Multi-purpose tile system, tile covering, and tile

A method for installing a tile system, comprising:

• a) positioning a first tile of a plurality of tiles on a supporting surface,
• b) providing a second tile of the plurality of tiles to be coupled to said first tile,
• c) selecting at least one coupling profile from the group consisting of (i) a first coupling profile of the second tile, and (ii) a second coupling profile of the second tile, to be coupled to at least one third coupling profile of the first tile;
• and
• selecting at least one coupling profile from the group consisting of (i) a first coupling profile of the first tile, and (ii) a second coupling profile of the first tile, to be coupled to at least one third coupling profile of the one second tile;
• and
• d) coupling the at least one selected coupling profile to the at least one third coupling profile of the selected first tile or second tile,
• wherein the first coupling profile comprises at least one downward flank and at least one first locking element provided at the at least one downward flank, and wherein, responsive to a turning movement of the first tile,
• at least a part of the sideward tongue of the first coupling profile of the first tile is inserted into the third recess of the third coupling profile of the second tile to realise a vertical locking effect, and the at least one first locking element will co-act with the at least one third locking element of the third coupling profile of the second tile such that the at least one first locking element, co-acting with, the at least one third locking element realise an additional vertical locking effect preventing vertical movement of the first coupling profile of the first tile with respect to the third coupling profile of the second tile.

A first tile for use in a multi-purpose tile system, the first tile comprising:

• at least one first edge having a first coupling profile comprising:
• a sideward tongue extending in a direction substantially parallel to the upper side of the first tile,
• at least one first downward flank lying at a distance from the sideward tongue, and
• a first downward recess formed between the sideward tongue and the first downward flank,
• at least one second edge having a second coupling profile comprising:
• a downward tongue extending in a direction substantially perpendicular to the upper side of the first tile,
• at least one second downward flank lying at a distance from the downward tongue,
• a second downward recess formed between the downward tongue and the downward flank, and
• at least one second locking element;
• at least two other edges, each other edge having a third coupling profile comprising:
• a third recess configured for accommodating at least a part of the sideward tongue of the first coupling profile of a second tile and at least a part of the downward tongue of the second coupling profile of the second tile, said third recess being defined by an upper lip and a lower lip, wherein said lower lip is provided with an upward locking element, and
• at least one third locking element,
• wherein the first coupling profile and the third coupling profile are configured such that the first tile and the second tile can be coupled to each other at the first and other edges through a turning movement, wherein, in coupled condition:
• at least a part of the sideward tongue of the first coupling profile of the first tile is inserted into the third recess of the third coupling profile of the second tile to realise a vertical locking effect, and
• at least a part of the upward locking element of the third coupling profile is inserted into the first downward recess of the first coupling profile, and
• wherein the second coupling profile and the third coupling profile are configured such that the first tile can be coupled to the second tile at the second and other edges by means of a fold-down movement or a vertical movement, wherein, in coupled condition:
• at least a part of the downward tongue of the second coupling profile is inserted in the third recess of the third coupling profile,
• at least a part of the upward locking element of the third coupling profile is inserted in the second downward recess of the second coupling profile, and
• at least one second locking element is facing, and co-acting with, at least one third locking element to realise a vertical locking effect,
• wherein the first coupling profile comprises at least one first locking element provided at the at least one first downward flank, and wherein, responsive to a turning movement of the first tile, the at least one first locking element is configured to face and co-act with the at least one third locking element of the third coupling profile of the second tile such that the at least one first locking element, co-acting with, at least one third locking element, realise an additional vertical locking effect preventing vertical movement of the first coupling profile of the first tile with respect to the third coupling profile of the second tile.