US2143237A - Masonry guide - Google Patents

Description

i Jam,- 10, 1939 l w. s. BY'RNES 2,143,237 MAsoNRY GUIDE Filed Feb. 25, 1938 Z4 INVENTOR l BY ATTCRN E Patented Jan. 10, 1939 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 13 Claims.

This invention" relates to masonry guides, and

more particularly, to a bricklayers guide for in` suring thel accurate erection of a corner of a masonry structure. v

The erection of an accurate corner of a structure composed of bricks or the like is diflicult and tedious. The corners must be built up carefully to insure that the same are accurately projected vertically. The corners are used as leads for the later erected walls of the structure so that an inaccurate corner will result in misalignment or pitching of the walls. The production of a true corner, therefore, requires the skill of an experienced mason or -bricklayer who commands a considerable remuneration for his services.

The mason or bricklayer must frequently plumb the corner to ascertain the proper position of the bricks to be used in each -course in building up the corner. It is not only necessary to rst determine the proper position of the bricks, but,`

the workman must also verify the accuracy of his work after the bricks have beeen placed before continuing with the construction work.

This frequent plumbing ot the corner results in a considerable loss of time, and, as a consequence, the construction cost of buildings and other masonry structures are materially increased. y

The herein disclosed invention obviates this considerable loss of time in that, through the use of the invention, the need of the such frequent plumbing, as was heretofore necessary to insure the accurte construction of the corners, is obviated.

, Devices have been heretofore proposed which attempted to remove the necessity of the frequent use of plumbing instruments for ascertaining the accuracy of the vertical projection of a corner. There has always been present, however, the diiiiculty of supporting theseprior devices on the corner in such a way that the workmen could sight the corner without interference by the device or the support therefor and, yet, provide a device which is stable when mounted for use.

This difficulty is obviated in the present invention by the provisiln of improved means for supporting the device on the corner of the structure being erected. 'I'he device of the present invention, when mounted for use, is extremely stable and yet the supporting means are so constructed that the mason has an unobstructed view of the corner whereby he can readily align the gauge rod with the previously laid courses so that it will have the proper vertical disposition. With the device of this invention, the supporting means are so disposed that the bicklayer may place his level anywhere on the wall. even close to the corner, in the usual way when laying course after course.

Another difficulty with the bricklayers guides, heretofore proposed, is that care and considerable judgment was required in positioning and adjusting the device so that an appreciable amount of time was consumed by the workmen each time the device was positioned and* adjusted during the course of work.

This difficulty specifically consisted in the fact that the gauge rods of the prior devices were permanently secured to the base or supporting member so that, to adjust or plumb the vertical gauge member, it was necessary to shift the base member. This repositioning of the base not only resulted in a considerable loss of time but damaged as weil the mortar forming the joint between the successive courses of bricks in which it was inserted.

- This difficulty is avoided in the present invention by providing an improved means for conveniently positioning and supporting the device for use, and in the further provision of improved means for easily and quickly moving the gauge rod to the desired adjusted position. The gauge rod of the present invention, is pivotally secured to the base member and novel adjusting means are so provided that thegauge rod may be adjusted without disturbing or repositioning the supporting member after it has been initially posltioned in the mortar joint.

The improved means employed for adjusting the gauge rod are so constructed that they cannot be disarranged by jarring or jolting, which might be caused by workmen accidentally striking the adjusting means, but must be manually operated. With this novel construction, the improved means. once adjusted, will remain in the desired position and thereby prevent accidental movement of the gauge rod until positively moved by manual operation of the adjusting means.

Further, the improved adjusting means of the present invention are such that very small controlled movements may be imparted to the gauge rod whereby very accurate and precise adjustments may be had.

Another very serious diilculty existed in the Y in their intended function. If the mortar was not immediately removed by the mason, the devices would then necessarily have to be cleaned after a comparatively short use by a long an'd laborious process. A bricklayer would have to have at his disposal, therefore, several of the prior devices if he desired to complete the con-l struction work without interruption.

This diflculty is avoided 'in the present invention as novel means have been provided which eliminates the danger of the device becoming inoperative byreason of mortar accidentally falling on andk adhering t6 the relatively movable elements of the device as well as in the provision offurther novel means for automatically removing mortar which might adhere to working parts of the device, which, if not removed therefrom, would render such partsinoperative. This permits a mason to complete the Work without the frequent cessation of his work to clean the device before the mortar can set and harden thereon.

Further, according to the present invention, the gauge rod may be so adjusted that it can be set at any desired angle to the true perpendicular as, for example, when the device is used to gauge a tapering wall such as a chimney or similar structure.

Other features and advantages will hereinafter appear.

In the accompanying drawing:

Figure 1 is a perspective view ofA the device mounted for use on the corner of a masonry structure.

Fig. 2 israr top elevational view of the device.

Fig. 3 is a side elevational View, partly broken away, to illustrate the means by which the gauge rod is universally mounted on the base.

Fig. 4 is a sectional view, partly in elevation, illustrating the means for adjusting the brace rods.

In the preferred form of the guide, a base I0, having meanstherewith for mounting the guide on thel masonry for use, supports a vertically disposed gauge rod II which kis universally mounted thereon and having associated therewith adjustable `brace rods pivotally connected t'o the base and the gauge rod II respectively,

whereby the rod may be adjusted relative tosaid,

base.

The base I0 supports the vertically disposed gauge rod which is mounted thereon by means 'of an improved pivotal connection I3.

a universal pivotal movement with respect to' the base I0 The ball I5 may be mounted on the lower end of a pin II. The pin I1 is provided at an end thereof with threads adapted to engage threads formed interiorly of the ball I5. The pin is re- "ceived in and pro-jects through a suitable aperture I8, provided in the-spherical upper surface of the housing I4. The end of the pin opposite the threads is secured to the lower end of the gauge the gauge rod with respect to the base I0 islimited by movement of the pin I`I in the aperture' I8, the same, preferably, should be of. sufficient size to allo'w the gauge rod considerable movement. The large opening is necessary, as will be understood, to insure that the device can be adapted for use in the erection of walls having a considerable taper when the rod in the desired adjusted position would be set at an abnormal angle to the perpendicular.

The housing I4 may be secured to the base IIJ by any suitable means, but, preferably as shown in Fig. 3, is secured thereto by means of a threaded stud I9. The threads-of the stud I9 are adapted to engage internal threads ofthe housing I4 formed adjacent the end opposite the upper ball-receiving portion thereof. The stud I9 islprovided with a shank 20 which is received Cil in and projects through a suitable aperture provided in the base IIJ. The projecting portion of the shank can be peened over to form a retaining head 21| and securely holds the housing to the base.

To prevent mortar and other foreign matter from entering through the aperture- I8 and lodging within the housing I d, a guard is positioned to screen the aperture I 8,under all adjusted positions of the gauge rod II. The guard, as will be understood, in preventing entry of mortar land other matter intothe housing, insures that the operativeness of the pivotal connection I3 will never be impaired.

The guard, as herein disclosed, may comprise an arcuate plate 22 carried by the pin I'I and so disposed that the underneath concave surface thereof slidably engages the convex surface of the housing I4. 'I'he plate 22 is of sufficient size to screen the aperture I8 regardless of the position of the gauge rod II.

The marginal edges of the plate 22 may be formed as knife edges which, as will be seen, will effectively remove any mortar which may adhere to the upper surface of the housing It during the course of the work and which, if not removed, would prevent` the gauge rod from being moved throughout it`s entire range of movement.

The gauge rod Il, preferably, comprises an elongate rod of rectangular cross-section, and, as clearly *shown in Fig. 3, is laterally offset adjacent the lower extremity thereof. This formation places the vertical media line of the rod slightly forward of the pivotal connection I3, so that the connection will not obstruct or interfere with the alignment of the gauge rod with the corner when the device has been mounted thereon.

The faces of the rod II are so disposed'with re` spect to the base I0 that a sharp and well-defined forward edge is presented adjacent the corner to form a Working lead therefor as the same is built up.

'I'he gauge l rod II, preferably, is braced by means of the extensible rods 23. It will be seen,

l n referring now to Fig2, that the base Ill includes of the gauge rod II, as hereinfshown, byA means a pair of normally disposed arms 24 provided at the outer ends' thereof with struck up lugs or fingers 25. The lower ends of the brace rods 23 are pivotally secured to the lugs 25 by means of pins 26. The opposite end of each brace rod 23 is secured to contiguous faces of the gauge rod II by means of suitable pivot pins 2I.

Each brace rod 23, as shown referring now to Figs. 3 and 4, comprises an upperand lower rod segment. the adjacent ends of which are provided with oppositely pitched threads 28. The adjacent threaded ends of the rod segments are coupled together by an adjusting sleeve 29 provided with oppositely pitched internal threads adapted to engage the threads 28 of the rod segments. Due to the opposite pitch of the threads 28 ofthe rod segments as well as the matching threads of the sleeve 29, each brace rod 23 can be easily and quickly extended or retracted by rotation of its adjusting sleeve 29.

The gauge rod Il, as now will be understood, can be moved to any desired adjusted position without the necessity of movably adjusting the ba'se I8 by simply rotating the sleeve 29 in either direction according tothe adjustment desired. It should be noted that the gauge rod is not only adjusted by means of the brace rods 23 and sleeves 29 but is also confined in an adjusted position by the same means. The rod further will not be easily thrown out of alignment due to objects accidentally striking the brace rods as the rods are eifective'to move the gauge rod only when the sleeves 29 are manually rotated.

To facilitate manual adjustment of the rods 23, the sleeves 29 may-be provided with enlarged central portions, the. outer surface 38 of which is suitably knurled as shown in Fig. 3.

Any mortar which might, during the course of the work, adhere to the threads 28 of the rod segments can be easily removed by rotation of the sleeve 29, as the threads thereof will cut and remove the mortar in a manner similar to the cutters of a threading die operating on a workpiece. 4

To mount the device for use, referring now to Fig. 2 of the drawing, the base I0 is provided with a projecting tongue 38 which is `adapted to be inserted in the mortar between successive courses of bricks. The tongue 38 is joined to the base lil by means of a narrow integral strap 3l. The tongue preferably is of such size so as to afford a considerable supporting or bearing area which makes for a stable support for the device when mounted for use on the masonry. The tongue, as shown in Fig. 3, is wedge-shaped in crosssection so that when the same is inserted into the mortar between the courses of bricks a Wedging action therebetween is provided which action tends to augment the stability of the device, as

well as to securely retain the tongue in the mortar joint.

To facilitate the insertion of the 'tongue 3U in the mortar joint, the tongue may be provided with knife edges 32, as best. shown in Fig. 2.

An arm 33 disposed intermediate the arms 25 which comprises a rearward continuation of the strap 3l provides a head which may be struck by a suitable tool such as a hammer to drive the wedge-shaped tongue between the courses of bricks. 'I'he arm 33 may be reinforced by means of a plate 38 secured thereto by any suitable means such as rivets 35. as shown. The plate is so disposed that the forward edge thereoflies directly beneath the vertical lead defined on the inner edge of the gauge rod Il when the gauge rod has been plumbed. The forward face 36 of the reinforcing plate 3l, therefore, serves as a stop means 4for limiting movement` and correctly positioning the device onV the corner when the tongue 38 is driven into the mortar yjoint.

In use, after several courses of bricks used in building up the corner have been laid and which ment, the device is mounted on the corner by forcing tongue 38 between successive courses of the,previously laid bricks until the face 36 contacts the corner of the wall.

With the device now mounted on the corner, the bricklayer may plumb his gauge rod by align- 4 ment with the courses completed as well as with any `conventional plumbing tool. As the gauge rod is bent rearwardly adjacent the connection I3 and the tongue 30 is completely inserted in the mortar joint, the bricklayer is afforded an unobstructed view of the corner so that he may, without interference, by the device or supporting means, sight the corner and align the gauge `ference by the device. The device is so disposed l when properly positioned, that substantially the entire device lies free of the corner so that the bricklayer may place his level at any point along the wall, and as clearly shown in Fig. 2, may even, if desired, place the level at the very corner.

'I'he provision of the extensible brace rods 23 permits the workman to make whatever adjustments are necessary, to align or plumb the gauge rod Il by simply grasping the sleeves 29 and rotating them to set the gauge rod at the desired position without shifting the tongue 30. As the rod Il is positively moved relative to the base I0 by means of the action of the oppositely pitched threads 28 during rotation of the sleeves 29, itis possible to obtain very concise and accurate movements of the gauge rod.

The gauge rod Il is substantially rectangular in cross-section and so disposed with respect to the base l0 that an edge formed by contiguous faces thereof is presented adjacent the corner of the wall when the device has been positioned on the masonry. This edge insures a very sharply defined vertical lead for laying up the remainder of the corner. The edge of the gauge rod is parallel and in contact with the very corner of th'e wall and the bricklayer may, without the frequent use of plumbing tools, accurately and quickly complete the corner. The corner is built up until the top of the gauge rod is reached, after which the device is removed and the mortar joint in which coniinement of the tongue was had is pointed or lled by the bricklayer. The tongue is then inserted in a mortar joint several courses below the top of the then completed wall and the gauge rod again adjusted, as described above.'

Variations and modications may be made within the scope of this invention and portions of the improvements may be used without others.

I claim:

1. In a device of the type described, a base including means for mounting the device for use; a vertical gauge rod; a socket secured to the base;

a ball carried by said gauge rod andadapted to be received within said socket.; guard means associated with said socket to prevent entry of foreign material therein; brace members having the ends thereof pivotally secured to said base and gauge rod respectively; and means carried by said brace members whereby said gauge rod may be adjusted relative to said base. v

2. In a device of the type described, a base including a tongue for insertion vat a joint in a masonry structure; a vertical gauge rod; means for pivotally supporting said gauge rod on said base, said means including a ball-and-socket joint; and means including extensible brace rods for adjusting said gauge rod with respect to s'a`id base.

3. In a device of the type described, a base;

l a vertical gauge rod; means pivotally supporting the gauge rod on said base; and means for sup= porting said device on a' masonry structure at the corner thereof, said means comprising a :dat wedge-shaped tongue' formed integral with said base, and adapted to be wedged between successive courses of bricks, the tongue having edges formed to the true angle of the corner whereby the device can be mounted in true alignment with the corner.

5. In a device of the type described, a base; a vertical gauge rod; means including a ball-andsocket joint for pivotally supporting the gauge rod on said base; guard means carried by the gauge rod and associated with said socket to prevent entry of foreign matter therein, said guard provided with knife edges: and means for supporting said device for use, said means comprising a fiat wedge-shaped tongue formed integral with said base, and adapted to be wedged between two successive courses of bricks.

6. In a device f the typev described, a base; a 'vertical gauge rod; means for pivotally supporting the gauge rod on said base; means for supporting said device on a masonry' wall at the corner thereof, said means including a flat relatively thin tongue separated from said base by a narrow strap, said tongue adapted tobe inserted between successive courses of bricks; and rearwardlyfdisposed means for receiving impact blows to vfacilitate the insertion of said tongue.

'7. In a device of the type described, a thin base including a projecting tongue for' insertion in a mortar joint; means secured to the base to extend over a portion thereof to reinforce the same and form a stop for limiting` the insertion of the projecting tongue; a vertically disposed gauge rod having an end thereof laterally offset; means for pivotally mounting said offset end to the base; and means including extensible brace rods for adjusting said gauge rod relative to said base.

8. In a device of the type described, a base including a projecting tongue for insertion in a mortar joint; a vertically disposed gauge rod having an end thereof laterally offset; a ball secured to said offset end; a socket carried by said base and adapted to receive said ball; brace rods having the ends thereof pivotally secured to said 'base and gauge rod respectively; and means carried by said brace rods for adjusting said gauge rod relative to said base.

9. In a device of the type described, a base includinga tongue for insertion into the green mortar of a partially laid corner in a masonry structure, the projecting portion of the base being connected to the tongue by a, narrow neck; stop means carried by said base for limiting movement of the tongue when the same is inserted at said corner to properly space the projecting portion of the base from the corner; a vertical gauge rod; means for pivotally supporting said gauge rod on said base and means including extensible brace rods connected to the base for adjusting said gauge rod with respect to said base to align it with the previous courses of the partially laid corner.

10. In a device of the type described, a base including a tongue for insertion at a joint in the corner of a masonry structure; stop means carried by said base for limiting movement of the tongue when the saine is inserted at said joint; a vertically disposed gauge rod having a guiding edge thereon to be placed in engagement with the corner of the masonry structure; means for adjustably mounting the gauge rod on the base; and means including extensible brace rods whereby the vertical position of said gauge rod can be adjusted, the base having sides disposed with an angle of at least with respect to the adjacent wall of the masonry structure.

11. In a device of the typ-e described, a base; a vertically disposed gauge rod having an end thereof laterally oifset; a ball secured to said cifset end; a socket carried by said base, said ball being adapted to be received by said socket; guard means carried by the gauge rod to prevent entry of foreign matter within said socket; means for mounting said device on a masonry structure, said means including a` flat wedge-shaped tongue secured to said baseby a narrow strap, said tongue adapted to be inserted between successive courses of bricks; and stop means carried by said base for limiting movement of the tongue when the same is inserted between said courses.

12. In a device of the type described, la base; a vertical gauge rod; means pivotally supporting the gauge rod' on said base; and means for supporting said device for use, said means comprising a tongue connected tothe base by a reduced neck portion and adapted to be insertedfin a mortar joint of the masonry, the base being spaced from the wall by the neck portion, whereby the wall can be plumbed without interference by the base of the device.

13. In a device of the typedescribed, a base; means for mounting the device on a masonry wall at the corner thereof including a narrow strap projecting from the corner of the wall and connected to the base; a vertical gauge rod pivotally mounted on the base and having a guiding edge adapted to be positioned in engagement with the corner of the wall; and adjustable brace members for positioning the rod having the ends thereof connected to the gauge rod and to thebase at a point away from the wall and outwardlyy of the mounting for the gauge rod, the base being cut away 'at the sides adjacent the ynarrow strap whereby plumbing of the wall can be eected to 65 `the corner thereof without interference by the device. l

WILLIAM S. BYRNES.

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