Modular two-piece floor tile

Abstract

A two-piece modular floor tile includes a top member formed from wood or stone, and a support member formed from plastic and wood composite material. Each of the top and support members is of substantially rectangular. The support member is adapted to increase air circulation and decrease moisture accumulation, and does not tend to be damaged by rot and termites. In one embodiment, the support member includes a plurality of parallel longitudinal internal channels. In another embodiment, the support member includes a longitudinal projection at one side and a longitudinal mated groove at the other side. In yet another embodiment, the support member includes a plurality of parallel longitudinal bottom troughs. In a further embodiment, the top member includes a plurality of shaped elements secured together.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of Invention

The invention relates to modular floor systems, and more particularly to a modular floor tile having a top member formed from wood or stone, and an underlying support member formed from plastic and wood composite material.

2. Description of Related Art

Conventionally, indoor or outdoor floor tiles are made from stone, ceramic, hardwood, or thermoplastic.

Conventional floor tiles suffer from several disadvantages. For example, for hardwood tile it is difficult for a manufacturer to purchase precious wood (e.g., teak, Chinese cypress, etc.) and thus it is expensive. For stone tile, it is also difficult for a manufacturer to purchase precious stone (e.g., granite, etc.) and thus it is also expensive.

In addition, hardwood tiles tend to be damaged by moisture accumulation, rot and termites. Still, hardwood tiles tend to deform due to temperature change.

Moreover, dew tends to accumulate on the surface of stone tiles when they are installed in an outdoor environment. As a result, a floor constructed by the stone tiles tends to slip. It is not safe.

Additionally, uneven underlying support surface or loose earth may damage hardwood or stone tiles installed thereon. Thus, a need for improvement exists.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is therefore one object of the invention to provide a modular two-piece floor tile comprising a top member formed from wood or stone, and a support member formed from plastic and wood composite material. The top member is joined to the support member by adhesive. The support member is adapted to increase air circulation for reducing temperature and decrease the extent of moisture accumulation, and does not tend to be damaged by rot and termites.

In one aspect of the invention the support member comprises a plurality of parallel longitudinal internal channels for preventing the support member from deforming, decreasing weight, and increasing air circulation.

In another aspect of the invention the support member comprises a longitudinal first member at one side and a longitudinal second member at the other side. The first member is complementary to the second member in shape and preferably, either the first member is a projection and the second member is a groove or the first member is a groove and the second member is a projection so that floor tiles are joined to one another by, for example, lockingly inserting the projection of one tile into the groove of an adjacent tile.

In a further aspect of the invention a plurality of parallel longitudinal bottom troughs or ridges or knurls for facilitating the support member securely joining to an underlying support surface such as cement surface or earth surface during installation of the floor tiles.

By utilizing this modular two-piece floor tile, it is possible of greatly reducing the consumption of precious wood and stone by decreasing thickness of wood and stone components of the floor tile. Moreover, the modular two-piece floor tile is adapted to install on an uneven surface (e.g., irregular cement surface or loose earth surface) which is traditionally viewed as undesired for hardwood or stone tiles installation.

The above and other objects, features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description taken with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an exploded view of a first preferred embodiment of modular floor tile according to the invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the assembled floor tile;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along line A-A of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a second preferred embodiment of modular floor tile according to the invention; and

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a third preferred embodiment of modular floor tile according to the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to FIGS. 1 to 3, a modular floor tile in accordance with a first preferred embodiment of the invention is shown. The floor tile comprises a top member 10 and a support member 20 both being generally rectangular configuration. Each component is discussed in detail below.

The top member 10 is formed from wood or stone. The top member 10 can be a single plate member or a unitary construction formed by laminating a plurality of layers. A top surface 11 of the top member 10 is part of the surface of a floor constructed by the floor tiles of the invention. A bottom surface 12 of the top member 10 is joined to the support member 20 by, but not limited to, adhesive.

Plastic and wood composite material is a material prepared by mixing plastic and wood fibers. Plastic and wood composite material is highly resistant to moisture and corrosion. Further, It is not susceptible to crack, does not tend to be damaged by rot and termites, is not subject to rust, and involves no painting in its finished products. For these reasons, modular floor tiles formed from plastic and wood composite material are steadily gaining popularity and are widely employed as materials for constructing pavilions, fences, or the like.

The support member 20 is formed by subjecting plastic and wood composite material to an injection molding process. The support member 20 comprises a top surface 21 adapted to secure to the bottom surface 12 of the top member 10. A joining surface of the top member 10 and the support member 20 can be a smooth or an uneven one. The joining can be done by applying adhesive or snapping. The support member 20 has a sufficient thickness so as to form a plurality of parallel longitudinal channels 22 of rectangular section therein. The forming of the channels 22 can prevent the support member 20 from deforming, decrease weight, increase air circulation for reducing temperature, and decrease the extent of moisture accumulation.

A longitudinal projection 23 of rectangular section is formed at one side of the support member 20 and a longitudinal groove 24 of rectangular section is formed at the other side thereof with the channels 22 formed therebetween. The projection 23 and the groove 24 are complementary in shape so that the floor tiles are joined to one another by lockingly inserting the projection 23 of one tile into the mated groove 24 of an adjacent tile. While the above embodiment discussing a joining of the tiles by using mated projection and groove, it is apparent that the invention is not limited to such in practice.

Referring to FIG. 4, a modular floor tile in accordance with a second preferred embodiment of the invention is shown. The second embodiment is identical to the first embodiment, except that the channels 22 are eliminated and a plurality of parallel longitudinal troughs 25 are formed on a bottom surface of the support member 20. The provision of the troughs 25 (or knurls in other embodiments) on the bottom surface of the support member 20 facilitates the support member 20 securely joining to an underlying support surface such as cement surface or earth surface during installation of the floor tiles. Note that the cement surface or earth surface is traditionally viewed as undesired surface due to its uneven or rough surface.

Referring to FIG. 5, a modular floor tile in accordance with a third preferred embodiment of the invention is shown. The third embodiment is identical to the second embodiment, except that the top member 10 includes a rectangular member and three triangular members secured together. The third embodiment is aesthetic in nature.

While the invention herein disclosed has been described by means of specific embodiments, numerous modifications and variations could be made thereto by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention set forth in the claims.

Claims

1. A modular floor tile comprising:

a top member; and

a support member,

wherein each of the top member and the support member is of substantially rectangular, and wherein the support member is formed from a material adapted to increase air circulation and decrease moisture accumulation.

2. The modular floor tile of claim 1, wherein the top member comprises a plurality of elements secured together.

3. The modular floor tile of claim 1, wherein the support member comprises a plurality of parallel longitudinal internal channels.

4. The modular floor tile of claim 1, wherein the support member comprises a longitudinal first member at one side and a longitudinal second member at the other side, the first member being complementary to the second member in shape.

5. The modular floor tile of claim 1, wherein the support member comprises a plurality of parallel longitudinal bottom troughs

6. The modular floor tile of claim 1, wherein the support member comprises a knurled bottom surface.

7. The modular floor tile of claim 4, wherein the first member is a projection and the second member is a groove.

8. The modular floor tile of claim 4, wherein the first member is a groove and the second member is a projection.