Tile and support structure

Abstract

In one aspect of a bottom indexing tile and support structure, a bottom indexing support structure may be engaged with a top portion of a pedestal. The bottom indexing support structure may be formed with a generally vertical spine having at least one rail extending outward from a distal end thereof and may also include one or more ridges extending upward in a direction parallel to the spine. The spine and rail(s) may be configured to secure one or more bottom indexing 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. The bottom indexing tile may be formed with one or more channels on a bottom surface thereof, wherein each channel may correspond with a ridge of the bottom indexing support structure.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A bottom indexing support structure comprising:
 a. a base having a first flange extending horizontally, wherein a distal end of said first flange is secured to a top edge of a first side member;   b. 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;   c. a first rail extending from a terminal end of said spine, wherein said first rail is generally perpendicular with respect to said spine;   d. a second rail extending from said terminal end of said spine, wherein said second rail is generally perpendicular with respect to said spine; and,   e. a first ridge extending upward from said first flange in an area between said distal end of said first flange and said spine.   
     
     
         2 . The bottom indexing support structure according to  claim 1  further comprising a second flange extending horizontally from said base, wherein a distal end of said second flange is secured to a top edge of a second side member, and wherein said support structure is generally symmetrical about a plane perpendicularly oriented with respect to said first and second rails and bisecting said spine. 
     
     
         3 . The bottom indexing support structure according to  claim 2  further comprising a second ridge extending upward from said second flange in an area between said distal end of said second flange and said spine. 
     
     
         4 . The bottom indexing support structure according to  claim 3  further comprising a trough formed between said first ridge and said spine. 
     
     
         5 . The bottom indexing support structure according to  claim 4  further comprising a bottom indexing tile, said bottom indexing tile comprising:
 a. a first face configured to be generally facing upward during use; 
 b. a second face opposite said first face, wherein said first and second faces are separated by said thickness of said bottom indexing tile; and, 
 c. a channel formed in said second face, wherein said channel extends from a first edge of said bottom indexing tile to a second edge of said bottom indexing tile. 
 
     
     
         6 . The bottom indexing support structure according to  claim 5  wherein said bottom indexing tile further comprises a second channel formed in said second face. 
     
     
         7 . The bottom indexing support structure according to  claim 6  wherein said first face and said second face of said bottom indexing tile are further defined as being generally rectangular in shape and wherein said channel and said second channel are generally parallel with respect to one another. 
     
     
         8 . The bottom indexing support structure according to  claim 1  wherein said bottom indexing support structure is further defined as being engaged with a pedestal. 
     
     
         9 . The bottom indexing support structure according to  claim 1  wherein said bottom indexing support structure is further defined as being engaged with a joist. 
     
     
         10 . A 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; 
 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; and, 
 v. a first ridge extending upward from said first flange in an area between said distal end of said first flange and said spine. 
   
     
     
         11 . The support structure according to  claim 10  further comprising a second ridge extending upward from said second flange in an area between said distal end of said second flange and said spine. 
     
     
         12 . The bottom indexing support structure according to  claim 11  further comprising a trough formed between said first ridge and said spine. 
     
     
         13 . The bottom indexing support structure according to  claim 12  further comprising a bottom indexing tile, said bottom indexing tile comprising:
 a. a first face configured to be generally facing upward during use; 
 b. a second face opposite said first face, wherein said first and second faces are separated by said thickness of said bottom indexing tile; and, 
 c. a channel formed in said second face, wherein said channel extends from a first edge of said bottom indexing tile to a second edge of said bottom indexing tile. 
 
     
     
         14 . A bottom indexing support structure comprising:
 a. a center portion configured to selectively engage a pedestal, wherein said center portion is formed with an aperture therein;   b. a first wing portion extending from said center portion, said first wing portion comprising:
 i. a base having a first flange extending horizontally, wherein a distal end of said first flange constitutes a terminal edge of said first wing; 
 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; and, 
 v. a first ridge extending upward from said first flange in an area between said distal end of said first flange and said spine. 
   
     
     
         15 . The bottom indexing support structure according to  claim 14  wherein said first wing portion further comprises a second flange extending horizontally from said base, wherein a distal end of said second flange constitutes a second terminal edge of said first wing portion, and wherein said first wing portion is generally symmetrical about a plane perpendicularly oriented with respect to said first and second rails and bisecting said spine. 
     
     
         16 . The bottom indexing support structure according to  claim 15  wherein said first wing portion further comprises a second ridge extending upward from said first flange in an area between said second distal end of said first flange and said spine. 
     
     
         17 . The bottom indexing support structure according to  claim 16  further comprising a second wing portion extending from said center portion opposite said first wing, wherein a distal end of said second flange constitutes a second terminal edge of said first wing, said second wing portion comprising:
 a. a base having a first flange extending horizontally, wherein a distal end of said first flange constitutes a terminal edge of said second wing; 
 b. 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; 
 c. a first rail extending from a terminal end of said spine, wherein said first rail is generally perpendicular with respect to said spine; 
 d. a second rail extending from said terminal end of said spine, wherein said second rail is generally perpendicular with respect to said spine; and, 
 e. a first ridge extending upward from said second flange in an area between said distal end of said first flange and said spine. 
 
     
     
         18 . The bottom indexing support structure according to  claim 17  wherein said second wing portion further comprises a second flange extending horizontally from said base, wherein a distal end of said second flange constitutes a second terminal edge of said second wing portion, and wherein said second wing portion is generally symmetrical about a plane perpendicularly oriented with respect to said first and second rails and bisecting said spine. 
     
     
         19 . The bottom indexing support structure according to  claim 18  wherein said second wing portion further comprises a second ridge extending upward from said second flange in an area between said second distal end of said second flange and said spine. 
     
     
         20 . The bottom indexing support structure according to  claim 19  further comprising a center wall extending upward from said center portion, wherein said center wall is oriented generally perpendicular with respect to said spine of said first wing.