WO2008083414A2

WO2008083414A2 - Tiles and mosaics

Info

Publication number: WO2008083414A2
Application number: PCT/ZA2007/000092
Authority: WO
Inventors: Russell Colin Peinke
Original assignee: Russell Colin Peinke
Priority date: 2007-01-03
Filing date: 2007-12-21
Publication date: 2008-07-10
Also published as: WO2008083414A3

Abstract

A base pattern for decorative purposes comprises raised pieces joined by webs that may be cut or fractured, the pattern being adhesively applied to a surface require to be decorated, and pieces being adapted to receive metallic or other tray-shaped plates, tiles or the like, which may be adhesively located on the pieces.

Description

TILES AND MOSAICS

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to mosaics, tiles, listellos and the like.

BACKGROUNDART

Ceramic, porcelain, opal, glass, crystal, and stone mosaic patterns for walls, floors and the like are presently sold in the form of a preformed size/pattern of material adhesively located on a length of woven fabric (scrim). These mosaics are spaced so as to allow for grouting between the mosaics. This spacing also allows for a desired portion to be cut to the required dimension and mounted to the wall or floor surface using a tile adhesive.

The assembly of each pattern requires the use of a suitable jig and care that the pieces remain in position while adhesively locating them in position on the scrim.

Due to the flexibility of the scrim, problems occur with the adhesion of the mosaics to the scrim as well as difficulties in the mounting of the mosaics to wall and floor surfaces.

A recent development has been metal mosaics and in particular stainless steel tiles or mosaics. These are manufactured by forming the metal into "tray shaped" or formed edge metal mosaics. These mosaics are then glued onto individual precut ceramic bases and then a number of these, depending on the size/design, are adhesively located on the scrim in the same manner as described above. This is highly labor intensive.

Adhesion problems between the mosaics and the scrim are exacerbated due to the increased mass of the mosaics. It is an object of the present invention to provide an easier method of assembling a metal mosaic/tile in a predetermined pattern/size which will not require jigs, be less labor intensive, easier to mount and will avoid the adhesion problem referred to above. The invention will also allow for a far greater variety of patterns and designs.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

According to the invention a base pattern for tiling, mosaics or the like is provided that comprises pieces connected to one another by one or more webs, preferably in integral or unitary form and adapted to receive adhesive for fixing to a surface.

The base pattern of the invention is preferably made from polymeric material preferably in integral or unitary form in a mould. It is much more rigid that the scrim referred to above in the discussion of the Background but does provide sufficient flexibility for application to surfaces, normally encountered in decorative applications.

In a preferred form of the invention the pieces are joined by short strips or webs that are located remote from the top surfaces of the pieces. They will then be hidden by the grout used between the pieces.

The base pattern may be used as such merely by applying adhesive and locating in position but in the preferred form of the invention it is used to receive other pieces such as metallic plates or tiles, that are received by the pieces.

The pieces may be tray-shaped that are frictionally received by the pieces and can be adhered thereto by a suitable adhesive. The pieces may be of metal or plastic or other material.

In an example of the invention, pressed out metallic tray-shaped plates or caps of the same or multiple dimensions as the pieces of the base pattern are fitted over the base pieces and adhesively located thereon.

The metallic plates may be formed to be fitted over two or more pieces of the base pattern. This can lead to the production of various patterns and configurations. For example a staggered pattern resembling brickwork may be formed; or a block pattern of large plates each covering four or nine base pieces; or a parquet effect.

The base pattern may take any of a multitude of possible configurations so that additional pieces may be fitted in various patterns.

Special patterns may be provided for listellos.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Diagram 1 is a front view of a base pattern according to one example of the invention;

Diagram 2 is an under view of the base pattern of diagram 1 ;

Diagram 3 is an isometric view of one of the pieces of the base pattern of Diagram 2;

Diagram 4 is a view similar to that of diagram 1 with different dimensioned pieces;

Diagram 5 is a miscellany of some of the various configurations that are possible using the present invention.

Diagrams 6 to 8 illustrate brick patterns and parquet configuration.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUR THE INVENTION

In diagram 1 a base pattern is shown that is an integral moulding comprising square pieces 10 joined together by webs 12. As shown in Diagram 3 the pieces are proud of the webs so that they can receive the pieces (plates, trays) 14 shown in Diagrams 4 and 5. The under sides of the pieces of the base pattern, as shown in Diagrams 2 and 3, are joined to adjacent pieces by means of integral webs 12 that are able to be cut or otherwise broken according to the area and shape of base pattern required. The under sides of the pieces are able to be adhesively connected to the surface required to be decorated and also to receive the plates 14 shown in Diagrams 4 and 5.

Turning to Diagram 4, the versatility of the invention is well shown with a single square plate 20, oblong plates 22 and 24 of different dimensions, and large squares 26 and 28.

In Diagram 5 a non-exhaustive miscellany of arrangements is illustrated while a brick configuration is shown in Diagram 6, a blocked format oblong plates in Diagram 7 and a parquet configuration in Diagram 8.

All of the above configurations can be formed using a standard base pattern.

Embodiments of the invention are described below with reference to the accompanying photographs.

Photograph 1 illustrates a typical base pattern of squares 10 joined by strips or webs 12, thereby constituting a unitary or integral structure. The strips may be severed along lines to obtain predetermined areas for a particular application and these may be adhesively applied to a surface. In some applications the base pattern is sufficient in itself but, as described above the base pattern may be used to receive other pieces in the form of plates with bent over edges (trays). A typical plate 14 made of stainless steel is shown in Photographs 2A and 2B and in Photograph 3 is shown in position over one of the pieces of the base pattern.

In photograph 4 all of the squares of photograph 1 are fitted with plates 14.

In Photograph 2B the inside of the plate is shown. This has substantially the same dimensions as the piece of the base pattern and receives glue, cement or the like for adhesively being applied to the base piece. Photograph 5 is a collage of a few of the possible patterns that may be provided.

Photograph 6 indicates just two possible patterns for listellos.

Photograph 7 is a regular blocked pattern of metallic plates mounted on a base pattern, while Photograph 8 shows another blocked pattern in which the metallic plates are substantially larger and each covers four base pattern pieces.

Photograph 9 illustrates a staggered pattern resembling brickwork while Photograph 10 is a parquet pattern.

In an example of the invention the base pattern is of the order of 8mm thick and the pieces are 47 mm square. Units of 36 squares are provided. Nine metallic plates of 100 mm square may be used to cover the squares, while four plates of 150mm square may be used. These plates may be mixed and/or alternated to give unusual configurations.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A base pattern for tiling, mosaics or the like characterised in that pieces are connected to one another by webs and adapted to receive adhesive for fixing to a surface.

2. The base pattern according to claim 1 characterised by being formed as a mould of polymeric material.

3. The base pattern according to claim 1 or claim 2 characterised in that the pieces are joined by short webs located remotely from the top surfaces of the pieces.

4. The base pattern according to any of the above claims characterised in that the pieces constitute anchors for plates or tiles or the like.

5. The base pattern according to claim 4 characterised in that the plates or tiles are tray-shaped having dimensions to form a close fit over one or more of the pieces.

6. The base pattern according to claim 5 characterised in that the plates, tiles or the like are adapted to be adhesively joined to the pieces.

7. A patterned arrangement resulting from the use of a base pattern as claimed in any of the above claims.