GB2465743A

GB2465743A - A builders aid for building pillars

Info

Publication number: GB2465743A
Application number: GB0817945A
Authority: GB
Inventors: John Phillips
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2008-10-01
Filing date: 2008-10-01
Publication date: 2010-06-02
Anticipated expiration: 2028-10-01
Also published as: GB0817945D0; GB2465743B

Abstract

The invention relates to an aid for a builder in the form of a frame comprising four upright members 10, adjustable feet 12 for connection to the lower ends of the upright members 10, and means 23, 24 & 26 for interconnecting the upper ends of the upright members 10. The upright members 10 have spaced formations 11 with which supports 19 for a line 22 can be engaged. The formations 11 are evenly spaced so as to correspond to the height of a course of bricks and when used with the supports 19 and line 22 ensure that each course of bricks are laid both level and plumb. A later embodiment relates to a method of using said building aid.

Description

AIDS FOR BUILDERS

Field of the Builders

This invention relates to aids for builders and is concerned with the provision of an aid for use in building a pillar.

There are a number of leveling and plumb points that must be adhered to when building a pillar. A constant gauge height also has to be taken into consideration. Building a pillar is thus a time-consuming process that, at present, requires the constant use of a tape measure and a spirit level.

This is the case even for a relatively experienced tradesman and it is particularly problematic for the less experienced builder or perhaps, as is becoming increasingly common, those engaged in DIV activities.

It is accordingly an object of the present invention to provide an improved builder's aid for use in building a pillar.

Summary of the Invention

According to the present invention there is provided an aid for a builder in the form of a frame comprising four upright members, adjustable feet for connection to the lower ends of the upright members, and means for interconnecting the upper ends of the upright members, the upright members having spaced formations with which supports for a line can be engaged.

The spaced formations of the upright members are preferably grooves and the supports for the line are preferably resilient clips that fit in the grooves. The upright members are preferably tubes.

Each of the adjustable feet preferably includes a flat horizontal portion designed to rest on the ground and a vertically extending location portion.

The means for interconnecting the upper ends of the upright members preferably include elbow members, each elbow member including a vertical portion, which fits in the upper end of the associated upright member, and an inwardly extending horizontal portion.

The horizontal portions of the elbow members are preferably connected to telescopic tubes and the inner ends of the telescopic tubes are preferably fitted over spigots forming part of connectors.

There are preferably two connectors, each comprising an annular portion and two spigots and the two annular portions being fastened together one on top of the other.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a builder's aid, Figure 2 is a plan view of the builder's aid, Figure 3 is a vertical sectional view of a builder's aid, Figure 4 is a plan view of a coupling forming part of the builder's aid, Figure 5 is a perspective view of one of the coupling members, and Figure 6 is a plan view of the other coupling member.

Description of the Preferred Embodiment

The builder's aid shown in the drawings is in the form of a frame that includes four upright tubes 10, each of which is formed with a plurality of equally spaced circumferential grooves 11. Feet 12 are connected to the lower ends of the upright tubes 10 and the feet 12 are adjustable relative to the tubes 10, being fixed in position by means of threaded fasteners that have knobs 13 at their outer ends.

The grooves 11 are at uniform spacings and are located at positions spaced apart by a distance corresponding to the height of a course of bricks.

Each foot 12 includes an upwardly extending spigot 14 that is a close sliding fit in the lower end of the associated tube 10, a flat portion 15 that, in use, rests on the ground or other supporting surface, and a vertically extending location member 16. Each location member 16 comprises two flat vertical plates 17 that extend at right angles to one another and a triangular horizontal plate 18 that forms the top of the location member 16. The height of each location member 16 is such that the presented upper surface thereof is at the same level of the second from bottom groove 1 IA in the adjacent vertical tube 10.

The grooves 11 in the vertical tubes 10 are designed to receive generally S-shaped resilient clips 19 that are engaged in the grooves 11 in such manner that engagement formations 20 are directed inwardly so that rings 21 on a line 22 can be engaged with the formations 20. As can be seen from the drawings, which illustrate a particular stage in the formation of a pillar, the line 22 can be located at a position corresponding to the height of a course of bricks above the upwardly presented surfaces of the horizontal plates 18.

The upper end of each vertical tube 10 is connected to an elbow 23, the elbows 23 fitting into the open upper ends of the vertical tubes 10 and being secured in position by means of fasteners 33. Each elbow 23 includes a vertical portion, which is connected to the associated vertical tube 10, and a horizontal portion that is connected to a telescopic tube 24. The telescopic tubes 24 extend inwardly of the frame and the inner ends thereof are fitted over spigots 25 of a connector assembly 26 and then secured in position by means of fasteners 27. The connector assembly 26 includes two connectors 28 and 29 that are formed as plastic mouldings and are secured together by a fastener 30. Each connector 28, 29 includes a generally annular body portion 28A, 29A and two projecting spigots 25. The design of the connector assembly 27 is such that the inner ends of the telescopic tubes 24 can readily be fitted over the projecting spigots 25 and the generally annular body portions 28A and 29A are secured together one on top of the other.

In use, the frame is assembled as shown and placed in the required position. It is then adjusted to a plumb position and the bricks are laid course by course, with the clips 19 being moved up to the next grooves 11 in the vertical tubes 10 after each course of bricks has been laid.

The adjustable feet 12 also serve as corner brackets that can engage the corners of existing brickwork so that the frame can readily be used to build a pillar higher.

Claims

Claims:- 1. An aid for a builder in the form of a frame comprising four upright members, adjustable feet for connection to the lower ends of the upright members, and means for interconnecting the upper ends of the upright members, the upright members having spaced formations with which supports for a line can be engaged.
2. A builder's aid as claimed in Claim 1, in which the spaced formations of the upright members are grooves.
3. A builder's aid as claimed in Claim 2, in which the supports for the line are resilient clips that fit in the grooves.
4. A builder's aid as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which the upright members are tubes.
5. A builder's aid as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which each of the adjustable feet includes a flat horizontal portion designed to rest on the ground and a vertically extending location portion.
6. A builder's aid as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which the means for interconnecting the upper ends of the upright members includes elbow members, each elbow member including a vertical portion, which fits in the upper end of the associated upright member, and an inwardly extending horizontal portion.
7. A builder's aid as claimed in Claim 6, in which the horizontal portions of the elbow members are connected to telescopic tubes.
8. A builder's aid as claimed in Claim 7, in which the inner ends of the telescopic tubes are fitted over spigots forming part of connectors.
9. A builder's aid as claimed in Claim 8, in which there are two connectors, each comprising an annular portion and two spigots.
10. A builder's aid as claimed in Claim 9, in which the two annular portions are fastened together one on top of the other.
11. A builder's aid substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.
12. A method of building a pillar that includes the use of a builder's aid as claimed in any one of the preceding claims.