AU2016100036B4

AU2016100036B4 - Tile spacer and leveler

Info

Publication number: AU2016100036B4
Application number: AU2016100036A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Peter Castellanos
Original assignee: Invent Holdings Pty Ltd; Invention Holdings Pty Ltd
Current assignee: Invention Holdings Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2016-01-15
Filing date: 2016-01-15
Publication date: 2016-08-18
Anticipated expiration: 2024-01-15
Also published as: AU2016100036A4

Abstract

Tile Spacing and Levelling Device Abstract A tile levelling device comprising a spacer with a horizontal base supporting a vertical stem said stem having an opening to receive a wedge inserted parallel to the base and one or more holes at its junction with the base. The opening is rectangular and matches the maximum rectangular cross section of the wedge 10 with its upper edge V shaped and the top surface of the wedge has mating corrugations.

Description

Tile Spacing and Levelling Device Field of the Invention

This invention relates to devices which uniformly separate tiles and level their edges during laying and is particularly useful in laying large ceramic tiles. However the device may be applied in any situation where uniform separation and levelling of modular components is required.

Background of the Invention

When laying large ceramic floor tiles such as 900mm by 900mm or bigger, tilers have to take care that they are spaced and level so that the edge of one tile does not project above that of its neighbor, referred to as “lippage”, thus presenting a tripping hazard. Doing this by eye and feel takes time and even experienced tilers do not always achieve a uniform level. A number of devices have been invented to facilitate spacing and levelling of tiles whilst laying. Most of them use a spacer 1 with base 2 and stem 3 and wedge 4 similar to those shown in Fig 1. Spacer 1 is placed on the floor between tiles 5 and wedge 4 is forced through aperture 10 in stem 3 forcing tiles 5 into level abutment. After setting, wedge 4 is removed and stem 3 is broken off. Grouting then fills the space between tiles 3 burying the base of spacer 1.

This general design is used in AU 2014100597 and AU 2012101175 by Gorton wherein stem 3 is frangibly connected to base 2 by creating a reduced V shaped section in stem 3 which joins a broader V shaped slot in base 2 of spacer 1. Accordingly stem 3 is broken away from base 2 after tiles 5 have set. However this weakness may also result in stem 3 being broken away by wedge 4 during levelling. Further the big end of wedge 4 does not lend itself to being driven by a tiler’s hand which can become sore after repeated operations. WO 2008118418 teaches a similar device in which base 2 of spacer 1 is curved concave upwards to space tiles 5 up off the floor. Stem 3 has a reduced neck below the surface of tiles 5 to facilitate separation from the base after setting. However this creates the same problem as with AU 2014100597 and AU 2012101175 viz the risk of stem 3 being broken away prematurely by wedge 4 during levelling.

Object of the Invention

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a device for separating and levelling tiles which overcomes the problems of the prior art or at least to provide an alternative to prior art devices.

Summary of the Invention

According to the present invention, a tile levelling device comprises a spacer with a horizontal base supporting a vertical stem said stem having an opening and a wedge inserted through the opening parallel to the base and only one hole on either side of the opening at the junction of the stem with the base.

The device of claim 1 in which the opening is rectangular and matches the maximum rectangular cross section of the wedge.

The device of claim 1 in which the upper edge of the opening in the stem is V shaped and the top surface of the wedge has mating corrugations.

The device of claim 1 in which the wedge has a rounded upper surface at its big end.

The device of claim 1 in which the width of the stem is substantially 3.5cm, the width of the opening is substantially 2.5cm and the width of the holes is substantially 2mm.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Fig 1 is a cross section of a device in situ between adjacent tiles

Fig 2 is a cross section of the device of Fig 1

Fig 3 is an elevation of the device of Fig 1

Fig 4 is a perspective view of the device of Fig 1

Fig 5 is a plan view of the device of Fig 1

Fig 6 is a side elevation of the wedge of the device of Fig 1

Fig 7 is an end elevation of the wedge of the device of Fig 1

Fig 8 is a plan view of the wedge of the device of Fig 1

Fig 9 is a perspective view of the wedge of the device of Fig 1

Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiment

Fig 1 shows spacer 1 with base 2 and stem 3 in situ between adjacent tiles 5. Base 2 is placed on the floor between tiles 5 and wedge 4 is forced through aperture 10 in stem 3 forcing tiles 5 into level abutment. End 7 of wedge 4 is rounded and top surface 8 is corrugated. Tabs 9 on end 7 provide additional contact of wedge 4 on tile 5.

Wedge 4 is inserted in rectangular opening 10 of stem 3 of spacer 1 and pushed through opening 10 thus ensuring level abutment of tiles 5. The top edge 11 of opening 10 is V shaped forming a ratchet with corrugated surface 8 of wedge 4. Stem 3 has lateral reinforcement 12 above edge 11 and top edge 13 is also reinforced.

Two holes 14 are formed in stem 3 where it meets base 2 providing a frangible connection of stem 3 to base 2. When tiles 5 are set firm stem 3 can be easily broken away by a mallet or just kicking by foot and base 2 is subsequently buried by grouting. Wedge 4 can be reused and only spacer 1 is consumed.

Holes 14 are of a critical size so that stem 3 is strong enough to retain wedge 4 during leveling tiles 5 but weak enough to be broken off base 2 when tiles 5 are set firm. When width A of stem 3 is 3.5cm and width B of opening 10 is 2.5cm the critical width C of holes 14 is 2mm.

Variations

It will be realized that the foregoing has been given by way of illustrative example only and that all other modifications and variations as would be apparent to persons skilled in the art are deemed to fall within the broad scope and ambit of the invention as herein set forth. Throughout the description and claims to this specification the word “comprise” and variation of that word such as “comprises “ and “comprising” are not intended to exclude other additives components integers or step.

Claims

Claims

1. A tile levelling device comprising a spacer with a horizontal base supporting a vertical stem said stem having an opening and a wedge inserted through the opening parallel to the base and only one hole on either side of the opening at the junction of the stem with the base.
2. The device of claim 1 in which the opening is rectangular and matches the maximum rectangular cross section of the wedge.
3. The device of claim 1 in which the upper edge of the opening in the stem is V shaped and the top surface of the wedge has mating corrugations.
4. The device of claim 1 in which the wedge has a rounded upper surface at its big end.
5. The device of claim 1 in which the width of the stem is substantially 3.5 cm, the width of the opening is substantially 2.5cm and the width of the holes is substantially 2mm.