Tiles for pedestrian platforms and walkways

• US 5,303,669 A
• Filed: 09/30/1992
• Issued: 04/19/1994
• Est. Priority Date: 12/18/1990
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Astra Capital Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Kenneth E.J. Szekely
• Inventors: Szekely, Kenneth E. J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Cuchlinski, Jr., William A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): WORTH, WILLIE M
• Application Number:
  US07/953,983
• Time in Patent Office: 566 Days
• Field of Search: 52/177, 52/181, 52/391, 116/205, 116/DIG. 17, 404/9, 404/15, 404/39, 404/42, 404/32, 404/33, 434/112
• US Class Current: 116/205
• CPC Class Codes: E01C 5/22 made of units composed of a mixture of materials covered by two or more of groups E01C5/008 , E01C5/02 - E01C5/20 except embedded reinforcing materials
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 21/003 using tactile presentation of the information, e.g. Braille displays
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 116/17 Tactile

Abstract

A marking tile is disclosed, for use in conjunction with pedestrian platforms and walkways. The preferred embodiment of the tile has a plurality of buttons or longitudinal strips projecting upwardly therefrom to provide a distinctively textured upper surface. The upward projections are of a lower height adjacent each exposed edge than elsewhere on the tile. An integral flange, vertical or angled away from the vertical, projects downwardly from each exposed edge. The edges of the tile which are exposed to pedestrian traffic may have a downwardly angled portion such that the height of the upper surface of the tile at the exposed edge is substantially at the height of the lower surface of the rest of the tile, so that the edge may be installed flush with the platform or walkway if the surface of the platform or walkway is bevelled beneath the angled portion. The button surfaces and the surface of the tile between the buttons are provided with a plurality of small upward projections to texture the surfaces.

Claims

1. A textured tile for installation on a platform or walkway surface, comprising a generally planar element with an upper surface and a lower surface, said upper surface having a plurality of upward projections therefrom to provide a distinctive texture relative to the surface of the platform or walkway, said tile having two opposite side edges intended for alignment with corresponding side edges of other tiles, and front and rear edges at least one of which faces oncoming pedestrian traffic, in which said upward projections adjacent each said traffic-facing edge are lower in height than said upward projections elsewhere on the tile, the tile thus presenting oncoming pedestrians with upward projections having a gradual height increase rather than a sudden height increase, thus decreasing the likelihood of tripping.

2. A textured tile as recited in claim 1, in which said upward projections comprise plural rows of spaced-apart buttons projecting upwardly from the tile, said rows being arranged parallel to each said traffic-facing edge and including, in sequence progressing inwardly away from each said traffic-facing edge, at least a first row adjacent said edge, a second row adjacent said first row, and a third row adjacent said second row, said buttons in the first row being lower in height than said buttons in the second row.

3. A textured tile as recited in claim 2, in which said buttons have generally horizontal upper surfaces, and in which both said upper surfaces of said buttons and the upper surface of said tile between said buttons are provided with a plurality of small upward projections to texture said surfaces.

4. A textured tile as recited in claim 2, in which said buttons are approximately in the range of one-half to two inches in diameter, in which the height of said buttons in said first row adjacent said traffic-facing edge is approximately 1/16 inch above the surface of the tile, the height of said buttons in said second row is approximately 1/8 inch above the surface of the tile, and the height of said buttons in the third row in from said traffic-facing edge is approximately 1/5 inch above the surface of the tile.

5. A textured tile as recited in claim 3, in which said buttons are approximately in the range of one-half to two inches in diameter, in which the height of said buttons in said first row adjacent said traffic-facing edge is approximately 1/16 inch above the surface of the tile, the height of said buttons in said second row is approximately 1/8 inch above the surface of the tile, and the height of said buttons in the third row in from said traffic-facing edge is approximately 1/5 inch above the surface of the tile.

6. A textured tile as recited in claim 1, said tile having an area adjacent each said traffic-facing edge angling slightly downwardly such that the upper surface of said tile at each said traffic-facing edge is substantially at the same height as the lower surface of said tile except beneath said downwardly-angled area, whereby each said traffic-facing edge may be installed flush with said platform or walkway if the surface of said platform or walkway is bevelled beneath each said downwardly-angled area.

7. A textured tile as recited in claim 2, said tile having an area adjacent each said traffic-facing edge angling slightly downwardly such that the upper surface of said tile at each said traffic-facing edge is substantially at the same height as the lower surface of said tile except beneath said downwardly-angled area, whereby each said traffic-facing edge may be installed flush with said platform or walkway if the surface of said platform or walkway is bevelled beneath each said downwardly-angled area.

8. A textured tile as recited in claim 3, said tile having an area adjacent each said traffic-facing edge angling slightly downwardly such that the upper surface of said tile at each said traffic-facing edge is substantially at the same height as the lower surface of said tile except beneath said downwardly-angled area, whereby each said traffic-facing edge may be installed flush with said platform or walkway if the surface of said platform or walkway is bevelled beneath each said downwardly-angled area.

9. A textured tile as recited in claim 4, said tile having an area adjacent each said traffic-facing edge angling slightly downwardly such that the upper surface of said tile at each said traffic-facing edge is substantially at the same height as the lower surface of said tile except beneath said downwardly-angled area, whereby each said traffic-facing edge may be installed flush with said platform or walkway if the surface of said platform or walkway is bevelled beneath each said downwardly-angled area.

10. A textured tile as recited in claim 5, said tile having an area adjacent each said traffic-facing edge angling slightly downwardly such that the upper surface of said tile at each said traffic-facing edge is substantially at the same height as the lower surface of said tile except beneath said downwardly-angled area, whereby each said traffic-facing edge may be installed flush with said platform or walkway if the surface of said platform or walkway is bevelled beneath each said downwardly-angled area.

11. A textured tile as recited in claim 1, further comprising an integral flange projecting downwardly from each said traffic-facing edge, adapted to be positioned in a groove of corresponding dimension to be cut into said platform or walkway.

12. A textured tile as recited in claim 1, where said opposite side edges are configured such that adjacent tiles may be joined by a shiplap joint, said tile therefore having a projection adjacent said lower surface extending away from one said side edge, and a recess of similar dimensions to said projection defined in said lower surface adjacent said other side edge.

13. A textured tile as recited in claim 1, further comprising mechanical fastening means passing through said tile for securing said tile to said platform or walkway.