A self-locking mechanism that is attachable to a panel is provided. The mechanism includes a structure defining a void therein. There is also an opening in the structure coinciding with an end of the void. A pin is positioned within the void and a pin head of the pin is positioned at the opening. The pin moves back and forth within the void. The pin moves between a retracted position from within the void and an extended position. A receptacle is also positioned on the structure and oriented at an angle to the opening. The pin head is able to magnetically connect with a second receptacle from a second self-locking mechanism. The pin head or the receptacle, or both, include a magnet.

A flooring system combines a dimensionally stabilized sub-floor laminate with a dimensionally stabilized tile laminate, the sub-floor laminate and the tile laminate being held together by magnetic attraction. In one embodiment one or other of the laminates is magnetic, and the other has a ferromagnetic engagement sheet. In another embodiment, a magnetic intermediate sheet is placed between ferromagnetic strata of the two laminates. The tile laminate may include ceramic tiles, which may be glass or porcelain. Those tiles are substantially rigid. They have flat ground edges to provide abutting matching fit with adjacent tiles. On assembly, neither mortar nor grouting is employed. The sub-floor has pre-defined mounting hardware accommodations that permit the fasteners not to interfere with the flatness and fit-up of the laminates.

The present invention relates generally to a tile or panel having at least one magnetic material embedded therein, and fully or partially covered with at least one layer of parchment. The invention also encompasses at least one discrete permanent magnet that is placed at an appropriate location within a panel or tile, and wherein at least a portion of the panel or tile and the at least one magnet are then optionally covered with at least one layer of at least one barrier material, and then at least one parchment layer partially or fully envelopes this assembly. The inventive tile having at least one magnetic type material can have at least one indicia or design on at least one surface, and the inventive tile can be magnetically attached to a wall or another panel having at least one magnetic type material to form a wall or panel surface.

Various embodiments of tiles or devices that are used to create a structure used to cover a floor other surface are described. Preferred tiles or devices comprise one or more magnetized surfaces that may comprise one or more magnets or ferrous material. The magnetized surfaces can be used to magnetically couple adjacent tiles or devices to form the flooring or other structure. In some embodiments, the tiles or device may comprise one or more routed edges.

A removably mountable temporary work surface is disclosed herein. In some embodiments, the removably mountable temporary work surface includes a toolless mounting bracket, a spacing bar, and a hinge affixed to a work surface. The toolless mounting bracket may be configured to mount to construction framing. The spacing bar can be configured to extend or retract for use and storage. In various configurations, the work surface may include a metallic material and include one or more mechanisms to secure contents to the work surface, such as magnetic tethers. The work surface can be sized to form a substantially contiguous surface when mounted to adjacent framing posts.

The present invention relates generally to a tile or panel having at least one magnetic material embedded therein, and fully or partially covered with at least one layer of parchment. The invention also encompasses at least one discrete permanent magnet that is placed at an appropriate location within a panel or tile, and wherein at least a portion of the panel or tile and the at least one magnet are then optionally covered with at least one layer of at least one barrier material, and then at least one parchment layer partially or fully envelopes this assembly. The inventive tile having at least one magnetic type material can have at least one indicia or design on at least one surface, and the inventive tile can be magnetically attached to a wall or another panel having at least one magnetic type material to form a wall or panel surface.

A tile system for covering a surface. The tile system comprises first and second tile assemblies, each tile assembly having a connector comprising a first attachment feature and a second attachment feature. The first attachment component is configured to engage with a corresponding second attachment component of an adjacent connector. The connectors include or are configured to receive at least one magnetic component and preferably to maintain a gap between complementary magnetic elements when the first and second tile assemblies are connected. Also provided is a tool for removing a tile assembly from the tile system.

A removably mountable temporary work surface is disclosed herein. In some embodiments, the removably mountable temporary work surface includes a toolless mounting bracket, a spacing bar, and a hinge affixed to a work surface. The toolless mounting bracket may be configured to mount to construction framing. The spacing bar can be configured to extend or retract for use and storage. In various configurations, the work surface may include a metallic material and include one or more mechanisms to secure contents to the work surface, such as magnetic tethers. The work surface can be sized to form a substantially contiguous surface when mounted to adjacent framing posts.

A tile system for covering a surface. The tile system comprises a first tile assembly connected to a second tile assembly by a connector. Each tile assembly comprises a first tile stacked on a second tile, the first tile and the second tile joined to a reinforcing material disposed therebetween. The connector comprises a first component and a second component that is complementary to the first component. The first component is mounted to the first tile assembly, and the second component is mounted to the second tile assembly.

A tile system for covering a surface. The tile system comprises a first tile assembly connected to a second tile assembly by a connector. Each tile assembly comprises a first tile stacked on a second tile, the first tile and the second tile joined to a reinforcing material disposed therebetween. The connector comprises a first component and a second component that is complementary to the first component. The first component is mounted to the first tile assembly, and the second component is mounted to the second tile assembly.