GB2261902A

GB2261902A - Pointing aid

Info

Publication number: GB2261902A
Application number: GB9119512A
Authority: GB
Inventors: John David Witcombe
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1991-09-12
Filing date: 1991-09-12
Publication date: 1993-06-02
Anticipated expiration: 2011-09-12
Also published as: GB9119512D0; GB2261902B

Abstract

A pointing aid for filling the gap between adjacent constructional members, eg paving slabs or bricks comprises a first plate-like member (12) adapted to overlie the surface of one of said constructional members alongside said gap and a second plate-like member (11) adapted to extend outwardly from the edge of the constructional member on the other side of said gap. The members may be integral with each other to form a one piece device or separate. Lugs (13, 22) serve to locate the pointing aid over the gap. <IMAGE>

Description

POINTING AID This invention concerns an aid to pointing, which is to say filling the gaps between adjacent constructional members such as paving slabs or bricks with a cementitious grout.

When pointing it is desirable to press the grout with considerable force into a gap to be filled in order to ensure deep penetration. This is difficult to achieve without also forcing the mix against the surfaces of the constructional members lying to either side of the gap. Although surplus grout can be removed from such surfaces some staining is inevitable. It is sometimes recommended to mask the edges of the constructional members to either side of the gap with thin sheet or tape. This is both time-consuming and generally inconvenient.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a pointing aid which overcomes at least to some extent the problems aforesaid.

According to the present invention there is provided a pointing aid for filling the gap between adjacent constructional members comprising a first plate-like member adapted to overlie the surface of one of said constructional members alongside said gap and a second plate-like member adapted to extend outwardly from the edge of the constructional member on the other side of said gap.

The two plate-like members may be separate or both may be part of an integral tool.

If separate each may have lugs to facilitate their proper location relative to the edge of the gap, and if integral one may have lugs to facilitate proper location of the tool over the gap.

The three edges of one of the plate-like members remote from the edge adapted to be aligned with the edge of the gap may be upturned to form a tray-like receptacle for a supply of the cementitious grout.

Separate plate-like members may be adapted to be positioned to either side of a gap between adjacent paving slabs.

An integral tool may provide a slot for presentation to the gap between adjacent course of brickwork.

The tool may additionally provide a further slot for presentation to the vertical gap between adjacent bricks in a course thereof.

The tool may be equipped with a handle depending from the underside of the tray-like receptacle.

The invention will be further apparent from the following description, with reference to the several figures of the accompanying drawings, which show, by way of example only, two forms of aid embodying same.

Of the drawings Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a first form of aid; Figure 2 shows a cross-section through the aid of Figure 1 when operatively positioned for pointing the gap between adjacent paving flags; and Figure 3 shows a perspective view of a second form of aid.

Referring firstly to Figures 1 and 2, it will be seen that the aid comprises two separate parts 10 and 11.

The first part 10 comprises a plate 12 having depending lugs 13 and 14 at the opposite ends of its forward edge 15 to enable it to be positioned over the edge of a paving slab S with its edge 15 overlying that of the slab S (see Figure 2). The three sides of the plate 12 remote from the edge 15 have upstanding walls 16 to define a tray-like receptacle 17 for a supply of grout.

The second part 11 comprises a cranked sheet providing an upstanding wall 20 having lugs 21 and 22 at opposite ends of its lower edge 23 to enable it to be positioned over the edge of a paving slab S' (opposite the slab S) so that its edge 23 overlies the top edge of slab S'.

In use the parts 10 and 11 are positioned as shown in Figure 2, and a supply of mortar grout is placed in the receptacle 17. A quantity of the grout is taken from the receptacle 17 using a conventional pointing trowel and forced into the gap between the slabs S and S'. This operation is considerably facilitated by working an edge of the trowel against the wall 20 of the part 11.

After removal of the parts 10 and 11 (for repositioning) the pointed joint may be dressed as desired, left upstanding by the thickness of the plate 12, trowelled flush or scraped out to an extent being the most normal possibilities.

The tool of Figure 3 essentially comprises a tray-like receptacle 30 for a mortar grout mounted atop a depending handle 31.

The receptacle 30 comprises a base 32, front wall 33, back wall 34 and opposite side walls 35 and 36, one of which is cut back from the front wall 33 to facilitate manipulation of a pointing trowel within the receptacle.

A horizontal slot 37 is formed in the wall 33 at its junction with the base 32, and lugs 39 enable positioning of the tool (with the lugs 39 engaging the upper edge of a course of bricks) so that the slot 37 overlies the gap between adjacent courses.

The mortar grout can be worked into the gap from the receptacle 30 over the base 32 using a pointing trowel.

One of the side walls incorporates a vertical slot 40 and lugs 41 to facilitate accurate positioning of the slot 41 over the gap between horizontally adjacent bricks in a course thereof. Once again mortar can be forced into the gap by working same with a trowel against the back wall 34 and side wall 35.

The tool is a boon to the DIY enthusiast since any misplaced mortar is retained by the tray-like receptacle and its use increases the productivity of the skilled bricklayer.

It will be appreciated that it is not intended to limit the invention to the above example only, many variations, such as might readily occur to one skilled in the art, being possible, without departing from the scope thereof.

Claims

1. A pointing aid for filling the gap between adjacent constructional members comprising a first plate-like member adapted to overlie the surface of one of said constructional members alongside said gap and a second plate-like member adapted to extend outwardly from the surface of the constructional members at the edge of the constructional member on the other side of said gap.

2. A pointing aid according to claim 1 wherein the two plate-like members are separate.

3. A pointing aid according to claim 1 wherein the two plate-like members are each part of an integral tool.

4. A pointing aid according to claim 2 wherein each member has lugs to facilitate proper location relative to the edge of the gap.

5. A pointing aid according to claim 3 wherein one member has lugs to facilitate proper location of the tocl over the gap.

6. A pointing aid according to claim 2 wherein the separate plate-like members are adapted to be positioned to either side of a gap between adjacent paving slabs.

7. A pointing aid according to claim wherein the integral tool provides a slot for presentation to the gap between adjacent course of brickwork.

8. A pointing aid according to claim 7 wherein the tool additionally provides a further slot for presentation to the vertical gap between adjacent bricks in a course thereof.

9. A pointing aid according to claim 7 or claim 8 wherein the tool is equipped with a handle depending from the underside thereof.

10. A pointing aid according to any preceding claim wherein the three edges of one of the plate-like members remote from the edge adapted to be aligned with the edge of the gap are upturned to form a tray-like receptacle for a supply of the cementitious grout.