US20060112661A1

US20060112661A1 - Tile spider

Info

Publication number: US20060112661A1
Application number: US10/524,239
Authority: US
Inventors: Warena Sadlier
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2002-08-13
Filing date: 2003-08-13
Publication date: 2006-06-01
Also published as: EP1540115A4; NZ520739A; EP1540115A1; AU2003258903A1; WO2004015222A1

Abstract

A tool for use in laying floor tiles onto an adhesive layer the tool including a raised hand or foot grip mounted on a plurality of legs splayed outwardly and downwardly relative to the hand grip to thereby form a hand rest raised to a working height above a floor on which the legs are resting.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a tool for use in the tile industry and particularly to a tool for assisting in the laying of files and a method involved in the laying of floor tiles using the tool.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

At present the laying of tiles can be a back breaking exercise particularly when tiles are laid on a floor.
An object of the invention is to provide a method of laying tiles and a tool for use in the method which makes a tilers job easier, creates less fatigue and will therefore reduce back and neck complaints at the same time as offering a useful alternative choice.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to the invention there is provided a tool for use in a method of laying floor tiles, the tool including a raised hand or foot grip or step region mounted on a plurality of legs splayed outwardly and downwardly relative to the hand or foot grip or step region to thereby form a hand or foot rest raised to a working height above a floor or the like surface on which the legs are resting.
The grip or step region can be raised about 100 mm above the level of the bottom of the legs.
The grip or step region can be raised on three, four or more legs.
According to a second aspect of the invention the tool as hereinbefore described can be placed in laid adhesive on an area to be tiled so a tiler can walk, stand or rest his or her hand of R on the grip or step region to therefore make the tiler's task easier.
In use a tiler can step in and over laid tiles and/or adhesive by using one or more of the tile spider tool(s) to effect more work while supporting themselves by hand or foot. This tool keeps the tiler's shoulder's in a more even plane rather than bending forward thereby creating less body stress and strain.
The added height of the legs enables the tiler to extend his/her work area.
Better weight distribution of the tiler is managed while maximising extension into a work area.
The use of the tool allows a tiler to step or lean into and lay tiles on an area prepared with adhesive.
The support area used by the tiler is not restricted to being placed on a dry tile or adhesive free area and this allows a tradesman to achieve a more comfortable working position. It allows a tiler to extend into tight areas.
The tool can be used as an island platform to work from into otherwise unreachable prepared areas. Use of more than one tile spider allows a tiler to walk into a prepared area and allows the tiler to maintain a straight back and even shoulders while extending into and over a work area.
Further advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following descriptions.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A particular example of the invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:
FIG. 1 shows in views (a) to (h) a tiler in a series of different positions using a tile spider in use;
FIG. 2 shows a plan view of the spider;
FIG. 3 shows an elevation of the spider;
FIG. 4 shows an end elevation of the spider; and
FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of the spider

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EXAMPLE

An example at the invention and its use will now be described.
In FIGS. 2 to 5 is shown an example of tile spider according to the invention. In the example the tile spider has a raised hand or foot grip or step region 1 mounted on a plurality of legs 2 which are splayed outwardly and downwardly relative to the hand or foot grip or step region 1 to thereby form a hand or foot rest raised to a working height above a floor or the like surface on which the legs 2 are resting.
In the example the grip or step region 1 is constructed from a snort length of box or rectangular section steel. The ends 4 of the grip or step region 1 can be fixed to legs 2 each pair of which is constructed in the form of inverted U or V. The U or V-shaped legs can be formed from an appropriate length of pipe, rod or tube. The legs 2 are maintained in their splayed apart orientation shown in FIG. 6 by transverse members 5.
The grip or step region 1 can be raised about 100 mm above the level of the bottom of the legs 2.
In FIG. 1 is shown a variety of positions and situations where the tile spider can be used. For example drawing 1(a) shows a tiler reaching over; an area covered by an adhesive. The tile spider is shown partly resting on the adhesive. This enables the tiler to extend his work area as shown into a corner while maintaining balance and a good body position.
In FIG. 1(b) the tiler is shown with a straighter than normal back while reaching over an area covered by adhesive
In FIGS. 1(c), (d), (f) and (g) the tiler is shown in further positions which can be adopted when using the tile spider.
In FIG. 1(e) and (h) are shown two examples of position for a tiler standing in a crouched position on a tile spider in the centre of an area being tiled.
Advantages of the invention are improved productivity and an increase in the area over which a tiler can reach particularly over areas prepared with adhesive.
A particular example of this invention has been described and it is envisaged that improvements and modifications can take place without departing from the scope of the attached claims.

Claims

1: A tool for use in a method of laying floor tiles, the tool including a raised hand or foot grip or step region mounted on a plurality of legs splayed outwardly and downwardly relative to the hand or foot grip or step region to thereby form a hand or foot rest raised to a working height above a floor or the like surface on which the legs are resting.

2: A tool as claimed in claim 1 wherein the grip or step region is raised about 100 mm above the level of the bottom of the legs.

3: A tool as claimed in claim 1 wherein the grip or step region is raised on three, four or more legs.

4: A tool as claimed in claim 1 wherein the raised hand or foot grip or step region is constructed from a length of box or rectangular section metal.

5: A tool as claimed in claim 1 wherein the legs are constructed from a length of pipe, tube or rod.

6: A tool as claimed in claim 5 wherein the legs are inverted U or V shaped in side elevation.

7: A method of laying tiles using the tool as claimed in claim 1 wherein the tool is placed in laid adhesive on an area to be tiled so a tiler can walk, stand or rest his or her hand or foot on the grip or step region to thereby make the tiler's task easier.

8: A method as claimed in claim 7 wherein a tiler can step in and over laid tiles and/or adhesive by using one or more of the tile spider tool(s) to effect more work while supporting themselves by hand or foot.

9: A method of laying tiles using the tool as claimed in claim 1 wherein the tool is placed on a dry tile or adhesive free area so a tiler can walk, stand or rest his or her hand or foot on the grip or step region to thereby make the tiler's task easier.

10: A method as claimed in claim 7 wherein the tool is used as an island platform to work from into otherwise unreachable prepared areas.

11: A method as claimed in claim 10 wherein the use of more than one tile spider allows the tiler to walk into a prepared area and allows the tiler to maintain a straight back and even shoulders while extending into and over a work area.