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Permanent tile spacer

a permanent tile and spacer technology, applied in the field of tile installation, can solve the problems of unusable level floors, high cost and labor of each device, and difficult installation for most installers, and achieve the effect of saving installers and consumers time, cost and labor, and accurate spacing

Inactive Publication Date: 2005-11-24
SERROS RON +1
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  • Summary
  • Abstract
  • Description
  • Claims
  • Application Information

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0010] A primary advantage of the present invention is that by using the new tile spacer it saves the installer and consumer time, cost, and labor, because the spacer is not removed.
[0011] Another advantage of the present invention is that the new spacer maintains accurate spacing between tiles mounted on vertical surfaces, such as walls.

Problems solved by technology

This task is very time consuming and can be fairly difficult for most installers.
Each of these devices are very expensive compared to the present invention and would be unuseable on level floors.

Method used

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  • Permanent tile spacer
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Embodiment Construction

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[0018]FIG. 1 shows the preferred configuration of the new spacer 10. This configuration is similar to the prior art rubber spacers, a cross configuration or at least two radially extending legs 12 and a common junction 14. In addition to the cross configuration, the spacers can be configured in an “I”, “T” or “V” configuration, depending on the particular style of tile or installation (not shown). However, the new spacers are constructed from a material that adheres to the mastic or adhesive that is spread onto the surface prior to setting the tile. The preferred material also preferably has the properties of not expanding or contracting or expanding and contracting similarly to the adhesive or grout material. Additionally, the preferred material does not absorb moisture or expand, contract or degrade when exposed to moisture. Thus, the preferred material for constructing the spacers is the adhesive or mastic material. These include thin set mortar, bonding mortar, flexible bonding...

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PUM

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Abstract

A tile spacer for maintaining a substantially similar space between laid tiles that is not removed and thus, remains a permanent part of a tile installation. The preferred spacers have a height of less than a height of an adjoining tile for providing a space of grouting material. The preferred spacers are made from a material that adheres to the tile adhesive or mastic, and also adheres to the grouting material thus, the preferred material is the adhesive material. The preferred spacer material also has properties to maintain the size, configuration and integrity of the spacer thus, substantially prohibiting the expansion or contraction of the material due to temperature or humidity.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0001] 1. Field of the Invention (Technical Field) [0002] The invention relates to the installation of tile and more particularly to permanently mounted tile spacers used for the installation of tile. [0003] 2. Background Art [0004] For most tile installations, the surface to be tiled is prepared and an adhesive material is applied to the prepared surface. The initial tiles are then placed on the adhesive. Prior to placing tiles adjacent to the tiles mounted on the surface most installers apply a spacer. Presently, in tile installation, plastic or rubber spacers or the like are used to keep the spacing between tiles consistent. This same process is used for tiles installed on a perpendicular surface as well as vertical surfaces. Once the entire section is tiled, the adhesive under the tiles is allowed to cure for a specified period of time. Then the installers must remove the spacers. This task is very time consuming and can be fairly difficult for most i...

Claims

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Application Information

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IPC IPC(8): E04F13/14E04F15/02E04F15/08E04H12/34
CPCE04F13/142E04F15/08E04F15/02005E04F15/02016E04F15/02022
Inventor SERROS, RONMILAM, EDWARD
Owner SERROS RON