GB2388400A

GB2388400A - Method and apparaus for laying bricks

Info

Publication number: GB2388400A
Application number: GB0310676A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Carlton Oliver; Ray Cade
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2002-05-11
Filing date: 2003-05-09
Publication date: 2003-11-12
Anticipated expiration: 2023-05-09
Also published as: GB0310676D0; GB0210822D0; GB2388400B

Abstract

Apparatus 10 to assist bricklayers when constructing the gable end of buildings comprises a horizontally and vertically adjustable bridging system which has quick attachment means 18 in the form of a clamp 18 or alternatively, spring gripping means, wood screw means or toggle-action gripping means. In use the apparatus 10 can bridge across from an existing structure e.g. rafters to the location where a wall is to be built or completed. A method for laying bricks comprises attaching a pair of the above apparatus 10 to the existing structure, and attaching a line between the apparatus to act as a guide for laying bricks.

Description

( 1 METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR LAYING BRICKS AND THE LIKE

This invention relates to a method and apparatus for brick and 5 the like laying. An example of the application of the invention is to the laying of bricks and the like building blocks or elements on the gable ends of domestic dwellings and other buildings, but the invention finds wider applications, as mentioned below. Indeed the invention may be applicable to many 10 situations where there is a need to lay building blocks or elements in a situation other than in the conventional horizontal courses of normal brick laying.

Looking first at the application of the invention to the 15 building of gable ends, the problem for the bricklayer in such construction includes the need to be able to construct the gable end of the building in such a way as to follow the profile of the roof rafters, and thus to construct in brick a tapering structure which more or less exactly matches the 20 corresponding profile of the roof rafters, but which (depending on the design adopted by the architect) may be required to finish somewhat below (inward of), at, or somewhat beyond (outward of) the actual rafter profile.

25 This requirement applies not only to the course of bricks which provide the buildings outer skin, but also to the inner wall of bricks (or now more usually blocks or the like elements), which provide the insulating inner wall of the building.

30 In the case where the architect or designer has specified the use of a fabricated timber or the like structure, for example comprising barge boards and soffits, to finish off the edges of the gable and to cover the region where the gable abuts or .. i....... it.....1,

/ comes close to the roof structure, then the problem of finishing the gable edges correctly and visually satisfactorily is much less acute since the sloping edges of the gable are, in the finished product, not visible, and therefore the s finishing of its edges is hardly a problem.

However, in the case where the building design requires the use of decorative bricks to provide one, two or more courses to finish off the gable edges, there is a requirement for the lo bricklayer to be able to lay up to three or more courses of bricks in an accurate and visually pleasing manner, and at an angle and attitude to the horizontal determined by the profile of the roof rafters, and thus without the aid of the usual bricklayer's plumb line as a basis for the usual horizontal 15 string line for the brick courses.

In short, we have identified a need for an improved method and apparatus for assisting a bricklayer to lay a row of bricks at a non-horizontal attitude, particularly, but not exclusively 20 in relation to the laying of finishing bricks or blocks or the like along the gable edges of a building, or even just for providing a reference line for cutting and edging the brick and breeze block walls of a building gable end wall, using as materials (for such cutting and edging) no more than the 25 existing bricks or blocks, with the aid of a brick and block cutter. A somewhat wider application of the invention is to the provision of means for assisting the marking or cutting or 30 construction of a line at a defined or known or constant spacing from an existing structure, particularly a building or the like structure.

Existing methods employed for meeting the above needs are, to the best of the applicant's knowledge, confined to improvised systems using materials available to the bricklayer in his working environment, typically timberbased structures nailed 5 to the adjacent rafters of the building, but which suffer from significant disadvantages.

Principal among these are the fact that in the laying of the several courses (at the relevant angle to the horizontal) of 10 decorative bricks which are quite often required, there is a need to move the string or whatever is used for marking the tangled to the horizontal) line of bricks or blocks, and such is inevitably a long and arduous task.

15 Thus, a principal object of the present invention is to provide a method and apparatus for use in relation to laying bricks, blocks or the like, wherein the shortcomings of the prior art

as discussed herein, or at least one or some of them, is overcome, or improvements generally are provided.

According to the invention, there is provided a method of laying bricks, blocks or the like, as defined in the accompanying claims.

2s In an embodiment, there is provided a method of laying bricks, blocks or the like, wherein a course of bricks, blocks or the like are to be laid in a defined relationship to an existing structure, such as an assembly of roof rafters or the like.

Typically the defined relationship will be at a parallel 30 attitude and either in-line with or some centimetres inwards or outwards with respect to the existing structure.

In the embodiment, the defined relationship is achieved by providing a quick-attach structure which can be relatively quickly attached to the existing structure, and which also can bridge across from the existing structure to the location where 5 the one or more walls of the building are to be built or completed, thereby to enable the user to establish a positional relationship between the existing structure and the course of bricks or blocks or the like to be laid.

10 In an embodiment, the quick-attach structure comprises a structure comprising clamp means adapted to be attached to said existing structure by a clamping or the like action.

Alternative quick attach means include spring gripping means, wood-screw means (to actually penetrate the wood of the 15 adjacent rafters), toggleaction gripping means, and other such devices which the person skilled in the art will be well able to devise as alternatives to the device actually disclosed herein. 20 Also in the embodiment, the structure which can not only be relatively quickly attached to the existing structure, as just discussed, but which also can bridge across from the existing structure to the location where the one or more walls of the building are to be built or completed, will now be discussed 25 in more detail. This bridging structure is in the embodiment in the form of an adjustable structure which is adjustable to vary the positional relationship of its outboard (remote from its mounting) end, which may also be called its indicating end, with respect to its inboard or mounting end at which it mounts 30 on the existing or reference structure.

The adjustability of said bridging structure comprises, in the embodiment, adjustability with respect to at least two

dimensions, and preferably all three dimensions, of said outboard or indicating end of said bridging structure, with respect to the inboard or mounting end of same. Such adjustability can be achieved in a variety of ways, as those 5 skilled in the art of constructing mechanical structures of the kind will be aware.

Of the modes of adjustment which is perhaps more significant than the others is the mode which permits adjustment in a 10 direction at right angles to the lengthwise extent of the courses of bricks or the like which are employed at the longitudinal edges of the gable construction. In other words, this adjustment permits adjustment as between successive courses of decorative bricks or the like running along the 15 length of the sloping gable side edges in the embodiment.

The embodiment described below is constructed as a steel fabrication, providing a horizontally and vertically adjustable bridging structure or profile adapted considerably to assist 20 bricklayers when constructing the gable ends of buildings. The method and apparatus are employed in the cutting of the gable's rake and the laying of subsequent decorative and plain courses of bricks.

25 The embodiment offers significant advantages with respect to currentlyused ad hoc systems for such construction work, which are particularly time consuming as they necessitate the making and subsequent removal and replacement of wooden supports for the bricklayers line for each new course of bricks. In 30 addition the bricklayers line is unstable and thus offers a unreliable guide.

The described embodiment is easily clamped to the adjacent roof

rafter and is fully adjustable, horizontally and vertically, with the adjustments from course to course being made in a matter of minutes. As a result the time taken to construct a gable end is significantly reduced.

Due to the rigid steel construction of the described embodiment, including the bridging structure and the groove and securing hook on the measuring rod, the tension in the bricklayer Is line (identifying the gable profile) is easily 10 maintained. Moreover, the described embodiments are also designed to allow the bricklayer to plumb levels (and thus to "set), the apparatus) from existing work (meaning existing brickwork). 15 Embodiments of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure l shows apparatus for use in relation to the laying of bricks, blocks or the like, the 20 apparatus being shown in its assembled condition; Figures 2A, 2B, 2C 2D show details of a rafter clamp forming part of the apparatus of Figure 1, Figure 2A showing the clamp in a side elevation 25 view, substantially as seen in Figure l, and Figures 2B to 2D showing the clamp as seen in the directions of view indicated by the arrows B. C, and D in Figure 2A respectively; 30 Figures 3A and 3B show side elevation and plan views respectively, corresponding respectively to those of Figure 1 and (in the case of Figure 3B) to the view on arrow B in Figure 3A, of an

adjustable horizontal arm forming part of the apparatus of Figure 1; and Figures 4A and B and C show views of a vertically 5 adjustable measuring rod also forming part of the apparatus of Fig 1, in views corresponding to that of Figure 1 and arrows B and C in Figure 4A, respectively. 10 As shown in the drawings, apparatus 10 for use in relation to laying bricks, blocks or the like (not shown), wherein a course of bricks, blocks or the like (not shown), is to be laid in a defined relationship to an existing structure (not shown), such as an assembly of roof rafters or the like, comprises a quick 1S attach reference structure 12 adapted to enable a user to establish said defined relationship to said existing structure by causing same to be attached to said existing structure so as to bridge across from said existing structure to the region where said course of bricks, blocks or the like (not shown), 20 is to be laid in said defined relationship to said existing structure. Apparatus 10 is further adapted to enable a user to establish the positional relationship between the existing structure (not 25 shown), and the course of bricks or blocks or the like (not shown), to be laid, by reference to the portion 14 of the reference bridging structure 12 remote from said existing structure (not shown).

30 The apparatus 10 is, as mentioned above, for use in relation to the laying of bricks, blocks or the like, wherein at least one course of bricks, blocks or the like is to be laid in a defined relationship to an existing structure, such as an

8: assembly of roof rafters or the like, and it is to be noted that the apparatus 10 is adapted to establish the defined relationship by providing the reference structure 12 which is adjustable and adapted to be attached at 16 to the existing 5 structure (such as rafters) so as to bridge across from the existing structure to the region 14 where the course of bricks, blocks or the like is to be laid in the required defined relationship to the existing structure.

10 The reference structure 12 mentioned above comprises quick-

attach means in the form of a clamp 18, a generally horizontal arm 20, and a generally vertical rod 22. Clamp 18 is adapted to receive arm 20 through aligned apertures and a linking open-

topped slideway 23 in a channel member 24 of the clamp, and is 15 likewise adapted to clamp the channel member (and indeed the clamp assembly) to a conventional roof rafter (not shown) and to arm 20, by means of conventional manually-operable screw members 26, 28 positioned, as shown, to engage, respectively, arm 20 (as it extends through channel 23), and the roof rafter 20 (not shown).

It will be understood from the above that the apparatus 10 is thus adapted to establish the required defined relationship (between the roof rafters and the as yet unfinished gable end) 25 by comprising means for effecting adjustment of the reference structure 12 to enable the user to establish said positional relationship between said existing structure and said at least one course of bricks or blocks or the like to be laid.

30 In this embodiment such means comprises firstly the adjustment facilities discussed above provided by the clamp 18 and its screw clamp members 26, 28 (providing adjustment in direction Al, lengthwise of arm 20, and lengthwise of a roof rafter), and

9: secondly such means comprises a further adjustment facility provided in the region of the outboard end of arm 20 and comprising a screw clamp device 30 in which rod 22 is slidably adjustable received so as to be adjustable in a generally up 5 and down direction A2 (depending on the precise attitude of arm 20). As shown in Figures 1 and 4A, rod 22 is adapted by the provision of a hook 32 at its lower end to have an indicating lo line or builder's string line attached thereto, for connection to another similar set of such apparatus at a spaced position therefrom, so that the string line can extend along the gable edge and indicate the proper positional relationship of a sloping course of bricks blocks or the like (to be laid along 15 the edge of the gable) with respect to the reference structure, namely the roof rafters. It will now be appreciated that screw clamp device 30 constitutes means for adjusting outwardly with respect to the rafters the positional relationship of the string line between laying the bricks, blocks or the like of 20 successive courses of the structure to be built. In other words, the bricklayer simply adjusts the string line outwards after completing one course of decorative bricks, and before commencing the next row.

25 In use, The rafter clamps 18, 26, 28 are attached to the rafters which are nearest to the gable brickwork (i.e. to the end rafter) by means of the wing nuts of the clamps. The horizontal arm 20 is attached to the clamp 18 (as shown in Figure 1) by means of the wing nut 26. The string or indicating 30 line is provided on a winder 32 provided at the end of rod 22, and the line is payed-out and tensioned and secured to the winder on the other set of apparatus at the opposite end of the course of bricks being laid.

It will be understood that four sets of such apparatus are required on each gable for optimum results, since one set is needed at each end of the two gable inclined edges. One set is fixed to the bottom of the rafter at plate level at each side 5 of the gable; the other two are fixed to each side of the rafter at or in the region of the apex. After adjustment of the apparatus to the required cut of the gable rake, the string lines are tensioned and bricklaying can proceed. Between successive brick courses, the rods 22 are adjusted upwards by 10 the depth of one course of bricks. A cranked portion 25 of arm 20 provides for the arm to extend easily over (to bridge across) an intervening structure such as the one or more brick courses. 15 Further refinement of the embodiment is possible by lengthening the rafter clamp 18 illustrated in Figures 1 and 2. Lengthening this from 3 inches to 6 inches in order to accommodate an extra wing nut 26 and/or 28 will increase stability in instances where bricklayers are constructing larger gable ends. Markings 20 on the measuring rod 22 to show brick gauges may likewise be provided. The apparatus 10 can also be used in the construction of decorative string courses to the eaves of buildings. This 25 application can be achieved by nailing a piece of 3 inch by inch timber of an appropriate length to the roof plate and clamping the apparatus to it. Speed of execution is greatly improved. 30 The advantages of the embodiment include significant improvements to the accuracy of construction and increased productivity for the bricklayer who will save time by having an easily adjustable device to hand instead of the current

r inef f icient system.

Claims

1. A method of laying bricks, blocks or the like, wherein a course of bricks, blocks or the like is to be laid in a 5 defined relationship to an existing structure, such as an assembly of roof rafters or the like, said method comprising the step of establishing said defined relationship by providing a quick-attach reference structure, and causing same to be attached to said existing structure and so as to bridge across 10 from said existing structure to the location where said course of bricks, blocks or the like is to be laid in said defined relationship to said existing structure, and said method further comprising the step of using said reference structure to enable the user to establish said positional relationship 15 between said existing structure and said course of bricks or blocks or the like to be laid.

2. A method of laying bricks, blocks or the like, wherein at least one course of bricks, blocks or the like is to be laid 20 in a defined relationship to an existing structure, such as an assembly of roof rafters or the like, said method comprising the step of establishing said defined relationship by providing an adjustable reference structure, and causing same to be attached to said existing structure and so as to bridge across 25 from said existing structure to the location where said course of bricks, blocks or the like is to be laid in said defined relationship to said existing structure, and said method further comprising the step of using the adjustability of said reference structure to enable the user to establish said 30 positional relationship between said existing structure and said at least one course of bricks or blocks or the like to be laid.

3. A method according to claim 1 wherein said quick-attach structure comprises a structure comprising clamp means adapted to be attached to said existing structure by a clamping or the like action, and said method comprising causing same to effect 5 such attachment by said clamping or the like action.

4. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising the step of mounting an indicating line, to indicate the proper position of a course of said bricks, blocks or the 10 like, on said reference structure, and said method further comprising the step of providing a further similar set of such apparatus providing a reference structure, and likewise attaching same to said existing structure at a position spaced from said first such apparatus, and the method comprising 15 connecting said indicating line between said sets of apparatus so as to indicate the proper positional relationship of said course of said bricks, blocks or the like with respect to said reference structure.

20 5. A method according to claim 4 further comprising the step of adjusting outwardly with respect to said existing structure the positional relationship of said indicating line between laying the bricks, blocks or the like of successive courses of the structure to be built, said outward adjustment being 25 attained by utilising adjustability provided in said apparatus accordingly. 6. A method of laying bricks, blocks or the like, substantially as described herein with reference to the 30 accompanying drawings.

7. Apparatus for laying bricks, blocks or the like, wherein a course of bricks, blocks or the like is to be laid in a

defined relationship to an existing structure, such as an assembly of roof rafters or the like, said apparatus comprising a quick-attach reference structure adapted to enable a user to establish said defined relationship to an existing structure 5 by causing same to be attached to said existing structure so as to bridge across from said existing structure to the region where said course of bricks, blocks or the like is to be laid in said defined relationship to said existing structure, and said apparatus being further adapted to enable a user to lo establish said positional relationship between said existing structure and said course of bricks or blocks or the like to be laid by reference to the portion of said reference structure remote from said existing structure.

15 8. Apparatus for use in relation to the laying of bricks, blocks or the like, wherein at least one course of bricks, blocks or the like is to be laid in a defined relationship to an existing structure, such as an assembly of roof rafters or the like, said apparatus being adapted to establish said 20 defined relationship by providing an adjustable reference structure adapted to be attached to said existing structure so as to bridge across from said existing structure to the location where said course of bricks, blocks or the like is to be laid in said defined relationship to said existing 25 structure, and said apparatus being further adapted to establish said defined relationship by comprising means for effecting adjustment of said reference structure to enable the user to establish said positional relationship between said existing structure and said at least one course of bricks or 30 blocks or the like to be laid.

9. Apparatus according to claim 7 wherein said quick-attach structure comprises a structure comprising clamp means adapted

to be attached to said existing structure by a clamping or the like action.

lo. Apparatus according to any one of claims 7 to 9 further 5 comprising an indicating line, adapted to be mounted on said bridging structure to indicate the proper position of a course of said bricks, blocks or the like, and said apparatus further comprising a further similar set of such apparatus providing a further reference structure, and likewise adapted to be lo attached to said existing structure at a position spaced from said first such apparatus, whereby in use, said indicating line can be connected between said sets of apparatus so as to indicate the proper positional relationship of said course of said bricks, blocks or the like with respect to said reference 15 structure.

ll. Apparatus according to claim 10 further comprising means for adjusting outwardly with respect to said existing structure the positional relationship of said indicating line between 20 laying the bricks, blocks or the like of successive courses of the structure to be built.

12. Apparatus for use in relation to laying bricks, blocks or the like, substantially as described herein with reference 25 to the accompanying drawings.