Free floating sub-floor thermoplastic tile

Abstract

A sub-floor tile is provided for use in a modular sub-floor tile system. The sub-floor tile has an upper surface and a lower surface made from one prefabricated, durable, water resistant, mould and mildew growth resistant thermoplastic elastomer with acoustic deadening properties. The lower surface has a series of projections extending away from the sub-floor tile and located adjacent to an underlying surface, such as concrete, when the sub-floor tile is in use. The projections create a space between the sub-floor tile and underlying surface creating a moisture barrier and increased air flow that also permits moisture drainage. This also permits a thermal break between the underlying surface and the overlying flooring surface, such as carpet, laminate, or vinyl.

1 . A sub-floor tile which permits moisture drainage, air flow and prevents vapour condensation, the sub-floor tile comprising: an upper surface; a lower surface, the upper and lower surface comprising a prefabricated, durable, water resistant, mould and mildew growth resistant, acoustic deadening material having a plurality of frustoconical projections extending away from the upper surface to support the upper surface above an underlying surface, to protect the upper surface from water, to permit free drainage of water about the projections and between the sub-floor tile and the underlying surface, to permit a thermal break between the underlying surface and the overlying flooring surface, and to create a moisture barrier and increased air flow between the underlying surface and the overlying flooring surface; and said upper surface having tongues located on two adjacent edges and grooves located on two adjacent edges for connecting the sub-floor tile to an adjacent sub-floor tile comprising corresponding tongues and corresponding grooves to prevent movement therebetween. 
     
     
         2 . The sub-floor tile according to  claim 1 , wherein the sub-floor tile is made from a thermoplastic elastomer. 
     
     
         3 . The sub-floor tile according to  claim 1 , wherein the sub-floor tile has a square shape. 
     
     
         4 . The sub-floor tile according to  claim 4 , wherein a size of the sub-floor tile is 23.25 inches by 23.25 inches. 
     
     
         5 . A plurality of sub-floor tiles, comprising: a first sub-floor tile and a second sub-floor tile, wherein each of the first and second sub-floor tiles is a sub-floor tile according to  claim 1 , and wherein an edge of the first sub-floor tile and an edge of the second sub-floor tile are configured to be connected together so as to prevent movement therebetween. 
     
     
         6 . A method of installing sub-floor tiles, comprising: positioning an entire first sub-floor tile and an entire second sub-floor tile onto an underlying surface, wherein each of the first and second sub-floor tiles is a sub-floor tile according to  claim 1 ; and connecting the first and second sub-floor tiles together. 
     
     
         7 . The method according to  claim 6 , wherein the positioning comprises moving the entire first sub-floor tile with respect to the entire second sub-floor tile in a running bond pattern layout. 
     
     
         8 . The method according to  claim 6 , wherein the positioning comprises moving the entire first sub-floor tile with respect to the entire second sub-floor tile in a stack bond pattern layout.