Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
DEVICE FOR INSTALLING TILLS
. This invention provides a device for use in leveling and spacing tiles.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
It is a problem in the art, when laying tiles on a surface, to equally lever
the tiles to be
coplanar and space evenly the tiles. This is applicable to laying tiles on
surfaces in
general, including floors, walls, ceilings, and on other surfaces which can
support tiles. =
The term tiles should be understood as including panels, sheets, boards,
paving stones,
and other materials capable of being laid out in a pattern,
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
From the foregoing, it is seen that it is a problem in the art to provide a
device Meeting
the above requirements. According to the present invention, a device is
provided which
meets these requirements and needs in the prior art. Specifically, the device
according
to the present invention provides a device for leveling and spacing tiles.
The present invention provides a device for use in leveling and spacing tiles.
The
device, in the embodiment illustrated, includes two parts, a rotatable portion
and a fixed
portion. The rotatable portion referred to hereinafter as a knob includes a
partially
tronconical portion, two helical diametral opposed frontal action cams, a
central =
opening, a knurled or ribbed portion and an annular seating and clamping
surface
portion at the bottom. The fixed portion referred to hereinafter as a base
includes a
bottom supporting portion, hereinafter referred as a base with flat upper
supporting
surfaces for seating the tiles and protruding ribs for spacing and separating
tiles, a neck
=
CA 2983483 2020-01-31
portion extending through the central opening in the knob and a tongue portion
with
bottom edges which will engage with the ascending ramps from the double cam.
The
installation does not require tools.
In use, the base portion is inserted from the side underneath adjacent tiles
and spaced
by the protruding ribs in between adjacent tiles. After insertion of the base
portion, will
be installed all surrounding tiles, and then the knob will be inserted. The
tongue portion
and partially the neck portion extends upwardly above the tiles, and the neck
portion is
adapted to be broken away after the adhesive sets upon application of
sufficient upward
ro force or sideways force. The knob is placed against the tiles such that
the neck portion
==
extends through the central opening. The knob includes two diametral opposed
frontal
action cams with ascending ramp surfaces that engage the bottom edges of the
tongue
portion when the knob is rotated. The knob is rotated until the tiles are
clamped and
temporary secured between the knob and the bottom supporting base portion.
Adhesive =
=
is used to permanently secure the tiles in place. The device evenly holds the
tiles in
correct position during the curing process. When the adhesive is set, the neck
and
tongue portions can be removed by breaking them away from the bottom
supporting
.=
base portion. Clamping is provided from opposite directions, fastening the
tiles in such
a way that the upper surface of the tiles will be coplanar. Optionally the
device may be
used in conjunction with regular spacers, wider than the ribs and the device
is providing
just clamping force.
In an embodiment the invention provides a rotatable knob said knob having a
partially
tronconical portion which has an upper surface, a bottom surface and a
peripheral outer
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CA 2983483 2020-01-31
wall, a central opening, said central opening having a central cylindrical
hole opening at
its ends, a first slot and a second slot, wherein said first slot and said
second slot
extending diametrically in opposite directions from said central cylindrical
hole, and said
knob having a first and a second cam portions on said upper surface of the
partially
tronconical portion, diametrically opposite each other and extending
peripherally around
said central cylindrical hole, the first cam having a helically ascending ramp
extending
from the first end adjacent to the edge of the first slot to the second end
adjacent to the
edge of said second slot and the second cam having a helically ascending ramp
extending from the first end adjacent to the edge of the second slot to the
second end
adjacent to the edge of said first slot; said peripheral outer wall of said
knob having a
gripping surface, and said bottom surface of the knob having a flat bottom
annular
seating and clamping surface to level said adjacent tiles for coplanarity;
said ascending ramps of said first and second cam having a succession of
teeth, each
of said teeth on the ascending ramps of said first and second cam having a
leading
flank facing the first end of said ramp and a trailing flank facing the second
end of said
ramp, wherein the leading flank having a lower slope than that of the trailing
flank and
the leading flank further having a convex shape and the trailing flank having
a concave
shape;
=
a fixed base which has a bottom supporting portion having a flat upper
supporting
surface and protruding ribs on the flat upper supporting surface of the bottom
supporting portion, and a neck portion extending perpendicular from the flat
upper
supporting surface of the bottom supporting portion of the base, said neck
being in =
3
CA 2983483 2020-01-31
alignment with two protruding ribs wherein said neck has a weakened breakable
sector
adjacent to the bottom supporting portion and a tongue portion located at the
opposite
end of said bottom supporting portion, the tongue portion having a curved
upper edge
and a first and a second bottom edges adjacent to the neck having the first
and the
second bottom edges extending in opposite directions from the neck, said
tongue being
adapted to pass through said central opening in said knob by inserting said
tongue and
neck portions through the first slot, cylindrical hole and the second slot of
said central
opening, wherein the first and the second bottom edges of the tongue portion
extend
over in opposite directions from the neck and can be engaged by the teeth of
the
io ascending ramps of said first and second cams as the knob is rotated
around said base
to seat and lock the bottom edges of the tongue portion.
Other objects and advantages of the present invention will be more readily
apparent
from the following detailed description when read in conjunction with the
accompanying
drawings,
In the drawings, which form a part of this specification,
FIG. I s a perspective view of a device for use in leveling and spacing tiles,
the device
having a knob portion and a base portion shown separated prior to assembly,
and with
=
some tiles in place.
=
FIG. 2a is a perspective view of the device of FIG. 1, showing an assembly
step.
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CA 2983483 2020-01-31
FIG. 2b is a perspective view of the device of FIG. 1, showing another
assembly step.
FIG. 2c is a perspective view of the device of FIG, 1, showing an assembled
configuration.
FIG. 3a is a perspective section view of the device in the position shown in
FIG. 2b
wherein the neck and the tongue from the base portion are inserted through the
central
opening of the knob portion,
io FIG. 3b is a view similar to FIG. 3a, and wherein the knob portion has
been rotated and
locked into place with the base portion, consequently clamping tiles. =
FIG. 4a is a perspective view of the knob portion and the base portion of FIG.
1, prior to
assembly, and with the tiles omitted for the sake of clarity.
FIG. 4b is a perspective view of the device having the knob portion and the
base portion
of FIG. 4a, following assembly and tightening, and with the tiles omitted for
the sake of
clarity.
=
.=
FIG. 5a is a front elevational view of the base portion.
=
FIG. 5b is a top elevational view of the base portion shown in FIG. 5a.
,=
FIG. 5c is a right-side elevational view of the base portion of FIG, 5a.
,=
=
CA 2983483 2020-01-31
FIG. 6a is a perspective view of the base portion of FIG. 5a, for use with
four tiles.
FIG. 6b is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the base portion, for
use with
three tiles.
FIG. 60 is a perspective view of a third embodiment of the base portion, for
use with two
tiles.
FIG. 7a is a front elevational view of the knob portion of FIG. 1,
to
FIG. 7b is a top elevational view of the knob portion of FIG. 7a.
FIG. 7c is a side elevational view of the knob portion of FIG. 7a as viewed
from the right
of FIG. 7a.
FIG. 8a is a perspective view of the knob portion of FIG. 1 showing a knurled
portion for =
manual gripping and turning.
FIG. 8b is a perspective view of another embodiment of the knob portion,
having a
plurality of separated rib portions for manual gripping and turning.
FIG. 9a is a side elevational view of a further embodiment of a knob portion,
having a
pair of cams, and pairs of radial valleys,
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CA 2983483 2020-01-31
FIG, 9b is a top elevational view of the knob portion of FIG. 9A, showing the
pair of
cams, together with the pairs of radial valleys.
.t
FIG. 9c is an enlarged section view of a portion of one of the cams, showing a
close-up
view of the radial valleys and teethed stepped profile.
FIG. 9d is an enlarged section view of an assembly formed by a bottom edge
blade and
an ascending ramp from a cam, showing a close-up view of a bottom edge blade
engaging with one of the radial valleys. =
FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a further embodiment of a knob portion which
can be
used in the device of FIG. 1, wherein the cams are shown, as well as a knurled
outer
surface portion for facilitating manual gripping and turning.
FIG. Ills a perspective view of a further embodiment of a knob portion which
Cali be
used in the device of FIG. 1, wherein the cams are shown, as well as a
plurality of
= =
spaced ribs portion for facilitating manual gripping and turning.
HG. 12a is a side sectional view showing a bottom supporting portion shown
sliding
=
under the tile which is previously disposed on adhesive applied .D1 floor.
FIG, 12b is an enlarged sectional view of the downward oriented chamfer of the
bottom
supporting portion, wherein for the sake of clarity the hatching has been
removed.
CA 2983483 2020-01-31
.=
=
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE :NVENTION
A device 1000 according to the present invention is sHwn in FIG. 1, depicting
a
rotatable knob portion 2000 and a base portion 3000. The base portion 3000
includes a
tongue portion 3130, a neck portion 3140 and a bottom supporting portion base
3200.
Three tiles 4100 are shown mounted against the bottom suppoiting portion 3200
of the
base 3000, and the tiles 4100 are shown as having side walls 4130. There is
room for
a fourth tile 4100 against the bottom supporting portion 3200, which has been
omitted
for the sake of illustration. The device 1000 is provided for use in leveling
and spacing
tiles. The rotatable knob portion 2000 is shown separated from the base
portion 3000,
prior to assembly.
As Shown in FIG. 1 and in FIGS, 4-6, the rotatable knob portion 2000 has a
partially =
tronconical shape 2300 and includes a pair of cams 2100 (including a left cam
'2110
= =
and a right cam 2120, the left cam 2110 having an engaging edge 2111, a
helical
teethed and stepped cam profile 2112, an uppermost edge 2117, and an outer
wall
2118. The right frontal cam 2120 has an engaging edge 2121, a helical teethed
and
stepped cam profile 2122, an uppermost edge 2127, a central opening 2200, a
central
cylindrical hole 22101 a slot 2220, a peripheral outer wall 2128, a gripping
surface 2330
formed by alternating raised portions 2331 and recesses 2332, a surface 2310,
a
surface 2320, and a bottom annular seating and clamping surface 2350.
The base portion 3000 is formed by a tongue portion 3130, a neck portion 3140
and a
=
bottom supporting base 3200. The tongue portion 3130 has a central hole 3131
with a
=
chamfer 3132, a pair of blades with engaging bottom edges 3110 and 3120, and
the
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CA 2983483 2020-01-31
neck 3140 has two side su, faces 3141 and 3142. The neck portion 3140 is
connected
to the bottom supporting portion 3200 by a weakened breakable sector 3150,
consisting
in the edge 3151 and the corners 3152 which are disposed at a bottom region of
the
neck 3140, situated under the tiles' upper surface. The bottom supporting
portion 3200
has a supporting flat wall 3210, a plurality of protruding ribs 3220, each of
the ribs 3220
respectively including a slanted portion 3222 and a top portion 3221, and a
plurality of
flat upper surfaces 3211. The plurality of upper surfaces 3211 reepectiVely
receive
bottom corner portions of the tiles 4100 which are to be spaced by the ribs
3220. The
flat portions 3211 are provided between adjacent ones of the ribs 3220.
FIG. 2a is a perspective view of the device of FIG. 1, showing an assembly
step in
which the knob portion 2000 is brought toward the upper surfaces 4110 of the
tiles 4100
in the direction shown by the dashed arrow 01.
FIG. 2b is a perspective view of the device of FIG. 1, showing the next
assembIy step in
which the tongue portion 3130 and the neck portion 3140 of the base 3000
extends
through the central opening 2200 of the knob portion 2000 and the bottom edges
3110
and 3120 extend above the cams 2110 and 2120. The bottom surface 2350 is
touching
the upper portion of tiles 4110. The knob portion 2000 is about to be rotated
in the '
=
direction shown by the dashed arrow 131, the shown mechanism is unlocked and
does =
=
not provide yet residual force.
FIG. 2c is a perspective view of the device of FIG. 1, the shown assembly
mechanism
is locked. By rotating the knob 2000, the frontal cams act as circular wedges
and will
9
=
CA 2983483 2020-01-31
provide the clamping residual f9rce to the tiles 4100, between the bottom
anrrilar -
seating and clamping surface 2350 of knob 2000 and flat upper supporting
surface
3211 of the bottom supporting portion 3200, When the knob is rotated beyond
the first
engaging position, the bottom edges 3110 and 3120 will start climbing on the
cams',
r =
teethed and stepped profiles 2112 and 2122, generating click sounds which 'oan
quantify the residual force necessary for proper clamping. It is important
that the:
rotation is stopped after few clicks, to prevent breakage of the'neCk portion
3100 along
the breakable portions 3151 and 3152. The clamping effect will self-level the
upper
surfaces of the tiles 4110 until they all touch the bottom seating and
clamping surface
I() 2350 which creates a datum plane for leveling the tiles. The clamping
effect is similar to
the force provided by the jaws from a vice. The self-leveling effect
propagates to all
adjacent tiles found under the knob 2000. When the adhesive securing the tiles
4100
has been sufficiently set, the neck portion 3140 is adapted to be broken by
fracture and
can be removed, either by further rotation of the knob 2000 or by striking of
the neck =
portion 3140 in a sideways direction. The breaking edges 3152 and 3151 will be
below
the upper surface of tiles 4110 and will be covered later with grout and
hidden.,:the
neck portion 3140 and tongue portion 3130 can then be removed and the knob
2000
can be reused.
=
FIG. 3a is a perspective section view of the device 1000 in the position shown
in FIG.
2b wherein the neck portion 3140 and the tongue portion 3130 of the base 3000
are
inserted through the central opening 2200 of the knob 2000. The mechanism is
shown
unlocked. Also, in this view, the bottom supporting portion 3200 has a bottom
seating
wall 3210. The remaining parts are as numbered and described in the foregoing.
=
CA 2983483 2020-01-31
FIG. 3b is a view similar to FIG. 3a, and wherein the knob 2000 has been
rotated and
locked into place between the hottom edge's 3110 and 3120 and valleys 2115.and
2125, consequently clamping surrounding tiles 4100 in place. The mechanism is
shown
locked. '
FIG. 4a is a perspective view of the device 1000 with the knob 2000 and the
base 3000
of FIG. 1, prior to assembly, and with the tiles 4100 omitted for the sake of
clarity. The
mechanism is shown unlocked. The remaining parts are as numbered and described
in
the foregoing.
FIG. 4b is a perspective view of the device 1000 having the knob 2000 and the
base
3000 of FIG. 4a, following assembly and tightening_ The device is shown
locked, Here
the tiles 4100 have been omitted for the sake of clarity.
FIG. 5a is a front elevational view of the base 3000, showing the neck portion
3140, the =
tongue portion 3130 and the bottom supporting portion base 3200. Here, the
bottom
supporting portion base 3200 is shown having a chamfer 3212 and a flat
supporting
surface 3211. The central neck 3140 is perpendicular to the bases flat
supporting
surface 3211. The tongue portion 3130 is suitable for gripping by the user
during the
rotation of the knob 2000. The ribs 3220 from the bottom supporting portion
base 3200
have continuous material with no gaps in between. The protruding ribs 3220
provide
equidistant spacing between adjacent tiles and can be made in a plurality of
colors,
==
each color representing a different spacing distance between tiles. The
remaining parts
are as numbered and described in the foregoing.
=
11
CA 2983483 2020-01-31
FIG. 5b is a top elevational view of the base 3000 having the flat supporting
surface
3211 of the bottom supporting portion 0200 as shown in FIG, 5a, The remaining
parts
are as numbered and described in the foregoing. .
FIG. 5c is a right-side elevational view of the base portion 3000 having the
bottom
supporting portion 3200 shown in FIG, 5a. The remaining parts are as numbered
and
described in the foregoing.
FIG. Be is a perspective view of the base portion 3000 having the bottom
supporting
to portion 3200 shown in FIG. 5a, for use with our tiles.
FIG. 613 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the base 3000 having
the
bottom supporting portion 3200 shown in FIG. 5a, for use with three tiles.
FIG, 60 is a perspective view of a third embodiment of the base 3000 having
the bottom
supporting portion base 3200 shown hi FIG. 5a, for use with two tiles.
FIG. 7a is a front elevational view of the knob 2000 of FIG. 1, having a
bottom seating
and clamping surface 2350. Here, the cam 2120 is shown having respective
engaging
edge 2121 and uppermost edge 2127. By providing clamping force, the tiles wiil
be self
level guided by the datum plane created by the bottom seating and clamping
surface
2350 of the knob. The knob 2000 can be reused. The remaining carts are as
numbered
and described in the foregoing.
.=
12
,=
CA 2983483 2020-01-31
=
FIG. 7b is a top elevational view of the knob 2000 of FIG. 7a,. Here, the
central opening
2200 is shown having a central cylindrical hole 2210, a slot 2220 and two slot
ends =
2221 and 2222. The central cylindrical hole 2210 has a diameter sufficient to
accommodate and guide during rotation the neck portions 3141 and 3142 of base
3000.
The two slot ends 2221 and 2222 are sufficiently wide to accommodate passage
of the
entire width of the tongue portion 3130 and neck portion 3140 of the base
3000.
FIG. 7c is a side elevational view of the knob 2000 of FIG. 7a as viewed from
the righ
of FIG, 7a.
FIG. 8a is a perspective view of another embodiment of the knob 2000, having a
knurled portion 2330 for ease of gripping and rotating. The remaining parts
are as
described in the foregoing.
FIG. 8b is a perspective view of another embodiment of the knob 2000, having a
=
plurality of separated rib portions 2340 for ease of gripping and rotating.
The remaining
parts are as described in the foregoing.
FIG. 9a is a side elevational view of a further embodiment of a knob 2000 of
FIG. 1,
having a bottom seating and clamping surface 2350_ Here, the cam 2120 is shown
having respective engaging edge 2121 and uppermost edge 2127. By providing
= clamping force, the tiles will self level guided by the datum plane
created by the bottom
seating and clamping surface 2350 of the knob. The knob 2000 can be reused.
=
The remaining parts are as numbered and described in the foregoing.
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CA 2983483 2020-01-31
FIG. 9b is a top elevational view o. the knob 2000 of AG. 9a, showing the cam
2110
and the cam 2120, together with the pairs of radiel valleys 2115 and 2125. The
pairs of
radial valleys facilitate seating and locking of the bottom edges blade
portions 3110 and
3120 during operation. =
FIG. 9c is an enlarged frontal section of a portion of the cam 2120, showing a
close-up
view of the teethed stepped radial valleys 2125, Each of the radial valleys
2125 has a = =
generally scalloped shape, and includes the edges 2121 which prevents the
blade
portion 3110 and blade portion 3120 from unlocking itself; a valley portion
2124 which
=
up co-operates with the edge 2121 to prevent the blade portion 3110 and
blade portion
3120 from unlocking itself; and a hill portion 2126 which allows a smooth
transition to
the next edge 2121 and provide residual force increase. Each of the radial
valleys 2125 =
,=
has an axial pitch hi, measured vertically between two consecutive edges 2121,
and a
=
depth h1a of the valley (which determines the base's sound pitch intensity
during
=
is turning). Each of the radial valleys 2125 also has a total blade travel
h1b from the
.=
bottom of a valley to the next edge 2121. Each of the radial valleys 2125 has
a
=
perimeter pitch p1 (e.g., a length p1), a distance pl a between and edge 2121
and the
bottom of a valley, and a hill plb which is a distance between the bottom of
the valley to
the next edge 2121, measured transversely. As seen in FIG. 9c, the radial
valley 2125
20 has a concave portion 2124 where., the locking ramp of the valley is
located and a
convex portion 2126 which leads smoothly to the next edge 2121. The cams have
axial
and frontal action, and the orientation of the edges 2121 from the tee.thed
and stepped
profile is in opposite direction from the tiles. In other words, the teeth on
the ascending
ramps of said first and second cam having a leading flank facing the first end
of said =
14
CA 2983483 2020-01-31
ramp and a trailing flank facing the second end of s?; .d ramp, wherein the
leading flank
having a lower slope than that of the trailing flank and the leading flank
further having a
conve),c shape and the trailing flank having a concave shape
FIG. 9d is an enlarged view of FIG. 9c, which is representing an assembly
formed by a
bottom edge 3120 which looks like a V-Notch and the cam teethed and stepped
profile
2122. The tip edge 3122 and two adjacent sidewalls 3121 seats and engages with
the
locking valley portions 2124 wherein the edge 2121 and the locking ramp 2124
prevent
the tip blades 3122 from unlocking themselves. Upon further urging of the
blade portion
3110 during rotation of the knob 2000, the tip 3122 slides upwardly along the
hill portion
2126 which forma srnOoth transition 16 the next edge 2121 whereupon the tip
3122
can slide into the next radial Valley portion 2125, In this preferred
embodiment, this
sharp and central V shape is very effective in engaging with the teethed
stepped profile
on cams. Because the teeth have a radial pattern, i.e. are radially disposed,
the blades
and the bottom edges 3110, 3120 have to engage in a substantially exactly
radial
manner, and this determines that the sham blades tips 3122 will be
substantially exaotty =
in the middle of the radial valleys 2125 and 2115.
=
FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a .fUrther embodiment of a knob 2000 Which
can be
used in the device of FIG. 1, as well as a knurled surface 2330 for
facilitating manual
gripping and turning'
FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a further embodiment of a knob 2000 which can
be
used in the device of FIG, 1, as well as a plurality of ribs 2340 for
facilitating manual = =
gripping and turning.
CA 2983483 2020-01-31
In the foregoing description, the frontal cams ha v spii[e, surfaces. It is
contemplated as being within the scope of the present invention that the
frontal
surfaces of helical cams can have any of: teethed and stepped surfaces;
textured
surfaces; or smooth surfaces. This includes teethed stepped surfaces as
described
above.
FIG. 12a is a frontal sectional view showing a bottom supporting portion 3200;
shown
sliding into engagement from the side under the tile 4100 in the direction
indicated by
an arrow D2. The tile 4100 is disposed on the adhesive 4200 which is covering
the floor
4300.
FIG, 12b is an enlarged view of FIG. 12a with the chamfer 3212 portion. In
this view
the seating wall 3210 through the seating surface 3211 of the bottom sating
base
portion 3200 is supporting a tile 4100. The leading edge of the wall 3100 has
the
is downward oriented chamfer 3212, wherein the chamfer 3212 assists in
penetrating the
adhesive A, along with an arrow labeled D2 showing a direction of insertion or
movement. That is, the chamfer 3212 in this process will push down the
adhesive 4200
so as to help rub and clean the lower seating surface 4120 cf tile 4100 from
the
adhesive 4200 in the location adjacent to the base 3200. In this view, an
arrow labeled =
03 shows a direction in which the adhesive A is pushed down by the chamfer
3212,
such that adhesive is cleaned from underneath the tile 4100, providing a clean
=
.=
.=
supporting surface.
=
The invention being thus described, it will be evident that the Same may be
varied in
16
=
CA 2983483 2020-01-31
many ways by a routineer in the applicable arts. Such variations are not to be
regarded
as a departure from the spirit and scope of the invention and all such
modifications are
intended to be included within the scope of the claims.
The invention has several preferred embodiments but they are not exclusive.
The
invention is susceptible of many embodiments, all of which are within the
scope of the
appended claims. All the details may be substituted by other equivalent
elements.
17
CA 2983483 2020-01-31
