WO2015191097A1

WO2015191097A1 - Synthetic modular flooring apparatus

Info

Publication number: WO2015191097A1
Application number: PCT/US2014/058666
Authority: WO
Inventors: Ronald N. Cerny; Michael T. BRADFIELD; Dana Hedquist; Michael Buerger
Original assignee: Connor Sport Court International, Llc
Priority date: 2014-06-13
Filing date: 2014-10-01
Publication date: 2015-12-17
Also published as: ZA201408493B; US20150361675A1

Abstract

A modular tile is disclosed having a substantially rigid top surface supported above a ground surface by an understructure. The rigid top surface is defined by sidewalls forming an outer perimeter and four corners. Four modular tiles can be disposed adjacent one another at common adjoining corners. A bottom side of each of the four modular tiles has at least first and second cavities disposed about the corner of the tile. One of two bridge connectors is disposed about the common adjoining corners of the plurality of four modular tiles.

Description

SYNTHETIC MODULAR FLOORING APPARATUS

PRIORITY CLAIM

This application claims priority to U.S. Application No. 14/304,464 filed on June 13, 2014 entitled "Synthetic Modular Flooring Apparatus" which is incorporated herein by this reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE TECHNOLOGY

The present technology relates to synthetic flooring and more particularly to devices and methods for absorbing extreme loads placed on a top surface of a modular synthetic floor tile.

BACKGROUND OF THE TECHNOLOGY AND RELATED ART

Modular floors have been used for numerous years in connection with improved safety, appearance, and function. In recent years, modular flooring products have been used for these purposes and more frequently used in connection with industrial activities. Many of these flooring products, however, are heavy, difficult to assemble and transport. Specifically, in order for modular flooring products to withstand the rigors of heavy, industrial activity, such flooring products have been constructed of metal. Synthetic flooring products have been constructed of material that is too soft or pliable to withstand the loads associated with heavy, industrial activity. Moreover, the means of assembling, connecting, and transporting the metal modular floors has required specialized equipment and/or required a significant amount of time and manpower. It is therefore beneficial to provide an improved modular flooring assembly with improved technology for withstanding extreme loads.

SUMMARY

In accordance with one aspect of the technology, a modular tile comprises a substantially rectangular rigid top surface supported above a ground surface by an understructure, wherein the rectangular rigid top surface is defined by sidewalls forming an outer perimeter and four corners. Each of the comers of the tile comprises at least two T-shaped apertures therein and a

longitudinal axis of one of the two T-shaped apertures is normal to a longitudinal axis of the other T-shaped aperture. In one aspect, a top portion of a first one of the at least two T-shaped apertures is substantially parallel to a first side of a first corner of the tile and a top portion of the second T-shaped aperture is substantially parallel to a second side of the first corner. In another aspect, the perimeter of the tile about the four corners of the tile is continuous. In another aspect, a top portion of the T-shaped apertures comprises a face tapering away from the outer perimeter and sidewalls. In yet another aspect, a bottom portion of the T-shaped apertures comprises a face tapering towards the outer perimeter, a first sidewall tapered towards a second sidewall and the second sidewall tapered towards the first sidewall. In another aspect, the tapered face of the bottom portion of the T-shaped aperture tapers from the top surface of the modular tile to below an upper surface of a top portion of the T-shaped aperture. The upper surface of the top portion of the T-shaped aperture is disposed at an elevation below an upper surface of a bottom portion of the T-shaped aperture. The upper surface of the top portion of the T-shaped apertures is disposed at an elevation below the rigid top surface of the tile. In another aspect, each of the corners of the tile further comprise an L-shaped aperture disposed adjacent to and between the T- shaped apertures. An inner edge of the L-shaped aperture is disposed at an elevation below the rigid top surface of the tile. In yet another aspect, the rigid top surface of the tile tapers downward towards the inner edge of the L-shaped aperture.

In another aspect of the technology, a modular tile assembly comprises a plurality of four modular tiles each comprising a substantially rigid top surface supported above a ground surface by an understructure, wherein the rigid top surface is defined by sidewalls forming an outer perimeter and four comers, wherein each of the four modular tiles is disposed adjacent one another at common adjoining corners. A bottom side of each of the four modular tiles comprises at least first and second cavities disposed about the corner of the tile. A bridge connector is disposed about the common adjoining corners of the plurality of four modular tiles, the bridge connector comprising a top plate coupled to a bottom plate wherein the top plate is disposed about a top surface of the tile and the bottom plate is disposed about a bottom surface of the tile. The bottom plate comprises four posts, wherein each post is configured to mate with at least one of the first and second cavities disposed about the corner of each of the tiles.

In one aspect, the first cavity is located nearer the corner of the tile than the second cavity and a center of the first cavity is collinear with a center of the second cavity and the corner of the tile. In another aspect, a first one of the four posts of the bottom plate is configured to press-fit into the first cavity of the tile. The first one of the four posts of the bottom plate has an outer width that is equal to or larger than the width of the first cavity. In one aspect, the first one of the four posts comprises a plurality of slots disposed about a distal end of the post. A second one of the other of the four posts has an outer width that is less than an inner width of the second cavity. In one aspect, the top plate of the bridge connector is shaped to approximate a cross having an aperture disposed within a center of the cross and wherein the bottom plate comprises an aperture having a center that is collinear with a center of the aperture of the top plate.

In another aspect of the technology, a modular tile assembly comprises a plurality of four modular tiles each comprising a substantially rectangular rigid top surface supported above a ground surface by an understructure, wherein the rectangular rigid top surface is defined by sidewalls forming an outer perimeter and four corners, wherein each of the four modular tiles is disposed adjacent one another at common adjoining corners. A bridge connector is disposed about the common adjoining corners of the plurality of four modular tiles, the bridge connector comprising a plurality of arms extending laterally outward from a center of the connector and a plurality of protrusions extending downward from the bridge connector, wherein each of the downward extending protrusions comprise two skirts extending downward from opposite sides of each protrusion. In one aspect, the bridge connector further comprises a plurality of skirts extending downward from the sides of each of the plurality of arms, wherein the skirts are disposed on opposing sides of each arm. In yet another aspect, a plurality of posts extending upward from a bottom portion of the bridge connector, wherein a first of one of the posts is configured for a clearance fit within a first cavity in a bottom of a first tile and a second one of the posts is configured for a press fit within a first cavity in a bottom of a second tile. The first cavity is located nearer the corner of the tile than the second cavity and a center of the first cavity is collinear with a center of the second cavity and the corner of the tile. The first one of the posts is shorter than the second one of the posts. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present technology will become more fully apparent from the following description and appended claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Understanding that these drawings merely depict exemplary aspects of the present technology, they are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope. It will be readily appreciated that the components of the present technology, as generally described and illustrated in the figures herein, could be arranged and designed in a wide variety of different configurations. Nonetheless, the technology will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of the

accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of a synthetic modular floor tile in accordance with one aspect of the technology;

FIG. 2 is a top view of the synthetic modular floor tile of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a side view of the synthetic modular floor tile of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a bottom view of the synthetic modular floor tile of FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged perspective view of the corner of the synthetic modular floor tile of

FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged top view of the corner of the synthetic modular floor tile of FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a top perspective view of an assembly of four synthetic modular floor tiles coupled to a hoist in accordance with one aspect of the technology;

FIG. 8 is a top perspective view of three modular floor tiles joined at a common corner with a bridge connector in accordance with one aspect of the technology;

FIG. 9 is a top view of four modular floor tiles joined at a common corner showing a top portion of a bridge connector in accordance with one aspect of the technology;

FIG. 10 is a bottom view of four modular floor tiles joined at a common corner showing a bottom portion of a bridge connector in accordance with one aspect of the technology;

FIG. 11 is a side view of a bridge connector coupling tiles together in accordance with one aspect of the technology;

FIG. 12 is a top perspective view of a bridge connector coupling tiles together in accordance with one aspect of the technology; FIG. 13 is a bottom perspective view of a bridge connector coupling tiles together in accordance with one aspect of the technology;

FIG. 14 is a side view of a bridge connector in accordance with one aspect of the technology; and

FIG. 15 is a top perspective view of the bridge connector of FIG. 14.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following detailed description of exemplary aspects of the technology makes reference to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof and in which are shown, by way of illustration, exemplary aspects in which the technology may be practiced. While these exemplary aspects are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the technology, it should be understood that other aspects may be realized and that various changes to the technology may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present technology. Thus, the following more detailed description of the aspects of the present technology is not intended to limit the scope of the technology, as claimed, but is presented for purposes of illustration only and not limitation to describe the features and characteristics of the present technology and to sufficiently enable one skilled in the art to practice the technology. Accordingly, the scope of the present technology is to be defined solely by the appended claims.

The following detailed description and exemplary aspects of the technology will be best understood by reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein the elements and features of the technology are designated by numerals throughout.

Generally speaking, the present technology describes an improved modular floor tile 20 having a top surface 30 comprising a substantially rectangular rigid top surface supported above a ground surface by an understructure 50, wherein the rectangular rigid top surface is defined by sidewalls 21 forming an outer perimeter and four corners 22. Each of the corners 22 of the tile 20 comprises at least two T-shaped apertures 40 therein. A longitudinal axis 41a of one of the two T-shaped apertures 40 is normal to a longitudinal axis 41b of the other T-shaped aperture 40. The T-shaped apertures 40 provide a mechanism for installation and removal of bridge connectors used to connect adjacent tiles together. In addition, the present technology comprises a plurality of four modular tiles 20 disposed adjacent one another at common adjoining corners. A bottom side of each of the four modular tiles 20 comprises at least first 51 and second 52 cavities disposed about the corner 22 of the tile 20. A first bridge connector 200 is disposed about the common adjoining comers of the plurality of four modular tiles 20, the bridge connector 200 comprises a top plate 210 coupled to a bottom plate 240 wherein the top plate 210 is disposed about a top surface 30 of the tile 20 and the bottom plate 240 is disposed about a bottom surface of the tile 20. The bottom plate 240 comprises four posts, wherein each post is configured to mate with at least one of the two cavities 1, 52 disposed about the corner 22 of the tile 20. A second bridge connector 100 is also disposed about common adjoining corners of the plurality of four modular tiles 20. The modular tiles discussed herein may be used as a primary floor or as a sub-floor supporting other flooring arrangements on top.

Both the bridge connectors 100, 200 and the modular tiles 20 can be made from a durable plastic or similar synthetic material, including but not limited to any plastic, rubber, foam, concrete, epoxy, fiberglass, or other synthetic or composite material. Furthermore, both the bridge connectors 100, 200 and the modular tiles 20 can be formed using any manufacturing process familiar to one of skill in the art for forming plastic, synthetic and/or composite parts, including but not limited to injection-molding, compression-molding, thermoforming, extrusion, casting, resin impregnation or transfer-molding processes, etc. The plastic or synthetic material can be configured with a pre-determined modulus of elasticity and coefficient of thermal expansion to control the impact absorption and thermal expansion characteristics of each individual floor tile and for the overall flooring system In one aspect, moreover, the synthetic material can include one or more recycled components which can reduce costs and result in a more environmentally-benign flooring system.

With specific reference now to FIGS. 1 through 3, an improved modular floor tile 20 having a substantially flat top surface 30 is disclosed. The tile 20 comprises sidewalls 21 forming an outer perimeter about the tile 20. In one aspect of the invention, the sidewalls 21 extend from a top 30 of the tile 20 to the ground surface upon which it is intended to lay. A side connection interface comprises a tab 24 projecting outwards from a sidewall 21 of the tile 20 and which is next to a complimentary cut-out 25 extending inward from the same sidewall 21. The tab 24 and cut-out 25 can together form a pair of puzzle pieces that interconnect in a non-rigid fashion with a matching pair of puzzle pieces formed into adjacent tiles. Moreover, the interconnecting puzzle pieces can be sized so that the tab 24 fits loosely within the cut-out 25 so as to not restrict lateral movement once the modular sub-flooring system has been assembled.

A plurality of holes 31 are disposed about the flat top surface 30. The holes 31 are disposed near the corner 22 of the tile 20 and are used for drainage of fluids about the top surface 30 as well as for transportation of a tile assembly. Holes 31 may also function as anchoring holes for spikes to secure the flooring to the ground. Each corner 22 of the tile 20 comprises a connection system for coupling a bridge connector. Different bridge connectors may be used on the corner connector system and are discussed in greater detail below. Each corner connector system comprises at least two T-shaped apertures 40 therein. A longitudinal axis 41a of one of the two T-shaped apertures 40 is normal to a longitudinal axis 41b of the other T-shaped aperture 40. The T-shaped apertures 40 provide a mechanism for installation and removal of bridge connectors used to connect adjacent tiles together. As used herein, the "top" of the T-shaped aperture 40 refers to the top of the "T" element which is the side adjacent the outer side wall 21 of the tile 20. In one aspect of the technology, the top portion 42a of a first one of the at least two T-shaped apertures 40 is substantially parallel to a first side 26a of a first comer of the tile 20 and a top portion 42b of the second T-shaped aperture 40 is substantially parallel to a second side 26b of the first corner. In one aspect of the invention, the corner 22 of the tile 20 has a continuous perimeter from the first side 26a to the second side 26b.

In accordance with one aspect of the technology, a top of the T-shaped apertures 40 comprises a face 43 tapering away from the outer perimeter 27 and sidewalls 26a, 26b positioned normal to the top surface 30 of the tile 20. A bottom 44 of the T-shaped apertures 40 comprises a face 45 tapering towards the outer perimeter 27. The bottom 44 has a first sidewall 44a tapered towards a second sidewall 44b wherein the second sidewall 44b is tapered towards the first sidewall 44a. Moreover, the bottom 44 of the T-shaped aperture 40 has a bottom wall 44c that tapers towards the outer perimeter 27 of the tile 20. The tapered faces 44a, 44b, 44c of the bottom 44 of the T-shaped aperture 40 tapers from the top surface 30 of the modular tile 20 to below top surface 30. A top portion 45 of the bottom 44 of the T-shaped aperture 40 also tapers towards the outer perimeter 27. The face of tapered top portion 45 tapers from the top surface 30 to below a top of the corner sidewall 28. An upper surface of a top 42 of the T-shaped aperture 40 is disposed at the same elevation as the corner sidewall 28. The bottom 44 of the T-shaped aperture 40 is disposed at the same elevation as the top surface 30 of the tile 20. In one aspect of the invention, the top 42 of the T-shaped aperture 40 is disposed at an elevation below the bottom 44 of the aperture 40. The tapered faces of the aperture facilitate placement and removal of bridge connectors. The tapered faces of the T-shaped aperture terminate in a ledge defining a tab. The tab is configured to mate with the end of a clip on a bridge connector. In accordance with one aspect of the invention, an L-shaped aperture 46 is disposed adjacent to and between the T-shaped apertures 40. An inner edge 47 of the L-shaped aperture 46 is disposed at an elevation below the rigid top surface 30 of the tile 20. The rigid top surface 30 of the tile 20 tapers downward towards the inner edge 47 of the L-shaped aperture 46 at location 48.

Referring to FIGS. 14 and 15, as noted above, the corner connection systems are intended to facilitate placement of one or more types of bridge connectors. In accordance with one aspect of the technology, a bridge connector 100 is disclosed comprising a center body 101 and arms 102 of the bridge connector 100, and upwardly-facing tip bearing surfaces 103 located near the tips of each of a pair of fingers 104 that together form an end clip. The end clips extend downwardly from the ends of each of the four arms 102 that project radially outward from the center body 101 of the bridge connector 100. A set of L-shaped skirts 105 can extend downwardly from the center body 101 having a corner radius matching the radius of the L- shaped aperture 46, and with a vertical notch 106 separating the skirts 105 and the fingers 104. The skirts 105 comprise a plurality of posts 106 located on either end of the L-shaped skirt 105 and function to displace debris or other materials that may have accumulated in the L-shaped pocket prior to installation of the skirt 105. The length of the body of the skirt 105 is less than the depth of the L-shaped apert ure 46.

Two or more floor tiles 20 can be aligned adjacent to each other (either by being placed next to each other or by using an alignment interconnection) so that the structural features of the respective connection interfaces formed into the corners 22 of each floor tile 20 are substantially aligned with each other. Thus, adjacent T-shaped apertures 40 line up together to form adjacent holes configured to receive adjacent fingers 104 of the bridge connector 100. Likewise, the L- shaped-apertures 46 line up together to form adjacent holes configured to receive the skirts 105 extending downwardly from either side of the central body 101 of the bridge connector 100. Two fingers 104 from one arm 102 and two skirts 105 of a bridge connector 100 can then be inserted, respectively, into the combined adjacent T-shaped apertures 40 and adjacent L-shaped apertures 46, so that the complimentary engagement surfaces of the tile connection interface are coupled together. In one aspect, the bridge connector 100 can be made from a moderately bendable or flexible synthetic material that permits each arm 102 of the bridge connector 100 to flex slightly. This flexibility can allow the bridging interconnection to restrain the relative vertical movement between the sub-floor tiles in a non-rigid manner while continuing to maintain a substantially smooth top surface alignment across adjacent edges and despite any variations in the angular orientation or tilt of the individual sub-floor tiles.

Referring now generally to FIG. 4, the underside 50 of the floor tile 20 can include a plurality of intersecting support ribs 53 that are coupled to or integrally-formed with the underside surface 50 that provides the top surface of the floor tile 20. The bottom edges of the support ribs 53 can thus define the bottom plane of the floor tile 20, and can be located over both prepared and unprepared ground surfaces. In one aspect, a prepared ground surface can comprise a smoothed or flattened surface of dirt, grass, clay, sand or loose aggregate, etc., which can shift upwards into the cavities 54 formed by the intersecting support ribs 53 to further surround and grip the lower sides of the support ribs 53. In another aspect, the prepared ground surface can comprise pre-existing concrete or asphalt slabs which can grip the bottom edges of the floor tiles 20 through friction alone. This may be necessary, for instance, in cases where the concrete or asphalt may be in a poor state of repair, and thus would be unsuitable to support an overlayment directly, but would also be prohibitively expensive to remove and dispose of before installing the new flooring system

In one aspect of the modular flooring system, both the sidewalls 26 and the perimeter- defining support ribs 53 running underneath and parallel to the outer edges or sidewalls 26 of the floor tile 20 can extend all the way to the ground surface, so as to provide maximum support along the outer perimeter edges of each floor tile 20. In another aspect of the modular flooring system, however, the perimeter-defining support ribs 53 can be set-back a distance from the sidewalls. This set-back can provide more space directly underneath the outer edges and second connection interface for shifting or displacement of the ground surface, as well as lift the bottom edge of the sidewalls 26 a distance above the ground surface. Additional cavities 51 and 52 are formed near the corner 22 of the floor tile 20 and are configured to engage with a bridge connector 200. In one aspect of the invention, cavity 51 is configured to provide an interference fit or "press fit" with the bridge connector 200 and cavity 52 is configured to provide a clearance fit with the bridge connector 200.

With reference now to FIGS. 8 through 13, a bridge connector 200 is disclosed pro viding a connection system that is usable with the corner connection system used with bridge connector 100. That is, bridge connector 200 may be used on the same corner 22 of floor tile 20 as the bridge connector 100. In accordance with one aspect of the technology, bridge connector 200 comprises a top member 210 and bottom member 240 configured to mate with one another about a top and bottom portion, respectively, of the corner 22 of tile 20. In one aspect of the technology, the top member 210 comprises a plate having a center body 211 with four arms 212 extending laterally outward from the center body 211. The length of the arms 212 are sized to approximate the area defined by top of T-shaped aperture 40 and corresponding side of the reshaped aperture 46. However, in one aspect, the arms 212 are slightly smaller than that area to allow for some movement of the bridge connector 200.

A plurality of skirts 213 extend downward from the corners 214 of intersecting arms 212. The skirts 213 are generally L-shaped and extend downward from adjacent arms 212. When disposed on a top portion of corner 22 of tile 20, the skirts 213 are configured to mate with reshaped aperture 46 and arms 212 are configured to be seated within the area defined by corner 22 that is lower in elevation than the top surface 30 of tile 20. That is, a bottom portion of the top member 210 rests on the top of the corner 22, including 42a and 42b. In one aspect of the technology, the L-shaped aperture 46 is approximately 0.25 inches wide. The skirts 213 intended to mate with the L-shaped aperture 46 are approximately 0.0625 inches wide. In this manner, a certain amount of lateral movement is allowed to accommodate movement of the comer 22 of the tile 20 when subject to extreme loads to minimize plastic deformation of the tile 20 or the bridge connector 200. However, in one aspect of the technology, the width of the L- shaped aperture 46 and the width of the skirt 213 are substantially similar. An aperture 216 is disposed within the center of the top plate 210 extending through stem 217. The aperture 216 and stem 217 are configured to receive a fastening member 218 therethrough for connection with the bottom member 240. A nut is molded into the bottom plate 240 that mates with fastener 218. In one aspect of the technology, the bottom member 240 comprises a plate having four upright posts 241a and 241b configured to mate with cavities 51 or 52 of tile 20. Upright posts 241a are located near the exterior edge 242 of bottom member 240 and are located so as to mate with cavity 52. The outer perimeter of upright post 241a is less than the inner perimeter of the cavity 52 such that when disposed within the cavity 52, upright post 241a creates a clearance fit or a loose fit allowing lateral movement of the upright post 241a within cavity 52. Upright post 241b is located near the center of bottom member 240 and is located so as to mate with cavity 51. The outer perimeter of upright post 241b is similar to or slightly larger than the inner perimeter of cavity 51. In this manner, when upright post 241b is disposed within cavity 51 , a press fit or tight fit is created such that there is little to no lateral movement of upright post 241b within cavity 51. In one aspect of the technology, a top portion of upright post 24 lb is tapered inwardly to assist in placement of the post 241b within cavity 51.

A stem 245 is disposed within the center of the bottom member 240 adapted to receive the fastener 218 therein to fasten the top member 210 and bottom member 240 together. A plurality of guide members 246 are disposed about the bottom of stem 245 and are arranged about the bottom of stem 245 to provide an area where the corner 22 of tile 20 may be seated. A slot 244 is disposed within the sidewall of each upright post 241b allowing the sidewalk to flex inwardly to accommodate placement of the upright post 241 b within cavity 51. With upright post 241a forming a clearance fit and upright posts 241b forming a press fit, a plurality of four tiles 20 coupled at a common corner by bridge connector 200 have vertical and lateral give when subjected to extreme loads. In an assembled flooring system coupled together with bridge connector 200, extreme loads placed on the tiles 20 may deform the subsurface terrain. The resulting deformation may place extreme strain on the tile connection mechanisms resulting in failure of the connection mechanism or plastic deformation of the tiles 20 themselves.

While the example shown in the attached figures illustrates one aspect where three of the posts are designed for a clearance fit and one post is designed for a press fit, it is understood that any number of combinations of press fit and clearance fit posts can be used herein. For example, three upright posts may be configured to be press fit and one post may be configured to a clearance fit as suits a particular application. Moreover, two upright posts may be configured to be press fit and two may be configured for a clearance fit. The two posts configured for clearance fit may be adjacent or may be oriented diagonally about the bottom of the bridge connector. Likewise, the two posts configured for a press fit may be adjacent or may be oriented diagonally. In one aspect of the technology, the posts configured for a clearance fit have a length sized to approximate the depth of cavity 52. Because the posts 241a are intended to mo ve about within cavity 52, the posts 241a are relatively longer to minimize the possibility that the post becomes dislodged from cavity 52 during an event where the corner 22 is subject to extreme deformation.

In one aspect of the technology, tiles 20 are coupled together in a single panel 280 comprising four tiles 20 as shown in FIG. 7. The tiles 20 are coupled at a common corner using bridge connector 200 so as to support the top and bottom portion of the common corner. A hoist 290 with four arms 291 is used to transport panel 280 by connecting with holes 31 in the top surface 30 of the tiles 20. In another aspect of the invention, a single panel comprising ten interconnected tiles is used for transportation of the flooring system. In this aspect, the panel of tiles 20 comprises ten tiles disposed in a five-tile-by-two-tile arrangement or twenty tiles in a four-tile-by-five-tile arrangement. Common corners are bolted or riveted together and intended to maintain the panels in a semi-permanent arrangement. The fasteners extend through lateral holes that permit lateral movement from thermal expansion and use of the tiles while preventing dislocation or separation of the panels in an upward or downward direction. During construction of a flooring system using the panels, adjacent sides of different panels are vertically coupled through complementary tab 24 and cut-out 25 portions of the tile 20.

Common corners between adjacent panels are coupled together using either the bridge connector 100 or bridge connector 200 as suits a particular purpose. In one aspect, bridge connector 100 is used when removal of a single top piece is desired to unlock corners. For example, when the duration of the connection is expected to be relatively shorter, the load placed on the flooring system is relatively small, and/or the potential deformation of the flooring system due to lack of compaction or density of the subsurface is relatively low. In contrast, bridge connector 200 is used, for example, when the duration of the connection is expected to be longer, the load placed on the flooring system is relatively large, and/or the potential deformation of the flooring system due to lack of compaction or density of the subsurface is relatively high. Bridge connectors 100 and 200 may be used in the same flooring system to account for variations in subsurface conditions over the extent of the floor. For example, if one area is expected to bear significant loads, but other areas of the same floor are expected to bear smaller loads, different connection bridges are used in the different areas. Likewise, if one area is less compact than another, different connection bridges are used to accommodate the varying subsurface terrain.

The foregoing detailed description describes the technology with reference to specific exemplary aspects. However, it will be appreciated that various modifications and changes can be made without departing from the scope of the present technology as set forth in the appended claims. The detailed description and accompanying drawings are to be regarded as merely illustrative, rather than as restrictive, and all such modifications or changes, if any, are intended to Ml within the scope of the present technology as described and set forth herein.

More specifically, while illustrative exemplary aspects of the technology have been described herein, the present technology is not limited to these aspects, but includes any and all aspects having modifications, omissions, combinations (e.g., of aspects across various embodiments), adaptations and/or alterations as would be appreciated by those in the art based on the foregoing detailed description. The limitations in the claims are to be interpreted broadly based on the language employed in the claims and not limited to examples described in the foregoing detailed description or during the prosecution of the application, which examples are to be construed as non-exclusive. For example, in the present disclosure, the term "preferably" is non-exclusive where it is intended to mean "preferably, but not limited to." Any steps recited in any method or process claims may be executed in any order and are not limited to the order presented in the claims. Means-plus-function or step-plus-function limitations will only be employed where for a specific claim limitation all of the following conditions are present in that limitation: a) "means for" or "step for" is expressly recited; and b) a corresponding function is expressly recited. The structure, material or acts that support the means-plus-function are expressly recited in the description herein. Accordingly, the scope of the technology should be determined solely by the appended claims and their legal equivalents, rather than by the descriptions and examples given above.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. A modular tile comprising: a substantially rectangular rigid top surface supported above a ground surface by an understructure, wherein the rectangular rigid top surface is defined by sidewalls forming an outer perimeter and four corners; and wherein each of the corners of the tile comprises at least two T-shaped apertures therein and wherein a longitudinal axis of one of the two T-shaped apertures is normal to a longitudinal axis of the other T-shaped aperture.

2. The modular tile of claim 1 , wherein a top portion of a first one of the at least two T- shaped apertures is substantially parallel to a first side of a first corner of the tile and a top portion of the second T-shaped aperture is substantially parallel to a second side of the first corner.

3. The modular tile of claim 1 , wherein the perimeter of the tile about the four corners of the tile is continuous.

4.

The modular tile of claim 1 , wherein a top portion of the T-shaped apertures comprises a face tapering away from the outer perimeter and sidewalls.

5. The modular tile of claim 1, wherein a bottom portion of the T-shaped apertures

comprises a face tapering towards the outer perimeter, a first sidewall tapered towards a second sidewall and the second sidewall tapered towards the first sidewall.

6. The modular tile of claim 5, wherein the tapered face of the bottom portion of the T- shaped aperture tapers from the top surface of the modular tile to below an upper surface of a top portion of the T-shaped aperture.

7. The modular tile of claim 1 , wherein an upper surface of a top portion of the T-shaped aperture is disposed at an elevation below an upper surface of a bottom portion of the T- shaped aperture.

8. The modular tile of claim 1 , wherein an upper surface of a top portion of the T-shaped apertures is disposed at an elevation below the rigid top surface of the tile.

9. The modular tile of claim 1, wherein each of the corners of the tile further comprise an L- shaped aperture d sposed adjacent to and between the T-shaped apertures.

10.

The modular tile of claim 9, wherein an inner edge of the L-shaped aperture is disposed at an elevation below the rigid top surface of the tile.

11. The modular tile of claim 10, wherein the rigid top surface of the tile tapers downward towards the inner edge of the L-shaped aperture.

12. A modular tile assembly, comprising: a plurality of four modular tiles each comprising a substantially rigid top surface supported above a ground surface by an understructure, wherein the rigid top surface is defined by sidewalls forming an outer perimeter and four corners, wherein each of the four modular tiles is d sposed adjacent one another at common adjoining corners; wherein a bottom side of each of the four modular tiles comprises at least first and second cavities disposed about the comer of the tile; a bridge connector disposed about the common adjoining corners of the plurality of four modular tiles, the bridge connector comprising a top plate coupled to a bottom plate wherein the top plate is disposed about a top surface of the tile and the bottom plate is disposed about a bottom surface of the tile; and wherein the bottom plate comprises four posts, wherein each post is configured to mate with at least one of the first and second cavities disposed about the corner of each of the tiles.

13. The modular tile assembly of claim 12, wherein the first cavity is located nearer the

corner of the tile than the second cavity and a center of the first cavity is collinear with a center of the second cavity and the comer of the tile.

14. The modular tile assembly of claim 12, wherein a first one of the four posts of the bottom plate is configured to press-fit into the first cavity of the tile.

15. The modular tile assembly of claim 14, wherein the first one of the four posts of the bottom plate has an outer width that is equal to or larger than the width of the first cavity.

16.

The modular tile assembly of claim 14, wherein the first one of the four posts comprises a plurality of slots disposed about a distal end of the post.

17. The modular tile assembly of claim 15, wherein a second one of the other of the four posts has an outer width that is less than an inner width of the second cavity.

18. The modular tile assembly of claim 12, wherein the top plate of the bridge connector is shaped to approximate a cross having an aperture disposed within a center of the cross and wherein the bottom plate comprises an aperture having a center that is collinear with a center of the aperture of the top plate.

19. A modular tile assembly, comprising: a plurality of four modular tiles each comprising a substantially rectangular rigid top surface supported above a ground surface by an understructure, wherein the rectangular rigid top surface is defined by sidewalls forming an outer perimeter and four corners, wherein each of the four modular tiles is disposed adjacent one another at common adjoining corners; and a bridge connector disposed about the common adjoining corners of the plurality of four modular tiles, the bridge connector comprising a plurality of arms extending laterally outward from a center of the connector and a plurality of protrusions extending downward from the bridge connector, wherein each of the downward extending protrusions comprise two skirts extending downward from opposite sides of each protrusion.

20. The assembly of claim 19, wherein the bridge connector further comprises a plurality of skirts extending downward from the sides of each of the plurality of arms, wherein the skirts are disposed on opposing sides of each arm 21. The assembly of claim 20, comprising a plurality of posts extending upward from a bottom portion of the bridge connector, wherein a first of one of the posts is configured for a clearance fit within a first cavity in a bottom of a first tile and a second one of the posts is configured for a press fit within a first cavity in a bottom of a second tile. 22. The assembly of claim 21, wherein the first cavity is located nearer the corner of the tile than the second cavity and a center of the first cavity is collinear with a center of the second cavity and the corner of the tile. 23. The assemb ly of claim 21 , wherein the first one of the posts is shorter than the second one of the posts.