GB2246594A - Device for forming material layers - Google Patents

Abstract

A device for accurately and readily forming material layers on a surface, the device comprises a body (1) having means (14, 14') for engaging the surface, first means (11) for extending from the surface, second means (12, 13) for extending from the surface, wherein the first means (11) extends further than the second means such that a first material layer can be formed covering the device (1) to a depth corresponding to the extension second means from the body and a second layer can accurately be formed thereon to a depth corresponding to the difference in the extension of the first (11) and second (12, 13) means. The device can be used for screeding floors or for applying plaster to walls or columns. <IMAGE>

Description

DEVICE FOR FORMING MATERIAL LAYERS DESCRIPTION The present invention relates to a device for forming material layers, and in particular, but not exclusively, to a device for forming layers of plaster or similar building surface material.

Generally, ground, wall, or column surfaces are formed by grouting with concrete and receive a course plaster layer and a fine plaster layer to facilitate the application of paint, tiles, or the adhesion of wall paper. For example, a conventional device for facilitating plaster application comprises a flexible steel bar of triangular section with two leg members, appropriately spaced, and extending from each lateral side such that the reference level indicated by the bar can be adjusted by extension of the leg. The reference level/line provided by the bar is used as a reference for the application of plaster with a scraper or sleeker. In cases where it is necessary to apply plaster to a considerable thickness, the difference in density of the cement and contraction during settling results in a rough surface, and hence, the plaster has to be applied in a number of stages.Furthermore, the conventional device provides one reference plane only, and a further device is necessary to provide another reference plane, after settlement of the first layer.

This conventional method is not only time consuming, but requires at least two devices for application of plaster to a considerable thickness. The present invention seeks to overcome at least some of the above disadvantages.

According to the present invention there is provided a device for forming material layers comprising a body arranged to engage a surface upon which the layers are to be formed, first level indicator means for extending a first distance from the body and away from the surface, second level indicator means for extending a second distance, different from the first distance, from the body and away from the surface, such that the material layers can be provided at a thickness determined by the extension of one of the indicator means and also the difference between the extension of the indicator means.

The form provides two reference planes over a surface to receive plaster so as to allow for the ready formation, in sequence, of two layers of plaster by means of a scraper or sleeker to obtain a considerably thick plaster layer with excellent surface quality.

The invention is described further hereinafter, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which; Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a metal form embodying the present invention; Fig. 2 illustrates the form of Fig. 1 in use; Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view along the line 33 in Fig. 2; and Fig. 4 illustrates another metal form embodying the present invention and in use.

As shown in Fig. 1, one example of the present invention is comprised of flexible steel material form having an elongate rectangular body 1. The body 1 is formed with a primary tip 11 along its length and two secondary tips 12, 13, symmetrical to the primary tip 11, and also extending along the length of body 1. The primary tip 11 extends at the centre of the lateral dimension of the form 1 and the secondary tips 12, 13 extend at respective sides of the primary tip 11.

Four leg members 14, 14', 15, 15' are provided at appropriate spaced locations on the body 1 and extend outwardly from the lateral sides of the body 1. A plurality of aligned filling holes 16 are provided on the flanks forming the primary tip 11.

In use, and as shown in Figs. 2 and 3, the body 1 can be disposed on a ground layer 2 to be cemented.

Two level-lines are extended over the ground 2 by way of a levelling instrument, at two different levels, as a reference for alignment of the forms 1. In case the ground 2 is not flat, the leg members 14, 14', 15, 15' can be adjusted so that the horizontal plane formed by the tip 11 and the tips 12, 13 correspond to the level of the two reference lines established up by way of the levelling instrument.

The leg members 14, 14', 15, 15' are fixed to the ground 2 by way of cement or some other suitable material. Thus the body 1 is then secured on the ground layer 2 with the tip 11 and the two tips 12, 13 forming two different horizontal levels of different elevations. After cement has been poured onto the surface to be plastered, a scraper is held in the region of the secondary tips 12, 13 of the body 1 and scraping is carried out so as to form a first flat surface 3. After settling of the first flat surface 3, further cement is introduced onto the surface 3, and the scraper is held in the region of the primary tip 11 of the body 1 and scraping carried out to form a further flat surface 4. Thereafter, ceramic tiles, mosaics or other surface decoration can be attached to the surface 4.

Accordingly, the present invention provides a tool for facilitating rapid application of a level surface of plaster and/or tiling, pavement or the like. For layers requiring great thickness, cement material can be introduced into the body 1 by way of the filling holes 16 so as to increase adhesive force, and to prevent wall surfaces from cracking.

As shown in Fig. 4, the present invention can also be.used for surfacing a column 6. As illustrated, the device 1 is attached at each corner of the column.

With flexibility and bending capacity of the device 1 and leg members 14, 14', 15, 15', each device is attached to two sides of the column 6. By referring to reference lines, each device 1 is adjusted until it is located consistent with a common vertical level, and plaster is then applied according to the procedures described above.

The present invention represents an improvement on the conventional structure, and has the following particular merits and characteristics: The body 1 has bent tips for forming two reference planes for application of plaster, or the like, in two stages; The need for indirect application of plaster, as used by the prior art, is eliminated and only a single tool is necessary to obtain two flat layers and surfaces which allows for considerable saving of time and labour; The body may include a plurality of filling holes to receive cement in order to increase adhesive force and to prevent the associated wall from cracking; The device of the present invention is applicable to a plurality of types of surface, such as ground, wall, column surfaces; and The present invention is of a simple structure for ease of manufacture and to enhance the quality of levelled and layered surfaces that can be obtained.

Claims (13)

1. A device for forming material layers comprising a body arranged to engage a surface upon which the layers are to be formed, first level indicator means for extending a first distance from the body and away from the surface, second level indicator means for extending a second distance, different from the first distance, from the body and away from the surface, such that the material layers can be provided at a thickness determined by the extension of one of the indicator means and also the difference between the extension of the indicator means.

2. A device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the body has feet means extending therefrom for providing the engagement with the surface.

3. A device as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the first indicator means comprises a rib member.

4. A device as claimed in claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the second indicator means comprises a rib member.

5. A device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the first and second indicator means are substantially triangular in section.

6. A device as claimed in any preceding claim, formed of sheet material.

7. A device as claimed in claim 7, formed of deformable sheet metal material.

8. A device as claimed in claim 6 or 7, wherein the sheet is bent so as to form the first and second indicator means.

9. A device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the first indicator means extends from a central region of the body and second indicator means are provided extending either side of the first indicator means.

10. A device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the indicator means extends further than the second indicator means.

11. A device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the indicator means are provided with aperture means allowing for the passage of the material therethrough.

12. A device for forming material layers, comprising a flexible sheet body having a first tip extending from one side thereof, two symmetric second tips extending from one side and one from either side of the first tip, a plurality of spaced leg members extending from the body and for adjusting the elevation of the first tip and the second tips and a plurality of filling holes provided in the extension of the first tip, wherein the two second tips on both lateral sides of the body form a reference plane for application of the first material layer and the -first tip forms another reference plane for application of a second material layer and the filling holes allow access for the material into the body.

13. A device for forming material layers substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in Figs. 1, 2 and 3 and Fig. 4 of the accompanying drawings.