Multi-purpose tile spacing tool

Abstract

A multi-purpose tile spacing tool is disclosed. The multi-purpose tile spacing tool provides multiple functions; including obtaining a desired grout gap spacing between adjoining tiles, a lipping alignment surface tool, and a wedge for urging tiles into a desired alignment. The multi-purpose tile spacing tool includes an elongate plate having a width corresponding to a desired grout gap. A first end has a blunt squared profile of a uniform thickness, and a second end has a tapered edge for wedging tile alignments. A first multi-purpose tile spacing tool is joinable with a second via a first notch defined at an intermediate position of a bottom edge of the elongate plate with a second notch defined along a top edge to provide for a corner tool between adjoining tiles.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A multi-purpose tile spacing tool, comprising:
 an elongate plate having a length, a width, and a height, the width corresponding to a desired grout between adjoining tiles;   a first end has a blunt squared profile of a uniform thickness that is suitable squaring an alignment of an edge at a desired grout gap width;   a second end has a tapered wedge with a minimal thickness at a distal end of the tapered wedge and diverging to the uniform thickness at a proximal end of the tapered wedge;   a first notch defined at an intermediate position of a bottom edge of the elongate plate; and   a second notch defined along a top edge of the elongate plate.   
     
     
         2 . The multi-purpose tile spacing tool of  claim 1 , wherein the first notch of a first multi-purpose tile spacing tool is joinable with the second notch of a second multi-purpose tile spacing tool so that the first multi-purpose tile spacing tool and the second multi-purpose tile spacing tool form a cross shape spacer in which the first multi-purpose tile spacing tool is aligned orthogonal to the second multi-purpose tile spacing tool. 
     
     
         3 . The multi-purpose tile spacing tool of  claim 1 , wherein the bottom edge is flat between the first end and the second end, defining a lippage gauge, to ensure a uniform flatness of a top surface of the adjoining tiles. 
     
     
         4 . The multi-purpose tile spacing tool of  claim 3 , further comprising:
 a tab protruding from the top edge of the elongate plate, the tab providing for an improved gripping surface for placement and removal of the multi-purpose tile spacing tool between adjoining tiles.   
     
     
         5 . The multi-purpose tile spacing tool of  claim 4 , further comprising:
 a hole extending through the tab to provide for insertion of a tool to facilitate an extraction of the multi-purpose tile spacing tool.   
     
     
         6 . A method of setting tiles, comprising:
 laying a first tile in a thin set material applied to a surface of a substrate to be tiled;   laying a second tile adjoining the first tile;   applying a multi-purpose tile spacing tool in a grout gap between the first tile and the second tile, the multi-purpose tile spacing tool formed as an elongate plate having a length, a uniform width, and a height, the uniform width corresponding to a desired grout gap between the firs tile and the second tile, a first end has a blunt squared profile of the uniform width, a second end has a tapered edge with a minimal thickness at a distal end of the tapered wedge and diverging to the uniform width at a proximal end of the tapered wedge, and a tab protruding from a top edge of the plate between the first end and the second end.   
     
     
         7 . The method of setting tiles of  claim 6 , further comprising:
 inserting the first end into the grout gap;   grasping the tab; and   drawing the first end through the grout gap to remove an excess of the thin set material from the grout gap.   
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , further comprising:
 determining a flat lippage between the first tile and the second tile by placement of a flat bottom edge of the elongate plate along a top surface of the first tile and the second tile.   
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , further comprising:
 placing a plurality of tiles in an adjoining pattern defining a corner between each of the plurality of tiles;   joining a first multi-purpose tile spacing tool with a second multi-purpose tile spacing tool, wherein each of the first multi-purpose tile spacing tool have a first notch defined in a bottom edge of the elongate plate between the first end and the second end, and a second notch defined in a top edge of the elongate plate, adjacent to the tab, the first multi-purpose tool and the second multi-purpose tool defining a cross having orthogonal sides; and   inserting the joined first multi-purpose tile spacing tool and the second multi-purpose tile spacing tool in the corner.   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 8 , further comprising:
 inserting the tab of a first multi-purpose tile spacing tool between a superjacent tile and a subjacent tile applied to a vertical substrate; and   inserting the wedge of a second multi-purpose tile spacing tool in abutment with the tab to urge the superjacent tile into a desired alignment.