GB2361503A - Guide apparatus for use when building a corner in a brick wall - Google Patents

Abstract

An apparatus comprising first and second contoured surfaces (14, 16) each surface having at least one formation (22) locatable against a brick (24), and guide lines (26) position between adjacent formations which in use indicate where the next course of bricks should be laid. Preferably the guide lines are located in a gap (21) between the first and second surfaces such that they may slide vertically. A guide support means (36, Figure 4) may extend from an upper part of the apparatus in order to secure the guide to the ground.

Description

2361503 Guide A Mairatus; The present invention relates to guide

apparatus, and particularly but not exclusively to guide apparatus usable when building a wall or the like from a number of layers of discrete articles.

It has always been a time consuming process building walls from building articles such as bricks and ensuring that such walls are straight. Particular problems may arise when building corners of walls from a number of layers of bricks. In this regard, it is usually necessary to be very careful when placing each additional layer of bricks onto those layers already assembled to ensure that the corner is provided at a right angle and also that each layer is level. The checking of the angle of the corner and that each layer is level can be very time consuming and therefore can increase the time taken and hence cost to construct buildings and the like.

According to the present invention there is provided guide apparatus usable when building a wall or the like from a number of layers of discrete articles, the apparatus comprising means providing first and second surfaces at a required inclination relative to each other such that respective sides of an article to be guided abut respectively thereagainst, formations being provided on the surfaces such that only a part of each respective surface abuts against a side of an article, so that guide means can extend laterally from a non abutting part of each surface to indicate a required height for a layer.

Preferably the first and second surfaces are perpendicular to each other. The apparatus preferably enables the corner of a wall to be built.

The first and second surfaces providing means may comprise an elongate member, which desirably comprises first and second parts defining respectively the first and second surfaces.

Preferably the first and second parts are interconnected at one or more 2 points.

A base member is preferably provided on the elongate member. Said base member is preferably in the form of a plate, locatable on or between layers of the articles.

The guide means preferably comprises line means. A guide member may be provided from which the line means extends. The guide member may be vertically slidably moveable relative to the elongate member. A vertically extending gap may be provided between the first and second parts, through which gap the line means extends. A pair of line means may be provided, each extendible respectively adjacent a one of the first and second parts.

Preferably the first and second parts of the elongate member are formed in sections with at least one formation provided on a respective surface in each section. Preferably each section of the first and second parts substantially corresponds to the height of a one of said articles.

Preferably the or each formation extends for only a part of the surface of each section of the respective first and second parts, thereby providing a nonabutting part of the surface in each section. Each section may be differently coloured or otherwise marked.

Preferably one formation is provided on the surface of each section of the first and second parts.

A support arrangement may be provided for supporting the apparatus in position. Said support arrangement may comprise one or more support members extendible from a one of or each of the first and second parts of the elongate member, and desirably from an upper part thereof. Preferably one end of each support member is mounted on a top of the respective first and second parts. The free ends of the support members can preferably be anchored to the ground, thereby securing the guide apparatus in position.

3 Preferably a top plate member is provided on the first and second parts of the elongate member. Desirably the or each support member is mounted on the top plate member. The or each support member may be adjustable in length.

An embodiment of the present invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:- Fig. I is a perspective view of guide apparatus according to the present invention in use with a first layer of articles; Fig. 2 is a similar view to Fig. I but with a further layer of articles placed in position; Fig. 3 is a cross sectional view of the apparatus of Fig. I taken along the line A-A; Fig. 4 is a perspective view from behind of the guide apparatus of Fig. I in use; and Fig. 5 is a similar view to. Fig. 4, but also illustrating further ways of supporting the apparatus when in use.

The present invention provides guide apparatus 10 for use in building walls from building materials such as bricks 24. The guide apparatus 10 is particularly suited for use in the construction of corners of such walls to enable accurately aligned corners to be produced.

The guide apparatus 10 is in the form of an elongate member 12 having first and second parts 18, 20, of generally square cross section, with a relatively narrow gap 21 provided therebetween. The parts 18, 20 define respective perpendicular surfaces 14, 16. The first and second surfaces 14, 16 are each provided with a plurality of equispaced generally square formations 22. The 4 formations 22 project outwardly for a small distance from the respective surfaces 14, 16 and have gently inwardly tapering surfaces 23 extending therefrom. The formations 22 are spaced vertically by the height of a brick 24 and a layer of mortar. Each formation 22 and adjacent tapering surfaces 23 define a layer 19 corresponding to a course of bricks 24. Each layer 19 may be differently or alternately coloured.

The purpose of the formations 22 is to enable a brick 24 to be placed between the surfaces 14, 16 such that it abuts against the respective formations 22 only. This enables a line 26 attached to a guide member 28 to extend from between the first and second parts 18, 20 adjacent a one thereof midway between two projections 22 and slightly recessed behind the projections 22 to allow a course of bricks 24 to be laid there up to. Two lines 26 may extend from the guide member 28, one adjacent respectively each of the first and second parts 18,20 of the elongate member 12. The lines 26 are to ensure that each layer of bricks 24 is level in relation to previously laid bricks laid horizontally at a required height. The guide member 28 may comprise a piece of dowel or other circular section material, with a through hole.

The apparatus 10 is provided with a base member 30. The base member 30 comprises a plate located to. extend horizontally between the first and second parts 18, 20 at a position corresponding to the top mortar of a lowermost layer 19. Between the surfaces 14,16 the member 30 extends diagonally between the outermost corners of the parts 18,20. Between the other facing surfaces of the parts 18,20 the member 30 extends in a arc. A top plate 32 is also provided at the upper end of the apparatus 10, with the top plate 32 being of similar shape to the base member 30. A number of fixing holes 34 are provided in the top plate 32 to permit guying thereof. Ground engaging braces 36 may be attached to the inner side of the top plate 32 as shown in Fig. S.

The apparatus 10 can be used in the following manner. The apparatus 10 is located on a first course of bricks, with the inner part of the base member 30 located in place of the mortar on the existing layer. The guide member 28 is located at the top of the next most layer 19, and the lines 26 are arranged to extend horizontally and taut. A further layer of bricks 24 can be laid on mortar on the first layer, using the line 26 as a guide. The shape of the surfaces 14,16 with the projections 22 means that the lines 26 are slightly recessed out so do not interfere with the laying of the bricks 24. Once the next layer 24 has been laid, the guide member 28 and hence lines 26 can be slid upwards to the top of the next layer 19 and the process repeated. The ends of the lines 26 can be slidably mounted on vertical poles or the.like to permit vertical movement thereof.

Once the topmost layer 19 on the apparatus 10 has been reached, the apparatus 10 is removed and relocated at a higher position. This can be achieved by removing of the corner the mortar from for instance the course of bricks three layers below the top most layer formed so far, and locating the base member 30 in the gap formed thereby. The apparatus 10 can be supported in this position by line means and/or the braces 36 as is required. When the base member 30 is removed from the layer of mortar this can be reinstated in the usual manner by repointing. Further courses of bricks are laid in a similar manner. When raised above the base layer of bricks, clamps 38 (Fig. 5) engaging between the members 18,20 and gaps formed between adjacent bricks, may be provided to retainthe apparatus 10 in place. Once the corner is complete the apparatus can readily be removed and reused elsewhere.

There is thus described guide apparatus which readily permits corners to be formed whilst ensuring a true alignment. Use of the apparatus can significantly reduce the time conventionally taken to build corners where the alignment requires checking on a regular basis. The apparatus is of relatively simple constructions and can thus be inexpensively robustly manufactured for long term use.

Various modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, a spirit level may be incorporated into the top of the apparatus, thereby enabling the user to ensure that the apparatus and also 6 the wall being built using the apparatus are level. The support braces may be telescopic and may be arranged such that they are always attached to the apparatus and can be extended when required by the user.

Whilst endeavouring in the foregoing specification to draw attention to those features of the invention believed to be of particular importance it should be understood that the Applicant claims protection in respect of any patentable feature or combination of features hereinbefore referred to and/or shown in the drawings whether or not particular emphasis has been placed thereon.

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Claims (28)

1. Guide apparatus usable when building a wall or the like from a number of layers of discrete articles, the apparatus comprising means providing first and second surfaces at a required inclination relative to each other such that respective sides of an article to be guided abut respectively thereagainst, formations being provided on the surfaces such that only a part of each respective surface abuts against a side of an article, so that guide means can extend laterally from a non abutting part of each surface to indicate a required height for a layer.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1, in which the first and second surfaces are perpendicular to each other.

3. Apparatus according to claims I or 2, in which the apparatus enables the corner of a wall to be built.

4. Apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, in which the first and second surfaces providing means comprise an elongate member.

S. Apparatus according to claim 4, in which the elongate member comprises first and second parts defining.

6. Apparatus according to claim S, in which the first and second parts are interconnected at one or more points.

7. Apparatus according to any of claims 4 to 6, in which a base member is provided on the elongate member.

8. Apparatus according to claim 7, in which the base member is in the form of a plate, locatable on or between layers of the articles.

9. Apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, in which the guide 8 means comprises line means.

10. Apparatus according to claim 9 when dependent on claim S, in which a vertically extending gap is provided between the first and second parts, through which gap the line means extends.

11. Apparatus according to claim 10, in which a pair of line means is provided, each extendible respectively adjacent a one of the first and second parts.

12. Apparatus according to any of claims 9 to 11, in which the guide means comprises line means.

13. Apparatus according to claim 12 when dependent on any of claims 4 to 8, in which the guide member is vertically slidably moveable relative to the elongate member.

14. Apparatus according to claim 5 or any of claims 6 to 13 when dependent on claim 5, in which the first and second parts of the elongate member are formed in sections with at least one formation provided on a respective surface in each section.

15. Apparatus according to claim 14, in which each section of the first and second parts substantially corresponds to the height of a one of said articles.

16. Apparatus according to claims 14 or 15, in which the or each formation extends for only a part of the surface of each section of the respective first and second parts, thereby providing a non-abutting part of the surface in each section.

17. Apparatus according to any of claims 14 to 16, in which each section is differently coloured or otherwise marked.

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18. Apparatus according to any of claims 14 to 17, in which one formation is provided on the surface of each section of the first and second parts.

19. Apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, in which a support arrangement is provided for supporting the apparatus in position.

20. Apparatus according to claim 19 when dependent on claim S, in which the support arrangement comprises one or more support members extendible from a one of or each of the first and second parts of the elongate member.

21. Apparatus according to claim 20, in which the support arrangement comprises one or more support members extendible from an upper part of the elongate member.

22. Apparatus according to claim 2 1, in which one end of each support member is mounted on a top of the respective first and second parts.

23. Apparatus according to any of claims 20 to 22, in which the free ends of the support members can be anchored to the ground, thereby securing the guide apparatus in position.

24. Apparatus according to claim 5 or any of claims 6 to 23 when dependent on claim 5, in which a top plate member is provided on the first and second parts of the elongate member.

2S. Apparatus according to claim 24 when dependent on any of claims 20 to 23, in which the or each support member is mounted on the top plate member.

26. Apparatus according to any of claims 20 to 2S, in which the or each support member is adjustable in length.

27. Guide apparatus substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

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28. Any novel subject matter or combination including novel subject matter disclosed herein, whether or not within the scope of or relating to the same invention as any of the preceding claims.