AU2017200815B2

AU2017200815B2 - Tile Lippage Removal System

Info

Publication number: AU2017200815B2
Application number: AU2017200815A
Authority: AU
Inventors: William P. Russo
Original assignee: Russo Trading Co Inc
Current assignee: Russo Trading Company Inc
Priority date: 2017-02-06
Filing date: 2017-02-06
Publication date: 2021-06-24
Anticipated expiration: 2037-02-06
Also published as: AU2017200815A1

Abstract

A tile lippage removal system preferably includes a spacer post, a threaded cap and an anti-friction protection plate. The spacer post includes a base member, a spacer member and a threaded shaft. A bottom of the spacer member extends from a top of the base member. A break away connection is made between the spacer member and the base member. A bottom of the threaded shaft extends from a top of the spacer member. A plurality of grip extensions extend from an outer surface of a substantial inverted cup to allow rotation of the threaded cap. A female thread is formed in a center of the substantial inverted cup to threadably receive the threaded shaft. The anti-friction protection plate includes a round outer perimeter and a spacer opening, which is sized to receive the spacer member. The anti-friction protection plate may be used to improve existing tile lippage removal systems. 13 1/9 10 102 12 100 100 1 25 FIG. 1

Description

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AUSTRALIA

PATENTS ACT 1990

COMPLETE SPECIFICATION TILE LIPPAGE REMOVAL SYSTEM

The following statement is a description of the invention:

TILE LIPPAGE REMOVAL SYSTEM BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to tiles and more

specifically to a tile lippage removal system, which provides

only a downward force for laying tiles.

Discussion of the Prior Art

References herein to methods, apparatus or documents of

the prior art are not to be taken as constituting any evidence

or admission that they formed, or form part of the common

general knowledge.

Patent no. 7992354 to Doda Jr. discloses a device for

leveling and aligning tiles and method for leveling and

aligning tiles. Patent no. 8635815 to Brodin discloses a

leveling spacer for laying wall tiles, paving tiles and the

like with the interposition of gaps. However, both of the

above tile aligning devices and others similar to them, do not

only apply downward force, but also apply a component of

lateral force. The lateral force has the tendency to spread

the tiles away from each other, such that the tile edges are no

longer parallel to each other. Non-parallel edges between

tiles are not acceptable. Additionally, a device that moves

relative to a tile surface to apply downward pressure will also

mar the tile surface. Finally, any lateral movement of the

tiles relative to each other will cause tile glue to ooze out.

Accordingly, there is a clearly felt need in the art for a

tile lippage removal system, which provides only a downward

force for laying tiles; does not mar a top of the tiles; and

prevents oozing of tile glue.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a tile lippage removal

system, which does not mar a top of the tiles. The tile

lippage removal system preferably includes a spacer post, a

threaded cap and an anti-friction protection plate. The spacer

post includes a base member, a spacer member and a threaded

shaft. A bottom of the spacer member extends from a top of the

base member. A break away connection is formed between the

spacer member and the base member. A bottom of the threaded

shaft extends from a top of the spacer member. The threaded

cap preferably includes a substantial inverted cup and a

plurality of grip extensions. The plurality of grip extensions

extend from an outer surface of the substantial inverted cup to

allow rotation of the threaded cap. A female thread is formed

in a center of the substantial inverted cup to threadably

receive the threaded shaft. The anti-friction protection plate

preferably includes a round outer perimeter and a spacer

opening that is sized to receive an outer perimeter of the

spacer post and the threaded shaft. The anti-friction

protection plate may be added to existing tile lippage removal

systems with round threaded caps. The anti-friction protection

plate would have an outer diameter, which is greater than that

of the threaded cap and a spacer opening. The anti-friction

protection plates for wedge type tile lippage removal systems

would have a rectangular perimeter shape and a spacer opening

that is sized to receive an outer perimeter of the spacer post.

The anti-friction protection plate does not move laterally

relative to the two adjacent tiles.

The anti-friction protection plate is preferably fabricated

from a clear or translucent material.

According to an aspect of the present disclosure there is

provided a tile lippage removal system comprising:

a spacer post includes a base member, and a threaded

shaft, a bottom of said threaded shaft extends from a top of

said base member; and

a threaded cap includes a substantially cone shaped

portion having an inverted orientation and a hub, a plurality of

sight openings are formed through said cone shaped portion to

form a plurality of ribs, said plurality of ribs are disposed

between said plurality of sight openings, a plurality of grip

extensions extend from said plurality of ribs, said hub extends

from a top of said substantial cone shaped portion, a female

thread is formed through a center of said hub a plurality of

grip portions are formed on a perimeter of said hub, said female

thread is sized to threadably receive said threaded shaft.

According to a further aspect of the present disclosure

there is provided a tile lippage removal system comprising:

a spacer post includes a base member, a spacer member and

a threaded shaft, a bottom of said spacer member extends from a

top of said base member, a bottom of said threaded shaft extends

from a top of said spacer member; and

a threaded cap includes a substantially cone shaped

portion having an inverted orientation and a hub, a plurality of

sight openings are formed through said cone shaped portion to

form a plurality of ribs, said plurality of ribs are disposed between said plurality of sight openings, said hub extends from a top of said substantial cone shaped portion, a female thread is formed through a center of said hub, a plurality of grip portions are formed on a perimeter of said hub, said female thread is sized to threadably receive said threaded shaft.

According to a further aspect of the present disclosure

there is provided a tile lippage removal system comprising:

a spacer post includes a base member, a spacer member and

a threaded shaft, a bottom of said spacer member extends from a

top of said base member, a break away connection is formed in

said spacer member adjacent said base member, a bottom of said

threaded shaft extends from a top of said spacer member, a

plurality of spacer openings are formed through a junction of

said spacer member and said base member; and

a threaded cap includes a substantially cone shaped

portion having an inverted orientation and a hub, a plurality of

sight openings are formed through said cone shaped portion to

form a plurality of ribs, said plurality of ribs are disposed

between said plurality of sight openings, a plurality of grip

extensions extend from said plurality of ribs, said hub extends

from a top of said substantial cone shaped portion, a female

thread is formed through a center of said hub, a plurality of

grip portions are formed on a perimeter of said hub, said female

thread is sized to threadably receive said threaded shaft.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to

provide a tile lippage removal system, which provides only a

downward force for laying tiles.

3a

It is a further object of the present invention to provide

a tile lippage removal system, which does not mar a top of the

tiles.

Finally, it is another object of the present invention to

provide a tile lippage removal system, which prevents oozing

of tile glue.

These and additional objects, advantages, features and

benefits of the present invention will become apparent from the

following specification.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a tile lippage removal

system retaining two adjacent tiles in accordance with the

present invention.

Figure 2 is a perspective view of a spacer post of a tile

lippage removal system in accordance with the present invention.

Figure 3 is a perspective view of a threaded cap of a tile

lippage removal system in accordance with the present invention.

Figure 3a is a top perspective view of an alterative

design of a threaded cap of a tile lippage removal system in

accordance with the present invention.

Figure 3b is a top perspective view of an alterative

design of a threaded cap of a tile lippage removal system in

3b accordance with the present invention.

Figure 4 is a perspective view of an anti-friction

protection plate of a tile lippage removal system in accordance

with the present invention.

Figure 4a is a perspective view of a universal anti

friction protection plate of a tile lippage removal system in

accordance with the present invention.

Figure 4b is a perspective view of a universal anti

friction protection plate with a spacer post inserted

therethrough of a tile lippage removal system in accordance

with the present invention.

Figure 4c is a top view of an anti-friction protection

plate with a square shaft opening of a tile lippage removal

system in accordance with the present invention.

Figure 5 is a perspective view of an existing tile lippage

removal system with a round threaded cap and an anti-friction

protection plate.

Figure 6 is a perspective view of a second existing tile

lippage removal system with a round threaded cap and an anti

friction protection plate.

Figure 7 is a perspective view of a wedge type existing

tile lippage removal system with an anti-friction protection

plate.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

With reference now to the drawings, and particularly to

figure 1, there is shown a perspective view of a tile lippage

removal system 1. With reference to figures 2 - 4, the tile

lippage removal system 1 preferably includes a spacer post 10,

a threaded cap 12 and an anti-friction protection plate 14.

The spacer post 10 includes a base member 16, a spacer member

18 and a threaded shaft 20. The base member 16 may have any

suitable shape. A bottom of the spacer member 18 extends from

a top of the base member 16. A break away connection 22 is

made between the spacer member 18 and the base member 16. The

break away connection 22 preferably includes a spacer member 18

with a reduced web 24 and a plurality of openings 26. The

break away connection 22 allows the spacer member 18 to be

separated from the base member 16 by kicking the spacer member

18 with a shoe. The spacer member 18 has a thickness, which is

less than a gap 102 between two adjacent tiles 100. A bottom

of the threaded shaft 20 extends from a top of the spacer

member 16.

The threaded cap 12 preferably includes a substantial

inverted cup 28 and a plurality of grip extensions 30. The

plurality of grip extensions 30 extend from an outer surface of

the substantial inverted cup 28 to allow rotation of the

threaded cap 12. A female thread 32 is formed in a center of

the substantial inverted cup 28 to threadably receive the

threaded shaft 20. A plurality of sight openings 25 are formed

through the substantial inverted cup 28. With reference to

figures 3a - 3b, an alternative design of a threaded cap 13

preferably includes a substantial inverted cup 29 and a

plurality of grip extensions 31. A hub 33 extends from a top of

the substantial inverted cup 29. A female thread 35 is formed

through a center of the hub 33 to threadably receive the

threaded shaft 20. A plurality of sight openings 37 are formed

through the substantial inverted cup 29 to form a plurality of

ribs 43.

The plurality of grip extensions 31 extend from said

plurality of ribs 43 to allow rotation of the threaded cap 13.

The anti-friction protection plate 14 preferably includes

a round outer perimeter and a spacer opening 34. The spacer

opening 34 includes a threaded shaft opening 36 and a spacer

member opening 38. With reference to figure 4a, a universal

anti-friction protection plate 15 preferably includes a round

outer perimeter and a spacer opening 17. The spacer opening 17

includes a lateral slot 21, a lateral cross-slot 23. The

lateral slot 21 is substantially perpendicular to the lateral

cross-slot 23. The lateral cross-slot 23 crosses the lateral

slot 21. Each end of the lateral cross-slot 23 is terminated

with a flap member 27. A width "A" of the flap member 27 is

about twice a width "B" of the lateral cross-slot 23. The flap

member 27 is created in the universal anti-friction protection

plate 15 by making two substantially parallel cuts 39, which

are parallel to the lateral cross-slot 23 and an end cut 41 to

define an end of the lateral cross-slot 23. With reference to

figure 4b, a spacer post 11 is inserted through the spacer

opening 17. With reference to figure 4c, an anti-friction

protection plate 19 preferably includes a round outer

perimeter and a rectangular threaded shaft opening 45.

With reference to figures 5 - 6, an anti-friction

protection plate 48 may be added to existing tile lippage

removal systems 40, 42 with round threaded caps 44, 46,

respectively. With reference to figure 5, an anti-friction

protection plate 48 for the round threaded cap 44 would have an

outer diameter, which is greater than that of the threaded cap

44. A spacer opening and a threaded shaft opening are formed through the anti-friction protection plate 48 to provide clearance for a spacer member 52. With reference to figure 6, an anti-friction protection plate 50 for the round threaded cap

44 would have an outer diameter, which is greater than that of

the threaded cap 46. A spacer opening 54 is formed through the

anti-friction protection plate 50 to provide clearance for a

spacer member 56. With reference to figure 7, an anti-friction

protection plate 60 for a wedge type tile lippage removal

system 58 includes a rectangular perimeter shape and a spacer

opening 62 that is sized to receive an outer perimeter of a

spacer member 64. A wedge block 66 is retained in the spacer

member 64. The round threaded caps 44, 46 and the wedge 66 are

hold down devices. The anti-friction protection plates 14, 15,

48, 50, 60 do not move laterally relative to the two adjacent

tiles 100. The anti-friction protection plates 14, 15, 19,

48, 50 and 60 are preferably fabricated from a clear or

translucent material. The combination of the translucent or

clear anti-friction protection plates 14, 15 and 19 and the

plurality of sight openings 25, 37 allow a distance between the

two adjacent tiles 100 to be viewed through the threaded cap

12, 13.

While particular embodiments of the invention have been

shown and described, it will be obvious to those skilled in the

art that changes and modifications may be made without

departing from the invention in its broader aspects, and

therefore, the aim in the appended claims is to cover all such

changes and modifications as fall within the true spirit and

scope of the invention.

In compliance with the statute, the invention has been described in language more or less specific to structural or methodical features. The term "comprises" and its variations, such as "comprising" and "comprised of" is used throughout in an inclusive sense and not to the exclusion of any additional features. It is to be understood that the invention is not limited to specific features shown or described since the means herein described herein comprises preferred forms of putting the invention into effect. The invention is, therefore, claimed in any of its forms or modifications within the proper scope of the appended claims appropriately interpreted by those skilled in the art.

Throughout the specification and claims (if present),

unless the context requires otherwise, the term "substantially"

or "about" will be understood to not be limited to the value

for the range qualified by the terms.

Any embodiment of the invention is meant to be

illustrative only and is not meant to be limiting to the

invention.

Therefore, it should be appreciated that various other

changes and modifications can be made to any embodiment

described without departing from the spirit and scope of the

invention.

Claims

The claims defining the invention are as follows: 1. A tile lippage removal system comprising: a spacer post includes a base member, and a threaded shaft, a bottom of said threaded shaft extends from a top of said base member; an anti-friction protection plate includes a spacer opening that is sized to receive an outer perimeter of said spacer post and said threaded shaft; and, a threaded cap includes a substantially cone shaped portion having an inverted orientation and a hub, a plurality of sight openings are formed through said cone shaped portion to form a plurality of ribs, said plurality of ribs are disposed between said plurality of sight openings, a plurality of grip extensions extend from said plurality of ribs, said hub extends from a top of said substantial cone shaped portion, a female thread is formed through a center of said hub a plurality of grip portions are formed on a perimeter of said hub, said female thread is sized to threadably receive said threaded shaft.
2. A tile lippage removal system of claim 1 wherein: a break away connection is formed between said base member and said threaded shaft.
3. The tile lippage removal system of claim 1 wherein: said anti-friction protection plate includes a round outer perimeter.
4. The tile lippage removal system of claim 1 wherein: said anti-friction plate is fabricated from one of a clear and translucent material.
5. A tile lippage removal system comprising: a spacer post includes a base member, a spacer member and a threaded shaft, a bottom of said spacer member extends from a top of said base member, a bottom of said threaded shaft extends from a top of said spacer member; an anti-friction protection plate includes a spacer opening that is sized to receive an outer perimeter of said spacer post and said threaded shaft; and, a threaded cap includes a substantially cone shaped portion having an inverted orientation and a hub, a plurality of sight openings are formed through said cone shaped portion to form a plurality of ribs, said plurality of ribs are disposed between said plurality of sight openings, said hub extends from a top of said substantial cone shaped portion, a female thread is formed through a center of said hub, a plurality of grip portions are formed on a perimeter of said hub, said female thread is sized to threadably receive said threaded shaft.
6. A tile lippage removal system of claim 5 wherein: a break

away connection is formed between said base member and said

threaded shaft. 11
7. The tile lippage removal system of claim 5 wherein: said

anti-friction protection plate includes a round outer perimeter.
8. The tile lippage removal system of claim 5 wherein: said

anti-friction plate is fabricated from one of a clear and

translucent material.
9. A tile lippage removal system comprising:

a spacer post includes a base member, a spacer member and a

threaded shaft, a bottom of said spacer member extends from a

top of said base member, a break away connection is formed in

said spacer member adjacent said base member, a bottom of said threaded shaft extends from a top of said spacer member, a plurality of spacer openings are formed through a junction of said spacer member and said base member; an anti-friction protection plate includes a spacer opening that is sized to receive an outer perimeter of said spacer post and said threaded shaft; and, a threaded cap includes a substantially cone shaped portion having an inverted orientation and a hub, a plurality of sight openings are formed through said cone shaped portion to form a plurality of ribs, said plurality of ribs are disposed between said plurality of sight openings, a plurality of grip extensions extend from said plurality of ribs, said hub extends from a top of said substantial cone shaped portion, a 12 female thread is formed through a center of said hub, a plurality of grip portions are formed on a perimeter of said hub, said female thread is sized to threadably receive said threaded shaft.
10. The tile lippage removal system of claim 9 wherein: said

anti-friction protection plate includes a round outer perimeter.
11. The tile lippage removal system of claim 9 wherein: said

anti-friction plate is fabricated from one of a clear and

translucent material.