US20100088982A1 - System and a method of dry laying of covering elements for floors or walls and a support for said system - Google Patents
System and a method of dry laying of covering elements for floors or walls and a support for said system Download PDFInfo
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- US20100088982A1 US20100088982A1 US12/514,873 US51487307A US2010088982A1 US 20100088982 A1 US20100088982 A1 US 20100088982A1 US 51487307 A US51487307 A US 51487307A US 2010088982 A1 US2010088982 A1 US 2010088982A1
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- Prior art keywords
- elements
- covering
- strips
- plane laminar
- kit according
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- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E04—BUILDING
- E04F—FINISHING WORK ON BUILDINGS, e.g. STAIRS, FLOORS
- E04F13/00—Coverings or linings, e.g. for walls or ceilings
- E04F13/07—Coverings or linings, e.g. for walls or ceilings composed of covering or lining elements; Sub-structures therefor; Fastening means therefor
- E04F13/08—Coverings or linings, e.g. for walls or ceilings composed of covering or lining elements; Sub-structures therefor; Fastening means therefor composed of a plurality of similar covering or lining elements
- E04F13/0862—Coverings or linings, e.g. for walls or ceilings composed of covering or lining elements; Sub-structures therefor; Fastening means therefor composed of a plurality of similar covering or lining elements composed of a number of elements which are identical or not, e.g. carried by a common web, support plate or grid
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- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E04—BUILDING
- E04F—FINISHING WORK ON BUILDINGS, e.g. STAIRS, FLOORS
- E04F15/00—Flooring
- E04F15/02—Flooring or floor layers composed of a number of similar elements
- E04F15/02005—Construction of joints, e.g. dividing strips
- E04F15/02016—Construction of joints, e.g. dividing strips with sealing elements between flooring elements
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- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E04—BUILDING
- E04F—FINISHING WORK ON BUILDINGS, e.g. STAIRS, FLOORS
- E04F15/00—Flooring
- E04F15/02—Flooring or floor layers composed of a number of similar elements
- E04F15/02194—Flooring consisting of a number of elements carried by a non-rollable common support plate or grid
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- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E04—BUILDING
- E04F—FINISHING WORK ON BUILDINGS, e.g. STAIRS, FLOORS
- E04F15/00—Flooring
- E04F15/02—Flooring or floor layers composed of a number of similar elements
- E04F15/08—Flooring or floor layers composed of a number of similar elements only of stone or stone-like material, e.g. ceramics, concrete; of glass or with a top layer of stone or stone-like material, e.g. ceramics, concrete or glass
- E04F15/082—Flooring or floor layers composed of a number of similar elements only of stone or stone-like material, e.g. ceramics, concrete; of glass or with a top layer of stone or stone-like material, e.g. ceramics, concrete or glass with a top layer of stone or stone-like material, e.g. ceramics, concrete or glass in combination with a lower layer of other material
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- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E04—BUILDING
- E04F—FINISHING WORK ON BUILDINGS, e.g. STAIRS, FLOORS
- E04F2201/00—Joining sheets or plates or panels
- E04F2201/01—Joining sheets, plates or panels with edges in abutting relationship
- E04F2201/0138—Joining sheets, plates or panels with edges in abutting relationship by moving the sheets, plates or panels perpendicular to the main plane
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- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E04—BUILDING
- E04F—FINISHING WORK ON BUILDINGS, e.g. STAIRS, FLOORS
- E04F2201/00—Joining sheets or plates or panels
- E04F2201/09—Puzzle-type connections for interlocking male and female panel edge-parts
- E04F2201/091—Puzzle-type connections for interlocking male and female panel edge-parts with the edge-parts forming part of the panel body
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E04—BUILDING
- E04F—FINISHING WORK ON BUILDINGS, e.g. STAIRS, FLOORS
- E04F2201/00—Joining sheets or plates or panels
- E04F2201/09—Puzzle-type connections for interlocking male and female panel edge-parts
- E04F2201/095—Puzzle-type connections for interlocking male and female panel edge-parts with both connection parts, i.e. male and female connection parts alternating on one edge
Abstract
The system comprises at least one laminar element (103; 104) with a first face of contact with a laying surface (F) and a second face of contact with at least one covering element (R). Strips (121) defining joints between covering elements (R) are arranged around the edges and corners of the covering elements (R) to define and fill the joints between mutually adjacent covering elements. Corner elements for mutual connection of said strips are further provide to retain the strips around the respective covering element.
Description
- The present invention relates to methods and systems for laying covering elements for floors and walls, such as in particular, but not exclusively, tiles made of various materials.
- More in particular, the present invention relates to improvements to systems of dry laying, i.e., ones that do not require application of binding pastes or other adhesive products for anchoring the covering elements to a base.
- In the present description and in the annexed claims, by covering is meant as a whole a structure, obtained by setting covering elements, such as floor tiles, wall tiles, slabs or the like, alongside one another, for covering any structure, whether this be vertical, inclined, or horizontal. Consequently, by covering is meant both a covering for floors and a covering for vertical walls.
- In the production of said there is normally used a binding paste, with which the tiles or other covering elements are bonded to the surface of the structure to be covered. Between the tiles, or other covering elements, set adjacent to one another, empty spaces, referred to as “joints”, are left, which are then filled with a suitable material. The floors and coverings thus made can be removed only by breaking the covering elements and moreover call for specialized staff for laying thereof.
- A further drawback of this system of laying is represented by the fact that the floor becomes practicable after laying of the covering only when the binding paste has started to grip, which takes a rather long time during which no other work, for example, finishing, can be carried out in the same environment.
- There have consequently been studied systems of dry laying, in which the covering elements do not require bonding on the surface of the structure, but are rather applied with the aid of locking supports. Examples of systems of dry covering of this type are described in the WO-A-02/077389, WO-A-03/040491 and WO-A-2005/052279.
- These known systems present considerable limitations and drawbacks. In fact, they are based upon the use of covering elements that are individually equipped with a rear support in the form of a frame or the like, with systems of mutual fitting or locking between adjacent elements. Provided along the edges of the support are strips that form the joint gaps between adjacent covering elements. It is necessary to provide each individual covering element with a respective frame or support for laying thereof. The covering element and frame or support are bonded together by the manufacturer. These elements, provided with said supports are then laid dry, the individual frames being fitted to one another, said frames being for this purpose equipped with interlocking elements projecting underneath the rear surface of the covering element bonded on each support.
- The mounting or laying of the elements equipped with the respective supports is a relatively complex operation. Furthermore, having to equip each covering element with its support via bonding entails a considerable increase in costs and also in the encumbrance and weights of the material to be transported.
- The type of interlocking between supports designed to form an individual covering is such that, in the case where it is necessary to replace a damaged covering element, said replacement requires dismantling of at least part of the covering, since it is not possible to remove the individual damaged covering element. Nor is it possible to replace covering elements individually, for example, for modifying the aesthetic appearance of the covering.
- Furthermore, since each covering element must be equipped with its own support, which has, along two sides, strips forming the joints, to each format of tile or other covering element there must correspond a respective support format. It is thus necessary to produce as many different supports as there are formats of the covering elements that are to be equipped with the supports themselves for dry laying.
- According to one aspect the present invention provides a support for dry laying of covering elements and a corresponding system of dry laying of covering elements that will alleviate or overcome either totally or in part at least some of the aforesaid drawbacks.
- According to some embodiments, the invention envisages a system for dry laying of covering elements for walls or floors, comprising at least one laminar element with a first face of contact with a laying surface and a second face of contact with at least one covering element, characterized in that it comprises:
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- strips defining joints between covering elements, which can be applied along the edges of the covering elements;
- corner elements for mutual connection of said strips, so that said strips are retained around the respective covering element.
- According to some embodiments, the planar laminar element is a flexible or pliable layer of a suitable material, preferably an acoustically insulating material, which is placed on the surface to be covered, and on which the covering elements are simply placed, the laminar element filling a gap between the surface to be covered and the covering elements.
- According to some embodiments, the system comprises a plurality of plane laminar elements provided along their edges with members for interlocking between adjacent plane laminar elements, such that a continuous or substantially continuous layer is formed between the surface to be covered and the covering elements. According to some embodiments, the plane laminar elements are further preferably provided with a plurality of locking seats for respective anchoring members for mutual anchorage between plane laminar elements and covering elements. In such embodiments, the covering elements, such as tiles or the like, are individually anchored to an underlying layer formed by the mutually interlocked plane laminar elements. Each covering element, such as a tile, can be removed independently of the other elements, by removing the anchoring element(s) from the corresponding locking seats provided in the plane laminar elements.
- To obtain a high degree of flexibility, the strips are separate from the plane laminar elements; i.e., they constitute elements separate from the laminar elements themselves. They are anchored around the covering elements via the corner elements for mutual connection. The shape and/or size of the covering elements becomes in this way altogether independent of the shape and/or size of the plane laminar elements. Furthermore, there are obtained multiple possibilities of laying of the covering elements according to different patterns, without constraints as regards the shape and arrangement of the plane laminar elements.
- Also the corner anchoring elements are advantageously separate from the plane laminar elements for the same purposes. Some advantages of the present invention can, however, be achieved even though the corner anchoring elements are fixed to the plane laminar elements.
- In a possible embodiment, the corner elements have a plurality of arms that converge towards a central area of the corner element, said arms having members of constraint for respective strips defining the joints between adjacent covering elements.
- In a preferred embodiment, there are provided interlocking members for interlocking between strips and corner elements, for example, engagement members, which enable, for example, stretching of the strips by elastically lengthening them. In one embodiment, the strips have recesses at least in the proximity of the ends, in which projections of said corner elements engage.
- In one embodiment each locking seat of the members for mutual anchorage between plane laminar elements and covering elements is formed by a through opening that traverses the thickness of the plane laminar element. The anchoring members can each comprise an insert that can be fitted in a respective seat of the plane laminar element and have means of constraint to a covering element, which can comprise a biadhesive tape.
- Further features of the system of dry laying according to the invention are set forth in the annexed claims and will be better understood from the description and the annexed drawings, which shows a possible non-limiting embodiment of the invention.
- According to a further aspect, the invention regards a method for dry laying of a floor or covering formed by a plurality of covering elements, comprising the following steps:
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- laying and fitting together, on at least one part of a surface to be covered, a plurality of plane laminar elements equipped with interlocking members, which fit together along their edges, and anchoring members for anchorage of the covering elements;
- applying along the edges of said covering elements strips defining the joints between said covering elements;
- applying to said plane laminar elements a plurality of covering elements equipped with said strips, anchoring them to said plane laminar elements via said anchoring members.
- According to a further aspect, the invention envisages a support for dry laying of covering elements for floors or walls, comprising a plane laminar element with a first face of contact with a laying surface and a second face of contact with a covering element, and set along the edges of which are members for interlocking with adjacent plane laminar elements, and set on the second face of which are strips defining a joint between adjacent covering elements, said support being characterized in that it comprises at least one locking seat for a member for anchorage between the covering element and the plane laminar element.
- According to a different aspect, the invention envisages a support for dry laying of covering elements for floors or walls, comprising a plane laminar element with a first face of contact with a laying surface and a second face of contact with a covering element, set along the edges of which are members for interlocking with adjacent plane laminar elements, and set on the second face of which are strips defining a joint between adjacent covering elements, said support being characterized in that said strips are set so as to cross one another in a substantially central area of said plane laminar element, dividing said plane laminar element into a plurality of areas, and in that associated to each of said areas into which the plane laminar element is divided are members for anchoring the covering elements to the plane laminar element.
- With supports of this type, dry laying of covering elements is much simplified. It is not necessary to bond a support on each covering element, but rather it is possible to keep the covering elements, such as tiles or the like, separated from the supports themselves. The latter can be laid on the surface to be covered, and the covering elements are then inserted in the spaces delimited by the strips forming the joints and associated to the laminar supports. The covering elements can be easily detached from the supports with a simple movement substantially orthogonal to the laying surface. This makes possible simple and fast replacement of individual covering elements without dismantling the covering itself. This results in a greater ease in replacing damaged covering elements, but also a considerable simplicity in replacing, for example, parts of a covering, for modifying the exterior appearance of the covering as a whole. This enables, for example, modification of a floor of a shop or other sales outlet, a public establishment, an environment for trade fairs and exhibitions, show-rooms or the like.
- Furthermore, since it is not necessary to bond individual supports to individual covering elements, the system of production becomes much less costly. The manufacturer of tiles or other covering elements can produce traditional covering elements and possibly supply his own customers with the supports for dry laying that may be combined to any one of the covering elements in the catalogue. Transport of the material becomes simpler and the production of said materials less expensive.
- Also possible is the separate production of supports for dry laying by specialized firms, which supply said supports to the end customer or to the person who carries out laying, who may then combine to said supports any covering element of his own choice, produced by a manufacturer different from the manufacturer of the supports.
- Further advantageous features and embodiments of the supports according to the invention are set forth in the annexed claims and will be described in greater detail in what follows with reference to non-limiting embodiments illustrated in the attached drawings.
- The invention also concerns a system of dry laying that uses the aforesaid supports, as well as a floor or covering comprising a plurality of supports of the type described above with corresponding covering elements anchored to the structure to be covered using said supports.
- According to a different aspect, the invention regards a method for dry laying of a floor or a covering formed by a plurality of covering elements, characterized by the following steps:
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- laying and fitting together, on at least one part of a surface to be covered, a plurality of plane laminar elements equipped with interlocking members that fit together along their own edges, with strips defining the joints between covering elements on a face of said elements facing the opposite side with respect to said surface and with anchoring members for anchorage of the covering elements;
- applying to said supports a plurality of covering elements, anchoring them to said plane laminar elements via said anchoring members, each covering element being constrained to a plurality of adjacent plane laminar elements.
- Further advantageous features and embodiments of the method according to the invention will be described in greater detail in what follows and are set forth in the annexed claims.
- The invention will be better understood from the ensuing description and the annexed drawings, which show a practical non-limiting embodiment of the invention. More in particular, in the plates of drawings:
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FIG. 1 is a top plan view of a laminar element on the side where the covering elements rest; -
FIG. 2 is a cross section according to II-II ofFIG. 1 ; -
FIG. 3 is a plan view from beneath according to ofFIG. 2 ; -
FIG. 4 is an enlargement of the detail indicated by IV inFIG. 2 ; -
FIG. 5 a side view of a member for anchorage between the laminar element and the covering element; -
FIG. 6 is a top plan view according to VI-VI ofFIG. 5 ; -
FIG. 7 is a top plan view of a strip for definition of the joint gaps between covering elements; -
FIG. 8 a side view according to VIII-VIII ofFIG. 7 ; -
FIG. 9 is a longitudinal cross section according to IX-IX ofFIG. 7 ; -
FIG. 10 is a cross-shaped corner element for mutual connection between the strips in a side view; -
FIG. 11 is a top plan view according to XI-XI ofFIG. 10 ; -
FIGS. 12 and 13 are top plan views of corner connection elements with three arms and two arms, respectively; -
FIG. 14 is a top plan view of a covering element surrounded by four strips with four respective corner elements for mutual connection; -
FIG. 15 is a view from beneath of a set of six laminar elements assembled; and -
FIG. 16 is a view from above of a portion of covering or floor obtained with the system according to the invention; -
FIG. 17 is a top plan view of a portion of a floor or wall covering made with tiles and joints according toFIGS. 7-9 and corner connection elements according toFIGS. 10 to 13 in a different embodiment of the invention; -
FIG. 18 is a cross-section according to line XVIII-XVIII ofFIG. 17 ; -
FIG. 19 is a top plan view of a support according to the invention in a possible embodiment; -
FIG. 20A is a cross section according to A-A ofFIG. 19 ; -
FIG. 20B is an enlargement of an anchoring member for anchoring the covering element to the support; -
FIG. 21 is a portion of a floor on which the supports have been prearranged for subsequent application of the covering elements; -
FIG. 22 is the same floor as that ofFIG. 21 , on which four covering elements have been laid; -
FIG. 23 is a top plan view of a spacer element to be combined with the supports ofFIG. 19 for use with a different format of tile or covering element; -
FIG. 24 is a cross section according to XXIV-XXIV ofFIG. 23 ; -
FIG. 25 is a portion of a floor with applied thereon supports according toFIG. 19 and spacers according toFIGS. 23 and 24 for dry laying of covering elements of larger dimensions; -
FIG. 26 is the portion of floor ofFIG. 25 with two covering elements laid; -
FIG. 27 is a top plan view of a different spacer to be used in combination with the supports ofFIG. 19 ; -
FIG. 28 is a cross section according to XXVIII-XXVIII ofFIG. 27 ; -
FIG. 29 is a portion of a floor with laid thereon supports according toFIG. 19 with spacers according toFIG. 27 ; and -
FIG. 30 is the portion of floor ofFIG. 29 with a covering element laid thereon. - A first embodiment of a system according to the invention will be described here below with reference to
FIGS. 1-16 . - A first component of the system of dry laying of elements (such as tiles or the like) for covering a floor, a wall or the like, formed by a laminar element is shown in detail in
FIGS. 1 to 4 . The laminar element, designated by 103, comprisesedges 103B, provided along which are interlocking members for interlocking between adjacent plane laminar elements. In one embodiment, the planelaminar element 103 has an approximately square development, as illustrated in the drawing, but this is not strictly binding. The shape of the plane laminar elements may also be rectangular or polygonal with a number of sides other than four. One and the same system of laying can also have plane laminar elements of different shapes, for example, for applying a covering according to complex patterns, or else on surfaces having an irregular shape. - Designated by 103X and 103Y are, respectively, the rear face and the front face of the plane
laminar element 103. The face 103X is designed to rest on the floor or on the wall that is to be covered with the system according to the invention, whereas the rear surfaces of the covering elements, such as tiles or the like, come to rest on the face or surface 103Y. - In one embodiment,-provided on the surface 103X are antislip systems designated by 105. In one embodiment, the
antislip elements 105 form a grating projecting from the rear surface 103X of the planelaminar element 103. The grating 105 can be made, for example, of plastic material with a high coefficient of friction, synthetic rubber, natural rubber, or the like. - In one embodiment, the interlocking members set along the
edges 103B of the planelaminar element 103 compriseappendages 103E and recesses orcavities 103F having a shape complementary to that of theappendages 103E. In one embodiment, the appendages have an approximately circular development. In one embodiment, set along two concurrent sides of the planelaminar element 103 are cavities or recesses 103F, whilst set along the other two sides areappendages 103E. Theappendages 103E and recesses orcavities 103F can be shaped so as to form undercuts to provide a more effective mutual fitting. - The plane
laminar element 103 is equipped with anchoring members for anchorage between the planelaminar element 103 and the covering elements designed to be applied on a complex of planelaminar elements 103 fitted together. In one embodiment, the planelaminar elements 103 have a plurality of lockingseats 107 for anchoring members for mutual anchorage between the planelaminar elements 103 and the covering elements. In one embodiment, the lockingseats 107 are circular, as illustrated in the drawing, but it should be understood that also different shapes may be used, for example, oval seats, or else polygonal seats, such as triangular or square ones, preferably with rounded corners, or shapes of other kinds. Advantageously, the edge of theseat 107 is rounded, as may be seen in particular in the enlargement ofFIG. 4 , where the edge of theseat 107 is designated by 107A. In other words, theedge 107A has in cross section an approximately convex circular profile. - Preferably, the locking
seats 107 are uniformly distributed along the entire development of the planelaminar element 107; for example, it is possible to envisage from two to ten, preferably from four to six,seats 107 parallel to each side of a square planelaminar element 103. - The anchoring members, designated by 109, can be inserted in a stable way (see
FIGS. 5 and 6 ) within the locking seats 107. In plan view the anchoringmembers 109 have a development complementary to that of the locking seats 107. In the example illustrated, the anchoringmembers 109 thus have a circular development in plan view. Theedge 109A of the anchoringmembers 109 has a shape, which is complementary to the shape of theedges 107A of the locking seats 107. If theedge 107A of the lockingseats 107 has a convex rounded shape, as illustrated in the example shown, theedges 109A of the anchoringmembers 109 have a concave rounded shape. A reverse arrangement is not ruled out, i.e., with interlockingmembers 109 having convex edges andseats 107 withconcave edges 107A. Preferably, theseats 107 are through seats, i.e., they traverse the entire thickness of the planelaminar element 103, even though the possibility that said seats have a depth smaller than the thickness of the plane laminar element is not to be ruled out. In the preferred embodiment, the anchoringmembers 109 thus have a thickness equal to the thickness of the planelaminar elements 103, except possibly for the thickness of theantislip material 105. - The anchoring
members 109 can be inserted in theseats 107 by snap action and remain stably anchored in said seats thanks to the concave and convex conformation of theedges - In an advantageous embodiment, applied on the top face of the anchoring
members 109, designated by 109Y, is a length ofbi-adhesive tape 111, possibly protected with a protective sheet 111X (FIG. 5 ). The protective element or sheet 111X protects the top face of thebi-adhesive tape 111 and is removed when the anchoringmember 109 has been inserted in thecorresponding seat 107 and the covering element must be applied in the way that will be described hereinafter. - A further component of the laying system according to the invention is represented by
strips 121 that, when the system is laid, define the joints between adjacent covering elements, applied, via the anchoringmembers 109, to a set of planelaminar elements 103 joined together. -
FIGS. 7 , 8 and 9 show an embodiment of the strips according to the invention. In one embodiment, thestrips 121 are made of elastic material. This enables an easier application of the strips, according to the procedures described herein. Preferably, thestrips 121 are made of an impermeable material, for example, synthetic rubber or the like, which guarantees water tightness between adjacent covering elements. - In one embodiment, the
strips 121 havelongitudinal sides 121A and atop wall 121B. Defined between thelongitudinal sides 121A and thetop wall 121B arehollow spaces hollow spaces 121D being set at the ends of thestrips 121. Advantageously, in one embodiment, the ends of thestrips 121 are defined by edges converging in avertex 121E to facilitate mounting of the strips themselves. Thevertex 121E defines an angle of approximately 90°. - In a preferred embodiment, the spaces or
cavities 121D set at the ends of thestrips 121 are delimited at least frontally byrespective walls 121F, inclined from the top downwards and from the end towards the central part of the strip, to which there corresponds a similar inclination of the external sharp edges orvertices 121E mentioned above. - The cavities or
sockets 121D serve as anchorage for the strip to a corner element for mutual connection between a number of strips that converge in a vertex of a covering element. The corner connection elements can have various shapes, as illustrated inFIGS. 10 to 13 . - With initial reference to
FIGS. 10 and 11 , according to one embodiment, a first type of corner connection element, designated by 131, has an approximately cross-shaped or X-shaped development witharms 131A of the cross substantially equal to one another and set at right angles with respect to one another. Made on eacharm 131A is anappendage 131B projecting upwards. Theappendage 131B is shaped in a way complementary to the space orsocket 121D made at each end of thestrips 121. More specifically, theappendages 131B have an approximately prismatic development with two inclined sides 131C and 131D. The side 131C is located in a position closer to the centre of the corner anchoring element and is inclined, from the top downwards and from the inside towards the outside of the anchoring element itself. Said side 131C co-operates with the side orwall 121F of the cavity orsocket 121D of the corresponding strip. There is thus obtained a system of anchorage with an undercut, i.e., with an engagement between theappendages 131B and thestrips 121 thanks to the inclination of thewalls 131C and 121F. - The
strips 121 at rest have a dimension that can be slightly smaller than the side of the covering element for which the strip is intended. There may consequently be strips 121 of different dimensions according to the dimension of the covering elements that are to be laid with the system according to the invention. If the covering elements are square, for example, of 20×20 cm or of 30×30 cm, to lay them strips 121 will be used that are all the same as one another and of dimensions such as to reach, when applied to the covering elements, the length of approximately 20 or 30 cm respectively. If the covering elements are, instead, rectangular, for example, 15×30 cm, strips of two different lengths will be used. - Since it may be necessary to have available a number of strips different from four that converge in one and the same point, the corner anchoring elements can have a shape different from that of the
elements 131 ofFIGS. 10 and 11 . For example (FIG. 12 ), corner-anchoringelements 141 can be provided comprising just three arms designated by 141A, set at 90° and 180° as illustrated inFIG. 12 . Eacharm 141A has an appendage orprojection 141B having a shape that is substantially the same and with similar functions as those of the projections orappendages 131B of thecorner anchoring elements 131. -
FIG. 13 shows a further corner anchoring element designated by 151, which comprises just twoarms 151A set at 90°, each equipped with an appendage orprojection 151B having a shape that is substantially the same as that of theprojections corner anchoring elements - The
corner anchoring elements strips 121, which form the joints between adjacent covering elements. Shown inFIG. 14 is a covering element, for example, a tile, as a whole designated by R, around which fourstrips 121 have been applied one along each side of the covering element R. In the example shown, the covering element R is square and hence thestrips 121 that surround it are the same as one another. On the other hand, as has been mentioned, the system can be used for laying covering elements R also having a different shape, in which case strips 121 can possibly be used, which have different lengths according to the length of the sides of the covering element R. - Two
respective strips 121 converge at each vertex V of the covering element R, which strips are anchored to corresponding corner anchoring elements. In the example shown, four cross-shaped corner-anchoringelements 131 are provided. As may be understood fromFIG. 14 , eachstrip 121 is stretched along the respective edge of the covering element R and anchored via the sockets orcavities 121D to correspondingappendages 131B of the opposedcorner anchoring elements 131, set at the respective vertices V of the covering element R. - Lying of the covering or floor with the system so far described is performed in the way described in what follows. Applied in adequate number on the surface to be covered are plane
laminar elements 103, fitted together by means of thecavities 103F and theappendages 103E made along the edges. Each planelaminar element 103 can be already equipped in itsown seats 107 with the anchoringmembers 109, each of which is still protected at the top by the sheet 111X that covers the bi-adhesive 111. What is obtained is a substantially continuous surface that covers the entire wall or the floor on which the covering elements R are to be laid, without striplike elements defining the joints between the covering elements R. Consequently, it may be understood that, once the planelaminar elements 103 have been laid on the surface thus obtained, a covering can be laid that is made with covering elements R having any shape and size, arranged according to any pattern, for example, partially at 90° and partially in diagonal with respect to the surrounding walls. There are thus no constraints on the choice of the covering element R and on the distribution of said elements. The planelaminar elements 103 have a universal use and can be used with any shape and size of the covering element R itself. - Laying is carried out by applying to a first covering element R or to a first set of covering elements R the
strips 121 using thecorner anchoring elements FIG. 14 , by possibly replacing the twocorner anchoring elements 131 with correspondingcorner anchoring elements strips 121, it is applied in the desired point of the floor, the lengths of protective film 111X being removed from the corresponding anchoringmembers 109 on which the covering element R is applied. The number of anchoringmembers 109 to be provided for application of the covering element R depends upon the shape and size of the latter. - Once this operation has been performed, between the opposite arms of two
corner anchoring elements 131 that havearms 131A projecting from the covering element R, there can be inserted, so that it bears upon thecorresponding strip 121, a subsequent covering element R, around which via furthercorner anchoring elements respective strips 121 are fixed. The process continues in the same way up to completion of the covering of the floor or wall. Obviously before setting the next covering element R up against thestrip 121 that has already been laid, the protective elements 111X must be removed from the bi-adhesive 111 of thecorresponding anchoring members 109. - Proceeding in this way, it is possible to obtain a complete covering of the floor or wall, also with complex arrangements of covering elements, as illustrated in particular in the example of
FIG. 16 . In this example, there has been obtained a floor with a frame of covering elements R1, along the walls, with sides parallel and orthogonal to the walls themselves. Further covering elements R2 laid in diagonal configuration have been set within the frame, also using elements R3 cut in half. Set between adjacent covering elements R1, R2 and R3 arestrips 121 that define the joint gaps. In the points of convergence of four vertices of four adjacent covering elements R2, cross-shapedcorner anchoring elements 131 will be provided, whilst at the vertices, designated by V3, where an element R2 is located positioned adjacent to a covering element R1, there will be set a corner anchoring element of the type designated by 151. Thestrips 121 that surround the covering elements R1 are, instead, fixed with corner anchoring elements with three arms of thetype 141, except in the points where the elements R1 are located, positioned in the corners of the floor, where an element with fourarms 141 is used. - It may be understood from what has been described above how with the system according to the invention it is possible to obtain an extreme versatility in the laying of covering elements R, R1, R2, R3 of various shapes using basic elements that are always the same; the plane
laminar elements 103, thecorner anchoring elements members 109. Only thestrips 121 can be provided with variable dimensions according to the dimensions and shape of the covering elements. Furthermore, with the system according to the invention there are practically no constraints on the arrangement of the covering elements on the plane, as exemplified inFIG. 16 . - The anchoring
members 109 enable removal of individual covering elements R, R1, R2, R3 in the case where it were to become necessary to make a replacement owing to breaking or simply because it is desired or necessary to change the aesthetic appearance of the floor or wall. For this purpose, it is sufficient to pull thecovering element R-R 3 away, for example, using suction-cup means, detaching from therespective seat 107 the anchoring member ormembers 109 that are attached on the rear surface of the covering element to be removed. It is sufficient to overcome the force with which the anchoringmembers 109 are fixed in theseats 107 in order to achieve removal of the corresponding covering element. Spare anchoringmembers 109 are then inserted in theseats 107 left empty, the protective film 111X is removed from the portions ofbi-adhesive 111, and a new covering element can be inserted in the space left empty by the covering element that has been removed. -
FIGS. 17 and 18 show a further embodiment of the invention. The same reference numbers are used to designate the same or corresponding elements. More specifically,FIG. 17 shows a portion of a surface, such as a floor or a wall, with a covering formed by covering elements R, e.g. tiles or the like. The tiles are surrounded by joints formed bystrips 121. Fourstrips 121 converge in each vertex of the covering elements R. As described in connection withFIGS. 1-17 , thestrips 121 are preferably made of resilient material, such as rubber and are kept under traction along each edge of the corresponding tile or covering element R. This is achieved by means of cross-shaped corner anchoring elements 131 (not shown in these Figures), which substantially correspond to thecorner anchoring elements 131 shown in the preceding Figures and described herein before. - As shown in the cross section of
FIG. 18 , the covering elements R rest on one or more planelaminar elements 104. In this embodiment the plane laminar element(s) is/are formed by a simple layer of suitable material, without locking seats for the anchoring elements which serve for mutual anchorage between the laminar element(s) and the covering elements. The covering elements are simply placed on the laminar element, which form an insulating or filling layer between the surface to be covered, in this case a floor F, and the covering elements R. Thelaminar element 104 can be made of rubber or the like, and can have suitable acoustic insulating features. - The covering system of
FIGS. 17 and 19 is mounted quite in the same way as the system described in connection withFIGS. 1-16 , except that the plane laminar elements are placed on the floor without interlocking them to one another. In some embodiments, a single laminar element is placed on the floor F. The covering elements R are then simply placed on the plane laminar element(s) along with the joint-formingstrips 121, which are placed around the covering elements R quite in the same way as disclosed above. The joints formed by the strips made of rubber or other suitable material keep the covering elements R in place. Each covering element can thus be disassembled independently of the other surrounding corresponding elements R. - A further embodiment of the invention is disclosed herein below reference being made to
FIGS. 19-30 . - Illustrated in
FIG. 19 is asupport 1 for dry laying of covering elements according to a possible embodiment of the invention. - In one embodiment, the
support 1 has a substantially planelaminar element 3, which, in this embodiment, has a substantially square development. As may be seen in particular inFIGS. 20A and 20B , the planelaminar element 3 hasstrips 5 arranged to form a cross, substantially orthogonal to thesides laminar element 3. As will emerge clearly from what is set forth hereinafter, thestrips 5 define the joints between adjacent covering elements, i.e., they are designed to fill the empty spaces that separate the edges of the covering elements themselves. - In an advantageous embodiment, the
strips 5 divide the planelaminar element 3 into four approximately equal areas or sectors, in each of which are set members for anchoring the covering elements to thesupport 1. - In an advantageous embodiment, the anchoring members comprise, preferably for each area into which the plane
laminar element 3 is divided, a locking seat 7 (see in particularFIG. 20A ) within which an anchoring member 9 (illustrated in isolation inFIG. 20B ) can be restrained. - In an advantageous embodiment, the anchoring
member 9 has a substantially circular development. It can advantageously have a thickness S equal to the thickness of the planelaminar element 3. In this way, when the anchoringmember 9 is retained into thecorresponding seat 7, it is set with its rear face 9A andfront face 9B substantially flush with the corresponding rear face 3X and front face 3Y of the planelaminar element 3. Theseat 7 is consequently a through seat. It should on the other hand be understood that, in a different embodiment, theseat 7 can have a depth smaller than the thickness S of the planelaminar element 3 and accordingly the anchoringmember 9 will have a thickness smaller than the thickness S, substantially equal to the depth of theseat 7. - To constrain the anchoring
member 9 and the planelaminar element 3 together, according to a possible embodiment of the invention joint systems can be used. In a possible embodiment of the invention, for this purpose the edge of theseat 7 has a conformation defining an undercut, in which the corresponding edge of the anchoringmember 9 is restrained. - According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, illustrated in the figures, the
seat 7 has aninternal edge 7A, the cross section of which has a convex profile, to which a corresponding concave peripheral profile 9C of the anchoringmember 9 is constrained. Also possible is a complementary conformation, i.e., with an anchoringmember 9 having a convex peripheral edge that is constrained to a concave edge of theseat 7. - The mutual anchorage between the
components convex profile 7A in the concave profile 9C. It should be understood that the diameter of the anchoringmember 9 is substantially the same as the diameter of theseat 7, even though this does not appear fromFIGS. 20A and 20B , since therein the twocomponents convex profile 7A and the concave profile 9C. The dimensions will be in any case such as to guarantee mutual fitting of the twocomponents - In a different embodiment (not shown), the anchorage may be obtained via elastic members, such as tabs or the like, provided on one and/or the other of the
elements - In an alternative, even though less advantageous, embodiment the mutual joining between the
components anchoring element 9 and a bottom wall of theseat 7, which, in this case, would not be a through seat, but rather would have a depth smaller than the thickness S of the planelaminar element 3. - Set on the
front face 9B of theanchoring element 9 is an anchorage means 11 for anchoring to a covering element. Said anchorage means 11 can be formed, for example, by a length of a bi-adhesive film or tape, applied to theface 9B and provided with a layer of adhesive on the top face, i.e., the face that faces the opposite side with respect to the anchoringmember 9, possibly protected by a removable protective film, sheet, or lamina F, which is removed at the moment of laying of the covering elements. - Set along the
edges 3A-3D of the planelaminar element 3 are members for interlocking between adjacent plane laminar elements. In an advantageous embodiment, said interlocking members compriseappendages 3E arranged along theconsecutive edges 3B and 3C of each planelaminar element 3 andcavities 3F having a shape complementary to that of theappendages 3E and provided on the other twoconsecutive edges - In an advantageous embodiment, the
appendages 3E have an expanded shape (in the example illustrated in the figures, with an approximately circular profile) for housing into thecavities 3F of similar conformation in such a way as to prevent relative movement between the planelaminar elements 3 on the plane laying surface, after their installation. - In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the
appendages 3E have (seeFIG. 20A ) a thickness S equal to the thickness of the planelaminar element 3 so as to be advantageously obtained by simple cutting or dinking of a plane semifinished element. In this case, thecavities 3F will be through cavities, open along thecorresponding edge laminar element 3. Not to be ruled out, however, is the possibility of theappendages 3E having a different thickness, and preferably one smaller than the thickness S of the central part of the planelaminar element 3. In this case, the seats orcavities 3F may not be through ones and may have a depth smaller than the thickness S and be open towards the front surface 3Y of the plane laminar element to enable fitting of theappendages 3E in thecavities 3F via relative movement of thesupports 1 in a direction substantially orthogonal to each planelaminar element 3. - Illustrated in
FIG. 21 is a portion of a plane surface P, typically a floor, where a covering must be provided, using thesupports 1 for dry laying as described with reference toFIGS. 19 , 20A and 20B. More in particular,FIG. 21 illustrates the portion of floor P adjacent to a corner A between walls M1 and M2. It is to be understood that what will be described hereinafter may also apply to the production of coverings of vertical or inclined walls, instead of floors. - Applied on the plane surface of the floor P to be covered are
supports 1 of the type illustrated inFIG. 19 . As may be noted inFIG. 21 , by locking together thesupports 1 by means of theappendages 3E that enter into thecavities 3F, a grating (with a square mesh in the example illustrated) is formed on the surface P, said grating being made of thestrips 5, set end-on, of the individual supports 1. Set along the walls M1 and M2 are portions ofsupports 1 cut along thestrips 5. More in particular a first portion 1X is provided in the corner between the walls M1, M2 with a dimension equal to one quarter of thesupport 1, cut on the outside of thestrips 5, in such a way that there remain on the portion 1X the two portions ofstrip 5 that come to bear head-on with thestrips 5 of the adjacent portions designated by 1Y and obtained by cutting ofcorresponding supports 1 in half. Theportions 1Y are obtained by cuttingrespective supports 1 in half along one or the other of the twostrips 5. - The dimension of the
supports 1 corresponds to one of the possible formats of the covering elements. For example, thesupports 1 illustrated in the figures can havesides L 30 cm in length. Consequently, the grating formed by thestrips 5 of thevarious supports 1 set end-on will have square meshes with sides having a length L=30 cm. Inserted within each of said meshes is a covering element R as illustrated as a whole for four of the meshes formed by thesupports 1 inFIG. 22 . As may be noted in said figure, also along the walls M1 and M2 there are provided meshes having a square shape and sides L×L=30×30 cm via the use ofportions 1X and 1Y. - The covering elements R are anchored to the
supports 1 by means of the bi-adhesive 11. Each covering element R is anchored to four areas of fouradjacent supports 1 via four portions ofbi-adhesive tape 11 applied to fourcorresponding anchoring members 9. Along the walls M1 and M2 the anchorage will be in part on areas ofentire supports 1 and in part onportions 1X, 1Y. - The laying of a covering for a floor P or a wall using the
supports 1 is extremely practical and fast. In fact, in a first step the individual supports 1 are applied, being fitted to one another by means of theappendages 3E and thecavities 3F, providing a supporting structure, completed along the walls M1, M2 byportions 1X, 1Y ofsupports 1. Once this has been done, the individual covering elements R are applied in the meshes formed by thestrips 5 set end-on with respect to one another of thevarious supports 1 and of therespective portions 1X, 1Y via simple removal of the protective film F of the bi-adhesive. - The individual supports 1 can be produced and sold complete with the anchoring
members 9 already inserted and fitted in theseats 7 and provided with the bi-adhesive 11. Not ruled out, however, is the possibility of thesecomponents members 9 equipped with the bi-adhesive 11 can be sold separate from the planelaminar elements 3, and the person who carries out laying of the covering will insert theindividual components 9 in theseats 7 before proceeding to application of the tiles or covering elements R. Furthermore, also the bi-adhesive 11 might not be applied previously on theanchoring members 9 but rather sold separately, for example, in sheets from which individual pre-cut portions of bi-adhesive 11 can be detached by the user, who will then apply them to the anchoringmember 9 possibly already inserted in itsseat 7, or else still to be inserted in the latter. Since theanchoring members 9 and the planelaminar elements 3 cannot be obtained by dinking, i.e., cutting the anchoringmembers 9 from the planelaminar element 3, on account of the concave andconvex profiles 7A and 9C, but rather must be produced separately, the manufacturer could offer on the market a product at a lower cost, in which the assembly of theanchoring members 9 on the planelaminar elements 3, as well as possibly also the application of the bi-adhesive 11, are entrusted to the end user. - In a modified embodiment, the anchoring
members 9 could be without bi-adhesive 11 and made for receiving, for example, a glue to be applied to areas or points directly by the user. For example, a simple silicone sealant could be used, to be applied using a normal silicone gun on thesurface 9B of theanchoring members 9 inserted in theseats 7. - Whatever the manner with which the anchoring
member 9 is inserted in therespective seat 7 of the planelaminar element 3 and with which the covering element or tile R is fixed (using bi-adhesive, glue, or the like) to theanchoring members 9, it is always possible to remove one or more tiles or covering elements R individually to replace them, for example, in the case of breakage or when it is desired to change the appearance of the covering. In fact, for this purpose it is sufficient to exert an adequate traction force on the covering element R in a direction orthogonal to the plane P of the floor or of the wall on which the covering has been applied. Said traction force will bring about detachment of theanchoring members 9 from the corresponding plane laminar elements, via release of the connection formed by the shapededges 7A and 9C. It will then be convenient to detach, for example, with the aid of a cutter, theindividual anchoring members 9 that remain adherent to the rear face of the covering element R that has been removed. Said element is then replaced simply by insertingnew anchoring members 9 into theseats 7 that have remained free within the mesh from which the covering element R has been removed. Saidnew anchoring members 9 can in fact be produced for being sold also as spare pieces or additional components with respect to thelaminar elements 3. - The covering elements R, which have been removed in order to carry out modification of the aesthetic appearance of the covering, can be reused at a later date.
- The
supports 1 so far described can be used for dry laying of covering elements also of different formats with respect to the format L×L of thesupport 1. For this purpose there can be provided spacers or inserts of the type illustrated as a whole inFIG. 23 and designated by 21. These inserts orspacers 21 comprise a planelaminar element 23 provided withappendages 23E having a shape that is the same as theappendages 3E of the planelaminar elements 3, andcavities 23F that are the same as thecavities 3F of the planelaminar elements 3 of thesupports 1. The spacers or inserts 21 have a rectangular shape of sides L×L/2. Parallel to the edges of smaller length L/2 is provided astrip 25 of cross section equal to the cross section of thestrips 5 provided on thesupports 1. - Illustrated in
FIG. 25 is the laying ofsupports 1 combined to spacers or inserts 21. Laying is obtained, in a way similar to what was described previously with reference toFIG. 22 , by placing a corresponding spacer or insert 21 along the sides of each element ofsupport 1. Thestrips supports 1 and of thespacers 21 consequently form a square-mesh lattice with mesh dimensions equal to 3/2L. When thesupport 1 has a dimension of 30×30, the meshes obtained with the use of saidsupports 1 and of the inserts orspacers 21 will have a dimension of 45×45 cm. Illustrated inFIG. 26 is the portion of floor ofFIG. 25 with two covering elements or tiles R applied in two of the meshes formed by thestrips - In this embodiment, the spacers or inserts 21 are without anchoring
members 9, but could be provided with anchoringmembers 9, just as thesupports 1 are provided therewith. On the other hand, already with four anchoringmembers 9 for each mesh, as shown inFIG. 25 , an adequate fixing of each covering element R is obtained. - Formed in each mesh is a central empty area V having a square shape, in which no laminar element is provided. This area is sufficiently small as not to represent a drawback to proper laying of the covering material. On the other hand, in a modified embodiment of the invention, there may be envisaged the use of plane laminar inserts having a shape corresponding to the development in plan view of the area V, which come to fill also this portion of floor.
- Along the walls that surround the floor P on which the covering is applied with the system illustrated in
FIG. 25 there are setother portions 1X or 1Y ofsupports 1 and portions 21X of the inserts orspacers 21, obtained by cutting said spacers along thecentral strip 25. - Shown in
FIG. 27 is a different insert or spacer designated by 31 and formed by a planelaminar element 33 withappendages 33E andcavities 33F along theedges laminar element 33 is astrip 35 with a cross section equal to that of thestrips 5 of thesupports 1. The dimension of the inserts orspacers 31 is equal to L×L. They thus have the same development in plan view as thesupports 1, but have asingle strip 35, instead of two, and in this embodiment are without anchoringmembers 9, even though it is possible also in this case to envisage one or two anchoringmembers 9 on each of the two halves in which the spacer or insert 31 is divided by thecentral strip 35. - Shown in
FIG. 29 is the use ofsupports 1 combined to inserts orspacers 31. Thestrips support 1 has adimension 30×30 cm, the square meshes that are thus obtained have a dimension 60×60 cm. A covering formed by covering elements R of dimensions 60×60 cm can thus be dry-laid on the floor P. Also in this case, empty areas V are obtained within each square mesh, which can be possibly filled, if necessary, with plane laminar inserts having a corresponding shape. It is also possible to envisage that said inserts will be provided with anchoring elements ormembers 9 in a way similar to what is envisaged for thesupports 1. - As illustrated in the drawings, both the
supports 1 and theinserts laminar elements 3, the inserts orspacers anchoring members 9 can be made of any suitable material, for example, moulded plastic, wood, etc. The production by moulding of plastic material having adequate capacity of elastic deformation enables theedges 7A and 9C to be made with the same operation of moulding, without any need for subsequent processing operations, and consequently proves particularly advantageous. - So far described have been supports of
size 30×30 cm and corresponding inserts for dry laying of tiles or other covering elements of larger dimensions. It should be understood, on the other hand, that the same principles can be used for obtaining supports of different dimensions (for example, 45×45 or 60×60 cm) and also of different shapes, for example, rectangular, without ruling out the possibility of envisaging also supports for tiles or other covering elements of other shape. - It is understood that the drawings merely show one example provided purely as a practical embodiment of the invention, it being possible for said invention to vary in the forms and arrangements, without thereby departing from the scope of the idea underlying the invention itself. The possible presence of reference numbers in the annexed claims has the purpose of facilitating reading of the claims with reference to the description and the drawings, and in no way limits the scope of protection represented by the claims.
Claims (50)
1. A kit for dry laying of covering elements for walls or floors, comprising at least one laminar element with a first face of contact with a laying surface and a second face of contact with at least one covering element, the kit comprising:
strips defining joints between covering elements, which can be applied along the edges of the covering elements;
corner elements wherein said corner elements are provided with constraint members co-acting with interlocking members on said strips, for constraining and anchoring the strips around the edges of the respective covering element.
2. A kit for dry laying of covering elements for walls or floors, comprising plane laminar elements with a first face of contact with a laying surface and a second face of contact with a covering element, said laminar elements comprising along their own edges members for interlocking between adjacent plane laminar elements, the kit comprising:
strips defining joints between covering elements, which can be applied along the edges of the covering elements;
a plurality of locking seats made in said plane laminar elements, for respective anchoring members for mutual anchorage between plane laminar elements and covering elements, said anchoring members comprising an insert that can be engaged into a respective seat of the plane laminar element and has means of constraint to a covering element, said locking seats comprising a shaped peripheral edge to form a shape fit with the edge of the corresponding anchoring member.
3. The kit according to claim 2 , further comprising corner elements for mutual connection between said strips, interlocking members being provided for mutually anchoring said strips and said corner elements and retaining said strips around the edges of said covering elements.
4. The kit according to claim 1 , wherein said strips have a substantially rectilinear development.
5. The kit according to claim 1 , wherein said strips are separate from the plane laminar elements.
6. The kit according to claim 1 , wherein said corner elements have a plurality of arms that converge towards a central area of the corner element, said arms having members of constraint for respective strips defining the joints between adjacent covering elements.
7. The kit according to claim 1 , wherein said corner elements for connection of the strips are separate from the plane laminar elements.
8. The kit according to claim 1 , wherein said strips are made of impermeable material and form seals around the edges of the covering elements.
9. The kit according to claim 1 , wherein said strips are made of elastic material.
10. The kit according to claim 1 , wherein said strips have recesses at least in the proximity of the ends, in which projections of said corner elements engage.
11. The kit according to claim 1 , wherein said interlocking members between adjacent plane laminar elements are designed for fitting adjacent plane laminar elements via a relative movement in a direction substantially orthogonal to the face of the plane laminar element.
12. The kit according to claim 1 , wherein said interlocking members comprise cavities and appendages made along the edges of the plane laminar element, the cavities being open along the corresponding edge of the plane laminar element and at least towards the second face of the plane laminar element, for inserting in said cavities corresponding appendages of adjacent laminar elements with a movement substantially orthogonal to the laying surface.
13. The kit according to claim 1 , wherein said locking seats for locking the anchoring members for mutual anchorage between plane laminar elements and covering elements are formed by through openings that traverse the thickness of the plane laminar element.
14. The kit according to claim 1 , wherein said anchoring members comprise an insert that can be engaged into the seat of the plane laminar element and has a thickness not larger than the thickness of the plane laminar element so that, when an anchoring member is mounted in the respective seat, said anchoring member is set with its top surface flush with the second face of the plane laminar element.
15. The kit according to claim 14 , wherein the edge of each locking seat for said anchoring members comprises an edge forming an undercut, into which the anchoring member is engaged, said anchoring member having a peripheral edge shaped accordingly so that said peripheral edge engages into the undercut formed in the peripheral edge of the seat.
16. The kit according claim 1 , wherein said anchoring members comprise an adhesive on one of their faces, for adherence to the covering element.
17. The kit according to claim 1 , wherein said locking seats for the anchoring members have a convex peripheral edge, in which a concave peripheral edge of the corresponding anchoring member engages.
18. The kit according to claim 1 , further comprising an antislip covering on the first face.
19. The kit according to claim 18 , wherein said antislip covering is set according to a grating pattern.
20. The kit according to claim 18 , wherein said anchoring members comprise a bottom surface provided with a layer of antislip material.
21. A method for dry laying of a floor or covering formed by a plurality of covering elements, the method comprising the following steps:
laying at least one laminar element on a surface to be covered;
by means of corner elements, anchoring along the edges of said covering elements strips defining the joints between said covering elements;
applying to said at least one plane laminar element a plurality of covering elements equipped with said strips.
22. A planar supporting element for dry laying of covering elements for floors or walls, the planar supporting element comprising:
a plane laminar element with a first face of contact with a laying surface and a second face of contact with a covering element, and along the edges of which are set interlocking members for interlocking with adjacent plane laminar elements, wherein on the second face of said supporting element are set strips defining a joint between adjacent covering elements, and comprising at least one locking seat for an anchoring member for anchorage between the covering element and the plane laminar element, said locking seat comprising a shaped peripheral edge to form a shape fit with the edge of an anchoring member.
23. The supporting element according to claim 22 , wherein said interlocking members are shaped for fitting adjacent supports via a relative movement in a direction substantially orthogonal to the face of the plane laminar element.
24. The supporting element according to claim 22 , wherein said interlocking members comprise cavities and appendages arranged along the edges of the plane laminar element, the cavities being open along the corresponding edge of the plane laminar element and at least towards the second face of the plane laminar element, facing the covering element, for inserting in said cavities corresponding appendages of adjacent laminar elements with a movement substantially orthogonal to the laying surface.
25. The supporting element according to claim 22 , wherein said at least one locking seat for the anchoring member is formed by a through opening that traverses the thickness of the plane laminar element.
26. The supporting element according to claim 22 , wherein said anchoring member comprises an insert that can be anchored into said seat of the plane laminar element and having means for constraint to a covering element.
27. The supporting element according to claim 22 , wherein said anchoring member comprises an insert that can be anchored into the seat of the laminar element and has a thickness not larger than the thickness of the plane laminar element, so that, when the anchoring member is mounted in the respective seat, said anchoring member is set with its top surface flush with the second face of the plane laminar element.
28. The supporting element according to claim 22 , wherein the edge of the locking seat for the anchoring member comprises an edge forming an undercut, constrained to which is the anchoring member having a peripheral edge shaped accordingly so as to be constrained into the undercut formed in the peripheral edge of the seat.
29. The supporting element according to claim 22 , wherein said at least one anchoring member comprises an adhesive on one of its faces so as to adhere to the covering element.
30. The supporting element according to claim 22 , wherein said strips defining the joint between adjacent covering elements are arranged to form a cross, substantially orthogonal to the edges of the plane laminar element and intersect approximately at the center of the plane laminar element.
31. The supporting element according to claim 22 , wherein said strips defining the joint between adjacent covering elements divide the plane laminar element into at least four areas, each of which is equipped with at least one seat for a respective anchoring member.
32. The supporting element according to claim 31 , wherein said strips divide the supporting element into four areas, each area having a dimension substantially corresponding to one quarter of the dimensions of the covering element.
33. The supporting element according to claim 22 , wherein said at least one locking seat for an anchoring member has a convex peripheral edge anchored to which is a concave peripheral edge of said anchoring member.
34. The supporting element according to claim 22 , further comprising an antislip covering on the first face.
35. The supporting element according to claim 34 , wherein said at least one anchoring member comprises a bottom surface provided with a layer of antislip material.
36. A kit for dry laying of covering elements, comprising a plurality of supporting elements, each supporting element comprising a plane laminar element with a first face of contact with a laying surface and a second face of contact with a covering element, and along the edges of which are set interlocking members for interlocking with adjacent plane laminar elements, wherein on the second face of said supporting element are set strips defining a joint between adjacent covering elements, each supporting element comprising at least one locking seat for an anchoring member for anchorage between the covering element and the plane laminar element, said locking seat comprising a shaped peripheral edge to form a shape fit with the edge of an anchoring member.
37. The kit according to claim 36 , further comprising a plurality of anchoring members.
38. The kit according to claim 36 , further comprising spacers to be set between said supports.
39. The kit according to claim 38 , wherein said spacers each comprise a laminar element, provided on the edges of which are interlocking members complementary to the interlocking members of said supports.
40. The kit according to claim 38 , wherein said spacers comprise a strip designed to form at least part of a joint between adjacent covering elements.
41. A floor or covering comprising a plurality of supports and a plurality of covering elements anchored to a structure via said supports, each support comprising a plane laminar element with a first face of contact with a laying surface and a second face of contact with a covering element, and along the edges of which are set interlocking members for interlocking with adjacent plane laminar elements, wherein on the second face of said supporting element are set strips defining a joint between adjacent covering elements, each support comprising at least one locking seat for an anchoring member for anchorage between the covering element and the plane laminar element, said locking seat comprising a shaped peripheral edge to form a shape fit with the edge of an anchoring member.
42. The kit according to claim 2 , wherein said strips have a substantially rectilinear development.
43. The kit according to claim 3 , wherein said strips have a substantially rectilinear development.
44. The kit according to claim 2 , wherein said corner elements have a plurality of arms that converge towards a central area of the corner element, said arms having members of constraint for respective strips defining the joints between adjacent covering elements.
45. The kit according to claim 3 , wherein said corner elements have a plurality of arms that converge towards a central area of the corner element, said arms having members of constraint for respective strips defining the joints between adjacent covering elements.
46. The kit according to claim 2 , wherein said corner elements for connection of the strips are separate from the plane laminar elements.
47. The kit according to claim 2 , wherein said strips are made of impermeable material and form seals around the edges of the covering elements.
48. The kit according to claim 3 , wherein said strips are made of impermeable material and form seals around the edges of the covering elements.
49. The kit according to claim 2 , wherein said strips are made of elastic material.
50. The kit according to claim 2 , wherein said strips have recesses at least in the proximity of the ends, in which projections of said corner elements engage.
Applications Claiming Priority (5)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
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ITFI2006A000285 | 2006-11-20 | ||
IT000285A ITFI20060285A1 (en) | 2006-11-20 | 2006-11-20 | A SYSTEM AND A DRY LAYING METHOD OF COATING ELEMENTS FOR FLOORS OR WALLS AND SUPPORT FOR THIS SYSTEM. |
IT000135A ITFI20070135A1 (en) | 2007-06-15 | 2007-06-15 | A SYSTEM AND A DRY LAYING METHOD OF CLADDING ELEMENTS FOR CLOSETS OR WALLS |
ITFI2007A000135 | 2007-06-15 | ||
PCT/IT2007/000806 WO2008062492A1 (en) | 2006-11-20 | 2007-11-15 | A system and a method of dry laying of covering elements for floors or walls and a support for said system |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
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US20100088982A1 true US20100088982A1 (en) | 2010-04-15 |
Family
ID=39184675
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US12/514,873 Abandoned US20100088982A1 (en) | 2006-11-20 | 2007-11-15 | System and a method of dry laying of covering elements for floors or walls and a support for said system |
Country Status (6)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US20100088982A1 (en) |
EP (1) | EP2084343A1 (en) |
AU (1) | AU2007322995A1 (en) |
CA (1) | CA2669203A1 (en) |
RU (1) | RU2447248C2 (en) |
WO (1) | WO2008062492A1 (en) |
Cited By (6)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US8806832B2 (en) | 2011-03-18 | 2014-08-19 | Inotec Global Limited | Vertical joint system and associated surface covering system |
US20210030255A1 (en) * | 2019-07-31 | 2021-02-04 | R&L Marketing & Sales, Inc. | Modular mat system |
US20210032876A1 (en) * | 2019-07-31 | 2021-02-04 | R&L Marketing & Sales, Inc. | Modular mat system |
EP3757312A4 (en) * | 2018-02-22 | 2021-11-24 | Samwon Act Co., Ltd. | Metal interior material and interior material attachment structure |
US20220195737A1 (en) * | 2020-12-22 | 2022-06-23 | Samwon Act Co., Ltd. | Unit bracket, bracket and bracket construction method for attaching to base material and wall using the same |
US11596253B2 (en) | 2019-07-31 | 2023-03-07 | R&L Marketing & Sales, Inc. | Modular mat system |
Families Citing this family (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
IT1394681B1 (en) | 2009-06-04 | 2012-07-13 | Gruppo Concorde Spa | MODULAR COVERING SYSTEM FOR SURFACES |
ES1173308Y (en) * | 2016-12-09 | 2017-03-22 | Flexicel Ind S L U | Device for removable fixing of a floor on a support surface. |
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US2382456A (en) * | 1940-03-11 | 1945-08-14 | Leon F Urbain | Wall or ceiling covering |
US3373537A (en) * | 1966-07-05 | 1968-03-19 | Aluminum Co Of America | Joint structures and elements thereof |
US3918233A (en) * | 1973-02-27 | 1975-11-11 | Harold Graves Simpson | Construction system |
US4296582A (en) * | 1975-12-31 | 1981-10-27 | Star Manufacturing Company Of Oklahoma | Construction system and fasteners therefore |
US4744194A (en) * | 1984-08-20 | 1988-05-17 | Saami Co., Ltd. | Method of laying tile-like flooring members on a floor |
US5014488A (en) * | 1989-12-06 | 1991-05-14 | Grigoropoulos Evangelos | Method for installation of building tiles without adhesive materials and standardized tiles for implementing the same |
US5323575A (en) * | 1993-06-01 | 1994-06-28 | Yeh Tzung Jzng | Tile and mounting mat assembly |
US5590500A (en) * | 1993-10-20 | 1997-01-07 | Mccue; David L. | Tile system |
US5806270A (en) * | 1996-06-06 | 1998-09-15 | Solano; Albert | Method of floor construction with a grid system |
US5992106A (en) * | 1995-09-21 | 1999-11-30 | Sport Court, Inc. | Hexagon tile with equilateral reinforcement |
US20020124506A1 (en) * | 2000-06-22 | 2002-09-12 | Mercade Enrique Canela | Modular flooring |
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US6694691B2 (en) * | 2002-01-22 | 2004-02-24 | Chen Chung Ku | Combination floor pad having composite base boards |
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FR2727138B3 (en) * | 1994-11-23 | 1998-02-20 | Solis Sarl | POLYGONAL SLAB FOR FLOORING |
ITMI962315A1 (en) * | 1996-11-07 | 1998-05-07 | Pmf Lavorazioni Metalliche S R | TILE FLOOR |
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DE10253553A1 (en) * | 2002-03-22 | 2003-10-02 | Frieder Kattwinkel | Floating floor covering consists of top floor held onto support layer by massed of elastic adhesive accommodated in grooves in support layer |
GB2410258A (en) * | 2004-01-20 | 2005-07-27 | David Windsor Hewitt | Use of plastic template with tiles, bricks and the like |
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2007
- 2007-11-15 AU AU2007322995A patent/AU2007322995A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 2007-11-15 WO PCT/IT2007/000806 patent/WO2008062492A1/en active Application Filing
- 2007-11-15 CA CA002669203A patent/CA2669203A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 2007-11-15 US US12/514,873 patent/US20100088982A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 2007-11-15 EP EP07849759A patent/EP2084343A1/en not_active Withdrawn
- 2007-11-15 RU RU2009123515/03A patent/RU2447248C2/en not_active IP Right Cessation
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US3918233A (en) * | 1973-02-27 | 1975-11-11 | Harold Graves Simpson | Construction system |
US4296582A (en) * | 1975-12-31 | 1981-10-27 | Star Manufacturing Company Of Oklahoma | Construction system and fasteners therefore |
US4744194A (en) * | 1984-08-20 | 1988-05-17 | Saami Co., Ltd. | Method of laying tile-like flooring members on a floor |
US5014488A (en) * | 1989-12-06 | 1991-05-14 | Grigoropoulos Evangelos | Method for installation of building tiles without adhesive materials and standardized tiles for implementing the same |
US5323575A (en) * | 1993-06-01 | 1994-06-28 | Yeh Tzung Jzng | Tile and mounting mat assembly |
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US5992106A (en) * | 1995-09-21 | 1999-11-30 | Sport Court, Inc. | Hexagon tile with equilateral reinforcement |
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US20020124506A1 (en) * | 2000-06-22 | 2002-09-12 | Mercade Enrique Canela | Modular flooring |
US20020152702A1 (en) * | 2001-04-19 | 2002-10-24 | Zhi-Wen Tseng | Wood floor structure |
US20040139679A1 (en) * | 2001-11-28 | 2004-07-22 | Hans Meyer | Paving system for floor tiles |
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US6694691B2 (en) * | 2002-01-22 | 2004-02-24 | Chen Chung Ku | Combination floor pad having composite base boards |
US20040013844A1 (en) * | 2002-07-17 | 2004-01-22 | Chen-Chi Mao | Base plate used for the mounting of porcelain tiles and capable of eliminating the use of cement |
US7993731B2 (en) * | 2003-04-28 | 2011-08-09 | Shaw Industries Group, Inc. | Hard surface-veneer engineered surfacing tiles |
US6990777B2 (en) * | 2003-04-29 | 2006-01-31 | Jiri Poliacek | Tile installation system |
US7698859B2 (en) * | 2004-08-20 | 2010-04-20 | Vicente-Francisco Sansano Marti | Removable surface covering |
US7487622B2 (en) * | 2005-05-17 | 2009-02-10 | Wang Dennis H | Interlocking frame system for floor and wall structures |
US7543417B2 (en) * | 2005-10-04 | 2009-06-09 | Comc, Llc | Modular flooring assemblies |
US20100257801A1 (en) * | 2007-10-30 | 2010-10-14 | Gordon Anderson | Tile tray |
Cited By (12)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US8806832B2 (en) | 2011-03-18 | 2014-08-19 | Inotec Global Limited | Vertical joint system and associated surface covering system |
US9103126B2 (en) | 2011-03-18 | 2015-08-11 | Inotec Global Limited | Vertical joint system and associated surface covering system |
US10000935B2 (en) | 2011-03-18 | 2018-06-19 | Inotec Global Limited | Vertical joint system and associated surface covering system |
EP3757312A4 (en) * | 2018-02-22 | 2021-11-24 | Samwon Act Co., Ltd. | Metal interior material and interior material attachment structure |
US20210030255A1 (en) * | 2019-07-31 | 2021-02-04 | R&L Marketing & Sales, Inc. | Modular mat system |
US20210032876A1 (en) * | 2019-07-31 | 2021-02-04 | R&L Marketing & Sales, Inc. | Modular mat system |
US10912443B1 (en) * | 2019-07-31 | 2021-02-09 | R&L Marketing & Sales, Inc. | Modular mat system |
US11060301B2 (en) * | 2019-07-31 | 2021-07-13 | R&L Marketing & Sales, Inc. | Modular mat system |
US11596253B2 (en) | 2019-07-31 | 2023-03-07 | R&L Marketing & Sales, Inc. | Modular mat system |
US20220195737A1 (en) * | 2020-12-22 | 2022-06-23 | Samwon Act Co., Ltd. | Unit bracket, bracket and bracket construction method for attaching to base material and wall using the same |
EP4019709A1 (en) * | 2020-12-22 | 2022-06-29 | Samwon Act Co., Ltd. | Unit bracket, bracket, and method for constructing bracket attached to base material and wall using same |
US11840844B2 (en) * | 2020-12-22 | 2023-12-12 | Samwon Act Co., Ltd. | Unit bracket, bracket and bracket construction method for attaching to base material and wall using the same |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
RU2447248C2 (en) | 2012-04-10 |
CA2669203A1 (en) | 2008-05-29 |
AU2007322995A1 (en) | 2008-05-29 |
WO2008062492A1 (en) | 2008-05-29 |
EP2084343A1 (en) | 2009-08-05 |
RU2009123515A (en) | 2010-12-27 |
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Legal Events
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AS | Assignment |
Owner name: GRUPPO CONCORDE S.P.A.,ITALY Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNORS:FOGLI, ALESSANDRO;CARRA, DAVIDE;REEL/FRAME:023648/0201 Effective date: 20090610 |
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STCB | Information on status: application discontinuation |
Free format text: ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO RESPOND TO AN OFFICE ACTION |