This invention relates to a tool for removing tiles and the like from flat surfaces, and an object of the invention is to provide a tool which will quickly and effectively remove tiles from flat surfaces whilst imparting minimum damage to the surface itself.

In domestic and other refurbishing, it is frequently required to remove ceramic tiles from walls ceilings and floor surfaces where said surfaces themselves are constituted by plaster. The tiles are usually bonded to the plaster by means of a bonding composition so that they will be firmly held in position. However when it comes to removing the tiles from the plaster surface for refurbishment, it is difficult to remove the tiles by conventional methods without causing significant damage to the plaster so much so that frequently after tile removal, the plaster surface is impaired to such an extent that it requires to be replaced.

This arises because conventionally the tiles are removed by workmen simply using hammers and chisels. It is not possible to place a chisel at the appropriate angle parallel to the plaster surface in order effectively to wedge the tile away from that surface so much so that invariably the chisel will enter the plaster work causing damage thereto.

In other circumstances, workmen simply do not make any attempt to remove the tiles without damaging the plaster surface and frequently simply smash the tiles using a hammer or other impact tool, which of course also destroys the plaster undersurface.

The present invention however provides a tool which enables

the effective removal of tiles from plaster work surfaces whilst imparting minimum damage to the plaster. A tool which can achieve this objective is of course particularly advantageous to do-it-yourself workers who wish to avoid the expense of replastering in removing tiles. The tool according to the invention can however be used by a wide range of workman because obviously if tiles can be removed without imparting too much damage to the plaster sub-surface, then the time taken on any particular refurbishment project will be much more reduced and will be much less expensive.

In accordance with the present invention, a tool for removing tiles or the like objects from flat surfaces comprises means defining a support surface which can be applied to the sub-surface to which the tile is connected, a prizing edge located to one side of said means defining the support surface which is adapted to prize the tile away from the sub-surface, and an impact member at the other side of said means defining a support surface from said prizing edge which is adapted to be impacted by a hammer or the like whereby the prizing edge will lift the tile cleanly from the sub-surface.

The said means defining the support surface suitably comprises a flat thin plate of metal which is chamfered at one side to define said prizing edge. The impact member may comprise a block of steel, plastics of the like which is rigidly secured to the plate at the opposite edge.

The plate may suitably be rectangular or square and the block is mounted so that one side of the plate can be placed flush in contact with the sub-surface to which the tile is applied and adjacent an edge of said tile. Preferably also, the tool has a handle connected to said block by which the tool can be readily manipulated by hand into position for use, and whilst the tool is held by the handle in the appropriate position.

the impact member can be struck with a hammer or other impact tool.

On the side of the plate opposite that side which contacts the sub-surface there may be a leaf spring forming a clip with the plate whereby as the tile is removed from the sub¬ surface it can be held between the spring and plate so as to be clipped to the tool, so that it will not fall to the ground as it is removed, thereby protecting the tile and if appropriate enabling it to be re-used.

The tool may be constructed from any appropriate materials as required, although the first prototype comprised a sheet metal plate forming said support means, a metallic block forming said impact member and a metallic leaf spring forming said clip. The handle is a round wooden handle connected to the block by means of a metallic rod.

The plate preferably is adapted to be releasably connected to the block so that it can be replaced by plates of different sizes, depending upon the size of tile to be removed.

Use of the prototype tool has shown that it is extremely effective insofar as in one trial 550 tiles were removed from a wall in 1 hour 20 minutes with minimal damage to the plaster sub-surface. In fact the plaster sub-surface could have been immediately retiled without any replastering or further preparation being required. This is scarcely achievable by the conventional methods of removing tiles.

It is envisaged that the tool can be used for removing other items from surfaces, but it is best adapted for the removal of tiles.

An embodiment of the invention will now be described, by way

of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:-

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a tool according to the embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the tool of Fig. 1; and

Fig. 3 is a side view of the tool of Fig. 1.

Referring to the drawings, the tool shown in Fig. 1 comprises a rectangular steel plate 10 which is relatively thin i.e. in the order of 1 or 2 mm, and one edge 12 thereof is chamfered at the underside as shown in greater detail in Fig. 3. This edge forms a separating edge for lifting tiles from the tile sub-surface as will be explained.

To the opposite edge 14 of the plate 10 is provided an impact block 16 which comprises, as shown a rectangular base section 18 and a rear impact projection 20. As shown in Fig. 3 the projection 20 comprises a striking surface 22 which is inclined relative to the vertical as shown, and this surface 22 leads to a shoulder 24 which in turn leads to an oppositely inclined undercut 26.

As shown in Fig. 3, the block 16 is rebated at 28 to receive a support bar 30 secured, for example by welding to the upper surface of the plate 10. The rebate 28 leaves an overhang shoulder 32 of which the lower surface is flush with the underside of th4e plate 10.

The block is secured in the position shown by means of countersunk screws 34 and 36 whose heads also lie flush with the undersurface of the plate 10. The bar 30 enables this countersinking to be effected.

Secured centrally to the block 16 is a handle 38 having a wooden hand grip 40 which is connected to a handle rod 42 which is craned so that the handle 40 extends generally in a direction parallel to the plane of the plate 10, but away from the edge 14 of the plate 10.

A spring steel strip 44 is also secured to the block 16 by means of a threaded nut 46, and strip 44 together with the plate 10 forms a spring clip for holding tiles as will be explained.

Use of the tool is simple and effective and is best explained in relation to Fig. 3 which shows a tile 48 secured to a plastered wall surface 50 and from which the tile is to be removed. It is assumed that the area of the wall 50 to the right of the tile 48 in Fig. 3 is clear of tiles so that the plate 10 can be placed firmly against such surface with the separating edge 12 adjacent the edge of the tile. In this position the tool is firmly held by means of the handle 38, and simultaneously an impact is applied using a suitable tool such as a hammer to the impact surface 22 of the anvil block 16, as indicated by arrow 52 in Fig. 3. The separating edge 12 is therefore driven under the tile but whilst the plate 10 remains firmly in contact with the plastered surface 50 protecting same, and the tile is simply and effectively pared from the surface 50 without imparting any damage thereto. The plate 10 slips under the tile as shown in Fig. 3 and the tile 48 slips into the clip formed by the plate 10 and the spring strip 44. The tile is therefore separated from the wall 50 and is held by the tool so that it will not for example fall onto the floor and break. If the tile is not to be preserved and is for disposal, it is not necessary to provide the clip strip 44 on the tool.

The plate 10 can be removed by unscrewing the screws 34 and

36 and can be replaced by a plate of different configuration, for example smaller to remove smaller tiles.

Fig. 2 shows how the tool may be positioned in relation to tiles which are of a smaller area than the area of the plate 10. Existing tiles may be used as a support for the edge of the plate 10 to keep the tool in the best position for removal of the individual tiles.

A particular advantage of the invention is that the plate 10 is applied firmly to the plaster surface, and when the impact is applied on the anvil block, the force of the blow thrusts the plate more firmly into contact with the plastered surface preserving same.