US2082241A - Tiling - Google Patents

Description

' June 1, 1937.

M. T. BENNETT TVILING Filed'Feb. 23, 1933 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR.

A T TORNEYS.

June 1937.

M. T. BENNETT TILING Filed Feb. 23, 1953 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR A TTORNEYS.

I Patented June 1, 1937 UNITED STATES PATENT oFF cE 'I'ILING mm T. Bennett, East Cleveland, Ohio Application February 23, 1933, Serial No. 658,079

28 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in tiling for facing or covering walls and the like.

Under the present practice of employing the well known clay tiles, they are applied by first coating the wall to be tiled with cement, and then alining and setting the tiles in'the cement. This method requires considerable skill and labor, thereby materially contributing to the cost of the completed wall or floor. Also, said clay tiles are expensive.

It is a. prime object of my invention to provide individual tiles, having means thereon cooperating with means on a base member or supporting sheet, for accurately alining and retaining the tiles in a desired position without the necessity I of cementing the same.

A further object is to provide such a base member or supporting sheet, having a series of spaced grooves or slots thereon, and to provide the individual tiles with suitable flanges for entrance 20 in and cooperation with said grooves or slots to secure the said tiles in position.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide individual tiles for attachment to the base member or sheet in parallel rows by inter- 5 looking or interfitting engagement with a single. series of parallel grooves or slots formed in said base member; and, further, to provide cooperating means on the base member and the tiles for positively interlocking said members.

parallel grooves in the base member, in place of two series of intersecting grooves, a considerable saving in the cost of manufacture ofthis member or portion of the tiled wall, floor, or the like, is effected, and a much stronger and efllcient construction is provided. This construction further lends itself to the employment of simple and reliable cooperating tile attaching means carried on the tiles, as well as means also carried by the tile members for advantageously positioning the tiles in various patterns on the base member.

A still further object is to, provide a novel filler element for closing and sealing the joints between the tiles when positioned on the base member or supporting sheet.

Additional objects and advantages are, to provide a tile which may be employed to satisfactorily simulate the present clay tile; to provide a tile which may be easily applied by one not skilled in the art; and to provide in such a tile, an inexpensive article of manufacture which is both durable and attractive.

In the drawings, which illustrate a preferred embodiment of my invention:

By the employment of only a single series of Fig. 2, a vertical section taken on the line IIII of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3, a rear perspective view of an individual tileembodying my invention; 1

Fig. 4, an enlarged sectional view of a portion of Fig. 2, showing the manner of mounting the tiles; v Fig. 5, a view similar to Fig. 2, showing a modifled form of base member or supporting sheet;

Fig. 6, a view similar to Fig. 4, of a portion of Fig.

Fig. '7, a cross section on the line V'lIVII of Fig.1;

Fig. 8, a rear perspective view of a modified form of tile;

Fig. 9, a sectional view similar to Fig. 2, showing the modified form of tile applied;

Figs. and 11, front elevatlonal views of portions of a. wall tiled in the manner of my invention, particularly showing the joint filler element for closing the joints between the tiles;

Fig. 12, an enlarged perspective view of the joint filler element of Fig. 10;

Fig. 13, a similar view of the filler element of Fig. 11;

Figs. 14 and 15, enlarged detail sectional views taken on the lines XIV-XIV and XVXV of Fig. 10, respectively;

Fig. 16, a front perspective view of a further modified form of tile, having means for interlocking engagement with a joint filler element; and

Fig. 17, a front perspective view of a form of interlocking filler element.

In the practice of this invention, my tiling supporting sheet 2 may be secured, as by nails, I

bolts, or other suitable fastening means, be employed. For example, in Fig. 2, I show the member or sheet 2 disposed on a vertical wall stud A and secured thereto by means of nails 3;

The base member or supporting sheet 2 is pref erably formed of wood, Transite, or other composition board, of sufficient thickness to maintain a high degree of rigidity when extended between the studs A. If preferred, the base member may be formed of a plurality of individual boards or sections assembled to form a continuous sheet. -A construction of this character is illustrated in Figs. 5 and 6. I

The front or outer surface of the member or sheet 2 is cut to form a. single series ofspacedapart parallel grooves or slots 4, extending throughout said member. For the purpose of finishing walls, ceilings, and the like, the said grooves are preferably disposed horizontally when the members or sheets 2 are in position.

The grooves 4, as illustrated and as preferred, are formed with undercut walls or portions 5 disposed at either side and extending longitudinally thereof, thus providing narrowed entrance edge portions a in the front or outer surface of the member 2. For. example, the said grooves may be provided in the manner stated by cutting the same of dove-tail form, as clearly shown in Fig. 4.

Designed with a view to simulating the well known clay tiles, 1 provide individual tiles B, formed of sheet metal or other suitable material, and including a flat body portion 6 of the desired configuration and dimensions, the front or outer face of which may be treated with paint, enamel, or lacquer, to impart a tile-like appearance thereto. For example, I have illustrated the tiles B herein of square configuration, in accordance with one customary style of tiling.

Projecting rearwardly from and along opposite edges of the body portions 6 of the tiles, and preferably at right angles thereto, are flanges I. 8

designates attaching flanges also disposed at opposite edges of the body portions 6. All of said flanges may be separate and distinct, one from the other, or, as in Fig. 3, the flanges I and 8 may be merged or integral adjacent the corner portions 9 of said tiles, to provide additional strength and to prevent the passage of mortar or other plastic filler element underneath the tiles when assembled, as hereinafter more fully described.

The flanges 1 are'substantially narrow and the rear terminal edges ll thereof are preferably disposed in parallelism to the front surfaces of the body portions 6 of the tiles, whereas, the flanges 8 are comparatively wide or deep, extending rearwardly of the body portions, preferably at right angles thereto, for some distance beyond the limiting edges ll of the flanges I. v

Adjacent the rear terminal edges l2 of the flanges 8, I provide interlocking or interfltting means i3 designed for cooperation with the undercut portions 5 of the base member grooves 4, for positively securing said tiles to said member. I have shown the means I3 in the form of struckout rounded projections spaced at the end portions of the flanges 8. However, it will be understood that various forms of such means may be employed without departing from the spirit of my invention.

It will be seen from Figs. 1 and 2, that the grooves or slots 4 are spaced apart the correct distance to enable the tiles to extend therebetween, with the flanges 8 thereof entered in the grooves. In applying a tile to the base member 2, one attaching flange 8 is inserted in a groove 4, and the opposite attaching flange 8 in a second or adjacent groove.

Upon the application of external pressure by the hand, or by means of a hammer or the like, the attaching flanges 8 of the tiles B will be deflected a sufllcient amount to permit the proje'cting means l3 thereof to pass over the entrance edges a of the grooves 4, and upon the flanges returning to their original positions, the projecting locking means will engage within the undercut portions 5, to securely interlock the tiles and base member.

The material from which the base member is formed may also assist in receiving and retaining the tiles, as, for example, when formed of a composition having a resiliency which will permit of a temporary distortion of the edge portions a of the grooves 4, to facilitate the passage of the projecting means l3 thereover into interlocking engagement.

When the base member 2 is formed of a somewhat brittle material, resulting in the breaking formed, or broken, to permit the entrance of the projections l3 therebehind, as described.

The rear edges ll of the narrow flanges 1 limit the movement of the tiles B toward the base memher 2, by engaging the front or outer surface thereof, as in Fig. '7, thus serving to accurately maintain the tiles in a uniform plane.

It is to be noted that each row of tiles B applied to the base member 2 may be moved along their grooves 4 for spacing and arrangement in various patterns, as indicated in Fig. 1. The tiles 13 therein are disposed in a regular pattern, one above the other, whereas, the tiles B illustrate the manner of positioning said tiles in a staggered relationship or pattern.

The vertical spacing between the tiles B or B may be varied by the worker when assembling the same on the base member, and some suitable filler material may be applied to the joints or.

spaces between tiles, as indicated at ID. The functions of such filler are, first, to produce the same aesthetic appearance possessed by the well known clay tiling; and, second, to seal the joints against the ingress of dirt, water, or other foreign material. The flller l8 may be of a character which may be colored or tinted to conform to some predetermined color scheme, thus affording an attractive and efficient wall construction.

In the event that a plastic flller material is used, the integral corner construction joining the flanges 1 and 8, as described, will prevent the material from' passing under the tiles, the same being confined between the flanges I of adjacent tiles and the front surface of the base member 2. That portion of the material which is applied between the flanges 8 of adjacent tiles, is conflned within the grooves 4 of the base member.

Figs. 5 and 6 illustrate a modified form of base member, which may be formed of a plurality of boards or sections 2a, arranged one above the other, to form a continuous sheet. The edges of these sectionsare formed with grooves, as by rabbeting, which when assembled form T-shaped slots 4a extending in parallelism across the sheet and having undercut portions 5a and narrowed entrance edges 1), for receiving and retaining the tiles B, or, more particularly, the flanges 8 thereof and their projecting interlocking means II.

In Fig. 8, I have shown a modified form of tile C, having a flat rectangular 'body portion 8a and rearwardly extending narrow flanges la. A right angle rearwardly extending yieldable flange of the said grooves 4 of the member 2. Thus,

when the tiles are applied, as in Fig. 9, they will be supported or hung in and from the grooves or slots 4 by the engagement and cooperation of. the flanges 8b with the lower inclined walls thereof.

Due to the angularity of the flanges 8b and the walls of the grooves 4, and the weight of the tiles, said tiles will be urged into intimate contact with the front surface of the base member 2, thus preventing misalinement and insuring a rigid assembly-in conformity to the flatsurface of the said member 2.

When applied in this manner, the lower flanges 8a of the tiles will be entered into grooves 4 immediately below the grooves engaged by the inclined hanger flanges 8b, thereby securing the tiles to the base member 2 by the cooperation of v the projections I3a with the undercut portions of the said grooves. With the tiles in this position, if desired, the said lower flanges 8a may be bent upwardly along the upper inclined walls 01 the grooves in which they are contained, thereby fixedly securing the tiles in position.

By means of the constructions hereinbefore described, I have provided a tiling which may be readily applied without the necessity of using cement on the wall and the backs of the individual tiles, as has been the standard practice with clay tiles, and with the metal tiles of the United States patent to Haines, No. 1,594,614. Hence, the tiles of my invention will not become loosened by vibration, water, breakage, or other common evils of the cemented wall.

If desired, other means may be employed to seal the joints between the tiles, and for this purpose, I provide a filler element, preferably formed of sheet metal or of any material of a high degree of resiliency. Said element may be formed in various shapes and sizes, depending upon th size and configuration of the tiling.

In connection with the vertically stag ered method of tiling construction of Fig. 10, I prefer to provide a filler element I4, in the form of a T-shaped member, having horizontal face portions I5 and a central face portion I6. Said face portions I5 and I6 may be slightly concave to simulate the trowled mortar joint employed in connection with clay tiling, and are of suflle cient width to extend between and contact with the flanges of adjacent tiles, as shown in Figs. 14 and 15.

By providing the flller element of T-shape, only one form and size of said element is necessary to each tiling installation, for the reason that the element may be reversed at successive intersecting'joints, thereby completely filling the joint openings, as particularly shown in Fig. 10.

For the purpose of inserting and retaining the flller elements in place, the portions I5 thereof are formed with rearwardly diverging yieldable flanges II, preferably having locking flanges I8 along their terminal edges, said locking flanges, when used, also diverging rearwardly at a greater angle of inclination than the said flanges II.

The face portions I6 of said elements may be provided with similar flanges, or, as in Figs. 12

and 14, with a pair of rearwardly extending parallel flanges I9. Said flanges are narrower than the flanges I'I,.and are designed to extend vertically between the tiles with their terminal edges in contact with the front face of the supporting member 2.

Thus, with the tiles B assembled on the base member 2, as in Fig. 10, the filler elements I4 may be applied to the joints .therebetween, by flexing the flanges I'I inwardly a suflicient amount to permit the entrance of said flanges and their locking flanges I8 in 'the horizontal Joint openings between the respective flanges of adjacent tiles. Upon releasing the flanges l1, they will flex outwardly to contact and grip said tile flanges, with their locking flanges II engaging behind the terminal edges of the tile flanges to prevent disengagement and removal of the filler elements. v

As illustrated in Figs. 15 and 14, respectively, the flanges II of the flller elements-will engage the flange 8 of the tiles B, and the locking flanges I8 will be disposed behind the limiting edges I2 of said flanges 8; and the'flanges I9 of the face portions I6 will be in contact with the flanges I oi adjacent tiles and the front face of the member 2. i

While the resiliency of the flller elements, and

particularly the flanges II thereof, will serve to rigidly maintaln the said elements in position, it is desirable to further protect the joints by applying a thin luting of varnish or other waterproof material to the outer surfaces of the flanges I! and I9, thereby insuring a dirt and waterproof seal between said flanges and the respective flanges of adjacent tiles.

It will be understood that the filler elements I4 are applicable as well to the form of tiling illustrated by Figs. 8 and 9, in which instance the lower flanges I! of said elements will engage the inclined hanger flanges 8b of the tiles C. The said flller elements may be made of stainless steel, nickel, or from some non-metallic substance which possesses the desired resiliency.

For use in connection with the regular or "alined arrangement of tiling illustrated in Fig.

11, I provide the joint filler elements Ila in the shape of a cross,- having horizontal face portions lid of equal length, said portions being provided with pairs of rearwardly diverging resilient'flanges I'Ia terminating in diverging locking flanges Na, in the manner hereinbefore described. I6a designates verticallyextendingface portions of equal length, whichare provided with rearwardly extending parallel flanges I911. The juncture of the flanges Na and Illa is preferably interrupted, as shown in Fig. 13, and maybe provided with a plurality of shear cuts or slits at the inner corners to permit the flexing of the flanges I'Ia. Figs. 16 and 17, respectively, illustrate a further modification in the construction of the tile and filler element, the latter being shown of cross shape for use in the regular or alined form of tiling described, it being understood that the same may be also constructed of T-shape for use in connection with the staggered method ofof said tiles for engaging behind the tiles and securing the elements in position, as will be readily understood.

Similarly, the narrow vertical flanges lb of the tiles C may be provided with cut-out portions 22 for receiving and interlocking with suitable lugs or flanges 23 on the parallel flanges Nb of the vertical face portions lib of the filler elements Mb.

From the foregoing, it will be understood that a simulated tiled wall may be readily constructed by one not skilled in the art, and that the economical units of my invention will materially decrease the cost of construction. Further, that the dimensions, shapes and numbers of the units of my construction may be altered and modifled at will.

I claim:

1. In a structure of the character described, a base member having spaced-apart parallel grooves therein, a tile having a flange thereon for entrance in one groove, a second flange for entrance in a spaced groove, one of said flanges being resilient and having means for cooperation with a wall of its groove for securing the tile on the base member.

2. In a structure of the character described, a base member having spaced-apart parallel grooves therein, a tile including a body portion having a flange thereon for entrance in one groove, a second flange for entrance in a spaced groove, one of said flanges being resilient and extending rearwardly at right angles to said body portion, said resilient flange having means for cooperation with a wall of its groove for securing the tile on the base member.

3. In a structure of the character described, a base member having a single series of spacedapart parallel grooves formed therein, a tile having a flange for entrance in one of said grooves, a resilient flange on said tile for entrance in a second groove, and means on saidresilient flange cooperating with its groove for securing the tile on the base member.

4. In a structure of the character described, a base member having a series of spaced parallel grooves in the front surface thereof, said grooves having undercut portions, a tile having a resilient flange thereon for entrance in one of said grooves, a second resilient flange for entrance in.

a spaced groove, and means on said flanges for engaging the undercut portions of theirrespective grooves for securing the tile on the base member. I

5. In a structure of the character described, a base member having aseries of parallel grooves in the front surface thereof, a tile having a flange for engaging said surface of the base member, and yieldable flanges for entrance in said grooves, said yieldable flanges having means thereon cooperating with the grooves for securing the tile on the base member.

6. In a structure of the character described, a base member having a single series of spacedapart parallel grooves in the front surface thereof, a tile having a pair of narrow flanges for engaging said surface of the base member, and a pair of relatively wide yieldable flanges extending rearwardly of said flrst flanges for entrance in the grooves, and means on the yieldable flanges cooperating with the grooves for securing the tile on the base member.

7. A tile having a flat body portion and a pair of rearwardly extending narrow flanges at opposite sides thereof, a hanger flange inclined rearwardly of said body portion, and a relatively wide attaching flange having inwardly extending projections thereon.

8. A tile having a. flat body portion and a pair of rearwardly extending narrow flanges having their rear edges parallel to the front surface of said body portion, a hanger flange inclined rearwardly of said body portion, and a relatively wide yieldable flange having inwardly extending projections thereon.

9. In a structure of the character described, a base member having its 'front surface provided with a pair of spaced-apart grooves each formed with an undercut wall, a tile having an inclined hanger flange thereon for engaging a wall of one of the grooves, a flange on said tile having projecting means thereon for engaging a wall of the other groove, said tile having additional flanges for engaging said surface of the base member.

10. In a structure of the character described, a

-base member having its front surface provided with a single series of spaced-apart grooves,

spaced tiles having flanges thereon entered in' said grooves, a flller element having yieldable flanges for engaging the said tile flanges within the grooves, said element also having flanges entered between the spaced tiles into contact with the said surface of the base member.

11. In a structure of the character described, a

base member having spaced-apart grooves therein, a plurality of individual metal tiles each having a yieldable flange thereon, the yieldable flanges of two adjacent tiles entered in the same groove and having means cooperating with a wall of said groove for securing the tiles on the base member.

12. In a structure of the character described, a base member having spaced-apart grooves therein, a plurality of individual metal tiles each having end flanges and a plurality of yieldable flanges thereon, a yieldable flange of two adjacent tiles entered in the same groove and having means cooperating with the wall of said groove for securing the tiles on the base member.

13. In a. structure of the character described, a base member having spaced-apart grooves therein, a metal tile having flanges thereon, one of said flanges being yieldable and having projecting means thereon cooperating with a wall of one of said grooves for securing the tile on the base member, and a second flange entered in an adJacent groove.

14. In a structure of the character described, a base member having spaced-apart grooves formed with inclined walls, a metal tile having an inclined hanger flange thereon for engaging one of said grooves, and a yieldable flange on the tile for entrance in an adjacent groove, said yieldable flange ving means thereon for engaging the inclined wall of the groove.

15. In a structure of the character described, a

base member having spaced-apart grooves formed with inclined walls, a metal tile having a hanger flange thereon for engaging one of said grooves, and a yieldable flange on said tile having means thereon for engaging an inclined wall of an adja- 1'7. In a structure of the character described, a base member havinga pair of spaced-apart grooves formed with oppositely inclined walls, a metal tile having an inclined hanger flange for engaging the inclined wall of one of said grooves, and a resilient flange on the tile for engaging the oppositely inclined wall of the other groove.

18. In a structure of the character described, a base member having spaced-apart grooves therein, said grooves being formed with narrowed entrance portions, a plurality of individual metal tiles each having a resilient flange thereon, the resilient flanges of two adjacent tiles being entered in the same groove and having projecting. means thereon for engagement behind the narrowed portion of said groove to secure the tile on the base member.

19. In a structure of the character described, a base member having spaced-apart grooves T- shaped in cross section, said grooves being formed. with narrowed entrance portions, a plurality of individual metal tiles each having a resilient flange thereon, the resilient flanges of two adjacent tiles being entered in the same groove and having projecting means thereon for engagement behind the narrowed portion of said groove to secure the tile on the base member.

20. In a structure of the character described, the combination with a base member having spaced-apart grooves therein and a plurality of tiles having flanges entered in said grooves, of a filler element having yieldable flanges for engaging with and retaining said element between the tile flanges.

21. In a structure of the character described, the combination with a base member having spaced-apart grooves therein and a plurality of tiles having flanges entered in said grooves, of a flller element having rearwardly diverging yieldable flanges for engaging with and retaining said element between the tile flanges.

22. In a structure of the character described, the combination with a base member having spaced-apart grooves therein and a plurality of tiles assembled in spaced-apart and staggered vertical relationship, said tiles having flanges entered in said grooves of a T-shaped flller ele-- ment having yieldable flanges for engaging with formed with inclined walls, metal tiles having hanger flanges thereon for engaging said grooves, yieldable flanges on said tiles for engaging the inclined walls of adjacent grooves, and a flller element having yieldable flanges for engaging the flanges of adjacent tiles.

25. In a structure of the character described, a base member having spaced-apart grooves formed with inclined walls, metal tiles having hanger flanges thereon for engaging said grooves, yieldable flanges on said tiles for engaging the inclined walls of adjacent grooves, a filler element having yieldable flanges for engaging the flanges of adjacent tiles, and locking flanges on said ele-,

ment for engagement behind said tile flanges.

26. In a structure of the character'described,

the combination with a. base member having spaced-apart grooves therein and a plurality of tiles having flanges entered in said grooves, of a cross-shaped flller element having yieldable flanges for engaging with and retaining. said element between the tile flanges.

2'7. In a structure of the character described. a base member having a single series of spacedapart grooves therein, spaced tiles having flanges thereon entered in said grooves, said flanges having cut-out portions, and filler elements extend: ing between the tiles, said elements having resilient flanges for interlocking engagement behind the tiles through said cut-out portions.

28. A tile having a flat rectangular body portion and a pair of rearwardly extending flanges, one of said flanges being inclined toward the other, said other flange being resilient and having locking means thereon projecting inwardly toward said inclined flange, as and for the purpose described.

MILLS T. BENNETT.

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