Abstract:
Floor covering ( 01 ) material, consisting of Natural Stones, i.e. Marble, Granite, Limestone, Onyx, Travertine and Sandstone, in format of tile slabs, in which the thickness is between 4 mm and 35 mm, in which at the two opposite edges or sides are jointed together and interlocked by mechanical locking means, by connecting or inserting (A 6  to A 5 ) and connecting or pressing downward (A 8  to A 9 ) using Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) couplings, connecting in the form of a tongue and a groove which will prevent shifting of two interlocked tiles and or slabs into the opposed direction of each section tile or slab, with an integrated backing layer consisting of cork and/or syntactic foam material, The invention relates to a natural stone core tile slab, allowing for an installation without the use of cement, adhesives or grout, provided with such a mechanical locking system jointed to the core (A 4 ) according to the invention.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention relates to floor coverings, more particularly, to floor coverings made of natural stone or porcelain with a mechanical locking system. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Natural stone is an excellent product for flooring tile slabs because it is composed of a hard core as well as being water proof and 100 per cent moisture resistant. 
     The most common difficulty when installing natural stone tile slabs, is to, accurately, install the tile slabs in such a way, that the corners of four tile slabs align without visible curves after installation in a certain order, therefore avoiding different widths between said tiles. Other disadvantages are the preparation of the subfloor which, needs to be free from indentations, the necessary use of cement and adhesives, another disadvantage is the grout between tile slabs in which stains dirt and grime are impregnated and therefore difficult to maintain clean. Besides the disadvantages mentioned, the traditional installation process is time-consuming and expensive, requiring the use of specialized labor. 
     Unlike wood based products, the natural stone and porcelain floor tile slabs provide core stability and, as mentioned, is 100 per cent moisture resistant. 
     Due to said advantages, the inventor recognized the need to integrate a mechanical locking system to facilitate the installation process without the need for cement, adhesives and grout. Over the years several flooring products, of other then natural stone, have incorporated mechanical locking systems. 
     Therefore, the inventor recognized the potential of the natural stone core and invented a form of incorporating the mechanical locking system in a manner that is cost-effective and technically viable by cutting horizontally into the stone core on all four sides of tile slabs and inserting pre-milled polyvinyl chloride couplings, thus obtaining a tight lock without excess movement on the locking connection. 
     Therefore, the inventor, by introducing the mechanical locking system, makes natural stone tile slabs more accessible to the flooring trade and to the home owner, without the use for cement, adhesives and grout. Another important characteristic is to the environment. Stone is an environment friendly flooring product with an adhesives free installation. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The inventor has been involved in the flooring market for many years and has seen many changes over the years with new products coming into the market and traditional products becoming more popular. Stone is considered to be an excellent floor covering but not yet considered a floor covering that can be easily installed due to the need for cement, adhesives and grout. 
     The inventor recognized that transforming a natural stone product more accessible to the flooring trade with easier installation would be challenging, but its determination led to the invention. The advantages are overwhelming. The installation without cement, adhesives and grout is the installation method of the future for natural stone coverings. With the mechanical locking system mentioned allows the professional or the homeowner to accurately align all four corners of the tile slabs simply by clicking each tile slab into place, without the use of grout in between each tile slab. The sub floor preparation is also simplified due to the tile slabs integrated backing layer that will not only insulate said tile slabs but will allow the tile slabs to be installed even if the sub floor has some imperfections, according to the invention. 
     Natural stone is an environment friendly flooring product. Where no adhesives are used during the installation process therefore, considered environment friendly. An insulation backing layer made of cork or of a syntactic material that is incorporated to the underside of the tile slabs provides a comfortable underfoot feeling, as well as, having acoustical and thermal advantages. 
     In summary, by incorporating into natural stone tile slabs the referred mechanical system and a backing layer, will give the floor covering trade a recognized floor covering that is water proof and can be installed by professionals and or homeowners alike. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a schematic diagram showing a side view of one embodiment with couplings (A 6 , A 5 ) jointed to the natural stone core (A 4 ) and tile slab ( 01 ), according to the invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a schematic diagram showing a side view of another embodiment with couplings (A 8 , A 9 ) jointed to the natural stone core (A 4 ) and tile slab ( 01 ), according to the invention. 
         FIGS. 3 and 4  are diagrams showing sectional views of the embodiments of the natural stone tile slab ( 01 ) connecting together, according to the invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention describes the manner in which natural stone tile slabs ( 01 ) consisting of a natural stone core (A 4 ) can be illustrated without the use of cement, adhesives and grout. The invention will also show the coupling parts (A 6 , A 5 , A 8 , A 9 ) that connect the tiles together by mechanical locking means and explain in more detail the manufacturing process. Further, a backing layer ( 14 ) that is jointed to the underside of the tile slabs, create a comfortable underfoot feeling as well as an environment friendly installation, according to  FIGS. 1 ,  2 ,  3  and  4  and as describes hereafter, according to the invention. 
     The invention is intended for all natural stone core (A 4 ) tile slab floors ( 01 ), but generally it can also be applied, such as to porcelain tile slab floor coverings. It is also known that all natural stone tile slabs and porcelain ( 01 ) floor coverings are applied using cement, adhesives and grout. 
     Common installation practices for natural stones tile slabs ( 01 ) have many disadvantages; floors are installed, using cement and adhesives to secure the tile slabs to the sub floor and the use of grout in between each tile slab. Another disadvantage is the installation time needed and the use of adhesives which may contain volatile organic compounds (VOCS). 
     The invention aims to improve natural stone floor covering ( 01 ) installation method, without the use of cement, adhesives and grout and also shows the advantage that mistakes are not committed during installation. 
     The invention describes the manner in which natural stone tile slab ( 01 ) can be installed by mechanical locking means, without the use of cement, adhesives and grout. The couplings (A 6 , A 5 , A 8 , A 9 ) are made from polyvinyl chloride, hereby noted that said couplings are not part of the natural stone core (A 4 ), and not part of the floor covering surface ( 08 ) but only part of the mechanical locking system. Therefore connecting said tile slabs ( 01 ). 
     The Polyvinyl chloride coupling parts (A 6 , A 5 , A 8 , A 9 ) are realized and manufactured in one piece only and jointed to the natural stone core (A 4 ) as one piece with dimensions of 3 mm to 38 mm in depth or thickness and 3 mm to 38 mm in width. Therefore it is hereby noted that said couplings (A 6 , A 5 , A 8 , A 9 ) are only part of the mechanical locking system and not part of the surface area of said natural stone tile slabs ( 01 ). Said coupling parts (A 6 ,A 5 ,A 8 ,A 9 ) are provided with integrated mechanical locking means which prevent the drifting apart of two coupled tile slabs into a direction perpendicular to the related edges; these coupling parts (A 6 ,A 5 ,A 8 ,A 9 ) are connected in such a manner that they exclude excess movement therefore, improving the installation method. 
     The coupling parts (A 6 , A 5 , A 8 , A 9 ) provide for a perfect connection between adjacent tile slabs that can be guaranteed, without shrinkage of the floor surface. Said coupling parts (A 6 , A 5 , A 8 , A 9 ) are provided at the four sides, made of one single section of polyvinyl chloride, or either of another construction than described above or not, but not of the same core material (A 4 ) of the tile slabs ( 01 ). 
     The tile slabs ( 01 ) are connected at least at the edges of two opposite sides with coupling parts (A 6 , A 5 , A 8 , A 9 ), which will allow for adjacent tile slabs ( 01 ) to connect to each other without drifting apart. Furthermore, all embodiments of couplings elements (A 6 , A 5 , A 8 , A 9 ) can be applied on the long side as well as the short side. The mechanical locking couplings elements (A 6 , A 5 , A 8 , A 9 ) are provided with inclined manner, according to a direction which simplifies the snapping-together effect. 
     In addition the invention refers to a resin type sealant ( 15 ) that is applied where the couplings joints (A 6 , A 5 , A 8 , A 9 ) connect together as described in the manufacturing process for moisture protection as outlined ( 13 ), according to the drawings 
     Furthermore the polyvinyl chloride couplings (A 6 , A 5 , A 8 , A 9 ) material can be made either of recycled (PVC), virgin (PVC) material or a mixture of both. 
     The invention as described combines the mechanical locking system that is known to be patented by UNILIN BEHEER BV: European Application number: 10010483.5; Application date: 7 Jun. 1997; Publication number: EP2280131 and FLOORING INDUSTRIES LIMITED, SARL: Publication number: WO/2011/001326; Publication date: 6 Jan. 2011; International application number: PCT/IB 2010/052812; IPC: E04E 15/02 (2006 January) and are hereby noted to facilitate the installation procedure of natural stone core (A 4 ) tile slabs ( 01 ) without the use of cement, adhesives and grout and with polyvinyl chloride couplings (A 6 , A 5 , A 8 , A 9 ) not part of the natural stone core (A 4 ), according to the invention. 
     The following illustrates the manufacturing process and the manner in which polyvinyl chloride couplings (A 6 ,A 5 ,A 8 ,A 9 ) are inserted into the core (A 4 ) of natural stone tile slabs ( 01 ) and manufactured or altered in an optimum manner. Cutting into the natural stone core material (A 4 ) horizontally will create an opening of 3 mm to 38 mm in depth or thickness and 3 mm to 38 mm in width on the underside of the tile slab ( 01 ) and on all four sides or edges. After openings are completed the polyvinyl chloride couplings (A 6 , A 5 , A 8 , A 9 ) are inserted into said opening and jointed to the core (A 4 ). A backing layer ( 14 ) which covers the entire underside of the tile slab is applied immediately and a predetermined amount of tile slabs are pressed together to insure the couplings, (A 6 , A 5 , A 8 , A 9 ) and the backing layer ( 14 ) are jointed and pressed. After pressing, tile slabs ( 01 ) are ready to be profiled into the shape of the polyvinyl chloride couplings, (A 6 , A 5 , A 8 , A 9 ) according to the  FIGS. 1 ,  2 ,  3  and  4 . 
     The manufacturing profiling equipment that will shape and profile the mechanical locking system couplings (A 6 , A 5 , A 8 , A 9 ) is similar to the wood flooring industry but with alterations for cutting into the stone core (A 4 ), according to the invention. 
     The inventor found that the aforementioned materials, in particular polyvinyl chloride, have ideal features in order to realize a connection, when jointed to the core (A 4 ) which has the flexibility needed for milling, thus obtaining a perfect connection with polyvinyl chloride couplings (A 6 ,A 5 ,A 8 ,A 9 ). 
     Natural stone tile slabs ( 01 ) are provided with a decorative finish ( 8 ) as shown on drawing which can be honed, polished, sawn cut, antiquated, brushed, tumbled, bush hammered with a variety of natural stone patterns, even with a fancy pattern. The protective top layer ( 3 ) consists of a polyurethane layer of resin transparent material with a gloss or matt finish. Said tile slabs ( 01 ) can be of various shape, for example, rectangular or square, or of any other shapes. 
     An important characteristic of the invention is the backing layer ( 14 ) that is integrated onto the underside of the tile slabs core (A 4 ) made of cork or of syntactic foam material therefore will insulate and provide acoustical and thermal properties and create a comfortable underfoot feeling for natural stone tile slabs ( 01 ). 
     Referring to  FIG. 1  represents a tile slab ( 01 ) consisting of a natural stone core (A 4 ) with mechanical locking system couplings namely (A 6 -A 5 ) made of polyvinyl chloride. Such couplings have a thickness or depth of around 3 mm to 38 mm and around 3 mm to 38 mm of width or length jointed to the core (A 4 ) of one tile slab ( 01 ). Further, shows the surface finish ( 08 ) that can have different finishes such as honed, polished or similar. Further, also shows a protective coating consisting of a polyurethane transparent layer ( 3 ). Further, also shows a resin sealant material ( 15 ) that is applied during the manufacturing process to protect the coupling joints ( 13 ). Further, also shows a micro bevelled edge ( 17 ) on all four sides of tile slab. Further in addition, it shows a backing layer ( 14 ) consisting of cork and a syntactic foam material that is acoustical and thermal and a comfortable underfoot feeling, according to the invention. 
     Referring to  FIG. 2  represents a tile slab ( 01 ) consisting of a natural stone core (A 4 ) with mechanical locking system couplings namely (A 8 -A 9 ) made of polyvinyl chloride, such couplings have a thickness or depth of around 3 mm to 38 mm and around 3 mm to 38 mm of width or length jointed to the core (A 4 ) of one tile slab ( 01 ). Further shows the surface finish ( 08 ) that can have different finishes such as honed, polished or similar. Further, also shows a protective coating consisting of a polyurethane transparent layer ( 3 ). Further also shows a resin sealant material ( 15 ) that is applied during the manufacturing process to protect the coupling joints ( 13 ). Further, also shows a micro bevelled edge ( 17 ) on all four sides of tile slab. Further in addition, it shows a backing layer ( 14 ) consisting of cork and/or a syntactic foam material that is acoustical and thermal and a comfortable underfoot feeling, according to the invention. 
     Referring to  FIG. 3  represents a tile slab ( 01 ) consisting of a natural stone core (A 4 ) with mechanical locking system couplings namely (A 8 -A 9 ), generally the same features as shown in  FIG. 2 , but it illustrates the manner in which said couplings (A 8 -A 9 ) connect together by mechanical locking means without the use of cement, adhesives and grout, according to the invention. 
     Referring to  FIG. 4  represents a tile slab ( 01 ) consisting of a natural stone core (A 4 ) with mechanical locking system couplings namely (A 6 -A 5 ), generally the same features as shown in  FIG. 1 , but it illustrates the manner in which said couplings (A 6 -A 5 ) connect together by mechanical locking means without the use of cement, adhesives and grout, according to the invention. 
     To better illustrate the characteristics according to the invention, as an example the following  FIGS. 1-4 ) and the related information, describe in more detail the invention.