IP Library Granted Patent US 12,000,156
Granted Patent B2
US 12,000,156 · App. 16/807,280 · Granted Jun 4, 2024

Lippage control system with stretchable strap portion

Inventors: Michele Volponi (Keokuk, IA); James P. Hoffman (Keokuk, IA); Ernest L. Perry, IV (Keokuk, IA)
Assignee: New Standards Manufacturing Co.
E04F15/02022E04F21/0092E04F21/1844E04F13/0892
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,000,156
App. No.
16/807,280
Granted
Jun 4, 2024
Kind
B2
Abstract

A tile aligning and lippage tuning system that uses a single piece base and strap which is designed to break away from the base when sufficient pressure is applied and is also designed to stretch along a thin wall region before separation of the strap from the base occurs.

Claims (16)

1. A method for reducing lippage in a plurality of tiles comprising the steps of:

providing a substrate configured to be bondable to said plurality of tiles;

providing a base;

providing a first tile disposed adjacent said base;

providing a member extending from said base; where the member has a distance from the base as a longest dimension along a member longitudinal axis; a width of the member, which runs in a line parallel to a joint longitudinal axis of a joint containing said member, has a shorter dimension than said longest dimension, and is a dimension that is longer than a thickness dimension of the member in a line which is orthogonal to the joint longitudinal axis;

providing a cap;

causing said cap to engage and surround a portion of said member; and

providing a pressure onto a surface of one of said plurality of tiles by compressing with pressure said cap, and thereby causing a region of said member to stretch along said member longitudinal axis wherein said member has a thin walled region surrounded by a thicker walled region and the thin-walled region is oval in shape.

2. A method for reducing lippage in a plurality of tiles comprising the steps of:

providing a substrate configured to be bondable to said plurality of tiles;

providing a base;

providing a first tile disposed adjacent said base;

providing a member extending from said base; where the member has a distance from the base as a longest dimension along a member longitudinal axis; a width of the member, which runs in a line parallel to a joint longitudinal axis of a joint containing said member, has a shorter dimension than said longest dimension, and is a dimension that is longer than a thickness dimension of the member in a line which is orthogonal to the joint longitudinal axis;

providing a cap;

causing said cap to engage and surround a portion of said member; and

providing a pressure onto a surface of one of said plurality of tiles by compressing with pressure said cap, and thereby causing a region of said member to stretch along said member longitudinal axis wherein said region is oval in shape, completely surrounded by a thicker wall region and proximal to said base.

Assignments (2)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Apr 30, 2024
From: NEW STANDARDS MANUFACTURING, CO.
To: DTM INNOVATIONS LLC
Reel/Frame 067268/0798 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Mar 3, 2020
From: VOLPONI, MICHELE; HOFFMAN, JAMES P.; PERRY, ERNEST L., IV
To: NEW STANDARDS MANUFACTURING CO.
Reel/Frame 051989/0832 →
Continuity (3)
Division 15711159 · Sep 21, 2017
Provisional Application 62397724 · Sep 21, 2016
Related Publication 20200199887A1 · Jun 25, 2020