Tiled structures and brackets therefor

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for mounting accessories on tiled structures often require penetrating fasteners, which can damage the tile veneer or substrate and risk water infiltration, and are not suitable for load-bearing applications or non-traditional uses without a traditional substrate.

Innovation Solution

A novel support bracket with a perforated base mounting portion embedded in adhesive mortar, allowing for load-bearing structural support of tiles and accessories without penetrating the wall, and a support portion for attaching accessories, integrated into the tile structure during application.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If penetrating fasteners are used to mount accessories, then structural support strength is improved, but tile veneer and substrate are damaged and water infiltration risk increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural support strengthVSAvoidtile damage and water infiltration
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The mounting system is divided into two separate functions: the bracket provides structural support strength while the adhesive mortar provides water sealing. This segmentation allows each component to optimize its function without compromising the other, resolving the contradiction between strength and water protection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The adhesive mortar serves as an intermediary substance between the bracket and the tile/substrate. It transfers and distributes the mechanical loads without requiring direct penetration, thereby providing both structural support and water sealing functions simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If adhesive mortar is used to mount accessories, then water infiltration is prevented, but structural support strength for load-bearing applications is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewater infiltration preventionVSAvoidstructural support strength
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The invention merges two mounting mechanisms into a single integrated system: the bracket embedded in adhesive mortar. This combination allows the bracket to provide structural support strength while the adhesive mortar provides water sealing, resolving the contradiction between water protection and load-bearing capacity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The mounting system uses a composite approach combining the rigid bracket structure with the flexible adhesive mortar matrix. This composite system provides both the mechanical strength needed for load-bearing applications and the water sealing properties of the adhesive material.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

3Ease of manufacture

If accessories are made of tile material and bonded with adhesive mortar, then ease of installation is improved, but load-bearing capacity is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinstallation simplicityVSAvoidload-bearing capacity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The bracket serves as an intermediary structural element between the adhesive mortar and the accessory. It amplifies the load-bearing capacity while maintaining the simple adhesive bonding installation method, resolving the contradiction between ease of installation and load-bearing capacity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Provides strong structural support for accessories without damaging the tile veneer or substrate, enabling expanded use in traditional and non-traditional applications, and preventing water infiltration.

Implementation Method 1

a layer of adhesive mortar bonded to the substrate, with the base mounting portion of the bracket embedded in the adhesive mortar

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAdhesion: Adhesive

Data Source

PatentEP2524095B1Tiled structures and brackets therefor
Publication Date: 2022.03.23 SCALISE DAVID H
  • EP2524095B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2524095B1 patent drawingFigure 2~4
  • EP2524095B1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

A tiled structure comprises a layer of adhesive mortar, a bracket having a substantially flat base mounting portion with a plurality of perforations embedded in an adhesive mortar with the mortar flowed through the perforations and substantially covering opposite sides of the base mounting portion, and a tile veneer bonded to the adhesive mortar over at least one side of the base mounting portion.