Stone or porcelain tile

Abstract

A first protrusion formed on stone or porcelain tile extending from an edge of the tile configured to abut a second tile to space the first tile apart from the second tile by the first protrusion.

1 - 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . A stone or porcelain tile having a length, a width, and a thickness, the tile comprising:
 a first face, wherein the first face is configured to be generally facing upward during use;   a second face, wherein the second face is opposite the first face, wherein the first and second faces are separated by the thickness of the tile, and wherein a surface area of the first and second faces is defined by the length and the width of the tile;   a first, second, third, and fourth edge defining a periphery of the tile; and   a first protrusion extending from the second edge, and wherein the first protrusion is configured to abut a second tile such that the first face of the tile is spaced apart from the second tile by the first protrusion.   
     
     
         22 . The tile according to  claim 21 , further comprising a pair of first protrusions extending from the second edge, and wherein the pair of first protrusions are configured to abut the second tile such that the first face of the tile is spaced apart from the second tile by the pair of first protrusions. 
     
     
         23 . The tile according to  claim 22 , further comprising a plurality of first protrusions extending from the second edge, and wherein the plurality of first protrusions are configured to abut the second tile such that the first face of the tile is spaced apart from the second tile by the plurality of first protrusions. 
     
     
         24 . The tile according to  claim 21 , further comprising a second protrusion extending from the fourth edge, and wherein the second protrusion is configured to abut a third tile such that the first face of the tile is spaced apart from the third tile by the second protrusion. 
     
     
         25 . The tile according to  claim 24 , wherein the second and fourth edges are parallel with respect to one another. 
     
     
         26 . The tile according to  claim 25 , wherein the second and fourth edges are on opposite edges of the first face and the second face. 
     
     
         27 . The tile according to  claim 26 , wherein the second edge is perpendicular with respect to the first and third edges. 
     
     
         28 . The tile according to  claim 27 , wherein the tile is rectangular shaped. 
     
     
         29 . The tile according to  claim 28 , wherein the tile is square shaped. 
     
     
         30 . The tile according to  claim 21 , wherein the tile further comprises a substrate engaged with the second face. 
     
     
         31 . The tile according to  claim 30 , wherein a thickness of the substrate is less than half the thickness of the tile. 
     
     
         32 . The tile according to  claim 21 , further comprising a groove on a same side of the tile as the first edge. 
     
     
         33 . The tile according to  claim 32 , wherein the groove is formed in the first edge. 
     
     
         34 . The tile according to  claim 32 , further comprising a second groove on a same side of the tile as the third edge. 
     
     
         35 . The tile according to  claim 34 , further comprising the second groove formed in the third edge. 
     
     
         36 . The tile according to  claim 21 , wherein the first protrusion is formed on the second edge of the stone or porcelain tile to form a unitary structure. 
     
     
         37 . A stone or porcelain tile having a length, a width, and a thickness, the tile comprising:
 a first face, wherein the first face is configured to be generally facing upward during use;   a second face, wherein the second face is opposite the first face, wherein the first and second faces are separated by the thickness of the tile, and wherein a surface area of the first and second faces is defined by the length and the width of the tile;   a first, second, third, and fourth edge defining a periphery of the tile;   a substrate engaged with the second face;   a first groove on a same side of the tile as the first edge; and   a second groove on a same side of the tile as the third edge.   
     
     
         38 . The tile according to  claim 37 , wherein the first groove is formed in the first edge and the second groove is formed in the third edge. 
     
     
         39 . The tile according to  claim 38 , further comprising a plurality of first protrusions extending from the second edge, and wherein the plurality of first protrusions are configured to abut the second tile such that the first face of the tile is spaced apart from the second tile by the plurality of first protrusions. 
     
     
         40 . The tile according to  claim 38 , further comprising a plurality of second protrusions extending from the fourth edge, and wherein the plurality of second protrusions are configured to abut the third tile such that the first face of the tile is spaced apart from the third tile by the plurality of second protrusions.