NL1041176B1

NL1041176B1 - Tiling system.

Info

Publication number: NL1041176B1
Application number: NL1041176A
Authority: NL
Inventors: Petrus Hendricus Akerboom Reindert
Original assignee: Petrus Hendricus Akerboom Reindert
Priority date: 2015-02-06
Filing date: 2015-02-06
Publication date: 2016-10-12

Abstract

The present invention provides an assembly of at least one base member and a plurality of tile members comprising engaging means adapted to engage a tile member to a base member, characterized in that each tile member comprises a first resilient edge and a second resilient edge, wherein in an engaged state a first resilient edge of one tile member is abutting a second resilient edge of another tile member. Furthermore, the present invention provides a method for manufacturing a tile member as described above, comprising the step of two-shot injection moulding said tile member. In addition the present invention provides an assembly as described above, comprising a plurality of base members that are releasably connectable to each other, wherein each base member comprises at a first lateral side a connector and at or near a second lateral side receiving means to form-fittingly receive a connector of another base member, wherein the connector comprises a flexible part to allow deformation of the connector such that it can be released from the receiving means.

Description

Tiling system

Technical field Background of the invention

Known tiling systems without a rigid base member often depend on the step of accurately positioning the tile members, generally ceramic tile members, on a floor or wall surface to be covered. One of the disadvantages of not having a rigid base member include the fact that the quality of the resulting floor or wall covering depends on the evenness of the floor or wall surface to be covered and the workmanship of the person performing the tiling task. The disadvantages of using mortar include the fact that removing the tile members is an arduous task, the fact that the tile members can not be reused, and the fact that there is no possibility for cables guided between the tile members and the floor or wall to be changed afterwards. Furthermore, guiding the cables in a specific line or pattern requires extra guiding means to be inserted between the tile members and the floor or wall surface.

In known tiling systems involving a base member no mortar is used. However, many of those systems do not produce a watertight floor or wall covering. Others use a flexible insert to be able to produce a watertight flooring. Disadvantages of such inserts include the fact that they can be dislodged and as a result cause a gap between the tile members, and the fact that mounting the floor or wall covering is a difficult task because it requires the inserts to be stored separately and furthermore to be positioned correctly while connecting the tile members to each other.

In W02007087651 and EP1514499 a tiling system is disclosed comprising a plurality of tile members and a base member, wherein the tile members are separately and releasably engageable to the base member. However, the tiling system is not adapted to provide a watertight connection between the tile members.

Some other tiling systems, e.g. US2012304566, comprising tile members provided with a first edge and a second edge, wherein the first edge of one tile member overlaps the second edge of another tile member. However, the function of this overlap is to connect the tile members to each other and not to make the connection watertight.

The object of the invention is to provide an assembly of at least one base member and a plurality of tile members which avoids or overcomes at least one of the disadvantages of the prior art. More specifically it is an object of the invention to provide such an assembly that is able to produce a watertight floor or wall covering.

Summary of the invention

The invention provides an assembly of at least one base member and a plurality of tile members comprising engaging means adapted to engage a tile member to a base member, characterized in that each tile member comprises a first resilient edge and a second resilient edge, wherein in an engaged state a first resilient edge of one tile member is abutting a second resilient edge of another tile member. +.

The base member can be laid on a floor surface or attached to a wall surface, for example by means of nails, screws, glue. Subsequently, the tile members can be engaged one by one to the base members) to produce a floor or wall covering.

As used herein, the phrase "engaged state" is meant to indicate the state in which one or more tile members is or are engaged to a base member. It is not required that all tile members are engaged. When referring to a first resilient edge and a second resilient edge the phrase "engaged state" is meant to indicate the state in which at least two tile members are engaged to a base member wherein a first resilient edge of one of the two tile members is abutting a second resilient edge of the other one of the two tile members.

When referring to the features of a (the) first resilient edge and a (the) second resilient edge, it is meant that those are edges of two different tile members that could be abutting, or are abutting each other in the engaged state. The tile members can all be identical but can also be different from one another with respect to their resilient edge(s).

Preferably, a cross-section of the combination of first resilient edge and second resilient edge in the engaged state forms a rectangle or a parallelogram. Preferably, the combination of first resilient edge and second resilient edge forms a unit being aligned with the surfaces of the tile members being exposed when forming a wall or floor covering.

In one exemplary embodiment a first resilient edge is deforming a second resilient edge in the engaged state.

Preferably, the total length of a first resilient edge and (or) the total length of a second resilient edge are (is) deformed. The extend in which the edges are deformed depends on the resilience of the material of which the edges are made and the extend in which the tile members are pressed to each other which is, among others, dependent on the location of the engaging means in relation to the resilient edge(s). Preferably, the deformation is sufficient to produce a watertight connection between the tile members. A first resilient edge can be similar to a second resilient edge. In this case it is preferred that the resilient edge is extending along the peripheral side portions of the tile member facing other tile members in the engaged state.

In yet another exemplary embodiment of the invention, the shape of a first resilient edge is complementary to the shape of a second resilient edge.

As used herein, the phrase "complementary" is meant to indicate that the cross-sections of the resilient edges are non-rectangular and that the two edges can be combined with essentially no gaps in between over essentially the entire length of the edges.

For example a first resilient edge has a staircase form and a second resilient edge is complementary shaped, or a first resilient edge is concave-shaped and a second resilient edge is convex-shaped, or combinations thereof, such that in the engaged state essentially all surfaces of one resilient edge abut the complementary surfaces of another resilient edge. The shape of a first resilient edge can be similar to that of a second resilient edge but only differ in orientation.

One of the aspects involved in the watertight connection between the tile members is the resilience of the resilient edges. However, when a first resilient edge is overlapping a second resilient edge, the connection between the tile members also depends on the force holding the tile member at a certain distance from the base member in engaged state. In the engaged state the overlying part of one resilient edge will press the complementary part of the other resilient edge in the direction of the base member, thereby ensuring a watertight connection between the tile members.

In this embodiment it is preferred that a first resilient edge is extending along two adjacent peripheral side portions of the tile member and a second resilient edge is extending along the remaining part of the periphery of the tile member. Preferably the tile member is rectangular and a first resilient edge is, clockwise, extending from a first corner along a second corner to a third corner and a second resilient edge is extending from the third corner along the fourth corner to the first corner.

In yet another exemplary embodiment of the invention, a first resilient edge is wedge-shaped and a second resilient edge has a complementary wedge-shape.

In this embodiment the sloping surfaces of the wedge-shaped resilient edges are contacting each other, thereby allowing a relatively large surface of a first resilient edge to be pressed against a relatively large surface of a second resilient edge to ensure a watertight connection between said tile members.

In yet another exemplary embodiment of the invention, the tile members are rectangular and comprise two first resilient edges and two second resilient edges, and the engaging means comprise at least four first engaging ribs, provided on the tile member and wherein each first engaging rib is extending at a distance from, and essentially parallel to, a first resilient edge or second resilient edge, and at least four second engaging ribs, provided on the base member and arranged to allow each first engaging rib to engage a second engaging rib in the engaged state.

An advantage of this embodiment, is that tiling can be performed without having to perform a separate manipulation to connect one tile member to another tile member. The tile members merely have to be pressed on the base member.

To obtain a watertight tiling and to keep it watertight it is required that the tile members are accurately aligned, such that each first resilient edge is abutting along its total length a second resilient edge to form a watertight connection. If all tile members are provided with first resilient edge(s) and/or second resilient edge(s) along their total periphery it is possible that between all tile members a watertight connection is formed resulting in a watertight tiling.

For example, one of the first engaging rib and the second engaging rib, or both, can comprise an indentation and the other one of the first engaging rib and the second engaging rib, or both, comprise a protrusion, wherein the position and design of the first and second engaging ribs are adapted to allow a protrusion to be received by an indentation in the engaged state.

Preferably both first engaging rib and second engaging rib have at least one gliding surface to allow gliding of one engaging rib along the other engaging rib for gradually and slightly bending one or both of the ribs to such extend that both ribs are able to move towards the position in which they are engaged. Preferably one of the of the first engaging rib and the second engaging rib is flexible, or both, is or are flexible, to allow said slight bending. Preferably this flexibility allows each tile member to be disengaged from the base member after being in the engaged state. Due to this flexibility the arrangement of the tile members can be altered even when the floor or wall surface already has been tiled. Reasons for alteration of this arrangement could be that one or more cables should be added or removed or should be guided differently, or the pattern of the tile members, which can differ in colour or form, should be changed.

In yet another exemplary embodiment of the invention, a first side of a base member facing a tile member in the engaged state is provided with at least four spacers extending therefrom, and a first side of a tile member facing a base member in the engaged state is provided with at least four positioning elements extending therefrom, wherein the location of the spacers and positioning elements is configured to allow a lateral side of each positioning element abut a spacer in the engaged state to prevent lateral movement from the tile member relative to the base member.

Preferably, but not necessarily, the extent in which the positioning element is extending is equal to the extent in which the spacer is extending, in other words function both positioning element as spacer as supporting element.

The spacer, and possibly also the positioning element, keep the distance between the tile member and the base member optimal for engagement of the engaging means.

The spacers, and possibly also the positioning elements, allow the engaging means to engage without having to withstand the forces directed to the base member endured by the tile members when in use. Preferably, the strength of the spacers, and possibly also the positioning elements, is sufficient to prevent distortion of the tile member, or more specific the engaging means, during normal use of the wall or floor covering.

The gap between the tile member and the base member created by the positioning elements can be advantageous for isolation and for guiding cables between the tile member and the base member.

The fact that both the tile member and the base member are provided with positioning elements is advantageous because it helps positioning and aligning the tile members.

Preferably, a plurality of positioning elements and spacers are provided, which contact each other in the engaged state such that lateral movement of the tile member relative to the base member is prevented in all lateral directions.

The advantage of this exemplary embodiment is that the only structural function of the engagement means in the engaged state is to prevent the tile member from being lifted with respect to the base member. Because the engagement means do not have to endure shearing forces their design can be simple and slim and such that easy engagement and disengagement of the tile member is possible. Another advantage is that the arrangement of the positioning elements can be helpful in positioning the tile member relative to the base member, such that the tile member only has to be pressed to the base member for engagement.

Advantageously, the positioning elements have the form of a cylindrical stub and the spacers have the form of an V-shaped rib configuration, wherein the locations of the positioning elements and the spacers are adapted to allow the positioning elements to be adjoining two leg portions of the V-shaped rib configurations.

In yet another exemplary embodiment of the invention, the base member comprises a cable guiding path defined by a channel in a main body of the base member and by an end portion of at least two spacers.

Preferably said cable guiding path is defined by at least four spacers and by an end portion of at least four second engaging ribs.

In addition to the function of the spacers described above, the spacers, more specifically their end portions, have the function of defining a cable guiding path. A cable can be guided through the cable guiding path-portion that is defined by the end portions of the spacers, and/or through the channel-portion of the cable guiding path, which is defined by the main body of the base member. The advantage of the arrangement of the spacers is that the cable can first be guided through the cable guiding path-portion that is defined by the end portions of the spacers to be pressed in a later stadium, when needed, into the channel-portion of the cable guiding path. The same is true for the second engaging ribs when their blunt ends also define the cable guiding path.

The invention also provides a method for manufacturing a tile member comprising a first resilient edge and a second resilient edge, as described above, comprising the step of two-shot injection moulding said tile member. 2K or 'two-shot' injection moulding is a process well-known for a person skilled in the art, which consists of processing two different polymers into an end product by means of one injection moulding process. According to this invention one polymer is used that is suitable for producing the rigid part of the tile member and one polymer is used that is suitable for producing the resilient edges.

In yet another exemplary embodiment of the invention the assembly as described above, comprises a plurality of base members that are releasably connectable to each other, wherein each base member comprises at a first lateral side a connector and at or near a second lateral side receiving means to form-fittingly receive a connector of another base member, wherein the connector comprises a flexible part to allow deformation of the connector such that it can be released from the receiving means.

The base members have to be positioned on the floor or wall surface to be covered and have to be connected to each other, after which the tile members have to be attached to the base members using the engaging means. Preferably, multiple tile members, for example 9 or 16 tile members, can be engaged to one base member. In other exemplary embodiments the ratio of base member to tile member can be 1:1, 1:2 or 1:4, for example the base member being rectangular and the tile member being square. Another possibility is that the ratio is higher than 1:16, provided the base member can be handled well.

The flexible part may be created by providing a recess in the proximity of the second lateral portion, which recess is facing the tile member in the engaged state. Via this recess the flexible part can be manipulated to deform the connector, for example by a conventional tool like a screwdriver.

The flexible part may comprise a lip, extending from the recess. This lip can be manipulated to deform the second lateral portion. For example, the lip can be grasped by a pair of pliers, or be deformed by a screwdriver.

Brief description of the drawings

The invention will be exemplified in greater detail with reference to an exemplary embodiment of an assembly of the present invention depicted in the accompanying figures, wherein

Figure 1 is a cross-sectional view of a tiling product of an assembly according to the invention, the cross-section is taken along line B-B of Fig. 2;

Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of the tiling product of Fig. 1 along line A-A;

Figure 3 is a top view of a section of a tiling product of an assembly according to the invention, showing a connector connecting two base members;

Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line C-C of Fig. 3;

Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view similar to the cross-section of Fig. 4, wherein the connector has been omitted;

Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view similar to the cross-section of Fig. 4, only showing the connector;

Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view similar to the cross-section of Fig. 4, showing in addition a cross-section of a portion of an engaged tile member and a portion of an adjacent engaged tile member.

Detailed description of the invention

The tiling product of Fig. 1 shows one base member (2) and three tile members (3) of which the right one is in the engaged state but partially shown, the middle one is in the engaged state, and the left one is present above a base member section to be facing the tile member in the engaged state. In Fig. 1 and 2. the hatched surfaces indicate the cross-sectional area of the base member (2) and the cross-hatched surfaces indicate the cross-sectional area of the tile member (3). The first resilient edge (4) and second resilient edge (5) are wedge-shaped, having similar sizes but oriented oppositely to one another to allow the sloping surface of one resilient edge to contact the sloping surface of the other resilient edge in the engaged state.

In Fig. 2 it is shown that the tile members (3) are rectangular and provided with eight first engaging ribs (6). These first engaging ribs (6) are extending in pairs at an essentially equal distance from, and essentially parallel to each of the four resilient edges (4, 5). In Fig. 2 it is also shown that the base member (2) is provided with eight second engaging ribs (7) wherein the engaging ribs (6, 7) are arranged to allow each first engaging rib (6) to engage a second engaging rib (7) in the engaged state. Fig. 1 shows how the first engaging ribs and the second engaging ribs can be mutually engaged.

Both first engaging ribs and second engaging ribs comprise a protrusion (31) and an indentation (32) that is receiving the protrusion in the engaged state. In other words, both first engaging ribs and second engaging ribs have a hook-like cross section, wherein the protrusion is at the end of the engaging rib. Both first engaging ribs and second engaging ribs have a gliding surface (33) to allow mutually gliding of the first and second engaging ribs (6, 7) for gradually and slightly bending one or both of the ribs (6, 7) to such extend that the ribs (6, 7) are able to move towards the position in which they are engaged.

In addition to the second engaging ribs (7), which are extending from a first side (10) of the base member (2) facing a tile member (3) in an engaged state, the base member is provided with four spacers (9) also extending from said first side (10) of the base member (2). Similarly, in addition to the first engaging ribs (6), which are extending from a first side (8) of a tile member (3) facing a base member (2) in an engaged state, the tile member is provided with four positioning elements (11) also extending from said first side (8) of the tile member (3).

The positioning elements (11) have the form of a cylindrical stub and are positioned in each corner of the tile member (2). Their height is essentially equal to that of the spacers (9), therefore the spacers (9) as well as the positioning elements (11) function as supporting elements. The spacers (9) have the form of an V-shaped rib configuration and have a rectangular arrangement. Fig. 2 shows that the positioning elements (11) and the spacers (9) are positioned to allow the positioning elements (11) to be adjoining two leg portions of the V-shaped rib configurations to jointly prevent lateral movement from the tile member (3) relative to the base member (2) in all directions.

Fig 1. shows a channel (13) in the main body (14) of the base member (2). Fig. 2 shows the cable guiding path (12) along three base member sections of which each can be engaged to three tile members, wherein the cable guiding path (12) of one such base member section is defined by two crossing channels (13), at the level of the main body (14) of the base member, but also by four end portions (15) of four spacers (9) and four end portions of four second engaging ribs (7) at the level between the base member and the tile member in the engaged state.

Fig. 3 shows a portion of one base member (2), the upper one, comprising a connector (17) and a portion of another base member (2), the lower one, comprising receiving means. The receiving means of the lower base member (2) form-fittingly receive the connector (17) of the upper base member, thereby connecting the two base members. Each base member comprises at least one connector (17) being provided on a first lateral side (16), and at least one receiving means at or near a second lateral side (18), to allow multiple base members (2) to be interconnected. Fig. 3 shows in dotted lines the position of the positioning elements as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, having the shape of a cylindrical stub. The receiving means are formed by cut out sections of the base member normally defining part of the spacers (9) and the main body (14) (not shown). A first (19) end of the connector (17) is linked to the base member (2) and a second end (20) of the connector (17) opposite to the first end (19) comprises a first lateral portion (21) and a second lateral portion (22), see Fig. 3 and 4. In the state wherein one base member (2) is connected to another base member (2), in a first cross-section (D-D) of said first lateral portion (21) the latter is aligned with a first side (10) of the base member (2) to be facing the tile member (3) in an engaged state, and a first portion (23) of the receiving means of said other base member (2) is aligned with a second side (24) of the base member (2) facing away from the first side (10) of the base member (2), and in a second cross-section (E-E) of said second lateral portion (22) a second portion (24) of the receiving means of said other base member (2) is aligned with the first side (10) of the base member (2) to be facing the tile member (3) in an engaged state, and said second lateral portion (22) is aligned with the second side (24) of the base member (2) facing away from the first side (10) of the base member (2), see Fig. 4. Thus, said first portion (23) of the receiving means is formed by a main body (14) section of the base member (2) defining a recess in the first side (10) of the base member to receive the first lateral portion (21) and the second portion (25) of the receiving means is formed by a main body section of the base member defining a recess in the second portion (24) of the base member to receive the second lateral portion (22), see also Fig. 5 and 6.

The connector (17) as shown in Fig. 3, is T-shaped having a central elongated part being linked to the base member (2), a first side arm and a second side arm, wherein the first lateral portion (21) is formed by an end portion of said first side arm and the second lateral portion (22) is formed by an end portion of said second side arm.

The connector (17) comprises a flexible part (30) to allow deformation of the connector (17) to be able to release the connector (17) from the receiving means, that is to enable the second lateral portion (22) to be released from the second portion (25) of the receiving means, see Figs. 5 and 6. The flexible part (30) is created by a recess (28) in the proximity of the second lateral portion (22)), which recess (28) is exposed to the tile member in the engaged state. Via this recess a tool, like a screwdriver, can deform the connector (17). This deformation should be sufficient to allow the second lateral portion (22) to be released from the second portion (25) of the receiving means and subsequently disconnect the one base member (2) from the other base member (2). The flexible part (30) comprises a lip (29), extending from the recess (28), which lip can be manipulated to deform the second side arm (27), see Fig. 6.

Fig. 7 shows that in the engaged state two positioning elements (11) are retaining the connector (17) in the receiving means, ensuring a secure connection of the base members.

Claims

An assembly (1) of at least one base part (2) and a plurality of tile parts (3) comprising engaging means adapted to engage a tile part (3) and a base part (2) with each other , that each tile part (3) comprises a first resilient edge (4) and a second resilient edge (5), wherein in a engagement state a first resilient edge (4) of a tile part (3) against a second resilient edge (5) of another tile part (3) abuts.

An assembly (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that in the engagement state a first resilient edge (4) deforms a second resilient edge (5).

3. Assembly (1) as claimed in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the shape of a first resilient edge (4) differs from, but is complementary to, a second resilient edge (5).

An assembly (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that a first resilient edge (4) is wedge-shaped and a second resilient edge (5) has a complementary wedge shape.

An assembly (1) according to any one of claims 1-4, characterized in that the tile parts (3) are rectangular and comprise two first resilient edges (4) and two second resilient edges (5), and the engaging means at least comprise four first engagement ribs (6) provided on the tile part (3) and wherein each first engagement rib (6) extends at a distance from, and substantially parallel to, a first resilient edge (4) or second resilient edge ( 5), and comprise at least four second engagement ribs (7), which are provided on the base part (2) and are arranged such that in the engagement state each first engagement rib (6) can be brought into engagement with a second engagement rib (7).

An assembly (1) according to any one of claims 1-5, characterized in that a first side (10) of a base part (2) which in an engagement condition faces a tile part (3) is provided with at least four spacers (9) extending therefrom, and a first side (8) of a tile part (3) which, in an engagement position, faces a base part (2), is provided with at least four positioning elements (11) located there from which the location of the spacers (9) and positioning elements (11) is configured such that in the engagement state a lateral side of each positioning element (11) borders a spacer (9) for lateral movement of the tile part (3) relative to the base part (2).

An assembly (1) according to claim 6, characterized in that the positioning elements (11) have the shape of a cylindrical stub and the spacers (9) have the shape of a V-shaped rib configuration, the locations of the positioning elements ( 11) and the spacers (9) are adapted to allow the positioning elements (11) to adjoin two leg portions of the V-shaped rib configurations.

An assembly (1) as claimed in claims 6 or 7, characterized in that the base part (2) comprises a cable guide path (12) passing through a channel (13) into a main body (14) of the base part (2) and through a end portion (15) of at least two spacers (9) is defined.

A method for manufacturing a tile part (3) as defined in any one of claims 1-8, comprising the step of two-shot injection molding of said tile part (3) in two steps.

An assembly (1) according to any of claims 1-8, comprising a plurality of basic elements (2) releasably connectable to each other, wherein each basic part (2) comprises a connector (17) at a first lateral side (16) and at or near a second lateral side (18) comprises receiving means for form-fitting receiving of a connector (17) from another base part (2), the connector (17) comprising a flexible part (30) to deform the connector ( 17) so that it can be detached from the receiving means.

An assembly (1) according to claim 10, characterized in that the flexible part (30) is created by a recess (28) in the vicinity of the second lateral part (22), which recess (28) in the engagement position the tile part has turned.

An assembly (1) according to claim 11, characterized in that the flexible part (30) comprises a lip (29) extending from the recess (28), which lip can be manipulated to deform the second lateral part (22).