GB2454186A

GB2454186A - Former unit for opening in brick or block work

Info

Publication number: GB2454186A
Application number: GB0721229A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Stephen Timothy Lamb; Peter George Lamb
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2007-10-30
Filing date: 2007-10-30
Publication date: 2009-05-06
Anticipated expiration: 2027-10-30
Also published as: GB0721229D0; GB2454186B

Abstract

A substantially U shape channel 21 may straddle brick or block work 18, 19. An upper surface 13 of said channel may have a pair of spigots/brackets 15 attached to said channel. Each bracket may have a vertical face 16 which is perpendicular to a lower surface 14 of said channel. An upstand or post 12 may be releasably affixed to said bracket, one or more spirit levels 29 may be affixed to said post. Location pads 22 may be affixed to an inner face of said channel to contact a face of said brickwork. One or more clamping means 24 may be attached to said channel to releasably clamp said onto the brick or block work. In use the post 12 is fitted to a first spigot 15 and one side of an opening is created. The post is then attached to a second spigot 15a and a second side of said opening is then constructed. Alignment strips 17 are attached to said channel to guide along a vertical face of said blockwork. An alternative embodiment of said channel is shown in figure.

Description

BUILDING FORMER

Field of the Invention

This invention relates to a building former and, in particular, to a former to facilitate the construction of door and window apertures in brick or block structures.

Background to the Invention

When constructing a building from bricks or blocks it is necessary provide door and/or window apertures in the structure. These apertures must be formed accurately so that a good fit is provided with the door or window frame installed therein.

Traditionally, the bricklayer has prepared a temporary frame from timber, formed the brickwork about that frame, and then removed and disposed of the frame. This is both time consuming and wasteful.

Attempts have been made to provide a former which can be set in place, temporarily, and the brickwork formed against one or more surfaces thereof. An example of such a former is described in published International Patent Application W02004/070 140. This former has an extendible base with guides hinged to the ends of the base, the guides being adjustable in angle between being closed against the base, and vertical. A similar device is shown in French published application no. 2 792 672. These existing devices have a multiplicity of parts and moving joints, and require considerable time to set-up with accuracy. Further, the various joints in these prior art devices may move during use, and will wear with time, leading to inaccuracies in the formed structure.

It is an object of this invention to provide a building former which will go at least in some way in addressing the aforementioned problems; or which will at least provide a novel and useful alternative.

Summary of the Invention

Accordingly, in one aspect, the invention provides a building former including: a unitary, substantially planar, base, said base being sized to overlie an edge of a brick or block structure and having an upper and a lower surface; one or more attachment devices configured, arranged and operable to fix said base to said structure and so that the lower surface of said base overlies part of said edge, said former being characterized in that a pair of fixed spigots project from spaced positions on the upper surface of said base.

Preferably each of said spigots has a mounting surface arranged perpendicular to said base and which is substantially parallel to the mounting surface of the other spigot.

Preferably said mounting surfaces have apertures formed therein.

Preferably said former is constructed from a U-shaped metal section, wherein the said base is defined by the base of said U-shaped section and the arms of said U-shaped section carry said attachment devices.

Preferably said former further includes a post demountably attachable to one of said spigots.

Preferably said post is attachable against said mounting surface.

Preferably the position of said post is variable across said mounting surface.

Preferably said post is demountably attachable against the lower surface of said base.

Preferably said post incorporates a spirit level therein.

Preferably said post is formed from a square metal section.

Many variations in the way the present invention can be performed will present themselves to those skilled in the art. The description which follows is intended as an illustration only of one means of performing the invention and the lack of description of variants or equivalents should not be regarded as limiting. Wherever possible, a description of a specific element should be deemed to include any and all equivalents thereof whether in existence now or in the future.

Brief Description of the Drawings

One preferred form the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1: shows an isometric view of a base incorporated in a building former according to the invention; Figure 2: shows, from the reverse angle, the base shown in Figure 1 in combination with a post; Figure 3: shows the base of Figure 1 in combination with two posts; Figure 4: shows the base and post shown in Figure 2, in an alternative configuration; and Figure 5: shows an isometric view of an alternative form of base to that shown in Figures 1 to 4.

Derailed Description of Working Embodiment

Referring firstly to Figures 1 & 2, the invention provides a former 10 to facilitate the forming of door and window apertures in brick and/or block structures. The particular embodiment described herein has been configured for use with 100mm wide bricks but it will be appreciated that the invention could readily be adapted for use with bricks and blocks of other dimensions.

As shown, the former includes a base 11 and a post 12. As will be described in greater detail below, these two components are sufficient to enable to quick and easy construction of the vertical edges which define door and window apertures.

The base 11 is unitary and substantially planar, and has an upper surface 13 and lower surface 14. Fixed to, and projecting from, the upper surface 13 is a pair of spaced spigots 15. The spigots 15 serve as mounts for the post 12 in a manner which will be described in greater detail below. Each spigot 15 has a mounting surface 16 which is perpendicular to the base 11 and is parallel to the surface 16 of the other spigot.

The base 11 is preferably defined by the base of an inverted U-shaped metal section, and more preferably by the base of a 280mm length of aluminium extrusion having an outer width of 140mm and an a wall thickness of 6mm. A strip 17 of aluminium is preferably welded down one each of each open end of the extrusion to assist with the fitment of the extrusion over the edge of a brick-formed wall and ensure that the spigots 15 are roughly centered with respect to the brick edge face 18 of the structure 19 (shown in dotted outline in Figure 1) to which the former is, in use, attached.

It can also be seen that the downwardly extending sides 20 and 21 of the U-shaped section include fixing devices to enable the base 11 to be firmly located with respect to the brick edge face 18. As can best be seen in Figure 2, the inner surfaces of side 20 include locating pads 22 which contact the adjacent surface of the structure 19. The side 21 includes threaded collars 23 which serve as mounts for clamping screws 24. Ii will be appreciated that rotation of the clamping screws 24 in the appropriate direction draws the pads 22 against the opposite surface of the structure 19 and firmly clamps base 11 in position.

The spigots 15 may conveniently be formed from pieces of right-angle metal section, which are then welded to the base 11. A strengthening flange 25 may be added to maintain each spigot and the desired 90°. Finally, in so far as the configuration of the base section is concerned, both the base 11 and the spigots 15 are provided with transverse slots 26. With the addition of further clamping screws 24, the slots 26 allow the post 12 to be clamped against both of the spigots 15, and the base 11, in a variety of positions spaced across the width of the base.

Although shown in exploded' form in Figure 2, the post 12 is preferably a unitary member formed from hollow square section aluminium tube. The post is preferably provided in two lengths -a 1.5 metre length for use in forming window apertures and a 2.1 metre length for use in forming door apertures. Whatever the length, threaded inserts 27 are provided in face 28 of the post, adjacent one end thereof. The inserts 27 are threaded to receive clamping screws 24, and thus enable the post to be clamped against either of the spigots 15, or against the base 11. The post is also preferably provided with a spirit level 29 to enable the post to be correctly aligned when in use.

It will be appreciated that, as the height of the formed structure increases, the post 12 will be subjected to increasing bending loads as bricks are butted against the upper extremities of the post. To resist bending of the post a brace or strut (not shown) may be provided which extends between an upper part of the post, and the base, to help maintain the position of the post.

An alternative form of base section 40 is shown in Figure 5. It will be appreciated that this is configured in a very similar way to the section described above, and functions in an identical manner. In the case of base section 40, single lengthened slots 41 replace the two co-linear slots 26 on the spigots of the unit shown in Figures 1 to 4. This provides for greater transverse adjustment of the post 12 with respect to the base 11. Individual slots are retained on the base so as to avoid reducing the bending strength of the base when subjected to clamping forces. It will also be seen that the central strengthening flange 25 shown in Figure 1, is moved to one edge of the spigots shown in Figure 5 to become flange 42. On the other edge of each spigot an angled brace 43 is provided which merges into a downwardly extending bracing rib 44. The ribs 44 terminate at the collars 45 which serve to mount the clamping screws 24. It will be appreciated that the ribs 44 in combination with the cross-bracing effect of the spigots 16 resist the tendency of the side 20 and 21 to spread as the clamping forces increase.

It will be appreciated that the same bracing rib arrangement could be provided down the opposite side of the base section to further resist spreading due to clamping loads.

A former according to the invention is described above as being formed from aluminium. It will be appreciated that the former could be constructed in other materials, and combinations of materials, without departing from the scope of this invention. By way of example only, the former could be moulded from plastics materials.

In use the base 11 is clamped in position over the brick edge face 18, which defines the lower surface of a door or window aperture to be formed, and so that one of the mounting surfaces 16 of spigots 15 is positioned adjacent where one of the vertical edges of the cavity is to be formed. With post 12 clamped to that surface 16, the outer vertical edge of the post provides a surface against which the bricks can be butted and set in place. Referring to Figure 3, post 12a is shown positioned on spigot 15a so that bricks can be butted against surface 30 of post 12a. A further post 12b is clamped to spigot 1 5b and positioned so that a side edge 31 thereof lies in the plane of the outer surface of the structure being formed. This then enables a string line to be established against which the bricklayer can position those courses of bricks which are butted against post I 2a.

When the opposite vertical edge of the aperture is to be formed, the base is released, and repositioned along the structure so that spigot 1 5b will then support the post against which the bricks are butted. Post I 2a will then need to be repositioned across spigot I 5a if it is to be used to establish the string line.

If a vertical edge is to exceed the height of the post 12, then the base section is removed and the post 12 clamped against the lower surface 14 of the base, as shown in Figure 4. The former is then clamped against the vertical edge formed thus far so that post 12 extends into free space and provides a surface 32 against which further courses of bricks may be butted.

As the height of the wall increases, so the former is re-positioned up the wall.

When the top edge of the cavity is to be formed, two base sections may be clamped, opposite one another, to the upper extremities of the spaced vertical edges, and the upper most spigots use to support a cross member or former against which the brickwork defining the upper edge of the cavity, may be laid.

It will thus be appreciated that the present invention provides a simple yet effective building former which allows the ready and efficient formation of door and window apertures, is extremely compact, and does not have the hinged joints of prior art components which can move in use, and are subject to wear.

Claims

Claims I. A building former including: a unitary, substantially planar, base, said base being sized to overlie an edge of a brick or block structure and having an upper and a lower surface; one or more attachment devices configured, arranged and operable to fix said base to said structure and so that the lower surface of said base overlies part of said edge, said former being characterized in that a pair of fixed spigots project from spaced positions on the upper surface of said base.
2. A building former as claimed in claim 1 wherein each of said spigots has a mounting surface arranged perpendicular to said base and which is substantially parallel to the mounting surface of the other spigot.
3. A building former as claimed in claim 2 wherein said mounting surfaces have apertures formed therein.
4. A building former as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3 when constructed from a U-shaped metal section, wherein the said base is defined by the base of said U-shaped section and the arms of said U- shaped section carry said attachment devices.
5. A building former as claimed in any one of the preceding claims further including a post demountably attachable to one of said spigots.
6. A building former as claimed in claim 5 wherein said post is attachable against said mounting surface.
7. A building former as claimed in claim 6 wherein the position of said post is variable across said mounting surface.
8. A building former as claimed in any one of claims 5 to 7 wherein said post is demountably attachable against the lower surface of said base.
9. A building former as claimed in any one of claims 5 to 8 wherein said post incorporates a spirit level therein.
10. A building former as claimed in any one of claims 5 to 9 wherein said post is formed from a square metal section.
11. A building former when constructed arranged arid operable substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.