GB2461601A - Four sided template - Google Patents

Abstract

A four sided template for use in cutting tiles, comprises two opposed pairs of linear straight edged arms 1a, 1b, 1c and 1d, which form a four sided figure. Each arm is formed with a longitudinally extending slot 3 of uniform width along the major part of its length. Four connectors 7 are provided, each having an internally threaded cap (9, fig 2) connectable to an externally threaded portion of a spindle (17, fig 2) of a base (11, fig 2), where the diameter of at least three of the spindles is marginally less than the width of its respective slot. The superimposed arms can selectively be locked together by tightening the respective cap on its spindle or, by loosening the cap, the angle created by the arms can be changed and the position of one arm relative to the other can be varied. The length of the arms of one pair of arms is the same, or substantially the same, and the length of the arms of the other pair is also the same, or substantially the same. The template may have only four sides, and the four arms may be of equal length, or opposing pairs of arms may be of different lengths.

Description

Adjustable Template 1 This invention relates to an adjustable template for cutting inter alia tiles.

The problems of cutting floor and other tiles to fit precisely a confined area such as a corner are well known by DIV and professional decorators alike.

Presently available tools such as disclosed in GB2334738 are aimed more at the professional builder rather than a householder wishing to retile a floor or wall area without employing professional assistance.

The present invention sets out to provide a relatively user-friendly template which enables floor and wall tiles to be cut accurately to shape and size.

In one aspect, the invention provides a four sided template for use when cutting inter a/ia floor and wall tiles, the template comprising two opposed pairs of linear straight edged arms each connected to its neighbours to define a four sided figure, and each formed with a longitudinally extending slot of uniform width along at least the major part of its length, and four connectors each having an internally threaded cap connectable to an externally threaded portion of a spindle upstanding from a base, the diameter of at least three of the spindles being marginally less than the width of each slot to enable each of these three spindles to pass through the slots of two superimposed arms and act as a pivot there between with the cap and base of the connector on opposite sides of the arms, whereby the superimposed arms can selectively be locked together by tightening the respective cap on its spindle or, by loosening the cap, the angle created by the arms can be changed and the position of one arm relative to the other can be varied by movement of one or each of the said three spindles along the respective slot, the lengths of the arms of one pair being the same or substantially the same, and the lengths of the arms of the other pair being the same or substantially the same.

In a preferred embodiment, the length of the arms of one pair differs from the arm length of the other pair.

Preferably, at least one lengthwise extending side of each arm is marked with a graduated scale.

Both such sides of each arm carries a graduated scale, one in metric measurements and the other in imperial measurements.

At least two neighbouring arms of the template are form with holes to receive a graduated scale from which the angle or orientation between these two arms can be observed.

Each arm and each connecter is preferably produced from a lightweight flexible plastics material, such as glass-filled nylon.

In another aspect, the invention provides a template for use when cutting inter a/ia floor and wall tiles which consists of four linear straight edged arms each formed with a longitudinally extending slot of uniform width, and four connectors each comprising a cap, a base and a spindle upstanding from the base, the diameter of the spindle being marginally less than the width of each slot and the minimum dimension of the cap and base being greater than the width of each slot, the four arms t 2 being linked by the connectors with the spindles of at least three of the connectors located within the slots and the caps and bases positioned above and below each pair of superimposed pair of arms.

In a still further aspect, the invention provides a template for use when cutting inter a/ia tiles which consists of four arms interconnected to define a four sided figure with the opposite arms of the figure being of equal length, the connections between at least three of the arms enabling rotational and translational movements to occur.

The invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:-Figure 1 is a plan view of a template in accordance with the invention; and Figure 2 is a side view of a connecter to an enlarged scale which forms part of the template shown in Figure 1.

The illustrated template is four sided and comprises two opposed pairs of linear straight edged arms la, lb, ic and ld linked by connectors 7. Each arm is formed with a longitudinally extending slot 3 of uniform width along the major part of its length. The slots of arms la, lb and ic extend over substantially the full length of the respective arm whereas that of arm ld terminates in a land 8 formed with a hole through which one of the connectors is received.

Each side 5 of each arm carries a graduated scale, one side in imperial measurements and the other in metric measurements.

The lengths of the opposite pairs of arms la, ic and lb,ld of the four sided template are equal, or substantially so. As shown, the arms lb and id are of equal length but shorter than the arms la and ic.

The arms are produced from a light weight flexible plastics material such as glass-filled nylon and the graduated scales are either laser engraved or etched into the arm surfaces to withstand wear when in use.

As will be best seen from Figure 2, each connector 7 comprises a cap 9 and a separable base 11.

The cap has an internal thread which complements the external thread 15 of a spindle 17 upstanding from the base 11. Each cap has a tapered upper section 19 and a wider generally circular lower section 21. The base 11 comprises a generally square shaped plate and includes upstanding side pieces 12 which track within longitudinally extending channels formed in the underside of each arm alongside the slots 3.

The diameter of each cap 9 and the dimensions of each base 11 are larger than the width of each slot 3; the diameter of each spindle 17 is, however marginally less than the width of each slot 3 to enable the spindles to pass through the slots and act as pivots for the arms.

The template is assembled by superimposing the arms of one pair over the arms of the other pair and passing three of the spindles 17 through the slots and the other spindle through the hole formed in the land 8 of the arm id as shown in Figure 1. Each cap is then screwed onto the threaded part of the respective spindle. The caps can be tightened to prevent movement between the arms or loosened to enable one arm to pivot relative to the other arm and to enable three of the spindles to track along the slots of arms la,lb and ic, the spindle passing through the hole 8 being constrained from movement along the slot of arm id. The end of arm la which in use of the template is connected to arm id may also be formed with a hole through which the spindle of the respective connecter passes thereby preventing any translational movement between the two arms.

In an alternative arrangement all four spindles can track along their respective slots. In this arrangement all slots extend over substantially the full length of the arms, no holes 8 being provided.

In a further arrangement, the arms la, id are joined together whereby neither translational nor pivotal movement is possible. Thus, the arms may permanently describe a right angle.

The arms la, id are formed with holes positioned equidistant from their connected ends to enable a graduated scale to be located through suitably dimensioned connectors from which the angle subtended by the arms can be read.

In use, the template is positioned over the space to be tiled and the caps loosened to enable the arms to be manipulated to reproduce the required tile shape. The caps are then tightened and the resulting four sided figure accurately represents the tile shape required to fit the space. The template can then be laid over a complete tile and the required shape transcribed onto the surface of the tile prior to cutting using a conventional tool.

It will be appreciated that the foregoing is merely exemplary of templates in accordance with the invention and that various modifications can be made to the described template without departing from the true scope of the invention.

Claims (8)

1. Claims 1. A four sided template for use when cutting inter a/ia floor and wall tiles, the template comprising two opposed pairs of linear straight edged arms each connected to its neighbours to define a four sided figure, and each formed with a longitudinally extending slot of uniform width along at least the major part of its length, and four connecters each having an internally threaded cap connectable to an externally threaded portion of a spindle upstanding from a base, the diameter of at least three of the spindles being marginally less than the width of each slot to enable each of these three spindles to pass through the slots of two superimposed arms and act as a pivot there between with the cap and base of the connecter on opposite sides of the arms, whereby the superimposed arms can selectively be locked together by tightening the respective cap on its spindle or, by loosening the cap, the angle created by the arms can be changed and the position of one arm relative to the other can be varied by movement of one or each of the said three spindles along the respective slot, the lengths of the arms of one pair being the same or substantially the same, and the lengths of the arms of the other pair being the same or substantially the same. * S *
2. 2. A template according to claim 1, wherein the length of the arms of one pair differs from the arm length of the other pair. * *. * S S
3. 3. A template according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein at least one lengthwise extending side of each arm is marked with a graduated scale.
4. 4. A template according to any preceding claim, wherein both such sides of each arm carries a graduated scale, one in metric measurements and the other in imperial measurements.
5. 5. A template according to any preceding claim, wherein at least two neighbouring arms of the template are formed with holes to receive a graduated scale from which the angle or orientation between these two arms can observed.
6. 6. A template according to any preceding claim, wherein each arm and each connecter is produced from a lightweight flexible plastics material, such as glass-filled nylon.
7. 7. A template for use when cutting inter a/ia floor and wall tiles which consists of four linear straight edged arms each formed with a longitudinally extending slot of uniform width, and four connecters each comprising a cap, a base and a leg upstanding from the base, the diameter of the leg being marginally less than the width of each slot and the minimum dimension of the cap and base being greater than the width of each slot, the four arms being linked by the connecters with the legs located within the slots and the caps and bases positioned above and below each pair of superimposed pair of arms.
8. 8. A template for use when cutting inter a/ia tiles which comprises four arms interconnected to define a four sided figure with the opposite arms of the figure being of equal length, the connections between at least three of the arms enabling rotational and translational movements to occur. * S * ** * *** * * I. S * * S * ** * S *5S* S. *S * * S * SS*SS.SSS S