GB2508050A - A tiling device for laying tiles on a surface - Google Patents

Abstract

A tiling device for laying tiles on a surface comprises a base 100 to receive at least one tile and a shim 160 incorporating a detent, and adapted to hold and release the at least one tile upon application of an ejection force. A locating device positions the tile with respect to a reference edge. The locating device may be a spline 163 fixed to the base or a laser line generator. The shims and/or the locating device may be detached from and reconnected to the base. The ejection force may be applied to the tile by a piston driven by a lever with a fulcrum attached to the base. The base may be transparent or translucent. Also claimed is a tiling device comprising arms slidably retained in recesses arranged radially about a central axis. The arms are resiliently biased toward the central axis to hold at least one tile.

Description

An Improved Tiler

Field of the Invention

This invention relates generally to tiles. Specifically this invention relates to a means to lay tiles onto a surface.

Background

It is easy to lay one tile against a floor, wall, or ceiling. It is difficult to lay a whole series of them neatly into place. Rows of tiles must be parallel to one another. Often rows of tiles must remain parallel to an edge of a wall If the tiles are meant to be placed edge to edge with no gaps in between them, then any gaps give the impression that the tiles were poorly laid. Mostly tiles are laid with a gap between them. The gap must be uniform between all the tiles or else the tiles appear untidy and crooked. The surlace of the laid tiles must be uniform and flat In conventional tile laying, on a wall for example, a baton is placed approximately at a width of one or two tiles from the foot of the wall and adjusted to true' with a spirit level; this baton is then nailed to the wall and is used as a guide for placing the first row of tiles. The adhesive is plastered on, usually with an applicator with a serrated edge. The serrated edge leaves gaps between rows of adhesive, allowing the adhesive to spread under the pressure and lateral movement applied to the tile. After the first tile is laid, it needs to be checked for true' to a spirit level along the edges and on the face i.e. it is horizontally, vertically and on r": the face, true. Subsequent tiles are individually checked for true' and plumb' in an identical fashion.

*The relative height between tiles is important; tiles protruding above their neighbours are dangerous and unsightly. For a person walking across a floor or for a vehicle traveling across it or, on a wall, a person brushing against it; a protruding tile is a hazard. If a tile juts above the tile adjacent to it, then it is easy to trip over or injure oneself. Unless the tiles are set into the adhesive at precisely the same depth the relative height of the tiles is different.

Prior Art

The standard method developed to lay tiles evenly side by side with uniform height is manual practice, practice, practice. A person does, eventually, get good and fast at it with experience.

In one of the most frequently used methods, as taught by the prior art, spacers are placed at a top corner and the bottom corner and toward the empty' direction of the first tile or a row of laid tiles. The spacer acts as a guide for the next tile which, in turn is manipulated into position. The spacers are to help ensure consistently uniform gaps between tiles and rows of tiles. A spirit level placed against the edge of the last laid tile is used to check the tile is vertically and horizontally true'; this check must be carried out for each tile after it has been laid. After several tiles are laid, the tile face is checked for i'latness' with a spirit level or straight edge, such as a Plasterer's Derby, Plasterer's feather or Plasterer's hawk.

These and the practiced skill of the tiler are the only means of ensuring a professional' finish to the job. Consequently, tiling is an acquired skill, almost an art; success is dependent on the skill and experience of the Tiler. Amateurs and Do-it-yourself practitioners dare poorly in this skill and the professional tillers are a highly paid resource.

Manufacturers champion their own best practice for laying tiles. In one such practice, for laying a 10cm xlOcm tile, a plastic + shaped spacer about 18mm x 18mm and 3mm in thickness is manipulated in the adhesive at a top corner and the bottom corner and toward :":the empty' direction of a row of laid tiles. The thickness of the spacer determines the gap ""between the tiles and conforms to manufacturers' specification, 3mm for 10cm tiles in this example. A variant of the + shaped spacer is revealed by Publication US 5 363 560.

The + shaped spacer acts as a guide for the next tile which, in tum is manipulated into position. It is necessary to embed the tile in the adhesive by snuggling' the tile in, shimmying or using sideways movements and checking for true; else the tile fails to set in to the adhesive and, if on a wall, falls off or is dislodged. This process of snuggling' and moving the tile in turn causes the plastic separators in the adhesive to be dislodged and tend to embed themselves deeper in the adhesive and in between or under the tiles. The process is, at best, messy and frustrating. The user then has to remove the misplaced, sticky + spacer and insert another clean, spacer before proceeding; probably experiencing the same problem with spacers again and again.

An even more time consuming and laborious method uses simple pegs as revealed in publication US 61 6 354 058.

The prior art relies on the skill and eye of the person laying tiles and the use of simple tools to get the heights of the tiles even, the edges parallel to those of adjacent tiles and walls, and the gaps between the tiles uniform, as US publications Al 2005/0076606 and 5 768 793 confirm. Thus the process of laying tiles is laborious, tedious, and repetitive; being an intensely manual activity, it is also prone to error with inconsistent results. A professional finish is achieved, only by regular practitioners In light of the foregoing prior art, there is a need for a belier method and tool to lay tiles.

Summary of the Invention

According to a first aspect of the invention, there is a tiling device for laying tiles on a comprising: a base that is adapted to receive at least one tile and shims incorporating detents, adapted to hold and release at least one tile upon application of an * ejection force, and a locating device adapted to locate the tiling device with respect to a :.:reference edge.

The tiling device is provided, as a professional tool, for laying tiles on a surface. It "r"comprises: a base adapted to receive and to hold at least one tile and on the underside, r*:-slotted shims incorporating detents adapted to guide and eject at least one tile; slotted splines connected to the base that locates the tiling device with respect to adjacent tiles and on the topside, a lever, piston and spring mechanism to release the tile through the base upon application of an ejection force through a pressure plate behind the tile and a handle or handles to hold and manipulate the device.

In another embodiment, on two adjacent and orthogonal sides laser line generators are built in or slotted in, to assist in correct orientation of the tiling device

F

The Laser Line Generator comprises a Class II Red laser of a wavelength of 635nm, for maximum visibility. This has a small, low-intensity diode with a rated output of less than 1mW. This is the industry standard in the European Union. Alternately a 532 nm, green, diode pumped solid state (DPSS) laser can be used in brighter lighting conditions, it is more visible in brighter conditions. Whichever laser is used, the laser is designed to project a horizontal line on the surface; with an accuracy of up to 0.5mm/rn, which is sufficient for the use in this tiling device.

It is recommended that you never look directly into the source of the laser beam even when it appears to be off, laser beams outside the visible range, for example infra-red lasers, may be generated, and that you work with safety glasses which are also designed to make the laser line even more visible. The safety glasses are not part of this invention.

In one embodiment, a single Laser Line Generator is used; the beam is split through a prism and directed through fibre optic cables to suitable positions at the bottom right and top left corners of the tiling device, giving accurate coplanar and orthogonal laser lines along the surface. This embodiment has the advantage of single source accuracy, but has r.:.to be built in permanently; and therefore a costlier option.

In another embodiment, two identical Laser Line Generators are used. One Laser Line L:'tGenerator is clipped, rigidly in to a suitable recess designed for the purpose on the top left hand corner of the tiling device. The other Laser Line Generator is clipped, rigidly in to a suitable recess designed for the purpose on the bottom right hand corner of the tiling * device. This embodiment has the advantage of having the laser projectors as an option, if :.needed and can be detached for close quarter' use.

In use the tiling device is aligned using the shims against the leading and top edges of the tiles already laid; the splines are set in to the gaps in between adjacent rows and adjacent columns. This is the basic setting up of the tiling device. The spirit levels are then used to fine adjust the device true to the horizontal and plumb to the vertical axes. If the horizontal laser line now lines up against the tops of the current row of tiles and the vertical laser line lines up with the right hand edges of the tiles in the current column, the tiling device is true and plumb and the tile can be ejected.

For work involving distances of more than 6(180cm) use of a laser level will be of benefit.

For indoor tiling jobs, a laser level with a range of at least 50' (15m) is used, so you can easily frame an entire room without needing to reposition. For indoor commercial properties, a larger range -at least 65' (20m) -is ideal. For even larger areas a laser detector, not part of this invention, will be used.

The power source for the Laser Line Generators, if Lithium batteries, can be housed in the base; if AIM, batteries are preferably housed in the handle. If the Laser Line Generators are detachable, they are intended to be optional extras for some embodiments such as Do-it-Yourself householders, but recommended in some embodiments, such as a floor tiling device and automated or mechanised applications, where the proportionate cost is minimal.

It is imperative that in locating the Laser Line Generators, as well as in using them standard safety precautions are observed. Especially any possibility of a user or bystander being in the beam of the Laser Line Generator must be avoided at all costs * Any single tiling device is designed for one size of tile. In order to accommodate the other standard tile sizes other devices are made with dimensions adjusted proportionately, to accommodate a tile of a particular size. Thus all tiling devices are scaled up versions of the generic 10cm x 10cm tiler used as an example and for illustration in this document. For the case of the tiler used to lay floor tiles, floor tiles tending to be of larger size, the tiler is of : larger dimensions so as to accommodate the larger tile and is constructed more robustly to rc withstand the ejection force being applied by hand or by foot. A particular device is designed to lay one size of tile, although differing shapes of the same size of tile can be accommodated on the same base by changing shims and splines to suite the footprints', thus adapting the base to differing shapes of the same size. Likewise, while the smaller devices have one handle, the larger devices would have two handles to facilitate ease of manipulation and the use of two hands for the larger, heavier tiles. In this case the lever and piston assembly is adapted for two-hand use by depressing the lever with two thumbs.

Regardless of the size of the tile being laid, the basic principles of loading, positioning and embedding the tile is identical in all cases.

In the larger models, Laser Line Generators pointing horizontally and vertically in the same plane can be attached to the tiling device, preferably the base.

For manually laying floor tiles the tiler is equipped with two handles, one to the left and one to the right of centre to give a balanced lift. The tiling device is used horizontally, with the handles vertical, the height of the handles being adjustable. The alignment of the device is as described previously. The user would not need to bend or squat down to load or lay the tiles on a flooring surface.

The device is adaptable to be used with an auto loader, automatically loading tiles from an attached cartridge or magazine, and run on rails when the larger floor areas make this adaptation desirable. In such an arrangement it is possible to control the device remotely.

This approach can also be used for large expanse vertical surfaces.

In close quarter' use by a person, the placement of the new tile is assisted by the transparency or translucence of the base, allowing the user to view and use as guides, existing gaps between neighbouring tiles by placing the splines therein. In allowing a view of the immediate vicinity of the tile being laid, the transparent base eases the positioning of the device relative to the work face and accurate placement of the new tile. Spirit levels * and, optionally, Laser Line Generators, built or slotted in to the base assist in the accurate *: alignment of the tiling device.

The outer shims' are designed with a slight incline below the detent on the inner face of the "r' shim; this incline imparts a sideways movement to the tile, just before it is embedded and rc while the tile is in contact with the adhesive, thereby simulating the necessary snuggling' in of the tile. The inner shims' have an accommodating incline in the same direction.

The ejection force may be applied directly by a person, who in use uses their hand, for wall tiling or a foot, for floor tiling; or the force may be applied indirectly by a lever or other mechanism if the device is adapted for automated use on rails, in a large scale commercial environment. If the force is applied indirectly it may originate with a person or with a machine such as an electric motor. . The tiling device comprises a plunger which directs the ejection force through a movable plate behind the tile, herein called a pressure plate', into the tile which is propelled in to the adhesive. Extensions on the pressure plate' limit the depth to which the tile is propelled simultaneously dissipating excess ejection force away from the released tile into adjacent tiles once the ejected tile reaches the depth of the adjacent tiles.

The pressure plate' extensions consist of a mechanism that stops application of the ejection force upon the tile after the tile reaches a depth coplanar with the work face. One embodiment of this mechanism is a pivoted lever. The pivoted lever revolves around a fulcrum supported by the tiling device and preferably the base.

Operation of the pivoted lever ejects the tile. The limit of travel of the lever as it pivots in turn limits the distance through which the ejection force can be applied. However it is solely the pressure plate' extensions which set the depth to which the ejected tile is driven into an adhesive layer on the surface. The pressure plate' is of an isotropic', linear" material of Young's modulus in excess of 50 Giga Pascals. This is a critical property, especially when the device is used with the larger tiles and when used in an automated environment. This property ensures there is no flexing of the pressure plate'. Even a minute flexing of a millimetre could propagate through 10 tiles causing a distortion of the tile face of one r.:.centimetre Plastics and polymers are available with the requisite properties. a fl.**

in one embodiment the fulcrum is a rod supported by a structure that a user can apply L:'' reaction force to as the tile is driven into the adhesive by the force of the lever action. In another embodiment a plate is depressed against a spring system, in turn causing a plunger or plungers to force the pressure plate' down against the new tile. Weather :.:oPerated by hand or foot, a lever is provided to apply the required pressure.

For the sake of illustration, assume the tiler is positioned so that the shims are aligned North, East, South and West. The user positions the tiling device by placing the outer face of the West facing shim against the leading (East facing) edge of a previously laid tile in the same row and another South facing shim, orthogonal to the previous, against the top (North) edge of a tile in the lower row of previously laid tiles. The shim comprises an outer flat face in contact with the edges of adjacent tiles for this purpose; the bottom edge of the shim, in contact with the base surface, is wide enough to average out any unevenness along the length of the shim.

Laying the first tile uses a different technique to laying other tiles. As there are no previously laid tiles, there are no guides for this tile. In this case the device is loaded with a tile as before; the device is then held upside down allowing the outer facing shims to be positioned up against the horizontal and, if installed, vertical batons. Thus the first tile is lined up with the reference faces, the batons, in this case. The first row of tiles has to be laid using the device in the upside down position. This is because there are no guide-tiles below the first row; consequently there are also, no inter row gaps in which to locate the splines.

For a square tile, eight shims, two at each corner, act as guide and support for the new tile to be laid.

Gaps between colinear shims exist along each side of the new tile to allow any adhesive which gets squeezed out to escape. Any excess can be wiped away. The inner profiles of the shims, below the detents, are slightly inclined toward the edges of the adjacent tiles. As the tile is forced down past the shim, it slides down the incline to impart a sideways motion to the tile. The inner sides, below the detents, of the shims adjacent to the guide tiles are inclined in the complimentary direction. Thus the tile slides in to position against the inner r.:.shim, being embedded at the predetermined distance, 3mm fora 10cm tile, while itis being in the adhesive; thereby simulating the necessary snuggling' in action used

tiling according to prior art.

To continue the tiling process, the device is positioned adjacent to existing tiles and in contact with the underlying (wall or floor) surface, thorough the adhesive, to the West of the last tile in the current row and to the North of the tiles in the row below. By placing the :.shims against the existing tiles and aligning the splines in the grooves between tiles already laid; assisted by sighting through the translucent base and using the spirit levels built in to the base finer adjustments are carried out; the Laser Line Generators are used to check the alignment.

Advantageously, aligning the tiles to the Laser Line and using the spirit levels allows consistently accurate alignment of the tiles, to an accuracy of 5mm per Meter. The use of Laser Line Generators is particularly helpful when laying flooring tiles or aligning the device for automated operation. When satisfied that the tiling device, and hence the tile, is true', the plunger mechanism is activated to eject the tile embedding it in the adhesive.

Any single device is used to lay tiles of one size; however tiles of various shapes, but of the same size can be laid with the same device. For the use of tiles with round or Hexagonal shapes, the base has pre drilled holes along foot prints' of the various shapes. A set of footprints consist of four footprints for shims and two to four footprints for splines for use with round or hexagonal shaped tiles. Each set of footprints is colour coded to assist in differentiating one set from another set of foot prints'. In to these holes, suitably shaped shims and splines, for example straight, rounded or hexagonal are slotted in. The base with the fitted shims holds and guides the tile to its destination in the adhesive. In another embodiment, the shims and splines held in foot print slots' or channels, held in by magnetic force. In this embodiment the footprints as well as the shims and splines contain magnetic material.

The same base is used for the various tile shapes; the adaptation to accommodate other shapes is achieved by the use of slotted shims and splines of the appropriate shape. The combination of shims and a pressure plate, contoured vertically, horizontally or in both directions is used for laying contoured tiles. A consequence of using round or hexagonal tiles is the creation of gaps between tiles. These gaps have to be filled with suitably shaped :. filler tiles which are laid in the gaps, after the main body of tiles is laid. A purpose built mini- " Tiler is used to lay these filler tiles. * .

* The tiling device comprises two spirit levels on the visible surface of the base, one, parallel to the horizontal direction and the other orthogonal to the first, parallel to the vertical direction. This enables the user to set the tile in the adhesive so the tile is true to the absolute horizontal, plumb to the absolute vertical and relative to the face of adjacent tiles, be it a floor, wall, or ceiling. In another embodiment, Laser Line Generators attached to the base are used to check and adjust the alignment of the device the tiles to axes in the vertical plane, for walls and in the horizontal plane for floors. Use of Laser Line Generators is not mandatory; their purpose is served, by spirit levels and the splines lining up in the grooves of adjacent tiles. In the interests of lower costs and for short distances of approximately 6 feet, the Laser Line Generators can be dispensed with, with minimal effect on the final result.

Advantageously this tiling device enables a person to lay tiles neatly and rapidly in a repetitive pattern because with it the user has a more deterministic and consistent method of laying tiles; the error prone manual activities in the prior art work flow are now governed by tile edges, shims, splines, spirit levels and Laser Line Generators. In this method a person loads the tiling device with at least one tile and in an especially adapted version and in combination with a magazine, several tiles. The person uses the tiling device upside down to lay a first tile on a surface. Then, using the device upside down, loaded with a new tile, they pOsition the new tile over the place where the next tile is to go: the second tile is laid. Repeating this procedure the first row is laid. In laying subsequent rows, the user can look through the transparent base to help them accurately locate the shims and splines on the tiling device and place them against the edges and in grooves of previously laid tiles.

The user also checks the orientation of the tile is true with the built in spirit levels and, if fitted, the Laser Line Generators. Then the user ejects a tile past the detent mechanism onto the surface. The depth to which the tile is embedded in the adhesive is limited by the extensions on the pressure plate' coming up against the face of neighbouring tiles. The user then repeats the procedure to lay the next tile.

In another embodiment specifically to lay floor tiles, the tiling device is aligned directly over a stack of tiles to be laid. The device is then pressed down until the tile on top is forced past the detents and lodged in the recess directly below the pressure plate'. The transparent base facilitates this procedure. The loaded tiling device can now be placed over the location for the new tile and using the spirit levels, shims, splines and, the Laser Line Generators, the tile is laid in place. The functions of the shims, splines, spirit levels and, the Laser Line Generators are exactly as in the case of laying wall tiles.

0Advantageously, with this tiling device a worker laying tiles has better productivity than * worker without the tiling device. Advantageously, with this tiling device, an unskilled worker can lay tiles faster and to a professional finish. Advantageously the tiling device accepts and lays tiles that are square, rectangular, round, oval, hexagonal, and many other shapes.

Advantageously the tiling device accepts and lays tiles that are flat or tiles that are contoured. A worker can get considerable productivity benefit with the tiling device for tiles with shapes that are difficult or impossible to lay without such a tiling device.

Advantageously with this tiling device the user does not have to bend or squat down when laying floor tiles. Advantageously this tiling device can be used by professionals or Do-it-Yourself enthusiasts, confident of a consistently professional finish. This tiling device is sophisticated enough to be a serious profession tool as well as being affordable by the Do-it-Yourself enthusiasts for the home.

The versatility of the tiling device is demonstrated by the applicable scenarios; these vary from a householder tiling a bathroom or kitchen; to an automated or mechanised tiling of an extensive area of floor or wall in a large complex or mall; to tiling hundreds of rooms in a hotel or housing project.

Advantageously the manufacturer can expand his product range to include shaped and contoured tiles, confident that this tiling device can be used to lay such tiles to a professional finish; an unprecedented advantage if he is also the only supplier of the tiling device.

In one embodiment of the tiling device the locating device is a spline 163 fixed to the base, for locating the tiling device. The shim comprises two contact surfaces that in use touch a guide edge and thereby orientate the tile in one direction parallel to the plane of the surface.

A second shim 160 comprises a face that touches a guide edge that is not collinear with the * two contacts. Splines or shims or Laser Line Generators can be detached from and reconnect to the base. A spline attachment fitting, adapted to connect a spline to the base, 0**** is arranged on the base to enable the spline to contact a guide edge; a pressure plate by which the tile is ejected by application of the ejection force through the pressure plate, and extensions to the pressure plate which make contact with a previously laid tile where the tile is coplanar with the previously laid tiles, so as to redirect the ejection force onto the ::previously laid tiles. The base comprises a lever operating on a push button and spring :.loaded piston mechanism housed within guides, through which the ejection force is applied to the pressure plate, whereby the depth of travel of the tile from the loaded position to the embedded position is set by contact of the pressure plate extensions with the work face thereby maintaining a level work face across tiles laid by the tiling device. The tiling device comprises a spirit level parallel to the horizontal direction, and a spirit level parallel to the vertical direction.

The locating device comprises a Laser Line Generator. The tiling device comprises a Laser Line Generator that is detachable and in use parallel to the horizontal direction, and a Laser Line Generator that is detachable and in use parallel to the vertical direction. The base of the tiling device is transparent or translucent.

A previously laid tile comprises a guide edge.

In use the tiling device is capable of loading and laying tiles that are rectangular or square or round or oval or any regular geometric shape.

According to a second aspect to the invention there is a tiling device for laying tiles on a surface adapted to grasp, hold, and release at least one tile comprising: arms slidably retained in recesses of a base, the recesses arranged radially about a central axis, and a resilient means to bias the arms toward the central axis and thereby hold said at least one tile, and a twister plate comprising a means to engage with the arms so as to drive them radially upon twisting the twister plate relative to the guide and thereby grasp or release said at least one tile.

Preferably the base has the form of a plate that comprises the recesses. Preferably the :..)a and twister plate are parallel.

r":Preferably the means of the twister plate to engage with the arms comprises a curved track starts tangential to an inner circle concentric with the central axis and extends outward in an arc until it ends tangential to an outer circle concentric with the central axis.

least one arm comprises a glider arranged to slideably engage with the means of **.:the twister plate to engage with the arms.

The invention is further explained, by way of examples, by the following description, to be read in conjunction with the appended drawings

Brief Description of the Figures

Figure 1 is an exemplary exploded view showing components that make the base unit common to all tiles of a particular size, 10cm x 10cm in this case. The figure shows the pressure plate, handle and lever and spring assembly and attached Laser Line Generators according to the invention Figure 2 shows, in greater detail, the assembly of a lever, plunger, spring and piston according to the invention.

Figure 3 shows a set of splines for square, round and octagonal tiles according to the invention.

Figure 4 shows a base with splines setup for laying square tiles according to the invention.

Figure 5 shows a base with splines setup for laying round tiles according to the invention.

Figure 6 shows a base with splines setup for laying octagonal tiles according to the invention.

Figure 7 shows the tiling device in use to lay a square tile according to the invention.

Figure 8 shows the tiling device as an exploded isometric view looking from above.

Figure 9 shows the tiling device as an exploded isometric view looking from below Figure 10 shows the tiling device gripping a stack of tiles.

Figure 11 shows the arms of the tiling device connected by a resilient means to bias the arms toward the central axis.

Y'" Figure 12 shows the arms arranged in recesses of the base.

* *Figure 13 shows the base.

: Figure 14 shows an isometric view of the twister from the top.

Figure 15 shows an isometric view of the twister from the bottom.

Figure 16 shows the plunger.

Detailed Description of Preferred Embodiments of the Invention Exemplary embodiments of the invention will now be described in detail; as a specific example a tiling device for laying 10cm x 10cm tiles is described. This example can be considered generic for the invention.

Referring to the Figures, there is shown in Figure 1 a 3D exploded view of a tiling device for repetitively laying tiles on a surface. This figure depicts a device for laying a tile of 10cm x 10cm square. The particular instance is used to illustrate the salient aspects of the design. Such functions as are described herein are generic to the invention Particular deviations exist, for example in the device used to lay floor tiles and the attachment of a Laser Line Generator device 210, 211 (Figures 1 & 4).

Referring to Figure 1, the tiling device comprises a base 100. Essentially the base is made of a transparent or translucent material. Advantageously transparency of the base aids a person in laying tiles with the tiling device, by affording a view of the immediate vicinity of the work area. The person can see through the base 100 to place a shim 160 (Figures 3 & 4) against an edge of a previously laid tile, check the seating of a spline 163 (Figures 3 & 4) in the groove 152 (Figure 7) of adjacent tiles and satisfy himself or herself, the tile is ready to be pressed in to the adhesive 300 (Figure 7). The transparency of the base is particularly :.". advantageous when loading the device with and laying floor tiles; the greater distance from the eye to the floor tile requires a clear view of the action. Laying floor tiles is a particular instance where the use of the Laser Line Generators. 210 (Figures 1 & 4) is advantageous.

r*:* Advantageously the tiling device is portable. The weight of the tiling device is low enough for it to be easily lifted, turned and manoeuvred into position by a man or woman holding it with one hand. Advantageously because of its light weight a person can use the tiling device for hours without difficulty.

The base 100 (Figure 1) comprises a set of colour coded foot prints' 180 (Figures 5 & 6), indicating the positioning of shims 160 (Figure 4) and splines 163 (Figure 4) for a particular shape of tile. Once the shape of the tile is chosen, the appropriate set of shims 160, 161 (Figure 4) and splines 163 (Figure 4) are selected, slotted in to the attachment fittings within the foot prints 180 (Figures 5 & 6). In another embodiment, the shims and splines held in foot print slots' or channels, held in by magnetic force. In this embodiment the footprints as well as the shims and splines contain magnetic material.

A person using the tiling device matches up the grooves 152 (Figure 7) in between the previously laid tiles 192 (Figure 7) while sighting through the translucent or transparent base. The view of the immediate vicinity of the tile being laid, allows the user to judge and adjust the positioning of the new tile. The spirit levels (Figures 1 & 7), on the surface of the base and, when attached, the Laser Line Generators are used in conjunction to place the tile.

In one embodiment the attachment fittings are holes in the base. This enables a corresponding peg 164 (Figure 3) on each spline and shim to slot in the spliries and shims to the base. The pegs are evident in Figure 3 and the holes and footprints are evident in Figures 4 and 5.

In another embodiment the spline and shim attachment fillings are magnetic; these slot in to grooves cut in to the base along the foot prints. The shims and splines fit in to the slots and are held in by magnetic force. Advantageously a magnetic attachment can follow the contour of a footprint and be embedded in the base at the location indicated by the footprint.

In the embodiment shown in Figure 4, the shims 161 on the outer periphery of the tiling device are made more robust. This is to give more support to the tile in that direction and 0*** * withstand the lateral force placed on the shim. When the tile is ejected it is forced past the detents and slides along the inclined lower face of the shim, thus imparting the necessary lateral movement needed to bed the tile in the adhesive; The extra mass of the peripheral shim absorbs the equal and opposite lateral force reducing the give' in the shim so that it does not affect the accuracy of placement of the tile.

A tile is inserted, face up, into the tile receiving aperture from underneath and pushed home against the detents, the reverse travel of the tile when ejected. This loads the tiling device with a tile. In laying floor tiles the tiling device is hovered directly over a stack of new tiles on the floor. By sighting through the transparent base and when fully aligned over the topmost tile, the device is pushed down firmly while manoeuvring it until the tile is loaded in to the device. The loaded tiling device is carried over to the place where the tile is to be laid, after the necessary adjustments the tile 150 is ejected and embedded in the adhesive.

In one embodiment shims guide the tile as it is ejected from the tile receiving aperture. The detents protrude from the inner wall of the shims. The first tile inserted into the tile receiving aperture is blocked by the detents. When used in an automated or mechanised application, tiles could be loaded from a tile magazine attached to the upper edge of the device. As one tile is ejected and laid, a fresh tile drops in to the vacant slot of the tiling device and is ejected in a similar fashion. Necessarily, the tiling device needs to be adapted to accommodate the tile magazine Figure 3 shows a selection of shims 160 with detents 162 and also splines 163 for square; round and octagonal shaped tiles. The shim for square tiles shows the incline 164 in Figure 3 designed to impart a lateral movement of the tile as it is embedded in the adhesive.

In some embodiments such as those shown in Figures 3, 5, and 6 the outer shims 161 that guide the tile into place are thicker and stronger than the inner shims on the same tiling device. This is because these outer shims have to withstand the opposing lateral force r"i imparted by the inclined lower part of the shim. This lateral force is imparted to the tile to * .. embed it in the adhesive. The inner shims do not experience this lateral force, in any case they are laterally supported by the adjoining tile, which has been laid already.

Shims and splines perform two different functions and are designed to carry out these functions. Shims hold in the tile behind the detents 162 (Figure 3) until the ejection force is applied; on the inner side and below the detents, the profile is inclined 164 (Figure 3) to impart a lateral movement to the tile to help it embed itself in the adhesive; shims abutt against adjacent tiles to locate the tiling device with respect to the work face. This latter function is also carried out by splines by being themselves located in the grooves of the adjacent tiles; they are only place holders and of sufficient substance to fit in gap between the base and work face and the grooves between tiles thus providing an anchoring the device with respect to the tiles already laid.

In one embodiment several tiles can be first loaded into a magazine and then the magazine containing the tiles is attached to a tiling device especially adapted to receive the magazine. Such a device has a slightly modified receiving aperture to facilitate the automated loading of tiles. The magazine is capable holding one or more tiles. This is a necessary adaptation for automated or mechanised applications. The number of tiles in such a magazine is limited by the size and weight of the tiles.

Advantageously by loading a plurality of tiles into the tile receiving device through the magazine, the tiling device can lay a series of tiles without it having to be reloaded each time a tile is laid. This is exactly what is required in an automated set up.

In the lever, Plunger and Piston assembly shown in Figures 1 and 2, the pistons 140 slide under the pressure exerted via the lever, through the piston guides 155 to push down on the pressure plate 120. The pressure plate in turn ejects the tile against the resistance of the detents 162 (Figures 4, 5 & 6), in guiding shims 160 and 161. In figure 4, the square tile is omitted to get a clearer view of the pressure plate and shim mechanisms.

The base provides guides 155 (Figure 1) to house and support the lever, spring and piston assembly 139 to 141 shown in Figure 2. When in use, pushing the lever 142 (Figures 1 & 2) down, eventually causes a tile to be ejected past the detents in a sideways motion *:°: embedding the tile in the adhesive. In pushing down the lever 142 (Figures 1 & 2), energy is * *. stored in the springs 141; detents prevent the springs' movement until enough static force builds up behind tile to overcome the resistance of the detents. When the ejection force exceeds the resistance of the detents, the static energy is suddenly converted to a dynamic *:** force sufficient to propel the tile past the inclines and embed it.in the adhesive. Once the tile p.". is ejected the springs 141 return the lever 142 and pistons 140 combination to the un-depressed position ready for the next tile.

Alternatively, in another embodiment of the tiling device which does not have a lever, plunger and piston assembly, a person can push with a hand or thumb directly against the pressure plate, thereby ejecting the tile from the base. Detents prevent the tile movement until enough static force builds up behind it to overcome the resistance of the detent.

Although this is a possible application, it is not the best use of the device.

Alternatively in another embodiment the tiling device comprises a piston, housed at least partly in the base within guides which limit travel of the piston, through which the ejection force is applied to the tile by contact with the piston, whereby the tile is laid coplanar with previously laid tiles by virtue of the limit of travel of the piston and contact between the spline and the surface, or contact between the spline and a previously laid tile. The distance between the tiling device and the surface or the previously is set by the length of the spline.

That is the length between where the spline enters the base and the point on the spline that contacts the surface or previously laid tile. The piston can only push the tile as far away from tiling device as the limit of travel will allow.

A handle 220 (Figures 1 & 7) is provided on the base, in some embodiments where the size and weight of the tile warrants it, two handles are provided. The advantage of a handle, or handles, fixed to the base is it can be used to manoeuvre the tiling device so as to seat the device accurately relative to the work face. In another embodiment when Laser Line Generators are needed to be attached, the handles house the required power source, batteries usually. The handles are essential for the floor tile laying device, for loading and laying the tiles without the user having to squat or bend down. In conjunction with the spirit levels 200 and Laser Line Generators 210, the handles are used to manoeuvre the tiling :device in to alignment. The Laser Line Generators 210 and splines can be used together to 000.:l0cate and orientate the tiling device relative to the work face. In this application the spirit levels may not be clearly seen; the Laser Line Generators assist in the correct alignment of the tiling device.

To lay contoured tiles, that is tiles that are not flat because they are contoured to match a surface that is curvilinear, Shims 160 and the pressure plate 120 are sympathetically contoured, with a curve to match that of the contoured tile. Contoured tiles may be used on curved surfaces such as swimming pools water towers and designer bathrooms.

To lay tiles with shapes such as octagonal, hexagonal, or round, the perimeter of the receiving aperture and the pressure plate are shaped to match and accept the outline of the tile. The shims that guide the tile are also shaped to hold the tile, and the splines that orientate and locate the tiling device with respect to the previously laid tiles are also shaped to match and conform to the grooves between the previously laid tiles. The same base however is used in these cases.

In the case of non-square or non-hexagonal shaped tiles, mini tiling devices are provided; tailor made to lay the spacer tiles.

Therefore the base is adapted for use *with different shaped tiles by using shaped shims and splines. Footprints are marked on the base to make it easy for person to see where to attach the appropriate shims and splines. A footprint' 180 is selected to match the shape of the tile. Appropriate attachment fillings are located within the footprints for shims and splines that match the shape and size of the tile and previously Paid tiles. The shims and splines for that shape are then slotted in to the pre-drilled holes or magnetic slots, thereby providing the necessary carriage and housing for the tile.

The action of the piston and spring assembly and the detent are exactly as described earlier. The present invention has the versatility to work with a wide variety of tiles, laid on a wide variety of surfaces. Figures 5 and 6 show the tiling device adapted for round and octagonal tiles respectively. Few, if any, round and contoured tiles are manufactured at present: partly because laying them is a tedious process almost certainly resulting in an uneven and untidy surface, therefore not worth the trouble of laying them. The tiling device is able to lay such tiles to a professional finish. This in turn gives the consumer unprecedented options in tiling and encourages manufacturers to start making such tiles. 0Qes*

* There are splines 163 shown in Figure 3 which can be slotted in and out of the base. These are primarily locators. They fit in to the tile gaps 152 (Figure 7) between previously laid tiles 194 (Figure 7) to hold the tiling device in position relative to the laid tiles.

*r": If the tiles are laid in a columnar fashion that is, tiles in each row and column are in line; :. the splines are moved to corresponding slots accordingly. If the tiles are laid so that the columns are offset by (usually) half a tile width, the splines aligning to the gaps in the lower row are moved to slot in between the tiles in the lower row.

Advantageously the horizontal and vertical location of the tiling device is fixed by locating it with respect to three non collinear contact points. This in turn locates the position where a tile is laid when it is ejected from the tiling device. The shims and splines are arranged as shown in figures 4, 5 and 6 for the various shapes.

A tiling device adapted to lay square or rectangular tiles would have four pairs of shims, two at each corner of the new tile and two splines, arranged as in Figure 4. In use the sides of the vertical shims 160 161 are placed against the right hand edge of a previously laid tile. Simultaneously the horizontal shims are placed against the top edge of the tile in the row below of previously laid tiles. The horizontal pair of shims is not collinear with the first pair of shims, but at right angles to them.

Advantageously the horizontal and vertical location of the tiling device is fixed by locating it with respect to horizontal and vertical edges of previously laid tiles. In addition to determining the horizontal and vertical location of the new tile the splines are located so that they fit in to the grooves between previously laid, adjacent tiles. This arrangement is to ensure horizontal and vertical alignment and correct orientation of the new tile with tiles already laid as in Figure 7. In another embodiment, especially when using larger tiles or in a commercial application Laser Line Generators are used in the alignment process.

Extensions, 122, 124 (Figure 1) to the pressure plate limit the distance of travel of the pressure plate. One embodiment of a pressure plate extension is shown in Figures 1 and 7.

The pressure plate extension 122 (Figure 1) is stopped by the tile to the left of the new tile; pressure plate extension 124 (Figure 1) is stopped by the tile in the row directly below the *.** new tile. As these two tiles on orthogonal axes are coplanar, so determined when they were laid, the two tiles adjacent to the new tile determine the depth to which the new tile will be embedded. This check along orthogonal axes ensures the work face is flat in both directions and tiles do not protrude above or below the common surface.

" The advantage of the pressure plate extensions stopping motion of the pressure plate is :: that the ejected tile is stopped at the coplanar depth, when it is embedded in the adhesive layer between the surface and the tile. The pressure plate can provide no force to depress the tile further into the adhesive ensuring the new tile stays level with the existing tiles.

Another advantage of a pressure plate extension is that it dissipates the force on the pressure plate away from the new tile to adjacent tiles after the new tile has embedded.

The pressure plate extensions 122 and 124 redirect the force applied to the pressure plate though two neighbouring tiles. Thus the force is spread out over a larger area of previously laid tiles. The pressure against the previously laid tiles is therefore lower; Glass, ceramic tiles and thin plastic tiles can be fragile and brittle. An advantage of applying less pressure to laid tiles by means of a pressure plate extension is that damage to the tiles is avoided. Advantageously brittle glass or ceramic tiles can be laid against a hard surface, or against a surface with a thin adhesive layer, with this tiling device.

A user of the tiling device must intentionally eject a tile past a detent in order to lay a tile. Because of the detent a user has the capacity to eject one tile at a time past the detent and out of the base. Advantageously the protrusions 162 are a detent mechanism; the action of ejecting a tile past a protrusion is caused by the detent to be an act of ejecting a single tile at a time.

The design of the detent is open to change dependent on manufacturing considerations. For example it may be less expensive to make it from plastic than metal as the rest of the device is made from plastic, bar the springs. The basic requirement of the detent is to hold in the tile ready for ejection. Therefore other mechanisms that perform the function of detents are possible; the detents do not have to be simple protrusions. Another mechanism that can be substituted for a protrusion is leaf springs. In one embodiment a leaf spring protrudes from the perimeter wall or from a guiding shim wall. The leaf of the leaf spring is aligned parallel with the direction of ejection of the *Ul from the receiving aperture. When the tile is ejected, it squeezes by the leaf spring by compressing the leaf spring as it goes past. * ..

Another mechanism that can. be substituted for a protrusion is a roller wheel or bail recessed against a spring in the perimeter wall or in the guide shim with a fraction of : the wheel protruding from the surface. This arrangement is particularly suited to the larger or industrial device. The roller wheel is aligned so the ejection of a tile causes the wheel to roll as it goes past the detent, be it a protrusion 162. 172 or a leaf spring or a roller wheel, is arranged so that just one tile does squeeze by at a time.

A single press of the lever drives just one tile past the detent and thereby ejects just one tile. The advantage of the lever, spring and piston assembly is that some users prefer this action of ejecting a tile from the receiving aperture. Another advantage is the leverage means extra force can be applied, to press the tile against the adhesive on the surface, especially when the device is operated by foot, I a floor tile laying application.

If the lever, spring and piston mechanism is not installed it is possible to eject the tile manually. The action of pressing on the pressure plate tile in the receiving aperture with the thumbs or an instrument which can fit within the guides causes a tile in the receiving aperture to be ejected from the tiling device. This method, though valuable if the lever and piston mechanism is dispensed with, perhaps through damage, is not advocated as normal use and could be used only on smaller versions of the device.

Any visible pad of the tiling device can be used for an attachment point for spirit levels to aid in aligning the tile before it is ejected and laid on a surface Particularly useful and advantageous are a horizontal spirit level to keep the surface of the tile horizontal, and a vertical spirit level to set the surface of the tile vertical. Spirit levels are also used in conjunction with Laser Line Generators. When Laser Line Generators are attached, they must be in orthogonal positions. It is imperative that in locating the Laser Line Generators, as well as in using them standard safety precautions are observed. To minimise the danger, the type of lasers to be used is specified in the design. Any possibility of a user or bystander being in the beam of the Laser Line Generator must be avoided at all costs. In Figure 4 the outer base is shown with spirit levels 200 and Laser Line Generators 210 mounted orthogonally.

:.*. The tiling device according to the present invention brings with it a major improvement in the method of laying tiles on a floor, wall, ceiling, or other surface.

*,..: With the tiling device having laid the first tile, a user then proceeds to the next. A new r.". tile 150 is taken and pressed in to the receiving aperture 114 in the base of the tiling device. The loaded tiling device is positioned over the place where the next tile is to go. The positioning is aided by the transparent or translucent base 100. The positioning is also aided by the shims 160 161 and spline locators 163. If there is a row of previously laid tiles, then the spline is be located in the gap between adjacent tiles. Additionally the inner set of shims 160 is located against an edge of a previously laid tile while splines 163 are located in the grooves between previously laid tiles. The Laser Line Generators are used to check the alignment, and adjusted if needed. When satisfied with the positioning the lever 142 is depressed to eject the tile in to the adhesive.

The next tile is now ready to be laid. The tile laying gets easier and quicker after the first row has been laid as there are more guides for the new tiles.

If it is necessary to use the tiling device in a different orientation, e.g. upside down whrn laying the first row, or at right angles; this should not affect the tiling. To assist in the alignment spirit levels are located on conyenient visible edges.

This tiling device benefits tile manufacturers, professional tiler, building contractors and the do-it-yourself (DIY) enthusiast to allow for a professional finish.

For the do it yourself tiler, the speed and accuracy of laying tiles with this tiling device is unsurpassed. They are able to finish a job sooner and with a more professional finish.

As a DIY tiler would be tackling only, for example, a bathroom or kitchen in their home, finishing the job quickly and accurately is high on their expectations. The tiling device according to the present invention gives them just that.

For a contractor, the work could be tiling hundreds of rooms in a hotel or building complex; or it could be a swimming pool, auditorium, mall, or hotel foyer. The priorities here for the ..: contractor are time, and cost on the contract which impact the finish date and bottom line on the contract; this is accomplished by using unskilled labour instead of expensive, skilled, tillers to complete the work in a shorter time. Use of this tiling device makes a significant reduction on these items and makes a huge difference to the bottom line.

" For large surfaces, say in excess of 1000 square meters, one or a set of tiling devices * are assembled in a mechanized array. An array of 2 to 3 rows by 4 to 6 columns of suitably adapted tiling devices is arranged on a level track with a lever system (manual or hydraulic) to eject the tiles. The tiles themselves are preferably loaded in cartridges or in a magazine which is attached to the tiling device as described earlier.

The potential impact of this tiling device on tile manufacturers is large. This tiling device makes possible the addition of tiles of different shapes and contours not in existence at the moment, extending the manufacturers portfolio and giving him a monopolistic advantage if he is the sole supplier of the tiling device. As it is, this tiling device could be sold as an individual item or given away, with a bulk purchase especially when the tiles are of a unique shape or contour; this alone gives the tile manufacturer an edge. -Other key features of the project are: some embodiments of the tiling device is packaged, delivered, displayed and sold in a flat pack and is self-assembled by the user, thereby eliminating assembly costs; such a flat pack contains the handle 220, pressure plate 120, lever 143, pistons 140, springs 135 and push button 139 in the pack; optionally Laser Line Generators could be provided. A set of shims 160 161 and splines 163 in separate packs would make it easy for the user to select the pack of his choice. The product solution is cost effective, affordable for manufacture with design flexibility built in to non-critical areas, e.g. method for fixing the handle, the spring mechanism that returns the lever and pistons, and the detents.

Figures 8 to 16 relate primarily to the embodiment described below. The embodiments described by Figures 1 to 7 and the embodiments shown in Figures 8 to 16 utilized the same concepts for laying tiles neatly, how the specifics of the grasp, hold, and release mechanisms for the tiles are different. The skilled person will recognize that the features of these different mechanisms can be combined in many ways to so that the tiler remains true to the same inventive concepts while using different combinations of the mechanisms to :**. implement them.

I.e...

o Figures 8, 9, and 10 show a tiler comprising: a sandwich of three separate plates: The : ,", topmost plate, referred to as the twister plate 2007 hereafter, consists of (in the case of the 0e* . small size) a ten centimetre square base. The function of this plate is to extend the telescopic arms 2013 with elbows 2014 over a stack of tiles 2015. This is accomplished by rotating the top disc 2005 shown Figure 14 that is attached to, the twister, anticlockwise.

" The curved track 2019 pushes against a peg 2017 fixed in the arm of the telescopic arm assembly as shown in Figures 11, 12, and 15. As the twister is rotated the peg and inner arm is pushed radially outward against the restraining force of a circular rubber band/spring system 2025 attached to the pegs 2027. The four springs holding all four arms toward the centre. When extended fully the pegs come to rest in a rest slot 2031 at the end of the semi-circular track; this is to allow the device to be moved while the arms are at their maximum extent. The extended arms encompass an area 20cm x 20 cm twenty centimetres square. The device is then placed over a stack 2015, of one to four, tiles 2Ol7and the twister is released by a slight, further movement of the twister.

Consider the semi-circular tracks cut in to the bottom surface of the twister (Figure 15).

There are four sets of track. Each set comprising a curved track 2019 and a retracting track 2011.

Each track starts concentric with a peg; it then curves in an arc to the corner of the square in the neighbouring quadrant an angle of 135°. The tangential contact between the track and the peg increases the normal component of the force exerted by the movement of the track against the peg, i.e. in the direction of travel of the peg, more than its horizontal component; consequently reducing the effort of extending the arms.

Following the momentary rest of the peg at the extremity of the arc of curved track 2019, the retract track 2021 continues in a straight line toward the centre. This is to allow the arms, and pegs, to retract under the tension of the extended springs. However, the path of the retracting pegs (within the tracks) crosses the path of the arced tracks. Thus the track is continuous along its length. The implication is that the twister 2007 rotates 360°.

To accomplish the twisting action of the twister 2007 three options are available. *. ,* * U

: One option is to provide finger holes in the twister so that the fingers can be inserted in the holes and the plate twisted. Ideally the extension of the arms 2013 is accomplished by ** inserting two fingers in finger holes in the twister and twisting it clockwise. This motion causes the four diagonal slots cut in the plate to push against the pins attached to the lower end of each arm. The radial component of the force is enough to push the four pins, and S* t*. consequently extend the arms radially outward.

Another option, shown in Figures 8, 9, and 10, is to have a loose strap 2006 around a collar 2005 as depicted, When necessary the strap 2006 can be tightened around the collar (top disk) 2005 to twist the twister 2007 relative to the base 2009. The strap can be left on or removed between uses.

A third option is to use a ratchet mechanism between the collar and the twister.

Each option has its pros and cons; which option to use will be determined by manufacturing cost factors and ease of use.

When the twister 2007 is released, the arms 2013 now move radially inward -they move towards each other to be closer together as they near the central axis 2029 -under the tension of the four springs 2025, They stop when they meet an obstruction, the side of a tile or pile of tiles in this case.

As the four arms 2013 move independently, they can enclose tiles of any size between 10cm x.10cm and 20cm x 20cm inclusive. Importantly the device can cope with tiles of different regular shapes and nonstandard sizes.

The base plate 2009 holds the arms and sleeve assembly. In order to increase the coverage of the arms from 10cm by 10cm, in the non-extended position to 20cm by 20cm in the fully extended position, the arms need to add another 5 cm to each side of the 10cm by cm square.

The base 2009 comprises the sleeves 2011 which in turn comprise recesses 2033. The **..

* arms 2013 slide in the recesses 2033. * *o

There is a central hole 2028 aligned with the central axis 2029 housing a plunger 2001 shown in Figures 8, 9, 10, and 16. Preferably the plunger has a shaft 2002 and it is 2 cm :" diameter. ** S.

* The maximum length of each arm 2013 above the elbow 2014 is 4 cm if it is to be contained within the boundaries of the 10cm x 10cm device.

There is a peg 2020 attached to each arm, 0.5cm from the inner end, there is only 3.5 cm of the arm available to extend. If the arm extends to this5cm length from the centre of the plate, it will extend beyond the boundary of the base plate 2009.

To extend the arm to the desired length the arm is housed in a sleeve 2011. As the top plate is twisted, the arms are pushed out to the extent of the apex of the semi-circular track.

As the scale drawing shows this is distance of 6.5+cm from the centre. The 6.5÷ distance is necessary to give a slight clearance over the tiles to ease their capture by the arms. The twisting action will push the pegs to a distance from the centre of 6.5+cm; the length of the inner arm, from peg to its extremity is 3.5cm. Hence the end of the inner arm will extend to (6.5+) + (3.5) = 10+ cm thus giving the coverage of an area of 20cm x 20cm as required. As the inner arms reside in sleeves, which get pushed out by the pegs, the sleeves will hold the inner arms secularly.

The arm extension mechanism is facilitated by a sleeve, as mentioned. As the inner arm is pushed out by the twists it moves unhindered until the peg engages the sleeve. At this point only the inner arm has moved, a distance of 3cm. The peg on the top of the inner arm now engages the sleeve. The combined sleeve and arm assembly is now pushed out by the twister The maximum extension of the peg, and hence the inner arm, is 6.5cm, as described earlier, however the end of the inner arm is now 10+cm from the centre, as required.

At the maximum extent the sleeve would be 2cm within the boundary of the twister plate and 2cm beyond the boundary. The 2 cm beyond the boundary encases the arm which extends to its maximum 3.5 cm. In total the sleeve and arm combination would extend ":-5.5cm beyond the boundary thus allowing for coverage 0.5cm in excess of the required 5cm on each side. It is this mechanism that allows the medium and larger models to * achieve the extents mentioned earlier.

* The shape of the arms, sleeves and their housing is important. The cross section is of an *****.

*: ** isosceles trapezoid. This shape gives support in a vertical direction to the arm and sleeve * assembly, preventing vertical movement and enhancing rigidity in that direction In addition to being used to extend the arms, the pegs are restrained to the centre by four springs; a rubber band would also serve. The twister has to push against the resultant centripetal force of the spring tension to extend the arms. Because of the curvature of the track the vertical resultant of the twisting force is diametrically opposite the centripetal force of the springs. This arrangement provides the force needed to extend the pegs and hence the arms.

Once the tiles are captured and the strap on the collar is released, the only force acting on the pegs is that of the springs pulling the arms toward the centre. Due to symmetry the resultant force acting on a peg is radially inward toward the centre of the device and equivalent to the tension of one, spring. To allow free movement of the arms toward the centre, the tracks on the underside of the twister are straight and point in the direction radially toward the centre.

In practice this raises an inconvenient issue; the straight track intersects the curved track.

There is a danger that the retracting peg will deviate from the straight track on to the curved track; worse there is a danger of the outward moving peg, under the twisting force could fall back under spring tension toward the centre. To mitigate the likelihood of this occurrence the tracks are set to different depths. The straight track is set to a depth of 3mm and the curved track is set to a depth of 5mm. When the pegs are being extended, under the twisting force, they continue along the curved track which is deeper than the straight track and confining the peg to the curved track.. When the pegs are being retracted they will continue in the straight track of the twister toward the centre, due to the resultant centripetal force of the springs, and the absence of any lateral force tending it to deviate from this path.

The arms retract until the come against the grabbed tiles. Because each arm moves "r"i independently under the resultant force of two springs they are able to retract independently until they come against a tile, be it a square tile, or a rectangular tile The spring arrangement ensures the claw at the end of each arm is secured against the tile. Thus the device is able to grab tiles often centimetres square to twenty centimetres square and any *...: size in between. The arms automatically adjust to the size of tile used.

* At this stage the device has captured a stack of tiles.

A plunger assembly is used to handle the device and to push the tiles in to the adhesive.

The plunger assembly consists of a handle attached to a base plate via a central column.

The baseplate pushes the tiles out.

In use the device is placed over the location designated for the first, or next, tile; the claws at the ends of the extended arms are pushed in through the adhesive to rest on the Unless steps are taken to avoid it, tiles are likely to be embedded to varying depths dependent on the force the plunger is pushed down witft This is not only avoided in the design but an even lay of tiles is ensured by the following design.

the central column is shaped and sized to fit within the twister and the arm assembly. The twister and arm assemblies have conflicting requirements. The twister needs to rotate 3600 freely about its axis. The arm assembly needs to be stationary relative to the twister To accomplish the requirements of the twister and to attach it to the rest of the device, the twister rotates about a collar, fixed to the arm assembly. To ensure the arm assembly stays put, the central column passes through a rectangular hole in the arm assembly.

The plunger is pushed down, pushing the stack of tiles down with it. On its downward travel slats in the plunger encounter a set of spring-fingers set in the inner face of the square slot in the arm assembly. This encounter stops the plunger. At this point the stack of tiles too would have travelled the same distance as the plunger.

This feature determines the length of travel of the plunger. The distance of the downward travel of the plunger determines the depth to which the tile is pushed in to the adhesive.

This is an important feature. To maintain a level surface of the laid tiles, each tile needs to be embedded to the same depth in the adhesive (given the adhesive is spread as per recommended practice and the substrate meets minimum specifications). It is this feature : that gives the tiles an even face across the work face and minimises lippage.

In order to ensure each tile is embedded to the same depth in the adhesive and therefore maintain an even surface, the plunger must push each tile the same distance in to the adhesive. To accomplish this one of the inner surfaces of the square hole in the arm assembly is fitted with a set of spring fingers. Four horizontal sots in the plunger, set 8mm * apart engage the set of spring fingers as they are encountered on the plunger's downward travel. The bottom most slot set at.a height of one tile thickness plus the adhesive thickness, 8mm + 3MM in this case. The slots are separated by the standard thickness of the tile in use. For tiles used in the medium and large devices the separation of the slots is fixed according to the standard size of the larger tiles.

The distance from the bottom of the last tile to the substrate is one tile thickness plus the recommended thickness of the adhesive layer. In the case of the small device this is set to 8mm + 3mm. These dimensions are, of course, subject to change.

When pushed down, the plunger moves until it encounters the set of spring fingers. As this depth is set to 8mm (the nominal thickness standard specified for tiles of this size) the bottom most tile is embedded to that depth.

The claws at the ends of the arms have a thickness equal to the recommended separation between tiles. For small to medium tiles this can be 2.5mm to 3mm. The profile of a claw is such that the last (8mm = 3mm) 1.1cm is slightly recessed from the area above this watermark. This is to allow the device to be lifted out after a tile has been laid. When a tile is pushed past this watermark it is effectively free of, although restrained by, the claws. This allows the device to be withdrawn without disturbing the fresh laid tile. When the last but one tile is laid, even in the case of laying only one tile at a time, the last tile will not be released by the claws. To work around this situation a peg is paced in the location of the upper most slot to prevent further depression of the plunger.

This results in the last tile not being laid. In effect four tiles are captured, but only three tiles can be laid. In thwcase of loading two tiles, only one tile at a time can be laid. The device can then be loaded again with four (or two) tiles. In general of the N tiles loaded, only N-i r"tiles can be laid. To lay only one tile, as may be case with the larger tiles, due to weight considerations, two tiles will have to be loaded.

After the first tile in the stack is laid, it is only necessary to move on to the next tile location, locate the claws in the correct position and push down on the plunger. The next tile will be laid to the same depth and with the same tile separation as the previous tile, thanks to the * evenly located slots in the plunger engaging the set of spring fingers and the thickness of the claw end.

Advantageously this tiling device enables a person to lay tiles neatly and rapidly in a repetitive pattern because with it the user has a more deterministic and consistent method of laying tiles; the error prone manual activities in the prior art work flow are now governed by a rigid tile carrier and arms assembly, spirit levels and Laser Line Generators. In this method a person loads the tiling device with at least two tiles or several tileé. The person uses the tiling device to lay a first tile on a surface guided by the batons. Repeating this procedure the first row is laid. In laying subsequent rows, the user can complete the laying of the tiles, The user also checks the orientation of the tile is true with the built in spirit levels and, if fitted, the Laser Line Generator& Then the user ejects a tile onto the adhesive. The depth to which the tile is embedded in the adhesive is limited by the slots in the plunger coming up against the spring fingers in the arm assembly. The user then repeats the procedure to lay the next tile.

In another embodiment specifically to lay floor tiles, the tiling device is aligned directly over a stack of tiles to be laid. The device is then pressed down until two or more tiles, determined by weight and convenience, on top is grabbed by the claws and lodged in the recess directly below the base plate'. The loaded tiling device can now be placed over the location for the new tile and using the spirit levels or the Laser Line Generators, the tile is laid in place. The functions of the spirit levels and, the Laser Line Generators are exactly as in the case of laying wall tiles.

The invention has been described by way of examples only. Variations may be made to them without departing from the scope of the invention. Likewise it is understood that several embodiments, with modifications and alternatives have been described.

Further embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art and who read and :E understand this description. All such embodiments and modifications are intended to fall within the scope of the present invention as defined in the accompanying claims.

The invention is made clear and further explained in the appended claims. * .

Claims (21)

1. Claims 1. A tiling device for laying tiles on a surface comprising: a base that is adapted to receive at least one tile and a shim incorporating a detent, adapted to hold and release said at least one tile upon application of an ejection force, and a locating device adapted to locate the tiling device with respect to a reference edge.
2. 2. A tiling device according to claim 1 wherein the locating device is a spline fixed to the base for locating the tiling device.
3. 3. A tiling device according to claim 2 wherein the spline comprises two contact surfaces that in use touch a guide edge and thereby orientate the tile in one direction parallel to the plane of the surface.
4. 4. A tiling device according to claim 3 wherein a second spline comprises a face that touches a guide edge that is not collinear with the two contacts.
5. 5. A tiling device according to any of the preceding claims wherein the shims and/or the locating device can be detached from and reconnect to the base.
6. 6. A tiling device according to any preceding claim comprising a pressure plate, by which :..:. the tile is ejected by application of the ejection force through the pressure plate, and extensions to the pressure plate which make contact with a previously laid tile where the tile is coplanar with the previously laid tiles, so as to redirect the ejection force onto the r"E previously laid tiles.
7. 7. A tiling device according to claims ito 5 comprising a piston, housed in the base within guides which limit travel of the piston, through which the ejection force is applied to the tile by contact with the piston, whereby the tile is laid coplanar with previously laid tiles by virtue of the limit of travel of the piston and contact between the spline and the surface.
8. 8. A tiling device according to claim 7 wherein the piston is driven by a lever with a fulcrum attached to the base.
9. 9. A tiling device according to any of the preceding claims that comprises a spirit level parallel to the horizontal direction, and a spirit level parallel to the vertical direction.
10. 1O.A tiling device according to claim 1 wherein the locating device is a Laser Line Generator.
11. 11.A tiling device according to claim 1 that comprises a Laser Line Generator that is detachable and in use directs laser light parallel to the horizontal direction, and a Laser Line Generator that is detachable and in use directs laser light parallel to the vertical direction.
12. 12.A tiling device according to any of the preceding claims wherein the base is transparent or translucent.
13. 13.A tiling device according to any of the preceding claims wherein a previously laid tile comprises the guide edge.
14. 14.A tiling device according to any of the preceding claims wherein the tile is rectangular or square.
15. 15.A tiling device according to any of the preceding claims where the tile is round or oval or any regular geometric shape.
16. 16. A tiling device according to any of the preceding claims wherein the tile has a contoured surface.
17. 17.A tiling device for laying tiles 2017 on a surface adapted to grasp, hold, and release at least one tile comprising: arms 2013 slidably retained in recesses 2033 of a base 2009, the recesses arranged radially about a central axis 2029, and a resilient means 2025 to bias the arms 2033 toward the central axis and thereby hold said at least one tile 2017, and a twister 2007 comprising a means 2019 to engage with the arms 2033 so as to drive 2.. them radially upon twisting the twister 2007 relative to the base 2009 and thereby grasp * or release said at least one tile.
18. 18.A tiling device according to claim 16 wherein the base 2009 has the form of a plate that comprises the recesses 2033.
19. 19.A tiling device according to claim 17 wherein the base 2009 and twister 2007 are as parallel plates.
20. 20.A tiling device according to claim 18 wherein the means of the twister 2007 to engage with the arms 2033 comprises a curved track 2019 that starts tangential to an inner circle concentric with the central axis 2029 and extends outward in an arc until it ends tangential to an outer circle concentric with the central axis.
21. 21.A tiling device according to any of claim 16 to 19 wherein at least one arm comprises a glider 2027 arranged to slideably engage with the means 2019 of the twister to engage with the arms 2033. * * * * * * *. * . a.. * S. a. * . . a