WO2011045569A2

WO2011045569A2 - Paving or tiling aid

Info

Publication number: WO2011045569A2
Application number: PCT/GB2010/001912
Authority: WO
Inventors: Vincent Craig Woodward
Original assignee: Vin-Tech Industries Limited
Priority date: 2009-10-14
Filing date: 2010-10-13
Publication date: 2011-04-21
Also published as: GB0917954D0; GB201104990D0; WO2011045569A3

Abstract

A paving or tiling aid (10) comprising an elongate body (20) having an end support part (25) and a blade support part (30) beyond the said end support part, and comprising at least one elongate blade member (45) adjustably carried by and lying along the said blade support part, and blade adjustment and fixing means (50) capable of adjusting and releasably fixing the extent to which the blade member projects laterally from the said blade support part.

Description

Paving or Tiling Aid

The present invention relates generally to a paving or tiling tool and particularly to an aid for providing a level screed or other base layer upon which paving or tiling pieces will be laid.

The present invention provides a paving or tiling aid comprising an elongate body having an end support part and a blade support part beyond the said end support part, and comprising at least one elongate blade member adjustably carried by and lying along the said blade support part, and blade adjustment and fixing means capable of adjusting and releasably fixing the extent to which the blade member projects laterally from the said blade support part. The end support part of the body may be supportable in use on a guide surface extending at a predetermined level along a bed surface or paving or tiling bedding which in use a layer of material is to be spread, and the blade adjustment and fixing means may be adapted to enable the blade in use to spread the bedding material at a selected level between the blade support part of the body and the bed surface when the end support part is moved along the guide surface.

The end support part of the body may carry a lateral extension piece that is supportable in use on the said bed surface which thus acts as the said guide surface, and the blade adjustment and fixing means may be adapted to enable the blade in use to spread the bedding material at a selected level between the blade support part of the body and the bed surface.

An edge of the blade member that projects away from the said blade support part of the body in use may be angled or feathered.

The blade member may be flexible. The adjustment and fixing means may be specific fixings, such as screw threaded wing knobs. Alternatively or additionally the blade may be adjusted and fixed by a friction fit, clamping means or the like. The said member may be made of plastics material, such as polypropylene.

The elongate body may carry a spirit level or other levelling indicator to assist level movement of the aid in use. The inclusion of a spirit level or the like allows the tool to revert to being a basic level, particularly in embodiments where the blade can be fully retracted/raised so it does not project beyond the edge of the body. An extended rear plate covering at least the majority of the surface-contacting edge of the body may be useful for this purpose. The aid may have a wear resist attached to cover at least partly the said end support part of the body. The wear resist may be releasably attached, such as by spring or interference fit, to the end support part to enable replacement of worn wear resists.

The blade support part may include a slot into and out of which the blade can be retracted and extended. In other embodiments the blade fits onto the outside of the body and is movable with respect thereto.

The present invention also provides a method of paving or tiling, wherein an aid as described herein is moved along the guide surface to spread the layer of bedding material at a selected level on the bed surface.

The screeding member may comprise one or more teeth, which will produce a corrugated substrate. The teeth may be inclined. The bedding material may be, for example, a paving bedding mixture or a tile adhesive composition.

Some advantages of the present invention are as follows:

No more guessing the level of the bed.

2. No more lifting the bedding to add or take away bedding.

3. No more broken paving through excessive hitting to get the paviours in place.

4, No more rocking corners as the bed is perfect every time. The present invention may benefit professional tradesmen and the DIY enthusiast.

The present invention will now be more particularly described, by way of example, with respect to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows a tool formed according to an embodiment of the present invention and an associated carry case;

Figure 2 is a front elevation of the tool of Figure 1 ; Figure 3 is a magnified view of a blade support part of the tool of Figure 1 ;

Figure 4 is a front elevation of the tool of Figure 1 shown with a blade in a fully withdrawn position; Figure 5 is a front elevation of the tool of Figure 1 shown with a blade in a fully extended position;

Figure 6 is a plan view of the tool of Figure 1 ; Figure 7 is an underplan view of the tool of Figure 1 ;

Figure 8 is a front elevation of the tool of Figure 1 shown with a blade member removed;

Figure 9 is a perspective view of the blade for use as part of the tool of Figures 1 to 8;

Figure 10 is a perspective view of a wear plate forming part of the tool of Figures 1 to 8;

Figures 1 1 to 14 illustrate the working of the tool of Figures 1 to 8 with a grit sand screed for block paving; and

Figures 15 and 16 illustrate the working of the tool of Figures 1 to 8 with a cement screed for paving slabs.

Figure 17 is a front elevation of a blade formed according to an alternative embodiment;

Figure 18 is a section of the blade of Figure 17;

Figure 19 is a front elevation of a blade formed according to an alternative embodiment; and

Figures 20 to 24 show end section, side section, end elevation, plan, and underplan views of an end cap formed according to an alternative embodiment

Referring first to Figure 1 there is shown a paving or tiling tool generally indicated 10 and an associated cover 15. The tool 10 comprises an elongate body 20 having a generally rectangular cross-section which in this embodiment is formed from Aluminium. Referring now also to Figures 2 to 1 1 , the body comprises an end support part 25 at one side and a screed member support part 30 at the other side. The end support part includes a wear plate 35 which is fitted onto the 'bottom' of the body i.e. the face of the body which will be in contact with the ground, paving member or other surface in use. The plate 35 is removably attached to the body so that it can be replaced if damaged. The end support part 25 includes an oval-shaped hole 40 which has a rubber insert 41 and serves as a handle in use. The screed member support part 30 extends from the end support part 25 and comprises, in this embodiment, approximately 70% of the length of the body. In other embodiments the ratio of the length of the end support and screed member support parts may be different. The support part houses a screed member or blade 45. The member 45 is slidably received in the part 30 and can be extended or retracted out of or in to the part as shown in Figures 5 and 6. The extent to which the member 45 projects laterally from the part 30 can be fixed by a pair of threaded wing knobs 50. Unscrewing the knobs 50 releases the member 45 for adjustment.

The exposed edge of the member lies substantially parallel to the part 30 and the plate 35. The minimum possible blade extent is shown in Figure 5 and the maximum is shown in Figure 6. In some embodiments the blade can be retracted fully into the part and/or can be extended and released from the part.

The lower face of the part 30 comprises a cut out 55 (as shown in Figure 7) for receiving the member. Opposite the cut out 55 the part is provided with a tubular spirit level 60.

At each end of the body the parts 25, 30 are provided with respective end caps 65. The screed member 45 is shown removed in Figure 12. The member 45 is generally rectangular with a bevelled edge 46 running along one of its longer sides. The opposite edge of the member has a notch 47 which allows the member†o fit around the level 60 when fully withdrawn. In this embodiment the member is formed from polypropylene.

Part of the wear plate 35 is shown removed in Figure 13. The plate has a shallow generally U-shape section with both legs inclined inwards so that in use it can be fitted onto the end part with an interference fit like a shoe.

Referring now to Figure 14 to 19 the tool is described in use.

Lay a datum paving area 80 using the tool as a normal spirit level allowing you to set both the fall and the cross falls (Figure 1 1 ).

Then insert the screed member and set to the depth required depending on what paviours you are laying (allow your bed to come up approximately 3-5mm higher than the depth of the paviour). For example, for a 35mm paviour you would set the member at 30-32mm (this is for a motor screed bed) .

Place your bedding down where you are about to lay, put the counter balance down on the paving and slide the tool along the datum paviour. The handle gives an easy grip allowing you to push down while holding the other end gently, helping guide the screed across the bedding. The level allows you to keep an eye on the levels as you screed. This leaves you with the perfect bed every time.

Then simply lift your paviour into position, tap in the centre of the top to consolidate the bed underneath and then move on the next one and then next etc until all paving is laid. If you are using a grit sand screed you simply screed to the bottom of the paviour each time compacting in every instance once all the previous are in place. In this embodiment the tool will screed up to 930mm width by whatever length you require. If you are laying a 300mm slab, for example, then you can screed just over so you prepare the bed for whatever size paving you are laying and can keep your work tidy and clean as you are working. The tool is also ideal for screeding confined areas or areas where others are working in close proximity if needed rather than having to screed large areas every time thus not restricting access while you are working.

In this embodiment the tool body is made from aluminium so it is not only light and easy to use but easy to carry around and store. It also comes in its own special carry case.

The threads are stainless steel and have nutserts to give maximum strength, bright colour to give good visibility on site. You can also use the screed as a normal level if needed. The tool comes with the adjustable polypropylene screed which is tapered (a deeper screed may also be available separately) .

The tool works on smooth and slightly riven paving. The paviours should all be calibrated i.e. generally the same thickness with a smooth underside for the tool to work at its best. The datum paving area is made large enough to give a good bench mark to work from. Pulling the tool 10 across the datum area 80 causes the member to level the grit sand screed 81 and give an even base. The wear plate helps the tool to glide over the paving blocks whilst protecting the tool and the paving from damage. The tool will not only work on the above specification but on all shapes and sizes giving you the option of using it to complete any paving project.

The screeding method of the present invention works from laying the first datum paviour to the completion of a project. In Figures 15 and 16 the tool is shown used with paving slabs 85 and a cement screed 86. Referring now to Figures 17 and 18 there is shown a screed member 145 formed according to an alternative embodiment. The member 145 comprises a main body 170 with a strip 171 provided along its exposed edge. The strip 171 is provided with a plurality of teeth 1 72. The strip 171 may be separate from and attachable to the body or the teeth may be formed from the body in other embodiments.

The teeth produce a corrugated screed pattern in a bed and so could be used, for example, for tiling.

In this embodiment the teeth 172 are inclined at approximately 45 degrees to the body.

Referring now to Figure 19 there is shown a screed member 245 formed according to an alternative embodiment.

The member 245 is similar to the member 145 in that it comprises a main body 270 (formed from polypropylene) and a screed strip 271 (formed from steel) which is fixed along one edge of the body. The strip has a plurality of spaced generally triangular teeth 272.

Referring now to Figures 20 to 24 there is shown an end cap 365 formed according to an alternative embodiment.

The cap 365 is provided with a fixing screw 366 which can be used to attach a screeding tool to a surface. The cap 365 could be provided at either or both ends of a tool.

Claims

A paving or tiling aid comprising an elongate body having an end support part and a blade support part beyond the said end support part, and comprising at least one elongate blade member adjustably carried by and lying along the said blade support part, and blade adjustment and fixing means capable of adjusting and releasably fixing the extent to which the blade member projects laterally from the said blade support part.

A paving or tiling aid according to claim 1 , wherein the said end support part of the body is supportable in use on a guide surface extending at a predetermined level along a bed surface or paving or tiling bedding which in use a layer of material is to be spread, and wherein the said blade adjustment and fixing means are adapted to enable the blade in use to spread the bedding material at a selected level between the said blade support part of the body and the said bed surface when the end support part is moved along the guide surface.

A paving or tiling aid according to claim 2, wherein the said end support part of the body carries a lateral extension piece that is supportable in use on the said bed surface which thus acts as the said guide surface, and wherein the said blade adjustment and fixing means adapted to enable the blade in use to spread the bedding material at a selected level between the said blade support part of the body and the said bed surface.

4. A paving or tiling aid according to any preceding claim, wherein an edge of the said blade member that projects away from the said blade support part of the body in use is angled or feathered.

5. A paving or tiling aid according to any preceding claim, wherein the said blade member is flexible.

6. A paving or tiling aid according to any preceding claim, wherein the said blade member is made of plastics material, preferably polypropylene.

7. A paving or tiling aid according to any preceding claim, wherein the elongate body carries a spirit level or other levelling indicator to assist level movement of the aid in use.

8. A paving or tiling aid according to any preceding claims, having a wear resist attached to cover at least partly the said end support part of the body.

9. A paving or tiling aid according to claim 8, wherein the wear resist is releasably attached, preferably by spring or interference fit, to the said end support part to enable replacement of worn wear resists.

10. A paving or tiling aid according to any preceding claim, wherein the blade support part includes a slot into and out of which the blade can be retracted and extended.

1 1 . A method of paving or tiling, wherein an aid according to claim 2 or any claim dependent thereon is moved along the said guide surface to spread the said layer of bedding material at a selected level on the said bed surface.

12. A method according to claim 10, wherein the said bedding material is a paving bedding mixture or a tile adhesive composition.

13. A paving or tiling aid substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to, and as shown in, the accompanying drawings.

14. A method of paving or tiling substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to, and as shown in, the accompanying drawings.