side edges 7 and 9 of the tiles. This inhibits against individual tile movement and the movement of all of the tiles as an interconnected floor.

H.\Priyaka\Keep\speci\TILE PS2144 CAP.doc 10/02/04 9 It should also be noted that for each pair of the tongues 3, 5 that one of the tongues is provided at an outer edge of an outwardly extending part 33 of the side edge 5 of the tile and that the other of the tongues is provided at an outer edge of an inwardly extending part of the side edge of the tile relative to a main body part 39 of the tile. This is provided so that when adjacent tiles are interlocked by the tongues 15 and 17, there will also be interlocking of the outwardly extending parts 33 of one tile interlocking with the inwardly extending part of the other tile. This further enhances interlockability and stability of the tiles and inhibits against lateral side to side movement of adjacent interlocked tiles.

It can be clearly seen from the figures that the upper surface of the tile is provided with an anti slip patterned surface.

It can also be seen that the strengthening ribs 21 and 23 provide discrete open compartments 41 from the undersurface or bottom of the tile. It is also shown that there are air openings 43 in one or more of the compartments 41 to assist airflow to the ground surface and into the compartments. These openings 43 also allow any heat build up under a tile to escape to atmosphere, thereby relieving any stress that would occur to the ground surface covered by the tile. The openings 43 also allow water that may accumulate on the upper surface of the tile to pass to the ground surface covered by the tile. Therefore, the air openings 43 haveseveral purposes, and result in an ecological good tile in so far as protecting the ground surface covered by the tile.

It can also be seen that the undersurface of the tile has exposed receptor means 47. These receptor means 47 are, in this example, bosses that permit a separate H.\Priyanka\Keep\speci\TILE P52144 CAP.doc 10/02/04 10 planar base part (not shown) to be fitted to the undersurface of the tile so that fastening means can extend from the separate base part to engage with the receptor means and hold the separate base part to the tile. Typically, the separate base part may be provided where it is considered that the strengthening ribs 21 and 23 will damage the ground surface over which the tiles are laid. In this way, any damage that may be caused by the vertical impression of the strengthening ribs can be minimised by allowing any pressure applied to the tile to be exerted over the separate base part.

Modifications may be made to the invention as would be'apparent to persons skilled in the art of moulding products, including moulding tiles. For example, the anti slip patterned surface may be provided with an integral embossment or upstanding protrusions so that when a number of the tiles are interconnected there is a pattern formed across the totality of all the tiles. This pattern may represent a company logo or other like logo or message. The tile may be provided with a different circumferential configuration and the hexagonal configuration shown is not meant to be limiting. Further, the ribs 21 and 23 may be provided with a difference in height such that there is a disconformity of height of adjacent ribs. This, in turn, will allow air to pass from compartment 41 to an adjacent compartment 41. In this way, if the tile is placed over a moist surface such as grass, it can assist in airflow over the grass.

These and other modifications may be made without departing from the ambit of the invention the nature of which is to be determined from the foregoing description.

H.\Priyanka\Keep\apeci\TILE P52144 CAP.doc 10/02/04

Claims

2. A tile as claimed in claim 1 wherein each pair of tongues is such that one of the tongues is provided at the outer edge of an outstanding part of the side edge of the tile relative to a main body part of the tile, and the other tongue is provided at an outer edge of an inwardly extending part of the side edge of the tile relative to the main body part of the tile, so when tiles are interlocked by the tongues locating there will also be interlocking of the outwardly extending part of one tile with the inwardly extending part of another tile.
3. A tile as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the upper surface of the tile is generally of planar configuration.
4. A tile as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the upper surface of the tile is provided with an anti slip patterned surface. A tile as claimed in any one of the preceding claims and being of hexagonal shape.
6. A tile as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the strengthening ribs provide discrete compartments that are open from the underside of the tile.
7. A tile as claimed in claim 6 wherein there is a disconformity of the height of the strengthening ribs between adjacent compartments to allow air to pass from one compartment to another compartment.
8. A tile as claimed in claim 6 or claim 7 wherein there are air openings through the upper surface of the tile that extend into one or more compartments.
9. A tile as claimed in any one of the preceding H,\Priyanka\Keep\speci\TILE P52144 CAP.doc 10/02/04 13 claims wherein the underside of the tile has exposed receptor means to permit a planar separate base part for the tile to be fitted to the base of the tile so that fastening means that extend from the separate base part can engage with said receptor means. A tile as claimed in any one of the preceding claims and made from a synthetic plastics material.
11. A tile as claimed in any one of the preceding claims and substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Dated this 10th day of February 2004 PONALE PTY LTD By their Patent Attorneys GRIFFITH HACK Fellows Institute of Patent and Trade Mark Attorneys of Australia \\melb_files\home$\Priyanka\Keep\speci\TILE P52144 CAP.doc 10/02/04