Permanent tile spacer

Abstract

A tile spacer for maintaining a substantially similar space between laid tiles that is not removed and thus, remains a permanent part of a tile installation. The preferred spacers have a height of less than a height of an adjoining tile for providing a space of grouting material. The preferred spacers are made from a material that adheres to the tile adhesive or mastic, and also adheres to the grouting material thus, the preferred material is the adhesive material. The preferred spacer material also has properties to maintain the size, configuration and integrity of the spacer thus, substantially prohibiting the expansion or contraction of the material due to temperature or humidity.

1 . A permanent spacer for providing a substantially uniform space between tiles, the spacer comprising: 
 a predetermined configuration of said spacer comprising at least two radially extending legs and a common junction wherein said at least two legs and said common junction comprise a height of less than a thickness of the tiles; and    a material that adheres to an adhesive material underlaying the tiles and a grout material and said material substantially maintains its size and shape through varying thermal and moisture conditions.    
   
   
       2 . The invention of  claim 1  wherein said material comprises said adhesive material.  
   
   
       3 . The invention of  claim 1  where said material comprises a member from the group consisting of thin set mortar, bonding mortar, flexible bonding mortar, fortified thin-set mortar and a ceramic tile adhesive.  
   
   
       4 . The invention of  claim 1  wherein said thickness of said spacer comprises a thickness of one-half a thickness of the tiles.  
   
   
       5 . A permanent spacer for providing a substantially uniform space between at least two tiles, the spacer comprising: 
 a predetermined configuration wherein said predetermined configuration comprises a means to maintain said substantially uniform space between the at least two tiles;    a height of said spacer comprising less than one half of a thickness of the at least two tiles; and    a material that adheres to an adhesive material underlaying the at least two tiles, the permanent spacer and a grout material and said material substantially maintains its size and shape through varying thermal and moisture conditions.    
   
   
       6 . The invention of  claim 5  wherein said predetermined configuration comprises an I configuration.  
   
   
       7 . The invention of  claim 5  wherein said predetermined configuration comprises a V configuration.  
   
   
       8 . The invention of  claim 5  wherein said predetermined configuration comprises a T configuration.  
   
   
       9 . The invention of  claim 5  wherein said predetermined configuration comprises an X configuration.  
   
   
       10 . The invention of  claim 5  wherein said material comprises said adhesive material.  
   
   
       11 . The invention of  claim 5  where said material comprises a member from the group consisting of thin set mortar, bonding mortar, flexible bonding mortar, fortified thin-set mortar and a ceramic tile adhesive.  
   
   
       12 . The invention of  claim 5  wherein said thickness of said spacer comprises a thickness of one-half a thickness of the tiles.  
   
   
       13 . A method of installing tiles with a permanent spacer, the method comprising the steps of: 
 a) applying an adhesive to a surface to be tiled;    b) laying first tile onto the adhesive;    c) placing a spacer adjacent to a first edge of the first tile, the spacer comprising a height of less than a thickness of the tiles;    d) laying a second tile with a second edged adjacent to the spacer;    e) repeating steps a) through d) with a next tile and a next spacer;    f) allowing the adhesive to cure; and    g) grouting a space between the tiles and over the spacers.    
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 13  wherein said surface to be tiled comprises a vertical surface.  
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 13  further comprising the step proving the spacer made of an adhesive material.  
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 15  wherein the adhesive material comprises a member from the group consisting of thin set mortar, bonding mortar, flexible bonding mortar, fortified thin-set mortar and a ceramic tile adhesive.