WO2005010298A1

WO2005010298A1 - Machine for bricklaying

Info

Publication number: WO2005010298A1
Application number: PCT/AU2004/000971
Authority: WO
Inventors: Julian Francis Ryan; Felicia Celene Ryan
Original assignee: Preston Holdings Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2003-07-23
Filing date: 2004-07-21
Publication date: 2005-02-03
Also published as: AU2003220729B1; WO2005010298A8

Abstract

The invention for Bricklaying is a manually operated machine comprising pre-assembled column guides (1), rail brackets (2), rail beams (3) and mortar pans (4), that are rapidly assembled together with simplicity to provide the firm and stable base framework for setting out and maintaining horizontal straight lines and vertical plumbness in the length and height of brick walls and brickwork. The rows of slotted holes (1a) of the column guides (1) provide the vertical movement of the rail brackets (2) and rail beam (3) at predetermined distances to match the vertical spacing of bricks. The row of anchor stud slots (3b) on the rail beam (3) provides horizontal movement of the mortar pan (4) at predetermined distances to match the horizontal spacing of bricks. The mortar pan (4) facilitates the placement and formation of a horizontal mortar bed (8a) and vertical mortar bed (8b) of uniformity and in assisting in final positioning of bricks laid.

Description

MACHINE FOR BRICKLAYING

FIELD OF THE INVENTION The invention relates to an assembled device by which brick laying may be undertaken by an untrained individual, in a manner that is operable in a simple and accurate fashion, and at a satisfactory level of productivity. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Previously patented devices for bricklaying have not been successful in their market appeal as they were inefficient, cumbersome to assemble and relocate, and they produced brickwork that did not fully comply with relevant Industrial Standards. One major disadvantage of some devices was their inability to perform all activities required to complete the whole operation of bricklaying. Some devices were also impractical or incapable of constructing specific parts of brickwork elements such as double brick cavity walls, curved brick walls, brickwork below floor level and brick piers. These disadvantages of previously designed devices have been overcome through extensive research and development in the design of a revolutionary device that makes bricklaying an easy and simple activity which can be performed by a do- it-yourself enthusiast. The invention is a simple manually operated device which enables the user to lay bricks with adequate uniformity, in a manner of construction that conforms to the requirements of the relevant Industrial Standards, and at a satisfactory level of productivity while maintaining straight, level and plumb lines in the brickwork. Additional research and development in the design of the invention have also enabled the invention to construct various brickwork elements such as double brick cavity walls, curved brick walls, brickwork below floor level and brick piers. The invention provides a custom designed rail beam with both ends of the rail beam being supported by two custom designed rail brackets that are attached to two column guides placed at predetermined positions to suit the length or sectional length of the proposed brick wall or brickwork. These pre-assembled components are provided with screw clamps and custom designed "quick-lock" bolts to enable rapid assembly and dismantling, and as well as detachment or re-mounting of the components in different positions in order to accommodate the different brickwork configurations elements, as well as laying brickwork around door and window frames. GENERAL ARRANGEMENT OF THE INVENTION In order that the invention for bricklaying may be more readily understood, a presently preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a plan view of the invention for bricklaying, and it shows the general arrangement of the primary pre-assembled components comprising the column guides 1 , rail bracket 2, rail beam 3 and mortar pan 4, and with a single leaf brick wall being laid progressively. Figure 2 is a front elevation view of Figure 1 , and it shows the general arrangement of the primary pre-assembled components comprising the column guides 1 , rail bracket 2, rail beam 3, mortar pan 4, clamp bolt 1d and bracket plate 1c, and with the single leaf brick wall being laid progressively. Figure 3 is the right-hand side elevation view of Figure 1 and Figure 2 and it shows the general arrangement of the pre-assembled components comprising the column guides 1 , rail bracket 2, rail beam 3, mortar pan 4, column bracket 1 e, bracket plate 1c and clamp bolt 1d, and with the single leaf brick wall being laid progressively. Figure 4 is the rear elevation view of Figure 1 and Figure 2 and it shows the general arrangement of the pre-assembled components comprising the column guides 1 , rail bracket 2, rail beam 3, clamp bolt 1d and column bracket 1e, and with the single leaf brick wall being laid progressively. Figure 5 is a plan view of the invention for bricklaying, and it shows the general arrangement of an additional pre-assembled component which comprise a support stand 5 to support the column guide 1 when the laying of brickwork or brick wall commences at floor or base level. Figure 6 is a right-hand side elevation view of the invention for bricklaying, and it shows the general arrangement of the additional pre-assembled component which comprise the support stand 5 to support the column guide 1 when the laying of brickwork or brick wall commences at floor or base level. All pre-assembled components of the invention are of light weight aluminium frame construction to enable easy mobility and quick assembly, which are particularly important for frequent re-locating of the pre-assembled components to accommodate different brickwork elements and configurations. PRIMARY COMPONENTS OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT The column guide 1 comprise an aluminium square hollow section and a row of slotted holesla provided on two opposite faces of the column guide 1 as shown in the front view elevation in Figure 7. The slotted holes 1a are set at regular intervals apart to match the vertical spacing of the bricks. The configuration of the slotted hole 1a as shown in the enlarged front view elevation in Figure 8 is designed to accommodate the configuration of the head of the quick-lock column bolt 1 b passing through the column guide 1 , from rear to the front of the column guide 1 , as shown in the enlarged front view elevation in Figure 8 and in the enlarged cross-section view in Figure 9. The design of the column guides 1 provide the essential vertical track to enable the rail bracket 2 and rail beam 3 to move on a fixed vertical plane at predetermined distances. This essential operation will maintain uniform vertical spacing of bricks as well as maintaining vertically plumb brickwork. The rail bracket 2 comprise an aluminium angle, a retaining pin 2c inserted through two circular holes 2d provided and a slide roller 2e fixed to the base of the rail bracket 2 as shown in the enlarged front view elevation in Figure 10, the enlarged plan view in Figure 11 and in the enlarged right-hand side elevation view in Figure

12. A slotted column bolt hole 2a that is identical to the slotted hole 1a of the column guide 1 , is provided on the rail bracket 2 as shown in the enlarged front view elevation in Figure 10, to accommodate the head of the quick-lock column bolt 1 b passing through the column guide 1 and the rail bracket 2 as shown in the enlarged right-hand side elevation view in Figure 12 and in the enlarged plan view in Figure

13. Another slotted rail bolt hole 2b is provided on the rail bracket 2 as shown in the enlarged front view elevation in Figure 10. The configuration of the slotted rail bolt hole 2b is designed to accommodate the configuration of the head of the quick-lock rail bolt 2g passing through the rail bracket 2, from rear, as shown in the enlarged front view elevation in Figure 10 and in the enlarged plan view in Figure 11. A guide fin 2f is provided on the rear of the rail bracket 2 to guide the sliding movement of the rail bracket 2 along the length of the column guide 1 , as shown in the enlarged plan view in Figure 13. The design of the rail bracket 2 provides the support and the facility for the attachment and detachment of the rail beam 3 which is essential for relocating the rail beam 3 to the next horizontal course of brickwork after completing each course of brickwork. The slide roller 2e enables the rail beam 3 to slide on a horizontal plane over the rail brackets 2 for the purpose of setting the start point for laying the first brick at each horizontal course of brickwork. The rail beam 3 comprise an aluminium custom designed channel section with a pair of back plate fins 3a, one above the other, provided on the front face of the rail beam 3 as shown in the plan view in Figure 14, front elevation view in Figure 15 and in the enlarged right-hand side elevation view in Figure 16. Anchor slots 3b with pair of mortar pan guides 3c located on the right and left of each anchor slot 3b are provided along the back plate fin 3a located in the higher position as shown in the plan view in Figure 14, front elevation view in Figure 15 and in the enlarged right- hand side elevation view in Figure 16. These Anchor slots 3b and their pair of mortar pan guides 3c are spaced at regular intervals to match the horizontal spacing of each brick. Leveling plates 3d are provided, at regular intervals to match the horizontal spacing of the vertical joints of the brickwork, along the front face of the rail beam 3 as shown in the plan view in Figure 14, front elevation view in Figure 15 and in the enlarged right-hand side elevation view in Figure 16. A continuous rail bolt slot 3e is provided along the full length on the rear face of the rail beam 3, to receive the quick lock rail bolt 2g, as shown in the enlarged right-hand side elevation view in Figure 16 and rear elevation view in Figure 17. The design of the rail beam 3 provides the essential horizontal track with anchoring points at uniform predetermined distances for attaching and detaching the mortar pan 4. This essential operation will maintain uniform horizontal spacing of bricks as well as maintaining level brickwork at each course of brickwork. The rail beam 3 is fabricated in various lengths to accommodate various dimensions of brick wall lengths and brickwork configurations such as brick piers. The rail beam 3 is also fabricated in several curved lengths of various radiuses to accommodate a variety of curved brick wall configurations. The mortar pan 4 is a custom designed box tray without a base and with one open end as shown in the enlarged plan view in Figure 18, the enlarged front view elevation in Figure 19 and in the enlarged right-hand side elevation view in Figure 20. A plate handle 4b with an anchor stud 4a attached to the soffit of the plate handle 4b is provided on both sides of the mortar pan 4, as shown in the enlarged plan view in Figure 18, the enlarged front view elevation in Figure 19 and in the enlarged right-hand side elevation view in Figure 20. A continuous horizontal track 4c is attached to the internal surface of both side walls, along the base of the mortar pan 4, as shown in the enlarged plan view in Figure 18, the enlarged cross section view taken across the width of the mortar pan 4 in Figure 21 and in the enlarged cross section view taken across the length of the mortar pan 4 in Figure 22. A continuous vertical track 4d is attached to the internal surface of both side walls, along the vertical edge of the open end of the mortar pan 4, as shown in the enlarged cross section view taken across the width of the mortar pan 4 in Figure 21 and in the enlarged cross section view taken across the length of the mortar pan 4 in Figure 22. The design of the mortar pan 4 which is internally lined with a suitable non-stick coating, provides the facility for forming both, a horizontal and vertical uniform bed of mortar on the base and vertical side face of the last brick, as well as to assist in positioning the next brick to be laid. The support stand 5 comprises an aluminium angle column 5d with a pair of support brackets 5c attached to the column 5d, an aluminium square hollow section base frame 5a with a screw jack 5b attached to each end of the base frame 5a, all welded together to form a rigid frame, and an anchor weight 5e of lead metal placed in the appropriate position on the base frame 5a, as shown in the side elevation view in Figure 23 and in the plan view in Figure 24. The support bracket 5c comprise an aluminium angle with one end welded to the column 5d and a screw clamp welded to the opposite end. The design of the support stand 5 provides the basic support to the column guides 1 for the initial commencement of brickwork from the base or floor level, as well as setting and maintaining the column guides 1 in a vertically plumb position at all times during the initial commencement of brickwork. ASSEMBLY AND FUNCTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT To begin with laying of brickwork or brick wall on a level surface at floor or base level, the two support stands 5 are placed at two ends of the proposed length or sectional length of brickwork or brick wall that will match the appropriate standard length of the rail beam 3, as shown in the plan view in Figure 5 and in the right-hand side elevation view in Figure 6. The two support stands 5 are also positioned at the required distance from the face of the proposed brickwork or brick wall with the use of a measuring tape. The support stand 5 is then aligned in a vertically plumb position with the use of a level set against the column 5d of the support stand 5, and each screw jack 5b is turned in a clockwise or anti-clockwise until a vertically plumb position is achieved. Anchor weight 5e is placed on the base frame 5a to anchor the entire support stand 5 in a fixed and rigid position that will support the load of the column guide 1 when the column guide 1 is fixed to the support stand 5. Two column guides 1 are then fixed to the support stands 5 by placing each column guide 1 into the housing of the pair of support brackets 5c of each support stand 5, and carefully clamped into position by turning the screw clamp of each support bracket 5c, as shown in the side elevation view in Figure 25. Two rail brackets 2 are then fixed to the column guides 1 by placing the rear face of each rail bracket 2 against the column guide 1 and aligning the slotted column bolt hole 2a of the rail bracket 2 with the slotted hole 1a of the column guide

1 , as shown in the enlarged cross-section view in Figure 26. When the slotted column bolt hole 2a of the rail bracket 2 is aligned with the slotted hole 1a of the column guide 1 , the quick lock column bolt 1b is inserted through the slotted hole 1a of the column guide 1 and the slotted column bolt hole 2a of the rail bracket 2 until the wing nut of the quick lock column bolt 1 b stops at the rear face of the column guide 1 , as shown in the enlarged cross-section view in Figure 27. The quick lock column bolt 1 b is then turned approximately ninety degrees to lock the rail bracket 2 against the column guide 1 , and the wing nut is applied to clamp the rail bracket 2 and the column guide 1 together, as shown in the enlarged cross-section view in Figure 27 and in the enlarged front elevation view in Figure 28. The rail beam 3 is then mounted onto the rail brackets 2 located at each column guide 1 as shown in the plan view in Figure 29. Each end of the rail beam 3 is secured to the rail bracket 2 by positioning the end of the rail beam 3 against the rail bracket 2 and inserting the quick lock rail bolt 2g, from the rear through the slotted rail bolt hole 2b of the rail bracket 2 and the continuous rail bolt slot 3e located at the rear of the rail beam 3 until the wing nut of the quick lock rail bolt 2g stops at the rear face of the rail bracket 2, as shown in the enlarged right-hand side elevation view in Figure 30A. The quick lock rail bolt 2g is then turned approximately ninety degrees to lock the rail beam 3 against the retaining pin 2c of the rail bracket

2, and the wing nut is applied to clamp the rail beam 3 to the rail bracket 2, as shown in the enlarged right-hand side elevation view in Figure 30B and in the plan view in Figure 31. A level instrument is then placed on the top surface of the rail beam 3 to set the rail beam 3 level, and this is achieved by adjusting the vertical height of the column guide 1 at either end of the rail beam 3 to move up or down by releasing the clamp on the support bracket 5c. To set the start position of the mortar pan 4 for laying the first brick, the mortar pan 4 is mounted onto the rail beam 3 by positioning the anchor stud 4a of the mortar pan 4 into the first anchor stud slot 3b at either end of the rail beam 3, as shown in the enlarged right-hand side elevation view in Figure 32 and in the enlarged plan view in Figure 33 which for this illustration shows the mortar pan 4 has been mounted at the left-hand end of the rail beam 3. The wing nut of the quick lock rail bolt 2g is then released but left in their positions at both rail brackets 2 and this frees the entire rail beam 3 to slide horizontally over the slide rollers 2e. The rail beam 3 is moved to the left or right as required in order to position the mortar pan 4 at the start position of the first brick to be laid. When the mortar pan 4 is in the start position for the first brick, the wing nut of the quick lock rail bolt 2g is then applied at both rail brackets 2, to clamp the rail beam 3 to the rail brackets 2. The mortar pan 4 is now removed and a mortar spade 6, as shown in the front elevation view in Figure 34 and side elevation view in Figure 35, is used to place sufficient mortar 8 on the base for the first and second brick. The preferred length of the spade blade 6a of the mortar spade 6 is approximately twice the length of the brick to be laid to enable adequate mortar 8 is placed for two bricks at each motion of placing the mortar 8. The spade handle 6b of the mortar spade 6 is held firmly with both hands to stir and pick up a measurable amount of mortar, moved over to the base for the first brick and the mortar 8 is deposited onto the base as shown in the front elevation view in Figure 36 and right-hand side elevation view in Figure 37. The mortar pan 4 is then mounted onto the rail beam 3 by positioning the anchor stud 4a of the mortar pan 4 into the anchor stud slot 3b and pressed down over the mortar deposit 8, until the mortar pan 4 sits on the base, as shown in the cross-section view across the width of the mortar pan 4 in Figure 38, the plan view in Figure 39 and in the cross-section view across the length of the mortar pan 4 in Figure 40. A mortar trowel 7 as shown in the front elevation view in Figure 41 and side elevation view in Figure 42, is used to spread the mortar 8 and fill the mould of the mortar pan 4. The trowel handle 7b of the mortar trowel 7 is held in the palm of the hand with the trowel blade 7a of the mortar trowel 7 held down and placed inside the right-hand end of the mortar pan 4 and pressed down until the edge of the trowel blade 7a rests on the pair of horizontal tracks 4c of the mortar pan 4 as shown in the cross-section view across the width of the mortar pan 4 in Figure 43. With the trowel blade 7a of the mortar trowel 7 held down on the pair of horizontal tracks 4c of the mortar pan 4, the mortar trowel 7 is moved to the left-hand end of the mortar pan 4 by sliding the trowel blade 7a along the pair of horizontal tracks 4c to form a horizontal mortar bed 8a, as shown in the cross-section view across the length of the mortar pan 4 in Figure 44. On reaching the left-hand end of the mortar pan 4, the mortar trowel 7 is moved up the pair of vertical tracks 4d of the mortar pan 4 to form a vertical mortar bed 8b, as shown in the cross-section view across the length of the mortar pan 4 in Figure 45, with excess mortar 8c trimmed off at the top end plate 4e of the mortar pan 4, and removed with the trowel blade 7a, as shown in the cross- section view across the length of the mortar pan 4 in Figure 45. The mortar pan 4 is now removed by holding the plate handle 4b located opposite to the other plate handle 4b that is anchored onto the back plate fin 3a of the rail beam 3, and carefully lifting the whole mortar pan 4 in vertical motion and leaving the horizontal mortar bed 8a and the vertical mortar bed 8b undisturbed in their formed state, as shown in the front elevation view in Figure 46. As shown in Figure 47, the user picks up a brick with left hand and holds it over the formed horizontal mortar bed 8a and the vertical mortar bed 8b as shown in the front elevation view in Figure 48. The user then lowers the brick held in left hand onto the formed horizontal mortar bed 8a and slides the brick to the left compressing the vertical mortar bed 8b as shown in the front elevation view in Figure 49. The user grasps the plate handle 4b of the mortar pan 4 with his/her right hand, mounts the mortar pan 4 onto the rail beam 3 and slides the mortar pan 4 to the left pushing the brick further left until the anchor stud 4a of the mortar pan 4 drops into the second anchor stud slot 3b. As the brick is pushed to the left, the user uses his/her left hand to guide the brick against the back plate fin 3a to keep the brick in line with the required position, as shown in the front elevation view in Figure 50. After the mortar pan 4 has anchored in position in the second anchor stud slot 3b, the user taps down the top of both ends of the brick with the trowel blade 7a of the mortar trowel 7, to align the top face of the brick with the top face of the leveling plate 3d, as shown in the right-hand side elevation view in Figure 51. A tradesman steel trowel for brickwork is then used to trim off the small amount of excess mortar from the joints of the brickwork face. The laying of the brick is now complete, and the above activities are repeated for each subsequent bricks. When the entire length of the horizontal course of bricks is complete, the rail beam 3 is lifted to the next brick course level by releasing the wing nut of the quick lock rail bolt 2g, followed by removing the retaining pins 2c from both rail brackets 2 and shifting the rail beam 3 away from the brickwork and towards the rail bracket 2, as shown in the right-hand side elevation view in Figure 52. The wing nut of the quick lock column bolt 1 b is released and the quick lock column bolt 1b is turned to unlock the rail bracket 2 from the column guide 1. With the rail bracket 2 and one end of the rail beam 3 held in one hand, the quick lock column bolt 1 b is removed from the column guide 1 with the other hand and the rail bracket 2 with the end of the rail beam 3 left in place, is moved up the column guide 1 and clamped to the column guide 1 at the next slotted hole 1a with the quick lock column bolt 1 b and application of the wing nut. The rail beam 3 is shifted back to the assembly position and the retaining pins 2c are inserted back into their circular holes 2d of the rail bracket 2 followed by applying the wing nut of the quick lock rail bolt 2g. The procedure to set the start position of the mortar pan 4 for laying the first brick is repeated again and the laying of bricks follows thereafter. When the brick walls or brickwork have attained a vertical height which is adequate to provide support to the column guides 1 , a pair of bracket plates 1c, a pair of clamp bolts 1d and a pair of column brackets 1e, are provided for each column guide 1 , as shown in the front elevation view in Figure 2, the right-hand side elevation view in Figure 3 and in the rear elevation view in Figure 4. The clamp bolt 1d is housed in a sleeve that is shorter in length than the thickness of the brick wall and is placed in position on the horizontal mortar bed 8a as the brick wall progresses. When the clamp bolts 1d are firmly set in the horizontal mortar bed 8a, the bracket plates 1c and the column brackets 1e are positioned at the appropriate ends of the clamp bolt 1d, and the wing nuts are screwed on at both ends of the clamp bolt 1d to clamp the bracket plates 1c and the column brackets 1e firmly in place. The column guides 1 are then detached from their support stands 5 and are fixed to the column brackets 1e by placing each column guide 1 into the housing of the pair of column brackets 1e, carefully set in position and clamped by turning the screw clamp of each column bracket 1e, as shown in the right-hand side elevation view in Figure 3. At completion of the brick wall or brickwork, the bracket plates 1c and the column brackets 1e are removed and the clamp bolts 1d are pulled out from its sleeve. The sleeve of the clamp bolt 1d is left in place in the horizontal mortar bed 8a and both ends of the sleeve are filled with mortar and concealed. For construction of a double leaf cavity wall commencing from the base, a pair of bridging brackets 1f is installed to support two additional column guides 1 as shown in the right-hand side elevation view in Figure 53 and in the enlarged plan view in Figure 54. The pair of bridging brackets 1f is initially installed nearer to the position of the rail brackets 2 and at appropriate distance apart to provide sufficient stability to the column guide 1. The pair of bridging brackets 1f is progressively shifted up the column guides 1 as the brick wall progresses in height. When the double leaf cavity wall has attained a vertical height which is adequate to provide support to all column guides 1 , additional column brackets 1e with extended clamp bolt 1d are provided to support the additional two column guides 1 as shown in the right-hand side elevation view in Figure 53. To accommodate brick of different dimensions, an extended leveling plate 3f is designed and provided for setting the vertical height of the larger brick as shown in the right-hand side elevation view in Figure 55. An extended mortar pan 4f is also designed and provided for forming a vertical mortar bed 8b to suit the larger brick as shown in the right-hand side elevation view in Figure 55. For the construction of brickwork in corner walls and wall junctions, an additional support stand 5 and two additional column guides 1 are provided and positioned perpendicular to the other two support stands 5, as shown in the plan view in Figure 56. An additional anchor weight 5e is placed on the base frame 5a of the support stand 5 that is located at the corner or junction of the proposed walls, to provide additional anchorage to support the additional load of the additional column guide 1.

Claims

CLAIMS DEFINING THE INVENTION ARE AS FOLLOWS : 1. An apparatus for carrying out all activities required to complete the whole operation of laying bricks in double brick cavity walls, single brick walls, brick piers, two course brickwork below floor slab, circular brick walls and other related brick structures, which consists of pre-assembled components comprising :

• a pair or more column guides positioned appropriately to each other, and with a rail bracket mounted to the said column guide with a quick lock column bolt and slotted holes to enable the said rail bracket to be rapidly relocated along a vertical path in both directions along the said column guide, and

• one or more rail beams, with each beam being supported in a horizontal position at their ends or at any two points between their ends, by a pair of the said rail brackets that will relocate the said rail beam along a vertical path in both directions on the said column guide, and

• one or more mortar pans of varying dimensions and configurations to form and dispense horizontal and vertical mortar beds, and having the means to be mounted and demounted along the said rail beam, and

• a pair of bridging brackets to provide further support to an additional said column guide when constructing a double leaf brick cavity wall, and

• a pair or more support stands to support the said column guides at the initial construction of the brickwork or brick wall, and

• a pair of column brackets to support the said column guide when the constructed brickwork or brick wall has attained an appropriate height to support the said column guides.

2. An apparatus for bricklaying as defined in claim 1 wherein each pre- assembled component is of light weight aluminium frame construction.

3. An apparatus for bricklaying as defined in claim 1 wherein the said column guides comprise :

• a square hollow section column with a vertical row of the said slotted holes provided on two opposing sides, set at predetermined distances to match the vertical spacing of bricks of different dimensions, and

• the said quick lock column bolt with fins at the head of the said quick lock column bolt that fits and passes through the configuration of the said slotted holes of the said column guide, and a wing nut at the tail of the said quick lock column bolt, to provide a rapid clamping function by a quarter turn of the said quick lock column bolt and application of the wing nut, and

• the said support stand positioned appropriately to each other and fitted with a pair of support brackets to support the lower half of the said column guide when commencing construction of the proposed brickwork or brick wall at base or ground level, and with two screw jacks mounted to the triangular base frame of the said support stand for setting the vertical alignment of the said support frame, and

• a clamp bolt loosely encased in a pvc sleeve, and set perpendicular to the brick wall or brickwork in the brick mortar joints at selected positions to provide clamping facility for the said column bracket, and

• the said column bracket with a circular slot at one end to receive the said clamp bolt and a screw clamp attached to the other end to clamp the body of the said column guide after the said column guide is set in position, and • pair of bridging brackets with screw clamps attached to both ends of the said bridging brackets, positioned appropriately to each other with one end attached to a supported said column guide and other end providing support to an additional said column guide for constructing a double leaf brick cavity wall.

4. An apparatus for bricklaying wherein the said rail brackets are of light weight aluminium material and comprise :

• an angle bracket with a slotted column bolt hole that is identical to the said slotted holes of the said column guide, appropriately located to receive the said quick lock column bolt to facilitate the attachment of the said rail bracket to the said column guide, and

• another slotted rail bolt hole appropriately located to receive a quick lock rail bolt to facilitate the attachment of the said rail beam to the said rail bracket, and

• the said quick lock rail bolt with fins at the head of the said quick lock rail bolt that fits and passes through the configuration of the said slotted rail bolt hole of the said rail bracket, and a wing nut at the tail of the said quick lock rail bolt, to provide a rapid clamping function by a quarter turn of the said quick lock rail bolt and application of the wing nut to clamp the said rail beam to the said rail bracket, and • a retaining pin lodged through two circular holes in the said rail bracket to lock and unlock the position of the said rail beam when mounting and dismounting the said rail beam, and • a slide roller located at the base of the said rail bracket to facilitate the sliding movement of the said rail beam in either direction necessary for setting the said rail beam in the required position, and • a guide fin welded in a vertical position to the rear face of the said rail bracket to guide the said rail bracket as it slides up or down the said column guide.

5. An apparatus for bricklaying as defined in claim 1 wherein the said rail beams are fabricated in various standard lengths of a straight profile and standard lengths of curved profiles in various standard radiuses, to facilitate the construction of straight brick walls and curved brick walls, and each said rail beam comprise :

• a channel section with pair of angle plate fins welded to the vertical face of the said channel to provide a vertical base line for setting the rear of the bricks in a straight line at every course of brickwork, and with a row of circular slots located on the upper said angle plate fin of the said angle plate fins, set at predetermined distances to match the horizontal spacing of the bricks, provided to receive an anchor stud of the said mortar pan, and

• pairs of angle mortar pan guides welded to the top face of the said upper plate fin to facilitate rapid mounting of the said mortar pan, and

• a row of leveling plates, of appropriate height to match the various vertical dimensions of bricks, welded to the vertical face of the said rail beam at predetermined distances to match the horizontal spacing of the vertical joints of bricks or perpends, to provide a horizontal base line for setting the top edge of the bricks in a straight horizontal line at every course of brickwork, and • the continuous rail bolt slot in the channel section of the said rail beam that provides the facility for the rapid clamping function by the said quick lock rail bolt to clamp the said rail beam to the said rail bracket.

6. An apparatus for bricklaying as defined in claim 1 wherein the said mortar pan is fabricated in different dimensions and configurations to match bricks of various dimensions, and comprise :

• a box tray without a base and with one open end, and internally lined with non stick coating to dispense mortar, and

• a pair of plate handles welded on both sides of the said mortar pan and each said plate handle fitted with the said anchor stud welded to the soffit to enable the said mortar pan to be anchored to the said rail beam in either positions by engaging either said anchor stud, to allow the laying of bricks to progress in either directions, and

• a pair of horizontal and vertical tracks fitted internally to the base and to the vertical edge at the open end of the said mortar pan to facilitate the formation of horizontal and vertical bed of mortar of uniform width and thickness, and

• a custom designed mortar trowel comprising a trowel handle and trowel blade that fits over the pair of said horizontal and vertical tracks to facilitate the formation of the said horizontal and vertical bed of mortar and handling of surplus mortar.

7. An apparatus for bricklaying as defined in claim 1 wherein a custom designed mortar spade comprising a spade handle and a spade blade enables a measurable amount of mortar for laying two bricks, to be handled and deposited on the base for laying the bricks, in a shape and form to receive the said mortar pan.

8. An apparatus for bricklaying as defined in claims 3 and 5 wherein the said rail beam, in combination with the said column guides, provide the firm and stable base framework for setting out and maintaining horizontal straight lines and vertical plumbness in the entire length and height of brick walls and related brick structures.

9. An apparatus for bricklaying substantially as described herein, and described and illustrated in the attached drawings no. 01 through to 23.