Tile Lippage Threaded Post

Abstract

A tile lippage removal system preferably includes a spacer post, a threaded cap and an anti-friction protection plate. The spacer post includes a base member, a spacer member and a threaded shaft. A bottom of the spacer member extends from a top of the base member. A break away connection is made between the spacer member and the base member. A bottom of the threaded shaft extends from a top of the spacer member. A plurality of grip extensions extend from an outer surface of a substantial inverted cup to allow rotation of the threaded cap. A female thread is formed in a center of the substantial inverted cup to threadably receive the threaded shaft. The anti-friction protection plate includes a round outer perimeter and a spacer opening, which is sized to receive the spacer member. The anti-friction protection plate may be used to improve existing tile lippage removal systems.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to tiles and more specifically to a tile lippage removal system, which provides only a downward force for laying tiles.

2. Discussion of the Prior Art

U.S. Pat. No. 7,992,354 to Doda Jr. discloses a device for leveling and aligning tiles and method for leveling and aligning tiles. U.S. Pat. No. 8,635,815 to Brodin discloses a leveling spacer for laying wall tiles, paving tiles and the like with the interposition of gaps. However, both of the above tile aligning devices and others similar to them, do not only apply downward force, but also apply a component of lateral force. The lateral force has the tendency to spread the tiles away from each other, such that the tile edges are no longer parallel to each other. Non-parallel edges between tiles are not acceptable. Additionally, a device that moves relative to a tile surface to apply downward pressure will also mar the tile surface. Finally, any lateral movement of the tiles relative to each other will cause tile glue to ooze out.

Accordingly, there is a clearly felt need in the art for a tile lippage removal system, which provides only a downward force for laying tiles; does not mar a top of the tiles; and prevents oozing of tile glue.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a tile lippage removal system, which does not mar a top of the tiles. The tile lippage removal system preferably includes a spacer post, a threaded cap and an anti-friction protection plate. The spacer post includes a base member, a spacer member and a threaded shaft. A bottom of the spacer member extends from a top of the base member. A break away connection is formed between the spacer member and the base member. A bottom of the threaded shaft extends from a top of the spacer member. The threaded cap preferably includes a substantial inverted cup and a plurality of grip extensions. The plurality of grip extensions extend from an outer surface of the substantial inverted cup to allow rotation of the threaded cap. A female thread is formed in a center of the substantial inverted cup to threadably receive the threaded shaft. The anti-friction protection plate preferably includes a round outer perimeter and a spacer opening that is sized to receive an outer perimeter of the spacer post and the threaded shaft. The anti-friction protection plate may be added to existing tile lippage removal systems with round threaded caps. The anti-friction protection plate would have an outer diameter, which is greater than that of the threaded cap and a spacer opening. The anti-friction protection plates for wedge type tile lippage removal systems would have a rectangular perimeter shape and a spacer opening that is sized to receive an outer perimeter of the spacer post. The anti-friction protection plate does not move laterally relative to the two adjacent tiles. The anti-friction protection plate is preferably fabricated from a clear or translucent material.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a tile lippage removal system, which provides only a downward force for laying tiles.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a tile lippage removal system, which does not mar a top of the tiles.

Finally, it is another object of the present invention to provide a tile lippage removal system, which prevents oozing of tile glue.

These and additional objects, advantages, features and benefits of the present invention will become apparent from the following specification.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a tile lippage removal system retaining two adjacent tiles in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a spacer post of a tile lippage removal system in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 2a is a cross sectional view of a spacer post of a tile lippage removal system located between two adjacent tiles in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a threaded cap of a tile lippage removal system in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 3a is a top perspective view of an alterative design of a threaded cap of a tile lippage removal system in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 3b is a top perspective view of an alterative design of a threaded cap of a tile lippage removal system in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an anti-friction protection plate of a tile lippage removal system in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 4a is a perspective view of a universal anti-friction protection plate of a tile lippage removal system in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 4b is a perspective view of a universal anti-friction protection plate with a spacer post inserted therethrough of a tile lippage removal system in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 4c is a top view of an anti-friction protection plate with a square shaft opening of a tile lippage removal system in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an existing tile lippage removal system with a round threaded cap and an anti-friction protection plate.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a second existing tile lippage removal system with a round threaded cap and an anti-friction protection plate.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a wedge type existing tile lippage removal system with an anti-friction protection plate.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

With reference now to the drawings, and particularly to FIG. 1, there is shown a perspective view of a tile lippage removal system 1. With reference to FIGS. 2-4, the tile lippage removal system 1 preferably includes a spacer post 10, a threaded cap 12 and an anti-friction protection plate 14. The spacer post 10 includes a base member 16, a spacer member 18 and a threaded shaft 20. The base member 16 includes a thickness “A,” which is located in a middle of the base member 16 and preferably tapers to a thinner line edge 17 on opposing sides of the base member 16. A trapezoidal slot 19 is preferably formed in the opposing sides of the base member 16. Opposing ends 21 of the base member 16 are preferably tapered inward toward each other by acute angle “B” to decrease the footprint of the base member 16. With reference to FIG. 2a, the base member 16 with the tapered thickness, trapezoidal slots 19 and the tapered opposing ends 21 displace a minimum amount of grout 102 placed under tiles 100. A bottom of the spacer member 18 extends from a top of the base member 16. A break away connection 22 is made between the spacer member 18 and the base member 16. The break away connection 22 preferably includes a line edge 24 and a plurality of openings 26. The spacer member 18 includes a thickness “C,” which is tapered on opposing sides to form the line edge 24 on the bottom of the spacer member 18. Thickness “C” of the spacer member 18 acts as a spacer to maintain a proper distance between outside edges of two adjacent tiles 100. It is preferable to provide the thickness “C” of the spacer member 18 in multiple sizes, such as 1/16 inch, ⅛ inch and 3/16 inch. The plurality of openings 26 are formed through tapered surfaces 27 on substantially a bottom of the spacer member 18. The break away connection 22 allows the spacer member 18 to be separated from the base member 16 by kicking the spacer member 18 with a shoe. The following dimensions for the threaded shaft 20 are given by way of example and not by way of limitation. It is preferable that the threaded shaft has a 6 mm diameter and a 2.5 thread pitch, but other suitable dimensions may also be used. It is preferable to use a radius or knuckle thread to increase the spinning speed of the threaded cap 12, 13 relative to the threaded shaft 10 and decrease the frictional engagement of the threaded shaft 20 with a female thread in the threaded cap 12, 13.

The threaded cap 12 preferably includes a substantial inverted cup 28 and a plurality of grip extensions 30. The plurality of grip extensions 30 extend from an outer surface of the substantial inverted cup 28 to allow rotation of the threaded cap 12. A female thread 32 is formed in a center of the substantial inverted cup 28 to threadably receive the threaded shaft 20. A plurality of sight openings 25 are formed through the substantial inverted cup 28. With reference to FIGS. 3a-3b, an alternative design of a threaded cap 13 preferably includes a substantial inverted cup 29 and a plurality of grip extensions 31. A hub 33 extends from a top of the substantial inverted cup 29. A female thread 35 is formed through a center of the hub 33 to threadably receive the threaded shaft 20. A plurality of sight openings 37 are formed through the substantial inverted cup 29 to form a plurality of ribs 43. The plurality of grip extensions 31 extend from said plurality of ribs 43 to allow rotation of the threaded cap 13.

The anti-friction protection plate 14 preferably includes a round outer perimeter and a spacer opening 34. The spacer opening 34 includes a threaded shaft opening 36 and a spacer member opening 38. With reference to FIG. 4a, a universal anti-friction protection plate 15 preferably includes a round outer perimeter and a spacer opening 17. The spacer opening 39 includes a lateral slot 45, a lateral cross-slot 47. The lateral slot 45 is substantially perpendicular to the lateral cross-slot 47. The lateral cross-slot 47 crosses the lateral slot 45. Each end of the lateral cross-slot 47 is terminated with a flap member 49. A width “A” of the flap member 27 is about twice a width “B” of the lateral cross-slot 47. The flap member 49 is created in the universal anti-friction protection plate 15 by making two substantially parallel cuts 51, which are parallel to the lateral cross-slot 47 and an end cut 53 to define an end of the lateral cross-slot 47. With reference to FIG. 4b, a spacer post 11 is inserted through the spacer opening 39. With reference to FIG. 4c, an anti-friction protection plate 55 preferably includes a round outer perimeter and a rectangular threaded shaft opening 57.

With reference to FIGS. 5-6, an anti-friction protection plate 48 may be added to existing tile lippage removal systems 40, 42 with round threaded caps 44, 46, respectively. With reference to FIG. 5, an anti-friction protection plate 48 for the round threaded cap 44 would have an outer diameter, which is greater than that of the threaded cap 44. A spacer opening and a threaded shaft opening are formed through the anti-friction protection plate 48 to provide clearance for a spacer member 52. With reference to FIG. 6, an anti-friction protection plate 50 for the round threaded cap 44 would have an outer diameter, which is greater than that of the threaded cap 46. A spacer opening 54 is formed through the anti-friction protection plate 50 to provide clearance for a spacer member 56. With reference to FIG. 7, an anti-friction protection plate 60 for a wedge type tile lippage removal system 58 includes a rectangular perimeter shape and a spacer opening 62 that is sized to receive an outer perimeter of a spacer member 64. A wedge block 66 is retained in the spacer member 64. The round threaded caps 44, 46 and the wedge 66 are hold down devices. The anti-friction protection plates 14, 15, 48, 50, 60 do not move laterally relative to the two adjacent tiles 100. The anti-friction protection plates 14, 15, 48, 50, 55 and 60 are preferably fabricated from a clear or translucent material. The combination of the translucent or clear anti-friction protection plates 14, 15 and 55 and the plurality of sight openings 25, 37 allow a distance between the two adjacent tiles 100 to be viewed through the threaded cap 12, 13.

While particular embodiments of the invention have been shown and described, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that changes and modifications may be made without departing from the invention in its broader aspects, and therefore, the aim in the appended claims is to cover all such changes and modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims

1-13. (canceled)

14. A system for leveling adjacent tiles comprising:

a cap with an axis, a circular base concentric with said axis, a threaded opening formed in said cap and aligned with said axis, a plurality of openings formed through said cap; and

a spacer post includes a base and a threaded post, said threaded post extends from said base, said threaded post is sized to be threadably received by said threaded opening, wherein a break away feature is formed between a portion of said threaded post and said base.

15. The system of claim 14 wherein:

said threaded post further includes a spacer portion comprising two parallel surfaces located proximate to said break away feature.

16. The system of claim 15 wherein:

said base of said spacer post includes a maximum thickness at a middle of said base that decreases toward opposing sides thereof.

17. The system of claim 15 wherein:

said base of said spacer post includes a maximum width at a middle of said base that decreases toward opposing sides thereof

18. The system of claim 15 wherein:

said break away feature includes at least one opening.

19. The system of claim 17 wherein:

each opposing side of said base includes a slot formed therein.

20. The system of claim 19 wherein:

said slot formed by two surfaces arranged at an acute angle with respect to one another.

21. The system of claim 14 wherein:

said threaded post includes a plurality of threads that include a crest that is a full radius.

22. The system of claim 14 wherein:

said cap has a substantial cone shape.

23. A spacer post for leveling adjacent tiles comprising:

a base having a middle and a pair of opposing sides on either side of said middle, wherein said base includes a maximum thickness at said middle of said base that decreases towards said opposing sides, a maximum width at the middle of said base that decreases towards said opposing sides;

a threaded post extending from said base, wherein said post includes a male thread and a pair of parallel surfaces proximate to said base with at least one opening formed therethrough.

24. The spacer post of claim 23 wherein:

said male thread includes a plurality of threads that include a crest that is a full radius.

25. The spacer post of claim 23 wherein:

a break away feature is formed between said pair of parallel surfaces and said base.

26. The spacer post of claim 23 wherein:

said break away feature includes at least one opening.

27. A spacer post for leveling adjacent tiles comprising:

a base having a middle and a pair of opposing sides on either side of said middle, wherein said base includes a maximum thickness at said middle of said base that decreases towards said opposing sides, a maximum width at said middle of said base that decreases towards said opposing sides, a slot is formed in each of said opposing sides;

a threaded post extending from said base, wherein said post includes a male thread and a pair of parallel surfaces proximate to said base with at least one opening formed there through.

28. The spacer post of claim 27 wherein:

said male thread includes a plurality of threads that include a crest that is a full radius.

29. The spacer post of claim 27 wherein:

said slot formed by two surfaces arranged at an acute angle with respect to one another.

30. The spacer post of claim 27 wherein:

a break away feature is formed between said pair of parallel surfaces and said base.

31. The spacer post of claim 27 wherein:

said break away feature includes at least one opening.

32. The spacer post of claim 31 wherein:

said slot formed by two surfaces arranged at an acute angle with respect to one another.

33. A system for leveling adjacent tiles comprising:

a cap with an axis, a circular base concentric with said axis, a threaded opening formed in said cap and aligned with said axis, a plurality of openings formed through said cap; and

a spacer post including a base having a middle and a pair of opposing sides on either side of said middle, wherein said base includes a maximum thickness at said middle of said base that decreases towards said opposing sides, a maximum width at said middle of said base that decreases towards said opposing sides, a slot is formed in each of said opposing sides, and a threaded post extending from said base, wherein said post includes a male thread and a pair of parallel surfaces proximate to said base with at least one opening formed there through.