Floor tiles and floor construction

Abstract

To provide a floor tile which has a small number of parts and is easy to connect, and a floor structure using the same. [Solution] The floor tile has a quadrangular tile 1, which has peripheral walls 2 arranged along its four sides and partition walls 3 that divide the space surrounded by the peripheral walls 2 into multiple areas, and each area is provided with ribs 4, 5 that connect to the peripheral walls 2 and the partition walls 3, and the quadrangular tile 1 has two sets of two opposing sides on which a locking frame 11 with a locking hole 10 is provided on one side and a locking claw that locks into the locking hole 10 is provided on the other side, and adjacent quadrangular tiles 1 can be connected to each other by locking the locking hole 10 of one quadrangular tile 1 with the locking claw of the other quadrangular tile 1. The floor structure is constructed by connecting a plurality of floor tiles such as quadrangular tiles 1.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a floor tile and a floor structure using the same. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, floor structures in which multiple floor tiles are connected have been proposed. Patent Document 1 discloses a floor structure that is composed of a connecting frame body having multiple partition spaces and multiple rectangular floor tiles arranged in each partition space of the connecting frame body. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Utility Model Registration No. 3240536 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, the above-mentioned conventional example requires a connecting frame, which increases the number of parts.

[0005] SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT DISCLOSURE An object of the present invention is to provide a floor tile that requires a small number of parts and is easy to connect, and a floor structure that uses the same. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above problems, and is a floor tile having a quadrangular shape, the quadrangular tile having peripheral walls arranged along its four sides and partition walls that divide the space surrounded by the peripheral walls into a number of areas, each area being provided with a group of ribs connecting to the peripheral walls and the partition walls, and the quadrangular tile having two sets of opposing sides each with a locking frame having a locking hole on one side and a locking claw on the other side that locks into the locking hole, and adjacent quadrangular tiles can be connected to each other by locking the locking hole of one of the quadrangular tiles with the locking claw of the other quadrangular tile.

[0007] Another aspect of the present invention is a floor structure constructed by connecting a plurality of the above-mentioned rectangular tiles. Effect of the Invention

[0008] According to the present invention, the number of parts is small and the connecting work is simple. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0009] The drawings show specific embodiments of the invention according to the present disclosure, including essential features of the invention as well as alternative and preferred embodiments.

[0010] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a square tile viewed from the top side, showing one embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view of a main part of FIG. 1, showing one embodiment. [Diagram 3] 1A shows an embodiment, and FIG. 1B is a cross-sectional view taken along line IIIa-IIIa in FIG. 2, and FIG. 1B is a cross-sectional view taken along line IIIb-IIIb in FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a view taken along the arrow IV in FIG. 1 according to an embodiment. [Diagram 5] 4A and 4B show an embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 4A is a cross-sectional view taken along line Va-Va in FIG. 2; and FIG. 4B is a cross-sectional view taken along line Vb-Vb in FIG. [Figure 6]6(a) shows an embodiment, in which (a) is an oblique view of a female edge tile, (b) is a view taken along the arrow VIb in FIG. 6(a), (c) is a view taken along the arrow VIc in FIG. 6(a), and (d) is a view taken along the arrow VId in FIG. 6(a). [Figure 7] 7A and 7B show an embodiment, in which (a) is a perspective view of a male edge tile, and (b) is a view taken along arrow VIIb in FIG. 7A. [Figure 8] 8(a) shows an embodiment, and FIG. 8(b) is a view taken along the line VIIIb in FIG. 8(a). [Figure 9] 1A is a cross-sectional view showing a state immediately before the engagement between the locking claw and the locking hole, and FIG. 1B is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the locking claw and the locking hole have been completely engaged with each other, according to one embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 13 is a plan view illustrating an embodiment and explains how to connect an edge tile and a corner tile to a single rectangular tile. [Figure 11] FIG. 13 is a plan view illustrating an embodiment, illustrating the process of connecting an edge tile and a corner tile to form a connected tile of 3×3 rectangular tiles. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0011] Each embodiment will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. In this embodiment, the description of already known technologies will be omitted. In addition, the following is an example of an apparatus and method for embodying the technical idea of ​​the invention, and the technical idea of ​​the invention is not limited to the following. The technical idea of ​​the invention can be modified in various ways within the scope of the matters described in the utility model registration claims. In particular, it should be noted that the drawings are schematic and may differ from the actual product.

[0012] (One embodiment) Figures 1 to 11 show one embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the types of floor tiles are a square tile 1 shown in Figure 1, a female edge tile 20 shown in Figure 6, a male edge tile 21 shown in Figure 7, and a corner tile 30 shown in Figure 8. The square tile 1, the edge tiles 20, 21, and the corner tile 30 are made of polypropylene material, for example, by resin injection molding. Details of each type of tile will be described below.

[0013] 1 to 5, a square tile 1 has a regular square shape. The square tile has peripheral walls 2 arranged along each of the four sides. A plurality of legs 2a are provided at the lower part of each peripheral wall 2 at intervals in the longitudinal direction.

[0014] The space surrounded by the peripheral walls 2 on four sides is provided with partition walls 3 that divide the space into multiple regions. In this embodiment, the space is divided into 17 regions by the partition walls 3. A plurality of legs (not shown) are provided at the lower part of the partition wall 3 at intervals in the longitudinal direction.

[0015] In each region separated by the partition wall 3, a group of ribs is arranged such that the orientation of the ribs differs between adjacent regions. The group of ribs in each region has a large number of horizontal ribs 5 arranged in parallel with a space therebetween, and vertical ribs 6 arranged in parallel with a space therebetween and in a direction that intersects with the large number of horizontal ribs 5. The horizontal ribs 5 and the vertical ribs 6 are connected to each other at their intersections, and are also connected to the partition wall 3 and each peripheral wall 2 at their intersections.

[0016] As shown in Fig. 3, the horizontal rib 5 has a semicircular shape. The upper end of the semicircular shape of the horizontal rib 5 is located on the surface of the rectangular tile 1, and the lower end face of the semicircular shape is located above the installation surface of the rectangular tile 1. The vertical rib 6 has a narrow linear shape when viewed from above. The upper end face of the vertical rib 6 is located on the lower end face of the horizontal rib 5. The vertical rib 6 has a number of legs 6a spaced apart in the longitudinal direction. The area pattern in which the ribs are arranged, and the shapes, heights, arrangement patterns, etc. of the horizontal ribs 5 and vertical ribs 6 may be designed and modified as appropriate.

[0017] The legs 6a of the vertical ribs 6 and the lower end faces of the legs 2a of the peripheral wall 2 and the legs (not shown) of the partition wall 3 serve as the mounting surfaces for the square tiles 1. In other words, the mounting surfaces for the square tiles 1 are provided almost uniformly and densely over the entire area of ​​the square tile 1. Therefore, the square tile 1 is a strong and stable structure.

[0018] A large number of openings 7 are provided by the gaps between the horizontal ribs 5, the vertical ribs 6, the partition wall 3, and the peripheral wall 2. The openings 7 are provided evenly without gaps over the entire area of ​​the square tile 1. The openings 7 penetrate from the top surface to the bottom surface of the square tile 1. The square tile 1 of this embodiment is a type with holes.

[0019] The peripheral walls 2 on the four sides are provided with locking frames 11 having locking holes 10 and locking claws 12 that lock into the locking holes 10. In detail, the peripheral walls 2 on the four sides are configured with two sets of peripheral walls 2 arranged opposite each other. One peripheral wall 2 of each set is provided with the locking frame 11 having the locking holes 10, and the other peripheral wall 2 is provided with the locking claws 12 (shown in Figs. 4 and 5(b)) that lock into the locking holes 10. In other words, the peripheral walls 2 on the two sides provided with the locking frames 11 and the peripheral walls 2 on the two sides provided with the locking claws 12 are located adjacent to each other.

[0020] The locking holes 10 and locking claws 12 on two opposing sides are disposed at equal intervals and in the same opposing positions in the longitudinal direction of each peripheral wall 2. The locking frames 11 are provided so as to protrude outward from the outer surface 2b of the peripheral wall 2. The locking holes 10 are also located outward from the outer surface 2b of the peripheral wall 2 (see FIG. 4, etc.).

[0021] As shown in Figs. 4 and 5(a), the locking hole 10 is formed so that the lower dimension is wider than the upper dimension, and a locking step 10a is provided at the boundary between them. As shown in Figures 4 and 5(b), the locking claw 12 is provided on the inside of the outer surface 2b of the peripheral wall 2. The locking claw 12 has a pair of parallel plate portions 12a and a pair of protruding claw pieces 12b protruding outward from the lower portion of one of the outer plate portions 12a. The other inner plate portion 12a is for positioning within the locking hole 10, whereby the protruding claw pieces 12b are securely locked into the locking step 10a (see Figure 9(b)).

[0022] As shown in FIG. 6, the female edge tile 20 has a long and narrow rectangular shape, and the height decreases from one side of the short dimension to the other side. A long and narrow peripheral wall 22 is provided on one side of the long dimension. The length and height of this peripheral wall 22 are the same as those of the rectangular tile 1. The other side of the long dimension does not have a peripheral wall, and is provided so as to be continuous with the installation surface without any step. The two short sides are each provided with a peripheral wall 23 having a substantially triangular shape. The peripheral wall 22 is provided with legs 22a at intervals. The lower end surface of the leg 22a is used as the mounting surface of the female edge tile 20.

[0023] The long peripheral wall 22 is provided with a locking frame 11 having a locking hole 10. One of the two short peripheral walls 23 is provided with a locking frame 11 having a locking hole 10, and the other is provided with a locking claw 12. The configurations of the locking frame 11, locking claw 12, etc. are the same as those of the square tile 1, so a description thereof will be omitted.

[0024] As shown in FIG. 7, the male edge tile 21 differs from a female edge tile in that a locking claw 12 is provided on a peripheral wall 22 on one of the long sides. A locking frame 11 having a locking hole 10 and a locking claw 12 are provided on a roughly triangular peripheral wall 23 on two short sides, similar to the female edge tile (see FIGS. 6(c) and (d)). The configurations of the locking frame 11, the locking claw 12, etc. are the same as those of the rectangular tile 1, so a description thereof will be omitted. Legs 22a are provided at intervals on the peripheral wall 22. The lower end surfaces of the legs 22a are used as the mounting surface for the male edge tile 21.

[0025] As shown in Fig. 8, the corner tile 30 has a quarter circle shape when viewed from above, and the height gradually decreases from two mutually perpendicular straight sides to one arc-shaped side. A substantially triangular peripheral wall 31 is provided on each of the two straight sides. One side of the quarter circle shape does not have a peripheral wall, and is provided so as to be continuous with the installation surface without any steps.

[0026] The dimensions of the two sides of the approximately triangular peripheral wall 31 are the same as the dimensions of the peripheral wall 23 of the edge tiles 20, 21. The two sides of the approximately triangular peripheral wall 31 are provided with a locking frame 11 having a locking hole 10 on one side, and a locking claw 12 on the other side. The configurations of the locking frame 11, the locking claw 12, etc. are the same as those of the rectangular tile 1, so a description thereof will be omitted.

[0027] Next, the connection of the rectangular tile 1, edge tiles 20, 21, and corner tile 30 will be described. The connection of rectangular tiles 1 to each other will be described as an example. As shown in Fig. 9(a), one side on which the locking frames 11 of the rectangular tiles 1 are lined up is set as the lower side, and one side on which the locking claws 12 of the rectangular tiles 1 are lined up is set as the upper side, and the positions of all the locking claws 12 on one side are aligned with the positions of the locking holes 10 of all the locking frames 11 on one side.

[0028] Then, a pressing force F is applied so that each locking claw 12 in the upper position is inserted into the locking hole 10 of each locking frame 11. Then, due to elastic deformation of the outer plate portion 12a, the locking claw 12 moves in a direction in which the protruding claw piece 12b escapes inward, allowing insertion into the locking hole 10. As shown in Fig. 9(b), when the protruding claw piece 12b leaves the locking step 10a of the locking hole 10, it elastically returns to its original shape and becomes locked. The pressing work can be easily performed by using a hammer.

[0029] In this manner, by engaging all the locking claws 12 on one side with the locking holes 10 of the locking frame 11, the connection between the square tiles 1 is completed, and the peripheral walls 2 of the connected square tiles 1 are connected in a tight fit with no gaps (see Figure 9(b)).

[0030] The connection between the quadrangular tile 1 and the edge tiles 20 and 21, the connection between the edge tiles 20 and 21, and the connection between the edge tiles 20 and 21 and the corner tile 30 can also be performed in a substantially similar manner.

[0031] Fig. 10 shows an example of connecting edge tiles 21, 22 and a corner tile 30 to one rectangular tile 1 to create a floor structure 40. As shown in Fig. 10, one side of the rectangular tile 1 on which the locking frames 11 are lined up is placed downward, and one side of the male edge tile 21 on which the locking claws 12 are lined up is placed upward, and the locking claws 12 are aligned with the locking holes 10 of the locking frames 11 and pressed from above to connect the tiles. Also, one side of the female edge tile 20 on which the locking frames 11 are lined up is placed downward, and one side of the rectangular tile 1 on which the locking claws 12 are lined up is placed upward, and the locking claws 12 are aligned with the locking holes 10 of the locking frames 11 to connect the tiles.

[0032] The corner tiles 30 may be connected to the male edge tiles 21 and female edge tiles 20 in advance, or may be connected during or after the male edge tiles 21 and female edge tiles 20 are connected to the rectangular tiles 1.

[0033] 11 shows an example in which nine rectangular tiles 1 are connected (3 tiles x 3 tiles) to create a basic floor structure 40A, and edge tiles 20, 21 and a corner tile 30 are connected to this basic floor structure 40A to create a floor structure 40. In this case, too, as described above, the connection between the rectangular tiles 1, the connection between the rectangular tiles 1 and the edge tiles 20, 21, and the connection between the edge tiles 20, 21 and the corner tile 30 can be performed by repeatedly connecting the rectangular tiles 1 together by positioning one side where the locking frames 11 are arranged downward and one side where the locking claws 12 are arranged upward, aligning the locking claws 12 with the locking holes 10 of the locking frames 11, and pressing the locking claws 12 from above. The edge tiles 20, 21 and the corner tiles 30 may be connected before or after the connection between the rectangular tiles 1.

[0034] A second modified example of the rectangular tile 1 will be described with reference to Fig. 1. The rectangular tile 1 of the second modified example has a corner cut out in an arc shape along the imaginary line L in Fig. 1. For example, this is suitable for placing the rectangular tile 1 on a floor on which pipes or the like are installed. Various cutout shapes are possible.

[0035] As described above, the floor tile has quadrangular tiles 1, and two sets of opposing sides of the quadrangular tiles 1 are provided with locking frames 11 having locking holes 10 on one side and locking claws 12 that lock into the locking holes 10 on the other side, and adjacent quadrangular tiles 1 can be connected to each other by locking the locking holes 10 of one quadrangular tile 1 with the locking claws 12 of the other quadrangular tile 1.

[0036] Therefore, the square tiles 1 can be connected to each other without using a connecting frame as in the conventional example, and can be connected simply by engaging the locking claws 12 with the locking holes 10 of the locking frame 11. As a result, the number of parts is small and the connecting work is simple.

[0037] Moreover, the rectangular tile 1 has peripheral walls 2 arranged along the four sides, and partition walls 3 that divide the space surrounded by the peripheral walls 2 into many regions, and each region is provided with a group of ribs that connect to the peripheral walls 2 and the partition walls 3. Therefore, the rectangular tile 1 is a lighter and stronger structure than one that does not have a group of ribs. In particular, in this embodiment, the space surrounded by the peripheral walls 2 on the four sides is divided into 17 regions, resulting in a structure with increased strength.

[0038] Furthermore, the ribs in each region of the rectangular tile 1 are made up of horizontal ribs 5 and vertical ribs 6 that intersect with each other, and the horizontal ribs 5 and vertical ribs 6 in adjacent regions are arranged in different directions. Therefore, the rectangular tile 1 is a structure that is stronger against lateral loads in any direction than when the ribs in each region are made up of ribs oriented in the same direction.

[0039] The floor tiles have edge tiles 20, 21 that are elongated rectangular and decrease in height from one short side to the other. Therefore, by using the edge tiles 20, 21, a floor structure 40 with no steps at the edges can be constructed. The floor structure 40 using the edge tiles 20, 21 helps the vehicle body and casters to move in smoothly.

[0040] The floor tiles have corner tiles 30 that are quarter circle shaped and gradually decrease in height from two straight sides to one arc side. Therefore, by using the corner tiles 30, a floor structure 40 can be constructed that has no steps at the corners. The floor structure 40 using these corner tiles 30 helps vehicles and casters to move in smoothly.

[0041] A peripheral wall 2 is provided on each of the four sides of the square tile 1, the locking frame 11 is provided at a position that protrudes outward from the peripheral wall 2, and the locking claws 12 are provided inside the outer surface 2b of the peripheral wall 2, so that when the square tiles 1 are connected to each other and the locking claws 12 are locked in the locking holes 10, the peripheral walls 2 of the connected square tiles 1 are in close contact with each other. Therefore, the peripheral walls 2 of the connected square tiles 1 can be firmly fixed to each other.

[0042] Peripheral walls 2, 22, 23, 31 are provided on the four sides of the quadrangular tile 1, one long side and two short sides of the edge tiles 20, 21, and two straight sides of the corner tile 30, respectively, and the locking frames 11 are provided in positions protruding outward from the peripheral walls 2, 22, 23, 31, and the locking claws 12 are provided inside the outer surfaces of the peripheral walls 2, 22, 23, 31, so that when the tiles are connected to each other and the locking claws 12 are locked in the locking holes 10, the peripheral walls 2, 22, 23, 31 of the connected tiles are in close contact with each other. Therefore, the peripheral walls 2, 22, 23, 31 of the connected quadrangular tiles 1 can be firmly fixed to each other.

[0043] The square tile 1, edge tiles 20, 21, and corner tile 30 are made of polypropylene material. Therefore, each tile 1, 20, 21, and 30 is lightweight, strong, and highly wear-resistant. In particular, the square tile 1, which is configured with a dense rib structure, is lightweight, strong, and highly wear-resistant even when it is large in size.

[0044] The rectangular tiles 1 are available in two types: a perforated type, which has many openings 7 penetrating from the top to the bottom, and a non-perforated type, which has no openings 7. Users can use the two types of rectangular tiles 1 appropriately. That is, the perforated type has good mold resistance, anti-slip properties, oil resistance, breathability, and drainage properties. The non-perforated type does not allow a solution such as water to flow below the rectangular tile 1 even if it is spilled on the top surface of the rectangular tile 1.

[0045] It is preferable that the square tiles 1, the edge tiles 20, 21, and the corner tiles 30 have a plurality of colors. For example, a user can unify the colors according to his / her preference by using only one desired color of floor tiles. By combining floor tiles of a plurality of colors, a pattern can be created on the floor tiles, and the floor tiles can have a visual display property.

[0046] A floor structure 40 can be constructed by connecting a plurality of rectangular tiles 1. Depending on the number of connected rectangular tiles 1, the connecting direction, and the connecting method, a floor structure 40 of a desired area and shape can be provided.

[0047] A floor structure 40 can be constructed by connecting the rectangular tile 1, the edge tiles 20, 21, and the corner tile 30 to one another. A floor structure 40 can be provided that has no steps between the edges and corners and the installation surface.

[0048] (others) In the above embodiment, the quadrangular tile 1 is a regular square, but it may be a rectangular or diamond shape. The structure of the locking frame 11 having the locking hole 10 and the locking claws 12 in the above embodiment is merely an example, and the present invention is not limited to this.

[0049] The floor tiles of the present invention are ideal for constructing floor structures 40, 40A on concrete floors such as garages, but the installation surface is not limited to concrete floors. The floor tiles and floor structures 40, 40A can also be used to eliminate steps at entrances.

[0050] Although the embodiments have been described in detail above, the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments, and various modifications and changes are possible within the scope of the claims of the utility model registration.

[0051] In addition, the present invention may include at least the following embodiments, which may be adopted separately or in combination with each other.

[0052] (1) A floor tile characterized by having an edge tile having a long, narrow rectangular shape and a height that decreases from one side of the short dimension to the other side. (2) A floor tile characterized by having a corner tile that is a quarter of a circle and whose height gradually decreases from two straight sides to one of the arc-shaped sides. (3) The group of ribs is made up of ribs that intersect with each other, and the orientation of the ribs in adjacent regions is different from each other. (4) The floor tile is characterized in that the locking frame is provided at a position protruding outward from the peripheral wall, the locking claw is provided inward from the outer surface of the peripheral wall, and when the tiles are connected to each other and the locking claw is engaged with the locking hole, the peripheral walls of the connected rectangular tiles are in close contact with each other. (5) A floor tile characterized in that a peripheral wall is provided on each of the four sides of a rectangular tile, one side of the long dimension of an edge tile, and two sides of a corner tile, the locking frame is provided in a position protruding outward from the peripheral wall, and the locking claw is provided inward from the outer surface of the peripheral wall, and when the tiles are connected together and the locking claw is engaged with the locking hole, the peripheral walls of the connected tiles are configured to be in close contact with each other. (6) A floor structure characterized in that it is constructed by connecting a plurality of the above-mentioned rectangular tiles. (7) A floor structure characterized in that it is constructed by connecting the above-mentioned rectangular tile, the above-mentioned edge tile, and the above-mentioned corner tile to each other. [Explanation of symbols]

[0053] 1. Square tiles (floor tiles) 2 Perimeter Wall 2b External surface 3 Partition Wall 4 Horizontal ribs (rib group) 5 Vertical ribs (rib group) 23,31 Approximately triangular peripheral wall 10 Locking hole 11 Locking frame 12 Locking claw 20,21 Edge tile (floor tile) 30 Corner tiles (floor tiles) 40,40A Floor structure

Claims

1. The tiles have a rectangular shape, The rectangular tile has peripheral walls arranged along the four sides and partition walls that divide the space surrounded by the peripheral walls into a number of regions, and each region is provided with a group of ribs that are connected to the peripheral walls and the partition walls, The rectangular tile has two sets of two opposing sides, each of which has a locking frame with a locking hole on one side and a locking claw on the other side that locks into the locking hole, and adjacent rectangular tiles can be connected to each other by locking the locking claw of the other rectangular tile into the locking hole of the other rectangular tile.

2. 2. The floor tile of claim 1, having an elongated rectangular shape with edge tiles that decrease in height from one side of the short dimension to the other side.

3. 3. The floor tile according to claim 2, characterized in that it has a corner tile which is in the shape of a quarter of a circle and whose height gradually decreases from two straight sides to one of the arc-shaped sides.

4. 2. The floor tile according to claim 1, wherein the group of ribs is made up of ribs that intersect with each other, and the orientations of the ribs in adjacent regions are different from each other.

5. The floor tile according to claim 1, characterized in that the locking frame is provided at a position protruding outward from the peripheral wall of the rectangular tile, the locking claw is provided inward from the outer surface of the peripheral wall, and when the tiles are connected to each other and the locking claw is engaged with the locking hole, the peripheral walls of the connected rectangular tiles are in close contact with each other.

6. The floor tile according to claim 1, characterized in that peripheral walls are provided on each of the four sides of the quadrangular tile 1, one long side and two short sides of the edge tile, and two straight sides of the corner tile, the locking frame is provided in a position protruding outward from the peripheral walls, and the locking claws are provided inward from the outer surface of the peripheral walls, and when the tiles are connected together and the locking claws are locked in the locking holes, the peripheral walls of the connected tiles are configured to be in close contact with each other.

7. A floor structure comprising a plurality of rectangular tiles as claimed in claim 1 connected together.

8. A floor structure comprising a rectangular tile as claimed in claim 1, an edge tile as claimed in claim 2, and a corner tile as claimed in claim 3, all of which are connected together.

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