Patent Application
20220290446
Tile spacers are widely used for spacing of various sizes and shapes of tiles during tile installation. Tile spacers are used for maintaining a uniform joint space in the course of tile installation. Despite the variety of tile spacers available, current tile spacers have a number of disadvantages. There are many varieties of tile spacers but there has been an ongoing need for design improvement to allow for easy tile spacer removal after tile installation. Common problem with tile spacers design, especially cross shaped tile spacers and t-shaped tile spacers, are that they are not easily removed after installation, especially when the tile mortar has dried or when tiles squeeze the tile spacer in the tile joint space. Tile spacers can get stuck in the mortar between the tiles and removing them with needle nose pliers or a screwdriver or a tool designed to remove tile spacers is time consuming, inefficient, and risking damaging or chipping the tile.
Front side view
1. Tile spacer base
2. Tile spacer vertical arm
3. Tile spacer loop opening
Common issue with using tile spacer designs that are currently available is that they are not easily removable after installation. The tile spacers get commonly stuck between tile joint spaces and removing them can be time consuming, inefficient and risking chipping and damaging a tile that would have to be replaced. This is especially true with flat top tile spacers. This invention has an advantage over previously invented tile spacers. The advantage is in the form of a vertical arm with a loop opening that is situated in the vertical arm of the tile spacer. The vertical arm is centrally placed on the t-shaped or cross-shaped tile spacer base. The loop opening is located in the upper section of the vertical arm, This allows for much easier, faster, time efficient setting and removal of the tile spacer. After installation, the tile spacers are removed by inserting a tool inside the loop opening and easily pulling the tile spacer out of tile joint space. The spacer can be also pulled out with fingers by pulling on the vertical arm.
Tile spacers are used in the installation of wall and floor tiles. Tile spacers are used for spacing and aligning of all types of tiles when installing them on the mortar. Tile spacers are used between tiles to create a gap for straight and even grout spacing that gives a symmetrical finished look to the surface, in order for the grout to then be applied. Another reason for tile spacers in tile spacing is that they allow for free tile movement of the installed tile and provide for a more durable surface. Tile spacers create a gap between tile joints that prevent possible tile chipping of edges and also help to keep tiles in a straight line. Tile spacers are most commonly made out of plastic material. Tile spacers are usually cross-shaped or t-shaped construction and should be removed from between the tiles after installation. Current tile spacer designs are not easily removable after installation, especially if the mortar had completely dried. In general, tile spacers are removed with fingers, nose tip pliers, or a tool to dig the tile spacer out of the mortar in the tile joint space. It is time consuming and inefficient and at times it is nearly impossible to remove installed spacers. Tile spacers must be removed after installation. If tile spacer is not removed from between the tiles after installation, grouting over tile spacer will result in inferior results and will compromise the structural integrity of the grout and cause grout cracking. The unique embodiment of this invention is the vertical arm with a loop opening that is connected to the cross-shaped or t-shaped base of the tile spacer. The improvement of the tile spacer design in invention allows for much easier, faster and time efficient tile spacer removal after installation. Faster removal of tile spacers saves time, which in turn saves money.
