초록 ▼

The present invention provides floor tiles and modular floors. The floor tiles may include a locking system that allows adjacent tiles to interlock, while also permitting a predetermined amount of lateral sliding relative to one another. The modular tiles may be injection molded, and a minor change

The present invention provides floor tiles and modular floors. The floor tiles may include a locking system that allows adjacent tiles to interlock, while also permitting a predetermined amount of lateral sliding relative to one another. The modular tiles may be injection molded, and a minor change in the mold facilitates variation to the amount of lateral slide allowed between interlocked tiles. The floor tiles may also provide three layers of traction, providing more sure footing than previous flooring systems. In addition, the floor tiles may comprise a two-tier suspension system that yields a flex or spring-like effect.

대표청구항 ▼

The invention claimed is: 1. A modular floor tile, comprising: a first open surface; a plurality of edge surfaces; a plurality of loops extending outwardly from at least one of the plurality of edge surfaces; a plurality of locking tab assemblies disposed in at least one of the plurality of edge su

The invention claimed is: 1. A modular floor tile, comprising: a first open surface; a plurality of edge surfaces; a plurality of loops extending outwardly from at least one of the plurality of edge surfaces; a plurality of locking tab assemblies disposed in at least one of the plurality of edge surfaces, each of the plurality of locking tab assemblies comprising a center post and opposed flanking hooks; wherein the plurality of loops is receptive of a plurality of center posts and the flanking hooks of an adjacent tile, wherein the flanking hooks snap fit over a lip of the locking loops. 2. A modular floor tile according to claim 1 wherein each of the plurality of loops comprises first and second lips protruding from first and second sides, respectively, of the loops. 3. A modular floor tile according to claim 1 wherein the plurality of loops and the center posts of the plurality of locking tab assemblies are sized with a lateral sliding clearance of at least 0.0625 inches. 4. A modular floor tile according to claim 1 wherein the plurality of loops and the center posts of the plurality of locking tab assemblies are sized with a lateral sliding clearance of at least 0.100 inches. 5. A modular floor tile according to claim 1, further comprising a plurality of support legs extending from the first open surface, the plurality of support legs comprising a first set of support legs having a first length, and a second set of support legs having a second length, the second length being shorter than the first length. 6. A modular floor tile according to claim 1, further comprising: a plurality of support legs extending from the first open surface, the plurality of support legs comprising a first set of support legs having a first length, and a second set of support legs having a second length, the second length being shorter than the first length; wherein the first and second sets of support legs are arranged in an alternating pattern comprising: a first leg of the first length; a group of four legs of the second length. 7. A modular floor tile according to claim 1 wherein the first open surface comprises at least three traction layers. 8. A modular floor tile according to claim 1, further comprising a plurality of biasing members disposed in at least one of the edge surfaces for maintaining spacing with an adjacent tile. 9. A modular floor tile according to claim 1, further comprising a plurality of cantilevered spring fingers extending at an angle from two of the edge surfaces for maintaining spacing with adjacent tiles. 10. A modular floor tile according to claim 1 wherein the plurality of locking tab assemblies comprise double locks, wherein each locking tab assembly remains slidingly locked if one of the flanking hooks breaks. 11. A floor apparatus, comprising: a modular floor, comprising: at least two injection molded modular tiles locked together and laterally movable toward and away from each other, each modular tile comprising: an open top surface; a plurality of edge surfaces; a plurality of loops extending outwardly from at least one of the plurality of edge surfaces; a plurality of locking tab assemblies disposed in at least one of the plurality of edge surfaces, each of the plurality of locking tab assemblies comprising a center post and opposed flanking hooks; wherein each of the plurality of loops is receptive of one of the plurality of center posts and a pair of the flanking hooks of an adjacent tile, wherein the flanking hooks snap fit over a lip of the locking loop. 12. A floor apparatus according to claim 11, further comprising a spring load between the at least two injection molded modular tiles biasing the tiles to a predetermined spacing. 13. A floor apparatus according to claim 11 wherein each of the at least two injection molded modular tiles comprises an open support surface, the open support surface comprising at least three layers of traction. 14. A floor apparatus according to claim 11 wherein each of the at least two injection molded modular tiles comprises a multiple-tier suspension system. 15. A floor apparatus according to claim 11 wherein each of the at least two injection molded modular tiles comprises a multiple-tier suspension system, the multiple-tier suspension system comprising a plurality of support legs, the plurality of support legs comprising a first set of support legs having a first length, and a second set of support legs having a second length, the second length being shorter than the first length. 16. A floor apparatus according to claim 11 wherein the at least two injection molded modular tiles comprise a plurality of tiles having, in combination, a series of lines corresponding to regulation lines of a sports court. 17. A flooring apparatus, comprising: a modular tile, the modular tile comprising: a top surface having open holes and at least three traction layers at different elevations; a multiple-tier suspension system; a locking system for attachment to identical modular tiles, the locking system allowing lateral displacement between the modular tile and adjacent modular tiles while locked, the locking system comprising: an open top surface; a plurality of edge surfaces; a plurality of loops extending outwardly from at least one of the plurality of edge surfaces; a plurality of locking tab assemblies disposed in at least one of the plurality of edge surfaces, each of the plurality of locking tab assemblies comprising a center post and opposed flanking hooks; wherein each of the plurality of loops is receptive of one of the plurality of center posts and a pair of the flanldng hooks of an adjacent tile, wherein the flanking hooks snap fit over a lip of the locking loop. 18. A flooring apparatus according to claim 17 wherein the multiple-tier suspension system comprises a plurality of support legs, the plurality of support legs comprising a first set of support legs having a first length, and a second set of support legs having a second length, the second length being shorter than the first length.