Pedestal and Support Structure for Tile

A tile securing system comprising:

• a structural component, the structural component formed with an anchor extending downward through an upper surface of the structural component;
• a retaining element engaged with a fastener;
• wherein the fastener includes a first end configured to engage the anchor and a second end configured to engage the retaining element such that a portion of the fastener is positioned within an aperture formed in the retaining element and wherein the fastener is rotatable with respect to the retaining element about the aperture;
• wherein the retaining element is configured to simultaneously engage a first groove formed in a first edge of a first tile and a second groove formed in a second edge of a second tile, wherein the first tile and second tile are positioned adjacent to one another such that the first edge of the first tile faces the second edge of the second tile;
• wherein the second end of the fastener is accessible via a clearance between the first tile and the second tile;
• wherein engaging the first end of the fastener with the anchor secures the relative positions of the structural component, retaining element, first tile, and second tile with respect to one another in at least a dimension parallel to a longitudinal axis of the fastener.

A tile securing system comprising:

• a pedestal having a pedestal upper surface and a pedestal base configured to engage an underlying structure;
• a retaining element having a generally T-shaped cross-sectional shape with a first rail and a second rail extending laterally from a first distal end of a spine;
• a fastener engaged with the retaining element, wherein the fastener includes a first end configured to engage the pedestal upper surface and a second end second end configured to engage the retaining element such that a portion of the fastener is positioned within an aperture formed in the retaining element, and such that the fastener is rotatable with respect to the retaining element about the aperture;
• wherein the first rail of the retaining element is configured to engage a first groove formed in a first edge of a first tile
• wherein the second rail of the retaining element is configured to engage a second groove formed in a second edge of a second tile;
• wherein the first tile and second tile are positioned adjacent to one another such that the first edge of the first tile faces the second edge of the second tile, and the spine of the retaining element is positioned between the first tile and the second tile;
• wherein the second end of the fastener is accessible via a clearance between the first tile and the second tile;
• wherein engaging the first end of the fastener with the pedestal upper surface secures the relative positions of the pedestal, retaining element, first tile, and second tile with respect to one another in at least a dimension parallel to a longitudinal axis of the fastener.

A method for securing a tile, the method comprising:

• positioning a first tile with respect to a support structure;
• wherein the first tile is formed with a first groove on a first edge of the first tile;
• positioning a second tile with respect to the first tile and the support structure;
• wherein the second tile is formed with a second groove on a second edge of the second tile;
• wherein a portion of the first tile and a portion of the second tile rest on and are supported by the support structure;
• positioning a retaining element between the first edge of the first tile and the second edge of the second tile;
• wherein the first edge of the first tile faces the second edge of the second tile and there is a clearance therebetween;
• wherein a first portion of the retaining element is positioned in the first groove formed in the first tile and a second portion of the retaining element is positioned in the second groove of the second tile;
• wherein the retaining element is moveable with respect to the first groove and the second groove along their lengths;
• engaging a fastener with the support structure;
• wherein the fastener is rotatable with respect to the retaining element about an aperture formed in the retaining element;
• wherein a first end of the fastener is engageable with the retainer, a second end of the fastener is engageable with the support structure, and a portion of the fastener therebetween is positioned in an aperture of the retaining element;
• wherein the second end of the fastener is accessible through the clearance between the first tile and the second tile, and wherein rotating the second end of the fastener causes the first end of the fastener to selectively engage the support structure.