Tile and Support Structure

摘要

An illustrative embodiment of a tile and support structure may include a plurality of tiles, which may be generally rectangular in shape, engaged with one or more support structures. The tile may be formed with four edges, wherein two opposing edges may be formed with grooves therein and the other two opposing edges may be formed with protrusions thereon. The support structure may be formed with a generally vertical spine having two rails extending outward from a distal end thereof. The support structure may also include two generally horizontally extending flanges, which may be formed with a trough therein. The trough may include a plurality of apertures formed therein. One side of the trough may be defined by a lip.

主权项

1. A tile and support structure comprising:
a) a rectangular tile having a height, a width, and a thickness, said rectangular tile comprising:
i) a first rectangular face, wherein said first rectangular face is configured to be generally facing upward during use;ii) a second rectangular face, wherein said second rectangular face is opposite said first rectangular face, wherein said first and second rectangular faces are separated by said thickness of said rectangular tile, and wherein a surface area of said first and second rectangular faces is defined by said height and said width of said rectangular tile;iii) a first, second, third, and fourth edge defining a periphery of said rectangular tile;iv) a groove formed in one of said first, second, third, or fourth edges; b) a support structure comprising:
i) a base having a first flange and a second flange extending horizontally, wherein said first and second flanges are opposed to one another, wherein said first and second flanges are each formed with a trough therein extending along an entire length of said base, wherein said first and second flanges have a flat top surface and a flat bottom surface from a first end of said first and second flanges to each said trough, wherein each said trough has a plurality of apertures formed therein along a length of each said trough, wherein a distal end of each said trough terminates at a lip having a flat top surface and a flat bottom surface, and wherein said flat top surface of said lip is collinear with said flat top surface of both said first and second flanges;ii) a spine engaged with said base, wherein said spine extends upward from a center of said base, and wherein said spine is generally perpendicular with respect to said base;iii) a tip engaged with said base, wherein said tip extends downward from said center of said base and is generally perpendicular with respect to said base;iv) a first rail extending from a terminal end of said spine, wherein said first rail is generally perpendicular with respect to said spine;v) a second rail extending from said terminal end of said spine, wherein said second rail is generally perpendicular with respect to said spine, wherein said support structure is generally symmetrical about a plane perpendicularly oriented with respect to said first and second rails and bisecting said spine, and wherein said first and second rails are configured to engage at least one said groove so as to secure a position of said rectangular tile with respect to said support structure in a direction parallel with respect to said thickness of said rectangular tile and simultaneously allow said rectangular tile to move with respect to said support structure in a direction parallel to said length of said rectangular tile.