Tile and support structure

Abstract

In one aspect of a tile and support structure, a support structure may be engaged with a top portion of a pedestal. The support structure may be formed with a generally vertical spine having at least one rail extending outward from a distal end thereof. The spine and rail(s) may be configured to secure one or more tiles, which tiles may be formed with a groove on at least one edge thereof, and wherein one or more rails may be positioned within the groove.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A roof support structure comprising:
 a. channel portion comprising:
 i. a first side member that is generally vertically oriented; 
 ii. a second side member that is generally vertically oriented and parallel to said first side member; 
   b. a support structure comprising:
 i. a base having a first flange and a second flange extending horizontally, wherein a distal end of said first flange is secured to a top edge of said first side member, wherein a distal end of said second flange is secured to a top edge of said second side member, wherein said first and second flanges are each formed with a flat top surface, and wherein each said flange has a plurality of apertures formed therein along a length of each said flange; 
 ii. a spine engaged with said base, wherein said spine extends upward from a center of said base, and wherein said spine is generally perpendicular with respect to said base; 
 iii. a first rail extending from a terminal end of said spine, wherein said first rail is generally perpendicular with respect to said spine; 
 iv. a second rail extending from said terminal end of said spine, wherein said second rail is generally perpendicular with respect to said spine, wherein said support structure is generally symmetrical about a plane perpendicularly oriented with respect to said first and second rails and bisecting said spine 
   
     
     
         2 . The roof support structure according to  claim 1  wherein said channel portion further comprises a notch formed in said first side member extending along a length of said first side member and a notch formed in said second side member extending along a length of said second side member. 
     
     
         3 . The roof support structure according to  claim 2  wherein said channel portion further comprises a first bottom member secured to a bottom edge of said first side member and a second bottom member secured to a bottom edge of said second side member. 
     
     
         4 . The roof support structure according to  claim 2  wherein said channel portion further comprises a bottom member secured at a first end of said bottom member to a bottom edge of said first side member and at a second end of said bottom member to a bottom edge of said second side member. 
     
     
         5 . The roof support structure according to  claim 2  wherein said roof support structure is configured to engage a pedestal. 
     
     
         6 . The roof support structure according to  claim 5  wherein said roof support structure engages said pedestal at said notch formed in said first said member and said notch formed in said second side member. 
     
     
         7 . The roof support structure according to  claim 2  wherein said roof support structure further comprises an inner member positioned between said first and second side members. 
     
     
         8 . A tile and support structure comprising:
 a. a tile having a major height, a major width, and a thickness, said tile comprising:
 i. a first face, wherein said first face is configured to be generally facing upward during use; 
 ii. a second face, wherein said second face is opposite said first face, and wherein said first and second faces are separated by said thickness of said tile; 
 iii. an edge defining a portion of a periphery of said tile; 
 iv. a groove formed in said edge; 
   b. a support structure comprising:
 i. a base with a generally planar upward-facing surface; 
 ii. a plurality of anchors positioned along a length of said base; 
   c. a retaining element having an aperture in a generally geometric center thereof;   d. a fastener configured to selectively engage one of said anchors at a first portion of said fastener, wherein said first portion of said fastener is configured to pass through said aperture in said retaining element, and wherein a thickness of said retaining element is sized and shaped such that it may be positioned in said groove in said edge of said tile.
 i. a first side member that is generally vertically oriented; 
 ii. a second side member that is generally vertically oriented and parallel to said first side member; 
   
     
     
         9 . The tile and support structure according to  claim 8  wherein said retaining element further comprises a neck, wherein said neck extends downward from a bottom surface of said retaining element, and wherein said neck limits a distance said first portion of said fastener may penetrate said anchor. 
     
     
         10 . The tile and support structure according to  claim 9  wherein said support structure further comprises a first side member and a second side member that extend downward from said base. 
     
     
         11 . A method of securing a plurality of tiles in three dimensions, said method comprising:
 a. positioning a first support structure in a first direction, wherein said first support structure is configured as an elongate rail, and wherein said first support structure comprises:
 i. a base with a generally planar upward-facing surface; 
 ii. a plurality of anchors positioned along a length of said base; 
   b. positioning a second support structure in said first direction, wherein said second support structure is configured as an elongate rail, wherein said first and second support structures are parallel with respect to one another and separated from one another by a first distance, and wherein said second support structure comprises:
 i. a base with a generally planar upward-facing surface; 
 ii. a plurality of anchors positioned along a length of said base; 
   c. positioning a first tile of said plurality on said generally planar upward-facing surface of said first support structure and said generally planar upward-facing surface of said second support structure, wherein said tile first tile has a major height, a major width, and a thickness, and wherein first tile comprises:
 i. a first face, wherein said first face is configured to be generally facing upward during use; 
 ii. a second face, wherein said second face is opposite said first face, and wherein said first and second faces are separated by said thickness of said tile; 
 iii. an edge defining a portion of a periphery of said tile; 
 iv. a groove formed in said edge; 
   d. positioning a first portion of a retainer in said groove;   e. aligning an aperture formed in a geometric center of said retainer with a first anchor of said plurality;   f. inserting a first portion of a fastener through said aperture in said retainer;   g. engaging said first portion of said fastener with said first anchor thereby securing a relative position of said first tile with respect to said first and second support structures simultaneously in a vertical dimension and a first horizontal dimension perpendicular to said length of said bases of said first and second support structures;   h. positioning a second tile of said plurality on said generally planar upward-facing surface of said first support structure and said generally planar upward-facing surface of said second support structure, wherein said second tile has a major height, a major width, and a thickness, and wherein second tile comprises:
 i. a first face, wherein said first face is configured to be generally facing upward during use; 
 ii. a second face, wherein said second face is opposite said first face, and wherein said first and second faces are separated by said thickness of said second tile; 
 iii. an edge defining a portion of a periphery of said second tile; 
 iv. a second edge defining a second portion of said periphery of said second tile; 
 v. a groove formed in said edge; 
   i. ensuring that said second edge of said second tile is positioned adjacent a structure configured to secure a relative position of said second tile with respect to said first and second support structures simultaneously in said vertical dimension and said first horizontal dimension, and simultaneously securing said relative position of said first tile with respect to said first and second support structures in a second horizontal dimension parallel to said length of said bases of said first and second support structures;   j. positioning a first portion of a second retainer in said groove of said second tile;   k. aligning an aperture formed in a geometric center of said second retainer with a second anchor of said plurality;   l. inserting a first portion of a second fastener through said aperture in said second retainer; and,   m. engaging said first portion of said second fastener with said second anchor thereby securing a relative position of said second tile with respect to said first and second support structures simultaneously in said vertical dimension and said first horizontal dimension. perpendicular to said length of said bases of said first and second support structures   
     
     
         12 . The method according to  claim 11  further comprising the steps of:
 a. positioning a third support structure in said first direction, wherein said third support structure is configured as an elongate rail, wherein said second and third support structures are parallel with respect to one another and separated from one another by a second distance, and wherein said third support structure comprises:
 i. a base with a generally planar upward-facing surface; 
 ii. a plurality of anchors positioned along a length of said base; 
 
 b. positioning a third tile of said plurality on said generally planar upward-facing surface of said second support structure and said generally planar upward-facing surface of said third support structure, wherein said third tile has a major height, a major width, and a thickness, and wherein third tile comprises:
 i. a first face, wherein said first face is configured to be generally facing upward during use; 
 ii. a second face, wherein said second face is opposite said first face, and wherein said first and second faces are separated by said thickness of said third tile; 
 iii. an edge defining a portion of a periphery of said third tile; 
 iv. a second edge defining a second portion of said periphery of said third tile; 
 v. a groove formed in said edge; 
 vi. a second groove formed in said second edge; 
 
 c. ensuring that said second groove of said third tile is positioned adjacent said retainer, such that a second portion of said retainer is positioned in said second groove of said third tile; 
 d. positioning a first portion of a third retainer in said groove of said third tile; 
 e. aligning an aperture formed in a geometric center of said third retainer with a first anchor of said plurality of anchors in said third support structure; and, 
 f. inserting a first portion of a fastener through said aperture in said third retainer; 
 g. engaging said first portion of said third fastener with said first anchor of said third support structure, thereby securing a relative position of said third tile with respect to said second and third support structures simultaneously in said vertical dimension and said first horizontal dimension. 
 
     
     
         13 . The method according to  claim 12  wherein said first support structure further comprises a plurality of apertures formed therein. 
     
     
         14 . A method of building a roof covering comprising the steps of:
 a. positioning and securing a first roof support structure in a first direction on an underlying surface, said first roof support structure comprising:
 i. a channel portion comprising a first side member that is generally vertically oriented and a second side member that is generally vertically oriented and parallel to said first side member; 
 ii. a support structure comprising:
 1. a base having a first flange and a second flange extending horizontally, wherein a distal end of said first flange is secured to a top edge of said first side member, wherein a distal end of said second flange is secured to a top edge of said second side member, wherein said first and second flanges are each formed with a flat top surface, and wherein each said flange has a plurality of apertures formed therein along a length of each said flange; 
 2. a spine engaged with said base, wherein said spine extends upward from a center of said base, and wherein said spine is generally perpendicular with respect to said base; 
 3. a first rail extending from a terminal end of said spine, wherein said first rail is generally perpendicular with respect to said spine; 
 4. a second rail extending from said terminal end of said spine, wherein said second rail is generally perpendicular with respect to said spine, wherein said support structure is generally symmetrical about a plane perpendicularly oriented with respect to said first and second rails and bisecting said spine; 
 
   b. positioning and securing a second roof support structure in said first direction on said underlying surface, wherein said first and second roof support structures are parallel with respect to one another and separated from one another by a first distance, and wherein said second roof support structure comprises:
 i. a support structure comprising:
 1. a base having a first flange and a second flange extending horizontally, wherein a distal end of said first flange is secured to a top edge of said first side member, wherein a distal end of said second flange is secured to a top edge of said second side member, wherein said first and second flanges are each formed with a flat top surface, and wherein each said flange has a plurality of apertures formed therein along a length of each said flange; 
 2. a spine engaged with said base, wherein said spine extends upward from a center of said base, and wherein said spine is generally perpendicular with respect to said base; 
 3. a first rail extending from a terminal end of said spine, wherein said first rail is generally perpendicular with respect to said spine; 
 4. a second rail extending from said terminal end of said spine, wherein said second rail is generally perpendicular with respect to said spine, wherein said support structure is generally symmetrical about a plane perpendicularly oriented with respect to said first and second rails and bisecting said spine; 
 
   c. sliding a first rectangular tile between said first and second support structures, wherein said first rectangular tile has a height, a width, and a thickness, said first rectangular tile comprising:
 i. a first rectangular face, wherein said first rectangular face is configured to be generally facing upward during use: 
 ii. a second rectangular face, wherein said second rectangular face is opposite said first rectangular face, wherein said first and second rectangular faces are separated by said thickness of said first rectangular tile, and wherein a surface area of said first and second rectangular faces is defined by said height and said width of said first rectangular tile; 
 iii. a first, second, third, and fourth edge defining a periphery of said first rectangular tile; 
 iv. a first groove formed in said first edge; 
 v. a second groove formed said third edge, wherein said first and third edges are parallel to one another; and, 
   d. securing a position of said first rectangular tile with respect to said first and second roof support structures in a generally horizontal direction perpendicular with respect to a length of said first and second roof support structures via an engagement of said first rail of said first support structure with said first groove and an engagement of said second rail of said second support structure with said second groove of said first tile and simultaneously securing said position of said first rectangular tile with respect to said first and second roof support structures in a vertical dimension.   
     
     
         15 . The method according to  claim 14  further comprising the step of positioning a pedestal on said underlying surface and engaging said first support structure with said pedestal. 
     
     
         16 . A pedestal comprising:
 a. a pedestal base configured to engage an underlying structure;   b. a pedestal upper surface, wherein said pedestal upper surface comprises:
 i. a spine extending upward from said pedestal upper surface, wherein said spine is perpendicular with respect to said pedestal upper surface; 
 ii. a rail extending outward from a distal end of said spine, wherein said rail is perpendicular with respect to said spine; and, 
   c. an adjustment portion connecting said pedestal base to said pedestal upper surface.   
     
     
         17 . The pedestal according to  claim 16  further comprising a plurality of spines, wherein each said spine is formed with two opposing rails extending outward from said distal end of said spine. 
     
     
         18 . The pedestal according to  claim 17  wherein said spines are further defined as intersecting at a geometric center point of said pedestal upper surface. 
     
     
         19 . The pedestal according to  claim 17  wherein said spines are further defined as not extending to a geometric center point of said pedestal upper surface. 
     
     
         20 . The pedestal according to  claim 16  wherein said pedestal upper surface is further defined is including a linear edge, and wherein said spine is further defined as being positioned along said linear edge.