Substrate Element, Modular Tiling Element, System Of Interlocking Mechanisms And Method Of Tiling

Abstract

A substrate element 14 with a face 18 is provided, which includes two attachment formations 28,30 that extend along edges of the element that protrude beyond the face and two attachment formations 38,40 that extend along two edges of the element that are recessed from the face. The attachment formations on each protruding edge are complementary to the attachment formations on each recessed edge. One attachment formation 28 on a protruding edge and its complementary attachment formation 38 on a recessed edge of an adjacent element, are lockingly engagable to form a lockable set of attachment formations. One attachment formation 30 on a protruding edge and its complementary attachment formation 40 on a recessed edge of an adjacent element, are slidingly engagable with an interference fit to form an adjustable set of attachment formations. The invention also extends to a modular tiling element 12 , a system of interlocking mechanisms and a method of tiling, all incorporating the substrate element.

1 - 28 . (canceled)  
   
   
       29 . A substrate element ( 14 ) for a modular tiling element ( 12 ), said substrate element defining: 
 a generally planar face ( 18 );    at least two attachment formations ( 28 ),( 30 ) extending along at least one protruding edge of the substrate element, protruding beyond the face; and,    at least two attachment formations ( 38 ),( 40 ) extending along at least one recessed edge of the substrate element, recessed from the face, the attachment formations on each protruding edge being complementary to the attachment formations on each recessed edge, wherein one attachment formation ( 28 ) on a protruding edge and its complementary attachment formation ( 38 ) on a recessed edge of an adjacent substrate element, are lockingly engagable to form a lockable set of attachment formations, and one attachment formation ( 30 ) on a protruding edge and its complementary attachment formation ( 40 ) on a recessed edge of an adjacent substrate element, are slidingly engagable with an interference fit to form an adjustable set of attachment formations.    
   
   
       30 . The substrate element as claimed in  claim 29 , wherein the complementary attachment formations in an adjustable set include a recess defined proximate an edge of one substrate element and a complementary protuberance, extending from an edge of the adjacent substrate element, the protuberance being receivable in the recess formation with an interference fit, but with play in a direction that is generally coplanar with at least one of the substrate elements.  
   
   
       31 . The substrate element as claimed in  claim 30 , wherein the complementary attachment formations in a lockable set include a recess defined proximate an edge of one substrate element and a complementary, resilient clip formation, extending from an edge of the adjacent substrate element, the clip formation being receivable in the recess in a clipping-fashion.  
   
   
       32 . The substrate element as claimed in  claim 31 , wherein the protuberance of the adjustable set and the clip formation of the lockable set, are spaced apart with a groove defined between them, and in that the recesses of the adjustable set and the lockable set are similarly spaced apart with a tongue extending between them, the tongue being receivable in a pinching-fashion in the groove, when the adjustable set and lockable set of attachment formations engage.  
   
   
       33 . The substrate element as claimed in  claim 32 , wherein the protuberance of the adjustable set and the clip formation of the lockable set, are spaced further apart than the recesses of the adjustable set and the lockable set.  
   
   
       34 . The substrate element as claimed in  claim 29 , wherein the face has a rectangular outline and in that the substrate element includes two protruding edges, protruding beyond the face on two sides of the substrate element, and two recessed edges, recessed from the edges of the face, on the two remaining sides of the substrate element.  
   
   
       35 . The substrate element as claimed in  claim 34 , wherein each of the protruding edges has the form of a flange.  
   
   
       36 . The substrate element as claimed in  claim 35 , wherein a utility groove is defined in at least one of the flanges.  
   
   
       37 . The substrate element as claimed in  claim 35 , wherein a fastening slot is defined in at least one of the flanges.  
   
   
       38 . The substrate element as claimed in  claim 29 , wherein a plurality of rib formations and recesses are defined on the face.  
   
   
       39 . The substrate element as claimed in  claim 29 , wherein a plurality of rib formations and recesses are defined on an underside of the substrate, opposite from the face.  
   
   
       40 . The substrate element as claimed in  claim 29 , wherein the substrate element has a solid construction, in which no holes are defined.  
   
   
       41 . The substrate element as claimed in  claim 29 , configured with at least one spacer, protruding from the substrate element, between the face and a protruding edge of the substrate element, generally perpendicularly to the face.  
   
   
       42 . The substrate element as claimed in  claim 29 , wherein the substrate element includes at least one marking, disposed at a location corresponding a fraction of the length of the face.  
   
   
       43 . The substrate element as claimed in  claim 29 , wherein the substrate element includes at least one marking, corresponding to a laying direction of the substrate element.  
   
   
       44 . The substrate element as claimed in  claim 29 , wherein said modular tiling element ( 12 ) comprises said substrate element ( 14 ) and a surface layer of cladding material ( 16 ) bonded to the substrate element in that the surface layer is bonded to the face ( 18 ) of the substrate element.  
   
   
       45 . The substrate element as claimed in  claim 44 , wherein the surface layer of cladding material and the face of the substrate element are of the same general size and are bonded together, generally in register.  
   
   
       46 . The substrate element as claimed in  claim 44 , wherein the cladding material comprises a ceramic tile.  
   
   
       47 . The substrate element as claimed in  claim 44 , wherein the cladding material comprises a stone tile.  
   
   
       48 . The substrate element as claimed in  claim 44 , wherein the bonding between the cladding material and the face of the substrate element is complete.  
   
   
       49 . A method of tiling comprising: 
 preparing modular tiling elements ( 12 ) by bonding surface layers of cladding material ( 16 ) to substrate elements ( 14 ) as claimed in claim  1 ;    moving the tiling elements ( 12 ) into a side-by-side arrangement with their edges in abutment; and,    engaging complementary formations defined on the edges of adjacent tiling elements, wherein a lockable set ( 28 ),( 38 ) of the complementary engagement formations lock the edges of adjacent tiling elements together and an adjustable set ( 30 ),( 40 ) of the complementary engagement formations engage with a slidable interference fit, allowing relative movement between adjacent tiling elements, generally along the common plane of the tiling elements, while the complementary formations remain in engagement.    
   
   
       50 . The method as claimed in  claim 49 , further comprising attaching the substrate elements to a support structure.  
   
   
       51 . The method as claimed in  claim 49 , further comprising attaching the substrate elements to the support structure by fasteners extending through flanges of the substrate elements, protruding beyond edges of the surface layer of cladding material.  
   
   
       52 . The method as claimed in  claim 50 , wherein the substrate elements are interlocked and free floating on the support structure.  
   
   
       53 . A tiling system ( 10 ) laid in accordance with the method as claimed in  claim 49 , wherein the tiling system comprises modular tiling element ( 12 ) comprising: 
 a generally planar face ( 18 );    at least two attachment formations ( 28 ),( 30 ) extending along at least one protruding edge of the substrate element, protruding beyond the face;    at least two attachment formations ( 38 ),( 40 ) extending along at least one recessed edge of the substrate element, recessed from the face, the attachment formations on each protruding edge being complementary to the attachment formations on each recessed edge, wherein one attachment formation ( 28 ) on a protruding edge and its complementary attachment formation ( 38 ) on a recessed edge of an adjacent substrate element, are lockingly engagable to form a lockable set of attachment formations, and one attachment formation ( 30 ) on a protruding edge and its complementary attachment formation ( 40 ) on a recessed edge of an adjacent substrate element, are slidingly engagable with an interference fit to form an adjustable set of attachment formations; and,    wherein said modular tiling element ( 12 ) comprises said substrate element ( 14 ) and a surface layer of cladding material ( 16 ) bonded to the substrate element in that the surface layer is bonded to the face ( 18 ) of the substrate element.    
   
   
       54 . The system as claimed in  claim 53 , wherein the upper faces of the surface layers of adjacent tiling elements are aligned to provide a smooth surface.  
   
   
       55 . The system of as claimed in  claim 53 , wherein said interlocking mechanisms, defined on flanges ( 24 ) of the substrate elements ( 14 ) at protruding edges, wherein the engagement of the attachment formations ( 28 ),( 30 ),( 38 ),( 40 ) of adjacent substrate elements allow the substrate elements to move longitudinally and transversely to the engaged attachment formations.  
   
   
       56 . The system as claimed in  claim 54 , wherein the engagement of the attachment formations form a pincher lock.