Title of Invention	MODULAR FLOORING SYSTEM WITH FRAMED TILES
Abstract	N/A

Full Text

FORM 2 THE PATENTS ACT, 1970 (39 Of 1970) COMPLETE SPECIFICATION (See Section 10, rule 13) MODULAR FLOORING SYSTEM WITH FRAMED TILES SARL GRAU of 8 BOULEVARD VOLTAIRE 19100 BRIVE FRANCE, FRENCH National The following specification particularly describes the nature of the invention and the manner in which it is to be performed : - CERTIFICATE I, "Gerard O' Hagan, BA(Hons.,) translator to Messrs. Taylor & Meyer of 20 Kingsmead Road, London SW2 3JD (United Kingdom), do hereby certify that the following is to the best of my knowledge and belief a true translation into the English language of the accompanying document (International Patent Application Number PCT/FR 03/00025 filed on 7th January 2003), which translation has been made by me and for which I accept responsibility. Signed this 10th day of july 2004 MODULAR FLOORING SYSTEM WITH FRAMED TILES The Invention toletea to n modular floor covor.lng w.LLli tiles and exposed modules for framing the said tiles and contributing towards the aesthetic appearance of the covering. The invention relates in particular to a modular covering, of which the various constituent elements are designed so that their relative positioning, and in particular the alignment and relative orientation of the said elements, are automatic, imposed, invariable and do not require the use of any measuring instrument. The invention concerns in particular a modular floor covering comprising tiles, complementary framing modules being able to be placed with respect to one another so as to form an exposed grid for framing the tiles, and means for assembly of the framing modules with one another in an orientation which is imposed by the shape of the said modules and/or the structure of the said assembly means. The inventor has found that it would be desirable to be able to associate various types of framing modules, such as laminas made of wood or laminate or else metal laminas, and any types of tiles - such as terracotta tiles, ceramic tiles, etc., or tiles made of carpet or other synthetic material such as PVC, or tiles made of natural fibres (coir, sisal, seagrass, etc.), or else tiles made of glass. Such a covering would allow anyone to compose, from elements produced and marketed industrially, a unique floor covering according to their own;tastes. The inventor has found furthermore that it would be desirable to have a modular floor covering which is easy to maintain and whose aesthetic appearance can be modified as desired according to the changing fashions or personal tastes." FR 2,449,762 describes a flooring comprising modular elements forming a rigid and continuous basic network, tiles and finishing strips. The modular elements comprise, on the one hand, "slotted joints" for attaching the elements to one another,.and, on the other hand, "transverse ribs" or fins for supporting the tiles. Each modular element is in the form of a "branch" and has longitudinal "joints" for connecting it to two other aligned elements, and lateral "joints" for connecting.it to two other jperpendicular elements.; The longitudinal "joints" comprise, at one of the longitudinal ends of the branch, a longitudinal tongue provided with lower teeth and, at the other longitudinal end of the branch, a mating longitudinal cavity provided with holes for receiving such teeth. The lateral "joints" comprise, at the middle part of one side of the branch, a lateral tongue provided with teeth and, at the middle part of the other side of the branch, a lateral cavity provided with holes for receiving the teeth of a longitudinal tongue. Thus, each modular element possesses a male-type fastening and a female-type fastening at its longitudinal ends, and a male-type fastening and a female-type fastening at the middle part of its sides, which enable construction of a rigid basic network in all planes. Moreover, each tile, borne by the fins of the modular aleiuanbs wliich are adjacent bo it, is fixed bo the floor by mortar, so that the network itself is also fixed to the floor. Such a flooring is laid permanently and its aesthetic appearance cannot be modified once installed. EP 178,241 described a flooring which can be dismantled, consisting of filler plates which fit between the arms of crosses formed by connecting elements. Each connecting element has a central cutout, with a thickness equal to half the thickness of the flooring and a length equal to the width of the elements, and two cutouts formed at each of its ends, these cutouts being arranged alternately, one \ on one face and the other on the opposite face so as to enable connection by end-to-end fitting of the elements. Each connecting element furthermore comprises a rib along each of its lateral edges, which is intended to fit horizontally into a mating lateral groove made in jthe edge of the adjacent filler plate. The filler plates and connecting elements are thus rigidly fixed to onejanother. Once installed, such a flooring cannot undergo any aesthetic modification of shape, materials, etc., without being totally dismantled. Moreover, it is laborious to maintain. In addition, the presence of lateral mounting grooves in the filler plates limits the choice of material usable for the production of the said plates, and in particular necessitates the use of thick rigid plates, thereby excluding tiles of carpet, natural fibres, etc. US-5,438,809 and DE-200 01 412 Ul have different aims from that of the invention and propose floorings or coverings which, like the prior floorings described above, necessitate the use of particular tiles and/or are difficult to maintain and can, where necessary, only be totally dismantled. In particular, US 5,438,809 aims to propose a flooring which can be laid on any floor, without, the need for providing a finishing layer. The flooring units, which each comprise a plane and rigid support plate, a plurality of decorative tiles and a compressible frame, are assembled by keys in the form of laths. Each key is fitted between two adjacent units into .corresponding grooves made in the lateral edges of the support plates of the said Units. The invention aims to overcome these disadvantages. In particular, the invention aims.to propose a modular floor covering comprising tiles and exposed modules for framing the said tiles, in which the tiles may be of-any type, and in particular of terracotta, ceramic, silica mortar, glass, carpet, PVC, natural fibres, wood, laminate, etc. The invention also aims to propose a method of laying a modular covering which allows the use; of any types of tiles. In particular, an object of the invention is to allow the use of known tiles of standard dimensions, shapes and materials. An\ object of the invention is to propose a floor covering, the maintenance and repair of which are. easy and can be carried out by a person without particular aptitude or competence.. The invention also aims to propose a covering and a method of laying the said covering which allow subsequent aesthetic modifications of the covering by a person without particular aptitude or competence. It also aims to propose such a floor covering which is ready to lay and the laying of which is simple, quick, automatic and does not require: any fixing material of the adhesive or cement type, or any tool, with the possible exception of a screwdriver and/or a. saw for cutting to the required dimensions an element; intended to be laid along the edge of a wall. Examination Report The subject matter does not constitute an invention u/s 2(1 )(j) of the Act, as claims 1-28 lack in inventive step in view of the documents cited in the IPER. The title is inconsistent with the claims. The information given in form 3 should be updated. The proof of right to file this application should be filed along with necessary petition. Reference to foreign patents should be substituted by Indian patent no.(if any) or adequate description. Details regarding the search and/or examination report including claims of the applications allowed, as referred to in Rule 12(3) of the Patents Rule 2003, in respect of same or substantially the same inventions filed in any of the major Patent Offices, such as USPTO, EPO, and JPO etc., along with appropriate translation where applicable, should be submitted within a period of 30 days from the date of receipt of this communication as provided under Section 8(2) of the Indian Patents (Amendment) Act 2002. The form 3,form 5 and form 19 should be corrected as shown there in. The drawing should be prepared following the patent rule 15. A duly verified English translation of the complete specification filed with the international application should be submitted. Kindly note that it may not be possible to repeatedly examine your amended specification, therefore you should submit the documents only after fully complying with the above requirements. If you desire to discuss the matter, you can visit this office with prior appointment.

Documents:

414-mumnp-2004-cancelled pages(29-7-2004).pdf

414-mumnp-2004-correspondence 1(13-9-2004).pdf

414-mumnp-2004-correspondence 2(2-11-2004).pdf

414-mumnp-2004-correspondence(ipo)-(5-2-2007).pdf

414-mumnp-2004-form 19(29-7-2004).pdf

414-mumnp-2004-form 1a(29-7-2004).pdf

414-mumnp-2004-form 2(granted)-(29-7-2004).doc

414-mumnp-2004-form 2(granted)-(29-7-2004).pdf

414-mumnp-2004-form 3(29-7-2004).pdf

414-mumnp-2004-form 5(29-7-2004).pdf

414-mumnp-2004-form-pct-ipea-409(29-7-2004).pdf

414-mumnp-2004-form-pct-isa-210(29-7-2004).pdf

414-mumnp-2004-power of attorney(29-6-2004).pdf