Patent Application
20240351156
This application addresses the issue of the problem grinding tiles to specific specifications to ensure a uniform texture on the top of the tile. This is a portable device that can be moved (perhaps with some difficulty) from site-to-site. The device will have a tray in which a piece of tile will be located and locked. On that tray a set of tracks which travel underneath a set of four diamond grinding wheels which are linked together and offset from each other.
A pair of hydraulic jacks move the wheel canopy up and down to position the grinding wheels to obtain a uniform tile surface.
A water supply is also provided to contain the dust that will inevitably be produced by the process; the flow of water will prolong the life of the diamond wheels because it will reduce heat. The diamond grinding wheels are moving at identical speeds and the finished product will be a smooth, even surface on the top surface of the tile.
This device will reduce labor and at the same time produce uniform results.
There are many other prior art references to polishing methods and also the use of low speed or high speed concrete polishing apparatus. A representative example of this type of patent can be found at Palushaj, U.S. Pat. No. 9,102, 029. Another prior art reference can be found at Altimirano, U.S. Pat. No. 9,289,872. Another example can be found at Isabell, EP195810.
None of the prior art references, however, have the specific features of this device or the functions of this device.
When the tradesman is installing tile, it is important to obtain a consistent finish on the top surface of the tile. Currently, the tradesman would hand grind the top surface of the tile to obtain that surface quality. The tradesman would also need to grind the bottom surface of the tile so that the top and bottom surfaces are uniformly level.
The current device is comprised of a frame that supports a stationary plate upon which a pair of hydraulic jacks are positioned. The stationary plate supports a wheel canopy upon which rests several diamond cutting wheels. The cutting wheels are offset and are connected to an electric motor. Below the cutting wheels is a water basin. A pump that is in the basin will circulate water onto the tile surface. The water will capture the dust and form a slurry which will drain into the basin. The water will also provide a cooling effect for the cutting wheels. A protective shield is placed on both ends of the opening around the wheel canopy that holds the diamond cutting wheels and electric motor; the protective shield will also contain the dust exposure, by containing the dust particles within the area of the shield.
A pair of hydraulic jacks are provided that will move the wheel canopy and the grinding wheels to be a position above the tile to ensure the desired result.
A track system is placed on the frame and a single tile is placed on the tile support plate for that purpose; a locking mechanism (not depicted) is also provided to lock the tile in place. The width and length of the tile support plate on which the tile will rest may be adjustable to accommodate different sized tiles. Once the tile is locked on the tile support plate, the motor for the grinding wheels and the water pump are activated. The tile is then pushed under the diamond cutting wheels and the cutting wheels produce a uniform surface for the tile. When the water is circulated through the system, the water will become discolored because of the dust accumulation. The tradesman can either flush the water basin or replace the basin with a clean supply of water.
1 Device
5 Frame
10 Motor
12 Wheel Canopy
13 Groove
14 Guide Pin
15 Water Pump
16 Water supply line
17 Flexible water lines
18 Stationary Plate
19 Hydraulic Jack Plate
20 Water basin
25 Grinding Wheels
26 Shield
30 Hydraulic Jack
35 Track Wheels
40 Track
45 Tile support plate
The device 1 will be comprised of a frame 5 that is short enough to support great weights and be rigid. The height of the frame of the device may be changed to accommodate different 4 applications and the preference of the user.
A tile (not depicted) is placed on a tile support plate 45 that will move along a track system 40. Track wheels 35 on the platform permit the movement of the platform along the tracks 40. This track system runs the horizontal length of the frame.
In the approximate middle of the device will be a wheel canopy 12 that will support a motor 10 and four diamond grinding wheels 25. The diamond grinding wheels are offset from each other; the diamond grinding wheels 25 are connected to the electric motor 10 and are positioned under the canopy 12. On the canopy 12 will be a water supply line 16 that will carry water from the water pump 15, which is in a water basin 20 below the wheel canopy 12 through sections of flexible tubing 17 that are placed above the grinding wheels 25 and dispense water towards the respective center of each of the four grinding wheels. The flow of water through the tubing 16 will help reduce dust and provide some cooling effect to the grinding wheels 25.
As the tile is pushed on the track system underneath the grinding wheels, the grinding wheels will produce a uniform, smooth surface on the tile. A shield 26 will be placed in the front and back of the opening of the wheel canopy 12; the shield 26 will provide a buffer to deflect the dust/slurry that will be generated during the grinding process. The shield material May be comprised of bristles or flaps, as examples. Regardless of the selection of the type of shield, the shield should not obstruct the view of the operator. Additionally, the material that forms the bristles on the shield 26 will be spaced far enough away from the grinding wheels 25 to avoid contact with the grinding wheels 25. Although bristles are mentioned a flap may also be used for the shield. As the dust is generated the bristles will prevent much of the dust that is generated from leaving the area of the grinding wheels and will allow the dust to fall into the basin 20 located below the grinding wheels.
A pair of hydraulic jacks 30 such as depicted in
It is inevitable that a great amount of dust and heat will be generated by this process and the water from the water basin 20 will reduce the dust and cool the grinding wheels. The water basin, 20, is positioned below the wheel canopy 12 and stores water that is circulated through a pump, 15, and a water supply line, 16, that will allow water to flow on the top surface of the canopy. Sections of flexible tubing 17 are provided from the tubing to direct water onto the surface of the tile to reduce the dust as well as reduce the heat that is generated by the diamond grinding wheels. A plurality of flexible tubing sections 17 will direct the water from the water line 16 to the front of the respective grinding wheels such as depicted in
During normal operation the water is continually circulated throughout the system and eventually becomes dirty and no longer usable. When that occurs, the water basin 20 is changed, and a new supply of clean water is provided. There is also a means to lock the tile in place on the tile platform to prevent the movement of the tile as it is being smoothed by the grinding wheels 25. As depicted in
While the embodiments of the invention have been disclosed, certain modifications may be made by those skilled in the art to modify the invention without departing from the spirit of the invention.
