# US 2014/0360130 A1 · Tile Alignment and Leveling Device > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2014/0360130 A1 - Document ID: US20140360130A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 14/464,916 - Filed: 2014-08-21 - Published: 2014-12-11 - Earliest claimed: 2013-03-29 - Assignees: Davinci Italia/USA Group, LLC - Applicants: Davinci Italia/USA Group, LLC - Inventors: Edward A. Kufner; Ralph Burgin - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20140360130A1 ## CPC - E04F 21/22: of single elements, e.g. flooring cramps {; flexible webs (cutting tiles B28D1/225)} - E04F 15/02: Flooring or floor layers composed of a number of similar elements (of webs E04F15/16) - E04F 21/00: Implements for finishing work on buildings (for working or treating building elements of stone or stone-like material B28D) - E04F 21/0092: {Separate provisional spacers used between adjacent floor or wall tiles (E04F13/0889, E04F15/02005 takes precedence)} - E04F 21/1877: {Leveling devices} - E04F: FINISHING WORK ON BUILDINGS, e.g. STAIRS, FLOORS (windows, doors E06B) ## Abstract A tile alignment and leveling device for aligning and leveling tiles as they are being secured to a substrate. The device includes a flexible member, a bottom plate, and an intermediate member. The intermediate member spaces the flexible member and bottom plate a predetermined vertical distance. The flexible member has a first end and a second end. The first end is pivotally combined with the intermediate member thereby allowing the flexible member to pivot between a first position and a second (downward) position. In use and in its second position, the flexible member second end exerts force against the top of the tiles to help align and level the tiles as they are secured to the substrate. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A device for laying and leveling tiles, said device comprising: a bottom plate having a top side and a bottom side; a flexible member having a first end and a second end; an intermediate member connecting the bottom plate to the flexible member; wherein the flexible member first end is pivotally combined with the intermediate member thereby allowing the flexible member to pivot between a first position and a second position; and a securing mechanism having a first component combined with the flexible member and a second component combined with the intermediate member, said securing mechanism for securing the flexible member in its second position. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1 wherein the securing mechanism first component is a fastening member and the securing mechanism second component is an opening adapted to receive the fastening member. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1 wherein the securing mechanism second component is a fastening member and the securing mechanism first component is an opening adapted to receive the fastening member. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1 wherein the securing mechanism first component is a shaft having a plurality of teeth and the securing mechanism second component is a locking pawl adapted to receive the shaft. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1 wherein the securing mechanism second component is a shaft having a plurality of teeth and the securing mechanism first component is a locking pawl adapted to receive the shaft. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1 wherein the intermediate member further comprises a separation point that is structurally weaker than the remainder of the intermediate member to allow the intermediate member to be separated from the bottom plate. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1 wherein the flexible member can be secured in a third position to accommodate tiles having a different thickness, wherein said third position is in-between said first position and said second position. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1 wherein the shaft is resilient thereby allowing it to stretch longitudinally along its length from a first position to a second position, said shaft being biased in its first position. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1 wherein the bottom plate comprises at least one opening to allow seepage of setting bed material. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1 wherein the bottom plate further comprises a flexible portion that extends upwardly above the top surface of the bottom plate and is movable between a compressed position and a retracted position, said flexible portion being biased in its retracted position. ### Claim 11 A device for laying and leveling tiles, said device comprising: a bottom plate having a top side and a bottom side; a flexible member having a first end and a second end; an intermediate member connecting the bottom plate to the flexible member; wherein the flexible member first end is pivotally combined with the intermediate member thereby allowing the flexible member to pivot between a first position and a second position; and at least two securing mechanisms each having a first component combined with the flexible member and a second component combined with the intermediate member, said securing mechanisms for securing the flexible member in its second position. ### Claim 12 A device for laying and leveling tiles, said device comprising: a bottom plate having a top side and a bottom side; a flexible member having a first end and a second end; an intermediate member connecting the bottom plate to the flexible member; wherein the flexible member first end is pivotally combined with the intermediate member thereby allowing the flexible member to pivot between a first position wherein it is farther from the bottom plate and a second position wherein it is closer to the bottom plate; a securing mechanism combined with the flexible member for lockingly engaging the flexible member with the tile when in its second position. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The device of claim 12 wherein the intermediate member further comprises a separation point that is structurally weaker than the remainder of the intermediate member to allow the intermediate member to be separated from the bottom plate. ### Claim 14 (depends on 12) The device of claim 12 wherein the bottom plate comprises at least one opening to allow seepage of setting bed material. ### Claim 15 (depends on 12) The device of claim 12 wherein the bottom plate further comprises a flexible portion that extends upwardly above the top surface of the bottom plate and is movable between a compressed position and a retracted position, said flexible portion being biased in its retracted position.