GB2081794A - A Method and Jig for Laying Bricks - Google Patents

Abstract

This invention relates to a method of laying bricks, blocks or similar building elements, and to jigs for use in such a method. In the method, the bricks are laid against a face of a profile (50) extending along a proposed alignment face of brick work (18) while the profile is carried by a frame (10) supported on a previously laid course of bricks. The frame and profile are movable along the previously laid course as bricklaying progresses for aligning bricks along substantially the whole length of a wall being laid. The frame carrying the profile is part of a jig which has feet (16) for supporting the frame on previously laid bricks, and a spring- biassed roller 46 or other means for holding the jig and thus the profile in position. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION A Method and Jig for Laying Bricks This invention relates to a method of laying bricks, blocks or similar building elements (hereinafter referred to as bricks), and to jigs for use in such a method.

According to the invention, there is provided a method of laying bricks, wherein the bricks are laid against a face of a profile extending along a proposed alignment face of brick work while the profile is carried by a frame supported on previously laid bricks. In this method, the frame may be supported on a previously laid course of bricks and the profile may be located to align the next course of bricks to be laid. The frame and profile may be movable along the previously laid course as bricklaying progresses for aligning bricks along substantially the whole length of a wall being laid.

The present invention also provides a jig for use in brick laying, the jig comprising a frame carrying a profile for aligning bricks being laid, means for supporting the frame on previously laid bricks, and means for securing the jig on the previously laid bricks for holding the jig and thus the profile in position.

The profile may be mounted in suitable profile support means mounted on the frame and these means may be provided with adjusting means for adjusting the position of the profile both vertically and horizontally in relation to a building line or the like.

The means for adjusting the position of the profile with respect to the frame may be operable manually or mechanically to provide separate adjustments in vertical and horizontal directions, in use. For example, the profile support means carrying the profile may be slidable substantially vertically along members of the frame for vertical adjustment of the position of the profile and may be pivotable with respect to the frame for providing horizontal adjustment of the profile. In one embodiment, the profile may be articulated by having longitudinally extending grooves in its upper and lower faces receiving bearings mounted in the profile support means so that pivoting of the profile support means about the axes of the upwardly extending members can move the profile closer or further away from the members.

The securing means may comprise means for clamping the jig onto previously laid courses or may include a wheel or roller for facilitating movement of the jig along the length of a wall as building progresses. The jig may be designed so that it can be manually lifted and moved to a new position by a single man, when required.

The profile itself may be provided with a straight and smooth face or may be fitted-with spaced contact pieces for engaging bricks to be laid. These contact pieces may be resiliently biassed outwardly from the body of the profile. In a further embodiment, the face may be provided with a contact element of suitable flexible material for engaging uneven surface areas of bricks for properly aligning the bricks. The profile face may be longitudinally grooved hollow or of any other suitable cross-section to permit a building line to be used without the building line necessarily being in contact with brick work, for example, because the building line extends within the groove or even within the hollow interior of the profile.

If desired, further adjustable profiles may be provided above or alongside the first profile for increasing the number of bricks that can be laid without movement of the jig. Furthermore, the profiles may be provided with means for location at predetermined positions with respect to the profile for indicating the positions of perpendicular or vertical joints.

It will be appreciated that if the jig is supported on previously laid courses of a wall, such as a cavity wall, and if the jig is suitably designed, bricks can be laid against the face of the profile relatively simply without the frame interferring with the bricks. Furthermore, with suitable design, the danger of disturbing the position of the building line can be reduced, thereby ensuring greater accuracy of bricklaying. If the supporting means is resiliently biassed to its operative position but can be disengaged from the wall against such biassing action, it is possible to avoid damage to the brick work when the frame is lifted.

Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 illustrates a building jig according to the invention mounted on a wall; Figure 2 is a cross-section through a profile and profile support means of the jig: Figure 3 is a plan view of a further profile support means of the jig carrying a profile; Figure 4 is a detailed cross-sectional plan view of part of the support means of Figure 3; Figure 5 is a detailed front elevation of part of the support means of Figure 3; and Figure 6 shows an alternative jig.

Referring firstly to Figures 1 to 5, a jig for laying bricks has a frame 10 shown in its operational position and having a substantially horizontal L-shaped beam 12 fixed at the upper end of upper members in the form of legs 14 carried by feet 16 mounted on a wall 18. The feet 16 have toes in the form of angle brackets 20 screwed onto threaded rods 22 pivotally mounted on and extending horizontally from mounting brackets 24 encircling and fixed on the lower ends of the legs 14. The rods 24 fit in seats in the bottoms of the brackets 24 and are resiliently biassed into the seats by springs 26. They can be pivoted out of the seats against the action of the springs, when required.

The beam 12 has its longer limb 12.1 extending from one leg 14 to another and has a shorter limb 12.2 extending from the limb 12.1 ih cantilever fashion. Locating elements 28 are fixed on the limb 12.2 and carry a frame extension 30 which passes through the elements 28 and is fixed in position by nuts 32 screwed into the elements. The frame extension 30 carries a crank lever 34 which is pivotally mounted on the extension 30 by a pivot pin 36 and which is biassed to pivot towards the limb 12.2 by a spring 38 extending between the lever and the limb. One end of the lever 36 provides a hand grip 40 while the other end 42 carries a substantially vertical shaft 44 on which a roller 46 is mounted.As shown in Figure 1, the spring 38 biasses the roller 46 against the opposite face of the wall 1 8 to that engaged by the angle brackets 20, thus providing a securing means for securing the frame 10 on the wall.

Profile support means 48 are mounted on the leg 14 above the brackets 24 and carry a horizontally extending profile 50 of rectangular or other suitable cross-section. One of the profile support means is in the form of a profile support element 52 clamped on the respective leg 14 by adjusting means in the form of a locking nut 54 screwed through the element and pressing against the leg 14. The profile 50 is mounted in the element 52 in an articulated manner by providing the profile 50 with longitudinally extending grooves 56 of limited length in its upper and lower faces and by rotatably locating bearings 58 in bearing seats 60 in the element 52, the bearings being located in the grooves to allow the profile to slide axially with respect to the element 52.With this arrangement, pivoting of the element 52 on the leg 14 can provide for limited movement of the profile 50 towards and away from the respective leg 14.

The other profile support means 48 is part of a relatively complex construction also providing the other adjusting means. This construction has a profile supporting bracket 62 mounted on a respective leg 14 and clamped in position on the leg by a locking nut 64 screwed through the leg and pressing against the leg. The bracket 62 carries a base plate 66 which is fixed to the bottom of the bracket and a horizontal member 68 is pivotally mounted on the bracket 62 by a pivot pin 70. A precision machined adjusting pin 72 passes through the member 68 and through two limbs of a bifurcated member 74 and serves as a pivot pin to allow pivotal movement of the member 74. The pin 72 also presses on the base plate 66 and can adjust the position of the horizontal member 68 by being screwed into or out of an internally threaded hole in the member 68.As shown in figure 5, the pin 72 can move freely axially within bearings 76 in the member 74 in such a way that movement of the bearings will not move the pin.

A side plate 78 is fixed to the member 68 by studs 80 and a bolt 82 is rotatably mounted in bearings 84 in the plate 78 the bearings preventing axial movement of the bolt 82 in the plate 78. The bolt 82 is screwed into a pivotally mounted nut 86 in the member 74. The nut 86 being pivoted on pins 88, and rotation of the bolt 82 in the bearing 84 thus causes the nut 86 and thus the member 74 to move axially with respect to the bolt, pivoting the member 74 about the pin 72. The pin 72 and bolt 82 thus provide for vertical and horizontal movement of the members 68 and 74. All threaded parts and pivoting parts are accurately dimensioned to minimise free play in the jig so that precise adjustment of the various parts is possible and so that the parts will not be moved accidentally.

As shown in Figures 1 and 3, spaced plates 90 forming the other profile support means extend away from the member 74 above and below the profile 50. The profile 50 has grooves 92 in its upper and lower faces and these grooves are similar to the grooves 56 of Figure 2.

Furthermore, bearings similar to the bearings 58 are located in the grooves and are also mounted in bearing seats, permitting limited longitudinal movement of the profile.

As shown in Figure 1, sights 94 and a support element 96 are provided on the profile 50 for facilitating alignment of the profile with the last brick laid in the same course. The profile support adjusting means provide the necessary adjustment of the element 52 and the plates 90 and thus of the profile.

To use the jig, the angle brackets 20 and roller 46 are located at opposite sides of the cavity wall 1 8 shown, the angle brackets resting on the upper surfaces of bricks in a previously laid course of bricks and the support resting on the last brick laid in the course now being laid. The position of the' roller can be adjusted by moving the handle to move the roller 46 away from the wall against the bias of the spring 38, adjusting the position of the frame 10 and releasing the roller so that it moves back into engagement with the wall. The spring 38 should be sufficiently strong to hold the roller in position without dislocating freshly laid bricks. Obviously, the major part of the vertical load on the jig is carried by the angle brackets 20.These are of a suitable size and shaped to fit into the horizontal mortar groove between consecutive layers of brick work.

As the angle brackets are pivotally mounted and spring-biassed to the position shown, they are held in position while allowing for limited movement when the jig is being removed.

Once the jig has been located in position, the position of the profile is adjusted for a particular job by adjusting the profile support means so that the face of the profile is correctly aligned in a position for bricks to be laid against it. Bricks are then individually laid against the profile. On reaching the end of the profile, the hand grip 40 can be used to pivot the crank lever 34 so that the roller 46 moves slightly away from the wall. The jig can then be removed from the wall and repositioned further along the wall to enable further bricks to be laid. The jig shown is light enough to be handled by one person but, if desired, bigger jigs can be used.

Referring now to Figure 6, a relatively simple lightweight jig is shown. In this Figure, the reference numerals used are similar to those used with reference to Figures 1 to 5.

The jig of Figure 6 has a substantially U-shaped frame 10 with cranked legs 14 having substantially vertical lower portions on which profile support elements 52 are mounted. The elements 52 carry a profile 50 and the profile 50 is mounted in the elements 52 in the manner shown in Figure 2. The position of each element 52 with respect to the respective leg 14 can be adjusted by means of a locking nut 54, enabling the profile 50 to move towards or away from the legs 14 and to be moved upwardly or downwardly along the legs. Feet 1 6 are mounted at the bottom of the leg 14 for engaging bricks in a manner similar to the angle brackets 20 of Figure 1 and are spring-biassed to the positions shown, undesirable movement being prevented by stops on the legs.

A transverse beam 98 is provided at and is perpendicular to the central upper part of the frame 10 and a horizontal slide 100 is mounted on the beam. The slide 100 is movable along the beam 98 and can be fixed in position on the beam by a locking nut 102. A vertical slide 104 is carried by the slide 100 and an upright 106 is mounted in the slide 104, being movable axially within the slide and being lockable in a plurality of positions by means of a locking nut 108. A clamping jaw 110 is pivotally mounted on the bottom of the upright 106 and is biassed to pivot In the direction of arrow 112 by a spring (not shown). The jaw 110 has a horizontal plate 114 for resting on the top of a brick and a vertical plate 11 6 for engaging a face of a brick.A hand lever 118 and a sleeved cable 120 are provided for pivoting the clamp jaw in the opposite direction to the arrow 112, operating in a similar manner to a bicycle brake arrangement.

The jig can be mounted on a wall and used in a similar manner to the jig of Figure 1, although the clamp jaw engages the opposite face of a wall to the feet 1 6 instead of the roller 46 of Figure 1.

In a modified jig, the basic frame of Figure 1 or Figure 6 can be used but the profile mounting can be modified as shown in Figure 7.

As shown in Figure 7, a pin 122 is mounted on a profile support element 52 instead of using the bearings of Figure 2. An alignment sight 124 is pivotally mounted on a pin extending between brackets 126 on the element 52 and rests on the pin 122. The sight has a target point 128 for alignment with a building line 130 and the point 128 may be suitably curved in plan view. The position of the element 52 can thus be adjusted by alignment using the sight. A second pin 122 mounted on the second element 52 of Figure 6 or upper plate 90 of Figure 1 can be adjusted in a similar manner. The profile 50 bearing its own sights 94 (shown to the left in Figure 7), is then mounted on the pins 122 after the sights 124 have been pivoted clear, the profile having cavities 1 32 shaped to fit on the pins. The sights 94 provide a check that the profile is properly aligned.

Although the frames shown are rigidly constructed units, the frame of the jig may be formed as two or more sections to be mounted on a wall at spaced locations and each fixed in position by the securing means. The frames will then be connected by and support the profile.

Claims (11)

Claims

1. A method of laying bricks, wherein the bricks are laid against a face of a profile extending along a proposed alignment face of brick work while the profile is carried by a frame supported on previously laid bricks.

2. A method according to claim 1, wherein the frame is supported on a previously laid course of bricks and the profile is located to align the next course of bricks to be laid.

3. Ajig for use in brick laying, the jig comprising a frame carrying a profile for aligning bricks being laid, means for supporting the frame on previously laid bricks, and means for securing the jig on the previously laid bricks for holding the jig and thus the profile in position.

4. Ajig according to claim 3, wherein the profile is mounted in suitable profile support means mounted on the frame and these means are provided with adjusting means for adjusting the position of the profile in relation to a building line or the like.

5. A jig according to claim 4, wherein the means for adjusting the position of the profile with respect to the frame is operable to provide separate adjustments of the profile position in vertical and horizontal directions.

6. A jig according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the profile support means carrying the profile is slidable substantially vertically along members of the frame for vertical adjustment of the position of the profile.

7. Ajig according to claim 4, 5 or 6, wherein the profile support means is pivotable with respect to the frame for providing horizontal adjustment of the profile.

8. Ajig according to claim 7, wherein the profile is articulated by having longitudinally extending grooves in its upper and lower faces receiving bearings mounted in the profile support means so that pivoting of the profile support means can move the profile closer or further away from the members.

9. Ajig according to any one of claims 3 to 8, wherein the securing means comprises means for clamping the jig onto previously laid courses.

10. A jig according to any one of claims 3 to 9, wherein the supporting means is biassed to its operative position but can be disengaged from the wall by pivoting against such biassing action.

11. A jig substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.