GB2182705A - Bricklayer's mortar guide - Google Patents

Abstract

A bricklayer's mortar guide, has two parallel guides, which allow rapid, easy and precise placement of mortar for purposes of laying bricks or blocks. The guides 1 are secured by adjustable bolts 2 through matching holes (to provide adjustment of mortar depth) and variable lengths of tube (to allow for varying thicknesses of bricks or blocks). The guides are made in varying lengths to suit different requirements. Short guides of the same design are used to apply mortar to the ends of bricks or blocks. The guides are used along with conventional trowels, levels and lines. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Bricklayer's mortar guide This invention relates to a bricklayer's mortar guide.

Conventional methods of laying bricks and blocks are well known and normally require skilled workmen to carry out the work. These methods do not require to be described here.

In recent years there has been an upsurge of interest on the part of the do-it-yourself movement, including self-building of houses, garages, etc.. The laying of bricks or blocks has however largely remained the province of the skilled tradesman. Using the present invention the laying of the mortar bed becomes a precise and easy operation, thus greatly facilitating the whole operation of laying bricks or blocks, for the do-it-yourself wall builder.

According to the present invention there are provided (a) two adjustable, straight and parallel guides, fitted to the existing brick course and projecting above it by the desired mortar thickness, and (b) two adjustable, straight and parallel guides, fitted to the end of the brick or block and projecting beyond it by the desired mortar thickness.

A specific embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawing, which shows the main components.

Referring to the drawing the mortar guide comprises two identical parallel guides 1 which are held together by two or more adjustable threaded bolts 2 through matching holes. Lengths of tube are provided, to enable easy spacing for standard brick or block sizes, through which the bolts are passed between the guides. The bolts are fitted with wing nuts for easy adjustment.

In use the bolts are put through matching holes appropriate to the selected depth of mortar. The bolts are passed through tubes of a length to match the brick or block thickness and are then adjusted to allow loose clearance of the guides on the brick or block courses.

The guide is placed on the existing course and mortar is then filled level with the top of the guides, after which the guide is lifted and moved to,a new position.

The same components, of appropriate size, are used for the ends of bricks or blocks, and are used in the same way, before placing the brick or block in position.

A spirit level may be incorporated in the guides, as an optional extra.

1. A pair of straight parallel guides for the precise laying of mortar in the process of brick or block laying.

2. A pair of straight parallel guides as claimed in CLAIM 1 with means for adjustment of same for width and depth by adjustable bolts.

3. A pair of straight parallel guides as claimed in CLAIM 1 or CLAIM 2 with a set of matching holes to allow for varying the depth of mortar used.

4. A pair of straight parallel guides as claimed in CLAIM 2 or CLAIM 3 with adjustable bolts to allow for varying widths of bricks or blocks.

5. A pair of straight parallel guides as claimed in CLAIM 4, of length appropriate to the task in hand and/or in standard units of length appropriate to building bricks or blocks.

6. A pair of straight parallel guides as claimed in CLAIM 5 made of plastic, metal, wood or other material, as deemed most suitable for the task and for the process of manufacture.

7. A pair of straight parallel guides as claimed in CLAIM 6, with a spirit level attached for purposes of levelling.

8. A pair of straight parallel guides substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawing.

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims (8)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Bricklayer's mortar guide This invention relates to a bricklayer's mortar guide. Conventional methods of laying bricks and blocks are well known and normally require skilled workmen to carry out the work. These methods do not require to be described here. In recent years there has been an upsurge of interest on the part of the do-it-yourself movement, including self-building of houses, garages, etc.. The laying of bricks or blocks has however largely remained the province of the skilled tradesman. Using the present invention the laying of the mortar bed becomes a precise and easy operation, thus greatly facilitating the whole operation of laying bricks or blocks, for the do-it-yourself wall builder. According to the present invention there are provided (a) two adjustable, straight and parallel guides, fitted to the existing brick course and projecting above it by the desired mortar thickness, and (b) two adjustable, straight and parallel guides, fitted to the end of the brick or block and projecting beyond it by the desired mortar thickness. A specific embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawing, which shows the main components. Referring to the drawing the mortar guide comprises two identical parallel guides 1 which are held together by two or more adjustable threaded bolts 2 through matching holes. Lengths of tube are provided, to enable easy spacing for standard brick or block sizes, through which the bolts are passed between the guides. The bolts are fitted with wing nuts for easy adjustment. In use the bolts are put through matching holes appropriate to the selected depth of mortar. The bolts are passed through tubes of a length to match the brick or block thickness and are then adjusted to allow loose clearance of the guides on the brick or block courses. The guide is placed on the existing course and mortar is then filled level with the top of the guides, after which the guide is lifted and moved to,a new position. The same components, of appropriate size, are used for the ends of bricks or blocks, and are used in the same way, before placing the brick or block in position. A spirit level may be incorporated in the guides, as an optional extra. CLAIMS

1. A pair of straight parallel guides for the precise laying of mortar in the process of brick or block laying.

2. A pair of straight parallel guides as claimed in CLAIM 1 with means for adjustment of same for width and depth by adjustable bolts.

3. A pair of straight parallel guides as claimed in CLAIM 1 or CLAIM 2 with a set of matching holes to allow for varying the depth of mortar used.

4. A pair of straight parallel guides as claimed in CLAIM 2 or CLAIM 3 with adjustable bolts to allow for varying widths of bricks or blocks.

5. A pair of straight parallel guides as claimed in CLAIM 4, of length appropriate to the task in hand and/or in standard units of length appropriate to building bricks or blocks.

6. A pair of straight parallel guides as claimed in CLAIM 5 made of plastic, metal, wood or other material, as deemed most suitable for the task and for the process of manufacture.

7. A pair of straight parallel guides as claimed in CLAIM 6, with a spirit level attached for purposes of levelling.

8. A pair of straight parallel guides substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawing.