Pattern Carpet Tile Layout for Rotational Visual Flexibility

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional carpet tiles lack versatility in visual appearance, as they typically require uniform positioning to maintain a consistent overall look, restricting the ability to create distinct visual effects based on rotational positions.

Innovation Solution

Carpet tiles with a background pattern and a contrast pattern positioned near the edges, allowing for varying rotational positions without disrupting the overall visual effect, mimicking broadloom or area rug appearances through intentional placement of design elements.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If conventional carpet tiles use uniform size, shape, and appearance with consistent edge structures, then the floor covering maintains a uniform and consistent visual appearance, but the ability to create distinct visual effects based on rotational positions is lost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevisual consistencyVSAvoidrotational positioning flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The carpet tile incorporates a contrast pattern positioned at specific locations (proximate to edges) rather than uniformly distributed. This local concentration of design elements creates visual interest while allowing tiles to be rotated or positioned differently, as the contrast pattern's edge-proximate location maintains the overall aesthetic regardless of orientation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Adaptability or versatility

If carpet tiles are designed with contrast patterns positioned at specific locations, then distinct visual effects and rotational flexibility are achieved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase due to cut positioning variability

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverotational positioning flexibilityVSAvoidcut positioning accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The carpet tile is divided into distinct portions: a background pattern area and a contrast pattern area positioned proximate to edges. This segmentation allows the contrast pattern to be consistently located relative to the tile edge rather than requiring precise absolute positioning, accommodating natural variations in cutting processes while maintaining design integrity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The contrast pattern is pre-positioned in bands or regions that are predetermined to accommodate cut variability. By establishing these zones in advance during web formation (before cutting), the design accounts for potential cut positioning variations, ensuring that contrast patterns remain proximate to edges even when cuts fall within expected tolerances.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Ease of manufacture

If carpet tiles use edge-oriented design elements to create visual prominence, then the floor covering achieves attractive visual effects, but the complexity of coordinating tile positions and patterns increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevisual attractivenessVSAvoidinstallation coordination complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The contrast pattern is designed to be universally applicable at any tile edge, allowing tiles to be installed in various orientations and configurations without requiring specific coordination or matching of patterns between adjacent tiles. Each tile functions independently with its contrast pattern positioned relative to its own edges, simplifying installation while maintaining aesthetic appeal.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS9622609B2Pattern carpet tiles and methods of making and using same

Publication Date: 2017.04.18 COLUMBIA INSURANCE CO

AI summary

A carpet tile having a contrast pattern intermixed with a portion of a background pattern. The contrast pattern is positioned proximate a selected side edge of the carpet tile and has a contrast color different than the colors of the background pattern. Within a floor covering, the rotational position of the carpet tile can be varied to thereby achieve a desired visual appearance with respect to the contrast patterns of adjacent carpet tiles.