US6751912B2 — Modular tile and tile flooring system

Claim 1

Independent Claim 185 words

A modular interlocking tile for use in a tile flooring system, the modular interlocking tile being adapted to be coupled to another modular interlocking tile, comprising: a body having a playing surface, two male interlocking sides, and two female interlocking sides; and, an interlocking mechanism coupled to the male interlocking sides and the female interlocking sides, wherein the interlocking mechanism is adapted to allow the modular interlocking tile to be connected to the another modular interlocking tile in a staggered fashion, the interlocking mechanism including at least two extensions on each male interlocking side and at least two catches on each female interlocking side, each extension having a generally rectangular shape and including first and second bars and two shorter sides, the first bar connecting the two shorter sides near a connection between the file and the extension, the extension also including a longer side connected to an end of each shorter side, a first end of the second bar bisecting the longer side and a second end of the second bar being connected to the tile, the second bar further intersecting the first bar.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 185 words

A modular interlocking tile for use in a tile flooring system, the modular interlocking tile being adapted to be coupled to another modular interlocking tile, comprising: a body having a playing surface, two male interlocking sides, and two female interlocking sides; and, an interlocking mechanism coupled to the male interlocking sides and the female interlocking sides, wherein the interlocking mechanism is adapted to allow the modular interlocking tile to be connected to the another modular interlocking tile in a staggered fashion, the interlocking mechanism including at least two extensions on each male interlocking side and at least two catches on each female interlocking side, each extension having a generally rectangular shape and including first and second bars and two shorter sides, the first bar connecting the two shorter sides near a connection between the file and the extension, the extension also including a longer side connected to an end of each shorter side, a first end of the second bar bisecting the longer side and a second end of the second bar being connected to the tile, the second bar further intersecting the first bar.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 25 words

A modular interlocking tile, as set forth in claim 1 , wherein corners of the extensions furthest from a center of the tile are rounded.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 117 words

A modular interlocking tile for use in a tile flooring system, the tile for being connected to at least one other interlocking tile, comprising: a body having a playing surface, two male interlocking sides, and two female interlocking sides; and, an interlocking mechanism coupled to the male interlocking sides and the female interlocking sides, the interlocking mechanism for allowing the modular interlocking tile to be connected to the at least one other interlocking tile in a staggered fashion, the interlocking mechanism includes at least two extensions on each male interlocking side and at least two catches on each female interlocking side, the extensions having a generally rectangular shape and, including two first openings and two second openings.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 117 words

A modular interlocking tile for use in a tile flooring system, the tile for being connected to at least one other interlocking tile, comprising: a body having a playing surface, two male interlocking sides, and two female interlocking sides; and, an interlocking mechanism coupled to the male interlocking sides and the female interlocking sides, the interlocking mechanism for allowing the modular interlocking tile to be connected to the at least one other interlocking tile in a staggered fashion, the interlocking mechanism includes at least two extensions on each male interlocking side and at least two catches on each female interlocking side, the extensions having a generally rectangular shape and, including two first openings and two second openings.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 24 words

A modular interlocking tile, as set forth in claim 3 , wherein the first openings and the second openings are substantially rectangular in shape.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 27 words

A modular interlocking tile, as set forth in claim 4 , further including a notch in an outer edge of the tile located within each first opening.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 19 words

A modular interlocking tile, as set forth in claim 5 , wherein each catch is substantially rectangular in shape.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 25 words

A modular interlocking tile, as set forth in claim 6 , wherein corners of the catches closest from a center of the tile are rounded.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 37 words

A modular interlocking tile, as set forth in claim 6 , wherein an outer edge of the tile within each catch includes three openings adapted to receive one of the extensions of the another modular interlocking tile.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 27 words

A modular interlocking tile, as set forth in claim 8 , wherein each catch includes at least one tab projecting from the outer edge of the tile.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 38 words

A modular interlocking tile, as set forth in claim 9 , wherein the at least one tab is adapted to securely fit into a first opening of the one of the extensions of the another modular interlocking tile.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 19 words

A modular interlocking tile, as set forth in claim 10 , wherein each catch includes at least one arm.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 38 words

A modular interlocking tile, as set forth in claim 11 , wherein the at least one arm is adapted to securely fit into a second opening of the one of the extensions of the another modular interlocking tile.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 31 words

A modular interlocking tile, as set forth in claim 1 , wherein the interlocking mechanism includes: four extensions on each male interlocking side; and, four catches on each female interlocking side.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 25 words

A modular interlocking tile, as set forth in claim 1 , wherein the body includes a support construction on a side opposite the playing surface.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 26 words

A modular interlocking tile, as set forth in claim 1 , wherein the body includes a spider-web shaped construction on a side opposite the playing surface.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 40 words

A modular interlocking tile, as set forth in claim 1 , wherein the tile is composed with a mixture of materials having a base of Montel SB-821 polypropylene of a Clariant Hydrocerol CF-40-E foaming agent of three percent by volume.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 113 words

A tile flooring system, comprising: first and second modular interlocking tiles, each modular interlocking tile having a playing surface, two male interlocking sides, and two female interlocking sides; an interlocking mechanism coupled to the male interlocking sides and the female interlocking sides of each modular interlocking tile, wherein the interlocking mechanism is adapted to allow the modular interlocking tiles to be connected to the another modular interlocking tile in a staggered fashion, the interlocking mechanism including at least two extensions on each male interlocking side and at least two catches on each female interlocking side, the extensions having a generally rectangular shape, wherein the extensions include two first openings and two second openings.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 113 words

A tile flooring system, comprising: first and second modular interlocking tiles, each modular interlocking tile having a playing surface, two male interlocking sides, and two female interlocking sides; an interlocking mechanism coupled to the male interlocking sides and the female interlocking sides of each modular interlocking tile, wherein the interlocking mechanism is adapted to allow the modular interlocking tiles to be connected to the another modular interlocking tile in a staggered fashion, the interlocking mechanism including at least two extensions on each male interlocking side and at least two catches on each female interlocking side, the extensions having a generally rectangular shape, wherein the extensions include two first openings and two second openings.

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 24 words

A tile flooring system, as set forth in claim 17 , wherein the first openings and the second openings are substantially rectangular in shape.

Claim 22

Dependent Claim 27 words

A tile flooring system, as set forth in claim 18 , further including a notch in an outer edge of the tile located within each first opening.

Claim 23

Dependent Claim 19 words

A tile flooring system, as set forth in claim 19 , wherein each catch is substantially rectangular in shape.

Claim 24

Dependent Claim 25 words

A tile flooring system, as set forth in claim 20 , wherein corners of the catches closest from a center of the tile are rounded.

Claim 25

Dependent Claim 37 words

A tile flooring system, as set forth in claim 20 , wherein an outer edge of the tile within each catch includes three openings adapted to receive one of the extensions of the another modular interlocking tile.

Claim 26

Dependent Claim 27 words

A tile flooring system, as set forth in claim 22 , wherein each catch includes at least one tab projecting from the outer edge of the tile.

Claim 27

Dependent Claim 38 words

A tile flooring system, as set forth in claim 23 , wherein the at least one tab is adapted to securely fit into a first opening of the one of the extensions of the another modular interlocking tile.

Claim 28

Dependent Claim 19 words

A tile flooring system, as set forth in claim 24 , wherein each catch includes at least one arm.

Claim 29

Dependent Claim 38 words

A tile flooring system, as set forth in claim 25 , wherein the at least one arm is adapted to securely fit into a second opening of the one of the extensions of the another modular interlocking tile.

Claim 30

Dependent Claim 27 words

A tile flooring system, as set forth in claim 17 , wherein each interlocking modular tile includes a support construction on a side opposite the playing surface.

Claim 31

Dependent Claim 28 words

A tile flooring system, as set forth in claim 17 , wherein each interlocking modular tile includes a spider-web shaped construction on a side opposite the playing surface.

Claim 32

Dependent Claim 116 words

A modular interlocking tile for use in a tile flooring system, the modular interlocking tile being adapted to be coupled to another modular interlocking tile, comprising: a body having a playing surface, two male interlocking sides, and two female interlocking sides; and, an interlocking mechanism coupled to the male interlocking sides and the female interlocking sides and having at least one extension on each male interlocking side and at least one catch on the female interlocking side, each extension including at least one first opening and two second openings, the first opening being adjacent the tile and at least one of the second openings being adjacent the first opening and an outer end of the extension.

Claim 33

Dependent Claim 116 words

A modular interlocking tile for use in a tile flooring system, the modular interlocking tile being adapted to be coupled to another modular interlocking tile, comprising: a body having a playing surface, two male interlocking sides, and two female interlocking sides; and, an interlocking mechanism coupled to the male interlocking sides and the female interlocking sides and having at least one extension on each male interlocking side and at least one catch on the female interlocking side, each extension including at least one first opening and two second openings, the first opening being adjacent the tile and at least one of the second openings being adjacent the first opening and an outer end of the extension.

Claim 34

Dependent Claim 133 words

A modular interlocking tile for use in a tile flooring system, the modular interlocking tile being adapted to be coupled to another modular interlocking tile, comprising: a body having a playing surface, two male interlocking sides, and two female interlocking sides; and, an interlocking mechanism coupled to the male interlocking sides and the female interlocking sides and having at least one extension on each male interlocking side and at least one catch on the female interlocking side, each extension including first and second bars, two shorter sides, and a longer side, the first bar connecting the two shorter sides near a connection between the tile and the extension, the longer side being connected to an end of each shorter side, the second bar being connected between the first bar and the longer side.

Claim 35

Dependent Claim 133 words

A modular interlocking tile for use in a tile flooring system, the modular interlocking tile being adapted to be coupled to another modular interlocking tile, comprising: a body having a playing surface, two male interlocking sides, and two female interlocking sides; and, an interlocking mechanism coupled to the male interlocking sides and the female interlocking sides and having at least one extension on each male interlocking side and at least one catch on the female interlocking side, each extension including first and second bars, two shorter sides, and a longer side, the first bar connecting the two shorter sides near a connection between the tile and the extension, the longer side being connected to an end of each shorter side, the second bar being connected between the first bar and the longer side.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	2007-06-22	2007-12-22	2008-06-22	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	2011-06-22	2011-12-22	2012-06-22	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	2015-06-22	2015-12-22	2016-06-22	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Modular tile and tile flooring system

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