Tiles Embedded In Settable Material Patents (Class 52/389)
  • Patent number: 9027308
    Abstract: A tile alignment and leveling device for aligning and leveling tiles as they are being secured to a substrate. The device includes a flexible member, a bottom plate, and an intermediate member. The intermediate member spaces the flexible member and bottom plate a predetermined vertical distance. The flexible member has a first end and a second end. The first end is pivotally combined with the intermediate member thereby allowing the flexible member to pivot between a first position and a second (downward) position. In use and in its second position, the flexible member second end exerts force against the top of the tiles to help align and level the tiles as they are secured to the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: Davinci Italia/USA Group
    Inventors: Edward A. Kufner, Ralph Burgin
  • Patent number: 8991133
    Abstract: Concrete lumber replacement can be made to exact measurements and cuts. Once placed in the structure, it would make the structure more durable under severe weather conditions. It also deters insects that can destroy the structure over time. Concrete is a fire retardant. If a fire happens, the foundation and frame will still be intact. To date, concrete has never been used in framing. In return, it will conserve trees and lower the overall cost to build the structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Inventors: Linda J. Franklin, E. Christopher Brooks
  • Patent number: 8984830
    Abstract: The invention relates to a heat insulation element for insulating building facades, in particular for heat insulation composite systems, composed of a heat insulating board and a reinforcement mesh that can be penetrated by fastening elements, in particular plugs, wherein the reinforcement mesh is placed in the area of a large surface of the heat insulating board. It is the object of the invention to avoid the disadvantages of the state of the art and in particular to provide a heat insulation element which even in case of high tightening torques of the fastening elements does not excessively tends to be deformed into the direction of the building facade. This aim is achieved by a heat insulation element according to the invention, in which the reinforcement mesh is arranged as a component of an abutment at a distance to the surface of the heat insulating board and in which the reinforcement mesh comprises a surface area which is smaller than the area of the surface of the heat insulating board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignees: Rockwool International A/S, Deutsche Rockwool Mineralwoll GmbH & Co. OHG
    Inventor: Rolf Wieleba
  • Publication number: 20150040501
    Abstract: A system for mounting tile relative to a flat surface may include a plurality of tiles and support structure to be mounted to the flat surface. The support structure may have a plurality of support surfaces on which the tiles are mounted such that the tiles are at different angles and/or heights relative to the flat surface. The support surfaces may be arranged in a wide variety of patterns, and may have shapes that correspond to those of the tiles. The tiles and support surfaces may have a wide variety of shapes. The support structure may be a single piece on which all of the support surfaces are formed, or may be created through the assembly of multiple support blocks, each of which has one or more of the support surfaces thereon.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2013
    Publication date: February 12, 2015
    Applicant: Dimensional Tile Backer, LLC
    Inventor: Rodney James Katwyk
  • Patent number: 8935896
    Abstract: Support panels for masonry objects and associated methods of use are disclosed herein. A support panel for masonry objects may include an inner surface, an outer surface, at least one stiffening channel formed longitudinally along the support panel, and a plurality of substantially C-shaped tabs extending from the outer surface, the tabs being disposed in spaced apart relation to one another to form a grid, wherein the tabs are configured to contactingly support at least a portion of a masonry object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2015
    Assignee: Glen-Gery Corporation
    Inventors: John Tancredi, John Cotton
  • Patent number: 8887462
    Abstract: A pre-fabricated tile system includes modular backing boards comprising a plurality of tile backing board units including male/female edges for mating with an adjacent unit and a protruding bump serving as a grout spacer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Inventor: Ali Tatari
  • Patent number: 8857109
    Abstract: A tile-ready base includes a triangular top wall disposed in a horizontal plane when the base is secured to a corner. A first side wall depends from a first edge of the top wall and abuts a first vertical wall of a building. A second side wall depends from a second edge of the top wall and abuts a second vertical wall of the building. A front wall depends from a front edge of the triangular top wall and interconnects respective forward ends of the first and second side walls. Structural support ribs underlie the top wall and enhance the structural integrity of the base. Concavities are formed in the top wall in close proximity to the first and second side walls. Each concavity receives a screw and facilitates attachment of the base to the corner. The base is installed and tiled with no delay between installation and tiling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Inventor: Mark E. Kirby
  • Patent number: 8820031
    Abstract: A tile alignment and leveling device for aligning and leveling tiles as they are being secured to a substrate. The device includes a flexible member, a bottom plate, and an intermediate member. The intermediate member spaces the flexible member and bottom plate a predetermined vertical distance. The flexible member has a first end and a second end. The first end is pivotally combined with the intermediate member thereby allowing the flexible member to pivot between a first position and a second (downward) position. In use and in its second position, the flexible member second end exerts force against the top of the tiles to help align and level the tiles as they are secured to the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: Davinci Italia/USA Group, LLC
    Inventors: Edward A. Kufner, Ralph Burgin
  • Patent number: 8720143
    Abstract: In an embodiment, a tile spacer for providing spacing between adjacent tiles during installation on an installation surface includes a body portion defining a substantially planar surface, a flange portion extending outward from the body portion along the planar surface and at least one arm member extending from the flange portion substantially perpendicular to the planar surface and configured for insertion between adjacent tiles
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Inventor: Photios Noutsis
  • Patent number: 8635815
    Abstract: A leveling spacer for laying wall tiles, paving tiles and the like with the interposition of gaps, which comprises a base with spacing protrusions for the abutment of the edges of corresponding tiles so as to define the width of the gaps, a threaded stem, which is fixed at right angles to the base in at least one easily breakable point, a knob for clamping and removing the threaded stem, which comprises a female threaded portion adapted to be screwed to the threaded stem.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2014
    Assignee: Progress Profiles SpA
    Inventor: Lino Bordin
  • Patent number: 8539736
    Abstract: A do-it-yourself kit assembly and installation method for mounting a tile assembly to a predetermined support surface, such as a kitchen backsplash. The kit assembly includes the tile assembly comprised of one or more tile sheets as well as all of the installation materials and installation tools required to accomplish the do-it-yourself installation in a timely manner. Each tile sheet includes a plurality of fixed tile pieces, which may comprise glass mosaic tiles, and a self-adherent adhesive layer, which facilitates the mounting of the tile sheets to virtually any kind of surface. A ready-to-use grout supply makes it easy to apply the optimal quantity of grout onto the mounted tile sheet(s), wherein the installation materials and tools are cooperatively provided to facilitate the installation method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2013
    Inventor: Albert M. Claramonte
  • Patent number: 8464484
    Abstract: A do-it-yourself kit assembly and installation method for mounting a tile assembly to a predetermined support surface, such as a kitchen backsplash. The kit assembly includes the tile assembly comprised of one or more tile sheets as well as all of the installation materials and installation tools required to accomplish the do-it-yourself installation in a timely manner. Each tile sheet includes a plurality of fixed tile pieces, which may comprise glass mosaic tiles, and a self-adherent adhesive layer, which facilitates the mounting of the tile sheets to virtually any kind of surface. A ready-to-use grout supply makes it easy to apply the optimal quantity of grout onto the mounted tile sheet(s), wherein the installation materials and tools are cooperatively provided to facilitate the installation method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Inventor: Albert M. Claramonte
  • Patent number: 8424442
    Abstract: An armor component includes a plurality of tiles disposed on a rigid support. At least one spacer is disposed between the adjacent edges of the tiles to establish a minimum gap between the adjacent edges. The gap is filled with a gap filling material, which optionally includes a reinforcement additive. The spacers can be in the form of a spacer tray having a plurality of spacer segments and a plurality of tile cut-outs, with the tile cut-outs separated from adjacent tile cut-outs by a spacer segment, and tiles disposed one to each tile cut-out in the spacer tray. The armor component is in some embodiments placed between two fabric layers and fed into a pultruder, where it is impregnated with resin and heated to cure the resin to form a laminate armor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Assignee: Raytheon Company
    Inventors: Nathaniel J. Ward, Lucine Kabakian Reinbold, Ernest C. Faccini, Alf L. Carroll, III
  • Patent number: 8316616
    Abstract: A method for forming a brick façade positioning assembly includes positioning a plurality of bricks in a specified wall pattern. A film is placed over the bricks, and the film is molded over the bricks to form a custom brick film tray. The custom brick film tray includes brick shaped tray recesses in the specified wall pattern. The plurality of bricks are positioned within the brick shaped tray recesses. Optionally, a liquid setting material is poured on the custom brick film tray and the plurality of bricks to form a brick façade wall. The brick façade wall includes the bricks in the specified wall pattern provided by the custom brick film tray.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignee: VAST Enterprises, LLC
    Inventors: Steven George Smith, Troy Achterkirch, Steven John Thorkelson
  • Patent number: 8256178
    Abstract: A flexible brick plate including a plurality of flexible interwoven rods forming a mesh, and a plurality of bricks provided with fastening shapes coupled to at least some of the rods in order to retain the bricks in the mesh. Optionally, the plate is designed to be placed with one side thereof against a formwork and to receive a binding agent from and on the other side thereof. The manufacturing method includes crossing and interweaving warp rods and weft rods to form a mesh, arranging at the same time rows of bricks in the mesh between the weft rods, and coupling fastening shapes formed in the bricks with at least some of the warp or weft rods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: Flexbrick, S.L.
    Inventor: Vicente Sarrablo Moreno
  • Patent number: 8176694
    Abstract: A floor support structure is disclosed. According to an example of the disclosure, the support structure may include a surface, protrusions extending from the surface to form cavities between the protrusions, and openings adjacent to the protrusions to form pathways to the cavities. The support structure provides the openings and cavities to lay a cable in any desired configuration, in addition to the structure's established function to prevent a main floor from fracture or failure when an underlying subfloor shifts or settles. As such, the need for separate heating and support structures is eliminated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2012
    Inventor: Imre Batori
  • Patent number: 8166726
    Abstract: The process of tiling a floor is disclosed in which the leveling of the tile members being attached to a floor or counter top includes selecting and attaching a plurality of tile height spacers to each piece of tile. Each tile height spacer has a plurality of feet extending from one side thereof and an adhesive coating on the other side having a protective cover thereover. The adhesive cover is removed from the tile so that the tile height spacer can be attached to the bottom of a tile member for pressing the tile member and tile height spacers attached thereto into the tile bonding agent applied to the floor for leveling the tile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2012
    Inventor: Tuan N. Dang
  • Patent number: 8122683
    Abstract: A support panel for thin brick, comprising a metal sheet, an array of groove retaining tabs having first tab edges, said first tab edges protruding from said sheet having at an upward angle of less than about 45 degrees, for a distance of less than about one quarter inch, and an array of mortar lock tabs having second tab edges, said second tab edges protruding from said sheet at a downward angle of greater than about 45 degrees, said array of mortar lock tabs being offset vertically from said array of groove retaining tabs, wherein, said array of groove retaining tabs are adapted to engage shallow dovetail grooves formed in the rear of thin bricks, and said mortar lock tabs are adapted, when embedded within a cured mortar matrix, to exert, in response to a tensile force away from said metal sheet, a force along a vertical axis, on the brick, in an opposite direction to a force applied to the brick along a vertical axis by said groove retaining tab, to thereby retain the brick against the panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2012
    Inventor: Chester Schwalenberg
  • Publication number: 20110277409
    Abstract: A plank has a simulated brick front surface formed on a board. The board has a horizontal first lap cut into a first edge of the board defined by a first shoulder and a first cheek. The first shoulder has a first shoulder distance and the first cheek has a first cheek distance. The board has a horizontal second lap cut into the second edge of the board that is defined by a second shoulder and a second cheek. The second shoulder has a second shoulder distance and the second cheek has a second cheek distance. The second shoulder distance is substantially equal to the first shoulder distance subtracted from the thickness of the board. The second cheek distance is substantially equal to a width of a brick mortar joint subtracted from the first cheek distance. A plurality of evenly spaced vertical transverse grooves is cut into the front side.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2010
    Publication date: November 17, 2011
    Inventor: David J. Atkinson
  • Patent number: 8042309
    Abstract: A cast veneer wall panel includes a backing panel having a rear face and a front face. The front face includes a boundary wall and a continuous abutment extending around a perimeter of a casting field. The cast veneer wall panel further includes a facing panel formed from a cast material that is received and held within the casting field. The facing panel includes at least one design element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2011
    Assignee: Boral Stone Products LLC
    Inventors: David H. Wolf, Harold C Attebery, II, Jeffrey E. Klotz, James J. Dottavio, David C Hines, Joy M. Stickel, Joshua Broehl, Jamison Float
  • Publication number: 20110041439
    Abstract: There is disclosed apparatus for use in forming a decorative feature on a structure, and a method of forming a decorative feature on a structure. In an embodiment of the invention, apparatus (10) for use in forming a decorative feature on a structure such as a building is disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2007
    Publication date: February 24, 2011
    Inventor: David Michael Reid
  • Patent number: 7891149
    Abstract: Fiber-reinforced pultruded planks serve as underlayment for tile, stone or terrazzo. In one embodiment, the planks have a thin base surface with a plurality of elongated ridges. The planks have interlocking tongue and groove edges. The elongated ridges have a narrow base and a wider distal portion wherein the areas between adjacent ridges have a trapezoidal cross sectional configuration with the thin base resting on the support. Tile can be adhered to the surface using a rigid cementitious adhesive which fills in the trapezoidal area, creating a very rigid support structure. If the planks are reversed with the ridges resting on the support, tile or stone can be adhered to the relatively smooth thin base with an epoxy adhesive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2011
    Assignee: Tilediy, LLC
    Inventors: Brian H. Turner, Vernon Kallenborn
  • Publication number: 20100325993
    Abstract: A prefabricated composite wall panel has a desired exterior finish defined by thin finish elements of brick, stone or any other suitable material and is adapted for mounting to the wall structure of a building framework by screws or other suitable fasteners. During panel manufacture thin wall finish elements are positioned at predetermined sites within the mold and aligned by alignment members in a pattern defining grout spaces. A grout placement screed having multiple holes arranged in a desired mortar pattern is positioned on the thin finish elements and pulverulent grout is deposited through the holes of the screed and into spaces between the finish elements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2009
    Publication date: December 30, 2010
    Inventor: Joel W. Bolin
  • Patent number: 7845122
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2010
    Assignee: MetaDome, LLC
    Inventor: Duane Frederick Sippola
  • Patent number: 7779591
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2010
    Assignee: StrongGo LLC
    Inventors: Georg R. Becker, Jeremiah A. Moore
  • Patent number: 7743569
    Abstract: A support panel for thin brick, comprising a metal sheet, an array of groove retaining tabs having first tab edges, said first tab edges protruding from said sheet having at an upward angle of less than about 45 degrees, for a distance of less than about one quarter inch, and an array of mortar lock tabs having second tab edges, said second tab edges protruding from said sheet at a downward angle of greater than about 45 degrees, said array of mortar lock tabs being offset vertically from said array of groove retaining tabs, wherein, said array of groove retaining tabs are adapted to engage shallow dovetail grooves formed in the rear of thin bricks, and said mortar lock tabs are adapted, when embedded within a cured mortar matrix, to exert, in response to a tensile force away from said metal sheet, a force along a vertical axis, on the brick, in an opposite direction to a force applied to the brick along a vertical axis by said groove retaining tab, to thereby retain the brick against the panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2010
    Inventor: Chester Schwalenberg
  • Patent number: 7743568
    Abstract: A tile system includes a tile and at least one removable tile insert. One of the tile and the at least one tile insert has securing means for removably retaining the at least one insert within or to the tile. The tile is configured to be installed on a surface through conventional means. The insert may incorporate both decorative and/or functional features and may be removed, replaced and/or reused to change the appearance of a single tile, multiple tiles, mural, liner or decorative scheme.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2010
    Inventor: Montgomery Mars
  • Patent number: 7735278
    Abstract: Apparatus and processes that include a detectable warning tile having a top side with a plurality of protuberances forming a pattern or array and a second tile member disposed perpendicular to an edge of the detectable warning tile. The bottom side of both the detectable warning tile and the second tile member have at least one anchoring member embedded within a concavity in the bottom side, making the tile and tile member especially durable on platform edges.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2010
    Assignee: StrongGo LLC
    Inventors: Georg R. Becker, Jeremiah A. Moore
  • Patent number: 7730687
    Abstract: The invention relates to a multi-layer decoupling system, in particular for the laying of ceramic paving according to a thin-bed method. Said system comprises a layered construction containing, from the base upwards, an anchoring fleece made of non-woven material, an anchorage layer that is configured from a lattice-type structural element and that is used to hold a filler material, which is to be incorporated into the upper face of the decoupling system and which is plastic during processing and subsequently cures, in addition to a reinforcement layer, which is fixed, at least in some sections, to the anchorage layer. This improves the load-bearing capacity of the decoupling system and the bonding properties of ceramic paving that is laid in a conventional manner on the decoupling system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2010
    Assignee: Blanke GmbH & Co., KG
    Inventors: Sandro Gerd Thronicke, Peter Wilhelm Blanke
  • Publication number: 20100107534
    Abstract: A modular layout form has a substantially planar rear for attachment to a support structure, and a substantially planar front having a two-dimensional array of receptacles for holding objects to be embedded in a settable material (e.g., concrete) in a predetermined pattern with staggered courses. The form has substantially straight lateral edges, which results in a pattern of incomplete receptacles along the lateral edges. Object-retention members (e.g., clips, tabs or elastomeric rims) extend into the receptacles for securing objects in the receptacles. Adjacent forms can be combined by abutting their lateral edges with their incomplete receptacles aligned to create completed receptacles. Objects are then inserted into the completed receptacles to engage the object-retention members and hold the adjacent forms together.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2008
    Publication date: May 6, 2010
    Applicant: SCOTT SYSTEM, INC.
    Inventor: Samuel C. Scott
  • Patent number: 7698862
    Abstract: The invention relates to a multi-layer decoupling and sealing system (1), in particular for the laying of ceramic paving (10) according to a thin-bed method (12). Said system comprises a layered construction containing, from the base upwards, a liquid-impermeable sealing layer (4), an anchorage layer (2, 3) that is configured from a lattice-type structural element and that is used to hold a filler material (12), which is to be incorporated into the upper face of the decoupling and sealing system (1) and which is plastic during processing and subsequently cures, in addition to a reinforcement layer (5), which is fixed, at least in some sections, to the anchorage layer (2, 3). This improves the load-bearing capacity of the decoupling and sealing system (1) and the bonding properties of ceramic paving (10) that is laid in a conventional manner on the decoupling and sealing system (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignee: Blanke GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Sandro Gerd Thronicke, Peter Wilhelm Blanke
  • Patent number: 7673420
    Abstract: A corner bench for a shower is constructed by placing a beam diagonally between adjacent walls of the shower. The ends of the beam are supported on the upwardly facing edges of tile pieces which are attached to the shower walls. The tile pieces are placed on the walls such that their upper edges are horizontal and are coplanar with the top of the beam. A triangular platform is then placed on top of the beam and the upper edges of these tile pieces to create the bench. Tile is then placed on top of the platform and the front of the beam to finish the bench.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2010
    Assignee: Eazy Company, LLC
    Inventor: Greg Madesh
  • Patent number: 7647738
    Abstract: A multi-layered panel comprises a first layer made of concrete, a second layer made of foam and an edge perimeter region. The first layer is a thin concrete layer of near uniform thickness that is cast onto the second layer. The exterior surface of the concrete layer simulates an exterior surface of a building. The front of the foam layer has dimensions designed to accommodate the application of the concrete layer. The back of the foam layer has features that assist in mounting the panel on an exterior surface of a building. The edge perimeter region includes a system for interconnecting adjacent multi-layered panels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2010
    Inventor: Paul C. Nasvik
  • Patent number: 7624551
    Abstract: The invention relates to a multi-layer sealing and drainage system (1), in particular for the laying of ceramic paving (10) according to a thin-bed method (12). Said system comprises a layered construction containing, from the base upwards, a drainage layer (3) that is configured from a first lattice-type structural element and comprises drainage regions (13) that are formed between the lattice structures of said element, a liquid-permeable nonwoven layer (6), an anchorage layer (2) that is configured from a second lattice-type structural element and that is used to hold a filler material (12), which is to be incorporated into the upper face of the sealing and drainage system (1) and which is plastic during processing and subsequently cures, in addition to a reinforcement layer (5), which is fixed, at least in some sections, to the anchorage layer (2). The system can also comprise a sealing layer below the drainage layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2009
    Assignee: Blanke GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Sandro Gerd Thronicke, Peter Wilhelm Blanke
  • Patent number: 7617647
    Abstract: Fiber-reinforced pultruded planks serve as underlayment for tile, stone or terrazzo. In one embodiment, the planks have a thin base surface with a plurality of elongated ridges. The planks have interlocking tongue and groove edges. The elongated ridges have a narrow base and a wider distal portion wherein the areas between adjacent ridges have a trapezoidal cross sectional configuration with the thin base resting on the support. Tile can be adhered to the surface using a rigid cementitious adhesive which fills in the trapezoidal area, creating a very rigid support structure. If the planks are reversed with the ridges resting on the support, tile or stone can be adhered to the relatively smooth thin base with an epoxy adhesive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2009
    Assignee: TileDIY, LLC
    Inventors: Brian H. Turner, Vernon Kallenborn
  • Patent number: 7614193
    Abstract: A fiber-reinforced pultruded underlayment for ceramic tile includes a thin base with a plurality of elongated ridges. The underlayment is in the form of planks having interlocking tongue and groove edges. The elongated ridges have a narrow base and a wider distal portion wherein the areas between adjacent ridges have a trapezoidal cross sectional configuration. Tile is adhered to the surface using a rigid cementitious or epoxy adhesive which fills in the trapezoidal area creating a very rigid support structure for the ceramic tile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2009
    Assignee: Tilediy, LLC
    Inventors: Brian H. Turner, Vernon Kallenborn
  • Patent number: 7552566
    Abstract: A tile for lining an internal surface in a heavy wear area. The tile includes at least one locating rod embedded within said tile and an internal mechanism for laterally extending said at least one locating rod out of said tile and into a gap in an adjoining structure which may be another tile. The tiles forming the lining surface are securely held in place as a result of the selective deployment of the locating rods into a gap in the adjoining structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2009
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Research and Engineering Company
    Inventors: Dean R. Hyde, Robert L. Antram, John R. Peterson
  • Patent number: 7536835
    Abstract: A floor construction covered with ceramic tiles, in which a film-like plastic mat having support elements disposed in a uniform area distribution, hollow towards the underside, capable of support, projecting out beyond the top of the mat, is applied on the sub-floor. Channels carrying open water are formed between the support elements, and a water-permeable or vapor-permeable covering in the manner of a non-woven fabric or woven fabric is disposed on the support elements. The plastic mat is embedded and attached, supported in a still soft, hardening thin-bed mortar layer on the sub-floor, over its full area, in the region of its lower contact surfaces. The ceramic tiles are laid and attached on the covering in the manner of a non-woven fabric, directly, with a thin-bed mortar layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2009
    Assignee: Schlüter-Systems KG
    Inventor: Werner Schlüter
  • Publication number: 20090049793
    Abstract: A method and equipment for forming a laminated tile includes a multi-stage process line adapted to combine a tile base and a tile surface. The tile forming equipment includes a production line with a number of operation stations where the tile base is formed in a mould (4) and compacted. Adhesive or mortar is applied to a mating surface of the tile base. A tile cap has its mating face wetted and/or supplied with a second adhesive and is then applied to the mating surface of the base and pressed to form a sound contact with the adhesive.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2006
    Publication date: February 26, 2009
    Inventors: Michael James Newitt, Ross Kerfoot, Phil Leach
  • Publication number: 20080307731
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for producing a two-dimensional panel (1) for floor coverings, wall and ceiling coverings, preferably for moisture-prone rooms, comprising the following steps: milling one upper longitudinal groove (6) into a base panel, starting from its useful side (5), the longitudinal groove (6) is filled with an elastic water-repellent plastics or sealing mass (9); and after hardening of the plastics or sealing mass (9), at least one lower longitudinal groove (11) is milled, starting from its rear side (10), the depth of which groove reaching as far as to the sealing mass (9) or into the sealing mass of one of the upper longitudinal grooves (6), thus forming an elastic expansion joint (12) of the panel (1).
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2006
    Publication date: December 18, 2008
    Inventors: Helmut Jilg, Siegfried Muhr
  • Patent number: 7189442
    Abstract: The present invention provides an edge band including a protective layer attached to a wood portion. The wood portion includes a first side and a second side. A first adhesive is disposed between the protective layer and the first side of the wood portion and a second adhesive is disposed on the second side of the wood portion and may be used to attach the edge band to an article. The protective layer can be removed from the band when desired, for example, following the application of a finishing material to the associated article.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2007
    Assignee: Steelcase Development Corporation
    Inventors: David Jesse, Terry Luyk
  • Patent number: 7121051
    Abstract: A thin brick panel system and method of forming a thin brick wall includes an expanded polystyrene foam panel having a plurality of laterally extending channels formed therein for receiving a plurality of thin brick units. The thin brick units are bonded to the channels in the foam panel and the seams between adjacent bricks are filled with a mortar that bonds to the foam panel. The foam panel may be attached to a substrate with an adhesive as well as fasteners. Strips of a mesh fabric may span several panels to bind the panels together to form a structurally sound thin brick wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2006
    Inventor: Garrick Hunsaker
  • Patent number: 7000884
    Abstract: In one aspect the present invention provides an apparatus for forming paving from a settable material and which comprises: a base frame having a plurality of upstanding walls which, alone or together with an adjacent positioned said base frame, defines a plurality of compartments within which the settable material may be placed to be moulded by the compartments of the base frame(s) into a plurality of blocks, the base frame being adapted to be left in situ; and a grout frame which is of a substantially corresponding shape in plan to the base frame and which is positioned atop the walls of the base frame in use, extending the walls upwardly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2006
    Inventor: Martin Bucknell
  • Patent number: 6802165
    Abstract: A building block holder for securely holding thin bricks or other building blocks in a spaced relationship on a wall comprises a panel formed of sheet material that is adapted to be fastened to the side of a building. The panel has rows of spaced block support elements in the form of stamped, inclined, V-shaped prongs that extend outwardly from the panel such that when the gap between the blocks is filled with mortar, the mortar flows behind the prongs and thereby locks the building blocks on the panel. The panel also includes glue lock openings behind the blocks for more securely locking the bricks to the panel. A plurality of rearwardly deformed portions on the panel space the panel outwardly from a substrate and serve as water drains and recessed locations through which mounting screws can be extended. A lower edge of the panel is displaced outwardly from a rear surface of the panel such that an upper edge of the panel below will fit behind the lower edge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2004
    Inventor: J. Kenneth Passeno
  • Patent number: 6796095
    Abstract: An elongate tile mounting strip that includes a center body with two extension edges, the extension edges being oriented substantially perpendicular to one another and positioned at opposite corners of the body. A first of the extension edges and a substantially perpendicular mud face of the body define a first ledge, and a second of the extension edges and a substantially perpendicular tile face of the body define a second ledge. The tile face is a reference surface for positioning a layer of adherent material along the first ledge in a predetermined thickness, the thickness being equal to a width of the mud face, and an inner surface of the second extension edge is a locating surface for aligning a plurality of tiles longitudinally therealong.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2004
    Inventors: Sammy Azar, Joseph Albo
  • Patent number: 6723434
    Abstract: The invention relates to a tile for placing on walls, floors or the like using adhesive mortar. The inventive tile comprises a transparent glass layer (1) and a colored layer (4) which is placed on the rear side of the glass layer. In order to obtain a particular optical effect, the glass layer (1) is heat treated and the colored layer (4) is comprised of a lacquer which is compatible with adhesive mortar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2004
    Assignee: Villi Glas GmbH
    Inventors: Heimo Setten, Johann Kowalczyk
  • Patent number: 6698149
    Abstract: A decorative laminated building panel, usable for placement on an exterior surface of a building to improve the appearance thereof. The panel includes a foam core, a thin fabric mat attached to at least one surface of the foam core, and a durable material attached to the fabric mat with a binding agent. The durable material is intended to be used on an outward-facing surface of the panel, and may be selected from materials including stone, tile, and brick. Optionally, the panel may include a final finish covering the exposed exterior surface thereof, to give a more pleasing appearance. The panel is intended for a non load-bearing application, and the rear surface of the panel is preferred to be substantially cement-free, that is, free of Portland-type cement. Among other uses, panels according to the invention are suitable for use as exterior skirting material on manufactured homes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2004
    Assignee: Paragon Building Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Joseph L. Ruchgy
  • Publication number: 20030213212
    Abstract: A thin brick panel assembly having improved water drainage and integral brick retention. A substratum includes horizontal rows of dovetail-shaped projections with interruptions therein. Mortar ties having a flat plate portion, a substratum engagement extension, and mortar engagement extension are fastened to the substratum such that the mortar engagement extensions align with the interruptions in the projections. Bricks are snap-fit to the substratum over the mortar ties and between the projections. The bricks crush portions of the dovetail-shaped projections and lie flat against the mortar ties. Mortar is applied between the bricks and flows through apertures in the mortar engagement extensions of the mortar ties to interlock the mortar ties, the substratum and the bricks.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 20, 2002
    Publication date: November 20, 2003
    Inventor: James Kenneth Passeno
  • Patent number: 6630041
    Abstract: A process for laying small decorative tiles on a surface includes the use of a lightweight plastic matrix having ridges of a desired pattern which are used to locate and space the tiles of different shapes in the desired locations. Tiles of the desired color and shape are placed face down on the matrix. A perforated paper matrix having an adhesive layer is then placed over the exposed back sides of the tiles to maintain their relative positions. The surface to be tiled is then coated with thinset adhesive and the tile strip with the matrix is removed and placed against the surface. Several such tile strips may be placed side-by-side or in a desired arrangement on the surface after which grout is applied between the tiles in a well known manner. The process for producing the paper matrix is also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2003
    Inventor: Craig Reiber
  • Publication number: 20030126815
    Abstract: A tool for the spacing of tiles during their installation includes a central body with radially projecting prongs that are fitted between adjacent tiles to control the spacing thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 10, 2002
    Publication date: July 10, 2003
    Applicant: Space-It-Rite, a corporation of the State of Illin
    Inventors: Joseph L. Annarella, Robert Grzybowski, John F. Dumelle