Tile Leveling System

Abstract

The present disclosure provides tools, systems, and methods for leveling and aligning tiles. A tile leveling tool for guiding installation of tiles on an uneven installation surface comprises: an elongated main body extending along a longitudinal axis thereof, from a first end to a second end, wherein the main body further comprises a flat reference side, wherein the reference side has a straight reference edge parallel to the longitudinal axis; and at least one adjustable spacer extending from the main body configured to extend toward the installation surface, wherein the adjustable spacer is configured to adjust a space between the main body and the installation surface to arrange the reference edge straight across the uneven installation surface and to guide the installation of the tiles evenly.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A tool for guiding installation of tiles on an uneven installation surface, the tool comprising:
 an elongated main body extending along a longitudinal axis thereof, from a first end to a second end, wherein the main body further comprises a flat reference side, wherein the reference side has a straight reference edge parallel to the longitudinal axis; and   at least one adjustable spacer extending from the main body configured to extend toward the installation surface, wherein the adjustable spacer is configured to adjust a space between the main body and the installation surface to arrange the reference edge straight across the uneven installation surface and to guide the installation of the tiles evenly.   
     
     
         2 . The tool of  claim 1 , further comprising one or more anchors configured to secure the tool on the uneven installation surface. 
     
     
         3 . The tool of  claim 1 , further comprising an interlocking element configured to removably connect the tool to another tool along the longitudinal axis, wherein the connected tools form a track that provides an extended reference side that is co-planar and an extended reference edge that is straight. 
     
     
         4 . The tool of  claim 1 , wherein the main body has a substantially rectangular cuboid configuration and comprises a front side, a rear side, a top side, a bottom side, a length, a width, and a height, and wherein the reference edge is at least a part of the length of the main body. 
     
     
         5 . The tool of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one adjustable spacer comprises:
 a threaded bolt configured to be removably threaded into the main body through a threaded aperture thereof, wherein the threaded bolt comprises a front end and a rear end, wherein the rear end is configured to extend out of the rear side; and   a leveling pad pivotally coupled to the rear end of the threaded bolt at a joining point proximate a center of the leveling pad;   wherein the joining point is movable between the rear side of the main body and the uneven installation surface when the threaded bolt moves in the threaded aperture, and wherein the leveling pad is configured to engage with the installation surface.   
     
     
         6 . The tool of  claim 5 , wherein the main body further comprises a recess configured to accommodate the leveling pad such that the leveling pad does not extend out of the rear side in a configuration. 
     
     
         7 . The tool of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one adjustable spacer comprises:
 a set screw configured to be removably threaded into the main body through a threaded aperture thereof from the front side, wherein the set screw comprises a front end and a rear end, wherein the rear end is configured to extend out of the rear side,   an axle pin mounted on the rear side of the main body proximate the threaded aperture, wherein the axle pin is elongated along the width of the main body;   a leveling pad comprising a proximal edge and a distal edge, wherein the proximal edge is connected to the axle pin, and wherein the leveling pad is pivotally connected about the axle pin;   wherein, the set screw is configured to move rearwardly along the threaded aperture to cause the rear end of the set screw to contact and push the leveling pad at a point proximate the axle pin and to cause the distal edge of the leveling pad to move rearwardly.   
     
     
         8 . The tool of  claim 2 , wherein each of the anchors is a screw adapted to be threaded into the main body through a compatible screw hole thereof from the front side, wherein the screw has a sufficient length and is configured to be threaded into the installation surface to secure the main body. 
     
     
         9 . The tool of  claim 3 , wherein the interlocking element comprises a female end and a male end each placed on one of the two opposed ends of the main body, and wherein the female end is configured to mate with the corresponding male end of another tool such that the two tools are interlocked and aligned in the longitudinal axis thereof. 
     
     
         10 . The tool of  claim 9 , wherein the male end comprises at least one insert pin protruding from the end of the main body, and the female end comprises at least one insert hole corresponding to the at least insert pin, wherein the insert pin and insert hole are compatible in size, position, and orientation. 
     
     
         11 . The tool of  claim 10 , further comprising an attracting element placed on each of the two opposed ends of the main body, wherein the attracting element is configured to attract a corresponding attracting element placed on another tool. 
     
     
         12 . The tool of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one visual leveling indicator placed on the main body. 
     
     
         13 . A system for leveling and aligning tiles, the system comprising:
 at least two tools for guiding installation of tiles on an uneven installation surface, the tool comprising:   an elongated main body extending along a longitudinal axis thereof, from a first end to a second end, wherein the main body further comprises a flat reference side, wherein the reference side has a straight reference edge parallel to the longitudinal axis; and   at least one adjustable spacer extending from the main body configured to extend toward the installation surface, wherein the adjustable spacer is configured to adjust a space between the main body and the installation surface to arrange the reference edge straight across the uneven installation surface and to guide the installation of the tiles evenly.   
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 13 , further comprising a sliding tool configured to be slid over the reference side of the tool secured on the installation surface and the tiles installed on the installation surface to cause the tiles be to leveled co-planar with the reference side. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein at least 2 tools are interlocked along the longitudinal axis to form a track, wherein the track comprises an extended reference side that is co-planar and an extended reference edge that is straight. 
     
     
         16 . A method for arranging tiles on an uneven installation surface, the method comprising:
 placing a tool on or near an uneven installation surface, with a rear side of the tool facing the installation surface, the tool comprising:
 an elongated main body extending, along a longitudinal axis thereof, from a first end to a second end, wherein the main body comprises a front side and the rear side opposed to each other along the longitudinal axis, wherein the front side is a reference side that is substantially flat and has a straight reference edge along the longitudinal axis; 
 at least one adjustable spacer; 
 an interlocking element, 
   adjusting a space between the rear side of the main body and the installation surface by the at least one adjustable spacer to arrange the reference edge straight across the uneven installation surface and to guide the installation of the tiles evenly;   anchoring the tool to the installation surface; and   arranging tiles on the installation surface such that at least some of the tiles are aligned along the reference edge and are positioned co-planar with the reference side.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising:
 connecting a plurality of the tool using the interlocking element each thereof to form a track along the longitudinal axis, wherein the track comprises an extended reference side that is co-planar and an extend reference edge that is straight;   anchoring the track on the installation surface;   arranging tiles on the installation surface such that at least some of the tiles are aligned along the extended reference edge and are positioned co-planar with the extended reference side.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  16 , further comprising:
 forming a plurality of the track, each track comprising an extended reference side and an extended reference edge;   orienting the track on the installation surface to define an installation area, wherein the extended reference side of each track are co-planar;   anchoring the tracks on the installation surface;   arranging tiles in the installation area such that at least some of the tiles are aligned along the extended reference edges and are positioned co-planar with the extended reference sides.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , further comprising:
 using a sliding tool to slide over the reference side of the tool secured on the installation surface and the tiles installed on the installation surface to cause the tiles leveled co-planar with the reference sides of the tracks.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , further comprising:
 applying cement onto the installation surface; and   installing the arranged tiles permanently on the installation surface.