Method of preparing for tiling a surface

A method of preparing for tiling a surface including the steps of:

• producing a digitized plan of the surface with a cable measuring and laser projection device including a computer in first input mode by placing the cable free end seriatim on a sufficient number of points of the surface to define the surface;
• the cable measuring and laser projection device including:
• a cable including:
• a supply end;
• a midsection;
• and
• a free end for placement on points of the surface;
• a base unit including:
• measuring means coupled to the cable for measuring direction and distance to each point and for producing measurement signals indicative thereof;
• a base;
• a first carriage rotationally attached to the base so as to be rotatable about a first axis;
• a second carriage rotationally attached to the first carriage so as to be rotatable about a second axis;
• a first motor coupled to the first carriage for rotating the first carriage about the first axis;
• a second motor coupled to the second carriage for rotating the second carriage about the second axis;
• first carriage measuring means on the base unit for measuring the rotational position or change of rotational position of the first carriage relative to the base and for producing a first carriage signal indicative thereof;
• second carriage measuring means attached to the base unit for measuring the rotational position or change of rotational position of the second carriage relative to the first carriage and for producing a second carriage signal indicative thereof;
• and
• a laser pointer mounted on the second carriage;
• and
• a computer including a program and memory;
• the computer including a first input mode for receiving the measurement signals and for producing a digitized plan of the surface therefrom;
• the computer including an output mode for projecting portions of a selected tile layout on the surface with the laser pointer by rotating the first carriage with the first motor responsive to the first carriage signal and rotating the second carriage with the second motor responsive to the second carriage signal;
• displaying a tile layout for the surface on a display of a computer containing the produced digitized plan and programmed to display tile layouts for the surface depending on selectable parameters including tile size, grout width, and tile orientation;
• selecting a tile layout for the surface from the display;
• and
• switching the computer of the cable measuring and laser projection device to output mode corresponding.

A method of preparing for tiling a surface including the steps of:

• producing a digitized plan of the surface with a cable measuring and positioning device including a computer in first input mode by placing the cable free end seriatim on a sufficient number of points of the surface to define the surface;
• the cable measuring and laser projection device including:
• a cable including:
• a supply end;
• a midsection;
• and
• a free end for placement on points of the surface;
• a base unit including:
• measuring means coupled to the cable for measuring direction and distance to each point and for producing measurement signals indicative thereof;
• and
• a cable tensioning motor attached to the base unit for adjusting the force required to move the cable free end away from the base unit;
• cable direction means for directing a user to move the cable free end toward a portion of a tile layout on the surface;
• and
• a computer including a program and memory;
• the computer including a first input mode for receiving the measurement signals and for producing a digitized plan of the surface therefrom;
• the computer including an output mode for receiving measurement signals and, responsive thereto, for directing the cable direction means to direct the user to move the cable free end toward the position of a portion of a tile layout on the surface and for directing the cable tensioning motor to adjust the tension in the cable sufficiently to indicate when cable free end is at a distance to the position of the portion of the tile layout on the surface;
• displaying a tile layout for the surface on a display of a computer containing the produced digitized plan and programmed to display tile layouts for the surface depending on parameters including tile size, grout width, and tile orientation;
• selecting a tile layout for the surface from the display;
• and
• switching the computer of the cable measuring and positioning device to output mode;
• moving the cable free end, responsive to the direction from the cable direction means, toward a portion of the design;
• and
• moving the cable free end radially from the base unit to a distance of cable tension adjustment indicative that the free end is a distance corresponding to the portion of the design.