WO2006061709A1

WO2006061709A1 - Walk-on back-lit tile for tiling floors and walls in general

Info

Publication number: WO2006061709A1
Application number: PCT/IB2005/003721
Authority: WO
Inventors: Giancarlo Miani
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2004-12-10
Filing date: 2005-12-09
Publication date: 2006-06-15
Anticipated expiration: 2007-06-10
Also published as: WO2006061709A8; ITTO20040867A1

Abstract

A walk-on back-lit tile (1) for tiling floors and walls in general provided with an external box-type container (2), a first flat slab (3) in transparent and/or semitransparent material fixed to the box-type container (2) sealing the opening of the same so as to define the visible face of the walk-on back-lit tile (1), of a second flat slab (4) in transparent or semitransparent material positioned inside the box-type container (2) so as to be substantially parallel to and which substantially follows the shape of the peripheral edge of the second flat slab (4) and is sized so as to be fitted inside the box-type container (2) covering the peripheral edge of the front face (4a) of the second flat slab (4) so as to be interposed between the first (3) and the second flat slab (4) ; the second flat slab (4) being structured so as to cause the progressive outflow of light through the surface of their front face (4a) and the walk-on back-lit tile (1) being further provided with at least one longitudinal development light source (7) which is positioned inside the box-type container (2) under the spacer frame (5), facing a corresponding side edge of the second flat slab (4) so as to project the light produced directly into the body of the second flat slab (4) through the side edge.

Description

WALK-ON BACK-LIT TILE FOR TILING FLOORS AND WALLS IN GENERAL

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a walk-on back-lit tile for tiling floors and walls in general. BACKGROUND ART

As it is known, in recent years a number of models of back-lit tiles have appeared on the market, theoretically usable in the construction of flooring and wall cladding in general.

Unfortunately however the back-lit tiles so far produced have not met with particular commercial success because the light projecting from the front or "visible" view of the tile does not have uniform distribution, thus resulting aesthetically unattractive.

In addition to the above considerations, the back-lit tiles currently known are so thick and have such high production costs that they are, in effect, not marketable.

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION

The object of the present invention is therefore to construct a walk-on back-lit tile for tiling floors and walls in general that is free from the above described drawbacks. According to the present invention a walk-on back-lit tile for tiling floors and walls in general has been constructed as defined in claim 1 and possibly in any of the subsequent claims, directly or indirectly depending from claim 1.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, illustrating a non-limitative embodiment thereof, in which: - figure 1 is an exploded perspective view of a walk- on back-lit tile for tiling floors and walls in general constructed according to the teachings of the present invention, with parts removed for reasons of clarity;

- figure 2 is a sectional side view of the walk-on back-lit tile illustrated in figure 1 with parts removed for clarity; while

- figures 3 and 4 are two sectional views of as many variants of the walk-on back-lit tile illustrated in figures 1 and 2. BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

With reference to figures 1 and 2, it is indicated as a whole by 1 a walk-on back-lit tile that is particularly suitable for use in the construction of traditional and raised floors and for wall cladding in general. The walk-on back-lit tile 1 essentially comprises an external pan or box-type container 2 of a preferably, but not necessarily, parallelepiped shape; a first flat slab 3 in transparent and/or seiαitransparent material that has a complementary shape to that of the opening of the box- type container 2, i.e. has a substantially rectangular or square shape, and is fixed to the box-type container 2 to seal the upper opening of the same so as to define the "visible" face of the walk-on back-lit tile 1; and a second flat slab 4 in transparent or semitransparent material that has a shape substantially equal to that of the flat slab 3, i.e. has a substantially rectangular or square shape, and is positioned inside the box-type container 2 so as to be parallel and facing the flat slab 3.

Additionally to the above, the walk-on back-lit tile 1 also comprises a spacer frame 5 that is substantially similar in shape to the peripheral edge of the flat slab 4, i.e. has a rectangular or square shape, and is sized so as to be fitted inside the box-type container 2 covering the front face 4a of the flat slab 4, or better the peripheral edge of the same, so as to be interposed between the flat slab 3 and the flat slab 4 so as to hold the rear face 3b of the flat slab 3 parallel and facing the front face 4a of the flat slab 4, at a preset distance di from the same. That distance is obviously equal to the thickness of the spacer frame 5. With reference to figures 1 and 2, in particular, the spacer frame 5 is shaped so as that the central passing aperture has a diverging profile, i.e. has a substantially truncated-pyramidal shape, and is positioned inside the box-type container 2 with the two faces abutly arranged respectively on the flat slab 3 and on the flat slab 4 so as to form, with the above- mentioned flat slabs 3 and 4, a closed reverberation chamber of substantially truncated-pyramidal form diverging towards the flat slab 3. That slab precisely forms the "visible" face of the walk-on back-lit tile 1.

More precisely, with reference to figure 2, the spacer frame 5 is shaped such that its four internal sides, hereinafter indicated by the numeral 5a, are defined by as many flat surfaces inclined of an angle α with a value between 40° and 80°, and preferably, but not necessarily, equal to 50°, with respect to the flat surface of the front face 4a of the flat slab 4.

In the example shown, in particular, the spacer frame 5 is formed of four straight longitudinal members 6, with a cross-section of a substantially rectangular trapezoidal shape, which are joined to each other at their heads so as to be arranged in parallel pairs and reciprocally facing, so as to form the four sides of a rectangle. More precisely, in the example illustrated each of the longitudinal members 6 has a cross-section of a rectangular trapezoid shape in which the oblique side is inclined 50° with respect to the two bases of the trapezoid and, therefore, to the surface of the immediately adjacent flat sheets 3 and 4. Obviously, the internal sides 5a of the spacer frame 5 need not necessarily all have the same angle α of inclination with respect to the flat surface 4a of the flat slab 4.

With reference to figure 2, the walk-on back-lit tile 1 also comprises one or more longitudinal development light sources 7, each of which is positioned inside the box-type container 2 under the spacer frame 5, facing and substantially in abutment with a respective side edge of the flat slab 4, and extends preferably, but not necessarily, for the entire length of the side edge itself of the flat slab 4 so as to be able to project the light produced directly inside the body of the flat slab 4 through the whole above-mentioned side edge. That light would remain trapped inside the body of the flat slab 4 in view of the same physical laws that regulate the spread of the light inside optical fibre cables, if the flat slab 4 were not specially structured so as to cause the progressive outflow of light through the surface of the front face 4a so as to be able to back-light the flat slab 3. In the example shown, in particular, the flat slab 4 is made preferably, but not necessarily, in polymethyl methacrylate (commonly known as Plexiglas or PMMA) or similar plastic material (such as polyester for example) , and is provided with a series of blind holes of very small diameter that are distributed in a suitable manner over the entire surface of the front face 4a so as to direct the light trapped inside the flat slab 4 outwards.

The progressive outflow of the light through the front face 4a of the flat slab 4 can also be obtained by subjecting the surface of the above-mentioned face to a process of superficial abrasion (sanding), satinizing or screen printing so as to locally increase the roughness of the surface of the flat slab 4. Instead, as concerns the longitudinal development light sources 7, in the example shown the walk-on back- lit tile 1 is provided with two light sources 7 which are abutly arranged with two opposing side edges of the flat slab 4, and each of these light sources 7 is essentially composed of a row of light emitting diodes 8, traditionally called "led", suitably fixed on a supporting flat strip 9, and of an electronic control unit (not shown) of a known type which is adapted to power on command the above-mentioned diodes 8, possibly adjusting the colour and intensity features of the light produced. With reference to figure 2, in the example shown, in particular, the flat strip 9 supporting the row of diodes 8 is inserted between the side edge of the flat slab 4 and the wall of the box-type container 2, under the corresponding longitudinal member 6 of the spacer frame 5, with the row of diodes 8 facing the side edge of the flat slab 4, while the electronic control unit is housed inside one of the other longitudinal members 6 of the spacer frame 5, as will be better explained below. With reference to figures 1 and 2, the walk-on back- lit tile 1 is preferably, but not necessarily, also provided with a coating film or opaque sheet 10, possibly also of a reflecting type, which is positioned on the bottom of the box-type container 2 directly facing the rear face 4b of the flat slab 4, so as to be able to reflect/spread back towards the flat slab 4 and, consequently, towards the flat slab 3, the light that accidentally leaks from the rear face 4b of the flat slab 4. Obviously, the film or opaque sheet 10 extends over the bottom of the box-type container 2 covering substantially the entire surface of the rear face 4b of the flat slab 4.

In the example shown, in particular, the film or opaque sheet 10 consists of a suitable layer 10 of opaque paint of a colour preferably, but not necessarily, white opaline which completely covers the internal surface of the box-type container 2 directly facing the rear face 4b of the flat slab 4.

Finally, with reference to figures 1 and 2, the walk- on back-lit tile 1 is preferably, but not necessarily, provided with a rear spacer frame which is adapted to be inserted into the box-type container 2, between the flat slab 4 and the bottom of the box-type container 2, so as to maintain the rear face 4b of the flat slab 4 at a preset distance d₂ from the film or opaque sheet 10, so as to form with the latter a second closed reverberation chamber.

In the example shown, in particular, the rear spacer frame is adapted to maintain the rear face 4b of the flat slab 4 at a distance d2 of about 2-3 millimetres from the coating film or opaque sheet 10, and is composed of a spacer disc 12 interposed between the flat slab 4 and the bottom of the box-type container 2, at the centre of the flat slab 4 itself, and of the four longitudinal members 6 which already form the spacer frame 6. Precisely, each of them has a tubular section and is provided with a longitudinal slit or passing notch having a width which approximates by excess the thickness of the flat slab 4, and extending continuously along the entire wall of the longitudinal member 6 corresponding to the oblique side of the rectangular trapezoid so as to allow the insertion of the side edge of the flat slab 4 into the longitudinal member 6 together with a possible longitudinal development light sources 7. In addition to the above, the longitudinal slit or passing notch is formed in the wall of the longitudinal member 6 so as to maintain the rear face 4b of the flat slab 4 at the distance d₂ from the film or opaque sheet 10, i.e. from the bottom of the box-type container 2.

In other words, the longitudinal members 6 that form the spacer frame 5 are the C-shaped profiled straight bars having a cross-section of a substantially rectangular trapezoidal shape, in which the oblique side is inclined at 50° with respect to the two bases of the trapezoid and forms a longitudinal channel adapted to receive the side edge of the flat slab 4 inside the longitudinal member 6 together with a possible longitudinal development light sources 7.

Obviously, with reference to figure 3, the spacer frame 5 can be completely separated from the rear spacer frame. In this case, the longitudinal members 6 are sized so as to rest on the front face 4a of the flat slab 4 and the rear spacer frame is composed of the spacer disc 12 and of four straight strips 13 of elongated rectangular section which are reciprocally coupled at the head so as to form a peripheral frame substantially equal to the shape of the peripheral edge of the transparent flat slab 4, i.e. has a rectangular or square shape, and is sized so as to be inserted into the box-type container 2 between the flat slab 4 and the bottom of the box-type container 2.

Obviously, the four straight strips 13 of an elongated rectangular section form a peripheral frame whose height is equal to the nominal distance d2 which separates the rear face 4b of the flat slab 4 from the film or opaque sheet 10, i.e. from the bottom of the box- type container 2. As concerns the spacer disc 12, in both cases it has a thickness greater than the nominal distance d_∑ which separates the rear face 4b of the flat slab 4 from the film or opaque sheet 10 so as to create a slight crowning in the flat slab 4 which facilitates the uniform distribution of the light.

Finally, with reference to figures 1 and 2, the flat slab 3 in the example shown consists of three sheets of tempered glass 14a, 14b and 14c separated by two adhesive films 15 in polyvinyl butyral (commonly known as PVB) or similar transparent or semi-transparent plastic material, such as polyurethane, all rigidly fixed to the box-type container 2 and to the spacer frame 5 preferably, but not necessarily, by means of an peripheral layer 16 of adhesive and with the possible interposition of a peripheral seal (not shown) . The glass sheet 14a turned towards the outside of the box-type container 2 is made of crystalline or extra-clear transparent glass, while at least one of the remaining glass sheets 14b and 14c is made of semitransparent white opaline glass.

More precisely, in the example shown, the glass sheet 14c directly facing the flat slab 4 is made of semitransparent white opaline glass, while the intermediate glass sheet 14b can be made either of crystalline transparent glass or in semitransparent white opaline glass. In substitution or alternative to using a glass sheet made of semitransparent white opaline glass, at least one of the two adhesive films 15 is made of semitransparent white opaline plastic material.

In addition to the above description, the adhesive film 15 that separates the glass sheet 14a from the glass sheet 14b can carry words and/or decorations made for example by screen printing.

The functioning of the walk-on back-lit tile 1 is easily inferred from the above description and the illustrations. The light produced by the longitudinal development light source (s) 7 positioned at the side edges of the flat slab 4 penetrates the body of the flat slab 4 through the side edges and then flows out progressively being distributed by the surface of the front face 4a so as to be able to back light the flat slab 3, while the reverberation chamber between the flat slab 3 and the flat slab 4 and the optional reverberation chamber between the flat slab 4 and the coating film or opaque sheet 10 make it possible to uniformly distribute the light over the entire surface of the "visible" face of the tile.

Instead, as concerns the spacer frame 5, experimental tests have shown that the presence of the internal sides 5a inclined with respect to the surface of the front face 4a of the flat slab 4 at an angle α of a value between 40° and 80° makes it possible to maximise the area of the flat slab 3 back-lit by the light flowing from the front face 4a of the flat slab 4, hiding from view the longitudinal members 6 and all underlying parts.

The rays of light that hit the surface of the front face 4a of the flat slab 4 in proximity of the internal sides 5a at an angle of incidence with respect to the vertical substantially equal to the specific limit angle of the material, are in fact reflected back towards the flat slab 3 without meeting any obstacle to its diffusion, and can therefore reach again the flat slab 3 in a position very close to the peripheral edge of the sheet and not directly illuminated by the light flowing from the front face 4a of the flat slab 4.

The advantages of the walk-on back-lit tile 1 above described and illustrated are evident: thanks to the particular construction solutions adopted, the "visible" face of the tile is back-lit up to the edge by a light of uniform intensity, thus making it possible to lay a number of tiles beside each other so as to create large extensions of back-lit flooring. In addition to the above description, the walk-on back-lit tile 1 has considerably lower production costs than the back-lit tiles currently known.

Finally, the particular structure adopted makes it possible to construct walk-on back-lit tiles 1 with a considerable lower thickness than that of any other type of back-lit tile currently known, with all the advantages that this brings.

Finally, it is clear that alterations and variations to the walk-on back-lit tile 1 above described and illustrated can be effected without however departing from the scope of the present invention.

For example, according to the design variant illustrated in figure 4, the longitudinal development light source (s) 7 are formed of traditional fluorescent gas discharge lamps 17 with straight fluorescent tubes, commonly known as ^Λneon tubes' , each of which is positioned inside a corresponding longitudinal member 6 with its straight fluorescent tube abutting with the side edge of the flat slab 4.

Claims

C L A I M S

1. A walk-on back-lit tile (1) for tiling floors and walls in general characterised in that it comprises an external box-type container (2), a first flat slab (3) in transparent and/or semitransparent material fixed to the box-type container (2) sealing the opening of the same so as to define the "visible" face of said walk-on back-lit tile (1), a second flat slab (4) in transparent or semitransparent material positioned inside the box-type container (2) so as to be substantially parallel and facing said first flat slab (3), and a spacer frame (5) that substantially follows the shape of the peripheral edge of the second flat slab (4) and is sized so as to be able to be inserted inside the box-type container (2) to cover the peripheral edge of the front face (4a) of said second flat slab (4) so as to be interposed between said first (3) and said second (4) flat slabs; the walk-on back-lit tile being further provided with at least one longitudinal development light source (7) which is positioned inside the box-type container (2) under said spacer frame (5), facing a corresponding side edge of said second flat slab (4) so as to be able to project the light produced directly inside the body of the second flat slab (4) through said side edge, whereas said second flat slab (4) being structured so as to cause the progressive outflow of light through the surface of its front face (4a) .

2. A walk-on back-lit tile according to claim 1, characterised in that said spacer frame (5) is shaped such that its central passing aperture has a divergent profile towards said first flat slab (3) .

3. A walk-on back-lit tile according to claim 2, characterised in that the box-type container (2) has a substantially parallelepiped shape, that said first (3) and second (4) flat slabs have a substantially rectangular shape and that said spacer frame (5) is shaped such that its central passing aperture has a substantially truncated pyramidal shape and is positioned inside the box-type container (2) so as to form with said first (3) and said second (4) flat slabs a reverberation chamber of a substantially truncated pyramidal shape diverging towards said first flat slab (3) .

4. A walk-on back-lit tile according to claim 3, characterised in that said spacer frame (5) is shaped such that at least one of its internal sides (5a) is defined by a flat surface that is inclined with respect to the surface of the front face (4a) of the first flat slab (4) at a preset angle (α) whose value is between 40° and 80°.

5. A walk-on back-lit tile according to any of the previous claims, characterised by further comprising a coating film or opaque sheet (10) positioned inside said box-type container (2) so as to be directly facing the rear face (4b) of said second flat slab (4) .

6. A walk-on back-lit tile according to claim 5, characterised in that it further comprises a rear spacer frame adapted to be inserted inside the box-type container (2) , between the second flat slab (4) and the bottom of said box-type container (2), so as to maintain the rear face (4b) of said second flat slab 4 at a preset distance (d2) from said film or opaque sheet (10), so as to form a second closed reverberation chamber.

7. A walk-on back-lit tile according to claim 6, characterised in that said rear spacer frame comprises a spacer disc (12) which is interposed between the second flat slab (4) and the bottom of the box-type container (2), at the centre of said second flat slab (4); said spacer disc (12) having a thickness greater than the nominal distance (do) that separates the rear face (4b) of the second flat slab (4) from the film or the opaque sheet (10) so as to create a crowning in said second flat slab (4) .

8. A walk-on back-lit tile according to any of the previous claims, characterised in that said light source

(7) comprises a row of light emitting diodes (8) fixed on a support flat base (9) .

9. A walk-on back-lit tile according to any of the previous claims from 1 to 7, characterised in that said light source (7) comprises a fluorescent gas discharge lamp (17) .

10. A walk-on back-lit tile according to any of the previous claims, characterised in that said second flat slab (4) has a series of blind holes suitably distributed over the surface of its front face (4a) .

11. A walk-on back-lit tile according to any of the previous claims, characterised in that said second flat slab (4) is made of polymethyl methacrylate or similar plastic material.

12. A walk-on back-lit tile according to any of the previous claims, characterised in that said first flat slab (3) comprises a plurality of glass sheets (14a, 14b, 14c) separated by adhesive films (15) in transparent or semitransparent plastic material.

13. A walk-on back-lit tile according to claim 12, characterised in that at least one of said glass sheets

(14a, 14b, 14c) is made of transparent glass.

14. A walk-on back-lit tile according to claim 12 or 13, characterised in that at least one of said glass sheets (14a, 14b, 14c) is made of semitransparent white opaline glass.

15. A walk-on back-lit tile according to claim 12, 13 or 14, characterised in that at least one of said adhesive films (15) is made of semitransparent white opaline plastic material.