A METHOD OF TILING A PLANE SURFACE

Abstract: A method of tiling a plane surface using a tiling table (1) in order to lay tiles (14), from which table the tiling is shifted over to the finishing stage. In the table by means of several perforated lines positioning guides for each tile (14) are formed by fixing stoppers (7) into the holes (13) of said perforated lines, whereupon the tiling apparatus (2) including tile packs is moved over the table, while tiles are falling off each in its turn from the apparatus and taking their position determined by stoppers (7).

Description: A METHOD OF TILING A PLANE SURFACE The invention relates to a method of tiling according to the introductory chapter of patent claim 1, for instance tiling the surface of a wall element Previously known from the CH-patent 609 122 is the production of a wall element in placing the tiles in the space between two boards that form the mould. With the tiles properly spaced in the mould, hardening plastic is sprayed into the free back space of the tiles, which binds the tiles into a uniform wall that can be handled and conveyed to the final site. The disadvantage of such a construction is the great portion of handicraft needed by tile laying. The mould must match the greatest wall or there must be several moulds, i.e one for each wall size. The tiling must cover the mould dimensions exactly so that no binding agent is unnecessarily sprayed on the not- tiled area in the mould. In order to eliminate the obvious present disadvantages a general solution is brought forth by this invention aiming at automation of tiling and reduction of handicraft. The most significant advantages of the invention can be considered that tiling of different size plane surfaces is carried out on the same tiling table regardless of the tile size. Tile spacing is made accurately by means of guides rapidly formed on the table for each tile type. Since the guides determine the tile positions, tile laying can be carried out with the tiling apparatus moving it over the table. The tiling is removed from to the table in using a vacuum operated suction device adhering to each tile and retaining their position while conveying the tiling to the work station, where the tiles are bonded by spraying binding agent onto the back side. By this method the tiling can be laid on the tiling table also up side down whereat, binding the tiles with regard to one another can be done already on the table noticing the doorways and the edge cuts if tile spacing does not match the wall dimensions. In the following he invention is disclosed with reference to the anclosed drawing, where Fig. 1 shows a side view of the tiling apparatus and tiling table. Fig. 2 shows a cross-section of the tiling apparatus. Fig. 3 shows a stopper in the table top. Fig. 4 shows perforated lines in the tiling table. In figure 1 the apparatus is arranged to slide along rails 9 on tiling table 1. In addition, table 1 can be moved along rails 10 into different positions, for instance into a position, where the tiling is lifted off the table. The tiling apparatus 2 moves accurately along rails 9 conveying the tile packs 3 in its rear, from where the nethermost tiles always remain on the table, while the apparatus is moved forward. The tiles stop in proper positions on the table guided by protruding stoppers 7. The stoppers 7 are set exactly on the spacing required by tiles 14 both in laterally and longitudinally. For stoppers 7 there are plenty of holes in the table top. Figure 2 shows the tiling apparatus in profile and wieved from the end. In the figure the tile pack 3 is illustrated, from which the nethermost tile 14 has stopped on the table retained by stopper 7 and the next one will stay behind the former one. At first, from retainer tube 4 stopper 7 falls into hole 13 when the tube 4 end hits the hole. In this way installation of the stopper and tile laying can be carried out simultaneously with the apparatus. In the lower edge of the rear end of the apparatus there is a stop plate allowing only the nethermost tile to be left on the table. There is in front of the appa¬ ratus a sufficient number of supply pipes 4 for stoppers 7 adjusted for the perforated lines in the holes 13 of which the stoppers are needed. Figure 3 shows an enlargement of stopper 7, its respective hole 13 in table top 11 and of the perforated plate 12 under top plate 11 that locks hole 13. Between table top 11 and plate 12 there is a sliding part 8 facilitating the mutual moving of plates 11 and 12 and necessary for removal of stoppers upon need. On moving the top plate and lower plate so that holes 15 of the lower plate 12, which have similar spacing, match the holes of the table top, the stoppers fall down onto base 5, which is inclined from the under side,and further to groove 6. Thus it is easy to remove the stoppers when the tile size changes. The stoppers can be removed also from the upper side by strong suction or, in case they are made of magnetic material, also pulling by a magnet. Figure 4 shows perforated lines formed in table 1, among which applicable lines are selected, when working with different tile sizes, into which stoppers are fitted. For the illustraded tile type perforated lines 3,4,6,8,9,11 ,13.,14 , 16 and 18 are needed, where the supply tubes 4 of the tiling apparatus are adjusted for each required line. Stoppers 7 fall into holes 13 shown in the figure and then the tiles become separated both laterally and longitudinally by the stoppers. When different size tiles are laid on the table, the supply tubes 4 must be adjusted for perforated lines matching the respective tile size. In the example in the figure the other tile size could use perforated lines 1,2,5,7,10,12,15 and 17. For the sake of clarity, the holes are not illustrated in these lines. It goes without saying that there is space for many more perforated lines on the table, the space between the tiles as wide as the joint is sufficient. By way of example, the size of one 100 mm tile can even have more than 24 lines. As to its width, one tile needs only 3 lines. Thus the guiding holes of 8 different tile sizes are easily perforated in the table. In the method the table can be kept immobile and move the tiling apparatus as well as proceed vice versa, i.e. keep the tiling apparatus immobile and move the table with regard to the apparatus. The invention is not restricted to the embodiment disclosed herein but many modifications are possible within the limits of the inventional concept. Instead of the stopper needles 7 cross-formed stoppers can be used placed only in the tile junctions so that the cross takes a position where its prongs are in the line direction and perpendicular against it.

Claims: PATENT CLAIMS 1. A method of tiling a plane surface using a tiling table (1) and a tiling apparatus (2) above the table and movable with regard to the table in order to lay the tiles, whereby on the table by means of stoppers (7) a guiding function for each tile is formed and from which table the tiling is shifted over to the finnishing stage characterized in that stoppers are fitted into holes or notches (13) in moving the tiling apparatus or the table with regard to one another so that the stoppers enter holes (13) through supply tubes (4) and the tiling apparatus (2) with the tile packs and the table are moved with regard to one another, while the tiles, each in its turn, leave the apparatus on hitting stoppers (7) and take their positions determined by said stoppers on the table. 2. A method according to patent claim 1 characterized in that the stoppers arranged and the tiles laid on the table at the same time while the table and the tiling apparatus are moving with respect to one another. 3. A method according to patent claim 1 characterized in that the tiling apparatus (2) performs installation of stoppers (7) into the holes on perforated lines, while the supply tubes (4) are fixed in the front edge of the tiling apparatus. 4. A method according to any of the above patent claims 1-3 characterized in that, according to the chosen tile type, the perforated lines are determined into the holes of which stoppers (7) are installed. 5. A method according to any of the above patent claims 1-4 characterized in that stoppers (7) are removed from holes (13) in opening the hole bottom. 6. A method according to patent claim 5 characterized in that the stopper (7) bottoms are opened in shifting the position of perforated plate (12) that closes the hole bottoms with regard to perforated plate (11). 7. A method according to any of the above patent claims 1 - 6 characterized in that stopper (7) falls out from supply tube(4) into hole (13) when the hole and the supply tube are face to face. 8. A method according to any of the above patent claims 1 - 7 characterized in that supply tubes (4) on the perforated lines are adjusted when the tile type changes.

Inventors: POHJOLA TAPIO, POHJOLA, TAPIO
Applicants: POHJOLA TAPIO, POHJOLA, TAPIO
Application year: 1995
Main classification: E04F13
IPC codes: B28B11, E04F13, E04F21