Abstract: A shake jig which comprises a base member which supports an adjustable member and a releasable fastener which facilitates releaseable retention of the adjustable member in a desired relative position with respect to the base member. The base member is substantially planar and has a shake shelf for abutting against a surface of a shake to prevent further insertion thereof, between an installed topmost shake and an at least partially overlapped shake, and facilitate desired alignment of the shake jig with respect to the installed topmost shake. At least one projection is formed on a surface of the base member, adjacent a leading end thereof, to facilitate retention of the shake jig following insertion of the base member. The adjustable member has a ledger shelf for engaging with a ledger board to retain the ledger board in a desired horizontal orientation with respect to the shake shelf and to assist with installation of shakes.

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.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to tile spacing devices for insertion between tiles being spaced apart from one another and/or from other features on a surface. The spacers include a wedge portion and a tongue portion. Unlike previous wedges used for tile spacing, at least one face of the wedge described herein is indented. When inserted between adjacent tiles, at least the indented portion of the face will not contact a tile, which can minimize adhesion of grout, mortar, and adhesives to the spacer, facilitating its removal. The tongue portion of the spacer extends beyond the face of adjacent flat tiles, even when the entire wedge portion is inserted into the inter-tile space. The tongue portion can be gripped by a user to facilitate removal of the spacer from set tiles.

Abstract: A plurality of decorative pieces, such as chips, stones, or tiles, are temporarily attached to a rigid film by a releasable adhesive. First and second tile sections are fixed to a floor or subfloor surface to create a gap between the first and second tile sections. A tool is provided having a plurality of teeth which are configured so that they can be inserted in the gap between the first and second tile sections. The tool may also include two shoulder or wing portions which engage and overlap portions of the first and second tile sections and which thereby prevent the plurality of teeth from penetrating farther than a certain distance into the gap. The gap may be formed by gluing the first tile section and the second tile section to the floor or subfloor surface with a first glue. The method may further include gluing the plurality of decorative pieces, with a second glue, inside the gap, and then peeling off the rigid film from the plurality of decorative pieces.

Abstract: In an embodiment, a tile spacer for providing spacing between adjacent tiles during installation on an installation surface includes a body portion defining a substantially planar surface, a flange portion extending outward from the body portion along the planar surface and at least one arm member extending from the flange portion substantially perpendicular to the planar surface and configured for insertion between adjacent tiles.

Abstract: Manual tool (1) for application of a tile laying device (100) to tiles (150a,150b) on a surface (200) to coat comprises a working head (15) having a support surface (16) that is arranged, in use, next to a face (122) of a portion (120) of the device (100). In particular, the working head (15) has a side opening (20) through which the band member (160), connected to a portion (110) of the device (100) and protruding from the second portion (120) through the tiles (150a and (150b), is arranged according to the working head (15).

Abstract: An installation tool for installing floor tiles includes a base and an arm. The base and the arm each have opposing top and bottom surfaces and opposing sides. The sides of the base extend substantially perpendicular to the sides of the arm. At least one spacer is provided on at least one of the sides of the base and at least one spacer is provided on at least one of the sides of the arm. Each of the spacers has an alignment member extending substantially perpendicular to the top and bottom surfaces of the base and the arm. Each of the alignment members has a thickness equal to a desired spacing between adjacent floor tiles.

Abstract: The device has a first lower substantially flat body, which has in its upper part a flexible post with a narrowed or weakened portion and a second upper body with the passage for receiving and securing said post. The flexible post, which has a rectangular cross section, has in its main surfaces respective mutually opposed toothings, which teeth are offset in the lengthwise direction and the passage of the second body has two latching pawls mutually opposed, so that in the operative position of the devices, the teeth of the flexible post engage in an alternate form with said latching pawls. The second body has a bell like hollow form with a lower widened contact mouth or border.

Abstract: An improved rotatable wedge spacer to be removably positioned in a gap between opposing upper and lower surfaces (e.g., tiles) that are being bonded (e.g., by means of mortar) one above or adjacent the other to a flat surface (e.g., a wall or a floor). The spacer includes a curved (e.g., circular) body having a thin tip at one end and a thick tail at the opposite end. The height of the circular body between an upward sloping top surface thereof and a flat bottom surface increases from the thin tip to the thick tail. A series of flat load-supporting plateaus having predetermined increasing heights are regularly spaced from one another along the top surface so as to lie parallel with the flat bottom surface. With the flat bottom surface of the wedge spacer seated upon the lower tile, the curved body is rotated within the gap until one of the flat load-supporting plateaus along the top surface engages the upper tile.

Abstract: An automated brick laying system (10) for constructing a building from a plurality of bricks (16) comprises a robot (12) provided with a brick laying and adhesive applying head (18), a measuring system (13), and a controller (14) that provides control data to the robot (12) to lay the bricks (16) at predetermined locations. The measuring system (13) measures in real time the position of the head (18) and produces position data for the controller (14). The controller (14) produces control data on the basis of a comparison between the position data and a predetermined or pre-programmed position of the head (18) to lay a brick (16) at a predetermined position for the building under construction. The controller (14) can control the robot (12) to construct the building in a course by course manner where the bricks (16) are laid sequentially at their respective predetermined positions and where a complete course of bricks for the entire building is laid prior to laying of the brick for the next course.

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.

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.

Abstract: A rotatable wedge tile spacer to be removably positioned in a gap between adjacent upper and lower tiles that are being bonded one above the other to a vertical surface (i.e., a wall). The tile spacer includes a curved (i.e., circular) body having a thin tip at one end and a thick tail at the opposite end. The height of the circular body increases along a tile-supporting top surface thereof that runs from the thin tip to the thick tail. With the tile spacer seated upon the lower tile, the circular body is rotated continuously around its longitudinal axis until the tile-supporting top surface engages the upper tile. Accordingly, the circular body of the rotatable wedge tile spacer will fill the gap and thereby prevent the upper tile from moving through the gap towards the lower tile during the bonding process.

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.

Abstract: A tile spacer punch device 10 comprises a rigid elongate body 12, which has a punch element 16 at one end and a grip 18. The punch element 16 has at least three arms 24, each arm 24 is at right angles to an adjacent arm 24. Preferably the arms 24 intersect and may also be in a common plane. More preferable, for of the said arms 24 are provided. Furthermore, the arms may form part of plates, and the plates may taper inwardly away from the grip. An upper surface 22 of the punch head 14 is preferably convexly domed and suitably resilient to accept repeated striking, for example, from a hammer or palm of a user's hand.

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.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for laying marble tile flooring utilizes a form and method for using the form. The form provides for applying layers of a sealant, mud and thin set to a height determined by the form for laying the first tile in a horizontally level position. Second and subsequent tiles are laid relative to the first laid tile by gauging off the first laid tile and fixing the height of sealant, mud, and thin set such that the second and subsequently laid tiles are level with the first tile and parallel to the edges of the first laid tile. The result is a completely horizontal tiled floor with each tile level to an adjacent tile and parallel and or perpendicular relative to each other tile.

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.

Abstract: A tile leveling device is provided. The device includes a main member, a first section extending transversely from the main member for receiving a first tile and a second section extending transversely from the main member in a direction opposite the first section for receiving a second tile. A member is provided for penetrating the main member and exerting a force on the tiles for leveling them relative to each other. A method for leveling tiles is also provided.

Abstract: The process of tiling a floor is disclosed in which the leveling of the tile members being attached to a floor or counter top includes selecting and attaching a plurality of tile height spacers to each piece of tile. Each tile height spacer has a plurality of feet extending from one side thereof and an adhesive coating on the other side having a protective cover thereover. The adhesive cover is removed from the tile so that the tile height spacer can be attached to the bottom of a tile member for pressing the tile member and tile height spacers attached thereto into the tile bonding agent applied to the floor for leveling the tile.

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.

Abstract: A system to aid in the setting of tile work comprising tile spacers located at the corner of a tile to keep a tile evenly spaced from other tiles. The tile spacers each comprise a circular-shaped disk with integrally-molded spacer tabs in a variety of orientations, thus allowing use of the spacer against another wall, in a corner or a similar location. Each tile spacer is designed to remain in place after the tile is set and be covered with grout, thus making it invisible after the installation is complete. Finally, the tile spacer is provided with a threaded center hole designed to accommodate a threaded stem with permanently attached wing nut. The user can then tighten or loosen the bolt to raise or lower the tile spacer and subsequently the adjacent tile to an equal elevation. The threaded stem is simply removed after the tile has set, making for an invisible and effective installation.

Abstract: A jig is provided for use in cutting synthetic shingles or tiles, as comprising a table and a clamping bar, with fasteners securing the clamping bar to the table for clamping a shingle or tile between the table and the bar, with the bar being used as a guide for sliding a cutting tool therealong, at any of an infinite number of angles, for making an infinite number of angled cuts to the shingle or tile. The table may be constructed having a base with a frame, and a removable and replaceable insert.

Abstract: A tile spacer is made from a pair of parallel planar members joined by a series of connectors forming a series of channels. The tile spacer is positioned between two adjacent tiles and sunk into the adhesive so that excess adhesive enters the channels and is subsequently removed. One or more appropriate cuts can be made to the tile spacer in order to open desired channels which allows the tile spacer to curve or otherwise bend from linear.

Abstract: A floor tile pusher includes a base, on which a bar is provided for reciprocation and a driving gear is provided for rotation. The bar and the driving gear have teeth to be meshed with each other. An exerting member is connected to an end of the bar, and a handle is connected to the driving member for turning. User may turn the handle to move the exerting member toward or backward. The base has an end bent downward to form a reverse exerting portion, and a support member is provided on the base to be moved between an extended position and a folded position. When the support member is moved to the extended position, a distal end of the support member is even to a distal end of the reverse exerting portion.

Abstract: A tile pusher includes a base, on which a bar is provided for reciprocation and a driving member is provided for rotation. The bar and the driving member have teeth to be meshed with each other. An exerting member is connected to an end of the bar, and an operating member connected to the driving member to be operated to turn the driving member. User may operate the operating member to move the exerting member toward or backward to press a floor tile on a neighboring floor tile. A lock device is provided on the base to hold the exerting member at a very position that the exerting member may keep pressing the floor tile for a period. In addition, the present invention further provides a reverse exerting member on the base to press the floor tile close to a wall.

Abstract: A pressure joining method includes a hammer drill attachment device mountable within the chuck of a hand-held hammer drill. Using the hammer drill attachment, an operator installs flooring sheets onto a hook and loop flooring subfloor. The hammer drill attachment includes a shaft for mounting the attachment within the chuck. The hammer drill imparts vibration to the shaft when operated. An angled body member is attached to the shaft and extends downward toward a foot assembly having a foot pad means. The foot assembly vibrates when the hammer drill is actuated to cause the foot pad means to abut against the overlapping sheets of a flooring system and to press the sheets onto an underlying subfloor, thereby forming a seam between the edges of the floor sections.

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.

Abstract: Floorboards are shown, which consist of a core and a surface layer and are provided with decorative joint edges which are formed by removing the surface layer.

Abstract: The invention relates to articles of manufacture which are trowels and tile receivers in a kit which provides a system for installing tile. One object of this invention is to provide an article of manufacture consisting of a base, having left and right edges, and front and rear edges, and the area between the left and right edges has a convex surface and a means for holding the base.

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.

Abstract: The ceramic tile installation system includes a plurality of shaped inserts adapted to be insertably mounted inside an opening or a shaped recess of predefined depth in a wall niche preform; the plurality of inserts having shapes configurable, alone or in combination, to conform to the shape of the recess; each insert having an enclosed sidewall of a given width, the sidewall width being larger than the depth of the of the preform recess to thereby provide a ledge for supporting tiles as the tiles are being installed around the shaped recess. The inserts may include reinforcing ribbing disposed along the interior of the sidewall.

Abstract: A tile spacer that provides multiple grout line and/or adjustment dimensions.

Abstract: The invention relates to a tile installation method and devices. According to the invention, level guides (1) are provided on the ground and a pair of rules (2-2?) are disposed transversely thereon, said rules being separated from one another by a distance that is slightly greater than the size of the tiles (3). The tiles (3) are fixed in place by pouring mortar (4) into the space defined therebetween (3) and using a rake (5) to spread the mortar and level same, said rake being suitably dimensioned such that the ends thereof rest on the above-mentioned rules (2-2?). Subsequently, a line of tiles (3) is placed between the rules (2-2?), with each tile being installed individually and a groove being formed in the mortar on the shared free side between said tile and the next.

Abstract: A method for installation tongue and groove material comprising steps of: insert tongue or groove of universal device for frontal or side part into groove or tongue respectively of frontal or side part of installing material respectively under a slight angle; pressing universal device for frontal or side part respectively toward installing surface; hitting metal part of universal device attaching tongue and groove. A universal device for parquet installation comprising: metal part painted in green and metal part painted in red. During installation process these metal parts are used for hitting; wooden part painted in red having word “BACK” written on; wooden part painted in green having word “FRONT” written on it; during installation process these two wooden parts are used to press cut segment of parquet material toward metal side; and two parts of the installing tongue and groove material.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: A formliner and method of use are provided in order to minimize and/or eliminate visible seaming between interconnected formliners. In some embodiments, the formliner can comprise raised sections that define interrelated inner and outer dimensions. In this manner, a given portion of a first formliner can mate with another given portion of a second formliner in a nested manner. As such, edges of the interconnected formliners can be discreetly hidden along features of the formliner pattern to reduce and/or eliminate visible seaming between the formliners.

Abstract: An artificial masonry unit suitable for use with a panel made of a compressible material having masonry unit receiving depressions in a front face thereof and protruding ribs defining and bordering the depressions. The depressions are sized to receive respective artificial masonry units in a close-fitting relationship. The artificial masonry unit comprises a body bounded by a front face, a back face, and a lateral face providing a thickness to the unit, and a back peripheral edge joining the back face and the lateral face. A tooth projection is projecting from the lateral face next to and parallel to the back peripheral edge for thrusting into the protruding rib when the masonry unit is inserted in a respective depression. Thanks to the tooth projection that is thrusting into the rib of a respective depression and that helps retaining the masonry unit within the depression prior to mortaring the wall, there is no need for using a mixture of cement to temporarily retain the masonry units within the depression.

Abstract: A device for aligning and leveling tiles as they are laid in floors, walls, countertops, or the like. The device has a top plate with several spacer fins and a bottom plate. The plates are combined with a shaft that extends from the bottom plate through the top plate so that the top plate is movable along the length of the shaft.

Abstract: Siding installation apparatuses and methods for engaging a first siding piece and supporting a second siding piece are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a support member having a support surface to support the second siding piece, an engagement member projecting from the support member, and a securing assembly coupled to the support member to releasably restrict the support member from moving relative to the first siding piece. The engagement member is configured to engage the bottom portion of the first siding piece by contacting the back surface.

Abstract: A rotatable wedge tile spacer to be removably positioned in a gap between adjacent upper and lower tiles that are being bonded one above the other to a vertical surface (i.e., a wall). The tile spacer includes a curved (i.e., circular) body having a thin tip at one end and a thick tail at the opposite end. The height of the circular body increases along a tile-supporting top surface thereof that runs from the thin tip to the thick tail. With the tile spacer seated upon the lower tile, the circular body is rotated continuously around its longitudinal axis until the tile-supporting top surface engages the upper tile. Accordingly, the circular body of the rotatable wedge tile spacer will fill the gap and thereby prevent the upper tile from moving through the gap towards the lower tile during the bonding process.

Abstract: A simulated brick panel is made by applying a first layer of mortar on a base panel, applying a second layer of mortar over the first mortar layer, and then cutting grooves in the second layer to expose the first layer of mortar to view. The first layer of mortar is chosen to have a color of mortar and the second layer of mortar is chosen to have a color of brick so that the grooves will effect a simulation of mortar lines between bricks. A tool especially adapted for cutting the grooves is also provided.

Abstract: A lap siding installation device for spacing and applying lap siding to a surface. Anchoring mechanisms are provided for releasably anchoring the device to a surface, and connection mechanisms are also provided to house the anchoring mechanisms. A first elongate member and a second elongate member extend from the connection mechanism in substantially the same direction. The second elongate member has a length greater than the first elongate member, and includes a protrusion with a ledge to receive and hold a piece of lap siding between the first and second elongate members. Methods are also included for spacing and applying lap siding to a surface.

Abstract: A tile having a front face for displaying and an underside for securing to a tile support surface, the underside having a closed path seal wall extending backwards. The seal wall is configured to provide a seal between the tile and a tile support surface to prevent substance ingress interior of the closed path of the seal wall. A tile having a seal wall also configured to provide a seal between the tile and a second like tile. A tile having an underside that presents a tile coupling configured to communicate with a tile support coupling to provide a first releasable coupling arrangement. A tile support board having a rear face for securing to a support surface and a front face providing a tile support surface and presenting a tile support coupling, such that the tile may be releasably coupled to the tile support board.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for laying marble tile flooring utilizes a form and method for using the form. The form provides for applying layers of a sealant, mud and thin set to a height determined by the form for laying the first tile in a horizontally level position. Second and subsequent tiles are laid relative to the first laid tile by gauging off the first laid tile and fixing the height of sealant, mud, and thin set such that the second and subsequently laid tiles are level with the first tile and parallel to the edges of the first laid tile. The result is a completely horizontal tiled floor with each tile level to an adjacent tile and parallel and or perpendicular relative to each other tile.

Abstract: A formliner and master mold are disclosed. The master mold corresponds with the formliner, which includes a plurality of courses, each course having a plurality of pockets, each pocket sized and configured to receive a decorative brick, and a plurality of ridges arranged and disposed to separate the pockets. In the embodiment, each pocket has an angle of rotation in the range of about ?5.0° to about 5.0° and the angle of rotation of at least one pocket is other than 0°.

Abstract: A light weight vibrating tile setting tool, optionally having a self-contained power supply, vibrates at high frequency while setting/leveling tiles during a tile installation process. The tool comprises a housing which houses a vibration mechanism which includes a motor. An off-set weight 75 is attached to an output shaft of the motor. Rotation of the shaft, and off-set weight, causes the entire tool to vibrate. Ratio of frequency of vibration to mass of the tool is at least 200 vibrations per minute per pound mass. The high frequency of vibration causes a tile, to which the tile setting tool is applied, to be easily manipulated, by the user of the tile setting tool, into its set location in an array of such tiles.

Abstract: Floor laying system (10) for joining together floorboards (12), comprising grooves (16) made in opposing side edges of the boards, and a separate profiled rail (14), which is disposed between the side edges of the boards and couples together the boards and which has legs (18) projecting to opposite sides from a central section of the rail, which legs are designed to lockingly engage in the grooves (16) in the respective opposing side edges of the floorboards (12). The legs (18) of the profiled rail (14) delimit a channel-shaped cavity which can accommodate at least one line element. The profiled rail (14) has legs (18), which supportively bear against diagonally opposing bevelled faces (30, 34) of the grooves (16) in two adjacent boards (12), in addition to which a slot (36) running substantially parallel with the top and bottom sides of the respective board opens into the groove (16) to form a resilient tongue (37).

Abstract: A system for setting tiles using a number of tile assemblies, each assembly comprising a tile member and a support member connected to the underside of the tile member and provided with recesses for accommodating joining elements interconnecting adjacent tiles, whereby that the support member has a number of openings and/or projections extending in a direction perpendicular to the surface of the tile member, and that the joining element consists of a strip like member provided with openings and/or projections fitting into corresponding projections and/or openings of the support members of two adjacent tile assemblies.

Abstract: A tile leveling device is provided. The device includes a main member, a first section extending transversely from the main member for receiving a first tile and a second section extending transversely from the main member in a direction opposite the first section for receiving a second tile. A member is provided for penetrating the main member and exerting a force on the tiles for leveling them relative to each other. A method for leveling tiles is also provided.