Hard Surface Connection System, Method and Product
AssigneeTac-Fast Systems SA
InventorsJoseph Rocco Pacione, Franz RITTMANNSBERGER
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A tile system for covering a surface. The tile system comprises first and second tile assemblies, each tile assembly having a connector comprising a first attachment feature and a second attachment feature. The first attachment component is configured to engage with a corresponding second attachment component of an adjacent connector. The connectors include or are configured to receive at least one magnetic component and preferably to maintain a gap between complementary magnetic elements when the first and second tile assemblies are connected. Also provided is a tool for removing a tile assembly from the tile system.
Claims24
A tile system for installation on a free floating basis to form a surface covering on a substrate without bonding the tile assembly to the substrate, the tile system comprising:
- a first tile assembly configured for connection to a second tile assembly, each of the first and second tile assemblies comprising:
- a first attachment component connected thereto and extending along a side surface of a first tile of the first tile assembly, the first attachment component including at least one polymeric surface contacting the side surface of the first tile assembly, the side surface of the first tile having one or more magnetic elements connected thereto;
- and
- a second attachment component connected thereto and extending along a side surface of a second tile of the second tile assembly, the second attachment including at least one polymeric surface contacting the side surface of the first tile assembly, and the side surface of the second tile having one or more other magnetic elements, complementary to the one or more magnetic elements of the first tile assembly, connected thereto and positioned such that there is a magnetic force of attraction between the complementary magnetic elements.
A frame for receiving a polymeric attachment feature, the frame and polymeric attachment feature having a similar shape, the frame comprising:
- four sides, each of the sides including a compressible joint permitting a reduction in length of each side of the frame in response to an applied force, so as to facilitate placement of the polymeric attachment feature therearound when the compressible joint is at least partially compressed, the frame having a maximum width and length larger than a width and length of the polymeric attachment feature.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.