Modular tile with controlled deflection

A modular floor tile system comprising:

• a floor;
• a floor tile adapted for placement about said floor, said floor tile comprising:
• a top surface configured to receive and distribute a load, and to deflect under said load;
• side walls extending downward from said top surface and defining a periphery of said tile;
• a bottom side opposite said top surface;
• a plurality of load bearing primary post structures extending downward from and arranged about said bottom side, said primary post structures including at least one end portion configured to be in continuous contact with the floor, and to facilitate deflection of said top surface in response to said load;
• and
• a plurality of load bearing secondary post structures also extending downward from said bottom side and interspaced with said primary post structures, said secondary post structures having a different height than said primary post structures, and including at least one end portion configured to contact said floor and support said top surface only upon said deflection of said primary post structures,
• said secondary post structures limiting said deflection of said primary post structures and said top surface.

A modular floor tile system comprising:

• a floor;
• a floor tile comprising:
• a surface configuration;
• at least one load bearing primary post structure extending from said surface configuration and having an end portion in contact with said floor;
• and
• at least one load bearing secondary post structure extending from said surface configuration and having an end portion located above said floor, said secondary post structure configured to displace and contact said ground only upon a deflection of said primary post structures in response to an applied load about said surface configuration.

A method for manufacturing a tile configured to form a floor covering over a floor, said method comprising:

• providing a tile having a top surface, a bottom surface, and sides extending down from said top surface to form a periphery of said tile;
• arranging a plurality of load bearing primary post structures about said bottom side that are configured to deflect under a threshold load, said primary post structures including at least one end portion in contact with said floor;
• and
• interspacing a plurality of load bearing secondary post structures with said primary post structures, said secondary post structures including at least one end portion configured to contact said ground and support said top surface only upon deflection of said primary post structures.