Efficiently installable and durable embedment tile for producing tactilely-detectable surfaces
First Claim
1. An embedment tile for producing a tactilely detectable surface in a moldable material, 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 projecting downward a distance from the lower surface of the tile member, each cross beam comprising a hollow chamber and a sidewall, the sidewall having two sides defining side edges and two ends defining a length of the cross beam there between, the sidewall being shaped so as to define the hollow chamber interior to and running the length of each cross beam and so as to define an opening at each end, the hollow chamber of each cross beam being in communication with an exterior via the openings;
whereby an embedment tile is provided with cross beams having hollow chambers that allow air and moldable material located under the tile member to move into the hollow chambers of the cross beams via the openings during embedment of the tile so as to ease and speed installation and to secure embedment of the tile into the moldable material.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Disclosed is an embedment tile for producing a tactilely detectable surface in a moldable material and method for using same. The tile comprises a tile member substantially planar in form, having a pattern of upwardly extending projections on its upper surface forming a tactilely detectable pattern and two or more cross beams on the lower surface of the tile member, the cross beams having hollow chambers defined by a sidewall, end openings and optional apertures to allow for the release of air and moldable material from the exterior into the hollow chambers of the cross beams as the tile is embedded in the material, thus easing and speeding installation of the tile in the moldable material. The embedment tile may further consist of support members that function to support and further interlock the embedment tile to the moldable material once set.
-
Citations
19 Claims
-
1. An embedment tile for producing a tactilely detectable surface in a moldable material, 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 projecting downward a distance from the lower surface of the tile member, each cross beam comprising a hollow chamber and a sidewall, the sidewall having two sides defining side edges and two ends defining a length of the cross beam there between, the sidewall being shaped so as to define the hollow chamber interior to and running the length of each cross beam and so as to define an opening at each end, the hollow chamber of each cross beam being in communication with an exterior via the openings;
whereby an embedment tile is provided with cross beams having hollow chambers that allow air and moldable material located under the tile member to move into the hollow chambers of the cross beams via the openings during embedment of the tile so as to ease and speed installation and to secure embedment of the tile into the moldable material. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
-
-
9. An embedment tile for producing a tactilely detectable surface in a moldable material, comprising:
-
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;
b) two or more cross beams projecting downward a distance from the lower surface of the tile member, each cross beam comprising a hollow chamber and a sidewall, the sidewall having two sides defining side edges and two ends defining a length of the cross beam there between, the sidewall being shaped so as to define the hollow chamber interior to and running the length of each cross beam and so as to define an opening at each end, the hollow chamber of each cross beam being in communication with an exterior via the openings; and
,c) air release means for enhancing communication between the hollow chamber of one or more of the cross beams and the exterior so as to further enable air and moldable material to move into the hollow chamber from the exterior via said air release means during installation of the tile;
whereby an embedment tile is provided with cross beams having hollow chambers that allow air and moldable material located under the tile member to move into the hollow chambers of the cross beams via the openings and air release means during embedment of the tile so as to ease and speed installation and to secure embedment of the tile into the moldable material. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
-
-
16. Method for producing a tactilely detectable surface in concrete, comprising:
-
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 projecting downward a distance from the lower surface of the tile member, each cross beam comprising a hollow chamber and a sidewall, the sidewall having two sides defining side edges and two ends defining a length of the cross beam there between, the sidewall being shaped so as to define the hollow chamber interior to and running the length of each cross beam and so as to define an opening at each end, the hollow chamber of each cross beam being in communication with an exterior via the openings; and
,iii) air release means for enhancing communication between the hollow chamber of one or more of the cross beams and the exterior so as to further enable air and moldable material to move into the hollow chamber from the exterior via said air release means during installation of the tile;
b) lowering the embedment tile into the moldable material; and
,c) positioning the upper surface of the tile member relative to a surface of the surrounding material as desired and so that the upper surface'"'"'s tactilely-detectable pattern of projections is exposed. - View Dependent Claims (17)
-
-
18. Method for producing a tactilely detectable surface in concrete, comprising:
-
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 projecting downward a distance from the lower surface of the tile member, each cross beam comprising a hollow chamber and a sidewall, the sidewall having two sides defining side edges and two ends defining a length of the cross beam there between, the sidewall being shaped so as to define the hollow chamber interior to and running the length of each cross beam and so as to define an opening at each end, the hollow chamber of each cross beam being in communication with an exterior via the openings; and
,iii) air release means for enhancing communication between the hollow chamber of one or more of the cross beams and the exterior so as to further enable air and moldable material to move into the hollow chamber from the exterior via said air release means during installation of the tile;
b) securing the embedment tile in place;
c) adjusting the embedment tile to meet slope or grade requirements; and
,d) pouring the moldable material onto the sub-base and under and around the embedment tile. - View Dependent Claims (19)
-
Specification