Surface covering system and methods of installing same

Abstract

A surface covering system is described which involves a series of interconnected tiles having a spline system located between the tiles to simulate the appearance of grout. Each tile has on its sides, at least one tongue section and at least two groove sections wherein the tongue section of one tile interconnects with the groove section of a second tile and further forms a gap at least at the upper surface between the two tiles. A first spline, having two tongue sections for interconnecting with the groove section(s) of at least one tile, is inserted between a series of tiles. A second spline capable of fitting into the gap formed between two or more tiles, which are interconnected at a tongue of a first tile and a groove of a second tile is further used. Methods of installing the surface covering system of the invention are further described.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.