AU2084300A - Spacing device - Google Patents

Description

Regulation 3.2 -1-

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION STANDARD PATENT 9*

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APPLICANT:

NUMBER:

FILING DATE: ANDREW ARTHUR PETTIT MARTIN DORNOM PP 9175/99 12/ 3/1999 .P

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Invention Title: SPACING DEVICE The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me/us: SPACING DEVICE Technical Area This invention relates to a device which aids in the spacing and positioning of bricks and other construction materials such as construction blocks from adjacent units.

Background To The Invention It has become relatively common, but unfortunately expensive, for individual property owners to construct their own driveways and i: paths and walls using bricks or other construction materials.

It can be problematic for an individual property owner, or even a professional paver, to evenly space bricks or other construction materials to construct driveways or to use such materials around other areas of their own homes.

While spacing devices have been known for tiles these have tended to be devices for use at tile corners and would not necessarily guarantee even spacing if the concept were applied to bricks or the like.

WP51\sPEC\PETIT.SPC\M\s march, 2000 Outline Of The Invention It is the object of this invention to provide a spacing device which evenly spaces bricks, or other construction materials, from adjacent units of bricks or other construction materials.

According to the invention there is provided a spacing device which evenly spaces bricks or other construction materials from adjacent units of bricks or other construction materials wherein the device includes at least one horizontal member.

It is preferred that this spacing device have at least one upwardly directed member associated with each horizontal member.

It is also preferred that the spacing device have an upwardly directed member which is transverse to and central to the horizontal member.

In accordance also with the invention there is provided a spacing device which evenly spaces bricks or other construction materials from adjacent units of bricks or other construction materials wherein the device includes a first horizontal member and a second horizontal member spaced apart by a transverse member.

second horizontal member spaced apart by a transverse member.

WP51\SPEC\PETTIT.SPC\VM\8 March, 2000 It is preferred that these horizontal members be parallel to one and other. It is also preferred that there are upwardly directed members associated with each of the horizontal members preferably at the point of connection of the transverse member and it is further preferred that the spacing device is able to be repositioned from one area to another.

In a further aspect of the invention, the spacing device is able to be dismantled so that individual arrangements are able to be utilised for the purpose of spacing bricks or other construction material.

In order that the invention can be more readily understood, we *9 S• will describe by way of non limiting example a particular embodiment of the invention.

Brief Description Of The Drawing Figures Fig. 1 is a schematic representation of the spacer of the invention.

Fig. 2 is an embodiment of the invention for use at ends of brick courses and the like.

WP51\SPBC\PRTIT.SPC\VN\S March, 2000 Figure 1 shows a preferred embodiment of the invention, the spacing device 10 which evenly spaces bricks or other construction materials from adjacent units of bricks or other construction materials (hereinafter for convenience discussed in terms of bricks) includes a first horizontal member 1 and a second horizontal member 2, the members lying parallel to each other and being spaced apart by a transverse member 3.

It is preferred that the transverse member 3 is centrally positioned between the first and second horizontal members.

In this specific embodiment of the invention, there are upwardly directed members 4 associated with each of the horizontal members, preferably at the point of connection of the transverse member.

oo o In cross section, the members have dimensions such as to provide a predetermined spacing between bricks. That is, if the device is to space courses of bricks, then the vertical height is such as to rest against a brick on the lower course and to have a brick on the upper course resting thereon. Where the device is adapted to space bricks along a course, then the horizontal length is equal to the required spacing between bricks. If the WPSI\SPEC\PETTIT.SPCV N\8 Mach, 2000 two spacings are the same then the members can have a uniform cross section and can be square or circular in cross section.

If the spacings are different, then the members may be rectangular or oval.

In a further aspect of the invention, the spacing device is able to be readily dismantled so that individual components are able to be utilised for the purpose of spacing bricks or other construction material.

Other arrangements include an L-shaped arrangement which would be utilised for edging and angular work as shown in figure 2 where one side of the device has been removed.

The spacing device may be composed of any durable flexible material, however it is preferred that it is composed of a plastic polymeric material such as polypropylene and it is preferred that the device is injected moulded.

In use, assuming that there is a flat surface onto which a course of bricks is to be laid, cement can be laid over the surface and devices of the invention can be placed thereon and set thereinto.

The height of the horizontal members then sets the height for the WP51\SPEC\PfET~IT.SPC\VM\8 March, 2000 7 next course of bricks. At the same time, the upwardly directed members provide the required spacing of the next brick in the course, cement is added thereto and the brick is moved into position until it abuts the adjacent edge of the upwardly directed members. This operation can be then continued and when a second course of bricks is to be laid, the first brick is offset by half a brick length and the devices are then used to provide the correct height of the bricks and their spacings.

*e Where one is considering an end position only part of the device S" need be used, for example the horizontal members need only be of half length as shown in Figure 2 and the device can be arranged so that the unnecessary members can be removed relatively easily S• either by providing a pre-scoring or other means to permit this removal.

It is envisaged that other embodiments of the invention will exhibit any number of and any combination of the features of the previously described embodiment.

Whilst we have described herein one specific embodiment of the invention it is to be understood that variations and WP51\BSPEC\PETTIT.SPC\VM\8 narch, 2000 8 modifications in this can be made without departing from the spirit and scope thereof.

WP51\SPEC\PETTIT. SPCW\8\ March, 2000

Claims (11)

1. A spacing device which evenly spaces bricks or other construction materials from adjacent units of bricks or other construction materials wherein the device includes at least one horizontal member.

2. A spacing device as claimed in claim 1 having at least one upwardly directed member associated with each horizontal member. S*

3. A spacing device as claimed in claim 3 wherein the upwardly directed member is transverse to and central to the horizontal member.

4. A spacing device which evenly spaces bricks or other construction materials from adjacent units of bricks or other construction materials wherein the device includes a first horizontal member and a second horizontal member and being spaced apart by a transverse member. A spacing device as claimed in claim 4 wherein the horizontal members are parallel to one and other.

WP51\SPEC\PEBTTIT.SPC\V\8 March, 2000

6. A spacing device as claimed in any of claims 4 and 5 having upwardly directed members associated with each of the horizontal members.

7. A spacing device as claimed in claim 6 wherein the upwardly directed members are located at the point of connection of the transverse member. o

8. A spacing device as claimed in claim 7 wherein the transverse member connects mid points of the horizontal members.

9. A spacing device as claimed in claim 7 wherein the transverse member connects opposed end points of the horizontal members. A spacing device as claimed in any one of claims 4 to 9 which is able to be dismantled so that individual arrangements are able to be utilised for the purpose of spacing bricks or other construction material.

WP51\SPEC\PETTIT.SPC\VM\8 March, 2000

11. A spacing device substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings. DATED THIS 12th DAY OF March 2000 ANDREW ARTHUR PETTIT MARTIN DORNOM By Their Patent Attorneys A. TATLOCK ASSOCIATES WP51 \SPEC\PETTIT. SpC\V[4\8 Harch, 2000