Tile-Securing Composition and Related Methods

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This nonprovisional patent application claims priority to U.S. provisional patent application 62/523,536 titled, "Tile-Securing Composition and Related Methods." The subject matter of U.S. provisional patent application 62/523,536 is hereby incorporated by reference into this application.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Tiles are commonly used on patios and other outdoor areas to create both walking substrates and aesthetic patterns. Because of high wind weather conditions and other forces that can cause the tiles to move or be blown away, there remains a need for securing tiles to an underlying substrate.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A composition having a base-substrate component fixably attached to a substantially planar first surface of a resilient component; a spacer component fixably attached to a substantially planar second surface of the resilient component, wherein the spacer component is a rigid structure having a planar surface with four raised flanges thereon, the four raised flanges being collectively positioned in a cross-like configuration; and at least one tile in contact with the spacer component.

A composition having a base-substrate component fixably attached to a spacer component; the spacer component being a rigid structure and having a planar surface with four raised flanges thereon, the four raised flanges being collectively positioned in a cross-like configuration, the spacer component having a first cross-shaped polymeric element positioned between the four flanges, a second cross-shaped polymeric element positioned between the four flanges, the second cross-shaped polymeric element touching and adjacent to the first cross-shaped polymeric element, the first and second cross-shaped polymeric elements being fixably attached to the spacer component; and at least one tile in contact with the spacer component.

BRIEF DISCRETION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING

Figure 1 is a side-perspective view of an embodiment. Figure 2 is a top-perspective view of an embodiment. Figure 3 is a top-perspective view of an embodiment. Figure 4 is a top-perspective view of an embodiment. Figure 5 is a top-perspective view of an embodiment. Figure 6 is a side-perspective view of an embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments are described below with reference to the drawings. Very generally,

embodiments are directed to compositions that include one or more paver tiles (or walking tiles) secured to a base substrate.

Embodiments generally include a base substrate component that acts as a platform to which one or more paver tiles are secured. In embodiments, one or more paver tiles are secured to the base substrate component via a resilient component, a plurality of spacer components, a plurality of first cross-shaped polymeric elements, a plurality of second cross-shaped

polymeric elements, and a plurality of screws; in some embodiments, adhesive is also used (to fixedly attach the resilient component to an adjacent planar surface of each respective tile).

Figure 1 is a side perspective view of a fully assembled embodiment and shows base substrate component 100 adjacent to and attached to substantially planar first surface 210 of resilient component 200. In embodiments, adhesive 500 fixedly attaches resilient component 200 to an adjacent planar surface of each respective tile 400. Furthermore, portions of substantially planar second surface 220 of resilient component 200 are positioned underneath and adjacent to four paver tiles 400; paver tiles 400 have right-angle corners 410 and exterior tile edges 420. Grout 600 is shown between adjacent edges of four tiles 400.

Figure 2 is a top perspective view of a fully assembled embodiment and shows base substrate component 100 adjacent to and attached to substantially planar first surface 210 of resilient component 200. In embodiments, adhesive 500 fixedly attaches resilient component 200 to an adjacent planar surface of each respective tile 400. Furthermore, portions of substantially planar second surface 220 of resilient component 200 are positioned underneath and adjacent to four paver tiles 400; paver tiles 400 have right-angle corners 410 and exterior tile edges 420. Grout 600 is shown between adjacent edges of four tiles 400.

Figure 3 is a top-perspective view of a partially assembled embodiment. Shown is base substrate component 100 that has internal support walls 110, external support walls 120, and rigid plastic structure 140.

In Figure 3, also shown is a combination of components that perform the function of securing paver tiles 400 into position at each of their respective corners 410. Specifically, resting on top of base substrate component 100 is spacer component 300 having planar surface 310, flanges 320, cross-like configuration 330, and rigid structure 340. Also shown is first cross-shaped polymer element 800; in embodiments, first cross-shaped polymer element 800 is rubber. Also shown is second cross-shaped polymer element 900; in embodiments, second cross-shaped polymer element 900 is rubber. Screw 1000 is shown as securing together spacer component 300, first cross-shaped polymer element 800, and second cross-shaped polymer element 900.

Figure 4 is a top-perspective view of a partially assembled embodiment. Because the shown assembly is not yet complete, corners 410 of respective tiles 400 are visibly positioned snugly into first cross-shaped polymer element 800. Furthermore, four flanges 320 are shown between the respectively adjacent edges of tiles 400. Second cross-shaped polymer element 900 and screw 1000 are shown, and to move forward with assembly, second cross-shaped polymer element 900 will need to be positioned directly on top of first cross-shaped polymer element 800 and secured into position with screw 1000. In some embodiments, moving forward with assemble would also include applying grout 600 between the adjacent edges of tiles 400.

Figure 5 is a top-perspective view of a partially assembled embodiment (that is slightly further along in assembly than the assembly shown in Figure 4). Because the shown assembly is not yet complete, corners 410 of respective tiles 400 are visibly positioned snugly into second cross-shaped polymer element 900 (keeping in mind that although not shown, second cross-shaped polymer element 900 is resting on top of first cross-shaped polymer element 800). Furthermore, four flanges 320 are shown between the respectively adjacent edges of tiles 400. To move forward with assembly, second cross-shaped polymer element 900 will need to be secured into position with screw 1000. In some embodiments, moving forward with assemble would also include applying grout 600 between the adjacent edges of tiles 400.

Figure 6 is a side perspective view of a fully assembled embodiment and shows base substrate component 100 adjacent to and attached to substantially planar first surface 210 of resilient component 200. In embodiments, adhesive 500 fixedly attaches resilient component 200 to an adjacent planar surface of each respective tile 400. Furthermore, portions of substantially planar second surface 220 of resilient component 200 are positioned underneath and adjacent to four paver tiles 400; paver tiles 400 have right-angle corners 410 and exterior tile edges 420. Grout 600 is shown between adjacent edges of four tiles 400. Wire 1100 is shown as a tension fit around the perimeter of exterior tile edges 420, and the purpose of this wired-created tension is to further assist in securing tiles 400 into a fixed position.

Base substrate component 100 can be manufactured using any known material. Useful materials include polymer-based compositions, known substantially rigid materials, and blends thereof.

Resilient component 200 can be manufactured using any known material. Useful materials include polymer compositions, polymer-composition blends, and known resilient foam- rubber compositions.

Spacer component 300 can be manufactured using any known material. Useful materials include polymer-based compositions, known substantially rigid materials, and blends thereof.

Paver tile 400 can be any known paver tile used for patios and other walking surfaces. In embodiments, useful paver tiles 400 have corners that are substantially right-angle corners.

Adhesive 500 can be any known construction adhesive that is known to be useful for adhering a paver tile to an underlying substrate or component.

Grout 600 can be any known grout useful in outdoor construction projects.

First cross-shaped polymer element 800 can be manufactured using any known polymer or rubber.

Second cross-shaped polymer element 800 can be manufactured using any known polymer or rubber.

Screw 1000 can be any know screw.

Wire 1100 can be any know metallic, polymeric, or other known wire.