GB2261251A - A line retaining device - Google Patents

Abstract

A line retaining device (10) comprises a body (11) having a pair of limbs (12, 13) each of the limbs (12, 13) having an inside face (14, 15), the faces being generally perpendicular to one another, thereby to provide together a recess to receive a corner (C) of a structure, a first opening from the inside face of one limb (12) through the body (11) to a first position (16) on the outside of the body (11), and a second opening from the inside of the other limb (13) to a second position (17) on the outside of the body (11), and means (19, 20) adjacent each of the first and second outside positions (16, 17) to anchor a respective line. <IMAGE>

Description

Title: A line retaining device Description of Invention This invention relates to a line retaining device of the kind used for example when bricklaying.

Bricklayers usually build the corners of a structure, and then extend a line from one corner to another to ensure that bricks which are laid intermediate the corners are level.

It is known to use a pair of line retaining devices which each have a recess to receive a corner of the structure, and to extend the line between the pair of devices, the devices being urged into frictional engagement with the structure by tension of the line, and thereby remaining in position.

It is an object of the invention to provide a new or improved line retaining device.

According to one aspect of the invention I provide a line retaining device comprising a body having a pair of limbs, each of the limbs having an inside face, the faces being generally perpendicular to one another, thereby to provide together a recess to receive a corner of a structure, a first opening from the inside face of one limb through the body to a first position on the outside of the body, and a second opening from the inside of the other limb to a second position on the outside of the body, and means adjacent each of the first and second outside positions to anchor a respective line.

Thus utilising a line retaining device in accordance with the invention, a pair of lines may simultaneously be retained by the device and extend from the device along the structure in generally mutually perpendicular directions.

Thus a bricklayer utilising a pair of such devices can conveniently and easily provide a line between a pair of corners to facilitate the level laying of bricks/blocks of a structure between the corners. A bricklayer utilising three such devices can conveniently and easily provide lines from one corner to each of two other corners to facilitate the level laying of bricks along two generally perpendicular sides of the structure.

Preferably, the line retaining device comprises a one piece body made for example, by moulding in plastic material, although the body may be fabricated or otherwise provided if desired. Thus the pair of limbs may be integrally formed with one another.

Each of the inside faces may comprise a planar wall from which may extend a pair of ribs which, in use, contact the structure, and provide a clearance between the planar wall and the structure through which the respective line can pass, whereby in use, the lines may extend along and at least closely adjacent to, the structure.

Preferably the pair of ribs extend generally parallel to one another generally perpendicular to the corner of the structure.

The body may comprise top and bottom surfaces and the ribs may conveniently be provided on the respective inside faces adjacent the top and bottom surfaces.

The openings from the inside faces may each be provided in the respective planar wall, and the openings may each comprise a slot in the body which is bordered at the respective inside face, by further ribbing which extends from the planar face and may also extend generally perpendicular to the corner of the structure.

However, ribs need not be provided if not required.

The openings may extend along substantially the entire lengths of their respective inside faces.

Each anchor means may comprise one or more outwardly extending studs or posts which may be headed or plain. Preferably each anchor means comprises a pair of such studs or posts, one either side of the respective opening through which the associated line passes, the studs or posts extending outwardly relative to the corner of the structure.

The invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: FIGURE 1 is a perspective outside view of a line retaining device in accordance with the invention, in use on a structure, FIGURE 2 is an inside perspective view of the device of Figure 1.

Referring to the drawings, there is shown a line retaining device 10 comprising a body 11 consisting of a pair of limbs 12 and 13.

In this example, the body 11 is made as a unitary plastic moulding in, for example, polypropylene or another suitable plastic, the limbs 12 and 13 being integrally provided.

Each of the limbs 12,13, has an inside face 14,15, respectively, comprising a planar wall 14a,15a, from which extend a pair of ribs 141415h,15c. The ribs 14h,14 are generally parallel to one another and extend generally perpendicularly to a corner C of a structure with which the device 10 is to be used, adjacent top T and bottom B surfaces of the body 11.

Similarly, the ribs l5=15c extend generally parallel to one another substantially perpendicularly to the corner C of the structure, adjacent the top T and bottom B surfaces of the body 11.

The ribs 14=14g,15b.15g, in use contact adjacent surfaces S1,S2, of the structure S and thus provide a clearance between the planar walls 1415b and the surfaces S1,S2, of the structure, for a purpose hereinafter explained. However, if desired, such ribs may be omitted.

Respective openings 1415d extend from the faces 14,15, through the body 11 of the device to respective outside positions 16,17, at the outside of the body 11. Adjacent the outside position 16, there is provided an anchor means consisting of a pair of outwardly extending studs or posts 19 which preferably are integrally formed with the body 11, and adjacent the second outside position 17, a further pair of studs or posts 20 are provided which also comprise an anchor means, and again are preferably integrally provided with the body 11.

Optionally, bordering the opening 14d on the face 14 of the body 11, is further ribbing indicated at 22, and bordering the opening 15d in face 15 is further ribbing 23, the ribbing 22,23, extending outwardly of the planar faces 14a,15a, and-in use contacting the respective surfaces S1,S2, of the structure.

Thus the opening Ad is able to receive a line 21 which may extend from the device 10 along and closely adjacent surface S1 of the structure, the line L1 passing through the body 11 to the position 16 and in use, being anchored to the studs or posts 19.

Similarly, a line U is able to pass through the opening 15d of the limb 13 and extend along and closely adjacent to the other surface S2 of the structure, and exit from the body 11 at position 17, so that the line L2 may be anchored to the studs or posts 20 as indicated in figure 1.

The studs or posts 19,20, extend outwardly of the body 11 relative to the corner C.

Using a pair of the devices 10, a bricklayer may thus conveniently lay a line between two corners C to facilitate the level laying of bricks between the corners C.

Utilising three such devices, a bricklayer may conveniently and easily lay a line between one device 10 and each of a pair of further devices located at two further corners of the structure.

Various modifications are possible without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, the device 10 need not comprise a single body 11, but the studs or posts 19,20, for example may be formed separately from the body 11 and be secured thereto subsequently.

In the example shown, each of the limbs 12 and 13 of the body 11 are generally symmetrical although need not be symmetrical if this is not required.

The studs or posts 19,20, may be headed or plain as shown.

Instead of studs/posts 19,20 as shown, any other means to anchor a pair of lines L1 and L2 so that the lines may extend from the device 10 generally perpendicularly to one another, could be used.

Although it is preferred that the openings 145X,15d, extend along substantially the entire length of their respective faces 14,15, other arrangements are possible.

The inside faces 14,15, of the device may be planar rather than ribbed as shown in the drawings, or the inside faces 14,15, may be of any other desired configuration provided that the faces extend generally perpendicular to one another to provide a recess to receive the corner of the structure.

The features disclosed in the foregoing description or the accompanying drawings, expressed in their specific forms or in terms of a means for performing the disclosed function, or a method or process for attaining the disclosed result, or a class or group of substances or compositions, as appropriate, may, separately or in any combination of such features, be utilised for realising the invention in diverse forms thereof.

Claims (13)

1. A line retaining device comprising a body having a pair of limbs, each of the limbs having an inside face, the faces being generally perpendicular to one another, thereby to provide together a recess to receive a corner of a structure, a first opening from the inside face of one limb through the body to a first position on the outside of the body, and a second opening from the inside of the other limb to a second position on the outside of the body, and means adjacent each of the first and second outside positions to anchor a respective line.

2. A device according to claim 1 which comprises a one piece body.

3. A device according to claim 2 wherein the body is provided by moulding in plastic material.

4. A device according to any one of claims 1 to 3 wherein each of the inside faces comprise a planar wall.

5. A device according to claim 4 wherein a pair of ribs extend from each planar wall and in use, contact the structure, and provide a clearance between the planar wall and the structure through which the respective line can pass.

6. A device according to claim 5 wherein the pair of ribs extend generally parallel to one another generally perpendicular to the corner of the structure.

7 A device according to claim 5 or claim 6 wherein the body comprises top and bottom surfaces and the ribs are provided on the respective inside faces adjacent the top and bottom surfaces.

8. A device according to any one of claims 4 to 7 wherein the openings from the inside faces may are each provided in the respective planar wall, the openings each comprising a slot in the body which is bordered at the respective inside face, by further ribbing which extends from the planar face and may also extend generally perpendicular to the corner of the structure.

9. A device according to any one of claims 1 to 8 wherein the openings extend along substantially the entire lengths of their respective inside faces.

10. A device according to any one of the preceding claims wherein each anchor means comprises one or more outwardly extending studs or posts which may be headed or plain.

11. A device according to claim 10 wherein each anchor means comprises a pair of such studs or posts, one either side of the respective opening through which the associated line passes, the studs or posts extending outwardly relative to the corner of the structure.

12. A line retaining device substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.

13. Any novel feature or novel combination of features as herein disclosed and/or shown in the accopanying drawings.