US 12,326,004 B2
Tile-setting snap-clip lippage control
Roland Toca, New Orleans, LA (US); Michele Volponi, Metairie, LA (US); and Darrin Godbold, Metairie, LA (US)
Assigned to DTM INNOVATIONS LLC, Metairie, LA (US)
Filed by DTM INNOVATIONS LLC, Metairie, LA (US)
Filed on Apr. 28, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/141,241.
Prior Publication US 2024/0360683 A1, Oct. 31, 2024
Int. Cl. E04F 21/00 (2006.01)
CPC E04F 21/0092 (2013.01) 15 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A tile-setting snap-clip lippage control system for use with tiles set with mortar as floors or walls on prepared surfaces, the tile-setting snap-clip lippage control system comprising:
(i) a footed tab having a top-to-bottom orientation in relation to the tiles, a side-to-side width along the tile edges, and tab faces substantially parallel to tile edges;
(ii) a footplate mounted at the bottom of said footed tab by a bending neck, adapted to allow encapsulation with mortar in use, and adapted to apply compressive force to the bottom of tile in use, where said bending neck is adapted to preferentially shear upon the application of lateral force;
(iii) a multi-tapered descending portion at the bottom of said footed tab having on each tab face a thicker center tapering toward the sides, a tapering base thinning toward said footplate, and tapering sides of reducing width toward the bottom;
(iv) a clip mount mounted at the top of said footed tab;
(v) a snap clip having the same top-to-bottom, side-to-side orientation of said footed tab, and having a clip body;
(vi) a tab mount mounted at the bottom of said clip body, adapted to removably mount to said clip mount;
(vii) two clip ledges formed in said clip body;
(viii) two snap posts formed on said clip body;
(ix) two snap flaps, each mounted at the top of said clip body through a flap hinge, adapted to apply compressive force to the top of tile in use;
(x) a snap hole formed in each said snap flap, adapted to fit over a said snap post and to exert bracing force against said snap post when said snap flap is folded down;
(xi) a flap tooth formed on each said snap flap adjacent to said flap hinge, adapted to exert bracing force against said flap hinge when said snap flap is folded down; and
(xii) a flap ledge formed on each said snap flap, adapted to engage and exert bracing force to a said clip ledge when said snap flap is folded down.