US6526705B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Interlocking tiles
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1998-12-23
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Granted: 2003-03-04
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Expires: 2018-12-23
Abstract
Abstract Tiles, preferably floor tiles having an upper surface ( 1 ) which has engagement members ( 6 ) extending from two adjacent sides ( 2 and 3 ). The engaging elements ( 6 ) have a recess between them which is a mirror image of the engaging elements ( 6 ) of an adjacent tile. Rib ( 9 ) on the outer extensions ( 6 a , 6 b , 6 c ) of the engaging elements ( 6 ) engages with slot ( 10 ) along the lengths of sides ( 2, 3 ) to form a fluid tight seal between adjacent tiles which are interlocked by engaging elements ( 6 ).
Inventors
- 👤 Kenneth M. MacDonald
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 15:25
CPC Classifications
E; E04; E04F; E04F15/00; E04F15/02; E04F15/10; E04F2201/00; E04F2201/09; E04F2201/095; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T428/00; Y10T428/16; Y10T428/17; Y10T428/19; Y10T428/192; Y10T428/195; Y10T428/24; Y10T428/24479; Y10T428/24488
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
157 words
An interlocking, generally planar tile, having a four-sided, square, shape with an upper surface, a lower surface, a first side, a second side, a third side, and a fourth side, wherein each of said sides has a plurality of engagement elements interlockingly engageable with corresponding engagement elements on an adjacent tile, an adjacent first two of said sides having said upper surface extending over said engagement elements, an edge rib extending along the length of said adjacent first two of said sides and extending downwardly away from said upper surface, an adjacent second two of said sides having said engagement elements extending outwardly beyond said upper surface and having a recess extending along the length of said adjacent second two of said sides, which recess is adapted to receive a rib on a first side on an adjacent tile, the engagement of said rib in said recess forming a substantially fluid tight joint between the two tiles.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
157 words
An interlocking, generally planar tile, having a four-sided, square, shape with an upper surface, a lower surface, a first side, a second side, a third side, and a fourth side, wherein each of said sides has a plurality of engagement elements interlockingly engageable with corresponding engagement elements on an adjacent tile, an adjacent first two of said sides having said upper surface extending over said engagement elements, an edge rib extending along the length of said adjacent first two of said sides and extending downwardly away from said upper surface, an adjacent second two of said sides having said engagement elements extending outwardly beyond said upper surface and having a recess extending along the length of said adjacent second two of said sides, which recess is adapted to receive a rib on a first side on an adjacent tile, the engagement of said rib in said recess forming a substantially fluid tight joint between the two tiles.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
An interlocking, generally planar tile according to claim 1 wherein said tile is formed of a resilient material.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
51 words
An interlocking, generally planar tile according to claim 1 wherein the main body of the tile is formed of a ceramic material and said engagement elements, rib, and recess are formed in a peripheral seal or gasket of resilient material extending round the periphery of said tile on said lower surface.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
83 words
An interlocking, generally planar tile according to claim 3 , wherein said recess is located at the root of said engaging elements immediately adjacent to the edge of said upper surface so that when an adjacent tile is placed adjacent to said tile, a rib on said adjacent tile engages in said recess so that said upper surface of said tile and an upper surface of said adjacent tile are closely abutting so as to substantially conceal the joint between said two tiles.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
17 words
An interlocking, generally planar tile according to claim 4 , wherein said tile is a floor tile.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
17 words
An interlocking, generally planar tile according to claim 3 , wherein said tile is a floor tile.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
17 words
A. An interlocking, generally planar tile according to claim 1 wherein said tile is a floor tile.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
29 words
An interlocking, generally planar tile according to claim 1 , wherein said tile is formed of a material selected from the group comprising plastics, natural rubbers, and synthetic rubbers.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
157 words
An interlocking, generally planar tile, having a four-sided, rectangular, shape with an upper surface, a lower surface, a first side, a second side, a third side, and a fourth side, wherein each of said sides has a plurality of engagement elements interlockingly engageable with corresponding engagement elements on an adjacent tile, an adjacent first two of said sides having said upper surface extending over said engagement elements, an edge rib extending along the length of said adjacent first two of said sides and extending downwardly away from said upper surface, an adjacent second two of said sides having said engagement elements extending outwardly beyond said upper surface and having a recess extending along the length of said adjacent second two of said sides, which recess is adapted to receive a rib on a first side on an adjacent tile, the engagement of said rib in said recess forming a substantially fluid tight joint between the two tiles.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
157 words
An interlocking, generally planar tile, having a four-sided, rectangular, shape with an upper surface, a lower surface, a first side, a second side, a third side, and a fourth side, wherein each of said sides has a plurality of engagement elements interlockingly engageable with corresponding engagement elements on an adjacent tile, an adjacent first two of said sides having said upper surface extending over said engagement elements, an edge rib extending along the length of said adjacent first two of said sides and extending downwardly away from said upper surface, an adjacent second two of said sides having said engagement elements extending outwardly beyond said upper surface and having a recess extending along the length of said adjacent second two of said sides, which recess is adapted to receive a rib on a first side on an adjacent tile, the engagement of said rib in said recess forming a substantially fluid tight joint between the two tiles.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US4973505A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2006-03-03 | 2006-09-02 | 2007-03-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2010-03-03 | 2010-09-02 | 2011-03-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2014-03-03 | 2014-09-02 | 2015-03-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |