Floor tile installation tool and method of using the same

Abstract

An installation tool for installing floor tiles includes a base and an arm. The base and the arm each have opposing top and bottom surfaces and opposing sides. The sides of the base extend substantially perpendicular to the sides of the arm. At least one spacer is provided on at least one of the sides of the base and at least one spacer is provided on at least one of the sides of the arm. Each of the spacers has an alignment member extending substantially perpendicular to the top and bottom surfaces of the base and the arm. Each of the alignment members has a thickness equal to a desired spacing between adjacent floor tiles.

1 . An installation tool for installing floor tiles, comprising:
 a base and an arm, the base and the arm each having opposing top and bottom surfaces and opposing sides, the sides of the base extending substantially perpendicular to the sides of the arm; and   at least one spacer provided on at least one of the sides of the base and at least one spacer provided on at least one of the sides of the arm, each of the spacers having an alignment member extending substantially perpendicular to the top and bottom surfaces of the base and the arm, each of the alignment members having a thickness equal to a desired spacing between adjacent floor tiles.   
     
     
         2 . The installation tool of  claim 1 , wherein the spacers are removable from the base and the arm. 
     
     
         3 . The installation tool of  claim 1 , wherein the top surface and the bottom surface of at least the arm or the base is identical such that at least the arm or the base is reversible. 
     
     
         4 . The installation tool of  claim 1 , wherein an alignment window is provided where the side of the arm and the side of the base intersect. 
     
     
         5 . The installation tool of  claim 1 , wherein the side of the base and the side of the arm provided with the spacers include cutouts that receive the alignment members. 
     
     
         6 . The installation tool of  claim 1 , wherein the base is provided with at least a pair of openings or a handle for an installer to grasp the base. 
     
     
         7 . The installation tool of  claim 1 , wherein the alignment member extends beyond the bottom surface of the base and the bottom surface of the arm. 
     
     
         8 . The installation tool of  claim 1 , wherein the base and the arm are made of an injection molded or machined plastic material. 
     
     
         9 . The installation tool of  claim 1 , wherein the base and the arm have a thickness or height of about 0.5-0.75 inches. 
     
     
         10 . The installation tool of  claim 1 , wherein the arm is attached to the base such that the arm forms a substantially L-shape therewith. 
     
     
         11 . The installation tool of  claim 10 , wherein the arm is attachable to an end of the base such that the arm extends from either of the sides of the base. 
     
     
         12 . The installation tool of  claim 1 , wherein the floor tiles comprise a top layer and a bottom layer adhered together in an offset relationship such that a marginal end portion of a top surface of the bottom layer and a marginal end portion of a bottom surface of the top layer are exposed and wherein at least one of the marginal end portions has an adhesive. 
     
     
         13 . The installation tool of  claim 12 , wherein the alignment member extends beyond the bottom surface of the base and the bottom surface of the arm an amount about equal to or less than a thickness of the top layer.