GB2353493A

GB2353493A - Tiling aid

Info

Publication number: GB2353493A
Application number: GB9920093A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Alan David Chaney
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1999-08-25
Filing date: 1999-08-25
Publication date: 2001-02-28
Also published as: GB9920093D0

Abstract

The tiling aid (10) has two elongate edge-abutting members (12),(14) which in use are aligned along opposite edges of an area of a surface to be covered by tiles, and releasably fixed into position by means of a thumb activated handle (21) and locking mechanism. The elongate member 14 is rotatably linked to a connecting member which can also function as a handle (11). The tiling aid can be used in combination with a hand held cutter or adapted for use in combination with a commercially available platform bed (43) cutter.

Description

2353493 TILING AID

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a tiling aid for use with a tile cutter and particularly to a tiling aid which facilitates cutting a tile to give an essentially straight edge.

Background to the Invention

When tiling a surface, such as a wall, the practice is often to start with an initial full tile, being positioned at or near the centre of the surface, and then to add further complete tiles using this first tile as a starting point. Once the surface has been covered as fully as possibly using complete tiles, the next problematic task is to cut tiles to the correct shape to cover the surface up to its edges. One method of overcoming this problem is substantially by guesswork, where one simply holds the tile to be cut over the subject space on the surface and then marks the tile where it appears to need to be cut. This technique is especially unsatisfactory where, for example, a wall joins a ceiling and the tile cannot be laid down flat on the surface of the wall to obtain an accurate measurement. Another method is to measure the dimensions of the space to be covered and then cut the tile accordingly. As well as being time consuming, this method can lead to unevenness along the edge of the surface unless measurements are made in a consistent fashion.

It is an object of the present invention to seek to alleviate the above disadvantages and to provide a tiling aid which can assist in obtaining tiles of a required shape.

Summary of the Invention

According to the invention there is Provided a tiling aid for use with a tile cutter when it is required to cut a straight edge section from a tile whilst covering an essentially flat surface such as a wall, the tiling aid comprising two elongate edge abutting members which in use are aligned along opposite edges of an area on the surface to be covered by the tile and releasably fixed into position, the members forming a spatial alignment serving as a template for cutting the tile, the elongate members being rotatably linked to a common connecting member, enabling both the spatial distance and an angular relationship between the elongate members to be varied, the spatial distance between the elongate members being adjustable whilst maintaining the same angular relationship.

The aid comprises a handle which is preferably demountable. It is especially preferable that the connecting member comprises a section which in use functions as a handle.

Preferably, one elongate edge-abutting member is permanently fixed to one end of the connecting member, its axis being perpendicular to that of the connecting member. The permanently fixed elongate edge-abutting member is, in one arrangement, integral with the connecting member.

The profile of the elongate edge-abutting member, which in use contacts the surface being covered, preferably includes a number of cut-outs to reduce contact between said edge-abutting member and said surface.

The or each elongate edge-abutting member is preferably mounted about its mid point to the connecting member.

The or each elongate edge-abutting member is preferably demountable allowing elongate members of different sizes to be attached to the tiling aid.

Preferably, a tensioning member is provided which exerts a force normally separating the two elongate members. Adjusting and releasably fixing the spatial alignment between the two elongate members can be achieved using one hand. In one preferred embodiment, the spatial alignment is fixed by means of a thumb activated locking mechanism.

Optionally, the shaft is provided with a cover to provide easier grip. The cover is, conveniently, ergonomically contoured, and particularly conveniently comprises barrier means to prevent the user's hand slipping from the handle.

Brief Description of the Drawing

The present invention will now be described more particularly with reference to the accompanying drawings which show by way of example only, one embodiment of a tiling aid according to the invention. In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a plan view of a tiling aid, Figure 2 and Figure 3 are a side elevation and front elevation of the tiling aid, respectively; Figure 4 is a schematic illustration of the tiling aid in use; and Figure 5 illustrates an alternative construction of the tiling aid.

Detailed Description of the Invention Referring initially to Figures 1 and 2, a tiling aid 10 comprises a handle 11, having at one of its ends a first elongate cross-piece 12, disposed at right angles to the axis of the handle 11. A rod 13, of circular cross-section, is fixed at one of its ends to the handle 11 and at its other end to the first cross-piece 12. A second 20 elongate cross-piece 14 is fixed to a support 15 by means of a screw 16. The second cross-piece 14 and its support 15 are operatively connected to the rod 13 by means of a further support 17 through which a plastic sleeve 18 is passed, the sleeve 18 allowing the supports 15, 17 and consequently the second cross-piece to slide along the rod 13. A screw (not illustrated) passes through a retaining plate 25 19, supports 15, 17 and a slot 20 provided in the handle 11. The screw is held in position by threaded connection with a handle 21. Rotation of the handle 21 in a clockwise direction (when viewed in Figure 1) pulls the supports 15, 17 against the handle 11 and thus prevents their movement. Anti-clockwise rotation of handle 21 frees the support and allows both the rotation of the support 15 and the cross-piece 14, and their lateral movement along the length of the rod 13. A Spring 22, abutting the sleeve 18 and mounted about the rod 13, tends to push the support 17 in a direction away from the cross-piece 12, along the axis of the rod 13.

The spring 22, also abuts a sleeve 23 which is slidably mounted about tile rod 13.

The sleeve 23 is further fixedly mounted onto a support 24 which is held and released from position, in the same manner as described previously for the handle 21, by means of a handle 25 attached to a screw (not illustrated). In this manner, the use of the tiling aid in defining the shape of the area to be covered can be carried out easily and simply using one hand.

In order to cut a tile to the correct shape to fit between the last laid tile and the edge of a surface, the cross-piece 14 is positioned with its edge 26 abutting the edge of the last tile positioned. The handle 21 is then rotated to allow relative motion of the cross-pieces 12, 14. With the cross-piece 14 still abutting the tile, the front edge 31 of the cross-piece 12, as shown in Figure 3, is positioned abutting the edge of the surface. The relative orientation of the cross- pieces 12, 14 is then fixed by clockwise rotation of the handle 2 1.

Contact of the cross-piece 12 with the surface is not along the entire length of the cross-piece but solely through the surface engaging edges 33. The rest of the cross-piece 12 is cut away to prevent contact with the surface. In this manner any inaccurate measurement due to unevenness in the surface itself or in the edge of the surface is minimised.

The apparatus can subsequently be used, simply as a measurement device or as a template when used to mark a tile with a pen or other implement to assist in defining where the cut should be made. Alternatively, the apparatus 10 it can be used as described hereinafter with reference to Figure 4.

The cutter comprises a cutting platform 43 on which the tile rests. The cutter -5 assembly comprises two blocks 44A, B connecting which are two guide rods 45A, I B. These guide rods guide the cutter (not illustrated) to cut the tile along the line 46 as shown.

In Figure 4, only the handle I I and the cross-pieces 12, 14 of the apparatus as described above are shown for clarity. The rear edge of the cross-piece 12, is shown abutting the rail 40, with the cross-piece 14 resting on the surface 41 and the handle I I being parallel to the surface 4 1. The spacer 42 is positioned with one edge abutting the front edge of the cross-piece 14. A tile 47 to be cut is positioned, with its glazed surface facing upwards, against the front edge of the spacer 42 and passing under the cross-piece 12. The lugs 48A, B hinder motion of the tile 47, especially whilst it is being cut.

The distance between the line traced by the cutter and the rail 40 can be adjusted incrementally, in order to compensate for the desired distance being left between the tiles and to give a more exact cut.

When tiling a surface therefore, a spacer would be chosen which had the space between the lugs 48A, B of the correct size to fit the particular tiles being used.

Spacers could also be used in which the distance between the lugs was adjustable, so that the tiler did not have to carry a number of spacers with him, and which spacer could also be used for tiles of non-standard dimensions.

In use, the apparatus is used as described above to determine the shape of the tile required. It can then either be placed on a tile, with the cross-piece 14 in contact with the edge of the tile and the cross-piece 12 resting on the surface of the tile.

The edge of the cross-piece 12 can then be used to draw a line using a pen or other implement across the tile where the tile is to be cut. Once the line has been drawn, the tile is cut using either a hand held cutter or a platform tile cutter. Where unevenness in a surface requires the tile be shaped further, then a conventional tool, such as that known as a "nibbler", may be employed.

Alternatively, the apparatus may be used in combination with a platform cutter as described above, where the cross-piece 12 is positioned against a rail on the platform cutter. A spacer, appropriate to the size of the tile to be cut is then positioned against the cross-piece 14 and the tile to be cut then aligned with the spacer, ensuring that the tile is positioned under the path of the cutter. When the tile is in position, it is cut using the cutter which is mounted and movable along the guide rails. As above, a nibbler may be used to ensure that the tile fits round any uneven portions of the surface, or wall against which the tile is to be place.

I The platform shown here is part of a commercially available tile cutter. An example is one which is marketed under the name of PROTILERTm. The above embodiment is by way of example only, and a number of modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention.

The tiling aid can be adapted to be used for tiles of varying sizes, for example, in Figure 3 the holes 32 allow a wider cross-piece 12 to be fitted for dealing with the larger tiles. The spacer 42 will also be of the appropriate size.

A number of alternative configurations can be envisaged to suit particular tiling needs. For example, in Figure 5, the connecting member 51 joins together the two cross-pieces 52A, B. A handle is then attached perpendicularly to the connecting member 5 1. In this configuration the shape of a narrow gap can easily be measured. For further ease of handling the handle 53 can be attached perpendicularly to the approximate plane of the connecting member 51 and cross pieces 52A, B. For ease of handling, the handle can itself be made of material which allows it to be gripped firmly. Alternatively, a cover may be provided for the handle consisting of material having a suitably high co-efficient of friction to prevent, in use, both it slipping from the handle, and the hand slipping from it. Additionally, either the handle, the cover or both may be ergonomically profiled to prevent slipping and also to reduce strain on the hand during prolonged periods of use.

The shaft need not be positioned centrally, but could also be attached to the ends of the cross-pieces, giving an "F" configuration, when viewed from above.

In a further embodiment (not illustrated), the (first) cross-piece 12 can also be rotatably mounted about the handle 11. In a yet further unillustrated embodiment, the cross-piece 12 can be rotatably mounted leaving the cross-piece 14 in a fixed position relative to the shaft.

The materials from which the tiling aid is made, will be fairly rigid, being for 1 example, aluminium, steel, or a synthetic plastic material such as polyurethane, polypropylene or the like.

It will of course be understood that the invention is not limited to the specific details described herein, which are given by way of example only, and that various modifications and alternations are possible within the scope of the invention,

Claims

A tiling aid for use with a tile cutter when it is required to cut a straight edge section from a tile whilst covering an essentially flat surface such as a wall, the tiling aid comprising two elongate edge-abutting members which in use are aligned along opposite edges of an area on the surface to be covered by the tile and releasably fixed into position, the members forming a spatial alignment serving as a template for cutting the tile, the elongate members being rotatably linked to a common connecting member, enabling both the spatial distance and an angular relationship between the elongate members to be varied, the spatial distance between the elongate members being adjustable whilst maintaining the same angular relationship.
2. A tiling aid according to claim 1 comprising a handle which is preferably demountable.
3. A tiling aid according to claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the connecting member comprises a section which in use functions as a handle.
4. A tiling aid according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein one elongate edge-abutting member is permanently fixed to one end of the connecting member, its axis being perpendicular to that of the connecting member.
5. A tiling aid according to claim 4 wherein the permanently fixed elongate edge-abutting member is integral with the connecting member.
6. A tiling aid according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the profile of the elongate edge-abutting member, which in use contacts the surface being covered includes a number of cut-outs to reduce contact -9between said edge-abutting member and said surface.
7. A tiling aid according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the or each elongate edge-abutting member is mounted about its mid-point to the connecting member.
8. A tiling aid according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the or each elongate edge-abutting member is demountable allowing elongate members of different sizes to be attached to the tiling aid.
9. A tiling aid according to any on of the preceding claims comprising a tensioning member which exerts a force normally separating the two elongate members.
10. A tiling aid according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the spatial alignment between the two elongate members can be adjusted and releasably fixed using one hand.
11. A tiling aid according to claim 10 wherein the spatial alignment is fixed by means of a thumb activated locking mechanism.
12. A tiling aid according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the shaft is provided with a cover to provide easier grip.
13. A tiling aid according to claim 12 wherein the cover is ergonomically contoured.
14. A tiling aid according to claim 13 wherein the cover comprises barrier means to prevent the user's hand from slipping from the handle,
15. A tiling aid substantially as herein described with reference to and as Figures I to 3 of the accompanying drawings.
16. A tiling aid substantially as herein described with reference to and as shown in Figure 5 of the accompanying drawings.
17. A system for use in cutting tiles comprising a tiling aid, wherein the tiling aid comprises two elongate edge-abutting members which in use are aligned along opposite edges of an area on the surface to be covered by the tile and releasably fixed into position, the members forming a spatial alignment serving as a template for cutting the tile, the elongate members being rotatably linked to a common connecting member, enabling both the spatial distance and an angular relationship between the elongate members to be varied, the spatial distance between the elongate members being adjustable whilst maintaining the same angular relationship, a modified platform bed tile cutter as herein described, and a spacer.
18. A method of cutting tiles wherein the comprising the steps of (i) determining the area of a surface to be covered by a tile by the use of a tiling and wherein the tiling aid comprises two elongate edge-abutting members which in use are aligned along opposite edges of an area on the surface to be covered by the tile and releasably fixed into position, the members forming a spatial alignment serving as a template for cutting the tile, the elongate members being rotatably linked to a common connecting member, enabling both the spatial distance and an angular relationship between the elongate members to be varied, the spatial distance between the elongate members being adjustable whilst maintaining the same angular relationship, and (ii) marking the tile to the size indicated by the tiling aid to indicate where it is to be cut; (iii) cutting the tile.