EP1152101B1 - Apparatus for realising mortar joints - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to devices for making joints in a bonding paste such as a mortar between rubble, for the realization of a wall.

In the production of a rubble wall, there is placed on the ground a row of rubble forming a first layer, then a second row of rubble forming a second layer surmounting the first layer, and so on until the desired height.

It is necessary to secure the rubble to each other by placing a bonding paste between the successive rubble.

To join the rubble of two successive layers, it is necessary to have the bonding paste on the upper face of the first layer of rubble, before laying the rubble of the upper layer on the bonding paste.

When a mortar is used as bonding paste, the operator arranges the mortar using a tool such as a trowel. The operation is then long and tedious, and slows the rate of positioning rubble. The operation also leads to significant losses of mortar. A difficulty is also to make a horizontal joint of regular thickness, which supports the upper rubble without crashing excessively, so that this rubble remains horizontal and parallel to the lower rubble. It is thus necessary to use a low fluid mortar, which does not tend to flow under the pressure exerted by the upper rubble.

When using an adhesive as bonding paste, the operator can have a layer of reduced thickness of glue to make the horizontal joint. The glue is a mixture of mortar type but relatively fluid, and the operator can arrange it using a distribution device comprising a tray with top opening filler and lower exhaust opening. The tray has a base for resting on a lower rubble, and lower guides for appropriately distributing glue exiting the lower opening for its application over the entire upper surface of the lower rubble layer. Thanks to the relatively high fluidity of the glue, it flows easily through the lower exhaust opening of the tray, achieving a horizontal joint of reduced thickness on which can be placed an upper rubble with a small sag.

Such a glue distribution device is not used to make a mortar joint, because of the naturally low fluidity of the mortar. The free flow of the mortar is insufficient, and causes in the joint the presence of hollow areas devoid of material.

US 4,352,445 A discloses a device for making joints between rubble, with a tray with lower exhaust openings, and with wheels for resting on a lower rubble. Wire blades driven by a roller biased by the advance of the device agitate the bonding paste contained in the tray in the vicinity of the lower exhaust openings. The blades exert on the bonding paste an identical effort upwards and downwards, and do not ensure a sufficient settlement to make joints free of hollow areas. And the blades do not drive enough bonding paste in the main part of the tank.

FR 2 611 788 A discloses a device comprising a lower exhaust opening tray, with a vibrating plate solicited by a motor. Fixed hollow rods are fed with compressed air, and inject air into the mortar under pressure. This results in seals that contain air, and are thus lightened. This arrangement increases the presence of hollow areas devoid of material in the joint.

DE 27 17 393 A discloses a device comprising a lower exhaust opening tray, with a rectilinear stirring rod driven in axial reciprocating translation by a motor. The free end of the stem, in the form of a loop, is set back from the lower exhaust opening. The agitation thus performed is not sufficient to ensure the absence of hollow areas devoid of material in the joint.

The problem proposed by the present invention is to design a new device structure for making solid joints between rubble by means of a paste such as a mortar that can be compact and not very fluid. So, the invention must satisfy two contradictory needs, namely to make the dough flow efficiently and quickly in the device to form a joint without hollow areas, and to use a poorly fluid paste that flows poorly.

Another object of the invention is to reduce the amount of mortar needed to make the joint, avoiding having the mortar facing the hollow areas of the rubble. In fact, rubble tends to become increasingly hollow structures, with interior voids devoid of matter. In general, the upper face of the rubble is solid, and the inner cavities open freely downwards, so that the underside of the rubble is honeycombed. It is useless to dispose of the mortar in the areas with regard to the openings of cavities. The invention thus aims to limit as much as possible the presence of mortar in the areas with regard to the lower openings of the rubble.

Another object of the invention is to limit and facilitate leveling operations of the rubble of a layer of rubble, allowing for example to control and adjust the level for only one layer of rubble on two. For this purpose, it is necessary to avoid the collapse of the upper rubble when placed on the mortar. It is therefore necessary that the mortar can withstand, without significant flow, the significant pressure which is concentrated in the peripheral areas full of the lower openings of rubble. This forces to use a mortar even more dense and not very fluid. The invention thus aims to further increase the compactness of the mortar deposited to form a seal.

Another object of the invention is to increase the laying speed of the mortar forming the seal, avoiding the long and tedious operation of applying the mortar trowel.

Thus, the invention aims to increase the speed of laying rubble, to reduce the amount of mortar needed, to improve the regularity of thickness and structure of the joint, ensuring the regularity of the mortar deposit and the consistency of the consistency of the seal.

To achieve these and other objects, a device according to the invention for making joints into a bonding paste between stones, comprises the features of claim 1.

In the description which follows, and in the claims, the "alternative translation movement" generally designates a displacement of the rod substantially in a longitudinal vertical plane. The movement may be an alternating rectilinear translation, an alternative curvilinear translation, or even a combination of translation and rotation along a curvilinear path closed in the manner of a connecting rod.

The alternative translation movement may advantageously have a frequency of between 10 and 60 Hz approximately.

Also, the alternative translation movement can advantageously have an amplitude of between 5 and 30 mm approximately.

• la figure 1 est une vue en perspective d'un dispositif selon un mode de réalisation de l'invention, pour réalisation de joints horizontaux ;
• la figure 2 est une vue en perspective de côté du dispositif de la figure 1, avec le bac partiellement découpé pour distinguer l'intérieur ;
• la figure 3 est une vue en perspective d'arrière du dispositif de la figure 1, avec le bac partiellement découpé pour distinguer l'intérieur ;
• la figure 4 est une vue en perspective de dessus du dispositif de la figure 1 ; et
• la figure 5 est une vue en perspective de côté d'une variante du dispositif de la figure 1.

Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of particular embodiments, with reference to the accompanying figures, in which:

• Figure 1 is a perspective view of a device according to one embodiment of the invention, for producing horizontal joints;
• Figure 2 is a side perspective view of the device of Figure 1, with the tray partially cut to distinguish the interior;
• Figure 3 is a rear perspective view of the device of Figure 1, with the tray partially cut to distinguish the interior;
• Figure 4 is a perspective view from above of the device of Figure 1; and
• FIG. 5 is a side perspective view of a variant of the device of FIG. 1.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 4, the device according to the invention makes it possible to produce horizontal joints between two successive layers of rubble. For this, according to Figure 1, the device 1 according to the invention provides, on a row of lower rubble comprising by way of example the rubble 2 and 3, a horizontal joint consisting of three longitudinal beads of mortar 4, 5 and 6 respectively, arranged appropriately for the case of rubble whose lower solid parts are facing the longitudinal beads of mortar 4 to 6.

Depending on the shape of the rubble, one can naturally achieve, with the device 1 according to the invention, a horizontal joint consisting of beads in number other than three, for example at least one longitudinal bead.

In this embodiment, the device 1 according to the invention comprises a tray 7 having a bonding paste having at least one upper filling opening 8, at least one lower exhaust opening 9, a support base 12 for resting on a lower 2 or 3 stone, and lower molding walls to suitably form the bonding paste exiting the lower opening (s). In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 4, three lower exhaust apertures 9, 10 and 11 have been provided laterally offset from one another, allowing the realization of the three longitudinal mortar beads 4, 5 and 6 respectively of the Figure 1. The tray 7 bonding paste has a width at least equal to that of the rubble. In practice, a parallelepipedic tray of width equal to about 20 cm, of length equal to about 50 cm, and height equal to about 30 cm, may be suitable in common applications.

In practice, the support base 12, the lower exhaust openings 9, 10 and 11 and the lower molding walls are made by two U-shaped profiles 13 and 14 inverted, arranged longitudinally substantially one-third and two-thirds. the width of the tray 7, respectively secured to the front wall 15 and the rear wall 16 of the tray 7, separated from each other by a longitudinal slot forming the lower exhaust opening 10, and each separated from the corresponding side wall 17 or 18 of the tank 7 by a longitudinal slot forming the respective lower exhaust openings 9 and 11.

Thus, the bases of the two U-shaped sections 13 and 14 form a portion of the lower surface of the tray 7, while the vertical branches of the U-shaped profiles 13 and 14 form guide flanks of the mortar flowing from inside the tray 7 through the longitudinal slots constituting the lower exhaust openings 9, 10 and 11.

It can thus be considered that the lateral branches of the U-shaped sections 13 and 14, as well as the base of the side walls 17 and 18 of the tank 7, constitute lower molding walls, and delimit between them molding volumes of the joint forming under the respective lower exhaust openings 9-11. The support base 12 of the device consists of the lower edges of the U-shaped sections 13 and 14 and the side walls 17 and 18.

As best seen in FIGS. 1 and 2, the front wall 15 of the container 7 is limited downwards by a lower edge 19, remaining spaced above the surface of the rubble 2 and 3, substantially at the bases of the U-shaped sections 13 and 14, so that the molding volumes are open towards the rear to allow the exit of the mortar beads 4-6 constituting the horizontal joint. Preferably, the lower edge 19 is adjustable in height, consisting of a plate 20 movable vertically and adjustable in position by bolts 21 and 22. By this movement of the plate 20, the thickness of the longitudinal beads of mortar is adjusted 4, 5 and 6 deposited on rubble 2 and 3.

One of the side walls 17 and 18, for example the wall 17, carries guiding rods 23a and 23b, offset slightly towards the outside and developing downwards, which the operator can hold in abutment against a lateral face. rubble 2 and 3 during the movement of the device 1 along the row of rubble.

An operating handle 24 may be provided on the front wall 15 of the tray 7, allowing the operator to push the device 1 in the direction of progression indicated by the arrow 25.

According to the invention, there is further provided means for agitating the mortar contained in the tray 7, at least in the vicinity of the or lower exhaust openings 9-11. The means for agitating the mortar should preferably be shaped to simultaneously provide a settlement of the mortar leaving the lower exhaust openings 9-11, so as to achieve compact longitudinal mortar ridges 4-6 which better withstand the pressure exerted by them. upper rubble that is just put on the mortar to form the upper layer.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 4, the means for agitating the mortar comprise three agitating rods 26, 27 and 28, at least one inner portion of which penetrates into the tank 7 and is housed in the tank 7 in line with the one corresponding lower exhaust openings 9-11. Thus, the stirring rod 26 is disposed in a longitudinal vertical plane passing through the lower exhaust opening 9; the second stirring rod 27 is disposed in a longitudinal vertical plane passing through the lower exhaust opening 10; the third stirring rod 28 is disposed in a longitudinal vertical plane passing through the third lower exhaust opening 11.

Referring more specifically to Figure 2, it is seen that each stirring rod such that the rod 26 has an upstream portion 26a relatively raised above the base of the tray 7, and a downstream portion 26b in the vicinity of the lower opening corresponding exhaust 9. In the illustrated embodiment, the stirring rod 26 comprises a regularly curved section, with a convexity turned downwards, from an upstream end 26c connected to a motorization means 29, to a downstream end 26d in the vicinity of the lower exhaust opening 9. The upstream ends 26c of the stirring rods 26-28 are interconnected to form a fork whose central branch is connected to the motorization means 29.

The drive means 29, fixed on the tray 7, is adapted to drive the stirring rods 26-28 in an alternating translation movement of determined frequency, amplitude and direction.

The frequency of the reciprocating translation movement 30 can advantageously be between 10 and 60 Hz approximately.

The amplitude of the reciprocating translation movement 30 may advantageously be between 5 and 30 mm approximately.

The direction of the reciprocating translation movement is substantially in a longitudinal vertical plane, and it can make, with the longitudinal displacement direction 25 of the device 1, an angle A of between approximately 90 ° and 30 °, advantageously approximately 45 ° as shown on FIG. FIG. 2 shows, in FIG. 2, the alternative translational movement by the double arrow 30 oriented at approximately 45 °.

The stirring rods 26-28 are shaped to ensure settlement of the mortar. For example, an effective settlement of the mortar forming the joints is ensured by providing, in the downstream part 26b of the stirring rods 26, 27 and 28, pushing reliefs such as the reliefs 26e, 26f, for example in the form of a conical crown with a top directed upstream, shaped to promote the thrust of the mortar when the rods move downstream in the opposite direction of the displacement of the device 1, and to promote the flow of the mortar around the reliefs when the rods return to the upstream. Thus, the pushing reliefs 26e, 26f promote the thrust of the mortar downstream from the tray 7.

In addition, the downstream end 26d of the curved section of stirring rod 26 is extended downstream by a longitudinal section 26g offset vertically downwards and engaged in the volume intended to be occupied by the joint to be produced (the seal 4 on Figure 1). As can be seen in particular in FIG. 3, the longitudinal section 26g is situated below the corresponding lower exhaust opening 9, in order to be in the molding volume located between the side wall 17 and the U-profile 13, volume intended to be occupied by the mortar to form the bead longitudinal 4 (Figure 1). Thus, the end portion of the stirring rod 26 passes through the lower exhaust opening 9.

The operation of the device of Figures 1 to 4 is as follows: the operator places the device 1 on a lower row of rubble 2 and 3, as shown in the figures, the tray 7 containing a sufficient amount of mortar. The operator actuates the motorization means 29, which vibrates the stirring rods 26-28 according to the selected alternative translation movement 30. By agitating the rods, the mortar, despite its low flow capacity and compactness, descends on the rubble 2 and 3 through the lower exhaust openings 9-11, and is packed. The operator moves the device 1 in translation upstream, as illustrated by the arrow 25. In this movement, the plate 20 determines the thickness of the three longitudinal beads 4-6 mortar deposited on the rubble 2 and lower 3, the lateral branches of the U-shaped sections 13 and 14 ensuring the molding of the lateral faces of the longitudinal mortar beads 4-6 which can exit the device through the three free interstices under the plate 20.

It is possible to facilitate the longitudinal displacement of the device 1 by adding casters secured to the tray 7 in its upstream zone, bearing on the upper face of the rubble 2 and 3.

The motor means 29 may for example be a saw motor unit.

FIG. 5 illustrates a variant of the device of the embodiment of FIGS. 1 to 4. The elements of the preceding embodiment are found, with the difference of the vertical orientation of the reciprocating translation movement 30 printed on the stirring rods 26 to 28 by the motor means 29. In this case, the angle A is equal to 90 °. The vertical orientation of the reciprocating translation movement 30 promotes the compression of the mortar, but the speed of advance 25 of the device 1 remains limited.

In the foregoing description, the described embodiments provide mortar joints. The invention thus defined applies however to the realization of joints in a low fluid bonding paste distinct from a traditional mortar.

The present invention is not limited to the embodiments which have been explicitly described, but it includes the various variants and generalizations thereof within the scope of the claims below.

Claims (6)

1. Device (1) for producing bonding composition joints between blocks (2, 3), comprising a bonding composition hopper (7) having at least one filler opening (8) at the top, at least one outlet opening (9) at the bottom, and a bearing base (12) adapted to rest on a lower block (2, 3) and conformed to allow the device (1) to move in longitudinal translation on a row of lower blocks (2, 3), with lower molding walls (13, 14, 17, 18) for forming the bonding composition leaving the outlet orifice or orifices (9-11) at the bottom into at least one longitudinal bead (4, 5, 6) of appropriate section, thereby forming a horizontal joint between two successive layers of blocks, and with means (26-29) for agitating the bonding composition contained in the bonding composition hopper (7) at least in the vicinity of said at least one outlet opening (9) at the bottom, the means for agitating the bonding composition comprising at least one agitator rod (26-28) having at least one interior section accommodated inside the bonding composition hopper (7) in line with a corresponding outlet opening (9-11) at the bottom and driven by drive means (29),
   characterized in that :

   - the agitator rod (26-28) is conformed to tamp the bonding composition leaving said at least one outlet opening (9) at the bottom,

   - the agitator rod is reciprocated (30),

   - a portion of the agitator rod (26-28) is in the volume intended to be occupied by a joint (4-6) to be produced,

   - the agitator rod (26-28) has an upstream portion (26a) raised above the base of the hopper (7) and a downstream portion (26b) in the vicinity of the corresponding outlet opening (9) at the bottom,

   - the agitator rod (26-28) has a regularly curved section with a downward-facing convexity from an upstream end (26c) connected to the drive means (29) to a downstream end (26d) in the vicinity of the outlet opening (9) at the bottom.
2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the reciprocation (30) takes place at a frequency from approximately 10 to 60 Hz.
3. Device according to either claim 1 or claim 2, characterized in that the reciprocation (30) has an amplitude from approximately 5 to 30 mm.
4. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the reciprocation (30) of the agitator rod (26) is oriented in a direction of movement at an angle (A) to the direction of longitudinal displacement (25) of the device (1) from approximately 90 to 30°, advantageously approximately 45°.
5. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that said at least one agitator rod (26) has, in its downstream end region (26d), raised pusher portions (26e, 26f) conformed to favor pushing of the bonding composition in the downstream direction out of the bonding composition hopper (7).
6. Device according to claim 5, characterized in that the downstream end (26d) of the curved section of the agitator rod (26) is extended in the downstream direction by a longitudinal section (26g) offset vertically downwards and engaged in the volume intended to be occupied by the joint to be formed.

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