Efficiently installable and durable embedment tile for producing tactilely-detectable surfaces
First Claim
1. An embedment tile for producing a tactilely detectable surface in concrete or asphalt, comprising:
- a. a tile member substantially planar in form, having an upper surface and a lower surface and two or more sides defining side edges, the upper surface having a plurality of projections extending upward there from in a tactilely detectable pattern; and
, b. two or more cross beams attached to the lower surface of the tile member and projecting downward a distance there from, the distance defining a depth of the cross beams, each cross beam comprising a sidewall having two opposing ends which define a length there between, the sidewall being shaped so as to define a hollow channel extending the length and an opening at each end, the channel being in communication with an exterior via the openings;
whereby air and the concrete or asphalt are displaced around and into the openings of the cross beams and toward the lower surface and two or more sides of the tile member as the embedment tile is embedded therein, leaving exposed the tactilely-detectable pattern of projections on the upper surface.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Disclosed is an embedment tile for producing a tactilely detectable surface in concrete or asphalt, comprising a tile member substantially planar in form, having a pattern of upwardly extending projections on its upper surface forming a tactilely detectable pattern (e.g., warning, way-finder, decorative or other), and, two or more cross beams on the lower surface of the tile member, with hollow channels and end openings, and optionally also with several apertures enabling flow of air and concrete or asphalt in and around the cross beams to facilitate rapid installation. The embedment tile may further consist of support members which project down further than the cross beams and function for support and to interlock the embedment tile to the concrete or asphalt once they set and harden. Methods for installing the tile are also disclosed.
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Citations
21 Claims
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1. An embedment tile for producing a tactilely detectable surface in concrete or asphalt, comprising:
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a. a tile member substantially planar in form, having an upper surface and a lower surface and two or more sides defining side edges, the upper surface having a plurality of projections extending upward there from in a tactilely detectable pattern; and
,b. two or more cross beams attached to the lower surface of the tile member and projecting downward a distance there from, the distance defining a depth of the cross beams, each cross beam comprising a sidewall having two opposing ends which define a length there between, the sidewall being shaped so as to define a hollow channel extending the length and an opening at each end, the channel being in communication with an exterior via the openings;
whereby air and the concrete or asphalt are displaced around and into the openings of the cross beams and toward the lower surface and two or more sides of the tile member as the embedment tile is embedded therein, leaving exposed the tactilely-detectable pattern of projections on the upper surface. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. An embedment tile for producing a tactilely detectable surface in concrete or asphalt, comprising:
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a. a tile member substantially planar in form, having an upper surface and a lower surface and two or more sides defining side edges, the upper surface having a plurality of projections extending upward there from in a tactilely detectable pattern; and
,b. two or more cross beams attached to the lower surface of the tile member and projecting downward a distance there from, the distance defining a depth of the cross beams, each cross beam comprising a sidewall having two opposing ends which define a length there between, the sidewall being shaped so as to define a hollow channel extending the length and an opening at each end, the sidewall further comprising two or more apertures therein, the channel being in communication with an exterior along the length via the two or more apertures and at each end via the openings;
whereby air and the concrete or asphalt are displaced around and into the apertures and openings of the cross beams and toward the lower surface and two or more sides of the tile member as the embedment tile is embedded therein, leaving exposed the tactilely-detectable pattern of projections on the upper surface. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. Method for producing a tactilely detectable surface in concrete, comprising:
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a. providing an embedment tile comprising;
i. a tile member substantially planar in form, having an upper surface and a lower surface and two or more sides defining side edges, the upper surface having a plurality of projections extending upward there from in a tactilely detectable pattern; and
,ii. two or more cross beams attached to the lower surface of the tile member and projecting downward a distance there from, the distance defining a depth of the cross beams, each cross beam comprising a sidewall having two opposing ends which define a length there between, the sidewall being shaped so as to define a hollow channel extending the length and an opening at each end, the channel being in communication with an exterior at each end via the openings;
b. lowering the embedment tile into the concrete; and
,c. positioning the upper surface of the tile member relative to a surface of the surrounding concrete as desired and so that the upper surface'"'"'s tactilely-detectable pattern of projections is exposed. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. Method for producing a tactilely detectable surface in concrete, comprising:
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a. providing an embedment tile comprising;
i. a tile member substantially planar in form, having an upper surface and a lower surface and two or more sides defining side edges, the upper surface having a plurality of projections extending upward there from in a tactilely detectable pattern;
ii. two or more cross beams attached to the lower surface of the tile member and projecting downward a distance there from, the distance defining a depth of the cross beams, each cross beam comprising a sidewall having two opposing ends which define a length there between, the sidewall being shaped so as to define a hollow channel extending the length and an opening at each end, the channel being in communication with an exterior at each end via the openings; and
,b. securing the embedment tile in place;
c. adjusting the embedment tile to meet slope or grade requirements; and
,d. pouring the concrete onto the sub-base and under and around the embedment tile. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21)
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Specification