Patents by Inventor Edward A. Kufner
Edward A. Kufner has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
-
Patent number: 10145127Abstract: A method and assembly for laying and leveling adjacent tiles. The assembly includes a base member having a bottom plate and a cam tool. The cam tool is pivotally combined with the base member so that the cam tool rotates relative to the base member about an axis of rotation. The cam tool has a handle combined with a cam member. The cam member has a tile engaging surface around its outer periphery with a first portion that is a first distance from the axis of rotation and a second portion that is a second distance from the axis of rotation. Rotation of the cam tool around the axis of rotation causes the distance between the tile engaging surface and the bottom plate to change. One or more tiles is adapted to be placed between the tile engaging surface of the cam member and the bottom plate of the base member. The tiles are compressed between the tile engaging surface and the bottom plate as the cam tool is rotated to a desired position.Type: GrantFiled: November 7, 2017Date of Patent: December 4, 2018Assignee: Davinci Italia/USA Group, LLCInventor: Edward A. Kufner
-
Publication number: 20180202174Abstract: A method and assembly for laying and leveling adjacent tiles. The assembly includes a base member having a bottom plate and a cam tool. The cam tool is pivotally combined with the base member so that the cam tool rotates relative to the base member about an axis of rotation. The cam tool has a handle combined with a cam member. The cam member has a tile engaging surface around its outer periphery with a first portion that is a first distance from the axis of rotation and a second portion that is a second distance from the axis of rotation. Rotation of the cam tool around the axis of rotation causes the distance between the tile engaging surface and the bottom plate to change. One or more tiles is adapted to be placed between the tile engaging surface of the cam member and the bottom plate of the base member. The tiles are compressed between the tile engaging surface and the bottom plate as the cam tool is rotated to a desired position.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 7, 2017Publication date: July 19, 2018Applicant: Davinci Italia/USA Group, LLCInventor: Edward A. Kufner
-
Patent number: 9982442Abstract: A device for aligning and leveling tiles as they are laid in floors, walls, countertops, or the like. The device has a locking assembly and a bottom plate combined with a shaft that extends from the bottom plate through the locking assembly so that the locking assembly is movable along the length of the shaft. In use, the device is placed between adjacent tiles so that the locking assembly and bottom plate hold adjacent tiles at a desired height as the setting bed dries. The locking assembly has flexible members adapted to exert a constant compressive force against the tiles during the tile leveling process.Type: GrantFiled: December 3, 2015Date of Patent: May 29, 2018Assignee: Davinci Italia/USA Group, LLCInventors: Edward A Kufner, Ralph Burgin
-
Patent number: 9834943Abstract: A method and assembly for laying and leveling adjacent tiles. The assembly includes a base member having a bottom plate and a cam tool. The cam tool is pivotally combined with the base member so that the cam tool rotates relative to the base member about an axis of rotation. The cam tool has a handle combined with a cam member. The cam member has a tile engaging surface around its outer periphery with a first portion that is a first distance from the axis of rotation and a second portion that is a second distance from the axis of rotation. Rotation of the cam tool around the axis of rotation causes the distance between the tile engaging surface and the bottom plate to change. One or more tiles is adapted to be placed between the tile engaging surface of the cam member and the bottom plate of the base member. The tiles are compressed between the tile engaging surface and the bottom plate as the cam tool is rotated to a desired position.Type: GrantFiled: January 17, 2017Date of Patent: December 5, 2017Assignee: Davinci Italia/USA Group, LLCInventor: Edward A. Kufner
-
Publication number: 20160108627Abstract: A device for aligning and leveling tiles as they are laid in floors, walls, countertops, or the like. The device has a locking assembly and a bottom plate combined with a shaft that extends from the bottom plate through the locking assembly so that the locking assembly is movable along the length of the shaft. In use, the device is placed between adjacent tiles so that the locking assembly and bottom plate hold adjacent tiles at a desired height as the setting bed dries. The locking assembly has flexible members adapted to exert a constant compressive force against the tiles during the tile leveling process.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 3, 2015Publication date: April 21, 2016Applicant: Davinci Italia/USA Group, LLCInventors: Edward A. Kufner, Ralph Burgin
-
Patent number: 9267298Abstract: A tile alignment and leveling device for aligning and leveling tiles as they are being secured to a substrate. The device includes a flexible member, a bottom plate, and an intermediate member. The intermediate member spaces the flexible member and bottom plate a predetermined vertical distance. The flexible member has a first end and a second end. The first end is pivotally combined with the intermediate member thereby allowing the flexible member to pivot between a first position and a second (downward) position. In use and in its second position, the flexible member second end exerts force against the top of the tiles to help align and level the tiles as they are secured to the substrate.Type: GrantFiled: April 13, 2015Date of Patent: February 23, 2016Assignee: Davinci Italia/USA Group, LLCInventors: Edward A. Kufner, Ralph Burgin
-
Patent number: 9228363Abstract: A device for aligning and leveling tiles as they are laid in floors, walls, countertops, or the like. The device has a locking assembly and a bottom plate combined with a shaft that extends from the bottom plate through the locking assembly so that the locking assembly is movable along the length of the shaft. In use, the device is placed between adjacent tiles so that the locking assembly and bottom plate hold adjacent tiles at a desired height as the setting bed dries. The locking assembly has flexible members adapted to exert a constant compressive force against the tiles during the tile leveling process.Type: GrantFiled: March 22, 2013Date of Patent: January 5, 2016Assignee: Davinci Italia/USA Group, Inc.Inventors: Edward A. Kufner, Ralph Burgin
-
Publication number: 20150211244Abstract: A tile alignment and leveling device for aligning and leveling tiles as they are being secured to a substrate. The device includes a flexible member, a bottom plate, and an intermediate member. The intermediate member spaces the flexible member and bottom plate a predetermined vertical distance. The flexible member has a first end and a second end. The first end is pivotally combined with the intermediate member thereby allowing the flexible member to pivot between a first position and a second (downward) position. In use and in its second position, the flexible member second end exerts force against the top of the tiles to help align and level the tiles as they are secured to the substrate.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 13, 2015Publication date: July 30, 2015Applicant: Davinci Italia/USA Group, LLCInventors: Edward A. Kufner, Ralph Burgin
-
Patent number: 9027308Abstract: A tile alignment and leveling device for aligning and leveling tiles as they are being secured to a substrate. The device includes a flexible member, a bottom plate, and an intermediate member. The intermediate member spaces the flexible member and bottom plate a predetermined vertical distance. The flexible member has a first end and a second end. The first end is pivotally combined with the intermediate member thereby allowing the flexible member to pivot between a first position and a second (downward) position. In use and in its second position, the flexible member second end exerts force against the top of the tiles to help align and level the tiles as they are secured to the substrate.Type: GrantFiled: August 21, 2014Date of Patent: May 12, 2015Assignee: Davinci Italia/USA GroupInventors: Edward A. Kufner, Ralph Burgin
-
Publication number: 20140360130Abstract: A tile alignment and leveling device for aligning and leveling tiles as they are being secured to a substrate. The device includes a flexible member, a bottom plate, and an intermediate member. The intermediate member spaces the flexible member and bottom plate a predetermined vertical distance. The flexible member has a first end and a second end. The first end is pivotally combined with the intermediate member thereby allowing the flexible member to pivot between a first position and a second (downward) position. In use and in its second position, the flexible member second end exerts force against the top of the tiles to help align and level the tiles as they are secured to the substrate.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 21, 2014Publication date: December 11, 2014Applicant: Davinci Italia/USA Group, LLCInventors: Edward A. Kufner, Ralph Burgin
-
Publication number: 20140283401Abstract: A device for aligning and leveling tiles as they are laid in floors, walls, countertops, or the like. The device has a locking assembly and a bottom plate combined with a shaft that extends from the bottom plate through the locking assembly so that the locking assembly is movable along the length of the shaft. In use, the device is placed between adjacent tiles so that the locking assembly and bottom plate hold adjacent tiles at a desired height as the setting bed dries. The locking assembly has flexible members adapted to exert a constant compressive force against the tiles during the tile leveling process.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 22, 2013Publication date: September 25, 2014Inventors: Edward A. Kufner, Ralph Burgin
-
Patent number: 8820031Abstract: A tile alignment and leveling device for aligning and leveling tiles as they are being secured to a substrate. The device includes a flexible member, a bottom plate, and an intermediate member. The intermediate member spaces the flexible member and bottom plate a predetermined vertical distance. The flexible member has a first end and a second end. The first end is pivotally combined with the intermediate member thereby allowing the flexible member to pivot between a first position and a second (downward) position. In use and in its second position, the flexible member second end exerts force against the top of the tiles to help align and level the tiles as they are secured to the substrate.Type: GrantFiled: March 29, 2013Date of Patent: September 2, 2014Assignee: Davinci Italia/USA Group, LLCInventors: Edward A. Kufner, Ralph Burgin
-
Publication number: 20130255182Abstract: A tile alignment and leveling device for aligning and leveling tiles as they are being secured to a substrate. The device includes a flexible member, a bottom plate, and an intermediate member. The intermediate member spaces the flexible member and bottom plate a predetermined vertical distance. The flexible member has a first end and a second end. The first end is pivotally combined with the intermediate member thereby allowing the flexible member to pivot between a first position and a second (downward) position. In use and in its second position, the flexible member second end exerts force against the top of the tiles to help align and level the tiles as they are secured to the substrate.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 29, 2013Publication date: October 3, 2013Inventors: Edward A. Kufner, Ralph Burgin
-
Patent number: 8336279Abstract: A device for aligning and leveling tiles as they are laid in floors, walls, countertops, or the like. The device has a locking assembly and a bottom plate. The components are combined with a shaft that extends from the bottom plate through the locking assembly so that the locking assembly is movable along the length of the shaft. In use, the device is placed between adjacent tiles so that the locking assembly and bottom plate hold adjacent tiles at a desired height as the setting bed dries.Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 2011Date of Patent: December 25, 2012Assignee: Davinci Italia/USA Group, LLCInventors: Edward A. Kufner, Michele Volponi
-
Publication number: 20120085066Abstract: A device for aligning and leveling tiles as they are laid in floors, walls, countertops, or the like. The device has a locking assembly and a bottom plate. The components are combined with a shaft that extends from the bottom plate through the locking assembly so that the locking assembly is movable along the length of the shaft. In use, the device is placed between adjacent tiles so that the locking assembly and bottom plate hold adjacent tiles at a desired height as the setting bed dries.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 20, 2011Publication date: April 12, 2012Applicant: Davinci Italia/USA Group, LLCInventors: Edward A. Kufner, Michele Volponi
-
Patent number: 8099926Abstract: A device for aligning and leveling tiles as they are laid in floors, walls, countertops, or the like. The device has a locking assembly and a bottom plate. The components are combined with a shaft that extends from the bottom plate through the locking assembly so that the locking assembly is movable along the length of the shaft. In use, the device is placed between adjacent tiles so that the locking assembly and bottom plate hold adjacent tiles at a desired height as the setting bed dries.Type: GrantFiled: July 13, 2011Date of Patent: January 24, 2012Assignee: Davinci Italia/USA Group, LLCInventors: Edward A. Kufner, Michele Volponi
-
Patent number: 8079199Abstract: A device for aligning and leveling tiles as they are laid in floors, walls, countertops, or the like. The device has a locking assembly and a bottom plate. The components are combined with a shaft that extends from the bottom plate through the locking assembly so that the locking assembly is movable along the length of the shaft. In use, the device is placed between adjacent tiles so that the locking assembly and bottom plate hold adjacent tiles at a desired height as the setting bed dries.Type: GrantFiled: August 3, 2010Date of Patent: December 20, 2011Assignee: Davinci Italia/USA Group, LLCInventors: Edward A Kufner, Michele Volponi
-
Publication number: 20110265424Abstract: A device for aligning and leveling tiles as they are laid in floors, walls, countertops, or the like. The device has a locking assembly and a bottom plate. The components are combined with a shaft that extends from the bottom plate through the locking assembly so that the locking assembly is movable along the length of the shaft. In use, the device is placed between adjacent tiles so that the locking assembly and bottom plate hold adjacent tiles at a desired height as the setting bed dries.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 13, 2011Publication date: November 3, 2011Applicant: DAVINCI ITALIA/USA GROUP, LLCInventors: Edward A. Kufner, Michele Volponi
-
Patent number: D658963Type: GrantFiled: July 28, 2010Date of Patent: May 8, 2012Assignee: Davinci Italia/USA Group, LLCInventors: Edward A Kufner, Michele Volponi
-
Patent number: D734119Type: GrantFiled: March 28, 2014Date of Patent: July 14, 2015Assignee: Davinci Italia/USA Group, LLCInventors: Edward A Kufner, Ralph Burgin