The present invention relates generally to modular synthetic tiles for use as a floor covering and, more particularly, the present invention relates to a support grid in the tiles.
Numerous types of flooring have been used to create playing areas for such sports as basketball and tennis, as well as for other purposes. These flooring assemblies include concrete, asphalt, wood and other materials which have varying characteristics. For each type of flooring, there are corresponding advantages and disadvantages. For example, concrete flooring is easy to construct and provides long term wear. However, the concrete provides no “give” during use and many people are injured each year during sporting events due to falls and other mishaps. Wood floors, such as are used for many basketball courts, have an appropriate amount of give to avoid such injuries. The wood floors, however, are expensive to install and require continued maintenance to keep them in good condition.
Due to these concerns, the use of modular flooring assemblies made of synthetic materials has grown in popularity. The synthetic floors are advantageous for several reasons. A first reason for the flooring assemblies' popularity is that they are typically formed of materials which are generally inexpensive and lightweight. If a tile is damaged it may easily be replaced. If the flooring needs to be temporarily removed, the individual tiles making up the floor can easily be detached, relocated, and then reattached to form a new floor in another location. Examples of modular flooring assemblies include U.S. Pat. No. Des. 274,588; U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,438,312; 3,909,996; 4,436,799; 4,008,548; 4,167,599; 4,226,064 and U.S. Pat. No. Des. 255,744.
A second reason for the popularity of the flooring assemblies is that the durable plastics from which they are formed are long lasting. Unlike other long lasting alternatives, such as asphalt and concrete, the material is generally better at absorbing impacts, and there is less risk of injury if a person falls on the plastic material, as opposed to concrete or asphalt. The connections for the modular flooring assembly can even be specially engineered to absorb lateral force to avoid injuries, as is described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,930,286. Additionally, the flooring assemblies generally require little maintenance as compared to other flooring, such as wood. However, there is a need for synthetic flooring to have better impact absorbing qualities than that found in current synthetic flooring materials. In particular, current synthetic flooring does not include characteristics of predictable and controlled deflection within the synthetic tiles under certain predicted load ranges and impacts on the synthetic flooring. Further, the current synthetic flooring materials do not exhibit the spring or bounce characteristics found in wood flooring.
Therefore, it would be advantageous to provide a flooring tile that facilitates greater “give” to impacts as well as providing a spring characteristic to the flooring tile that is comparable or superior to that found in wood flooring while also being easy to manufacture, long lasting and cost efficient. Further, it would be advantageous to provide a flooring tile that has predictable load absorbing characteristics.
In light of the problems and deficiencies inherent in the prior art, the present invention seeks to overcome these by providing a tile configured to interlock with multiple tiles to form a modular floor covering over a floor, wherein the tile is configured to provide controlled deflection of its support members.
In accordance with the invention as embodied and broadly described herein, the present invention features a tile configured to form a floor covering over a floor. In one exemplary embodiment, the tile comprises (a) a top surface having a periphery defining side walls extending downward from the top surface, the side walls having a coupling portion configured to couple with other tiles adjacent thereto to form the modular floor covering; and (b) a bottom side, opposite the top surface, having a support grid including an array of downward extending polymeric post structures, at least some of the post structures including at least one resilient end portion with a radial end surface configured to be positioned against the floor to facilitate controlled deflection of the post structures.
In another exemplary embodiment the tile comprises (a) a top surface configured to receive and distribute a load; (b) side walls extending downward from the top surface and defining a periphery of the tile; (c) a bottom side, opposite the top surface, having a support grid configured to support the top surface above the floor; (d) a plurality of primary post structures extending downward from and arranged about the bottom side, the primary post structures including at least one end portion in contact with the floor and configured to facilitate controlled deflection of the primary post structures in response to a load; and (e) a plurality of secondary post structures also extending downward from the bottom side and interspaced with or about the primary post structures, the secondary post structures including at least one end portion configured to contact the ground and support the top surface upon deflection of the primary post structures.
The present invention also features a method for manufacturing a tile configured to form a floor covering over a floor. In one exemplary embodiment, the method comprises (a) providing a tile having a top surface, a bottom surface, and sides extending down from the top surface to form a periphery of the tile; (b) arranging a plurality of primary post structures about the bottom side, wherein the primary post structures include at least one end portion in contact with the floor and configured to facilitate controlled deflection of the primary post structures in response to a load; and (c) interspacing a plurality of secondary post structures with or about the primary post structures, wherein the secondary post structures include at least one end portion configured to contact the ground and support the top surface upon the deflection of the primary post structures.
The present invention will become more fully apparent from the following description and appended claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Understanding that these drawings merely depict exemplary embodiments of the present invention they are, therefore, not to be considered limiting of its scope. It will be readily appreciated that the components of the present invention, as generally described and illustrated in the figures herein, could be arranged and designed in a wide variety of different configurations. Nonetheless, the invention will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of the accompanying drawings in which:
a) illustrates an enlarged view the post structure, depicting end portions of the post structures in a deflected position, according to an embodiment of the present invention;
The following detailed description of exemplary embodiments of the invention makes reference to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof and in which are shown, by way of illustration, exemplary embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. While these exemplary embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art practice the invention, it should be understood that other embodiments may be realized and that various changes to the invention may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Thus, the following more detailed description of the embodiments of the present invention, as represented in
The following detailed description and exemplary embodiments of the invention will be best understood by reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein the elements and features of the invention are designated by numerals throughout.
The present invention describes a method and system for controlling the deflection of a modular tile.
The modular tile 100 can include a top surface 110 with an opposite bottom side 112 or under-side. The top surface 110 can be smooth, perforated, grid-like, bumped or any other suitable surface desired for a synthetic tile floor covering. The bottom side 112 may also comprise a smooth, perforated, grid-like, bumped, or other suitable surface configuration. The top surface 110 can include a periphery with a square or rectangular shape, defining a front side 114, a rear side 116, a first side 118 and a second side 120. Other suitable peripheral shapes for the tiles can also be employed, such as triangular, hexagonal, etc.
Each of the front side, rear side, first side and second side can include side walls 122 with one or more coupling portions 124 integrated therewith. In particular, two adjacent sides, such as the first side 118 and the front side 114, can include one or more male coupling portions 126 while the opposite two sides, namely the second side 120 and the rear side 116 can include one or more female coupling portions 128. The male and female coupling portions 126 and 128 of one tile can be configured to complimentarily mate with respective female and male coupling portions of other adjacently positioned tiles. With this arrangement, the tiles 100 can be modularly interconnected, via the male and female coupling portions 126 and 128, into columns and rows to form the tile array 105 for positioning over the floor surface 101.
With reference to
With reference to
Further, the end portions 134, in this embodiment, can resiliently deflect while the upper portion 132 of the post structures 130 can be configured to have a substantially maintained position. As such, the upper portion 132 of each of the post structures 130 provides the necessary support for the tiles 100 while the end portions 134 provide the impact absorbency component for the tiles 100. As one of ordinary skill in the art can readily appreciate, the end portions 134 of the post structures 130 can be modified in size and configuration according to the amount of controlled deflection or impact absorbency desired for an intended use or activity for playing on the tiles 100. Further, the type of synthetic material employed for the tiles 100 can also be a factor for the size and configuration of the post structures 130 to provide the amount of deflection or impact absorbency desired in the tiles 100.
With reference to
With reference to
As one of ordinary skill in the art can readily appreciate, the post structures of the present invention can include various configurations that can deflect under various ranges of loads and impacts. As such, the configuration of the post structures can be formed with deflection control to deflect at particular load ranges by, for example, manipulating the radius of curvature of the end portions, sizing the cross-sectional area of the end portions and/or sizing the upper portions of the post structures to withstand over-deflection, manipulating the orientation configuration of the post structures to control the direction of deflection of the post structures, etc. For example, the radius of curvature in the end portions' radial surface end can be smaller in the embodiment depicted in
With reference to
The modular tile 600 is configured to be interconnected with a plurality of other tiles to form a tile array, such as the one described above, for the purpose of forming a floor covering over a floor surface, similar to those identified above. As the modular tiles described above are designed to do, the modular tile 600 shown in
With reference to
Each of the front side 614, rear side 616, first side 618 and second side 620 can include side walls 622 with one or more coupling portions 624 integrated therewith. In particular, two adjacent sides, such as the first side 618 and the front side 614, can include one or more male coupling portions 626 while the opposite two sides, namely the second side 620 and the rear side 616 can include one or more female coupling portions 628. The male and female coupling portions 626 and 628 of one tile can be configured to complimentarily mate with respective female and male coupling portions of other adjacently positioned tiles. With this arrangement, the several tiles can be modularly interconnected, via the male and female coupling portions 626 and 628, into columns and rows to form a tile array for positioning over the surface of a floor.
With reference to
As shown, the modular tile 600 comprises a plurality of primary post structures 630 interspaced with a plurality of secondary post structures 660 to comprise the support for the modular tile 600, and particularly the surface 610 of the modular tile 600. More specifically, each secondary post structure 660 is positioned to be immediately adjacent or surrounded by four primary post structures 630 located at quadrant positions. In addition, each primary post structure 630 is immediately adjacent or surrounded by at least four secondary post structures 660. This alternating pattern of primary and secondary post structures is repeated several times to comprise the support structure of the modular tile 600. The particular post structure pattern, as well as the spacing between the various primary and secondary posts, as shown in
The primary post structures 630 are formed from or are extensions of or are coupled to the underside of the lower surface 613. The primary post structures 630 are intended to contact the floor or ground at all times, and are considered the primary support structures for the modular tile 600. In addition, the primary post structures 630 are configured to deflect laterally instead of to deform (e.g., mashing). On the other hand, the secondary post structures are formed from or are extensions of or are coupled to the underside of the upper surface 611. The secondary post structures 660 are designed to terminate a pre-determined distance so that their ends are not in contact with the floor when the modular tile 600 is subject to non-deflecting loads (loads below the primary load threshold described below) or no load at all. As will be explained below, the secondary post structures 660 are configured to contact the floor or ground only in the event all or a portion of the upper surface 610 of the tile is subject to an applied load capable of deflecting the primary post structures 630 a sufficient distance to cause the secondary post structures 660 to displace toward and contact the floor or ground. Some of the purposes or functions of the secondary post structures 660 are to control the deflection of the primary post structures 630, or rather to limit the degree of deflection of the primary post structures 630; to improve the durability of the modular tile 600 tile in response to applied loads; to increase the load bearing capabilities of the modular tile 600, to help prevent premature or inadvertent damage to the modular tile 600 under applied loads; and to preserve and improve the integrity, functionality, and operability of the modular tile 600.
It is noted that the secondary post structures of the modular tile 600 described herein may also be incorporated into any of the modular tile configurations described above and shown in
With reference to
The secondary post structures 660 are configured to activate and contact the floor 601 only upon sufficient deflection of the primary post structures 630 adjacent the secondary post structures 660 in response to a load or impact L. Depending upon the distribution area of the applied load to the surface 610 of the modular tile 600, one or more primary post structures 630 may deflect a sufficient distance to cause one or more secondary post structures 660 to contact the floor 601.
With reference to
As will be apparent to one skilled in the art, the magnitude of the load L will determine the magnitude of deflection of the primary post structures 630. Some loads may cause nominal or marginal deflection of the primary post structures 630 such that the secondary post structures 660 are not caused to contact the floor 601. Under a sufficient pre-determined load L, the primary post structures 630 are caused to laterally deflect, which results in the displacement of the surface 610 of the modular tile 600 toward the floor 601 as a result of the shortening effect on the primary post structures 630 caused by their deflection. As the surface 610 displaces downward toward the floor 601, the secondary post structures 660 are caused to also displace in a downward direction towards the floor 601. If the load L is great enough, the end portions 664 of the secondary post structures 660 are caused to engage or come in contact with the floor 601, thus activating the secondary post structures 660 as support members for the modular tile 600. Due to their structural formation, the secondary post structures 660 function as additional supports for the modular tile 601 in response to the load L. The secondary post structures 660 are also designed to support the primary post structures 630, up to a pre-determined threshold. Of particular note is the ability of the secondary post structures 660 to control or limit the deflection of the primary post structures 630 and support the modular tile 600 and primary post structures 630 under a sufficient given load L by contacting the floor 601. In other words, the secondary post structures 660 function as additional support members of the modular tile 600 under loads large enough to deflect the primary post structures 630 and cause the secondary post structures 660 to come in contact with the floor 601. In one exemplary embodiment, the breach of a primary load threshold at and above 160 psi will cause the primary post structures 630 to deflect enough to enable the secondary post structures 660 to displace and contact the floor. Of course, the present invention is not limited in any way by this. The primary load threshold for causing the primary post structures to deflect enough to cause the secondary post structures to activate and displace to contact the floor may be pre-determined and may be set at any desirable limit, depending upon, among other things, the construction, configuration, post structure pattern, and/or material make-up of the modular tile. Preferably, this primary load threshold will range between 100 and 300 psi, as this is a reasonable range corresponding to the weight range of different individuals that might be using the tiles, and the forces that may be induced upon the tiles by them.
The modular tile also has a secondary load threshold. Loads below this secondary load threshold and in excess of the primary load threshold define acceptable operating conditions that allow the modular tile to remain functional without deflection or deformation of the secondary post structure. This secondary load threshold is also pre-determined and may be set at any desirable limit. The secondary load threshold defines the load that the secondary post structures, along with the deflected post structures, may bear without deflecting or deforming (e.g., being mashed), thus possibly damaging the modular tile. Loads in excess of this secondary load threshold will cause a degree of deflection and/or deformation of the secondary post structures, some of which may be acceptable, and which may result without damage to the modular tile. Indeed, the primary and secondary posts are elastically deformable up to a pre-determined load. However, the modular tile is also designed with a maximum load threshold. The maximum load threshold describes or defines the load that modular tile is able to bear without being damaged. Again, this maximum load threshold is pre-determined and may be set at any desirable limit. Loads in excess of this maximum load threshold will cause irreversible damage to the modular tile and cause the primary and secondary posts, the surface, and/or other vital components of the modular tile to inelastically deform.
Under normal operating conditions, when the load L is removed, the end portions 634 of the primary post structures 630 resiliently move back to their original position, thus also causing the end portions 664 of the secondary post structures 660 to disengage the floor 601 and return to their normal, inactive position. Furthermore, in the event the end portions 634 are in a load bearing deflected position, they are capable of providing an upward spring force F, due to the resilient characteristics of the end portions 634. With this arrangement, the end portions 634 facilitate impact absorbency or “give” in the tile to provide a greater degree of safety for those using the modular tiles 600. They also provide additional spring in the tiles 600.
As in other embodiments, the end portions 634, in this embodiment, can resiliently deflect while the upper portion 632 of the post structures 630 can be configured to have a substantially maintained or stationary position. As such, the upper portion 632 of each of the post structures 630 provides the necessary support for the tiles 600 while the end portions 634 provide the impact absorbency component for the modular tiles 600. As one of ordinary skill in the art can readily appreciate, the end portions 634 of the primary post structures 630 can be modified in size and configuration according to the amount of controlled deflection or impact absorbency desired for an intended use or activity for playing on the modular tiles 600. In addition, the end portions 634 may further comprise radial end surfaces designed to facilitate the sliding and lateral deflection of the end portions 634, which radial end surfaces are described above in relation to
There are many other advantages in addition to those already discussed in providing a modular tile with secondary post structures as taught herein. The secondary post structures and their ability to control the deflection of the primary post structures also functions to provide the modular tile with controlled shock absorption, meaning that the modular tile comprises an increased elastic capacity to “give” when subject to an applied load.
Another advantage is to provide the modular tile with an increase in bounce or spring as compared to prior related modular tiles. By limiting the deflection of the primary post structures under prescribed loads, the primary post structures are able to essentially spring back into their initial position once the load is removed. This also functions to provide greater ball rebound, as well as to assist, to a limited degree, jumping by an individual.
Still another advantage to providing a modular tile with deflecting primary post structures and controlling or limiting their deflection with secondary post structures is that the modular tile comprises an improved surface feel. Due to the controlled deflection, the tile is and feels less rigid. Unlike prior related modular tiles existing in the art, the “give” in the tile results in lower and/or absorbed impact forces, thus reducing injury to individuals using the array of modular tiles.
It is noted and emphasized herein that the features and elements of the different embodiments discussed above are related in that any one or more elements from any one or more embodiments may be incorporated into any other embodiment. A such, the present invention is not limited to the tile embodiments specifically discussed and shown in the drawings.
The foregoing detailed description describes the invention with reference to specific exemplary embodiments. However, it will be appreciated that various modifications and changes can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention as set forth in the appended claims. The detailed description and accompanying drawings are to be regarded as merely illustrative, rather than as restrictive, and all such modifications or changes, if any, are intended to fall within the scope of the present invention as described and set forth herein.
More specifically, while illustrative exemplary embodiments of the invention have been described herein, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments, but includes any and all embodiments having modifications, omissions, combinations (e.g., of aspects across various embodiments), adaptations and/or alterations as would be appreciated by those in the art based on the foregoing detailed description. The limitations in the claims are to be interpreted broadly based the language employed in the claims and not limited to examples described in the foregoing detailed description or during the prosecution of the application, which examples are to be construed as non-exclusive. For example, in the present disclosure, the term “preferably” is non-exclusive where it is intended to mean “preferably, but not limited to.” Any steps recited in any method or process claims may be executed in any order and are not limited to the order presented in the claims. Means-plus-function or step-plus-function limitations will only be employed where for a specific claim limitation all of the following conditions are present in that limitation: a) “means for” or “step for” is expressly recited; b) a corresponding function is expressly recited; and c) structure, material or acts that support that structure are expressly recited. Accordingly, the scope of the invention should be determined solely by the appended claims and their legal equivalents, rather than by the descriptions and examples given above.
This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/789,161, filed May 27, 2010; which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/065,192, filed Feb. 24, 2005, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,748,177 and entitled, “Modular Tile with Controlled Deflection,” which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/547,489, filed Feb. 25, 2004, and entitled, “Modular Tile with Controlled Deflection,” both of which are incorporated by reference in their entirety herein.
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Number | Date | Country | |
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20120085043 A1 | Apr 2012 | US |
Number | Date | Country | |
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60547489 | Feb 2004 | US |
Number | Date | Country | |
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Parent | 12789161 | May 2010 | US |
Child | 13079572 | US | |
Parent | 11065192 | Feb 2005 | US |
Child | 12789161 | US |