GB2416370A

GB2416370A - Tile fitting tool

Info

Publication number: GB2416370A
Application number: GB0416127A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Jonathan Waights
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2004-07-19
Filing date: 2004-07-19
Publication date: 2006-01-25
Also published as: GB0416127D0

Abstract

A tile-fitting tool having a handle 2, neck 3 and hook 4, in which the neck comprises a face 5 and tapering sides 6, 7 and in which the hook 4 comprises an element 10 which extends from the narrowest portion 9 of the neck 3. The hook 4 may extend normal to the neck 3 and taper to a point 11. The neck 3 may comprise 1mm thick flat plate which may be 4 or 5 mm wide at its widest point, 1mm wide at its narrowest point. An arm 17 may connect the handle and neck. The hook 4 and neck 3 may be steel, preferably tungsten steel. Also claimed are methods of using the tool to raise a tile from a glued surface, removing excess glue from in between tiles and removing spacers from between tiles.

Description

Multi-Purpose Tile Fitting Tool This invention relates to a multi-purpose

tile fitting tool for use particularly, but not exclusively, when mounting ceramic wall or floor tiles.

When mounting tiles on a surface, first an adhesive is applied to the surface, then the tiles are mounted one by one onto the adhesive. Crossshaped spacers are placed between the corners of the tiles to regulate the gaps therebetween. Once the adhesive is set, grout is applied to the gaps between the tiles to finish the new surface. The spacers are usually left in place under the grout.

A number of problems can be encountered when performing the above described procedure.

Firstly, it is important to mount the tiles level with one another such that the completed surface is flat. However, when pressing the tiles into the adhesive it is common to push a tile too much such that it is deeper than adjacent tiles. This problem is often overcome by forcing a blunt instrument, for example a screw driver, against the edge of the tile to raise it. However, this cannot be readily done without pushing an adjacent tile down with the other side of the instrument. In addition, it can result in the edge of the tile being chipped.

A second problem is that when the tiles are forced into the adhesive, the adhesive can be forced out form under the tiles, and out of the gap between the tiles.

This errant adhesive must be removed before it sets. There exists no tool specifically adapted for this purpose and as above, often a screw-driver or other blunt instrument is used to clear away the adhesive. As a result this task can be awkward and time consuming.

A third problem is that the spacers can become dislodged and protrude from the tiled surface. If this occurs the spacers need to be removed, and again this is usually an awkward task performed with a screw driver.

The object of the present invention is to overcome some of the above problems.

Therefore according to the present invention a multi-purpose tile fitting tool comprises a handle, a neck and hook means, in which the neck comprises a face and sides, in which the sides taper such that the face narrows from a widest portion to a narrowest portion, and in which the hook means comprises an element which extends from the narrowest portion of the neck.

In use the hook means can be used to lever up ill-fitted tiles, the face of the neck can be used to scoop adhesive out from between fitted tiles, and the hook can be used to pluck dislodged spacers out from between fitted tiles.

In a preferred construction the hook means can extend from the narrowest portion of the neck at a substantially normal angle and can taper to a point. The neck can comprise a flat plate, and the sides can be substantially normal to the face.

The size and dimensions of the multi-purpose tile fitting tool can be determined by the size and shape of the tiles to be fitted in use' and the desired spaces to be defined between them.

In one embodiment the multi-purpose tile fitting tool can be constructed for use when fitting we'' tiles, in which the widest poitiori of the neck may be substantially 4mm wide and the narrowest portion may substantially lmm wide, and in particular about 0.8 to O.9mm wide. With this arrangement the multi-purpose tile fitting tool can be used to remove adhesive from between fitted tiles when the spaces between the tiles are any size from lmm to 4mm. (The narrowest portion must be just under lmm wide in order for the neck to be disposed inside a gap lmm wide, because the neck tapers outward from the narrowest potion.) In addition the flat plate can be substantially equal to or less than lmm thick, such that the multipurpose tile-fitting tool can be slotted between tiles as close together as lmm in order to raise a tile, or remove a spacer.

In another embodiment the multi-purpose tile fitting tool can be constructed for use when fitting floor tiles, and can be identical to that described above but in which the widest portion of the neck is 5mm wide.

The handle can be sized and shaped to be gripped by one hand, and an arm can extend from the handle to the neck so as to space the handle from the neck and hook means to provide leverage and make the multi-purpose tile fitting tool easier to use.

The neck and the hook means can be constructed from steel, and in particular Tungsten steel.

The invention can be performed in various ways, but one embodiment will now be described by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is front view of a multi-purpose tile fitting tool according to the present invention; Figure 2 is a side view of the multi-purpose tile fitting tool as shown i,-, Figure 1, Figures 3a to 3c are diagrammatic cross-sectional side views of the multi-purpose tile fitting tool as shown in Figure 1 in use; Figures 4a to 4c are diagrammatic cross-sectional side views of the multi-purpose tile fitting tool as shown in Figure 1 in use; and, Figures 5a to 5c are diagrammatic cross-sectional side views of the multi-purpose tile fitting tool as shown in Figure 1 in use.

As shown in Figures 1 and 2 a multi-purpose tile fitting tool 1 comprises a handle 2, a neck 3 and hook means 4, in which the neck 3 comprises a face 5 and sides 6 and 7, in which the sides 6 and 7 taper such that the face 5 narrows from a widest portion 8 to a narrowest portion 9, and in which the hook means 4 comprises an element 10 which extends from the narrowest portion 9 of the neck 3.

The hook means 4 extends from the narrowest portion 9 of the neck 3 at 90 degrees and taper to a point 11. The neck comprises a flat platens, and the sides 6 and 7 are normal to the face 5.

The element 10 has sides 13 and 14 and top and bottom surfaces 15 and 16, which all taper towards the point 11.

The handle 2 is sized and shaped to be gripped by one hand, and an arm 17 extends from the handle 2 to the neck 3, which provides more leverage for use.

The neck 3 and the hook means 4 are constructed from steel, and in particular Tungsten steel The multi-purpose tile fitting tool 1 shown in the Figures is dimensioned for use wit)-' wall tiles, and as such the widest portion 8 is 4rnm wide and the narrowest portion 9 is 0.8mm wide. The plate 12 is also 0.8 mm thick.

The multi-purpose tile fitting tool 1 has three principal functions in use, which are shown in Figures 3a to 5c.

ln Figures 3a tiles 30 and 31 are mounted on adhesive 32, which is applied to a surface 33. Tile 31 has been pushed too far into the adhesive and its outer surface 34 is not aligned with the outer surface 35 of tile 30.

As shown in Figure 3a the neck 3 is placed between the tiles 30 and 31, and the hook means 4 is disposed below the tiles 30 and 31. This is possible because the sides 6 and 7 of the neck are tapered.

As shown in Figure 3b, the neck 3 is then turned through approximately 90 degrees and arranged such that the hook means 4 is below a side 36 of tile 31.

The neck 3 is then raised as shown in Figure 3c to prize the tile 31 back into position. The point 11 allows the hook means 4 to grip the underside of the tile 31, and the plate 12 is so narrow that if the neck 3 is rotated as shown in Figure 3c, the adjacent tile 30 is not touched.

In Figure 4a tiles 40 and 41 are mounted on adhesive 42, which is applied to a surface 43. The adhesive 42 has seeped out from under the tiles 40 and 41 and protrudes beyond their outer surfaces 44 and 45.

As shown in Figure 4a, the neck 3 is placed between the tiles 40 and 41, and at one end of the portion of adhesive 42 which is protruding. The neck is then moved along the portion of adhesive 42, (which in Figure 4b is towards the viewer) thereby to scoop is out from between the tiles 40 and 41, as shown in Figures 4b and 4c.

The neck 3 effectively removes the protruding adhesive 42 in one go, because its tapering shape allows it to be placed be."vveen the tiles unti, the sides 6 and 7 touch, or are in close proximity to, the tiles 40 and 41. This means that all the adhesive 42 extending beyond the outer surfaces 44 and 45 of the tiles 40 and 41 is removed, and a space 46 is left for grout.

lt will be appreciated that the tapering shape of the neck 3 allows it to be used when tiles are spaced apart by a any distance between lmm and 4mm.

In Figure 5a, tiles 50 and 51 are mounted on adhesive 52, which is applied to a surface 53. In Figures 5a to 5c the end surfaces 54 and 55 of the tiles 50 and 51 are visible. Spacer element 56 has been placed between the tiles 50 and 51 thereby to maintain the spacing between them. The spacer element 56 is a cross-shaped spacer which is intended to maintain the gaps between the corners of four adjacent tiles. In Figures 5a to 5c, three sections 57,58 and 59 are visible.

As is clear from Figure 5a, the spacer element 56 has become dislodged and section 59 protrudes above the outer surface 600f tile 51.

Therefore, the neck 3 is placed between the tiles 50 and 51 and moved towards the viewer until the hook means 4 is disposed underneath the spacer element 56. As shown in Figure 5c, the spacer element 56 is removed by plucking it out from between the tiles 50 and 51 and disposing of it.

The present invention is intended to function in these three primary ways, however it will be appreciated that a tool of this nature could be used in any number of other ways when a screw driver or other blunt instrument would be employed. For example the tool could be used to push tiles into place, or it could be used to remove a whole chipped tile if the process shown in Figures 3a to 3c is continued. In addition, it could be used to remove other material which might become trapped between tiles, or to remove excess grout.

Thus a mu,ti-purpose tile fitting too, is provided which can readily solve the problems of unlevel tiles, excess adhesive and errant spacers.

Claims

Claims 1. A multi-purpose tile fitting tool comprising a handle, a neck

and hook means, in which the neck comprises a face and sides, in which the sides taper such that the face narrows from a widest portion to a narrowest portion, and in which the hook means comprises an element which extends from the narrowest portion of the neck.
2. A multi-purpose tile fitting tool as claimed in Claim 1 in which the hook means extends from the narrowest portion of the neck at a substantially normal angle, and tapers to a point.
3. A multi-purpose tile fitting tool as claimed in Claim 2 in which the neck comprises a flat plate, and the sides are substantially normal to the face.
4. A multi-purpose tile fitting tool as claimed in Claim 3 in which the widest portion of the neck is substantially 4mm wide and the narrowest portion of the neck is substantially lmm wide, and in which the plate forming the neck is substantially lmm thick.
5. A multi-purpose tile fitting tool as claimed in Claim 3 in which the widest portion of the neck is substantially 5mm wide and the narrowest portion of the neck is substantially lmm wide, and in which the plate forming the neck is substantially lmm thick.
6. A multi-purpose tile fitting tool as claimed in Claim 4 or 5 in which the handle is sized and shaped to be gripped by one hand, in use.
7. A multi-purpose tile fitting tool as claimed in Claim 6 in which an arm extends from the handle to the neck.
8. A multi-purpose tile fitting tool as claimed in Claim 7 in which the neck and the hook means are constructed from steel.
9. A multi-purpose tile fitting tool as claimed in Claim 8 in which the neck and the hook means are constructed from Tungsten steel.
10. A multi-purpose tile fitting tool substantially as described herein and as shown in the accompanying drawings.
11. A method of using a multi-purpose tile fitting tool comprising a handle, a neck and hook means, in which the neck comprises a face and sides, in which the sides taper such that the face narrows from a widest portion to a narrowest portion, and in which the hook means comprises an element which extends from the narrowest portion of the neck, including the following steps: 1) Placing the neck between a gap between two tiles fitted onto an adhesive applied to a surface, 2) Placing the hook means under one tile, 3) Raising the multi-purpose tile fitting tool thereby to raise the one tile.
12. A method of using a multi-purpose tile fitting tool comprising a handle, a neck and hook means, in which the neck comprises a face and sides, in which the sides taper such that the face narrows from a widest portion to a narrowest portion, and in which the hook means comprises an element which extends from the narrowest portion of the neck, including the following steps: 1) Piaci'-'g tire reck berweei' a gap belWeei-i two tiles fitted onto an adhesive applied to a surface, 2) Moving the neck through along said gap thereby to remove any adhesive in said gap.
13. A method of using a multi-purpose tile fitting tool comprising a handle, a neck and hook means, in which the neck comprises a face and sides, in which the sides taper such that the face narrows from a widest portion to a narrowest portion, and in which the hook means comprises an element which extends from the narrowest portion of the neck, including the following steps: 1) Placing the neck between a gap between two tiles fitted onto an adhesive applied to a surface, 2) Placing the hook means under a spacer element mounted between said two tiles, 3) Raising the multi-purpose tile fitting tool thereby to remove the spacer element from between said two tiles.
14. A method of using a multi-purpose tile fitting tool substantially as described herein and as shown in Figure 3a to 5c.