GB2583478A

GB2583478A - Mortar spreading device

Info

Publication number: GB2583478A
Application number: GB1905951.8A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Poynton David
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2019-04-29
Filing date: 2019-04-29
Publication date: 2020-11-04
Also published as: GB201905951D0

Abstract

A device 100 for spreading mortar in laying concrete or cement blocks (210, Fig 15), comprises a unitary body that is adapted to fit over a block. The device 100 has a cross-section that defines a chamber under a curved upper wall 110 and between side walls 124. The chamber has a height that decreases from a leading edge 104 to a trailing edge 106 of the curved upper wall 110 which in use leaves a bed of mortar (200, Fig 15) of the correct height onto the layer of blocks without reducing the moisture content of the mortar. Device 100 has a manipulating handle 102 along a longitudinal axis. The curved upper wall 110 and the side walls 124 are formed as a single piece. Preferably, the leading edge 104 is shaped in a single arc and the lower trailing edge 106 is shaped in a wave formation.

Description

MORTAR SPREADING DEVICE

The present invention relates to a device for applying and spreading mortar. It has particular application to a device or tool to assist in building construction using concrete or cement blocks. The term "blocks" will be used in this specification to refer to all types of building construction units, including, but not limited to blocks of concrete or cement material.

During construction of a wall of blocks, a bricklayer places a bed of mortar on top of a footing or a previously laid course of blocks. A course of blocks is then placed upon the bed of mortar, and these have to be pushed or tapped down to the correct height to align the newly laid blocks and to form a consistent bed of mortar between the courses of blocks.

With this method of bricklaying, excess mortar can run down the face of the blocks or fall into a cavity between leaves of a cavity wall. The mortar between the blocks on the face side of the wall (that is, the side of the wall that is exposed and visible in the final construction) is usually pointed. The pointed mortar may be recessed, flat, angled, concave, or amongst other styles. Pointing is typically done by dragging a pointing tool or trowel along the wet mortar in-between the laid blocks.

The process of laying and levelling the bed of mortar, and pointing are time consuming and require skill to perform well. As bricklayers are paid a unit price for each block laid, it is desirable to speed up the process while not interfering with the quality of the finish.

An object of this invention is to alleviate the disadvantages associated with the prior art methods and to enable a flat and uniform bed of mortar to be produced more quickly and easily than using conventional techniques, and optionally to improve the procedure for pointing the mortar.

The present invention provides a device for spreading mortar in laying concrete or cement blocks, the tool comprising a unitary body that is adapted to fit over a block, the body having a cross-section that defines a chamber under a curved upper wall and between side walls, the chamber having a height that decreases from a leading edge to a trailing edge of the curved upper wall, which in use leaves a bed of mortar of the correct height on the layer of blocks without reducing the moisture content of the mortar.

Preferably, the device has a manipulating handle along a longitudinal axis of the unitary body.

Ideally, the curved upper wall and the side walls of the device are formed as a single piece.

Additionally, the leading edge of the device is shaped in a single arc and the trailing edge is shaped in a wave formation.

Preferably, the body of the device has two wings on either side of the handle.

Ideally, each wing is connected to a downwardly directed skirt, the distance between the two skirts being equal to the width of a block being laid.

Additionally, an angled and flared side wall is provided between each wing and each downwardly directed skirt.

Preferably, a pair of skids are provided on the under surface of the device, the skids being adapted to contact the surface of the block or mortar bed.

The invention also provides a method of applying a bed of mortar onto which a course of blocks can be laid, comprising applying a layer of mortar to an existing substrate, using a device according to the invention such that the chamber of the device substantially spans the layer of mortar, and moving the device along the layer of mortar with the leading foremost edge while applying a force to the device in a direction substantially normal to the upper wall, whereby the mortar layer is formed into a mortar bed by the trailing edge.

The invention will hereinafter be more particularly described with reference to the accompanying drawings which show by way of example only one embodiment and one prototype of a mortar spreading device according to the invention.

In the drawings: Figure 1 is an isometric view from the rear of the embodiment of a mortar spreading device; Figure 2 is a front view of the embodiment of mortar spreading device; Figure 3 is a rear view of the embodiment; Figure 4 is a side view from the left-hand side of the embodiment; Figure 5 is a side view from the right-hand side of the embodiment; Figure 6 is a plan view from above of the embodiment; Figure 7 is a plan view from below of the embodiment; Figure 8 is a perspective view from the front of the prototype of a mortar spreading device according to the invention; Figure 9 is a front view of the prototype seated on a concrete block; Figure 10 is a rear view of the prototype seated on a concrete block; Figure 11 is a perspective view from the front and one side of the prototype seated on a concrete block; Figure 12 is a perspective view from the rear and the other side of the prototype seated on a concrete block; Figure 13 is a perspective view from the front and one side of the prototype on a concrete block behind a bed of mortar; Figure 14 is a perspective view of five prototypes illustrating the motion of the prototype along a bed of mortar; Figure 15 and 16 are perspective views of the bed of the mortar after being initially formed by the prototype; and Figure 17 is a perspective view of the bed of mortar after having been smoothed for the receipt of the next row of blocks.

Referring to the drawings and initially to Figures 1 to 7, the mortar spreading device 100 comprises a unitary formed or moulded structure which is manufactured from any suitable material, such as for example a plastics material. A suitable plastics material is Medium Density Polyethylene (MDPE).

The mortar spreading device 100 comprises a handle 102 for manipulating the device, a raised leading edge 104 and a lower trailing edge 106.

At either side of the handle 102 are raised wings 110 and beneath the handle 102 is a depression 112 which acting together give a wave pattern 120 which is imparted onto wet mortar from the trailing edge 106. At the sides of each wing 110 are downwardly directed skirts 124 which are used to locate the device 100 over a concrete block. Located between each of the skirts 124 and the wings 110 is an angled and flared side member 126 which provides an angled contact with the edge of the mortar on the cement block and also facilitates the formation of a flared or pointed edge to the mortar and also facilitates a rocking motion used to form the mortar. Located in the underneath portion of the device 100 are two skids 130 which in use make contact with the surface of the concrete block and form channels along the bed of mortar. The skids 130 can be reinforced with metal plates or a metallised finish (not shown) so as to provide a more hard-wearing surface.

The device 100 shown in Figures 1 to 7 is designed to be used with a concrete block which is 215mm wide but is of course not limited to that particular dimension. It can be manufactured in wider or narrower dimensions to suit the particular block used in 25 construction.

The operation of the device 100 will be explained with reference to Figures 8 to 17 of the accompanying drawings which show the prototype. Like parts are given like numerals corresponding to those as shown in Figures 1 to 7. In the prototype the skids 130 are with metal feet 132 pivotally attached to the skids 130 by pins 134. The feet 132 protect the skids 130 from wear as it is pulled along a row of concrete blocks.

In use a layer of mortar 200 is laid onto a row of concrete blocks 210 by a trowel or other means. The device 100 is then used to spread the mortar evenly over the row of blocks without losing moisture from the mortar using a rocking motion (see Figure 14 and 15).

When the mortar 200 is evenly spread out on the row of blocks 210, the device 100 is kept at a constant angle by applying downward pressure on the trailing edge 106 and moved along the bed of mortar 200 to provide a wave pattern 120 with the lower point 121 of the wave giving a minimum depth of 12.5mm. When the next row of blocks is laid on the bed of mortar, the wave shape of the mortar is flattened down into a proper bed of mortar with the correct thickness of a bonding layer and finished pointed edges while retaining the required moisture content.

Due to the location of the skids 130 and the curved design of the mortar spreading device 100, especially at the trailing edge 106, or exiting point for the mortar, where the angle is slightly different, the mortar is gently manipulated into place other than being pressured. This gentle manipulation replicates the traditional method of spreading mortar by a skilled bricklayer. The absence of any nuts, bolts or other fasteners greatly enhances this effect. The curves of the mortar spreading device100 allow the mortar to be spread using only one action depending on the moisture content of the mortar being used.

Finally as the mortar spreading device 100 has no sharp angles or corners it complies with Health and Safety Regulations It is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the specific details described above which are given by way of example only and that various modifications and alterations are possible without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A device for spreading mortar in laying concrete or cement blocks, the tool comprising a unitary body that is adapted to fit over a block, the body having a cross-section that defines a chamber under a curved upper wall and between side walls, the chamber having a height that decreases from a leading edge to a trailing edge of the curved upper wall which in use leaves a bed of mortar of the correct height onto the layer of blocks without reducing the moisture content of the mortar.
2. A device according to Claim 1, in which the device has a manipulating handle along a longitudinal axis of the unitary body.
3. A device according to Claim 1 or Claim 2, in which the curved upper wall and the side walls are formed as a single piece.
4. A device according to Claim 1 or Claim 2, in which the leading edge is shaped in a single arc and the lower trailing edge is shaped in a wave formation.
5. A device as claimed in any of the preceding claims, in which the body has two wings on either side of the handles.
6. A device as claimed in Claim 5, in which each wing is connected to a downwardly directed skirt, the distance between the two skirts being equal to the width of a block being laid.
7. A device according to Claim 6, in which an angled and flared side wall is provided between each wing and each downwardly directed skirt.
8. A device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in which a pair of skids are provided on the under surface of the device, the skids being adapted to contact the surface of the block or mortar.
9. A method of applying a bed of mortar onto which a course of blocks can be laid, comprising applying a layer of mortar to an existing substrate, using a device according to any preceding claim such that the chamber of the device substantially spans the layer of mortar, and moving the device along the layer of mortar with the leading foremost edge while applying a force to the device in a direction substantially normal to the upper wall, whereby the mortar layer is formed into a mortar bed by the trailing edge.