US20240133188A1

US20240133188A1 - A device, a system and a method for levelling a wall or similar vertical surface

Info

Publication number: US20240133188A1
Application number: US18/548,415
Authority: US
Inventors: Artis VALTERS
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2021-03-09
Filing date: 2022-03-03
Publication date: 2024-04-25
Also published as: LV15671A; EP4305259A1; CN221168554U; LV15671B; WO2022191684A1

Abstract

The present invention relates to a device a device, a system and a method for levelling a wall or similar vertical surface.

The device (1) comprises a telescopic bar (2) and two feet (10) wherein each foot (10) is connected to the respective end of the telescopic bar (2). each foot (10) comprises a connection and guide mechanism (20) slidably connecting each foot (10) to respective the first end portion (5) and the second end portion (6) of the telescopic bar (2) so that the telescopic bar (2) is able to move in relation to the foot (10). Adjustment of the telescopic bar (2) allows to set a virtual plane adjacent to the wall or any other vertical surface to be processed or built. The device (1) allows fast and easy set up a work environment for constructing or building levelled surfaces.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a device, a system and a method for levelling a wall or similar vertical surface.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

During renovation, building or any other constructions work there is a need to build or renovate a wall that is so to say perfectly vertical or perfectly in one plane. There are various solutions to facilitate for levelling a wall or a similar vertical surface. Some levelling devices are described in CN107268959, CN108412171, CN10928132, CN207211647, CN211597605, DE19700975 and JP2003121152. Levelling devices described in aforementioned documents are complicated in its construction as well as their use requires specific knowledge.
Aim of the invention is to design easy to use device and the same time effective levelling device to facilitate works in levelling walls.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The aim was reached by the design of a device for levelling a wall or similar vertical surface. The device comprises a telescopic bar formed of at least two tubes, which can slide one inside the another. The telescopic bar comprises a first end portion and a second end portion. The telescopic bar further comprises a bar adjusting and locking device configured to adjust and to lock the tubes of the telescopic bar in a set length or length necessary to set the device between a floor and a ceiling. The device further comprises two feet, wherein each foot is connected to the respective end portion of the telescopic bar. The connection is performed by the means of connection and guide mechanism. The connection and guide mechanism comprises at least two rollers rotatably connected to the end portion of the telescopic bar so that rollers can roll along the foot. The rollers also supporting the telescopic bar against the feet. The connection and guide mechanism further comprises a foot bar fixed to the foot and extending in a direction towards the telescopic bar and into it—within the tube of the telescopic bar. The foot bar comprises a threaded hole which is made for a threaded shaft that rotatably connected to the telescopic bar and also engaged with same threaded hole of the foot bar so that rotational movement of the threaded shaft through the engagement of the threaded hole of the foot bar is transferred into linear motion of the telescopic bar along the foot or in relation to the foot. This movement allow to set the telescopic bar vertically or under necessary angle in relation to the wall or similar vertical surface, facilitating fine-tuning of the vertical or angular position of the telescopic bar in relation to a wall or similar vertical surface Such adjustment or finetuning becomes necessary due to irregularities of floors, ceilings, and walls.
In certain embodiments of the invention the threaded shaft may have a lock configured to lock the telescopic bar when it is positioned in a necessary position in relation to the foot.
The tubes of the telescopic bar may be square, rectangular or any other cross section that allows insertion of tubes in each other in order to design the telescopic bar, as well as insert or position the rollers within the tubes.
One side of the tube is a guide surface for guiding a wall levelling device. The device may further comprise an additional guide insert is attached to the guide surface further facilitating a guidance of the wall levelling device. The additional guide insert may be in the form of a tube enclosing the telescopic bar. The guide surface may be also in the form of auxiliary bar or any other construction allowing to guide any levelling tool or accessory along thereof.
The adjusting and locking device is a rack and pinion mechanism. The rack is rotatably installed in one tube of the telescopic bar and the pinion is fixed to another tube of the telescoping bar so that a rotation of the rack provides interrelated linear movement between the tubes of the telescopic bar. The rack and pinion mechanism may further comprise a locking member for locking the rack and pinion mechanism when it has been adjusted by rotation of the rack that in turn changes the length of the telescopic bar.
In one of the embodiments of the invention one of the tubes has smaller cross section than another one so that one of the tubes can be inserted into another one providing telescopic function of the telescopic bar. The tube with the smaller cross section comprises an additional tube at its end portion.
The wall or similar vertical surface levelling device may be any tool or accessory used in building or construction industry. For example, the wall levelling device may be a plaster having straight edge or feather edge, a straight edge handle or a notched trowel.
At least two devices form a system for levelling a wall or similar vertical surface. The system comprises at least two aforementioned devices arranged between the floor and the ceiling and attached between these surfaces by means of tensioning device of the device and the lock of the device. The devices are set between the floor and the ceiling in a such a vertical position that both guide surfaces of both devices are levelled vertically forming one vertical virtual plane. The system during its use is equipped with a levelling tool arranged between at least two devices. The levelling tool bears on the guide surfaces of the devices so that levelling of the wall may be performed by known building methods and satisfactory levelled wall is obtained.
By the design of the device a new method of use the device was developed. The new device requires a new method of use.
The method for levelling a wall or similar vertical surface comprises the following steps:

- providing at least two aforementioned devices,
- arranging each device in a proximity of a wall to be levelled by processing it and therebetween the floor and the ceiling,
- levelling each device vertically by sliding the feet in relation to the respective slider so that each device is vertically levelled to each other so that vertical plane is formed between the guide surfaces of the devices, and
- processing (levelling) the wall by means of the levelling tool or tools along the wall to be processed or levelled, wherein the operation of the levelling tool includes its sliding along the guide surfaces of the device.

The device allows fast and easy set up a work environment for constructing or building levelled surfaces.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The drawings illustrate generally, by way of example, but not by way of limitation,

various embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 1 illustrates devices (1) installed between a floor (30) and a ceiling (31) so that all three devices (1) are levelled in one vertical plane for further processing of a wall building it in one common vertical plane.

FIG. 2 is a side view of four devices (1) arranged next to each other. Some features of the devices (1) are illustrated transparent for ease of representation.

FIG. 3 illustrates one end portion (5; 6) of a telescopic bar (2) with a foot (10) connected thereto.

FIG. 4 illustrates the same end portion (5; 6) of the telescopic bar (2) with a foot (10) as seen in FIG. 3 , but in transparent view for ease of representation.

FIG. 5 illustrates another end portion (5; 6) of a telescopic bar (2) with a foot (10) connected thereto.

FIG. 6 illustrates a middle portion of a telescopic bar (2) where one tube (4) is inserted into another tube (3).

FIG. 7 illustrates the same middle portion of a telescopic bar (2) as seen in FIG. 6 , but in transparent view for ease of representation.

FIG. 8 illustrates another or first end portion (5) of a telescopic bar (2) with a foot (10) connected thereto.

FIG. 9 illustrates the same first end portion (5) of the telescopic bar (2) with a foot (10) as seen in FIG. 8 , but in transparent view for ease of representation.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 illustrates a system for levelling a wall. The system comprises three devices (1) for levelling a wall. The devices (1) are set in one level so that a vertical plane or surface is formed in relation to which the wall (32) can be made according to a pre-set level. The vertical level is set by movement of telescopic bar (2) of the device (1) in relation to the feet (10) of the same device (1). The devices are arranged, adjusted and pretensioned between a floor (30) and a ceiling (31). The wall (32) is processed or build according to the pre-set level by means of the device (1) and by operating a levelling tool (40) along the guide surfaces (8) of two or three devices (1). In provided embodiment, the levelling tool (40) is a plasterer with a feather edge. The levelling tool (40) bears against the guide surfaces (8) allowing to move the tool (40) along the wall (32) in one consistent plane.
FIG. 2 illustrates one embodiment of the invention. Some features of the devices (1) are transparent for ease of representation and understanding the invention. Each device (1) comprises a telescopic bar (2) assembled from two tubes (3; 4), which can slide one inside another. The telescopic bar (2) with its tubes (3; 4) comprises a first end portion (5) and a second end portion (6). The telescopic bar (2) further comprises an adjusting and locking device (7) configured to adjust and to lock the tubes (3; 4) of the telescopic bar (2) in a necessary length. One of the tubes (4) comprises an additional tube (9), which has the same dimensions as another tube (3). This allows to utilize identical feet (10) and its parts for both end sections (5; 6) facilitation manufacturing and assembly of the device (1).
FIG. 3 illustrates one end portion (6) of the telescopic bar (2) with the foot (10) connected thereto. FIG. 4 illustrates the same end portion (6) of the telescopic bar (2) with a foot (10) as seen in FIG. 3 , but transparent for ease of representation and understanding. The foot (10) comprises a connection and guide mechanism (20) slidably connecting each foot (10) to the second end portion (6) of the tube (3) of the telescopic bar (2) so that the telescopic bar (2) is able to move in relation to the foot (10). The connection and guide mechanism (20) comprises at least two rollers (21) rotatably connected to the second end portion (6) of the telescopic bar (2) so that rollers (21) can roll along the foot (10). The connection and guide mechanism (20) comprises a foot bar (22) fixed to the foot (10) and extending in a direction towards the tube (3) of the telescopic bar (2) and into it. The foot bar (22) at its free end comprises a threaded hole (23). The connection and guide mechanism (20) comprises a threaded shaft (24) rotatably connected to the telescopic bar (2) and engaged with the threaded hole (23) of the foot bar (22) so that rotational movement of the threaded shaft (24) through the engagement of the threaded hole (23) of the foot bar (22) is transferred into linear motion of the telescopic bar (2) along the foot (10). In one end of the threaded shaft (24) a retention element (26) is installed so that the threaded shaft (24) may rotate and be held within the second end section (6) of the tube (3). In another end of the threaded shaft (24) a knob (25) is installed allowing easily to rotate the threaded shaft (24).
FIG. 5 illustrates first end portion (5) of a telescopic bar (2) with a foot (10) connected thereto. In this embodiment of the invention the tube (4) is supplemented by an additional tube (9) so that both end sections (5; 6) are identical. The tubes (3; 4) are adjusted by an adjusting and locking device (7) and rotation of adjustment knob (73) as seen in FIGS. 5 to 7 .
FIG. 6 illustrates a middle portion of a telescopic bar (2) where one tube (4) is inserted into another tube (3). FIG. 7 illustrates the same middle portion of a telescopic bar (2) as seen in FIG. 6 , but transparent for ease of representation and understanding. The adjusting and locking device (7) is a rack (71) and pinion (72) mechanism. The rack (71) is rotatably installed in one tube (3; 4) of the telescopic bar (2) and the pinion (72) is fixed to another tube (3; 4) of the telescoping bar (2) so that a rotation of the rack (71) provides interrelated linear movement between the tubes (3;4) of the telescopic bar (2). The knob (73) is attached to the rack (71) easing a rotation of the rack (71). The adjusting and locking device (7) may be further equipped with a lock so that after adjustment of tubes (3; 4) in a necessary length, the tubes (3; 4) can be locked in that position.
FIG. 8 illustrates another or first end portion (5) of a telescopic bar (2) with a foot (10) connected thereto. FIG. 9 illustrates the same first end portion (5) of the telescopic bar (2) with a foot (10) as seen in FIG. 8 , but transparent for ease of representation and understanding. The connection and guide mechanism (20) in FIGS. 8 and 9 is identical to the one in FIGS. 3 and 4 .
While the invention may be susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments of which have been shown by way of example in the figures and have been described in detail herein, it should be understood that the invention is not intended to be limited to the particular forms disclosed. Rather, the invention includes all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the scope of the invention as defined by the following claims.

Claims

1. A device (1) for levelling a wall or similar vertical surface, wherein the device (1) comprises:

a telescopic bar (2) formed of at least two tubes (3; 4), which can slide one inside another, and wherein the telescopic bar (2) comprises a first end portion (5) and a second end portion (6), wherein the telescopic bar (2) further comprises an adjusting and locking device (7) configured to adjust and to lock the tubes (3: 4) of the telescopic bar (2) in a necessary length;

two feet (10), wherein each foot (10) comprises a connection and guide mechanism (20) slidably connecting each foot (10) to respective the first end portion (5) and the second end portion (6) of the telescopic bar (2) so that the telescopic bar (2) is able to move in relation to the foot (10);

wherein the connection and guide mechanism (20) comprises:

at least two rollers (21) rotatably connected to the end portion (5; 6) of the telescopic bar (2) so that rollers (21) can roll along the foot (10);

a foot bar (22) fixed to the foot (10) and extending in a direction towards the telescopic bar (2) and into it, wherein the foot bar (22) comprises a threaded hole (23);

a threaded shaft (24) rotatably connected to the telescopic bar (2) and engaged with the threaded hole (23) of the foot bar (22) so that rotational movement of the threaded shaft (24) through the engagement of the threaded hole (23) of the foot bar (22) is transferred into linear motion of the telescopic bar (2) along the foot (10).

2. The device (1) according to claim 1, wherein the adjusting and locking device (7) is a rack (71) and pinion (72) mechanism, wherein the rack (71) is rotatably installed in one tube (3; 4) of the telescopic bar (2) and the pinion (72) is fixed to another tube (3; 4) of the telescoping bar (2) so that a rotation of the rack (71) provides interrelated linear movement between the tubes (3;4) of the telescopic bar (2).

3. The device (1) according to claim 1, wherein the tube (3; 4) is square tube or rectangular tube.

4. The device (1) according to claim 1, wherein one side of the tube (3; 4) is a guide surface (8) for guiding a wall levelling device (40).

5. The device (1) according to claim 4, wherein an additional guide insert is attached to the guide surface (8) further facilitating a guidance of the wall levelling device (40).

6. The device (1) according to claim 1, wherein one of the tubes (3; 4) has smaller cross section than another one (3; 4) so that one of the tubes (3; 4) can be inserted into another one (3; 4) providing telescopic function of the telescopic bar (2), and wherein the tube (3; 4) with the smaller cross section comprises an additional tube (9) at its end portion (5; 6).

7. A system for levelling a wall or similar vertical surface, wherein the system comprises at least two devices (1) according to claim 1, wherein the devices (1) are arranged between the floor (30) and the ceiling (31) and in a such a vertical position that both guide surfaces (8) of both devices (1) are levelled vertically forming one vertical virtual plane.

8. The system according to claim 7, wherein the system comprises a levelling tool (40) arranged between at least two devices (1) bearing on the guide surfaces (8) of the devices (1) so that levelling of the wall (32) may be performed by known building methods and satisfactory levelled wall (32) is obtained.

9. A method for levelling a wall or similar vertical surface, wherein the method comprises the following steps:

providing at least two devices (1) according to claim 1;

arranging each device (1) in a proximity of a wall (32) to be levelled and between the floor (30) and the ceiling (31);

levelling each device (1) vertically by adjustment of the telescopic bar (2) in relation to the respective feet (10) of the same device (1), wherein each device (1) is vertically levelled to each other so that vertical plane is formed between the guide surfaces (8) of the devices (1); and

levelling the wall (32) by operation of the levelling tool (40) along the wall (32) to be levelled, wherein the operation of the levelling tool (40) includes its sliding along the guide surfaces (8) of the devices (1).