GB2221932A - Tile jig - Google Patents

Abstract

A tile jig is constructed of a lattice of strong, thin, plastic material which may be fixed to a wall, floor or other surface to hold and align ceramic or other tiles, by means of upstanding ribs 11 & 12. The surface to which the jig is fixed may have irregular undulations or spaces which, after the tiles have been placed cannot be detected. The tile jig itself remains obscured from view and enables tiles of any size and shape to be placed by unskilled persons. <IMAGE>

Description

TILE JIG This invention relates to a lattice jig for locating ceramic or other tiles to walls and other surfaces. It aligns and positions tiles of variable but regular shapes and sizes.

The task of fixedly securing ceramic or other tiles to the flat surfaces of walls, floors or ceilings or of creating mosaic patterns, poses a common problem for the operatives - the need to either mark the surface with appropriate alignment guide lines prior to fixing, or to have a wood batten placed horizontally against the wall as a guide. Unless tiles of whatever shape are fitted to the wall or other surface in a level pattern they become "offensive" to the eye and where the surface is irregular the fixing is often difficult and much more unsightly.

Less difficulty is experienced with the fixing of tiles which are square or rectangular in shape, but when tiles have more than four regular sides which do not form right angles to one another - such as hexagons or octagons, they are much more difficult to align and need templates or aids of more complex style.

According to the present invention there is provided a lattice framework or jig. The framework or jig itself can be in sections or self-adhesive roll-form and can be fixedly secured to any surface even any slightly irregular surface, by nails, screws, pins, or appropriate adhesive. The Dlacing of tiles within the lattice framework, jig or mesh, requires the usual amount of adhesive and gentle pressure of the hand; thereby attaching the tiles to the face of the wall, floor, ceiling or other surface to form a regular pattern.

The framework or jig, is sufficiently flexible to accommodate any outline shape of tile and will remain obscured beneath the tile surface. As with any conventional plurality of tile assembly the interstices between each tile would be filled with a suitable grout material or plasticised "filler".

It is permissibly possible to mix the framework sections on a wall or other surface to create a patterned design.

The versatility of the framework or jig provides for the holding and settling of mosaic patterned tiles; for locating panels or glass or cladding of any kind, such as fibreboard, ceiling panels, hardboard, gypsum, double-glazing and so on.

The fixing of the framework or jig to a wall or other surface provides little difficulty and can be undertaken by unskilled persons. It is only necessary to locate one fixing point on the jig to the wall or other surface and with a spirit level placed on any one of the horizontal lattice members, move the jig until the whole is indicated to be "level".

Any other fixing point can then be nailed, screwed, pinned, or stuck against the wall or other surface.

When the framework or jig is securely fixed thus, the tiles may be pressed into position quite quickly and easily, which reduces the time to a fraction of that needed for the conventional method. The facility afforded by the use of the framework or jig to remove any single tile or group of tiles emphasises its versatility.

TILE JIG The manufacture of the framework or jig provides for the separation of unwanted portions where the area to be covered does not equally match a precise number of whole sections of framework or jig.

The composition of the framework or jig is such that it does not deteriorate with age.

The composition of the framework or jig provides for tiles of varying thickness and weight and offers a facility that can produce professionalism without prior training or skill.

A specific embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawing in which: Figure 1 illustrates the framework or jig fixed to a wall surface.

Referring to Figure 1 the whole lattice 10 comprises a plurality of vertical and horizontal ribs 11 and 12 which interlock one with the other to form regular shapes 13. The plurality of ribs 11 and 12 are homogeneous with a thin latticed membrane 14 which forms a base against which all inserted tiles would rest and which would itself rest against the surface of the wall, floor or ceiling. At predetermined positions throughout the thin latticed membrane 14, diagonal extensions 15 spanning the right angle formed by the lattice shapes, are a number of fixing points 16 through which nails, screws or appropriate pins may be driven tp fixedly secure the framework or jig to the wall or other surface.

The vertical and horizontal ribs 11 and 12 are raised above the surface of the thin latticed membrane 14 a sufficient height to match the thickness of the tile to be located and secured but not to project above the surface of the tile.

A strengthening diagonal web 15 of similar thickness to the thin membrane 14 braces the lattice work together and a predetermined number of such braces are formed as part of and homogeneous with, the thin membrane 14.

Figure 1 illustrates two ceramic tiles 19 placed within two of the regular shapes into which the framework or jig 10 has been subdivided.

This illustrates the very small gap 20 between the edges of the tiles which would ultimately be filled with a suitable grout-material when the whole framework or jig 10 has received the total number of tiles it can accommodate.

Claims (7)

1. A TILE JIG which is constructed of upstanding ribs on a thin, durable latticed, plastic membrane which aligns and aids the securement of ceramic or other tiles of any shape so that they may be placed in regular pattern and alignment on any wall, floor or other surface.

2. A TILE JIG as claimed in 1 which may be secured to a wall or other surface by a number of fixing points by pins, nails, screws or adhesives. The fixing of one such point enables the whole JIG to be aligned and levelled prior to the placement of the tiles.

3. A TILE JIG as claimed in 1, and 2 which comprises a series of diagonally placed strengthening braces which ensure the outline shape of the JIG is maintained at all times.

4. A TILE JIG as claimed in 1, 2 and 3 which comprises a facility to match any dimension of room wall, floor or ceiling surface. The facility provides for the JIG to be reduced in lateral or longitud inal direction by separating it at structurally weakened positions as required to effect coverage of the wall or other surface.

5. A TILE JIG as claimed in 1, 2, 3 and 4 which does not project above the surface of any tile fixed thereto and allows for the placement of a filler or grout between the interstices of the tile edges.

6. A TILE JIG as claimed in 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 which permits the replace ment of tiles that have broken, using the normal adhesives and or sealants.

7. A TILE JIG substantially as described herein with reference to Figure 1, the accompanying drawing.