Random installation carpet tiles
Carpet tiles having patterns and color schemes that obviate the need to orient the tiles relative to each other. The tiles exhibit orthogonal ambiguity, meaning that they may be laid in any side-by-side orientation with respect to adjacent tiles without looking out of place to the ordinary viewer and thereby still achieving an appearance of continuity like broadloom carpet. Each tile has patterns of shapes having some straight sides and that appear to be randomly positioned but oriented with some straight sides parallel to carpet tile sides. The shapes are formed from a color or combination of colors so that adjacent shapes on each tile have at least one color in common. Furthermore, each tile has at least one color in common with every other tile, so that when the tiles are laid, the colors on adjacent tiles coordinate. All of the colors have similar intensities so that no one color will significantly stand out from the other colors. Moreover, because the pattern on each tile appears random, placement of the tiles on the floor in any side-by-side orientation simply creates a larger, apparently random pattern, rendering it impossible for any tile to look out of place.
1 - 26 . (canceled)
27 . Carpet tiles comprising edges and textile faces having patterns, wherein the carpet tiles may be installed in abutting relation to each other with an abutting tile edge of one tile abutting an abutting tile edge of an abutting tile, wherein the one tile may be positioned at any location along the abutting tile edge of the abutting tile while camouflaging to an ordinary viewer the location of the abutting tile edges.
28 . Floorcovering comprising a plurality of carpet tiles of claim 27 positioned on a flooring surface.
29 . The carpet tiles of claim 27 , wherein the tiles have tufted faces.
30 . The carpet tiles of claim 27 , wherein the tiles have woven faces.
31 . The carpet tiles of claim 27 , wherein the tiles have fusion bonded faces.
32 . The carpet tiles of claim 27 , wherein the tiles are printed.
33 . The carpet tiles of claim 27 , wherein the tiles are square.
34 . The carpet tiles of claim 27 , wherein each tile pattern comprises at least one shape formed by at least one straight line.
35 . The carpet tiles of claim 34 , wherein the at least one straight line is oriented parallel to at least one edge of the tile on which the at least one straight line appears.
36 . The carpet tiles of claim 34 , wherein the at least one shape is a rectangular shape.
37 . The carpet tile of claim 27 , wherein each tile pattern comprises a background color and a first color different from the background color.
38 . The carpet tile of claim 37 , wherein the background color and the first color have similar intensities.
39 . The carpet tile of claim 37 , wherein each tile pattern further comprises a second color different from the background color and the first color.
40 . Carpet tiles, each tile comprising at least one pair of opposing tile edges and a textile face having a pattern, wherein the carpet tiles may be installed in abutting relation to each other with an abutting tile edge of one tile abutting an abutting tile edge of an abutting tile and with the opposing tile edges of the one tile offset by any amount from the opposing tile edges of the abutting tile without betraying to an ordinary viewer the location of the abutting tile edges.
41 . Floorcovering comprising a plurality of carpet tiles of claim 40 positioned on a flooring surface.
42 . The floorcovering of claim 41 , wherein the tiles are positioned in a plurality of aligned columns and wherein the opposing tile edges of at least some abutting tiles in adjacent columns are not aligned.
43 . The floorcovering of claim 42 , wherein the opposing tile edges of tiles in alternate columns are not aligned.
44 . The floorcovering of claim 42 , wherein the opposing tile edges of tiles in alternate columns are aligned.
45 . The floorcovering of claim 41 , wherein the tiles are positioned in a plurality of aligned rows and wherein the opposing tile edges of at least some abutting tiles in adjacent rows are not aligned.
46 . The floorcovering of claim 45 , wherein the opposing tile edges of tiles in alternate rows are not aligned.
47 . The floorcovering of claim 45 , wherein the opposing tile edges of tiles in alternate rows are aligned.
48 . A method of producing the floorcovering of claim 41 comprising:
(a) forming carpet tiles, each tile comprising at least one pair of opposing tile edges and a textile face having a pattern, wherein the tiles may be assembled abutting on a flooring surface with an abutting tile edge of one tile abutting an abutting tile edge of an abutting tile and with the opposing tile edges of the one tile offset by any amount from the opposing tile edges of the abutting tile without betraying to an ordinary viewer the location of the abutting tile edges; and
(b) positioning the carpet tiles side-by-side on a flooring surface so that the opposing edges of at least some abutting tiles are offset from each other.
49 . The method of claim 48 , wherein the carpet tiles are formed by designing a pattern for a carpet web, producing the carpet web with the pattern, and cutting the carpet web into the tiles.
50 . The method of claim 49 , wherein the production of the carpet web with the pattern comprises tufting yarn into a backing to produce the pattern.
51 . A method of installing on a floor rectangular carpet tiles, each comprising at least one pair of opposing tile edges and a tile pattern, comprising assembling the tiles abutting on a flooring surface in a plurality of aligned, adjacent rows, wherein the opposing tile edges of at least some abutting tiles in adjacent rows are offset by an amount that can be any amount while still creating a carpet tile assembly that appears to an ordinary viewer as a visually continuous carpeted surface in which no tile appears to be improperly positioned.
52 . A method of installing on a floor rectangular carpet tiles, each comprising at least one pair of opposing tile edges and a tile pattern, comprising assembling the tiles abutting on a flooring surface in a plurality of aligned, adjacent columns, wherein the opposing tile edges of at least some abutting tiles in adjacent columns are offset by an amount that can be any amount while still creating a carpet tile assembly that appears to an ordinary viewer as a visually continuous carpeted surface in which no tile appears to be improperly positioned.
53 . Carpet tiles, each tile comprising four tile edges and a face, wherein the tiles are positioned abutting on a floor and abutting tile edges are camouflaged without regard to the relative positions of the abutting tiles.