Tile and Support Structure

Abstract

In one aspect of a reinforced tile, the reinforced tile may be configured for use with a support structure that may be engaged with a top portion of a pedestal. The reinforced tile may be configured with a substrate adhered to a back side of a tile, and the substrate may be comprised of a fiberglass material A groove may he formed along at least one edge of the reinforced tile, and the groove may be positioned at the interface of the tile and substrate. 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 he configured to secure one or more reinforced tiles, wherein one or more rails may be positioned within a groove formed in the reinforced tile.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A reinforced tile comprising:
 a. a rectangular tile having a length, a width, and a thickness, said 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 rectangular tile, and wherein a surface area of said first and second rectangular faces is defined by said length and said width of said rectangular tile; 
 iii. a first, second, third, and fourth edge defining a periphery of said rectangular tile, wherein said first, second, third, and fourth edges define said thickness of said tile; 
 iv. a groove formed in one of said first, second, third, or fourth edges; 
   b. a substrate engaged with said second rectangular face, wherein said substrate is comprised of fiberglass, and wherein said groove is positioned adjacent said substrate.   
     
     
         2 . The tile according to  claim 1  wherein said substrate is further defined as being engaged with said tile via a two-part, epoxy. 
     
     
         3 . The tile according to  claim 2  wherein said tile is further defined as being constructed of porcelain. 
     
     
         4 . The tile according to  claim 3  wherein said substrate is further defined as being comprised of a pultruded fiberglass material. 
     
     
         5 . The reinforced tile according to  claim 4  wherein said groove is further defined as being formed on said first edge, and wherein said reinforced tile further comprises a protrusion formed on said second edge. 
     
     
         6 . The reinforced tile according to  claim 5  wherein said groove is further defined as a height that is parallel to said thickness of said tile and a depth that is parallel to said width of said tile. 
     
     
         7 . The reinforced tile according to  claim 6  wherein said depth of said groove is greater than said height of said groove. 
     
     
         8 . The reinforced tile according to  claim 7  wherein a thickness of said substrate is greater than said height of said groove. 
     
     
         9 . A method of constructing a reinforced tile, said method comprising the steps of:
 a. selecting a generally rectangular tile having a length, a width, and a thickness, said 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 rectangular tile, and wherein a. surface area of said first and second rectangular faces is defined by said length and said width of said rectangular tile; and, 
 iii. a first, second, third, and fourth edge defining a periphery of said rectangular tile, wherein said first, second, third, and fourth edges define said thickness of said tile; 
   b. applying a two-part epoxy to said second rectangular face;   c. selecting a generally rectangular substrate;   d. aligning said generally rectangular substrate with said second rectangular face of said tile;   e. pressing said substrate against said second rectangular face; and,   f. forming a groove in said first edge of said reinforced tile.   
     
     
         10 . The method according to  claim 9  wherein said groove is further defined as being formed in said substrate. 
     
     
         11 . A method of securing a plurality of reinforced 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 reinforced 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 first reinforced tile has a major height, a major width, and a thickness, and wherein first reinforced 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 reinforced tile; 
 iii. a substrate engaged with said second face; 
 iv. an edge defining a portion of a periphery of said reinforced tile; 
 v. 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 reinforced 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 reinforced 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 reinforced tile has a major height, a major width, and a thickness, and wherein second reinforced 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 reinforced tile; 
 iii. a substrate engaged with said second face; 
 iv. an edge defining a portion of a periphery of said second reinforced tile; 
 v. a second edge defining a second portion of said periphery of said second reinforced tile; 
 vi. a groove formed in said edge; 
   i. ensuring that said second edge of said second reinforced tile is positioned adjacent a structure configured to secure a relative position of said second reinforced 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 reinforced 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 reinforced 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 reinforced 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; and 
 ii. a plurality of anchors positioned along a length of said base. 
 
 
     
     
         13 . The method according to  claim 12  wherein said first support structure further comprises a plurality of apertures formed therein. 
     
     
         14 . The method according to  claim 13  wherein said groove in said first reinforced tile is further defined as being formed on said first edge, and wherein said reinforced tile further comprises a protrusion formed on said second edge. 
     
     
         15 . The method according to  claim 14  wherein said groove in said first reinforced tile is further defined as having a height that is parallel to said thickness of said reinforced tile and a depth that is parallel to said width of said reinforced tile. 
     
     
         16 . The method according to  claim 15  wherein said depth of said groove is greater than said height of said groove. 
     
     
         17 . The method according to  claim 16  wherein a thickness of said substrate is greater than said height of said groove.