GB2368855A

GB2368855A - Tiling system adapted to accommodate cabling and other services

Info

Publication number: GB2368855A
Application number: GB0023301A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Jonathan Butters; Thomas Marshall
Original assignee: KLIP Ltd
Current assignee: KLIP Ltd
Priority date: 2000-09-22
Filing date: 2000-09-22
Publication date: 2002-05-15
Anticipated expiration: 2020-09-22
Also published as: GB2368855B; GB0023301D0

Abstract

A tiling system comprising a support matrix (2), attachable to and preferably spaced from a surface (4), and at least one tile (20) removably located on the matrix, the rear of the tile defining a cavity (23) for accommodating service conductors such as pipes, wires or cables. The tiles may be pushed into place on the matrix, being secured by projections (28) on the tile which engage in holes (12) on the matrix. The system may further include a tile removal tool (50, Figure 4).

Description

A Tiling System The invention relates to a tiling system.

Conventional tiling comprising ceramic tiles directly bonded to a wall or floor and having grout filling the space between the tiles has many drawbacks. A degree of skill is required to lay conventional tiles particularly where fixtures, e. g. sockets or switches, must be accommodated. Moreover, conventional tiles are usually available in only a limited range of shapes, sizes, materials and finishes, i. e. , tiles are typically square or rectangular, ceramic and with a glazed finish. Also, removal and/or replacement of tiles once laid is not easy. A further important drawback is that conventional tiling cannot easily cover piping or wiring or other services conductors or where tiling does cover piping or wiring access thereto will be prevented.

A tiling system for easy assembly is known from US 4,267, 680 in which tiles are clipped onto a support frame. Another tiling system is known from DE 4026472 in which tiles having recesses on their rear surface are push fitted onto a material having protrusions matching the recesses. However, while such tiling systems make some improvements to ease of assembly and disassembly, they do not improve on other drawbacks of conventional tiling, particularly the problem of accommodating piping and wiring.

It is an object of the invention thus to provide a tiling system which does not require special constructional skills to lay the tiles, which allows for easy removal and/or replacement of tiles, which can allow tiles of a wider range of sizes, shapes, materials and finishes to be used, which overcomes the problems associated with providing sockets, switches, storage spaces and other fixtures in an area of tiling and which can accommodate piping and wiring whilst still allowing access thereto when required.

According to the invention there is provided a tiling system comprising: a support matrix attachable to a surface and at least one tile removably locatable on the matrix,

wherein the at least one tile defines a cavity adapted to accommodate one or more services conductors.

The services conductors may include pipes, wires or cables. The term pipes used herein includes any form of conduit, e. g. any tubing, channel, passage, duct or plumbing. The tiles may be removed, e. g. with a special tool, without undue difficulty when necessary to permit access to the services.

The tiles generally require no adhesive or grout for location on the support matrix and so no special constructional skills are required. The tiles may e. g. simply be pushed into place on the matrix.

The surface to which the matrix can be attached may be a wall, floor or ceiling for example.

The support matrix may, for example be of plastics material, e. g. injection moulded, or stamped zinc plated steel. The matrix may be provided in a range of standard sizes. For example, the matrix dimensions may be I metre in length by 0.5 metres in width. The matrix may be cut to size. The matrix may be attached to the surface with screws and plugs, thus requiring no special construction skills. Screw holes may be provided, preferably regularly positioned, for fixing the matrix to the surface. Preferably, slots are provided so that there is scope in positioning the screws. Further preferably, slots are provided in pairs which are at right angles to each other.

Preferably the matrix is spaced from the surface with spacing posts which compensate for variations in the contours of the surface and allow levelling and alignment of the matrix. For the above mentioned matrix size of 1.0 x 0.5 metres, there may be e. g. from 8-12 spacing posts. The spacing posts may be tubular extrusions. Advantageously, screws may pass through the support matrix and through the centre of the spacing posts into, for example, a wall plug or timber. The spacing posts may be supplied in a long length which can be cut to size.

Advantageously, the spacing posts may be manufactured from a semi-rigid or compressible material which is capable of partially collapsing as the screw is tightened beyond a certain point thereby allowing adjustment of the matrix level and alignment.

Preferably, the support matrix has a plurality of apertures or perforations which are positioned, preferably in a regular array, to locate a range of sizes of tiles. The plurality of apertures permits flexibility in positioning the tiles. For example, the apertures may be positioned approximately 1 inch (25mm) apart.

The support matrix advantageously may provide for the routing and securing of services conductors, e. g. pipes, wiring and cables, by way of one or more clips on the matrix surface. The clips conveniently may be separate mouldings which clip on to the matrix or they may be moulded into the matrix. Where the clips clip on to the matrix, they may attach to the same apertures which locate the tiles. The clips facilitate the running of the e. g. pipes, wiring and/or cables over the matrix surface to and from any point.

The tiles can be cut to size where necessary. The tiles may be made from any suitable material. Preferably, the tiles are injection moulded plastics materials. The tiles may be made from any suitable polymeric material, for example ABS or PET.

The tiles may be made from fire-resistant or heat resistant material if required, e. g. for use in a kitchen or a hall leading to a fire exit.

Preferably each tile has a number of projections on its rear, hereinafter called"tile projections"which are adapted to locate in apertures in the matrix. Preferably, the tile projections each have a catch on the end such that the projections can be readily pushed into the apertures in the matrix but the catches prevent the tile projections and hence the tile being pulled back out of the apertures. For example, the catch may be wedge or barb shaped. In this way, fitting of a tile is easy: the tile is simply pressfitted onto the matrix by locating the tile projections over the apertures and pushing

the tile projections into the apertures. Moreover, the tile remains well secured to the matrix by virtue of the catches on the ends of the tile projections. Preferably a tool is provided to disengage the tile projections from the matrix to assist removal and replacement of the tiles e. g. where access to the services is required.

Preferably, the removal tool also comprises one or more projections,"tool projections". Preferably, the one or more tool projections each have a catch on the end. For example, the catch may be wedge or barb shaped. In use, the one or more tool projections may be inserted between adjacent tiles located on the matrix such that tile projections of adjacent tiles are forced apart and thereby the catches of the tile projections are moved to a position whereby the tile projections and hence the tile associated therewith can be pulled from the apertures in the matrix. Preferably, in use, the catch of the tool projection locates in a recess in the tile projection such that pulling of the tool after insertion of the tool projection between adjacent tiles on the matrix causes the tile projection to be pulled from the matrix.

The tiles may be provided in a range of standard depths. The tile depth is such as to accommodate services conductors, e. g. pipes, wiring and/or cables as required. Preferably, the tile has cut-away or"knocked-out"portions or apertures or the like in its sides to accommodate the aforementioned services conductors.

A range of tile sizes may be provided e. g. standard sizes as for conventional tiles. However, advantageously, the tiles are not limited to the sizes and shapes of conventional tiles. The tiles can be cut to fit the edges of the tiled area. The tiles may be pre-finished in a number of designs, colours, materials and/or textures.

The tiles may be pre-clad or adapted to hold a further top tile or cover chosen by the user e. g. a conventional ceramic tile. Thus, in one embodiment, the tile located on the matrix may be covered with a top tile which presents the visible surface. The top tile may be of ceramic, rubber, PVC, metal, glass, cork or fibre etc. The top tile may

also be finished in a number of designs, colours, materials and/or textures so as to vary the performance. The top tile may be secured to the tile by means of adhesive. If required, a sealant or grout can be applied to fill any space between the tiles. A sealant may be applied where a liquid resistant surface is required.

Adapted electrical switch, socket and/or other boxes can be located on the support matrix in a similar way to the tiles e. g. by projections on their rear, thereby overcoming the problem of accommodating conventional switch boxes and sockets etc. Such e. g. switch and sockets can be provided in a similar form to the other tiles thereby providing a matching appearance. Such e. g. switch and sockets can be serviced by wires or cables accommodated behind the tiles. Similarly, a range of accessories may be located on the matrix e. g. to provide storage, lighting and other solutions. For example illuminated panels or tiles may be located on the support matrix in a similar way to the tiles.

An edge strip may be clipped to the edge of the support matrix to form a neat edge.

Embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the Figures in which: Figure 1 shows a side view of a support matrix according to the invention attached to a surface; Figure 2 shows a plan view of a portion of a support matrix according to the invention; Figure 3 shows a side view of the support matrix in Figure 1 with a tile according to the invention located thereon;

Figure 4 shows a perspective view of a tile according to the invention and a removal tool ; Figures 5a and 5b show parts of adjacent tiles located in apertures on the support matrix and a mechanism for disengaging the tiles from the support matrix; Figure 6 shows a side view of tiles located on a support matrix wherein services conductors are accommodated ; Figure 7 shows a plan view of a number of tiles located on a support matrix and indicates the position of accommodated piping and wiring; Figure 8 shows a view inside a tile with its cover removed indicating the position of piping and wiring ; Figure 9 shows a side view of a tile according to the invention; Figure 10 shows a further embodiment of the tile in Figure 9; and Figure 11 shows a still further embodiment of a tile according to the invention.

Referring to Figure 1, there is shown a support matrix 2 according to the invention attached to a wall 4. The support matrix is of plastics material approximately 1.0 metre long and 0.5 metres wide. The support matrix 2 comprises a support panel 3 which is spaced from the wall 4 by means of spacing posts 6 (only one shown). The spacing posts are tubular having a hollow passage 8.

A screw 10 passes through a slot 9 in the support panel 3 and through the hollow passage 8 of the spacing post 6 to fix the support matrix 2 to the wall 4. The support matrix 2 has a plurality of apertures 12 for locating tiles as shown in Figure 3. Clips

14 are provided on the support matrix to assist routing and securing of piping and wiring. Figure 2 shows the support matrix 2 in plan view. The regular arrangement of apertures 12 is clearly illustrated. Pairs of slots 9 positioned at right angles to each other are provided to allow some scope in positioning the screws.

Referring to Figure 3 there is shown a tiling system according to the invention comprising a support matrix 2 as illustrated in Figure I with a tile 20 located thereon.

The tile 20 is made of plastics material and is five-sided comprising a cover 22 and four side walls, two of which 36 and 38 are shown. A cavity indicated generally at 23, defined by the five sides, is thereby provided to accommodate piping and wiring.

Projections 28, provided on walls 36 and 38 and extending rearwardly from the cover 22, locate in the apertures 12 of the support matrix 2. Catches 30 on the ends of the projections 28 prevent the projections 28 from being pulled out of the apertures 12 after insertion thereby securely fixing the tile 20 to the support matrix 2. An edge strip 34 is clipped to the support matrix 2 to form a neat edge.

Referring to Figure 4 there is shown an embodiment of a tile 20 viewed in perspective from the rear. The side walls 24,26, 36 and 38 each have cut-away portions 40 to allow piping and wiring running behind the tile to extend outside the tile, in other words, to enable the piping and wiring to run between one tile and an adjacent tile. Four flexible projections 28 are provided on the tile 20, each having a catch 30 which restricts removal of the projection 28 when inserted in an aperture 12 of the support matrix. A removal tool 50 for removing tiles 20 located on the support matrix 2 is also shown in Figure 4. The general axis of movement in use of the removal tool 50 with respect to the tile 20 is shown generally by arrow 52. The removal tool 50 has projections 54 which each have a catch 56. The catches 56 are designed in use to engage in recesses 42 provided on the projections 28 of the tile 20.

The operation of removing tiles 20 from a support matrix 2 using a removal tool 50 is shown in Figures 5a and 5b. Referring to Figure Sa, there is shown part of a support matrix 2 having apertures 12. Only the side parts of two tiles 20a and 20b adjacently located on the support matrix 2 are shown. The side parts shown of tiles 20a and 20b have respectively projections 28a and 28b which locate in the apertures 12 of the support matrix and are prevented from being removed by catches 30a and 30b respectively. Although not shown, the tiles 20a and 20b each have a total of four projections 28a and 28b respectively as shown in Figure 4. Each of these four projections 28a, 28b on the tile 20a, 20b locates in a separate aperture 12 in the support matrix 2.

To remove a tile 20a, two removal tools 50 as shown in Figure 4 are positioned, one on either side of a tile 20a, so that the two projections 54 of the removal tool 50 engage with the two projections 28 on the side of the tile. Referring to Figure 5b to illustrate the removal procedure in detail, a removal tool 50 as shown in Figure 4 is inserted between the tiles 20a and 20b whereby the projection 54 of the removal tool is inserted between the projections 28a and 28b of the adjacent tiles.

Only one projection 54 of the removal tool 50 and one projection 28a and 28b of tiles 20a and 20b respectively are shown. This step forces apart the tiles 20a and 20b in the directions of arrows 60a and 60b respectively. The projection 54 is inserted until its catch 56 engages in the recess 42a provided in projection 28a. Thereafter, pulling the removal tool in the direction of arrow 62 pulls the projection 28a and hence tile 20a free from the support matrix.

Referring to Figure 6, there is shown a tiling system generally as shown in Figure 3 with the provision of piping 31 and wiring 33 shown. The piping 31 and wiring 33 is secured with clips 14.

Referring to Figure 7, there is shown a plan view of a number of tiles 20 located on a support matrix 2 fixed to a wall by screws 10. The running of piping 31 and wiring

33 behind the tiles 20 is clearly shown. One tile has been shown removed to leave space 21 visible to show in more detail the position of piping and wiring behind the tiles. One tile 66 has been adapted to serve as an electrical socket.

Figure 8 shows a view inside a tile 20, i. e. a view with the top cover 22 of the tile removed, showing again the accommodation of piping 31 and wiring 33. The sides of tile 20 have cut away side portions 40 through which pass the piping and wiring.

Figure 9 shows a side view of a tile 20 of the same general construction as shown in Figure 4. Side 38 of the tile is shown with cut-away portion 40 and projections 28.

The top 22 of the tile in this embodiment is pre-clad with a cladding material 70 which may be e. g. cork, rubber, fibre or ceramic.

In an alternative embodiment shown in Figure 10, the pre-clad tile of Figure 9 may have edge spacing 72 which if desired can be filled with grout as for conventional tiling.

Alternatively, the tile may be provided only with four sides and no top cover wherein the top may be clad separately by the user. The tile may then be clad in all manner of ways e. g. with a conventional ceramic tile or e. g. rubber, PVC, metal, glass, cork of fibre cladding. Such an embodiment is shown in Figure I I wherein the four sided tile 2 is shown with a separate attachable cladding 80. Any spacing left between the cladding of adjacent tiles may be filled with grout.

Claims

1. A tiling system comprising : a support matrix attachable to a surface and at least one tile removably locatable on the matrix, wherein the rear of the at least one tile defines a cavity adapted to accommodate one or more services conductors.

2. A tiling system as claimed in claim 1 wherein the services conductors include one or more of pipes, wires and cables.

3. A tiling system as claimed in either claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the matrix is spaced from the surface by spacing posts.

4. A tiling system as claimed in claim 3 wherein the spacing posts are manufactured from a semi-rigid or compressible material.

5. A tiling system as claimed in any one preceding claim wherein the matrix has a plurality of apertures to locate the tiles.

6. A tiling system as claimed in claim 5 wherein the tiles have a number of tile projections on their rear, the tile projections being adapted to locate in the apertures in the matrix.

7. A tiling system as claimed in claim 6 wherein the tile projections each have a catch at their ends.

8. A tiling system as claimed in any one preceding claim wherein the tiles are disengageable from the matrix by means of a removal tool.

9. A tiling system as claimed in claim 8 wherein the removal tool has one or more tool projections.

10. A tiling system as claimed in claim 9 wherein the one or more tool projections each have a catch on their end.

11. A tiling system as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the tiles have cut away portions or apertures in their sides to accommodate the one or more services conductors.

12. A tiling system substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figure 1,2, 3,4, 5,6, 7,8, 9,10 or 11.