Abstract
The invention relates to a multi-purpose tile system, in particular a floor tile system, including a plurality of multi-purpose tiles, in particular floor tiles, wall tiles, or ceiling tiles. The invention also relates to a tile covering, in particular floor covering, ceiling covering, or wall covering, consisting of mutually coupled tiles according to the invention. The invention further relates to a tile for use in multi-purpose tile system according to the invention.
Claims
1. A multi-purpose tile system, comprising a plurality of floor tiles, wherein a first tile of the plurality of tiles comprises: at least one first edge having a first coupling profile comprising: a sideward tongue extending in a direction substantially parallel to the upper side of the first tile, at least one first downward flank lying at a distance from the sideward tongue, and a first downward recess formed between the sideward tongue and the first downward flank, wherein at least a part of the proximal side of the sideward tongue of the first coupling profile, facing the first downward recess, is downwardly inclined in a direction away from the first downward flank, in such a way that an angle is enclosed with the normal perpendicular to the plane defined by the first tile and the second tile wherein said angle is situated between 0 and 60 degrees; at least one second edge having a second coupling profile comprising: a downward tongue extending in a direction substantially perpendicular to the upper side of the first tile, at least one second downward flank lying at a distance from the downward tongue, a second downward recess formed between the downward tongue and the downward flank, and at least one first locking element, in which the at least one first locking element comprises a recess defined in the downward flank, wherein at least a part of the proximal side of the downward tongue, facing the second downward recess, is downwardly inclined in a direction away from the second downward flank, in such a way that an angle is enclosed with the normal perpendicular to the plane defined by the first tile and the second tile wherein said angle is situated between 0 and 60 degrees; at least two other edges, each other edge having a third coupling profile comprising: a third recess configured for accommodating at least a part of the sideward tongue of the first coupling profile of a second tile of the plurality of floor tiles and at least a part of the downward tongue of the second tile, wherein said second tile comprises identical coupling profiles as the first tile, said third recess being defined by an upper lip and a lower lip, wherein said lower lip is provided with an upward locking element, and at least one second locking element, wherein said second locking element comprises at least one outward bulge extending from the upward tongue, wherein at least a part of the proximal side of the upward locking element, facing the third recess, is upwardly inclined in a direction away from the upper lip, in such a way that an angle is enclosed with the normal perpendicular to the plane defined by the first tile and the second tile wherein said angle is situated between 0 and 60 degrees; wherein the first coupling profile and the third coupling profile are configured such that the first tile and the second tile can be coupled to each other at the first and other edges through a turning movement, wherein, in coupled condition: at least a part of the sideward tongue of the first coupling profile of the first tile is inserted into the third recess of the third coupling profile of the second tile to realise a vertical locking effect, and at least a part of the upward locking element of the third coupling profile, and said at least one outward bulge, are inserted into the first downward recess of the first coupling profile, and wherein the second coupling profile and the third coupling profile are configured such that the first tile and the second tile can be coupled to each other at the second and other edges by means of a fold-down movement or a vertical movement, wherein, in coupled condition: at least a part of the downward tongue of the second coupling profile is inserted in the third recess of the third coupling profile, at least a part of the upward locking element of the third coupling profile is inserted in the second downward recess of the second coupling profile, and at least one first locking element is facing, and co-acting with, at least one outward bulge of at least one second locking element to realise a vertical locking effect, wherein, responsive to a turning movement of the first tile, the at least one first downward flank is configured to face the at least one second locking element of the third coupling profile of the second tile.
2. The tile system, according to claim 1, wherein the second tile is structured the same as the first tile, wherein a third tile of the plurality of tiles is structured the same as the first tile, and wherein the first coupling profile of the first tile and the third coupling profile of the third tile are configured such that the first tile and the third tile can be coupled to each other at the first and other edges by means of a turning movement, wherein, in coupled condition: at least a part of the sideward tongue of the first coupling profile of the first tile is inserted into the third recess of the third coupling profile of the third tile, and at least a part of the upward locking element of the third coupling profile of the third tile is inserted into the first downward recess of the first coupling profile of the first tile.
3. The tile system according to claim 1, wherein each tile of the plurality of tiles is structured the same as the first tile.
4. The tile system according to claim 1, wherein the first coupling profile and the third coupling profile are configured for locking together the first tile and the second tile both vertically and horizontally.
5. The tile system according to claim 1, wherein the second coupling profile and the third coupling profile are configured for locking together the first tile and the second tile both vertically and horizontally.
6. The tile system according to claim 1, wherein the at least one first locking element of the second coupling profile is provided at the second downward flank of the second coupling profile, and wherein the at least one second locking element of the third coupling profile is provided at a distal side of the lower lip facing away from the third recess and a distal side of the upward locking element facing away from the third recess.
7. The tile system according to claim 1, wherein the at least one first locking element of the second coupling profile is provided at a distal side of the downward tongue facing away from the second downward recess, and wherein the at least one second locking element of the third coupling profile is provided at a side of the upper lip, in coupled condition facing said distal side of the downward tongue of the second coupling profile of the first tile.
8. The tile system according to claim 1, wherein the co-action between the first locking element and the second locking element for creating a vertical locking effect in coupled condition of the first tile and the second tile, defines a tangent T1 which encloses an angle A1 with a plane defined by the first tile, which angle A1 is smaller than an angle A2 enclosed by said plane defined by the first tile and a tangent T2 defined by a co-action between an inclined part of a proximal side of the upward locking element facing toward the third recess and an inclined part of a proximal side of the downward tongue facing toward the second downward flank, wherein the greatest difference between angle A1 and angle A2 is situated between 5 and 20 degrees.
9. The tile system according to claim 1, wherein said first locking element and said second locking element are positioned closer to the upper side of the first tile compared to an upper side of the upward locking element.
10. The tile system according to claim 1, wherein the at least one second locking element of the third coupling profile is provided at a distal side of the lower lip facing away from the third recess and a distal side of the upward locking element facing away from the third recess.
11. The tile system according to claim 1, wherein at least one third locking element of the first coupling profile is provided at a distal side of the first coupling profile, being located above at least a part of the sideward tongue, and wherein the at least one second locking element of the third coupling profile is provided at a side of the upper lip, in coupled condition facing said distal side of the first coupling profile of the second tile.
12. The tile system according to claim 1, wherein the first edge and the third edge, in coupled condition, define a first closing surface defined as a first vertical plane through the upper edges of the coupled tiles or at least the location where the tiles come together at the upper side of the tiles, and wherein the first coupling profile and the third coupling profile are configured such that in coupled condition, each of the sideward tongue and the third recess extends through said first vertical plane, and wherein a lower side of the sideward tongue of the first coupling profile, in coupled condition of two tiles, is supported by a lower surface of the upward third recess of the third coupling profile, such that a formed contact surface extends through said first vertical plane.
13. The tile system according to claim 1, wherein at the lower side of the lower lip of the third coupling profile, a recess is present, which extends up to the distal end of the lower lip and which allows a bending of the lower lip in downward direction.
14. The tile system according to claim 1, wherein the first coupling profile and the third coupling profile are configured such that in coupled condition a pretension is existing, which forces the first tile and the second tile towards each other, wherein this is performed by applying overlapping contours.
15. The tile system according to claim 14, wherein the pretension is the result of a deformation, either an elastic bending or an elastic compression, or a combination of both.
16. The tile system according to claim 1, wherein at least a part of an upper side of the upward locking element is inclined downwardly in a direction facing way from the upper lip of the third coupling profile.
17. The tile system according to claim 1, wherein at least a part of an upper side of the first downward recess is inclined downwardly towards the first downward flank.
18. The tile system according to claim 1, wherein at least a part of an upper side of the second downward recess is inclined downwardly towards the second downward flank.
19. The tile system according to claim 1, wherein the difference between the upper lip and the lower lip, measured in the plane of the tile is larger than 1.0 times, and is at least 1.25 times, the thickness of each of the plurality of tiles.
20. The tile system according to claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of tiles comprises at least one base layer, wherein the base layer comprises at least one composite material of at least one polymeric material and at least one non-polymeric material.
21. The tile system according to claim 20, wherein the at least one non-polymeric material is selected from the group consisting of: talc, chalk, wood, calcium carbonate, and a mineral filler.
22. The tile system according to claim 1, wherein the at least one first locking element comprises at least one first locking groove provided in the at least one second downward flank.
23. The tile system according to claim 22, wherein at least one third locking element comprises at least one first locking groove provided in the at least one first downward flank.
24. The tile system according to claim 1, wherein the sideward tongue has a distal portion, a proximal side opposite the distal portion, and a lower side extending there between, the lower side being parallel to and opposite the upper side of the first tile.
25. A first tile for use in a multi-purpose tile system, the first tile comprising: at least one first edge having a first coupling profile comprising: a sideward tongue extending in a direction substantially parallel to the upper side of the first tile, at least one first downward flank lying at a distance from the sideward tongue, and a first downward recess formed between the sideward tongue and the first downward flank, wherein at least a part of the proximal side of the sideward tongue of the first coupling profile, facing the first downward recess, is downwardly inclined in a direction away from the first downward flank, in such a way that an angle is enclosed with the normal perpendicular to the plane defined by the first tile and the second tile wherein said angle is situated between 0 and 60 degrees; at least one second edge having a second coupling profile comprising: a downward tongue extending in a direction substantially perpendicular to the upper side of the first tile, at least one second downward flank lying at a distance from the downward tongue, a second downward recess formed between the downward tongue and the downward flank, and at least one first locking element, in which the at least one first locking element comprises a recess defined in the downward flank, wherein at least a part of the proximal side of the downward tongue, facing the second downward recess, is downwardly inclined in a direction away from the second downward flank, in such a way that an angle is enclosed with the normal perpendicular to the plane defined by the first tile and the second tile wherein said angle is situated between 0 and 60 degrees; at least two other edges, each other edge having a third coupling profile comprising: a third recess configured for accommodating at least a part of the sideward tongue of the first coupling profile of a second tile and at least a part of the downward tongue of the second coupling profile of the second tile, wherein said second tile comprises identical coupling profiles as the first tile, said third recess being defined by an upper lip and a lower lip, wherein said lower lip is provided with an upward locking element, and at least one second locking element, in which the at least one second locking element comprises at least one outward bulge extending from the upward tongue, wherein at least a part of the proximal side of the upward locking element, facing the third recess, is upwardly inclined in a direction away from the upper lip, in such a way that an angle is enclosed with the normal perpendicular to the plane defined by the first tile and the second tile wherein said angle is situated between 0 and 60 degrees; wherein the first coupling profile and the third coupling profile are configured such that the first tile and the second tile can be coupled to each other at the first and other edges through a turning movement, wherein, in coupled condition: at least a part of the sideward tongue of the first coupling profile of the first tile is inserted into the third recess of the third coupling profile of the second tile to realize a vertical locking effect, and at least a part of the upward locking element of the third coupling profile is inserted into the first downward recess of the first coupling profile, and wherein the second coupling profile and the third coupling profile are configured such that the first tile can be coupled to the second tile at the second and other edges by means of a fold-down movement or a vertical movement, wherein, in coupled condition: at least a part of the downward tongue of the second coupling profile is inserted in the third recess of the third coupling profile, at least a part of the upward locking element of the third coupling profile is inserted in the second downward recess of the second coupling profile, and the at least one first locking element is facing, and co-acting with, the at least one second locking element to realise a vertical locking effect, wherein, responsive to a turning movement of the first tile, the at least one first downward flank is configured to face the at least one second locking element of the third coupling profile of the second tile.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
(1) The invention will be elucidated on the basis of non-limitative exemplary embodiments shown in the following figures, wherein:
(2) FIG. 1a shows a schematic representation of a multi-purpose tile for use in a multi-purpose tile system according to the invention;
(3) FIG. 1b shows a schematic representation of a multi-purpose tile system comprising a plurality of multi-purpose tiles as shown in FIG. 1a;
(4) FIG. 2a shows a schematic representation of two different types of multi-purpose tiles for use in another embodiment of a multi-purpose tile system according to the invention;
(5) FIG. 2b shows a schematic representation of a multi-purpose tile system comprising a plurality of multi-purpose tiles as shown in FIG. 2a;
(6) FIG. 3a shows a schematic representation of a multi-purpose tile for use in yet another embodiment of a multi-purpose tile system according to the invention;
(7) FIG. 3b shows a schematic representation of a multi-purpose tile system comprising a plurality of multi-purpose tiles as shown in FIG. 3a;
(8) FIG. 4a shows a cross-section along line A-A of a multi-purpose tile as shown in FIG. 1a, 2a or 3a;
(9) FIG. 4b shows a cross-section along line B-B of a multi-purpose tile as shown in FIG. 1a, 2a or 3a;
(10) FIGS. 5a-5c show a cross-section of two multi-purpose tiles as shown in FIGS. 1a, 2a or 3a in a first, second and third coupled condition respectively;
(11) FIGS. 6a-6c show a cross-section of two multi-purpose tiles with alternative coupling profiles in a first, second and third coupled condition respectively; and
(12) FIGS. 7a-7c show a cross-section of two multi-purpose tiles with further alternative coupling profiles in a first, second and third coupled condition respectively.
DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
(13) FIG. 1a shows a schematic representation of a multi-purpose tile (100) for use in a multi-purpose tile system (110) according to the invention. The figure shows a tile (100) comprising a first pair of opposing edges consisting of a first edge (101) and an opposite third edge (103) and a second pair of opposing edges consisting of a second edge (102) and an opposing third edge (103). The first, second and third edges (101, 102, 103) are respectively provided with first, second and third coupling profiles (104, 105, 106). The first coupling profile (104) and the third coupling profile (106) are configured such that two of such tiles (100) can be coupled to each other at the first and third edges (101, 103) by means of a turning movement. Moreover, the second coupling profile (105) and the third coupling profile (106) are configured such that the two of such tiles (100) can be coupled to each other at the second and third edges (102, 103) by means of a fold-down movement and/or a vertical movement. The proportional relationship between the width and the length of the tile (100) may be chosen at will. FIG. 1a shows only one of the many possibilities wherein the tile has a upper side (107) with a rectangular contour (108). It is however also possible that the width and the length of the tile (100) are the same such that the tile (100) has an upper side (107) with a square contour.
(14) FIG. 1b shows a schematic representation of a multi-purpose tile system (110) comprising a plurality of multi-purpose tiles (100) as shown in FIG. 1a. Although each of the tiles (100) are equivalent, having a first pair of opposing edges consisting of a first edge (101) and an opposite third edge (103) and a second pair of opposing edges consisting of a second edge (102) and an opposing third edge (103), the tiles (100) may, due to the compatibility of the coupling profile of the third edge (103) with the coupling profile of both the first and the second edge (101, 102), be joined in different ways, resulting in differential tile patterns (111, 112) within one multi-purpose tile system (110). In the depicted multi-purpose tile system (110) wherein the individual tiles (110) have an upper side (107) with a rectangular contour (108), the tiles (100) each have a long side (113) and a short side (114). The different tile patterns (111, 112) are hereby created by coupling a first tile pattern (111) of interconnected tiles (100), having their long side (113) connected to the long side (113) of an adjacent tile (100), to a second tile pattern (112) of interconnected tiles (100), having their long side (113) connected to the long side (113) of an adjacent tile (100) and their short side (114) connected to the short side (114) of another adjacent tile (100). The first and second tile patterns (111, 112) are hereby rotated to each other such that the long sides (113) of the tiles (100) of the first tile pattern (111) lie at a 90 degree angle relative to the long sides (113) of the tiles (100) of the second tile pattern (112). This coupling between the different tile patterns (111, 112) is made possible through the connection of the short sides (114) of the tiles (100) of the first tile pattern (111) to the long sides (113) of the tiles (100) of the second tile pattern (112). Installation of the tile system (110) can be realized by angling down the first edge (101) of a tile (100) to be installed with respect to a third edge (103) of an already installed tile (100), which will commonly mutually lock said tiles (100) in both vertical and horizontal direction. During this angling or turning movement of the tile (100) to be installed with respect to the already installed tile (100), the second edge (102) of the tile (100) to be installed will be connected (simultaneously) to the third edge (103) of another already installed tile (100), which is typically realized by lowering or folding down the tile (100) to be installed with respect to the other already installed tile (100) during which the second edge (102) of the tile (100) to be installed and the third edge (103) of the other already installed tile (100) will be scissored (zipped) into each other. This results in a locking of the tile (100) to be installed with respect to the other already installed tile (100) both in horizontal and vertical direction.
(15) FIG. 2a shows a schematic representation of two different types of multi-purpose tiles (201, 202) for use in another embodiment of a multi-purpose tile system (200) according to the invention. Just as the multi-purpose tile (100) shown in FIG. 1a, each of these tiles (201, 202) comprises a first pair of opposing edges consisting of a first edge (101) and an opposite third edge (103) and a second pair of opposing edges consisting of a second edge (102) and an opposing third edge (103). Again, the first, second and third edges (101, 102, 103) are respectively provided with first, second and third coupling profiles (104, 105, 106), wherein the first coupling profile (104) and the third coupling profile (106) are configured such that two tiles (201, 202) can be coupled to each other at the first and third edges (101, 103) by means of a turning movement, and the second coupling profile (105) and the third coupling profile (106) are configured such that the two tiles (201, 202) can be coupled to each other at the second and third edges (102, 103) by means of a fold-down movement and/or a vertical movement. This time however, there are two different types of tiles (201, 202), wherein the coupling profiles (105, 106) of one pair of opposing edges (102, 103) on the first type of tile (201) are arranged in a mirror-inverted manner relative to the coupling profiles (105, 106) of the corresponding pair of opposing edges (102, 103) on the second type of tile (202). Note that the depicted edge pairs of the different types of tiles (201, 202) that are mirror-inverted are formed by second and third edges (102, 103). However it is likewise possible that the mirror-inverted edge pairs are formed by first and third edges (101, 103). Moreover, the multi-purpose tiles (201, 202) for use in this multi-purpose tile system (200) have an upper side (107) with a parallelogram-shaped contour (208). Two adjoining edges (101, 102, 103) of these tiles (201, 202) hereto either enclose an acute angle (203) or a obtuse angle (204). In this specific embodiment, the first and second edge (101, 102) respectively the third edges (103) enclose an obtuse angle (204) of the same size, while the first and the third edge (101, 103) respectively the second and third edge (102, 103) enclose an acute angle (203) of the same size. The difference in tile configuration and parallelogram-shaped contour (208) of their upper side (107) allows these tiles (201, 202) to form a chevron pattern (205) in a joined state.
(16) FIG. 2b shows a schematic representation of a multi-purpose tile system (200) comprising a plurality of multi-purpose tiles (201, 202) as shown in FIG. 2a. As already discussed previously, the multi-purpose tiles (201, 202) forming part of this multi-purpose tile system (200) come in two different (mirrored) types/configurations. While the difference in tile configuration and parallelogram-shape of their top surface (107) allows these tiles (201, 202) to form a chevron pattern (205) in a joined state, having a first pair of opposing edges consisting of a first edge (101) and an opposite third edge (103) and a second pair of opposing edges consisting of a second edge (102) and an opposing third edge (103), wherein the coupling profile (106) of the third edge (103) is compatible with the coupling profile (104, 105) of both the first and the second edge (101, 102), allows the tiles (201, 202) to be joined in different ways as well, resulting in differential tile patterns (206, 207) within one interconnected multi-purpose tile system (200). Like in the multi-purpose tile system (110) shown in FIG. 1b, the different tile patterns (206, 207) are created by coupling a first tile pattern (206) of interconnected tiles (201, 202) to a second tile pattern (207) of interconnected tiles (201, 202). Within these separate tile patterns (206, 207), each tile (201, 202) has each of its pairs of opposing edges (101, 103; 102, 103) connected to the edges (101, 102, 103) of adjacent tiles (201, 202) being part of a corresponding pair of opposing edges (101, 103; 102, 103) of said adjacent tiles (201, 202). The coupling of the first and second tile patterns (206, 207) is however realized through the connection of a tile (201, 202) of first tile pattern (206) with an edge (101, 103) forming part of one pair of opposing edges (101, 103) to a tile (201, 202) of second tile pattern (207) with an edge (102, 103) forming part of the other, non-corresponding pair of opposing edges (102, 103). The result is an interconnected, multi-purpose tile system (200) comprising two different tile patterns (206, 207) that are rotated 90 degrees relative to each other. Installation of the tile system (200) shown in FIG. 2b is typically analogous to the installation of the tile system (110) shown in FIG. 1b.
(17) FIG. 3a shows a schematic representation of a multi-purpose tile (301) for use in yet another embodiment of a multi-purpose tile system (300) according to the invention. Other than the multi-purpose tiles (100, 201, 202) shown in FIGS. 1a and 2a, each of these tiles (301) comprises three pairs of opposing edges and has an upper side (107) with a regular hexagon-shaped contour (302). The first pair of opposing edges consists of a first edge (101) and an opposite third edge (103). The second and third pair of opposing edges consist of a second edge (102) and an opposing third edge (103). The first, second and third edges (101, 102, 103) are hereby positioned such that the third edges (103) lie directly adjacent to each other and the second edges (102) lie on both edges adjacent to the first edge (101). The second edges (102), as a consequence, do not lie adjacent to each other. The commonality between these multi-purpose tiles (301) and the multi-purpose tiles (100, 201, 202) shown in FIGS. 1a and 2a is however that the first, second and third edges (101, 102, 103) are respectively provided with first, second and third coupling profiles (104, 105, 106), wherein the first coupling profile (104) and the third coupling profile (106) are configured such that two tiles (301) can be coupled to each other at the first and third edges (101, 103) by means of a turning movement, and the second coupling profile (105) and the third coupling profile (106) are configured such that the two tiles (301) can be coupled to each other at the second and third edges (102, 103) by means of a fold-down movement and/or a vertical movement.
(18) FIG. 3b shows a schematic representation of a multi-purpose tile system (300) comprising a plurality of multi-purpose tiles (301) as shown in FIG. 3a. In the depicted tile formation, the tiles (301) are all identically oriented. Installation of the tile system (300) can be realized in a similar fashion as the tile systems (110, 200) of FIGS. 1b and 2b. By angling down the first edge (101) of a tile (301) to be installed with respect to a third edge (103) of an already installed tile (301), said tiles (301) will commonly mutually lock in both vertical and horizontal direction. During this angling or turning movement of the tile (301) to be installed with respect to the already installed tile (301), one or more second edges (102) of the tile (300) to be installed will be connected (simultaneously) to a third edge (103) of one or more other already installed, adjacent tiles (301), which is typically realized by lowering or folding down the tile (301) to be installed with respect to the other already installed tile(s) (301) during which said second edge(s) (102) of the tile (301) to be installed and the third edge(s) (103) of the other already installed tile(s) (301) will be scissored (zipped) into each other. This results in a locking of the tile (301) to be installed with respect to the other already installed tile(s) (301) both in horizontal and vertical direction.
(19) FIG. 4a shows a cross-section along line A-A of a multi-purpose tile (100, 201, 202, 301) as shown in FIG. 1a, 2a or 3a. In the figure, the first edge (101) and an opposing third edge (103) of the tile (100, 201, 202, 301) are visible, having a first coupling profile (104) and a third coupling profile (106) respectively. The first coupling profile (104) comprises a sideward tongue (400) extending in a direction substantially parallel to the upper side (107) of the tile (100, 201, 202, 301), at least one first downward flank (401) lying at a distance from the sideward tongue (400), and a first downward recess (402) formed between the sideward tongue (400) and the first downward flank (401). The proximal side (403) of the sideward tongue (400) of the first coupling profile (104), facing the first downward recess (402), is hereby downwardly inclined in a direction away from the first downward flank (401). It is however likewise possible that the proximal side (403) of the sideward tongue (400) is downwardly inclined in a direction towards the first downward flank (401). A first transition zone (404) can be defined between the proximal side (403) of the sideward tongue (400) of the first coupling profile (104) and a lower side (405) of the sideward tongue (400) of the first coupling profile (104), which first transition zone (404) is in this instance curved. The upper side (406) of the first downward recess (402) is in the depicted tile (100, 201, 202, 301) inclined downwardly towards the first downward flank (401). The first coupling profile (104) may furthermore comprise a first locking element (407) which may, in a coupled position, co-act with a third locking element (440) of a third coupling profile (106) of an adjacent tile (100, 201, 202, 301). This first locking element (407) may be provided at the first downward flank (401) of the first coupling profile (104). In the presently depicted tile (100, 201, 202, 301), the first locking element (407) comprises at least one first locking groove (408).
(20) The third coupling profile (106) comprises a third recess (430) configured for accommodating at least a part of the sideward tongue (400) of the first coupling profile (104) of a further tile (100, 201, 202, 301), said third recess (430) being defined by an upper lip (431) and a lower lip (432), wherein said lower lip (432) is provided with an upward locking element (433). The proximal side (434) of the upward locking element (433) of the third coupling profile (106), facing the third recess (430), is upwardly inclined in a direction away from the upper lip (431). It may however be possible as an alternative that the proximal side (434) of the upward locking element (433) is upwardly inclined in a direction towards the upper lip (431). A third transition zone (435) can be defined between the proximal side (434) of the upward locking element (433) and an upper side (436) of the upward locking element (433), which third transition zone (435) is in this instance also curved to follow the curved first transition zone (404). The upper side (436) of the upward locking element (433) is in the depicted tile (100, 201, 202, 301) inclined downwardly in a direction facing way from the upper lip (431) of the third coupling profile (106). At the lower side (437) of the lower lip (432) of the third coupling profile (106), a recess (438) is present, which extends up to the distal end (439) of the lower lip (432). This recess (438) allows bending of the lower lip (432) in a downward direction. As already mentioned, the third coupling profile (106) may further comprise a third locking element (440) that may co-act with the first locking element (407) of the first coupling profile (104) of an adjacent tile (100, 201, 202, 301) to establish a vertical lock between the coupled tiles (100, 201, 202, 301). The third locking element (440) may hereto provided at a distal side (441) of the lower lip (432) facing away from the third recess (430) and/or at a distal side (442) of the upward locking element (433) facing away from the third recess (430). The third locking element (440) may, as depicted here, specifically be positioned at a distance both from a lower side (437) of the lower lip (432) and an upper side (436) of the upward locking element (433). In the presently depicted tile, the third locking element (440) comprises at least one outward bulge (443) which outward bulge (443) is adapted to be at least partially received in the first locking groove (408) or a second locking groove (423) of an adjacent coupled tile (100, 201, 202, 301) for the purpose of realizing a (vertically) locked coupling.
(21) FIG. 4b shows a cross-section along line B-B of a multi-purpose tile (100, 201, 202, 301) as shown in FIG. 1a, 2a or 3a. In the figure, the second edge (102) and another opposing third edge (103) of the tile (100, 201, 202, 301) are visible, having a second coupling profile (105) and a third coupling profile (106) respectively. Where the third coupling profile (106) matches the third coupling (106) profile provided on the adjacent third edge (103) of the tile (100, 201, 202, 301), which characteristics are given above in the description of the cross-section along line A-A of the multi-purpose tile (100, 201, 202, 301), the second coupling profile (105) comprises a downward tongue (410) extending in a direction substantially perpendicular to the upper side (107) of the tile (100, 201, 202, 301), at least one second downward flank (411) lying at a distance from the downward tongue (410), and a second downward recess (412) formed between the downward tongue (410) and the second downward flank (411). The proximal side (413) of the downward tongue (410) of the second coupling profile (105), facing the second downward recess (412), is hereby downwardly inclined in a direction away from the second downward flank (411). It is however also possible that the proximal side (413) of the downward tongue (410) is downwardly inclined in a direction towards the second downward flank (411). A second transition zone (414) can be defined between the proximal side (413) of the downward tongue (410) of the second coupling profile (105) and a lower side (415) of the downward tongue (410) of the second coupling profile (105), which second transition zone (414) is in this instance curved. A distal side (416) of the downward tongue (410), facing away from the second downward recess (412), comprises at least a vertical upper wall part (417) adjacent to the upper side (107) of the tile (100, 201, 202, 301), and, adjacent to and located below said vertical upper wall part (417), an angled wall part (418) that angles inward toward a chamfered and/or curved lower wall part (419) of said distal side (416) of the downward tongue (410). An intermediate vertical wall part (420) may hereby be present between the angled wall part (418) and the chamfered and/or curved lower wall part (419). The lower wall part (419) of distal side (416) of the downward tongue (410) may moreover be connected to the lower side (415) of the downward tongue (410). The upper side (421) of the second downward recess (412) is in the depicted tile (100, 201, 202, 301) inclined downwardly towards the second downward flank (411). The second coupling profile (105) may furthermore comprise at least one second locking element (422) which may, in a coupled position, co-act with a third locking element (440) of a third coupling profile (106) of an adjacent tile (100, 201, 202, 301) to establish a vertical lock between the tiles (100, 201, 202, 301). The second locking element (422) may hereto be provided at the second downward flank (411) of the second coupling profile (105). In the presently depicted tile (100, 201, 202, 301), the second locking element (422) comprises at least one second locking groove (423) adapted to at least partially receive the outward bulge (443) of the third locking element (440) of an adjacent coupled tile (100, 201, 202, 301) for the purpose of realizing a (vertically) locked coupling.
(22) The coupling profiles (104, 105, 106) of each of the multi-purpose tiles (100, 201, 202, 301) shown in FIGS. 4a and 4b are provided with chamfers (bevels) (450) at or near the upper side (107) of the tiles (100, 201, 202, 301). The tiles (100, 201, 202, 301) comprise an upper substrate (451) affixed to an upper side (453) of a base layer (452) to which the first, second and third coupling profiles (104, 105, 106) are integrally connected. The base layer (452) is provided with at least one reinforcing layer (454) incorporated in the base layer (452). The upper substrate (451) comprises a decorative layer (455), an abrasion resistant wear layer (456) covering said decorative layer (455) and a transparent finishing layer (457) situated in between the decorative layer (455) and the wear layer (456). The tiles (100, 201, 202, 301) moreover comprise a backing layer (458) affixed to a bottom side (459) of the base layer (452).
(23) FIGS. 5a-5c show a cross-section of two multi-purpose tiles (100, 201, 202, 301) as shown in FIG. 1a, 2a or 3a in a first, second and third coupled condition respectively. In these figures it can be seen that in coupled condition, at least a part of the sideward tongue (400) of the first coupling profile (104) of a tile (100, 201, 202, 301) is inserted into the third recess (430) of the third coupling profile (106) of an adjacent tile (100, 201, 202, 301), and at least a part of the upward locking element (433) of the third coupling profile (106) is inserted into the first downward recess (402) of the first coupling profile (104). To establish a fixation in the mutual position of the first coupling profile (104) and the third coupling profile (106), a lower side (405) of the sideward tongue (400) of the first coupling profile (104) may hereby be supported by a lower surface (500) of the third recess (430) of the third coupling profile (106). The first edge (101) and the third edge (103), in coupled condition, define a first closing surface (501) defined as a first vertical plane (502) through the upper edges (503) of the coupled tiles (100, 201, 202, 301). Each of the sideward tongue (400) and the third recess (430) hereby extends through said first vertical plane (502). In the shown embodiments, the first and third coupling profiles (104, 106) respectively comprise a first and third locking element (407, 440). The, optional, first and third locking element (407, 440) are hereby positioned such that the first locking element (407) is facing and co-acting with the third locking element (440) of the third coupling profile (106) to realise a vertical locking effect.
(24) FIGS. 5a-5c moreover show that in coupled condition, at least a part of the downward tongue (410) of the second coupling profile (105) is inserted in the third recess (430) of the third coupling profile (106), and at least a part of the upward locking element (433) of the third coupling profile (106) is inserted in the second downward recess (412) of the second coupling profile (105). To establish a fixation in the mutual position of the second coupling profile (105) and the third coupling profile (106), a lower side (415) of the downward tongue (410) of the second coupling profile (105) may hereby be supported by a lower surface (500) of the third recess (430) of the third coupling profile (106). The second edge (102) and the third edge (103), in coupled condition, define a second closing surface (504) defining a second vertical plane (505) through the upper edges (503) of the coupled tiles (100, 201, 202, 301). The downward tongue (410) is hereby positioned at one side of said second vertical plane (505), while the third recess (430) extends through said second vertical plane (505). In the shown embodiments, the second coupling profile (105) moreover comprises a second locking element (422). Said second locking element (422) is facing and co-acting with the third locking element (440) of the third coupling profile (106) to realise a vertical locking effect.
(25) FIGS. 6a-6c show a cross-section of two multi-purpose tiles (600) with alternative coupling profiles (601, 602, 603) in a first, second and third coupled condition respectively. Wherein the coupling profiles (104, 105, 106) of the tiles (100, 201, 202, 301) shown in FIGS. 5a-5c are configured such that in a coupled condition, (substantially) no pretension exists between the coupling profiles (104, 105, 106), the coupling profiles (601, 602, 603) of the tiles (600) shown in FIGS. 6a-6c are configured such that in coupled condition a pretension is existing, which forces the respective tiles (600) at their respective edges (604) towards each other. In the shown embodiments of the coupling profiles (601, 602, 603), the pretension is the result of a (local) deformation of the coupling profiles (601, 602, 603).
(26) FIGS. 7a-7c show a cross-section of two multi-purpose tiles (700) with further alternative coupling profiles (701, 702, 703) in a first, second and third coupled condition respectively. In this embodiment of the third coupling profile (703), no recess is present at the lower side (705) of the lower lip (704) thereof. In the depicted multi-purpose tiles (700), the first coupling profile (701) moreover comprises another first locking element (706), provided at a distal side (707) of the first coupling profile (701), being located above at least a part of the sideward tongue (708). In addition, the second coupling profile (702) comprises another second locking element (709), provided at a distal side (711) of the downward tongue (710) facing away from the second downward recess (712). The third coupling profile (703) also comprises another, third, locking element (713), provided at a side (715) of the upper lip (714). In the coupled conditions shown in FIGS. 7a and 7b, the additional third locking element (713) faces the distal side (707) of the first coupling profile (701) of the adjacent tile (700), while in the coupled condition shown in FIG. 7c, the additional third locking element (713) faces the distal side (711) of the downward tongue (710) of the second coupling profile (702) of an adjacent tile (700). Further depicted in FIGS. 7a-7c is the co-action between the additional first or second locking element (706, 709) and the additional third locking element (713) for creating a vertical locking effect in coupled condition of two tiles (700), defines a tangent T1 (716) which encloses an angle A1 (717) with a plane (718) defined by the tile (700), which angle A1 (717) is smaller than an angle A2 (719) enclosed by said plane (718) defined by the tile (700) and a tangent T2 (720) defined by a co-action between an inclined part of a proximal side (722) of the upward locking element (721) facing toward the third recess (723) and an inclined part of a proximal side (724) of the downward tongue (710) facing toward the second downward flank (725) respectively an inclined part of a proximal side (726) of the sideward tongue (708) facing toward the first downward flank (727).
(27) In the embodiments of the coupling profiles (701, 702, 703) shown in FIGS. 7a-7c, the first coupling profile (701) and the third coupling profile (703) respectively the second coupling (702) and the third coupling profile (703) are configured such that in coupled condition a plurality of distant contact zones (728) are present, wherein in between each pair of adjacent contact zones (728) a space (729) remains. Specifically, FIGS. 7a and 7b show that the first downward flank (727) of the first coupling profile (701) and a distal side (730) of the upward locking element (721) and the lower lip (704) of the third coupling profile (703), facing the first downward flank (727), are positioned at a distance from each other. Additionally, the upper side (731) of the upward locking element (721) of the third coupling profile (703) is positioned at a distance from the upper side (733) of the first downward recess (732) of the first coupling profile (701). In FIG. 7c one can see that the second downward flank (725) of the second coupling profile (702) and a distal side (730) of the upward locking element (721) and the lower lip (704) of the third coupling profile (703), facing the second downward flank (725), are positioned at a distance from each other. In addition, the upper side (731) of the upward locking element (721) of the third coupling profile (703) is positioned at a distance from the upper side (734) of the second downward recess (712) of the second coupling profile (702).
(28) Hence, the above-described inventive concepts are illustrated by several illustrative embodiments. It is conceivable that individual inventive concepts may be applied without, in so doing, also applying other details of the described example. It is not necessary to elaborate on examples of all conceivable combinations of the above-described inventive concepts, as a person skilled in the art will understand numerous inventive concepts can be (re)combined in order to arrive at a specific application. It is explicitly emphasized here that all mathematical combinations are possible among the features mentioned above and referred to in the claims as filed, as far as the respectively obtained combination does not include any contradictory characteristics. In this manner, this application thus also forms a reservoir of possibilities of claimed subject-matter.
(29) It will be apparent that the invention is not limited to the working examples shown and described herein, but that numerous variants are possible within the scope of the attached claims that will be obvious to a person skilled in the art.
(30) The verb “comprise” and conjugations thereof used in this patent publication are understood to mean not only “comprise”, but are also understood to mean the phrases “contain”, “substantially consist of”, “formed by” and conjugations thereof.
