Tile leveling device

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10577813-B2
Application number	US-201815891686-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Feb 8, 2018
Priority date	Feb 8, 2018
Publication date	Mar 3, 2020
Grant date	Mar 3, 2020

Abstract

According to one embodiment, the tile leveling device includes a base having a top surface and a bottom surface. The base includes a projection extending upwardly from the top surface. The tile leveling device further includes a stem detachably coupled to the top surface of the base. The stem includes a lower portion and an upper portion having a threaded portion. The lower portion is wider than the upper portion.

First claim

I claim:

1. A tile leveling device comprising:
a base having a top surface and a bottom surface, wherein the base includes a projection extending upwardly from the top surface, the projection including a top side opposite the top surface of the base; and
a stem detachably coupled to the top surface of the base, the stem including a lower portion and an upper portion having a threaded portion, wherein the lower portion is wider than the upper portion,
wherein the stem includes an opening located at a center of the lower portion of the stem,
wherein the opening extends from the top surface of the base and terminates at an upper end, and
wherein a portion of the projection is positioned within the opening such that the top side of the projection is spaced from the upper end of the opening.

2. The tile leveling device of claim 1 , wherein the projection passes through the opening.

3. The tile leveling device of claim 1 , wherein the base includes a first cutout at a first end of the base with respect to the stem and a second cutout at a second end of the base with respect to the stem.

4. The tile leveling device of claim 3 , wherein the base has a first thickness at a middle portion of the base where the stem is located and a second thickness at outer portions of the base where the first cutout and the second cutout are located, and the first thickness is greater than the second thickness.

5. The tile leveling device of claim 3 , wherein the first cutout and the second cutout are triangularly-shaped.

6. The tile leveling device of claim 1 , wherein the threaded portion of the upper portion of the stem interacts with a top member that is received by the upper portion.

7. The tile leveling device of claim 6 , further comprising the top member, the top member including:
a hub defining a threaded bore; and
a second bottom surface.

8. The tile leveling device of claim 1 , wherein the lower portion of the stem includes a weakened portion at an intersection of the stem and the base.

9. The tile leveling device of claim 1 , wherein the projection and the lower portion of the stem maintain spacing between tiles placed on the top surface of the base.

10. A tile leveling device including a base member and a top member, the base member comprising:
a base having a top surface, a bottom surface, a first end, a second end and a projection extending from the top surface, wherein the bottom surface contacts a substrate during use and the top surface is configured to support at least one tile during use; and
a stem detachably coupled to the top surface of the base, the stem including a lower portion and an upper portion,
wherein the lower portion of the stem has a width greater than the upper portion of the stem,
wherein the upper portion of the stem includes a threaded portion to receive the top member,
wherein the stem includes an opening positioned at a center of the lower portion of the stem,
wherein a longitudinal axis passes through the first end of the base, the opening, and the second end of the base, and the projection is positioned along the longitudinal axis substantially perpendicular to the lower portion of the stem;

further wherein the base has a variable thickness, with the thickness greater at a central portion of the base and the thickness lesser at the first and second ends of the base,
wherein at least a portion of the projection is positioned within the opening, and
wherein a gap is defined between the projection and the lower portion of the stem.

11. The tile leveling device of claim 10 , wherein the base includes a first cutout at the first end of the base with respect to the stem and a second cutout at the second end of the base with respect to the stem.

12. The tile leveling device of claim 11 , wherein the longitudinal axis passes through the first cutout and the second cutout.

13. The tile leveling device of claim 11 , wherein the first cutout and the second cutouts are triangularly-shaped.

14. The tile leveling device of claim 10 , wherein the top member comprises:
a hub defining a threaded bore; and
a second bottom surface.

15. The tile leveling device of claim 10 , wherein the lower portion of the stem includes a weakened portion at an intersection of the stem and the base.

16. The tile leveling device of claim 10 , wherein the base is elongated along the longitudinal axis.

17. A tile leveling device comprising:
a base member including
a base having a first end, a second end opposite the first end, a top surface, and a bottom surface, wherein the base includes a projection extending upwardly from the top surface, the projection configured to maintain a spacing between tiles set upon the top surface of the base; and
a stem detachably coupled to the top surface of the base, the stem including a lower portion and an upper portion,
wherein the lower portion is wider than the upper portion,
wherein the upper portion of the stem includes a threaded portion that defines a major diameter of the upper portion,
wherein the stem includes an opening located at a center of the lower portion of the stem,
wherein a longitudinal axis passes through the first end of the base, the opening, and the second end of the base,
wherein the projection is elongated in a direction substantially perpendicular to the lower portion of the stem,
wherein a portion of the projection is positioned within the opening, and
wherein the projection extends along the longitudinal axis a length greater than the major diameter of the upper portion; and

a top member including
a hub defining a threaded bore that threadably couples with the upper portion of the stem, and
a second bottom surface.

18. The tile leveling device of claim 17 , wherein the projection passes through the opening.

Assignees

• Tti Macao Commercial Offshore Ltd

Inventors

• Dahill Drew A

Classifications

• E04F21/1877

  Leveling devices · CPC title

• E04F15/02022

  with means for aligning the outer surfaces of the flooring elements (E04F15/02038 takes precedence) · CPC title

• E04F21/22 Primary

  of single elements, e.g. flooring cramps {; flexible webs (cutting tiles B28D1/225)} · CPC title

• E04F21/0092 Primary

  Separate provisional spacers used between adjacent floor or wall tiles (E04F13/0889, E04F15/02005 takes precedence) · CPC title