Devices and methods for using a flexible connector element in the construction of a floor

Abstract

The invention discloses methods and devices for sand-free floor construction. A rubber or otherwise flexible element is placed between anchoring blocks and final floor tiles so as to allow for easy manipulation and leveling of the floor blocks above the flexible element. Male and female joining elements may be employed to guarantee solid integration of floor tiles prior to grouting and floor completion. In some embodiments, sidewalks may be constructed over a plurality of blocks with finger-like projections adapted to hold sidewalk blocks in place without recourse to sand or mortar.

1 . A modular flooring system for facile floor construction, including:
 a plurality of blocks, said blocks forming a first floor layer, wherein said blocks are adapted to include a plurality of first joining elements facing upwards;   a plurality of floor tiles, said tiles forming a second, outwardly exposed floor layer; and,   mechanically flexible transducer elements, wherein a single transducer element is associated with a bottom portion of each of said floor tiles and includes a plurality of second joining elements complementary in number and shape to said first joining elements to allow for a solid connection between said blocks and said tiles.   
     
     
         2 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein said blocks are made of cement and said first joining elements include six to eight contact positions. 
     
     
         3 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein said tiles are selected from the following:
 granite, stone, glass, marble, wood, polymers, composite materials and Formica.   
     
     
         4 . The system according to  claim 2 , wherein said mechanically flexible transducer elements include six to eight receiving positions of appropriate size and location so as to receive said six to eight contact positions. 
     
     
         5 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein said transducer elements are made of one of the following: plastic, rubber, polymers, composite materials, and metal. 
     
     
         6 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein said transducer elements are glued to said bottom portion of said each of said floor tiles. 
     
     
         7 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein said flooring is constructed in a building. 
     
     
         8 . The system according to  claim 9 , wherein said flooring is realized as a plurality of floorings located on a plurality of floors of said building. 
     
     
         9 . A method for producing a floor, including the following:
 providing a surface on which a floor is to be constructed;   embedding a plurality of blocks in said surface, wherein said blocks are adapted to include a plurality of first joining elements facing upwards;   providing a plurality of floor tiles, each of said tiles adapted to include a mechanically flexible transducer layer bonded to a bottom side, wherein said transducer layer includes a plurality of second joining elements generally complementary to said first joining elements in number, size, and position;   attaching said second joining elements to said first joining elements so as to form a complete floor with said floor tiles covering said surface;   leveling said floor tiles by modifying contacts between said first joining elements and said second joining elements; and   applying grout between said floor tiles.   
     
     
         10 . The method according to  claim 9 , wherein said surface is made of concrete. 
     
     
         11 . The method according to  claim 10 , wherein said step of embedding includes anchoring said blocks to said concrete. 
     
     
         12 . The method according to  claim 9 , further including a step of bonding a mechanically flexible transducer element to a floor tile. 
     
     
         13 . The method according to  claim 9 , wherein said step of leveling involves tapping said floor tiles with a rubber-coated mallet until a leveling device shows that said floor tiles are evenly flat. 
     
     
         14 . A sidewalk including:
 a level area on which a sidewalk is to be constructed;   a block adapted to be placed on said area, wherein said block includes a plurality of first male joining elements pointing away from said area; and,   a plurality of sidewalk tiles, said tiles adapted to include female second joining elements generally realized as holes on a side adapted to be joined to said first male joining elements.   
     
     
         15 . The sidewalk according to  claim 14 , wherein said sidewalk tiles are realized as a plurality of unique sidewalk tiles.