GB2254641A

GB2254641A - Brick laying and block laying.

Info

Publication number: GB2254641A
Application number: GB9106021A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Graham Douglas
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1991-03-21
Filing date: 1991-03-21
Publication date: 1992-10-14
Also published as: GB9106021D0

Abstract

A jig for use in laying brickwork or blockwork comprises a first sub-frame (10) with parallel side bars (16) which lie along side of an existing course and projecting slightly above it. A vertical spacer also having parallel side bars (26) projects up from one end of the first sub-frame (10) and connects it to a smaller second sub-frame (12) which is rested on the most recent brick (54) of the fresh course being laid. Mortar is then spread between the side bars (16, 26) of the first sub-frame (10) and spacer and levelled off using the side bars as a reference, before the subsequent brick or block is laid. <IMAGE>

Description

BRICK LAYING AND BLOCK LAYING This invention relates to brick laying or block laying, i.e. the erection of structures such as walls of masonry in the form of bricks or blocks laid in courses with mortar between courses and between adjacent bricks or blocks in a course. More specifically, the invention is directed to a jig for use in the laying of brickwork or blockwork, and to a method of constructing a masonry structure using such a jig.

According to the invention, a jig for use in the laying of brickwork or blockwork comprises a first sub-frame to rest horizontally on the upper surface of an existing course; spacing means extending substantially vertically from one end of the first sub-frame and carrying a second sub-frame, which extends generally parallel to the first sub-frame but on the opposite side of the spacing means from the latter, so that it can rest on a brick or block of the partly completed next course, with at least the sub-frames comprising parallel slide bars and support means attached to the side bars, for resting on the appropriate said surface in such a way that the side bars of at least the first sub-frame present opposed surfaces projecting above the level of the top surface of the associated course by the required thickness of mortar between courses.

Preferably the spacing means consists of another pair of side bars, so arranged as to present similar opposed surfaces projecting horizontally from the exposed end of the brick or block of the partly completed course.

Preferably also, the jig includes a pair of forwardly projecting guide lugs for locating a new brick or block to add to the partly completed course.

The method using such a jig will become apparent from the following description of one embodiment of the jig, which is given by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is an exploded view of the jig, showing its individual components; Figure 2 shows the assembled jig in use on a partly completed block wall, ready for laying mortar for the next block; Figure 3 illustrates the laying of the next block; and Figure 4 shows the jig adjusted for use with bricks instead of blocks.

Referring to Figure 1, the jig comprises a horizontal first sub-frame 10, a horizontal second sub-frame 12, and spacing means 14 extending vertically from one end of the sub-frame 10 and carrying the front end of the second sub-frame 12, which extends horizontally on the opposite side of the spacing means 14 from the first sub-frame 10.

The sub-frame 10 consists of two parallel side bars 16, joined by a transverse spacer rod 18 at the leading or free end of the bars 16. The rod 18 is secured removably by wing nuts 22, and in this example it carries a pair of supporting sleeves 20 of equal diameters. The other end of each bar 16 has a recess 24 for accommodating the lower end of a vertical, flat side bar 26 of the spacing means 14, which is secured to the corresponding bar 16 by means of a nut 28 threaded on a shank 30 projecting laterally from the lower end of the bar 26. However, any suitable fastening means may be used at this point. The bars 26 have holes 32 at their top ends, and further holes 34 at an intermediate point along the bar, for accommodating a further spacer rod 36 by which side bars 38 of the second sub-frame 12 are secured together and to the bars 26, again by wing nuts 22.

The rear or free ends of the bars 38 may, if desired, have upwardly projecting lugs 40. In this example these lugs are provided, and are perforated to accommodate a further spacer rod 42 which joins the lugs 40 together by means of wing nuts 22. The rod 36 again carries support bushes 20, which may if desired also be provided, as shown, on the rod 42. If the lugs 40 are absent, the bars 38 may for example be made wider (in vertical height).

Figure 2 shows in phantom lines part of a completed course 50 of blocks in a block wall. The next course 52 is shown partly completed, the last block to have been laid being indicated at 54. The jig is laid with its sub-frame 10 resting on the top surface 56 of the course 50, on which it is supported by the bushes 20. The position of the holes 32 on the bars 26 is such that the second sub-frame 12 lies with its side bars 38 fitting on either side of the top of the block 54, while the bushes 20 on the rod 36 rest against the end surface 58 of the block 54. In this position, the side bars 16 lie partly against the sides of the blocks in the course 50, and partly projecting upwards so as to present a pair of opposed surfaces 60 exposed above the surface 56. Similarly the side bars 26 have opposed surfaces 62 which are exposed in front of the end block surface 58.

It should be noted that the diameter of the bushes 20 is such that, at this stage, the amount of each surface 60, 62 that is exposed gives a precise mortar depth.

To lay a new block in the upper course 52, the jig is positioned as in Figure 2. Mortar (not shown) is then spread in the horizontal space between the surfaces 60 and in the vertical space between the surfaces 62, and is levelled out flush with the top edge of the bars 16 and the front edge 64 of the bars 26. The new block, 66 in Figure 3, is then simply located with its rear upper edge 68 located between two forwardly projecting lugs 70 which are an integral part of the side bars 38, and is firmed on to the mortar just laid. It will be observed that the bars 16 are long enough to project forwards beyond the leading edge 72 of the block 66, so that the spacer rod 18 is not covered by the block. The jig 16 can then be gently moved upwards and removed, using the rod 42 as a handle, and any necessary grouting and/or pointing can be carried out.The jig can then be positioned ready for laying the next block.

Figure 4 shows the jig assembled with the rod 36 through the holes 34, for laying a brick 80. In other respects, the laying of bricks instead of blocks is carried out in the same way as described above.

The jig is preferably supplied in kit form, for assembly of the components shown in Figure 1 on site ready for use.

The rods 18, 36, 42, with their (optional) support sleeves and wing nuts, are only one form of transverse spacing device that can be used. Any other spacing device can be used, preferably adjustable for width, provided there are means enabling the side bars to lie partly against the sides of the blocks to which mortar is to be applied and partly exposed so as to provide walls for an enclosure into which the mortar is spread.

Among the advantages perceived for a jig according to the invention are the following: (a) It enables the correct, optimum depth of mortar to be laid both horizontally and vertically.

(b) Bricks or blocks can be laid without removing the jig, thus preventing mortar from squeezing out.

(c) It is adjustable for different sizes of bricks or blocks.

(d) By virtue of the lugs 70, bricks or blocks are automatically aligned with each other.

Claims

1. A jig for use in the laying of brickwork or blockwork, comprising a first sub-frame to rest horizontally on top of an existing course; a second sub-frame which extends generally parallel to the first sub-frame at a different level, to rest on top of a brick or block of a course being laid on top of the existing course, and a spacer extending up from the first sub-frame to connect it to the second sub-frame in said parallel orientation, with the first and second sub-frames extending in opposite directions from the spacer;; each said sub-frame comprising parallel side bars and also support means which rest respectively against the existing course and the brick or block of the next course such that the side bars of the first sub-frame will present opposed surfaces projecting above the level of the existing course by a height enabling a required thickness of mortar to be laid onto the existing course between them.

2. A jig according to claim 1 in which the side bars of the first sub-frame have straight parallel upper edges.

3. A jig according to claim 1 in which the spacer comprises parallel side bars, and support means are provided to support the spacer against an exposed end of the said brick or block, such that the side bars of the spacer present opposed surfaces projecting beyond the end of the brick or block to an extent enabling a required thickness of mortar to be laid between them against the end of the brick or block.

4. A jig according to claim 3 in which the spacer side bars have straight parallel edges on the side towards the first sub-frame.

5. A jig according to any one of the preceding claims comprising guide lugs over the first sub-frame to help locate a subsequent brick or block relative thereto.

6. A jig according to any one of the preceding claims in which the spacing of the levels of the first and second sub-frames along the spacer is adjustable to adapt to laying bricks or blocks of more than one possible depth.

7. A jig according to any one of the preceding claims in which the support means of the first sub-frame comprise a transverse rod which extends between the side bars thereof at the end further from the spacer.

8. A jig for use in the laying of brickwork or blockwork, comprising, an upper sub-frame having two spaced parallel side bars; a spacer comprising two mortar-retaining walls in the form of spaced parallel side bars which are fixed to and extend downwardly from respective said side bars of the upper sub-frame adjacent one end thereof;; a lower sub-frame comprising two mortar-retaining walls in the form of spaced side bars fixed to respective said side bars of the spacer at a position spaced from that of the upper sub-frame, and extending therefrom generally parallel to the upper sub-frame and in the direction opposite thereto relative to the spacer, and transverse connecting members extending between and connecting the side bars, a first said connecting member being at that end of the upper sub-frame away from the spacer, a second said connecting member being adjacent the join of the upper sub-frame and spacer and slightly below the level of the first said connecting member, and a third said connecting member being at that end of the lower sub-frame away from the spacer.

9. A jig according to claim 8 in which transverse connecting members are adjustable for width.

10. A method of laying bricks or blocks comprising laying a brick or block on top of an existing course of bricks or blocks; positioning a jig, said jig comprising first and second parallel sub-frames connected by a spacer, with the first sub-frame resting along the top of the existing course adjacent the brick or block, the second sub-frame resting on top of the brick or block and the spacer extending up the intervening end of the brick or block, with longitudinal side bars of the first sub-frame extending along the sides of the existing course and projecting up above the level thereof; laying mortar onto the existing course between the side bars of the first sub-frame and levelling the mortar to the level of the side bars, and laying a subsequent brick or block on the mortar.

11. A method according to claim 10 in which the spacer of the jig comprises parallel side bars which are positioned extending up the respective sides of the end of the brick or block and projecting beyond the end thereof, and in which mortar is laid against that end of the brick or block between said side bars of the spacer and to the level thereof, before laying the subsequent brick or block.

12. A jig for use in the laying of brickwork or blockwork, or a method of laying brickwork or blockwork, substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.