US20030221388A1

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Publication number: US20030221388A1
Application number: US10/463,356
Authority: US
Inventors: Robert Benedettini
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2000-04-25
Filing date: 2003-06-17
Publication date: 2003-12-04

Abstract

A tile edging system comprising a primary substrate, a secondary substrate, a tile member, and a tile edging member. The secondary substrate is positioned in so as to overlie the primary substrate. The tile member is positioned so as to overlie the secondary substrate. The tile edging member comprising a substrate engaging member positioned between the primary substrate and the secondary substrate, a tile engaging member positioned between the at least one tile member and the secondary substrate, and, a transition member connecting the substrate engaging member and the tile engaging member, the transition member spanning a thickness of the secondary substrate.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation-in-part of co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/753,379 entitled “Tile Edging Strip” filed Jan. 2, 2001 which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Serial No. 60/199,629, filed Apr. 25, 2000, both of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention[0002]

The present invention relates in general to a tile edging strip, and more particularly, to a tile edging strip which is adaptable for wall and/or floor tiling applications.[0003]

2. Background Art[0004]

Tile edging strips have been identified in the art for years, and are the subject of numerous patents, including: U.S. Pat. No. 5,907,934; U.S. Pat. No. 5,494,548; U.S. Pat. No. Des. 364,234; U.S. Pat. No. Des. 364,233; and U.S. Pat. No. Des. 363,996.[0005]

U.S. Pat. No. 5,907,934 discloses an interfacing floor tile for a rectilinear flooring system comprising a top surface, a parallel bottom surface, and three side surfaces forming a right triangle. The three side surfaces are composed of a first side surface and a second side surface which form the adjacent sides of the right triangle and a third surface which forms the side opposite to the right triangle. The first side surface and the second side surface are integrally formed with an outwardly extending interlocking strip having a multitude of male interlocking members of any like tile. The first side surface, the second side surface, and the third side surface are formed with a multitude of female cavities in the bottom surface and are located in a row adjacent to the side surfaces and the cavities are positioned to mate with male connecting members of any like tile. Alternatively, the first side and the second side surface are formed with a multitude of female cavities in the bottom surface and are located in a row adjacent to the first side surface and the second side surface and the cavities are positioned to mate with male connecting members of any like tile.[0006]

U.S. Pat. No. 5,494,548 discloses a method of installing a stone tile surface comprising the steps of: (1) fixing a plurality of stone tiles to a generally planar surface to form a covering layer having a first edge; and (2) providing a first edging piece formed from additional stone tiles, comprising the steps of: (a) providing a stone tile; (b) cutting the stone tile into a plurality of strips; (c) shaping a first strip of the plurality of strips into a first side member; (d) shaping a second strip of the plurality of strips into a second side member; (e) using a third strip of the plurality of strips as a face member having a first edge and a second edge; (f) affixing the first side member and the second side member to the first edge and the second side member and the face member respectively; (g) supporting the first side member, the second side member and the face member with a base member; and (h) concealing the first edge by affixing the first edging piece to the first edge.[0007]

U.S. Pat. No. Des. 364,234; U.S. Pat. No. Des. 364,233; and U.S. Pat. No. Des. 363,996 disclose the ornamental design of tile edging strips which are configured for receiving tiles therewithin.[0008]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to a tile edging system. The system comprises a primary substrate, a secondary substrate, at least one tile member and a tile edging member. The secondary substrate is positioned in so as to overlie the primary substrate. The tile edging member includes a substrate engaging member, a tile engaging member and a transition member. The substrate engaging member is positioned between the primary substrate and the secondary substrate. The tile engaging member is positioned between the at least one tile member and the secondary substrate. The transition member connects the substrate engaging member and the tile engaging member. Additionally, the transition member spans a thickness of the secondary substrate.[0009]

In one embodiment, the substrate engaging member and the tile engaging member are substantially parallel to each other. In one such embodiment, the transition member is substantially perpendicular to each of the substrate engaging member and the tile engaging member. In another such embodiment, the transition member is oblique to each of the substrate engaging member and the tile engaging member.[0010]

In another preferred embodiment, the tile edging member further includes a lip member extending from one of the tile engaging member and the transition member proximate a junction thereof. The lip member substantially corresponding to a thickness of the at least one tile. In one embodiment, the transition member is substantially arcuate.[0011]

In one embodiment, the transition member and the lip member are substantially collinear and substantially perpendicular to the tile engaging member. In one such embodiment, the transition member and the lip member are substantially perpendicular to the tile engaging member. In another such embodiment, the transition member and the lip member are substantially oblique to the tile engaging member.[0012]

In yet another aspect of the invention, the invention comprises a tile edging strip which includes a primary substrate, a secondary substrate, at least one tile member, a bonding agent and a tile edging member. The secondary substrate is positioned so as to overlie the primary substrate. The tile member is positioned so as to overlie the secondary substrate. The primary substrate, the secondary substrate and the at least one tile member define a cavity. The bonding agent is positioned within the cavity. The tile edging member includes a transition member and an agent engagement member. The transition member spans a thickness of the secondary substrate. The agent engagement member extends from the transition member into the bonding agent positioned within the cavity. The agent engagement member firmly engages the bonding agent, to, in turn, maintain the edging member substantially fixed orientation relative to the primary and secondary substrates.[0013]

In a preferred embodiment, the tile edging member further includes a lip member emanating from the transition member, the lip member substantially spans a thickness of the at least one tile.[0014]

In another embodiment, the agent engagement member substantially bisects the transition member. In yet another embodiment, the agent engagement member is substantially perpendicular to the transition member. In yet another embodiment, the bonding agent comprises a flexible material.[0015]

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will now be described with reference to the drawings wherein:[0016]

FIG. 1 of the drawings is a fragmented perspective view of a tile edging strip fabricated in accordance with the present invention;[0017]

FIG. 2 of the drawings is a fragmented perspective view of a tile edging strip fabricated in accordance with the present invention associated with a primary substrate, a secondary substrate, and a plurality of tiles;[0018]

FIGS.[0019]3A-3C of the drawings are fragmented perspective views of tile edging strips associated with corner connectors fabricated in accordance with the present invention;

FIGS.[0020]4A-4G of the drawings are cross-sectional views of a plurality of embodiments of tile edging strips fabricated in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 5 of the drawings is a perspective view of an additional embodiment of a tile edging strip fabricated in accordance with the present invention; and[0021]

FIGS. 6[0022]a-6bof the drawings are cross-sectional views of a plurality of embodiments of the tile edging strips fabricated in accordance with the present invention;

FIGS. 6[0023]c-6dof the drawings are cross-sectional views of a plurality of embodiments of the tile edging strips fabricated in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 7 of the drawings is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the tile edging strip fabricated in accordance with the present invention; and[0024]

FIG. 8 of the drawings are a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the tile edging strip fabricated in accordance with the present invention.[0025]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

While this invention is susceptible of embodiment in many different forms, there is shown in the drawings and described herein in detail several specific embodiments with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the principles of the invention and is not intended to limit the invention to the embodiments illustrated.[0026]

It will be understood that like or analogous elements and/or components, referred to herein, may be identified throughout the drawings with like reference characters.[0027]

Referring now to the drawings, and to FIG. 1 in particular, a perspective schematic representation of a first embodiment of[0028]

tile edging strip

10 is shown, which generally comprisessubstrate engaging member12,spacing support member14,tile engaging member16, andtransition member18. It will be understood that FIG. 1 is merely a schematic representation oftile edging strip10. As such, some of the components may be distorted from their actual scale for pictorial clarity.

[0029]

Substrate engaging member

12 includes first surface12A andsecond surface12B. First surface12A is configured for association with and/or engagement to primary substrate20 (See FIG. 2).Primary substrate20 may comprise any one of a number of materials, including, for example, walls such as drywalls, plaster walls, brick walls, cement walls, and/or wood walls, as well as conventional floors, cement slabs, and sub-floors —depending upon the particular application.Second surface12B is configured for association with and/or engagement tosecondary substrate22.Secondary substrate22 may also comprise any one of a number of materials, including, but not limited to, backer board, cement board, plywood, etc.

Referring once again to FIG. 1,[0030]

substrate engaging member

12 includes a plurality ofapertures24.Apertures24 are configured to receive one or more fasteners, including threaded and non-threaded fasteners such as screws, bolts, nails, as well as pins, anchors, rivets, and/or tile adhesives or other bonding agents—just to name a few.Apertures24 are generally oval which facilitate operative alignment oftile edging strip10 relative toprimary substrate20. In particular,tile edging strip10 may be slidably displaced when one or more fasteners are partially secured withinapertures24. Such displacement can become fixed upon complete securement of one or more fasteners to tile edgingstrip10 through the plurality ofapertures24. It will be understood that whileapertures24 have been disclosed as being generally oval, numerous other geometric configurations are likewise contemplated for use in accordance with the present invention, including substantially circular, substantially triangular, substantially square, substantially rectangular, substantially polygonal, substantially arbitrary, etc.

Spacing[0031]

support member

14 extends contiguously fromsecond surface12B ofsubstrate engaging member12 and first surface16A oftile engaging member16 in a generally perpendicular vector relative to the same. Spacingsupport member14 is positioned between juxtaposed portions ofsubstrate engaging member12 andtile engaging member16, respectively. Spacingsupport member14, in cooperation withsubstrate engaging member12 andtile engaging member16, definechannel26, which is configured for controllably receivingsecondary substrate22. Spacingsupport member14 also serves to increase the structural rigidity oftile engaging strip10.

[0032]

Tile engaging member

16 includes first surface16A and second surface16B. First surface16A is configured for association with and/or engagement tosecondary substrate22. Second surface16B is configured for association with and/or the secure receipt of one ormore tiles28.Tiles28 may be fabricated from numerous materials, including ceramic, marble, porcelain, natural stone—or other materials known in the art.

Referring again to FIG. 1,[0033]

tile engaging member

16 includes a plurality ofapertures30. As will be discussed in greater detail below,apertures30 are configured to receive and dissipate tile adhesive used to securetiles28 to tile engagingmember16 andsecondary substrate22. They, too, may receive one or more of various types of fasteners for additional support.

[0034]

Transition member

18 extends contiguously from juxtaposed upper portions ofsubstrate engaging member12 andtile engaging member16. As is best shown in FIG. 2,transition member18 provides for a clean, finished transition between the edges of one ormore tiles28,secondary substrate22, andprimary substrate20. For purposes of the present disclosure,transition member18 is preferably fabricated from a material which enables painting thereon. As such,transition member18 may be painted or primed for painting. Alternatively,transition member18 may remained unpainted—for example, the transition member may be fabricated from brushed or polished metal, such as aluminum stainless steel, or brass, to name a few, or from a natural or synthetic resin or composite. It will be understood thattransition member18 may be generally linear as is shown in FIGS.1-3, or, alternatively generally arcuate as is shown FIG. 4D.

As is shown in FIGS.[0035]3A-3C, a pair of tile edging strips10 may become integrally associated within one another viaconnector32.Connector32 can be used to mate a pair of tile edging strips near, for example, a corner area.Connector32 includes one ormore tabs34, which preferably comprise an outer peripheral geometry which mates with the inner peripheral geometry ofslot36, which is cooperatively defined bysubstrate engaging member12,spacing support member14, andtransition member18 in FIG. 3A, and cooperatively defined bysubstrate engaging member12,tile engaging member16, andtransition member18 in FIGS. 3B and 3C. For purposes of the present disclosure, tabs and

slots

34 and36, respectively, are shown as comprising substantially triangular and/or rectangular cross-sections. However, it will be understood thattabs34 andslots36 may be characterized by numerous other cross-sections that would be known to those having ordinary skill in the art having the present disclosure before.

Referring now to FIG. 4A, a cross-sectional schematic representation of a second embodiment of[0036]

tile edging strip

10 is shown, which generally comprisessubstrate engaging member12,spacing support member14,tile engaging member16,transition member18, andlip member38.Lip member38 serves as least two functions. First,lip member38 provides structural support for floor applications, where the tile/tile edging strip interface may be exposed to substantial force by an individual walking over the same. Second,lip member38 enables a tile installer to use flat, non-bull nosed tiles which can be substantially less expensive than fabricated bull-nose tiles. FIGS. 4B, 4C,4E, and4F disclose similar embodiments, which are void ofspacing support member14. In such embodiments,substrate engaging member12,tile engaging member16, andtransition member18 define a channel for receivingsecondary substrate22.

As is shown in FIG. 4C,[0037]

substrate engaging member

12 may include a pointed or wedge-shapedend21 which facilitates seeding of thesubstrate engaging member12, and, in turn,tile edging strip10, betweenprimary substrate20 andsecondary substrate22. Aconventional bonding agent19 can be associated withtile edging strip10 to secure the same tosecondary substrate22, and alsoprimary substrate20.

As is shown in FIG. 4G, an alternative embodiment comprises[0038]

substrate engaging member

12,spacing support member14, andtransition member18, which protrudes to formlip member38. In this embodimentsubstrate engaging member12,spacing support member14, andtransition member18 defineslot36 for receiving a tab of a tile edging strip connector (See FIG. 3).

Referring now to FIG. 5, a perspective schematic representation of an additional alternative embodiment of[0039]

tile edging strip

10 is shown, which generally comprisessubstrate engaging member12,tile engaging member16, andtransition member18. In this embodimenttile engaging member16,transition member18, andprimary substrate20 define a channel for receivingsecondary substrate22.

Another embodiment of the[0040]

tile edging strip

10 is shown in FIGS. 6aand6b. In the embodiment shown, the tile edging strip comprisestile engaging member16,transition member18 andlip member38. Tile engagingmember16 is positioned betweentile28 andsecondary substrate22.Transition member18 extends away from the tile engaging member toprimary substrate20. The transition member spans the thickness ofsecondary substrate22.Lip member38 extends away fromtile engaging member16 in a direction generally opposingtransition member18. Preferably,lip member38 spans the thickness oftile28. At one end of the transition member,substrate engaging member12 is positioned. In the embodiment of FIGS. 6 and 7, the substrate engaging member comprises an edge surface of the transition member. The edge surface is configured for bonding to the substrate, and, accordingly, may include surface variations (i.e, scores, bumps, etc.) to facilitate bonding.

As is shown in FIG. 6[0041]a, the transition member and the lip member may be collinear wherein they extend outwardly in opposing directions from the tile engaging member and substantially perpendicular thereto. As is shown in FIG. 6b, the transition member and the lip member may be angularly disposed relative to the tile engaging member at an angle other than a substantially right angle. Moreover, it is contemplated that the transition member and the lip member may be angularly (i.e., obliquely) disposed relative to each other (i.e., not collinear). The embodiments shown in FIGS. 6aand6bare particularly useful when utilizing non-bull nose tile. It is likewise contemplated thatlip member38 and/ortransition member18 may comprise a arcuate or curved member, as is shown in FIG. 8.

Another embodiment of the tile edging strip is shown in FIGS. 6[0042]cas comprisingtransition member18,bonding agent19 andfiller engagement member37.Transition member18 is generally positioned so as to span the distance betweentile28 andprimary substrate20, covering the thickness ofsecondary substrate22. Furthermore, asubstrate engaging member12 is positioned at one end thereof. In the embodiment shown, the tile, the primary substrate, the secondary substrate and the tile defineretention cavity39.Bonding agent19 is positioned so as to substantially fill at least a portion ofcavity39. The bonding agent may comprise any number of filler materials, including latex based filler materials, adhesive based filler materials, plaster or gypsum based filler materials, among others.Agent engagement member37 extends away fromtransition member18 such that, upon installation, the filler engagement member is firmly entrenched withinfiller material19. In turn, as the bonding agent hardens, the bonding agent and the agent engagement member become bonded together.

In the embodiment of FIG. 6[0043]d,lip member38 extends fromtransition member18. The lip member is configured so as to span the thickness of the tile. As such, a similar effect can be achieved as can be achieved with the embodiment of FIG. 6cwithout the added expense of utilizing bull nose tile. As with the embodiment of FIG. 6c, theagent engagement member37 firmly extends intobonding agent19 withincavity39, and is bonded thereto.

Another embodiment of the tile edging strip is shown in FIG. 7 as comprising[0044]

tile engaging member

16,transition member18 andattachment assembly87. In the embodiment illustrated,attachment assembly87 comprises a swivel joint having protrusion91 which is capable of rotational positioning within receiver93. With such an embodiment, the user is capable of positioning the tile engaging member in operable position. Next, the user can adjust the transition member about the attachment assembly, to obtain a desired orientation of the two components relative to each other and relative to the tile and the substrates (i.e., so that thesubstrate engaging member12 firmly abuts the respective substrate). Such an embodiment is capable of adapting to irregular substrate configurations, and to minor inconsistencies and variations the underlying structure.

It will be understood that the components of[0045]

tile edging strip

10 may be integrally or independently fabricated from numerous materials, including at least one of the group comprising woods, metals, natural resins, synthetic resins, composites, and mixtures thereof.

[0046]

Tile edging strip

10 can be installed according to numerous methods including the following. First,substrate engaging member12 oftile edging strip10 is controllably applied to a primary substrate, and subsequently fastened to the primary substrate with fasteners and/or an adhesive. Next, a secondary substrate, such as backer board or cement board, is inserted into a predefined channel. The secondary substrate may then be secured to the primary substrate using conventional methods, including fasteners and/or adhesives. After the secondary substrate is secured to the primary substrate, one or more tiles can be applied to the secondary substrate and the tile engaging member using conventional methods—including applying adhesive to apertures associated with the tile engaging member. After the tiles are secured, grout or chalk is optionally applied into any spacing between the tiles themselves, the tiles and the transition member, the tiles and the lip member, as well as the transition member and the primary substrate.

It will be understood that while the above-identified method has been disclosed, for illustrative purposes only, numerous other methods are likewise contemplated for use including applying[0047]

tile edging strip

10 before or after the secondary substrate has been applied to the primary substrate.

Use of[0048]

tile edging strip

10 is highly desirous because conventional tile installation requires substantial labor in finishing “edges” of a particular installation. However,tile edging strip10 enables an installer to quickly provide for a convenient and economical professional finish and transition from the tile edge to the primary substrate.

The foregoing description merely explains and illustrates the invention and the invention is not limited thereto except insofar as the appended claims are so limited, as those skilled in the art who have the disclosure before them will be able to make modifications without departing from the scope of the invention.[0049]

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A tile edging system comprising:

a primary substrate;

a secondary substrate positioned in so as to overlie the primary substrate;

at least one tile member positioned so as to overlie the secondary substrate;

a tile edging member, the tile edging member comprising:

a substrate engaging member positioned between the primary substrate and the secondary substrate;

a tile engaging member positioned between the at least one tile member and the secondary substrate; and

a transition member connecting the substrate engaging member and the tile engaging member, the transition member spanning a thickness of the secondary substrate.

2. The tile engaging system ofclaim 1 wherein the substrate engaging member and the tile engaging member are substantially parallel to each other.

3. The tile engaging system ofclaim 2 wherein the transition member is substantially perpendicular to each of the substrate engaging member and the tile engaging member.

4. The tile engaging system ofclaim 2 wherein the transition member is oblique to each o the substrate engaging member and the tile engaging member.

5. The tile engaging system ofclaim 1 wherein the tile edging member further includes a lip member extending from one of the tile engaging member and the transition member proximate a junction thereof, the lip member substantially corresponding to a thickness of the at least one tile.

6. The tile engaging system ofclaim 1 wherein the transition member is substantially arcuate.

7. A tile edging system comprising:

a primary substrate;

a secondary substrate positioned so as to overlie the primary substrate;

at least one tile member positioned so as to overlie the secondary substrate;

a tile edging member, the tile edging member comprising:

a tile engaging member positioned between the at least one tile member and the secondary substrate;

a transition member connected the tile engaging member, the transition member spanning a thickness of the secondary substrate; and

a lip member extending from at least one of tile engaging member and the transition member, the lip member substantially corresponding to a thickness of the at least one tile.

8. The tile edging system ofclaim 7 wherein the transition member and the lip member are substantially collinear and substantially perpendicular to the tile engaging member.

9. The tile edging system ofclaim 7 wherein the transition member and the lip member are substantially perpendicular to the tile engaging member.

10. The tile edging system ofclaim 7 wherein the transition member and the lip member are substantially oblique to the tile engaging member.

11. A tile edging system comprising:

a primary substrate;

a secondary substrate positioned in so as to overlie the primary substrate;

at least one tile member positioned so as to overlie the secondary substrate, wherein the primary substrate, the secondary substrate and the at least one tile member define a cavity;

a bonding agent positioned within the cavity; and

a tile edging member, the tile edging member comprising:

a transition member spanning a thickness of the secondary substrate; and

an agent engagement member extending from the transition member into the bonding agent positioned within the cavity, the agent engagement member firmly engaging the bonding agent, to, in turn, maintain the edging member substantially fixed orientation relative to the primary and secondary substrates.

12. The tile edging system ofclaim 11 wherein the tile edging member further includes a lip member emanating from the transition member, the lip member substantially spanning a thickness of the at least one tile.

13. The tile edging system ofclaim 11 wherein the agent engagement member substantially bisects the transition member.

14. The tile edging system ofclaim 11 wherein the agent engagement member is substantially perpendicular to the transition member.

15. The tile edging system ofclaim 11 wherein the bonding agent comprises a flexible material.