INTERLOCKING ARCH TILE

摘要

Tiles having a matrix of interconnected vaults on its underside surface provides space for flow of heated or conditioned air, passages for electrical service conduits and wiring, or passages for drainage. In particular, each tile may comprise a solid rigid body having a substantially planar upper surface and thickness substantially less than upper surface linear dimensions. The underside surface has a set of concavities forming a matrix of vaults bounded and interconnected by archways. Each archway is characterized by a rise dimension that is less than a span dimension. The matrix of vaults defines a set of pendentives at each vault corner whose load-bearing bases are all substantially coplanar with one another so as to contact a supporting subfloor. Edges of the tile body have corresponding alternating laterally projecting extensions and indentations for forming (with some desired leeway) mortise-and-tenon joints between adjacent tiles.

主权项

1. A tile, comprising a solid rigid body having a substantially planar upper surface, a thickness substantially less than upper surface linear dimensions, and an underside surface with a set of concavities forming a matrix of vaults bounded and interconnected by archways, each archway characterized by a rise dimension that is less than a span dimension, the matrix of vaults defining a set of pendentives at each vault corner whose load-bearing bases are all coplanar with one another, edges of the tile body having corresponding alternating laterally projecting extensions and indentations for forming mortise-and-tenon joints between adjacent tiles.