GB2195148A

GB2195148A - Apparatus for repointing brickwork

Info

Publication number: GB2195148A
Application number: GB08622494A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Nigel Kenneth Borley
Original assignee: GONSALAVES HILLARY
Current assignee: GONSALAVES HILLARY
Priority date: 1986-09-18
Filing date: 1986-09-18
Publication date: 1988-03-30
Also published as: GB8622494D0

Abstract

Mortar is supplied from a portable apparatus (1). The apparatus (1) comprises a collapsible compartment (2) disposed in a rigid outer compartment (5). The compartment (2) contains mortar (3). The space (6) between compartments (2) and (5) is filled with compressed air via non-return valve (8). One end of a hose is connected to compartment (2) via valve (14). The other end of the hose is connected to a hand gun for injection mortar into channels in the brickwork. Valve (14) may be a non- return valve (Fig. 4). A perforate plate may be placed before the valve to prevent any large particles passing through the outlet. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Apparatus for re-pointing brickwork This invention relates to apparatus for repointing brickwork.

After a number of years the mortar in brickwork becomes erroded. The task of replacing the erroded mortar is known as "repointing". The first step in repointing is to remove all the loose and cracked mortar to a depth of about 1.5 cm from the face of the brickwork using a cold chisel. The channel thus formed is then cleared out with a brush and fresh mortar inserted and shaped as desired.

Traditionally the mortar is carried on a board which has to be periodically reloaded. This is a time consuming and expensive process.

It has been proposed to reduce the time consumed by placing the mortar in a large compartment on the ground and pumping it via a slurry pump and a flexible hose to a gun which the tradesman carries.

However, this has the disadvantage that the tradesman can only work within the confines of the length of the flexible hose. If a long flexible hose is used it becomes heavy and must be secured to the scaffolding at intervals. Furthermore, the flexible hose can impede access whilst performing certain operations, for example re-pointing a chimney. At the end of an operation the entire flexible hose has to be washed out and the material therein discarded. The equipment is inherently noisy and is unsuitable for use in areas where quiet is essential. Furthermore, it needs a power source to drive the slurry pump.

An object of at least preferred embodiments of the present invention is to overcome, or at least reduce, some of the disadvantages of the equipment hereinbefore described.

According to the present invention there is provided an apparatus for repointing brickwork which comprises a first compartment for holding mortar, and a second compartment for holding compressed air so arranged with respect to said first compartment that, in use, mortar can be ejected from said first compartment on expansion of said second.

The first compartment could comprise a rigid cylinder and the second compartment an expandable bladder within said first. However, it is preferred that the first compartment be situated in the second compartment. Alternatively, the first compartment may be disposed immediately adjacent the second compartment.

In either case means are preferably provided for enabling said second compartment to be pressurised. Advantageously, such means comprises a non-return valve.

Preferably, the second compartment is provided with a pressure relief valve.

Advantageously, the outer compartment comprises a strong, lightweight material, for example aluminium or a suitable plastics material.

The first compartment is preferably provided with a large diameter opening to facilitate the insertion of mortar and cleaning. Typically the opening will be circular and from 10 to 20 cm and preferably from 12 to 18 cm in diameter.

Advantageously, means are provided for inhibiting particles over a certain size leaving said first compartment. Such means may comprise a perforate plate disposed across the opening of the first compartment.

The inner compartment is preferably formed from a flexible plastics material.

As an alternative the first and second compartments may be formed to either side of a rigid partition slidably mounted in a cylinder.

Advantageously the apparatus includes a valve for inhibiting the flow of mortar from the first compartment. In one embodiment this valve is biased to a closed position but is displaced to an open position when a hose having a valve upsetting member is connected.

Advantageously, the apparatus also includes a hose and a hand tool which can be used to inject mortar from the first compartment into a channel.

For a better understanding of the invention reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a simplified vertical cross-section through one embodiment of an apparatus in accordance with the invention; Figure 2 is a plan view of the apparatus shown in Figure 1; Figure 3 is a simplified vertical cross-section through a second embodiment of an apparatus in accordance with the invention; and Figure 4 is a simplified vertical cross-section through a third embodiment of an apparatus in accordance with the invention.

Referring to Figure 1, there is shown an apparatus for repointing brickwork which is generally identified by the reference numeral 1.

The apparatus comprises a first compartment 2 which contains mortar 3 and which is bounded by flexible plastics material 4. The first compartment 2 is disposed within a second compartment 5 which is made of rigid plastics material.

A space 6 is formed between the first compartment 2 and the second compartment 6 which is filled with compressed air at 6.2 bar gauge (90 psig). The bottom 7 of the second compartment 5 is dished upwardly and is provided with a non-return valve 8 and a pressure relief valve 9 set to open at 8.0 bar gauge, which is approximately one half of the design pressure of the second compartment 5.

The first compartment 2 is provided with a rigid ring 10 which is about 18 cm in inner diameter and is clamped, via sealing gaskets 10a and, 10b, between a shoulder 11 on the first compartment 2 and the base of a cap 12 which is mounted on the second compartment 5 via bayonet fittings.

The cap 12 is provided with an annular rim 13 which protects a valve 14.

At the commencement of a repointing operation space 8 is at atmosphere pressure. Cap 12 is removed and mortar is transferred into the first compartment 2. Cap 12 is then replaced with valve 14 closed. Air is then pumped into the space 6 via non-return valve 8 until venting occurs at pressure relief valve 9. A foot pump is quite suitable for this purpose.

A hose (not shown) is then connected to the valve 14. The other end of the hose is connected to a hand held tool in the form of a gun (not shown). The valve 14 is then opened and, after checking for leaks, the second compartment 5 is inverted and mounted on the tradesmens back via a harness (not shown) similar to those worn for skin diving.

The tradesman leads the hose around his side and holds the gun in his hand.

In order to insert mortar into a channel the tradesman simply activates the gun which allows mortar to flow from the first compartment 2 through the valve 14 and hose to the gun. When the gun is deactivated flow ceases.

Mortar is available until the pressure in the space 6 becomes unacceptably low at which time it may be repressurized.

At the end of a pointing operation the space 6 is first depressurized by manually upsetting pressure relief valve 9 Cap 12 is then removed and first compartment 2 cleaned with water. If necessary compartment 2 can be removed completely. The hose and the gun arse also washed out. It wil be noted that the length of hose is relatively short and hence easy to clean. Furthermore, the amount of mortar wasted is minimal.

Figure 3 shows an apparatus generally similar to that shown in Figures 1 and 2 except that the first compartment 2' and the second compartment 3' are separated by a rigid membrane 15 which can slide along the inner wall of a cylinder 16 in sealing contact therewith.

Sealing between the rigid membrance 15 and the inner wall of the cylinder 16 is provided by three "0' rings not shown. The two uppermost of these '0' rings act to clean the inner surface of the cylinder 16 whilst the third, lowermost seal forms an airtight seal between the first compartment 2' and the second compartment 3'. Guides (not shown) are provided to maintain the rigid membrane 15 in juxtaposition relative to the cylinder 16 as it moves relative thereto.

Referring now to Figure 4, there is shown a modified cap arrangement. In particular, the cap arrangement comprises a first part 17 which can be mounted on the second com partment 5" and a second part 18 which is mounted on one end of the hose (not shown). The first part 17 comprises a top 19 having an outlet 20 which, as shown, is closed by a valve member 21 biased against the outlet 20 by a spring 22. The valve member 21 is mounted for axial movement on a pin 23 which extends upwardly from a perforate plate 24 held fast in the first part 17 by a circlip 25.

The second part 18 comprises a hollow member 6. An "A" shape member 27 is mounted to the hollow member 26 by a spider (not shown). The second part 18 and the first part can be screwed together via threads 28,29 (not detailed).

At the commencement of a pointing operation first part 17 is removed and mortar placed in the first compartment 2". The first part 17 is then screwed into place on the top of the second compartment 5". The space 6 is then pressurized by introducing air through a non-return valve (not shown) in the bottom 7" of the second compartment 5".

As the second part 18 is screwed onto the first part 17 the "A" shape member 27 engages the valve member 21 and displaces it away from the outlet 20. Mortar flows through the perforate plate 24, through the outlet 20 and into the hose. The perforate plate 24 prevents large particles passing through the outlet and eventually jamming the gun.

It will be appreciated that since the apparatus described can be carried on the tradesman's back repointing can be carried out in locations where access via a long hose might be impracticle, for example a chimney stack on a domestic house. However, the present invention is not confined to small portable apparatus. Thus, a large apparatus working on the present principle could prove particularly advantageous when working in an area where noise must be minimised.

Similarly, the apparatus could be the size of the hand held aerosol can.

Claims

1. An apparatus for repointing brickwork which comprises a first compartment for holding mortar and a second compartment for holding compressed air so arranged with respect to said first compartment that, in use, mortar can be ejected from said first compartment on expansion of said second.

2. An apparatus claimed in Claim 1, wherein said first compartment is situated within said second compartment.

3. An apparatus as claimed in Claim 1, wherein said first compartment is disposed immediately adjacent said second compartment.

4. An apparatus as claimed in Claim 1, 2 or 3, including means for enabling said second compartment to be pressurized.

5. An apparatus as claimed in Claim 4, wherein said means comprises a non-return valve.

6. An apparatus as claimed in any preceding Claim, wherein said second compartment is provided with a pressure relief valve.

7. An apparatus as claimed in any preceeding Claim, wherein said second compartment comprises rigid plastics material.

8. An apparatus as claimed in any preceeding Claim, wherein said first compartment is provided with a circular opening of from 12 to 18 cm in diameter.

9. An apparatus as claimed in any preceeding Claim, comprising means for inhibiting particles over a certain size leaving said first compartment.

10. An apparatus as claimed in Claim 9 when appended to Claim 8, wherein said means comprises a perforate plate disposed across the opening of said first compartment.

11. An apparatus as claimed in any preceding Claim, including a valve for inhibiting the flow of mortar from said first compartment.

12. An apparatus as claimed in Claim 11, wherein said valve is biased to a closed position but can be displaced to an open position when a hose having a valve upsetting member is connected.

13. An apparatus as claimed in any preceding Claim, including a hand tool for injecting mortar into a channel and a hose for conveying mortar from said first compartment to said hand tool.