EP3766385A1

EP3766385A1 - Modular pavement

Info

Publication number: EP3766385A1
Application number: EP19723891.8A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Rui Pedro SIMÕES VICENTE
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2018-03-12
Filing date: 2019-03-12
Publication date: 2021-01-20
Anticipated expiration: 2039-03-12
Also published as: EP3766385B1; WO2019177477A1; PT110620A; PT110620B

Abstract

The present invention refers to a modular floor tile consisting of a set of modules encased sequentially into each other, wherein each module of the modular floor tile (1) comprises 2 components, specifically 1 section of the interior or exterior modular floor tile (2) and 1 detachable base (3), and this detachable base (3) is encased into and fixed on the bottom part of the section of the interior or exterior modular floor tile (2). The detachable base (3) of each module of the modular floor tile (1) comprises at least 1 upright fastening spigot (4) which is fixed on the top face of the detachable base (3), the upright fastening spigot (4) serving for encasement into and fastening onto the section of the interior or exterior modular floor tile (2). The detachable base (3) of each module of the modular floor tile (1) comprises upright holes (5) distributed across the length of the detachable base (3) .

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The modular floor tile described in the present invention refers to a set of modules encased sequentially into each other, and wherein each of the modules of the modular floor tile (1) comprises 2 components, specifically 1 section of the interior or exterior modular floor tile (2) and 1 detachable base (3), which is respectively encased into and fixed on the bottom part of the section of the interior or exterior modular floor tile (2).

STATE OF THE ART

Several modular floor tiles are known in the state of the art, but prior art does not include any patent application and/or commercialized products that present the technical characteristics claimed in the present invention, which assure major efficiency in terms of the cushioning and impact in a uniform manner throughout the upper surface of each of the sections of the modular floor tile, which form the modular floor tile.
These aforementioned technical characteristics as is the case, among others, refer to a modular floor tile that is the object of the present invention, which in a single module of the modular floor tile and in pre-fabricated form, includes 1 section of the interior or exterior modular floor tile per se, and 1 detachable base, which is encased into and fixed onto the bottom part of the section of the interior or exterior modular floor tile, and this modular floor tile also includes upright holes and protrusions and concavities distributed in regular and uniform manner throughout the bottom face of the detachable base.
The module of the modular floor tile described in the present invention also due to its technical characteristics have functionalities including avoiding the use of rolls of rubber foam as sub-base between the modules and/or sections of the modular floor tile and existing base, which enables faster assembly of floorings consisting of modules of the modular floor tile described in the present invention, due to the fact that there is no need to glue the joints between the rolls and thus cancelling the appearance of future ruptures of these joints, among the aforementioned rubber foams.
Another functionality of the present invention which is not known in the state of the art is that it provides an anti-humidity/vapor barrier originating from the base, rapid water drainage, self-levelling and ease of replacement/maintenance of the rubber sub-base whenever required.
There are several patent applications relating to modular flooring tiles in the state of the art, such as patent applications US6098354 , WO2011092470 , PT11197 and PT11198 .
Patent application N°. US6098354 refers to a modular floor tile which comprises 2 independent parts, specifically the flooring per se and the base, which is subsequently coupled to the aforementioned flooring and wherein both said parts comprise side spigons for encasement, which have the functionality of conferring greater solidity when the flooring per se and the base are encased into another flooring per se and the base.
International patent application N°. WO2011092470 refers to a slab for the construction industry which comprises a conduit that is perpendicular to the respective slab and a cavity that is parallel and that extends along the length of the respective slab.
Portuguese patent application N°. PT11197 refers to a modular floor tile that comprises a base made of foam or foam cluster, applied between the floor normally made of cement or asphalt, and the modules for flooring.
Portuguese patent application N°. PT11198 refers to a modular floor tile which comprises a base made of rubber or rubber cluster, applied between the floor normally made of cement or asphalt, and the modules for flooring.
The 4 aformentioned patent applications did not claim the technical characteristics that is the object of the present invention, as is the case, among others, of a single module of the modular floor tile which comprises 2 components, specifically 1 section of the modular floor tile and 1 detachable base, and this detachable base is fixed to the section of the modular floor tile, these aforementioned components forming a single component, and which in turn comprises upright holes and protrusions and concavities.
Technical characteristics that present a surprising technical effect and which has the following functionalities:

cushioning with air box effect thanks to the undulating shape of the rubber base which is in contact with the existing base;
fast and efficient assembly of the modular floor tile that is the object of the present invention, since during assembly of the flooring there is no need to stretch out/unravel the screen roll made of rubber or foam on which each of the modular floor tile sections are subsequently laid.
fast and and efficient disassembly of the modular floor tile that is the object of the present invention, since during assembly of the flooring there is no need to roll the screen made of rubber or foam on which each of the modular floor tile sections are subsequently laid; and
fast and efficient maintenance of the modular floor tile that is the object of the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The description below is made with reference to the accompanying drawings which are presented solely for reference purposes, having no limitative character, and wherein:

Figure 1 - Illustrates a perspective view of the section of the modular floor tile (2) and of the detachable base (3) ;
Figure 2 - Illustrates a perspective view of the detachable base (3) encased and fixed on the section of the modular floor tile (2);
Figure 3 - Illustrates a front view of the detachable base (3);
Figure 4 - Illustrates a plan view of the detachable base (3);
Figure 5 - Illustrates a bottom view of the detachable base (3);
Figure 6 - Illustrates a perspective view of the top part of the detachable base (3);
Figure 7 - Illustrates a perspective view of the bottom part of the detachable base (3);
Figure 8 - Illustrates a perspective view of the section of the interior modular floor tile (2) and of the detachable base (3);
Figure 9 - Illustrates a perspective view of the module of the interior modular floor tile (1);
Figure 10 - Illustrates a bottom view of the detachable base (3) in the shape of an "X";
Figure 11 - Illustrates a bottom view of the detachable base (3) consisting of 2 parts;
Figure 12 - Illustrates a bottom view of the detachable base (3) consisting of 3 parts;
Figure 13 - Illustrates a bottom view of the detachable base (3) consisting of 4 parts;
Figure 14 - Illustrates a bottom view of the section of the interior modular floor tile (2);
Figure 15 - Illustrates a plan view of the section of the interior modular floor tile (2);
Figure 16 - Illustrates a bottom view of the section of the exterior modular floor tile (2), with 4 cavities (6); and
Figure 17 - Illustrates a plan view of the section of the exterior modular floor tile (2).

Key to reference numbers:

module of the modular floor tile (1);
section of the modular floor tile (2);
detachable base (3);
upright fastening spigot (4);
upright holes (5);
cavities (6);
protrusions and concavities (7);
male encasement spigots (8);
female encasement cavities (9); and
upright fastening universal spigot (10).

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

As can be seen in figures 1, 2 and 8 to 14, the modular floor tile described in the present invention consists of a set of modules (1) encased sequentially into each other, wherein each module of the modular floor tile (1) comprises 2 components:

1 section of the interior or exterior modular floor tile (2); and
1 detachable base (3), which is encased and fixed on the bottom face of the section of the interior or exterior modular floor tile (2).

Each module of the modular floor tile (1) comprises 2 components, but which were developed to be commercialized and applied and/or assembled as if they were a pre-fabricated single component.
This technical characteristic will provide a significant reduction in the assembly time of a modular floor tile.
The module (1) described in the present invention can be commercialized as if it were a pre-fabricated solution, as referred to previously, or alternatively the detachable base (3) can be commercialized independently from the modular floor tile section(2).
Due to the functional and modular characteristics of the detachable base (3), it can be encased and fixed in any section of the modular floor tile (2), made by various manufacturers, to be applied and may also be applied to modular floorings already in use.
Figures 3 to 7 show illustrations of the detachable base (3) of each module of the modular floor tile (1) comprising at least 1 upright fastening spigot (4) which is fixed on the top face of the detachable base (3), the upright fastening spigot (4) serving for encasement into and fastening onto the section of the interior or exterior modular floor tile (2).
Figure 3 is an illustration of the protrusions and concavities (7) the functionality of which is:

air box effect of the modular floor tile; and
self-levelling effect of the modular floor tile.

The detachable base (3) of each module of the modular floor tile (1), illustrated in figures 3 to 7, comprises upright holes (5) distributed across the length of the detachable base (3).
The upright holes (5) traversing through the full thickness of the detachable base (3) enable fast drainage of the water and elimination and/or reduction of the noise resulting from the practice of sports.
Said upright holes (5) traversing the detachable base (3) will also enable a reduction in the amount of material used in the manufacture of each of the detachable bases (3).
The detachable base (3) of each module of the modular floor tile (1), illustrated in figures 3 to 6, comprises upright holes (5) distributed in a regular and uniform manner throughout the detachable base (3).
The modular floor tile described in the present invention, consisting of a set of modules (1) and each module of the modular floor tile (1) comprises 1 detachable base (3) which is encased into and fixed onto the bottom face of a section of the interior or exterior modular floor tile (2), enabling a cushioning of the impact in a uniform manner, throughout the upper surface of each section of the modular floor tile (2).
Said module of the modular floor tile (1) avoids the use of rolls of rubber foam as sub-base between the modules of the modular floor tile (1) and existing base, enabling faster assembly of floorings consisting of modules of the modular floor tile (1), whereby preventing, through the use of the module of the modular floor tile (1) described in the present invention, the glueing of the joints between the rolls and thus cancelling the existence of future ruptures of these joints, among the aforementioned rubber foams.
Figures 14 and 16 illustrate a section of the interior or exterior modular floor tile (2) that comprises multiple cavities (6) in the bottom part, specifically in the lower part which is next to and/or in contact with the ground or the flooring.

- Upright fastening spigot (4)

The upright fastening spigot (4) according to the various embodiments of the present invention may present various forms and various zones for fastening to the detachable base (3).
In most of the embodiments of the present invention, the detachable base (3) comprises 4 upright spigots (4).
The upright fastening spigot (4), as can be seen in figures 3 to 6, has a form of one of the multiple cavities (6) that form the bottom part, which is next to and/or in contact with the ground, of the section of the interior or exterior modular floor tile (2).
Said upright fastening spigot (4) and one of the multiple cavities (6) that form the bottom part of the section of the modular floor tile (2) for interiors and exteriors, is in the shape of a hexagonal prism.
In another embodiment of the present invention the detachable base (3) of each module of the modular floor tile (1) comprises at least 1 upright fastening universal spigot (10), not illustrated in the accompanying figures.
The upright fastening universal spigot (10), like the upright fastening spigot (4) is also encased into and fixed onto the top face of the detachable base (3) in order to promote the respective encasement and fastening to the section of the interior or exterior modular floor tile (2), specifically in order to promote the encasement and fastening of the detachable base (3) to the bottom face of the section of the interior or exterior modular floor tile (2).
The upright fastening universal spigot (10) comprises 2 upright tears (9), longitudinal and perpendicular in relation to each other, which serve for the encasement and fastening of the detachable base (3) to the bottom face of the section of the interior or exterior modular floor tile (2).
The use of said upright fastening universal spigot (10) enables the encasement and fastening of the detachable base (3) to the bottom face of the section of the interior or exterior modular floor tile (2), without the need for the bottom face of the section of the interior or exterior modular floor tile (2) to compulsorily comprise the cavities (6) that form the bottom part of the section of the modular floor tile (2) for interiors and exteriors, to be in the shape of a hexagonal prism.

- Section of the modular floor tile (2)

The section of the interior or exterior modular floor tile (2) comprises at least 4 cavities (6) for inserting the upright fastening spigot (4) and/or upright fastening universal spigot (10) to the detachable base (3).

- Detachable base (3)

Just like the upright fastening spigot (4), the detachable base (3) according to the various embodiments of the present invention may present various forms.
Also according to the various embodiments of the present invention, the detachable base (3) may comprise a single part that is encased into and fixed onto the bottom part of the section of the interior or exterior modular floor tile (2), which make take on various forms, such as, among others, a square, a rectangle and/or the shape of an "X".
The detachable base (3) is square-shaped, and the dimensions of each side of this square are equal to the dimensions of the respective sides of the top part of the section of the interior or exterior modular floor tile (2).
In one of the embodiments of the present invention the detachable base (3) comprises the shape of the top part of the section of the interior or exterior modular floor tile (2), such as, among others, the top part of the section of the interior or exterior modular floor tile (2), being rectangular in shape.
When the detachable base (3) comprises the shape of the top part of the section of the interior or exterior modular floor tile (2), the dimensions of each of the sides of this detachable base (3) are equal to the dimensions of the respective sides of the top part of the section of the interior or exterior modular floor tile (2).

- Detachable base (3) in the shape of an "X"

Figure 10 illustrates a detachable base (3) which comprises an X-like shape, the dimensions of each of the 2 segments, perpendicular to each other, constitute the "X", and have a length equal to the distance between the 2 adjacent vertices of the top part of the section of the interior or exterior modular floor tile (2) and have a width equal to about 35% to 25% of the size of the width of the respective side of the top part of the section of the interior or exterior modular floor tile (2).
As an alternative to the detachable base (3) being comprised of a single part, the detachable base (3) may also be comprised of a set of parts, as illustrated in figures 10 to 13, and which are uniformly encased and fixed on the bottom part of the section of the interior or exterior modular floor tile (2).

- Detachable base (3) consisting of more than one part

Figure 11 illustrates a detachable base (3) which consists of 2 rectangular parts respectively inserted and fixed on the bottom part of the section of the modular floor tile (2), wherein each of these 2 parts that form the detachable base (3), comprises a rectangle shape, wherein one of the sides of the rectangle is equal to the size of the length of the respective side of the top part of the section of the interior or exterior modular floor tile (2) and the other side is equal to about 50% of the size of the width of the respective side of the top part of the section of the interior or exterior modular floor tile (2).
Figure 12 illustrates a detachable base (3) which consists of 3 parts respectively inserted and fixed onto the bottom part of the section of the modular floor tile (2), wherein each of these 3 parts that form the detachable base (3) comprises a rectangle shape, wherein one of the sides of the rectangle is equal to the size of the length of the respective side of the top part of the section of the interior or exterior modular floor tile (2) and the other side of the rectangle is equal to about 25% of the size of the width of the respective side of the top part of the section of the interior or exterior modular floor tile (2).
Figure 13 illustrates a detachable base (3) which consists of 4 square or rectangular parts respectively inserted and fixed on the bottom part of the section of the modular floor tile (2), wherein each of these 4 parts that form the detachable base (3), comprises the shape of a square or rectangle, wherein one of the sides of the square or rectangle is equal to about 12.5% of the size of the length of the respective side of the top part of the section of the interior or exterior modular floor tile (2) and the other side of the square or rectangle is equal to about 12.5% of the size of the width of the respective side of the top part of the section of the interior or exterior modular floor tile (2).

- Arrangement of the fastening of the detachable base (3)

Regardless of the shape of the detachable base (3), whenever feasible, the detachable base (3) and/or the detachable bases (3) is or are duly encased and fixed off-center with the top part of the section of the interior or exterior modular floor tile (2), such that the detachable base (3) is beneath the male encasement spigots (8) of each of the sections of the modular floor tile (2) and so that it is not beneath the female encasement cavities (9) of each of the sections of the modular floor tile (2).
Therefore, and in most embodiments of the present invention, the module of the modular floor tile (1) is encased and fixed in the defined zone between the perphery of each of the 2 consecutive sides which form the respective 2 sets of male encasement upright spigots (8) and the periphery of each of the other 2 consecutive sides which form the respective sets of female encasement cavities (9).
The detachable base (3) is encased and fixed such that it remains beneath the 2 sets of male encasement upright spigots (8), respectively fixed onto the 2 adjacent sides of the section of the modular floor tile (2).
The detachable base (3) is encased and fixed such that it stays beneath the sets of male encasement upright spigots (8), respectively fixed on the 2 adjacent sides of the section of the modular floor tile (2).
The detachable base (3) may have a flat upper and lower face or according to other embodiment of the present invention the detachable base (3) may have a flat top face with the bottom face comprising protrusions and concavities (7) .
The detachable base (3) comprises protrusions and concavities (7) distributed throughout the bottom face of the detachable base (3).
Said protrusions and concavities (7) create an air box effect, allowing improved sound and heat insulation.
When the detachable base (3) comprises protrusions and concavities (7), around each of the protrusions and concavities (7) distributed in a regular manner throughout the detachable base (3), it comprises 4 upright holes (5) equidistant to each other and arranged according to vertices of a square, and these upright holes (5) circumvent each of the protrusions and concavities and concavities (7).
The dimensions of the length and width of the detachable base (3) are equal to the respective dimensions of the length and width of the section of the interior or exterior modular floor tile (2) and the placement of 1 or 4 upright fastening spigots (4) depends on the respective dimensions of the length and width of the section of the interior or exterior modular floor tile (2).
The section of the modular floor tile (2) is made of polypropylene.
The section of the modular floor tile (2) is made from a mixture of polypropylene and rubber.
All and any alterations, provided that they do not change the essential characteristics of the accompanying claims, should be considered are being within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

A modular flooring consisting of a set of modules encased sequentially into each other, characterised in that each module of the modular floor tile (1) comprises 2 components:
- 1 section of the interior or exterior modular floor tile (2); and

- 1 detachable base (3), which is encased into and fixed on the bottom part of the section of the interior or exterior modular floor tile (2)
and in that the detachable base (3) includes:
- upright holes (5), which traverse the full thickness of the detachable base (3) and which are distributed across the length of the detachable base (3); and

- protrusions and concavities (7).
The modular flooring according to the preceding claim, characterised in that the detachable base (3) of each module of the modular floor tile (1) comprises:
- at least 1 upright fastening spigot (4) which is fixed on the top face of the detachable base (3), the upright fastening spigot (4) serving for the encasement and fastening to the bottom part of the section of the interior or exterior modular floor tile (2).
The modular flooring according to claim N°. 1, characterised in that the detachable base (3) of each module of the modular floor tile (1) comprises:
- upright holes (5), which traverse the full thickness of the detachable base (3) and which are distributed in a regular and uniform manner throughout the detachable base (3).
The modular flooring according to claim N°. 1, characterised in that the section of the interior or exterior modular floor tile (2) comprises multiple cavities (6) in the bottom part.
The modular flooring according to claim N°. 2, characterised in that the upright fastening spigot (4) is in the shape of one of the multiple cavities (6) that form the bottom part of the section of the interior or exterior modular floor tile (2).
The modular flooring according to claim N°. 2, characterised in that the upright fastening spigot (4) and one of the multiple cavities (6) that form the bottom part of the section of the modular floor tile (2) for interiors and exteriors, are in the shape of a hexagonal prism.
The modular flooring according to claim N°. 1, characterised in that the detachable base (3) of each module of the modular floor tile (1) comprises:
- at least 1 upright fastening universal spigot (10) which is encased and fixed on the top face of the detachable base (3), the upright fastening spigot (4) serving for the encasement and fastening to the bottom part of the section of the interior or exterior modular floor tile (2).
The modular flooring according to claim N°. 7, characterised in that the upright fastening universal spigot (10) comprise 2 -upright tears (9), longitudinal and perpendicular in relation to each other, which serve for the encasement and fastening to the bottom part of the section of the interior or exterior modular floor tile (2).
The modular flooring according to claim N°. 2, characterised in that the detachable base (3) comprises 4 upright spigots (4).
The modular flooring according to claim N°. 2, characterised in that the detachable base (3) comprises 4 upright universal spigots (10).
The modular flooring according to claim N°. 1, characterised in that the section of the interior or exterior modular floor tile (2) comprises at least 4 cavities (6) for inserting the upright fastening spigot (4) into the detachable base (3).
The modular flooring according to claim N°. 1, characterised in that the detachable base (3) comprises a single part or a set of parts uniformly encased and fixed on the bottom part of the section of the interior or exterior modular floor tile (2).
The modular flooring according to claim N°. 1, characterised in that the detachable base (3) is in the shape of a square, the dimensions of each one of the sides of said square being equal to the dimensions of the respective sides of the top part of the section of the interior or exterior modular floor tile (2).
The modular flooring according to claim N°. 1, characterised in that the detachable base (3) is in the shape of the top part of the section of the interior or exterior modular floor tile (2)
and in that
the dimensions of each one of the sides are equal to the dimensions of the respective sides of the top part of the section of the interior or exterior modular floor tile (2).
The modular flooring according to claim N°. 1, characterised in that the detachable base (3) is an X-like shape, the dimensions of each of the 2 segments that form the "X"
having a length equal to the distance between the 2 adjacent vertices of the top part of the section of the interior or exterior modular floor tile (2) an
d in that
they have a width equal to about 30% of the size of the width of the respective side of the top part of the section of the interior or exterior modular floor tile (2) .
The modular flooring according to claim N°. 1, characterised in that the detachable base (3) is in the shape of a rectangle, the dimensions
of one of the sides being equal to the size of the length of the respective side of the top part of the section of the interior or exterior modular floor tile (2) an
d in that
the other side is equal to about 50% of the size of the width of the respective side of the top part of the section of the interior or exterior modular floor tile (2) .
The modular flooring according to claim N°. 1, characterised in that the detachable base (3) is in the shape of a rectangle, the dimensions
of one of the sides being equal to the size of the length of the respective side of the top part of the section of the interior or exterior modular floor tile (2) an
d in that
the other side is equal to about 25% of the size of the width of the respective side of the top part of the section of the interior or exterior modular floor tile (2) .
The modular flooring according to claim N°. 1, characterised in that the detachable base (3) is in the shape of a square, the dimensions of each one of the sides of said square being equal to about 12.5% of the dimensions of the respectives sides of the top part of the section of the interior or exterior modular floor tile (2).
The modular flooring according to claim N°. 1, characterised in that the detachable base (3) which forms the shape of the top part of the section of the interior or exterior modular floor tile (2) is:
encased and fixed in the defined zone between the perphery of each of the 2 consecutive sides which form the respective 2 sets of male encasement upright spigots (8) and the periphery of each of the other 2 consecutive sides which form the respective sets of female encasement cavities (9).
The modular flooring according to claim N°. 1, characterised in that the detachable base (3) which forms the shape of the top part of the section of the interior or exterior modular floor tile (2) is:
encased and fixed such that it stays beneath the 2 sets of male encasement upright spigots (8), respectively fixed on the 2 adjacent sides of the section of the modular floor tile (2).
The modular flooring according to claim N°. 1, characterised in that the detachable base (3) which forms the shape of the top part of the section of the interior or exterior modular floor tile (2) is:
encased and fixed so that it stays beneath the sets of male encasement upright spigots (8), respectively fixed to the 2 adjacent sides of the section of the modular floor tile (2).
The modular flooring according to claim N°. 1, characterised in that the detachable base (3) is encased into and fixed onto the bottom part of the section of the interior or exterior modular floor tile (2), off-center with the top part of the section of the interior or exterior modular floor tile (2).
The modular flooring according to claim N°. 1, characterised in that the detachable base (3) has a flat upper and lower face.
The modular flooring according to claim N°. 1, characterised in that the bottom face, situated beneath the detachable base (3) comprises protrusions and concavities (7) distributed in regular and uniform manner throughout the bottom face of the detachable base (3).
The modular flooring according to claim N°. 15, characterised in that around each of the protrusions and concavities (7) distributed in regular form throughout the detachable base (3), it comprises 4 upright holes (5) equidistant to each other and arranged according to vertices of a square, and these upright holes (5) circumvent each of the protrusions and concavities (7).
The modular flooring according to claim N°. 15, characterised in that around each of the protrusions and concavities (7) distributed in regular form throughout the detachable base (3), it comprises 4 upright holes (5) equidistant to each other and arranged according to vertices of a square, and these upright holes (5) circumvent each of the protrusions and concavities and concavities (7).
The modular flooring according to claim N°. 1, characterised in that the dimensions of the length and width of the detachable base (3) are
equal to the respective dimensions of the length and width of the section of the interior or exterior modular floor tile (2)
and in that
the placement of 1 or 4 upright fastening spigots (4) depends on the respective dimensions of the length and width of the section of the interior or exterior modular floor tile (2).
The modular flooring according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the section of the modular floor tile (2) is made of polypropylene.
The modular flooring according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the section of the modular floor tile (2) is made of a mixture of polypropylene and rubber.
Terrugem, March 12, 2019