US20140345231A1

US20140345231A1 - Bricklaying Assistive Device

Info

Publication number: US20140345231A1
Application number: US14/258,813
Authority: US
Inventors: Thomas S. Oates
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2013-04-22
Filing date: 2014-04-22
Publication date: 2014-11-27

Abstract

A bricklaying assistive device for positioning bricks in a straight and level manner with a dead man pole is provided. The bricklaying assistive device comprises a brick leveler arm and a gripping area formed in the brick leveler arm. The gripping area is sized and shaped for receiving at least a portion of the dead man pole. A securing mechanism releasably secures the dead man pole within the gripping area. Upon securing the dead man pole within the gripping area, bricks are positionable against the brick leveler arm allowing positioning of the bricks in a straight and level manner.

Description

The present application claims the benefit of priority of pending provisional patent application Ser. No. 61/814,365, filed on Apr. 22, 2013, entitled “Bricklaying Assistive Device”.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates generally to a bricklaying assistive device and, more particularly, the invention relates to a bricklaying assistive device providing a line of augmented “dead man” aligning poles and accompanying bracing materials that ensure proper, accurate alignment of brick walls and corners with only one pair of hands.
2. Description of the Prior Art
One of the more important tools used by bricklayers is a pole to assist in properly locating and aligning courses of brick. Used for many years by professionals, these poles are referred in the trade as “dead men,” likely deriving the name from the fact that the pole is an inanimate object that takes the place of a living man on the job. Existing “dead men” provide attachments for the top and bottom of the pole which are accurate and detailed in how the pole may be adjusted to be plumb with the wall of brick. However, in laying a course of brick or building a wall the pole must be plumb in all directions. Unfortunately, current designs of dead men poles can be so complicated that the operation requires four hands and, as such, negates the “dead man” moniker. Professional bricklayers would readily attest to the need in the industry for a simpler mechanism that facilitates locating a dead man pole that is plumb with respect to the wall while also being easily mounted and managed by a single individual.

SUMMARY

The present invention is a bricklaying assistive device for positioning bricks in a straight and level manner with a dead man pole. The bricklaying assistive device comprises a brick leveler arm and a gripping area formed in the brick leveler arm. The gripping area is sized and shaped for receiving at least a portion of the dead man pole. A securing mechanism releasably secures the dead man pole within the gripping area. Upon securing the dead man pole within the gripping area, bricks are positionable against the brick leveler arm allowing positioning of the bricks in a straight and level manner. In addition, the present invention includes a method for positioning bricks in a straight and level manner with a dead man pole. The method comprises providing a brick leveler arm, forming a gripping area in the brick leveler arm, sizing and shaping the gripping area for receiving at least a portion of the dead man pole, releasably securing the dead man pole within the gripping area, positioning bricks against the brick leveler, and positioning the bricks in a straight and level manner.
The present invention further includes a bricklaying assistive device for positioning bricks in a straight and level manner with a dead man pole. The bricklaying assistive device comprises a brick leveler arm and a U-shaped gripping area formed in the brick leveler arm. The gripping area is sized and shaped for receiving at least a portion of the dead man pole. A screw extends into the gripping area for releasably securing the dead man pole within the gripping area. Upon securing the dead man pole within the gripping area, bricks are positionable against the brick leveler arm allowing positioning of the bricks in a straight and level manner.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a bricklaying assistive device, constructed in accordance with the present invention, having a line hole;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating the bricklaying assistive device of FIG. 1, constructed in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a top plan view illustrating the bricklaying assistive device of FIG. 1, constructed in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 4 is perspective view illustrating another embodiment of the bricklaying assistive device, constructed in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a top plan view illustrating the bricklaying assistive device of FIG. 4, constructed in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view illustrating still another embodiment of the bricklaying assistive device, constructed in accordance with the present invention, having a dead man corner line holder for two or more brick walls;

FIG. 7 is another perspective view illustrating the bricklaying assistive device of FIG. 6, constructed in accordance with the present invention, having a dead man corner line holder for two or more brick walls;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view illustrating yet another embodiment of the bricklaying-assistive device, constructed in accordance with the present invention, providing a temporary dead man pole holder;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view illustrating still yet another embodiment of the bricklaying assistive device, constructed in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view illustrating another embodiment of the bricklaying assistive device, constructed in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view illustrating still another embodiment of the bricklaying assistive device, constructed in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 12 is a perspective view illustrating yet another embodiment of the bricklaying assistive device, constructed in accordance with the present invention, having a dead man pole holder at bottom when no return brick wall; and

FIG. 13 is a side elevational view of a screw of the bricklaying assistive device, constructed in accordance with the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

As illustrated in FIGS. 1-13, the present invention is a bricklaying assistive device, indicated generally at 10, providing a line of augmented “dead man” aligning poles and accompanying bracing materials that ensure proper, accurate alignment of brick walls and corners with only one pair of hands. The bricklaying assistive device 10 of the present invention is a handy, straight-lined bracing arm 12 with a vice grip 14 coupled with an industry-appropriate dead man pole 16 helping to achieve flawless brick placement and alignment with each use and creating sharp, even corners and perfectly straight brick lines while also providing hands-free, secure support for holding the dead man pole 16 in place.
As stated above, the bricklaying assistive device 10 of the present invention has a primary bracing arm 12 having an elongated vice grip apparatus 14. As illustrated herein, the bricklaying assistive device 10 has many different embodiments in order to anticipate the needs of the bricklaying professional. However, common to all embodiments is a straight line bracing arm 12 with a vice grip apparatus 14 for releasably securing a dead man pole 16. Preferably, the bricklaying assistive device 10 is constructed from a durable steel material although constructing the bricklaying assistive device 10 from other durable materials is within the scope of the present invention. The bricklaying assistive device 10 of the present invention features a straight-edged brick level 12 integrally attached to a U-shaped gripping section 14 for releasably securing the dead man pole 16. In an embodiment, the leveler measures a total of approximately fourteen inches (14″) in length and one quarter of an inch (¼″) in width. The vice grip 14 preferably extends downward from the lever section four and one half inches (4½″), and offers an initial width of one and nine sixteenths inches ( 9/16″) in the opening. To facilitate security of a dead man pole 16 within this opening, the section features a hand-operated, five-sixteenths ( 5/16″) screw device 18. Furthermore, the bricklaying assistive device 10 can include a line holder 20 for receiving and holding an alignment line to assist in laying the bricks.
The dead man pole component 16 of the bricklaying assistive device 10 is a square shaped tube, also made of durable steel, that offers dimensions of one and one half inches (1½″) in width and depth and eight feet (8′) in length. These dimensions provide copious support for both vertical and horizontal alignment. Additionally, a pair of double-headed nails 24 are evenly spaced apart at the distal end of the stem level; such nails in dead man assemblies are typically designed to be nailed to the upper part of a construction wall, and often include a transversely projecting extension mounted near the top of the dead man pole 16. In this manner, the nail bar can swing circumferentially through an angle of 360° in a plane perpendicular to the axis of the bar and can also be adjusted radially with respect to said axis.
The bricklaying assistive device 10 of the present invention provides professional bricklayers a number of important benefits and advantages. Foremost, this collection of alignment tools offers an easy and expedient means of ensuring optimal plumb when laying bricks at corners and along the bases and upper reaches of both brick veneer and solid masonry. A handy, straight-lined bracing arm 12 with vice grip 14 coupled with an industry-appropriate dead man pole 16, the bricklaying assistive device 10 achieves flawless brick placement and alignment with each use. Eliminating the need for an extra pair of hands for this purpose, the bricklaying assistive device 10 allows just one worker to create sharp, even corners and perfectly straight brick lines while also providing hands-free, secure support for holding the pole in place. In this manner, the bricklaying assistive device 10 sets the pace for more bricks laid per hour. Not only do these tools ease the burden of the professional, they also help save clients many dollars in increased labor costs. As a result, those who contract for brick work certainly appreciate any brick mason who employs the bricklaying assistive device 10, and will contact these professionals for future job while recommending their work to friends and associates. In sum, the present invention is a bricklaying assistive device 10 for positioning bricks in a straight and level manner with a dead man pole 16. The bricklaying assistive device 10 comprises a brick leveler arm 12 and a gripping area 14 formed in the brick leveler arm 12. The gripping area 14 is sized and shaped for receiving at least a portion of the dead man pole 16. A securing mechanism 18 releasably secures the dead man pole 16 within the gripping area 14. Upon securing the dead man pole 16 within the gripping area 14, bricks are positionable against the brick leveler arm 12 allowing positioning of the bricks in a straight and level manner.
In an embodiment of the bricklaying assistive device 10 of the present invention, the gripping area 14 is a U-shaped area formed directly adjacent the brick leveler arm 12. The brick leveler arm 12 can be one arm of the U-shaped gripping area and one arm of the U-shaped gripping area 14 can extend beyond the leveler arm 12 allowing positioning of a brick beyond the brick leveler arm 12 against the extended arm. In addition, the brick leveler arm 12 can offset from the gripping area 14.
The bricklaying assistive device 10 of the present invention can include a first line holder 20 mounted to the gripping area 14 and a second line holder 22 mounted to the gripping area 14. In an embodiment, the first line holder 20 is positioned substantially perpendicular to the second line holder 22. With the bricklaying assistive device, the securing means can be a screw 18 tightenable into the gripping area 14 against the dead man pole 16. A pair of double-headed nails 24 can extend through the brick leveler arm 12 and secured to a construction wall providing temporary placement of the bricklaying assistive device 10. The size of the gripping area 14 can be adjustable to accommodate various sized dead man poles 16.
In another embodiment, the bricklaying assistive device 10 of the present invention has the gripping area 14 formed within the brick leveler arm 12 such that upon positioning the dead man pole 16 within the gripping area 14, the securing means releasably secures the dead man pole 16 against a brick. Also, the length of the brick leveler arm 12 can be adjustable.
The bricklaying assistive device 10 of the present invention will conceivably revolutionize the brick masonry industry as it is currently known. User-friendly tools, the bricklaying assistive device 10 helps professionals ensure quality work with every job. The foregoing exemplary descriptions and the illustrative preferred embodiments of the present invention have been explained in the drawings and described in detail, with varying modifications and alternative embodiments being taught. While the invention has been so shown, described and illustrated, it should be understood by those skilled in the art that equivalent changes in form and detail may be made therein without departing from the true spirit and scope of the invention, and that the scope of the present invention is to be limited only to the claims except as precluded by the prior art. Moreover, the invention as disclosed herein may be suitably practiced in the absence of the specific elements which are disclosed herein.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A bricklaying assistive device for positioning bricks in a straight and level manner with a dead man pole, the bricklaying assistive device comprising:

a brick leveler arm; and

a gripping area formed in the brick leveler arm, the gripping area sized and shaped for receiving at least a portion of the dead man pole;

securing means for releasably securing the dead man pole within the gripping area;

wherein upon securing the dead man pole within the gripping area, bricks are positionable against the brick leveler arm allowing positioning of the bricks in a straight and level manner.

2. The bricklaying assistive device of claim 1 wherein the gripping area is a U-shaped area formed directly adjacent the brick leveler arm.

3. The bricklaying assistive device of claim 2 wherein the brick leveler arm is one arm of the U-shaped gripping area.

4. The bricklaying assistive device of claim 2 wherein one arm of the U-shaped gripping area extends beyond the leveler arm allowing positioning of a brick beyond the brick leveler arm against the extended arm.

5. The bricklaying assistive device of claim 1 wherein the brick leveler arm is offset from the gripping area.

6. The bricklaying assistive device of claim 1 and further comprising:

a first line holder mounted to the gripping area.

7. The bricklaying assistive device of claim 6 and further comprising:

a second line holder mounted to the gripping area.

8. The bricklaying assistive device of claim 7 wherein the first line holder is positioned substantially perpendicular to the second line holder.

9. The bricklaying assistive device of claim 1 wherein the securing means is a screw tightenable into the gripping area against the dead man pole.

10. The bricklaying assistive device of claim 1 and further comprising:

a pair of double-headed nails extending through the brick leveler arm and securable to a construction wall providing temporary placement of the bricklaying assistive device.

11. The bricklaying assistive device of claim 1 wherein the size of the gripping area is adjustable to accommodate various sized dead man poles.

12. The bricklaying assistive device of claim 1 wherein the gripping area is formed within the brick leveler arm such that upon positioning the dead man pole within the gripping area, the securing means releasably secures the dead man pole against a brick.

13. The bricklaying assistive device of claim 1 wherein the length of the brick leveler arm is adjustable.

14. A method for positioning bricks in a straight and level manner with a dead man pole, the method comprising:

providing a brick leveler arm;

forming a gripping area in the brick leveler arm;

sizing and shaping the gripping area for receiving at least a portion of the dead man pole;

releasably securing the dead man pole within the gripping area;

positioning bricks against the brick leveler; and

positioning the bricks in a straight and level manner.

15. A bricklaying assistive device for positioning bricks in a straight and level manner with a dead man pole, the bricklaying assistive device comprising:

a brick leveler arm; and

a U-shaped gripping area formed in the brick leveler arm, the gripping area sized and shaped for receiving at least a portion of the dead man pole;

a screw extending into the gripping area for releasably securing the dead man pole within the gripping area;

16. The bricklaying assistive device of claim 15 wherein the leveler arm is one arm of the U-shaped gripping area.

17. The bricklaying assistive device of claim 15 wherein one arm of the U-shaped gripping area extends beyond the leveler arm allowing positioning of a brick beyond the brick leveler arm against the extended arm.

18. The bricklaying assistive device of claim 1 and further comprising:

a first line holder mounted to the gripping area.

19. The bricklaying assistive device of claim 18 and further comprising:

a second line holder mounted to the gripping area;

wherein the first line holder is positioned substantially perpendicular to the second line holder.

20. The bricklaying assistive device of claim 15 and further comprising: