GB2452117A - A tile spacer grid - Google Patents

A tile spacer grid Download PDF

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Publication number
GB2452117A
GB2452117A GB0810979A GB0810979A GB2452117A GB 2452117 A GB2452117 A GB 2452117A GB 0810979 A GB0810979 A GB 0810979A GB 0810979 A GB0810979 A GB 0810979A GB 2452117 A GB2452117 A GB 2452117A
Authority
GB
United Kingdom
Prior art keywords
grid
grids
abutment surfaces
limbs
abutment
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
GB0810979A
Other versions
GB0810979D0 (en
Inventor
Andrew Hilton
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
TILE FIXER Ltd
Original Assignee
TILE FIXER Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by TILE FIXER Ltd filed Critical TILE FIXER Ltd
Publication of GB0810979D0 publication Critical patent/GB0810979D0/en
Publication of GB2452117A publication Critical patent/GB2452117A/en
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E04—BUILDING
    • E04F—FINISHING WORK ON BUILDINGS, e.g. STAIRS, FLOORS
    • E04F21/00—Implements for finishing work on buildings
    • E04F21/18—Implements for finishing work on buildings for setting wall or ceiling slabs or plates
    • E04F21/1838—Implements for finishing work on buildings for setting wall or ceiling slabs or plates for setting a plurality of similar elements
    • E04F21/1883—Implements for finishing work on buildings for setting wall or ceiling slabs or plates for setting a plurality of similar elements by simultaneously applying several elements, e.g. templates
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B44—DECORATIVE ARTS
    • B44C—PRODUCING DECORATIVE EFFECTS; MOSAICS; TARSIA WORK; PAPERHANGING
    • B44C1/00—Processes, not specifically provided for elsewhere, for producing decorative surface effects
    • B44C1/28—Uniting ornamental elements on a support, e.g. mosaics
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B44—DECORATIVE ARTS
    • B44C—PRODUCING DECORATIVE EFFECTS; MOSAICS; TARSIA WORK; PAPERHANGING
    • B44C3/00—Processes, not specifically provided for elsewhere, for producing ornamental structures
    • B44C3/12—Uniting ornamental elements to structures, e.g. mosaic plates
    • B44C3/123—Mosaic constructs
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E04—BUILDING
    • E04F—FINISHING WORK ON BUILDINGS, e.g. STAIRS, FLOORS
    • E04F13/00—Coverings or linings, e.g. for walls or ceilings
    • E04F13/07—Coverings or linings, e.g. for walls or ceilings composed of covering or lining elements; Sub-structures therefor; Fastening means therefor
    • E04F13/08—Coverings or linings, e.g. for walls or ceilings composed of covering or lining elements; Sub-structures therefor; Fastening means therefor composed of a plurality of similar covering or lining elements
    • E04F13/0862—Coverings or linings, e.g. for walls or ceilings composed of covering or lining elements; Sub-structures therefor; Fastening means therefor composed of a plurality of similar covering or lining elements composed of a number of elements which are identical or not, e.g. carried by a common web, support plate or grid
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E04—BUILDING
    • E04F—FINISHING WORK ON BUILDINGS, e.g. STAIRS, FLOORS
    • E04F13/00—Coverings or linings, e.g. for walls or ceilings
    • E04F13/07—Coverings or linings, e.g. for walls or ceilings composed of covering or lining elements; Sub-structures therefor; Fastening means therefor
    • E04F13/08—Coverings or linings, e.g. for walls or ceilings composed of covering or lining elements; Sub-structures therefor; Fastening means therefor composed of a plurality of similar covering or lining elements
    • E04F13/0885—Coverings or linings, e.g. for walls or ceilings composed of covering or lining elements; Sub-structures therefor; Fastening means therefor composed of a plurality of similar covering or lining elements specially adapted for being adhesively fixed to the wall; Fastening means therefor; Fixing by means of plastics materials hardening after application
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E04—BUILDING
    • E04F—FINISHING WORK ON BUILDINGS, e.g. STAIRS, FLOORS
    • E04F15/00—Flooring
    • E04F15/02—Flooring or floor layers composed of a number of similar elements
    • E04F15/02005—Construction of joints, e.g. dividing strips
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E04—BUILDING
    • E04F—FINISHING WORK ON BUILDINGS, e.g. STAIRS, FLOORS
    • E04F21/00—Implements for finishing work on buildings
    • E04F21/18—Implements for finishing work on buildings for setting wall or ceiling slabs or plates
    • E04F21/1838—Implements for finishing work on buildings for setting wall or ceiling slabs or plates for setting a plurality of similar elements
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E04—BUILDING
    • E04F—FINISHING WORK ON BUILDINGS, e.g. STAIRS, FLOORS
    • E04F21/00—Implements for finishing work on buildings
    • E04F21/20—Implements for finishing work on buildings for laying flooring
    • E04F21/22—Implements for finishing work on buildings for laying flooring of single elements, e.g. flooring cramps ; flexible webs

Abstract

A tile spacer grid is configured to be positioned in abutment with another such spacer grid, to build a double-layer spacer assembly of grids that can be sandwiched between a tile and a supporting surface. The grid is asymmetric with the fist side thereof characterised by a first distribution of first abutment surfaces 5, and on a second side thereof with a second distribution of second abutment surfaces 7. The first abutment surfaces 5 are located at a greater distance from the mid-plane of the grid than location of the second abutment surfaces 7. Two grids can be positioned relative to one another in three possible configurations. A first configuration of the two grids comprises the first abutment surfaces on one grid to cooperate with first abutment surfaces on the other grid to determine a relatively thick overall thickness of the double-layer assembly of two grids. A second configuration of the two grids comprises the first abutment surfaces on one grid to cooperate with second abutment surfaces on the other grid to provide a double-layer assembly of grids of intermediate thickness. A third configuration of the two grids comprises the second abutment surfaces on one grid to cooperate with second abutment surfaces on the other grid to provide a double-layer assembly of grids of relatively thin overall thickness. The first and second abutment surfaces are provided as the bases of recesses formed in the outwardly facing walls of the grids.

Description

TILE SPACERS
The present invention relates to tile spacers and particularly to tile spacers for controlling the distance of the face of a tile from a supporting surface to which the tile is to be adhesively secured.
The invention is particularly, but not exclusively, aimed at spacing mosaic tiles from a supporting surface.
Mosaic tiles are commonly provided in the form of large sheets and were originally intended for covering large areas with such tiles to make it look as though the tiles had been individually mounted, as with a traditional mosaic finish.
It has become fashionable to use strips cut from the sheets of mosaic tiles as borders around conventional wall tiles, and to create bands of a different colour across a tiled area, rather than using special border tiles and insert tiles. A problem with this is that the sheets of mosaic tiles are generally thinner than most wall tiles, so that it is difficult to arrange for the surface of mosaic tiles to be level with the adjacent conventional tiles. Usually the tiler puts a thicker layer of adhesive behind the strip of mosaic tiles in order to compensate, but this often results in strips of mosaic tiles having undulations in them. S..
The present invention is aimed at providing a layer of packing of adjustable thickness behind tiles, particularly but not exclusively sheets * of mosaic tiles, for controlling the position of the outer face of the tiles from a supporting surface.
According to the invention we provide a tile spacer grid for positioning in abutment with another such spacer grid as a double-layer spacer assembly of grids sandwiched between a tile and a supporting surface, the grid being provided on a first side thereof with a first distribution of first abutment surfaces, and on a second side thereof with a second distribution of second abutment surfaces, the first abutment surfaces being located at a greater distance from the mid-plane of the grid than are the second abutment surfaces, and the arrangement being such that the grids may be positioned relative to one another in (a) a first condition in which first abutment surfaces on one grid cooperate with first abutment surfaces on the other grid to determine a relatively thick overall thickness of the double-layer assembly of two grids; (b) a second condition in which first abutment surfaces on said one grid cooperate with second abutment surfaces on other said grid to provide a double-layer assembly of grids of intermediate thickness; and (c) a third condition in which second abutment surfaces on said one grid cooperate with second abutment surfaces on said other grid to provide a double-layer assembly of grids of relatively thin overall thickness.
*:*::* The grid is preferably comprised of limbs defining substantially rectangular apertures, and the apertures are preferably substantially : ** square.
S
The first and second abutment surfaces are preferably provided as a repeating pattern on the grid, and with a repetition rate that is the same as that of the apertures, so that the grids need only be moved by one space relative to each other to bring their respective abutment surfaces into engagement.
The tile spacer is preferably of moulded plastics.
Preferably the first and second abutment surfaces are provided by the bases of respective recesses formed in the outwardly facing walls of the grids whereby when two such grids are brought substantially into register or in overlapping relationship, and one grid is slid relative to the other grid whilst the grids are urged relatively together, the grids will fit together when the recesses come into register with one another to bring opposed abutment surfaces into engagement, whereby side walls of at least some of the recesses resist further relative sliding of the grids from the fitted condition.
When the grids are assembled together as a double layer the connections between the grids resemble a woodwork cross halving joint, except that the recesses will not generally extend through half of the grid thickness.
This helps to locate the grids in a stable condition against further relative sliding movement.
If the grids are positioned such that the recesses are not cooperating with one another, then the overall thickness of the assembly of two grids will be greater than the overall thickness in condition (a) so this presents a condition (albeit not as stable) which provides a further overall thickness ** option for the pair of grids.
The grids will be embedded in the adhesive employed to affix the tile or sheet of tiles to the support surface. S...
In use the grids will generally be assembled together before being pushed into the adhesive applied in a layer on the support surface.
The recesses are preferably positioned at substantially the mid-points of the limbs of the grids, whereby the grids lock together when they are positioned out-of-phase with one another.
The grid preferably comprises a square array of straight limbs extending between integral cylindrical bosses.
In order to reduce the resistance to pushing the grids into the adhesive, the straight limbs of the grid preferably have a faired transverse cross-sectional shape, preferably of capsule shape.
The presence of the bosses will prevent elements of the grid being mistakenly used as spacers for spacing apart the four corners of adjacent tiles.
The bosses are preferably each formed with a bore to maximise the area of adhesive which adheres the tile to the support surface.
The first and second abutment surfaces are preferably both located at midpoints of the limbs, in register with one another to provide weak points in the limbs, thereby enabling the grid to be trimmed to size by snapping or cutting of the limbs at the weak points.
* * 15 A tile spacer grid in accordance with the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: * ** * * S ***.
Figure Ia is a view of the spacer grid, before any trimming to size has taken place, and from one side of the grid; *S.. * * *S*.
Figure lb is an enlarged local cross-section of one of the grid limbs taken on the line Y-Y of Figure la; Figure 2 is a greatly enlarged partial view similar to Figure lb but showing two grids identical to that of Figure la assembled together to form a double-layer spacer assembly, the two grids being positioned with first abutment faces on one grid engaged with first abutment surfaces on the other grid, the first abutment surfaces being spaced further from the mid planes of the respective grids than corresponding second abutment surfaces, that are redundant in this condition of the grids; Figure 3 is a view similar to Figure 2 showing the grids assembled together in a second condition in which first abutment surfaces on one grid are engaged with second abutment surfaces on the second grid, and Figure 4 is another view similar to Figures 2 and 3 showing the grids assembled together in a third condition in which second abutment surfaces on one grid are engaged with second abutment surfaces on the second grid.
As shown in Figure la, the spacer grid 1 is a moulded plastics grid comprising a square array of tubular bosses 2 interconnected by straight *:*::* limbs which, as shown in Figure ib, are of faired capsule-shape in transverse cross-section, the axis of the capsule shape extending perpendicular to the plane of the grid. This cross-sectional shape assists in permitting the grid to be pushed, face on, into a layer of tile adhesive that has been spread onto a supporting wall, and disperses adhesive trapped between the grid limbs and the supporting wall to assist in allowing the grid bars to come into contact with the wall to determine the tile position.
With reference to Figure 2, at the mid-points of the lengths of each of the limbs there is provided on one face of the grid a shallow rectangular recess 3, and on the opposed face of the grid a deeper rectangular recess 4, in substantial register with the shallow recess 3.
Shallow recess 3 is defined by a first base 5, and by recess side walls 6.
Deeper recess 4 is defined by a second base 7 and by recess side walls 8.
The first bases 5 of the first recesses constitute first abutment surfaces of the grid, and the second bases 7 of the grid constitute second abutment surfaces of the grid, the first abutment surfaces being spaced further from the mid-plane MP of the grid than the second abutment surfaces.
The widths of the recesses, that is the distances between side waIls 8, and that between side walls 6, are chosen to be somewhat greater than the narrower width of the capsule cross-section of the limbs, to enable the grids to interlock, as shown in Figure 2, when one grid is slid relative to the other grid into an out-of-phase position.
In the first condition shown in Figure 2, the first abutment surfaces 5' on the lower grid are engaged with the first abutment surfaces 5 on the upper grid, to provide an overall first thickness of the grid assembly T1. * *
In the second condition shown in Figure 3, the second abutment surfaces 7' of the lower grid are engaged with the first abutment surfaces 5 of the upper grid, to provide an intermediate overall thickness T2 of the grid assembly. It will be realised that in Figure 3, the lower S...
grid has been inverted relative to the orientation of the lower grid in Figure 2. The overall thickness T2 of the grid assembly is an intermediate thickness.
In the third condition of Figure 4 the second abutment surfaces 7' on the lower grid are engaged with the second abutment surfaces 7 of the upper grid, the upper grid having been inverted relative to the orientation of the upper grid in Figure 3. In the third condition of Figure 4, the overall thickness T3 is the smallest overall thickness of the available options, since T1 > T2 > T3.
Of course, if the grids are assembled together without the recesses interlocked, then the assembly will have a significantly greater overall thickness, which provides yet another option.
The arrangement of the first and second recesses on the individual limbs in substantial registry with one another provides points of weakness in the limbs which permits the grid to be trimmed in size, by snapping away portions of the grid.
Preferably the grids are marked in some way to indicate two sides of the grids, such as by providing a label 10, Figure Ia, in a central recess of one side of the grid. * ** ** S * ** *,.. * * SI. S. * S S
S .5 S... * S S... *5.5 *. S * S

Claims (12)

1. A tile spacer grid for positioning in abutment with another such spacer grid as a double-layer spacer assembly of grids sandwiched between a tile and a supporting surface, the grid being provided on a first side thereof with a first distribution of first abutment surfaces, and on a second side thereof with a second distribution of second abutment surfaces, the first abutment surfaces being located at a greater distance from the mid-plane of the grid than are the second abutment surfaces, and the arrangement being such that the grids may be positioned relative to one another in (a) a first condition in which first abutment surfaces on one grid cooperate with first abutment surfaces on the other grid to determine a relatively thick overall thickness of the double-layer assembly of two grids; (b) a second condition in which first abutment surfaces on said one grid cooperate with second abutment surfaces on other said grid to provide a double-layer assembly of grids of intermediate thickness; and (c) a third condition in which second abutment surfaces on said one grid cooperate with second abutment S.'.., surfaces on said other grid to provide a double-layer assembly of grids of S...
relatively thin overall thickness. * *.
2. A grid as claimed in claim I comprising limbs defining substantially S..
rectangular apertures. * . S...
3. A grid as claimed in claim 2 in which the apertures are substantially square.
4. A grid as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in which the first and second abutment surfaces are provided as a repeating pattern on the grid, and with a repetition rate that is the same as that of the apertures, so that when two such grids are positioned in abutment with each other the grids need only be moved by one space relative to each other to bring their respective abutment surfaces into engagement.
5. A grid as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in which the first and second abutment surfaces are provided by the bases of respective recesses formed in the outwardly facing walls of the grids whereby when two such grids are brought substantially into register or in overlapping relationship, and one grid is slid relative to the other grid whilst the grids are urged relatively together, the grids will fit together when the recesses come into register with one another to bring opposed abutment surfaces into engagement, whereby side walls of at least some of the recesses resist further relative sliding of the grids from the fitted condition.
6. A grid as claimed in claim 5 in which the recesses are positioned at substantially the mid-points of the limbs of the grids, whereby the grids lock together when they are positioned out-of-phase with one another.
7. A grid as claimed in claim 3 or any one of claims 4 to 6 each as appended to claim 3 in which the grid comprises a square array of : straight limbs extending between integral cylindrical bosses.
8. A grid as claimed in claim 7 in which the bosses are each formed with a bore. S...
*
9. A grid as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in which in order to reduce the resistance to pushing the grids into the adhesive, limbs of the grid have a faired transverse cross-sectional shape.
10. A grid as claimed in claim 9 in which the limbs of the grid have a cross-sectional shape in the form of a capsule.
11. A grid as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in which the first and second abutment surfaces are both located at midpoints of limbs of the grid, in register with one another to provide weak points in the limbs, thereby enabling the grid to be trimmed to size by snapping or cutting of the limbs at the weak points.
12. A tile spacer grid substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings. * ** * S * * S. S... * S S... * S. * * . S... S..
S S... * S S... S. *S * S S
GB0810979A 2007-06-15 2008-06-16 A tile spacer grid Withdrawn GB2452117A (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB0711712A GB0711712D0 (en) 2007-06-15 2007-06-15 Tile spacers

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
GB0810979D0 GB0810979D0 (en) 2008-07-23
GB2452117A true GB2452117A (en) 2009-02-25

Family

ID=38332260

Family Applications (2)

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GB0711712A Ceased GB0711712D0 (en) 2007-06-15 2007-06-15 Tile spacers
GB0810979A Withdrawn GB2452117A (en) 2007-06-15 2008-06-16 A tile spacer grid

Family Applications Before (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
GB0711712A Ceased GB0711712D0 (en) 2007-06-15 2007-06-15 Tile spacers

Country Status (1)

Country Link
GB (2) GB0711712D0 (en)

Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB1538384A (en) * 1977-03-29 1979-01-17 Carter & Co London Ltd Tile setting frame
CA1068873A (en) * 1977-04-21 1980-01-01 Alberto Malavasi Modular elements for covering floors and walls with tiles and the like
EP0133839A2 (en) * 1983-08-05 1985-03-06 Albert Heyler Plate bearing
US20060260223A1 (en) * 2005-05-17 2006-11-23 Wang Dennis H Interlocking Frame System for Floor and Wall Structures

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB1538384A (en) * 1977-03-29 1979-01-17 Carter & Co London Ltd Tile setting frame
CA1068873A (en) * 1977-04-21 1980-01-01 Alberto Malavasi Modular elements for covering floors and walls with tiles and the like
EP0133839A2 (en) * 1983-08-05 1985-03-06 Albert Heyler Plate bearing
US20060260223A1 (en) * 2005-05-17 2006-11-23 Wang Dennis H Interlocking Frame System for Floor and Wall Structures

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB0711712D0 (en) 2007-07-25
GB0810979D0 (en) 2008-07-23

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WAP Application withdrawn, taken to be withdrawn or refused ** after publication under section 16(1)