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, said outer layer being disposed in an overlying relation to said under layer,   a first longitudinal side of said under layer disposed in an outwardly extending relation to a corresponding first longitudinal side of said outer 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 connecting groove comprising a converging dimensional configuration along at least a portion of a length thereof,   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 connecting tongue comprising a tapered configuration along at least a portion of a length thereof.   
     
     
         2 . The tile structure as recited in  claim 1  wherein said first longitudinal side of said outer layer comprises an under surface and an adhesive composition disposed on said under surface. 
     
     
         3 . The tile structure as recited in  claim 1  wherein said first longitudinal side of said outer layer comprises an under surface disposed in a spaced relation with an inner portion of an interior surface of said first longitudinal side of said under layer; said connecting groove at least partially defined by said under surface and said inner portion of said interior surface of said first longitudinal sides of said outer and under layers respectively. 
     
     
         4 . The tile structure as recited in  claim 3  wherein said inner portion of said interior surface of said under layer comprises a sloped, converging configuration. 
     
     
         5 . The tile structure as recited in  claim 4  wherein said under surface of said first longitudinal side of said outer layer is substantially parallel to an outer, exposed surface of said outer layer. 
     
     
         6 . The tile structure as recited in  claim 4  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. 
     
     
         7 . The tile structure as recited in  claim 6  wherein said under surface of said connecting tongue comprises a sloped configuration along at least a portion of a length thereof. 
     
     
         8 . The tile structure as recited in  claim 7  wherein said outer surface of said connecting tongue is parallel to an outer, exposed surface of said outer layer. 
     
     
         9 . The tile structure as recited in  claim 7  wherein said outer surface of said connecting tongue includes a lesser transverse dimension than that of said under surface of said connecting tongue. 
     
     
         10 . The tile structure as recited in  claim 9  wherein said second longitudinal side of said under layer comprises a lip disposed at an interior end of said under surface of said tongue. 
     
     
         11 . The tile structure as recited in  claim 10  wherein said second longitudinal side of said outer layer comprises a peripheral edge disposed in a non-aligned, outer extending relation to said lip on said second longitudinal side of said under layer. 
     
     
         12 . The tile structure as recited in  claim 11  wherein said lip of said second longitudinal side of said under layer is configured to be disposed in a confronting relation with a peripheral edge of a first longitudinal side of an under layer on a next, adjacently disposed and connected one of the plurality of substantially equivalent tiles. 
     
     
         13 . The tile structure as recited in  claim 12  wherein said peripheral edge of said second longitudinal side of said outer layer is configured to be disposed in a confronting relation with a peripheral edge of a first longitudinal side of an outer layer on the next, adjacently disposed and connected one of the plurality of substantially equivalent tiles. 
     
     
         14 . The tile structure as recited in  claim 7  wherein said under surface of said connecting tongue comprises a lesser transverse dimension than said interior surface of said first longitudinal side of said under layer. 
     
     
         15 . The 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. 
     
     
         16 . The tile structure as recited in  claim 15  wherein said first longitudinal side of said outer layer comprises an under surface and an adhesive composition disposed on said under surface. 
     
     
         17 . The tile structure as recited in  claim 16  wherein said adhesive composition comprises a pressure-sensitive adhesive. 
     
     
         18 . The tile structure as recited in  claim 1  wherein said connecting groove and said connecting tongue respectively extend continuously along oppositely disposed transverse ends of said outer layer and said under layer. 
     
     
         19 . The tile structure as recited in  claim 1  wherein said outer and under layers each comprises an at least partially flexible construction. 
     
     
         20 . The tile structure as recited in  claim 19  wherein said outer and under layer comprise Polyvinyl Chloride. 
     
     
         21 . The tile structure as recited in  claim 19  further comprising a collective dimensional thickness of less than four millimeters. 
     
     
         22 . 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 longitudinal and transverse interconnection to one another and collective disposition in covering relation to the predetermined surface,   each of said plurality of tile structures comprising an outer layer and an under layer secured to one another,   a first longitudinal side of said under layer disposed in outwardly extending relation to a corresponding first longitudinal side of said outer 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 connecting tongue and said connecting groove of adjacent and connected tile structures comprising cooperatively structured tapered configurations wherein said connecting tongue is dimensioned and configured to fit within said connecting groove of said adjacent and connected tile structures.   
     
     
         23 . The tile assembly as recited in  claim 22  wherein said first longitudinal side of said outer layer of each of said plurality of tile structures comprises an under surface disposed in an at least partially spaced relation with an inner portion of an interior surface of said first longitudinal side of said outer layer; said connecting groove at least partially defined by said inner portion of said interior surface and said under surface of said first longitudinal sides of said outer and under layers respectively. 
     
     
         24 . The tile assembly as recited in  claim 23  wherein said inner portion of said interior surface of said under layer of each of said plurality of tile structures comprises an angled configuration relative to said under surface of said first longitudinal side of said outer layer. 
     
     
         25 . The tile assembly as recited in  claim 24  wherein said second longitudinal side of said under layer comprises a lip disposed at an interior end of said under surface of said tongue and said second longitudinal side of said outer layer comprises a peripheral edge disposed in a non-aligned, outer extending relation to said lip. 
     
     
         26 . The tile assembly as recited in  claim 25  wherein said lip of said second longitudinal side of said under layer is configured to be disposed in a confronting relation with a peripheral edge of a first longitudinal side of an under layer on a next, adjacently disposed one of said plurality of tile structures. 
     
     
         27 . The tile assembly as recited in  claim 26  wherein said peripheral edge of said second longitudinal side of said outer layer is configured to be disposed in a confronting relation with a peripheral edge of a first longitudinal side of an outer layer on said next, adjacently disposed one of said plurality of tile structures. 
     
     
         28 . The tile assembly as recited in  claim 26  wherein said second longitudinal side of said under layer of each of said plurality of tile structures comprises an outer surface and an oppositely disposed under surface respectively defining outer and under surfaces of said connecting tongue; said under surface of said connecting tongue of each of said plurality of tile structures comprising a larger transverse dimension than that of said outer surface of said connecting tongue. 
     
     
         29 . The tile assembly as recited in  claim 28  wherein said under surface of said connecting tongue comprises an at least partially angled configuration relative to said outer surface of said connecting tongue. 
     
     
         30 . The tile assembly as recited in  claim 29  wherein said under surface of said connecting tongue of each of said plurality of tile structures comprises a lesser transverse dimension than said interior surface of said first longitudinal side of said under layer of an adjacent and connected tile structure. 
     
     
         31 . The tile assembly as recited in  claim 22  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. 
     
     
         32 . The tile assembly as recited in  claim 31  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.