A TILE OR PAVER SPACER AND LEVELLING ASSEMBLY

Abstract

Disclosed is a tile levelling assembly, system and method. The assembly allows two or more tiles to be levelled even when the assembly is covered by the tiles. In some embodiments, the assembly comprises a top part and a bottom part, each part having a corresponding helical ramp which causes the height of the assembly to vary upon rotation of the bottom part, thereby levelling the tiles. A turnkey is able to access the assembly through the spacing between the tiles to effect the levelling action.

Claims

1. A tile levelling assembly comprising: a top part having a tile contact surface; a bottom part having a base contact surface; the top part having at least one top part helical ramp and the bottom part having at least one bottom part helical ramp such that when the top part and the bottom part are rotated with respect to each other, a distance between the base contact surface and the tile contact surface varies; wherein the tile levelling assembly comprises a turnkey-engaging portion to receive a turnkey that is adapted to, in use, rotate the top part or the bottom part, to vary the distance between the base contact surface and the tile contact surface.

2. A tile levelling assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the tile levelling assembly comprises an aperture extending axially through the top part and wherein the bottom part has the turnkey-engaging portion which is accessible through the aperture to receive the turnkey to, in use, rotate the bottom part, to vary the distance between the base contact surface and the tile contact surface.

3. A tile levelling assembly as claimed in claim 2, further comprising at least one tile spacer tab disposed on the tile contact surface.

4. A tile levelling assembly as claimed in claim 1, further comprising an external knurl on the bottom part to allow manual rotation of the bottom part.

5. A tile levelling assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one top part helical ramp and the at least one bottom part helical ramp is each provided by a continuous wave path around at least a portion of the top part and/or the bottom part.

6-7. (canceled)

8. A bottom part of a tile levelling assembly, the bottom part comprising: a base contact surface; a bottom part helical ramp for engaging with a corresponding top part helical ramp of a top part of the tile levelling assembly; and a turnkey-engaging portion for engaging with a turnkey to, in use, rotate the bottom part.

9-13. (canceled)

14. A tile levelling assembly as claimed in claim 2, wherein the turnkey-engaging portion is provided by an internal spline which is accessible through the aperture to receive the turnkey adapted to rotate the internal spline, and wherein the tile contact surface is driven towards or away from the bottom part axially, by the user rotating the turnkey in the internal spline.

15. A tile levelling assembly as claimed in claim 14, wherein the turnkey has a stem and a key portion at one end of the stem adapted to be received in the internal spline and a handle at an opposed end of the stem adapted to be rotated by the user.

16. A tile levelling assembly as claimed in claim 15, wherein the key portion of the turnkey has a width that is less than a width of a gap between adjacent laid tiles so that the key portion can be inserted by the user between the adjacent laid tiles into the aperture and into the internal spline.

17. A tile assembly as claimed in claim 16, wherein the top part comprises four equally radially spaced apart projecting spacers arranged around the aperture so that the key portion of the turnkey can be inserted by the user therebetween and between four adjacent laid tiles.

18. A tile levelling assembly as claimed in claim 17, wherein each of the four projecting spacers have a height that is less than the tile thickness.

19. A tile levelling assembly as claimed in claim 14, wherein the at least one top part helical ramp is arranged towards the periphery of the top part around the aperture and the at least one bottom part helical ramp is arranged towards the periphery of the bottom part around the internal spline.

20. A tile levelling assembly as claimed in claim 19, wherein the bottom part has a channel arranged towards the periphery of the bottom having the at least one helical ramp of the bottom part and the channel is arranged to receive the at least one helical ramp of the top part therein to prevent ingress of particulates into the channel during use.

21. A tile levelling assembly as claimed in claim 19, wherein the at least one top part helical ramp and the at least one bottom part helical ramp each include three equally radially spaced helical ramps.

22. A tile levelling assembly as claimed in claim 14, wherein the base contact surface of the bottom part includes a circular boss defining a recess to allow for undulations in the ground and the circular boss is adapted to push adhesive and particulates away from the bottom part.

23-25. (canceled)

26. A method of levelling two or more tiles, the method comprising: placing at least two tiles over a respective portion of a tile levelling assembly as claimed in claim 2; and rotating the bottom part of the assembly so as increase or decrease the height of the tile levelling assembly to thereby level the at least two tiles.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0022] Embodiments of the various aspects described herein will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0023] FIG. 1Ashows a general embodiment of a tile levelling assembly according to one aspect;

[0024] FIG. 1Bshows a general embodiment of a tile levelling assembly according to another aspect;

[0025] FIG. 2shows an embodiment of the tile levelling assembly of FIG. 1A with one or more tile spacer tabs;

[0026] FIG. 3shows an embodiment of the tile levelling assembly with an external knurl provided on the bottom part;

[0027] FIG. 4shows an embodiment of a tile levelling and spacing system comprising the tile levelling assembly, a turnkey and an optional shim spacer;

[0028] FIG. 5shows an embodiment of the top part according to one aspect;

[0029] FIG. 6shows an embodiment of a bottom part according to an aspect;

[0030] FIG. 7shows a perspective sectional view of the bottom part of FIG. 6;

[0031] FIG. 8shows a perspective sectional view of the top part of FIG. 5;

[0032] FIG. 9shows a perspective sectional view of a tile spacer and levelling assembly showing the top part adjacent the bottom part according to an embodiment;

[0033] FIG. 10shows a perspective sectional view of the tile spacer and levelling assembly of FIG. 9 showing the top part driven axially away from the bottom part according to an embodiment;

[0034] FIG. 11shows a perspective view of a tile spacer and levelling assembly showing the top part adjacent the bottom part in the minimum lift position according to an embodiment;

[0035] FIG. 12shows a perspective view of the tile spacer and levelling assembly of FIG. 11 showing the top part driven axially away from the bottom part to a height H in the maximum lift position;

[0036] FIG. 13Ashows another embodiment of a tile levelling assembly bottom part viewed from above;

[0037] FIG. 13Bshows the tile levelling assembly bottom part of FIG. 13A viewed from below;

[0038] FIG. 14Ashows another embodiment of a tile levelling assembly top part viewed from above for use with the tile levelling assembly bottom part of FIGS. 13A and 13B;

[0039] FIG. 14Bshows the tile levelling assembly top part of FIG. 14A viewed from below;

[0040] FIG. 15Ashows another embodiment of a tile levelling assembly bottom part viewed from above;

[0041] FIG. 15Bshows the tile levelling assembly bottom part of FIG. 15A viewed from below;

[0042] FIG. 16Ashows another embodiment of a tile levelling assembly top part viewed from above for use with the tile levelling assembly bottom part of FIGS. 15A and 15B;

[0043] FIG. 16Bshows the tile levelling assembly top part of FIG. 16A viewed from below;

[0044] FIG. 17shows a side-view cross section of the assembly;

[0045] FIG. 18shows an embodiment of a shim spacer according to one aspect;

[0046] FIG. 19shows an embodiment of a friction-reducing insert according to an aspect;

[0047] FIG. 20Ashows another embodiment of a turnkey;

[0048] FIG. 20Bshows example dimensions of the turnkey of FIG. 20A;

[0049] FIG. 21Ashows an example of the tile levelling and spacer assembly in use with two tiles;

[0050] FIG. 21Bshows an example of the tile levelling and spacer assembly in use with four tiles;

[0051] FIG. 21Cshows a cross-sectional view underneath the tiles of the arrangement of FIG. 21B;

[0052] FIG. 22Ashows a tile levelling assembly according to another embodiment with a wave ramp;

[0053] FIG. 22Bshows a tile levelling assembly according to another embodiment with a wave ramp;

[0054] FIG. 23Ashows a flowchart of a method of levelling two or more tiles according to an aspect described herein; and

[0055] FIG. 23Bshows a flowchart of another method of levelling two or more tiles according to an aspect described herein.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0056] Various embodiments will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0057] It will be understood that the term top part means the part of the tile levelling assembly that in use, is disposed towards the tile or paver and is not meant to imply any vertical relationship. For example, the top part can be at the same vertical level as a corresponding bottom part when used on a wall, but will be disposed towards the tile rather than the wall.

[0058] It will be understood that the term bottom part means the part of the tile levelling assembly that in use, is disposed towards the base, such as a floor or wall and is not meant to imply any vertical relationship. For example, the bottom part can be at the same vertical level as a corresponding top part when used on a wall, but will be disposed towards the wall rather than towards the tile.

[0059] It will be understood that the term helical ramp is intended to simply imply that at least a portion of the ramp is inclining or declining along a circular path. This may include a constantly inclining or declining path, a changing inclining or declining path and a regularly or irregularly-undulating wave.

[0060] It will be understood that a reference to a tile includes a reference to any type of tile including a floor tile, a wall tile or other surface tile, made of any suitable material and also includes a paver.

[0061] FIG. 1A shows an example of a tile levelling assembly according to a general aspect. In this aspect, tile levelling assembly 10 comprises a top part 12 and a bottom part 20. Each of the top part 12 and the bottom part 20 has a respective at least one helical ramp 18, 26. In FIG. 1A, there is shown at least one bottom part helical ramp 26. A corresponding at least one top part helical ramp 18 is provided but not visible in this view.

[0062] Also shown in FIG. 1A is tile contact surface 14 on the top part 12 and base contact surface 24 on the bottom part 20. The tile contact surface 14 is for, in use, making contact with an underside of a tile or paver being installed, and the base contact surface 24 is for making contact with the base such as a floor or a wall to which the tile or paver is being connected (or to a shim spacer as will be described in more detail below).

[0063] As will be described in more detail below, when the top part 12 and the bottom part 20 are in contact with each other, the top part helical ramp 18 and the corresponding bottom part helical ramp 26 engage, so as to slide over each other as the top part and the bottom parts rotate with respect to each other, so as to vary the distance between the tile contact surface and the base contact surface.

[0064] According to this aspect, there is also provided an aperture A in the top part 12, and a turnkey-engaging portion 32 which is accessible through the aperture A to receive a turnkey that is adapted to, in use, rotate the bottom part 20, so as to vary the distance between the tile contact surface and the base contact surface. The turnkey-engaging portion 32 can be of any suitable shape so long as it can engage and locate with the turnkey, to effect a driving action on the bottom part 20. In some embodiments, the turnkey-engaging 32 portion is a recess to receive a portion of the turnkey. In some embodiments, the turnkey-engaging portion 32 is a protrusion to be received within a corresponding recess in the turnkey.

[0065] Generally, then, there is provided a tile levelling assembly comprising a top part having a tile contact surface; a bottom part having a base contact surface; the top part having at least one top part helical ramp and the bottom part having at least one bottom part helical ramp such that when the top part and the bottom part are rotated with respect to each other, a distance between the base contact surface and the tile contact surface varies; wherein the tile levelling assembly comprises a turnkey-engaging portion to receive a turnkey that is adapted to, in use, rotate the top part or the bottom part, to vary the distance between the base contact surface and the tile contact surface.

[0066] In another embodiment as shown in FIG. 1B, the turnkey-engaging portion 32 is provided in the top part 12 for engaging with the turnkey. In this embodiment, the top part 12 is rotated by the turnkey to vary the distance between the base contact surface and the tile contact surface.

[0067] In another embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, the top part 12 of the tile levelling assembly 10 comprises at least one tile spacer tab 30. In use, the tile spacer tab 30 will locate between two tiles to provide a constant spacing between the tiles. In some embodiments the top part 12 will have 2 tile spacer tabs 30 for example, disposed diametrically opposite each other. In other embodiments, the top part 12 will have 3 tile spacers. In some embodiments, the top part 12 will have 4 tile spacers equally distributed around the top part. In other embodiments, the top part will have 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10 or more tile spacers depending upon the shape and configuration of the tiles or pavers being installed. For example, if a tile is hexagonal in shape, a tile levelling assembly 10 with 3 tile spacer tabs 30 can be used. If the tiles or pavers are of an elongate pointed diamond shape, a tile levelling assembly 10 with top part 12 with 8 tile spacer tabs can be used.

[0068] It will be appreciated that the tile spacer tabs 30 can also be readily removed from the top part to accommodate a particular application. For example, if a top part 12 has 4 tile spacers, and the tile levelling assembly is being used in the middle of two tiles, then two of the tile spacer tabs 30 can be removed, leaving the two tile spacers required. In some embodiments, the unwanted spacer tabs 30 can be clipped off. In some embodiments, the spacers will be frangibly-connected to the top part 12 and can be broken or torn off manually.

[0069] In another embodiment as shown in FIG. 3, an external knurl 28 is provided along the periphery of the bottom part 20. This knurl provides a means for the installer to manually rotate the bottom part 20 to effect the raising and lowering of the tile(s) supported by the tile levelling assembly 10 as will be described in more detail below.

[0070] FIG. 4 shows an embodiment of a tile levelling system 11 comprising a tile levelling assembly 10, which itself comprises the top part 12 and the bottom part 20, and a turnkey 34. In this embodiment, a shim spacer 46 is also provided.

[0071] An embodiment of the tile spacer and levelling assembly 10 is shown in more detail in FIGS. 5 to 12. In this embodiment, the assembly 10 includes a top part 12 and a bottom part 20, which are best shown separately in FIGS. 5 and 6, respectively.

[0072] The underside of the top part 12 is shown in FIG. 5, the top part 12 has an upper portion at least a part of which forms a tile contact surface 14 adapted to engage a bottom surface of at least one tile (not shown) and which, in this embodiment, includes four spaced apart and projecting tile spacer tabs 30 for abutting an edge of the at least one tile and for providing a thickness of a grout line to be established between the at least one tile and an adjacent tile to be laid. Further, the tile spacer tabs 30 project at a height that is less than the typical tile thickness. As described above, the four equally radially spaced apart tile spacer tabs 30 could abut edges of up to four tiles at a tile junction. Alternatively, one or two of the tile spacer tabs 30 can be broken off so that the assembly 10 can be used at a tile junction formed from two or three adjacent tiles.

[0073] The top part 12 also has a lower portion 16 shown in this embodiment, with three equally spaced helical ramps 18. The operation is best shown with respect to FIGS. 8 to 12 and will be described below. It will be appreciated that one or more helical ramps could be used, including 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10 or more. The arrangement of the three helical ramps as shown in this embodiment provides stability across full rotation.

[0074] The bottom part 20, as shown in FIG. 6, has an upper portion 22 and a lower portion 24. At least a part of the lower portion provides a base contact surface 24 of the bottom part 20 which is adapted to engage a base such as the ground/floor or a wall surface (not shown) having adhesive applied thereon for adhering tiles to be laid. The upper portion 22 of the bottom part 20 has three spaced apart helical ramps 26 adapted to engage the top part helical ramps 18 and, in this embodiment, has an external knurl 28 extending around the periphery. As previously described, the lower portion 16 can have one or more ramps and thus the upper portion 22 can also have one or more corresponding helical ramps, including 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10 or more.

[0075] In use, an installer or user places assembly 10 beneath, and in some cases, at the junction of, one or two tiles and the top part 12 can be driven towards or away from the bottom part 20 axially upon rotation of the bottom part helical ramp 26 relative to the top part helical ramp 18, by a user rotating the external knurl 28, to raise or lower the one or two tiles on the top part 12, or, by a user locating the turnkey 34 in the turnkey-engaging portion 32, in this embodiment, provided by an internal spline.

[0076] In this embodiment, the top part 12 has an aperture A extending axially through the upper 14 and the lower portion 16 and between the four equally radially spaced apart tile spacer tabs 30. The upper portion 22 of bottom part 20 has the internal spline 32 which is accessible through the aperture A to receive the turnkey 34, as shown in FIG. 4.

[0077] The turnkey 34 has an elongate stem 38 and a key portion 36 at one end of the stem 38 that is adapted to be received in the internal spline 32 and a handle 40 at the opposed end of the stem 38 that is adapted to be rotated by the user. Further, the key portion 36 of the turnkey 34 has a width that is less than a width of a gap between the intersection or junction of adjacent laid tiles so that the key portion 36 can be inserted by the user between the adjacent laid tiles into the aperture A and into the internal spline 32.

[0078] Thus, in use, the user lays one or two further tiles on top of the assembly 10, that is already located beneath one or two tiles. The user can thus make further adjustments to the level of the tiles at the tile junction using the turnkey 34 and the internal spline 32 of the assembly 10. That is, the internal spline 32 is accessible through the aperture A to receive the key portion 36 of the turnkey 34 and the top part 12 can be driven towards or away from the bottom part 20 axially upon rotation of the bottom part helical ramp 26 relative to the top part helical ramp 18, by a user rotating the key portion 36 of the turnkey 34 in the internal spline 32, to raise or lower the tiles laid on the top part 12. For example, the tile junction includes 4 load adjacent tiles and the key portion 36 of the turnkey 34 can be inserted by the user between the four tiles at the junction to adjust the level of the tiles at this junction.

[0079] It will be appreciated that in these examples, the tile spacer tabs 30 act not just to provide spacing between the tiles, but also allow the tiles to keep the assemblies 10 in place to provide a resisting force against the rotation of the bottom part 20 by the turnkey 34.

[0080] FIG. 7 shows a sectional view of the tile spacer and levelling assembly 10, where, in this embodiment, the bottom part 20 has a channel 42 arranged towards the periphery of the bottom part 20 which includes the helical ramps 26 of the bottom part 20. The ramps 18, 26 are also arranged toward the periphery of the top part and bottom part, respectively, to allow for the internal spline 32 to be accessible through the aperture A. The channel 42 receives the helical ramps 18, 26 and thus prevents ingress of particulates, such as adhesives, into the channel 42 during use, which may adversely affect operation.

[0081] Further, in this embodiment, the lower portion 24 of the bottom part 20 includes a circular boss 44 defining a recess therebetween that is adapted to allow for undulations in the ground as well as to provide an engagement for the shim spacer 46. In use, the circular boss 44 pushes adhesive and particulates away from the bottom part 20 when it is inserted by the user under the at least one tile.

[0082] In some further embodiments, the bottom part 20 has a domed base which in use, enables self-levelling when the floor surface is uneven or has a gradient.

[0083] In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 4, the system 11 includes a shim spacer 46.

[0084] It will be appreciated by those persons skilled in the art that more than one shim spacer 46 can be employed by the system 11 and can be placed beneath the bottom part 20 by the user to further raise the top part 12 axially. The shim spacers 46 also have a mating surface 48 on one side and a circular boss 50 on an opposed side. The mating surface 48 is adapted to be retained by the circular boss 50 on the bottom part 20 and a further shim spacer to the underside (not shown). This feature allows stacking of shim spacers 46.

[0085] FIGS. 8 to 12 show the rotation of the tile spacer and levelling assembly 10 from a lowest position to a highest position having a height H. Further height adjustment can be achieved using the one or more shim spacers 46. It can be seen in FIGS. 8 and 11 that at the lowest position the ramps 18, 26 fully adjoin each other. In FIG. 9, the ramps 18 have rotated relative to ramps 26 to increase the height of the top part 12. In FIGS. 10 and 12, the ramps 18 have rotated to their full extent relative to ramps 26 to increase the height of the top part 12 to the maximum height H.

[0086] FIGS. 13A, 13B and 14A, 14B show another embodiment of assembly 10. The embodiment shown in these figures is of a 6 mm tile levelling device 11 (that is, the minimum height H of the device is 6 mm).

[0087] FIG. 13A shows an embodiment of the bottom part 20 as viewed from above. Shown there is bottom part 20 with base contact surface 24, and three helical ramps 26, surrounding turnkey-engaging portion (in the form of internal spline 32, with spline teeth 32a). In this embodiment, external knurl 28 is also provided. As described above, a channel 42 is provided to contain the helical ramps 26 and to provide a barrier against contaminant ingress via the aperture A of the top part 12 (see FIG. 14). FIG. 14B shows the embodiment of the bottom part 20 as viewed from below.

[0088] FIG. 14A shows the top part 12 from above, showing the aperture A and four spacer tabs 30.

[0089] FIG. 14B shows the underside of top part 12, showing the corresponding helical ramps 18 that in use, engage with the helical ramps 26 of the bottom part 20. Also shown is aperture A through which the spline 32 of the bottom part 20 is accessible by the turnkey 34 as previously described.

[0090] FIGS. 15A, 15B and 16A, 16B show another embodiment of assembly 10. The embodiment shown in these figures is of a 3 mm tile levelling device 11 (that is, the minimum height H of the device is 3 mm).

[0091] FIG. 15A shows an embodiment of the bottom part 20 from above. Shown there is bottom part 20 with base contact surface 24, and three helical ramps 26, surrounding turnkey-engaging portion (in the form of internal spline 32, with spline teeth 32a). In this embodiment, external knurl 28 is also provided. As described above, a channel 42 is provided to contain the helical ramps 26 and to provide a barrier against contaminant ingress via the aperture A of the top part 12 (see FIGS. 16A, 16B).

[0092] FIG. 15B shows the underside view of bottom part 20 of FIG. 15A.

[0093] FIG. 16A shows the top part 12 from above. Seen there are aperture A and spacer tabs 30.

[0094] FIG. 16B shows the underside of top part 12, showing the corresponding helical ramps 18 that in use, engage with the helical ramps 26 of the bottom part 20. Also shown is aperture A through which the spline 32 of the bottom part 20 is accessible by the turnkey 34 as previously described.

[0095] In some embodiments, where the external knurl 28 is provided, the number of knurls can be associated with the number of helical ramps to provide the installer with a visual indication of the height of the assembly 10. For example, in some embodiments where there are three helical ramps, spaced at 1200 around the assembly, the number of knurls is twelve. That is, one knurl turn represents of ramp height displacement. For example, for the 3 mm thick assembly, having 2 mm ramp suggests that one knurl rotation is equivalent to a 0.5 mm height change.

[0096] The top part 12 and the bottom part 20 can be made from any suitable material including Acetal, Nylon and Glass Filled (GF) Nylon. It will be appreciated by the person skilled in the art that any suitable materials can be used such that the coefficient of friction is optimised to a minimum between the two materials. In some embodiments, a suitable lubricant, such as petroleum jelly can be used to reduce the friction between the surfaces.

[0097] FIG. 17 shows a side-view cross section of the tile levelling assembly 10, for reference with the following TABLE 1, which shows example dimensions for use in various embodiments of the assembly 10 (referred to in the Table as a Spacer), the top part (referred to in the Table as the upper spacer and the bottom part (referred to as the base spacer).

TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1 UPPER BASE Ramp Spacer Spacer MINIMUM MAXIMUM Height = Wall Wall Spacer Spacer Lift Thickness Thickness Height Height 2.0 0.5 0.5 3.0 5.0 3.0 0.5 0.5 4.0 7.0 4.0 0.5 0.5 5.0 9.0 5.0 0.5 0.5 6.0 11.0 6.0 0.5 0.5 7.0 13.0 7.0 0.5 0.5 8.0 15.0 2.0 1.0 1.0 4.0 6.0 3.0 1.0 1.0 5.0 8.0 4.0 1.0 1.0 6.0 10.0 4.75 1.15 1.55 7.45 12.20 5.0 1.0 1.0 7.0 12.0 6.0 1.0 1.0 8.0 14.0 7.0 1.0 1.0 9.0 16.0 8.0 2.0 3.0 13.0 21.0 9.0 2.0 3.0 14.0 23.0 10.0 2.0 3.0 15.0 25.0 11.0 2.0 3.0 16.0 27.0

[0098] FIG. 18 shows another embodiment of a shim spacer 46 with mating surface 48 and shim circular boss 50.

[0099] As will be appreciated by the person skilled in the art, when tiling in a wet area, such as a bathroom, it is necessary to seal the area with a waterproof membrane. The materials used for this waterproofing, being a rubber-like membrane often results in a higher coefficient of friction than bare concrete, or concrete with adhesive applied thereto. Accordingly, the friction between the levelling assembly and the base (waterproofing membrane) can be significant. This then significantly increases the torque required to rotate the bottom part 20 of the assembly 10, generating additional stress on the turnkey 34 (and in particular, the elongate stem 38).

[0100] In order to mitigate the increased friction, a slipper 60 provides an interface between the base contact surface 24 of the bottom part 20 of the assembly 10 and the waterproofing membrane. FIG. 19 shows an embodiment of slipper 60, providing a platform 62 defined by lip 61. In use, the base contact surface of the bottom part 20 of the assembly 10 is placed on the platform 62. Slipper 60, being made of a material that provides a lower coefficient of friction between the material of bottom part 20 than between the material of bottom part 20 and the waterproofing material results in lower friction and thus a reduced torque requirement to rotate the bottom part 20 and thus reduced stress on the turnkey.

[0101] Suitable materials for the slipper 60 include Polypropylene (PP) or Polyester (PET), and can be formed by any suitable means including injection molding. Again, a suitable lubricant can also be used to further reduce the friction.

[0102] FIG. 20A shows another embodiment of the turnkey 34, with elongate stem 38, key portion 36 and handle 40. FIG. 20B shows the turnkey of FIG. 20A with some example dimensions. It will be appreciated that the dimensions shown in FIG. 20B are of one embodiment only, and that any suitable dimensions can be used that allow the turnkey to pass through the spacing or junction between adjacent tiles and still be able to withstand the relevant forces to lift the tiles. The example turnkey shown in FIG. 20B can provide a torque strength of 2.2 Nm. It will be appreciated that other values are also possible as required by the specific application.

[0103] In some applications, where the tile spacing is greater (for example greater than 2 mm), a turnkey with a thicker elongate stem 38 can be used. For example, when the tiles being laid are pavers, these may have a larger spacing between them and may also be heavier than floor or wall tiles and so a thicker turnkey may be desirable. In some embodiments, where the tiles being installed are pavers or thicker tiles, the turnkey 34 can be constructed with a thicker and longer stem length to cater for the depth of the tiles, to ensure its adequate torque capability.

[0104] It will also be appreciated that any suitable material can be used for the turnkey, including titanium, chrome vanadium steel, and spring steel, such as CK1055 steel provided by for example, Dawborn Steels Group, which may be hardened and tempered by any suitable heating process to increase the turnkey's strength. In some embodiments, the turnkey is coated, for example, zinc plated for corrosion resistance.

[0105] FIGS. 21A, 21B and 21C show an example of the levelling assembly 10 being used in the process of tiling. FIG. 21A shows the assembly 10 supporting two tiles 100, In this view, tile spacer tabs 30 can be seen between the two tiles 100 in grout space 101, as well as abutting the corresponding open edges of the tiles 100.

[0106] In this arrangement, it is possible for the installer to make height adjustments to assembly 10 to level the tiles, via either the external knurl 28, or via the turnkey (not shown in this view) through aperture A as previously described.

[0107] In the view of FIG. 21B, two more tiles 100 have been laid over the assembly 10, so that it is completely covered by the tiles (in this view, assembly 10 is shown in dotted lines to illustrate its presence beneath the tiles). In this situation, it will be appreciated that the external knurl 28 is not accessible, and so the only way to adjust the heigh of the assembly 10 is via the turnkey 34. In this situation, the key portion 36 is inserted into the aperture A of the assembly via the grout spacing 101, to engage with the turnkey-engaging portion 32, in this case provided by the internal spline. In this view, tile spacer tabs 30 are also visible within the grout spaces 101.

[0108] FIG. 21C shows a cross-sectional view of the arrangement of FIG. 21B, with the key portion 36 engaged between teeth 32a of the internal spline 32. It will be appreciated that the key portion is received within the assembly via aperture A and lies beneath the tiles 100. In this position, turnkey 34 can be rotated to effect a rotation of the bottom part 20, to thereby cause the top part 12 to move upwards, thereby creating a levelling of the tiles.

[0109] Once the installer is satisfied that the tiles are level, the key portion 36 can then be removed from the assembly 10 and extracted from the grout space 101.

[0110] It will be appreciated that this system allows for last-minute fine-tuning of the levelling of the tiles even after the tiles have been adhered to the floor or wall, and before the adhesive cures.

[0111] In yet another embodiment of the tile levelling assembly 10, the helical ramp can be provided as a wave, as shown in FIGS. 22A, 22B. This allows for height adjustment by rotating the turnkey 34 in either direction, and allows fine-tuning of the height with small back-and-forth rotations. In this aspect, both the bottom part helical ramp 26 and the top part helical ramp 18 can be a continuous wave shape and be entirely interlocking to provide maximum stability as shown in FIG. 22B, or in other embodiments, one or the other can be a partial corresponding wave shape as shown in the top part 12 as shown in FIG. 22A.

[0112] This feature allows for fine dialling of the desired height, and allows for continuous, unobstructed height adjustment in both the clockwise and counterclockwise directions This further assists with undue stress on the turnkey 34 when the lowest height position is reached.

[0113] According to another aspect, there is provided a method of levelling two or more tiles. In some embodiments, as shown in the flow chart of FIG. 23A, the method 200 comprises placing two tiles over a respective portion of a tile levelling assembly (step 201) as described (see for example FIG. 21A), and, in step 202, rotating the bottom part 20 of the assembly 10 so as increase or decrease the height of the assembly to thereby level the tiles.

[0114] In some embodiments, the bottom part is rotated via an external knurl. In some embodiments, the bottom part is rotated by use of a turnkey engaging with a turnkey-engaging portion 32 in the bottom part.

[0115] According to another aspect there is provided another method of levelling two or more tiles. In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 23B, the method 210 comprises at step 211, placing two tiles over a respective portion of a tile levelling assembly as described (see for example FIG. 21A), and at step 212, rotating the top part 12 or the bottom part 20 of the assembly 10, via a turnkey engaged with a turnkey-engaging portion in the top part 12 or the bottom part 20, so as increase or decrease the height of the assembly to thereby level the tiles.

[0116] It will be appreciated that this second method also allows adjustment of the height of the assembly and thus levelling of the tiles, when four tiles are placed over the assembly. In this aspect, the turnkey is engaged with the turnkey-engaging portion by inserting the turnkey through the spacing at the junction of the four tiles, turning the assembly to the desired height to level the tiles, and extracting the turnkey via the spacing between the junction of the four tiles.

[0117] The above has described various devices, systems and methods of levelling and in some applications, spacing, tiles or pavers. The various aspects provide for a true optical levelling system with easy use of tools such as spirit levels, and allow precise optical levelling using a turnkey. Use of the system results in an unobstructed finished tiled floor, with full visibility of the finished floor surface, allowing irregularities to be more easily detected upon visual inspection. The applications are suitable for all surfaces, including floor and wall tiling. Only one device or assembly type is required, and only one device assembly is required per junction. Furthermore, the spacing tabs 30 providing spacing between tiles for grout, can be easily removed.

[0118] The system allows for localised floor height variation and removes or reduces the need for floor levelling prior to tiling.

[0119] The system also provides for assemblies that are fully submerged beneath the floor tiles, yet allows levelling of the tiles even when fully submerged. This allows the freshly-tiled floor to be fully cleaned prior to grout application; the spacing tabs also fully hidden below the top surface of the tile and covered within the grout.

[0120] Throughout the specification and the claims that follow, unless the context requires otherwise, the words comprise and include and variations such as comprising and including will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or group of integers, but not the exclusion of any other integer or group of integers.

[0121] The reference to any prior art in this specification is not, and should not be taken as, an acknowledgement of any form of suggestion that such prior art forms part of the common general knowledge.

[0122] Although some specific embodiments of the various aspects have been demonstrated in detail with examples, it should be understood by a person skilled in the art that the above examples are only intended to be illustrative but not to limit the scope. It should be understood by a person skilled in the art that the above embodiments can be modified without departing from the scope and spirit of the various aspects described. The scope of the present invention is defined by the attached claims.