GB2460429A - Tile clamping and levelling device - Google Patents
Tile clamping and levelling device Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- GB2460429A GB2460429A GB0809752A GB0809752A GB2460429A GB 2460429 A GB2460429 A GB 2460429A GB 0809752 A GB0809752 A GB 0809752A GB 0809752 A GB0809752 A GB 0809752A GB 2460429 A GB2460429 A GB 2460429A
- Authority
- GB
- United Kingdom
- Prior art keywords
- tile
- unit according
- locating unit
- bottom panel
- panels
- 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- Withdrawn
Links
- 239000000853 adhesive Substances 0.000 claims description 11
- 230000001070 adhesive effect Effects 0.000 claims description 11
- 125000006850 spacer group Chemical group 0.000 claims description 11
- 238000006073 displacement reaction Methods 0.000 claims 1
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 description 6
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 description 3
- 239000004033 plastic Substances 0.000 description 3
- 239000004677 Nylon Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000004140 cleaning Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000010586 diagram Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000005553 drilling Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000011440 grout Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000002184 metal Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229920001778 nylon Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 239000007787 solid Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000010561 standard procedure Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000000007 visual effect Effects 0.000 description 1
Classifications
-
- 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
-
- 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
- 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
- E04F15/02022—Construction of joints, e.g. dividing strips with means for aligning the outer surfaces of the flooring elements
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E04—BUILDING
- E04F—FINISHING WORK ON BUILDINGS, e.g. STAIRS, FLOORS
- E04F21/00—Implements for finishing work on buildings
- E04F21/0092—Separate provisional spacers used between adjacent floor or wall tiles
-
- 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
- E04F21/1844—Implements for finishing work on buildings for setting wall or ceiling slabs or plates for setting a plurality of similar elements by applying them one by one
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Architecture (AREA)
- Civil Engineering (AREA)
- Structural Engineering (AREA)
- Finishing Walls (AREA)
Abstract
A tile clamping and levelling device comprises a base portion1, a top portion2and clamping means to draw the two portions1, 2together. The base may have raised portions7which space tiles an appropriate distance apart. Both base and top portions1, 2may be sticky. The clamping means may be in the form of a screw3or notched cable, the cable or screw3passing through a ratchet mechanism in the centre of the top portion2. The ratchet mechanism may be released from the top panel without damage to the top panel2, mechanism or cable. The clamping means may be a twist-lock key which is turned to create a force which pushes the two portions1, 2together.
Description
Description
Tile Locating Unit
Background
Many tiling jobs are imperfect and some are disastrous. This is partly because the current methods of tiling are imprecise and prone to mistakes. In the current standard method of tiling, a tile spacer' is used to help keep the tiles the correct distance apart whilst laying them and while the adhesive sets. A tile spacer is a small plastic cross placed between the tiles where their corners meet.
However the tile spacer does not stop the tiles from moving apart horizontally, and it does not hold the tiles in the same horizontal plane to give a perfectly flat surface. In can be difficult to ensure that tiles remain in the correct position by manual adjustment and very often the result is uneven, badly aligned and poorly spaced tiles.
Standard tile spacers are free to move up and down and can even fall beneath tiles or rise above grout levels so that they are visible between tiles after adhesive has set. This movement makes the tiling process trickier, and results more variable and imperfect.
The tile locating unit is designed to combat all these problems by physically holding tiles in the correct horizontal and vertical position and by avoiding the use of a loose tile spacer.
Main Features i) A flat stiff sticky panel underneath the tiles, to be positioned where the tile corners meet, to hold the tiles in position while adhesive sets. This is referred to as the bottom panel' ii) Raised areas on the bottom panel that keep the tiles spaced the correct distance apart.
iii) A reusable flat stiff sticky panel above the tile corners which helps to hold the tiles in position while the tile adhesive sets. This is referred to as the top panel' iv) A mechanism for drawing the top and bottom panels together to sandwich or clamp the tiles to hold them more securely and accurately in place.
v) The optional inclusion! use of the stickiness, clamping action, spacing and top panel. This enables the user to choose the features appropriate to the specific job.
Diagram summary
Figure 1 shows the typical components of the unit itself.
Figures 2 to 5 show how the unit is used to secure 4 tiles into place.
Figure 6 shows an example tile locating unit where the top panel is cross-shaped instead of square.
Figure 7 shows an example tile locating unit where a cable and ratchet is used to draw the panels together instead of a screw.
Detailed Description
The purpose of the tile locating unit is twofold: i) To improve the quality and consistency of tiled surfaces by holding tiles (4) in place while adhesive sets. This ensures that the finished surface is flat and the tiles are correctly spaced and aligned. This improves the visual appearance of the surface and helps prevent later damage to uneven tiles such as chipped corners and edges. It also minimises the trapping of dirt and facilitates effective cleaning of the surface. Raised areas (7) on the bottom panel (1) avoid the need for a conventional loose spacer which can rise too high and interfere with the grouting process or visibly protrude above the finished surface.
ii) To aid the tiling process, making the process easier and more regular and repeatable, with less dependence on judgment and less need for adjustment of the tiles during laying and setting.
Conventional loose tile spacers can fall below the tiles or move around generally making tiling more difficult. The tile locating unit avoids this problem and also makes dry runs' easier (explained below).
After the tile adhesive has set, the top panel (2) is unclamped from the bottom panel (1), and is removed. It can then be reused. The bottom panel remains under the tiles permanently.
The tile locating unit can be applied to any situation where separate solid surfacing materials must be held in place during setting to give a flat! smooth and evenly spaced surface. For example, it is applicable to small wall tiles or large floor tiles or even outdoor paving slabs. Therefore specific dimensions or shapes are immaterial to the unique functions of the unit.
The tile locating unit may be implemented in many different ways. For example: -The panels may be any size, shape or materials, as appropriate to the particular application.
-The clamping mechanism may be omitted or not used, to save time of utilisation and removal of the unit after use.
-The stickiness of the panels may be omitted or not used, to enable the tile positions to be adjusted as the adhesive dries. This may also be useful when laying down tiles without adhesive (a dry run') in order to see how they fit into the area to be tiled.
-The stickiness of the top panel may be omitted or not used, to make it easier to remove and re-use after adhesive has set.
-The stickiness of the panels may be implemented in various ways. Some examples are given below.
-Clamping the panels together (and un-clamping after setting) may be facilitated in various ways. Some examples are given below.
-Various varieties of the tile locating unit will be needed to facilitate tiling along boundaries and around concave! convex corners. All varieties vilI be based upon the general concepts and unique functions described.
-Raised areas may be omitted from the bottom panel for applications where the user wants to fix the space between the tiles manually, or where he wishes to insert a spacer of his own. In the latter case, the stickiness of the bottom panel may be used to fix the spacer in place.
Example Implementations The stickiness of the panels may be facilitated by peel-off labels that reveal the sticky surface underneath. Labels may be left on if stickiness is not desired by the user.
The panels may be any shape, for example Figure 6 shows an example tile locating unit where a cross-shaped top panel (5) is used instead of a square one.
Panels and clamping mechanism may be manufactured from plastic, nylon, metal or any other material appropriate to the application.
Some examples of possible clamping methods are: -A screw (3) provides good clamping force and control and will also facilitate unclamping and re-use of the top panel. A threaded recess or hole is needed in the centre of the bottom panel, into which the screw is driven.
-In figure 7, a one-way plastic ratchet-cable (6) is integrated into the bottom panel and the top panel has an integrated ratchet mechanism such that the panels are clamped together by pulling up on the cable and pushing down on the top panel. This is faster to utilise than a screw but gives less clamping power! control and may be difficult to release without drilling! damaging the ratchet mechanism, which would make reuse impossible.
-A variant of the ratchet cable clamping mechanism can be implemented where the cable is separate from the bottom panel and has a t-shaped end which can be passed through a rectangular hole in the middle of the bottom panel and rotated 90 degrees to anchor it to the bottom panel. This would make it easily removable and re-usable. The ratchet mechanism may also be designed to be easily releasable to facilitate removal and re-use.
-A twist-lock mechanism could be used where a key' (for example I-shaped) is inserted through rectangular holes in the top and bottom panels such that one end is below the bottom panel and the other is above the top panel. The key is turned such that a force is created to push the panels together, for example by means of a sloping surface on one or both of the panels. Such a mechanism is quick to use and easily removable and reusable. It also enables the top panel to be fully reused.
Claims (12)
- Claims I) A tile locating unit comprising two stiff, sticky panels that are stuck above and below the tile corners, and which can be drawn together to bold the tiles in the same plane and spaced the correct distance apart while tile adhesive sets, where the tile spacing distance is defined by raised aseas on the bottom panel.
- 2) A tile locating unit according to claim 1 where the top panel is not sticky, enabling it to be removed more easily and reused.
- 3) A tile locating unit according to claim 1 where both panels are not sticky, enabling the tile positions to be adjusted if necessary, after the unit has been deployed.
- 4) A tile locating unit according to claim 1 where the clamping mechanism is omitted to quicken the deployment of the unit.
- 5) A tile locating unit according to claim 1 comprising only the sticky bottom panel and not including the top panel or clamping mechanism.
- 6) A tile locating unit according to claim I where the means of drawing the panels together is a standard screw which passes thnugh the top panel and screws into the bottom panel.
- 7) A tile locating unit according to claim 1 where the means of drawing the panels together consists of a notched cable protruding from the centre of the bottom panel and passing through a ratchet mechanism in the centre of the top panel.
- 8) A tile locating unit according to claim I where the top panel is cross-shaped.
- 9) A tile locating unit according to claim 1 where the bottom panel has no raised areas for spacing the tiles, enabling manual spacing or a tile spacer of any size to be inserted by the user if required.
- 10) A tile locating unit according to claim 7 where the ratchet cable can be attached and detached from the bottom panel.
- 11) A tile locating unit according to claim 7 where the ratchet mechanism can be released without damage to the top panel, mechanism or cable.
- 12) A tile locating unit according to claim 1 where the means of drawing the panels together consists of a twist lock key which is turned to create a force which pushes the panels together.Amendments to the Claims have been filed as follows Claims 1) A tile locating unit comprising two stiff, sticky panels that are stuck above and below the tile corners, and which can be drawn together by means of a standard screw which passes through the top panel and screws into the bottom panel, to hold the tiles in the same plane and spaced the correct distance apart while tile adhesive sets, where the tile spacing distance is defined by raised areas on the bottom panel, such that the stickiness of the panels ensures no horizontal displacement of the tiles and the use of a standard screw enables faster application by the use of standard tools and provides improved force andcontrol when compared to ratchet or cable tie based solutions.2) A tile locating unit according to claim 1 where the sticky labels on the top panel may be left covered, enabling it to be removed more easily and reused.3) A tile locating unit according to claim I where the sticky labels on both panels may be left covered, enabling the tile positions to be adjusted if necessary, after the unit has been deployed.4) A tile locating unit according to claim I where the clamping mechanism is omitted to quicken the deployment of the unit.5) A tile locating unit according to claim 1 comprising only the sticky bottom panel and not including the top panel or clamping mechanism.6) A tile locating unit according to claim I where the means of drawing the panels together consists of a notched cable protruding from the centre of the bottom panel and passing through a ratchet mechanism in the centre of the top panel, and where the ratchet cable is connected and disconnected from the bottom panel by means of a 1-shaped end which can be passed through a * *** rectangular hole in the bottom panel and rotated to anchor it in place, such that the cable can be * easily disconnected after use and re-used.7) A tile locating unit according to claim I where the bottom panel has no raised areas for spacing *.,. the tiles, enabling manual spacing or a tile spacer of any size to be inserted by the user if required. * **S. *****S.* 8) A tile locating unit according to claim I where the means of drawing the panels together *... consists of a twist lock key which is turned to create a force which pushes the panels together. * * * ** * *****.. *
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB0809752A GB2460429A (en) | 2008-05-25 | 2008-05-25 | Tile clamping and levelling device |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB0809752A GB2460429A (en) | 2008-05-25 | 2008-05-25 | Tile clamping and levelling device |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| GB0809752D0 GB0809752D0 (en) | 2008-07-09 |
| GB2460429A true GB2460429A (en) | 2009-12-02 |
Family
ID=39637774
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB0809752A Withdrawn GB2460429A (en) | 2008-05-25 | 2008-05-25 | Tile clamping and levelling device |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| GB (1) | GB2460429A (en) |
Cited By (11)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GB2478985A (en) * | 2010-03-26 | 2011-09-28 | David Sneddon | Self adhesive foam pad used to link adjacent floor tiles together |
| GB2482599A (en) * | 2010-08-02 | 2012-02-08 | Huxley Uk Ltd | A connector for clamping the corner of a grooved panel |
| DE102011051428A1 (en) | 2010-08-16 | 2012-02-16 | Fliesenwerkstatt Marton Gmbh | Installing aid for installing thin-layered large size plates as ground or wall lining, has upper and lower material layers, where spacing of layers is adjustable relative to each other by variable effective thickness of upper material layer |
| WO2013023236A1 (en) * | 2011-08-18 | 2013-02-21 | Sals Invention Pty Ltd | An improved tile spacer and a method of laying tiles using said tile spacer |
| WO2013033761A1 (en) | 2011-09-05 | 2013-03-14 | Atr Plastics Pty Ltd | Tile levelling device |
| US9027308B2 (en) | 2012-03-29 | 2015-05-12 | Davinci Italia/Usa Group | Tile alignment and leveling device |
| US9228363B2 (en) | 2012-03-23 | 2016-01-05 | Davinci Italia/USA Group, Inc. | Tile alignment and leveling device |
| US20170009465A1 (en) * | 2011-11-15 | 2017-01-12 | New Standards Manufacturing Co. | System and method for aligning and leveling tile |
| EP2780521B1 (en) * | 2011-11-15 | 2018-06-13 | New Standards Manufacturing Co. | Mechanical edge setting system and method for setting tiles and tuning lippage |
| CN110962054A (en) * | 2018-09-29 | 2020-04-07 | 宁波方太厨具有限公司 | Novel beat screw frock |
| USD987415S1 (en) | 2021-09-29 | 2023-05-30 | Scott Tatum | Tile spacer |
Citations (6)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DE2301169A1 (en) * | 1973-01-11 | 1974-07-25 | Schaefer Werke Kg | BRACKETS FOR INSTALLING WALL TILES |
| BE815222A (en) * | 1974-05-17 | 1974-09-16 | PROCESS FOR LAYING FLOOR COVERINGS. | |
| NL7405928A (en) * | 1973-05-17 | 1974-11-19 | Paul Couwenbergs | Base plate for fixing plate-shaped construction elements at a distance from a base |
| DE29810627U1 (en) * | 1998-06-12 | 1998-10-15 | Krehenwinkel, Paul, 85447 Fraunberg | Tile cross bracket |
| US20060185319A1 (en) * | 2005-02-22 | 2006-08-24 | Kufner Edward A | Tile alignment and leveling device and method for using the same |
| US7257926B1 (en) * | 2006-08-24 | 2007-08-21 | Kirby Mark E | Tile spacer and leveler |
-
2008
- 2008-05-25 GB GB0809752A patent/GB2460429A/en not_active Withdrawn
Patent Citations (6)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DE2301169A1 (en) * | 1973-01-11 | 1974-07-25 | Schaefer Werke Kg | BRACKETS FOR INSTALLING WALL TILES |
| NL7405928A (en) * | 1973-05-17 | 1974-11-19 | Paul Couwenbergs | Base plate for fixing plate-shaped construction elements at a distance from a base |
| BE815222A (en) * | 1974-05-17 | 1974-09-16 | PROCESS FOR LAYING FLOOR COVERINGS. | |
| DE29810627U1 (en) * | 1998-06-12 | 1998-10-15 | Krehenwinkel, Paul, 85447 Fraunberg | Tile cross bracket |
| US20060185319A1 (en) * | 2005-02-22 | 2006-08-24 | Kufner Edward A | Tile alignment and leveling device and method for using the same |
| US7257926B1 (en) * | 2006-08-24 | 2007-08-21 | Kirby Mark E | Tile spacer and leveler |
Cited By (18)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GB2478985A (en) * | 2010-03-26 | 2011-09-28 | David Sneddon | Self adhesive foam pad used to link adjacent floor tiles together |
| GB2482599A (en) * | 2010-08-02 | 2012-02-08 | Huxley Uk Ltd | A connector for clamping the corner of a grooved panel |
| DE102011051428A1 (en) | 2010-08-16 | 2012-02-16 | Fliesenwerkstatt Marton Gmbh | Installing aid for installing thin-layered large size plates as ground or wall lining, has upper and lower material layers, where spacing of layers is adjustable relative to each other by variable effective thickness of upper material layer |
| DE102011051428B4 (en) | 2010-08-16 | 2018-06-21 | Fliesenwerkstatt Marton Gmbh | Laying system with a laying aid for thin-layered large format boards as floor or wall cladding |
| WO2013023236A1 (en) * | 2011-08-18 | 2013-02-21 | Sals Invention Pty Ltd | An improved tile spacer and a method of laying tiles using said tile spacer |
| WO2013033761A1 (en) | 2011-09-05 | 2013-03-14 | Atr Plastics Pty Ltd | Tile levelling device |
| US20170009465A1 (en) * | 2011-11-15 | 2017-01-12 | New Standards Manufacturing Co. | System and method for aligning and leveling tile |
| EP2780521B1 (en) * | 2011-11-15 | 2018-06-13 | New Standards Manufacturing Co. | Mechanical edge setting system and method for setting tiles and tuning lippage |
| US10648181B2 (en) * | 2011-11-15 | 2020-05-12 | New Standards Manufacturing Co. | System and method for aligning and leveling tile |
| US20200270870A1 (en) * | 2011-11-15 | 2020-08-27 | New Standards Manufacturing Co. | System and method for aligning and leveling tile |
| US11598104B2 (en) | 2011-11-15 | 2023-03-07 | New Standards Manufacturing Co. | System and method for aligning and leveling tile |
| US9228363B2 (en) | 2012-03-23 | 2016-01-05 | Davinci Italia/USA Group, Inc. | Tile alignment and leveling device |
| US9982442B2 (en) | 2012-03-23 | 2018-05-29 | Davinci Italia/Usa Group, Llc | Tile alignment and leveling device |
| US9267298B2 (en) | 2012-03-29 | 2016-02-23 | Davinci Italia/Usa Group, Llc | Tile alignment and leveling device |
| US9027308B2 (en) | 2012-03-29 | 2015-05-12 | Davinci Italia/Usa Group | Tile alignment and leveling device |
| CN110962054A (en) * | 2018-09-29 | 2020-04-07 | 宁波方太厨具有限公司 | Novel beat screw frock |
| CN110962054B (en) * | 2018-09-29 | 2021-08-20 | 宁波方太厨具有限公司 | Screw beating tool |
| USD987415S1 (en) | 2021-09-29 | 2023-05-30 | Scott Tatum | Tile spacer |
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| GB0809752D0 (en) | 2008-07-09 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| WAP | Application withdrawn, taken to be withdrawn or refused ** after publication under section 16(1) |