Patent Description:
Devices for levelling tiles, in particular ceramic tiles, especially in the form of tiles of a flooring or coating of a respective room or living space or other setting, are known, which comprise support-plate means for the lower face of corresponding tiles, in particular having an upper face for supporting said lower face of corresponding tiles, knob means for engaging the upper face of the respective tile, i.e., having a lower face adapted to engage said upper face of the respective tile, to make the levelling in height of the connected tiles.

Said already-known devices for levelling tiles further comprise corresponding connecting means between said plate means and said knob means, in particular extending from, and in one piece with, said plate means and having means for sliding and retaining said knob means for engaging said upper face of the respective tile, and further comprise corresponding breaking means to promote the separation of said connecting means from said plate means, and which are in the form of a weakening cavity provided in said plate means at said connecting means and extending within said plate means starting from the bottom, or lower, face thereof. With said levelling devices that are know so far, a breakage satisfactorily occurs by a flexural stress to that part of the device, which projects from the tiles. The document <CIT> discloses such device according to the preamble of claim <NUM>.

However, in the field, it would be desirable to have a levelling device available, in which the breakage, between the base plate means and the connecting means of the knob means, occurs in a reliable and easy manner, while avoiding, to the greatest extent possible, premature and unwanted breakages from occurring during the levelling step, resulting in the need to proceed with a cumbersome and undesired repositioning, which, furthermore, involves an excessive expenditure of time.

Therefore, by the present invention, it is intended to propose a new and alternative solution to the hitherto known solutions, and in particular, the goal is to obviate one or more of the above-mentioned drawbacks or problems, and/or to meet one or more of the needs cited above, and/or which in any case are felt in the art, and in particular evident from what has been set forth above.

Thus, a device for levelling tiles is provided, in particular ceramic tiles, especially consisting of the tiles of a flooring or coating of a room or other, comprising support-plate means for the lower face of corresponding tiles, in particular having an upper face for supporting said lower face of corresponding tiles, knob means for engaging the upper face of the respective tile, i.e., having a lower face adapted to engage said upper face of the respective tile, connecting means between said plate means and said knob means, in particular extending from, and in one piece with, said plate means and having means for sliding and retaining said knob means for engaging said upper face of the respective tile, and breaking means for separating said connecting means from said plate means, which are in the form of a weakening cavity provided in said plate means at said connecting means and extending within said plate means starting from the bottom, or lower, face, thereof; characterized in that said weakening cavity has an upper defining face which extends longitudinally and has a corresponding central longitudinal, in particular flat, zone, and opposite longitudinal outermost zones raised with respect to said central zone, i.e., extending in height with respect to said central longitudinal zone towards the corresponding upper surface of said support-plate means for the lower face of corresponding tiles, and extending until reaching, in height, at, or near, the same upper surface of said support-plate means.

In this manner, it is possible to reduce the flexural resistance at these outermost zones and to promote the breakage and detachment of said connecting means, all of this without unduly weakening the connection of these to the same plate means, hence it is possible to ensure a successful separation breakage while preventing undesired breakages from occurring during the levelling step.

However, this and other innovative aspects, or respective advantageous implementations, are set out in the attached claims, the specific technical characteristics of which are found, together with corresponding advantages achieved, in the following description, detailing purely exemplary, non-limiting embodiments of the invention, and which is made with reference to the attached drawings, in which:.

In the attached <FIG>, a first preferred implementation of a device <NUM>', <NUM>" for levelling tiles <NUM>, in particular ceramic tiles, especially consisting of the tiles of a flooring or coating of a room or other, is illustrated.

As can be understood, the device comprises support-plate means <NUM> for the lower face <NUM> of corresponding tiles <NUM>, in particular having an upper face <NUM> for supporting said lower face <NUM> of corresponding tiles <NUM>, and knob means <NUM> or <NUM>" for engaging the upper face <NUM> of the respective tile <NUM>, i.e., having a lower face <NUM> adapted to engage said upper face <NUM> of the respective tile <NUM>.

As illustrated, the device further comprises connecting means <NUM> between said plate means <NUM> and said knob means <NUM>, in particular extending from, and in one piece <NUM>' with, said plate means <NUM>, and having means <NUM> for sliding and retaining said knob means <NUM> for engaging said upper face <NUM> of the respective tile <NUM>.

As illustrated, the device also comprises breaking means <NUM> adapted to allow, or facilitate, i.e., to trigger, the separation of said connecting means <NUM> from said plate means <NUM>, which are in the form of a weakening cavity <NUM> provided in said plate means <NUM> at said connecting means <NUM>, which extends within said plate means <NUM>, starting from the bottom, or lower, face, <NUM> of the same plate means <NUM>.

With advantage, as illustrated, said weakening cavity <NUM> has an upper defining face <NUM> which extends longitudinally, which has a corresponding central longitudinal, in particular flat, zone <NUM>, and opposite longitudinal outermost zones <NUM>, <NUM> raised with respect to said central zone <NUM>, i.e., extending in height with respect to said central longitudinal zone <NUM> towards the corresponding upper surface <NUM>, of said support-plate means <NUM> for the lower face of corresponding tiles <NUM>, and extending until reaching, in height, at, or near, the same upper surface <NUM>.

In accordance with a second and third preferred implementations, which are illustrated in the subsequent <FIG>, it is similarly provided for that the corresponding weakening cavity <NUM> has an upper defining face <NUM> which extends longitudinally and which has a corresponding central longitudinal, in particular flat, zone <NUM>, and opposite longitudinal outermost zones <NUM>, <NUM> raised with respect to said central zone <NUM>, i.e., extending in height with respect to said central longitudinal zone <NUM> towards a corresponding upper surface 120c of said support-plate means <NUM> for the lower face of corresponding tiles <NUM>, and extending until reaching, in height, at, or near, the same upper surface 120c, as in any case will be best understood from the following of the present description.

In this manner, it is possible to reduce the flexural resistance at these outermost zones and to promote the breakage and detachment of said connecting means <NUM>, all of this without unduly weakening the connection of these connecting means <NUM> with the plate means <NUM>, and thus it is possible to ensure a successful separation breakage, while avoiding that undesired breakages occur during the levelling step of the tiles.

Advantageously, as can be understood from said figures, and in particular from <FIG>, said central longitudinal zone <NUM> extends planarly, in particular horizontal, in use, and/or parallel to said bottom, or lower, face, <NUM> of said plate means <NUM> and/or parallel to said upper face <NUM> of said plate means <NUM>, i.e., parallel to the upper surface <NUM> or 120c of the same plate means <NUM>, in particular that it is in substantially perpendicular correspondence to said central longitudinal zone <NUM> of said longitudinal cavity.

In an advantageous manner, as can be understood from said figures and in particular from <FIG>, said longitudinal outermost zones <NUM>, <NUM> have a respective arched profile, convex towards said weakening cavity <NUM>.

In an advantageous manner, as can be understood from said figures and in particular from <FIG>, in said upper defining face <NUM> of said weakening cavity <NUM>, the central, in particular flat, zone <NUM> has a longitudinal length (I') corresponding to more than <NUM>%, preferably corresponding to more than <NUM>%, of the entire longitudinal length (I) of the same upper defining face <NUM> of said weakening cavity <NUM>.

Advantageously, as can be understood from said figures and in particular from <FIG>, in said upper defining face <NUM> of said weakening cavity <NUM>, said longitudinal outermost zones <NUM>, <NUM> have the same longitudinal length, or extension.

In a particularly advantageous manner, as can be understood from said figures and in particular from <FIG>, in said upper defining face <NUM> of said weakening cavity <NUM>, the respective one of said longitudinal outermost zones <NUM>, <NUM> has a longitudinal length (l") corresponding to less than <NUM>%, preferably corresponding to less than <NUM>%, of the entire longitudinal length (I) of the same upper defining face <NUM> of the same weakening cavity <NUM>.

In a particularly advantageous manner, as can be understood from said figures and in particular from the <FIG> and <FIG>, in said preferred implementations, at the central, in particular flat, zone <NUM> of the upper defining face <NUM>, the height , or thickness, of said plate means <NUM>, which is inferiorly defined by this zone <NUM> of the upper defining face <NUM>, ranges between <NUM> and <NUM>, and preferably ranges between <NUM> and <NUM>, optimally around <NUM>.

Advantageously, as can be understood from said figures and in particular from <FIG>, said weakening cavity <NUM> provided for in said plate means <NUM> extends from said bottom, or lower, face, <NUM> of said plate means <NUM> and is defined by respectively opposite longitudinal faces <NUM>, <NUM> and transversal faces <NUM>, <NUM>.

As can be understood from said figures, in an appreciably advantageous manner, said support-plate means <NUM> for the lower face of corresponding tiles comprise a thin small plate <NUM>, in particular defining said upper face <NUM> for supporting said lower face <NUM> of corresponding tiles <NUM> and said bottom, or lower, face, <NUM>, which are in particular parallel to each other.

Said bottom face <NUM> of said plate means is in particular adapted to be rested on the adhesive retaining material for said tiles <NUM>, in particular for the lower faces <NUM> of the same tiles <NUM>.

In an appreciably advantageous manner, as can be understood from the subsequent <FIG>, relating to a second preferred implementation of a device, and <NUM>, relating to a third preferred implementation of a device, the support-plate means <NUM> for the lower face <NUM> of corresponding tiles <NUM> comprise spacing thickness means <NUM> between opposite tiles, <NUM>, <NUM>, i.e., between opposite side faces <NUM>, <NUM> of said tiles <NUM>, in particular said thickness means <NUM> comprising a plurality of members 120a configured, in plan, in the shape of a T, in the <FIG>, or cross, illustrated in <FIG>, which thickness means <NUM> extend from said upper face <NUM> of said thin small plate <NUM>.

As can be understood from the subsequent <FIG>, relating to a second preferred implementation of a device, and <NUM>, relating to a third preferred implementation of a device, advantageously, the respective member 120a of said thickness means <NUM> has opposite side faces 120b, 120b, in particular parallel to each other, of engagement for the corresponding side face <NUM> of the respective tile <NUM>.

As can be understood from said <FIG>, said connecting means <NUM> between said plate means <NUM> and said knob means <NUM> comprise a small sheet <NUM> for the connection to said plate means <NUM> and the interposition, in use, between corresponding and facing tiles <NUM>, <NUM> and a rod <NUM> for sliding and retaining said knob means <NUM> extending superiorly from said small sheet <NUM> and in one piece therewith.

With appreciable advantage, as can be understood from said <FIG>, in accordance with the first preferred implementation of a device, said small sheet <NUM>, for the connection to said plate means <NUM> and the interposition between corresponding and facing tiles <NUM>, <NUM>, extends from the upper face <NUM> of said thin small plate <NUM>.

With advantage, advantageously, in accordance with the second and third preferred implementations of a device illustrated in the <FIG>, said small sheet <NUM>, for the connection to said plate means <NUM> and the interposition between corresponding and facing tiles <NUM>, <NUM>, extends from the upper face 120c of said spacing thickness means <NUM> between opposed tiles, i.e., of corresponding spacing members 120a thereof.

As can be understood from said figures, said small sheet <NUM>, for the connection to said plate means <NUM> and the interposition between corresponding and facing tiles, has opposite transverse, longitudinally outermost, faces 161a, 161a, in particular in a perpendicular, or vertically, proximity, i.e., slightly outside, in particular by a measure less than <NUM>, said transverse faces <NUM>, <NUM>, which longitudinally define said weakening cavity <NUM>.

With advantage, as can be understood from said figures, said small sheet <NUM>, for the connection to said plate means <NUM> and the interposition between corresponding and facing tiles, has opposite longitudinal planar faces 161b, 161b, in particular parallel to each other and defining therebetween the thickness "s" of said small sheet <NUM> for the connection to said plate means <NUM>.

As can be understood from said <FIG>, advantageously, in accordance with the first preferred implementation of a device, the distance b' between the longitudinal faces <NUM>, <NUM> of said weakening cavity <NUM>, i.e., the width b' of said weakening cavity <NUM>, is greater than the thickness s of said small sheet <NUM> for the connection to said plate means <NUM>.

As can be understood from said <FIG>, in an advantageous manner, in accordance with the second preferred implementation of a device, the distance b" between the longitudinal faces <NUM>, <NUM> of said weakening cavity <NUM>, i.e., the width b" of said weakening cavity <NUM>, is less than the thickness s of said small sheet <NUM> for the connection to said plate means <NUM>.

In an advantageous manner, while not being particularly illustrated in the attached figures, according to a further embodiment of a device, the distance between the longitudinal faces <NUM>, <NUM> of said weakening cavity <NUM>, i.e., the width of said weakening cavity <NUM>, is equal, or substantially equal, to the thickness s of said small sheet <NUM> for the connection to said plate means <NUM>.

As can be understood also with reference to the subsequent <FIG>, advantageously, said rod <NUM> for sliding and retaining said knob means <NUM> is in the form of a threaded stem on which said knob means <NUM> are screwed and unscrewed, which have a corresponding perpendicular cavity, which is suitably threaded, especially at least in its lower part <NUM>.

As can be understood from the same figures, in a particularly advantageous manner, said threaded stem <NUM>, of said connecting means <NUM>, extends from an intermediate zone of said small sheet <NUM> for the connection to said plate means <NUM>, i.e., from a point below the upper edge 161c thereof.

In a particularly advantageous manner, as can be understood from said figures, in practice, said support-plate means <NUM> for the lower face of corresponding tiles comprise a lower, in particular flat, face <NUM>, an opposite upper face <NUM> of support for corresponding tiles and which is preferably flat, and a peripheral edge <NUM>, preferably having a general oval shape.

As can be understood from said figures, advantageously, said small sheet <NUM> for the connection to said plate means <NUM> and the interposition between corresponding and facing tiles has substantially the same thickness or width as the corresponding spacing thickness means <NUM> between opposite tiles.

As can be understood from said figures, in an appreciably advantageous manner, said spacing thickness means <NUM> between opposite tiles, i.e., the members 120a thereof on which said small connecting sheet <NUM> is placed, have an outermost part 120d of the upper face that is slightly inclined downwards, in particular starting from a zone spaced apart from said weakening cavity <NUM>, especially by an angle ranging between <NUM>° and <NUM>°, preferably of about or equal to <NUM>°.

In this way, any potential obstacle to the bending required to cause the breakage for the separation of the connecting means <NUM> from the base small plate <NUM>.

In an appreciably advantageous manner, as can be understood from said <FIG>, said knob means <NUM> for engaging the upper face of said tiles have a main body defining a circumferential part, in particular of a general conical shape <NUM>.

As can be understood from said <FIG>, advantageously, said body <NUM> of said knob means <NUM> defines an inner surface, in particular of a general conical shape <NUM>, for guiding said perpendicular threaded cavity <NUM> on said rod, or pivot, <NUM> for sliding and retaining said knob means <NUM>.

As can be understood from said <FIG>, with appreciable advantage, said body <NUM> of said knob means <NUM> has a plurality of, in particular in a number of six, radial fins <NUM>, to be grasped by the user, projecting from said body <NUM>.

With appreciable advantage, as can be understood from said <FIG>, said body <NUM> of said knob means <NUM> has a sleeve <NUM> which extends superiorly beyond the conical part of the same body <NUM> and beyond the upper edge of said radial fins <NUM>.

Advantageously, the device, i.e., one or more of the components thereof, in particular said plate means <NUM> and the corresponding connecting means <NUM>, and said knob means <NUM>, is made, or are made, in plastic material, in particular by moulding in a special mould.

In practice, as is apparent, the technical characteristics illustrated above allow, individually or in a respective combination, achieving one or more of the following advantageous results:.

Claim 1:
A device (<NUM>', <NUM>") for levelling tiles (<NUM>), in particular ceramic tiles, especially consisting of the tiles of a flooring or coating of a room or other, comprising support-plate means (<NUM>) for the lower face (<NUM>) of corresponding tiles (<NUM>), in particular having an upper face (<NUM>) for supporting said lower face (<NUM>) of corresponding tiles (<NUM>), knob means (<NUM>) for engaging the upper face (<NUM>) of the respective tile (<NUM>), i.e., having a lower face (<NUM>) adapted to engage said upper face (<NUM>) of the respective tile (<NUM>), connecting means (<NUM>) between said plate means (<NUM>) and said knob means (<NUM>), in particular extending from, and in one piece (<NUM>') with, said plate means (<NUM>) and having means (<NUM>) for sliding and retaining said knob means (<NUM>) for engaging said upper face (<NUM>) of the respective tile (<NUM>), and breaking means (<NUM>) for separating said connecting means (<NUM>) from said plate means (<NUM>), which are in the form of a weakening cavity (<NUM>) provided in said plate means (<NUM>) at said connecting means (<NUM>) and extending within said plate means (<NUM>) starting from the bottom, or lower, face (<NUM>) thereof; wherein said weakening cavity (<NUM>) has an upper defining face (<NUM>) which extends longitudinally and has a corresponding central longitudinal, in particular flat, zone (<NUM>), characterized in that said weakening cavity (<NUM>) has opposite longitudinal outermost zones (<NUM>, <NUM>) raised with respect to said central zone (<NUM>), i.e., extending in height with respect to said central longitudinal zone (<NUM>) towards the corresponding upper surface (<NUM> or 120c) of said support-plate means (<NUM>) for the lower face of corresponding tiles (<NUM>), and extending until reaching, in height, at, or near, the same upper surface (<NUM> or 120c) of said support-plate means (<NUM>).