HUT68902A - Tile and finish, floor tiles for extremly high loading conditions - Google Patents

Abstract

The panels for coverings, in particular heavy duty floor coverings, have a use surface (4) and a bearing surface (6) and border regions with integral connecting members for connecting the panel to further panels. Each border region is designed as a flange-like projection (18, 12, 14). One surface of the projection forms a part either of the use surface (4) or of the bearing surface (6). The projections are intended to engage over or under corresponding projections of further panels. Each use-surface-side projection (18) is intended to be supported on the corresponding bearing-side projection of the further panels. Each projection (18, 12, 14) has guide members (17) on its surface (16) which is located essentially opposite the use surface (4) or the bearing surface (6). These guide members are intended to guide the panel (2), such that its edges are parallel, on corresponding guide members of the further panels. <IMAGE>

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a tile and a tile which can be formed from a tile according to the invention, in particular a heavy duty floor tile.

High-strength floor coverings, such as those used for industrial purposes, on which heavy machinery and heavy vehicles, such as cargo trucks, are installed and, where appropriate, exposed to chemicals and moisture, are required for the construction, conversion or other conversion of many facilities. Higher than normal casings require high mechanical strength, chemical resistance and ease of maintenance, and, especially in larger spaces exposed to significant temperature fluctuations, that thermal expansion does not cause damage or damage.

Additional requirements must be met when renovating old facilities. Existing, frequently worn coatings or foundations, which are often left for cost savings, are uneven surfaces due to uneven wear and various damages and are often heavily soiled, such as oil contaminants or adhesives or binders used when previous coatings are applied. Old subfloors are nowadays usually used to apply new coatings. One common method is to cast a new cover to smooth out surface irregularities. The disadvantage of this method is that it is more difficult to use. ···· ·

It requires a bonding time of up to -3 weeks before the new cover can be laid on this foundation, which results in higher construction costs.

Another known method is to seal the new cover. This has the disadvantage that if the substrate is soiled, the adhesion of the cover will not be adequate. A further disadvantage is that any unevenness can only be partially compensated, especially with the use of general, relatively thin, flexible plastic tiles, which are interconnected by means of fastening means, which are often provided by dovetail-shaped rim portions.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a tile and a tile that can be used satisfactorily under high stress and load conditions, can be relatively easy to lay and can be used on uneven substrates without major preparation.

To accomplish this object, there is provided a tile having an outer surface, abutment surface and flange portions which form at least one connecting member for engagement with an adjacent tile, each of the flange portions being formed as an outer upper or lower flange portion, the surface or part of the abutment surface, the other surface being adapted to engage with the protruding edge portion of the at least one adjacent tile, such that the upper upper edge portions are adapted to engage with at least one protruding lower edge portion of the adjacent tiles. · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · which is adapted to guide the tile with the respective guide means of at least one adjacent tile, parallel to the respective side edge.

In a preferred embodiment of the tile according to the invention, the guiding means comprise a guide groove parallel to said side edge and a locking member parallel to said side edge which are adapted to receive or engage the respective locking member or guide groove of at least one adjacent panel.

Preferably, the width of the projecting upper flange portions and the projecting lower flange portions are the same.

In a preferred embodiment of the tile according to the invention, the outer surface is rectangular and the opposing edge portions are rotationally symmetrical about the centerline of the tile.

The guides extending along the entire length of the outer surface and the lateral edge of the abutment surface preferably intersect at the corner portions of the projecting upper and lower edge portions of the adjacent tiles.

The tile according to the invention is preferably formed of a high density plastic such as PVC.

In order to accomplish this object, a cover is provided which is preferably constructed of the cover sheets according to the invention. For the tiles of the recommended tile

the flange portions being formed as upper and lower flange portions, one surface being part of the outer surface and the other surface being part of the abutment surface, wherein at least one adjacent tile bottom or top flange is disposed below or above the projecting upper and lower flange portions, each protruding upper flange portion being supported by at least one adjacent tile adjacent tile, and each opposing upper and lower flange facing surface having an outer surface or abutment surface having a conductive means so that one tile has at least one adjacent flange leading edge.

In a preferred embodiment of the casing of the invention, the outer surfaces of the adjacent panels are sealed to one another without a gap.

In a particularly preferred embodiment of the cladding, the cladding panels have a rectangular outer surface arranged so that their lateral edges are flush with the lateral edges of adjacent tiles in both directions.

The cover sheets of the cover according to the invention may optionally be laid without a fixing device.

The casing according to the invention may also be implemented in that the adjacent panels are welded to one another along the side edges of the outer surfaces.

In a further embodiment of the cover according to the invention, a non-adhesive sealing compound is provided in the contact areas of the projections of adjacent top and bottom edges of adjacent panels.

-6 ···· ·· ···· · · · · · · · · · · · ·

Due to the upper rim portions of the tiles according to the invention, which lie on the protruding lower edges, a pressure distribution effect can be achieved with the tiles. The tiles can therefore be laid down on an uneven, worn floor without additional fastening, such as glueing or additional fasteners, and form a flat covering without the need for renovation or leveling of the base. Because the tiles are connected to and guided by their protruding upper and lower flange portions, they do not move out of the tiled tile connection forming the casing, even if they have to apply oblique forces other than vertical.

The use of high density plastic tiles may be desirable, since these materials are highly chemical resistant, so the tiles can be laid on a dirty or damp substrate, for example, without having to wait until a newly prepared or refurbished door dries completely. The high-density thermoplastic plastic casings serve as both a cover and a cover at the same time and have a moisture barrier function. When using tiles made of thermoplastic plastic, any problems with the tiles due to temperature fluctuations are precluded.

Due to the above-mentioned beneficial effects, the tiles and coverings of the present invention can also be advantageously used in industrial facilities where heat, chemical and mechanical stresses and loads are increased. Despite this, of course, apartments and larger community buildings, rooms

-7 are also suitable for wall and wall coverings.

The tiles according to the invention are relatively easy to produce, and since the tiles can be formed from these tiles without having to be fixed separately without gluing, the opening of the tiles can be carried out without problems, and the individual tiles can even be reused.

Thanks to the pressure distribution feature, the tiles can be laid not only on an uneven base but also on a grid-like base such as cable or guttering. Where appropriate, the tiles of the present invention may be applied over the floor heating or cooling pipe system and may be used outdoors.

In order to ensure that the outer surface of the casing is free of gaps, the casing panels according to the invention must be formed in such a way that the interconnected projections of the top and bottom edges are the same.

The thinnest, and therefore most vulnerable, part of the tiles is the portions above and below the buttocks of the protrusions of the upper and lower flanges, which may need to be rounded to prevent adjacent tile flanges from being locked in contact with, .

The tiles according to the invention preferably have a polygonal outer surface, such as a rectangular, triangular or hexagonal outer surface, which can be surface-covered. However, a rectangular outer head is particularly advantageous.

-8circle design, where the long side of the rectangle is an integer multiple of the length of the shorter side. In this case, the surface cover arrangement of the tiles can be simply and varied.

When the casing according to the invention is centered on rotationally symmetrical tiles, a particularly good pressure equalization can be achieved and it is possible to realize it with a single casing shape.

The interaction between the tiles is best and the pressure equalization is most effective if not only the protruding upper edge portions towards the outer surface extends along the entire length of a given sidewall edge of the tiles. The latching members extend over the entire length of the projection flanges and intersect at the corners of the adjacent projection flange, assuming rectangular tiles that are rotationally symmetrical to the center lines.

For less stringent strength and other mechanical requirements, material savings and / or weight reduction can be achieved by partially omitting or intermittently discontinuous lower edge portions toward the bearing surface.

It is desirable, where appropriate, to have gaps between the tiles, for example to reduce the risk of slipping or to easily replace damaged tiles. In this case, of the interconnected protruding edge portions, the outer peripheral upper edge portions are preferably narrower than the lower surface-facing peripheral portions, and this difference in size is preferred. · · · ··· ·· ··································································•

-9 defines a uniform joint width.

Rectangular tiles can be easily laid so that the outer edges of the outer surfaces are flush in both directions. However, a more durable cover will be obtained even under more heavy loads, when adjacent rows of tiles are offset relative to one another by a fraction of the side edge of the tiles.

Adapting the cladding to a given surface to be cladded can be achieved by appropriate material selection, secondly by scaling the outer cladding or by filling the gaps at the edges with a grout, such as silicone compound, optionally using an elastic or rigid flange.

The tiles of the present invention may be formed from virtually any base material, such as concrete, ceramic or wood, but it is particularly advantageous to select a high density plastic such as is known per se from EP-A-0,046,526. Optionally disintegrated materials, residues and waste materials such as used casings, manufacturing residues and edges, etc., are used to produce the tiles of the present invention. They may also be used, preferably in the form of powders or slices, and in particular of plastics such as PVC, polyethylene, polyurethane or epoxy resins. These materials can be made into large sheets according to dosage, the tiles themselves, and possibly continuous strips by passing the material to be used through slits, mixers, granulators into slit molds. · ·· · * 4 ···· ·

-10or press rolls and compacted there. In this way, sheets, strips or tiles having a thickness of 8 to 10 mm are preferably produced.

From large sheets (sheets) and tapes, the tiles are thermally cut or otherwise stripped! techniques are relatively easy to develop. Otherwise, the material of the boards can be cut like soft metals or wood.

High-density plastic can be produced in a variety of colors, so that tiles can be used to provide patterns, optionally traffic signs, directional signs or danger signs.

According to the invention, the material of high density plastic tiles can also be mixed with an additive which prevents electrostatic charge of the casing.

The outer surface of the tiles is basically a smooth surface and therefore easy to clean. However, if necessary, a surface roughness or surface finish pattern can be created already in the production of the tiles, which increases the friction of the outer surface, thus preventing the risk of slipping.

The material structure of the high density plastic tiles is homogeneous, so there is no difference between the upper and lower layers, which allows effective cleaning or even complete sanding of the casing with aggressive abrasives.

High-density plastics are known which are highly chemically resistant, non-flammable and difficult to burn, and as a basis for the tiles according to the invention.

well used. Such materials can be used, for example, to provide tiles for chemical laboratories, workshops, or even hospitals, which are particularly useful for re-covering coatings contaminated with, for example, aggressive chemicals.

Waterproof high density plastic tiles can be successfully laid even on wet surfaces and even form a vapor barrier layer. Such tiles can be used to form reliable pavements, even on new dried concrete. Over time, moisture from the lining can be laterally absorbed without damaging the cover. It goes without saying that such coverings can be cleaned wet without further ado.

Since the high density plastic material from which the tiles can be made according to the invention is antifreeze, there is no obstacle to the fact that the invention can be formed even in the open air.

According to the invention, the strength properties of tiles made of high-density plastic are practically directional and therefore can be arranged arbitrarily.

In the case of high density plastic casings, the outer surfaces of the adjacent panels can be thermally bonded to one another, preferably by edge welding, to produce a casing having a contiguous outer surface. Further, a liquid barrier casing can be produced by applying a small amount of adhesive sealant between adjacent panels.

The invention will now be described with reference to the drawing. In the drawing:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a tile according to the invention;

Figure 2 is a vertical sectional view of the tile of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a vertical sectional view of another embodiment of a tile according to the invention;

Figure 4 is a vertical sectional view of a further exemplary embodiment of a tile according to the invention;

Figure 5 is a vertical sectional view of a further exemplary embodiment of a tile according to the invention;

Fig. 6 shows an example of the tiles according to the invention; layout shown;

Figure 7 shows another cover arrangement made of the same tiles as in Figure 6;

Figure 8 shows an exemplary cover arrangement of tiles having a hexagonal outer surface;

Fig. 9 is a perspective view of a further exemplary embodiment of a tile according to the invention.

As shown in FIGS. 3 to 5, the tile 2 according to the invention has a rectangular outer surface 4 and a parallel bearing surface 6. In the position shown in Figure 1, the tiles 2 have protruding upper flange portions 8 and 10 respectively. 8 and 10 protruding top

The upward facing surface of the flange portions forms part of the outer surface 4. Referring to Fig. 1, lower and lower projections 14 are formed on the left and below the bottom 12, the downwardly facing surface of which forms part of the abutment surface 6.

A guide member 17 consisting of a guide groove 18 and a locking member 20 is machined in the opposite face 16 of the upper surface portion 8 of the protruding upper edge portion. As shown in Figure 2, both the guide groove 18 and the locking member 20 have a rectangular cross-section. The guide groove 18 and the locking member 20 extend over the entire length of the projecting upper flange portion 8. Similarly to the projecting upper flange portion 8, the projecting upper flange portion 10 and the projecting lower flange portions 12 and 14 are provided with guide members 17, respectively, which form guide grooves 22 and 24, guide grooves 26 and 28, guide grooves 30 and 32.

The tiles 2 are rotationally symmetrical with respect to the center lines 1 and k. Not only the protruding upper flange portions 8 and 10, but also the projecting lower flange portions 12 and 14 extend along the entire length of the respective sides of the bearing surface 6 parallel to the outer surface 4. Your guide keys 18, 22, 26 and 30 and locking lugs 20, 24, 28 and 32 terminate at the corner portions 34 and 36 of the tile 2, respectively. For example, the guide grooves 26 and 30 intersect at the corner portion 36, and the guide grooves 18 and 22 intersect at the corner portion 34.

Starting from the position shown in Fig. 1, the cover is formed by placing the first tile 2 in the right rear corner of the tile, and then the other 2 tile roofs-14ζ · · ··· · ♦ »·. · · ··· ♦ ··· * ··· · <* · * * tiled, left and forward, so that the 8 and 10 protruding upper portions of the newer 2 tiles correspond to the previous 2 tiles 12 and 14 with their lower projections. Thanks to this arrangement and connection, the loads on each of the tiles 2 are distributed over at least two or three adjacent tiles, thus the unequal distribution of the vertical loading forces is compensated by the proposed construction. Thus, unequal pressure loads are compensated, and loads due to unevenness of the drive and extreme loads, such as passing heavy machinery, possibly vehicles, etc. loads are more evenly applied to the tiles that make up the tiles.

The projecting upper flange portions 8 and 10 are connected to the lower flange portions 12 and 14 of adjacent tiles 2 and 14, respectively, by engaging the guide grooves 18, 22, 26, 30 with locking fittings 20, 24, 28 and 32 such that adjacent or adjacent edges of adjacent tiles 2 . It also follows that the horizontal force components of the loading forces are transmitted to each other by the adjacent tiles 2, which also results in a certain amount of pressure equalization in the horizontal direction. This is particularly advantageous in the case of heavily uneven casing surfaces and in cases where heavier vehicles, such as forklifts, etc. are on the casing. traveling at relatively high acceleration or speed.

The panel tile 42 of the present invention shown in FIG. 3 differs substantially from the panel tile 2 described above in that it is not rotationally symmetrical with respect to the centerline. The guiding member 44 of the projected lower flange portions 42 of the tile 42 is shaped but integrally disposed with the guide member of the projecting upper flange portions.

The tile 52 of Fig. 4 is formed such that joints 54 of defined widths are provided between the adjoining outer edges of the adjacent tile 52 and are filled with grouting material 56. In the case of considerable thermal expansion of the casing, the casing 52 may also be formed so that there is a sufficiently wide joint between the lower edges, that is to say the contact surface, which can be filled with elastic jointing material.

The guide grooves 64 and locking lugs 66 of the guiding members 62 of the panel 62 shown in Figure 5 are formed with slightly inclined side surfaces and rounded edges. Thanks to this design, the tiles 62 are easier to lay, and there is virtually no risk of breakage along the engaging projections 68.

Fig. 6 shows a detail of a conventional cover made of tiles 2 having a rectangular outer surface. The tiles 2 are arranged in rows and columns so that the respective side edges of the adjacent tiles are aligned. This tiling arrangement is particularly advantageous in that it allows easy replacement of damaged tiles.

• · ·

-16Α The tiles 2 of the tiling arrangement according to Fig. 7 comprise columns of tiled panels 2 joined to one another along the shorter side edges of their outer surface, the adjacent columns being perpendicular to the longer side edges of the tiles 2. Such a cover is more load-bearing and durable than the one shown in Fig. 6, but any damaged cover 2 is more difficult to replace.

The enclosure formed of tiles 72 having a hexagonal outer surface as shown in Figure 8 is extremely durable, but the drawback is that the production and laying of the tiles 72 as shown in the figure requires considerably more labor and time.

The exterior lower edge portion 74 of the exemplary tile face 72 is formed by interruptions. This saves material and weight, but reduces the strength and pressure relief of the casing.

Claims (12)

Patent Claims _H 1.) A tile having an outer surface, a bearing surface and a flange portion (s) which provide at least one connecting member for engagement with an adjacent tile, characterized in that each flange portion has a protruding upper or lower flange portion (8, 10 and 10, respectively). 12, 14), one surface of which is part of the outer surface (4) or of the abutment surface (6) and the other surface is adapted to engage with the protruding edge portion of at least one adjacent tile, such that the upper edge portion (s) , 10) formed in connection with the adjacent tile (s) / at least one lower flange portion, and on each surface of the upper and lower flange portions (8, 10 and 12, 14) opposite the outer surface (4) and the abutment surface (6); 16) has a guide (17) parallel to a given side edge of the tile (2, 42, 52, 62, 72), which guides the tile ( 2, 42, 52, 62, 72) are adapted to guide at least one adjacent panel parallel to the respective side edge. Tile according to Claim 1, characterized in that the guiding members (17) have a guide groove (18, 22, 26, 30, 64, 76) parallel to the respective side edge and a locking member (20, 24, •) parallel to the side edge. · Λ -1828, 32, 66), which are adapted to receive or engage a corresponding locking member or guide groove of at least one adjacent panel. Tile according to Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the projections of the upper projection (8, 10) and the projection (12, 14) have the same width. 4). Tile according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the outer surface (4) is rectangular and the opposite edge portions are rotationally symmetrical about the center lines (k, 1) of the tile (2, 62, 72). 5). Tile according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the guides (17) extending along the entire length of the outer edge (4) or the lateral surface of the abutment surface (6) extend over the lower or upper edges (8, 10) of the adjacent tile (s). 12, 14) at their corner portions (34, 36). The tile according to claim 1, characterized in that it is made of high-density plastic material, preferably PVC. 7.) Covering, especially for heavy duty floor coverings, as shown in Figures 1-6. The tiles according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the edges of the tiles (2, 42, 52, 62, 72) are formed as protruding upper and lower edges (8, 10, and 12, 14), one surface of which is the outer surface. (4), the other surface being part of the abutment surface (6), wherein at least one of the adjacent tiles (2, 42, 52, 62, 72) below and above the protruding upper and lower flange portions (8, 10, and 12, 14). ) a respective lower and upper flange portion (12, 14 and 8, 10) is arranged such that each of the upper flange portions (8, 10) has at least one adjacent tile (2, 42, 52, 62, 72) on its lower flange portion (12, 14), and each projecting upper and lower flange portion (8, 10, and 12, 14) having an outer surface (4) or an opposite surface (16) opposite the abutment surface (6), by means of which one of the tiles (2, 42, 52, 62, 72) at most below, an adjacent tile (2, 42, 52, 62, 72) is guided parallel to its respective guide edge (17). Cover according to Claim 7, characterized in that the outer surfaces (4) of the adjacent tiles (2, 42, 52, 62, 72) are joined to each other in a sealed manner without any gap. • · · Cover according to Claim 7 or 8, characterized in that the tiles (2) have a rectangular outer surface (4) arranged so that their lateral edges are flush with the lateral edges of the adjacent tiles (2). 10.) In Figures 7-9. A cover according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the cover sheets (2, 42, 52, 62, 72) without fixing means. 11.) 7-10. A cover according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the adjacent cover plates (2, 42, 52, 62, 72) are welded to one another along the side edges of the outer surfaces (4). 12.) A 7-10. A cover according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that a non-adhesive sealing compound is provided in the contact areas of the projections of the upper and lower flange portions (8, 10, and 12, 14) of adjacent panels. .