Apparatus and method for removing floor tile

Abstract

An apparatus and a method that is used to mechanically remove flooring tiles intact from the foundation and then after the foundation and tile surfaces have been prepared, the same tile is set undamaged.

1 . A method for removing a portion of a grouted tile floor from the foundation comprising the steps of: 
 a. removing grout and cementitious material around all sides of said tile without damaging said tile;    b. securing an apparatus to said tile, the apparatus comprising a rigid material forming an impact driver of a predetermined size; an impact blade attached to said impact driver that fits into an evacuated tile space adjacent to said tile; a clamp that secures said impact blade to said tile, and; an impact area on said impact driver for a hammering force to be applied on said impact area used to drive said impact blade and consequently said tile forward in the same direction of the impact force;    c. impacting the impact area to drive the tile forward.    
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein removing said grout around said tile is done using a circular abrasive blade saw to cut out said grout or a drill to bore multiple holes in a series in said grout.  
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said clamp holds said impact blade firmly to said tile and uses a tensioning means to control the pressure exerted on said tile by said clamp.  
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said impact blade is secured to said tile on the side opposite said impact area through a tensioning means.  
   
   
       5 . An apparatus for removing a grouted floor tile comprising: 
 a. a means for removing grout and cementing material around all sides of said tile without damaging said tile;    b. a rigid material forming an impact driver of a predetermined size;    c. a clamp that secures an impact blade to said tile that is dimensioned to fit into evacuated grout space on a side opposite said tile;    d. said impact driver attached to said impact blade that is dimensioned to fit into an evacuated tile space adjacent to said edge of the tile opposite to said clamp; and,    e. an impact area on said impact driver for a hammering force to be used to drive said impact blade and consequently said tile forward.    
   
   
       6 . The apparatus of  claim 5  wherein the means for removing said grout around said tile is a circular abrasive blade saw or a drill.  
   
   
       7 . The apparatus of  claim 5  wherein said clamp holds said impact blade firmly to said tile and uses a tensioning means to control the pressure exerted on said tile by said clamp.  
   
   
       8 . The apparatus of  claim 5  wherein said impact blade is secured to said tile on the side opposite said impact area through a tensioning means.