GB2437816A

GB2437816A - Tile marking device

Info

Publication number: GB2437816A
Application number: GB0707544A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Nicholas George Henley
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2006-05-03
Filing date: 2007-04-18
Publication date: 2007-11-07
Also published as: WO2007129016A1; GB0707544D0; GB0608733D0

Abstract

A tile marking device 1 comprises locating means 2 for locating the device relative to a tile 27 that is to be marked, and an elongate first guide, such as a first rod 7, is mounted on the locating means 2 so as to extend, in use, parallel to one edge of the tile 27 to be marked. A connector 10 is slidably mounted on the first rod 7, and an elongate second guide, such as a second rod 11, is mounted on the connector 10 that extends, in use, perpendicular to the elongate direction of the first rod 7, so as to be slidable in its axial direction relative to the connector 10. A tip 17 on the second rod 11 engages an obstruction 28 to which the tile 27 is to be fitted; and a marker (14, fig 2) mounted on the second rod 11 marks the tile 27 as the second rod 11 is moved to cause the tip 17 to follow the surface of the obstruction 28.

Description

TILE MARKING DEViCE This invention relates to a tile marking device,

that is to say a device for use in marking a floor or wall tile pursuant to cutting the tile to a desired profile. The profile may be to facilitate fitting a tile round an obstruction such as a pedestal, or for providing a cut-out in the tile to accommodate, for example, an opening for the passage of, for example, a pipe.

It is to be understood that the term "marking as used herein encompasses both providing a guide line using a pencil or felt tip pen for a subsequent cutting operation and, in the alternative, scoring the surface of the tile in a manner to facilitate removal of a portion of the tile in a subsequent operation. The preferred embodiment of the invention provides a felt tip pen or the like marking a line on a tile for a subsequent cutting operation but other embodiments of the invention may provide for the direct scoring of the surface of a tile.

According to a first aspect of the present invention a tile marking device comprises: locating means for locating the device relative to a tile that is to be marked; an elongate first guide mounted on the locating means so as to extend, in use, parallel to one edge of the tile that is to be marked; a connector slidably mounted on the first guide for movement therealong; an elongate second guide mounted on the connector so as to extend, in use, perpendicular to the elongate direction of the first guide and so as to be slidable in its axial direction relative to the connector; a tip on the second guide for engaging an obstruction to which the tile is to be fitted; and a marker mounted on the second guide for marking the tile as the second guide is moved to cause the tip to follow the surface of the obstruction.

In the preferred embodiment of the invention the distance, measured in the elongate direction of the second guide, from the tip to the marker is adjustable to permit the device to be used with different tile sizes. Similarly, the locating means is preferably adjustable to permit the device to be used with different tile sizes.

Preferably, the tip is one of a set of inerchangeable tips that provide a range of offsets from a lixed datum point on the second guide to the surface of the tip that engages the obstruction. By this means, different tile spacings can readily be accommodated.

In the preferred embodiment of the invention the first guide is in the form of a rod or bar and the locating means comprises two arms depending from the rod or bar for engaging at least two opposite edges of the tile to be marked. Preferably, the arms are of a depth, measured perpendicular to the plane of the face of the tile, that is greater than the thickness of the tile so that the anns will laterally locate a tile to be marked relative to an underlying already laid tile. Preferably, the second guide is in the form of a rod or bar slidably mounted in the connector. Preferably, the marker is slidably mounted on the second guide to permit adjustment of the offset from the tip to the marker.

Preferably, at least the second guide comprises a plurality of interconnected elements one or more of which can optionally be inserted or removed to vary the overall length of the second guide.

The invention will be better understood from the following description of a preferred embodiment thereof, given by way of example only, reference being had to the accompanying drawing wherein: Figure 1 illustrates in plan view a preferred embodiment of the invention; Figure 2 is an end view of the embodiment of Figure 1; and Figure 3 shows a device for Figure 1 in use.

Referring firstly to Figure 1 and Figure 2, the preferred embodiment of tile marking device 1 in accordance with the present invention comprises locating means 2 which, in use, locate the device relative to a tile 3 that is to be marked. Referring to Figure 2 it vill be noted that, in general, in use of the device in accordance with the present invention the tile 3 to be marked will be positioned directly atop and in registration with a tile 4 that has already been laid. To assist the correct registration of the tile 3 relative to the tile 4 the locating means 2 preferably include arms 5 which have a length greater than the depth of the tile 3 to be marked so that the arms precisely locate the tile 3 transversely relative to the tile 4. The locating means may ( 3 also include depending arms which extend downwardly to engage the front edge 6 of the tile to be marked and the front edge ofthe underlying fixed tile. By this means, the locating means 2 not only locate the marking device I relative to the tile 3 to be marked, but also locate the tile 3 to be marked relative to the underlying previously fixed tile 4.

An elongate first guide 7 is mounted on the locating means. As iUustrated, the guide 7 is in the form of a rod or bar which passes through mounts 8 provided on the locating means and is secured thereto by tightening screws 9. This arrangement permits adjustment of the spacing of the locating means 2 to accommodate different tile sizes, and also provides a simple and rigid means of mounting the first guide 7 on the locating means. In use, the longitudinal axis of the first guide 7 extends parallel to the edge 6 of the tile to be marked.

A connector 10 is slidably mounted on the first guide 7 for movement thereon.

The connector 10 can be in the form of a block of suitable material formed with a hole in which the first guide 7 is a close sliding fit. Linear bearings (not shown) may be provided to facilitate smoothness of such sliding movement.

Preferably, the inside surface of the locating means is roughened so as to increase grip with the sides of the tile and thereby reduce the possibility of the unintentional movement of the device during use.

An elongate second guide 11 is slidably mounted in the connector 10. The second guide 11 may be in the form of a rod or bar which is a smooth sliding fit within a suitable passage provided in the connector 10. The effect of the connector 10 is to maintain the second guide 11 perpendicular to the first guide 7 whilst permitted relative sliding movement between the second guide I I and the connector 10. Again, linear bearings (not shown) may be provided bet'een the second guide 11 and the connector 10 to facilitate smoothness of the sliding movement.

A marker I 2 is secured to the second guide I I. The marker is preferably in the form of a clamp 13 in which a marking device 14 (for example a felt tip pen or a pencil) may be secured. The clamp 13 is iLselfslidable on the second guide II and . 4 may be locked at any desired position on the second guide I I by means of a screw 15.

The arrangement of the clamp 13 is such that the tip 16 of the marking device is located in a plane which is perpendicular to the major surface of the tile 3 and which contains the longitudinal axis of the second guide 11.

At the end remote from the marker 12 the second guide I is provided with a tip 17 for engaging an obstruction that is to be tiled around. In a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention the tip 17 is removable from the second guide 11 and is one of a set of tips having a range of diameters. The effect of this arrangement is that the offset between the distal end of the tip 17 and a datum plane A which is fixed in relation to the leading end of the second guide 11 is variable by selecting different diameters of tips. This arrangement facilitates making an automatic allowance for a particular desired gap between adjacent tiles as will be described in more detail hereinafter.

In use, before a tiling operation is commenced the offset Al between the datum plane A and the point 16 of the marking device is set to be equal to the length A2 of the tile to be marked, measured in a direction parallel to the elongate direction of the second guide 11. Such adjustment is facilitated by loosening the screw 15 and moving the marker along the second guide 11 to the correct position. If desired, the second guide 11 may itself be made up of a plurality of interconnected screw threaded rods so that large variations in tile size may be accommodated firstly by selecting the correct combination of screw threaded rods to give a second guide 11 of the correct length, and then adjusting the marker 12 on the resultant second guide.

The only other set up operation required is to adjust the spacing of the locating means so that the arms 5 snugly accommodate between them the tile to be marked and an identical underlying tile. Once these set up operations have been completed the device may be used repeatedly for tiles oIthe same size without further adjustment.

A typical task to be performed by the device in accordance with the present invention is illustrated in Figure 3.

Referring to Figure 3 there is shown a portion of a partially laid tiled floor.

Whole tiles 20-25 have been secured to the floor by means of conventional adhesive with a uniform gap 26 therebetween. The tile marking device I has been set up with a tip 17 that corresponds to the existing tile gap 26. The offset between the second guide datum plane A and the tip 16 of' the marking device has been adjusted to correspond to the length of the tiles, measured in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the second guide II. The locating means 2 have been adjusted to the width of the tiles. As illustrated, a tile to be marked (27) has been placed atop and in register with the existing tile 24 and is held in this position by the locating means 2.

Once the tile to be marked 27 and the tile marking device 1 have been positioned as illustrated the second guide II is moved relative to the connector 10, and the connector 10 is moved relative to the first guide 7 so that the tip 17 fbI lows the profile of the obstruction 28 that is to be tiled around. Movement of the components results in the tip 16 of the marking device marking a line on the tile 27. The tile 27 is then removed and cut by suitable means to the line that has been marked on it by the marking device 14. Thereafter, when the cut tile 27 is offered up to the obstruction 28 it will form a correct fit relative to the obstruction whilst maintaining the required standard spacing between itself and the adjacent tile 24.

If further tiles are to be cut this can be done by removing the tile marking device 1 and positioning it as required on a fresh tile which has been located atop a previously laid whoic tile. No further adjustment to the marking device I vil1 be required provided that the tiles remain of the same size and the same gap is required.

By providing a range of tips 1 7 a range of tile spacings can readily be accommodated. For example, a tip having a diameter of 4mm will accommodate a 2mm tile spacing. a tip having a diameter of 8mm will accommodate a 4mm tile spacing and a tip having a diameter of' 14mm vill accommodate a 7mm tile spacing.

Accordingly, by providing three tips the tiler vi1l have available to him a range of' three different standard spacings.

Many modifications to the design of the marking device are posibIe within the scope of' the present invention. For example, one or both of' the first guide 7 and second guide 11 may be in the form of a channel. The channel may, for example, be in the form of a rectangular box shape with a longitudinally extending gap in one face of the box. With such an arrangement, connections to the guides and/or the connection between the guides can be by way of devices held captive within the channels. For example, a wheel held captive within a channel and having a spindle extending outwardly through the slot may be used as a moveable connection. Such an arrangement can, if desired, be utilised as a means of interconnecting the first guide and the second guide.

The device of the invention may be used with either floor or wall tiles as desired. In the case of wall tiles, the use of a reference tile may be avoided. Instead, the tile to be marked may be attached to the wall using adhesive and the device mounted directly thereonto, in which case it must accommodate just a single thickness of tile. To compensate for this depth difference, magnetic strips are then placed between the top surface of the tile and the underneath of the location means.

Locking screws 9,15 may also be replaced by other fixing means such as guide release fasteners. The guides 7,11 may furthermore be keyed so as to maintain point 16 and tip 1 7 perpendicular to the tile to be marked.

Claims

CLAIMS: I. A tile marking device comprising: locating means for

locating the device relative to a tile that is to be marked; an elongate first guide mounted on the locating means so as to extend, in use, parallel to one edge of the tile that is to be marked; a connector slidably mounted on the first guide for movement therealong; an elongate second guide mounted on the connector so as to extend, in use, perpendicular to the elongate direction of the first guide and so as to be slidable in its axial direction relative to the connector; a tip on the second guide for engaging an obstruction to which the tile is to be fitted; and a marker provided on the second guide for marking the tile as the second guide is moved to cause the tip to follow the surface of the obstruction.

2. A tile marking device according to claim 1, wherein the distance, measured in the elongate direction of the second guide, from the tip to the marker is adjustable to permit the device to be used with different tile sizes.

3. A tile marking device according to claim I or claim 2, wherein the locating means is adjustable to permit the device to be used with different tile sizes.

4. A tile marking device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the tip is removably attached to the second guide so as to be interchangeable, provision of a range of tips providing a range of offsets from a fixed datum point on the second guide to the surface of the tip that engages the obstruction.

5. A tile marking device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the first guide is in the form of a rod or bar and the locating means comprises two arms depending from the rod or bar for engaging at least two opposite edges of the tile to be marked.

6. A tile marking device according to claim 5, wherein the arms are of a depth, measured perpendicular to the plane of the face of the tile, that is greater than the thickness of the tile so that the arms will laterally locate a tile to be marked relative to an underlying already laid tile.

7. A tile marking device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the second guide is in the form of a rod or bar slidably mounted in the connector.

8. A tile marking device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the marker is slidably mounted on the second guide to permit adjustment of the offset from the tip to the marker.

9. A tile marking device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein at least the second guide comprises a plurality of interconnected elements, one or more of which can optionally be inserted or removed to vary the overall length of the second guide.

10. A tile marking device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the connector is mounted on the first guideby means of linear bearings to facilitate sliding movement therealong.

11. A tile marking device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the second guide is mounted on the connector by means of linear bearings to facilitate sliding movement therealong.

12. A tile marking device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the surfaces of the locating means which, in use, engage the tile arc roughened so as to increase the grip between the device and the tile.

13. A tile marking device substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.