US 7,753,100 B2 · Partition with variable-angle tiles

Abstract

A variable-angle tile partition comprises tiles of any shape, material, color, or degree of translucence. In one implementation, the tile partition is constructed with a first row of decorative tiles joined to a second row of tiles using a left or right-angled tile connector. In at least one implementation, the tile partition can further include a third row of tiles joined to the second row of tiles, typically using the other of the left or right-angled tile connector. A manufacturer can continually join each next row of decorative tiles with alternating left or right-handed tile connectors. The unique tying/joining together of tile rows using left or right-angled tile connectors at least partly allows the variable partition to partition constrained spaces in a uniform and variable manner, which can be used to diffuse light or sound, or otherwise provide various aesthetic and structural needs.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A decorative partition with variable-angle tiles for use in partitioning an interior or exterior space, and/or for decorating a window, wall, floor, or ceiling structure, comprising:

a plurality of tiles aligned in a plurality of different tile rows, wherein each tile in each tile row is connected by a plurality of rotatable tile connectors to one or more tiles in a vertically adjacent tile row of the plurality of tile rows;
wherein:
tiles in at least one tile row are configured to rotate in the same direction upon rotation of any particular tile in the partition;
tiles in the vertically adjacent tile row above or below the at least one tile row are configured to rotate in an opposing direction upon rotation of the tiles in the at least one tile row;
the rotatable tile connectors comprise an upper element and a lower element that are each fastened only to an upper tile or a lower tile, respectively;
the upper element comprises a slotted frame configured to insert into a perforated portion of the lower element;
and
the lower element hangs from the slotted frame of the upper element.

5 more elements

A decorative partition with variable-angle tiles for use in partitioning an interior or exterior space, and/or for decorating a window, wall, floor, or ceiling structure, comprising:

a row of decorative tiles of one or more shapes;
an adjacent row of decorative tiles of one or more shapes, the adjacent row of decorative tiles being connected to the row of decorative tiles with a set of rotatable tile connectors;
and
a next row of decorative tiles of one or more shapes, the next row of decorative tiles being connected to the adjacent row of decorative tiles with a set of rotatable tile connectors;
wherein each tile in the partition is connected either directly or indirectly to each other tile so that rotation of any tile in the partition causes a proportional rotation in at least some of the tiles in the partition in one direction, and the remainder of the tiles in the partition in an opposing direction;
wherein:
the rotatable tile connectors comprise an upper element and a lower element that are each fastened only to an upper tile or a lower tile, respectively;
the upper element comprises a slotted frame configured to insert into a perforated portion of the lower element;
and
the lower element hangs from the slotted frame of the upper element.

7 more elements

A method of providing a variable barrier or partition to an interior space with variable light or sound diffusion characteristics, comprising:

aligning a plurality of tiles in a tile row;
vertically connecting a plurality of tiles in a next row to the tile row with at least two tile connectors per tile on one of a facing or rearward side by securing an upper element having a slotted frame to each tile in the tile row, inserting the slotted frame of each upper element into a perforated portion of a lower element, and connecting each lower element to a tile of the next tile row such that each lower element hangs from a slotted frame of an upper element;
vertically connecting a plurality of tiles in a further row to the next row with at least two tile connectors per tile on the other of the facing or rearward sides;
and
aligning one of the plurality of tiles in any of the tile rows by an amount in a direction, wherein each of the other tiles automatically changes its direction in one of the same or an opposing direction proportional to the amount.

2 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Partition with variable-angle tiles

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Partition with variable-angle tiles

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20