DEVICE FOR ALIGNING TILES

Description

[0001] The subject of the invention is a device for aligning, pulling apart and arranging tiles of various weights and sizes (including large formats), with which floors, walls, facades and ceilings are lined, as well as for their precise positioning in space.

[0002] The interior and exterior surfaces of objects (especially their floors and walls) are often protected, covered and at the same time decorated with materials consisting of numerous similar elements, i.e. ceramic, vinyl or stone. They are usually laid on a hardened substrate (or adhesive) and spaced apart by a small gap. Various devices to facilitate their even placement are known.

[0003] Thus, for example, from an American invention filed for protection on 24.03.2008 in USPTO (United States Patent and Trademark Office) an invention is known no. US 7,992,354 B2 "Device for leveling and aligning tiles and method for leveling and aligning tiles", in which a tile leveling device has been presented. The device includes a main member (perpendicular to the surface to be enclosed). This element is known from the state of the art and commonly used (in the filed solution, its equivalent is spacer 3). This device also has a first section extending transversely from said member, on which section the first tile is supported. It also has a second section extending (also transversely from the main member) in a direction opposite to the first section, on which section the second tile is supported and arranged. The device also has a member for penetrating the main member, which is inserted into the main member, perpendicular thereto and parallel to the target level of the tiles, the inserted member exerting pressure on the tiles to align them with each other.

[0004] The method for aligning tiles has been presented in the abovementioned invention as well.

[0005] From another invention filed for protection in USPTO on 25.10.2013 an invention patented under no. US 8,887,475 B2 is known, titled "Leveling and aligning device for installing tiles". Reference is made to the priority resulting from the Italian invention application filed on 30.10.2012 no. IT B02012A0503, protected by patent no. IT 0001413954.

[0006] EP3789560A1 discloses a device showing the features of the preamble of claim 1.

[0007] A leveling and aligning device for installing tiles is described therein, comprising: a main body having a supporting base and at least one vertical member connected to the supporting base along a preferential fracturing line and extending along an axis substantially perpendicular to the base, wherein the vertical member has a substantially plane main shape having a predetermined thickness and a leveling wedge. The first vertical member has an opening extending from the supporting base, constructed and arranged to receive the leveling wedge and a contact portion constructed and arranged to engage with the leveling wedge.

[0008] It has been assumed that the basic essential feature of the abovementioned solution is that the first vertical member comprises at least one pair of first side tabs, extending parallel to the axis, having a thickness greater than the thickness of the first vertical member. The pair of first side tabs may be interposable between two tiles facing each other, for forming a spacing distance between the two tiles at a relative thickness.

[0009] From another solution filed for protection in USPTO on 08.08.2020 a device is known, patented under no. US 11,242,688 B2, titled "Device for leveling tiles". The device has following components: a traction member 12, including a base 13 configured to be inserted below two or more of tiles to be levelled which are adjacent at mutual edges (the "base" element is, in principle, known from the state of the art, whereas in the applied solution its equivalent is "base 7", but it also has a different shape and fulfils a different role) and a C-shaped element 15 extending from said base - it is a typical vertical element, i.e. an equivalent of the elements known from the state of the art (in the solution filed for protection its equivalent is "spacer 3" with "wall 8" of a different shape and different function), in the described solution known in the state of the art - the C-shaped element has at least two wings (wings 16a and 16b), wherein the free ends of said wings are attached to said base (whereas in the applied solution there are no "wings 16a" and "16b", but differently constructed columns 6, since in the applied solution they have "undercuts 10"), as well as a wedge 11 having a surface with a serrated profile for interaction with said traction member 12 at an edge of a core of said C-shaped element, wherein the wedge-like element is also well known and used (in the solution filed for protection its equivalent is "wedge 5").

[0010] The protected feature of the solution described herein known in the state of the art is that said wedge 11 is insertable inside said

[0011] C-shaped element between at least two wings thereof and the base of the said traction member has a teardrop-shaped profile.

[0012] According to experience, the described "wings" are weak and unreliable, their strength is questionable, whereas the "undercut 10", being an essential feature of the developed invention, is successfully tested and verified.

[0013] From another invention filed for protection in Italy on 22.05.2020 a device is known, patented under no. EP 3 913 164 B1, titled "Levelling spacer device". The levelling spacer device for the laying of slab-shaped products for coating surfaces, comprising: at least one base having a lower surface and an opposite upper surface defining a support plane for two slab-shaped products placed side by side; a spacer bridge perimetrically delimiting a through opening adapted to be crossed by a pressure wedge along a crossing direction, wherein the bridge is provided with: at least two legs placed side by side between each other along a flanking direction orthogonal to the crossing direction and each one projecting from a respective portion of the upper surface of the base, in a direction orthogonal thereto, wherein each leg of the bridge is frangibly connected to the respective base portion; and a crosspiece, which joins the top of the two legs along the flanking direction; wherein each leg has an inner sidewall and an opposite outer sidewall converging on each other.

[0014] The majority of the components of the so far known solutions cannot be reused as they are mostly destroyed after the task, i.e. after alignment of the surface of the arranged elements, binder concentration and during their removal. It is also usually not easy to disconnect the disassembled elements from each other.

[0015] There are also known devices in the state of the art which provide the possibility to determine the reference points of the laser beam which greatly facilitates space planning. In order to be able to make precise measurements using lasers - it is necessary to have high accuracy readings in their broad spectrum.

[0016] The aim of the presented invention is to develop a device in which an excellent part of the components can be reused many times, the operation of which will be functional, but which will also be enriched with new, necessary and not obvious functions, including enabling precise setting of the laser beam and making the correct exposure with its help, displaying and marking points from a further distance, so that the user will avoid the risk of potential errors resulting from the manual leveling and planning of the space lined with decorative and protective elements and inaccurate measurements of this space.

[0017] The essence of the developed device for aligning tiles with a wedge is that the columns are derived from the base which is elastic along both its long and short edges and are connected to the upper wall forming the upper part of the spacer by narrowings with lateral undercuts, as the bottom of the base is flat only centrally in the middle of the base, but the sides of the base, more specifically its edges perpendicular to the columns - are curved and raised upwards.

[0018] Usually its wedge has at least two positioning holes.

[0019] The wedge, usually in at least one positioning hole, has a positioner.

[0020] The positioner has preferably at least one additional identifying feature, e.g. color or shape.

[0021] Most often at least one component of the developed device for aligning tiles is made of polypropylene (PP) plastic.

[0022] Most often at least one component of the developed device for aligning tiles is made of a copolymer comprising from 3% to 6% of added polyethylene, preferably 5% polyethylene.

[0023] The advantage of the developed solution is not only that thanks to it the edge of one tile does not protrude beyond the edge of the adjacent tile. New functionalities have been achieved in the developed device. The reference ball of the positioner determines the base point from which measurements are conveniently taken. The positioner makes space planning easier when scanned in a room, especially when the scanner is used with line light or spot light.

[0024] Positioners which can have additional components identifying their user (color and shape assigned to a person) allow to be securely affixed with an information label containing e.g. data concerning: the surface of the tiles laid, contractor / company data, date and time of work completion (which is important during the drying of adhesive 1), etc.

[0025] Positioners greatly facilitate setting reference points to determine the verticals / horizontals for laser levels.

[0026] The device for aligning tiles being the subject of the present invention has been shown in the drawings in which: fig. 1 - presents tiles glued to the substrate, aligned and evenly spaced with a spacer (so-called "clip") with an additional positioner in the perspective view from above the tiles, fig. 2 - presents a spacer - prepared for insertion under the tiles - with a wedge inserted into it and slightly raised in perspective view, fig. 3 - presents a spacer - prepared for insertion under the tiles - with a wedge inserted into it and positioning holes made in it in top view, fig. 4 - presents a spacer - prepared for insertion under the tiles - with a wedge inserted into it and a positioner with an information label placed in it in side view, fig. 5 - presents a spacer - prepared for insertion under the tiles - with a wedge inserted into it and a positioner placed in it in side view, fig. 6 - presents a spacer - prepared for insertion under the tiles - with a wedge inserted into it and a positioner placed in it in front view, i.e. from the side where the wedge is inserted into the spacer, fig. 7 - presents a spacer - prepared for insertion under the tiles - with a wedge inserted into it and raised, with a positioner placed in it and visible additional positioning holes in perspective view.

[0027] As shown in the drawings, a curing compound, resin or adhesive 2 is applied to the surface to which tile 1a and tile 1b is to be laid, and it may also be applied to the back side of each tile 1 respectively.

[0028] Tile 1a is then positioned and adhered to the substrate. Another tile 1b is then adhered to the substrate in the same manner as the first tile 1a.

[0029] In order to facilitate an even and precise spacing of one tile 1a from the other tile 1b, spacers 3 (the so-called "clips") are often used between the tiles 1a and 1b when they are deposited on the adhesive 2. They help in correct positioning of the tiles 1 despite irregularities of the substrate on which the tiles 1 are arranged (for example irregularities of the floor) and the irregularities of the applied adhesive 2 when they are applied on horizontal, vertical or sloping surfaces. At the same time, the developed device helps in leveling tiles with respect to each other when they are applied in the position that is further described, namely on the floor.

[0030] The developed and presented leveling device differs substantially from those known hitherto, although it has, like all others, an essentially vertically positioned spacer 3 in which - at the bottom thereof - an opening 4 is made, into which, when assembled, a wedge 5 is also inserted transversely (essentially horizontally).

[0031] As it has been presented in the drawing (e.g. fig. 1, fig. 2 and fig. 7), the opening 4 is made between the columns 6.

[0032] The spacer 3 also has at the bottom thereof a substantially perpendicularly connected base 7 guided in two directions, forward and backward, so that during assembly both the plate 1a and the adjacent plate 1b are supported thereon.

[0033] After the assembly, the base 7 remains under the tiles, embedded in the adhesive 2 and it is easy to detach it from the spacer 3 after completion of the work, not least because the opening 4 is positioned directly above the base 7 and, as a result of the adopted construction, the wall 8 is only connected to the base 7 in two short sections.

[0034] A new technical effect is also achieved by the fact that the columns 6 are derived from the base 7 and connected to the upper wall 8 of the spacer 3 by narrowings 9 with lateral undercuts 10 (fig. 2 and fig. 5). This feature of the new construction will be very useful after completion of the work, during disassembly of the developed device.

[0035] However, a completely unexpected technical effect has been obtained by introducing another, new feature of the developed construction which is exposed by the description of the operation of the developed device.

[0036] Therefore, as the wedge 5 is inserted more and more firmly into the opening 4, the "thicker", i.e. higher part of the wedge 5 fills the opening 4 and the wedge 5 evenly pushes away the element limiting the opening 4, i.e. pushes away slightly longitudinally and transversely balancing base 7, and through it - adjacent and located above the base - the tiles 1a and 1b, under which it was inserted and on which they are laid during assembly. Thus, the tiles 1 arranged on the spring-loaded base 7 are pressed softly but stably from above by the wedge 5 inserted into the opening 4.

[0037] The effect of balance in both directions has been achieved by forming the bottom of the base 7 in a new way. In order to better carry over the pressure exerted by the wedge 5 on the base 7 and on the adjacent tiles 1a and 1b located under the base 7 - the bottom of base 7 is not completely flat. Although centrally in the middle of the base 7 there is a flat surface, the sides of the base 7, or more specifically its edges perpendicular to the columns 6 - are curved and raised upwards. In the side view, the base 7 resembles a low letter "U" partially flattened at the bottom.

[0038] Due to the fact that in the developed solution the curved cross-section of the base 7 runs parallel to the wall 8 of the spacer 3 (i.e. it has been rotated by the angle 90° compared to known solutions), consequently, the base 7 slightly balances when it is pressed as a result of insertion of the wedge 5 and evenly and with the same force repels in both directions both tile 1a and tile 1b, situating them at the same height in the still soft adhesive 2.

[0039] Due to the recesses 11 in the base 7, but above all due to the folding of its edges and the undercuts 10 of the base 7 - the adhesive 2 better penetrates the developed device, the surface of contact and adhesion of the adhesive 2 to the plastic from which the spacer 3 is made - is larger.

[0040] The plastic from which the spacer 3 is made is: polypropylene (PP), a copolymer comprising from 3% to 6% of added polyethylene, depending on the weather conditions, usually comprising 5% polyethylene.

[0041] The used plastic is more ductile when it contains more polyethylene. The devices developed are made of the appropriate material depending on the conditions under which they are expected to be used.

[0042] PP-C is a block copolymer of polypropylene and polyethylene, also known as a block polypropylene. This type of PP material has better mechanical values than homopolymer at lower temperatures.

[0043] The working surface of the wedge 5 is serrated over its entire width which facilitates the insertion of a pin in it, as well as any made positioner 12 placed in the selected positioning hole 13. The element provides possibilities which have not been achieved so far by the devices for aligning tiles, as it makes it possible to accurately determine not only the distance between point A and point B.

[0044] The reference ball of the positioner 12 determines the base point from which the measurements are conveniently taken. It makes it easier to plan the space when it is scanned in a given room, especially when the scanner is used with line light or spot light.

[0045] Positioners which can have additional components identifying their user (color and shape assigned to a person) allow to be securely affixed with an information label (fig. 4).List of elements:

[0046] 1 -tile (1a and 1b), 2 -adhesive, 3 -spacer, the so-called "clip", 4 -opening, 5 -wedge, 6 -column, 7 -base, 8 -wall, 9 -narrowing, 10-undercut, 11 -recess, 12 -positioner, 13 -positioning hole.

Claims

1. A device for aligning tiles with a wedge and the device for aligning tiles has at the bottom a base with recesses, guided in two directions - forward and backward - and which, in this base, has an essentially vertically positioned spacer in which - at the bottom thereof - an opening is made, into which, when assembled, a wedge, serrated across its width, is inserted transversely and essentially horizontally, whereby the vertical sections of the spacer adjacent to the opening are the columns so that the spacer is only connected to the base in two short sections, whereby the columns (6) are derived from the base (7), whereby the columns (6) have narrowings (9) with lateral undercuts (10) at the bottom of their short sides, whereby the bottom of the base is flat only centrally in the middle of the base (7), characterized in that the base (7) is elastic along both its long and short edges and that the sides of the base (7) at its edges perpendicular to the columns (6) are curved and raised upwards.

2. The device for aligning tiles with a wedge, according to claim 1, characterized in that its wedge (5) has at least two positioning holes (13).

3. The device for aligning tiles with a wedge, according to claim 2, characterized in that in at least one positioning hole (13) it has a positioner (12).

4. The device for aligning tiles with a wedge, according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the positioner (12) has at least one additional identifying feature, preferably color or shape.

5. The device for aligning tiles with a wedge, according to claim 1 or 2 or 3 or 4, characterized in that at least one component thereof is made of polypropylene (PP) plastic.

6. The device for aligning tiles with a wedge, according to claim 1 or 2 or 3 or 4 or 5, characterized in that at least one component thereof is made of a copolymer comprising from 3% to 6% of added polyethylene, preferably 5% polyethylene.