초록 ▼

The principles described herein provide floor tiles and modular floors. The floor tiles may include small steps in a surface structure to increase traction. The floor tiles may also or alternatively include diagonal cross ribs to block the passage of debris and break liquid surface tension. The modu

The principles described herein provide floor tiles and modular floors. The floor tiles may include small steps in a surface structure to increase traction. The floor tiles may also or alternatively include diagonal cross ribs to block the passage of debris and break liquid surface tension. The modular tiles may be injection molded. The floor tiles may also provide multiple layers of traction, providing more sure footing than previous flooring systems. The floor tiles may provide multiple layers of traction, providing more sure footing than previous flooring systems.

대표청구항 ▼

The invention claimed is: 1. A modular floor tile, comprising: a first open top surface; a plurality of edge surfaces; an interlocking mechanism for attachment to adjacent tiles; a plurality of crossing surface members defining the first open surface, each of the plurality of crossing surface membe

The invention claimed is: 1. A modular floor tile, comprising: a first open top surface; a plurality of edge surfaces; an interlocking mechanism for attachment to adjacent tiles; a plurality of crossing surface members defining the first open surface, each of the plurality of crossing surface members comprising: a central top portion; opposing side portions; a first set of spaced ribs generally parallel to a first of the plurality of edge surfaces; a second set of spaced ribs generally parallel to a second of the plurality of edge surfaces, the first and second edge surfaces being orthogonal; a protrusion extending upwardly from each intersection between the first and second sets of spaced ribs; a step disposed in the side portions, wherein the step is disposed in the side portions at an elevation below the central top portion and includes first and second step surfaces that intersect each other. 2. A modular floor tile according to claim 1 wherein the step disposed in the side portions is a generally square step down from the central top portion. 3. A modular floor tile according to claim 1 wherein the protrusion is generally circular. 4. A modular floor tile according to claim 1 wherein the first open top surface comprises a rectangle, and the plurality of crossing surface members form a plurality of congruent rectangles. 5. A modular floor tile according to claim 1 wherein the first open top surface comprises a square, and the plurality of crossing surface members form a plurality of congruent squares. 6. A modular floor tile according to claim 1 wherein the first open top surface comprises a first elevation; and further comprising: a cross rib extending between the crossing surface members at a second elevation below the first elevation. 7. A modular floor tile according to claim 1 wherein the first open top surface comprises a first elevation; and further comprising: a cross rib extending diagonally between the crossing surface members at a second elevation below the first elevation. 8. A modular floor tile according to claim 1 wherein the first and second sets of ribs forming a plurality of rectangles; a lower rib extending diagonally between each of the plurality of rectangles at an elevation below the first open surface. 9. A modular floor tile according to claim 1 wherein the first and second step surfaces are arranged generally perpendicular to each other. 10. An apparatus, comprising: a modular floor, the modular floor comprising: a plurality of interlocking tiles, each of the plurality of interlocking tiles comprising: a top surface comprising a plurality of open holes, wherein the top surface further comprises a plurality of edges and a step disposed in each edge, wherein the step is disposed in each edge at an elevation below the top surface, and wherein the step includes first and second step surfaces that intersect each other, wherein the plurality of open holes are defined by a plurality of crossing members that comprise: a first set of spaced ribs generally parallel to a first of the plurality of edges; a second set of spaced ribs generally parallel to a second of the plurality of edges, the first and second edge surfaces being orthogonal; a protrusion extending upwardly from each intersection between the first and second sets of spaced ribs; a lower rib disposed across each of the plurality of open holes at an elevation below the top surface; wherein each of the plurality of interlocking tiles comprises four edge surfaces forming a rectangle, and wherein the lower rib is arranged diagonal to the four edge surfaces. 11. An apparatus according to claim 10 wherein the plurality of crossing members form squares, and wherein the lower rib is arranged diagonal to the squares. 12. An apparatus according to claim 10 wherein the plurality of crossing members form squares, each of the crossing members having opposing edges comprising a step down from the top surface. 13. An apparatus according to claim 10 wherein the first and second step surfaces are arranged perpendicular to each other. 14. An apparatus, comprising: a modular floor, the modular floor comprising: a plurality of interlocking tiles, each of the plurality of interlocking tiles comprising: a top surface structure comprising a plurality of open holes, wherein the top surface structure further comprises a plurality of edges and a step disposed in each edge, wherein the step is disposed in each edge at an elevation below the top surface structure, and wherein the step includes first and second step surfaces that intersect each other, wherein the plurality of open holes are defined by a plurality of crossing members that comprise: a first set of spaced ribs generally parallel to a first of the plurality of edges; a second set of spaced ribs generally parallel to a second of the plurality of edges, the first and second edge surfaces being orthogonal; a protrusion extending upwardly from each intersection between the first and second sets of spaced ribs; a leaf blocking member disposed across each of the plurality of open holes at an elevation below the top surface structure. 15. An apparatus according to claim 14 wherein the leaf blocking member is sized to block leaves of 0.25 inches across and larger from passing through the open holes. 16. An apparatus according to claim 14 wherein the leaf blocking member comprises a rib extending diagonally across each of the plurality of open holes. 17. An apparatus according to claim 14 wherein the leaf blocking member is non-parallel to any sides of the interlocking tiles. 18. An apparatus according to claim 14 wherein the first and second step surfaces are arranged generally perpendicular to each other. 19. An apparatus, comprising: a rectangular modular tile, the rectangular modular tile comprising: a top surface comprising a plurality of open holes wherein the top surface further comprises a plurality of edges and a step disposed in each edge, wherein the step is disposed in each edge at an elevation below the top surface, and wherein the step includes first and second step surfaces that intersect each other, wherein the plurality of open holes are defined by a plurality of crossing members that comprise: a first set of spaced ribs generally parallel to a first of the plurality of edges; a second set of spaced ribs generally parallel to a second of the plurality of edges, the first and second edge surfaces being orthogonal; a protrusion extending upwardly from each intersection between the first and second sets of spaced ribs; four edge surfaces defining a perimeter of the rectangular tile; a rib disposed across each of the plurality of open holes in a non-parallel orientation with respect to any of the four edge surfaces. 20. An apparatus according to claim 19 wherein the rectangular modular tile comprises a square. 21. An apparatus according to claim 19 wherein the rib is oriented between approximately 20 and 70 degrees with respect to the four edge surfaces. 22. An apparatus according to claim 19 wherein the rib is oriented at approximately 45 degrees with respect to the four edge surfaces. 23. An apparatus according to claim 19 wherein the rib is diagonal to the four edge surfaces. 24. An apparatus according to claim 19 wherein the rib comprises a lower elevation than the top surface. 25. An apparatus according to claim 19 wherein the top surface comprises a plurality of rectangles, each rectangle comprising an inside and an outside edge, wherein each of the inside and outside edges comprise a step. 26. An apparatus according to claim 19 wherein the top surface comprises a plurality of rectangles, each rectangle comprising an inside and an outside edge, wherein each of the inside and outside edges comprise a step, wherein the step is 0.05 inches down from the top surface. 27. An apparatus according to claim 19, further comprising a plurality of the rectangular modular tiles interconnected to form a sports court, each of the plurality of rectangular modular tiles comprising: a top surface comprising a plurality of open holes; four edge surfaces defining a perimeter of the rectangular tiles; a rib disposed across each of the plurality of open holes in a non-parallel orientation with respect to any of the four edge surfaces; a step in all side edges defining the plurality of open holes. 28. An apparatus according to claim 19 wherein the first and second step surfaces are arranged generally perpendicular to each other.