WO2023021293A1

WO2023021293A1 - Brick line block

Info

Publication number: WO2023021293A1
Application number: PCT/GB2022/052139
Authority: WO
Inventors: Richard Fitzgerald
Original assignee: Brickwork Tools Limited
Priority date: 2021-08-18
Filing date: 2022-08-17
Publication date: 2023-02-23
Also published as: GB202401896D0; GB2623716A

Abstract

Brick Line Block A brick line block (100) is disclosed that is configured to fit over a profile and firmly clamp onto the profile. The block is in the form of a square tube having, on an inner side, first and second surfaces (18,19) lying in mutually perpendicular planes to contact two external surfaces of the profile, and having, on its outer side, third and fourth surfaces (33,35) that lie in planes respectively parallel to the planes of the first and second surfaces, against which third and fourth surfaces two sides of a corner brick being laid may be abutted to locate the corner brick in a predetermined position relative to the profile. In the invention, the block (100) is provided with grooves (46) for positioning of a brick line that are defined by projections from an upper edge of the square tube at a corner of the tube defined by the third and fourth surfaces.

Description

Brick Line Block

Field of the invention

The present invention relates to a brick line block for mounting on a comer profile to hold a brick line.

Background of the invention

Corner profiles are vertical posts that are used by bricklayers to assist in aligning bricks as they are being laid. Profiles serve to ensure that bricks making up a corner of a structure are vertically aligned, and they are also used to support brick lines that serve to ensure that the courses of bricks are laid horizontally.

Profiles are metal box sections of square cross-section with external dimensions of typically 50.8 mm (2 inches square). The profiles may be positioned in different ways relative to the courses of bricks being constructed. In some cases, when constructing an external corner, the profile 10 is positioned relative to the bricks 12 in the manner shown in Figure 1 of the accompanying drawings, but such positioning interferes with the pointing of the comer bricks. Instead, the configuration shown in Figure 2 is commonly preferred, where the profile 10 is positioned with one of its comers facing the corner to be constructed. The present invention is concerned with a brick line block intended for use with a profile that is positioned in the manner shown in Figure 2.

Various ways are known for securing such profiles in their desired position, but these need not be described in detail in the present context. Brick line holders for such profiles are also known and are constructed as a clip with guide surfaces for the brick line and sometimes with cleats for anchoring a brick line.

As shown in Figure 2, the brick line 15, which is represented in dotted lines, is required to be spaced from the edges of the courses under construction, in order to avoid the brick line being deflected by contact with the bricks. Because of this, the positioning of the corner brick can only be judged by eye and, in particular at the comer edge, this can result in visible misalignment of the bricks.

Brick line blocks designed to fit over a corner profile to secure a brick line to the profile, and to position a corner brick more accurately, have been described in W090/02235 and AU352616. Neither of these prior proposals has enjoyed commercial success and it is believed that this is on account of an inherent failure in the design. It is common for bricklayers to mark evenly spaced lines on a comer profile to indicate the desired level of the different courses of bricks to be laid. It is essential to be able to position the brick line accurately in alignment with these markings. The previously proposed brick line blocks have the disadvantage that any alignment markings on the corner profile are obscured by the block.

Object of the invention

The invention seeks therefore to provide a brick line block for mounting on a profile that ensures exact vertical alignment between bricks in different courses.

Summary of the invention

According to the present invention, there is provided a brick line block configured to fit over a profile and firmly clamp onto the profile, wherein the block is in the form of a square tube having, on an inner side, first and second surfaces lying in mutually perpendicular planes to contact two external surfaces of the profile, and having, on its outer side, third and fourth surfaces that lie in planes respectively parallel to the planes of the first and second surfaces, against which third and fourth surfaces two sides of a comer brick being laid may be abutted to locate the comer brick in a predetermined position relative to the profile, the block being provided with grooves for positioning of a brick line that are defined by projections from an upper edge of the square tube at a corner of the tube defined by the third and fourth surfaces.

In the present invention, the grooves for positioning of the brick line lie above, or level with, the upper edge of the block and as a result it is possible to ensure that the brick line is aligned precisely with a marking on the corner post, as the block is moved to the next higher level.

In some embodiments, two separately formed flat plates may be secured externally to two sides of a square tube of uniform wall thickness at one of the corners, the third and fourth surfaces being defined by lateral edges of the two plates. In such embodiments, the plates may have upper regions that protrude beyond an upper edge of the square tube, the brick line positioning grooves being formed in the regions of the plates that protrude above the upper edge of the square tube.

In some embodiment of the invention, the block may be formed of a square tube that is formed integrally with two columns arranged on two sides of the tube at one of the corners, the third and fourth surfaces being defined by lateral edges of the two columns. Such an embodiment would be constructed from a dedicated extrusion and it would be possible to machine the upper edge of the extrusion to leave the two columns protruding at one comer. It is however simpler to screw two posts into the upper ends of the columns to define brick line positioning grooves that are level with the upper edge of the square tube.

Conveniently, accessory mounts may formed integrally with the square tube and are arranged on at least two of the sides of the square tube.

Each accessory mount may comprise an elongate land of uniform cross section and having two lateral edges formed with undercuts serving to prevent separation from the block of an accessory that has a mating socket slid over the mount.

As has been mentioned that the edges of the attached plates, or integrally formed columns, serve as reference surface when positioning a corner brick in a convex comer. The brick line block of the invention can also be used in constructing concave corners. The thickness of the attached plates, or integrally formed columns, may be selected such that their faces may serve as abutments for bricks being laid to form a concave corner.

Brief description of the drawings

The invention will now be described further, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figures 1 and 2 are, as previously described, illustrations of different ways in which comer profiles may be positioned relative to a corner to be constructed,

Figure 3 is a schematic plan view from above of a brick line block of an embodiment of the invention,

Figure 4 is a schematic side view of the brick line block of Figure 3,

Figure 5 is a photographic view of the brick line block of Figures 3 and 4, as seen from a comer and one side, Figure 6 is a photographic view of the brick line block of Figures 3, 4 and 5 as seen from above,

Figure 7 is a sketch showing how the brick line block of Figures 3 to 6 is used when constructing an external comer,

Figure 8 is a sketch showing how the brick line block of Figures 3 to 6 is used when constructing an internal corner, and

Figure 9 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the invention.

Detailed description of the drawings

The brick line block 100 shown in Figures 3 to 6 is constructed as a collar dimensioned to fit over a corner profile 10 in the manner shown in Figure 7 and 8. The block 100 is constructed from a tube 14 of square cross-section and having internal dimensions slightly greater than 50.8 mm. One of the comers of the tube 14 has a chamfered edge 16. The two internal surfaces of the tube 14, designated 18 and 19, that meet at the chamfered corner, are clamped against two sides of the profile by a clamping screw 20 engaged in a nut 22 secured, such as by welding or riveting, to the opposite corner of the tube 14. A rod 24, serving as a cleat about which a brick line can be wound, is screwed to the tube 14 above the nut 22. Slots 26 are cut into the other two corners of the tube 14, to guide a brick line around the exterior of the block 100.

Two plates 30 are each secured by a respective screw 34 and dowels 36 (see Figure 6) to the tube 14 at the chamfered comer between the internal surfaces 18 and 19. The plates 30, 32 are accurately machined and positioned on the tube 14 so that their lateral edges 33 and 35 lie in planes that are parallel to the planes of the surfaces 19 and 18, respectively.

The plates 30 and 32 project beyond the upper edge of the tube 14 and their projecting upper regions 40 are formed with grooves 44, 46 in their lateral edges that are level with the upper edge of the tube 14. These grooves 44, 46 also wrap around the upper regions 40 of the plates 30, 32 to extend along the front face of each plate.

The grooves 44, 46 serve as positioning surfaces for brick lines which wrap around the block in the manner shown in Figures 7 and 8. The plates 30 and 32 having an angled upper edge to allow a clear path between the grooves 44, 46 and the slots 26 in the tube 14. To enable the brick line block 100 to serve as a gauge, the distance from the upper edge of the tube 14 to the lower edge of the plates 30, 32 is set to be the same as the desired height between the courses of the bricks to be laid.

In practice, profiles are mounted at opposite comers of a wall to be constructed and a mark is made at the upper end of each profile to indicate the level up to which the wall should be constructed. The brick line block 100 is next fitted to the profile and, while positioned level with the mark, a second mark is made level with the bottom edge of the plates 30, 32. The brick line block 100 is now moved down to the new mark and the process if repeated until the profile carries marks at each of the levels to be aligned to the top of a course of bricks.

The brick line block 100 is next clamped at the location of the lowermost course to be constructed and a line is passed between the grooves 44, 46 of the brick line blocks at the opposite ends of the wall to be constructed. The corner brick is next positioned in contact with the lateral edges 33, 35 of the plates 30, 32 and a course of bricks is laid in a straight line, using the brick line as a guide. Once the top course of bricks has been laid, the brick line blocks 100 are moved up to the next mark on the profiles and the process is repeated.

When constructing an external corner, as shown in Figure 7, the lateral edges 33, 35 are used as abutment surfaces for the corner brick 12 and the grooves 46 in the lateral edges are used as guide surfaces for the brick line 15. The brick line block can however additionally be used in the manner shown in Figure 8 to assist in the construction of an internal corner. In this case, it is the faces of the plates 30, 32, that serve as abutment surfaces for the corner bricks 12 and the section of the grooves 44, 46 in the front faces of the plates 30, 32 that serve as guide surfaces for the brick line 15.

It will be noted from Figure 7 that the depth of the grooves 44, 46 may be set such that the brick line lies in the same position as it would if wrapped directly around the corner profile. In all cases, the depth of the grooves 44, 46 should be sufficient to accommodate the thickness of the brick line 15 and additionally to provide a small space between the brick line 15 and the course of bricks to be constructed.

The brick line block 200 of Figure 9 is generally similar to the previously described embodiment. Parts analogous to parts that have already been described with reference to Figures 1 to 8 have been allocated reference numerals with the same last two significant digits but in the 200 series (ie. preceded by a “2”) and will not be described again. Instead, the description below will concentrate on the differences between the two embodiments.

Instead of commencing its manufacture from a square tube, the embodiment of Figure 9 employs a purposely designed extrusion, preferably an aluminium extrusion. The extrusion comprises a square tube dimensioned, as previously, to fit over a corner profile 10 but having some additional features on its outer surface. Two columns 230 and 232 are formed at one corner of the square to serve the same purpose as the plates 30 and 32, ie. to define a corner for locating the comer of a brick. Screws 240 only partially engaged in the upper ends of the columns 230 and 232 to act as posting defining grooves 244, 246 for a brick line. Forming the columns 230 and 232 as an integral part of the extrusion avoids the need for machining of the plates 30 and 32 and the need to fix the plates accurately and securely in position.

A second column 260 is formed at the comer of the square tube 214 opposite the columns 230, 232. This column 260 can be drilled and threaded to provide a nut for the screw 220 and can also enable the cleat 224 to be attached more simply and securely.

The above-described modifications provide advantages from the manufacture and assembly point of view but do not affect the operation nor provide additional functionality. A more significant modification resides in the addition of mounts 270 on the four outer sides of the tube 214 to enable accessories to be accurately and securely attached to the brick line block 200. The mounts have the form of elongate projecting lands 272 with undercuts 274 in their lateral edges. When accessories formed with mating sockets are slid over the mounts 270, the undercuts prevent their separation (in the same manner as a dovetail joint) and, if desired, the accessory may include a screw to prevent longitudinal sliding of the accessory relative to the brick line block.

The upper ends 276 of the lands 272 may be machined, such as by milling, to allow the brick line to be wrapped around the block, as previously described by reference to Figures 7 and 8.

The provision of accessory mounts 270 on the brick line block 200 enables the block to be used as a means of mounting a profile on a preconstructed comer. The accessories may for example serve as attachment points for cables of which the opposite ends are secured to pins inserted into gaps between bricks of the preconstructed corner. Brackets having a surface that should be horizontal if the profile is vertical may also be provided as accessories, to permit mounting of a correctly vertically aligned profile.

It will be clear to the person skilled in the art that various other modifications may be made to the described embodiments of the invention without departing from the scope of the invention as set out in the appended claims.

Claims

8 CLAIMS

1. A brick line block (100; 200) configured to fit over a profile and firmly clamp onto the profile, wherein the block (100; 200)) is in the form of a square tube (14; 214) having, on an inner side, first and second surfaces (18, 19; 218, 219) lying in mutually perpendicular planes to contact two external surfaces of the profile, and having, on its outer side, third and fourth surfaces (33, 35) that lie in planes respectively parallel to the planes of the first and second surfaces, against which third and fourth surfaces two sides of a comer brick being laid may be abutted to locate the corner brick in a predetermined position relative to the profile, the block (100; 200) being provided with grooves (44, 46; 244, 246) for positioning of a brick line that are defined by projections from an upper edge of the square tube at a comer of the tube defined by the third and fourth surfaces.

2. A brick line block as claimed in claim 1, wherein a cleat (24; 224) is provided on the outer side of the block (100; 200) to permit anchoring of the brick line.

3. A brick line block as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the square tube (14) has a predetermined axial length corresponding to the desired height of the courses of the bricks to be laid.

4. A brick line block as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein a clamping screw (20; 220) is provided on the square tube (14; 214) at a comer diagonally opposite the corner defined by the first and second surfaces.

5. A brick line block as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein two flat plates (30, 32) are secured externally to two sides of the tube (14) at one of the corners, the third and fourth surfaces (33, 35) being defined by lateral edges of the two plates (30, 32).

6. A brick line block as claimed in claim 5, wherein the two plates have upper regions (40) that protrude beyond an upper edge of the square tube (14), the brick line positioning grooves (44, 46) being formed in the regions of the plates that protrude above the upper edge of the square tube.

7. A brick line block as claimed in claim 6, wherein the grooves (44, 46) are level with the upper edge of the square tube. 9

8. A brick line block as claimed in claim 6 or 7, wherein each of the grooves (44, 46) extends around two surfaces of the protruding region of the respective plate.

9. A brick line block as claimed in any preceding claims, wherein formations are formed at other comers (26; 226) of the tube to guide a brick line passing around the exterior of the tube.

10. A brick line block as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the block is formed of a square tube (214) that is formed integrally with two columns (230, 232) arranged on two sides of the tube at one of the corners, the third and fourth surfaces being defined by lateral edges of the two columns (230, 232) and wherein two posts (240) are inserted into the upper ends of the columns to define brick line positioning grooves (244, 246) that are level with the upper edge of the square tube.

11. A brick line block as claimed in claim 10, wherein accessory mounts (270) are formed integrally with the square tube and are arranged on at least two of the sides of the square tube.

12. A brick line block as claimed in claim 11, wherein each accessory mount (270) comprises an elongate land (272) of uniform cross section and having two lateral edges (274) formed with undercuts serving to prevent separation from the block of an accessory that has a mating socket slid over the mount.