TILE ADAPTOR
The present invention relates a novel adaptor to position tiles or tile-like elements within or around a bathing apparatus, or both. The present invention further includes a method of using the tile adaptor for the installation of tiles. In a representative embodiment, the tile adaptor includes one or more flanges along at least one of its sides to allow the installation of tiles of a variety of thicknesses at a number of places. The adaptor is integrated in the final bathing apparatus. One or more adaptors may be positioned on the floor, wall and/or ceiling of the bathing apparatus, depending on the design of the bathing enclosure. Advantageously, the tile adaptor is easy to install and to use, and it may conveniently be manufactured from a lightweight material such as extruded plastic or a synthetic polymer.
The present patent application claims the priority of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/100,506 which was filed on Sep. 26, 2008 and which is hereby incorporated by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the InventionThe present invention relates a novel adaptor to position tiles or tile-like elements. More specifically, the invention concerns a novel adaptor for positioning tiles within and/or around bathing apparatus, such as bathtubs and showers, and includes a method for using this adaptor.
Pre-fabricated bathing apparatus, such as showers and bathtubs, are frequently manufactured in components that are to be assembled on site. For reasons of transportation, size and installation, this is often necessary. Ideally, once on site, the assembly process should be easy and fast to minimize costs.
Generally, a modern bathing apparatus comprises a base unit and wall units that must be attached to one another as well as to the structure of the building in which it is housed. This attachment must be done in a way that will prevent water leakage and that will not cause the building to deteriorate.
Tiles may be positioned within or outside the bathing apparatus, or both. Prior to the introduction of pre-fabricated bathing apparatus, tiles were routinely used in the construction of bath and shower units, and they have never fallen out of favor with consumers. Today, tiles may be chosen either as an alternative to pre-fabricated bathing units or to complete pre-fabricated units. There are a number of reasons for this. Some individuals prefer the feel of tile to the synthetic polymers that are used in pre-fabricated bathing apparatus. The infinite variety of tile styles and materials, both man-made and natural, allows for innovative design opportunities. Tiles will therefore continue to be an important element in the construction of showers and bathtubs for the foreseeable future.
Unfortunately, placing tiles within or around a bathing apparatus evenly can be a tricky endeavor. Skill is required to ensure that the tiles are properly aligned, especially when the bathing apparatus is not entirely level. Blocks of wood and other elements must sometimes be used to compensate for the lack of a perfectly flush surface, whether this is the case for the floor or wall of the bathing apparatus.
Devices or tools that can be of assistance for the installation of tile are not common. U.S. Pat. No. 5,832,619 (Volkema, Jr.) describes an adjustable installation tool in the shape of a frame for simultaneously aligning and installing multiple tiles. While helpful in many instances, the use of such a frame may not be possible in small enclosures or in certain areas of a bathtub or shower enclosure.
U.S. Pat. No. 7,536,802 (Tavy et al.) teaches a tile-spacing device for spacing tiles apart from one another during their installation. The device is characterized by having a window that extends through the base, through which engagement of at least one of the tiles with the edge of a spacer can be visually observed. Once again, a device of this type may not be suitable for installing tiles in certain types of bathing enclosures.
The Tile Redi corporation has developed a number of prefabricated shower modules that are useful for constructing tiled shower enclosures: see, for example, U.S. Patent Publications Nos. US2008/0222891A1, US2008/0222797A1, US2008/0222796A1, US2008/0222795A1, US2008/0222794A1 and US2008/0222793A1 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,913,777. While these modules are helpful for the installation of shower tile, they are also somewhat limiting as the tiles are necessarily installed within the confines of these modules.
There thus remains a need for a device and/or method to facilitate the positioning of tile or tile-like elements during the construction of a bathing apparatus, such as bathtub or shower. Ideally, such a device would allow a great variety of design options and be of assistance for the installation of floor, wall and ceiling tile in a bathing enclosure.
The present invention seeks to meet these and related needs.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention provides a novel adaptor that facilitates the positioning of tiles or tile-like elements in and/or around a bathing apparatus, such as a bathtub or shower. The adaptor becomes an integral part of the final bathing apparatus and is designed to be used with pre-existing prefabricated bathing components, such as those found in modern day showers and bathtubs.
The adaptor is sturdy and watertight, as required for use in applications such as the assembly of pre-fabricated bathing components found in modern day shower and bathtub installations. In a representative embodiment, the adaptor is made of extruded plastic, but it may also be manufactured from other synthetic polymers, such as polyvinyl chloride, acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene tripolymer, acrylic, polyurethane, fiberglass with gel coat, cast polymer, stainless steel, painted steel or aluminum, amongst other materials that are known in the art of bathtub and shower manufacturing.
As will be described in further detail below, the tile adaptor of the present invention is characterized by having one or more flanges along at least one of its sides. This allows the installation of tiles at different levels, or tiles having a variety of thicknesses, in a way that is simpler and easier than has hitherto been possible. The flanges serve as a guide for the positioning of the tiles within or around the bathing apparatus, as will be described more particularly below.
The invention includes several embodiments for specific use on the floor, wall and/or ceiling of a bathing apparatus.
Advantageously, the adaptor is simple to install. When utilized in the assembly of a bathing apparatus, for example, the intervention of a plumbing professional is not necessarily required. In addition, the inclusion of one or more adaptors in an assembly does not interfere with the application of sealant between parts of the bathing apparatus.
Other objects, advantages and features of the present invention will become apparent upon reading of the following non-restrictive description of embodiments thereof, given by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings.
As used herein, the term “tile” or “tile-like element” means a generally flat and thin slab, frequently rectangular or square in shape, though not necessarily so (i.e., other geometrical shapes are used to make tiles, including hexagons, for example). Tiles may be made from any material and the present invention contemplates use of all of them. While tiles are very often made from ceramic and have a hard glaze finish, other materials are also used, including glass, marble, granite, slate, rubber and reformed ceramic slurry, which is cased in a mold and fired.
As further shown in
In an alternative to the embodiment shown in
In another embodiment
Ceiling adaptor 110 may include a variety of features to enhance the bathing experience, including a lighting fixture 126 or a musical portal (not shown). A shower door 200 may be further attached to ceiling adaptor 110 and the floor adaptor selected in order to complete the enclosure of the bathing apparatus. This shower door may be made from glass, polymer plastic or any other suitable material, as known in the art of shower and bathtub construction.
The various embodiments of the tile adaptor described above may be manufactured from a variety of different materials including, without limitation, extruded plastic, polyvinyl chloride, acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene tripolymer, acrylic, polyurethane, fiberglass with gel coat, cast polymer, stainless steel, painted steel and aluminum, once again in keeping with teachings in the art.
While the present adaptor has been described in relation to its specific use to complete a bathing apparatus, it will be appreciated that with simple variations, the adaptor may be used in other applications requiring the positioning of tiles. For example, an adaptor featuring flanges along the lines of the adaptor of the present invention may be used to create a backsplash on a kitchen wall.
The above-described embodiments of the invention are intended to be examples only. Variations, alterations and modifications can be made to the particular embodiments described herein by those of skill in the art without departing from the scope of the invention, as defined in the appended claims.
Claims
1. An adaptor for installing tile comprising one or more flanges along at least one of said body's sides to guide the tiles in position.
2. An adaptor as defined in claim 1 for installing tile in a bath, shower or other bathing apparatus.
3. An adaptor as defined in claim 2, wherein said adaptor is positioned on the floor of said bathing apparatus for the installation of floor tiles.
4. An adaptor as defined in claim 2, wherein said adaptor is positioned on the wall of said bathing apparatus for the installation of wall tiles.
5. An adaptor as defined in claim 2, wherein said adaptor is positioned on the ceiling of said bathing apparatus for the installation of ceiling tiles.
6. An adaptor as defined in claim 2, wherein said adaptor is positioned on at least two of the following: the floor, wall and ceiling of the bathing apparatus.
7. An adaptor as defined in claim 2 further comprising a drain.
8. An adaptor according to claim 7 which has a grate or cover with openings over the drain.
9. An adaptor according to claim 7 which has a cover without openings to hide the drain and has at least one opening to direct the water from the shower floor to the drain.
10. An adaptor according to claim 9 wherein said cover can be removed for cleaning purposes without any tools.
11. An adaptor according to claim 1 which is a drainless shower floor pan.
12. An adaptor according to claim 11 which comprises sides to join a shower floor and shower walls to make a watertight enclosure.
13. An adaptor according to claim 12 which comprises sides to join a shower floor and shower walls to make a watertight enclosure.
14. A system comprising a first tile adaptor comprising one or more flanges along at least one of said body's sides to guide the tiles in position, that has a drain and a second tile adaptor comprising one or more flanges along at least one of said body's sides to guide the tiles in position, that does not have a drain, and wherein the adaptors are attached by mechanical means and then sealed with sealing means to create a watertight connection between said first and second tile adaptors.
15. An adaptor according to claim 2 that is suitable for installing floor and wall tiles and that further includes a drain at the entrance side of said bathing apparatus, wherein the drain includes a cover, with or without openings, to hide the drain and wherein the drain includes at least one opening to direct the water from the floor of the bathing apparatus to the drain.
16. An adaptor according to claim 2 for a shower apparatus, said adaptor comprising a shower floor, walls and a drain at the entrance side of said shower apparatus, wherein said shower floor includes a grate to cover a drain and at least one opening to direct water from the shower floor to the drain.
17. An adaptor according to claim 2 which includes a splash guard to prevent water from exiting the bathing apparatus.
18. An adaptor according to claim 2 having at least one receptacle for accessories or toiletries.
19. An adaptor according to claim 18 further comprising a pre-plumb shower control.
20. An adaptor according to claim 2 comprising a cavity for storing a shower curtain and a splash guard to prevent water from exiting the bathing apparatus.
21. A method of installing tile comprising use of an adaptor as defined in claim 2.
22. An adaptor according to claim 5 further comprising mechanical components, electrical components or both.
Type: Application
Filed: Sep 25, 2009
Publication Date: May 13, 2010
Inventors: Steve Donnelly (Saint-Antoine de Tilly), Guy Lemire (Beaumont), David Sauvageau (Saint-Romuald), Sonia Veilleux (Quebec)
Application Number: 12/567,487
International Classification: E04C 2/52 (20060101); E04B 2/72 (20060101); E04F 21/00 (20060101); E04B 1/66 (20060101); E04B 1/00 (20060101);