GB2596267A

GB2596267A - Levelling device

Info

Publication number: GB2596267A
Application number: GB2003920.2A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Saunders David
Original assignee: Genesis Global Systems Ltd
Current assignee: Genesis Global Systems Ltd
Priority date: 2020-03-18
Filing date: 2020-03-18
Publication date: 2021-12-29
Also published as: GB202003920D0

Abstract

The invention relates to a tile levelling device comprising a member having a slot extending along a longitudinal axis thereof; and a main member having a base, a connecting member and a top portion; the connecting member extending between and connecting to the base and the top portion; wherein in use the slot is configured to receive at least a portion of the main member. The invention further relates to a method of levelling tiles using the tile levelling device.

Description

LEVELLING DEVICE

The present invention is directed towards a levelling device. More particularly, but not exclusively, the present invention is directed towards a tile levelling device.

Installing tiles, more particularly floor tiles, requires a plurality of tiles to be placed on top of a setting compound such as a mortar. The setting compound then dries and sets, adhering and fixing the tiles in place.

As the tiles are being positioned upon the setting compound they must be adjusted such that they are equally spaced apart from adjacent tiles and so that the upper faces are level.

Known tile levelling devices typically comprise a main member having opposing first and second sections extending transversely away from one of its ends and an aperture formed through it. These known tile levelling devices also include a member, such as a wedge to be received by the aperture. The first and second sections are positioned in use under tiles and the main member protrudes from the gap between the tiles. A portion of the main member may be detached after the setting compound has set, resulting in an amount of waste material. Thc waste portion of the levelling member may also be difficult to detach.

It would be beneficial to provide a tile levelling device that at least mitigates one or

more problems associated with the prior art.

A first aspect provides a tile levelling device comprising: a member having a slot extending along a longitudinal axis thereof; and a main member having a base, a connecting member and a top portion; the connecting member extending between and connecting to the base and the top portion; wherein in use the slot is configured to receive at least a portion of the main member.

The member having the slot may be any suitable shape. The member may be of square or rectangular plan. The member may increase in height from a first end to a second end. The member may be wedge shaped.

The member may comprise an upper surface and a lower surface. The upper surface and lower surface may be separated by any suitable height. The upper surface and lower surface may be separated by a non-constant height along the longitudinal axis of the member.

The connecting member may comprise any suitable length. The connecting member may comprise a length at least equal to the maximum height between the upper surface and lower surface of the member.

The connecting member may comprise a breakaway region. The breakaway region may be arranged such that portions disposed either side of the breakaway region may be detachably separated. The breakaway region may comprise a region of material that is weaker than the surrounding material The breakaway region may comprise a portion of material that is thinner than the surrounding material. The breakaway region may comprise a portion of thinner material extending across the width of the connecting member.

The breakaway region may comprise a portion of material that is perforated. The breakaway region may comprise a portion of material that is perforated extending across the width of the connecting member.

The breakaway region may comprise a portion of material that is of a different cross section to that of the remainder of the connecting member.

The breakaway region may be arranged between the base and the top portion The breakaway region may be disposed near to or at the base.

The connecting member may comprise a breakaway region disposed along its length at least 3mm away from the base. The breakaway region may be disposed at least 4mm, 5mm, 6mm, 7mm, 8mm or at least 9mm away from the base.

The breakaway region may be arranged such that the main member may be easily taken apart such that two discrete and disconnected portions are formed. The discrete and disconnected portions may comprise (i) the base and (ii) the connecting member and top portion. The discrete and disconnected portions may comprise (i) the base and a first part of the connecting member and (ii) a second part of the connecting member and the top portion.

The connecting member may comprise one or more regions having varying thicknesses and/or widths along its length. The connecting member may comprise one or more regions having varying cross sections along its length. The connecting member may comprise a substantially constant thickness and/or width along its length. The connecting member may comprise a substantially constant cross section along its length.

The connecting member, or one or more portions of the connecting member,may comprise a thickness and/or width configured to space adjacent floor tiles apart.

The base of the main member may comprise at least a first part and a second part that extend away from the connecting member in opposing directions. The first and second parts of the base may extend approximately perpendicularly to the connecting member.

The base may comprise a curve extending from a first end to an opposing second end. The base may comprise a curve arranged such that the base comprises a convex side and a concave side. The base may comprise a curve arranged such that in use, the concave side faces upwards.

The connecting member may connect to the concave side of the base.

The top portion may extend from an opposing end of the connecting member to the base. The top portion may be any suitable shape, for example a ball, a rod or a planar face. The top portion may comprise a length greater than the width of the slot disposed in the member. The top portion may be configured such that in use the top portion extends across the slot and a lower edge or surface of the top portion abuts a portion of the upper surface of the member on both sides of the slot.

The member may comprise an opening at a first end arranged to receive at least a portion of the connecting member into the slot. The slot may be arranged such that the width of the slot is similar to the width of at least a portion of the connecting member.

The member may comprise a single slot. The main member may comprise single connecting member.

Advantageously, a wedge shaped member comprising a slot may comprise less material than a wedge shaped member not comprising a slot. Similarly, a levelling member comprising a single connecting member may comprise less material than a levelling member comprising more than one connecting member. As such, a wedge and levelling member of the first aspect may reduce raw material costs.

The upper surface of the member may comprise a plurality of notches. The notches may be arranged on one or both sides of the slot.

Notches may be arranged on both sides of the slot such that each notch on one side shares a longitudinal axis with a notch on the opposing side of the slot. Each notch may comprise a raised portion of material protruding from the upper surface of the member. Each notch may be separated from an adjacent notch disposed on the same side of the slot by a distance approximately equal to the thickness of the lower edge of the top portion of the levelling member.

The notches may be arranged to engage with the top portion of the levelling member and prevent it automatically moving back towards the first end of the member, particularly where the member is in the form of a wedge.

In an alternative embodiment, the slot may extend between the longitudinal ends of the member such that the perimeter of the slot is entirely within the perimeter of the member. The slot may extend from near to a first end of the member to near to a second end. The slot may extend along a substantial length of the member. The slot may comprise a length at least as long as the length of the top portion of the main member. The slot may be arranged such that the top portion and at least a portion of the connecting member may be received by the slot.

The main member and the member may both be manufactured from a plastics material. The main member and the member may each comprise any one or more of acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, polyethylene, polycarbonate, polystyrene, polyamide or polypropylene, for example. Each of the main member and the member may be manufactured by an injection moulding process.

A second aspect provides a method of levelling tiles using a tile levelling device in accordance with the first aspect comprising the steps: positioning a first tile and the main member onto a layer of setting compound such that at least a portion of the base of the main member is underneath a portion of the tile; positioning a second tile onto the setting compound adjacent the first tile such that at least a portion of the base of the main member is underneath a portion of the second tile and such that the first and second tiles are separated by a portion of the connecting member; positioning the member on top of either the first or second tile such that the longitudinal axis of the member is substantially perpendicular to a length of the top portion; moving the member towards the adjacent tile such that the connecting member passes through the opening and into the slot; and moving the member further such that the second end is moved towards the connecting member and the upper surface of the member contacts the lower surface of the top portion of the main member, thereby levelling the tiles.

A third aspect provides a method of levelling tiles using a tile levelling device in accordance with the first aspect comprising the steps: positioning a first tile and the main member onto a layer of setting compound such that at least a portion of the base of the main member is underneath a portion of the tile; positioning a second tile onto the setting compound such that at least a portion of the base of the main member is underneath a portion of the second tile and such that the first and second tiles are separated by a portion of the connecting member; positioning the member above the main member and lowering the member such that the slot receives the top portion of the main member; lowering the member such that the top portion passes through the slot and protrudes above the upper surface of the member; rotating the member through approximately 900 such that the longitudinal axis of the top portion extends across the width of the member; and moving the member such that the second end is moved towards the connecting member and the upper surface of the member contacts the lower surface of the top portion of the main member, thereby levelling the tiles.

The method may comprise a step of moving the member such that additional pressure is applied to the first and second tiles such that they are securely held in a position where the upper faces of the tiles are in substantially the same plane. As the member is moved such that the second end of the member is moved towards the connecting member a user may urge the top portion of the main member over notches on the upper surface of the member. The notches may be arranged such that the top portion is prevented from moving back towards the first end of the member.

The method may comprise a step of detaching the connecting member from the base. The connecting member may be detached by any suitable means such as moving the wedge further to increase the tensional force acting on the connecting member and as such the breakaway portion, for example.

Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a tile levelling device; Figure 3 shows a perspective view of a main member of the device of figure I; Figure 2 shows a perspective view of a member of the device of figure 1; Figure 4 shows a perspective view of an arrangement of the levelling device, in relation to a first and second floor tile, in use; and Figure 5 shows a perspective view of a further arrangement of the levelling device in relation to a first and second floor tile, in use.

A tile levelling device 1 comprises a member 2 and a main member 3.

The main member 3 comprises a base 4, a connecting member 6 and a top portion 8. The connecting member 6 is arranged to extend between and form a connection with the base 4 and top portion 8. The base 4 and top portion 8 are connected at opposing ends of the connecting member 6.

The base 4 comprises a substantially rectangular perimeter. The base 4 comprises an upper face 12 and lower face 14, separated by a thickness. The base 4 comprises a slight curve extending along its length. The base 4 is arranged such that the upper face 12 is slightly concave, and the lower face 14 is slightly convex. In some embodiments, the base 4 comprises a substantially planar member. The base 4 comprises two opposing substantially similar portions extending away from a midline.

The connecting member 6 is connected to the base 4. The connecting member 6 is connected to the upper face 12 of the base 4. The connecting member comprises a breakaway region 10 which comprises a region of thinner material that extends across the width of the connecting member 6.

The top portion 8 is connected to the connecting member 6 and extends perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis of the connecting member 6. The top portion comprises a lower edge 16 arranged substantially parallel to the upper surface 12 of the base 4. The top portion 8 comprises a substantially rectangular shape. The connecting member and the top portion together form a "T" shape. In other embodiments, the top portion 8 comprises any suitable shape.

The member 2 comprises a wedge shaped body 18 extending from a first end 20 to a second end 22. The first end 20 comprises a height less than the second end 22 such that the body 18 defines a typical wedge shape.

The body 18 of the member 2 comprises a slot 24 extending from an opening 25 at the first end 20 towards the second end 22. The slot 24 is arranged such that it can receive at least a portion of the connecting member 6 through the opening 25 disposed at the first end 20. The slot extends through an upper face 26, through the body 18 and through a lower face 28 of the member 2.

The upper face 26 of the member 2 comprises a plurality of raised notches 23. The notches extend from near to the first end 20 to near to the second end 22. The notches 23 located either side of the slot 24 arc substantially in-line with an opposing notch 23.

The main member 3 and the member 2 are both manufactured from a plastics material. The main member 3 comprises an integral component and the member 2 comprises a discrete integral component. Each of the main member 3 and the member 2 comprise injection moulded components.

In use, a user may position the base 4 of the main member 3 onto a layer of setting compound 34. The user may hold the main member 3 at or near the top portion 8.

A first floor tile 30 may then be disposed upon the setting compound such that a portion of the first floor tile 30 extends over a portion of the base 4 of the main member 3. In some methods, a first floor tile 30 may be positioned onto a layer of setting compound 34 and then a portion of the base 4 of the main member 3 may be inserted under the first floor tile 30.

A second floor tile 32 may be then disposed next to the first floor tile upon a further region of setting compound such that a portion of the second floor tile 32 extends over another portion of the base 4 of the main member 3. The floor tiles 30,32 may then be adjusted such that an edge of each tile 30, 32 abuts the connecting member 6 of the main member 3 The member 2 may then be positioned on either floor tile 30, 32 such that a lower face 28 of the member 2 is in contact with the upper surface of floor tile 30, 32. The member 2 will be positioned such that the top portion 8 of the main member 3 extends perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis of the member 2. See figure 4 in particular.

The member 2 may be moved towards the main member 3 such that the connecting member 6 of the main member 3 passes through the opening 25 of the slot 24 at the first end of the member 2 and into slot 24.

The member 2 is moved forward by a user until the upper face 26 of the member 2 contacts the lower edge 16 of the top portion of the main member 3.

The user can then move the member 2 further forward such that the second end 22 is urged closer towards the connecting member 6 by the lower edge 16 of the top portion 8 passing over notches 23. As the top portion 8 contacts the upper face 26 of the member 2 and is urged further towards the second end 22, the floor tiles 30, 32 and base 4 of the main member 3 are pulled together.

When the base 4 of the main member 3 contacts the underside of the tiles 30, 32, pressure is applied to the top surface of the tiles 30, 32 by the lower face 28 of the member 2. Equal pressure is applied by the base 4 of the main member 3 to the underside of the tiles 30, 32.

The pressure applied to the tiles 30, 32 can be increased by moving the member 2 further forwards such that the lower edge 16 of the top portion 8 of the main member 3 moves over further notches and closer to the second end 22. The pressure applied to the tiles 30, 32 will adjust them such that the tiles 30, 32 are moved to be substantially level within the same horizontal plane.

As a force is applied to the main member 3, the lower edge 16 of the top portion 8 will be prevented from sliding down the upper face 26 of the member 2 towards the first end 20 by the notches 23. The notches 23 are configured such that the tile levelling device I may be left unattended by a user whilst maintaining an applied force to the tiles 30, 32 such that the tiles 30, 32 will remain level whilst the setting compound 34 dries and solidifies.

The method can be repeated for a plurality of floor tiles such that the required flooring area is covered by floor tiles. In some methods, two or more tile levelling devices I may be disposed between each adjacent floor tile.

Once the two or more floor tiles are level_ the tile levelling devices I can be left in place whilst the setting compound 34 sets. Once set, the base 4 of the one or more levelling members 3 will be fixedly set within the setting compound 34.

The portion of the main member 3 disposed above the breakaway region 10 may be detached by applying additional tension to the connecting member 6. This may be achieved by urging the member 2 further forward until the breakaway portion 10 ruptures. The base 4 and any remaining portion of the connecting member 6 will be disposed below the upper surface of the floor tiles and as such will not be visible. 3:5

Claims

CLAIMSA tile levelling device comprising: a member having a slot extending along a longitudinal axis thereof; and a main member having a base, a connecting member and a top portion; the connecting member extending between and connecting to the base and the top portion; wherein in use the slot is configured to receive at least a portion of the main member.
2. A tile levelling device as claimed in claim I wherein the member comprises a wedge shape.
3. A tile levelling device as claimed in any previous claim wherein the connecting member comprises a breakaway region 4.
A tile levelling device as claimed in claim 3 wherein the breakaway region is arranged such that portions disposed either side of the breakaway region can be detachably separated.
A tile levelling device as claimed in claim 3 or claim 4 wherein the breakaway region comprises a region of material that is weaker than the surrounding material.
6. A tile levelling device as claimed in claim 3, 4 or 5 wherein the breakaway region is arranged between the base and the top portion.
7. A tile levelling device as claimed in any of claims 3 to 6 wherein the breakaway region is disposed at least 4mm from the base
8. A tile levelling device as claimed in any previous claim wherein the member comprises an upper surface and a lower surface separated by a height.
9. A tile levelling device as claimed claim 8 wherein the connecting member comprises a length at least equal to the maximum height between the upper surface and the lower surface of the member.
10. A tile levelling device as claimed in any of claims 3 to 7, or as claimed in claim 8 or claim 9 when dependent on any of claims 3 to 7, wherein the breakaway region is arranged such that the main member can be easily taken apart such that two discrete and disconnected portions are formed.
11. A tile levelling device as claimed in any previous claim wherein the connecting member, or one or more portions of the connecting member, comprise a thickness configured to space adjacent floor tiles apart.
12. A tile levelling device as claimed in any previous claim wherein the base of the main member comprises at least a first part and a second part that extend away from the connecting member in opposing directions.
13. A tile levelling device as claimed in any previous claim wherein the base comprises a curve extending from a first end to an opposing second end.
14. A tile levelling device as claimed in any previous claim wherein the base comprises a curve arranged such that the base comprises a convex side and a concave side.
15. A tile levelling device as claimed in any previous claim wherein the base comprises a curve arranged such that, in use, the concave side faces upwards.
16. A tile levelling device as claimed in any previous claim wherein the connecting member connects to the concave side of the base.
17. A tile levelling device as claimed in claim 8, or any of claims 9 to 15 when dependent on claim 8, wherein the top portion is configured such that in use the top portion extends across the slot and a lower edge or surface of the top portion abuts a portion of the upper surface of the member on both sides of the slot.
18. A tile levelling device as claimed in any previous claim wherein the member comprises an opening at a first end arranged to receive at least a portion of the connecting member into the slot.
19. A tile levelling device as claimed in any previous claim wherein the slot extends between the longitudinal ends of the member such that the perimeter of the slot is entirely within the perimeter of the member.
20. A tile levelling device as claimed in claim 8, or any of claims 9 to 19 when dependent on claim 8, wherein the upper surface of the member comprises a plurality of notches
21. A method of levelling tiles using a tile levelling device in accordance with any of claims Ito 20 comprising the steps: positioning a first tile and the main member onto a layer of setting compound such that at least a portion of the base of the main member is underneath a portion of the file; positioning a second tile onto the setting compound adjacent the first tile such that at least a portion of the base of the main member is underneath a portion of the second tile and such that the first and second tiles are separated by a portion of the connecting member; positioning the member on top of either the first or second tile such that the longitudinal axis of the member is substantially perpendicular to a length of the top portion; moving the member towards the adjacent tile such that the connecting member passes through the opening and into the slot; and moving the member further such that the second end is moved towards the connecting member and the upper surface of the member contacts the lower surface of the top portion of the main member, thereby levelling the tiles.
22. A method of levelling tiles using a tile levelling device in accordance with any of claims 1 to 20 comprising the steps comprising the steps: positioning a first tile and the main member onto a layer of setting compound such that at least a portion of the base of the main member is underneath a portion of the tile; positioning a second tile onto thc setting compound such that at least a portion of the base of the main member is underneath a portion of the second tile and such that the first and second tiles are separated by a portion of the connecting member; positioning the member above the main member and lowering the member such that the slot receives the top portion of the main member; lowering the member such that the top portion passes through the slot and protrudes above the upper surface of the member; rotating the member through approximately 90° such that the longitudinal axis of the top portion extends across the width of the member; and moving the member such that the second end is moved towards the connecting member and the upper surface of the member contacts the lower surface of the top portion of the main member, thereby levelling the tiles.
23. A method of levelling tiles as claimed in claim 21 or 22 comprising a step of moving the member forward such that additional pressure is applied to the first and second tiles such that they are securely held in a position where the upper faces of the tiles are in substantially the same plane.
24. A method of levelling tiles as claimed in any of claims 21 to 23, the method comprising a step of detaching the connecting member from the base.