Tiles With Bottom-Side Extensions and Method for Installation

• US 20080236085A1
• Filed: 03/29/2007
• Published: 10/02/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 03/29/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Stronggo LLC
• Original Assignee: Stronggo LLC
• Inventors: Becker, Georg R., Moore, Jeremiah A.
• Granted Patent: US 7,779,591 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 52/506.08
• CPC Class Codes: E01C 2201/04 consisting of natural stones and a binder
• CPC Class Codes: E01C 5/003 characterised by material or composition used for beds or joints; characterised by the way of laying
• CPC Class Codes: E04F 15/02 Flooring or floor layers composed of a number of similar elements of webs E04F15/16

Abstract

Apparatus and processes that include tiles having an extending member that is disposed within a concavity on the bottom side of the tile and that extends a distance therefrom. The extending member may additionally be coupled to an anchor member disposed within the concavity on the bottom side of the tile. The extending member is set within a substrate such that it is held fast, thereby improving the bonding of the tile to the substrate.

Claims

1. An apparatus, comprising:

a tile having a top side and a bottom side; and

an anchoring member embedded within a concavity in the bottom side of the tile.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said concavity does not perforate said top side of the tile.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said concavity extends no more than about three quarters of the thickness of said tile.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said tile further comprises a plurality of protuberances on said top side.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein said plurality of protuberances comprise an array of one or more structures selected from the group consisting of studs, domes, and truncated domes.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said anchoring member comprises a grasping member embedded within said concavity, said grasping member being adapted to couple with an extending member.

7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein said grasping member comprises a nut.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein said nut includes a flanged portion disposed thereon.

9. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein said extending member comprises a threaded rod.

10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein said threaded rod further includes a nut attached thereon.

11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said anchoring member is recessed relative to said bottom side of the tile.

12. A tile arrangement, comprising:

a tile having a top side and a bottom side, said tile including an extending member embedded within a concavity in the bottom side of the tile and extending a distance from said bottom side; and

a substrate that contacts said bottom side and holds fast said extending member.

13. The tile arrangement of claim 12, wherein said substrate comprises a cementitious or asphalt material.

14. The tile arrangement of claim 12, wherein said substrate comprises an adhesive material.

15. The tile arrangement of claim 12, wherein said concavity does not perforate said top side of the tile.

16. The tile arrangement of claim 12, wherein said tile further comprises a plurality of protuberances on said top side.

17. The tile arrangement of claim 16, wherein said plurality of protuberances comprise an array of one or more structures selected from the group consisting of studs, domes, and truncated domes.

18. The tile arrangement of claim 12, wherein said tile further comprises a grasping member embedded within said concavity, said extending member being coupled to said grasping member.

19. The tile arrangement of claim 18, wherein said grasping member comprises a nut.

20. The tile arrangement of claim 19, wherein said nut includes a flanged portion disposed thereon.

21. The tile arrangement of claim 18, wherein said extending member comprises a threaded rod.

22. A method for installing a tile, comprising the steps of:

(a) providing a tile having a top side and a bottom side, said tile including an extending member embedded within a concavity in the bottom side of the tile; and

(b) setting said tile in a substrate such that said substrate holds fast said extending member.

23. The method of claim 22, further including the step of applying an adhesive substrate on said bottom side prior to setting said tile.

24. A method for installing a tile, comprising the steps of:

(a) providing a tile having a top side and a bottom side, said tile including an anchoring member embedded within a concavity in the bottom side of the tile;

(b) coupling an extending member to said anchoring member; and

(c) setting said tile in a substrate such that said substrate holds fast said extending member.

25. The method of claim 24, further including the step of applying an adhesive substrate on said bottom side prior to setting said tile.