# US 11,078,674 B2 · Wedge leveling system > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,078,674 B2 - Document ID: US11078674B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 16/931,975 - Filed: 2020-07-17 - Published: 2020-11-05 - Granted: 2021-08-03 - Earliest claimed: 2019-01-16 - Applicants: Ronald V. Troxell - Inventors: Ronald V. Troxell - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11078674B2 ## CPC - E04F 21/0092: {Separate provisional spacers used between adjacent floor or wall tiles (E04F13/0889, E04F15/02005 takes precedence)} - E04F 21/22: of single elements, e.g. flooring cramps {; flexible webs (cutting tiles B28D1/225)} - E04F: FINISHING WORK ON BUILDINGS, e.g. STAIRS, FLOORS (windows, doors E06B) ## Abstract A wedge levelling system for aligning surface coverings includes a tab with a substantially flat base and a vertical member extending away from a central area of the top surface of the base. The base includes beveled feet portions on opposite sides for insertion under lower surfaces of adjacent surface coverings, with the vertical member extending between the tiles. The vertical member is attached to the base with frangible leg. The vertical member includes an opening spaced so as to be above two adjacent tiles. When a wedge is inserted and held in the opening and presses down, the tiles are pushed downwardly toward a surface upon which they are being laid to properly align the edges thereof until the tiles are set, the wedge removed and the vertical member broken off at the frangible leg portions. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A wedge leveling system for aligning surface coverings, comprising: a tab having a flat base with a bottom surface and a top surface; a vertical member frangibly secured in the top surface of the base; said base including feet portions extending from opposite sides of the vertical member adapted to be inserted under lower surfaces of adjacent surface coverings to be aligned, with the vertical member extending between opposed edges or ends of said adjacent surface coverings to be aligned; said vertical member being attached to the base by leg portions having rounded lower ends secured to frangible portions held in rounded aligned openings below the top surface of the base; at least one opening formed in said vertical member above the top surface of the base; a wedge adapted to be inserted and held in the at least one opening where said wedge is configured to press down the adjacent surface coverings to be aligned toward a surface upon which the adjacent surface coverings to be aligned are being laid, and said frangible portions of the vertical member are capable of being broken off below the top surface of the base. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The wedge leveling system according to claim 1, wherein said base includes openings formed between the feet portions. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The wedge leveling system according to claim 1, wherein the frangible portions include a plurality of openings extending therethrough. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The wedge leveling system according to claim 3, wherein there are at least two openings in the frangible portions. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The wedge leveling system according to claim 1, wherein said vertical member includes a second opening formed therein for holding identifying matter. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The wedge leveling system according to claim 1, wherein said wedge includes an angled top surface with a plurality of ribs formed thereon. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The wedge leveling system according to claim 1, wherein the at least one opening formed in said vertical member includes a top knife edge adapted to cooperate with the plurality of ribs formed on the angled top surface of said wedge. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The wedge leveling system according to claim 7, wherein the at least one opening has side edges formed by the leg portions of said vertical member. ### Claim 9 A wedge leveling system for aligning surface for aligning surface coverings comprising: a tab having a flat base with a bottom surface and a top surface; a vertical member frangibly secured in the top surface of the base; said base including feet portions extending from opposite sides of the vertical member adapted to be inserted under lower surfaces of adjacent surface coverings to be aligned, with the vertical member extending between opposed edges or ends of said adjacent surface coverings to be aligned; said vertical member being attached to the base by leg portions having rounded lower ends attached to frangible portions held in rounded openings below the top surface of the base; at least one opening formed in said vertical member above the top surface of the base having side edges formed by the leg portions of said vertical member and a top edge substantially parallel to the top surface of the base; a wedge adapted to be inserted and held in the at least one opening in the vertical member where the wedge is configured to press down the adjacent surface coverings toward a surface upon which the adjacent surface coverings are being laid, to align the edges, and said frangible portions of the vertical member are capable of being broken off, below the top surface of the base. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The wedge leveling system according to claim 9, wherein there is at least one opening in the frangible portions. ### Claim 11 (depends on 9) The wedge leveling system according to claim 9, wherein there are two openings in the frangible portions. ### Claim 12 (depends on 9) The wedge leveling system according to claim 9, wherein said vertical member includes an expanded top portion and a second opening formed therein for holding identifying matter. ### Claim 13 (depends on 9) The wedge leveling system according to claim 9, wherein said wedge includes an angled top surface with a plurality of ribs formed thereon. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The wedge leveling system according to claim 13, wherein the top edge of the at least one opening is formed as a knife edge for cooperating with the plurality of ribs formed on the angled top surface of said wedge. ### Claim 15 A wedge leveling system for aligning surface coverings, comprising: a tab having a base with a bottom surface and a top surface; a vertical member frangibly secured in rounded openings formed in the top surface of the base; said base including feet portions extending from opposite sides of the vertical member adapted to be inserted under lower surfaces of adjacent surface coverings with the vertical member extending between opposed edges or ends of said adjacent surface coverings and the feet portions having openings formed through the top surface of the base between the feet portions; said vertical member being attached to the base by a pair of leg portions having rounded ends with each leg having at least one frangible portion held below the top surface of the base; the frangible portions being secured to the rounded ends of the leg portions and include a pair of openings extending therethrough; a first opening formed in said vertical member above the top surface of the base having side edges formed by the leg portions of said vertical member and a top edge substantially parallel to the top surface of the base, and said frangible portions of the vertical member are capable of being broken off, below the top surface of the base. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The wedge leveling system according to claim 15, wherein said vertical member includes an expanded top portion and a beveled second opening formed therein, above the first opening, to allow easy gripping and for holding identifying matter. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The wedge leveling system according to claim 16, further including a wedge adapted to be inserted and held in the first opening in the vertical member where the wedge is configured to press down the adjacent surface coverings toward a surface upon which the adjacent surface coverings are being laid, to properly align the edges thereof and said wedge including an angled top surface with a plurality of ribs formed thereon, and the top edge of the at least one opening being formed as a knife edge for cooperating with the plurality of ribs formed on the angled top surface of the wedge. ### Claim 18 (depends on 15) The wedge leveling system according to claim 15, wherein said wedge includes an angled top surface with a plurality of ribs formed thereon. ### Claim 19 (depends on 16) The wedge leveling system according to claim 16, wherein the at least one opening formed in said vertical member includes a top knife edge adapted to cooperate with the plurality of ribs formed on the angled top surface of said wedge. ### Claim 20 (depends on 15) The wedge leveling system according to claim 15, wherein said vertical member includes an expanded top portion and a second opening formed therein for holding identifying matter.