Levelling wedge for a tile-levelling system for wall and / or floor tiles

Abstract

The present invention relates to a levelling wedge (1) for a tile-levelling system comprising a wedge-shaped body which is configured to be placed on a tile surface (2) in use and to be introduced into an insertion opening (4) of a spacer element (5) of a tile-levelling system by means of displacement, with the wedge-shaped body having a flat bottom wall (6) which forms the underside of the wedge-shaped body, an inclined wall (7) which forms the upper side of the wedge-shaped body and a rear wall (8) which connects the underside with the upper side and which forms the rear side of the wedge-shaped body, with said wedge-shaped body tapering in height from its rear side to its front side, with the wedge-shaped body, at the location of its front side, comprising a connecting wall (9) which connects the bottom wall (6) with the inclined wall (7), with the connecting wall (9) being connected with the bottom wall (6) by means of a bottom connecting line (10) and being connected with the inclined wall (7) by means of a top connecting line (11), and with the top connecting line (11) being situated further from the rear wall (8) than the bottom connecting line (10). The connecting wall provides for smooth installation of the levelling wedge in the spacer element.

Description

[0001] LEVELLING WEDGE FOR A TILE-LEVELLING SYSTEM FOR WALL AND / OR FLOOR TILES

[0002] The present invention relates on the one hand to a levelling wedge for a tile-levelling system comprising a wedge-shaped body which is configured to be placed on a tile surface in use and which is configured to be introduced into an insertion opening of a spacer element of a tile-levelling system by means of displacement. On the other hand, the present invention relates to a tile-levelling system comprising a spacer element and such a levelling wedge.

[0003] A tile-levelling system is an aid which is used when installing covering elements, preferably in the form of tiles, in order to cover surfaces, such as floors, walls and the like, so as to create an even surface which helps to prevent unevenness and height differences between adjacent covering elements (tiles).

[0004] Such a levelling system is known per se; it often consists of a spacer (element), usually in the form of a plastic clip, and levelling means which cooperate with the spacer element in order to bring adjacent tiles to the same level. The spacer element generally comprises a base which may be positioned under the laying surface of at least two (three or four) adjoining tiles, and a break-off part which extends transversely to the base and which can, by means of its sides, make contact with the side edges of the two (three or four) tiles which are placed next to one another on the laying surface. The thickness of the break-off part determines the width of the opening between the tiles, i.e. the joint width. The usual joint width is 1 to 2 mm for wall tiles and 3 mm for floor tiles.

[0005] Various types of levelling system are available. The most traditional and popular type of levelling system consists of spacer elements in the form of plastic clips which are fitted under the tiles after the application of the tile adhesive and levelling wedges which are pushed into an opening of the clips. By pushing the levelling wedge further into the opening, the respective tiles are pushed upwards and brought to the same level as the surrounding tiles. It is also possible to use screws instead of clips and levelling wedges. The screws are screwed through the joints between the tiles and tightened by means of a special key or pair of pliers. This ensures an even levelling of the tiles. In addition, there is also a spinning or rotation system which uses a central rotating button or rotating disc. The rotating button is screwed down, as a result of which a mechanical mechanism pulls up and levels the tiles.

[0006] After the tile adhesive has cured and the levelling system has performed its task of levelling the tiles, the levelling wedges may be removed. During the removal of the levelling wedge, the break-off part of the spacer element will be separated from the base by the application of an external force. The base remains hidden in the adhesive under the laying surface of the tiles.

[0007] The present invention is limited to an application which was developed specifically for the most traditional tile-levelling system which uses levelling wedges as a levelling means to bring the tiles to the same level. Such a levelling system is described, inter alia, in European patent publication EP 2 966 239 Al. This publication describes a tile-levelling system with a spacer element comprising a base which is to rest on a mounting adhesive for the tiles and for accommodating and supporting a portion of the rear side of two adjoining tiles, a panel-shaped element which extends transversely along a longitudinal axis of the spacer element, with the panel-shaped element being intended to be placed between mutually facing edges of the two tiles during use, thus forming an intended breaking line between the panelshaped element and the base, and an insertion opening being formed in the panelshaped element which is adapted to make it possible to slidably insert a levelling wedge. A similar levelling system is described in the US patent publication US 8,887,475 B2.

[0008] International patent publication WO 2021 / 225460 Al describes a system for adjusting the position of large panels, such as plasterboards or OSB boards, on a wall. The system comprises an assembly of two elements, namely a fixing and separating element and a pressing wedge.

[0009] However, the traditional systems have the drawback that if the levelling wedge is introduced from the wrong side during its introduction, it strikes against the edge of a fitted tile, if there is a difference in height between the adjacent tiles. This applies in particular if the wedge is introduced from the tile which is situated in a lower position. In such cases, the tiler is forced to in each case perform an upward movement with the levelling wedge while inserting it, which will often result in a loss of time.

[0010] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a levelling wedge for a tile-levelling system which is easy to fit in a spacer element of a tile-levelling system and without being associated with the risk that it strikes against a (side) edge of a covering element, in particular a tile.

[0011] The object of the invention is achieved by providing a levelling wedge for a tilelevelling system comprising a wedge-shaped body which is configured to be placed on a tile surface in use and to be introduced into an insertion opening of a spacer element of a tile-levelling system by means of displacement, with the wedge-shaped body having a flat bottom side which forms the underside of the wedge-shaped body, an inclined wall which forms the upper side of the wedge-shaped body and a rear wall which connects the underside with the upper side and which forms the rear side of the wedge-shaped body, with the said wedge-shaped body tapering in height from its rear side to its front side, with the wedge-shaped body, at the location of its front side, comprising a connecting wall which connects the bottom side with the inclined wall, with the connecting wall being connected with the bottom side by means of a bottom connecting line and being connected with the inclined wall by means of a top connecting line, with the top connecting line being situated further from the rear wall than the bottom connecting line. During normal use of the levelling wedge according to the invention, in which the levelling wedge rests on a tile surface by means of its flat bottom side, the top connecting line is situated higher than the bottom connecting line. Due to the fact that the top connecting line is situated higher than the bottom connecting line, the connecting wall has an ascending profile, as a result of which the levelling wedge will no longer strike against a (side) edge of a tile element when it is inserted into an opening of a spacer element, but will smoothly slide over it without getting stuck, due to the presence of the connecting wall.

[0012] The shape of the connecting wall may vary. Preferably, the connecting wall is straight. In an alternative embodiment, the connecting wall is curved, preferably the connecting wall is of a convex design, more particularly a spherical design. The connecting wall preferably comprises a bottom surface and two lateral flanks. In order to insert the levelling wedge smoothly into the spacer element, this invention, in a preferred embodiment, provides for the connecting wall to be wider at the location of the bottom connecting line than at the location of the top connecting line. This results in the lateral flanks of the connecting wall having an oblique profile which offers the advantage that it is easier to insert the levelling wedge into the spacer element.

[0013] In a particular embodiment of the levelling wedge according to the invention, the wedge-shaped body comprises a hollow interior space. The levelling wedge preferably has an open underside which gives access to the hollow interior space. Preferably, the hollow interior space is delimited by the inclined wall, the rear wall and the side walls of the wedge-shaped body. Due to the ascending profile of the connecting wall, this connecting wall will only make contact with the ground surface at the location of its bottom connecting line. As a result thereof, scratches on the tile surface produced by contact of the levelling wedge with grout or dust residues are greatly reduced due to the limited contact surface.

[0014] In a preferred embodiment of the levelling wedge according to the invention, the angle which the connecting wall makes with the flat bottom side, preferably the flat bottom wall, of the wedge-shaped body is between 1° and 75°, and is preferably 15°. The respective angle is in particular between 10° and 45°, more particularly between 10° and 25°.

[0015] In a more preferred embodiment of the levelling wedge according to the invention, the inclined wall comprises a number of grooves which alternate with a number of ridges in order to improve the coupling of the levelling wedge with a spacer element.

[0016] The levelling wedge according to the invention is preferably made of plastic.

[0017] According to a particular embodiment of the levelling wedge according to the present invention, the bottom side comprises a lip which extends transversely to the rear wall and forms an engagement edge for a tool which is adapted to insert the levelling wedge in an insertion opening of a spacer element of a tile-levelling system by means of displacement.

[0018] Another subject of the present invention relates to a tile-levelling system comprising a spacer element with a base configured to be positioned under the laying surface of at least two adjoining tile elements in use, a panel-shaped break-off part extending transversely to the base and provided with an insertion opening adapted to slidably insert a levelling wedge, which break-off part is intended to be placed, in use, between mutually opposite side edges of the said at least two adjoining tile elements, with a breaking zone being provided between the base and the break-off part where the spacer element is broken in order to make it possible to separate the break-off part from the base, and with the tile-levelling system comprising a levelling wedge according to one of the respective claims.

[0019] Furthermore, the present invention relates to the use of a levelling wedge according to one of the respective claims in a tile-levelling system according to the invention.

[0020] In order to explain the characterizing features of the present invention in more detail and to indicate additional advantages and particulars thereof, a more detailed description of the levelling wedge according to the invention and its use in a terrace levelling system will be given below. It will be clear that nothing in the following description may be interpreted as a limitation of the scope of protection defined in the claims.

[0021] In this description, reference numerals are used to refer to the attached drawings, in which:

[0022] Fig. 1 : shows a perspective view of a possible embodiment of a levelling wedge according to the invention;

[0023] Fig. 2'. shows a side view of the levelling wedge illustrated in Fig. 1;

[0024] Fig. 3 shows a perspective view of a spacer element of a tile-levelling system which is suitable for accommodating the levelling wedge according to the invention;

[0025] Figs. 4 to 6. diagrammatically show the way in which two tile elements are levelled by means of the tile-levelling system according to the invention; Fig. 7: shows a perspective view of another possible embodiment of a levelling wedge according to the invention with an open underside;

[0026] Fig. 8. shows a detail view of the front side of the levelling wedge, in which the obliquely tapering lateral flanks of the connecting wall are clearly visible.

[0027] When laying a floor or tiling a wall, some shrinkage may occur due to the curing process, which may lead to subsidence and unevenness. In order to prevent this, use may be made of a so-called tile-levelling system which ensures that tile elements (3), after laying, are positioned level with respect to each other, so that a perfectly flat end result is achieved.

[0028] As is illustrated in Figs. 4 to 6, a tile-levelling system makes it possible to position two or more adjoining tile elements (3) in such a way that the respective top surfaces thereof are coplanar and a floor or wall is obtained with even top surfaces and joints (opening between adjoining tiles) of a well-defined width, often 1 mm, 1.5 mm, 2 mm or 3 mm. A tile-levelling system comprises a spacer element (5), such as shown for example in Fig. 3, and a so-called levelling wedge (1) which is intended to be used together with the spacer element (5), as is illustrated in Figs. 4 and 5 and as will be explained further in this description.

[0029] The levelling wedge (1) according to the present invention and as illustrated, inter alia, in Figs. 1 and 2, has a wedge-shaped body delimited by a flat side (also referred to as bottom side (6)) which forms the underside of the wedge-shaped body, an inclined (top) wall (7) (side) which is arranged obliquely with respect to the bottom side (6) (or a bottom wall), a pair of side walls (16) which are arranged at right angles to the bottom wall (6), a rear wall (8) which connects the bottom side (6) with the inclined wall (7) and a connecting wall (9) (connecting surface) which connects the bottom wall (6) with the inclined wall (7) and which extends at the location of the front side of the wedge-shaped body. As can be seen, inter alia, in Figs. 1 and 2, the connecting wall (9) is connected with the bottom side (6) by means of a bottom connecting line (10) and connected with the inclined wall (7) by means of a top connecting line (11), with the top connecting line (11) being situated further from the rear wall (8) than the bottom connecting line (10). Due to the fact that the top connecting line is situated higher than the bottom connecting line, the connecting wall (9) has an ascending profile. In the illustrated embodiment, the connecting wall (9) has a straight profile and the angle which the connecting wall (9) makes with the bottom side (6) is 15°. Other angles are also possible, such as e.g. an angle of between 1° and 75°. In an alternative embodiment (not shown), the connecting wall may also have a curved profile, preferably a spherical profile. As a result of the design and profile of the connecting wall (9), the levelling wedge (1) according to the invention will no longer strike against a (side) edge of a tile element (3) when it is inserted into an opening of a spacer element, but will smoothly slide over it and without getting stuck, as it were.

[0030] The height of the wedge-shaped body tapers from its rear side to its front side. As a result thereof, the side walls (16) are variable in height, viewed in the length direction, with the height of the levelling wedge (1) being greatest at the rear wall (8).

[0031] The connecting wall (9) furthermore comprises a bottom surface (20) and two lateral flanks (19). In order to be able to insert the levelling wedge (1) smoothly into the spacer element (5), this invention, in a preferred embodiment, provides for the connecting wall (9) to be wider at the location of the bottom connecting line than at the location of the top connecting line. As a result thereof, the lateral flanks (19) of the connecting wall (9) have an oblique profile, as can clearly be seen in Fig. 8, which offers the advantage that the levelling wedge (1) can be inserted in the spacer element (5) more easily.

[0032] According to a particular embodiment of the levelling wedge (1) according to the invention, the wedge-shaped body comprises a hollow interior space (18). The underside of the levelling wedge (1) according to the invention may be open or closed. In the case where the underside is closed, the bottom side of the levelling wedge is formed by a flat bottom wall and the hollow interior space is delimited by the inclined wall (7), the rear wall (8), the side walls (16) of the wedge-shaped body and said bottom wall.

[0033] However, in order to prevent scratches from forming, e.g. by the levelling wedge coming into contact with dust and / or grout residues, or to limit this to a minimum, the levelling wedge preferably has an open underside which provides access to the hollow interior space (18). In such a case, the hollow interior space (18) is delimited by the inclined wall (7), the rear wall (8) and the side walls (16) of the wedge-shaped body. Due to the ascending profile of the connecting wall (9), and in particular the bottom surface (20) of the connecting wall, this connecting wall will only come into contact with the ground surface at the location of its bottom connecting line. As a result of this limited contact surface, the creation of scratches on the tile surface due to, for example, the levelling wedge coming into contact with grout or dust residues during use of the levelling wedge (1) is greatly reduced. In addition, the dust and / or grout residues can be stored temporarily in the hollow interior space of the levelling wedge.

[0034] In practice, the bottom wall (6) has a length of between 60 mm and 120 mm, preferably approximately 90 mm, and a thickness of 1.5 to 3 mm. The other walls of the levelling wedge (1) also have a similar thickness. The rear wall (8) is 15 mm to 25 mm high. In the illustrated embodiments, the bottom side (6) extends slightly beyond the rear wall (8) and in this way forms a projecting lip (13) which extends transversely to the rear wall. This lip (13) forms an engagement or positioning edge for a specific tool, such as a levelling pliers, by means of which the levelling wedge (1) can be moved with respect to the spacer element (5). The rear wall (8) is at an angle of 90° or slightly more than 90°, preferably 93°, with respect to the bottom side (6) (or bottom wall).

[0035] As is illustrated in Figs. 4 to 6, the bottom side (6) is intended, in use, to be placed on the upper surface (tile surface (2)) of two tile elements (3) which have to be levelled with respect to each other.

[0036] The inclined wall (7) is provided with a number of grooves (12) which alternate with a number of ridges in order to improve the coupling of the levelling wedge (1) with a spacer element (5).

[0037] The levelling wedge (1) has to be used together with a spacer element (5) in order to position a first and a second tile element (3) next to each other to create a covering, such as a floor or wall, with coplanar top surfaces. Each tile element (3) comprises a respective first surface which is intended to serve as the upper surface of the covering to be produced and an opposite bottom surface which rests on a layer of cement, grout or mounting adhesive to anchor the tile elements (3) to the screed and at least one side edge.

[0038] The first and second tile element (3) are positioned using a tile-levelling system in such a way that the respective side edges at least partly face each other and the spacer element (5) is placed in between.

[0039] Fig. 3 shows a possible embodiment of a spacer element (5). The spacer element (5) comprises a base (14) which is intended, in use, to be placed on a (tile) adhesive which has been applied and to accommodate and support a part of the bottom surface of the first and second tile element (3). In addition to the base (14), the spacer element (5) has an upright panel-shaped break-off part (15) which extends from the base (14) in a direction which is virtually at right angles thereto.

[0040] The base (14) has an upper surface from which the break-off part (15) extends and an opposite bottom surface which is intended, in use, to rest on the adhesive.

[0041] The base (14) of the spacer element (5) has an "H"-shaped flat shape. Said break-off part (15) is intended, in use, to be placed between the mutually facing side edges of the first and second tile element (3). The two mutually opposite side faces (17) of the break-off part (15) are intended, in use, to rest against mutually opposite side edges of the first and second tile element (3), respectively. The break-off part (15) has a thickness of generally between 0.5 mm and 8 mm, preferably between 1 mm and 5 mm. The thickness of the break-off part (15) determines the width of the joints between the neighbouring tile elements. In practice, there will be spacer elements (5) with a thickness of the break-off part of 1 mm, 1.5 mm, 2 mm or 3 mm.

[0042] Between the break-off part (15) and the base (14) of the spacer element (5), there is a breaking zone where the spacer element (5) is broken in order to make it possible to separate the break-off part from the base. In order to bring this about, the connection between the panel and the base may be weakened or, for example, an incision may be made at the location of the connection between the break-off part and the base. As can be seen in Fig. 3, an insertion opening (4) is provided in the break-off part (15) which is delimited by the peripheral edge of the break-off part (15) and the top surface of the base (14). The insertion opening (4) makes it possible to slidably insert a levelling wedge (1) in the spacer element (5), as is illustrated in Figs. 4 and 5. The opening (4) has a substantially rectangular shape with a height of between 15 mm and 25 mm and a width of between 20 mm and 25 mm.

[0043] In use, the inclined wall (7) of the levelling wedge (1) will bear against the top edge of the respective opening (4) in the spacer element (5), more particularly, the top edge will engage in one of the grooves (12) which are provided in the inclined wall (7) in order to thus lock the levelling wedge (1), as it were.

[0044] In order to fit tile elements (3), the tiler will first make tile adhesive and apply this to a screed, subsequently he will place a first tile element (3) on the adhesive and he then places the base (14) of a spacer element (5) in such a way that it between the adhesive and the rear surface of the first tile element (3), that is to say in such a way that the rear surface of the first tile element (3) at least partly rests on the base (14) and the free side edge of the first tile element (3) bears against a first side face (17a) of the break-off part (15).

[0045] The tiler then fits the second tile element in such a way that, as is illustrated in Fig. 4, a part of its rear surface rests on the base (14) and its free side edge facing the free side edge of the first tile element rests against a second side face (17b) of the break- off part (15), situated opposite the first side face (17a) on which the free side edge of the first tile element rests.

[0046] In this way, the break-off part (15) is placed between the two adjoining tile elements (3), and a distance or gap is determined between these tiles which essentially corresponds to the thickness of the break-off part (15).

[0047] In order to then position the fitted tile elements level with respect to each other, the front side of the levelling wedge (1) is pushed in the opening (4) of the spacer element (5) (see Fig. 4). The sliding movement may be effected manually or by means of a tool which is specifically provided for the purpose. As the connecting wall (7) has an ascending profile, the levelling wedge (1) will not strike against the (side) edge of the tile, but smoothly slide over it when it is inserted in the opening (4).

[0048] During the sliding movement of the levelling wedge (1), the grooves (12) of the inclined wall (7) engage in the top edge of the opening, as is illustrated in Fig. 5, resulting in a pulling force on the spacer element (5) along a direction transverse to the tile surface (2). As the tile elements (3) have been fitted between the base (14) of the spacer element (5) and the levelling wedge (1), this pulling force produces a corresponding pulling force on the tiles. Since the levelling wedge (1) rests on the top surfaces of the two tile elements (3), the tile elements (3) are levelled, that is to say positioned in such a way that the respective top surfaces are coplanar.

[0049] The fitted levelling wedge (1) is held in position for a sufficient amount of time to allow the adhesive to cure. Once the adhesive has cured, the levelling wedge is, by the application of an external force, e.g. a knock or kick, against the levelling wedge (1). As a result thereof, the levelling wedge and the break-off part (15) together are separated from the base (14), as the panel will break off at the location of its breaking zone. As a result of the external force, the levelling wedge (1) will pull the break-off part (15) out of the joint, while the base (14) remains behind, as can be seen in Fig. 6.

[0050] The levelling wedge (1) according to the invention has the advantage that it is user- friendly, can be fitted smoothly without the risk of getting stuck on the side face of a fitted tile and / or on the spacer element (5).

Claims

CLAIMS1. Levelling wedge (1) for a tile-levelling system comprising a wedge-shaped body which is configured to be placed on a tile surface (2) in use and to be introduced into an insertion opening (4) of a spacer element (5) of a tile-levelling system by means of displacement, with the wedge-shaped body having a flat bottom side (6) which forms the underside of the wedge-shaped body, an inclined wall (7) which forms the upper side of the wedge-shaped body and a rear wall (8) which connects the underside with the upper side and which forms the rear side of the wedge-shaped body, with said wedge-shaped body tapering in height from its rear side to its front side, with the wedge-shaped body, at the location of its front side, comprising a connecting wall (9) which connects the bottom side (6) with the inclined wall (7), with the connecting wall (9) being connected with the bottom side (6) by means of a bottom connecting line (10) and being connected with the inclined wall (7) by means of a top connecting line (11), characterized in that the top connecting line (11) is situated further from the rear wall (8) than the bottom connecting line (10).

2. Levelling wedge (1) according to Claim 1, characterized in that the connecting wall (9) is wider at the location of the bottom connecting line (10) than at the location of the top connecting line (11).

3. Levelling wedge (1) according to Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the wedge-shaped body comprises a hollow interior space (18).

4. Levelling wedge (1) according to one of Claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the connecting wall (9) has a straight profile.

5. Levelling wedge (1) according to one of Claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the connecting wall (9) has a curved profile.

6. Levelling wedge (1) according to Claim 1 or 4, characterized in that the angle which the connecting wall (9) makes with the bottom side (6) of the wedge- shaped body is between 1° and 75°, and is preferably 15°.

7. Levelling wedge (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the inclined wall (7) comprises a number of grooves (12) which alternate with a number of ridges in order to improve the coupling of the levelling wedge (1) with a spacer element (5).

8. Levelling wedge (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the levelling wedge (1) is made of plastic.

9. Levelling wedge (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the bottom side (6) comprises a lip (13) which extends transversely to the rear wall (8) and forms an engagement edge for a tool which is adapted to insert the levelling wedge (1) in an insertion opening (4) of a spacer element (5) of a tile-levelling system by means of displacement.

10. Tile-levelling system comprising a spacer element (5) comprising a base (14) configured to be positioned under the laying surface of at least two adjoining tile elements (3) in use, a panel-shaped break-off part (15) extending transversely to the base (14) and provided with an insertion opening (4) adapted to slidably insert a levelling wedge (1), which break-off part (15) is provided to be placed, in use, between mutually opposite side edges of the said at least two adjoining tile elements (3), with a breaking zone being provided between the base (14) and the break-off part (15) where the spacer element (5) is broken in order to make it possible to separate the break-off part (15) from the base (14), characterized in that the tile-levelling system comprises a levelling wedge according to one of Claims 1 to 9.

11. Use of a levelling wedge (1) according to one of Claims 1 to 9 in a tile-levelling system according to Claim 10.

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