GB2457746A

GB2457746A - Apparatus and method for tiling a surface

Info

Publication number: GB2457746A
Application number: GB0819207A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Kenneth Roy Frederick John Bacon
Original assignee: BACON KENNETH ROY FREDERICK JO
Current assignee: BACON KENNETH ROY FREDERICK JO
Priority date: 2008-10-20
Filing date: 2008-10-20
Publication date: 2009-08-26
Anticipated expiration: 2028-10-20
Also published as: GB2457746B; GB0819207D0

Abstract

The invention relates to an apparatus and method for tiling a surface and comprises a mounting structure and a plurality of spacers. The mounting structure comprises a lattice 1 having a plurality of horizontal and vertical edges 2 which meet to form junctions 4 which define a plurality of apertures 5. The lattice may comprise tabs 7 which are shaped to mate with corresponding slots 8 on adjoining lattices. Cross shaped raised portions 7, 6a and 6b are provided on the lattice to correctly position the tiles. Spacers (11 figure 3) may be used at the junctions 4 to ensure the spacing between the tiles is even. The lattice and the spacers are preferably made from ABS. The lattice may be fixed to a surface by nails which pass through holes 8 or alternatively the lattice may be glued to the surface.

Description

pparatus and method for tiling a surface The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for tiling a surface. In particular, the invention provides an apparatus to aid in the positioning of tiles when tiling a surface such as a wall or a floor, which is suitable for tiling with differently sized of tiles.

Apparatuses to aid in the positioning of tiles when tiling a surface are known. For example, DE 10343945 (Zanoni) published 28 April 2005 discloses a rigid plastic lattice for use when tiling surface such as a wall or a floor. The lattice, which is shown in Figure 1, has apertures which are the same size as the tiles with which the surface is to be tiled.

In use, first a layer of tiling adhesive (such as tile cement) is applied to the surface. The lattice is then positioned on the tiling adhesive in the desired place on the surface. (The lattice is pushed lightly into the tiling adhesive so that it remains in place, but also so that the lattice can be easily pulled away from the tiling adhesive at a later stage.) The tiles are then positioned on the tiling adhesive through the apertures in the lattice. As the apertures in the lattice are the same size as the tiles, the lattice acts to ensure the tiles are correctly positioned upon the surface. Once all the tiles have been positioned, the lattice is removed from the surface, leaving the tiles behind in the correct positions. Once the tiling adhesive has set, the gaps between the tiles can be filled as required.

However, it is a disadvantage of this apparatus that it can only be used with tiles of a particular pre-determined size. An apparatus that could be used with more than one size of tile would be desirable. * 2

In accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention there is provided an apparatus for tiling a surface comprising: a mounting structure having a first surface arranged to be fixed on the surface to be tiled, and a second surface opposite the first surface comprising a plurality fitting portions, the fitting portions being arranged on the second surface of the mounting structure to define one or more areas for positioning a tile of a predetermined size; a plurality of spacers arranged to be fitted on the fitting portions on the second surface of the mounting structure; wherein when the spacers are fitted on the fitting portions, a tile of the predetermined size can be positioned on the second surface of the mounting portion in contact with one or more of the spacers to enable the tile to be correctly positioned on the surface to be tiled.

Using this apparatus, a surface can be tiled with tiles of the predetermined size, as the spacers will act as a guide for positioning the tile on the surface. The spacers are themselves correctly positioned because they are fitted on the fitting portions, which are arranged in predetermined positions on the mounting structure. The mounting structure may for example be a lattice.

Advantageously, the fitting portions are arranged so that, when no spacers are fitted on the fitting portions, a tile of a second predetermined size larger than the first predetermined size positioned in the aperture is in contact with one or more of the fitting portions to enable the tile to be correctly positioned on the surface to be. The apparatus can then be used for tiles of different predetermined sizes; the mounting portion can be used without spacers to for tiling with tiles of the second predetermined 1 3 size, or with the spacers for tiling with tiles of the first predetermined size.

Advantageously, the apparatus comprises a second plurality of spacers arranged to be fitted on the fitting portions, wherein when the second spacers are fitted on the fitting portions, a tile of a third predetermined size smaller than the first predetermined size can be positioned on the second surface of the mounting portion in contact with one or more of the second spacers to enable the tile to be correctly positioned on the surface to be tiled.

Alternatively, the apparatus comprises a second plurality of spacers arranged to be fitted on the first plurality of spacers, wherein when the first spacers are fitted on the fitting portions, and the second spacers are fitted the on first plurality of spacers, a tile of a fourth predetermined size smaller than the first predetermined size can be positioned on the second surface of the mounting portion in contact with one or more of the second spacers to enable the tile to be correctly positioned on the surface to be tiled.

Again, the apparatus can then be used for tiles of different predetermined sizes; the mounting portion can be used with the first spacers alone for tiling with tiles of the first predetermined size, or with the second spacers for tiling with tiles of the third or fourth predetermined size.

Advantageously, the periphery of the mounting structure comprises fixing portions arranged to allow the mounting structure to be fixed to a second mounting structure. This allows areas larger than that covered by a single mounting structure to be tiled. In addition, the fixing portions prevent the mounting portions from being positioned incorrectly relative to each other.

In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention there is provided a method of tiling a surface 1 4 using an apparatus as claimed in any of claims 1 to 5, comprising the steps of: fixing the mounting structure on the surface to be tiled; fitting a plurality of spacers on the fitted portions on the second surface of the mounting structure; positioning at least one tile of the predetermined size on the second surface of the mounting portion in contact with one or more of the spacers; wherein the tile is fixed to the surface to be tiled by means of an adhesive substance.

The mounting structure may be fixed on the surface to be tiled before the plurality of spacers are fitted on the fitted portions on the second surface of the mounting structure. The adhesive substance is applied to the at least one tile before the tile is positioned on the second surface of the mounting portion. Alternatively, the adhesive substance is applied to surface to be tiled before the at least one tile is positioned on the second surface of the mounting portion The plurality of spacers may be the first plurality of spacers. Alternatively, the plurality of spacers may be the second plurality of spacers.

There will now be described embodiments of the invention, with reference to the accompanying drawings of which: Figure 1 shows a known apparatus for tiling a surface; Figure 2 shows a lattice for an apparatus for tiling a surface in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention; Figure 3a shows a perspective view of a spacer in accordance with the first embodiment of the present invention; I 5 Figure 3b shows a side view of the spacer of Figure 3a; Figure 3c shows a back view of the spacer of Figure 3a; Figure 4 shows the lattice of Figure 2 fitted with four of the spacers of Figures 3a to 3c; Figure 5a shows a back view of a spacer with three bars; Figure 5b shows a back view of an L-shaped spacer.

Figure 2 shows a lattice for an apparatus for tiling a surface in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention. The lattice 1 comprises a plurality of horizontal and vertical edges 2, which meet to form junctions 4. The edges 2 define a plurality of apertures 5. The lattice 1 is made for example of a plastics material such as ABS (Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene) The lattice 1 comprises sixteen apertures 5 in a four-by-four configuration. On the left and bottom peripheral edges of the lattice 1 are tabs 7, which are shaped to fit into corresponding slots 8 on the right and top peripheral edges of the lattice 1, thus allowing identical copies of the lattice to be connected together to form larger lattices.

The edges 2 of the lattice 1 are also scored where they meet to form the junctions (the scoring is not shown), allowing parts of the edges 2 to be easily broken off to give, say, a three-by-four lattice.

At the centre of each junction 4 is a cross-shaped raised portion 7. -Ialf-crosses 6a are provided at the junctions 4 on the peripheral edges 2 of the lattice 1, and L-shaped quarter-crosses 6b are provided at the junctions 4 on the peripheral corners of the lattice 1. Holes 9 are provided in the junctions 4 at the peripheral corners of the lattice 1.

The edges 2 of the lattice 1 are 17mm in width. (The peripheral edges are slightly narrower.) The bars of the raised cross-shaped portions 6 are 1.5mm in width, and the S 6 distance the centres of adjacent cross-shaped portions 6 is 102mm (giving a distance between the horizontal bars of vertically adjacent cross-shaped portions 6 of 100.5mm, i.e. 102mm minus 1.5mm, and similarly for the vertical bars of horizontally adjacent cross-shaped portions 6) . The lattice 1 is therefore 408mm in width and height, with the tabs 7 extending a further 7mm (and the slots 8 correspondingly being 7mm deep) The lattice 1 can be used for tiling a surface with tiles of side length 100.5mm, a standardised tile size, as follows.

First, the lattice 1 is positioned on the surface in the desired position, and fixed with nails through the holes 8.

Alternatively, the lattice 1 can be glued to the surface.

More than one lattice 1 may be fixed to the surface, with the lattices being attached together by means of the tabs 7 and slots 8, if an area larger than that covered by a single lattice is required. The lattices may also be reduced in size by removing edges using the scored areas, if required.

Next, tiling adhesive is applied to the back of a tile, and the tile is positioned on the surface so that the corners of the tile are touching the four raised cross-shaped portions 6 at the junctions 4 at the corners of an aperture 5. As the distances between adjacent cross-shaped portions 6 are the same as the side lengths of the tile, the cross-shaped portions 6 act to correctly position the tile on the surface. Another tile can then be positioned on the surface using the same method. Once all the desired tiles have been positioned on the surface, the spaces between the tiles are filled with grout, thus hiding the lattice 1 and the raised cross-shaped portions 6.

In an alternative method, rather than applying the tiling adhesive to the backs of the individual tiles, it may be applied to the surface as a whole. S 7

Figures 3a to 3c shows a spacer for use with the lattice 1 of the apparatus of the first embodiment. The spacer 11 comprises a cross-shaped piece formed of a horizontal bar 12 and a vertical bar 13, each of width 2.3mm.

The bars 12 and 13 have a C-shaped cross-section when viewed from an end, so as to form a gap 14 of 1.5mm in each bar.

Together the gaps 14 form a cross-shaped recess in the spacer 11. The spacer 11 is also made of a plastics material such as ABS.

The spacers 11 of Figures 3a to Figure 3c can be used with the lattice 1 of in Figure 2, as shown in Figure 4.

Each spacer 11 is dimensioned so that it can be fitted at a junction 4 of the lattice 1, with the raised cross-shaped portion 6 fitting into the cross-shaped recess formed by the gaps 14 of the spacer 11. The gaps 14 are the same width as the bars of the cross-shaped portion 6, 1.5mm in width, so that the spacers 11 are held in place upon the lattice 1 by means of friction. Alternatively, a means may be provided to hold the spacer 11 in place, for example there may be a portion of the spacer 11 that protrudes into the gap 14 that is arranged to interlock with a recess in the surface of the cross-shaped portion 6. As the bars 12 and 13 of the spacers 11 are 2.3mm in width, the distance between the horizontal bars 12 of spacers 11 fitted on vertically adjacent cross-shaped portions 6 is 99.7mm, i.e. 102mm minus 2.3mm (and similarly for the vertical bars 13 of spacers 11 fitted on of horizontally adjacent cross-shaped portions 6) In addition to cross-shaped spacers 11, spacers with three points as shown in Figure 5a, to be fitted on the edges of the lattice half-crosses 6a at the junctions 4 on the peripheral edges 2 of the lattice 1, may also be provided.

Similarly, L-shaped spacers with two points as shown in Figure 5b, to be fitted on the L-shaped quarter-crosses 6b at the junctions 4 on the peripheral corners of the lattice 1, S 8 may also be provided. These spacers are dimensioned appropriately in accordance with the corresponding cross-shaped spacers. Alternatively, a user of the apparatus may simply produce spacers appropriate for fitting at the peripheral edges and corners of the lattice 1 by removing one or more portions of the bars of a cross-shaped spacer 11.

The lattice 1 together with the spacers 11. can be used for tiling a surface with tiles of side length 99.7mm, a standardised tile size, as follows. As when using the lattice 1 alone, first one or more of the lattices 1 are positioned on the surface in the desired position, and fixed in place. Next, spacers 11 are fitted on each of the raised cross-shaped portions 6. (Alternatively, the spacers 11 may be fitted on the lattice 1 before it is fixed on the surface.) Spacers as shown in Figures 5a and 5b are fitted to the half-crosses 6a and quarter-crosses 6b at the peripheral edges and corners of the lattices as appropriate.

(Where two half-crosses 6a meet at adjoining lattices 1 a full raised cross-shaped portion 6 is formed, and so is fitted with a full spacer 11. Similarly, where two quarter-crosses 6b meet at adjoining lattices 1 a half-cross 6b is formed, and so is fitted with a spacer as shown in Figure 5a; and where four quarter-crosses 6b meet at adjoining lattices 1 a full raised cross-shaped portion 6 is formed, and so is fitted with a full spacer 11.) A tile is then positioned on the surface so that the corners of the tile are touching the four spacers 11 at the junctions 4 at the corners of an aperture 5, similarly to the way a tile is positioned on the surface when using the lattice 1 alone. However, in this case the distances between adjacent spacers 11 are, 99.7mm, the same as the side lengths of the smaller standardised tile, and so the lattice 1 with spacers 11 can be used to tile a surface with tiles of this smaller standardised tile size. S 9

As before, once all the desired tiles have been positioned on the surface, the spaces between the tiles are filled with grout, thus hiding the lattice 1, raised cross-shaped portions 6 and spacers 11.

Spacers of a plurality of sizes may be provided to allow the lattice 1 to be used with tiles of a plurality of sizes.

For example, spacers with bars of width 2.75 mm, 3.3mm and 4.3mm could also be provided. This would allow the apparatus to be used with tiles of side length 100.5mm (using the lattice without any spacers), 99.7mm (using the lattice fitted with spacers with bars of width 2.3mm), 99.25mm (using the lattice fitted with spacers with bars of width 2.75mm), 98.7mm (using the lattice fitted with spacers with bars of width 3.3mm), and 97.7mm (using the lattice fitted with spacers with bars of width 4.3mm) . Each size of spacer could be arranged to fit directly on the lattice; in other words, the bars of each size of spacer would have a C-shaped cross section with a gap 14 of width 1.5mm.

Alternatively, each size of spacer could be arranged to fit over a smaller spacer. For example, the spacer with bars of width 2.75mm could have gaps of width 2.3mm so as to fit upon the spacer with bars of width 2.3mm, which would in turn be fitted on raised cross-shaped portion 6 of the lattice 1.

Although the apparatus of this embodiment comprises a lattice to be fixed to the surface and on which the spacers may be fitted, the skilled person will appreciate that the invention also applies to an apparatus in which a mountable structure without apertures, or any other structure suitable for fixing to the surface on which the spacers can be fitted.

Further, it will be appreciated that the invention also applies to an apparatus where the mountable structure cannot be used alone to tile a surface, because the portions on which the spacers are fitted are not suitable for positioning a tile. (This would be the case it the portions were not S 10 cross-shaped, for example, or if there were raised portions on the spacers which were arranged to be fitted into recesses in the mountable structure.) Although the lattice described in this embodiment is intended to be used when tiling a wall using square tiles, the skilled person will appreciate that the invention also applies to apparatus for tiling a wall with other shapes of tiles, for example hexagonal tiles, by providing a mountable structure and spacers of the appropriate configuration.

Similarly, the invention also a mountable structure arranged to be used to tile a wall with tiles of corresponding different shapes and/or sizes. Such an apparatus may be used to tile a wall with tiles of different sizes, for example tiles of size around 100mm square and tiles of size around 150mm square, by providing fitting portions at suitable positions for the 100mm tiles, and additional fitting positions to be used only when tiling with the 150mm tiles at suitable points at the centre of the squares defined by four adjacent 100mm tile fitting portions. S 11

Claims

Claims: 1. An apparatus for tiling a surface comprising: a mounting structure having a first surface arranged to be fixed on the surface to be tiled, and a second surface opposite the first surface comprising a plurality fitting portions, the fitting portions being arranged on the second surface of the mounting structure to define one or more areas for positioning a tile of a predetermined size; a plurality of spacers arranged to be fitted on the fitting portions on the second surface of the mounting structure; wherein when the spacers are fitted on the fitting portions, a tile of the predetermined size can be positioned on the second surface of the mounting portion in contact with one or more of the spacers to enable the tile to be correctly positioned on the surface to be tiled.
2. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the fitting portions are arranged so that, when no spacers are fitted on the fitting portions, a tile of a second predetermined size larger than the first predetermined size positioned in the aperture is in contact with one or more of the fitting portions to enable the tile to be correctly positioned on the surface to be tiled.
3. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, further comprising a second plurality of spacers arranged to be fitted on the fitting portions, wherein when the second spacers are fitted on the fitting portions, a tile of a third predetermined size smaller than the first predetermined size can be positioned on the second surface of the mounting portion in contact with one or more of the second spacers to S 12 enable the tile to be correctly positioned on the surface to be tiled.
4. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, further comprising a second plurality of spacers arranged to be fitted on the first plurality of spacers, wherein when the first spacers are fitted on the fitting portions, and the second spacers are fitted the on first plurality of spacers, a tile of a fourth predetermined size smaller than the first predetermined size can be positioned on the second surface of the mounting portion in contact with one or more of the second spacers to enable the tile to be correctly positioned on the surface to be tiled.
5. An apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the periphery of the mounting structure comprises fixing portions arranged to allow the mounting structure to be fixed to a second mounting structure.
6. A method of tiling a surface using an apparatus as claimed in any of claims 1 to 5, comprising the steps of: fixing the mounting structure on the surface to be tiled; fitting a plurality of spacers on the fitted portions on the second surface of the mounting structure; positioning at least one tile of the predetermined size on the second surface of the mounting portion in contact with one or more of the spacers; wherein the tile is fixed to the surface to be tiled by means of an adhesive substance.
7. A method as claimed in claim 6, wherein the mounting structure is fixed on the surface to be tiled before the S 13 plurality of spacers are fitted on the fitted portions on the second surface of the mounting structure.
8. A method as claimed in claim 6 or 7, wherein the adhesive substance is applied to the at least one tile before the tile is positioned on the second surface of the mounting portion.
9. A method as claimed in claim 6 or 7, wherein the adhesive substance is applied to surface to be tiled before the at least one tile is positioned on the second surface of the mounting portion.
10. A method as claimed in any of claims 6 to 9, wherein the plurality of spacers is the first plurality of spacers.
11. A method as claimed in any of claims 6 to 9, wherein the plurality of spacers is the second plurality of spacers.