GB2612020A

GB2612020A - A stand for a mortar board and for use by a bricklayer

Info

Publication number: GB2612020A
Application number: GB2114170.0A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Jeremy Bayliss Robert
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2021-10-04
Filing date: 2021-10-04
Publication date: 2023-04-26
Also published as: GB202114170D0

Abstract

A stand 26 for a bricklayers’ mortarboard 62 comprises a tubular body having a base and a top 36. The body tapers inwardly from the base to the top, and the base is open so that the stand is stackable. The top receives the mortarboard and the body is rigid enough to support the weight of the mortar. The outer surface of the body may include grooved sections 52 to provide strength and the top may comprise a plurality of apertures to reduce weight. Handle apertures 58 may be provided in the body and an intermediate member 64 may be provided for fixing to the top and for receiving the mortarboard. The intermediate section may be a push fit on the top, and the mortarboard may be placed on, or fastened to, the intermediate section. The stand may be made from a moulded plastics material.

Description

A STAND FOR A MORTAR BOARD AND

FOR USE BY A BRICKLAYER

This invention relates to the construction industry and, more especially, this invention relates to a stand for a mortar board and for use by a bricklayer.

In the construction industry, mortar boards are widely used by bricklayers. The bricklayers cement bricks or blocks together to form a wall using mortar. The mortar is typically made up or otherwise placed on a mortar board. Typically, a labourer will service a bricklayer to ensure that the bricklayer has a ready supply of mortar in order to lay the bricks or blocks at speed. As a wall being constructed increases in height, the bricklayer needs to work at elevated work positions. Typically the bricklayer will work on a scaffolding platform constructed from scaffolding poles and scaffolding planks.

The mortar boards are traditionally mounted on bricks or building blocks with the mortar boards being only one brick or block high off the ground or platform. This results in bricklayers having to stoop too low to make the mortar by mixing cement, water and sand, or alternatively to obtain the mixed mortar for use in laying the bricks or blocks. The repeated bending by the bricklayers in order to obtain the mortar often causes the bricklayers to experience back problems.

In order to try and reduce the above mentioned problem, it is known to use trestle stands. The trestle stands enable the mortar boards to be supported at a greater height than with the bricks or building blocks. However the trestle stands are inconvenient to use because they are relatively bulky and they have to be carried individually onto the scaffold. The trestle stands are also such that they occupy substantial space for storage and transportation, and this space is often not available.

It is an aim of the present invention to reduce the above mentioned problems.

Accordingly, in one non-limiting embodiment of the present invention there is provided a stand for a mortar board and for use by a bricklayer, which stand comprises a body which has a base and a top, and wherein: (i) the body is a tubular body: (ii) the body tapers inwardly from the base towards the top; (iii) the base is open so that the stand is a stackable stand which is able to be stacked on top of other stands of the same construction; (iv) the top is configured to receive the mortar board and enable the bricklayer to use the mortar board during use of the stand; (v) the body is configured to be rigid enough to enable the stand to be used repeatedly as a stand for the mortar board and not to fail under the weight of mortar on the mortar board as required by the bricklayer during use of the stand; (vi) the base is of a size which does not prevent use as required by the bricklayer during use of the stand on a scaffolding platform; and (vii) the body is of a height which provides the bricklayer with convenience of height for accessing mortar on the mortar board.

The stand of the present invention is advantageous in that the use of the tubular body with the open base enables the stand to be a stackable stand which is able to be stacked on top of other stands of the same construction. Also advantageously, the body is of a height which provides the bricklayer with convenience of height for accessing mortar on the mortar board. This means that the mortar board is able to be placed at a height which is higher than if bricks or blocks are used as the support for the mortar board. Thus the stand of the present invention is able to avoid the back problems associated with use of stands formed by bricks or blocks. The stand is further advantageous in that the base is of a size which does not prevent use as required by the bricklayer during use of the stand on a scaffolding platform. If the base were to be too large, then it would obstruct operation by the bricklayer during construction of a wall from a scaffolding platform.

Preferably, the stand is one in which the tubular body is a circular tubular body. Alternatively, if desired, the tubular body could be a flat sided tubular body.

The base is preferably 650-685mm in diameter. Preferably the base is 680mm in diameter. Other measurements may be employed so that the base may be larger or smaller than 650 -685mm in diameter.

The body is preferably 700 -750mm in height. Preferably the body is 700mm in height. The body may alternatively be less than or more than 700 -750mm in height.

The stand may be one in which the body has an outer surface which is configured to provide the body with strength, and which is also such as to enable the body to be moulded in manufacture. Thus, for example, the outer surface of the body may be provided with grooved sections between non-grooved sections. Alternative configurations for the body may be employed to give it required strength. The stand may be a moulded stand which is moulded from a plastics material. The moulded stand is preferably made by rotational moulding but other moulding processes may be employed.

The stand may be one in which the top comprises a plurality of apertures for reducing the weight of the body. Alternatively, the top may be a nonapertured top. Where the top is apertured, then the stand may be one in which the apertures extend at least around the periphery of the top. Such a configuration of apertures may enable the mortar board to be mounted at different angles on the stand as may be required by a bricklayer during construction of a wall or other structure.

The body may have handle apertures. The handle apertures may be near a rim of the body with the rim defining the open base of the body.

The stand may include an intermediate member for fixing to the top and for receiving the mortar board.

The intermediate member may be configured to be a push fit on the top, and such that the intermediate member does not move on the top during use of the stand by the brick layer.

The intermediate member may be configured to receive the mortar board such that the mortar board is simply placed on the intermediate member and is not fastened in position. Alternatively, the intermediate member may be configured to receive the mortar board such that the mortar board is placed on the intermediate member and is then fastened in position. The fastening may be effected by fastener means such for example as screws or clips.

When the stand is made of a plastics material, then the plastics material may be high density polyethylene or polypropylene. Other plastics materials may be employed. Materials other than plastics materials may also be employed.

The stand may comprise means for use in preventing stacked stands from wedging together. Thus, for example, the stand may comprise an anti-wedging formation. The anti-wedging formation may be, for example, a stopper. Alternatively the anti-wedging formation may be, for example, a straight sided section at or near the base of the body.

The present invention also extends to the combination of the stand and the mortar board.

Embodiments of the invention will now be described solely by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 shows a known brick stand for a mortar board; Figure 2 shows a known trestle stand for a mortar board; Figure 3 shows a first stand of the present invention and in use supporting a mortar board; Figure 4 is an underneath perspective view of the stand as shown in Figure 3; Figure 5 shows a plurality of the stands shown in Figure 3 stacked together; Figure 6 is an exploded view of a second stand of the present invention; Figure 7 is a perspective view from above of an intermediate member forming part of the stand shown in Figure 6; and Figure 8 is a perspective view from below of the stand shown in Figure 6.

Referring to Figure 1, there is shown a stand 2 for a mortar board 4 and for use by a bricklayer 6. In Figure 1, the mortar board 4 is shown with mortar 8. The bricklayer 6 is shown bending in order to obtain some of the mortar 8 on a trowel 10. The stand 2 is made by two spaced apart bricks or blocks 12 and it is thus low in height. The bricklayer 6 is required to bend in order to obtain the mortar 8. The bricklayer 6 is required to bend during the entire working day and this repeated bending may eventually cause the bricklayer to develop back problems.

Figure 2 shows a stand 14 which is an alternative to the stand 2. The stand 14 is a trestle stand 14 comprising a frame 16 which is comprised of two sections 18, 20 which fold together. The sections 18, 20 are prevented from being open too far by restraining chains 22. The frame 16 is provided with a plastics support 24. The frame 16 is inconvenient to place on scaffolding platforms. An average house build may require twelve stands for mortar boards per scaffold lift. In addition, the stand 14 is not able to be stacked on other stands. This means that the stand 14 is likely to occupy too much space for storage and transportation. In addition, the support 24 may crack or break in use.

Referring now to Figures 3 and 4, there is shown a stand 26 of the present invention. The stand 26 is for a mortar board 28 for use by a bricklayer 30. The stand 26 comprises a body 32 which has a base 34 and a top 36.

The stand 26 is such that the body 32 is a tubular body. The body 32 tapers inwardly from the base 34 towards the top 36. The base 34 is open so that the stand 26 is able to be stacked on top of other stands of the same construction.

The top 36 is configured to receive the mortar board 28 and enable the bricklayer 30 to use the mortar board 28 during use of the stand 26. The body 32 is configured to be rigid enough to enable the stand 26 to be used repeatedly as a stand for the mortar board 28 and not to fail under the weight of mortar 38 as required by the bricklayer 30 during use of the stand 26.

The base 34 is of a size which does not prevent use as required by the bricklayer 30 during use of the stand 26 on scaffolding comprising a scaffolding platform 40. The body 32 is of a height which provides the bricklayer 30 which convenience of height for accessing mortar 38 on the mortar board 28.

S

As can be seen from Figure 3, the scaffolding platform 40 comprises scaffolding boards 42 mounted on scaffolding poles 44. For ease of illustration, the scaffolding has been shown with just two of the scaffolding poles 44.

The body 32 is a circular tubular body 32. The base is 650 -685mm in diameter and is preferably 680mm in diameter. The body is 700 -750mm in height and is preferably 700mm in height. The size of the body 32 thus enables the stand 26 to be placed on the scaffolding platform 40 such that it does not prevent use as required by the bricklayer 30 during use of the stand 26 on the scaffolding platform 40. More specifically, the bricklayer 30 will typically place the stand 26 towards the edge 46 of the scaffolding platform 40 farthest from the wall 48 being constructed. This leaves sufficient space 50 between the wall 48 and the stand 26 for the bricklayer 30 to walk and work as required.

The body 32 has an outer surface which is configured to provide the body 32 with strength, and which is also such as to enable the body 32 to be moulded in manufacture. More specifically, the outer surface of the body 32 is provided with grooved sections 52 between non-grooved sections 54. The inner surface of the body 32 may be plain to facilitate stacking of the stands 26 together, or it may be a mirror image of the outer surface As shown in Figure 5, the top 36 comprises a plurality of apertures 56. The apertures 56 are for reducing the weight of the body 32. This reduced weight can be advantageous in moving a plurality of the stacked stands 26, for example as shown in Figure 5. The apertures 56 extend at least around the periphery of the top 36 as shown in Figure 5. There is also a central aperture 56 in the middle of the top 36.

As shown in Figures 3, 4 and 5, the stand 26 is such that the body 32 has handle apertures 58. The handle apertures 58 may be of use for removing individual stands 26 from a stack of the stands 26. In an optional embodiment of the invention, the handle apertures 58 may receive fabric material carrying handles (not shown). If desired, the shape of the handle apertures 58 may be altered from the shape shown, for example in dependence upon the shape of the fabric material carrying handles.

Referring now to Figures 6 -8, there is shown a second stand 60 of the present invention. Similar parts as in the stand 26 have been given the same reference numerals for ease of comparison and understanding. The stand 60 comprises the stand 26 and it is for use with a mortar board 62. The stand 60 additionally comprises an intermediate member 64. The intermediate member 64 is fixed to the mortar board 62 by screws 65, washers 67 and nuts 69. The underside of the intermediate member 64 is configured to attach to the stand 26. Figure 7 shows how the intermediate member 64 comprises three circular formations 68 and locating lugs 70. The locating lugs 70 locate in the ends of the grooved sections 52 adjacent the top 36 of the stand 26.

It is to be appreciated that the embodiments of the invention described above with reference to the accompanying drawings have been given by way of example only and that modifications may be effected. Thus, for example, the body 32 could be a flat sided tapered tubular body instead of the circular tubular body 32 shown in the drawings. The body 32 has a base 34 which is open to enable the stacking and which is defined by a rim 72. Other constructions for the rim 72 may be employed. Other strengthening constructions than the grooved sections 52 and the non-grooved sections 54 may be employed. The stands 26, 60 are preferably made of high density polyethylene or from polypropylene but other plastics materials may be employed. The handle apertures 58 may be omitted. Individual components shown in the drawings are not limited to use in their drawings and they may be used in other drawings and in all aspects of the invention. The invention also extends to the individual components mentioned and/or shown above, taken singly or in any combination.

Claims

CLAIMSA stand for a mortar board and for use by a bricklayer, which stand comprises a body which has a base and a top, and wherein: (i) the body is a tubular body; (ii) the body tapers inwardly from the base towards the top; (iii) the base is open so that the stand is a stackable stand which is able to be stacked on top of other stands of the same construction; (iv) the top is configured to receive the mortar board and enable the bricklayer to use the mortar board during use of the stand; (v) the body is configured to be rigid enough to enable the stand to be used repeatedly as a stand for the mortar board and not to fail under the weight of mortar on the mortar board as required by the bricklayer during use of the stand; (vi) the base is of a size which does not prevent use as required by the bricklayer during use of the stand on a scaffolding platform; and (vii) the body is of a height which provides the bricklayer with convenience of height for accessing mortar on the mortar board.
A stand according to claim 1 in which the body is a circular tubular body.
A stand according to claim 1 or claim 2 in which the base is 650-685mm in diameter.
4. A stand according to claim 3 in which the base is 680mm in diameter.
5. A stand according to any one of the preceding claims in which the body is 700-750mm in height.
A stand according to claim 5 in which the body is 700mm in height.
7. A stand according to any one of the preceding claims in which the body has an outer surface which is configured to provide the body with strength, and which is also such as to enable the body to be moulded in manufacture.
A stand according to claim 7 in which the outer surface of the body is provided with grooved sections between non-grooved sections.
A stand according to any one of the preceding claims in which the top comprises a plurality of apertures for reducing the weight of the body.
10. A stand according to claim 9 in which the apertures extend at least around the periphery of the top. In
11. A stand according to any one of the preceding claims in which the body has handle apertures
12. A stand according to any one of the preceding claims and including an intermediate member for fixing to the top and for receiving the mortar board.
13. A stand according to claim 12 in which the intermediate member is configured to be a push fit on the top, and such that the intermediate member does not move on the top during use of the stand by the bricklayer.
14. A stand according to any one of the preceding claims in which the intermediate member is configured to receive the mortar board such that the mortar board is simply placed on the intermediate member and is not fastened in position.
15. A stand according to any one of claims 1 -13 in which the intermediate member is configured to receive the mortar board such that the mortar board is placed on the intermediate member and is then fastened in position.
16. A stand according to any one of the preceding claims and which is made of a plastics material.
17. A stand according to any one of the preceding claims and including the mortar board.