GB2279741A

GB2279741A - A level for indicating that a corner is vertical

Info

Publication number: GB2279741A
Application number: GB9314191A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Robert George Emms
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1993-07-09
Filing date: 1993-07-09
Publication date: 1995-01-11
Also published as: GB9314191D0

Abstract

A device to assist a bricklayer in determining that a junction between two walls is upright is capable of simultaneously indicating inclination of two adjacent walls in more than one plane. The device comprises a first elongate element (1) for abutting against one of the walls, the first elongate element incorporating first inclination indicating means (13), and a second elongate element (3) for abutting against the other of the walls, the second elongate element incorporating second inclination indicating means (13). Connecting means (5) is provided to interconnect the first and second elongate elements such that the first and second elongate elements are able to lie in corresponding first and second intersecting planes, and means (19, 23) is provided for adjustably securing the device to at least one of the walls. <IMAGE>

Description

DEVICE FOR INDICATING INCLINATION The present invention relates to a device for indicating inclination and, more particularly but not exclusively, is concerned with a device to assist a bricklayer in order to ensure that a wall, and more especially a junction between two walls, is upright.

Traditionally, a bricklayer or builder uses a spirit level to ensure that a wall or the like is substantially vertical and that the courses of bricks are substantially horizontal. However, these devices have the disadvantage that they are not attached to the wall or the like whilst at the same time require to be kept close at hand for regular use. In building up a corner of a join between two walls, a bricklayer will need initially to lay each corner brick by eye and, once he is reasonably satisfied that the brick is vertical on both upright sides, that the brick is horizontal along its upper face and that the thickness of the mortar joint is the same as in previous joints, he will use his spirit level if considered necessary to ensure that the brick is correctly placed.Should the brick require adjustment, the bricklayer must be careful to ensure that movement of the brick in one direction does not adversely affect the alignment of the brick in other directions.

Adjustment of the brick can often necessitate removal of the brick, re-jointing and re-application of the brick.

Adjustment is therefore a labour intensive and timeconsuming operation.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a device which, by indicating inclination in more than one plane, simplifies among other things the laying of bricks at a join between two walls.

According to the present invention there is provided a device for indicating inclination, the device being capable of simultaneously indicating inclination of two adjacent members in more than one plane and comprising: a first elongate element for abutting against one of the members, the first elongate element incorporating first inclination indicating means; a second elongate element for abutting against the other of the members, the second elongate element incorporating second inclination indicating means; connecting means interconnecting the first and second elongate elements such that the first and second elongate elements are able to lie in corresponding first and second intersecting planes; and means for adjustably securing the device to at least one of the members.

The device according to the present invention enables a bricklayer to position one of the elongate elements adjacent to one wall (member) of a pair of walls (members) that form a corner of a structure such as a building and to position the other elongate element adjacent to the other wall (member). The device can then be secured to at least one of the walls and adjusted to the desired inclination with the aid of the inclination indicating means. The two elongate elements are then able to assist the bricklayer in determining the inclination of the two walls as he builds up the corner.

The first and second elongate elements may comprise part of respective first and second elongate members that are hingedly connected together along adjoining longitudinal edges thereof. The hinge means may be lockable so as to permit the first and second elongate members to be releasably locked at any desired angle therebetween.

Alternatively, the first and second elongate elements may form part of an integral member which maintains the first and second elements at a predetermined angle relative to each other.

The inclination indicating means may comprise a phial or the like containing an inclination indicating device such as a bubble within a liquid. The phial may be disposed substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the respective first and second elements.

The inclination indicating means may be disposed substantially in the plane of the respective first and second elements. Alternatively, the inclination indicating means may be disposed in a plane substantially perpendicular to the plane of the respective first and second elements. As a further alternative, the inclination indicating means may be rotatable about an axis extending in the longitudinal direction of the respective first and second elongate elements.

The first and second elongate elements may be provided with means for engaging with the respective member. The engaging means may comprise an elongate rib extending substantially from one end of the respective element to the other end thereof. Alternatively, the engaging means may comprise a discontinuous rib extending between opposite ends of each elongate element. As a further alternative, the engaging means may comprise a row of protrusions extending between opposite ends of each elongate element.

The device may be secured to the at least one of the members by way of at least one aperture provided in the region of one end of at least one of the elongate elements, the aperture being provided to receive securing means therethrough. Additionally or alternatively, the device may be secured to the at least one of the members by means of an elongate tie member connected at one end thereof to one of the first and second elongate elements and at the other end thereof to a fixed point, such as one of the members. The elongate element may be provided with means for connecting the elongate tie member thereto at alternative points along the length thereof. Elongate tie means may be provided for each of the first and second elongate elements.The elongate tie means may be adjustable in length, for example by means of a rotatable sleeve threadedly engaged with oppositely threaded end elements.

The first and second elongate elements may be provided with graduations, for example for indicating the level at which courses of bricks should be laid.

At least one of the first and second elongate elements may be provided with an arm adapted to extend substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the elongate element. The arm may be detachable from the elongate element. Additionally or alternatively, the arm may be movable, for example slidable, in the longitudinal direction of the elongate element. The arm may incorporate inclination indicating means.

For a better understanding of the present invention and to show more clearly how it may be carried into effect reference will now be made, by-way of example, to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a front perspective view of one embodiment of part of a device for indicating inclination according to the present invention; Figure 2 is a rear perspective view of the part of the device shown in Figure 1; Figure 3 is a tie rod for use with the part of the device shown in Figures 1 and 2; and Figure 4 is a diagrammatic perspective view of the device according to the present invention, including those parts shown in Figures 1 and 2 and the tie rod shown in Figure 3, in use during the construction of corner brickwork of a building.

The device for indicating inclination according to the present invention as illustrated in the drawings is intended primarily to assist a bricklayer in the construction of corner brickwork of a building, the device comprising in essence a pair of spirit levels hingedly connected together.

As noted above, the device illustrated in the drawings comprises a first elongate member 1 which is intended to extend in an upright direction adjacent to a first wall of a building or the like. Hingedly connected to the first elongate member 1 is a second elongate member 3 which is intended to extend in an upright direction adjacent to a second wall of the building or the like. The elongate members may be made of any suitable material such as a light alloy or a hard, durable plastics material.In the illustrated embodiment, adjacent longitudinal edges of the first and second elongate members are hingedly secured together by means of three hinges 5, with one hinge being positioned towards one end of the elongate members, another hinge being positioned in the region of the mid-point of the elongate members, and the third hinge being positioned towards the other end of the elongate members. The hinges are connected to the elongate members by way of hinge supporting stubs 7 and 9. One or more of the hinges, two as illustrated in the drawings, are lockable by way of a locking mechanism 11 so as to releasably lock the first and second elongate members 1 and 3 at a selectable desired angle relative to each other.

Set into apertures in each of the elongate members 1 and 3 is a number of glass phials 13 containing a liquid and a bubble for indicating the horizontal, that is the glass phials extend generally in the plane of the respective elongate member and substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the respective elongate member.

As illustrated, the apertures and glass phials are provided towards the top and the bottom of each of the elongate members.

That face of the first elongate member that is intended to extend adjacent to the first wall is provided with a wall engaging rib 15 which extends substantially from one end of the elongate member 1 to the other end thereof and which forms with the elongate member a T-shaped section.

Similarly, that face of the second elongate member that is intended to extend adjacent to the second wall is provided with a wall engaging rib 17 which extends substantially from one end of the elongate member to the other end thereof and which forms with the elongate member a T-shaped section. The wall engaging ribs are provided to accommodate irregularities in the surfaces of the bricks.

Provided in the region of the intended lower end of each of the elongate members 1 and 3 is an aperture 19 which is arranged and dimensioned to receive therethrough a securing device (not shown) such as a pin, a nail or the like for securing the lower end of each elongate member to its respective wall, for example by inserting the securing device into the mortar between adjacent courses of bricks, either directly or by way of an anchor plate or the like mounted in the wall.

Provided in the region of the free edge of each elongate member 1 and 3 from the region of the intended upper end thereof towards the intended lower end thereof is a plurality spaced of apertures 21 extending through the respective member. The apertures 21 are intended to receive one end of an adjustable tie rod 23 (shown in detail in Figure 3), one rod being provided for each elongate member and the end of the tie rod received in the elongate member being engaged with a selected one of the apertures 21, for example by way of a threaded engagement.

The other end of each adjustable tie rod 23 is removably secured in the respective wall, for example by securing the end of the tie rod in the mortar between adjacent bricks, for example by means of a threaded engagement with an anchor plate or the like. The tie rods are adjustable, for example by means of a rotatable member 25 which is provided with oppositely formed threads which threadedly engage end members 27, 29 of the tie rod. Additional brackets, such as brackets 35, may be provided to minimise distortion of the tie rods. The purpose of the adjustability of the tie rods will be explained in more detail hereinafter.

The elongate members 1 and 3 are provided with graduations 31 to indicate to the bricklayer the level at which each course should be laid. If desired, two (or more) sets of graduations may be provided for bricks of differing sizes.

In use of the device illustrated in the drawings, the bricklayer will first lay out the corner between the two walls. This will, in general, involve laying one or two courses of bricks. He will then- secure the lower end of the device to the corner with the wall engaging rib 17 of one of the elongate members bearing at its lower end against each wall and extending in its upper region adjacent to the desired position of the face of the wall.

The upper region of the device according to the present invention is maintained in an upright position by means of the tie rods 23, one of which is engaged in one of the apertures 21 of each of the elongate members and the other end of which engages with the respective wall, for example by way of manually operable screw members 33. The inclination of the device can be determined with the aid of the bubbles in the glass phials 13 in known manner and the inclination can be adjusted by adjusting the lengths of the tie rods 23 with the rotatable member 25, the bubbles indicating when the elongate members are upright.

With the elongate members upright, the courses of bricks can be laid. The graduations 31 assist the bricklayer by indicating the height at which each course should be laid, although it is still be necessary to ensure that each course is horizontal, and the wall engaging ribs 15 and 17 assist in determining the precise position at which each corner brick should be laid. Additionally, the end members 27, 29 of the tie rods are preferably formed with a planar face on that side of the tie rods adjacent to the wall, the planar face being positioned such that in use it abuts against the wall being built. This gives an indication to the bricklayer of the line of the wall. As the bricks are laid, additional anchor plates or the like can be incorporated into the wall in order subsequently to position the device at a greater height.If the anchor plates or the like are dimensioned so as to be recessed into the mortar between adjacent courses of bricks, when the anchor plates or the like are no longer needed they can be hidden with a layer of mortar. It is estimated that the device according to the present invention will permit a time saving of about 30 percent compared with the traditional method of building a corner between two brick walls.

It will be appreciated by the skilled person that the device according to the present invention is not limited to the form described with reference to the accompanying drawings and that numerous modifications to the device are possible. For example, as described, the bubbles in the glass phials of one of the elongate members effectively determine whether the wall against which the other elongate member bears is upright: this can make it more difficult to determine whether a wall is upright, particularly if the two walls are not at right angles to each other. As an alternative to the glass phials extending in the plane of the elongate member, the glass phials may be perpendicular to the plane of the elongate member or may be mounted to be rotatable about an axis extending in the longitudinal direction of the elongate member.Such an alternative arrangement would facilitate use of the device in conjunction with a straight wall (although the hinged nature of the device as illustrated permits one of the members to be positioned at right angles to a straight wall) and with corners other than a right angle.

Further, it is not necessary that the two elongate members are hingedly connected to each other. For example, the two elongate members may be combined into a part tubular member extending around, say, 270 degrees, with wall engaging means equivalent to the ribs 15 and 17 being provided at each of the free elongate edges, or the two elongate members may be integrally interconnected by a V-shaped member. The effect of such modifications is for that part of the device in the region of the free elongate edges to be substantially perpendicular to the walls of a right angle corner with the glass phials, in the plane of those regions of the device, being substantially perpendicular to the wall and therefore directly able to indicate whether or not the wall is upright.If desired, the glass phials can be mounted so as to be rotatable for use with corners having other angles or for use with straight walls.

The wall engaging ribs 15 and 17 illustrated in the drawings can clearly take other forms. For example, instead of being continuous the ribs can be discontinuous, or the ribs can be replaced with a row of protrusions.

Such alternative forms could be less sensitive to irregularities in the bricks.

Instead of being directly inserted into the mortar between the bricks, the tie rods can engage with anchor plates provided in the walls, the anchor plates being either permanent or temporary.

Further, in order to assist the bricklayer in laying each course of bricks horizontally, the device may be provided with one of more arms able to extend in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the elongate members and therefore able to indicate the horizontal to the bricklayer. Such an arm may be detachable from the elongate members to permit the arm to be used alternatively with either elongate member. Additionally, the arm may be movable, for example slidable, in the longitudinal direction of the elongate member so that the arm can be positioned adjacent to each course of bricks. If desired, the arm may incorporate a glass phial with a bubble therein for indicating the inclination of the arm.

Claims

1. A device for indicating inclination, the device being capable of simultaneously indicating inclination of two adjacent members in more than one plane and comprising: a first elongate element for abutting against one of the members, the first elongate element incorporating first inclination indicating means; a second elongate element for abutting against the other of the members, the second elongate element incorporating second inclination indicating means; connecting means interconnecting the first and second elongate elements such that the first and second elongate elements are able to lie in corresponding first and second intersecting planes; and means for adjustably securing the device to at least one of the members.

2. A device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first and second elongate elements comprise part of respective first and second elongate members that are hingedly connected together along adjoining longitudinal edges thereof.

3. A device as claimed in claim 2, wherein the hinge means is lockable so as to permit the first and second elongate members to be releasably locked at any desired angle therebetween.

4. A device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first and second elongate elements form part of an integral member which maintains the first and second elements at a predetermined angle relative to each other.

5. A device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the inclination indicating means comprises a phial or the like containing an inclination indicating device.

6. A device as claimed in claim 5, wherein the inclination indicating device comprises a bubble within a liquid.

7. A device as claimed in claim 5 or 6, wherein the phial is disposed substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the respective first and second elements.

8. A device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the inclination indicating means is disposed substantially in the plane of the respective first and second elements.

9. A device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the inclination indicating means is disposed in a plane substantially perpendicular to the plane of the respective first and second elements.

10. A device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the inclination indicating means is rotatable about an axis extending in the longitudinal direction of the respective first and second elongate elements.

11. A device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the first and second elongate elements are provided with means for engaging with the respective member.

12. A device as claimed in claim 11, wherein the engaging means comprises an elongate rib extending substantially from one end of the respective element to the other end thereof.

13. A device as claimed in claim 11, wherein the engaging means comprises a discontinuous rib extending between opposite ends of each elongate element.

14. A device as claimed in claim 11, wherein the engaging means comprises a row of protrusions extending between opposite ends of each elongate element.

15. A device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the device is secured to the at least one of the members by way of at least one aperture provided in the region of one end of at least one of the elongate elements, the aperture being provided to receive securing means therethrough.

16. A device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the device is secured to the at least one of the members by means of an elongate tie member connected at one end thereof to one of the first and second elongate elements and at the other end thereof to a fixed point.

17. A device as claimed in claim 16, wherein the fixed point is provided on one of the members.

18. A device as claimed in claim 16 or 17, wherein the elongate element is provided with means for connecting the elongate tie member thereto at alternative points along the length thereof.

19. A device as claimed in claim 16, 17 or 18, wherein elongate tie means is provided for each of the first and second elongate elements.

20. A device as claimed in any one of claims 16 to 19, wherein the elongate tie means is adjustable in length.

21. A device as claimed in claim 20, wherein the elongate tie means is adjustable in length by means of a rotatable sleeve threadedly engaged with oppositely threaded end elements.

22. A device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the first and second elongate elements are provided with graduations.

23. A device as claimed in claim 22, wherein the graduations are provided for indicating the level at which courses of bricks should be laid.

24. A device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein at least one of the first and second elongate elements is provided with an arm adapted to extend substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the elongate element.

25. A device as claimed in claim 24, wherein the arm is detachable from the elongate element.

26. A device as claimed in claim 24 or 25, wherein the arm is movable in the longitudinal direction of the elongate element.

27. A device as claimed in claim 26, wherein the arm is slidably movable.

28. A device as claimed in any one of claims 24 to 27, wherein the arm incorporates inclination indicating means.

29. A device for indicating inclination substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to, and as shown in, the accompanying drawings.