GB2284008A - Bricklaying Aid - Google Patents

Abstract

An adjustable bricklaying aid, Figure 1 and Figure 4, has two parallel mortar-catchment trays 6 and 7, and downstanding flanges 2, 3. The bricklaying aid prevents most of the mortar falling into the cavity and marking face brickwork while walls are being built with a saving of materials. The aid may have a built-in spirit level and measurement markings. The trays can he moved towards or away from each other on rods 5. <IMAGE>

Description

BRICK AND BLOCK LAYING AID This invention relates to a Brick and Block Laying Aid.

The building industry has major problems preventing bricklayers' mortar droppings from bridging cavity brickwork and keeping the face brickwork clean when being built.

The building of brick walls is a skilled trade. Even for the skilled tradesman it is still difficult to prevent mortar spilling down the face and back sides of the brickork. Major defects can and do occur when mortar is left to bridge cavities.

A bricklayer lays a bed of mortar with a bricklayer's trowel; this layer is thicker than the bed joint will finish. The bricks are then pressed into position. Then the cement mortar that is squeezed out is cut off with a trowel. At this point the mortar is most likely to fall either down the cavity or on to the face brickwork.

According to the present invention, the Bricklaying Aid is placed on top of the previous course of bricks. Coming to rest on the two outer edges, mortar is placed between the two parallel catchment trays of the id. The mortar is then levelled off in line with the top edges of these trays using a trowel or other flat instrument. In this process all the surplus mortar will fall into the two catchment trays. The bricklaying Aid is then lifted off the brickwork to leave a compacted parallel bed joint ready to receive the next course of bricks. The laying of bricks on this type of bed joint requires very little pressure.

Semi-skilled as well as skilled persons are able to use this process.

A specific embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawing in which:- Figure 1 Shows the end view of the bricklaying Aid, with details of the two cement mortar catchment trays, one tray having a higher outer edge. On the underside of each tray there is a down stand flange which centralizes the two catchment trays on the brickwork and holds the Aid in position. A connecting rod that passes through two fixed brackets on the trays allows the down stand flanges to be adjusted in width.

Figure 2 Shows a plan view of the right hand end of the Aid with the set back of the down stand flanges.

Figure 3 Shows the plan view of the Aid, with the connecting rod and locking screws.

Figure 4 Shows a plan view of the Nid with dotted lines.

Figure 5 Shows the end view of cavity brick and blockwork with the brick laying Aid sitting on top of the brick wall. This view also shows cement mortar laid and levelled between the two catchment trays.

Figure 6 Shows a plan view with the bricklaying Nid sitting on top of the brick wall before being filled with cement mortar.

Referring to the drawing, the bricklaying Aid has two main catchment trays 6 and 7 which are held apart by two spacing rods 5 and one at each end of the Aid. The spacing rods pass through two pairs of brackets 1, one pair being fixed to the catchment trays at each end of the bricklaying gid. Finger screws 4, one set into each of the brackets allows the spacing rods to be fixed in various positions. There is a down stand flange 2 on catchment tray 6 which is continuous; this down stand flange is set back at both ends of the bricklaying Aid. The down stand flange 3 on catchment tray 7 is only of a short length, one being set in from the ends. additional down stand flanges may or may not be placed along its length depending on the length of the bricklaying Aid. Tray 7 has a higher outside upstand as shown in figures 1, 2 and 3.

Before using, the bricklaying Aid has to be preset. This is carried out by placing two bricks or blocks which are about to be laid, one at each end of the Aid so that the down flanges 2 and 3 are on the opposite sides of the bricks or blocks. The distance between the catchment trays can now be adjusted by means of the spacing rods 5 and the locking screws 4. The down flanges are brought together so they are just clear of the bricks or blocks.

The Aid is now ready for use.

The adjustable bricklaying Aid as shown in Figure 1 is placed on top of the previous course of bricks as shown in Figure 6 coming to rest on the two outer edges as shown in Figure 5. Cement mortar is then placed between the two parallel catchment trays 6 and 7. Using a trowel or other flat instrument, the mortar is levelled off in line with the top edges of the two catchment trays, the surplus mortar having fallen into the two catchment trays 6 and 7. The Aid is lifted off the brickwork to leave a compacted parallel bed joint ready to receive the next course of bricks. The laying of bricks on this type of bed joint requires very little pressure; semi-skilled as well as skilled persons are able to use this process.

The bricklaying Rid can be manufactured with an adjustable depth of tray (not shown). Also with built-in levels to allow plumbing and levelling to take place without the help of other levelling devices (not shown).

Claims (10)

1. A Bricklaying Aid comprising of two parallel cement mortar catchment trays adjustable with connecting rods and brackets. The Aid allows a compacted cement mortar joint to be laid without mortar falling down into cavity brickwork. All surplus cement mortar being contained in the parallel catchment trays.

2. A Bricklaying Aid as Claim 1 with two parallel trays, the outer tray having a higher raised outer edge to contain mortar.

3. A bricklaying Aid as Claim 1 or Claim 2 with two parallel trays that allow an even bed joint of cement mortar to be laid by skilled and semi-skilled persons.

4. n Bricklaying Aid as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2 which helps to stop cement mortar coming into contact with face brickwork.

5. An adjustable Bricklaying Aid with connecting rods and brackets allowing the Aid to be used on all widths of brickwork.

6. An adjustable Aid as Claim 4 which can be manufactured in different lengths.

7. Rn adjustable Aid as claimed in Claim 4 or Claim 5 with built-in levels to lay bricks and blockwork to a plumb and level line.

8. An adjustable Bricklaying Aid as Claim 6 with markings along the outer edges of the mortar catchment trays to allow the gauging of bricks or blockwork.

9. An adjustable Bricklaying Aid as claimed in Claim 1, Claim 2 or Claim 3 which saves wastage of cement mortar.

10. An adjustable Aid substantially as described herein with reference to Figures 1 - 6 of the accompanying drawings.