Appeal No. 2004-0749 Page 7
Application No. 09/891,746
disposed in a substantially vertical position, wherein said simulated tile elements
comprise printed segments of a printable magnetic sheet material.
27. A method for simulating at least one prospective arrangement of floor
covering tile elements across a flooring support surface, comprising:
applying a plurality of independently manually manipulatable simulated tile
elements across a substantially planar display face in an array substantially
corresponding to the prospective arrangement of floor covering tile elements
across a flooring support surface, wherein said simulated tile elements are
rectangular and substantially magnetic in character and include a show surface
including a surface design pattern corresponding to a surface design pattern of a
prospective floor covering tile element within said prospective arrangement of
floor covering tile elements across a flooring support surface, said simulated tile
elements being independently releasably attachable, manipulatable and
rotatable across the display face by means of magnetic attraction between the
simulated tile elements and the display face with the show surface facing away
from the display face such that said simulated tile elements are normally held in
place relative to one another across the display face but are removable and
adjustable by manual manipulation such that said array is alterable to simulate
one or more alternative abutting arrangements of floor covering tile elements.
Barlett's invention is concerned with improvements in or relating to planning and
toy assemblies, and the like, employing movable elements made from sheet permanent
magnet material. The planning assembly illustrated in Figures 1-5 is intended for the
planning of the layout of office furniture. Barlett teaches (column 4, lines 51-57) that
"the fundamental structure involved is applicable to other planning assemblies, such as
for kitchens, bathrooms, living accommodations, architectural layouts and landscaping,
or to like structures such as annunciators requiring selectable movable information
elements, or to toys employing selectable movable decorative and information
elements."
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