Exploring possibilities for rubber tiles

At http://www.redesignme.com/ a challenge was placed to think of new ways to use rubber tiles. These tiles are used for playgrounds and as a tactile surface for the blind. I supposed a Plug & Play horizontal roof tile system.

A tiling system for insulating and covering horizontal roofs that is very easy to install and thus can be fitted as DIY system by laymen. This system is 100% detachable and reusable and can be refitted in another building after detachment. Elements that are at the end of their lifetime can be send back to the factory to be recycled into new tiles. This system is therefore cradle to cradle.

  

The system consists of sandwich tile elements consisting of three layers:

1. rubber for water protection and interlock
2. polyurethane foam for insulation
3. concrete for adding weight

The tiles could have the standard 30 x 30 cm dimension, but for the purpose of roofing, tiles with a bigger dimension will probably be more cost effective (f.i. 60 x 60 cm).

The tiles are laid on the prepared roof, which must have a small drainage slope. Tiles are not glued or riveted, they are held by gravity (concrete base) and interlock.

Several tile elements are required to form a roof:

• standard tiles to cover areas
• perimeter tiles with heightened edge to build perimeter
• drainpipe tiles to connect to rainwater drains
• custom tiles made to order to cover irregular shaped roofs

The essential element in this system is the seal between the tiles. This seal must be 100% watertight and stay that way for 50 years or more. Additional to that, the interface must be able to be opened and closed several times with ease to be fully “plug & play”. Furthermore the seal must cope with shrinking and expansion of the tiles and under laying roof without causing leaks.

I think I have invented such seal, but I cannot post about it here as I might want to patent it later on.