Leveling device for laying tiles

Abstract

It is described a leveling device for the correct installation of at least two adjacent flat cladding elements, said device comprising a tie rod configured to be interposed between two successive tiles and comprising a rotary pressure element configured to be removably connected to said tie rod following a rotation impressed on a handle, by means of which rotation the handle hooks the tie rod and locks it on the upper surface of the tile.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to the sector of laying floors and / or coverings and preferably refers to a leveling device for the correct installation of at least two adjacent flat cladding elements, said device comprising a tie rod configured to be interposed between two successive tiles and comprising a rotary pressure element configured to be removably connected to said tie rod following a rotation impressed on a handle, by means of which rotation the handle hooks the tie rod and locks it on the upper surface of the tile.STATE OF THE ART

[0002] Specifying that by "support " we mean any flat surface configured to receive a covering such as a floor, a vertical wall or a ceiling and by "tile " we mean any flat covering element, in the state of the art it is known that a layer of tile mounting adhesive is applied to the support to be covered and that a plurality of adjacent tiles are arranged on it according to a required geometry.

[0003] Between one tile and the next there is a space that is generally filled with a mixture also known as grout, this space is also defined as "joint ".

[0004] When installing a covering, it must be kept in mind that the size of the joint must be constant and that the tiles, with respect to the support on which they are mounted, must have the same height so that the covering is coplanar and therefore free of bumps.

[0005] To ensure consistent joints and coplanarity of tiles, leveling devices are generally used which can be macroscopically divided into three different types : 1. a first typology comprising: a tie rod configured to be placed between one tile and the next and a knob configured to screw onto a threaded stem of a tie rod. 2. a second typology comprising: a tie rod having a slot and a wedge having the function of a presser and configured to be inserted into said slot. 3. a third typology comprising: a tie rod configured to be placed between one tile and the next, a knob configured to screw onto the threaded stem of the tie rod and a third body that can be positioned above the knob and has the function of allowing the knob to rotate in both directions or can be placed between the tie rod and the knob and has the function of not damaging the upper surface of the tiles.

[0006] The tie rods of the devices belonging to the first typology include: a base configured to be placed in contact with the support to be covered, i.e. the floor, and on top of which two tiles are placed in adherence; a plate configured to define the thickness of the joint to be filled and to protrude from said base; a threaded stem configured to be integral with the plate.

[0007] The knob of the devices belonging to the first type, following their screwing onto the thread of the stem, presses the underlying tiles against the support to be covered so that they are coplanar.

[0008] By means of the known leveling devices, during the installation of coverings, the following steps must be carried out: applying a layer of assembly adhesive on the support to be covered; positioning the base of a tie rod under two or more tiles ensuring that the plate remains adherent to the thickness of the tiles and protrudes from them; screwing a knob onto the threaded portion of the tie rod stem.

[0009] The knob therefore applies a pressure force to the underlying tiles, which are forced to arrange themselves coplanarly.

[0010] Once the coplanarity is achieved and the adhesive layer has dried, the knob is unscrewed from the stem and the plate is broken so that the base remains below the tiles. At the end of the installation process, the tiles will all be level and the joints will all be the same size.

[0011] Devices belonging to the first typology above are disclosed in Italian documents no. 502015902326133, 102021000025334, 102017000076619, a device belonging to the second typology is disclosed in Italian document no. 102019000015848 and finally devices belonging to the third typology are disclosed in documents no. 102021000001562 and 102021000024488.

[0012] The knobs of the known devices, belonging to the first and third typologies, all act by screwing on the threaded portion of the tie rod, generating pressure on the underlying tiles. This pressure, in the case in which the support to be covered is not correctly all at the same level, is greater for one tile and less for example for the adjacent one. This means that, if the knob is continued to be screwed, the tile on which greater pressure is exerted breaks while the adjacent one has not yet received the necessary pressure to be leveled. Therefore, screwing, being an operation that is performed manually and that can be repeated several times at the discretion of the tiler, could lead to either the covering breaking if the tiles are thin or the tie rod itself breaking due to the continuous screwing.

[0013] Furthermore, the tie rods of the known devices, belonging to the first and third typologies, all have a threaded stem at the top configured to allow the knob to be screwed onto it. The disadvantage of having a threaded stem occurs when during tightening the knob skips screwing on a spiral, meaning by spiral the curved line that unfolds in turns around a fixed point, and therefore the knob contacts one tile before the adjacent one. In the present case, in which the descent of the knob on the tiles is not uniform, it is necessary to unscrew the said knob from the tie rod and screw it back on correctly.

[0014] Furthermore, the leveling devices belonging to the first type have the disadvantage that they may leave residues of colored plastic on the surface of the tiles since the knobs for screwing them are themselves colored.

[0015] Furthermore, the leveling devices belonging to the third typology: they lengthen the tile laying procedure as, in addition to the tie rod and the knob, they include a third body and therefore an additional step to be foreseen in the assembly phases of a covering.

[0016] Leveling devices belonging to the second type finally have the disadvantage that the tiler, to insert the wedge into the slot of the tie rod, must use pliers necessary to push the wedge into the slot making a high effort as the wedge must slide on the surface of the tile. In order to level the tile, the wedge must be subjected to adequate pressure. The disadvantage of all known devices lies in the fact that by acting by screwing on the tie rod or by pushing on the wedge, during the leveling operation, this force is transferred to the tiles which tend to rotate in the direction of the screwing, or to be pushed parallel to the direction of insertion of the wedge. This creates an aesthetic defect and the need to start positioning the tiles again.PURPOSE AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0017] The objet of the present invention is to solve the problems of the leveling devices known in the state of the art.

[0018] A further object of the present invention is to devise a tile leveling device that ensures uniform pressure on adjacent tiles, thus preventing them from breaking.

[0019] A further object of the present invention is to devise a leveling device for tiles which ensures that the tiles do not undergo rotation in plan during the leveling operation. Another object of the present invention is to device a leveling device for tiles that does not require the screwing operation.

[0020] Another object of the present invention is to devise a leveling system that can be removed quickly once the tiles have been leveled.

[0021] Another object of the present invention is to devise a tile leveling device that is simple, fast and intuitive to use.

[0022] These purposes are achieved by means of a leveling device for laying tiles on a support to be tiled, said device comprising: a tie rod configured to rest on the upper surface of the support to be tiled and remain interposed between at least two adjacent tiles, said tie rod comprising: a base configured to receive the lower surface of said at least two tiles resting on it; a fin configured to protrude orthogonally with respect to said base; a plate configured to protrude from said fin; a stem configured to extend from said plate and present a stiffening curb along its entire length and have a terminal portion having at least one wing extension orthogonal to the stem and outlining with the stem a T-profile; a rotary pressure element comprising: a first body comprising: a support surface configured to be placed in contact with an upper surface of at least two adjacent tiles; a hollow parallelepiped body configured to extend orthogonally from said supporting surface and having two of the four opposite sides which have a greater height than the remaining two and which end with a semicircular profile; a first hole configured to be placed at the centre of the diameter of the semicircular profile and to snap-in receive a second body of the rotary pressure element; a second hole placed on the hollow parallelepiped body and configured to receive the tie rod as input; a second body that can be snap inserted into said first body by means of a protrusion of the second body configured to fit inside the first hole of the first body and comprising: a hollow cylinder with a diameter equal to the diameter of the semicircular profile of the first body and having walls which have a spiral shape; a handle configured to extend externally from said hollow cylinder and adapted to act as a lever for the rotary movement; wherein, following a rotation impressed on the handle from a first horizontal position to a second rotated upwards, the at least one wing extension of the tie rod which is inserted in use inside the rotary pressure element, is hooked by a rib which follows the profile of said spiral; said tie rod sliding on the rib and following the profile of the walls of the spiral undergoes an advancement towards the centre of the hollow cylinder, wherein the leveling of the tile is achieved when the upper surface of the tile contacts the support surface of the first body .

[0023] This device prevents tiles from breaking during installation as the tiler only makes one rotation movement on the handle, which means that the tiles underneath the device are not pressed unevenly against the surface to be covered.

[0024] Furthermore, this device prevents the rotation of the tiles during the levelling operation and therefore all the inconveniences related to the resurfacing of the flooring are excluded.

[0025] According to a first aspect, the above problem is solved by a leveling device for laying tiles as defined in claim 1 and by its preferential embodiments, defined in dependent claims 2-11.

[0026] According to another aspect, the present invention relates to a method of operation of the leveling device as defined by claim 12 and dependent claims 13 to 14.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0027] The present invention is described in detail below, by way of example and not limitation, with reference to the attached drawings, in which: figure 1 shows: in fig. 1A an axonometric view of a first embodiment of a tie rod; in fig. 1B a side view of the tie rod of fig. 1A; in fig. 1C a front view of the tie rod of fig. 1A; figure 2 shows: in fig. 2A an axonometric view of a second embodiment of a tie rod; in fig. 2B a side view of the tie rod of fig. 2A; in fig. 2C a front view of the tie rod of fig. 2A; figure 3 shows an axonometric view of a rotary pressure element according to a first embodiment, unassembled; figure 4 shows an axonometric view of a rotary pressure element according to a first embodiment assembled; figure 5 shows an axonometric view of a pressure element of Fig. 4 and a tie rod according to the first embodiment inserted inside said element; figure 6 shows: in figure 6A a sectional view of the leveling device according to a first embodiment in which the maximum thickness of a tile capable of being leveled by said device is visible; in figure 6B a sectional view of the leveling device in which the minimum thickness of a tile capable of being leveled by said device is visible; figures 7A - 7D show a sectional view of a leveling device according to a second embodiment in which the minimum, maximum and intermediate thicknesses of a tile capable of being leveled by said device are visible; figure 8 shows: in figure 8A a sectional view of the leveling device comprising a tie rod according to the first embodiment in a first position; in figure 8B a sectional view of the leveling device comprising a tie rod according to the first embodiment in a second position; figure 9 shows: in figure 9A a sectional view of the leveling device comprising a tie rod according to the second embodiment in a first position; in figure 9B a sectional view of the leveling device comprising a tie rod according to the second embodiment in a second position; figure 10 shows a perspective view of a rotary pressure element in which a tie rod abutment rib is visible. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0028] While the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative constructions, some particular embodiments are shown in the drawings and will be described in detail below. In this description, similar or identical elements or components will be indicated in the figures with the same identifying symbol.

[0029] The subject of this patent application is a leveling device for laying tiles, generally indicated by 1.

[0030] The device 1 comprises a tie rod 2 and a rotary pressure element 3. The rotary pressure element 3 comprises a first body 4 and a second body 5 in which the second body 5 is removably inserted inside the first body 4.

[0031] In Fig. 1A - 1B and 1C a tie rod 2 according to a first embodiment is illustrated. The tie rod 2 comprises a base 2A having two surfaces opposite each other of which a first lower surface 2A I< is configured to contact the support to be covered and a second upper surface 2A II< is configured to receive the lower surface of at least one tile in support. According to a preferred embodiment, the lower and upper surfaces 2A I< and 2A II< are flat surfaces.

[0032] Orthogonally to the upper surface 2A I< , a fin 2B is developed. Preferably the fin 2B has a smaller profile than a plate 2C (see Fig. 1C). According to a preferred embodiment the fin 2B has a flared outward profile, in other words a first base dimension of the fin 2B is smaller than a second head dimension of the fin 2B where said second head dimension is parallel to said first base dimension.

[0033] According to a preferred embodiment, a plate 2C develops from the fin 2B.

[0034] The plate 2C has two flat faces preferably parallel to each other indicated with 2C I< which develop orthogonally to the upper surface 2A II< of the base 2A of the tie rod 2. With 2C II< the lateral edges are indicates, which join the two flat faces together 2C I< . The edges 2C II< are straight and parallel to each other so that the plate 2C has a constant width. With 2C III< the joint profile is indicates, along which the plate 2C is joined to the fin 2B. The size of the lateral edge 2C II< has the function of determining the thickness of the joint between at least two adjacent tiles. Said lateral edge 2C II< has a thickness that can be equal to or greater than that of the fin 2B.

[0035] The breaking zone L between the fin 2B and the plate 2C is included between the upper surface 2A II< of the base 2A and the joint profile 2C III< representing at the same time the upper edge of the fin 2B.

[0036] By means of this breaking zone L, the entire upper part of the tie rod 2 comprising the plate 2C and a stem 2D can be removed by levering on the stem itself once the adhesive on which the tiles are placed has dried. The breaking of said upper part of the tie rod preferably occurs at the base of the fin 2B or alternatively and without compromising the functionality of the device, the breaking can occur at the head of the fin 2B. The flared profile towards the outside of the fin 2B has the function of constituting an invitation to break the upper part of the tie rod 2.

[0037] Following the breakage of the upper part of the tie rod 2, the base 2A of the tie rod 2 remains embedded below the lower surface of the tile.

[0038] The tie rod 2 also comprises a stem 2D which extends from the plate 2C. Said stem 2D comprises a stiffening rib 2D I< and ends with a 2D II< wing extension orthogonal to the 2D stem and delineating a T-shaped profile with the stem. Furthermore, said 2D stem has a thickness that can be less than, equal to or greater than that of the 2C plate.

[0039] According to a first preferred embodiment, the wing extension 2D II< is one (see tie rod in Figs. 1A, 1B and 1C), whereas according to an alternative embodiment, the wing extension can be more than one up to a maximum of three (see Figs. 2A, 2B and 2C). The number of wing extensions varies according to the thickness of the tile that the device must level.

[0040] The stiffening rib 2D I< runs along the entire length of the 2D stem on two opposite sides of the stem. The rib 2D I< with the stem 2D forms a cross-shaped profile. The tie rod 2, of the first embodiment, comprising a single wing extension 2D II< , is capable of leveling tiles in the range of 3 mm - 21 mm while the tie rod 2, of the second embodiment, comprising up to three wing extensions, is capable of leveling tiles in the following ranges: thicknesses of 3 mm - 9.6 mm for the first wing extension 2D II< (lowest wing extension), thicknesses of 9.6 mm - 15.6 mm for the central wing extension 2D II< and thicknesses of 15.6 mm - 21.6 mm for the third wing extension 2D II< (top wing extension).

[0041] The thickness of the tiles to be leveled is given by the height of the plate. Therefore, the plate 2C of the device 1 which is the subject of the present patent application has a height in the order of 21 - 21.6 mm. According to alternative embodiments, the plate 2C can have heights greater than 21.6 mm, reaching heights greater than 30 mm. When the plate 2C reaches dimensions greater than 30 mm, the total size of the tie rod 2 consequently increases without its functionality being compromised.

[0042] In Figs. 1C and 2C the tie rods 2 are shown according to the first and second embodiments in which it is visible that the fin 2B has the reduced-sized profile mentioned above forming with the upper surface 2A II< of the base 2A an inclination angle α included in the range of 40° - 45 ° where the angle α is preferably 42°. The amplitude of this angle has the function of promoting the breaking of the upper part of the tie rod 2 by means of a blow in the direction of the short dimension and therefore of the thickness of the plate 2C. The angle α promotes the rotation, following the blow, of the upper part of the tie rod 2 in the direction of the short dimension (and therefore of the thickness) of the plate 2C causing it to break in the breaking zone L.

[0043] The upper part of tie rod 2 cannot be broken if subjected to a blow perpendicular to the large dimension of plate 2C, in fact in this case the plate would only bend without breaking.

[0044] In Fig. 3, a rotary pressure element 3 is shown according to a first embodiment, comprising: a first body 3A comprising: a support surface 3A I< configured to be placed in contact with an upper surface of at least two adjacent tiles; a hollow parallelepiped body 3A II< configured to extend orthogonally from said bearing surface 3A I< and having two of the four opposite sides that have a greater height than the remaining two and that end with a semicircular profile; a first hole 3A III< configured to be placed at the centre of the diameter of the semicircular profile and to snap-fi and therefore removably receive a second body 3B of the rotary pressure element 3; a second hole 3A IV< placed on the hollow parallelepiped body 3A II< and configured to receive the tie rod 2 as input; a second body 3B snap-fittable inside said first body 3A by means of a protrusion 3B III< of the second body 3B configured to fit inside the first hole 3A III< of the first body 3A and comprising: a hollow cylinder 3B I< of diameter equal to the diameter of the semicircular profile of the first body 3A and having walls 3B IV< having a spiral shape; a handle 3B II< configured to extend externally from said hollow cylinder 3B I< and is designed to act as a lever for the rotary movement imparted by the user of the levelling device 1; wherein, following a rotation impressed on the handle 3B II< from a first horizontal position to a second rotated upwards, the at least one wing extension 2D II< of the tie rod 2 which is inserted in use inside the rotary pressure element 3, is hooked by a rib 3B V< which follows the profile of said spiral; said tie rod 2 sliding on the rib 3B V< and following the profile of the walls 3B IV< of the spiral undergoes an advancement towards the centre of the hollow cylinder 3B I< , wherein the leveling of the tile is achieved when the upper surface of the tile contacts the support surface 3A I< of the first body 3A.

[0045] In Fig. 3 the first body 3A and the second body 3B are shown in the unassembled position. Therefore, in order to use the device the second body 3B must be inserted inside the first body 3A.

[0046] In Fig. 4 the first body 3A is snap-fitted into the second body 3B by means of a protrusion 3B III< of the second body 3B configured to fit inside the first hole 3A III< of the first body 3A. Therefore, in Fig. 4 the rotary pressure element 3 is shown in the assembled position.

[0047] In Fig. 5, the rotary pressure element 3, according to the first embodiment, is shown in the assembled position and a tie rod 2, according to the first embodiment, inserted inside the hole 3A IV< of the hollow parallelepiped body 3A II< with the plate 2C positioned parallel to the short side of the hollow parallelepiped body 3A II< . The insertion of the tie rod parallel to the size of the short side of the hollow parallelepiped body 3A II< it serves to contain the dimensions of the latter and consequently a containment of the dimensions of the second body 3B which would otherwise be uncomfortable for a user to hold.

[0048] Leveling a tile by means of the leveling device 1 which is the subject of the present patent application involves a user of the device 1 applying a moment force to the handle 3B II< . The handle 3B II< moves between two different positions: a first position in which the handle 3B II< is in a horizontal position parallel to the surface of the tile to be leveled and then an unrotated position to a second position in which the handle 3B II< is either rotated or fully rotated.

[0049] Fig. 6A shows a tie rod inserted only one piece inside the rotary pressure element 3 since the space between the base of the tie rod 2 and the support surface 3A I< of element 3 represents the maximum thickness A of a tile that can be levelled by the leveling device which is the subject of this patent application.

[0050] Fig. 6B shows a tie rod 2 inserted completely inside the rotary pressure element 3 since the space between the base 2A of the tie rod 2 and the support surface 3A I< of element 3 represents the minimum thickness A I< of a tile that can be leveled by the leveling device which is the subject of this patent application .

[0051] Figures 7A through 7D show a tie rod according to the second embodiment engaged by a rotary pressure element according to the second embodiment wherein: Fig. 7A, the rotary pressure element 3 hooks a first wing extension 2D II< starting from the top of the tie rod 2 and the handle 3B II< is in the horizontal position, in this case the thickness of the tile to be leveled is maximum (thickness A) i.e. 21.6 mm; Fig. 7B, the rotary pressure element 3 hooks a second wing extension 2D II< starting from the top of the tie rod 2 and the handle 3B II< is in the horizontal position, in this case the thickness of the tile to be levelled is 15.6 mm; Fig. 7C, the rotary pressure element 3 hooks a third wing extension 2D II< starting from the top of the tie rod 2 and the handle 3B II< is in the horizontal position, in this case the thickness of the tile to be levelled is 9.6 mm; Fig. 7D, the rotary pressure element 3 hooks the third wing extension 2D II< starting from the top of the tie rod 2 and the handle 3B II< is in the fully rotated position, in this case the thickness of the tile to be levelled is minimum (thickness A I< ) i.e. 3 mm.

[0052] In the sections of Fig. 8 and Fig. 9 it is visible that the hollow surface of the hollow cylinder 3B I< has walls 3B IV< with a spiral shape.

[0053] The spiral in Fig. 8 originates at the centre of the protrusion 3B III< of the second body 3B, ends with a rectilinear path that follows the shape of the handle 3B II< and its twisting around the point of origin is given by a first value of the radius of curvature R1 while the spiral in Fig. 9, differently from the spiral in Fig. 8, has its centre off-centre from the centre of the protrusion 3B III< of the second body 3B, ends with a rectilinear path that follows the shape of the handle 3B II< and its twisting around the point of origin is given by a second value of the radius of curvature R2 in which R2 is greater than R1. When a user of the leveling device applies a rotary force from a horizontal position to an upwardly rotated position on the handle 3B II< , the at least one wing extension 2D II< of the tie rod 2, inserted inside the element 3, is hooked by a rib 3B V< which follows the profile of the spiral. Therefore, the tie rod 2 subject to the rotation mentioned above slides on the rib 3B V< as if it were a track, comprising in this case two parallel ribs, and following the profile of the walls 3B IV< of the spiral it undergoes an advancement towards the centre of the hollow cylinder 3B I< . The advancement towards the centre of the cylinder is due to the progressive increase in the size of the walls 3B IV< from the origin of the spiral to the end of the spiral development. The 3B IV< walls are represented by the portion of the cylinder between the spiral path and the external circumference of the cylinder.

[0054] Application of the rotation on handle 3B II< triggers the simultaneous rotation of the walls 3B IV< and the ribs 3B V< , which ribs 3B V< reduce the size of the second hole 3A IV< for the entry of the tie rod 2, preventing its exit .

[0055] The tie rod 2 being blocked at the base by the lower surface of the tiles is prevented from sliding upwards, thus generating a resistance which translates into a force equal and opposite to the direction of sliding of the tie rod 2.

[0056] This force is distributed over the surface of the tiles by means of the base of element 3, correctly levelling at least two adjacent tiles.

[0057] The walls 3B IV< and the ribs 3B V< extend inside the hollow cylinder 3B I< only for half a circumference.

[0058] In Fig. 8A and 9A the second body 3B is shown in which it is visible that the curvature of the spiral is different between the first embodiment and the second embodiment. The curvature varies according to the thickness of the tiles to be leveled.

[0059] As the T-profile slides on the walls 3B IV< of the cylinder 3B I< undergoes, since the walls are spiral shaped, an advancement towards the centre. The leveling of the tile is obtained when the upper surface of the tile contacts the supporting surface 3A I< of the first body 3A.

[0060] The operation of the leveling device which is the subject of this patent application involves the following steps: 1. Applation of a layer of tile mounting adhesive to the support to be tiled; 2. Positioning of a first tile on the mounting adhesive; 3. Insertion of a tie rod 2 between the support to be tiled and a lower surface of the first tile, pushing it until the plate 2C adheres to the perimeter profile of the first tile; 4. Positioning of a second tile ensuring that the perimeter profile of the second tile adheres to plate 2C of tie rod 2; 5. Positioning above the tie rod 2 of a rotary pressure element 3, ensuring that the tie rod 2 is inserted into a second hole 3A IV< placed on a hollow parallelepiped body 3A II< of the rotary pressure element 3; 6. Application of a moment of force on a handle 3B II< of a second body 3B of the rotary pressure element 3 with its movement from a horizontal position to an one rotated upwards; 7. Hooking of the tie rod 2 by ribs 3B V< which follow the spiral profile of the walls 3B IV< of a hollow cylinder 3B I< of the second body 3B of the rotary pressure element 3; 8. Sliding of a T-shaped profile of the tie rod 2 along the spiral surface of walls 3B IV< following its profile that leads towards the centre of the cylinder; 9. Generation by tie rod 2 of a resistance which translates into a force equal and opposite to the direction of sliding of tie rod 2; 10. Distribution of force on the surface of the tiles by means of the support surface 3A I< of the first body 3A creating a precise alignment between adjacent tiles; 11. Wait for the mounting adhesive to dry; 12. Application of a moment of force on the handle 3B II< of the second body 3B from an upwardly rotated position to a horizontal one causing the tie rod 2 to come out of a first hole 3A III< of the rotary pressure element 3; 13. Breaking of tie rod 2 by a blow parallel to the surface of the tiles.

[0061] According to an alternative embodiment of the operation of the leveling device 1 which is the subject of this patent application, step 13 can occur before step 12 without compromising the advantages of its use.

[0062] Fig. 8A and 8B and Fig. 9A and 9B show the inclination angle β measured with respect to a plane perpendicular to the supporting surface 3A I< of the first body 3A. The leveling device in the non-use position, i.e. when the tie rod 2 is simply inserted into the second hole 3A IV< and the user has not applied any rotation to the handle 3B II< , has an inclination angle β with respect to a plane perpendicular to the support surface 3A I< . Said inclination angle β in Figures 8A and 8B, in which the device 1 provides for the use of a tie rod 2 according to the first embodiment and a rotary pressure element 3 according to the first embodiment, varies from 60° to 33° (also to be read as 33° + 180° if the same reference is taken for measuring the angle of 60°). In the non-use position, the handle 3B II< will be in contact with the upper edge of the face of the short side of the hollow parallelepiped body 3A II and the inclination angle β is 60°. When the rotary pressure element engages the wing extension 2D II< of the tie rod 2, the handle 3B II< will assume the first position, i.e. the horizontal position. The inclination angle β is 33° when the levelling device 1 levels tiles of the minimum thickness and therefore the handle 3B II< is in the fully rotated position.

[0063] Said inclination angle β in Figures 9A and 9B, where the device 1 provides for the use of a tie rod 2 according to the second embodiment and a rotary pressure element 3 according to the second embodiment varies from 40° to 60° (also to be read as 60 ° + 180° if the same reference is taken for the measurement of the 40° angle). In the non-use position, the handle 3B II< will be in contact with the upper edge of the face of the short side of the hollow parallelepiped body 3A II< and the inclination angle β is 40°. When the rotary pressure element hooks one of the wing extensions 2D II< of the tie rod 2, the handle 3B II< will assume the first position, i.e. the horizontal position. The inclination angle β is 60° when the leveling device 1 levels tiles of minimum thickness and therefore the handle 3B II< is in the fully rotated position.

[0064] The user will then grip the 3B II< handle and rotate it from the first horizontal position to a second fully rotated position.

[0065] Fig. 10 shows a stop rib 3A V< configured to keep the tie rod 2 upright when the user begins to rotate the handle 3B II< and the 2D II< wing extension of the tie rod 2 is gripped by the ribs 3B V< .

[0066] Embodiments to the non-limiting example described are possible, without however departing from the scope of protection of the present invention, including all embodiments equivalent to the content of the claims for a technician in the field. From the above description, the person skilled in the art is able to realize the object of the invention without introducing further construction details.LEGEND OF THE COMPONENTS OF THE FIGURES

[0067] device 1 a tie rod 2 base 2A first lower surface 2A I< second upper surface 2A II< fin 2B plate 2C flat faces 2C I< edges 2C II< joint profile 2C III< stem 2D stiffening curb 2D I< wing extension 2D II< rotary pressure element 3 first body 3A support surface 3A I< hollow parallelepiped body 3A II< first hole 3A III< second hole 3A IV< rib 3A V< second body 3B hollow cylinder 3B I< handle 3B II< protrusion 3B III< walls 3B IV< rib 3B V< inclination angle α minimum inclination angle β maximum inclination angle β I<

Claims

1. A levelling device (1) for laying tiles on a support to be tiled, said device comprising: - a tie rod (2) configured to rest on the upper surface (2AII) of the support to be tiled and remain interposed between at least two adjacent tiles, said tie rod (2) comprising: - a base (2A) configured to receive the lower surface (2AI) of said at least two tiles resting on it; - a fin (2B) configured to protrude orthogonally with respect to said base (2A ); - a plate (2C) configured to protrude from said fin (2B); - a stem (2D) configured to extend from said plate (2C) and present a stiffening rib (2DI) along its entire length and have a terminal portion having at least one wing extension (2DII) orthogonal to the stem (2D) and outlining with the stem (2D) a T-profile; - a rotary pressure element (3) comprising: - a first body (3A) comprising: - a support surface (3AI) configured to be placed in contact with an upper surface (2AII) of at least two adjacent tiles; - a hollow parallelepiped body (3AII) configured to extend orthogonally from said supporting surface (3AI) and having two of the four opposite sides which have a greater height than the remaining two and which end in a semicircular profile; - a first hole (3AIII) configured to be placed at the centre of the diameter of the semicircular profile and to snap-in receive a second body (3B) of the rotary pressure element (3); - a second hole (3AIV) placed on the hollow parallelepiped body (3AII) and configured to receive the tie rod (2) as input; - a second body (3B) that can be snap inserted into said first body (3A) by means of a protrusion (3BIII) of the second body (3B) configured to fit inside the first hole (3AIII) of the first body (3A) and comprising: - a hollow cylinder (3BI) with a diameter equal to the diameter of the semicircular profile of the first body (3A) and having walls (3BIV) which have a spiral shape; - a handle (3BII) configured to extend externally from said hollow cylinder and adapted to act as a lever for the rotary movement; wherein, following a rotation impressed on the handle (3BII ) from a first horizontal position to a second rotated upwards, the at least one wing extension (2DII) of the tie rod (2) which is inserted in use inside the rotary pressure element (3), is hooked by a rib (3BV) which follows the profile of said spiral; said tie rod (2) sliding on the rib (3BV) and following the profile of the walls (3BIV) of the spiral undergoes an advancement towards the centre of the hollow cylinder (3BI), wherein the leveling of the tile is achieved when the upper surface of the tile contacts the support surface (3AI) of the first body (3A).

2. Levelling device (1) according to claim 1 wherein the wing extensions (2DII) of the tie rod (2) are numbered from 1 to 3.

3. Leveling device (1) according to claims 1 and 2 wherein the tie rod (2) is configured to fit into a hole (3AIV) of the hollow parallelepiped body (3AII) with the plate (2C) positioned parallel to a short side of the hollow parallelepiped body (3AII).

4. Leveling device (1) according to claim 1 wherein the fin (2B) has a profile of reduced size compared to the plate (2C) and preferably a profile flared outwards between the upper base (2AII) of the tie rod (2) and the plate (2C) and wherein the flared profile has an inclination angle α included in the range of 40° - 45 °.

5. Leveling device (1) according to claim 1 wherein the plate (2C) has a constant thickness and comprises: - two flat faces preferably parallel to each other (2C I) which develop orthogonally to the upper surface (2AII) of the base (2A) of the tie rod (2); - straight and parallel lateral edges (2CII) which join the two flat faces (2CI) together and determine the thickness of the joint between at least two adjacent tiles; - a joint profile (2CIII) along which the plate (2C) is joined to the fin (2B).

6. Leveling device (1) according to claim 5 wherein the lateral edge (2CII) has a thickness equal to or greater than that of the fin (2B).

7. Leveling device (1) according to claim 1 wherein the stem (2D) has a thickness less that, equal to or greater than that of the plate (2C).

8. Levelling device (1) according to claim 1 wherein a breaking zone L between the fin (2B) and the plate (2C) is included between the upper surface (2AII) of the base (2A) and the joint profile (2CIII) representing the upper edge of the fin (2B).

9. Leveling device (1) according to claim 1 wherein the walls (3BIV) having a spiral shape in section they originate at the centre of a protrusion (3BIII) and radius of curvature that varies according to a known and predefined profile.

10. Levelling device (1) according to claims 1 to 8 wherein the tie rod (2) having up to three wing extensions (2DI) is configured such that one of the three wing extensions (2DI) can be brought into coupling with a rotary pressure element comprising walls (3BIV) having a spiral shape with origin in a decentralized from the protrusion centre (3BIII) with a known radius of curvature.

11. Method of operation of the leveling device (1) according to the previous claims, the method comprising the following steps: - Application of a layer of mounting adhesive for tiles on a support to be tiled; - Positioning of a first tile on the mounting adhesive; - Insertion of a tie rod (2) between the support to be tiled and a lower surface (2AI) of the first tile, pushing it until a plate (2C) adheres to the perimeter profile of the first tile; - Positioning of a second tile ensuring that the perimeter profile of the second tile adheres to the plate (2C) of the tie rod (2); - Positioning above the tie rod (2) of a rotary pressure element (3) ensuring that the tie rod (2) is inserted into a second hole (3AIV) placed on a hollow parallelepiped body (3AII) of the rotary pressure element (3); - Application of a moment of force on a handle (3BII) of a second body (3B) of the rotary pressure element (3) with its movement from a horizontal position to one rotated upwards; - Hooking of the tie rod (2) by ribs (3BV) which follow the spiral profile of the walls (3BIV) of a hollow cylinder (3BI) of the second body (3B) of the rotary pressure element (3); - Sliding of a T-shaped profile of the tie rod (2) along the spiral surface of walls (3BIV) following its profile that leads towards the centre of the cylinder; - Generation by the tie rod (2) of a resistance which translates into a force equal and opposite to the direction of sliding of the tie rod (2); - Distribution of the force on the surface of the tiles by means of a support surface (3AI) of the first body (3A), creating a precise alignment between the adjacent tiles; - Wait for the mounting adhesive to dry.

12. Method of operation of the leveling device (1) according to claim 11 characterised by further comprises the following steps: - Application of a moment of force on the handle (3BII) of the second body (3B) from a position rotated upwards to a horizontal one, ensuring that the tie rod (2) comes out of a first hole (3AIII) of the rotary pressure element (3); - Breaking of the tie rod (2) by a blow parallel to the surface of the tiles.

13. Method of operation of the leveling device (1) according to claim 12 wherein alternatively one proceeds first by the breaking of the tie rod (2) and then by applying a moment of force on the handle (3BII).

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