Method and apparatus for floating installation of tiles

Abstract

A lattice of support surfaces are used to support substantially the perimeter of a construction tile. The support surface is made integral with a decorative border. Linear railways attach at various angle to other railways to form the lattice. Tiles are set into the lattice providing a warmer installation relative to installation over concrete tile foundation.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A method for installing a tile comprising the steps of: 
 providing a support within the footprint of and proximate to the outer perimeter of the tile;    providing a first border along a first edge of the tile;    providing a second border along a second edge of the tile wherein the first edge of the tile and the second edge of the tile meet at an angle.    
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising maintaining the position of the first border relative to the second border.  
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2  wherein maintaining the position of the first border relative to the second border comprises maintaining the first border at an angle relative to the second border wherein the angle is substantially equal to a value in the group consisting of 60 degrees, 108 degrees, 120 degrees and 135 degrees.  
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 2  wherein maintaining the position of the first border relative to the second border comprises: 
 connecting a first end of the first border to a connecting device; and  
 connecting a first end of the second border to the connecting device at an angle corresponding to the angle at which the first and second tile edges meet.  
 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4  wherein connecting a first end of the first border to a connecting device comprises: 
 attaching a linear groove connector on a first end of the first border to a linear groove connector on a connecting device; and  
 restraining movement of the first border relative to the connecting device along the linear grooves.  
 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 4  further comprising providing an expansion relief under the connecting device.  
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising providing a facia between the first border and the second border.  
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7  wherein providing a facia comprises providing a border surface in a connecting device used for connecting the first border to the second border.  
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 7  wherein providing a facia comprises: 
 extending the first border to a tapered transition line; and  
 extending the second border to the tapered transition line.  
 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the step of providing a support within the footprint of the tile comprises the step of providing a ledge along the first border.  
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10  wherein providing a ledge along the first border comprises providing a ledge that is tapered back from the end of the first border at an angle substantially half of the angle between the first border and the second border.  
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising providing an expansion relief under the first border.  
     
     
         13 . A tile installation fixture comprising: 
 border ledge; and    support rail collinear with the border ledge and comprising a tapered end.    
     
     
         14 . The tile installation fixture of  claim 13  further comprising an end connector.  
     
     
         15 . The tile installation fixture of  claim 14  wherein the end connector comprises a linear groove connector.  
     
     
         16 . The tile installation fixture of  claim 14  wherein the end connector comprises a linear groove connector and further comprising a lateral restraint means.  
     
     
         17 . The tile installation fixture of  claim 13  wherein the tapered end is angled back from the border ledge at an angle so as to support attachment of a second tile installation fixture at an angle that is substantially equal to a value in the group consisting of 60 degrees, 108 degrees, 120 degrees and 135 degrees.  
     
     
         18 . The tile installation fixture of  claim 13  wherein the tile installation fixture has a bottom side and further comprising an expansion relief cut into said bottom side.  
     
     
         19 . The tile installation fixture of  claim 13  wherein the border ledge extends beyond the support rail.  
     
     
         20 . A tile connecting device comprising: 
 first tile installation fixture connector; and    second tile installation fixture connector set at an angle relative to the first tile installation connector.    
     
     
         21 . The tile installation fixture of  claim 20  wherein the second tile installation connector is set relative to the first tile installation connector substantially at an angle of one of the group consisting of 60 degrees, 108 degrees, 120 degrees and 135 degrees.