GB2134580A - Bricklayer's guide - Google Patents

Abstract

A staff 1 for use in construction of a wall comprises a base member 3 and an upright 4 extending from the base member 3. The upright 4 is pivotally mounted by means of a ball joint 5 to the base member 3 to allow universal adjustment of the angle of inclination between the upright 4 and the base member 3. Two bracing members 6 extend between the upright 4 and base member 3 and each is fixed to the upright at their upper ends and attached to the base 3 at their lower ends 8 through a locating bolt 9 received on a locating slot 10 in a support arm 11. The support arm 11 is hingedly mounted by hinges 12 to the base member 3 to facilitate movement of the bracing members 6 relative the base member 3 to accommodate angular adjustment of the upright 4. The upright 4 may be moved upwards and downwards by a screwjack. A plurality of transverse holes 25 spaced around the upright 4 are provided for a levelling string for levelling each course during construction of a wall. A spirit level tube 20 is provided in the upright 4 for plumbing the staff. An adjustable toggle clamp clamps the upright 4 to the base member 3 in any desired position. In an alternative construction the bracing members are split intermediate their ends to define a pair of bracing portions interconnected by a turnbuckle. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION A staff The invention relates to a staff and in particular a staff for use in constructing a wall, a pillar or the like of bricks or blocks.

When constructing a wall, pillar or the like of bricks or blocks, it is important that the bricks or blocks should be kept level and also plumb. In general, a spirit level is used to plumb the blocks.

To ensure that each course of blocks are level, it is normal for the bricklayer to construct the end portions of the wall first and then to run a line from each end portion which is used as a guide for the blocks. It will be appreciated that this is relatively cumbersome and time-consuming, and there is need for apparatus to overcome the problem.

The present invention is directed towards providing such apparatus.

According to the invention there is provided a staff comprising a base member and an upright extending from the base member, wherein the angle of inclination of the upright relative the base member is adjustable.

In one embodiment of the invention the upright is pivotally mounted on the base member.

Preferably the pivotal mounting is through a ball joint.

In another embodiment of the invention the upright is movable upwardly and downwardly relative the base member.

In a further embodiment of the invention a bracing means is provided between the upright and the base member.

Typically the bracing means comprises a pair of bracing members extending between the upright and the base member.

Preferably the bracing members are adjustable to accommodate varying angles of inclination of the upright relative the base member.

In one arrangement each bracing member is split intermediate its ends to define a pair of bracing portions interconnected by a turnbuckle.

In another arrangement each bracing member is slidably movable relative the base member.

Typically each bracing member carries a locating bolt received in a locating slot in a support arm mounted on the base member.

Preferably the support arm is hingedly mounted on the base member.

Typically the included angle between the bracing members is less than 1800 and is typically 900.

In another embodiment of the invention the base member is quadrant-shaped and the upright extends from a position adjacent the center of the circle which is partially described by the base member.

Typically the upright is connected to the ball joint by a screw jack.

In a further embodiment of the invention the upright is separable intermediate its ends.

Preferably the separable portions are releasably engageable one with another.

In another embodiment of the invention a plurality of transverse holes are spaced longitudinally along the upright.

In a still further embodiment of the invention means to plumb the staff are provided.

In a further embodiment of the invention clamping means are provided for clamping the upright to the base member in a desired position.

Typically the clamping means comprises a clamp arm having a bifurcated end for engagement with the butt of the upright, the clamp arm being mounted to the base member, and having a clamp cam movable by a lever from a release position with the clamp arm disengaged from the butt to a locking position with the clamp arm engaged with the butt.

The invention will be more clearly understood from the following description thereof given by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a staff according to the invention, Fig. 2 is a perspective view on an enlarged scale of a detail of the staff of Fig. 1, Fig. 3 is a side, partly sectional view of a detail of a clamping means, Fig. 4 is a perspective view of a wall under construction showing two of the staffs in use, Fig. 5 is a front elevational view of portion of the wail of Fig. 4, Fig. 6 is a plan view of portion of the wall of Fig.

4,and Fig. 7 is a perspective view of another staff according to the invention.

Referring to the drawings and initially to Figs. 1 to 6 thereof there is illustrated a staff according to the invention indicated generally by the reference numeral 1. The staff is particularly suitable for use in construction of a wall 2 or the like although it could be used for many other purposes. The staff 1 comprises a base member 3 and an upright 4 extending from the base member 3. In this case the upright 4 is pivotally mounted by means of a ball joint 5 to the base member 3 to allow universal adjustment at the angle of inclination between the upright 4 and base member 3. Two bracing members 6 extend between the upright and base member 3 and each is bolted to the upright at their upper ends 7 and attached to the base 3 at their lower ends 8 through a locating bolt 9 received in a locating slot 10 in a support arm 11.The support arm 11 is hingedly mounted by hinges 12 to the base member 3 to facilitate movement of the bracing members 6 relative the base member 3 to accommodate angular adjustment of the upright 4.

A screw jack 1 5 at the lower end of the upright 4 connects the upright to the ball joint 5 to permit vertical adjustment of the upright 4 by means of a handle (not shown).

The upright 4 as will be apparent from Fig. 1 is separable intermediate its ends at 1 6. A spigot 1 7 at one end engageable with a socket 1 8 in another upright portion allows the two upright portions to be releasably engaged one with another. Plumbing means, in this case, a spirit level tube 20 with a bubble is provided in the upright 4 for plumbing of the staff.

A plurality of transverse holes 25 longitudinally spaced along the staff are provided for a levelling string 26 for levelling each course of blocks during construction of a wall. The string 26 is shown by broken lines in Fig. 5.

It will be noted that the upright 4 is generally of box-section material and includes an angle extension 28 for partially covering the screw jack 1 5 and ball joint 5 and allowing the staff to be used for levelling the lowermost course of blocks or bricks in a wall.

A clamping means, in this case a toggle clamp 30 which is shown in detail in Figs. 2 and 3 is provided for clamping the upright 4 to the base 3 in any desired position. The toggle clamp 30 comprises a clamp arm 31 having a bifurcated end 32 for engagement over the ball joint 5 and a clamping cam in this case provided by a wheel 33 rotatably mounted in extension lugs 34. The wheel 33 is movable by a lever 34 from a release position with the bifurcated ends 32 disengaged from the ball joint into a locking position with the ends 32 engaged with the ball of the joint. To facilitate this movement the wheel is off-round.

Alternatively the wheel 32 could be true round and off-set mounted in the lugs. The arm 31 is mounted to the base member 3 by an adjustable mounting bolt 35 engageable in a locating slot 36 in the arm 31. One end of the bolt 35 is welded to the base member 3 and a coil spring 37 is wound around the bolt between the base 3 and arm 31 so that the clamp wheel 32 operates against the biasing of the spring 37 to lock the upright 4 to the base member 3. To facilitate clamping engagement over a wide range of angular adjustment between the upright and base member the bifurcated ends 32 are bevelled at 38 as may be seen in Fig. 3 for engagement with the circumference of the ball of the joint.

In use, and referring particularly to Figs. 4 to 6 two staffs 1 are normally used for the construction of a wall 2, one at each end of the wall. In the construction of the outer walls of the house four staffs will be generally used, one at each corner. In the construction of the wall 2 both staffs 1 are positioned at the inner, or outer if desired, corners where the wail has to be constructed. It will be noted that the base members are quadrantshaped and that the upright 4 extends from a position adjacent the centre of the circle which is partially described by the base member so that the base members may be positioned so that the ball joint and hence the upright 4 is adjacent each corner of the wall. The height of the upright is then adjusted by means of the screw jack 1 5 so that the lowermost of the holes 25 coincide with the top of the first course of blocks or bricks.The upright is then plumbed by loosening the locating bolts 9 and moving the upright and bracing members to the desired position for example that illustrated by interrupted lines 4' in Fig.1. The sliding movement of the bracing members in the direction of the arrows A and the pivoting of the support arms 11 about the hinges 1 2 allow a large variation in the angle inclination to be accommodated.

When the upright is plumbed as viewed using the spirit level 20 the bifurcated ends 32 of the clamp arm 30 are slid in the direction of the arrow C into position over the ball of the joint 5 and the upright is clamped to the base member by turning the toggle wheel 32 with the lever. Normally, when the base member has been correctly positioned a heavy weight, for example two concrete blocks, rocks or the like as indicated by ghost lines 45 in Figs. 5 and 6 are placed to avoid any further movement of the base member. A string 26 is then tied between the lowermost two holes 25 of the staffs and the first course of blocks at 46 is laid. The string 26 is then tied between the next holes 25 upwardly for the next course of blocks and so on until the wall has been constructed.In constructing the wall, because the upright is initially plumbed, once the bricklayer ensures that the top edge corner 47 of the block coincide with the line, each course of blocks as well as being level will also be maintained plumb.

Referring to Fig. 7 there is illustrated an alternative construction of staff according to the invention indicated generally by the reference numeral 50. For clarity like parts are assigned the same reference numerals as to the staff described above with reference to Figs. 1 to 6. In this case each bracing member is split intermediate its ends to define a pair of bracing portions 51 each bolted at one end 52 to the upright or base member and interconnected by a turnbuckle 53. Because of this arrangement of bracing means a separate clamping means is not required between the upright and the base member however in some cases a clamping means similar to that used in the staff described with reference to Figs. 1 to 5 or any suitable clamping means could be employed.

In use, the upright is plumbed by adjusting the turnbuckles 53.

The advantage of the invention is that it eliminates the need to build the end portions of the wall to permit a line to be run. This is because once the upright is plumbed prior to construction of the walls, the holes 25 will be spaced-apart to coincide with each course of blocks, plumbness and levelness is ensured. Thus, the construction of a wall can be considerably speeded up over presently known methods and a lesser degree of skill may be required from bricklayers.

It will be appreciated that the upright may be mounted on a base member by any suitable means other than a ball joint. It will also be appreciated that any suitable means other than a screw jack may be used to facilitate upward and downward movement of the upright relative the base member.

It will be appreciated that while the upright has been described as having holes 25 in positions to correspond with the blockwork, the holes could have been positioned in the upright to correspond with the bricks. Indeed, if desired, holes to correspond with both bricks and blocks could be provided in the same upright. In which case, is it envisaged that colour coding would be used.

Indeed, it will also be appreciated that the staff could be provided with alternate red and white bands to define the length of the pole in feet.

While plumbing means has been described in these embodiments of the invention as being a spirit level tube with a bubble, other suitable plumbing means could be used. Indeed, if desired a plumb line could be used.

Additionally, adjusting means other than turnbuckles or bottle screws could be used to vary the angle of the staff. Furthermore, other suitable base members than the constructions just described could be used.

It is envisaged in certain areas that a telescopic upright could be provided. Furthermore, the staff could be of round section rather than square section.

Claims (23)

1. A staff comprising a base member and an upright extending from the base member, wherein the angle of inclination of the upright relative the base member is adjustable.

2. A staff as claimed in claim 1 in which the upright is pivotally mounted on the base member.

3. A staff as claimed in claim 2 in which the pivotal mounting is through a ball joint.

4. A staff as claimed in any preceding claim in which the upright is movable upwardly and downwardly relative the base member.

5. A staff as claimed in any of claims 1 to 4 in which a bracing means is provided between the upright and the base member.

6. A staff as claimed in claim 5 in which the bracing means comprises a pair of bracing members extending between the upright and the base member.

7. A staff as claimed in claim 6 in which the bracing members are adjustable to accommodate varying angles of inclination of the upright relative the base member.

8. A staff as claimed in claim 7 in which each bracing member is split intermediate its ends to define a pair of bracing portions interconnected by a turnbuckle.

9. A staff as claimed in claim 7 in which each bracing member is slidably movable relative the base member.

10. A staff as claimed in claim 9 in which each bracing member carried a locating bolt received in a locating slot in a support arm mounted on the base member.

11. A staff as claimed in claim 10 in which the support arm is hingedly mounted on the base member.

12. A staff as claimed in any of claims 6 to 11 in which the included angle between the bracing members is less than 1800.

13. A staff as claimed in claim 12 in which the included angle is 900.

14. A staff as claimed in any preceding claim in which the base member is quadrant-shaped and the upright extends from a position adjacent the center of the circle which is partially described by the base member.

1 5. A staff as claimed in any of claims 4 to 14 in which the upright is connected to the ball joint by a screw jack.

16. A staff as claimed in any preceding claim in which the upright is separable intermediate its ends.

1 7. A staff as claimed in claim 1 6 in which the separable portions are releasably engageable one with another.

18. A staff as claimed in any preceding claim in which a plurality of transverse holes are spaced longitudinally along the upright.

19. A staff as claimed in any preceding claim which includes means to plumb the staff.

20. A staff as claimed in any preceding claim which includes clamping means for clamping the upright to the base member in a desired position.

21. A staff as claimed in claim 20 in which the clamping means comprises a toggle clamp.

22. A staff as claimed in claim 21 in which the clamping means comprises a clamp arm having a bifurcated end for engagement with the butt of the upright, the clamp arm being mounted to the base member, and having a clamp cam movable by a lever from a release position with the clamp arm disengaged from the butt to a locking position with the clamp arm engaged with the butt.

23. A staff substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.