Modular flooring

Abstract

A flooring system comprising a plurality of tiles ( 1 ), and at least one hinge, each hinge ( 5 ), being adapted to be releasably connected along adjacent edges of two tiles so as to join the two tiles together and allow the tiles to pivot relative to one another.

1 . A flooring system comprising: a plurality of tiles, and at least one hinge, each hinge being adapted to be releasably connected along adjacent edges of two tiles so as to join the two tiles together and allow the tiles to pivot relative to one another. 
   
   
       2 . (canceled) 
   
   
       3 . (canceled) 
   
   
       4 . (canceled) 
   
   
       5 . (canceled) 
   
   
       6 . (canceled) 
   
   
       7 . (canceled) 
   
   
       8 . (canceled) 
   
   
       9 . (canceled) 
   
   
       10 . (canceled) 
   
   
       11 . (canceled) 
   
   
       12 . (canceled) 
   
   
       13 . (canceled) 
   
   
       14 . (canceled) 
   
   
       15 . (canceled) 
   
   
       16 . (canceled) 
   
   
       17 . (canceled) 
   
   
       18 . A flooring system as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the hinge elements are made of a memory rubber. 
   
   
       19 . A flooring system as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the tiles are provided with recesses for locating the hinge elements near the top surface of the tile. 
   
   
       20 . A flooring system as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the tiles are made from recycled polypropylene. 
   
   
       21 . A flooring system as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the hinge comprises an elongate hinge element which extends along between the adjacent edges of the two tiles. 
   
   
       22 . A flooring system as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the binge is connectable and releasable without the use of tools. 
   
   
       23 . A flooring system as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the tiles are square or rectangular. 
   
   
       24 . A flooring system as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the hinge is releasable even when connected to tiles in the centre of a floor. 
   
   
       25 . A flooring system as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the hinge comprises a flexible material, and the tiles are pivotable relative to one another through bending of the flexible hinge. 
   
   
       26 . A flooring system as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the hinge comprises a resilient material. 
   
   
       27 . A flooring system as claimed in  claim 25 , wherein the releasable connection to the tiles is achieved by elastically deforming the hinge to engage and disengage the hinge with the tile. 
   
   
       28 . A flooring system as claimed in  claim 27 , wherein the hinge is elastically deformed along its length. 
   
   
       29 . A flooring system as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the floor tiles include cavities on an underside of the tile. 
   
   
       30 . A flooring system as claimed in  claim 29 , wherein the cavities comprise two intersecting channels across the width of the underside of the tile. 
   
   
       31 . A flooring system as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of tiles are connected together along adjacent edges by hinges to form a floor, the hinges allowing the floor to be rolled up around a central support. 
   
   
       32 . A flooring system as claimed in  claim 31 , wherein the tiles are square or rectangular and hinges of the same type connect adjacent edges of the tiles together. 
   
   
       33 . A flooring system as claimed in  claim 32 , including a central support which is in the form of an elongate polygonal prism having sides which correspond in width to the edges of the tiles so that the tiles in the layer closest to the central support when rolled around the central support binge at locations corresponding to the apices of the elongate polygonal prism. 
   
   
       34 . A flooring system as claimed in  claim 33  wherein the elongate polygonal prism is hexagonal in cross-section. 
   
   
       35 . A flooring system as claimed in  claim 33  wherein the central support is hollow and provides a case for carrying other items. 
   
   
       36 . A flooring system as claimed in  claim 31  when rolled up around a central support, the roll of connected tiles being retained in a storage configuration by a wrap formed from a sheet of flexible material corresponding in width to the length of the central support, and having straps with attachment means to secure the wrap around the roll of connected tiles. 
   
   
       37 . (canceled)