Wedge leveling system

Abstract

A levelling system for aligning surface coverings includes a tab with a substantially flat base and a vertical member extending away from a central area of the top surface of the base. The base includes beveled feet portions on opposite sides thereof to allow it to be more easily inserted under lower surfaces of adjacent surface coverings, with the vertical member extending between opposed edges or ends of the tiles. The vertical member is attached to the base by reduced width frangible leg portions held in rounded openings, below the top surface of the base. The vertical member includes an opening spaced so as to be above two adjacent tiles when the tiles are placed on the base on either side of the vertical member. When a wedge is inserted and held in the opening and presses down, the tiles are pushed downwardly toward a surface upon which they are being laid to properly align the edges thereof until the tiles are set, the wedge removed and the vertical member broken off at the frangible leg portions.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION1. Field of the Invention[0001]This invention generally relates to a wedge leveling system for laying tile and other surface protective coverings on a surface and more specifically to a tab for use with a wedge to prevent misalignment or lippage of tiles and the like when being laid on the surface.2. Description of the Prior Art[0002]Many tile and surface protective covering spacing and leveling devices and methods for using the same are known. Examples of such devices and methods are set forth in U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,992,354, 8,671,628 and 8,800,246. These prior art devices and methods for aligning tile and ensuring the edges of adjacent tiles are levelled include levelling devices having a base which is placed below the lower surfaces of two adjacent tiles. The base has a vertical member extending upwardly therefrom and inserted between side edges of the two tiles. The vertical member includes an opening therein and is attached to the base by one or more fra...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The present invention provides an improved tile levelling system with a tab that can be easily inserted between adjacent tiles to align their edges. The tab has an opening into which a wedge can be inserted to press on the tiles. The tab also has a base with a vertical member that can be easily inserted between the tiles. The tab has frangible elements that can be easily separated from the base to prevent incorrect positioning of the tiles. The invention provides an integrated design that is easier to use, uses less material, and reduces the risk of incorrect positioning of the frangible elements.

Problems solved by technology

These known devices tend to be expensive to use, have frangible connections in or above the base at different positions in relation to the side edges of the two tiles and do not always provide acceptable and consistent results without the use of additional spacers or other devices or tools.

Images