Tile installation systems and methods of using same
The present application provides systems for installing tile on a flat surface, such as a wall, and methods of using same to install tile.
1 . A system for installing tile about a vertical corner defined by a first wall and an adjacent second wall offset from the first wall by an angle α, the system comprising:
a corner support rail disposed at a corner of a wall, the corner support rail comprising:
a first face,
a second face offset from the first face by an angle, and
a corner channel disposed between the first face and the second face;
a corner anchor system configured to simultaneously compress a first tile towards the first face and a second tile towards the second face, the corner anchor comprising:
a corner anchor including:
a head portion configured to slidably mate with the corner channel of the corner support rail,
a stem portion disposed opposite the head portion, and
a spacer portion disposed between the head portion and the stem portion and configured to:
separate an edge of the first tile from an edge of the second tile, and
break away from the head portion in response to a force applied to the stem portion or the spacer portion; and
a corner anchor lock configured to mate with the stem portion of the corner anchor and compress the first tile towards the first face and the second tile towards the second face.
2 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the angle β is 90°.
3 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the corner support rail further comprises a surface channel.
4 . The system of claim 3 further comprising:
at least one edge mounting anchor comprising:
a second head portion configured to slidably mate with the surface channel of the corner support rail,
a second stem portion disposed opposite the second head portion, and
a second spacer portion disposed between the second head portion and the second stem portion and configured to break away from the second head portion; and
an edge anchor lock configured to compress a third end of the first tile towards the corner support rail.
5 . The system of claim 4 , wherein the edge anchor lock comprises:
a body portion including a face configured to contact an outer face of the first tile, and at least one grip portion disposed opposite the face; and
a lock portion extending away from the face and configured to releasably mate with the edge mounting anchor.
6 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the first face comprises an outer surface comprising a plurality of grooves configured to receive an adhesive.
7 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the second face comprises an end surface including a plurality of grooves configured to receive an adhesive.
8 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the corner anchor lock comprises a corner washer and a lock.
9 . The system of claim 1 further comprising at least one support rail mount configured to secure the corner support rail to a surface.
10 . The system of claim 9 further comprising an anchor configured to secure the corner support rail to the at least one support rail mount.
11 . The system of claim 9 , wherein the support rail mount comprises:
a base portion comprising a mounting hole configured to receive a wall anchor; and
at least one leg portion extending away from the base portion.
12 . The system of claim 9 , wherein the corner support rail comprises at least one elongated opening configured to enable the corner support rail to be secured to the support rail mount in an adjustable manner in a first dimension substantially perpendicular to the surface.
13 . The system of claim 1 further comprising a second support rail including a second surface channel.
14 . The system of claim 13 , wherein the second surface channel is configured to slidably receive the second head portion of the at least one edge mounting anchor.
15 . The system of claim 13 , wherein the second support rail further comprises a third face proximal to the second surface channel, the third face including a plurality of grooves configured to receive an adhesive.
16 . The system of claim 13 , wherein the second support rail does not include a corner channel.
17 . A system for installing tile about a vertical corner defined by a first wall and an adjacent second wall offset from the first wall by an angle α, the system comprising:
a support rail disposed at the vertical corner, the support rail comprising:
a first face parallel to the first wall,
a second face parallel to the second wall, and
a corner channel disposed between the first face and the second face;
a corner mounting anchor comprising:
a head portion configured to slidably mate with the corner channel of the support rail,
a stem portion disposed opposite the head portion, and
a spacer portion disposed between the first head portion and the stem portion and configured to:
separate a first tile associated with the first face from a second tile associated with the second face, and
break away from the head portion upon application of a force;
a corner anchor lock comprising a locking portion configured to releasably mate with the stem portion of the corner mounting anchor; and
a corner spacer disposed between the corner anchor lock and the first and second tiles, the corner spacer comprising an angled face configured to simultaneously contact an outer surface of the first tile and an outer surface of the second tile.
18 . The system of claim 17 , wherein the angle α is not 0°.
19 . A system for installing tile about a vertical corner defined by a first wall and an adjacent second wall offset from the first wall by an angle α, the system comprising:
a corner support rail disposed at the vertical corner, the corner support rail comprising:
a first face parallel to the first wall,
a second face parallel to the second wall, and
a corner channel disposed between the first face and the second face;
a corner anchor comprising:
a head portion configured to slidably mate with the corner channel of the corner support rail,
a stem portion disposed opposite the head portion, and
a spacer portion disposed between the first head portion and the stem portion and configured to:
separate a first tile associated with the first face from a second tile associated with the second face, and
break away from the head portion upon application of a force;
a corner anchor lock comprising a locking portion configured to releasably mate with the stem portion of the corner anchor;
a corner spacer disposed between the corner anchor lock and the first and second tiles, the corner spacer comprising an angled face configured to simultaneously contact an outer surface of the first tile and an outer surface of the second tile;
an edge support rail disposed on the first or second wall a distance away from the corner support rail, the edge support rail comprising:
a third face parallel to the first or second wall, and
a surface channel disposed on the third face;
an edge mounting anchor comprising:
a second head portion configured to slidably mate with the surface channel edge support rail,
a second stem portion disposed opposite the second head portion, and
a second spacer portion disposed between the second head portion and the second stem portion and configured to:
separate a third tile associated with the third face from a fourth tile associated with the third face, and
break away from the second head portion upon application of a force; and
an edge anchor lock configured to compress an end of the third tile towards the edge support rail, the edge anchor lock comprising:
a body portion including a face configured to contact an outer face of the third tile, and at least one grip portion disposed opposite the face, and
a lock portion extending away from the face and configured to releasably mate with the edge mounting anchor.
20 . The system of claim 19 , wherein the angle α is not 0°.