GB2471867A

GB2471867A - Tile measuring device

Info

Publication number: GB2471867A
Application number: GB0912295A
Authority: GB
Inventors: John Mcpherson
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2009-07-15
Filing date: 2009-07-15
Publication date: 2011-01-19
Also published as: GB0912295D0

Abstract

The tile measuring device includes an elongate element 12 having a first element 14 connected at one end and a second element 16 attached and movable along the elongate element, wherein at least one of the first or second elements is a spacer element. The spacer element may be of a predefined or adjustable width. The first element may be releasably connectable to the elongate element. The second element may be a plate having a V-cut to provide a pipe locater, and be controllably fixed in position by a friction-lock mechanism, including a disengaging release button. The elongate element may be extendable in length and include a centralised slot 20 in which a holding element 18 for mounting the second element is slidable. The measuring device may be included in a the measuring kit including plurality of releasable spacer elements of varied widths.

Description

Tile Measuring Device The present invention relates to a tile measuring device and, in particular but not exclusively, to a wall or floor tile measuring device. The device may also be used for tile marking.

The use of tiles to decorate walls, floors, ceilings and other surfaces has been in existence for hundreds of years. Tiles provide means for creating an aesthetic appeal and are quite versatile in their function and application.

The laying of tiles requires some skill and judgement as it is generally required that the grout spacing between tiles are equal across the tiled surface. Inconsistent spacing can lead to waste and in most cases gives the finished tiled surface a somewhat displeasing appearance.

Tiles come in various shapes and sizes, and tiles of the same size are generally used to decorate a surface. It is generally the case that the length or height of the surface to be decorated is not a direct multiple of the size of the tile. As a result, the tiles to be placed at the boundary of the surface need to be cut to fit the required space.

There are a number of ways known in the art in which the required dimensions by which to adjust the size of the tiles are obtained.

One example is the use of a ruler or a tape measure to measure the space between the furthermost placed tile and the boundary of the surface. The required grout line widths are then subtracted from the measured distance in order to get the desired tile width and the tile is then cut to said width.

This method is quite time consuming and for accuracy requires a user to have his head level with the ruler or tape measure. This is quite troublesome to achieve for placement of ceiling level or floor level wall tiles and in areas where access is limited or restricted.

Another example is the use of a visual measurement technique. In this method, a reversed tile is held up to the edge of the boundary and the relative position of the furthermost placed tile is marked on the reversed tile. The marked position is then adjusted to cater for the grout spacing and the tile cut accordingly. This method requires a user to have his head at the required tile level which can be difficult at ceiling level or floor level.

In addition, if the tiles being used are heavy it may be difficult to hold the tiles at the required level for the required period of time. Furthermore, this method is quite difficult to accurately apply where more than one side of a tile needs to be cut.

A further example is the use of a work tool such as callipers to measure the space in which the tile is to be place and then using the measurement to determine the dimensions to which the tile should be cut. However this method is not very accurate.

In the above cases it is often a problem that when working with tiles above or below a user's eyeline this results in a "parallax error" where the tiles appear straight when viewed by a user but are in fact misaligned.

It is an aim of the present invention to provide a tile measuring device which is simple to use and which assists a user in accurately marking and measuring tiles.

According a first aspect, the present invention provides a tile measuring device comprising an elongate retaining element, a first element connectable to an end of said retaining element and a second element being moveable relative to the first element along the retaining element wherein at least one of the first or second element is a spacer element.

By means of the present invention, a user can easily and accurately obtain the measurement for a tile to be cut. The first or second element being in the form of a spacer element means that the measured dimension using the device of the invention automatically takes into account a grout line thickness at an end of the tile thus reducing the risk of error associated with the need to further adjust of the measured dimension as in the prior art methods.

In embodiments of the invention, the first element is a spacer element.

In embodiments of the invention, the second element is a spacer element.

In embodiments of the invention, the first and second elements are both spacer elements.

By having the first and second elements as a spacer element, the grout line thickness on two sides of the tile is accounted for thus further reducing or eliminating errors in obtaining the required size of a tile to be cut.

Furthermore, having the first and second elements as spacer elements allows for round window working where a spacer is required at either end.

In embodiments of the invention, one of the first or second elements is a spacer element and the other is a distance marker.

In embodiments of the invention, the spacer element is of a predefined width, the predefined width being proportional or corresponding to the preferred grout line thickness being used across the tiled surface. In these embodiments, the predefined width of the spacer element(s) is proportional or corresponds to any grout line thickness in the range of 1mm to 5mm, for example, one of 1mm, 1.5mm, 2mm, 3mm, 4mm or 5mm.

In preferred embodiments of the invention, the combined width of the spacer element defined by the first element and/or the second element corresponds to twice the preferred grout line thickness being used across the tiled surface. For example, if the preferred grout line thickness being used across the tiled surface is 2mm, then the combined width of the space element defined by the first element and/or the second element will correspond to 4mm. Table 1, lists a number of possible width combinations.

First element spacer width Second element spacer width 0mm 4mm 1mm 3mm 2mm 2mm 3mm 1mm 4mm 0mm

Table 1

In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the first element is releasably connectable to the retaining element.

The provision of a releasably connectable first element allows for the interchanging of the first element in the device to cater for different grout line widths.

In embodiments of the invention the spacer element is of an adjustable width.

In alternative embodiments, the first element is fixedly connected to the retaining element. A further alternative is that the second element is fixedly connected to the retaining element.

In embodiments of the invention the second element is a pipe centre locator.

In embodiments of the invention the pipe centre locator comprises a plate having a V-cut at an end thereof. The edges of the V-cut may be at 90 degrees from each other. More specifically, angles a and each formed between an edge of the V-cut and a longitudinal edge of the plate are equal resulting in the apex of the V-cut being centrally located between the longitudinal edges of plate. As a result, the pipe will always be located centrally of element.

In embodiments of the invention the spacer element protrudes transversely beyond a first side of the retaining element, which first side is parallel the longitudinal axis of the retaining element In embodiments of the invention where the spacer element protrudes transversely beyond a first side of the retaining element, the spacer element may also protrude transversely beyond a second side of the retaining element, which second side is parallel the longitudinal axis of the retaining element.

In embodiments of the invention, the first spacer element extends below the retaining element to form an end flange. In this way, the tile measuring device may be placed against the edge of a tile, abutting the edge surface thereof. A marking implement may be placed on the inner edge of the second element and the entire device moved down the edge of the tile with the marking implement in place, thereby forming a straight line marking down the tile surface at the required location of a cut.

In embodiments of the invention the retaining element is adapted to be extendable in length.

In embodiments of the invention the retaining element is adapted to be extendable to a length of between 300mm to 700mm to cater for a greater range of tile sizes.

In embodiments of the invention the retaining element comprises a centralised slot and the device further comprises a holding element receivable in said slot wherein said second element is mountable on said holding element for movement relative to the first element.

In embodiments of the invention the second element is temporally lockable in position relative to the first element.

By having the second element 16 lockable in position relative to the first element the likelihood of unwanted movement of the second element relative to the first element, for example when a user transfers the tile measuring device from a wall to a tile, is reduced.

In embodiments of the invention where the second element is temporally lockable in position relative to the first element, second element is temporally lockable in position relative to the first element by means of a friction lock mechanism and the device further comprises a quick release mechanism for disengaging the second element from a locked state to a moveable state.

In embodiments of the invention the retaining element comprises a hollow column with a rectangular cross-sectional profile.

Retaining element is made of a rigid material such as a metal or plastics material.

According to a second aspect, the present invention provides a tile measuring kit comprising a tile measuring device according to the first aspect of the invention and a plurality of releasable spacers of varied widths.

In embodiments of the invention the varied widths range from between 1mm to 5mm.

In embodiments of the invention the kit further comprises a pipe centre locator.

In embodiments of the invention the kit further comprises and extension bar and an adapter for connecting the extension bar to the retaining element.

Throughout the description and claims of this specification, the words "comprise" and "contain" and variations of the words, for example "comprising" and "comprises", means "including but not limited to", and is not intended to (and does not) exclude other components, integers or steps.

Throughout the description and claims of this specification, the singular encompasses the plural unless the context otherwise requires. In particular, where the indefinite article is used, the specification is to be understood as contemplating plurality as well as singularity, unless the context requires otherwise.

There now follows a description of a preferred embodiment(s) of the invention, by way of non-limiting example, with reference being made to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure la shows an embodiment of a tile measuring device according to the invention in plan view; Figure lb is a side elevation of the device depicted in Figure 1 a; Figure 2a shows a tile measuring device according to the invention with an embodiment of a friction lock mechanism and quick release mechanism of a holding element of an embodiment of the invention; Figure 2b is a side elevation of the device depicted in Figure 2a; Figure 3 shows an embodiment of a first element and a retaining element of a tile measuring device according to the invention; Figure 4 shows the tile measuring device of Figure 1 placed against a tile; Figure 5a and 5b show the tile measuring device of Figure 1, in use, for obtaining the dimensions of a tile to be cut; Figure 6 shows an embodiment of a pipe centre locator of a tile measuring device according to the invention; Figures 7a and 7b show the pipe centre locator of figure 6, in use; Figure 8 shows an embodiment of the tile measuring device of the invention in extended configuration with multiple retaining elements connected by an adapter element; and Figure 9 shows an embodiment of an adapter element for connecting two retaining elements.

While the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments thereof are shown by way of example in the drawings and will herein be described in detail. It should be understood that the drawings and detailed description thereto are not intended to limit the invention to the particular form disclosed, but on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

Further, although the invention will be described in terms of specific embodiments, it will be understood that various elements of the specific embodiments of the invention will be applicable to all embodiments disclosed herein.

In the drawings, similar features are denoted by the same reference signs throughout.

Referring to figures 1 to 3, embodiments of a tile measuring device 10 according to the invention are shown. In each embodiment, the device 10 comprises a elongate retaining element 12, a first element 14 connected to an end of said retaining element 12 and a second element 16 attached to the retaining element 12 which is moveable relative to the first element 14 along the retaining element 12.

The retaining element 12 comprises a hollow column having a rectangular cross sectional profile (see figures 1 b and 2b) and, in the embodiment of Figure 2, a centralised slot 20 along the retaining element 12.

The device 10 depicted in Figure 3 further comprises an end cap 24 connected to an end of the retaining element 12.

In alternative embodiments, the retaining element may be a planar bar.

The further alternative embodiments, the end of the retaining element is a closed end face of the element and the end cap is not present.

As further depicted in the embodiment of Figure 3, the first element 14 is a spacer element and has a protuberance 26 extending from a side thereof which is adapted to be received within the retaining element l2so as to releasably connect the first element 14 to the retaining element 12. In alternative embodiments of the invention such as those of Figures ito 2, the first element 14 may be permanently coupled to or integrally formed with the retaining element 12.

According to Figures 2 and 3, a holding element 18 is receivable within the slot 20 and the second element 16 is mounted on the holding element 18 for movement relative to the first element 12.

The holding element 18 comprises a friction lock mechanism and a release mechanism, which may be a button or a knurled head nut and bolt arrangement as depicted in the embodiment shown in Figure 2b, for example. The friction lock mechanism is adapted to prevent movement of the holding element 18 and hence temporarily lock the second element 16 in position relative to the first element 14. The release mechanism is adapted to disengage the friction lock mechanism and thus allow movement of the holding element to transforming the second element 14 from a locked state to a moveable state.

In the depicted embodiments, the second element 16 is a spacer element and is releasably mounted to the holding element 18. In alternative embodiments of the invention, the second element 16 is integrally formed with the holding element 18.

The first and second elements 14, 16 are of a predetermined width, ideally corresponding to a thickness of a grout line to be used for a surface to be tiled, for example 2mm or 3mm. The first and second elements 14, 16 are of a length such that they protrude beyond the sides of the retaining element 12 in order to facilitate the marking of a tile. It is to be understood that it is not essential for the first and/or second elements 14,16 to protrude beyond the sides of the retaining element 12 and that the first and/or second elements 14,16 may protrude beyond a side of the retaining element 12 or not protrude beyond any side of the retaining element 12.

As shown in Figures 4, 5a and 5b, the use of a tile measuring device 10 according to the invention to obtain the dimensions of a tile 22 to be placed along a boundary of a surface to be tiled will now be described. In order to obtain the required dimensions, a user first places the first element 14 against an edge of the boundary of the surface to be tiled. For example, if the surface to be tiled is a wall 30 and the boundary of the wall is defined by a corner where it meets an adjoining wall 32, the user will place the first element 14 such that it is flushed against the adjoining wall 32 and the retaining element 12 extends along the wall 30 (see figure 5a).

The user then moves the second element 16 along the retaining element such that it abuts a free end of a tile 28b proximate the boundary of the wall 30 or is aligned with the free end of the tile 28b proximate the boundary of the wall 30 with the edge distal the first element 14 (see figure Sb).

The user then places the tile measuring device 10 against a tile 22 to be cut as shown in figure 4. Since the first and second elements 14,16 are spacer elements, the thickness of the grout lines to be used are already taken into account and the user simply has to mark the tile along the edge of the second element 16 proximate the first element 14 i.e. the inside edge to obtain the required dimensions. In addition, since the second element 16 is lockable in position relative to the first element 14 the likelihood of the second element 16 moving relative to the first element when the user transfers the tile measuring device 10 from the wall to the tile is reduced.

In an alternative embodiment where edging strip is being used then there is no grout line and no spacer is required for the end abutted to the edging strip.

Referring to figures 6 and 7, a second embodiment of a second element 34 of a tile measuring device 10 according to the invention is shown.

The second element 34 is in the form of a pipe centre locator comprising a plate 35 having a V-cut 36 at an end thereof. The edges 38a and 38b of the V-cut 36 may be at 90 degrees from each other. Angles a and are equal resulting in the apex of the V-cut being centrally located between the longitudinal edges of plate 35. As a result, the pipe 44 in Figure 7 will always be located centrally of element 34.

The pipe centre locator 34 facilitates the pin pointing on a tile of the location on the tile where a hole should be drilled in order to cater for a pipe going through the surface to be tiled. An example of such requirements is on surfaces in shower cubicles where water pipes are required for connection to the shower.

When a user wants to obtain a drill location on a tile, he first places the first element 14 against an edge 40 forming the nearest boundary to the pipe 44. The boundary may be the edge of a tile or wall surface etc. The pipe centre locator 34 is then positioned relative to the pipe 44, with the pipe sitting within the V-cut 36 to obtain a first reference point for the drill location (see figure 7a). The first reference point is transferred to the tile to be drilled by placing the tile measuring device against the tile, marking the point where the sides 38 of the V-cut meet on the tile and drawing a line across the tile along said mark.

The first element 14 is then placed against an adjacent edge 42 forming the nearest boundary to the pipe 44 and a second reference point is obtained in a similar way to that of the first reference point.

The second reference point is transferred to the tile and a line drawn across the tile in the location corresponding to said second reference point.

The two drawn lines will cross at a point, and the point at which the two lines cross is the location at which a hole should be drilled to cater for the pipe 44.

In an alternative embodiment a pipe centre locator of the type described may be releasably attachable to the first or second element.

Figure 8 depicted a tile measuring device similar to that shown in Figure 3.

In the embodiment of Figure 8, end cap 24 is replaced by adapter element 48. The adapter element 48 allows two retaining elements to be joined together to form an extended tile measuring device. In the embodiment shown, an extension bar 46 is connected by adapter element 48 to retaining element 12. In this way, tiles of greater width may be accurately measured. It will be understood that multiple retaining elements may be connected by the adapter element 48 of Figure 9. Two retaining elements are pushed into the recesses in the adapter connector thereby extending the measuring device as required.

Claims

Claims 1. A tile measuring device comprising an elongate retaining element, a first element connected at an end of said retaining element and a second element adapted to move relative to the first element along the retaining element wherein at least one of the first element or second element is a spacer element.
2. A device according to claim 1 wherein the first element is a spacer element.
3. A device according to claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the second element is a spacer element.
4. A device according to any one of claims 1 to 3 wherein the spacer element is of a predefined width.
5. A device according to claim 4 wherein the predefined width is chosen from one of 1mm, 1.5mm, 2mm, 3mm, 4mm or 5mm.
6. A device according to anyone of the preceding claims wherein the first element is releasably connectable to the retaining element.
7. A device according to any one of claims 1 to 3 wherein the spacer element is of an adjustable width.
8. A device according to claim 1 wherein the second element is a pipe centre locator.
9. A device according to claim 8 wherein the pipe centre locator comprises a plate having a V-cut at an end thereof.
10. A device according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the spacer element protrudes beyond a first side of the retaining element.
11. A device according to claim 10 wherein the spacer element also protrudes beyond a second side of the retaining element.
12. A device according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the retaining element is adapted to be extendable in length.
13. A device according to claim 12 wherein the retaining element is adapted to be extendable to a length of between 300mm to 700mm.
14. A device according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the retaining element comprises a centralised slot and the device further comprises a holding element receivable in said slot wherein said the second element is mountable on said holding element for movement relative to the first element.
15. A device according to anyone of the preceding claims wherein the second element is temporally lockable in position relative to the first element.
16. A device according to claim 15 wherein the second element is temporally lockable in position relative to the first element by means of a friction lock mechanism and the device further comprises a release button for disengaging the second element from a locked state to a moveable state.
17. A device according to anyone of the preceding claims wherein the retaining member comprises a hollow column having a rectangular cross-sectional profile.
18. A tile measuring kit comprising a tile measuring device according to claim 1 and a plurality of releasable spacers of varied widths.
19. A kit according to claim 18 wherein the spacer widths range from between lmmto5mm.
20. A kit according to claim 18 or 19 further comprises a pipe centre locator.
21. A kit according to any one of claims 18 to 20 further comprising an extension bar and an adapter for connecting the retaining element to the extension bar.
22. A tile measuring device generally as herein before described with reference to and/or illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
23. A tile measuring kit generally as hereinbefore described with reference to and/or illustrated in the accompanying drawings.