Installation grid
A molded tile grind is adhesively secured to a support wall, floor or planar surface in preparation for installing tiles. The grid is installed in a aligned manner and additional grids are abutted together to provide a continuous grid across the surface. The grid includes cells sized for snuggly receiving a tile and the grid accurately locates and aligns the title relative to adjacent tiles. The grid preferably remains in place and is of a thickness less than the tile to allow grout to be placed between tiles in the normal manner. The grid may be molded of a resilient plastic material.
The present invention relates to tiling systems and in particular to a grid system to be applied to a wall for simplifying the registration of tiles.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONTile floors or tile walls are typically installed using a rectangular grid type system that requires approximate registration of adjacent tiles. It is important to control both the precise location of a rectangular or other shaped tile as well as the spacing between adjacent tiles. It is common to use tile spacers which are of a cross type configuration and are used at the corners of the tiles to appropriately space adjacent tiles.
Existing tile alignment systems work satisfactory for professional or experienced tradesman however there is a learning curve associated with the installation of tiles and the ability to appropriately space and install the tiles. There are many applications particularly for the home handyman type that the existing tile alignment systems do not result in a consistent installation. There is often a considerable variation associated with the tiles initially installed compared to the tiles installed at the end of the project. This factor can also deter a home handyman type from initiating a tiling project on his own.
The present invention provides a tile alignment system which is simple to use and allows accurate placement of tiles in a quick and efficient manner.
SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTIONA tile insert grid according to the present invention comprises a molded plastic grid having a series of cells with each cell forming a peripheral frame about a tile receiving open center. The grid includes peripheral edge portions adapted to cooperate with peripheral edge portions of a like tile insert grid to provide an expanded grid having the same spacing between cells including cells at an abutment between like tile insert grids.
In an aspect of the invention the tile receiving grid is sufficiently resilient to be rolled upon itself for storage or shipping.
In an aspect of the invention the grid is adapted to receive and locate at least 24 tiles.
The invention is also directed to the tile insert grid in combination with predetermined tiles wherein said grid is of a thickness less than half the thickness of the predetermined tiles.
In a further aspect of the invention the time insert grid is adapted to receive rectangular tiles or square tiles.
In a different aspect of the invention the tile insert grid includes a top portion two side portions and a bottom portion and the grid is disposed at a 45° angle relative to the top portion.
In an aspect of the invention the tile insert grid includes a top portion two side portions and a bottom portion and the grid includes a series of interior grid members of an equal width terminating at the top portion, the two side portions or the bottom portion at a grid member of half the width of the interior grid members.
A method of installing tiles according to the present invention comprises securing one or more tile receiving grids to a support surface in an aligned desired orientation for receiving tiles in cells of the one or more tile receiving grids, using the secured tile receiving grids as a guide to accurately locate tiles one to the other by using an adhesive to secure tiles within the cells of the one or more tile receiving grids with said grids being of a reduced thickness relative to the tiles, and applying grout between adjacent tiles and above grid members of the tile receiving grids.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGSThe above as well as other advantages and features of the present invention will be described in greater detail according to the preferred embodiments of the present invention in which;
In
In
Preferably, the tile receiving grid includes a rough or etched surface to provide better adhesion with the grout. The mold cavities for forming the grid can be roughened to provide the textured surface to the time receiving grid.
The system has been described with respect to securing of the grid to a wall and in association with at least a horizontal start line and possibly in combination with a vertical start line. The grid system is also suitable for use for floors and the user can mark on the floor a desired start line and the particular position thereof.
With the present invention the tile receiving grid effectively acts as a template to allow the convenient and accurate placement of tiles. The tile receiving grid is made of a plastic and is secured to the support surface using an appropriate adhesive. Depending upon the type of plastic the cell size and tile size may result in a partial interference fit with the grid marginally compressing. The separation between adjacent cells will determine the width of the grout lines. Preferably, the grid will allow for a one eighth of an inch grout line.
In one embodiment using one eight inch grout line the tile receiving grid is of a length of three feet and three quarters of an inch with a width of two feet and one and half inches and is of a depth of one eighth of an inch. This pattern size can be used for securing of tiles which are 6 inches by 4 inches or 6 inches by 8 inches. As can be appreciated the cell size of the grid will be selected based on the size of the tile to be installed.
It has been found that this tile receiving grid allows a convenient and accurate method for simplifying the installation of tiles in a cost effective manner.
Although various preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that variations may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the appended claims.
Claims
1. A tile insert grid comprising a molded plastic grid having a series of cells with each cell forming a peripheral frame about a tile receiving open center, said grid including peripheral edge portions adapted to cooperate with peripheral edge portions of a like tile insert grid to provide an expanded grid having the same spacing between cells including cells at an abutment between like tile insert grids.
2. A tile insert grid as claimed in claim 1 wherein said grid is sufficiently resilient to be rolled upon itself for storage or shipping.
3. A tile insert grid as claimed in claim 1 wherein said grid is adapted to receive and locate at least 24 tiles.
4. A tile insert grid as claimed in claim 1 in combination with predetermined tiles wherein said grid is of a thickness less than half the thickness of the predetermined tiles.
5. A tile insert grid as claimed in claim 4 wherein said tiles are rectangular.
6. A tile insert grid as claimed in claim 4 wherein said tiles are square.
7. A tile insert grid as claimed in claim 1 wherein said grid includes a top portion two side portions and a bottom portion and said grid is disposed at a 45° angle to said top portion.
8. A tile insert grid as claimed in claim 7 wherein said top portion, said two side portions and said bottom portion include a peripheral edge having a profile defining adjacent half cells.
9. A tile insert grid as claimed in claim 1 wherein said grid includes a top portion two side portions and a bottom portion and said grid includes a series of interior grid members of an equal width terminating at said top portion, said two side portions or said bottom portion at a grid member of half width of the interior grid members.
10. A tile insert grid as claimed in claim 9 said interior grid members are of a width of about one eighth of an inch.
11. A method of installing tiles comprising
- securing one or more tile receiving grids to a support surface in an aligned desired orientation for receiving tiles in cells of the one or more tile receiving grids, using said secured tile receiving grids as a guide to accurately locate tiles one to the other by using an adhesive to secure tiles within the cells of the one or more tile receiving grids with said grids being of a reduced thickness relative to said tiles, and applying grout between adjacent tiles and above said grid members.
12. A method as claimed in claim 11 wherein said tile receiving grids include open cells accommodating direct securement of said tiles to said support surface.
13. A method as claimed in claim 12 wherein said tile receiving grids are secured in abutment with adjacent tile receiving grids and defining equal spacing between adjacent tiles of abutting tile receiving grids.
14. A method as claimed in claim 13 said tile receiving grids include diagonally orientated grid members relative to an edge portion of the respective tile receiving grid.
Type: Application
Filed: Nov 13, 2006
Publication Date: May 17, 2007
Applicant: GEONATE HOLDINGS, INC. (Brampton)
Inventors: G.E. Hoffman (Brampton), Ezio Leggiere (Etobicoke)
Application Number: 11/595,892
International Classification: E04F 21/00 (20060101); E04D 15/00 (20060101);