Tile Structure and Assembly for Covering Predetermined Surface

Abstract

A tile structure and a tile assembly comprising a plurality of substantially equivalent, interconnected tile structures disposable in covering relation to a floor or other surface area. Each tile structure comprises outer and under layers fixedly secured in longitudinally and transversely offset relation to define a connecting groove and a connecting tongue extending along opposite longitudinal and transverse peripheral portions thereof. The connecting tongue on each of the plurality of tile structures is cooperatively dimensioned and configured to fit within the connecting groove on a next adjacently disposed tile structure. Secure interconnection between the tile structures is facilitated by a pressure sensitive or dry adhesive composition disposed on one surface at least partially within the connecting groove, while the remaining surfaces of the connecting tongue and groove are initially adhesive-free.

1 . A tile structure configured for interconnection with a plurality of substantially equivalent tile structures, said tile structure comprising:
 an outer layer and an under layer secured to one another,   a first longitudinal side of said outer layer disposed in outwardly extending, overlying relation to a corresponding first longitudinal side of said under layer,   said first longitudinal sides of said outer and under layers disposed in spaced relation to one another to define a connecting groove therebetween,   a second longitudinal side of said under layer disposed in outwardly extending relation beyond a corresponding second longitudinal side of said outer layer to define a connecting tongue, and   said first longitudinal side of said outer layer comprising an under surface and an adhesive composition disposed on said undersurface.   
     
     
         2 . A tile structure as recited in  claim 1  wherein said first longitudinal side of said under layer includes an interior surface disposed in aligned, spaced relation with an inner portion of said under surface of said first longitudinal side of said outer layer; said connecting groove at least partially defined by said interior surface and said inner portion of said under surface of said first longitudinal sides of said outer and under layers respectively. 
     
     
         3 . A tile structure as recited in  claim 2  wherein said second longitudinal side of said under layer includes an outer surface and an oppositely disposed under surface respectively defining outer and under surfaces of said connecting tongue. 
     
     
         4 . A tile structure as recited in  claim 3  wherein said outer surface of said connecting tongue includes a larger transverse dimension than that of said under surface of said connecting tongue. 
     
     
         5 . A tile structure as recited in  claim 4  wherein said outer surface of said connecting tongue comprises a lesser transverse dimension than said under surface of said first longitudinal side of said outer layer. 
     
     
         6 . A tile structure as recited in  claim 3  wherein said interior surface of said first longitudinal side of said under layer and said outer and under surfaces of said connecting tongue initially comprise adhesive-free surfaces. 
     
     
         7 . A tile structure as recited in  claim 1  wherein said second longitudinal side of said under layer includes an outer surface and an oppositely disposed under surface respectively defining outer and under surfaces of said connecting tongue. 
     
     
         8 . A tile structure as recited in  claim 7  wherein said outer surface of said connecting tongue includes a larger transverse dimension than that of said under surface of said connecting tongue. 
     
     
         9 . A tile structure as recited in  claim 8  wherein said outer surface of said connecting tongue comprises a lesser transverse dimension than said under surface of said first longitudinal side of said outer layer. 
     
     
         10 . A tile structure as recited in  claim 1  wherein said adhesive composition comprises a pressure-sensitive adhesive. 
     
     
         11 . A tile structure as recited in  claim 1  wherein said outer layer and said under layer are fixedly attached in longitudinally and transversely offset relation to one another. 
     
     
         12 . A tile structure as recited in  claim 11  wherein said connecting groove and said connecting tongue respectively extend continuously along oppositely disposed transverse ends of said outer layer and said under layer. 
     
     
         13 . A tile structure as recited in  claim 1  wherein said connecting tongue is dimensioned and configured to fit within said connecting groove on a next, adjacently disposed and connected one of the plurality of substantially equivalent tiles. 
     
     
         14 . A tile structure as recited in  claim 1  wherein said first longitudinal side of said outer layer is disposed in a nonaligned relation with said first longitudinal side of said under layer, and said second longitudinal side of said outer layer is disposed in a nonaligned relation with said second longitudinal side of said under layer. 
     
     
         15 . A tile structure as recited in  claim 14  further comprising a first transverse side of said outer layer disposed in a nonaligned relation with a first transverse side of said under layer, and a second transverse side of said outer layer disposed in a nonaligned relation with a second transverse side of said under layer. 
     
     
         16 . A tile structure as recited in  claim 1  further comprising a covering assembly cooperatively structured and removably disposed at least partially within said connecting groove. 
     
     
         17 . A tile structure as recited in  claim 14  wherein said covering assembly is removably disposed in an overlying relation to said adhesive composition. 
     
     
         18 . A tile assembly structured to cover a predetermined surface, said tile assembly comprising:
 a plurality of tile structures comprising substantially equivalent configurations and dimensions sufficient to facilitate interconnection to one another and collective disposition in covering relation to the predetermined surface,   each of said plurality of tile structures including an outer layer and an under layer secured in a nonaligned relation to one another,   a first longitudinal side of said outer layer disposed in outwardly extending, overlying relation to a corresponding first longitudinal side of said under layer,   said first longitudinal sides of said outer and under layers disposed in spaced relation to one another to define a connecting groove therebetween,   said second longitudinal side of said under layer disposed in outwardly extending relation beyond a corresponding second longitudinal side of said outer layer, to define a connecting tongue, and   said connecting tongue dimensioned and configured to fit within said connecting groove of a next adjacent and connected one of said plurality of tile structures.   
     
     
         19 . A tile assembly as recited in  claim 18  wherein said first longitudinal side of said outer layer of each of said plurality of tile structures comprises an under surface and a pressure sensitive adhesive composition disposed on said undersurface of said first longitudinal side. 
     
     
         20 . A tile assembly as recited in  claim 19  wherein said interior surface of said first longitudinal side of said under layer and said outer and under surfaces of said connecting tongue initially comprise adhesive-free surfaces. 
     
     
         21 . A tile assembly as recited in  claim 16  wherein said outer layer and said under layer are fixedly attached in longitudinally and transversely offset relation to one another. 
     
     
         22 . A tile assembly as recited in  claim 21  further comprising a connecting groove extension at least partially defined by a first transverse side of said outer layer disposed in outwardly extending, overlying relation to a corresponding first transverse side of said under layer. 
     
     
         23 . A tile assembly as recited in  claim 22  further comprising a connecting tongue extension at least partially defined by a second transverse side of said under layer disposed in outwardly extending relation beyond a corresponding second transverse side of said outer layer to define said connecting tongue extension. 
     
     
         24 . A tile assembly as recited in  claim 23  wherein longitudinal sides of adjacently disposed ones of said plurality of tile structures are connected by interaction of said connecting tongues and connecting grooves and corresponding transverse ends of longitudinally aligned and connected ones of said plurality of tile structures connected by interacting engagement of said connecting tongue and connecting groove extensions. 
     
     
         25 . A tile assembly as recited in  claim 18  wherein each of said plurality of tile structures include wherein said first longitudinal side of said under layer includes an interior surface disposed in aligned, spaced relation with an inner portion of said under surface of said first longitudinal sides of said outer layer; said connecting groove at least partially defined by said interior surface and said inner portion of said under surface of said first longitudinal sides of said outer and under layers respectively. 
     
     
         26 . A tile assembly as recited in  claim 25  wherein each of said plurality of tile structures include wherein said second longitudinal side of said under layer includes an outer surface and an oppositely disposed under surface respectively defining outer and under surfaces of said connecting tongue. 
     
     
         27 . A tile assembly as recited in  claim 26  wherein each of said plurality of tile structures include wherein said outer surface of said connecting tongue comprises a lesser transverse dimension than said under surface of said first longitudinal side of said outer layer. 
     
     
         28 . A tile assembly as recited in  claim 27  further comprising a tolerance space extending along a length of and disposed within said connecting groove substantially at a longitudinal edge of said connecting tongue at least partially inserted within said connecting groove. 
     
     
         29 . A tile assembly as recited in  claim 26  wherein said outer surface of said connecting tongue includes a larger transverse dimension than that of said under surface of said connecting tongue. 
     
     
         30 . A tile assembly as recited in  claim 29  wherein said adhesive composition comprises a pressure-sensitive adhesive. 
     
     
         31 . A tile structure configured for interconnection with a plurality of substantially equivalent tile structures, said tile structure comprising:
 an outer layer and an under layer secured to one another, wherein a plurality of peripheral edges of said outer layer are disposed in an offset relation to a plurality of corresponding peripheral edges of said under layer,   a first longitudinal side of said outer layer disposed in outwardly extending, overlying relation to a corresponding first longitudinal side of said under layer,   said first longitudinal sides of said outer and under layers disposed in spaced relation to one another to define a connecting groove therebetween,   a second longitudinal side of said under layer disposed in outwardly extending relation beyond a corresponding second longitudinal side of said outer layer to define a connecting tongue, and   said first longitudinal side of said outer layer comprising an under surface and an adhesive composition disposed on said undersurface.