US 7,254,920 B2Granted

Tile-leveling device

OwnerRoland Steeleinventor

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Abstract

A device for setting and leveling tile is provided that comprises an elongated straight edge. The straight edge includes a horizontal tile support flange and a vertical flange. A support leg is adjustably attached to the vertical flange adjacent each end of the straight edge and a bubble level is centered on the vertical flange between the support legs. The thickness of the horizontal support flange is sized so that after all the courses of tile are laid and the straight edge is removed, only a layer of grout is required to complete the installation. If the floor is not level, the support legs are adjusted to center the bubble in the level prior to laying the tiles. When leveling tile around a bathtub, an adjustable brace is affixed onto each of the support legs. Each brace includes and adjustment slot therethrough and a rubber boot secured on one end for engaging the bottom of the tub for supporting the straight edge on the edge of the tub.

Claims15

Dependent claims

A tile-leveling device comprising:

a straight edge portion, said straight edge portion including an elongated horizontal tile support flange joined to an elongated vertical support flange, wherein said horizontal tile support flange has a thickness equal to a layer of grout;
means for adjustably supporting said straight edge portion on a floor of a shower stall, wherein said means for adjustably supporting said straight edge portion includes:
a stud in said vertical support flange adjacent each end of said vertical support flange;
a foot extension receiving aperture in said tile support flange adjacent each end of said tile support flange, each said aperture being centered about a respective stud on said vertical support flange;
a pair of vertical support leg, each leg having a leg adjustment slot for receiving one of said studs;
a pair of horizontal support feet, each foot having a foot extension and each foot being pivotally attached to a lower end of a support leg adjacent said foot extension;
and
a pair of internally threaded nuts for adjustably securing said vertical support legs onto the vertical support flange using said studs;
and
means for leveling said straight edge portion secured to the center of said vertical support flange.

7 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.