Engaging Edges Of Tile Patents (Class 52/387)
  • Patent number: 11466464
    Abstract: A panel system consisting of a panel having a repetitive pattern of aligned peaks and valleys, a series of ledges associated with the valleys and configured such that at least a portion of each ledge extends beyond adjacent peaks, and a plurality of clips, wherein each clip is attachable to a ledge and is further configured to attach to and support a product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2022
    Inventor: Joel W. Bolin
  • Patent number: 11434645
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method and assembly for hanging decorative stone. A method and assembly to hang decorative stone or other similarly situated devices with an integrally formed frame portion is discussed herein. An integrally formed frame portion with at least one first flange, at least one second flange that interface with a prior installed assembly of the same type without interacting with the stone portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2022
    Assignee: ROCK DECOR COMPANY
    Inventor: Ricky D. Mast
  • Patent number: 11293186
    Abstract: A facade unit mounting apparatus is disclosed. A first support attaches to a wall and includes a first base extending outwardly from the wall. The first support includes a plurality of resilient elements mounted to the first base which include a plurality of projections extending from the first base. A second support is configured to attach to the wall. The first and second supports grip at least one facade unit mounted between the first and second supports. The plurality of resilient elements are configured to bias the at least one facade unit against the second support. The plurality of projections are configured to extend inwardly and away from the first base to thereby grip the at least one facade unit against outward movement from the wall. Disclosed embodiments are suitable to interface with facade units such as brick slips, other fired clay units, masonry units, tiles, etc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2022
    Assignee: JAMES & TAYLOR LTD
    Inventor: Luke Prior
  • Patent number: 11274457
    Abstract: Features for formliners to form a decorative pattern in a curable material and methods of using the same are disclosed. An improved formliner is disclosed with seamlessly connecting components that reduces the need for using adhesives for interconnecting a plurality of formliners in a pattern. Further, the formliner is configured to reduce and/or substantially eliminate visible seams in order to create a more natural appearance in a finished product of the curable material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2022
    Assignee: PRIME FORMING & CONSTRUCTION SUPPLIES, INC.
    Inventors: Brian Eugene Sheehan, Edward Daniel Fitzgerald
  • Patent number: 11097413
    Abstract: The invention relates to a tool for transferring positions of a measuring reference from a construction frame (not shown) to a surface of a tile or a number of adjacent tiles (31) for making cut-outs in said tile or tiles (31), said tool (1) comprising a frame-like structure (3) and a grid structure (6) having openings in a raster pattern or a grid pattern made up by laser beams, said grid structure or pattern (6) extending between elements of the frame-like structure (3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2021
    Inventor: Dan Solberg
  • Patent number: 10907361
    Abstract: [Object] To provide a fixture that can increase the degree of layout freedom of a contact fitting and facilitate construction and that can suppress a reduction in the strength and the durability of a building structure; and a wall structure for buildings. [Solution] A fixture 10 can be provided with a contact fitting 30. The fixture 10 includes a substrate portion 11, a first side wall portion 12, a second side wall portion 13, a support portion 14, a first locking portion 15, a second locking portion 16, and a fixing plate portion 17. The fixing plate portion 17 extends from a distal edge 13A of the second side wall portion 13 so as to face the substrate portion 11, and is disposed at a location closer than the support portion 14 to the substrate portion 11. The contact fitting 30 includes a mounting portion 31 that is fixable to the fixing plate portion 17, and an erect piece 32 that is erect in a direction that intersects the mounting portion 31.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2021
    Assignee: NICHIHA CORPORATION
    Inventor: Youhei Sawada
  • Patent number: 10895078
    Abstract: A cladding clip comprising a lateral base, a head coupled to the lateral base, and a flexible lip upstanding from the lateral base and laterally spaced from the neck along the base is disclosed. The flexible lip is hooked so that a lateral part of the lip extends laterally spaced from the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2021
    Inventor: Hugh Thomas Smart
  • Patent number: 10145123
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a heat-insulating finishing material and, more particularly, to an outer-wall heat-insulating finishing material configured such that tiles can be arranged on the heat-insulating material at a predetermined interval using an interval plate, by applying mortar to the bottom surface and the upper, lower, left, and right surfaces of the tiles, the tiles can be firmly attached to the surface of the heat-insulating material, and, by means of a change in shape of the interval plate and an intaglio pattern formed on the surface of the heat-insulating material, the tiles, which are fitted to the interval plate and attached to the surface of the heat-insulating material, can remain attached, with a maximized attaching force, regardless of various external forces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2018
    Inventors: Byung Kwun Ahn, Young Jong Yoo, Sang Hee An
  • Patent number: 10041257
    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: January 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2018
    Assignee: Glen-Gery Corporation
    Inventors: John Tancredi, John Cotton
  • Patent number: 10024062
    Abstract: A veneer product and system includes a body having an aesthetic front surface and a back surface for installation adjacent the building. The body has a top side and a bottom side and a bracket attached to body and projecting away from the back surface of the body, the bracket further comprising a first end adjacent the top side for attachment to the building and a first protrusion for positioning the back surface a predetermined distance from the building and a second end having a second protrusion for positioning the bottom of the back surface a predetermined distance from the building and a bottom projection adjacent the bottom side for engagement with a second body to retain the bottom end of the veneer product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2018
    Assignee: Talus Systems, LLC
    Inventors: Harold C. Attebery, Neal Sugarman
  • Patent number: 9988820
    Abstract: Provided are a panel construction member and a mounting structure for the same that can be rigidly mounted to a building and for which the panel, after being mounted, has excellent flexural strength and flexural rigidity. A panel construction member 1 has a layered structure in which a core plate 4 is disposed between a pair of metal plates 2, 3, wherein the panel construction member 1 is provided with a groove 5 that extends along at least one pair of edges of the panel construction member 1, and an undercut portion 5a that penetrates between the metal plates 2, 3 from the groove 5. A rail member 6 is mounted in the groove 5 of the panel construction member 1, and the panel construction member 1 is mounted to a ceiling or a wall by means of the rail member 6.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2018
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI CHEMICAL CORPORATION
    Inventor: Kenjiro Komatsu
  • Patent number: 9777485
    Abstract: A magnetic backsplash device facilitates placement of a decorative and easy to clean backsplash on a magnetically attractive surface. The device includes a backing having a magnetic back face wherein the backing is configured for coupling to a magnetically attractive surface. An adhesive couples each of a plurality of tiles to a front surface of the backing defining a backsplash panel configured for being displayed over the magnetically attractive surface when the backing is coupled to the magnetically attractive surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Inventor: Dena Boyd
  • Patent number: 8973327
    Abstract: The present invention concerns a masonry wall panel assembly comprising a panel and a plurality of bricks. The panel is provided with a plurality of horizontally extending contiguous channels bounded by upper and lower protruding ribs, for fitting a row of bricks. Each channel is also fitted with a plurality of compressible retaining tabs positioned along the upper rib of each channel for retaining bricks inserted therein. The bricks are provided with at least one cavity and at least one compression area so that when a brick is inserted into a channel of the panel, the brick is positioned between the ribs such that the cavity of the brick faces one or more of the tabs located on the channel so that the tabs protrude into the cavity of the brick while at the same time compressing the compression area, thereby retaining the brick within the channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: Oldcastle Building Products Canada Inc.
    Inventors: Michel Bouchard, John Penterman
  • Patent number: 8955268
    Abstract: A modular tile configured to interlock with multiple tiles to form a modular floor covering over a floor. The tile includes a top surface having a periphery defining side walls extending downward from the top surface, the side walls having a coupling portion configured to couple with other tiles adjacent thereto to form the modular floor covering. The tile also includes a bottom side, opposite the top surface, having a support grid including an array of downward extending polymeric post structures, at least some of the post structures including at least one resilient end portion configured to be positioned against the floor to facilitate controlled deflection of the post structures. The post structures may comprise primary and secondary post structures, with the secondary post structures limiting the deflection of the primary post structures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Assignee: Connor Sport Court International, LLC
    Inventors: Mark L. Jenkins, Jeremiah Shapiro, Cheryl Forster, Vaughn W. North, David L. Stott
  • 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
  • Publication number: 20140165486
    Abstract: The present invention concerns a masonry wall panel assembly comprising a panel and a plurality of bricks. The panel is provided with a plurality of horizontally extending contiguous channels bounded by upper and lower protruding ribs, for fitting a row of bricks. Each channel is also fitted with a plurality of compressible retaining tabs positioned along the upper rib of each channel for retaining bricks inserted therein. The bricks are provided with at least one cavity and at least one compression area so that when a brick is inserted into a channel of the panel, the brick is positioned between the ribs such that the cavity of the brick faces one or more of the tabs located on the channel so that the tabs protrude into the cavity of the brick while at the same time compressing the compression area, thereby retaining the brick within the channel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2013
    Publication date: June 19, 2014
    Applicant: Oldcastle Building Products Canada Inc.
    Inventors: Michel Bouchard, John Penterman
  • Patent number: 8689509
    Abstract: A panelized cladding system including a plurality of battens securable to a building structure, each batten having a structure engaging surface and an integrally formed finish ready panel supporting surface, and fiver cement cladding panels secured to or through the battens such that the finish ready panel supporting surface of each batten forms an external recessed surface of an express joint formed thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: James Hardie Technology Limited
    Inventors: James Gleeson, Jesper G. Jensen
  • Publication number: 20140075873
    Abstract: The present invention concerns a masonry wall system consisting of a plurality of panels and artificial masonry units. The panels are provided with channels sized to receive the artificial masonry units and delimited by protruding ribs. The protruding ribs have a predetermined width w and also have notches uniformly spaced along the ribs. The artificial masonry units have protuberances devised and positioned on the masonry units to be fitted in the notches of the protruding ribs so that the masonry units are equally spaced-apart from each other by a predetermined gap (g).
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2013
    Publication date: March 20, 2014
    Applicant: Oldcastle Building Products Canada, Inc.
    Inventor: Michel Bouchard
  • Patent number: 8627625
    Abstract: The present invention concerns a masonry wall panel assembly comprising a panel and a plurality of bricks. The panel is provided with a plurality of horizontally extending contiguous channels bounded by upper and lower protruding ribs, for fitting a row of bricks. Each channel is also fitted with a plurality of compressible retaining tabs positioned along the upper rib of each channel for retaining bricks inserted therein. The bricks are provided with at least one cavity and at least one compression area so that when a brick is inserted into a channel of the panel, the brick is positioned between the ribs such that the cavity of the brick faces one or more of the tabs located on the channel so that the tabs protrude into the cavity of the brick while at the same time compressing the compression area, thereby retaining the brick within the channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2014
    Assignee: Oldcastle Building Products Canada Inc.
    Inventors: Michel Bouchard, John Penterman
  • Patent number: 8596023
    Abstract: A modular tile configured to interlock with multiple tiles to form a modular floor covering over a floor. The tile includes a top surface having a periphery defining side walls extending downward from the top surface, the side walls having a coupling portion configured to couple with other tiles adjacent thereto to form the modular floor covering. The tile also includes a bottom side, opposite the top surface, having a support grid including an array of downward extending polymeric post structures, at least some of the post structures including at least one resilient end portion with a radial end surface configured to be positioned against the floor to facilitate controlled deflection of the post structures. The post structures may comprise primary and secondary post structures, with the secondary post structures limiting the deflection of the primary post structures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: Connor Sport Court International, LLC
    Inventors: Mark L. Jenkins, Jeremiah Shapiro, Cheryl Forster, Vaughn W. North, David L. Stott
  • Publication number: 20130239501
    Abstract: A block wall system comprising a framework having a perimeter, an intermediate vertical mullion, and an intermediate horizontal mullion with the blocks retained therein using flexible flanges. The intermediate vertical mullion and the intermediate horizontal mullion define one or more cavities within the framework. A block has a top, a bottom, a front face, a back face, and a pair of narrow faces. One or more detents are defined within each narrow face. Next, a flange is anchored within the intermediate vertical mullion, wherein the flange flexes and thereafter retracts to embed itself into the detent of the block when the block is inserted into the cavity such that the block is retained within the framework, thereby eliminating the need to use a fastener directly into or against the block to secure the block within the framework.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2013
    Publication date: September 19, 2013
    Applicant: EXTECH/EXTERIOR TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Kevin P. Smith, William P. Voegele, JR.
  • Patent number: 8522488
    Abstract: A modular architectural system adapted for use with a finished wall in a patient room includes a service unit, a wall-masking panel, and an interface strip. The service unit includes a frame and a plurality of modular panels coupled to the frame to support service outlets relative to the finished wall. The wall-masking panel is spaced apart from the service unit and is arranged along an edge of the service unit. The interface strip is coupled to the service unit and arranged along the edge of the service unit between the service unit and the wall-masking panel to interconnect the service unit and the wall-masking panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Assignee: Hill-Rom Services, Inc.
    Inventors: David C. Newkirk, Dennis J. Gallant, Joseph H. Abel
  • Publication number: 20130061546
    Abstract: The invention relates to a façade element which is suitable to mount on the outside (3) of a building (2). According to the invention plate shaped façade elements (5, 51 . . . ) consisting of glass fibre reinforced plastics, and which exhibit a wooden structure (6, 61 . . . ) on its outwards (7) turnable side (8, 81 . . . ) and which externally have the shape of standing and/or lying panels (9, 91 . . . ), are arranged to be mounted next to one another and attached to the wall (10) in question, to form a façade facing for the building (2) in question. The invention also relates to a procedure for manufacturing of the façade elements (5, 51 . . . ).
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2011
    Publication date: March 14, 2013
    Applicant: JOHNSON MARINE DESIGN AB
    Inventor: Bo Johnson
  • Patent number: 8322099
    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: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Inventor: David Michael Reid
  • 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
  • Publication number: 20120260595
    Abstract: A tray substrate for a modular tile flooring system is disclosed that allows installation of medallion floating tiles into the flooring system. This tray substrate is designed to be a smaller medallion type tray substrate installed amongst larger tray substrates in a shape that is twisted at an angle to the grout lines of the other tiles. This is known as a medallion which is inserted in the layout.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2012
    Publication date: October 18, 2012
    Applicant: COMC, LLC
    Inventors: Jonathan McIntosh, Craig S. Wyler, Tim Seberger, Nicole Sperling
  • Patent number: 8205395
    Abstract: A wall panel system, which may be either a slat wall system or a smooth wall system, is provided. The system employs tongue and groove attachment means to conveniently attach the parts of the wall panel system to one another. A method of installing such a wall panel system is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2012
    Inventor: Gary G. Jakiel
  • Patent number: 8186116
    Abstract: A tile tray (1) including a generally planar base (2) and two or more retaining members (5) adapted to locate and retain a tile (7) to the base. The tile tray (1) further includes a coupling means for connecting two or more of the tile trays in a substantially aligned configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Assignee: Unika (Australia) Pty Limited
    Inventor: Gordon Anderson
  • Patent number: 8124210
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a metal mosaic tile used as the interior finishing material on the wall of a building. The tile includes a metallic board and a metallic cover. Convex parts are provided on the front of the metallic board at regular intervals and concave parts are provided on the back of the metallic board at regular intervals. The metallic cover includes a bent side plate, a top plate and an opening for accommodating at least one of the convex parts of the metallic board, and the upper surface of each convex part adheres to the top plate. The tile has high fire resistance, effectively prevents condensation from occurring, mitigates vibration or noise, has high joining strength and high attaching strength against an object to which the tile is attached, and permits the mass production of metal mosaic tile at lower cost.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2012
    Assignee: Daejin DSP Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Jin Hyung Kim
  • 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: 7966783
    Abstract: There can be provided a method of cladding a surface with panelling. The method can comprise: attaching a first panel support member to the surface, the first panel support member being configured to receive at least a part of a first edge of a panel comprising a core of woven and non-woven glass impregnated with resin and a surface finish of paper and melamine resin; placing the first edge in a position of co-operative reception with the first panel support member; and placing a second edge of the panel substantially opposite the first edge in a position of co-operative reception with a second panel support member, the second panel support member being configured to be attached to the surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2011
    Assignee: BAA (IP HOLDCO) Limited
    Inventors: Martyn Wilson, David Browne, Michael Crossley
  • Patent number: 7950165
    Abstract: An alignment apparatus (10) comprises a plurality of first members (12) and a plurality of second members (14). First and second co-operating formations (16, 22) are provided on the first and second members. The co-operating formations can co-operate with one another to secure the first members to the second members. The first members include spaced alignment formations arranged to align the placement of articles on the surface. The first co-operating formations may constitute the alignment formations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2011
    Inventor: Arthur Hall
  • Patent number: 7941988
    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: May 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2011
    Inventor: Montgomery Mars
  • 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: 7856776
    Abstract: The invention relates to a plane structure, such as a wall, floor, ceiling or roof, comprising profiles (3A) extending mutually parallel in a first direction, elements (1) which can be coupled releasably to the profiles, wherein a profile extends on both sides of an element and wherein the elements are coupled to both adjacent profiles. The invention also relate to the elements and profiles for use in this structure, as well as to the method for building such a structure. An automatic positioning of the elements is created as a result of these measures; this then no longer depends on the skill of the builder. Owing to the releasability of the coupling the elements can simply be stacked on the profiles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2010
    Assignee: Press Brick System B.V.
    Inventor: Leonardus Johannes Maria Van Der Lee
  • Patent number: 7784229
    Abstract: The invention provides a wall panel system including a supporting structure; and a plurality of plates (3), each plate having a first pair of edges (6) for engaging with the support structure and a second pair of edges (9), each plate being shaped such that the second pair of edges (9) conceal the engagement of corresponding adjacent plates with the support structure. In one preferred embodiment the supporting structure includes a mounting board (1) including a plurality of retaining elements (2) adapted for engagement with the first pair of edges (6) of each plate. Preferably each retaining element (2) includes a supporting lip (5), wherein the support edge (6) of a plate is engagable with a supporting lip (5) of a retaining element. The retaining elements may, for example, be arranged in a rectangular or square grid on the mounting board (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2010
    Assignee: Wovin Wall IP Pty Ltd
    Inventor: Allan Ismay
  • 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: 7757449
    Abstract: A removable floor includes a support piece (1) having a floor tile (15) affixed to the upper surface thereof, with the support piece being equipped to be secured to other support pieces, in order to facilitate the installation and removal of the floor by the user and to enable the supports to be installed in an aligned and/or out of phase manner such as to produce different decorative patterns.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2010
    Assignees: Taulell S.A., Industrias Alegre, S.A.
    Inventors: Javier Portoles Ibañez, Carlos Sanchis Ballester, Carlos Soler Aguilar, Mónica Alegre Olmos, Joaquín Peña Villanueba, Antonio Carbonell Balaguer, José Emilio Gil Serrano
  • Patent number: 7752820
    Abstract: A fast unfolding two-layer temporary flooring structure consisting of preferably rigid plates (1 to 6), made of a suitable material. The plates (1 to 6) are arranged mutually parallel and cascade-linked by an articulated linking element (B) so that between two consecutive plates, the element (B) is linked to an edge of the other plates, and also preferably in a central zone of the other plate, the elements defining hinge lines between parallel planes with longitudinal or transverse axis of the plates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2010
    Assignee: Ets A. Deschamps et Fils
    Inventor: Georges-Paul Deschamps
  • Patent number: 7748177
    Abstract: A modular tile configured to interlock with multiple tiles to form a modular floor covering over a floor. The tile includes a top surface having a periphery defining side walls extending downward from the top surface, the side walls having a coupling portion configured to couple with other tiles adjacent thereto to form the modular floor covering. The tile also includes a bottom side, opposite the top surface, having a support grid including an array of downward extending polymeric post structures, at least some of the post structures including at least one resilient end portion with a radial end surface configured to be positioned against the floor to facilitate controlled deflection of the post structures. The post structures may comprise primary and secondary post structures, with the secondary post structures limiting the deflection of the primary post structures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2010
    Assignee: Connor Sport Court International, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark L. Jenkins, Jeremiah Shapiro, Cheryl Forster, Vaughn W. North, David L. Stott
  • 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: 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: 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: 7694475
    Abstract: A fire rated glass flooring system comprising a first layer of glass which is a structural glass and a second layer of glass which is a fire rated glass, together with a structural frame supporting the flooring system, wherein the two layers of glass are positioned one above the other and are separated by at least one load transferring means. The flooring system is more aesthetic than conventional frames as the user of a load transferring means allows the first and second layers of glass to be brought closer together and hence the structural frame supporting the system is less visible through the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2010
    Assignee: Wilde Contracts Limited
    Inventor: Michael Scott Rae
  • Patent number: 7658050
    Abstract: An artificial masonry unit suitable for use with a panel made of a compressible material having masonry unit receiving depressions in a front face thereof and protruding ribs defining and bordering the depressions. The depressions are sized to receive respective artificial masonry units in a close-fitting relationship. The artificial masonry unit comprises a body bounded by a front face, a back face, and a lateral face providing a thickness to the unit, and a back peripheral edge joining the back face and the lateral face. A tooth projection is projecting from the lateral face next to and parallel to the back peripheral edge for thrusting into the protruding rib when the masonry unit is inserted in a respective depression. Thanks to the tooth projection that is thrusting into the rib of a respective depression and that helps retaining the masonry unit within the depression prior to mortaring the wall, there is no need for using a mixture of cement to temporarily retain the masonry units within the depression.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2010
    Assignee: Les Materiaux de Construction Oldcastle Canada Inc.
    Inventors: Michel Bouchard, Andre Ouellet
  • Patent number: 7617646
    Abstract: A support panel comprising a plate including a face, at least one row of support tabs and at least one row of L-shaped fingers. The at least one row of L-shaped fingers are located above at least one of the at least one row of support tabs. The L-shaped fingers include a first portion and a second portion defining the L-shape of the L-shaped fingers. A tile can be placed on at least one of the tabs and maintained in position by the second portion of at least one of the L-shaped fingers. Alternatively, the plate could include at least one row of upwardly and outwardly angled tongues for insertion into at least one angled slot in a rear face of a tile to maintain the tiles in position adjacent a front of the plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2009
    Inventor: Ronald B. Losse
  • 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
  • Publication number: 20090094918
    Abstract: A tile for use in a synthetic grass system. The tile is intended to be laid in the center of an area upon which the synthetic grass assembly will be installed. This allows additional tiles to be installed in a faster amount of time by creating two areas from which the tiles may be installed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2008
    Publication date: April 16, 2009
    Applicant: FIELDTURF TARKETT INC.
    Inventors: Stephen Murphy, Jean Prevost
  • Patent number: 7331147
    Abstract: A hexagonal paving panel, the sides of which are alternately provided with upper and lower connecting elements in the form of tab or overlap elements (102, 103) and fixing pins. The panel (100) is provided with a central aperture (109) and with a downwardly extending collar (101) on its periphery. The central aperture serves as a drain hole, stabilizes the panel on a ground and improves storage of the panels in a stack. The bottom surface (114) of the panel is provided with recesses (20) having small depth and large obtuse angle, while the top surface is anti-slip. Upper overlap elements (103) alternately protrude from sides of the panel beyond the collar (101) while lower overlap elements (103) are formed by reduction of thickness of the collar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2008
    Assignee: Jerzy Kalisiak
    Inventors: Jerzy Kalisiak, Jerzy Szulc