Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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"A system and a method of dry laying of covering elements for floors or walls
and a support for said system"
DESCRIPTION
Technical field
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
1o pastes or other adhesive products for anchoring the covering elements to a
base.
State of the art
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
:wa?Is: ,
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. - ; - - - -
3o There have consequently been studied systerris 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.
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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 drv, 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
---
supporfis-thernselves-for- dry laying.-
Objects and summary of the invention
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.
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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:
- 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 Iaminar eiement 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 muitiple possibilities of laying of the covering elements according
to
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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
1o 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:
- 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
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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 iaminar 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-etements-are then-inserted in the
-
3o 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
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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,
-- char-acterized-by-the-following-steps:;- - - - ~
- 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
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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.
Brief description of the drawings
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:
Figure 1 is a top plan view of a laminar element on the side where the
covering elements rest;
Figure 2 is a cross section according to II-II of Figure 1;
Figure 3 is a plan view from beneath according to III-III of Figure 2;
Figure 4 is an enlargement of the. detail indicated by IV in Figure 2;
Figure 5 a side view of a member for anchorage between the laminar
element and the covering element;
Figure 6 is a top plan view according to VI-VI of Figure 5;
Figure 7 is a top plan view of a strip for definition of the joint gaps
between covering elements;
Figure 8 a side view according to VIII-VIIl of Figure 7;
Figure 9 is a longitudinal cross section according to IX-IX of Figure 7;
Figure 10 is a cross-shaped corner element for mutual connection
between the strips in a side view;
Figure 11 is a top plan view according to XI-Xl of Figure 10;
Figures 12 and 13 are top plan views of corner connection elements
--- ----with-three-ar-ms-and-two--arms,--respectively;
Figure 14 is a top plan view of a covering element surrounded by four
strips with four respective corner elements for mutual connection;
Figure 15 is a view from beneath of a set of six laminar elements
assembled; and
Figure 16 is a view from above of a portion of covering or floor obtained
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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 to Figures 7-9 and corner connection elements
according to Figures 10 to 13 in a different embodiment of the invention;
Fig.18 is a cross-section according to line XVIII-XVIII of Figure 17;
Figure 19 is a top plan view of a support according to the invention in a
possible embodiment;
Figure 20A is a cross section according to A-A of Figure 19;
Figure 20B is an enlargement of an anchoring member for anchorina
the covering element to the support;
Figure 21 is a portion of a floor on which the supports have been
prearranged for subsequent application of the covering elements;
Figure 22 is the same floor as that of Figure 21, on which four covering
elements have been laid;
Figure 23 is a top plan view of a spacer element to be combined with
the supports of Figure 19 for use with a different format of tile or covering
element;
Figure 24 is a cross section according to XXIV-XXIV of Figure 23;
Figure 25 is a portion of a floor with applied thereon supports according
to Figure 19 and spacers according to Figures 23 and 24 for dry laying of
covering elements of larger dimensions;
Figure 26 is the portion of floor of Figure 25 with two covering elements
laid;
Figure 27 is a top plan view of a different spacer to be used in
combination with the supports of Figure 19;
Figure 28 is a cross section according to XXVIII-XXVIII of Figure 27;
Figure 29 is a portion of a floor with laid thereon supports according to
Figure 19 with spacers according to Figure 27; and
- -- ---- --- Figure30-is-the-portion-of-floor--of-Figure-29-;with-a-coveriryg
elemerit laitl---
thereon.
Detailed description of preferred embodiments of the invention
A first embodiment of a system according to the invention will be
described here below with reference to Figures 1-16.
A first component of the system of dry laying of elements (such as tiles
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or the like) for covering a floor, a wall or the like, formed by a laminar
element
is shown in detail in Figures 1 to 4. The laminar element, designated by 103,
comprises edges 103B, provided along which are interlocking members for
interlocking between adjacent plane laminar elements. In one embodiment,
the plane laminar 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
1o 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 eiement 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 plane laminar 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 plane laminar element 103 comprise appendages 103E and
recesses or cavities 103F having a shape complementary to that of the
appendages 103E. In one embodiment, the appendages have an
approximately circular development. In one embodiment, set along two
concurrent sides of the plane laminar element 103 are cavities or recesses
103F, ; whilst set along the other two sides are appendages 103E. The
- -appendages-- 103E- and- recesses- or- cavities-1-03F- 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 plane laminar element 103 and the covering
elements designed to be applied on a complex of plane laminar elements 103
fitted together. In one embodiment, the plane laminar elements 103 have a
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plurality of locking seats 107 for anchoring members for mutual anchorage
between the plane laminar elements 103 and the covering elements. In one
embodiment, the locking seats 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 the seat 107 is rounded, as may be seen in
particular in the enlargement of Figure 4, where the edge of the seat 107 is
designated by 107A. In other words, the edge 107A has in cross section an
1o approximately convex circular profiie.
Preferably, the locking seats 107 are uniformly distributed along the
entire development of the plane laminar element 107; for example, it is
possible to envisage from two to ten, preferabiy from four to six, seats 107
parallel to each side of a square plane laminar element 103.
The anchoring members, designated by 109, can be inserted in a stabie
way (see Figures 5 and 6) within the locking seats 107. In plan view the
anchoring members 109 have,a development complementary.to that.of .the.
locking seats 107. In the example illustrated, the anchoring members 109
thus have a circular development in plan view. The edge 109A of the
2o anchoring members 109 has a shape, which is complementary to the shape
of the edges 107A of the locking seats 107. If the edge 107A of the locking
seats 107 has a convex rounded shape, as illustrated in the example shown,
the edges 109A of the anchoring members 109 have a concave rounded
shape. A reverse arrangement is not ruled out, i.e., with interlocking members
109 having convex edges and seats 107 with concave edges 107A.
Preferably, the seats 107 are through seats, i.e., they traverse the entire
thickness of the plane laminar 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- embodimentõ the
anchoring
members 109 thus have a thickness equal to the thickness of the plane
laminar elements 103, except possibly for the thickness of the antislip
material 105.
The anchoring members 109 can be inserted in the seats 107 by snap
action and remain stably anchored in said seats thanks to the concave and
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convex conformation of the edges 107A and 109A, respectively.
In an advantageous embodiment, applied on the top face of the
anchoring members 109, designated by 109Y, is a length of bi-adhesive tape
111, possibly protected with a protective sheet 111X (Figure 5). The
protective element or sheet 111X protects the top face of the bi-adhesive
tape 111 and is removed when the anchoring member 109 has been inserted
in the corresponding 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 anchoring members
109, to a set of plane laminar elements 103 joined together.
Figures 7, 8 and 9 show an embodiment of the strips according to the
invention. In one embodiment, the strips 121 are made of elastic material.
This enables an easier application of the strips, according to the procedures
described herein. Preferably, the strips 121 are made of an impermeable
material, for- example,, synthetic rubbe.r -or the like; which guarantees.
water.
tightness between adjacent covering elements.
In one embodiment, the strips 121 have longitudinal sides 121A and a
top wall 121B. Defined between the longitudinal sides 121A and the top wall
121 B are hollow spaces 121 C, 121 D, the hollow spaces 121 D being set at
the ends of the strips 121. Advantageously, in one embodiment, the ends of
the strips 121 are defined by edges converging in a vertex 121 E to facilitate
mounting of the strips themselves. The vertex 121E defines an angle of
approximately 90 .
In a preferred embodiment, the spaces or cavities 121 D set at the ends
of the strips 121 are delimited at least frontally by respective walls 121 F,
inclined from the top downwards and from the end towards the central part of
the-str-ip,-to which-there- corresponds--a- similar inclinatiomof the external-
sharp
3o edges or vertices 121 E mentioned above.
The cavities or sockets 121 D 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 in Figures 10 to 13.
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With initial reference to Figures 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 with arms
131A of the cross substantially equal to one another and set at right angles
with respect to one another. Made on each arm 131A is an appendage 131B
projecting upwards. The appendage 131 B is shaped in a way complementary
to the space or socket 121D made at each end of the strips 121. More
specifically, the appendages 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 or
wall 121 F of the cavity or socket 121D of the corresponding strip. There is
thus obtained a system of anchorage with an undercut, i.e., with an
engagement between the appendages 131B and the strips 121 thanks to the
inclination of the walls 131 C and 121 F.
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 20x20 cm or of 30x30 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,
15x30 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 1-31--of-
Figures-
10 and 11. For example (Figure 12), corner-anchoring elements 141 can be
provided comprising just three arms designated by 141A, set at 900 and 180
as illustrated in Figure 12. Each arm 141A has an appendage or projection
141 B having a shape that is substantially the same and with similar functions
as those of the projections or appendages 131B of the corner anchoring
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elements 131.
Figure 13 shows a further corner anchoring element designated by 151,
which comprises just two arms 151A set at 90 , each equipped with an
appendage or projection 151B having a shape that is substantially the same
as that of the projections 131B and 141B of the corner anchoring elements
131 and 141 respectively.
The corner anchoring elements 131, 141 and 151 serve for applying
around the covering elements the strips 121, which form the joints between
adjacent covering elements. Shown in Figure 14 is a covering element, for
example, a tile, as a whole designated by R, around which four strips 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 the strips 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-anchoring
elements 131 are provided. As may be understood from Figure 14, each strip
121 is stretched along the respective edge of the covering element R and
anchored via the sockets or cavities 121D to corresponding appendages
131B of the opposed corner 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 o# the- cavities-1-03f- and-the-appendages-1-03E--made-along-the
edges. Each plane laminar element 103 can be already equipped in its own
seats 107 with the anchoring members 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
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defining the joints between the covering elements R. Consequently, it may be
understood that, once the plane laminar 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 exampie, partially at 900 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 plane
laminar 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 the corner anchoring
elements 131 or 141 or 151. For example, a single covering element R can
be provided, as shown in Figure 14, by possibly replacing the two corner
anchoring elements 131 with corresponding corner anchoring elements 141
or 151 if the element R is to be laid along a wall or in a corner of a floor.
When the covering element R has been equipped with its strips 121, it is
applied in the desired point of the floor, the lengths of protective.film 111
X
being removed from the corresponding anchoring members 109 on which the
covering element R is applied. The number of anchoring members 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 have arms 131A projecting from the
covering element R, there can be inserted, so that it bears upon the
corresponding strip 121, a subsequent covering element R, around which via
further corner anchoring elements 131, 141 or 151 the 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-the- strip 1-21-- that has already been- taid; the-
protective
elements 111X must be removed from the bi-adhesive 111 of the
corresponding 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 Figure 16. In this example, there
has
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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 are strips 121 that define the joint gaps. In the points of
convergence of four vertices of four adjacent covering elements R2, cross-
shaped corner 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. The strips 121 that surround the covering elements R1
are, instead, fixed with corner anchoring elements with three arms of the type
141, except in the points where the elements R1 are located, positioned in
the corners of the floor, where an element with four arms 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, the corner anchoring elements 131, 141 and 151, and the anchoring
members 109. Only the strips 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 in Figure 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 the covering element R-R3 away, for example,
using-suction-cup--means;-detaching--from-the--respective -seat- - 1-07-- tfie
anchoring member or members 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 anchoring members 109 are fixed in the seats 107 in order to
achieve removal of the corresponding covering element. Spare anchoring
members 109 are then inserted in the seats 107 left empty, the protective film
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111X is removed from the portions of bi-adhesive 111, and a new covering
element can be inserted in the space left empty by the covering element that
has been removed.
Figures 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, Figure 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 by strips 121. Four strips
121 converge in each vertex of the covering elements R. As described in
Ao connection with Figures 1-i7, the strips 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 the corner anchoring elements 131 shown
in the preceding Figures and described herein before.
As shown in the cross section of Figure 18, the covering elements R
rest on one or more plane.laminar 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. The laminar element 104 can be made
of rubber or the like, and can have suitable acoustic insulating features.
The covering system of Figures 17 and 19 is mounted quite in the same
way as the system described in connection with Figures 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-T-he-covering-elements-R-are-then-simply-ptace-d on the plarye
laminar element(s) along with the joint-forming strips 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
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elements R.
A further embodiment of the invention is disclosed herein below
reference being made to Figures 19-30.
Illustrated in Figure 19 is a support 1 for dry laying of covering elements
according to a possible embodiment of the invention.
In one embodiment, the support 1 has a substantially plane laminar
element 3, which, in this embodiment, has a substantially square
development. As may be seen in particular in Figures 20A and 20B, the plane
laminar element 3 has strips 5 arranged to form a cross, substantially
orthogonal to the sides 3A, 3B, 3C and 3D of the plane laminar element 3. As
will emerge clearly from what is set forth hereinafter, the strips 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 plane laminar
element 3 into four approximately equal areas or sectors, in each of which
are set members for anchoring the covering elements to the support 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 particular Figure 20A) within which an anchoring
member 9 (illustrated in isolation in Figure 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 plane laminar element 3. In this way, when the
anchoring member 9 is retained into the corresponding seat 7, it is set with
its
rear face 9A and front face 9B substantially flush with the corresponding rear
face 3X and front face 3Y of the plane laminar element 3. The seat 7 is
consequently a through seat. It should on the other hand be understood that,
in a different embodiment, the seat 7 can have a depth smaller than the
-thickness--S-- of-the--piane-laminar-element--3--and--accordingly-the-
anchoring--
member 9 will have a thickness smaller than the thickness S, substantially
equal to the depth of the seat 7.
To constrain the anchoring member 9 and the plane laminar 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
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edge of the seat 7 has a conformation defining an undercut, in which the
corresponding edge of the anchoring member 9 is restrained.
According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, illustrated in the
figures, the seat 7 has an internal edge 7A, the cross section of which has a
convex profile, to which a corresponding concave peripheral profile 9C of the
anchoring member 9 is constrained. Also possible is a complementary
conformation, i.e., with an anchoring member 9 having a convex peripheral
edge that is constrained to a concave edge of the seat 7.
The mutual anchorage between the components 3 and 9 is obtained via
1o deformation of the sharp edge 9S and constraint of the convex profile 7A in
the concave profile 9C. It should be understood that the diameter of the
anchoring member 9 is substantially the same as the diameter of the seat 7,
even though this does not appear from Figures 20A and 20B, since therein
the two components 3 and 9 are represented at different scales. There may
of course be a slight difference of diameter between the two components, to
have, for example, a degree of play between the convex profile 7A and the
concave profile 9C. The dimensions-wial be in any case such as-to guarantee
mutual fitting of the two components 3 and 9 for the purposes described
herein.
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 3 and 9.
In an alternative, even though less advantageous, embodiment the
mutual joining between the components 3 and 9 may be obtained via an
adhesive, for example, with a bi-adhesive tape set between the rear surface
9A of the anchoring element 9 and a bottom wall of the seat 7, which, in this
case, would not be a through seat, but rather would have a depth smaller
than the thickness S of the plane laminar element 3.
- - - - -- - -Set- on--the-front-face-9B- of-the anchoring 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
io the face 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 anchoring member 9,
possibly protected by a removable protective film, sheet, or lamina F, which
is
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- 19-
removed at the moment of laying of the covering elements.
Set along the edges 3A-3D of the plane laminar element 3 are
members for interlocking between adjacent plane laminar elements. In an
advantageous embodiment, said interlocking members comprise appendages
3E arranged along the consecutive edges 3B and 3C of each plane laminar
element 3 and cavities 3F having a shape complementary to that of the
appendages 3E and provided on the other two consecutive edges 3A and
3D.
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 the cavities 3F of similar
conformation in such a way as to prevent relative movement between the
plane laminar elements 3 on the plane iaying surface, after their
installation.
In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the appendages 3E have
(see Figure 20A) a thickness S equal to the thickness of the plane laminar
element 3 so as to be advantageously obtained by simple cutting or dinking
of a plane semifinished element. In this case, the :cavities' 3F will, be
through
cavities, open along the corresponding edge 3A or 3D of the plane laminar
element 3. Not to be ruled out, however, is the possibility of the appendages
3E having a different thickness, and preferably one smaller than the
thickness S of the central part of the plane laminar element 3. In this case,
the seats or cavities 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 the appendages 3E in the cavities
3F via relative movement of the supports 1 in a direction substantially
orthogonal to each plane laminar element 3.
Illustrated in Figure 21 is a portion of a plane surface P, typically a floor,
where a covering must be provided, using the supports 1 for dry laying as
- described--with-reference-to- Figures-19; -20A-and--20B: More--- in--
particular,-
Figure 21 illustrates the portion of floor P adjacent to a corner A between
walls Ml 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
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of the type illustrated in Figure 19. As may be noted in Figure 21, by locking
together the supports 1 by means of the appendages 3E that enter into the
cavities 3F, a grating (with a square mesh in the example illustrated) is
formed on the surface P, said grating being made of the strips 5, set end-on,
of the individual supports 1. Set along the walls Ml and M2 are portions of
supports 1 cut along the strips 5. More in particular a first portion 1X is
provided in the corner between the walls Ml, M2 with a dimension equal to
one quarter of the support 1, cut on the outside of the strips 5, in such a
way
that there remain on the portion 1X the two portions of strip 5 that come to
1o bear head-on with the strips 5 of the adjacent portions designated by 1Y
and
obtained by cutting of corresponding supports 1 in half. The portions 1Y are
obtained by cutting respective supports 1 in half along one or the other of
the
two strips 5.
The dimension of the supports 1 corresponds to one of the possible
formats of the covering elements. For example, the supports 1 illustrated in
the figures can have sides L 30 cm in length. Consequently, the grating
formed. by, the `strips 5-of the various suppor.ts.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 the supports 1 in Figure 22. As may be noted in said
figure, also along the walls Ml and M2 there are provided meshes having a
square shape and sides L x L = 30 x 30 cm via the use of portions 1X and
1 Y.
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
four adjacent supports 1 via four portions of bi-adhesive tape 11 applied to
four corresponding anchoring members 9. Along the walls Ml and M2 the
anchorage wili be in part on areas of entire supports 1 and in part on
portions
-
--------- ,-- ,- ---
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 the appendages 3E and
the cavities 3F, providing a supporting structure, completed along the walls
Ml, M2 by portions 1X, 1Y of supports 1. Once this has been done, the
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individual covering elements R are applied in the meshes formed by the strips
set end-on with respect to one another of the various supports 1 and of the
respective portions 1X, 1Y via simple removal of the protective film F of the
bi-adhesive.
5 The individual supports 1 can be produced and sold complete with the
anchoring members 9 already inserted and fitted in the seats 7 and provided
with the bi-adhesive 11. Not ruled out, however, is the possibility of these
components 3, 9, 11 being sold separately; for example, the anchoring
members 9 equipped with the bi-adhesive 11 can be sold separate from the
1o plane laminar elements 3, and the person who carries out laying of the
covering will insert the individual components 9 in the seats 7 before
proceeding to application of the tiles or covering elements R. Furthermore,
also the bi-adhesive 11 might not be applied previously on the anchoring
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 anchoring member 9 possibly already
inserted; -in its seat 7, or else stfll to . be inserted in the la.tte.r. _
Since- the
anchoring members 9 and the plane laminar elements 3 cannot be obtained
by dinking, i.e., cutting the anchoring members 9 from the plane laminar
element 3, on account of the concave and convex 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 the anchoring
members 9 on the plane laminar 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 the surface 9B of
---the-anchoring-members-9-inserted-in-the-seats 7:-- -~ - ~
3o Whatever the manner with which the anchoring member 9 is inserted in
the respective seat 7 of the plane laminar element 3 and with which the
covering element or tile R is fixed (using bi-adhesive, glue, or the like) to
the
anchoring 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
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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 the anchoring members 9 from the corresponding plane
laminar elements, via release of the connection formed by the shaped edges
7A and 9C. It will then be convenient to detach, for example, with the aid of
a
cutter, the individual anchoring members 9 that remain adherent to the rear
face of the covering element R that has been removed. Said element is then
1o replaced simply by inserting new anchoring members 9 into the seats 7 that
have remained free within the mesh from which the covering element R has
been removed. Said new anchoring members 9 can in fact be produced for
being sold also as spare pieces or additionai components with respect to the
laminar 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 x L of the
support 1. For this purpose there can be provided spacers or inserts of the
type illustrated as a whole in Figure 23 and designated by 21. These inserts
or spacers 21 comprise a plane laminar element 23 provided with
appendages 23E having a shape that is the same as the appendages 3E of
the plane laminar elements 3, and cavities 23F that are the same as the
cavities 3F of the plane laminar elements 3 of the supports 1. The spacers or
inserts 21 have a rectangular shape of sides L x L/2. Parallel to the edges of
smaller length L/2 is provided a strip 25 of cross section equal to the cross
section of the strips 5 provided on the supports 1.
Illustr-ated-in-Figure25-is-the--laying--of-supports-l-combined-to-spacers
or inserts 21. Laying is obtained, in a way similar to what was described
previously with reference to Figure 22, by placing a corresponding spacer or
insert 21 along the sides of each element of support 1. The strips 5 and 25 of
the supports 1 and of the spacers 21 consequently form a square-mesh
lattice with mesh dimensions equal to 3/2L. When the support 1 has a
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-23-
dimension of 30 x 30, the meshes obtained with the use of said supports 1
and of the inserts or spacers 21 will have a dimension of 45 x 45 cm.
Illustrated in Figure 26 is the portion of floor of Figure 25 with two
covering
elements or tiles R applied in two of the meshes formed by the strips 5 and
25. Anchorage of the covering elements R is obtained in the way described
above.
In this embodiment, the spacers or inserts 21 are without anchoring
members 9, but could be provided with anchoring members 9, just as the
supports 1 are provided therewith. On the other hand, already with four
1o anchoring members 9 for each mesh, as shown in Figure 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 Figure 25 there are set other portions
1X
or IY of supports 1 and portions 21X of the inserts or spacers 21, obtained
by cutting said spacers along the central strip 25.
Shown in Figure 27 is a different insert or spacer designated by 31 and
formed by a plane laminar element 33 with appendages 33E and cavities 33F
along the edges 33A, 33B, 33C and 33D. Provided along a centre line of the
plane laminar element 33 is a strip 35 with a cross section equal to that of
the
strips 5 of the supports 1. The dimension of the inserts or spacers 31 is
equal
to LxL. They thus have the same development in plan view as the supports 1,
but-have-a-single strip 35; instead-of-two;--and--in this-embodiment-
arewithout----- -
3o anchoring members 9, even though it is possible also in this case to
envisage
one or two anchoring members 9 on each of the two halves in which the
spacer or insert 31 is divided by the central strip 35.
Shown in Figure 29 is the use of supports I combined to inserts or
spacers 31. The strips 5 and 35 set end-on with respect to one another form
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square meshes with side 2L. If the support 1 has a dimension 30x30 cm, the
square meshes that are thus obtained have a dimension 60x60 cm. A
covering formed by covering elements R of dimensions 60x60 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 or members 9 in a
way similar to what is envisaged for the supports 1.
As illustrated in the drawinas, both the supports 1 and the inserts 21
1o and 31 can be provided, on the rear face 3X, 21A and 31A of an antislip
covering, for example, a rubber layer, for a better adhesion to the underlying
laying surface. The plane laminar elements 3, the inserts or spacers 21, 31,
and the 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 the edges
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 30x30 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, 45x45 or 60x60 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-osible
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.
