CA2090631A1 - Spacing/levelling device - Google Patents
Spacing/levelling deviceInfo
- Publication number
- CA2090631A1 CA2090631A1 CA 2090631 CA2090631A CA2090631A1 CA 2090631 A1 CA2090631 A1 CA 2090631A1 CA 2090631 CA2090631 CA 2090631 CA 2090631 A CA2090631 A CA 2090631A CA 2090631 A1 CA2090631 A1 CA 2090631A1
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- levelling
- tile
- tiles
- spacing
- levelling plate
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
Links
Classifications
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E04—BUILDING
- E04F—FINISHING WORK ON BUILDINGS, e.g. STAIRS, FLOORS
- E04F21/00—Implements for finishing work on buildings
- E04F21/20—Implements for finishing work on buildings for laying flooring
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Architecture (AREA)
- Civil Engineering (AREA)
- Structural Engineering (AREA)
- Finishing Walls (AREA)
Abstract
ABSTRACT OF THE INVENTION
In the thin set laying of stone or ceramic tile, tiles are set by floating them over a uniformly applied screed of adhesive applied to a level substrate. In this invention combination spacing / levelling devices are used to equally space the corners of adjacent tiles and to maintain them at an equal elevation over the adhesive and substrate. The spacer/leveller device may comprise spacing fins and a guide for maintaining the corner of adjacent tiles flush while mortar is setting. The device works as a guide to facilitate level installation with uniform grout joints and it becomes part of the permanent fabric of the installation. Tiles are temporally supported by spacer/levellers at each corner (while adhesive is drying) and by virtue of the spacer/leveller design they are automatically flush to each other with equal joint spaces separating them. The invention substantially reduces the dependence on the skill of the tile layer to space tiles equally and set them on the same horizontal plane.
In the thin set laying of stone or ceramic tile, tiles are set by floating them over a uniformly applied screed of adhesive applied to a level substrate. In this invention combination spacing / levelling devices are used to equally space the corners of adjacent tiles and to maintain them at an equal elevation over the adhesive and substrate. The spacer/leveller device may comprise spacing fins and a guide for maintaining the corner of adjacent tiles flush while mortar is setting. The device works as a guide to facilitate level installation with uniform grout joints and it becomes part of the permanent fabric of the installation. Tiles are temporally supported by spacer/levellers at each corner (while adhesive is drying) and by virtue of the spacer/leveller design they are automatically flush to each other with equal joint spaces separating them. The invention substantially reduces the dependence on the skill of the tile layer to space tiles equally and set them on the same horizontal plane.
Description
r`~
2 0 9 ~
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to a device for maintainlng proper spacing and levelling of tiles during the thin setting of tiles. The tile may be stone, ceramic or porcelain and they are applied using a thin set adhe~ive compound on a level substrate.
DESCRIPTION OF PRIOR ART
In a conventional thin set system of laying floor tiles, a level, flat substrate is prepared of either plywood or concrete. In the case of a large aoor, concrete IBoften used to level out any highs and lows in the structure. The concrete is allowed to dry thoroughiy before setting tile. In smaller floors l/2" plywood icrewed to the structure is often used with shims to correct for non-levelness in the structure.
Adhesive i~ then applied to the sub6trate in uniform thickness with a grooved trowel or spreader typically 1/8" to l/4" thick. Tiles are placed at the same height, level and flush with adlacent tiles. If a tile sits low, the tile layer lifts the tile and butters the bottom of the tiie with additional adhesive. The tile is then placed down again and checked for height. If it is still low the latter step is repeated. If the tile slts hi8h in relation to the ad~acent tiles the tile layer will attempt to hammer it down ~, ;,.
with a rubber maLet. If this does not work ~atisfactorlly the tile layer wlll lift up the . .
tile and remove excess adheslve. Care must be also taken to ensure the ~oints ` between tiles are of uniform thickness. With marble or granite tiles It is desirable that the Joints are tight usually approximately lmrn wide. With other kinds of tiies ~oints vary from 2mm to lOmm; depending on the desired appearance. Typically ; ~ ~oints for cerarnic or porcelain tiles are 3 to 4mm in width. The tile layer, after ' ' 2$ establishing the desired ~oint thickness must ensure that all loints are of equal ;
"
2~906~1 :
thickness. Thus the f~nal success and beauty of the completed installatlon is dependent on the skill of the tile layer to set the tiles level and flush with even joints.
The problem with the conventional thin set installation method i8 it 1s difflcult to achieve flush placement of tiles with equal ~oint thicknesses. Also, tiles may accidentally get depressed while the adhesive is setting. .Accurate levelling tools and much tlme and care is needed to produce satisfactory work. The conventional method is labour intensive and thus expensive and the final result is not guaranteed but dependent on the skill of the indivldual tile layer. Workmanship, even by skilled tradesmen, often falls short of customer satisfaction.
':' '`' ',...
There is a presently a device comrnercially available which is used as a spacer for the ~".. ...
separation of tiles only. The device contains no levelling component and therefore ~ ', , , ~ " .
the tile layer must still use levelling tools and check and ad~ust adhesive thicknesses ~ ' lS as he works. In another device commercially avallable for the installation of lar~e concrete roof pavers, a pedestal type device provides the structural support and ', alignment for the paver6 over a roof deck. The pedesta1 type devices work as sleepers to permit water draina8e between the pavers snd roof deck and is not applicable to the laying of floor ant wall tile u6ing a cement type adhesive . No prior art which is more similar to my invention than that described 18 known to the applicant, ~-~ SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
~, This inven~tion compri6es a device that! comprises, spacing fins for properly spacing the corner6 of ad,lacent tiles which is attached to, or forms an integral part of a , ~
; 2S levelling plate to set the corners of the ad~acent tiles level, The levelling plate may ; "
, 2 ~;
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be corrugated or of other suitable form to allow easy location of the device in 6upporting screed on which the tiles are to be laid. I~e device may be made out of hard plastic or other suitable materials such as metal, flbreglass, rubber, cardboard, cement, plaster or wood products. --I have found that the present invention can be used in the installation process of tile -; -to insure level and flush placement of tiles with equal joints requir~ng less s~ill, care and time by the tradesman than in an ~stallation not using this inventlorl. The invention mitigates many of the problems in thin set tile laying discussed earlier.
Sirnilar to normal tile installation, a level and ~at ply\vood or concrete substrate must flrst be prepared. Adhesive is then applied to the substrate with the spreader. ;~
The present invention (referred to herein as spacer/leveller) is placed on the bed of adhesive at the locations of the four comers of the tile to be set. The spacer/leveller is then pushed down hard to the substrate, squeezing out the adhesive 80 that the underside of the corrugations roughly touch the 6ubstrate. As the tiles are placed down, the 6pacer/levellers are slid over 80 that the comer of each tile rests snugly i on each spacer/leveller. This process is repeated as successive spacer/levellers and tiles are laid down. Levelling tools are not required while laying the ti1es, Where the tile pattern consists of a grid of rectangular tiles, each spacer/leveller will support ,. ~ ....
four tile comers except at the edge of the floor where the spacer/leveller will support ~ :
only two tiles. C}routing of tiles follows according to the conventiona1 procedure -, . . .
presently in use.
~ ~ _3_ ~ .
20sa6~
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The drawlngs which ~llustrate the princlples of the embodiments of the invention may ' ~ ', be modified and changed with respect to the immediate illustratlon all within the true scope and intent of the invention herein defined and cla~ned. In the drawings~
S FIG. 1 is an isometric view of the tile spacer/leveller set on substrate with tiles ~ ', interposed at two locationæ;
',' ~ '' FIG. 2 is the section view of the embodiment shown in Fig. 1;
FI~. 3 i6 an isometric view of the preferred embodiment illustrating the form of the apacer/leveller when viewed from above;
FIG. 4 is an i60metric view of the spacer 1eveller when viewed from belo~
FIG. S is an isometrlc view of another embodirnent used for edges of tiled areas;
FI~. 6 is an isometric view of another embodiment used for corners of tiled areas;
FIG. 7 is an isometric view of another embodiment used for rectangular tiles in a ~: -staggeredpattem;
IS PI0. 8 is an lsometric view of another embodlment uaed for ti1e patterns composed of octagonal snd square tiles;
FIt~. 9 is an isometric view of another embodiment used for ti1e pattern6 composed ~;
of hexagonal tiles;
FI~. 1018 an axonometric view of a variation of the embodiment 6hown in Fig. 1 2 0 using a levelling plate incorporating bidirectional fluting;
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FI0, 11 is a sectlon view of a variation of the embodiment shown in ~ig. 1 u~ing a 1evelling plate with uni-directional flutlng in the underside of the levelling plate.
FI~. 12 i6, a section ,view of a variatlon of the embodiment shown in Fig. 1 using,a , ,~
levelling plate comprising a flat slab with a series of parallel ridges extending from 2S lts under61de.
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.. .. .
20~06?1 .-FIG. 13 is a section view of a variation of the embodiment shown in Fig. 1 using a levelling plate that is a flat slab of uniform thickne~s. ";
FIG. 14 is a section view of a variation of the embodiment shown in Fig.l using a levelling plate that is corrugated in shapes; and ' '' Fig, 15 is an isometric view of another variation of the embodiment shown in Fig. -'' ,', 1 with perforations on the levelling plate. ' '"
;,,'~, DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS "' ' ,'',"
The present invention will be described herein after with reference to :~igures 1 - 12 in which l~ke reference numerals designate like or corre6ponding parts throughout.
Fig. 1 ~ 2 illustrate an embodiment of the present invention sittin8 on the subsirate ,' 6. The spacer~ieveller device 1 comprises spacing fins 2 attached to levelling plate 3. Levelling plate 3 is comprised of V-shape corrugations which allow adhesive to be ; 'squeezed out at either end when the spacer/leveller is set down on the substrate 6 '~',;coated with the adheslve screed 5. The levelling p1ate 3 is of constant height 80 that '' the surface 11 of the substrate and the underside 12 of the tile will be parallel.
Spacing fins 2 as shown in Fig. 1 is used for spacing four abutting tiles of a rectilinear ~ ~ ' :, grid format. The thickness of aU the spacing fins is identlcal. Tiles 4 rest on levelling ~', ;,, plate 3 and are separated by spaclng fins 2. Adhesive screed 5 sits on subotrate 6 below the tiles 4. Adhesive 7 will sit beneath spacer/leveller 1 with excess adhesive ,'~
being squeezed out via the V shape corrugations. No adhesive is located above the ' ", ~' Iwe,lling plate 3 in cavity 8 of the co,rrugations. Any trapped adhes1ve under the! tile " ', can flow into these cavities 8 and thus not encumber positive contact between the ' ' 'tile 4 and the line of contact on the spacer/ leveller 12. C~rout 16 flll~ the ,3oint ~, 209û~31 ~-between the tiles 4 coverlng spacing fins 2.
Figures 3 and 4 illustrate another embodiment of the present Invention. This embodiment comprises spacing fins 2 as described previously attached to a levelling plate 3 which consists of a four by four ar~ay of invert0d hollow pyramids. Eachpyramid Is identic~l in height and width. The levelling plate 3 sits on the substrate making contact at 6ixteen points 12 at the apex of the pyramids. This design involveæ
a m~nimum displacement of adhesive 7 from under the levelllng plate. The pyramidform provldes maximum strength for material used. While a four by four array Is described and illustrated it wlll be appreciated that different arraya are possib1e.
Flgure 5 shows a variaffon of the embodiment shown in Flg. 1 used at ed8es of tile patterns. The spacing fins 2 are T shaped when viewed from above. The top of theT aligns with edge of the levelling plate. The levelling plate 3 is half the ~ze of that shown in the embodiment illustrated in Fig. 1 because of its use at edge of tilelS patterns.
~igure 6 shows a variaHon of the embodiment shown in Figure 1 wed for comers of tile patterns. The spacing flns 2 are L shaped when vlewed from above and areconnected to the levelling plate 3 at the edges.
FIgure 7 shows a variation of the embodiment shown in Figure 1 used for staggered tile pattems. A T shape spacing fin 218 cormected to the levelling plate 3 ~n a the centre.
Flgure 8 illustrates a varlation of the spacer/leveller used for tile pattema composed of octagonal and square tiles. The sRacing fins 3 are Y in shape when viswed from ; ~ above with the flns being offset from each other at 90 degrees, 135 degrees and 90 25 ~ ~ de8rees respectively.
` :: ,:
2 Q 9 ~
Figure 9 illustrates a variation of the spacer/leveller used for tile patterns composed of hexagonal tile. The spacing fins 3 are Y in shape when viewed from above wlth ~ ' ' ., 7'~
the fins each being offset from the other by 120 degrees. -:,:
~igure 10 illustrates another embodiment of the spacer/leveller in w~ich the levelling ~-S plate i8 made of a flat plate with serni-circular channels 13 routed out of, or formed on the bottom equally spaced hl two directions.
Figure 11 illwtrates another embodiment of the spacer/leveller in which the levelling plate is made of a flat slab with parallel fluting 13 formed on the underside of it.
Figure 12 illustrates another varlation of the embod~nent of the spacer/leveller where ~ ~ ;
the levelling plate 3 comprises a flat plate with a series of parallel ridges 14 of uniform height extending down from its underside. :~
Figure 13 illustrates another variation of the embodiment of the spacer/leveller where ., . , . -the levell~ng plate comprise a simple flat slab 3 of uniform thickness. ~:
Pigure 14 shows yet another variation of the embodiment of the spacer/leveller lS where the levelling plate 3 is a corrugated form of constant height.
,.,;
~igure 15 illustrates a further embodiment of the de~ice where the levelllng p!ates : ::
~escrlbed above contains holes 15 or perforatlons which would improve ease of ~, placernent where adheslves are of high vlscoslty, Any one of the embodiments for the spacing fins form described in the foregoing can be used in combinatlon with any one of the embodiments of the forms of the ` ~ ~ levelling plates descdbed In the forcgoing, ,,~ All the embodlments tescdbed above could be made of hard plastic in a process of plastic ir~ectlon into a mould "of !the entire, embodiment. Alternattvely tb~e , embodiments could be cast from metal, cement, plaster or flbre glass and resin mix.
-- 2S Alternatlveb the embodiments could be of wood or composlte pulp / wood products , ~,: "~
7 ,. i ',', '.
,,",......
,~ 2Q906~1 :
and made by an embos6ing press. ~:
While the preferred embodiment6 of the invention have been explained and illustrated it wlll be appreciated that the invention i6 not restricted to these specific form~ but it may con6ist of further embodiments and I~ of broader scope as defined in the claims.
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BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to a device for maintainlng proper spacing and levelling of tiles during the thin setting of tiles. The tile may be stone, ceramic or porcelain and they are applied using a thin set adhe~ive compound on a level substrate.
DESCRIPTION OF PRIOR ART
In a conventional thin set system of laying floor tiles, a level, flat substrate is prepared of either plywood or concrete. In the case of a large aoor, concrete IBoften used to level out any highs and lows in the structure. The concrete is allowed to dry thoroughiy before setting tile. In smaller floors l/2" plywood icrewed to the structure is often used with shims to correct for non-levelness in the structure.
Adhesive i~ then applied to the sub6trate in uniform thickness with a grooved trowel or spreader typically 1/8" to l/4" thick. Tiles are placed at the same height, level and flush with adlacent tiles. If a tile sits low, the tile layer lifts the tile and butters the bottom of the tiie with additional adhesive. The tile is then placed down again and checked for height. If it is still low the latter step is repeated. If the tile slts hi8h in relation to the ad~acent tiles the tile layer will attempt to hammer it down ~, ;,.
with a rubber maLet. If this does not work ~atisfactorlly the tile layer wlll lift up the . .
tile and remove excess adheslve. Care must be also taken to ensure the ~oints ` between tiles are of uniform thickness. With marble or granite tiles It is desirable that the Joints are tight usually approximately lmrn wide. With other kinds of tiies ~oints vary from 2mm to lOmm; depending on the desired appearance. Typically ; ~ ~oints for cerarnic or porcelain tiles are 3 to 4mm in width. The tile layer, after ' ' 2$ establishing the desired ~oint thickness must ensure that all loints are of equal ;
"
2~906~1 :
thickness. Thus the f~nal success and beauty of the completed installatlon is dependent on the skill of the tile layer to set the tiles level and flush with even joints.
The problem with the conventional thin set installation method i8 it 1s difflcult to achieve flush placement of tiles with equal ~oint thicknesses. Also, tiles may accidentally get depressed while the adhesive is setting. .Accurate levelling tools and much tlme and care is needed to produce satisfactory work. The conventional method is labour intensive and thus expensive and the final result is not guaranteed but dependent on the skill of the indivldual tile layer. Workmanship, even by skilled tradesmen, often falls short of customer satisfaction.
':' '`' ',...
There is a presently a device comrnercially available which is used as a spacer for the ~".. ...
separation of tiles only. The device contains no levelling component and therefore ~ ', , , ~ " .
the tile layer must still use levelling tools and check and ad~ust adhesive thicknesses ~ ' lS as he works. In another device commercially avallable for the installation of lar~e concrete roof pavers, a pedestal type device provides the structural support and ', alignment for the paver6 over a roof deck. The pedesta1 type devices work as sleepers to permit water draina8e between the pavers snd roof deck and is not applicable to the laying of floor ant wall tile u6ing a cement type adhesive . No prior art which is more similar to my invention than that described 18 known to the applicant, ~-~ SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
~, This inven~tion compri6es a device that! comprises, spacing fins for properly spacing the corner6 of ad,lacent tiles which is attached to, or forms an integral part of a , ~
; 2S levelling plate to set the corners of the ad~acent tiles level, The levelling plate may ; "
, 2 ~;
2ogo63l "~.,.
be corrugated or of other suitable form to allow easy location of the device in 6upporting screed on which the tiles are to be laid. I~e device may be made out of hard plastic or other suitable materials such as metal, flbreglass, rubber, cardboard, cement, plaster or wood products. --I have found that the present invention can be used in the installation process of tile -; -to insure level and flush placement of tiles with equal joints requir~ng less s~ill, care and time by the tradesman than in an ~stallation not using this inventlorl. The invention mitigates many of the problems in thin set tile laying discussed earlier.
Sirnilar to normal tile installation, a level and ~at ply\vood or concrete substrate must flrst be prepared. Adhesive is then applied to the substrate with the spreader. ;~
The present invention (referred to herein as spacer/leveller) is placed on the bed of adhesive at the locations of the four comers of the tile to be set. The spacer/leveller is then pushed down hard to the substrate, squeezing out the adhesive 80 that the underside of the corrugations roughly touch the 6ubstrate. As the tiles are placed down, the 6pacer/levellers are slid over 80 that the comer of each tile rests snugly i on each spacer/leveller. This process is repeated as successive spacer/levellers and tiles are laid down. Levelling tools are not required while laying the ti1es, Where the tile pattern consists of a grid of rectangular tiles, each spacer/leveller will support ,. ~ ....
four tile comers except at the edge of the floor where the spacer/leveller will support ~ :
only two tiles. C}routing of tiles follows according to the conventiona1 procedure -, . . .
presently in use.
~ ~ _3_ ~ .
20sa6~
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The drawlngs which ~llustrate the princlples of the embodiments of the invention may ' ~ ', be modified and changed with respect to the immediate illustratlon all within the true scope and intent of the invention herein defined and cla~ned. In the drawings~
S FIG. 1 is an isometric view of the tile spacer/leveller set on substrate with tiles ~ ', interposed at two locationæ;
',' ~ '' FIG. 2 is the section view of the embodiment shown in Fig. 1;
FI~. 3 i6 an isometric view of the preferred embodiment illustrating the form of the apacer/leveller when viewed from above;
FIG. 4 is an i60metric view of the spacer 1eveller when viewed from belo~
FIG. S is an isometrlc view of another embodirnent used for edges of tiled areas;
FI~. 6 is an isometric view of another embodiment used for corners of tiled areas;
FIG. 7 is an isometric view of another embodiment used for rectangular tiles in a ~: -staggeredpattem;
IS PI0. 8 is an lsometric view of another embodlment uaed for ti1e patterns composed of octagonal snd square tiles;
FIt~. 9 is an isometric view of another embodiment used for ti1e pattern6 composed ~;
of hexagonal tiles;
FI~. 1018 an axonometric view of a variation of the embodiment 6hown in Fig. 1 2 0 using a levelling plate incorporating bidirectional fluting;
'~ :~
"
FI0, 11 is a sectlon view of a variation of the embodiment shown in ~ig. 1 u~ing a 1evelling plate with uni-directional flutlng in the underside of the levelling plate.
FI~. 12 i6, a section ,view of a variatlon of the embodiment shown in Fig. 1 using,a , ,~
levelling plate comprising a flat slab with a series of parallel ridges extending from 2S lts under61de.
":
,'',:,.
.. .. .
20~06?1 .-FIG. 13 is a section view of a variation of the embodiment shown in Fig. 1 using a levelling plate that is a flat slab of uniform thickne~s. ";
FIG. 14 is a section view of a variation of the embodiment shown in Fig.l using a levelling plate that is corrugated in shapes; and ' '' Fig, 15 is an isometric view of another variation of the embodiment shown in Fig. -'' ,', 1 with perforations on the levelling plate. ' '"
;,,'~, DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS "' ' ,'',"
The present invention will be described herein after with reference to :~igures 1 - 12 in which l~ke reference numerals designate like or corre6ponding parts throughout.
Fig. 1 ~ 2 illustrate an embodiment of the present invention sittin8 on the subsirate ,' 6. The spacer~ieveller device 1 comprises spacing fins 2 attached to levelling plate 3. Levelling plate 3 is comprised of V-shape corrugations which allow adhesive to be ; 'squeezed out at either end when the spacer/leveller is set down on the substrate 6 '~',;coated with the adheslve screed 5. The levelling p1ate 3 is of constant height 80 that '' the surface 11 of the substrate and the underside 12 of the tile will be parallel.
Spacing fins 2 as shown in Fig. 1 is used for spacing four abutting tiles of a rectilinear ~ ~ ' :, grid format. The thickness of aU the spacing fins is identlcal. Tiles 4 rest on levelling ~', ;,, plate 3 and are separated by spaclng fins 2. Adhesive screed 5 sits on subotrate 6 below the tiles 4. Adhesive 7 will sit beneath spacer/leveller 1 with excess adhesive ,'~
being squeezed out via the V shape corrugations. No adhesive is located above the ' ", ~' Iwe,lling plate 3 in cavity 8 of the co,rrugations. Any trapped adhes1ve under the! tile " ', can flow into these cavities 8 and thus not encumber positive contact between the ' ' 'tile 4 and the line of contact on the spacer/ leveller 12. C~rout 16 flll~ the ,3oint ~, 209û~31 ~-between the tiles 4 coverlng spacing fins 2.
Figures 3 and 4 illustrate another embodiment of the present Invention. This embodiment comprises spacing fins 2 as described previously attached to a levelling plate 3 which consists of a four by four ar~ay of invert0d hollow pyramids. Eachpyramid Is identic~l in height and width. The levelling plate 3 sits on the substrate making contact at 6ixteen points 12 at the apex of the pyramids. This design involveæ
a m~nimum displacement of adhesive 7 from under the levelllng plate. The pyramidform provldes maximum strength for material used. While a four by four array Is described and illustrated it wlll be appreciated that different arraya are possib1e.
Flgure 5 shows a variaffon of the embodiment shown in Flg. 1 used at ed8es of tile patterns. The spacing fins 2 are T shaped when viewed from above. The top of theT aligns with edge of the levelling plate. The levelling plate 3 is half the ~ze of that shown in the embodiment illustrated in Fig. 1 because of its use at edge of tilelS patterns.
~igure 6 shows a variaHon of the embodiment shown in Figure 1 wed for comers of tile patterns. The spacing flns 2 are L shaped when vlewed from above and areconnected to the levelling plate 3 at the edges.
FIgure 7 shows a variation of the embodiment shown in Figure 1 used for staggered tile pattems. A T shape spacing fin 218 cormected to the levelling plate 3 ~n a the centre.
Flgure 8 illustrates a varlation of the spacer/leveller used for tile pattema composed of octagonal and square tiles. The sRacing fins 3 are Y in shape when viswed from ; ~ above with the flns being offset from each other at 90 degrees, 135 degrees and 90 25 ~ ~ de8rees respectively.
` :: ,:
2 Q 9 ~
Figure 9 illustrates a variation of the spacer/leveller used for tile patterns composed of hexagonal tile. The spacing fins 3 are Y in shape when viewed from above wlth ~ ' ' ., 7'~
the fins each being offset from the other by 120 degrees. -:,:
~igure 10 illustrates another embodiment of the spacer/leveller in w~ich the levelling ~-S plate i8 made of a flat plate with serni-circular channels 13 routed out of, or formed on the bottom equally spaced hl two directions.
Figure 11 illwtrates another embodiment of the spacer/leveller in which the levelling plate is made of a flat slab with parallel fluting 13 formed on the underside of it.
Figure 12 illustrates another varlation of the embod~nent of the spacer/leveller where ~ ~ ;
the levelling plate 3 comprises a flat plate with a series of parallel ridges 14 of uniform height extending down from its underside. :~
Figure 13 illustrates another variation of the embodiment of the spacer/leveller where ., . , . -the levell~ng plate comprise a simple flat slab 3 of uniform thickness. ~:
Pigure 14 shows yet another variation of the embodiment of the spacer/leveller lS where the levelling plate 3 is a corrugated form of constant height.
,.,;
~igure 15 illustrates a further embodiment of the de~ice where the levelllng p!ates : ::
~escrlbed above contains holes 15 or perforatlons which would improve ease of ~, placernent where adheslves are of high vlscoslty, Any one of the embodiments for the spacing fins form described in the foregoing can be used in combinatlon with any one of the embodiments of the forms of the ` ~ ~ levelling plates descdbed In the forcgoing, ,,~ All the embodlments tescdbed above could be made of hard plastic in a process of plastic ir~ectlon into a mould "of !the entire, embodiment. Alternattvely tb~e , embodiments could be cast from metal, cement, plaster or flbre glass and resin mix.
-- 2S Alternatlveb the embodiments could be of wood or composlte pulp / wood products , ~,: "~
7 ,. i ',', '.
,,",......
,~ 2Q906~1 :
and made by an embos6ing press. ~:
While the preferred embodiment6 of the invention have been explained and illustrated it wlll be appreciated that the invention i6 not restricted to these specific form~ but it may con6ist of further embodiments and I~ of broader scope as defined in the claims.
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Claims (17)
1. A tile leveller and spacing device comprising:
i). a levelling plate uniform thickness and of cross sectional shape to function as a spacer between the top surface of the substrate and the underside of the tile; and ii). spacing fins extending upwardly from said levelling plate, these fins being of a thickness to space adjacent tiles in a plane perpendicular to that of the levelling plate.
i). a levelling plate uniform thickness and of cross sectional shape to function as a spacer between the top surface of the substrate and the underside of the tile; and ii). spacing fins extending upwardly from said levelling plate, these fins being of a thickness to space adjacent tiles in a plane perpendicular to that of the levelling plate.
2. The device according to claim 1 where the said levelling plate comprises a plurality of depressions and projections.
3. The device according to claim 1 wherein the said levelling plate is corrugated.
4. The device according to claim 3 in which the said levelling plate has V-shapecorrugations.
5. A device according to claim 1 which the said levelling plate is a flat slab.
6. A device according to claim 1 wherein the said levelling plate comprises an array of hollow inverted pyramids.
7. A device according to claim 5 wherein the said levelling plate has fluting in its undersurface.
8. A device according to claim 7 wherein the said fluting is bidirectional.
9. A device according to claim 5 wherein the said levelling plate is formed as a uniform thickness slab with a series of vertical parallel ridges of constant height projecting from its underside.
10. A device according to claim 1 wherein each said fin is of equal thickness, such thickness being in the range of 0.5mm to 20mm.
11. A device as described in claim 1 wherein the said spacing fins are in the shape of a cross with the arms of the cross perpendicular.
12. A device as described in claim 1 wherein there are three said spacing fins radiating form a centre point with 135, 90 and 135 degree angles consecutively separating the respective fins.
13. A device as described in claim 1 wherein there are three said spacing fins radiating from a centre point with 120, 120 and 120 degree angle separating the respective fin.
14. A device as described in claim 1 where one or more of the spacing fins aligns with the edge of the levelling to be used at corners or edges of tile patterns.
15. A device according to claim 1 wherein the levelling plate contains small perforations.
16. A device as claimed in claim 1 made of a material selected from a group of materials comprising moulded hard plastic, metal, fibreglass embedded in resin, rubber, wood and pulp products, plaster, cardboard, cement, plaster.
17. A method for installing floor tiles wherein:
i) a level surface is first trowelled with adhesive compound used for thin set tile laying, ii) a spacing/levelling device is placed onto the adhesive screed at the locations of the corners of the tile to be set and then pushed down hard to the substrate squeezing out the adhesive so that the underside of the device touches the substrate;
iii) tiles are then laid down so that the corners of each tile rest snugly on the device;
iv) this process being repeated with successive spacing/levelling devices and tiles until the tile pattern is complete;
wherein the said spacing/levelling device comprises:
i) a levelling plate uniform thickness and cross sectional shape to function as a spacer between the top surface of the substrate and the underside of the tile; and ii) spacing fins extending upwardly from the said levelling plate, these fins being of a thickness to space adjacent tiles in a plane perpendicular to that of the levelling plate.
i) a level surface is first trowelled with adhesive compound used for thin set tile laying, ii) a spacing/levelling device is placed onto the adhesive screed at the locations of the corners of the tile to be set and then pushed down hard to the substrate squeezing out the adhesive so that the underside of the device touches the substrate;
iii) tiles are then laid down so that the corners of each tile rest snugly on the device;
iv) this process being repeated with successive spacing/levelling devices and tiles until the tile pattern is complete;
wherein the said spacing/levelling device comprises:
i) a levelling plate uniform thickness and cross sectional shape to function as a spacer between the top surface of the substrate and the underside of the tile; and ii) spacing fins extending upwardly from the said levelling plate, these fins being of a thickness to space adjacent tiles in a plane perpendicular to that of the levelling plate.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2090631 CA2090631A1 (en) | 1993-03-01 | 1993-03-01 | Spacing/levelling device |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2090631 CA2090631A1 (en) | 1993-03-01 | 1993-03-01 | Spacing/levelling device |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2090631A1 true CA2090631A1 (en) | 1994-09-02 |
Family
ID=4151224
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2090631 Abandoned CA2090631A1 (en) | 1993-03-01 | 1993-03-01 | Spacing/levelling device |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA2090631A1 (en) |
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CN106596239A (en) * | 2016-12-19 | 2017-04-26 | 长安大学 | Clamshell-type cement glue sand test die capable of being leveled and its using method |
-
1993
- 1993-03-01 CA CA 2090631 patent/CA2090631A1/en not_active Abandoned
Cited By (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CN106596239A (en) * | 2016-12-19 | 2017-04-26 | 长安大学 | Clamshell-type cement glue sand test die capable of being leveled and its using method |
| CN106596239B (en) * | 2016-12-19 | 2023-09-05 | 长安大学 | Leveling flip-type cement mortar test mold and application method thereof |
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| Date | Code | Title | Description |
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| EEER | Examination request | ||
| FZDE | Dead |