A SUPPORT BASE, A TILE JOINT AND METHOD OF ATTACHING TILES TO A WALL STRUCTURE

Abstract

A support base, a tile joint and a method of attaching tiles to a wall structure. The support base includes a gripper arrangement protruding from the front surface. The gripper arrangement includes a first locking part arranged to connect the tile to the support base, and a second form locking part arranged to connect mortar to the support base.

Claims

1.-24. (canceled)

25. A support base for attaching a tile to a wall structure, the support base having a front surface and a back surface, which the back surface is arranged to be attached to the wall structure, the support base comprises a gripper arrangement protruding from the front surface, wherein the gripper arrangement comprises: a first locking part arranged to connect the tile to the support base, and a second form locking part arranged to connect mortar to the support base, the gripper arrangement further comprising a gripper, which the gripper comprises: a gripper arm protruding from the support base to a first direction; the first locking part for connecting the tile to the support base, the first locking part is arranged to extend from the gripper arm to a second direction transverse to the first direction; and the second form locking part for forming a connection between the gripper and mortar, the second form locking part is arranged to extend transversely in relation to a direction (A) orthogonal to the front surface of the support base.

26. The support base according to claim 25, wherein the second form locking part is arranged to extend from the gripper arm to a third direction opposite to the second direction; or the second form locking part is arranged to extend from the gripper arm to a third direction different than the second direction; or the second form locking part is arranged to extend from the gripper arm to the second direction at a different distance from the support base than the first locking part.

27. The support base according to claim 25, wherein the gripper arm is arranged to form the second form locking part by extending from the support base in a direction transverse in relation to a direction (A) orthogonal to the front surface of the support base.

28. The support base according to claim 25, wherein the gripper is integral to the support base such that the gripper is formed from the support base.

29. The support base according to claim 25, wherein the support base comprises: a first gripper for forming a connection with a first side of the first tile for connecting the first tile to the support base; and a second gripper for forming a connection with a second side of the second tile for connecting the second tile to the support base such that the first side of the first tile and the second side of the second tile are facing each other.

30. The support base according to claim 29, wherein the first gripper and the second gripper are provided in the support base at different levels in height direction of the support base; or the first gripper and the second gripper are provided in the support base at different levels in height direction (H) of the support base and spaced apart in width direction (W) of the support base.

31. The support base according to claim 25, wherein the gripper arrangement comprising a mortar gripper arranged to connect mortar to the support base, the mortar gripper protruding from the support base and the mortar gripper extending transversely in relation to a direction (A) orthogonal to the front surface of the support base; or part of the mortar gripper is arranged to extend transversely in relation to a direction (A) orthogonal to the front surface of the support base.

32. The support base according to claim 25, wherein the first locking part is a first form locking part forming a form locking connection with the tile; or the first locking part is a spring locking part forming a spring locking connection with the tile.

33. A tile joint for connecting tiles to a support base, which the support base is attachable to a wall structure, wherein the tile joint comprises: a first gripper having a gripper arm protruding from a front surface of the support base and a first locking part arranged to extend from the gripper arm; and a first tile; the first locking part of the first gripper is connected to the first tile for mechanically locking the first tile to the support base, the tile joint further comprises mortar, and said first gripper further comprises: a second form locking part extending from the gripper arm to a second direction transverse to the first direction; or the gripper arm of the first gripper forming a second form locking part by extending from the support base transversely in relation to a direction (A) orthogonal to the front surface of the support base; and the second form locking part of the first gripper forming a form locking connection between the first gripper and mortar.

34. The tile joint according to claim 33, wherein the first locking part is a first form locking part, and the first tile comprises a first groove extending from a first side of the first tile inwards into the first tile, the first form locking part is arranged into the first groove of the first tile to form a form locking connection between the first tile and the support base; or the first locking part is a first spring locking part, and the first tile having a first side toward the first spring locking part, the first spring locking part is forming a spring locking connection between the first tile and the support base.

35. The tile joint according to claim 33, wherein the tile joint further comprises mortar and a mortar gripper protruding from the front surface of the support base, at least part of the mortar gripper is arranged to extend transversely in relation to a direction (A) orthogonal to the front surface of the support base such that the mortar gripper is arranged to form a form locking connection between the mortar and the support base.

36. The tile joint according to claim 33, wherein the joint further comprises: a second gripper having a gripper arm protruding from a front surface of the support base and a first locking part arranged to extend from the gripper arm; and a second tile; the first locking part of the second gripper is connected to the second tile for mechanically locking the second tile to the support base.

37. The tile joint according to claim 36, wherein the first locking part of the second gripper is a first form locking part, and the second tile comprises a second groove extending from a second side of the second tile inwards into the second tile, the first form locking part is arranged into the second groove of the second tile to form a form locking connection between the second tile and the support base; or the first locking part of the second gripper is a first spring locking part, and the second tile having a second side toward the first spring locking part, the first spring locking part is forming a spring locking connection between the second tile and the support base.

38. The tile joint according to claim 37, wherein the tile joint further comprises mortar, and said second gripper further comprises: a second form locking part extending from the gripper arm to a second direction transverse to the first direction; or the gripper arm of the second gripper forming a second form locking part by extending from the support base transversely in relation to a direction (A) orthogonal to the front surface of the support base; and the second form locking part of the second gripper forming a form locking connection between the second gripper and mortar.

39. The tile joint according to claim 37, wherein the first locking part of the first gripper and the first locking part of the second gripper are arranged to extend in the opposite directions; or the first locking part of the first gripper and the first locking part of the second gripper are arranged to extend in a direction away from each other; or the first locking part of the first gripper is arranged to extend toward the first tile and the first locking part of the second gripper is arranged to extend toward the second tile.

40. The tile joint according to claim 33, wherein the first side of the first tile and the second side of the second tile are arranged to form together with the support base a channel for mortar; and said second form locking part of the first gripper and said second form locking part of the second gripper are provided in the channel such that the mortar and the second form locking parts are forming a form locking connection with the mortar within the channel.

41. The tile joint according to claim 33, wherein the second form locking part of the first gripper and the second form locking part of the second gripper are forming an integral form locking part extending between the gripper arm of the first gripper and the gripper arm of the second gripper.

42. The tile joint according to claim 33, wherein the first gripper and the second gripper are arranged to protrude as a single gripper from the support base thereafter splitting into two gripper arms.

43. The tile joint according to claim 33, wherein the first gripper having a gripper arm comprises: a first form locking part arranged to extend from the gripper arm toward the first tile and provided into the first groove of the first tile to form a form locking connection between the first tile and the support base, and another first form locking part arranged to extend from the gripper arm toward the second tile and provided into the second groove of the second tile to form a form locking connection between the second tile and the support base.

44. The tile joint according to claim 33, wherein the second form locking part is formed from the gripper arm by extending from the support base in a direction transverse in relation to a direction (A) orthogonal to the front surface of the support base.

45. A method of attaching tiles to a wall structure, wherein the method comprises the steps of: providing a support base having a front surface and a back surface, the front surface having a first gripper protruding from the front surface, the first gripper comprising a gripper arm, a first form locking part extending from the gripper arm, and a second gripper protruding from the front surface, the second gripper comprising a gripper arm, a first form locking part extending from the gripper arm; attaching the back surface of the support base to the wall structure; providing a first tile having a front surface, a back surface and side surfaces, the first tile further comprising a first groove on a first side of the tile and a second groove on a second side of the tile, the second side is opposite to the first side; connecting the first groove of the first tile to the first form locking part of the first gripper for forming a form locking connection between the first tile and the support base.

46. The method according to claim 45, wherein the method further comprises the steps of: connecting the second groove of the first tile to the first form locking part of the second gripper, or connecting the second groove of the first tile to the first form locking part of the second gripper of adjacent support base; such that the back surface of the first tile is provided against the front surface of the support base.

47. The method according to claim 45, wherein the method further comprises the steps of: providing a second tile having a front surface, a back surface and side surfaces, the second tile further comprising a first groove on a first side of the tile and a second groove on a second side of the tile, the second side is opposite to the first side; connecting the second groove of the second tile to the first form locking part of the second gripper for forming a form locking connection between the second tile and the support base.

48. The method according to claim 33, wherein the first gripper further comprises a second form locking part extending from the gripper arm and the second gripper further comprises a second form locking part extending from the gripper arm; the method further comprises the step of: providing mortar to a channel between the first side of the first tile and the second side of the second tile such that a form locking connection is formed between the mortar and the second form locking parts.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0042] The invention is described in detail by means of specific embodiments with reference to the enclosed drawings, in which

[0043] FIG. 1 shows a support base and a tile joint according to the invention;

[0044] FIG. 2 shows tiles arranged in connection with support bases according to the invention;

[0045] FIG. 3 shows support bases together with tiles;

[0046] FIGS. 4a and 4b show embodiments of tile joints according to the invention;

[0047] FIGS. 5a, 5b and 5c show further embodiments of tile joints according to the invention;

[0048] FIGS. 6a and 6b show another embodiment of tile joints according to the invention;

[0049] FIG. 7 shows another embodiment of a support base according to the invention; and

[0050] FIG. 8 shows the support base shown in FIG. 7 as a side view.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0051] FIG. 1 shows a support base and a tile joint according to the invention in which two tiles are connected to the support base through form locking connection. The tiles 100, 200 are placed against a front surface 11 of the support base 1 such that at least part of a back surface of the tile is placed against the front surface of the support base 1. The support base 1 is connected to building structures such that a back surface 12 of the support base 1 is placed against a wall structure 500.

[0052] The tiles 100, 200 have a front surface 105 and a back surface 106 and preferably four sides 101, 102, 104, 105. The tiles 100, 200 preferably comprise grooves 110, 120, 210, 220 on at least part of their sides. FIG. 1 shows that at least two opposing sides 101, 102, 201, 202 of the tiles 100, 200 comprise grooves for the first form locking part 21a, 31a to be inserted into the groove 110, 120, 210, 220.

[0053] The support base 1 comprises a gripper 2, 3 protruding from the front surface 11 of the support base 1. The gripper 2, 3 comprises a gripper arm 20, 30 extending from the support base 1 and a first form locking part 21a, 31a extending toward the tile 100, 200 to be placed next to the gripper 2, 3. The gripper further comprises a second form locking part 22, 32 for forming a form locking connection with mortar. The tiles 100, 200 are placed between grippers 2, 3 such that the first form locking part 21a of a first gripper 2 is connected to the groove 110, 210 on the first side 101, 201 of the tile 100, 200 and the first form locking part 31a of the second gripper 3 is connected to the groove 120, 220 on the second side 102, 202 of the tile 100, 200. The first form locking parts 21a, 31a provide a spring force between the gripper 2, 3 and the tile 100, 200 such that the tile 100, 200 remain in place against the front surface of the support base 1 and is mechanically connected to the support base 1 already before there is any mortar 300 provided between the tiles 100, 200. The joint 10 between the tiles 100, 200 and the support base 1 is formed of two different form locking connections which are provided through the gripper 2, 3 protruding from the support base 1 and which comprises two form locking parts 21a, 31a, 22, 32: the first form locking part 21a, 31a forming a form locking connection between the tile 100, 200 and the support base 1 and the second form locking part 22, 32 forming a form locking connection with the mortar and the support base 1. The form locking connections uniting through the gripper arm and the connection between the tile and the mortar.

[0054] FIG. 2 shows multiple tiles arranged in connection with multiple support bases according to the invention. The FIG. 2 shows the connection as a side view similarly as FIG. 1. In this embodiment of the invention the support bases 1 are connected to the wall structures and the tiles 100, 200, 300 are connected to the support bases 1 such that a seam between adjacent support bases 1 is covered by a tile 100, 200, 300. In other words, the tiles are arranged to extend over the seam of the support bases. The tile 300 arranged at the lowermost in this figure is connected to the support base 1 through a gripper 2 having a gripper arm 20 and a first form locking part 21. In this example there is no second form locking part since there is no need for connection between the gripper 2 and mortar. The connection between the support bases 1 is not disclosed in detail but the connection is preferably such that the support bases 1 form a seam in which ends of adjacent support bases 1 overlap.

[0055] FIG. 3 is a front view of support bases together with tiles. The width W of the support base 1 can vary depending on the place in which the support base 1 is attached. An exemplary width range of the support base is 1 metre to 4 metre, preferably 1.5 metre to 3 metre. The support base 1 comprises an upper edge 13 and a lower edge 14 which are connected to edges of adjacent support bases 1. FIG. 3 also shows that the support base 1 comprises first grippers 2 and second grippers 3 provided in different levels in the support base 1. In this example of the invention the first grippers 2 form a connection with the tiles 100, 200 in the lower side 101, 201 of the tile and second grippers 3 form a connection with the tiles 100, 200 at the upper side 102, 202 of the tile 100, 200. The second form locking parts 22, 32 of the grippers 2, 3 remain between the tiles 100, 200 for forming a form locking connection with mortar to be applied to the channel between the tiles. Although the figure shows the grippers 2, 3 having the form locking parts 21a, 22, 31a, 32 extending in the width direction of the support base 1 due to horizontal stacking, the grippers 2, 3 can also be arranged on the support base in a vertically extending position when the stacking of tiles is vertical, i.e. in soldier course assembly. The FIG. 3 also shows that the support base comprises diagonal ribs which are for stiffening the structure of the support base 1.

[0056] FIGS. 4a and 4b show embodiments of tile joints according to the invention. FIG. 4a shows a tile joint 10 in which the support base 1 comprises a first gripper 2 and a second gripper 3 protruding from the front surface 11 of the support base 1. In this embodiment the gripper arm 20 of the first gripper and the gripper arm 30 of the second gripper 3 are forming the second form locking part 22, 32 such that the gripper arms 20, 30 extend from the front surface 11 of the support base in a direction transverse to a direction A orthogonal to the front surface 11 of the support base. In this embodiment shown in FIG. 4a the gripper arms 20, 30 are arranged in an angle such that a dovetail is formed. The sides of the tiles 100, 200 are also formed correspondingly to the form of the gripper arms 20, 30. The first form locking parts 21a, 31a extend from the gripper arm 20, 30 towards the side of tiles and are connected to the grooves 110, 220 of the tiles 100, 200. As seen from the side of the joint 10, the first form locking parts 21a, 31a extend away from each other whereas in this embodiment of the invention the second form locking parts 22, 32 extend towards each other. The mortar 300 is provided in the channel formed by the sides of the tiles 100, 200 and the front surface 11 of the support base 1.

[0057] FIG. 4b shows an embodiment of the tile joint according to the invention in which the gripper arm 20 of the first gripper 2 and the gripper arm 30 of the second gripper 3 are protruding substantially perpendicular from the front surface 11 of the support base 1. In this embodiment of the invention the sides of the tiles 100, 200 are substantially straight having inwards extending grooves 110, 220. The first form locking part 21a, 31a of the grippers 2, 3 extend from the gripper arm towards the tile 100, 200 and preferably such that they slightly turn towards the front surface 11 of the support base 1. When connecting the groove 110 of the tile 100 and the first form locking part 21a together the gripper arm slightly bends away from the tile such that the first form locking part 21a can be inserted into the groove 110 and when the first form locking part 21a is in place the gripper arm 20 returns to its normal state. In other words, the gripper provides spring force towards the tile. The same applies also to the second gripper 3. The second form locking parts 22, 32 extend from the gripper arm 20, 30 towards each other forming an adhesive area to the mortar for providing a gripping between the support base and the mortar through the gripper.

[0058] FIGS. 5a, 5b and 5c show further embodiments of tile joints 10 according to the invention. In FIG. 5a the first and second gripper 2, 3 protrude from the support base 1 as a one gripper splitting into two separate grippers 2, 3 having gripper arms 20, 30. The first gripper 2 comprises a gripper arm 20 first forming a second form locking part 22 and then extending as a gripper arm 20 forming a support for the side of the tile 100. The first form locking part 21a of the first gripper 2 extends from the end of the gripper arm 20 in a direction away from the second gripper 3. The first form locking part 21a is provided in the first groove 110 of the first tile 100. The second gripping arm 30 extends substantially perpendicular away from the surface of the support base 1 and comprises a first locking part which is a first spring locking part 31b in a form of a claw-like structure. The first spring locking part 31b in a form of a claw-like structure is arranged to form a connection with the side surface of the tile 200. The claw-like structure is arranged to make a firm connection with the side surface of the tile by going slightly inside the side surface but not needing a separate groove. The spring locking part 31b is arranged to connect the tile 200 by providing spring force toward the tile 200. The second form locking part 32 of the second gripper 3 is arranged to extend from the gripper arm 30 toward the first tile 100.

[0059] FIG. 5b shows an embodiment of the tile joint in which there is a singe gripper 2 comprising a single gripper arm 20, 30 forming the second form locking part 22, 32 by protruding from the support base 1 in a direction transverse to a direction A orthogonal to the front surface 11 of the support base 1. The gripper arm 20, 30 comprises two first form locking parts 21a, 31a extending on away from each other, the first of the first from locking parts 21a toward the first tile 100 and the second of the first form locking parts 31a toward the second tile 200.

[0060] FIG. 5c shows an embodiment of the tile joint 10 in which the first and second gripper 2, 3 protrude together from the support base and thereafter extend as a first gripper arm 20 and a second gripper arm 30. The first form locking parts 21a, 31a extend from the gripper arms 20, 30 similarly as described earlier in connection with previous figures, but the second form locking part 22, 32 extend from the gripping arms 20, 30 such that they join together.

[0061] FIG. 6a shows an embodiment of the tile joint 10 according to the invention in which the gripper arm 20 of the first gripper 2 and the gripper arm 30 of the second gripper 3 are protruding substantially perpendicular from the front surface 11 of the support base 1. In this embodiment of the invention the sides of the tiles 100, 200 are substantially straight. The first spring locking part 21b, 31b of the grippers 2, 3 extend from the gripper arm towards the tile 100, 200 and preferably such that they slightly turn towards the front surface 11 of the support base 1. The spring locking parts 21b, 31b provide spring force towards the tiles for mechanically connecting the tiles 100, 200 to the support base 1. The second form locking parts 22, 32 extend from the gripper arm 20, 30 towards each other forming an adhesive area to the mortar for providing a gripping between the support base and the mortar through the gripper.

[0062] FIG. 6b shows an embodiment of the tile joint 10 according to the invention in which the mortar gripper 50 is shown. The mortar gripper 50 is arranged to connect mortar 300 to the support base 1. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 6b the mortar gripper 50 is protruding from the support base 1 and extending transversely in relation to a direction A orthogonal to the front surface 11 of the support base 1.

[0063] FIG. 7 shows an embodiment of the support base 1 according to the invention in which the gripper arrangement comprises a gripper 2 having a gripper arm 20 protruding from the support base 1 to a first direction and a first locking part 21a arranged to connect the tile to the support base 1 which the first locking part 21a is arranged to extend from the gripper arm 20 to a second direction transverse to the first direction. The gripper further comprises a second form locking part 22 arranged to connect mortar to the support base 1 by forming a connection between the gripper 2 and mortar, the second form locking part 22 is arranged to extend transversely in relation to a direction A orthogonal to the front surface 11 of the support base 1. The first locking part 21a extending from the gripper arm 20 to a second direction is formed from the gripper arm 20 by bending, pressing or otherwise shaping the gripper arm 20 so as to form a cavity which extends from the gripper arm to the same direction as the first locking part 21a, i.e. to the second direction. The cavity forms the second form locking part which is arranged to connect mortar to the support base 1 by providing a recess for the mortar which fills with the mortar, when the mortar is applied, and so that when the mortar dries it locks into the cavity thus connecting the mortar to the support base 1.

[0064] The FIG. 7 also shows another gripper protruding from the front surface 11 of the support base 1. The second gripper 3 is arranged to form a connection with a second side of the tile. The second gripper 3 comprises the first locking part 31a extending from the gripper arm 30 toward the first locking part 21a of the first gripper 2 and a second form locking part 32 which extends from the gripper arm 30 to opposite direction than the first locking part 31a thus being different than the second form locking part 22 of the first gripper 2.

[0065] FIG. 8 shows the support base 1 shown in FIG. 7 as a side view. The support base 1 comprises a front surface 11 and a back surface 12 on the opposite side of the support base 1. The support base 1 may comprise, as shown in FIG. 8, grooves and indentations such that the support base 1 is not necessarily completely planar or in exactly the same plane throughout. The tile is attached between the adjacent grippers, i.e. the first gripper 2 and the second gripper 3 such that the first locking part 21a of the first gripper 2 and the first locking part 31a of the second gripper 3 attach the tile to the support base 1. The second form locking part 22 of the first gripper 2 form together with mortar a form locking connection between the mortar and the support base 1, similarly as the second form locking part 32 of the second gripper 3 form together with mortar another form locking connection between the mortar and the support base 1. The second form locking part 22 of the first gripper 2 provide the connection between the mortar and the support base by providing to the mortar a cavity for the mortar to fill the cavity, i.e. the mortar to protrude into the gripper 2 while the second form locking part 32 of the second gripper 3 provide the connection between the mortar and the support base by arranging the second form locking part 32 to protrude into the space for the mortar.

[0066] The invention has been described above with reference to the examples shown in the figures. However, the invention is in no way restricted to the above examples but may vary within the scope of the claims.