# US 12,006,700 B2 · Multi-purpose tile system, tile covering, and tile > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 12,006,700 B2 - Document ID: US12006700B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 17/075,762 - Filed: 2020-10-21 - Published: 2021-02-04 - Granted: 2024-06-11 - Earliest claimed: 2018-10-26 - Assignees: i4F Licensing NV - Applicants: I4F Licensing NV - Inventors: Eddy Alberic Boucké - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12006700B2 ## CPC - E04F 13/0894: {with tongue and groove connections} - E04F 13/077: composed of several layers, e.g. sandwich panels (E04F13/075 takes precedence){(not used, see E04F13/0866)} - E04F 13/18: of organic plastics with or without reinforcements or filling materials (of plastic-bound fibres or chips E04F13/16 ){or with an outer layer of organic plastics with or without reinforcements or filling materials; plastic tiles (E04F13/0864 takes precedence)} - E04F 15/02: Flooring or floor layers composed of a number of similar elements (of webs E04F15/16) - E04F 15/02038: {characterised by tongue and groove connections between neighbouring flooring elements} - E04F 15/105: {of organic plastics with or without reinforcements or filling materials} - E04F 15/107: {composed of several layers, e.g. sandwich panels (layered products in general B32B; producing decorative panels or veneers B44C5/04)} - E04F 2201/0138: by moving the sheets, plates or panels perpendicular to the main plane - E04F 2201/0153: by rotating the sheets, plates or panels around an axis which is parallel to the abutting edges, possibly combined with a sliding movement - E04F 2201/0169: by rotating the sheets, plates or panels around an axis which is perpendicular to the abutting edges and parallel to the main plane, possibly combined with a sliding movement - E04F 2201/023: with a continuous tongue or groove - E04F 2201/03: Undercut connections, e.g. using undercut tongues or grooves - E04F 2203/026: having hexagonal shapes - E04F: FINISHING WORK ON BUILDINGS, e.g. STAIRS, FLOORS (windows, doors E06B) ## Abstract The invention relates to a multi-purpose tile system, in particular a floor tile system, comprising a plurality of multi-purpose tiles, in particular floor tiles, wall tiles, or ceiling tiles. The invention also relates to a tile covering, in particular floor covering, ceiling covering, or wall covering, consisting of mutually coupled tiles according to the invention. The invention further relates to a tile for use in multi-purpose tile system according to the invention. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A multi-purpose tile system, comprising a plurality of floor tiles, wherein a first tile of the plurality of floor tiles comprises: at least one first edge having a first coupling profile comprising: a sideward tongue extending in a direction substantially parallel to an 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, and a second downward recess formed between the downward tongue and the downward flank, 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 of the plurality of floor tiles and at least a part of the downward tongue 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 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, wherein the second 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 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 wherein at least a part of a proximal side of the upward locking element of the third coupling profile, facing the third recess, is upwardly inclined in a direction towards the upper lip, and wherein at least a part of a proximal side of the downward tongue of the second coupling profile, facing the second downward recess, is downwardly inclined in a direction towards the second downward flank, wherein an upper surface of the upward locking element is angled relative to the upper lip and an upper surface of the first downward recess is angled relative to the upper lip, and wherein the second coupling profile comprises at least one second locking element, and wherein the third coupling profile comprises at least one third locking element, wherein, in coupled condition of two tiles, the second locking element of the second tile is configured to co-act with the third locking element of the first tile to realise a vertical locking effect, wherein the at least one second locking element of the second coupling profile is provided at a distal side of the downward tongue facing away from the second downward recess, and wherein at least one third locking element of the third coupling profile is provided at a side of the upper lip, in coupled condition facing said distal side of the downward tongue of the second coupling profile of the first tile, and wherein the co-act between the second locking element and the third locking element for creating the vertical locking effect in coupled condition of the first tile and the second tile, defines a tangent T1 which encloses an angle A1 with a plane defined by the first tile, which angle A1 is smaller than an angle A2 enclosed by said plane defined by the first tile and a tangent T2 defined by a co-act between an inclined part of a proximal side of the upward locking element facing toward the third recess and an inclined part of a proximal side of the downward tongue facing toward the second downward flank, wherein the greatest difference between angle A1 and angle A2 is situated between 5 and 20 degrees, wherein the inclined part of the proximal side of the upward locking element is angled upwardly in a direction towards a distal side of the upward locking element positioned opposite the proximal side of the upward locking element. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The multi-purpose tile system according to claim 1, wherein, in coupled condition of two tiles, the at least partially inclined proximal side of the upward locking element of the third coupling profile of the first tile, and the at least partially inclined proximal side of the downward tongue of the second coupling profile of the second tile realise the vertical locking effect preventing vertical movement of the second coupling profile of the second tile with respect to the third coupling profile of the first tile. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The multi-purpose tile system according to claim 1, wherein at least a part of the proximal side of the sideward tongue of the first coupling profile, facing the first downward recess, is downwardly inclined in a direction towards the first downward flank. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The multi-purpose tile system according to claim 3, wherein, in coupled condition of two tiles, the at least partially inclined proximal side of the upward locking element of the third coupling profile of the first tile, and the at least partially inclined proximal side of the sideward tongue of the first coupling profile of a third tile realise an additional vertical locking effect preventing vertical movement of the second coupling profile of the second tile with respect to the third coupling profile of the first tile. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The multi-purpose tile system according to claim 1, wherein the at least one second locking element of the second coupling profile is provided at the second downward flank of the second coupling profile, and wherein at least one third locking element of the third coupling profile is provided at a distal side of the lower lip facing away from the third recess and a distal side of the upward locking element facing away from the third recess. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The multi-purpose tile system according to claim 1, wherein said second locking element and said third locking element are positioned closer to the upper side of the first tile compared to an upper side of the upward locking element. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The multi-purpose tile system according to claim 1, 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 to 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. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The multi-purpose tile system according to claim 1, wherein the first coupling profile comprises at least one first locking element provided at a distal side of the first coupling profile, being located above at least a part of the sideward tongue, and wherein at least one third locking element of the third coupling profile is provided at a side of the upper lip, in coupled condition facing said distal side of the first coupling profile of the second tile. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The tile system, according to claim 1, wherein the second tile is structured the same as the first tile, wherein a third tile of the plurality of tiles is structured the same as the first tile, and wherein the first coupling profile of the first tile and the third coupling profile of the third tile are configured such that the first tile and the third tile can be coupled to each other at the first and other edges by means of the 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 third tile, and at least a part of the upward locking element of the third coupling profile of the third tile is inserted into the first downward recess of the first coupling profile of the first tile. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The multi-purpose tile system according to claim 1, wherein each tile of the plurality of tiles is structured the same as the first tile. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The multi-purpose tile system according to claim 1, wherein the first coupling profile and the third coupling profile are configured for locking together the first tile and the second tile both vertically and horizontally. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The multi-purpose tile system according to claim 1, wherein the second coupling profile and the third coupling profile are configured for locking together the first tile and the second tile both vertically and horizontally. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The multi-purpose tile system according to claim 1, wherein at least a part of the proximal side of the upward locking element of the third coupling profile, facing the third recess, is upwardly inclined in a direction away from the upper lip, in such a way that an angle is enclosed with the normal perpendicular to a plane defined by the first tile and the second tile wherein said angle is situated between 0 and 60 degrees. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The multi-purpose tile system according to claim 1, wherein at least a part of the proximal side of the downward tongue of the second coupling profile, facing the second downward recess, is downwardly inclined in a direction away from the second downward flank, in such a way that an angle is enclosed with the normal perpendicular to a plane defined by the first tile and the second tile wherein said angle is situated between 0 and 60 degrees. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) The multi-purpose tile system according to claim 1, wherein at least a part of the proximal side of the sideward tongue of the first coupling profile, facing the first downward recess, is downwardly inclined in a direction away from the first downward flank, in such a way that an angle is enclosed with the normal perpendicular to a plane defined by the first tile and the second tile wherein said angle is situated between 0 and 60 degrees. ### Claim 16 (depends on 1) The multi-purpose tile system according to claim 1, wherein at a lower side of the lower lip of the third coupling profile, a recess is present, which extends up to a distal end of the lower lip and which allows a bending of the lower lip in downward direction. ### Claim 17 (depends on 1) The multi-purpose tile system according to claim 1, wherein the first coupling profile and the third coupling profile are configured such that in coupled condition a pretension is existing, which forces the first tile and the second tile towards each other, wherein this is performed by applying overlapping contours. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The multi-purpose tile system according to claim 17, wherein the pretension is the result of a deformation, either an elastic bending or an elastic compression, or a combination of both. ### Claim 19 (depends on 1) The multi-purpose tile system according to claim 1, wherein at least a part of an upper side of the upward locking element is inclined downwardly in a direction facing away from the upper lip of the third coupling profile. ### Claim 20 (depends on 1) The multi-purpose multi-purpose tile system according to claim 1, wherein at least a part of an upper side of the first downward recess is inclined downwardly towards the first downward flank. ### Claim 21 (depends on 1) The multi-purpose tile system according to claim 1, wherein at least a part of an upper side of the second downward recess is inclined downwardly towards the second downward flank. ### Claim 22 (depends on 1) The multi-purpose tile system according to claim 1, wherein the difference between the upper lip and the lower lip, measured in the plane of the tile is larger than 1.0 times, and is at least 1.25 times, the thickness of each of the plurality of tiles. ### Claim 23 (depends on 1) The multi-purpose tile system according to claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of tiles comprises at least one base layer, wherein the base layer comprises at least one composite material of at least one polymeric material and at least one non-polymeric material. ### Claim 24 (depends on 23) The multi-purpose tile system according to claim 23, wherein the at least one non-polymeric material is selected from the group consisting of: talc, chalk, wood, calcium carbonate, and a mineral filler. ### Claim 25 A multi-purpose tile system, comprising a plurality of floor tiles, wherein a first tile of the plurality of tiles comprises: at least one first edge having a first coupling profile comprising: a sideward tongue extending in a direction substantially parallel to an 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, and a second downward recess formed between the downward tongue and the downward flank, 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 of the plurality of floor tiles and at least a part of the downward tongue 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 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, wherein the second 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 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 wherein at least a part of the proximal side of the upward locking element of the third coupling profile, facing the third recess, is upwardly inclined in a direction towards the upper lip, and wherein at least a part of the proximal side of the sideward tongue of the first coupling profile, facing the first downward recess, is downwardly inclined in a direction towards the first downward flank, wherein an upper surface of the upward locking element is angled relative to the upper lip and an upper surface of the first downward recess is angled relative to the upper lip, wherein the second coupling profile comprises at least one second locking element, and wherein the third coupling profile comprises at least one third locking element, wherein, in coupled condition of two tiles, the second locking element of the second tile is configured to co-act with the third locking element of the first tile to realise a vertical locking effect, wherein the at least one second locking element of the second coupling profile is provided at a distal side of the downward tongue facing away from the second downward recess, and wherein at least one third locking element of the third coupling profile is provided at a side of the upper lip, in coupled condition facing said distal side of the downward tongue of the second coupling profile of the first tile, and wherein the co-act between the second locking element and the third locking element for creating the vertical locking effect in coupled condition of the first tile and the second tile, defines a tangent T1 which encloses an angle A1 with a plane defined by the first tile, which angle A1 is smaller than an angle A2 enclosed by said plane defined by the first tile and a tangent T2 defined by a co-act between an inclined part of a proximal side of the upward locking element facing toward the third recess and an inclined part of a proximal side of the downward tongue facing toward the second downward flank, wherein the greatest difference between angle A1 and angle A2 is situated between 5 and 20 degrees, wherein the inclined part of the proximal side of the upward locking element is angled upwardly in a direction towards a distal side of the upward locking element positioned opposite the proximal side of the upward locking element. ### Claim 26 (depends on 25) The multi-purpose tile system according to claim 25, wherein, in coupled condition of two tiles, the at least partially inclined proximal side of the upward locking element of the third coupling profile of the first tile, and the at least partially inclined proximal side of the sideward tongue of the first coupling profile of a third tile realise the additional vertical locking effect preventing vertical movement of the second coupling profile of the second tile with respect to the third coupling profile of the first tile. ### Claim 27 (depends on 25) The multi-purpose tile system according to claim 25, wherein at least a part of the proximal side of the downward tongue of the second coupling profile, facing the second downward recess, is downwardly inclined in a direction towards the second downward flank. ### Claim 28 (depends on 27) The multi-purpose tile system according to claim 27, wherein, in coupled condition of two tiles, the at least partially inclined proximal side of the upward locking element of the third coupling profile of the first tile, and the at least a partially inclined proximal side of the downward tongue of the second coupling profile of the second tile realise a vertical locking effect preventing vertical movement of the second coupling profile of the second tile with respect to the third coupling profile of the first tile. ### Claim 29 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 an 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, 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 the vertical locking effect, and wherein at least a part of the proximal side of the upward locking element of the third coupling profile, facing the third recess, is upwardly inclined in a direction towards the upper lip, and (i) wherein at least a part of the proximal side of the sideward tongue of the first coupling profile, facing the first downward recess, is downwardly inclined in a direction towards the first downward flank and/or (ii) wherein at least a part of the proximal side of the downward tongue of the second coupling profile, facing the second downward recess, is downwardly inclined in a direction towards the second downward flank, wherein an upper surface of the upward locking element is angled relative to the upper lip and an upper surface of the first downward recess is angled relative to the upper lip, wherein the at least one second locking element of the second coupling profile is provided at a distal side of the downward tongue facing away from the second downward recess, and wherein at least one third locking element of the third coupling profile is provided at a side of the upper lip, in coupled condition facing said distal side of the downward tongue of the second coupling profile of the first tile, and wherein the co-act between the second locking element and the third locking element for creating the vertical locking effect in coupled condition of the first tile and the second tile, defines a tangent T1 which encloses an angle A1 with a plane defined by the first tile, which angle A1 is smaller than an angle A2 enclosed by said plane defined by the first tile and a tangent T2 defined by a co-act between an inclined part of a proximal side of the upward locking element facing toward the third recess and an inclined part of a proximal side of the downward tongue facing toward the second downward flank, wherein the greatest difference between angle A1 and angle A2 is situated between 5 and 20 degrees, wherein the inclined part of the proximal side of the upward locking element is angled upwardly in a direction towards a distal side of the upward locking element positioned opposite the proximal side of the upward locking element. ### Claim 30 (depends on 29) The first tile according to claim 29, 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.