Tile leveling system

Abstract

Tile leveling system (100) for leveling adjacent paving slabs (F) separated by a joint, in particular tiles, comprising: a) a support element (110) with a base plate (111) for arrangement below the covering plates (F) and a stem (112) projecting from the base plate (111) which has a threaded section (GA), b) a tension element (120) for arrangement above the covering plates (F) with a coupling piece (123) which has an internal thread (IG) that can be screwed onto the threaded section (GA), characterized in that the coupling piece (123) is radially elastically expandable and / or the threaded section (GA) is radially elastically compressible.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a tile leveling system for adjusting the height between adjacent covering slabs, for example between floor tiles.

[0002] A tile leveling system is known, for example, from EP 3 567 183 B1. This system comprises a support element with a base plate that can be positioned below adjacent floor tiles, with a stem projecting from the base plate through the joint between the tiles into the space above the tiles. A pull element can then be screwed onto an external thread of the stem to clamp the tiles between the base plate and the pull element, thus eliminating height differences between the tiles.

[0003] Against this background, the object of the present invention was to provide means for easier leveling of paving slabs.

[0004] This problem is solved by a tile leveling system according to claim 1. Advantageous embodiments are contained in the dependent claims.

[0005] The tile leveling system according to the invention serves to equalize the height between adjacent covering panels, for example floor tiles, that are separated from each other by a joint. It comprises the following components: a) A support element with a base plate for placement beneath the paving slabs and a stem projecting from the base plate, which has a threaded section. When using the tile leveling system, the stem typically extends through the joint between the paving slabs into the space above them, making the threaded section accessible. The threaded section is generally an external thread. b) A tension element for arrangement (and application) in the space above the covering slabs, wherein the tension element has a coupling piece which has an internal thread that can be screwed onto the threaded section of the support element.

[0006] The tile leveling system is characterized by the fact that the coupling piece is radially elastically expandable and / or that the threaded section of the support element is radially elastically compressible.

[0007] By radially expanding the coupling piece with the internal thread, the effective diameter of the internal thread increases. This allows the internal thread to be quickly slid along the threaded section of the stem and positioned as desired without any screwing. This significantly simplifies the use of the tile leveling system. The same effect is achieved if the threaded section of the support element's stem is radially elastically compressible. By reducing the radius, the coupling piece can then be quickly positioned as desired without screws. The following discussion focuses primarily on the first design variant – a radially expandable coupling piece. However, the considerations presented generally apply analogously to the additional or alternative design of the threaded section in a compressible form.

[0008] The radial expandability of the coupling piece can be achieved in various ways. In particular, the coupling piece can have at least one dividing slot extending axially along the internal thread. In other words, the turns of the internal thread are not continuous (multiple) but are repeatedly interrupted by the at least one dividing slot. By pulling apart this interruption, the internal thread can thus be expanded. Preferably, the coupling piece contains two, three, or more such dividing slots.

[0009] According to another embodiment, the coupling piece consists of at least two sections that are movable relative to each other (preferably elastically) and together form the internal thread. By moving the sections apart, the diameter of the internal thread can be increased to disengage it from the external thread on the stem of the support element. The coupling piece can be divided into two or more sections, in particular, by two or more dividing slots of the type mentioned above.

[0010] Even if the coupling piece in the aforementioned embodiment has several sections that are movable relative to each other, it is preferably still a single, continuous piece. For example, the sections can extend from a common support (via elastic connections). In particular, the sections can project from a base ring via supports. The base ring can optionally be designed such that it can be arranged around the stem of the support element, with the sections of the coupling piece projecting from it in the direction of the stem.

[0011] Leveling the paving slabs serves to align them as precisely and evenly as possible during the installation process, while the installation material (tile mortar, tile adhesive, etc.) is still wet. Once cured, however, the support element can usually no longer be removed from the underside of the paving slabs. Therefore, the base plate of the support element is typically used as a permanent component, and only the stem extending beyond the top of the slab is separated. To facilitate this separation, the support element preferably has a predetermined breaking point between the base plate and the stem.

[0012] The tile leveling system can also include a contact element as an additional component. This contact element, when the system is in use, can be positioned between the tensioning element and the tiles, making contact with them. The contact element can be designed to exhibit desired properties when in contact with the tiles. For example, it can be made of a relatively soft material to avoid damaging the surface of the tiles.

[0013] In a further development of the contact element, a sliding surface is formed between it and the tension element. This means that the tension element can bear against the contact element (and the contact element, in turn, bears against the lining plates), and that the tension element can slide with minimal friction over the sliding surface of the contact element during a screwing motion. This prevents direct sliding on the lining plates, thus minimizing the risk of damage to the lining plates.

[0014] Additionally or alternatively, the contact element can have a non-slip surface on the area facing the paving slabs that comes into contact with them. For example, it can have a rough surface and / or a rubber-like coating. This ensures that the contact element does not rotate relative to the paving slabs when the tensioning element is screwed onto the stem of the support element.

[0015] Optionally, the contact element can also have at least one projection that can be positioned in the joint between adjacent paving slabs, thus preventing the contact element from rotating.

[0016] In a specific embodiment, the contact element can be flat. For example, it can take the form of a more or less thin piece of paper, a film, or a plate, which is arranged around the stem of the support element and placed on the covering plates.

[0017] In another specific embodiment, the contact element can be cylindrical and thus have a larger volume. Such a contact element can be reusable multiple times and is therefore particularly suitable for professional users.

[0018] The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to an exemplary embodiment and the accompanying figures. These figures show: Fig. 1 a schematic section through a tile leveling system according to the invention in its state of use; Fig. 2 a first perspective view of the pull element of the tile leveling system; Fig. 3 a second perspective view of the train element of Fig. 2; Fig. 4 a first perspective view of the contact element of the tile leveling system; Fig. 5 a second perspective view of the contact element of Fig. 4; Fig. 6 a schematic perspective view of an alternative, leaf-like contact element.

[0019] In Fig. Figure 1 schematically shows a tile leveling system 100 according to the invention in a cross-sectional view. This system serves to equalize the height between two adjacent tiles F separated by a joint when laying covering slabs such as floor tiles.

[0020] The tile leveling system 100 comprises a support element 110 with a flat (e.g., ring-shaped or circular) base plate 111, which can be positioned on the undersides of adjacent tiles F. A stem 112 extends vertically upwards from the base plate 111 approximately in the center. This stem is narrow enough to fit through the joint between the tiles. Optionally, the stem can be precisely the desired joint width. The stem 112 extends upwards beyond the top surface of the tiles F. At least in this upper section, the stem has a threaded section GA with an external thread.

[0021] The internal thread of a tensioning element 120 can then be screwed onto the aforementioned external thread, functioning essentially like a nut. By tightening the tensioning element 120, the tiles F can be clamped between the base plate 111 and the tensioning element 120, thus leveling them. After the tile mortar / adhesive has hardened, the tensioning element 120 can be removed from the stem 112, and the stem 112 is broken off from the base plate 111 along a predetermined breaking point, with the latter remaining as a discarded element beneath the tiles.

[0022] In the Fig. 2 and Fig. Figure 3 shows the tension element 120 according to an exemplary embodiment of the tile leveling system 100. This system has a base ring 121 from which three supports 122, spaced evenly apart by 120°, project vertically upwards. The supports 122 bend at their upper end towards the central axis of the base ring 121 and are each widened in a shell-like shape at this point, with the three widenings together forming a coupling piece 123 with an internal thread IG. The tension element 120 can be screwed onto the threaded section GA of the support element 110 using this coupling piece 123 and its internal thread IG.

[0023] Since the coupling piece 123 consists of three sections separated by dividing slots S, it can be expanded radially elastically. This allows the diameter of its internal thread to be enlarged and temporarily disengaged from the threaded section GA, enabling the tensioning element to be positioned at the desired location on the thread in a single step. Therefore, the tensioning element 120 does not need to be laboriously screwed onto the stem 112 until it comes into contact with the tiles F to be leveled. This significantly simplifies and speeds up the application process.

[0024] The Fig. 4 and Fig. Figure 5 shows an optionally applicable contact element 130. This can be positioned between the tension element 120 and the paving slabs F, thus establishing the actual contact with the paving slabs. The contact element 130 has a central through-opening through which the stem of a support element can be guided. Optionally, the contact element 130 is provided with projections 133 on its underside, which can be positioned in the joint between two tiles, thereby preventing rotation of the contact element. Furthermore, the contact surface of the contact element facing the tiles can preferably be made of a relatively soft and slip-resistant material to prevent damage to the tiles.

[0025] On its upper side, the contact element 130 is provided with a dome-shaped protrusion which fits into the space between the supports 122 of the tension element 120.

[0026] The annular surface of the contact element 130 facing the base ring 121 of the tension element 120 is preferably designed as a smooth sliding surface 134. A low-friction sliding contact takes place on this surface during a forward movement of the tension element 120.

[0027] Fig. Figure 6 schematically shows a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a simple contact element 130'. This element essentially consists of a flat piece of material – for example, (preferably perforated) paper, a film, or a thin sheet – with a central opening through which the stem of a support element can be guided in the operating state. The underside of the contact element 130' facing the contact plates is preferably designed to be slip-resistant, for example, by means of a rubber-like coating, while the upper side facing the tension element forms a sliding surface 134' that is as smooth as possible.

[0028] In summary, this provides a tile leveling system that allows for quick threaded adjustment via a variable 3-bar locking and opening system. A top part (pulling element) can simply be pressed into the thread of a support element and then, by turning it, the tiles can be clamped securely at any height.

[0029] Subsequent detachment from the support element is very easy by pulling it up on just one support 122.

[0030] An optional contact element (intermediate piece, e.g., for high-quality tiles) can be provided cost-effectively and environmentally friendly using a special perforated and single-sided coated paper. The single-sided coating ensures excellent adhesion (to the tile), while the other side (uncoated) allows for good rotation of the pulling element.

[0031] The system is variable: It can either consist only of a tension element and a support element, or optionally include a contact element (e.g., a paper spacer or a solid plastic spacer).

[0032] Furthermore, the system may optionally include additional tools, such as a rod hook (for example, a small hook attached to a rod to release the pulling elements from the support elements while walking without bending over) or a cordless screwdriver attachment (with a rod and a suitable attachment for the pulling element to create release by applying excessive torque). QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents cited by the applicant was automatically generated and is included solely for the reader's convenience. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA accepts no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] EP 3 567 183 B1

[0002]

Claims

[1] Tile leveling system (100) for leveling adjacent paving slabs (F), in particular tiles, separated by a joint, comprising: a) a support element (110) with a base plate (111) for arrangement below the covering plates (F) and a stem (112) projecting from the base plate (111) which has a threaded section (GA), b) a tension element (120) for arrangement above the covering plates (F) with a coupling piece (123) which has an internal thread (IG) that can be screwed onto the threaded section (GA), characterized by , that the coupling piece (123) is radially elastically expandable and / or the threaded section (GA) is radially elastically compressible. [2] Tile leveling system (100) according to claim 1, characterized by , that the coupling piece (123) has at least one dividing slot (S) extending in the axial direction of its internal thread (IG). [3] Tile leveling system (100) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by , that the coupling piece (123) consists of at least two parts that are movable relative to each other and together form the internal thread (IG). [4] Tile leveling system (100) according to claim 3, characterized by , that the sections protrude from a base ring (121) via supports (122). [5] Tile leveling system (100) according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the support element (110) has a predetermined breaking point between the base plate (111) and the stem (112). [6] Tile leveling system (100) according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that it further includes a contact element (130, 130') which in the operating state is arranged between the tension element (120) and the lining plates (F) and contacts the lining plates (F). [7] Tile leveling system (100) according to claim 6, characterized by, that a sliding surface (134, 134') is formed between the contact element (130, 130') and the tension element (120). [8] Tile leveling system (100) according to claim 6 or 7, characterized by , that the contact element (130, 130') is designed to be slip-resistant on its surface facing the covering plates (F) and / or has a projection (133) that can be arranged in the joint between the covering plates. [9] Tile leveling system (100) according to at least one of claims 6 to 8, characterized by , that the contact element (130, 130') is planar or cylindrical.

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