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: 10145127
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2018
    Assignee: Davinci Italia/USA Group, LLC
    Inventor: Edward A. Kufner
  • Publication number: 20180202174
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2017
    Publication date: July 19, 2018
    Applicant: Davinci Italia/USA Group, LLC
    Inventor: Edward A. Kufner
  • Patent number: 9982442
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: Davinci Italia/USA Group, LLC
    Inventors: Edward A Kufner, Ralph Burgin
  • Patent number: 9834943
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2017
    Assignee: Davinci Italia/USA Group, LLC
    Inventor: Edward A. Kufner
  • Publication number: 20160108627
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2015
    Publication date: April 21, 2016
    Applicant: Davinci Italia/USA Group, LLC
    Inventors: Edward A. Kufner, Ralph Burgin
  • Patent number: 9267298
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2016
    Assignee: Davinci Italia/USA Group, LLC
    Inventors: Edward A. Kufner, Ralph Burgin
  • Patent number: 9228363
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2016
    Assignee: Davinci Italia/USA Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Edward A. Kufner, Ralph Burgin
  • Publication number: 20150211244
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2015
    Publication date: July 30, 2015
    Applicant: Davinci Italia/USA Group, LLC
    Inventors: Edward A. Kufner, Ralph Burgin
  • Patent number: 9027308
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: Davinci Italia/USA Group
    Inventors: Edward A. Kufner, Ralph Burgin
  • Publication number: 20140360130
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: August 21, 2014
    Publication date: December 11, 2014
    Applicant: Davinci Italia/USA Group, LLC
    Inventors: Edward A. Kufner, Ralph Burgin
  • Publication number: 20140283401
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2013
    Publication date: September 25, 2014
    Inventors: Edward A. Kufner, Ralph Burgin
  • Patent number: 8820031
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: Davinci Italia/USA Group, LLC
    Inventors: Edward A. Kufner, Ralph Burgin
  • Publication number: 20130255182
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2013
    Publication date: October 3, 2013
    Inventors: Edward A. Kufner, Ralph Burgin
  • Patent number: 8336279
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Assignee: Davinci Italia/USA Group, LLC
    Inventors: Edward A. Kufner, Michele Volponi
  • Publication number: 20120085066
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2011
    Publication date: April 12, 2012
    Applicant: Davinci Italia/USA Group, LLC
    Inventors: Edward A. Kufner, Michele Volponi
  • Patent number: 8099926
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2012
    Assignee: Davinci Italia/USA Group, LLC
    Inventors: Edward A. Kufner, Michele Volponi
  • Patent number: 8079199
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2011
    Assignee: Davinci Italia/USA Group, LLC
    Inventors: Edward A Kufner, Michele Volponi
  • Publication number: 20110265424
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2011
    Publication date: November 3, 2011
    Applicant: DAVINCI ITALIA/USA GROUP, LLC
    Inventors: Edward A. Kufner, Michele Volponi
  • Patent number: D658963
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2012
    Assignee: Davinci Italia/USA Group, LLC
    Inventors: Edward A Kufner, Michele Volponi
  • Patent number: D734119
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2015
    Assignee: Davinci Italia/USA Group, LLC
    Inventors: Edward A Kufner, Ralph Burgin