Tile systems
AssigneeVersoflor Ltd
InventorDarren Parsons
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A tile, which may be a component of a modular flooring system, includes a plurality of cells on its underside, adjacent cells being interconnected to form two sets of channels parallel to the upper surface and open to the underside of the tile. The tile may have recesses in its upper surface, into which inserts can be pressed to form a decorative pattern. The channels may be used as ducting for cables under the floor surface. The cables can be held in place by clips that bridge between a pair of the cells. The cables may include a lighting cable, which can be arranged to transmit light to the upper surface of the tile through inserts that are translucent.
Claims20
A tile system comprising at least one tile having an upper surface, an underside and a plurality of side edges, wherein:
- the underside of the tile comprises a plurality of cells, adjacent cells being interconnected to form a plurality of channels parallel to the upper surface, wherein the channels open away from the upper surface and at least some of the channels end in openings at the side edges of the tile;
- the channels comprise a first set of channels that extend between one pair of opposite side edges and a second set of channels that extend between a second pair of opposite side edges;
- at least one of the side edges comprises one or more projections suitable for securing the tile to an adjacent, similar tile;
- and
- each projection comprises a flexure that extends from the side edge of the tile and terminates in a boss, the flexure extending into an opening at a side edge of the adjacent tile, and the boss fitting into a cell on the underside of the adjacent tile.
A tile system comprising:
- a tile having an upper surface, an underside and a plurality of side edges;
- and
- a plurality of inserts;
- wherein:
- the upper surface contains a plurality of recesses for receiving the inserts;
- the recesses and the inserts comprise co-operating parts, by which the inserts are retained in the recesses;
- and
- the underside of the tile comprises a plurality of channels parallel to the upper surface, ends of the channels opening at side edges of the tile;
- characterized in that:
- the plurality of channels comprise a first set of channels that extend between one pair of opposite side edges of the tile and a second set of channels that extend between a second pair of opposite side edges of the tile.
A method of assembling a tile system that comprises at least one tile having an upper surface, an underside and a plurality of side edges, wherein:
- the underside of the tile comprises a plurality of cells, adjacent cells being interconnected to form a plurality of channels parallel to the upper surface;
- the channels open away from the upper surface of the tile and at least some of the channels end in openings at the side edges of the tile;
- a first set of the channels extends between one pair of opposite side edges;
- a second set of channels extends between a second pair of opposite side edges;
- and
- at least one of the side edges comprises a projection comprising a flexure that extends from the side edge of the tile and terminates in a boss;
- the method comprising:
- arranging a cable in one or more of the channels;
- and
- laying the tile on a substrate next to an adjacent, similar tile such that the flexure extends into an opening at a side edge of the adjacent tile, and the boss fits into a cell on the underside of the adjacent tile to secure the tile to the adjacent tile.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.