TILE POSITIONING DEVICE

Abstract

A tile positioning device comprising: a base having a top surface for receiving an underside of a tile and a bottom surface for being positioned on an underlying surface; an upwardly extending stem that is breakably or frangibly attached to the base, the stem including an upper portion for receiving an impact to break away the stem from the base and a lower portion for breakable attachment to the base wherein an opening is provided in the lower portion of the stem for receiving a wedge and wherein the lower portion of the stem further comprises: a connecting portion for connecting the stem with the top surface of the base; and a bridging portion extending between the connecting portion and the upper portion; wherein thickness of the connecting portion is less than thickness of the bridging portion.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to Australian Application No. 2018903124, filed Aug. 24, 2018, which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a tile positioning device. In particular, the present invention relates to a device for levelling and spacing tiles during installation. However, it will be appreciated that the device may be applied to other applications

BACKGROUND

Any references to methods, apparatus or documents of the prior art are not to be taken as constituting any evidence or admission that they formed, or form part of the common general knowledge.

When laying tiles, or similar panels on an underlying surface, it is important that the tiles are laid evenly by providing sufficient space between adjacent tiles to allow the tiles to expand or contract on account of thermal or moisture changes. It is also important for the tiles to be level relative to each other to provide an aesthetically pleasing appearance.

Various methods of spacing and levelling tiles are available. Some of the known levelling systems utilise a base portion which is placed under two adjacent tiles during laying. The base portion is connected to a stem which extends between the two adjacent tiles. A hole is formed in the stem and the hole is located above the tile upper surfaces. A wedge is driven into the hole by force before the tile adhesive has set to pull the upper edges of the tiles into alignment. At a later period of time after the tile adhesive has set, the stem is snapped off by force using a mallet, kicking or by other such impact while the wedge is positioned in place. One of the shortcoming of the prior art systems is that after the snapping of the stem has occurred, a stump of the stem still projects into the space between the adjacent tiles. It is often difficult to remove the remaining stump. The removal of the stump can be time consuming. Whilst in some instances, the stump may not be visible (particularly when thicker tiles are used) after grouting, it is believed by the inventors that the presence of the stump may inhibit thermal expansion of the tiles due to temperature changes, resulting in damage to the tiles over time.

In view of the above, it is desirable to provide a tile positioning device that addresses some of the shortcomings of the prior art.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

In an aspect, the invention provides a tile positioning device comprising: a base having a top surface for receiving an underside of a tile and a bottom surface for being positioned on an underlying surface;

an upwardly extending stem that is breakably or frangibly attached to the base, the stem including an upper portion for receiving an impact to break away the stem from the base and a lower portion for breakable attachment to the base wherein an opening is provided in the lower portion of the stem for receiving a wedge and wherein the lower portion of the stem further comprises: a connecting portion for connecting the stem with the top surface of the base; and a bridging portion extending between the connecting portion and the upper portion; wherein thickness of the connecting portion is less than thickness of the bridging portion.

In an embodiment, length of the connecting portion is less than the length of bridging portion.

In an embodiment, height of the connecting portion is substantially less than height of the bridging portion.

In an embodiment, the tile positioning device comprises at least two of said lower portions being spaced apart to provide the opening below the upper portion.

In an embodiment, each of the bridging portions includes opposed edges extending along a length of the bridging portion and wherein the connecting portion extends downwardly and inwardly relative to the opposed edges of the bridging portion to breakably attach to the top surface of the base.

In an embodiment, the upper portion has a thickness that is greater than thickness of the bridging portion in the lower portions of the stem.

In an embodiment, the connecting portion comprises a tapered configuration.

In an embodiment, thickness of the connecting portion decreases gradually in a downward direction towards the base.

In an embodiment, the bridging portion comprises one or more rounded edge portions extending from one or both of said opposed edges of the bridging portions towards the adjacently located connecting portion.

In an embodiment, the upper portion comprises a recessed channel extending along a length of the upper portion.

In an embodiment, height of the upper portion is greater than or equal to height of the bridging portion.

In an embodiment, the top surface of the base extends in between the two lower portions of the stem.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Preferred features, embodiments and variations of the invention may be discerned from the following Detailed Description which provides sufficient information for those skilled in the art to perform the invention. The Detailed Description is not to be regarded as limiting the scope of the preceding Summary of the Invention in any way. The Detailed Description will make reference to a number of drawings as follows:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a tile positioning device 100 in accordance with an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is side view of the tile positioning device 100.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view (along Y-Y-shown in FIG. 2) of the tile positioning device 100.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of inset C shown in FIG. 2.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of inset B shown in FIG. 3.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIGS. 1 to 5 illustrate a tile positioning device 100 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The device 100 assists in both levelling and spacing tiles during laying. It will be appreciated that the device 100 may be used during the installation of other panels such as masonry panels, floor boards or other cladding panels.

The tile positioning device 100 also includes an upwardly extending stem 120 that is frangibly attached to the base 110. The stem 120 includes an upper portion 122 that provides a webbed body to receive an impact which assists with breaking the stem 120 from the base 110 (as will be explained in detail in the foregoing sections). The stem 120 includes two spaced apart lower portions 124 that define an opening 130 for receiving a wedge during tile installation. The opening 130 and a wedge (not shown) are sized to accommodate tiles of differing thicknesses. During installation of tile, the stems 120 project between the adjacent surfaces of two adjacently positioned tiles. Each of the respective lower portions 124 of the stem 120 comprises a narrow connecting portion 126 for breakably attaching the stem onto the top surface 112 of the base 110 and a bridging portion 127 extending between the connecting portion 126 and the upper portion 122 of the stem 120.

The relatively narrower connecting portion 126 and the adjacent bridging portion 128 are dimensioned to allow the stem 120 to snap away from the base 110 at or adjacent the top surface 112. Referring to FIGS. 2 to 5, the thickness (T_C—See FIG. 5) of the connecting portion 126 is relatively less than the thickness of the bridging portion 128 (T_B—See FIG. 3). The difference in thickness between the bridging portion 128 and the connecting portion 126 allows the stem 120 to be snapped away from the base 110 along the connecting portion 126 easily by providing a preferred point of tearing or breakage when a force is applied on the webbed body of the upper portion 122 and reduces the possibility of the stem breaking at other vertical positions along the height of the bridging portion 128. Advantageously, the connecting portion 126 is provided with a tapered thickness (T_C—See FIG. 5) that gradually decreases in a downward direction towards the top surface 112 of the base 110.

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 4, height (H_C—See FIG. 4) for the connecting portion 126 is substantially lesser than height (H_B—See FIG. 2) for the bridging portion 124. The considerably lower height for the relatively narrower connecting portion 126 is an important feature of the present embodiment in that it ensures that the break point (once a force is exerted on the upper portion 122 of the stem 120) is relatively close to the to the top surface 112 of the base 110. As a result, once the stem 120 has been snapped off, the maximum possible height of the remaining stump does not exceed the height of the connecting portion (H_C—See FIG. 4) which provides a significant improvement over some of the currently known tile positioning systems.

Each of the bridging portions 128 includes opposed edges 129 extending along a length of the bridging portion 128. The connecting portion 126 extends downwardly and inwardly relative to the opposed edges 129 of the bridging portion to breakably attach to the top surface 112 of the base 110. Each bridging portion 128 also comprises two rounded edge portions 125 extending from both of said opposed edges 129 of the bridging portions 128 towards the adjacently located connecting portion 126. Once again, the provision of the rounded edges 125 in combination with the narrower connecting portion 126 is useful for further assisting with ensuring that the stem 120 snaps off at the connecting portion 126.

Advantageously, thickness T_U of the webbed body of the upper portion 122 of the stem 120 is greater than the thickness (T_B) of the bridging portion 128. providing a thickened upper portion 122 relative to the bridging portion 128 in combination with the relatively narrower connecting portion 126 results in the upper portion 122 having greater mass that in turn allows the stem 120 to receive a greater impact when an impacting force is received on the upper portion 122.

As shown in the FIGS. 1 to 3, the base 110 is rectangular in shape and the stem 120 extends transversely (substantially at right angles) along the length of the rectangular base 110 approximately midway along the width of the rectangular base 110. Such a configuration in combination with the tapered configuration of the connecting portion prevents build-up of tile adhesive in the vicinity of the connecting portion 126. It has been found by the inventor that build-up of tiling adhesive can also prevent the stem from breaking at the desired location (as close to the base 110 as possible).

During use, adjacent tiles are positioned on either side of the stem 120 such that respective undersides of the tiles are positioned upon the top surface 112 of the base 110 with the stem extending in an upwardly direction. A wedge is driven by impact, using a hammer or other such implement, and the impact force causes the edges of the two adjacent tiles to be pulled into alignment, such that the adjacent tiles are clamped between the underside of the wedge and the top surface 112 of the base portion 110. Once the tiles are set in the desired position, the tiles are generally left until the adhesive has cured. At this point, the stem 120 is removed by hitting the webbed body of the upper portion 122 with a hammer, boot or other such implement whilst the wedge is in place. This causes the stem 120 to break along the connecting portion 126 which is below the top surface of the tiles. The spaces between the tiles may be grouted in the usual manner, and the base portion 110 remains permanently affixed under the tiles, where it is not visible. A small stump having a height of less than or equal to H_C (See FIG. 4) remains in between the adjacent tiles. However, as discussed earlier, the novel configuration of the lower portion 124 of the stem 120 reduces or prevents instances where the stem snaps off such that a stump with a considerable height is left behind to be manually removed using a knife (a problem associated with some prior art levelling systems).

In compliance with the statute, the invention has been described in language more or less specific to structural or methodical features. The term “comprises” and its variations, such as “comprising” and “comprised of” is used throughout in an inclusive sense and not to the exclusion of any additional features.

It is to be understood that the invention is not limited to specific features shown or described since the means herein described comprises preferred forms of putting the invention into effect.

The invention is, therefore, claimed in any of its forms or modifications within the proper scope of the appended claims appropriately interpreted by those skilled in the art.

Claims

1. A tile levelling device comprising:

a base having a top surface for receiving an underside of a tile and a bottom surface for being positioned on an underlying surface;

an upwardly extending stem that is breakably or frangibly attached to the base, the stem including an upper portion for receiving an impact to break away the stem from the base and a lower portion for breakable attachment to the base wherein an opening is provided in the lower portion of the stem for receiving a wedge and wherein the lower portion of the stem further comprises: a connecting portion for connecting the stem with the top surface of the base; and a bridging portion extending between the connecting portion and the upper portion; wherein thickness of the connecting portion is less than thickness of the bridging portion.

2. A tile levelling device in accordance with claim 1 wherein length of the connecting portion is less than the length of bridging portion.

3. A tile levelling device in accordance with claim 1 wherein height of the connecting portion is substantially less than height of the connecting portion.

4. A tile levelling device in accordance with claim 3 comprising at least two of said lower portions being spaced apart to provide the opening below the upper portion.

5. A tile levelling device in accordance with claim 4 wherein each of the bridging portions includes opposed edges extending along a length of the bridging portion and wherein the connecting portion extends downwardly and inwardly relative to the opposed edges of the bridging portion to breakably attach to the top surface of the base.

6. A tile levelling device in accordance with claim 4 wherein the top surface of the base extends in between the two lower portions of the stem.

7. A tile levelling device in accordance with claim 1 wherein the upper portion has a thickness that is greater than thickness of the bridging portion in the lower portions of the stem.

8. A tile levelling device in accordance with claim 1 wherein the connecting portion comprises a tapered configuration.

9. A tile levelling device in accordance with claim 1 wherein thickness of the connecting portion decreases gradually in a downward direction towards the base.

10. A tile levelling device in accordance with claim 1 wherein the bridging portion comprises one or more rounded edge portions extending from one or both of said opposed edges of the bridging portions towards the adjacently located connecting portion.

11. A tile levelling device in accordance with claim 1 wherein the upper portion comprises a recessed channel extending along a length of the upper portion.

12. A tile levelling device in accordance with claim 1 wherein height of the upper portion is greater than or equal to height of the bridging portion.

13. A tile levelling device in accordance with claim 4 wherein the top surface of the base extends in between the two lower portions of the stem.