Tile, particularly for interior decoration
United States Patent Eusemann l Apr. 8, 1975 [54] TILE, PARTICULARLY FOR INTERIOR 2.715.289 8/[955 Gale 52/31 I DECORATION OTHER PUBLICATIONS [75] Inventor: Stephan Eusemann Nuremberg MacMahon &#34;New Mathematical Pastimes.&#34; Cam- Germwy bridge University Press, p. 1921. 23-25. 91 and [73] Assignee: Dynamit Nobel Aktiengesellschaft.  
  Troisdorf, Germany Sweets Architectural Catalog File.&#34; 1964, l3d/Des., 1221 Filed: May l6, 1974 Page Mosznc. Formfree Decorated Wall T1le.&#34; 1952. 21 Appl. No.: 470,639  
  Related U.S. Application Data Primary ExaminerPrice C. F aw. Jr. I [63] Continuation of Ser. No. 285.891. Sept. 1, l972, Almmey Age&#39;m or Flrm crmg &amp; Antone&#34;,  
 abandoned.  
  i u [57] ABSTRACT [30] Forelgn Application Pnomy Dam A tile, particularly for interior decoration, wherein the Sept- 197] Gelmany 344350 tile has a defined configuration and a surface structure formed of a plurality of zones of different color hues. [52] 52/311; 318/2 B The zones subdivide the lateral edges of the tile into [5] lltt. Cl. 844C 1/28 Sections of equa| lengths and/or multiples thereof and new of Search 52/3] L 3 in a tile having four lateral edges, each of the lateral 52/3903 D&#39;s/2 B edges provides a different connection surface configuration to the pattern formed by a plurality of the tiles [56] References C&#39;ted arranged in side-hy-side relation.  
  UNITED STATES PATENTS 1.838.108 12/1931 Rhodes 161/41 Clams 7 Draw F&#39;gum PATENTED 8l975 73,875,716  
 SHEET 1 [IF 3 lld HGI  
 FIG]  
 TILE, PARTICULARLY FOR INTERIOR DECORATION This is a continuation, of application Ser. No. 285.89l filed Sept. 1, l972. now abandoned.  
  The present invention relates to a tile. particularly for interior decoration. made of textiles, synthetic resins. e.g., PVC. ceramic material. or the like. and having a surface structure which is subdivided into different zones with different color hues.  
  It is desirable to vary the optical impression of the surface of the tile by the successive combination of several tiles. One arrangement utilizes differently surfaced tiles which are then combined to provide an optical overall pattern. However. this arrangement is complicated. since different types of tiles must be produced. Furthermore. tiles are known wherein the surface arrangements are such that each lateral edge of the tile forms the same connection to the pattern. so that simple. overlapping patterns can be created by correspondingly joining such tiles to one another. However. all of the conventional tiles exhibit the deficiency that the patterns which can be produced thereby either extend only unidirectionally or form inherently terminated patterns. which. in turn. provide a monotonous impression by constant repetition.  
  It is an object of this invention to provide a tile with a surface structure through which a heretofore nonexistent plurality of overlapping patterns can be produced. which patterns conceal the character of the individual tile component.  
  According to the present invention, there is provided a tile having a surface structure wherein each lateral edge is subdivided by colored zones into sections of equal lengths and/or multiples thereof. wherein each of the four lateral edges of the tile provides a different connection to the pattern of tiles.  
  The tile of the present invention thus affords. in accordance with the number of sides in the rectangular configuration and in preferably the square shape. four different junction pattern possibilities. so that the pattern can be varied fourfold with respect to the desired joining of the tiles. When utilizing the square shape. each of the sides of the square forms with respect to itself and to the other three sides optically a formally logical junction. However. it is also possible to join the tile laterally to the adjacent tile in a manner offset by one or more subdivisions such that the formally logical connection in the pattern is accomplished. When using a rectangular tile. it is advantageous to fashion the short side to be half the length of the long side. so that two tiles supplement each other with their narrow sides to one tile length. Accordingly. it is possible by means of the tile of the present invention to attain overlapping and continuous outlines in the pattern essentially without need for a sense for design. However. where the person arranging the tiles has a talent for orderly design. the tile of this invention opens up almost unlimited possibilities for pattern formation.  
  According to an embodiment of the present invention, a geometrical configuration ofa square tile is provided with a surface structure which is subdivided into center-related. equally large zones wherein each zone or several combined zones have differing color hues. In this embodiment. the surface can be subdivided into eight equally large triangles. the apices of which form the center of the tile. of which respectively two triangles adjoining each other in the region of a corner are combined color-wise into a square, and two further triangles defining a lateral edge of the tile are combined color-wise into an isosceles triangle. When employing. for example. two colors, it is preferable that each color occupy 50 percent of the surface of the tile.  
  According to another embodiment of the present invention. the surface structure of a square tile is divided symmetrically into color zones only in one diagonal. Especially aesthetic patterns can be attained by subdividing the surface by quadrant arcs, the centers of which are disposed on opposite corners of the tiles, into crescent-shaped zones. Simultaneously, in a tile constructed in such a manner, each lateral edge is subdivided into four equally long outer zones. The tiles of this invention can be manufactured. for example. as carpet tiles in the form of woven or tufted or printed material with a corresponding surface structure.  
  The square tile, having a size of. for example, 40 X 40 cm.. is constructed so that one of the four lateral edges fits optically to itself and to each of the other three edges. In other words. no matter how the tile is rotated during assembly (by 0, 90, l, or 270). the surface always finds an optical connection even though in each case with an entirely different overlapping and expanding pattern total effect. This feature is based on the specifically synchronized type of a figurative asymmetry. In this connection, patterns of various configurational character are possible, namely strictly geometric as well as random-like patterns. These. in turn, can be made to be not only matching but also to be combinable among one another with respect to color and form. Of course. plain unpatterned tiles can also be additionally included. The possibilities of surface structure by means of this tile system are variegated, for example:  
  a. laying in series, i.e.. the successive installation of tiles which are in each case identical with respect to color and form. without any rotation of the tiles;  
  b. laying in staggered position. i.e.. the application of the tiles along the lines of patterns of textile materials. such as. for example. linen weave. panama weave. twilled cotton weave. etc.;  
  c. side-by-side laying of tiles identical in color and form with regular rotation by respectively or or 270;  
  d. staggered laying of tiles identical in color and form with irregular rotation; or  
  e. scattered laying. i.e.. a completely irregular laying of the tiles. which can, however. be based on system considerations in correspondence with the preceding types. This type of installation is entirely foolproof, because it can be executed by persons lacking in artistic talent with respect to a desired pattern.  
  The most beneficial form of laying the tiles is the resultant pattern which, depending on the systematic use of the permutations from the aforementioned systems of assembly. especially series arrangement and staggering. always different. overlapping. picturesquely ornamental. symmetrical or asymmetrical figurations or patterns are obtained of various dimensional relationships. By cutting sections from the marginal tiles, intermediate sizes are, of course. also possible. The fields of application are, for example. floor. wall. ceiling, or furniture surfaces.  
  These and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become more obvious from the following description when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings which show. for purposes of illustration only, several embodiments in accordance with the present invention, and wherein FIG. I shows a tile having a strictly geometrical surface structure pattern;  
  FIG. 2 illustrates one pattern assembly with the tile of FIG. 1;  
  FIG. 3 illustrates another pattern assembly with the tile of FIG. I;  
  FIG. 4 shows a tile having a random-like surface structure;  
  FIG. 5 illustrates one pattern assembly with the tile of FIG. 4;  
  FIG. 6 illustrates another pattern assembly with the tile of FIG. 4; and  
  FIG. 7 illustrates a tile having a surface structure with dual diagonal symmetry.  
  Referring now to the drawings. there is shown in FIG. I. a square tile 1, manufactured. for example. from PVC. and having a geometric surface subdivision according to this invention. The surface is divided into two color images or zones. wherein each color occupies percent of the surface. The subdivision of the surface is effected by eight center-related triangles lb. of which two are combined in the region of a corner into a square la. and two are combined in the region of a lateral edge into an isosceles triangle la. The zones la and It are in the same color hue. Two examples of assembling the tile I to form corresponding master patterns wherein the surface structure of the original tile is concealed with respect to complete assembly are shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. According to FIG. 2. a surface is produced with a chiefly diagonally extending pattern. and according to FIG. 3. a surface is created exhibiting centrally closed patterns.  
  In the pattern assembly according to FIG. 2. each third tile in a continuous succession of tiles is respectively laid identically, whereas the interposed tiles are each laid so that they are rotated by I&#34;. The subsequent row is then always displaced by one tile within the laid pattern. wherein the rows in themselves are laid in the same way. In the pattern according to FIG. 3, also respectively each third tile is laid identically in one row, the adjoining tiles being laid so that they are rotated with respect to each other by In the subsequent row. the tiles are in each case disposed alternatingly rotated respectively by 90 toward the right or toward the left. as compared to the preceding row. This tworow system is then repeated.  
  In FIG. 4 there is shown another tile 2 in accordance with the present invention wherein the tile surface is subdivided into crescent-shaped zones 2b with quadrant areas Zu in opposite corners by means of quadrant arcs. The subdivision is effected in such a manner that the lateral edges are each subdivided into four equally long color sections. wherein each lateral edge exhibits different pattern transition. As shown. two adjoining lateral edges have a pattern connection constituted by a mirror image, respectively. The tile 2 is constructed in such a manner that there is provided only a single diagonal symmetry and the tile 2 serves for providing a great variety of motion-oriented patterns which can be continued into closed patterns. as well as directionally oriented patterns. and also patterns open on all sides as shown in the assembly patterns of FIGS. 5 and 6.  
  FIG. 7 illustrates another embodiment of a tile surface structure in accordance with the present invention. As shown. the tile 3 exhibits a positive and a nega tive diagonal symmetry, wherein the size of the zones 3a. b. as well as the coloring 3b, d vary with respect to each other.  
  The tile of this invention can be produced, for example for use as a carpet. from a coated or uncoated carpet backing. for example with loop naps or cut naps. whereupon. in a printing machine. the various colors are imprinted in accordance with the pattern. This can be followed. if desired, by a coating of the carpet backing and finally punching the carpet backing into tiles. In addition to the use of textile materials. the tiles may be formed of synthetic resins, e.g.. PVC. ceramic material or the like.  
  Obviously, many modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in the light of the above teachings. It should therefore be understood that within the scope of the appended claims. the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described.  
 I claim:  
  1. Tile. particularly for interior decoration. having a defined configuration and having a surface structure formed of a plurality of zones. characterized in that at least two of the zones have different color hues. the tile having the lateral edges thereof subdivided by the zones into sections of one of equal length and multiples thereof. the tile having four lateral edges. each of the edges providing a different connection surface configuration to the pattern formed by a plurality of the tiles. each zone having one color hue and a predetermined boundary. the boundary of each zone being delimited by at least one lateral edge of the tile and at least one other zone of the tile having a different color hue.  
  2. Tile. according to claim 1, characterized in that the surface is subdivided into center-related zones having different color hues adjoining each other at the center of the tile surface, each of said zones including at least one center related area ofa size equal to the center-related area of another zone.  
  3. Tile according to claim 2, wherein at least one of said zones includes two of said areas of equal size.  
  4. Tile according to claim 2. characterized in that the surface is subdivided into eight equal areas in the form of triangles, one the apices of each triangular area being adjoined at the center of the tile surface. two of said triangles adjoining each other in the region of a corner of the tile being combined to form a square zone. and two other triangles extending along a lateral edge of the tile being combined to form an isosceles triangle zone.  
  5. Tile according to claim 4. characterized in that said square zone and said isosceles triangle zone are of different color hues.  
  6. Tile according to claim 4. characterized in that said square zone and said isosceles triangle zone are of the same color hue.  
  7. Tile according to claim 1. characterized in that two color hues are employed and each color occupies 50 percent of the surface of the tile.  
  8. Tile according to claim 1, characterized in that tile has a rectangular configuration and that the surface structure is subdivided into color zones only in one diagonal in a symmetrical manner.  
  9. Tile according to claim 8, characterized in that the surface is subdivided into crescent-shaped zones by quadrant arcs, the centers of which are disposed on opposite corners of the tiles.  
  10. Tile according to claim 9, characterized in that each lateral edge is subdivided into four junction areas of equal size.  
  11. Tile according to claim 1. characterized in that the tile is formed of a material selected from the group consisting of textile material. synthetic resins and ceramic material.  
  12. In combination, a plurality of tiles arranged in side-by-side relation to form a desired surface pattern. each tile having a rectangular configuration and having a surface structure formed of a plurality of zones. at least two of the zones having different color hues. each tile having the lateral edges thereof subdivided by the zones into sections of one of equal lengths and multiples thereof, each of the edges of each tile exhibiting a different connection to the pattern. each zone of a tile having one color hue and a predetermined boundary. the boundary of each zone being delimited by at least one lateral edge of the tile and at least one other zone of a different color hue.  
  13. Tile according to claim I, wherein the tile has a rectangular configuration and the tile surface has a plurality of center-related zones adjoining each other at the center of the tile surface. each of said centerrelated zones including at least one area in the form of a triangle having the apex thereof at the center of the tile surface. two of said triangles adjoining each other in the region of each of two opposing corners of the tile being combined to form a square zone, and each of the other two opposing corners of the tile having two zones, each zone including one area in the form of a triangle.  
  l4. Tile according to claim 13, wherein the square zones at the opposing corners of the tile are of different color hues, and each square zone is adjacent two triangle zones of a different color hue from that of said square zone.  
  [5. Tile according to claim 1, characterized in that an even number of different color hues are provided and the total surface area of zones of one color hue is equal in total surface area to the zones of another color hue.  
  16. Tile according to claim 15, characterized in that the zones are asymmetrically disposed.  
  17. Tile according to claim 15, characterized in that the zones are disposed with a diagonal symmetry.  
  18. Tile according to claim 1, characterized in that each of the zones of one color hue are contiguous with substantially no more than point contact with a portion of the boundary of the same color hue.  
  19. Tile according to claim l, characterized in that the boundary of a zone of one color hue is contiguous with at least one zone of a different color hue along at least a portion of the boundary thereof.  
  20. Tile according to claim I. characterized in that the multiple of equal length is an integer.