Abstract: A method of making a flooring element. The flooring element is a tile formed of a polymer with embedded filler material. The filler material includes abrasive particles adjacent the top surface and a resilient or rubber-like material. The bottom surface of the tile includes a plurality of particles embedded in and extending from the bottom, which enables the tile to be securely adhered to a substrate. One embodiment of a method of making the tile includes adding a first layer containing a filler material to a mold, vibrating the mold to cause the heavier filler material to sink, applying a plurality of particles to the top of the polymer mixture in the mold, and polymerizing the mixture in the mold. In another embodiment, a second layer including resilient particles is added to the mold above the first layer before the mold is vibrated.

Abstract: A method of making a flooring element. The flooring element is a tile formed of a polymer with embedded filler material. The filler material includes abrasive particles adjacent the top surface and a resilient or rubber-like material. The bottom surface of the tile includes a plurality of particles embedded in and extending from the bottom, which enables the tile to be securely adhered to a substrate. One embodiment of a method of making the tile includes adding a first layer containing a filler material to a mold, vibrating the mold to cause the heavier filler material to sink, applying a plurality of particles to the top of the polymer mixture in the mold, and polymerizing the mixture in the mold. In another embodiment, a second layer including resilient particles is added to the mold above the first layer before the mold is vibrated.

Abstract: A system and apparatus for providing tactile feedback for visually impaired persons with arrangements of tactile tiles. An elongated tactile tile includes multiple rows of elongated blisters with alternating rows offset. The longitudinal axis of the elongated blisters is parallel to the direction of travel indicated by the tile. The offset rows prevent the alignment of adjacent blisters that could be confused with the rows indicating the direction of travel. In various embodiments, the tactile tile is bounded on one side by a guide way tile and on the opposite side by a hazard rib tile, both of which are aligned with the direction of travel. A plurality of tactile tiles are positioned adjacent a pedestrian walkway crossing a street. Where multiple walkways cross an intersection, a plurality of tactile tiles n the sidewalk corner indicate the direction for each walkway.

Abstract: An apparatus for and a method of making a flooring element. The flooring element is a tile formed of a polymer with embedded filler material. The filler material includes abrasive particles adjacent the top surface and a resilient or rubber-like material. The bottom surface of the tile includes a plurality of particles embedded in and extending from the bottom, which enables the tile to be securely adhered to a substrate. One embodiment of a method of making the tile includes adding a first layer containing a filler material to a mold, vibrating the mold to cause the heavier filler material to sink, applying a plurality of particles to the top of the polymer mixture in the mold, and polymerizing the mixture in the mold. In another embodiment, a second layer including resilient particles is added to the mold above the first layer before the mold is vibrated.