GB2479396A

GB2479396A - A leveling guide for tiling

Info

Publication number: GB2479396A
Application number: GB1005890A
Authority: GB
Inventors: David Robinson
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2010-04-08
Filing date: 2010-04-08
Publication date: 2011-10-12
Also published as: GB201005890D0

Abstract

The guide 10 comprises first and second guide members 20, 30 with a pivotable connection between them. The pivotable connection can include a link portion 40 and can be arranged to permit longitudinal length adjustment of the guide by having spigots on the link portion movable within slots on the guide members. There may be a plurality of link and guide members each of different length. Also claimed: A tiling guide with a spirit level; a leveling guide with apertures for accommodating an adhesive and fastening to a wall to and a method of installing tiles by inserting fasteners through apertures in first and second leveling members and engaging a distal end of the first leveling member with a distal end of the second leveling member.

Description

A Levelling Guide

Technical Field

This invention relates to a levelling guide, such as a tiling guide. It may be used to aid a person when fixing tiles to an upright surface, such as a wall.

Background

Traditionally, professional ceramic tilers use a wooden batten which is cut to the width of the wall to be tiled. This batten forms a datum level from which a first course of tiles are to be laid in a straight line across the wall on an adhesive. The batten also supports the tiles to prevent them from slipping down the wall while the adhesive is still soft. However, using a wooden batten presents a number of problems. The batten itself is rarely absolutely straight and level, and knots are often found in the batten which distort the shape. Therefore when the tiles are laid against the batten, the tiles do not properly align. The wooden batten also tends to change shape owing to climatic and environment changes. Furthermore, once cut, the wooden batten cannot be reused unless the next wall which is to be tiled is narrower than the wall which has just been tiled. The batten quickly becomes too short to be of use.

GB 2456880A discloses a tiling guide comprising a plurality of guide sections each having a dovetailed projection at one end and a dovetailed recess at the other end.

Two guide sections are joined by interlocking the dovetailed projection of a first guide section with the dovetailed recess of a second guide section forming a guide structure which forms a straight edge from which to tile. It also discloses a T-shaped section used so as to enable a correction for abutting walls which are not square. The guide sections are positioned along the wall which is to be tiled and the tiles are fixed on the wall with their bottom edges resting on the top edge of the guide sections. In this way, a course of tiles are fixed to the wall so as to be level and properly aligned with each other. GB 2456880A further discloses adjustment slots in each guide section through which screws can pass to temporarily fix the guide section to the wall. A miniature spirit level may be incorporated in the sections to verify the horizontal and vertical levels. Once a wall has been tiled, and the adhesive has hardened, the guide sections can be removed and re-used on the next wall. This tiling guide only permits one wall to be tiled at a time, and where an adjacent wall is to be tiled, the tiler must ensure that the tiles of the adjacent wall are level with those of the first wall.

Summary of Invention

According to a first aspect of the invention, a levelling guide comprises a first guide member, a second guide member and a pivotable connection between them.

It will be appreciated that the present invention has a number of advantages over the prior art. In particular, the pivotable connection permits adjacent guide members to be attached to adjacent walls. In other words, the guide goes around a corner between the two walls. The guide can be used to level one or more objects, such as tiles, with respect to the wall.

Preferably, the levelling guide is a tiling guide.

Use of the tiling guide easily ensures that tiles fixed on adjacent walls align and are level with each other. This is particularly helpful to a tiler who is tiling into a window reveal or the like.

Preferably, the guide further includes a link member arranged to form the pivotable connection.

Preferably, the pivotable connection also permits longitudinal adjustment. This permits a number of guide members to be connected together with adjustment to adapt to the length of the wall.

Preferably, the pivotable connection includes a slot either on the guide member or the link member and it is further preferred that the other of the guide member or the link member includes spigots which are movable within the slot. The guide member and the link member are therefore connected so as to permit pivoting and longitudinal adjustment between them. This makes the tiling guide more adaptable to the wall or walls being tiled.

Preferably, the tiling guide includes a plurality of guide members and preferably also a plurality of link members. The tiling guide is even more adaptable if the guide members are supplied in more than one length. The link members may also be supplied in different lengths for the same reason.

According to second aspect of the invention, a levelling guide comprises a first guide member, a second guide member and a link member arranged to form a connection between the guide members such that, when connected, the guide members are moveable longitudinally with respect to each other.

According to a third aspect of the invention, a tiling guide includes a plurality of connectable guide members and a levelling device wherein the levelling device is slidably mountable on the plurality of guide members and the levelling device includes a level measurement device.

The levelling device assists in the level attachment of the tiling guide to a wall.

According to fourth aspect of the invention, a tiling guide includes a guide member having elongate apertures through it, and a plurality of fasteners wherein the elongate apertures are formed in the guide member to accommodate the fastener wherein the fastener includes adhesive material to pennit attachment to a wall.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Preferred embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a tiling guide of the present invention including two guide members and a link member; Figure 2 is a perspective view of a guide member shown in Figure 1; Figure 3 shows a number of guide members of different lengths; Figure 4 is a perspective view of link members of different lengths; Figure 5 illustrates the tiling guide in use; Figure 6 is a perspective view of a levelling device for use with the guide members; and, Figure 7 illustrates a guide member with a fastener.

Description of Preferred Embodiments

A tiling guide according to a first embodiment of the invention is shown in Figure 1.

The tiling guide 10 comprises a first guide member 20, a second guide member 30 and a link member 40 between them which effects a pivotable connection. As is shown in Figure 5, a number of guide members may be connected together by link members and attached to a wall to form a level datum line from which courses of tiles may be fixed to the wall.

Figure 2 shows a guide member in more detail. The guide member has a pair of limbs 22 extending from each end. The limbs 22 each define a slot 24 which opens inwardly so that the slots at each end face each other. A portion of the top part is cut away to form an opening 23 into slots 24. Figure 2 shows, at one end of the guide member, a limb 22 in which a top part has been removed to permit the inside of the slot 24 to be viewed. The top part is not removable in use.

As shown in Figure 2, the guide member 20, 30 further comprises at least one elongate aperture 28 formed in the body of the guide member longitudinally to accommodate a fixing, such as screws, nails or the like.

The link member 40 is shown in more detail in Figure 4. The link member includes four spigots 42. Two spigots 42 are formed towards each end of the link member 40 and extend outwardly from opposite edges. Pairs of opposing spigots are arranged to engage with the slots 22 in the guide member to form the pivotable connection. The link member 40 pivots at each end with the first guide member 20 and the second guide member 30. The slots 24 in the guide members pennit the longitudinal movement relative to the link member 40 to allow for longitudinal adjustment as well as pivotal movement.

The link member 40 may further include at least one elongate aperture 48 formed in the body of the link member 40 longitudinally to accommodate a fixing, such as screws, nails or the like.

The guide member and the link member 40 may be marked with a calibration scale on their front faces so that the installer can judge the length and width of the wall easily.

The tiling guide 10 may comprise a plurality of the guide members which may be supplied in more than one length as shown in Figure 3, andlor a plurality of the link members which may also be supplied in more than one length, as shown in Figure 4.

For example, the length of the guide members may be 500mm, 400mm, 3 00mm, 200mm or 100mm. However, the guide members are not limited to these lengths. The combination of guide and link members used by a tiler will depend on the width of the wall. Lengths will be chosen to fit the length of the wall, using the longitudinal adjustment available from the spigots moving in the slots.

Figure 5 shows a tiling guide 10 which is attached to a wall. It includes a plurality of guide members 20, 30 and a plurality of link members 40. During attachment to a wall, a levelling device 50 is used. The levelling device is slidably mountable on the plurality of guide members 20, 30. The levelling device 50 has opening 58 at the front so that the fasteners 70 (shown in Figure 5) can readily reach through the opening 58 and the elongate aperture 28 formed in the guide members 20, 30. The opening 58 of the levelling device 50 is wide enough to accommodate the width of the guide member 20, 30. The width of the opening may be 50mm. Furthermore, the ends of the levelling device 50 are also cut to accommodate the width of the guide member 20, 30 so that the levelling device 50 can be used in corners. The levelling device 50 may include at least one detachable level measurement device 52, preferably a spirit level, so that, for example, the levelling device 50 can assist in the level attachment of the tiling guide to a wall.

In an alternative embodiment shown in Figure 7, the tiling guide 10 comprises a guide member 80 having elongate apertures 28 and a plurality of fasteners 70. The elongate apertures 28 are formed in the guide member 80 to accommodate the fastener 70 wherein the fastener 70 includes a head, a shank which can pass through the elongate apertures 28, and an adhesive material to permit attachment to a wall. The adhesive material is positioned at the end of the shank. The fastener also includes a through hole 78 for alternative fixing, such as by screw or nail.

The use of the tiling guide will now be described. The tiler begins by placing the first guide member 20 on a wall to be tiled, normally at one edge of the wall. The tiler places the levelling device 50 over the first guide member 20 and adjusts it until it is level. The first guide member 20 is then fixed to the wall, either using screws or nails, or using the fastener 70 shown in Figure 7. A link member 40 is then slotted into one end of the first guide member 20, and the other end of the link member 40 is slotted into a second guide member 30. The levelling device 50 is then slid along so as to be positioned over the second guide member 30. Once level, the second guide member is attached to the wall using screws, nails or the fastener 70 shown in Figure 7. It is advisable to pass the screw, nail or fastener through the aperture towards the centre so that the second guide member 30 can be slid along later, if necessary.

Along the width of the wall the tiler repeats the connection of the guide members 20, and link members 40 until the other end of the wall is reached, as shown in Figure 5. However, in order to ensure the tiling guide 10 fits the wall, the guide pieces may be slid along, thereby adjusting the length of the tiling guide 10. In doing this, the spigots 42 move along the slots 24 within the limbs 22 of the guide members 20, 30.

In general the tiler is advised to start with the longest guide member that will fit the wall. By having different lengths of link members 40 or guide members 20, 30 and also having the option of moving the link member 40 longitudinally it is easier to adjust the length of the tiling guide 10 to fit the width of the wall.

The elongate aperture 28 formed in the body of the guide members 20, 30 also helps when the length of the tiling guide 10 is adjusted even after the fasteners 70 are applied to attach the guide members 20, 30 on the wall.

When the tiler reaches a corner in the wall, a link member 40 is positioned to permit adjacent guide members to be affixed to adjacent walls. In this way, the tiler can ensure that the tiles fixed to adjacent walls are at the same level. The tiler can start attaching the members on the adjacent wall as he has done with the first wall. To level the tiles on the adjacent wall the tiler may place the slidable levelling device 50 on the first member. One end of the levelling device 50 will engage a part of the last member used in the first wall so that the members used in the adjacent wall can be levelled with the tiles attached on the first wall.

The fastener 70 may include adhesive material to permit attachment to a wall so that the removal of the levelling guide is more effective and quick, leaving no permanent markonthewall.

The levelling guide can be used for other purposes. By using permanent fasteners, the levelling guide may be fixed onto the wall for aligning things other than tiles. For example, the levelling guide can be used to level units when installing a kitchen. The user can fix the levelling guide with its lower edge at the required height for the top of a kitchen unit that is to be installed. A line of guide members is fixed to the wall to establish a level, just as a tiler would do to attach the guide on the wall described above. The levelling guide can be fixed to the wall so as to go around corners, where necessary. Nails or screws can be used to fasten the guide on the wall. The kitchen units can then be manoeuvred into position, and raised by winding down their feet until the top edge at the back of the kitchen unit is pushed upwards to align with the bottom edge of the guide. When the unit is levelled, it can be secured into place.

Depending on the installation, the levelling guide might be removed for re-use, or might be left in place so as to support a work top which is placed on top of the unit. If the levelling guide is, say, 50mm high, and the back of the kitchen unit is 50mm below the top edge of the kitchen unit, the guide can first be used to level the kitchen unit, and second used to support the work top. The guide then becomes a permanent part of the work top support. By using a levelling guide which can also be a support, the user can save time and effort when levelling and securing the units when compared with conventional installation methods.

Another example is to use the guide as a support for a bath tub. When a bath tub is installed, it needs to be level. The guide can be attached along the wall where the bath tub is to be placed. The guide is then permanently secured on the wall using nails or screws. The bath tub is then placed on top edge of the guide to be levelled and to be secured. In this example the guide is used to level and to give a permanent support.

Claims

Claims 1. A levelling guide comprising a first guide member, a second guide member and a pivotable connection between them.
2. A levelling guide according to claim 1 includes a tiling guide.
3. A guide according to claim 1 and claim 2 further comprising a link member arranged to form the pivotable connection.
4. A guide according to any of the preceding claims wherein the pivotable connection is arranged to permit longitudinal adjustment of length of tiling guide.
5. A guide according to any of the preceding claims wherein the pivotable connection includes a slot on the guide member or on the link member.
6. A guide according to any of the preceding claims wherein the pivotable connection includes spigots which are movable within the slot on the link member or on the guide member respectively.
7. A guide according to any of the preceding claims comprising a plurality of guide members of different length.
8. A levelling guide according to any of the preceding claims comprising a plurality of link members of different length.
9. A levelling guide comprising a first guide member, a second guide member and a link member arranged to form a connection between the guide members so as to the first guide member and the second guide member are movable longitudinally with respect to each other.
10. A tiling guide comprising a plurality of connectable guide members and a levelling device wherein the levelling device is slidably mountable on the plurality of guide members and the levelling device includes a level measurement device.
II. A tiling guide according to claim 8 wherein the level measurement device includes a first spirit level for determining horizontal level and a second spirit level for determining vertical level.
12. A tiling guide according to claims 8 and 9 wherein the levelling device includes openings to permit access to fixing apertures in the guide member.
13. A levelling guide comprising a guide member having elongate apertures and a plurality of fasteners wherein the elongate apertures are formed in the guide member to accommodate the fastener wherein the fastener include adhesive material to permit attachment to a wall.
14. A method for installing tiles on a vertical surface, comprising the steps of: providing a first levelling member and a second levelling member both having an elongate straight body; and a spirit level; positioning the first levelling member against the vertical surface and using the spirit level to identify the horizontal direction securing the first levelling member by inserting a fastener through the aperture; positioning the second levelling member against the vertical surface by engaging the first levelling member at a distal end of the first levelling member securing the second levelling member by inserting the fastener through the aperture.