Tile setting kit

• US 4,583,343 A
• Filed: 09/15/1983
• Issued: 04/22/1986
• Est. Priority Date: 09/15/1983
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Dariel R. Camp
• Original Assignee: Dariel R. Camp
• Inventors: Camp, Dariel R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Raduazo, Henry E.
• Application Number:
  US06/532,402
• Time in Patent Office: 950 Days
• Field of Search: 52/749, 52/127.2, 52/127.3, 294/64.1, 414/416, 414/121
• US Class Current: 52/749.11
• CPC Class Codes: E04F 13/0862 composed of a number of elements which are identical or not, e.g. carried by a common web, support plate or grid
• CPC Class Codes: E04F 21/1888 using suction-cups
• CPC Class Codes: E04F 21/20 for laying flooring made of similar material to roads or pavements E01C ; arrangements for removing of previously fixed floor covering E04G23/00

Abstract

A tile setting kit for uniform placement of ceramic-type tiles, particularly for setting tiles on a vertical surface. The tile setting kit includes a starter rack with uniformly displaced spacers for the first course of tiles; an elongated guide frame having replaceable spacer rails with a plurality of uniformly spaced cross teeth arranged in accordance with selected size tile, the frame having further a bubble level for tile course alignment and a support structure with a brace arm and suction attachment that engages the adjacent lower course of set tiles; a spacer unit with suction attachment for support under the adjacent lower course to prevent slippage; and, a tile gun with a releasable suction grip for picking up and placing individual tiles.

Claims

1. Apparatus for setting tile comprising:

a tile fence having an elongated frame structure with a straight edge of width corresponding to a desired grout space, and a plurality of teeth spaced along said straight edge the length of tiles to be set, said teeth being perpendicularly disposed to said straight edge and of width corresponding to a desired grout space; and

, support means for supporting said frame structure with respect to set tiles wherein said straight edge and teeth are disposed at the grout space to provide a guide for additional tiles to be set adjacent the set tiles;

wherein said means for supporting said frame structure comprises a brace structure connected to said frame structure with contact means comprising a suction pad for contacting and engaging set tile.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said straight edge and teeth are fixedly interconnected and said straight edge with teeth is removably joined to said frame structure for replacement with other similarly constructed straight edges of different size and different spacing of teeth.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said straight edge includes stop means for limiting the penetration of said straight edge and teeth in the grout space.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said tile fence includes a level indicator means for defining the orientation of the tile fence.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said contact means includes a contact post which cooperates with said suction pad to orient said fence perpendicular to the surface of set tiles.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 comprising further, a starter rack for setting a first course of tile, said starter rack having a straight edge with a plurality of teeth projecting from one side of the straight edge, said straight edge being adapted for placement against a floor or wall for starting a course of tiles against said straight edge between said teeth.

7. The apparatus of claim 1 comprising further a tile gun, wherein said tile gun has a hand grip structure and means for releasably engaging tile for pickup, transport and placement of a tile.

8. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein said means for releasably engaging tile comprises a suction pad with air relief means for admitting air to the underside of said suction pad.

9. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein said air relief means comprises an air passage to the underside of said suction pad and trigger operated valve means in said air passage.

10. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein said valve means comprises a ball valve having a ball, a ball seat, a spring biasing said ball against said seat, a rod contacting said ball for displacing said ball from said seat, and a trigger engaging said rod for actuating said ball valve by displacing said rod.

11. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein said valve means comprises a stop valve having a rod with an end seal, a seat against which said end seal is engagable, a spring engaging said rod and biasing said seal against said seat, and a trigger engaging said rod for actuating said stop valve by displacing said rod.

12. Apparatus for setting tile comprising:

a tile fence having an elongated frame structure with a straight edge of width corresponding to a desired grout space, and a plurality of teeth spaced along said straight edge the length of tiles to be set, said teeth being perpendicularly disposed to said straight edge and of width corresponding to a desired grout space;

a support means for supporting said frame structure with respect to set tiles wherein said straight edge and teeth are disposed at the grout space to provide a guide for additional tiles to be set adjacent the set tiles; and

spacer units each having a rail with a width corresponding to the grout space, said spacer units being adapted for cooperation with said support means on said tile fence by maintaining the grout space of set tiles on insertion of said rail in the grout space below said tile fence support means.

13. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein said spacer units include mounting means for maintaining said rail in a grout space.

14. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein said mounting means comprises a bracket structure having a suction pad engageable with the surface of a set tile.

15. The apparatus of claim 14 wherein said rail of said spacer unit includes end teeth mounted perpendicular to said rail for insertion in grout spaces.

16. The apparatus of claim 15 wherein said rail includes a stop structure for limiting the penetration of said rail and teeth in the grout spaces.

17. An improved device for pickup, transport and release of substantially flat, smooth surface objects such as tile and the like, comprising a suction gun having a hand grip structure in the form of a stylized, pistol grip handle, and, a barrel joined to one end of the handle and arranged substantially perpendicular thereto, the barrel having a terminal end with a circular suction pad attached and centered thereon, wherein the suction pad and barrel have a central air relief means for admitting air to the underside of said suction pad when suction engaged with a flat, smooth surface, the air relief means including an air passage in the barrel to the underside of the suction pad, a valve in the air passage biased to closure on suction engagement of the suction pad, and a triggering means for opening the valve, said triggering means having a valve actuating member with a connected thumb adapted to open the valve and release the suction engagement of the suction pad on depression of said thumb member in a direction toward the suction pad, said thumb member being arranged substantially at the juncture of said barrel and handle for convenient thumb operation.

18. The deivce of claim 17 wherein said valve comprises a ball valve having a ball, a ball seat, a spring biasing said ball against said seat, a rod contacting said ball for displacing said ball from said seat, and a trigger engaging said rod for actuating said ball valve by displacing said rod, said trigger comprising an end button, at the end of said rod and a bias spring engaging said button said end button comprising said thumb member, wherein said rod is depressed and said ball is unseated on depressing said thumb member against the bias of said bias spring.

19. The device of claim 17 wherein said valve comprises a stop valve having a rod with an end seal, a seat against which said end seal is engagable, a spring engaging said rod and biasing said seal against said seat, and a trigger engaging said rod for actuating said stop valve by displacing said rod, said trigger comprising a lever with an actuating end contacting said rod and an opposite end comprising said thumb member engageable by a user'"'"'s thumb wherein said rod is lifted and said end seal is unseated on depressing said thumb member.

20. The device of claim 17 wherein said valve comprises a sealing member, a seating member, and spring bias means for biasing said sealing element against said seating member, wherein said actuating member displaces said sealing member away from said seating member on depression of said thumb member.

21. The device of claim 20 wherein said suction pad is threaded to said terminal end of said barrel and is removable therefrom for replacement.