Levelling tie rod

Abstract

Levelling tie rod for the laying of slab elements comprising: at least one septum configured to: be joined to a base by means of a surface with a narrow cross-section, rise from said base, contact only one of the two facing sides of two adjacent and aligned slab elements, with respect to an alignment direction; a base configured to: be positioned below the lower surface of at least two adjacent slab elements, be inserted inside a previously prepared grout line, move from a first non-use position in which it lies substantially orthogonal to said at least one septum to a second position in which it is substantially parallel to said at least one septum when inserted inside a grout line placed between two adjacent slab elements and snap back into a position orthogonal to said at least one septum when placed below the lower surface of at least two adjacent slab elements; at least one fold line configured to define the movement between said first, second and third positions of the base.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to the sector of levelling for tiles and more specifically consists of a levelling tie rod to be used also, but not only, in emergency conditions for the laying of slab elements for the cladding of surfaces comprising a universal base adaptable both to tie rods for wedge levelling spacer devices and to other types of levelling spacer devices, such as for example screw-type levelling spacer devices or more generally levelling spacer devices having a vertical septum or thin plate which rises from a base of said spacer.STATE OF THE ART

[0002] It is well known in the state of the art that, very often, during the assembly step and therefore the initial levelling of a floor or covering, with common levelling systems the levelling tie rod breaks when it comes under pressure.

[0003] There are not many technical operational solutions to this problem, and therefore we normally proceed with: dismantling of the levelling elements mounted up to that point; lifting the tile from the support to be covered; removal of broken tie rods and the previously applied layer of adhesive and only subsequently does the entire assembly procedure begin from the beginning, that is, from the spreading of the mounting adhesive, to the positioning of the tie rods adjacent to the tiles already laid, to the repositioning of the previously removed tile up to the execution of the levelling step.

[0004] All these steps cause a high loss of time for the assembler, which translates into: an economic expense resulting from the waste of materials used in the initial application: the waste of the mounting adhesive since said adhesive could have deteriorated upon contact with the substrate, no longer providing the appropriate strength features; the tie rod is broken and needs to be replaced; the tiles may need to be replaced as the dismantling and reassembly operations could potentially create chips or micro-fractures on the surface of the tile itself; an economic waste in terms of hourly labor costs caused by the loss of time.

[0005] The same work sequence is created in the case where, instead of a breakage, the assembly of a tie rod has been forgotten or its insertion has not taken place in a point that has a defect in planarity. It may therefore happen that, only after the start of the levelling, one notices that a certain area has an irregularity in the linearity of the surface of the tile and therefore requires correction by means of a levelling tie rod, but at this point it is too late to insert it, since, by the time one begins to level the tile, it is assumed that it is now perfectly positioned on the support. This brings us back to the procedure indicated above, which consists of dismantling the tile and redoing the assembly procedure from the beginning.

[0006] Among the known systems that have attempted to resolve this problem, we find the system protected by Raimondi S.p.A., which can be found at the following link https: / / www.youtube.com / watch?v=MxkZGUoOAK0 . This system consists of an emergency system comprising a pin tie rod and a knob that tightens the tie rod by screwing. The pin tie rod of the Raimondi system has a base that, before screwing, must be rotated underneath the tiles so that the tie rod is locked underneath said tiles. The disadvantage of this system is that the tie rod requires a special knob that does not coincide with the knob used during the first levelling operation. Even more so, this knob does not coincide when the first levelling system is a wedge system. Therefore, this system is not a system that can be adapted to every situation. Furthermore, care must be taken to ensure that the base of the tie rod has completed the correct and complete rotation underneath the tile so that it is locked underneath it.

[0007] Furthermore, the following documents are known to the state of the art: US2022341191A1 that describes a method and a device for laying tiles wherein said device: it is placed beneath the first tile, and only afterwards a second tile to be levelled is laid on top of it; comprises wing segments (see references 16 and 16.1) which are configured to define the dimensions of the grout line between two or more adjacent tiles; it is made of metal; comprises a base having a substantially U-shaped form, where the arms of the U are much longer compared to the connecting side of the two U arms; includes a reinforcement on said base (see reference 5); US2016090746A1 that describes a levelling spacer device, made of plastic, for the installation of tiles comprising: a base that can be positioned on the rear side of a laying surface of at least two adjacent tiles, at least one separating element (or septum) joined to said base and capable of contacting the facing sides of two tiles, and movable between a storage position in which it lies substantially parallel to the base and a working position in which it emerges substantially perpendicular to the base; said device characterised in that it comprises means for locking the separating element in the working position.

[0008] The tie rods disclosed in documents US2022341191A1 and US2016090746A1, differently from the tie rod which is the subject of this patent application, cannot be used as emergency tie rods, i.e. as tie rods to be used after the first levelling operations have already been carried out. This is because they are made with materials, shapes and dimensions that do not make them compatible with the emergency use required.

[0009] Specifically, the tie rod of the US'191 document is made of metal and its disadvantage is that, with the same applied stress, it is a material that recovers its original shape with greater difficulty. In other words, the yield point of the metal is not compatible with the bending angles that are required for the tie rod that is the subject of this patent application to ensure that the base returns to a substantially orthogonal position with respect to the septum after it has been inserted under the tile. Therefore, the tie rod that is the subject of this application cannot be made of metal.

[0010] Combining the technical features of the tie rod from US'191 with those of the tie rod from US'746 does not lead to the tie rod claimed in the present patent application, since, even if the tie rod is made of plastic like that of the US'746 document, the U-shaped form of the base and the presence of the reinforcements 5 constituting a thickening of the base itself, would not allow its insertion under tiles once their initial levelling has already been carried out.PURPOSE AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0011] The object of the present invention is to provide a base which is universal in shape and adaptable to a tie rod of any shape, whether for wedge-shaped levelling spacers or for other types of levelling spacers, such as screw-type levelling spacers or more generally levelling spacers having a vertical septum or thin plate which rises from a base of said spacer.

[0012] A further object of the present invention is to provide a tie rod to be used in emergency situations but not only to recover and complete the work carried out up to the moment preceding the breakage of the tie rod used in a first levelling procedure.

[0013] A further object of the present invention is to provide a tie rod that can be used in combination with the components of the initial levelling device without requiring the use of an additional pressing means to be clamped onto the tie rod, which would be separate and entirely different from the pressing means used for the initial levelling.

[0014] A further object of the present invention is to provide a tie rod that can be inserted into a grout line between two adjacent tiles without the covering having to be removed first.

[0015] Another object of the present invention is to provide a tie rod that can also be used as a real first levelling device, by inserting it between the grout line when the covering has already been laid using the known cross spacers for tiles. The tie rod can be used in this way to potentially speed up the laying times.

[0016] These purposes are achieved by means of a levelling tie rod for the laying of slab elements for the cladding of surfaces comprising: at least one septum configured to: be joined to a base by means of a surface with a narrow cross-section; rise from said base; a base configured to: be positioned below the lower surface of at least two adjacent slab elements; wherein: said septum, in conditions of use, is also configured to contact only one of the two facing sides of two adjacent and side-by-side slab elements with respect to a side-by-side direction; this base in conditions of use is also configured to be inserted inside a grout line previously prepared with an initial levelling operation in which said insertion occurs by means of a central portion designed to facilitate the entry of said central portion inside said grout line; said tie rod moves from a first position of non-use in which said base lies substantially orthogonal to said at least one septum to a second position in which the base is substantially parallel to said at least one septum when it is inserted inside a grout line placed between two adjacent slab elements and snaps back into a position orthogonal to said at least one septum when it is placed below the lower surface of at least two adjacent slab elements, where the movement between said first, second and third positions occurs by means of a fold line which defines the direction of rotation of the tie rod for its insertion inside the grout line; said tie rod is made of rigid or semi-rigid plastic material with elastic yielding properties to facilitate the movement of the base relative to the septum between said first, second and third positions.

[0017] According to a first aspect, the above problem is solved by a levelling tie rod for the laying of slab elements as defined in claim 1 and by its preferential embodiments, defined in dependent claims 2-8.

[0018] According to another aspect, the present invention relates to a levelling spacer device as defined in claim 9.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0019] 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 an axonometric view of a tie rod according to the first embodiment; figure 2 shows a bottom view of the base of the tie rod of Fig. 1; figure 3 shows an axonometric view of a tie rod according to the second embodiment; figure 4 shows a bottom view of the base of the tie rod of Fig. 3; figure 5 shows a perspective view showing the first step of inserting a tie rod into a grout line between two adjacent slab elements; figure 6 shows a perspective view showing the second step of inserting a tie rod into a grout line between two adjacent slab elements; figure 7 shows a perspective view showing the third step of inserting a tie rod into a grout line between two adjacent slab elements; figure 8 shows a perspective view of the fourth step of inserting a tie rod inside a grout line between two adjacent slab elements. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0020] 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.

[0021] The subject of this patent application is a levelling tie rod 1 for the laying of slab elements 2 for the cladding of surfaces comprising: at least one septum 3 configured to: be joined to a base 4 by means of a surface with a narrow cross-section; rise from said base 4; a base 4 configured to: be positioned below the lower surface of at least two adjacent slab elements; wherein: said septum 3 in conditions of use is also configured to contact only one of the two facing sides of two adjacent and side-by-side slab elements 2 with respect to a side-by-side direction; said base 4 in conditions of use is also configured to be inserted inside a grout line 5 previously prepared with an initial levelling operation in which said insertion occurs by means of a central portion 4c designed to facilitate the entry of said central portion 4c inside said grout line 5; said tie rod 1 moves from a first position of non-use in which said base 4 lies substantially orthogonal to said at least one septum 3 to a second position in which the base 4 is substantially parallel to said at least one septum 3 when it is inserted inside a grout line 5 placed between two adjacent slab elements 2 and snaps back into a position orthogonal to said at least one septum 3 when it is placed below the lower surface of at least two adjacent slab elements 2 wherethe movement between said first, second and third positions occurs by means of a fold line 6 which defines the direction of rotation of the tie rod 1 for its insertion inside the grout line 5; said tie rod 1 is made of rigid or semi-rigid plastic material with elastic yielding properties to promote movement of the base 4 relative to the septum 3 between said first, second and third positions.

[0022] Thanks to this tie rod 1 it is possible to reduce the labour costs to complete an initial levelling operation of a surface to be covered while at the same time making available a tie rod that is convenient to use in case of emergency, but not only, for the completion of said operations.

[0023] It is to be understood that by "first levelling operation" we mean the whole set of operational steps that are required for two or more adjacent slab elements to be accurately levelled. It is consequent that the first levelling operations must be conducted by means of the use of a device defined as a "first levelling device".

[0024] Said tie rod 1 will constitute an additional and assistive element to be used in synergy with the first levelling spacer device which comprises a first levelling tie rod and a first levelling pressure device. Said first levelling pressure device is also configured to coincide or not with the pressure device to be used to tighten the emergency tie rod 1 on the slab surface to be levelled.

[0025] The fold line 6 of the said tie rod 1 is made by a substantially "L" shaped notch created at the point of union between the base 4 and the at least one septum 3. Said fold line 6 is designed to define and preferably coincide with a pre-established breaking zone or line which allows the separation of the base 4 from the at least one septum 3.

[0026] The fold line 6 has a reduced section which is located on the line of connection between the base 4 and the vertical septum 3, which, by deforming thanks to its technical conformation, passes through the orthogonal / parallel / orthogonal state.

[0027] In practice, the "L" notch in the non-use position has both sides of the "L" positioned along the same line, therefore the "L" notch is in the open position, while in the use position the sides of the "L" come into contact with each other, substantially closing the notch.

[0028] Advantageously, the base 4 and at least one septum 3 when arranged parallel to each other have the same thickness which is preferably less than 1 mm. This provides the advantage of being able to insert the emergency tie rod 1 which is the subject of the patent application inside a grout line 5 whose dimensions have already been previously delineated in an initial levelling operation or by means of known cross-shaped spacing devices. The fold line 6 is made inside the thickness of the base 4 / septum 3 and the "L" orientation of the notch defines the folding direction of an emerging part of the emergency tie rod 1. Furthermore, the fold line 6 in use is arranged below the level of the upper surface of the adjacent slab elements 2 to be levelled so as to remain within the thickness of said slab element 2.

[0029] Advantageously, the base 4 constitutes the extension of the at least one septum 3 of the tie rod 1. In other words, the at least one septum 3 and the base 4 are made in a single piece by moulding, for example, plastic materials and are joined together by means of a surface with a narrow section defined by the "L" shaped notch.

[0030] The part of the tie rod projecting from the slab elements 2 (also defined in the following as tile / s 2) has a greater height than that of the tiles 2 so that said projecting part, protruding upwards, can receive a pressure device (not shown) configured to press the surface of the slab elements 2 towards the base 4 of the tie rod 1 in order to level them.

[0031] The base 4 of the tie rod 1 which is the subject of this patent application can take two different embodiments, of which: a first embodiment where the tie rod is for a levelling spacer device having a vertical septum or thin plate rising from a base of said spacer; a second embodiment in case the tie rod is for a wedge-shaped levelling spacing device.

[0032] According to the first embodiment, the base 4 comprises, with respect to the septum 3, a first extension 4a and a second extension 4b which begin in proximity to the septum 3, occupying the negative space of the septum 3 and end by protruding from the septum 3 in both directions orthogonal to the septum 3 itself, when this is in an orthogonal position with respect to the base 4. In other words, the first 4a and the second extension 4b are located on the diametrically opposite side of each other with respect to the septum 3 which is in a substantially central position with respect to said extensions. Furthermore, the base 4, between the first 4a and the second extension 4b, comprises a central portion 4c preferably having a curved shape to recognize the insertion side inside the grout line 5, facilitating the entry of said central portion 4c inside said grout line 5. Said central portion 4c is configured to protrude from the septum 3 in a single direction orthogonal to the septum 3 itself when this is in an orthogonal position with respect to the base 4.

[0033] According to the first embodiment, the "L" shaped fold line 6 is single and extends along the entire length of the central portion of the base 4.

[0034] According to the second embodiment, the base 4 comprises a first extension 4a and a second extension 4b corresponding to each of the two septa 3 and which begin in proximity to the beginning of each of the septa 3 themselves and end with the end of the septa 3 themselves. Both extensions 4a and 4b protrude from the septum 3 in a single direction orthogonal to the septum 3 itself, when this is in an orthogonal position with respect to the base 4. Similarly to the first embodiment, the base 4, between the first 4a and the second extension 4b, comprises a central portion 4c preferably having a curved shape similar to that of the first embodiment. Said central portion 4c, in the second embodiment, is configured to protrude from the septum 3 in both directions orthogonal to the septum 3 itself when this is in an orthogonal position with respect to the base 4.

[0035] According to the second embodiment, the "L"-shaped fold lines 6 are two and extend for the entire length of the first 4a and the second extension 4b.

[0036] In both embodiments, the fold line 6 is configured to deform elastically and defines the direction of rotation of the tie rod 1 for its insertion inside the grout line 5.

[0037] In both embodiments, the tie rod 1, in the non-use position, in which the base 4 and at least one septum 3 are in a substantially orthogonal position to each other, must be inserted inside a grout line 5 whose dimensions have been set during the first levelling operation or have been set using common cross-shaped spacers for tiles.

[0038] It should be noted that the tie rod 1 has a base 4 and at least one septum 3 thickness that is less than the size of the grout line 5. Therefore, when inserting the tie rod 1 into the grout line 5, the at least one septum 3 will only contact one of the two lateral surfaces of two adjacent slab elements 2, resulting in easier insertion of the base 4 underneath the tile 2.

[0039] The base 4, before being inserted inside a grout line 5, is in a position orthogonal to the at least one septum 3 with respect to the latter. By applying manual pressure downwards (represented by the direction of the arrow), at least a first part 4c I< or the entire part of the central portion 4c of the base 4 and at least a first part 4a I< , 4b I< or the entire part of the first extension 4a and the second extension 4b respectively, passing through a grout line 5, are inserted into a space existing between the lower surface of a first slab element 2 and the upper surface of the support to be covered. In this way the base 4 and the at least one septum 3 are substantially in a position parallel to each other.

[0040] Once a first part 4c I< or the entire part of the central portion 4c has been inserted, a first part 4a I< , 4b I< or the entire part respectively of the first extension 4a and of the second extension 4b of the base 4 in said space, by acting with a counter force, that is, by pulling upwards (represented by the direction of the arrow), the possible second part 4c II< of the central portion 4c of the base 4 and the possible second part 4a II< and 4b II< of the first extension 4a and of the second extension 4b will snap into place underneath the second slab element 2 adjacent to the first.

[0041] In this way the tie rod 1 is firmly anchored underneath the two adjacent slab elements 2.

[0042] After this step, it will be possible to proceed with pressurising tie rod 1 and with the normal levelling procedure.

[0043] Going into the specifics of the levelling operations of the tie rod 1 according to the first embodiment, the entire part of the central portion 4c of the base 4 together with a first part 4a I< of the first extension 4 and a first part 4b I< of the second extension 4b must be inserted into the space existing between the lower surface of the first slab element 2 and the upper surface of the support to be covered. After which, by acting with a counter force, i.e. lifting the tie rod, a second part 4a II< of the first extension 4a and a second part 4b II< of the second extension 4b are snap-fitted into the space below the lower surface of the second slab element 2. The tie rod 1 according to the first embodiment, in this way is perfectly anchored below the lower surface of two adjacent slab elements 2, with the grout line between the two tiles having a smaller size than the size of the base 4.

[0044] Going into the specifics of the levelling operations of the tie rod 2 according to the second embodiment, as visible in Fig. 5, the base 4 before its insertion inside a grout line 5 is in relation to at least one septum 3 in an orthogonal position with respect to the latter. By applying a downward force (shown in the direction of the arrow), see Fig. 6, the first part 4c I< of the central portion 4c together with the first part 4a I< , 4b I< respectively of the first 4a and the second extension 4b, crossing a grout line 5, must be inserted into the space existing between the lower surface of the first slab element 2 and the upper surface of the support to be covered. In this way the base 4 and the septum 3 are substantially in a parallel position to each other.

[0045] After that, by acting with a counterforce, that is, lifting force (shown in the direction of the arrow) of the tie rod 1, a second part 4c II< of the central portion 4c of the base 4 snaps into the space below the lower surface of the second slab element 2 (see

[0046] Fig. 7 and 8). The tie rod 1 according to the second embodiment, in this way is perfectly anchored below the lower surface of two adjacent slab elements 2.

[0047] The tie rod 1 which is the subject of this patent application is part of a levelling spacer device which comprises pressure means (not shown) which can be associated with said tie rod 1 and are capable of pressing the exposed surfaces of the slab elements 2 towards said base 4 in order to level them.

[0048] The pressing means can be of any type, knob-shaped or wedge-shaped, as known to those skilled in the art.

[0049] The knob must be used in conjunction with the tie rod according to the first embodiment while the wedge must be used in conjunction with the tie rod according to the second embodiment. Specifically, the knob is screwed onto a threaded surface of a known screw tie rod or is removably connected to a tie rod comprising wing extensions of the known type by a rotation imparted to a handle, by means of which rotation the handle hooks the tie rod and locks it onto the upper surface of the tile. The wedge must instead be inserted inside a through window represented by the two septa 3 placed in an extreme position with respect to the base 4 of the second embodiment of the tie rod 1 which is the subject of the present patent application. Said wedge, aided by the aid of a manually controlled clamping pliers, must slide in support of the upper surface of the tiles 2 and facilitate the thrust of said tiles 2 towards the base 4 of the tie rod 1, thus facilitating their levelling.

[0050] For both embodiments, once the tie rod 1 is placed under pressure by a known knob or by a known wedge, the tie rod 1 breaks by means of a blow in the direction of the thickness of the septum 3. In both embodiments the tie rod 1 breaks along the "L" shaped fold line 7, leaving the central portion 4c, the first 4a and the second extension 4b of the base 4 embedded beneath the lower surface of the adjacent slab elements 2.

[0051] The tie rod according to the first and second embodiment is produced with the base 4 in an orthogonal position with respect to the at least one septum 3. The material with which the tie rod 1, which is the subject of the present patent application, is produced is a rigid or semi-rigid plastic material which also has elastic yielding properties. Said material promotes the elastic deformation of the base 4 and of the at least one septum 3 of the tie rod 1 and the rotation of the base 4 with respect to the at least one septum 3. Thanks to the yielding nature of the material, it is possible to promote the insertion of the base 4 inside the grout line 5 between two adjacent tiles 2 and to promote the movement of the base 4 with respect to the septum 3 between said first, second and third positions.

[0052] In fact, the plastic makes it easier to rotate and also slide the base 4 and at least part of the septum 3, proximal to the base 4, underneath the tile.

[0053] Going into more detail, the part of the base 4 that first slides under the tile is the one containing the central portion 4c (defined for simplicity as portion A) while the part of the base 4 diametrically opposite to the one containing the central surface 4c slides subsequently (defined for simplicity as portion B).

[0054] In a first, unused position, base 4 and septum 3 are orthogonal to each other. When central portion 4c of base 4 slides under the tile, the inclination angle of portion A with respect to septum 3 is greater than 90 degrees. Once portion A and part of septum 3 have slid under the tile, portion B also slides under the tile. Portion B sliding under the tile causes the entire base 4 to snap back into an orthogonal position with respect to septum 3.

[0055] Considering the main direction as the direction along which two adjacent tiles are placed side by side, the size of the grout line for optimal operation of the tie rod which is the subject of this patent application is preferably included in the range of 3-5 mm. Therefore, always along the direction in which two adjacent tiles are placed side by side, the portion A of the base 4 has a size preferably included between 3-4 mm and the portion B has a size preferably included between 3-4 mm. The sum of the size A and the portion B must preferably not exceed 8 mm. Compared to metal, plastic has a more pronounced elastic behavior before reaching the threshold of plastic deformation. This means that, if they do not exceed the irreversible deformation, they can return more evidently to the initial shape.

[0056] Therefore, given the same geometry and applied force, a plastic tie rod recovers its original shape more than one made of traditional metal, since the elastic deformation zone of plastics is wider and therefore has a more marked "return" behavior to position.

[0057] The first and second embodiments have been described in relation to the levelling device having a vertical thin plate rising from a base and the wedge-shaped levelling device, but nothing prevents the base 4, the extensions 4a and 4b and the fold line 6 from being foreseen / adapted to any other form of tie rod known to the state of the art. In other words, an emergency tie rod, but not only, will have the elevated part, with respect to the base 4, which will have the same shape as the elevated part of a first levelling tie rod, while the base 4 will be the one described in the present patent application.

[0058] The advantage obtained is that for each known levelling device it would be possible to have a first tie rod to be used in initial levelling operations, a first tie rod pressure element and an emergency tie rod to be used in combination with the same pressure element used in initial levelling operations. Variants of the embodiments described as non-limiting examples are possible, without departing from the scope of protection of the present invention, including all equivalent implementations understood by a person skilled in the art, in light of the content of the claims.

[0059] From the above description, the person skilled in the art is able to carry out the object of the invention without introducing further construction details.LEGEND OF THE COMPONENTS OF THE FIGURES

[0060] 1levelling tie rod 2slab elements 3at least one tie rod septum 4tie rod base 4afirst extension 4a I< first part of the first extension 4a II< second part of the first extension 4bsecond extension 4b I< first part of the second extension 4b II< second part of the second extension 4ccentral portion 5grout line 6fold line

Examples

first embodiment

[0032] the base 4 comprises, with respect to the septum 3, a first extension 4a and a second extension 4b which begin in proximity to the septum 3, occupying the negative space of the septum 3 and end by protruding from the septum 3 in both directions orthogonal to the septum 3 itself, when this is in an orthogonal position with respect to the base 4. In other words, the first 4a and the second extension 4b are located on the diametrically opposite side of each other with respect to the septum 3 which is in a substantially central position with respect to said extensions. Furthermore, the base 4, between the first 4a and the second extension 4b, comprises a central portion 4c preferably having a curved shape to recognize the insertion side inside the grout line 5, facilitating the entry of said central portion 4c inside said grout line 5. Said central portion 4c is configured to protrude from the septum 3 in a single direction orthogonal to the septum 3 itself when this is in an ort...

second embodiment

[0035] the "L"-shaped fold lines 6 are two and extend for the entire length of the first 4a and the second extension 4b.

[0036]In both embodiments, the fold line 6 is configured to deform elastically and defines the direction of rotation of the tie rod 1 for its insertion inside the grout line 5.

[0037]In both embodiments, the tie rod 1, in the non-use position, in which the base 4 and at least one septum 3 are in a substantially orthogonal position to each other, must be inserted inside a grout line 5 whose dimensions have been set during the first levelling operation or have been set using common cross-shaped spacers for tiles.

[0038]It should be noted that the tie rod 1 has a base 4 and at least one septum 3 thickness that is less than the size of the grout line 5. Therefore, when inserting the tie rod 1 into the grout line 5, the at least one septum 3 will only contact one of the two lateral surfaces of two adjacent slab elements 2, resulting in easier insertion of the base 4 under...

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to the sector of levelling for tiles and more specifically consists of a levelling tie rod to be used also, but not only, in emergency conditions for the laying of slab elements for the cladding of surfaces comprising a universal base adaptable both to tie rods for wedge levelling spacer devices and to other types of levelling spacer devices, such as for example screw-type levelling spacer devices or more generally levelling spacer devices having a vertical septum or thin plate which rises from a base of said spacer.STATE OF THE ART

[0002] It is well known in the state of the art that, very often, during the assembly step and therefore the initial levelling of a floor or covering, with common levelling systems the levelling tie rod breaks when it comes under pressure.

[0003] There are not many technical operational solutions to this problem, and therefore we normally proceed with: dismantling of the levelling elements mounted up to that point; lifting the tile from the support to be covered; removal of broken tie rods and the previously applied layer of adhesive and only subsequently does the entire assembly procedure begin from the beginning, that is, from the spreading of the mounting adhesive, to the positioning of the tie rods adjacent to the tiles already laid, to the repositioning of the previously removed tile up to the execution of the levelling step.

[0004] All these steps cause a high loss of time for the assembler, which translates into: an economic expense resulting from the waste of materials used in the initial application: the waste of the mounting adhesive since said adhesive could have deteriorated upon contact with the substrate, no longer providing the appropriate strength features; the tie rod is broken and needs to be replaced; the tiles may need to be replaced as the dismantling and reassembly operations could potentially create chips or micro-fractures on the surface of the tile itself; an economic waste in terms of hourly labor costs caused by the loss of time.

[0005] The same work sequence is created in the case where, instead of a breakage, the assembly of a tie rod has been forgotten or its insertion has not taken place in a point that has a defect in planarity. It may therefore happen that, only after the start of the levelling, one notices that a certain area has an irregularity in the linearity of the surface of the tile and therefore requires correction by means of a levelling tie rod, but at this point it is too late to insert it, since, by the time one begins to level the tile, it is assumed that it is now perfectly positioned on the support. This brings us back to the procedure indicated above, which consists of dismantling the tile and redoing the assembly procedure from the beginning.

[0006] Among the known systems that have attempted to resolve this problem, we find the system protected by Raimondi S.p.A., which can be found at the following link https: / / www.youtube.com / watch?v=MxkZGUoOAK0 . This system consists of an emergency system comprising a pin tie rod and a knob that tightens the tie rod by screwing. The pin tie rod of the Raimondi system has a base that, before screwing, must be rotated underneath the tiles so that the tie rod is locked underneath said tiles. The disadvantage of this system is that the tie rod requires a special knob that does not coincide with the knob used during the first levelling operation. Even more so, this knob does not coincide when the first levelling system is a wedge system. Therefore, this system is not a system that can be adapted to every situation. Furthermore, care must be taken to ensure that the base of the tie rod has completed the correct and complete rotation underneath the tile so that it is locked underneath it.

[0007] Furthermore, the following documents are known to the state of the art: US2022341191A1 that describes a method and a device for laying tiles wherein said device: it is placed beneath the first tile, and only afterwards a second tile to be levelled is laid on top of it; comprises wing segments (see references 16 and 16.1) which are configured to define the dimensions of the grout line between two or more adjacent tiles; it is made of metal; comprises a base having a substantially U-shaped form, where the arms of the U are much longer compared to the connecting side of the two U arms; includes a reinforcement on said base (see reference 5); US2016090746A1 that describes a levelling spacer device, made of plastic, for the installation of tiles comprising: a base that can be positioned on the rear side of a laying surface of at least two adjacent tiles, at least one separating element (or septum) joined to said base and capable of contacting the facing sides of two tiles, and movable between a storage position in which it lies substantially parallel to the base and a working position in which it emerges substantially perpendicular to the base; said device characterised in that it comprises means for locking the separating element in the working position.

[0008] The tie rods disclosed in documents US2022341191A1 and US2016090746A1, differently from the tie rod which is the subject of this patent application, cannot be used as emergency tie rods, i.e. as tie rods to be used after the first levelling operations have already been carried out. This is because they are made with materials, shapes and dimensions that do not make them compatible with the emergency use required.

[0009] Specifically, the tie rod of the US'191 document is made of metal and its disadvantage is that, with the same applied stress, it is a material that recovers its original shape with greater difficulty. In other words, the yield point of the metal is not compatible with the bending angles that are required for the tie rod that is the subject of this patent application to ensure that the base returns to a substantially orthogonal position with respect to the septum after it has been inserted under the tile. Therefore, the tie rod that is the subject of this application cannot be made of metal.

[0010] Combining the technical features of the tie rod from US'191 with those of the tie rod from US'746 does not lead to the tie rod claimed in the present patent application, since, even if the tie rod is made of plastic like that of the US'746 document, the U-shaped form of the base and the presence of the reinforcements 5 constituting a thickening of the base itself, would not allow its insertion under tiles once their initial levelling has already been carried out.PURPOSE AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0011] The object of the present invention is to provide a base which is universal in shape and adaptable to a tie rod of any shape, whether for wedge-shaped levelling spacers or for other types of levelling spacers, such as screw-type levelling spacers or more generally levelling spacers having a vertical septum or thin plate which rises from a base of said spacer.

[0012] A further object of the present invention is to provide a tie rod to be used in emergency situations but not only to recover and complete the work carried out up to the moment preceding the breakage of the tie rod used in a first levelling procedure.

[0013] A further object of the present invention is to provide a tie rod that can be used in combination with the components of the initial levelling device without requiring the use of an additional pressing means to be clamped onto the tie rod, which would be separate and entirely different from the pressing means used for the initial levelling.

[0014] A further object of the present invention is to provide a tie rod that can be inserted into a grout line between two adjacent tiles without the covering having to be removed first.

[0015] Another object of the present invention is to provide a tie rod that can also be used as a real first levelling device, by inserting it between the grout line when the covering has already been laid using the known cross spacers for tiles. The tie rod can be used in this way to potentially speed up the laying times.

[0016] These purposes are achieved by means of a levelling tie rod for the laying of slab elements for the cladding of surfaces comprising: at least one septum configured to: be joined to a base by means of a surface with a narrow cross-section; rise from said base; a base configured to: be positioned below the lower surface of at least two adjacent slab elements; wherein: said septum, in conditions of use, is also configured to contact only one of the two facing sides of two adjacent and side-by-side slab elements with respect to a side-by-side direction; this base in conditions of use is also configured to be inserted inside a grout line previously prepared with an initial levelling operation in which said insertion occurs by means of a central portion designed to facilitate the entry of said central portion inside said grout line; said tie rod moves from a first position of non-use in which said base lies substantially orthogonal to said at least one septum to a second position in which the base is substantially parallel to said at least one septum when it is inserted inside a grout line placed between two adjacent slab elements and snaps back into a position orthogonal to said at least one septum when it is placed below the lower surface of at least two adjacent slab elements, where the movement between said first, second and third positions occurs by means of a fold line which defines the direction of rotation of the tie rod for its insertion inside the grout line; said tie rod is made of rigid or semi-rigid plastic material with elastic yielding properties to facilitate the movement of the base relative to the septum between said first, second and third positions.

[0017] According to a first aspect, the above problem is solved by a levelling tie rod for the laying of slab elements as defined in claim 1 and by its preferential embodiments, defined in dependent claims 2-8.

[0018] According to another aspect, the present invention relates to a levelling spacer device as defined in claim 9.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0019] 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 an axonometric view of a tie rod according to the first embodiment; figure 2 shows a bottom view of the base of the tie rod of Fig. 1; figure 3 shows an axonometric view of a tie rod according to the second embodiment; figure 4 shows a bottom view of the base of the tie rod of Fig. 3; figure 5 shows a perspective view showing the first step of inserting a tie rod into a grout line between two adjacent slab elements; figure 6 shows a perspective view showing the second step of inserting a tie rod into a grout line between two adjacent slab elements; figure 7 shows a perspective view showing the third step of inserting a tie rod into a grout line between two adjacent slab elements; figure 8 shows a perspective view of the fourth step of inserting a tie rod inside a grout line between two adjacent slab elements. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0020] 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.

[0021] The subject of this patent application is a levelling tie rod 1 for the laying of slab elements 2 for the cladding of surfaces comprising: at least one septum 3 configured to: be joined to a base 4 by means of a surface with a narrow cross-section; rise from said base 4; a base 4 configured to: be positioned below the lower surface of at least two adjacent slab elements; wherein: said septum 3 in conditions of use is also configured to contact only one of the two facing sides of two adjacent and side-by-side slab elements 2 with respect to a side-by-side direction; said base 4 in conditions of use is also configured to be inserted inside a grout line 5 previously prepared with an initial levelling operation in which said insertion occurs by means of a central portion 4c designed to facilitate the entry of said central portion 4c inside said grout line 5; said tie rod 1 moves from a first position of non-use in which said base 4 lies substantially orthogonal to said at least one septum 3 to a second position in which the base 4 is substantially parallel to said at least one septum 3 when it is inserted inside a grout line 5 placed between two adjacent slab elements 2 and snaps back into a position orthogonal to said at least one septum 3 when it is placed below the lower surface of at least two adjacent slab elements 2 wherethe movement between said first, second and third positions occurs by means of a fold line 6 which defines the direction of rotation of the tie rod 1 for its insertion inside the grout line 5; said tie rod 1 is made of rigid or semi-rigid plastic material with elastic yielding properties to promote movement of the base 4 relative to the septum 3 between said first, second and third positions.

[0022] Thanks to this tie rod 1 it is possible to reduce the labour costs to complete an initial levelling operation of a surface to be covered while at the same time making available a tie rod that is convenient to use in case of emergency, but not only, for the completion of said operations.

[0023] It is to be understood that by "first levelling operation" we mean the whole set of operational steps that are required for two or more adjacent slab elements to be accurately levelled. It is consequent that the first levelling operations must be conducted by means of the use of a device defined as a "first levelling device".

[0024] Said tie rod 1 will constitute an additional and assistive element to be used in synergy with the first levelling spacer device which comprises a first levelling tie rod and a first levelling pressure device. Said first levelling pressure device is also configured to coincide or not with the pressure device to be used to tighten the emergency tie rod 1 on the slab surface to be levelled.

[0025] The fold line 6 of the said tie rod 1 is made by a substantially "L" shaped notch created at the point of union between the base 4 and the at least one septum 3. Said fold line 6 is designed to define and preferably coincide with a pre-established breaking zone or line which allows the separation of the base 4 from the at least one septum 3.

[0026] The fold line 6 has a reduced section which is located on the line of connection between the base 4 and the vertical septum 3, which, by deforming thanks to its technical conformation, passes through the orthogonal / parallel / orthogonal state.

[0027] In practice, the "L" notch in the non-use position has both sides of the "L" positioned along the same line, therefore the "L" notch is in the open position, while in the use position the sides of the "L" come into contact with each other, substantially closing the notch.

[0028] Advantageously, the base 4 and at least one septum 3 when arranged parallel to each other have the same thickness which is preferably less than 1 mm. This provides the advantage of being able to insert the emergency tie rod 1 which is the subject of the patent application inside a grout line 5 whose dimensions have already been previously delineated in an initial levelling operation or by means of known cross-shaped spacing devices. The fold line 6 is made inside the thickness of the base 4 / septum 3 and the "L" orientation of the notch defines the folding direction of an emerging part of the emergency tie rod 1. Furthermore, the fold line 6 in use is arranged below the level of the upper surface of the adjacent slab elements 2 to be levelled so as to remain within the thickness of said slab element 2.

[0029] Advantageously, the base 4 constitutes the extension of the at least one septum 3 of the tie rod 1. In other words, the at least one septum 3 and the base 4 are made in a single piece by moulding, for example, plastic materials and are joined together by means of a surface with a narrow section defined by the "L" shaped notch.

[0030] The part of the tie rod projecting from the slab elements 2 (also defined in the following as tile / s 2) has a greater height than that of the tiles 2 so that said projecting part, protruding upwards, can receive a pressure device (not shown) configured to press the surface of the slab elements 2 towards the base 4 of the tie rod 1 in order to level them.

[0031] The base 4 of the tie rod 1 which is the subject of this patent application can take two different embodiments, of which: a first embodiment where the tie rod is for a levelling spacer device having a vertical septum or thin plate rising from a base of said spacer; a second embodiment in case the tie rod is for a wedge-shaped levelling spacing device.

[0032] According to the first embodiment, the base 4 comprises, with respect to the septum 3, a first extension 4a and a second extension 4b which begin in proximity to the septum 3, occupying the negative space of the septum 3 and end by protruding from the septum 3 in both directions orthogonal to the septum 3 itself, when this is in an orthogonal position with respect to the base 4. In other words, the first 4a and the second extension 4b are located on the diametrically opposite side of each other with respect to the septum 3 which is in a substantially central position with respect to said extensions. Furthermore, the base 4, between the first 4a and the second extension 4b, comprises a central portion 4c preferably having a curved shape to recognize the insertion side inside the grout line 5, facilitating the entry of said central portion 4c inside said grout line 5. Said central portion 4c is configured to protrude from the septum 3 in a single direction orthogonal to the septum 3 itself when this is in an orthogonal position with respect to the base 4.

[0033] According to the first embodiment, the "L" shaped fold line 6 is single and extends along the entire length of the central portion of the base 4.

[0034] According to the second embodiment, the base 4 comprises a first extension 4a and a second extension 4b corresponding to each of the two septa 3 and which begin in proximity to the beginning of each of the septa 3 themselves and end with the end of the septa 3 themselves. Both extensions 4a and 4b protrude from the septum 3 in a single direction orthogonal to the septum 3 itself, when this is in an orthogonal position with respect to the base 4. Similarly to the first embodiment, the base 4, between the first 4a and the second extension 4b, comprises a central portion 4c preferably having a curved shape similar to that of the first embodiment. Said central portion 4c, in the second embodiment, is configured to protrude from the septum 3 in both directions orthogonal to the septum 3 itself when this is in an orthogonal position with respect to the base 4.

[0035] According to the second embodiment, the "L"-shaped fold lines 6 are two and extend for the entire length of the first 4a and the second extension 4b.

[0036] In both embodiments, the fold line 6 is configured to deform elastically and defines the direction of rotation of the tie rod 1 for its insertion inside the grout line 5.

[0037] In both embodiments, the tie rod 1, in the non-use position, in which the base 4 and at least one septum 3 are in a substantially orthogonal position to each other, must be inserted inside a grout line 5 whose dimensions have been set during the first levelling operation or have been set using common cross-shaped spacers for tiles.

[0038] It should be noted that the tie rod 1 has a base 4 and at least one septum 3 thickness that is less than the size of the grout line 5. Therefore, when inserting the tie rod 1 into the grout line 5, the at least one septum 3 will only contact one of the two lateral surfaces of two adjacent slab elements 2, resulting in easier insertion of the base 4 underneath the tile 2.

[0039] The base 4, before being inserted inside a grout line 5, is in a position orthogonal to the at least one septum 3 with respect to the latter. By applying manual pressure downwards (represented by the direction of the arrow), at least a first part 4c I< or the entire part of the central portion 4c of the base 4 and at least a first part 4a I< , 4b I< or the entire part of the first extension 4a and the second extension 4b respectively, passing through a grout line 5, are inserted into a space existing between the lower surface of a first slab element 2 and the upper surface of the support to be covered. In this way the base 4 and the at least one septum 3 are substantially in a position parallel to each other.

[0040] Once a first part 4c I< or the entire part of the central portion 4c has been inserted, a first part 4a I< , 4b I< or the entire part respectively of the first extension 4a and of the second extension 4b of the base 4 in said space, by acting with a counter force, that is, by pulling upwards (represented by the direction of the arrow), the possible second part 4c II< of the central portion 4c of the base 4 and the possible second part 4a II< and 4b II< of the first extension 4a and of the second extension 4b will snap into place underneath the second slab element 2 adjacent to the first.

[0041] In this way the tie rod 1 is firmly anchored underneath the two adjacent slab elements 2.

[0042] After this step, it will be possible to proceed with pressurising tie rod 1 and with the normal levelling procedure.

[0043] Going into the specifics of the levelling operations of the tie rod 1 according to the first embodiment, the entire part of the central portion 4c of the base 4 together with a first part 4a I< of the first extension 4 and a first part 4b I< of the second extension 4b must be inserted into the space existing between the lower surface of the first slab element 2 and the upper surface of the support to be covered. After which, by acting with a counter force, i.e. lifting the tie rod, a second part 4a II< of the first extension 4a and a second part 4b II< of the second extension 4b are snap-fitted into the space below the lower surface of the second slab element 2. The tie rod 1 according to the first embodiment, in this way is perfectly anchored below the lower surface of two adjacent slab elements 2, with the grout line between the two tiles having a smaller size than the size of the base 4.

[0044] Going into the specifics of the levelling operations of the tie rod 2 according to the second embodiment, as visible in Fig. 5, the base 4 before its insertion inside a grout line 5 is in relation to at least one septum 3 in an orthogonal position with respect to the latter. By applying a downward force (shown in the direction of the arrow), see Fig. 6, the first part 4c I< of the central portion 4c together with the first part 4a I< , 4b I< respectively of the first 4a and the second extension 4b, crossing a grout line 5, must be inserted into the space existing between the lower surface of the first slab element 2 and the upper surface of the support to be covered. In this way the base 4 and the septum 3 are substantially in a parallel position to each other.

[0045] After that, by acting with a counterforce, that is, lifting force (shown in the direction of the arrow) of the tie rod 1, a second part 4c II< of the central portion 4c of the base 4 snaps into the space below the lower surface of the second slab element 2 (see

[0046] Fig. 7 and 8). The tie rod 1 according to the second embodiment, in this way is perfectly anchored below the lower surface of two adjacent slab elements 2.

[0047] The tie rod 1 which is the subject of this patent application is part of a levelling spacer device which comprises pressure means (not shown) which can be associated with said tie rod 1 and are capable of pressing the exposed surfaces of the slab elements 2 towards said base 4 in order to level them.

[0048] The pressing means can be of any type, knob-shaped or wedge-shaped, as known to those skilled in the art.

[0049] The knob must be used in conjunction with the tie rod according to the first embodiment while the wedge must be used in conjunction with the tie rod according to the second embodiment. Specifically, the knob is screwed onto a threaded surface of a known screw tie rod or is removably connected to a tie rod comprising wing extensions of the known type by a rotation imparted to a handle, by means of which rotation the handle hooks the tie rod and locks it onto the upper surface of the tile. The wedge must instead be inserted inside a through window represented by the two septa 3 placed in an extreme position with respect to the base 4 of the second embodiment of the tie rod 1 which is the subject of the present patent application. Said wedge, aided by the aid of a manually controlled clamping pliers, must slide in support of the upper surface of the tiles 2 and facilitate the thrust of said tiles 2 towards the base 4 of the tie rod 1, thus facilitating their levelling.

[0050] For both embodiments, once the tie rod 1 is placed under pressure by a known knob or by a known wedge, the tie rod 1 breaks by means of a blow in the direction of the thickness of the septum 3. In both embodiments the tie rod 1 breaks along the "L" shaped fold line 7, leaving the central portion 4c, the first 4a and the second extension 4b of the base 4 embedded beneath the lower surface of the adjacent slab elements 2.

[0051] The tie rod according to the first and second embodiment is produced with the base 4 in an orthogonal position with respect to the at least one septum 3. The material with which the tie rod 1, which is the subject of the present patent application, is produced is a rigid or semi-rigid plastic material which also has elastic yielding properties. Said material promotes the elastic deformation of the base 4 and of the at least one septum 3 of the tie rod 1 and the rotation of the base 4 with respect to the at least one septum 3. Thanks to the yielding nature of the material, it is possible to promote the insertion of the base 4 inside the grout line 5 between two adjacent tiles 2 and to promote the movement of the base 4 with respect to the septum 3 between said first, second and third positions.

[0052] In fact, the plastic makes it easier to rotate and also slide the base 4 and at least part of the septum 3, proximal to the base 4, underneath the tile.

[0053] Going into more detail, the part of the base 4 that first slides under the tile is the one containing the central portion 4c (defined for simplicity as portion A) while the part of the base 4 diametrically opposite to the one containing the central surface 4c slides subsequently (defined for simplicity as portion B).

[0054] In a first, unused position, base 4 and septum 3 are orthogonal to each other. When central portion 4c of base 4 slides under the tile, the inclination angle of portion A with respect to septum 3 is greater than 90 degrees. Once portion A and part of septum 3 have slid under the tile, portion B also slides under the tile. Portion B sliding under the tile causes the entire base 4 to snap back into an orthogonal position with respect to septum 3.

[0055] Considering the main direction as the direction along which two adjacent tiles are placed side by side, the size of the grout line for optimal operation of the tie rod which is the subject of this patent application is preferably included in the range of 3-5 mm. Therefore, always along the direction in which two adjacent tiles are placed side by side, the portion A of the base 4 has a size preferably included between 3-4 mm and the portion B has a size preferably included between 3-4 mm. The sum of the size A and the portion B must preferably not exceed 8 mm. Compared to metal, plastic has a more pronounced elastic behavior before reaching the threshold of plastic deformation. This means that, if they do not exceed the irreversible deformation, they can return more evidently to the initial shape.

[0056] Therefore, given the same geometry and applied force, a plastic tie rod recovers its original shape more than one made of traditional metal, since the elastic deformation zone of plastics is wider and therefore has a more marked "return" behavior to position.

[0057] The first and second embodiments have been described in relation to the levelling device having a vertical thin plate rising from a base and the wedge-shaped levelling device, but nothing prevents the base 4, the extensions 4a and 4b and the fold line 6 from being foreseen / adapted to any other form of tie rod known to the state of the art. In other words, an emergency tie rod, but not only, will have the elevated part, with respect to the base 4, which will have the same shape as the elevated part of a first levelling tie rod, while the base 4 will be the one described in the present patent application.

[0058] The advantage obtained is that for each known levelling device it would be possible to have a first tie rod to be used in initial levelling operations, a first tie rod pressure element and an emergency tie rod to be used in combination with the same pressure element used in initial levelling operations. Variants of the embodiments described as non-limiting examples are possible, without departing from the scope of protection of the present invention, including all equivalent implementations understood by a person skilled in the art, in light of the content of the claims.

[0059] From the above description, the person skilled in the art is able to carry out the object of the invention without introducing further construction details.LEGEND OF THE COMPONENTS OF THE FIGURES

[0060] 1levelling tie rod 2slab elements 3at least one tie rod septum 4tie rod base 4afirst extension 4a I< first part of the first extension 4a II< second part of the first extension 4bsecond extension 4b I< first part of the second extension 4b II< second part of the second extension 4ccentral portion 5grout line 6fold line

Examples

first embodiment

[0032] the base 4 comprises, with respect to the septum 3, a first extension 4a and a second extension 4b which begin in proximity to the septum 3, occupying the negative space of the septum 3 and end by protruding from the septum 3 in both directions orthogonal to the septum 3 itself, when this is in an orthogonal position with respect to the base 4. In other words, the first 4a and the second extension 4b are located on the diametrically opposite side of each other with respect to the septum 3 which is in a substantially central position with respect to said extensions. Furthermore, the base 4, between the first 4a and the second extension 4b, comprises a central portion 4c preferably having a curved shape to recognize the insertion side inside the grout line 5, facilitating the entry of said central portion 4c inside said grout line 5. Said central portion 4c is configured to protrude from the septum 3 in a single direction orthogonal to the septum 3 itself when this is in an ort...

second embodiment

[0035] the "L"-shaped fold lines 6 are two and extend for the entire length of the first 4a and the second extension 4b.

[0036]In both embodiments, the fold line 6 is configured to deform elastically and defines the direction of rotation of the tie rod 1 for its insertion inside the grout line 5.

[0037]In both embodiments, the tie rod 1, in the non-use position, in which the base 4 and at least one septum 3 are in a substantially orthogonal position to each other, must be inserted inside a grout line 5 whose dimensions have been set during the first levelling operation or have been set using common cross-shaped spacers for tiles.

[0038]It should be noted that the tie rod 1 has a base 4 and at least one septum 3 thickness that is less than the size of the grout line 5. Therefore, when inserting the tie rod 1 into the grout line 5, the at least one septum 3 will only contact one of the two lateral surfaces of two adjacent slab elements 2, resulting in easier insertion of the base 4 under...

Claims

1. Levelling tie rod (1) for the laying of slab elements (2) for the cladding of surfaces comprising: - at least one septum (3) configured to: - be joined to a base (4) by means of a surface with a narrow cross-section; - rise from said base (4); - a base (4) configured to: - be positioned below the lower surface of at least two adjacent slab elements (2); wherein: - said septum (3) in conditions of use is also configured to contact only one of the two facing sides of two adjacent and side-by-side slab elements (2) with respect to a side-by-side direction; - said base (4) in conditions of use is also configured to be inserted inside a grout line (5) previously prepared with an initial levelling operation in which said insertion occurs by means of a central portion (4c) designed to facilitate the entry of said central portion (4c) inside said grout line (5); - said tie rod (1) moves from a first position of non-use in which said base (4) lies substantially orthogonal to said at least one septum (3) to a second position in which the base (4) is substantially parallel to said at least one septum (3) when it is inserted inside a grout line (5) placed between two adjacent slab elements (2) and snaps back into a position orthogonal to said at least one septum (3) when it is placed below the lower surface of at least two adjacent slab elements (2) where the movement between said first, second and third positions occurs by means of a fold line (6) which defines the direction of rotation of the tie rod (1) for its insertion inside the grout line (5); - said tie rod (1) is made of rigid or semi-rigid plastic material with elastic yielding properties to promote movement of the base (4) relative to the septum (3) between said first, second and third positions.

2. Levelling tie rod (1) according to claim 1, wherein the base (4) comprises a first extension (4a), a second extension (4b) and a central portion (4c) configured to protrude in only one direction or in both directions with respect to a direction orthogonal to the septum (3) when the septum (3) is at right angles to the base (4).

3. Levelling tie rod (1) according to the previous claims, wherein the base (4) and the at least one septum (3) when arranged parallel to each other have the same thickness, and wherein the thickness of the base (4) and the at least one septum (3) is less than the dimension of the grout line (5).

4. Levelling tie rod (1) according to claim 1, wherein the fold line (6) is realised by a substantially "L"-shaped notch made at the point of union between the base (4) and the at least one septum (3).

5. Levelling tie rod (1) according to claim 4, wherein the fold line (6) coincides with the base break line (4) from the at least one septum (3).

6. Levelling tie rod (1) according to claim 4, wherein the fold line (6) is made within the thickness of the base (4) / septum (3) and the "L" orientation of the notch defines the direction of folding of an emerging part of the levelling tie rod (1).

7. Levelling tie rod (1) according to the previous claims, wherein the at least one septum (3) and the base (4) are made in one piece.

8. Levelling tie rod (1) according to previous claims, wherein a part of the tie rod projecting from the slab elements (2) has a height greater than the height of said slab elements (2) such that said projecting part protruding above receives a known pressing means configured to press the surface of the slab elements (2) towards the base (4) of the tie rod (1) so as to level them.

9. A levelling spacer device comprising a levelling tie rod (1) according to previous claims and a pressing means of the known type wherein said pressing means is configured to be removably connected to said levelling tie rod (1).

Images