GB2134147A - Paving tile - Google Patents

Abstract

A single-baked ceramic paving tile 1 comprises a flat reticular base 2 having a uniformly distributed system of ridge reliefs 3 providing an anti-slip surface. Each relief 3 is formed with a configuration of curved portions, e.g. symmetrical diverging curved portions, so that light is reflected to differing extents and in differing directions from the various portions and the visual appearance of the tile varies when viewed from different directions. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Ceramic tile This invention relates to the conformation of the visualization or treading plane of a ceramic paving tile which has been baked only once.

According to the invention, a ceramic paving tile which has been baked only once comprises a flat reticular base having a uniformly distributed system of ridge reliefs providing an anti-slip surface, each ridge relief being formed with a predetermined configuration of curved portions so that light is reflected to differing extents and in different directions from different portions and the visual appearance of the tile varies when said tile is viewed from different positions and different distances from the tile surface.

The uniformly distributed system of ridge reliefs gives rise to a constant system of sectors with luminescent variables. The different reflection or refraction of light beams corresponding to the changing inclination of the sector components of the ridge reliefs when viewed from different angles and/or distances given rise to variable perception of the reliefs. Thus, in a preferred practical embodiment reliefs of undulant shape are perceived when the tile is viewed from one side whereas they appear cuspidate when viewed from the front or rear.

In instances where the reliefs are given or are formed with more intense colouring than the reticular flat base, by using similar chromatic tones or shades such as, for instance light hazel brown and deep brown, the relief arrangement permits an observer to get a particular effect of chromatic depth. At the same time, the uniformly distributed system of ridge reliefs on the flat base structurally determines an antislip plane which is particularly advantageous for paving.

The invention will be described further, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is a plan view of a preferred embodiment of the tile of the invention; Fig. 2 is a fragmentary perspective view illustrating a small part of the tile shown in Fig: 1; Fig. 3 is a cross-section along the line 3-3 of Fig. 2; and Fig. 4 is a cross-section along the line 4-4 of Fig. 2.

As shown in the drawings, the tile 1 has a system of reliefs 3 with a more intense colouring than the reticular flat base 2. In this particular example the reliefs 3 are coloured dark brown, while the base 2 is a light hazel brown.

The base 2 is rectangular in shape and delimits the system of ridge reliefs 3, which projects upwardly only a fraction of a millimetre from the base or treading plane. Each relief 3 is formed with symmetrical curved portions, as is most clearly illustrated in Fig. 2, so that when viewed from the front or rear they are cuspidate in appearance, whereas when viewed from either side they are undulant. Light is reflected to differing extents and in differing directions from the various curved surfaces of the reliefs so that the visual appearance of the tile varies when viewed from different angles and from different distances. The aforesaid colouring of the base and the ridge reliefs also gives the tile the appearance of having only a certain depth of field.

The paving tile 1 can be used for walls and paving and it can be produced according to well known pressing techniques and in all possible colouring. The size of the reliefs as well as the size and shape of the flat reticular base may, of course, be different from those in the specifically described embodiment.

1. A ceramic paving tile which has been baked only once comprising a flat reticular base having a uniformly distributed system of ridge reliefs providing an anti-slip surface, each ridge relief being formed with a predetermined configuration of curved portions so that light is reflected to different extents and in different directions from different portions and the visual appearance of the tile varies when said tile is viewed from different positions and different distances from the tile surface.

2. A ceramic paving tile as claimed in claim 1 wherein each ridge relief is formed with symmetrical diverging curved portions so that from the front or rear, the ridge reliefs are cuspidate in appearance whereas from the side, they are undulant in appearance.

3. A ceramic paving tile as claimed in claim 1 or 2 wherein the ridge reliefs are of deeper colouring than the base and the shades or tones of colour are so selected that only a certain depth of field is perceived.

4. A ceramic paving tile as claimed in claim 1, 2 or 3 wherein the base of the tile is rectangular in shape.

5. A ceramic paving tile which has been baked only once substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated by the accompanying drawings.

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims (5)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Ceramic tile This invention relates to the conformation of the visualization or treading plane of a ceramic paving tile which has been baked only once. According to the invention, a ceramic paving tile which has been baked only once comprises a flat reticular base having a uniformly distributed system of ridge reliefs providing an anti-slip surface, each ridge relief being formed with a predetermined configuration of curved portions so that light is reflected to differing extents and in different directions from different portions and the visual appearance of the tile varies when said tile is viewed from different positions and different distances from the tile surface. The uniformly distributed system of ridge reliefs gives rise to a constant system of sectors with luminescent variables. The different reflection or refraction of light beams corresponding to the changing inclination of the sector components of the ridge reliefs when viewed from different angles and/or distances given rise to variable perception of the reliefs. Thus, in a preferred practical embodiment reliefs of undulant shape are perceived when the tile is viewed from one side whereas they appear cuspidate when viewed from the front or rear. In instances where the reliefs are given or are formed with more intense colouring than the reticular flat base, by using similar chromatic tones or shades such as, for instance light hazel brown and deep brown, the relief arrangement permits an observer to get a particular effect of chromatic depth. At the same time, the uniformly distributed system of ridge reliefs on the flat base structurally determines an antislip plane which is particularly advantageous for paving. The invention will be described further, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is a plan view of a preferred embodiment of the tile of the invention; Fig. 2 is a fragmentary perspective view illustrating a small part of the tile shown in Fig: 1; Fig. 3 is a cross-section along the line 3-3 of Fig. 2; and Fig. 4 is a cross-section along the line 4-4 of Fig. 2. As shown in the drawings, the tile 1 has a system of reliefs 3 with a more intense colouring than the reticular flat base 2. In this particular example the reliefs 3 are coloured dark brown, while the base 2 is a light hazel brown. The base 2 is rectangular in shape and delimits the system of ridge reliefs 3, which projects upwardly only a fraction of a millimetre from the base or treading plane. Each relief 3 is formed with symmetrical curved portions, as is most clearly illustrated in Fig. 2, so that when viewed from the front or rear they are cuspidate in appearance, whereas when viewed from either side they are undulant. Light is reflected to differing extents and in differing directions from the various curved surfaces of the reliefs so that the visual appearance of the tile varies when viewed from different angles and from different distances. The aforesaid colouring of the base and the ridge reliefs also gives the tile the appearance of having only a certain depth of field. The paving tile 1 can be used for walls and paving and it can be produced according to well known pressing techniques and in all possible colouring. The size of the reliefs as well as the size and shape of the flat reticular base may, of course, be different from those in the specifically described embodiment. CLAIMS

1. A ceramic paving tile which has been baked only once comprising a flat reticular base having a uniformly distributed system of ridge reliefs providing an anti-slip surface, each ridge relief being formed with a predetermined configuration of curved portions so that light is reflected to different extents and in different directions from different portions and the visual appearance of the tile varies when said tile is viewed from different positions and different distances from the tile surface.

2. A ceramic paving tile as claimed in claim 1 wherein each ridge relief is formed with symmetrical diverging curved portions so that from the front or rear, the ridge reliefs are cuspidate in appearance whereas from the side, they are undulant in appearance.

3. A ceramic paving tile as claimed in claim 1 or 2 wherein the ridge reliefs are of deeper colouring than the base and the shades or tones of colour are so selected that only a certain depth of field is perceived.

4. A ceramic paving tile as claimed in claim 1, 2 or 3 wherein the base of the tile is rectangular in shape.

5. A ceramic paving tile which has been baked only once substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated by the accompanying drawings.