Tile comprising a series of small tiles placed side by side, which hook into a support base

Abstract

 This invention relates to a tile comprising a series of small tiles (3) placed side by side, when may be used in such a way as to create certain patterns using a technique similar to that of the mosaic.
These small tiles (3) fit onto a polygonal support base (1) bearing appropriately placed through slots (2) on its upper surface.
The projecting foot provided in the centre of the underside of each small tile (3) fits exactly into a corresponding slot (2) and remains fixed there.

Description

[0001] The object of the instant application for industrial patent relates to a tile comprising a series of small tiles placed side by side, which hook into a support base.

[0002] The present invention serves as a means for producing coloured tiles with a wide selection of decorative patterns using a technique similar to that of the mosaic.

[0003] In fact, in accordance with this concept, the pattern on the tile is formed by placing small coloured tiles, one by one, on a support base using a procedure that permits with extreme precision and ease, the formation of the desired decorative motifs.

[0004] Nowadays, with the conventional procedure for making tiles in ceramic, majolica, stoneware or such-like, the patterns and colours to be used must be established beforehand; production, therefore, is ruled by rigid, pre-determined parameters with two basic drawbacks due, on the one hand, to difficulties in diversifying the product, and, on the other,to the not infrequent possibility of making irreparable errors during the production of individual pieces.

[0005] When the tile is made in accordance with the instant invention such drawb^qcks are overcome right from the beginning, in that by forming each individual tile with a technique similar to that of the mosaic, the patterns can be varied to meet all tastes and any errors can be rectified before the small tiles are securely fixed to the support base by means of the specially provided slots.

[0006] This support base consists of a polygonal tile, its surface area being designed so that a whole number of the aforesaid small tiles fits exactly onto it.

[0007] Its upper surface is provided with a number of through slots equal to the number of small tiles that will be attached and held onto it.

[0008] These slots are aligned vertically and horizontally and positioned in such a way that all the small tiles, once hooked into them, touch one another thus completely covering the underlying surface of the support base.

[0009] The shape of the slots is, in fact, such that it allows for a prismatic coupling and fit, with a foot positioned exactly in the centre of the underside of each small tile.

[0010] The slot in the support base and the foot of the small tile may be of any configuration provided,however , that there can still be an easy, secure and tight attachment.

[0011] It can now be understood how small tiles forming many different patterns on the upper surface, may be attached to the support base and how, only after the composition has been certified perfect, can the small tiles be definitively fixed to the base by any of the well-known conventional glues.

[0012] It is also apparent how the small tiles may be of varying dimensions and how, therefore, by simply providing an appropriate number of slots in the support base, the same tile may comprise different numbers of small tiles.

[0013] In the same way, it is possible to envisage various polygonal shapes for the support base, covering it, in this case, with small tiles of the same shape in order to obtain a variety of decorative patterns, for instance, geometrical.

[0014] The accompanying drawing is for purpose of illustration, but not limitation, wherein:

- figure 1 is an axonometric view of the tile in accordance with the instant invention, with one of the small tiles removed in order to show one of the slots made in the support base;

- figure 2 is an axonometric view of the removed small tile, seen from below and showing the foot.

[0015] Referring now to the figures, the tile in accordance with the instant invention, comprises firstly of a polygonal base (1), square in shape according to one preferred embodiment, bearing several through slots (2).

[0016] Each of these slots (2) serves as a hooking point allowing for a prismatic coupling and fit with a foot (3a) found in the centre of the under surface of each small tile (3).

[0017] The clots (2) must be aligned vertically and horizzon- tally in such a way that the small tiles (3) once hooked into them exactly touch one another thus completely covering the whole of the underlying surface of the support base (1).

[0018] In the preferred embodiment, in order to get each slot in the base, and the foot of each small tile to fit together, said foot must be shaped like an upside-down "T".

[0019] The slot, on the other hand, must be in such a way as to have a longer section into which the horizzontal limb of the upside-down "T" may be inserted; said "T" being on the under side of the small tile, and a shorter section into which the small vertical limb of the foot may inserted with a suitable sliding motion of the small tile.

[0020] Said foot thus remains securely fixed into the base as the head of the upside-down "T" cannot obviously move upwards.

[0021] It should be quite apparent that each row of small tiles attached to the base remains definitively fixed by the next row to be fitted which touches against it.

[0022] In other forms of the tile, it is clear that the coupling of the base with the foot of the small tile may be achieved in a variety of other ways, all of which, however, are characterized by the presence, underneath each small tile, of a vertical projection having at its end one or more horizontal elements for the purpose of fitting under the appropriately shaped slot provided in the support base.

[0023] In yet another embodiment, the coupling of the small tiles and the base may be achieved in a different way; for example, in the case of a base with raised outer edges, the small tiles touching these edges would have to vary in thickness accordingly; the part fitting over the edge being thinner, and the part resting on the actual bottom of the support base being thicker.

[0024] Each of the central small tiles would have to have a projecting element in the middle of its surface which would fit perfectly into a appropriate aperture provided with the same purpose as the one found in the aforesaid base.

[0025] Finally, it should be noted that the tile, in accordance with the herein described invention, may be easily produced not only in the materials generally used in the making of conventional tiles, in other words, ceramic, majolica, stoneware and the like, but also in any type of suitable wood or plastic for tiling.

Claims

1) Tile comprising a series of small tiles placed side by side, which hook into a support base, in its preferred embodiment, characterized by comprising firstly of a polygonal base bearing several through slots on its upper surface, aligned vertically and horizontally.
Each of said slots serves as a hooking point allowing for a prismatic coupling and fit with a projecting foot found in the centre of the surface of an equal number of small tiles with a patterned upper surface.
A whole number of the aforesaid tiles must be able to fix exactly into the surface area of said support base.

2) Tile comprising a series of small tiles placed side by side, which hook into a support base, as in claim 1), characterized by a projecting foot provided in the centre of the under side of each small tile, which in the preferred embodiment, is shaped like an upside-down "T" so that it couples well with the slot provided in the base.
Said slot comprises a longer section into which the horizontal limb of the upside-down "T" may be easily inserted, and a shorter section into which the small vertical limb of the foot may be inserted with a suitable sliding motion of the small tile.

3) Tile comprising a series of small tiles placed side by side, which hook into a support base characterized, in another preferred embodiment, by support base with raised outer edges and not provided with through slots but with holding apertures.
In this form, the small tiles touching the raised edges will vary in thickness accordingly, the part fitting over the edge being thinner, and the part resting on the actual bottom of the base being thicker.
Each of the central small tiles is provided with a projecting element in the middle of its under surface which fits exactly into each of the aforementioned corresponding apertures.

Drawing