EP3569793A1

EP3569793A1 - Levelling part for cladding tiles

Info

Publication number: EP3569793A1
Application number: EP19382140.2A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Antonio Luis Haro García; Santos Álvarez García
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2018-05-14
Filing date: 2019-02-27
Publication date: 2019-11-20
Anticipated expiration: 2039-02-27
Also published as: EP3569793B1; ES2873152T3; ES1214135U; PT3569793T; ES1214135Y

Abstract

Levelling part (1) for cladding tiles that is «T-shaped» and comprises a base (2) that is flat and «H-shaped», as well as an inverted «U-shaped» part (3), which is flat and connected perpendicularly to the base (2) and wherein the inverted «U-shaped» part (3) in cooperation with the base (2) generates a window (6) that is limited in its upper part by a rib or stiffener (7), which, in turn, presents two steps (8) located adjacent to arms (9) of the inverted «U-shaped» part (3), wherein this rib or stiffener (7) is of a greater thickness than the thickness (e1) of the arms (9) and also greater than the thickness (e2) of the inverted «U-shaped» part (3), e2 also being > e1.

Description

This invention refers to a levelling part for cladding tiles for floors, walls and ceilings with rigid tiles.

State of the prior art

To lay flat cladding tiles, such as ceramic pieces, tiles and others of a uniform thickness on floors, walls or other surfaces, there is a bonding layer on said surface, such as mortars or adhesives, on which the cladding tiles are placed. This operation requires a certain precision on the part of the person laying the cladding tiles, since they should remain flat, aligned and level. It is well known that this process is slow, messy and delicate since each tile should be levelled and laid flush with adjacent pieces already laid, in a personal and completely artisanal fashion.
In the traditional process, once the bonding layer has been laid -mortar, cement or adhesive- on the back side, the first covering layer is laid and its position is checked with a spirit level, without further assistance or other tools. If the piece is not level, it is levelled by hitting it with a mallet.
To solve this problem, document WO2008/118418 describes a device for levelling tiles. The device includes a main member, a first section that extends transversally from the main member to receive a first tile and a second section that extends transversally from the main member in an opposite direction to the first section to receive a second tile. A member is provided to penetrate the main member and exert force on both tiles to level them, one with respect to the other. Also provided is a method for levelling tiles.
More specifically, document WO2008/118418 includes a first tile that has a first surface opposing a second surface, a second tile with a first surface opposing a second surface and a device that has a main member, a first section that extends transversally from the main member and a second section extending transversally from the main member in an opposite direction to the first section. The first tile is on the first section and the second tile is on the second section. An opening is formed through the main member and a member is provided to penetrate the opening and exert force against both tiles, pressing the tiles against the first and second sections. The breaking section is situated between the first and second surface of each of the first and second tiles. In another exemplary embodiment, an opening is formed through the first section to allow adhesive to flow there through, in an additional exemplary embodiment, an opening is formed through the second section to allow an adhesive to flow there through.
In another exemplary embodiment, the opening formed through the main member includes a first edge opposing a second edge such that the first edge is further away from the first, and the second section than the second edge. A stiffener portion is formed close to the first edge to bolster the first edge. In yet another exemplary embodiment, the main member includes a first notch that extends from a first edge of the main member and a second notch that extends from a second edge of the main member and the breaking section extends from the first notch to the second notch. In yet another exemplary embodiment, each of the first and second sections has at least one curved part having a curvature when viewed in cross-section, such that force reduces this curvature.
In another exemplary embodiment, a tile-levelling device is provided that includes a main member, a first section that extends transversally from the main member to receive a first tile that has a first surface opposing a second surface and a second section that extends transversally from said main member in the opposite direction to the first section to receive a second tile that has a first surface opposing a second surface. A first opening is formed through the first section. A second opening is formed through the second section. A third opening is formed through the main member. In a further exemplary embodiment, the opening formed through the main member includes a first edge opposing a second edge such that the first edge is further away from the first, and the second section than the second edge. A stiffening portion is formed close to the first edge to bolster the first edge. In yet another exemplary embodiment, the device also includes a reduced-thickness separation section formed on the main member.
The main member also includes a first notch that extends from a first edge of the main member and a second notch that extends from a second edge of the main body and the separation section extends from the first to the second notch.
With regard to this document, patent ES2598702T3 describes a levelling part that is «T-shaped» and comprises a preferably flat base, rectangular would be even more preferable, adapted to be disposed on a bonding product, such as mortar or glue, suitable for fixing the cladding tiles to the surface to be covered, it also comprises a second flat element connected perpendicularly to the base defining collinear connecting edges between the base and the second element. A flat base is preferable because it provides greater contact surface between the base and the cladding tile and, therefore, lower and more uniform stress on the base due to the contact with the cladding tile.
The base may also incorporate cylindrical stiffeners, preferably in the form of a cylinder segment, such as a semi-cylinder, as well as brackets linking the cylinders to improve the resistance of the base. On the other hand, the edges of the base furthest from the second element may be of a reduced thickness to facilitate the insertion of said base under the cladding tiles, as well as at the corners of said furthest edges from the second element, there may exist chamfers to lighten material, given that the part that transmits the greatest force is the part closest to the second element.
The second element is adapted to transmit a component of the forces exerted on said element to the base, said component having a perpendicular direction to the surface to be covered and outwards from said surface to be covered. Thus, the second element has a first opening on its under side into which a wedge can be inserted. The first opening is likewise limited in its upper part by a flange destined to make contact with the wedge. The height of the first opening is related to the maximum height allowed for a cladding tile.
On the sides of the first opening, the second element may comprise protrusions to give additional thickness to the original thickness, suitable for connecting cladding tiles according to joints wider than the original thickness of the second element. The protrusions may be disposed on the front and/or back part, and may be of varying thicknesses, allowing the devising of levelling parts that allow joints of different thicknesses to be made between cladding tiles. Additionally, the second element may incorporate ribs disposed from side to side to provide greater resistance.
The second element incorporates, at its edges, close to the connecting edges, rabbets designed to weaken against shearing stresses. The dimensions of said rabbets will not be so elevated as to produce a responsive weakness in the face of forces of traction. Preferably, the levelling part is fabricated in injected plastic, due to the manufacturing simplicity that this technology provides, as well as its desirability with respect to cost.
The cladding tiles are laid on the surface to be covered, such that each side of the adjoining tiles that define a joint is disposed on at least one base, with each of the two tiles disposed to one side of said base with respect to the second element, wherein the connecting edges are disposed in substantially the same direction as the joint.

Description of the invention

An object of this invention is a part for levelling rigid tiles, such as slabs or tiles, of the sort used to cover surfaces, such as floors, ceilings or walls. This object is achieved with the part of claim 1. Other particular and/or preferred embodiments are described in the dependent claims.
More specifically, the levelling part for cladding tiles, which is «T-shaped» and comprises a base that is flat and «H-shaped», as well as an inverted «U-shaped» part that is flat and connected perpendicularly to the base, and which is characterised because the inverted «U-shaped» part in cooperation with the base generates a window that is limited in its upper part by a rib or stiffener which, in turn, presents two steps situated adjacent to the arms of the inverted «U-shaped» part, wherein this rib or stiffener is thicker than the thickness (e1) of the arms and also greater than the thickness (e2) of the inverted «U-shaped» part, e2 also being > e1.
Thanks to this variable-thickness structure and the steps in the stiffening rib, it is possible to use two different types of wedge, for example, a wider wedge and another one that is narrower, with the same levelling part, which is impossible to achieve with the documents known about in the prior art.
Throughout the description and the claims, the word «comprises» and its variants, do not purport to exclude other technical characteristics, additives, components or steps. For those skilled in the art, other objects, benefits and characteristics of the invention will be deduced partly from the invention and partly from putting the invention into practice. The following examples and drawings are provided for illustrative purposes and do not purport to restrict this invention. Furthermore, the invention covers all possible combinations of particular and preferred embodiments indicated herein.

Brief description of the drawings

The following very briefly describes a series of drawings that help to understand the invention better and expressly refer to one embodiment of said invention, which is shown as a non-limiting example of the same.

FIG.1 shows a frontal view of the levelling part for cladding tiles according to this invention.
FIG.2 shows a profile view of the levelling part for cladding tiles according to this invention.
FIG.3 shows a plan view of the levelling part for cladding tiles according to this invention.
FIG.4 shows a perspective view of the levelling part for cladding tiles according to this invention.

Detailed description of one embodiment of the invention

The levelling part for cladding tiles is shown in the attached figures and is configured to level rigid cladding tiles disposed on a flat surface -floor, ceiling or walls- and fixed by means of a layer of adhesive bonding, such as cement, mortar or adhesive.
The levelling part is «T-shaped» and comprises a base (2), which is flat and «H-shaped», and also comprises an inverted «U-shaped» part (3), that is flat and connected perpendicularly to the base (2). The base is «H-shaped» for two reasons: on the one hand, it allows plastic to be saved during its manufacture and, on the other hand, it allows the cement, mortar or adhesive to enter the arms of the base (2), preventing it from having a vacuum effect as it is laid.
The base (2) also incorporates cylindrical-shaped stiffeners disposed longitudinally to the arms of the «H-shaped» base (2). On the other hand, the edges of the base (2) furthest from the inverted «U-shaped» part (3) are of a reduced thickness to facilitate the insertion of said base (2) under the cladding tiles. The edges (5) of the arms that conform the «H-shaped» base (2) are rounded to also facilitate the insertion of the base (2) under the cladding tiles.
The cladding tiles will be disposed on the surface, such that each of the sides of the two adjoining tiles that define a joint is disposed on at least one side of said base (2) and wherein each of the two tiles disposed to one side of said base (2) with respect to the inverted «U-shaped» part (3), wherein the arms of the «H-shaped base (2)» are disposed in substantially the same direction as the joint.
The inverted «U-shaped» part (3) in cooperation with the base (2) generates a window (6), into which a wedge can be inserted. The window (6) is likewise limited in its upper part by a rib or stiffener (7) which, in turn, presents two steps (8) located adjacent to the arms (9) of the inverted «U-shaped» part (3). This rib or stiffener (7) is of a greater thickness than the thickness (e1) of the arms (9) and also greater than the thickness (e2) of the inverted «U-shaped» part (3), e2 also being > e1. Thanks to the steps (8), it is possible to use two different types of wedges, for example, a wider wedge and another one that is narrower, with the same levelling part (1) in cooperation with the thickness differences among the different regions that conform the part, facilitating its manufacture and making it cheaper.
In the edges closest to the base (2) of the above-mentioned arms (9), rabbets (10) are incorporated which are intended to weaken against shearing forces. Finally, the inverted «U-shaped» part (3) disposes of windows (11) the function of which is to allow a saving in the material used during the manufacture of the levelling part (1).

Claims

Levelling part (1) for cladding tiles that is «T-shaped» and comprises a base (2) that is flat and «H-shaped», as well as an inverted «U-shaped» part (3), which is flat and perpendicularly connected to the base (2) and which is characterised in that the inverted «U-shaped» part (3) in cooperation with the base (2) generates a window (6) that is limited in its upper part by a rib or stiffener (7) which, in turn, has two steps (8) located adjacent to arms (9) of the inverted «U-shaped» part (3), wherein this rib or stiffener (7) is of a greater thickness than the thickness (e1) of the arms (9) and also greater than the thickness (e2) of the inverted «U-shaped» part (3), e2 also being > e1.
Levelling part (1) according to claim 1 wherein, in the edges close to the base (2) of the arms (9), rabbets (10) are incorporated which are intended to weaken against shearing stresses.
Levelling part (1) according to claim 1 wherein the base (2) incorporates cylindrical-shaped stiffeners (4) disposed longitudinally to the arms of the «H» that conforms the base (2).
Levelling part (1) according to claim 1 wherein the edges of the base (2) furthest from the inverted «U-shaped» part (3) are of a more reduced thickness and wherein the edges (5) of the arms that conform the «H-shaped» base (2) are rounded; all this to facilitate also the insertion of the base (2) under the cladding tiles.
Levelling part (1) according to claim 1 wherein the inverted «U-shaped» part (3) has windows (11).