Patent Abstract:
A tile spacing tool is used to accurately space tile and comprises a first spacing rib having a top edge and a bottom edge and comprising a handle and a second spacing rib having a top edge and a bottom edge. The second spacing rib extends longitudinally along a perpendicular axis of the first spacing rib to form a generally cross-shaped horizontal spacing surface comprising the bottom edges of each of the first and second spacing ribs.

Full Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S) 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/874,820 filed Dec. 14, 2006 by Christopher J. Joski. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    This invention relates to a tile spacing tool. More specifically, this invention relates to a tool, which is used to easily lay tile and ensures that the joint spacing between the tiles is accurate. 
         [0003]    Laying tile is a tedious and time-consuming task. When laying tile it is extremely important to make certain that the tiles are accurately spaced with respect to one another. If the alignment is even a bit off, the results will look sloppy and unprofessional. In addition, many types of adhesive used to affix tile to a surface set up very quickly. For example, Duraceramic® is a type of flooring product with unique installation procedures that vary from that of ceramic or natural stone. Specifically, the type of adhesive used to install Duraceramic® bonds instantly to a surface. Therefore, it is imperative to properly position Duraceramic® prior to making contact with the laying surface. If a spacing mistake is made once the tile is bonded, it cannot be corrected. 
         [0004]    As a result, efforts have been made to develop tools or devices which assist in accurately positioning tiles, such as tile spacers. Traditional tile spacers are small, cross-shaped plastic pieces, which are placed on the corner of each tile and act as a wedge between adjacent tiles. However, tile spacers have a number of disadvantages. First, it is difficult to accurately position the individual pieces. It is also challenging to ensure that the tile spacers remain in the correct position while laying adjacent tiles in place. Furthermore, when the adhesive is dry, a removal tool is needed to pry the spacers out from between the tiles. 
         [0005]    Thus, there is a need in the art for a tool which allows tile to be laid easily and ensures that the joint spacing between the tiles is accurate. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0006]    The present invention is a tool used to accurately space tile. The present invention is a tile spacer, which comprises a first spacing rib having a top edge and a bottom edge and comprising a handle and a second spacing rib having a top edge and a bottom edge. The second spacing rib extends longitudinally along a generally perpendicular axis of the first spacing rib to form a generally cross-shaped horizontal spacing surface comprising the bottom edges of each of the first and second spacing ribs. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0007]      FIGS. 1A-1B  are perspective views of an exemplary embodiment of a tile spacing tool. 
           [0008]      FIG. 2A  is a perspective view of the tile spacing tool shown spacing two tiles. 
           [0009]      FIG. 2B  is a top view of the tile spacing tool shown spacing two tiles. 
           [0010]      FIG. 3  is a top view of the tile spacing tool shown spacing four tiles. 
           [0011]      FIG. 4A  is a side view showing possible dimensions of the tile spacing tool. 
           [0012]      FIG. 4B  is a top view showing possible dimensions of the tile spacing tool. 
           [0013]      FIG. 4C  is a perspective view of the tile spacing tool. 
           [0014]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the tile spacing tool as used by an installer to space tile. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0015]      FIGS. 1A-1B  are perspective views of an exemplary embodiment of tile spacing tool  10 . Shown is tile spacing tool  10 , which comprises first spacing rib  12 A, second spacing rib  12 B, third spacing rib  12 C, first support joint  14 A, second support joint  14 B, third support joint  14 C and handle  16 . 
         [0016]    First support joint  14 A, second support joint  14 B, third support joint  14 C are arranged in a generally cross-shaped orientation. Second spacing rib  14 B extends outward from first spacing rib  12 A in a perpendicular direction to generally form two 90 degree angles with respect first spacing rib  12 A. Third spacing rib  14 C also extends outward from first spacing rib  12 A in an opposite perpendicular direction to generally form two 90 degree angles with respect first spacing rib  12 A. First spacing rib  12 A comprises handle  16 . 
         [0017]    First support joint  14 A and second support joint  14 B are disposed between first and second support ribs  12 A and  12 B. Third support joint  14 C is disposed between second support rib  12 B and third support rib  12 C. First, second, and third support joints  14 A- 14 C ensure that first, second, and third support ribs  12 A- 12 C remain properly positioned with respect to one another and maintain the integrity of the 90 degree angles, which are essential to accurate alignment. 
         [0018]    As shown in  FIGS. 1A-1B , tile spacing tool  10  is formed of individual aluminum parts, which are welded together. However, the invention is not so limited and any suitable material may be used. Tile spacing tool  10  may also be formed, for example, of a single unitary piece of molded metal or plastic. 
         [0019]      FIG. 2A  is a perspective view and  FIG. 2B  is a top view of tile spacing tool  10  in use. Shown is tile spacing tool  10 , which comprises first spacing rib  12 A, second spacing rib  12 B, third spacing rib  12 C, first support joint  14 A, second support joint  14 B, third support joint  14 C and handle  16 . Also, shown are tiles  18 A- 18 B and joint  20 A. 
         [0020]    As tile is laid it is extremely important to accurately space tiles with respect to one another. If the alignment or spacing between the tiles is even a little bit off, the end result will look sloppy and unprofessional. Therefore, it is necessary to ensure that the joints between tiles are uniformly spaced throughout the tile laying process. 
         [0021]    In  FIGS. 2A-2B , tile spacing tool  10  is shown spacing tiles  18 A- 18 B, which have a square shape.  FIGS. 2 and 3A  illustrate how tile spacing tool  10  may be used to accurately position and lay tiles  18 A- 18 B. Tiles  18 A- 18 B are spread with a suitable adhesive and placed side by side using tile spacing tool  10  as a guide. First spacing rib  12 A fits snuggly against an edge of each tile  18 A- 18 B. Second spacing rib  12 B extends between tiles  18 A- 18 B, and fits snuggly against an adjacent edge of each tile  18 A- 18 B. Thus, tiles  18 A- 18 B are aligned and second spacing rib  12 B defines a uniform width for joint  20 A, which runs in between tiles  18 A- 18 B. 
         [0022]      FIG. 3  is a top view of tile spacing tool  10  as used to space tiles  18 A- 18 D. Also shown are joints  20 A- 20 C. 
         [0023]    Once tiles  18 A- 18 B are properly positioned and laid, as described with reference to  FIGS. 2A-2B , additional tiles may be added using tile spacing tool  10 . As shown in  FIG. 3 , third spacing rib  12 C is inserted into joint  20 A, which extends between tiles  18 A- 18 B, until an edge of each of tiles  18 A- 18 B fits snuggly against first spacing rib  12 A. 
         [0024]    Tiles  18 C- 18 D are then spread with adhesive and aligned with tiles  18 A- 18 B using tile spacing tool  10 . Tiles  18 C- 18 D are positioned by placing an edge of each tile  18 C- 18 D against a side of first spacing rib  12 A (opposite the side of first spacing rib  12 A against which an edge of each of tiles  18 A- 18 B is positioned). An adjacent edge of each tile  18 C- 18 D is placed against opposing sides of second spacing rib  12 B. Thus, first spacing rib  12 A defines a uniform width for joint  20 C, which runs in between tiles  18 A- 18 C and tile  18 B- 18 D and second spacing rib  12 B defines a uniform width for joint  20 B, which extends between tiles  18 C- 18 D. 
         [0025]    As a result, tiles  18 A- 18 D are easily and properly aligned and joints  20 A- 20 C are uniformly spaced. Additional tiles may be added using the technique described in  FIGS. 2A-2B  and  FIG. 3 . 
         [0026]      FIG. 4A  is a side view and  FIG. 4B  is a top view showing possible dimensions of an exemplary embodiment of tile spacing tool  10 . As shown in  FIG. 4A , tile spacing tool  10  has a height of 4 inches, as indicated by line H and a width of 14.13 inches, as indicated by line W. As shown in  FIG. 4B , tile spacing tool  10  may have a length of 9.5 inches, as indicated by line L. However, the invention is not so limited and tile spacing tool  10  may be configured to have any suitable dimensions. In addition, first, second, and third spacing ribs  12 A- 12 C, shown in  FIG. 4B , may each have a width of about 0.1 inches to about 1 inch. However, since first, second, and third spacing ribs  12 A- 12 C define joints  20 A- 20 C, as described with reference to  FIG. 3 , it is preferred that first, second, and third spacing ribs  12 A- 12 C have identical widths. 
         [0027]      FIG. 4C  shows a perpendicular view of tile spacing tool  10 . In the exemplary embodiment shown in  FIGS. 4A-4C , support joint  14 A is not used. 
         [0028]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of tile spacing tool  10  as used by an installer to space tile. As shown, tile spacing tool  10  is grasped by handle  16  and can be easily moved as needed. Tile spacing tool  10  is reusable and may be cleaned and stored for future use. 
         [0029]    Although the present invention has been described with reference to preferred embodiments, workers skilled in the art will recognize that changes may be made in form and detail without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. For example, in some cases the angles between the first and second ribs may not be exactly 90 degrees, but may be in a range of about 80 degrees to 100 degrees.

Technology Classification (CPC): 4