Interconnected modular frames for patterned groutless setting of hard tiles

Abstract

Interlocking modular tile frames may be used to lay and fix tile patterns without requiring a substrate adhesive (thin-set mortar) or grout. Tile frames may comprise integrated segments joined by mechanical interconnection components or a whole. A tile frame forms a rigid or semi-rigid enclosure to hold at least one hard tile within its interior. Each segment has an upside-down T-shape cross-section comprising a column and base. The columns, which frame the held tile, eliminate the need for grout. The inserted tile rests on the base of each segment while being held in place by a column along each edge. One or more mechanical interconnections are located at the base of each enclosure to couple adjacent frames together. Stain-resistant materials such as but not limited to polyethylene, polycarbonate, polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polypropylene (PP), acrylic, ABS (acrylonitrile butadiene styrene), nylon, rubber, or a combination thereof, can be used for the frames.

1 . An interlocking modular tile frame comprising:
 a first segment, wherein the first segment comprises a column and a base, wherein the column is perpendicular to the base, wherein the column and base are configured to frame a portion of a tile;   a first mechanical interconnection component disposed at the base of the first segment, wherein the first mechanical interconnection component is positioned within the length of the first segment;   a second mechanical interconnection component disposed at the base of the first segment, wherein the second mechanical interconnection component is positioned at the end of the first segment;   a second segment, wherein the second segment comprises a column and a base, wherein the column is perpendicular to the base, wherein the column and base are configured to frame a portion of a tile;   a third mechanical interconnection component disposed on the base of the second segment, wherein the first mechanical interconnection component is a counterpart of the third mechanical interconnection component;   a fourth mechanical interconnection component disposed on the base of the second segment;   a third segment, wherein the third segment comprises a column and a base, wherein the column is perpendicular to the base, wherein the column and base are configured to frame a portion of a tile;   a fifth mechanical interconnection component disposed on the base of the third segment, wherein the fourth mechanical interconnection component is a counterpart of the fifth mechanical interconnection component;   a sixth mechanical interconnection component disposed at the base of the third segment, wherein the second mechanical interconnection component is a counterpart of the sixth mechanical interconnection component.   
     
     
         2 . The interlocking modular tile frame of  claim 1 , wherein a completed tile frame supports all sides of at least one tile. 
     
     
         3 . The interlocking modular tile frame of  claim 1 , wherein a completed tile frame supports a portion of at least nine partially offset tiles. 
     
     
         4 . The interlocking modular tile frame of  claim 1 , wherein the first segment and the third segment each comprise at least one corner not used to frame the contained tile. 
     
     
         5 . The interlocking modular tile frame of  claim 1 , wherein the first segment and the third segment have additional mechanical interconnection components that can be used to connect tile frames together. 
     
     
         6 . The interlocking modular tile frame of  claim 1 , where the third mechanical interconnection component is located at the end of the second segment. 
     
     
         7 . The interlocking modular tile frame of  claim 1  further comprising a mudflap coupled to the base of the first segment. 
     
     
         8 . The interlocking modular tile frame of  claim 1  further comprising one or more light sources within the column of the first segment. 
     
     
         9 . The interlocking modular tile frame of  claim 1 , wherein the first segment comprises a fluorescent material. 
     
     
         10 . An interlocking modular tile frame system, comprising:
 a first interlocking modular tile frame configured to retain a first tile within its interior, wherein the first interlocking modular tile frame comprises a first segment, a second segment, and a third segment, and a first mechanical interconnection component, a second mechanical interconnection component, a third mechanical interconnection component, a fourth mechanical interconnection component, a fifth mechanical interconnection component, a sixth mechanical interconnection component, a seventh mechanical interconnection component, and an eighth mechanical interconnection component;
 a second interlocking modular tile frame, third interlocking modular tile frame, and fourth interlocking modular tile frame, wherein each modular tile frame is configured to retain a tile within its interior, wherein each interlocking modular tile frame is identical to the first interlocking modular tile frame, and wherein two mechanical interconnection components on each of the second interlocking modular tile frame, third interlocking modular tile frame, and fourth interlocking modular tile frame are used to connect that interlocking modular tile frame to the first interlocking modular tile frame. 
   
     
     
         11 . The interlocking modular tile frame system of  claim 10 , wherein the connection of two tile frames creates a free space capable of supporting a tile. 
     
     
         12 . The interlocking modular tile frame system of  claim 10 , wherein adjacent retained tiles and free spaces are offset. 
     
     
         13 . An interlocking modular tile frame, comprising:
 a tile comprising a flat surface and a plurality of edges;   a first segment, wherein the first segment comprises a vertical column perpendicular to a horizontal base, wherein the height of the column corresponds to the height of the tile, wherein the base extends to either side of the column, wherein one side of the base supports a portion of the tile, wherein the shape of the first segment contains at least one angle;   a first mechanical interconnection component disposed on the base and between the ends of the first segment, wherein the first mechanical interconnection component is disposed at a corner of the tile;   a second mechanical interconnection component disposed on the base of the first segment;   a second segment, wherein the second segment comprises a vertical column perpendicular to a horizontal base, wherein the height of the column corresponds to the height of the tile, wherein the base extends to either side of the column, wherein one side of the base supports a portion of the tile;   a third mechanical interconnection component disposed on the base of the second segment at an end of the second segment, wherein the third mechanical interconnection component corresponds to the first mechanical interconnection component, wherein a joining of the first and third mechanical interconnection component may be used to combine the first segment and the second segment to support and secure a portion of the plurality of edges of the tile;   a fourth mechanical interconnection component disposed on the base of the second segment;   a third segment comprising a vertical column perpendicular to a horizontal base, wherein the height of the column corresponds to the height of the tile, wherein the base extends to either side of the column, wherein one side of the base supports a portion of the tile;   a fifth mechanical interconnection component disposed on the base of the third segment, wherein the fifth mechanical interconnection component corresponds to the fourth mechanical interconnection component, wherein a joining of the fourth mechanical interconnection component and fifth mechanical interconnection component may be used to combine the second segment and the third segment to support and secure a portion of the plurality of edges of the tile;   a sixth mechanical interconnection component disposed on the base of the third segment, wherein the sixth mechanical interconnection component corresponds to the second mechanical interconnection component, wherein a joining of the second mechanical interconnection component and sixth mechanical interconnection component may be used to combine the first and third segments to support and secure the remaining edges of the tile such that the tile is situated along only a portion of the base of the first segment and third segments;   a seventh mechanical interconnection component disposed on the base of the first segment and offset from the first mechanical interconnection component and second mechanical interconnection component;   an eighth mechanical interconnection component disposed on the base of the first segment and offset from the first mechanical interconnection component and second mechanical interconnection component;   a ninth mechanical interconnection component disposed on the base of the third segment and offset from the fifth mechanical interconnection component and sixth mechanical interconnection component, wherein the ninth mechanical interconnection component corresponds to the seventh mechanical interconnection component; and   a tenth mechanical interconnection component disposed on the base of the third segment and offset from the fifth mechanical interconnection component and sixth mechanical interconnection component, wherein the tenth mechanical interconnection component corresponds to the and eighth mechanical interconnection component, wherein identical frames may be combined by a joining of the seventh and ninth mechanical interconnection components and a joining of the eighth and tenth mechanical interconnection components.   
     
     
         14 . The interlocking modular tile frame of  claim 1 , wherein the first segment, the second segment, and the third segment are all of the same form. 
     
     
         15 . The interlocking modular tile frame of  claim 1 , wherein the first segment comprises a flange segment and a connector segment, wherein the flange segment and connector segment are coupled by a counterpart pair of mechanical interconnection components, wherein the connector segment comprises a length with a mechanical interconnection component at each end. 
     
     
         16 . The interlocking modular tile frame of  claim 15 , wherein the flange segment comprises an “L” shape with two perpendicular legs. 
     
     
         17 . The interlocking modular tile frame of  claim 15 , wherein the flange segment comprises a “W” shape with three internal corners. 
     
     
         18 . The interlocking modular tile frame of  claim 15 , wherein the first segment and the flange segment are mirror images of each other. 
     
     
         19 . The interlocking modular tile frame system of  claim 10 , wherein the first tile frame comprises additional mechanical interconnection components and attaches to additional tile frames. 
     
     
         20 . The interlocking modular tile frame system of  claim 10 , wherein connections between tile frames may comprise connector segments joining appropriate mechanical interconnection components.