I've been pondering whether to post this idea for a while. The problem is, it's not really an invention, it's more of a design. What's needed is a halfdesignery <cue everyone to link to various sites that fulfil this role>

So the idea is overlapping tiles. The simplest type of overlapping tiling is shingles on a roof - kind of like this : \\\\\\\

But shingles are boring... I want tiles that overlap and underlap each other. So my design uses square saddle-shaped tiles. Each tile is locked in place because it 'underlaps' two tiles and overlaps two tiles.

This tiling might be impractical as a ground covering, but might make a nice ornamental wall covering.

I've shown two embodiments of the ovelapping tiling: first uses thick tiles with spaces between them. second uses paper-thin tiles with no spaces.

This is kind of similar to a trendy wall covering I've noticed recently which uses overlapping circular tiles (I can't find an example on the internet, but if someone can feel free to link to it). EDIT: I've also posted my own rendering of overlapping circular tiles.
-- xaviergisz, Sep 19 2006

No grout interlocking tiles http://www.ezytile.com/
[DrCurry, Sep 19 2006]

Close Fitting Interlocking Tiles http://news.thomasn...ullstory/23114/3283
Again, no grout. [DrCurry, Sep 19 2006]

Interlocking Shingles http://www.roofhelp...ocking_shingles.htm
[jhomrighaus, Sep 19 2006]

No grout lines to clean!? Where do I sign up?
-- Galbinus_Caeli, Sep 19 2006


I think the word you're looking for is "interlocking," and there are plenty of those on the Internet. Then again, a quick search doesn't reveal any that overlap in the way you suggest, so you may well be onto something new.
-- DrCurry, Sep 19 2006


Keep this up and I'll be out of a job.

: ) Carry on.
-- 2 fries shy of a happy meal, Sep 19 2006


they have these as solar panels for roofs
-- costellogroup, Jul 26 2007



random, halfbakery