One-Way Toothed Tile Leveling for Lippage and Spacing Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tile leveling devices cause repetitive stress injuries, require duplicative work, and can damage tiles during installation, while failing to consistently control lippage and spacing, leading to aesthetic and safety issues.
Innovation Solution
A tile leveling device with a one-way axially engageable anchor and leveling base system, featuring a compression spring and toothed disc, that allows one-handed operation and ensures consistent lippage and spacing control without damaging tiles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If axial rotation tighteners are used to control tile lippage, then tile leveling is achieved, but repetitive stress injuries occur and time-consuming operations are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the threaded rotation mechanism with a cam-based mechanical system. The cam profile converts rotational motion into controlled linear displacement, eliminating the need for repetitive axial rotation while achieving the same tile leveling function. This substitution reduces operator strain and accelerates the leveling process.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces a dynamic cam mechanism that allows for quick adjustment of tile height through rotational movement of the cam follower along the cam profile. This dynamic system enables rapid leveling adjustments without the time-consuming repetitive tightening motions required by threaded systems.
2Manufacturing precision
If axial rotation tighteners are used to control tile lippage, then tile leveling is achieved, but duplicative work is required for tightening and loosening
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the leveling function from the tightening/loosening cycle by using a cam mechanism that can be quickly set and released. The cam profile is designed to provide the necessary leveling force during installation, then can be easily disengaged without requiring duplicative tightening and loosening operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The cam mechanism is pre-configured with the appropriate profile to provide the exact leveling force needed. This preliminary design eliminates the need for iterative tightening and loosening adjustments, as the cam geometry inherently provides the correct leveling action on first engagement.
3Manufacturing precision
If known tile leveling devices are used, then lippage control is attempted, but lateral forces cause tiles to move apart creating non-linear grout lines
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies localized vertical force through the cam mechanism acting on specific points of the tile, rather than distributing force laterally across the tile surface. This concentrated vertical action corrects lippage without creating the lateral spreading forces that distort grout line geometry.
Solution Approach 2:
The replacement of the threaded tightening system with a cam-based system eliminates the lateral force component. The cam profile is designed to apply purely vertical corrective force, substituting the mechanical action that previously caused tile displacement and non-linear grout lines.
4Manufacturing precision
If threaded tighteners are used, then tile leveling is achieved, but the operation is time-consuming requiring repeated axial rotation
Solution Approach 1:
The cam mechanism enables rapid leveling through a single rotational motion that follows the cam profile, replacing the time-consuming repeated rotation required by threaded systems. The dynamic cam action achieves the same precision leveling in a fraction of the time.
Solution Approach 2:
Substituting the threaded rotation system with a cam-based system eliminates the need for multiple rotational cycles. The cam profile is designed to provide the complete leveling action in one motion, dramatically reducing the time required for tile leveling operations.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The device efficiently controls lippage and spacing, reducing user strain, saving time, and preventing tile damage, while maintaining a professional finish.
Implementation Method 1
a compression spring and a mid-plate; and an anchor that is axially one-way engageable with the leveling base
Implementation Method 2
a toothed disc, a compression spring and a mid-plate; and an anchor that is axially one-way engageable with the leveling base
Data Source
AI summary
A tile lippage control and tile spacing system and method having an anchor that has a base portion and an interconnected anchor column, and the anchor column is breakably separable from the base portion, and the anchor column defines plural spaced annular rings; and a leveling base that one-way adjustably engages with the anchor column, the leveling base having, a toothed disc that is positionally secured within the leveling base and the toothed disc defines a medial hole that has plural teeth that operatively engage with the plural spaced annular rings of the anchor column, and a mid-plate that is axially movably engaged with the leveling base, and a compression spring that is carried within the interior cavity defined by the leveling base and which communicates with both the leveling base and the mid-plate so as to positionally bias and space the leveling base away from the mid-plate.