[0001] The invention relates to a support tile for a tiled terrace, which support tile comprises
a body with a rectangular base surface, a top surface parallel to the base surface
and a peripheral wall extending along the circumference of the base surface and between
the base surface and the top surface.
[0002] Support tiles are used to support a finishing layer of for example terrace tiles
onto a base layer, such as a sand bed. For example
FR 2691734 shows such support tiles, which are provided with separate feet. The feet are provided
with protrusions at the top, such that the support tiles, can interlock with the feet
and with the adjacent support tiles.
[0003] A disadvantage of this known tile support is that it is not well suited to accommodate
for any changes in dimensions due to heat expansion, as the support tiles are all
interlocked with each other. In addition, these known support tiles are only suitable
for loose laying tiles. There is a gap between adjacent support tiles, such that any
masonry joint material will flow through these gaps beneath the support tiles. It
will therefore be impossible to provide a masonry joint between the terrace tiles
arranged on the support tiles.
[0004] It is an object of the invention to reduce or even remove the above mentioned disadvantages.
[0005] This object is achieved with a support tile according to the preamble, which is characterized
by support flanges extending from the peripheral wall and extending parallel to the
top surface, wherein the support flanges are arranged at either of two different distances
from the top surface, such that the support flanges of adjacent support tiles can
slide interlocking in a direction parallel to the top surface and provide a support
in a direction perpendicular to the top surface.
[0006] The support flanges ensure that the support tiles can be interlocked for forces directed
perpendicular to the top surface. This allows for the support tiles to take up the
loads exerted on the terrace tiles, which are arranged on the support tiles. The support
flanges on the other hand allow for changes in dimensions due to heat expansion. If
the support tiles would increase in length and width due to heat, such as the sun,
the support flanges of adjacent support tiles will slide over each other compensating
for the expansion.
[0007] The support flanges also provide a barrier in vertical direction between the support
tiles, such that when masonry joint material is arranged between terrace tiles supported
by the support tiles, the masonry joint material will be prevented from flowing past
the support flanges. This allows for providing a terrace with a support tile layer,
which has the appearance of a terrace provided directly on a base layer.
[0008] In a preferred embodiment of the support tile according to the invention the flange
nearest to the top surface has a bottom support surface, wherein the flange furthest
from the top surface has a top support surface and wherein the top support surface
and the bottom support surface extend in the same plane parallel to the top surface.
[0009] By providing the top support surface of the lower flanges in the same plane as the
bottom support surface of the higher flanges, it is ensured that the support tiles,
when arranged interlockingly next to each other will be fully locked in the direction
perpendicular to the top surface. This ensures that the support tiles will not shift
relative to each other when the terrace, supported by the support tiles, is loaded.
[0010] In a further preferred embodiment of the support tile according to the invention
strengthening ribs are provided on the peripheral wall extending perpendicular from
the support flanges and wherein recesses are provided in the flanges for accommodating
strengthening ribs of adjacent support tiles, when the support tiles are in interlocking
position.
[0011] The strengthening ribs ensure that the support tiles can withstand a higher load,
without shifting in a direction perpendicular to the top surface.
[0012] In a further embodiment of the support tiles according to the invention the top surface
comprises at least one recess and wherein the support tile comprises a spacer element
arranged in the at least one recess, wherein the spacer element is provided with at
least one rib extending perpendicular to the top surface to space apart two tiles
supported by the support tile.
[0013] The spacer element provides a spacing between adjacent terrace tiles when supported
by the support tiles. The spacer element also ensures that the terrace tiles cannot
displace relative to the support tiles, as the spacer element provides a boundary
for the terrace tiles. Preferably at least four space elements are provided around
each tile.
[0014] In another embodiment of the support tile according to the invention a number of
recesses is provided in the top surface at a fixed pitch in both length and width
direction.
[0015] A ceramic tile, such as typically used for terraces, has typically a length and width
dimension being a multiple of 15 centimeters. By providing recesses with a pitch of
15 centimeters, the spacer elements can always be positioned on position on the support
tile, corresponding with the dimensions of the used ceramic tiles. The size of the
support tiles no longer needs to correspond with the size of the used tiles.
[0016] In yet another preferred embodiment of the support tile according to the invention
the spacer element comprises a center part, spoke parts extending radially from the
center part and a rim part connecting the free ends of the spoke parts, wherein the
at least one rib is arranged on the rim part.
[0017] The wheel-like construction of the spacer element allows for an easy positioning
of the spacer element in the recess. It also allows for a relative large structure,
with a minimal amount of plastic material, while being able to position the ribs on
the rim part as far as possible.
[0018] Preferably, at least one rib is arranged on the rim part between two adjacent spoke
parts. This allows for some deformation of the rim part, due to forces on the rib,
without these forces directly being transferred to the support tile, which could cause
deformation or even damage of the support tiles.
[0019] In yet another embodiment of the support tile according to the invention straight
channels are arranged in the top surface, which straight channels connect the recesses
in the top surface.
[0020] The straight channels allow for additional height of a masonry joint between tiles,
but also allows for a non-releasing cross-section of a resulting joint.
[0021] The invention also relates to a combination of:
- a number of support tiles according to the invention, wherein the support tiles are
arranged interlocking and next to each other to provide a support surface,
- a number of ceramic tiles arranged on the support surface provided by the number of
support tiles.
[0022] In a preferred embodiment of the combination according to the invention, in which
spacer elements are provided on the support tile, the ceramic tiles are arranged abutting
the ribs of the spacer elements.
[0023] Another preferred embodiment of the combination according to the invention, in which
support tiles having straight channels are used comprises masonry joints arranged
between adjacent ceramic tiles, wherein the masonry joints extend into the straight
channels and preferably extend under the ceramic tiles to provide a masonry joint
with a non-releasing cross-section.
[0024] It is furthermore possible to provide a pressure sensor in the support tiles, to
detect when the tiles are walked on, for example by an intruder. This allows for an
alarm system to be triggered. If a multiple of pressure sensors are arranged in a
terrace, then even an exact location can be determined.
[0025] It is also possible to integrate electrical lines and for example a heating element
in the support tiles. Each tile can be provided with connector contacts to connect
with adjacent tiles and to link the electrical lines to each other. This allows for
heating the support tiles and the supported tiles which prevents freezing of the terrace
or coverage by snow.
[0026] These and other features of the invention will be elucidated in conjunction with
the accompanying drawings.
Figure 1 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of the combination according to
the invention.
Figure 2 shows a cross-section of the embodiment of figure 1.
Figure 3 shows a schematic top view of a combination of support tiles.
Figure 4 shows an embodiment of a spacer element for the combination according to
the invention.
Figure 5 shows a cross-section of a second embodiment of a combination according to
the invention.
Figure 1 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of the combination 1 according
to the invention. The combination 1 has a number of support tiles 2 on which ceramic
terrace tiles 3 are arranged.
[0027] Each support tile 2 has a rectangular base surface 4, a top surface 5 parallel to
the base surface 4 and a peripheral wall 6 extending along the circumference of the
base surface 4 and between the base surface 4 and the top surface 5.
[0028] Along the peripheral a number of support flanges 7, 8 are arranged. The support flanges
7, 8 are alternating positioned at a distance closer to the top surface 5 (support
flanges 7) and at a distance further away from the top surface 5 (support flanges
8). Each of the support flanges 7, 8 is provided with strengthening ribs 9. The lower
support flanges 8 are provided with recesses 10 for accommodating the strengthening
ribs 9 of the higher support flanges 7, when two adjacent support tiles 2 are interlocked
(see also figure 2).
[0029] The top surface 5 is furthermore provided with recesses 11, in which a spacer element
12 (see also figure 4) can be positioned. Each spacer element 12 has ribs 13 extending
perpendicular from the top surface 2 and provide a spacing between the terrace tiles
3.
[0030] Figure 2 shows a cross-section of the embodiment 1 of figure 1. Two adjacent support
tiles 2 are interlocked by the support flanges 7, 8 being slid over each other in
horizontal direction. This ensures that in vertical direction, the support flanges
7, 8 can transfer a load onto each other, while the support flanges 7, 8 can still
slide freely in horizontal direction to accommodate for any heat expansion.
[0031] The top surface 5 on which the terrace tiles 3 are supported are provided with a
straight channel 14, which is formed in this part by the edges of both support tiles
2. This allows for a masonry joint material 15 to fill the space between the terrace
tiles 3 and to have a non-releasing cross-section, in this case an inverted T-shape.
The straight channel 14 has side grooves 20, which contribute to the non-releasing
cross-section and which prevent the joint material 15 to break loose from the support
tiles 2. Also the tiles 3 are provided with a slanting sides 21 and cut-outs 22 which
furthermore contribute to a firm attachment of the joint material 15 to the tiles
3 and the support tiles 2.
[0032] Preferably the bottom of each tile 3 is provided with ridges 23, which are housed
in the straight channels 14.
[0033] Figure 3 shows a schematic top view of a combination of support tiles 2. Each support
tile 2 is provided with a number of recesses 11 in which a spacer element 12 can be
positioned dependent on the size of the terrace tiles used.
[0034] Each recess 11 is connected with a straight channel 14 allowing for a masonry joint
with a non-releasing cross-section to be provided between the terrace tiles.
[0035] Figure 4 shows an embodiment of a spacer element 12 for the combination 1 according
to the invention. The spacer element 12 has a center part 16, spoke parts 17 extending
radially from the center part 16 and a rim part 18 connecting the free ends of the
spoke parts 17. On the rim part 18, between the spoke parts 17, the ribs 13 are arranged
to provide a spacing between the terrace tiles 3.
[0036] Because the ribs 13 are arranged on the rim part 18 between two spoke parts 17, the
rim part 18 can deform slightly, when a force is exerted on a rib 13, without transferring
all forces onto the center part 16 and onto the support tile 2.
[0037] Figure 5 shows a second embodiment 30 of the combination according to the invention,
which corresponds largely with the embodiment 1 according to figure 1.
[0038] The tiles 31 are supported on support tiles 2. The tiles 31 have sides 32, which
diverge in upward direction, such that the joint material 15 provides a lock of the
tiles 32 to the support tiles 2, especially when the straight channels 14 are provided
with side grooves 20, which lock the masonry joint material 15 to the support tiles
2.
1. Support tile for a tiled terrace, which support tile comprises a body with a rectangular
base surface, a top surface parallel to the base surface and a peripheral wall extending
along the circumference of the base surface and between the base surface and the top
surface,
characterized by support flanges extending from the peripheral wall and extending parallel to the
top surface, wherein the support flanges are arranged at either of two different distances
from the top surface, such that the support flanges of adjacent support tiles can
slide interlocking in a direction parallel to the top surface and provide a support
in a direction perpendicular to the top surface.
2. Support tile according to claim 1, wherein the flange nearest to the top surface has
a bottom support surface, wherein the flange furthest from the top surface has a top
support surface and wherein the top support surface and the bottom support surface
extend in the same plane parallel to the top surface.
3. Support tile according to claim 1 or 2, wherein strengthening ribs are provided on
the peripheral wall extending perpendicular from the support flanges and wherein recesses
are provided in the flanges for accommodating strengthening ribs of adjacent support
tiles, when the support tiles are in interlocking position.
4. Support tile according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the top surface comprises
at least one recess and wherein the support tile comprises a spacer element arranged
in the at least one recess, wherein the spacer element is provided with at least one
rib extending perpendicular to the top surface to space apart two tiles supported
by the support tile.
5. Support tile according to claim 4, wherein a number of recesses is provided in the
top surface at a fixed pitch in both length and width direction.
6. Support tile according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the spacer element comprises a center
part, spoke parts extending radially from the center part and a rim part connecting
the free ends of the spoke parts, wherein the at least one rib is arranged on the
rim part.
7. Support tile according to any of the claims 4 - 6, wherein at least one rib is arranged
on the rim part between two adjacent spoke parts.
8. Support tile according to any of the claims 4 - 7, wherein straight channels are arranged
in the top surface, which straight channels connect the recesses in the top surface.
9. Combination of:
- a number of support tiles according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the
support tiles are arranged interlocking and next to each other to provide a support
surface,
- a number of ceramic tiles arranged on the support surface provided by the number
of support tiles.
10. Combination according to claim 9 with support tiles according to claims 4 - 8, wherein
the ceramic tiles are arranged abutting the ribs of the spacer elements.
11. Combination according to claim 9 or 10 with support tiles according to claim 8, further
comprising masonry joints arranged between adjacent ceramic tiles, wherein the masonry
joints extend into the straight channels and preferably extend under the ceramic tiles
to provide a masonry joint with a non-releasing cross-section.