A bricklaying device

Abstract

A bricklaying device 99 comprises a body 10 defining a first axis, with a first plate 3 which extends from the body on a second axis orthogonal the first axis. A second plate (16, Fig 4) extends from

Description

Field of the Invention 5 The present invention relates to a bricklaying device, in particular a device for laying bricks or blocks more easily and effectively. Background 10 In many societies across the world there precise construction techniques are increasingly important. In construction it is common to construct buildings with bricks and / or blocks. Such bricks or blocks are laid in vertical levels or courses, which are offset for structural 15 strength, It can be difficult to ensure that the offsetting of the levels is precise and effective and that the levels are in a horizontal line. 20 Prior Art GB 9 510 111 (SMITH) discloses a device to facilitate bricklaying, a gauge is embedded in the mortar between first and second bricks in one course and a third brick in the course below wherein the gauge has a pair of gauging portions for gauging the 25 spacing between the first and third bricks; a pair of gauging portions for gauging the spacing between the second and first bricks; and a pair of gauging portions for gauging the spacing between the second and third bricks and the gauge may take the form of two inverted T's joined by a horizontal bar. 30 GB 2 155 091 (WHITTLE) discloses a handtool for bricklaying which comprises a) substantially planar member arranged to be positioned vertically in use and carrying or adapted to carry, b) first spacing means projecting perpendicular to the plane of the member and adapted in use to be placed below a brick to be laid so as to define the vertical position of said brick, and c) second spacing means projecting perpendicular 35 to the plane of the member and adapted in use to be positioned beside said brick to be laid so as to define the horizontal position of said brick, the tool also being adapted to be removed in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the member. GB 2 131 474 (LARGE) discloses a device for assisting in the laying of a course of bricks or blocks on a preceding course of bricks or blocks comprises means for defining mould space edging for mortar next to two adjacent external edges of preceding brickwork at right angles to each other, said means comprising an L-shaped former provided with locating means for locating the former against both of said adjacent edges and a second L- shaped former the device enables two adjacent mortar joints, one vertical and one horizontal, to be formed simultaneously wherein the device is adjustable so that mortar joints can be formed to walls of any thickness. The device automatically adjusts to any variation from the nominal size of bricks. Summary of the Invention According to the present invention there is provided a bricklaying device comprising a body defining a first axis, a first plate extending from the body on a second axis orthogonal the first axis, and a second plate extending from the body on the second axis, wherein the second plate is moveably mounted on the body, and wherein the body comprises a first face comprising a measurement gauge providing a first set of indicia for measuring the distance between an outer surface of the first plate to an inner surface of the second plate. In this way the device may be used to measure a distance and the plates may be set at a distance so as to provide a jig for defining a measurement for example of a half brick so as to quickly define where the next brick is to be placed in a subsequent level. In some embodiments of the device the body and first plate comprise a monolithic whole, providing a substantially L shaped part. In some embodiments of the device the second plate is provided on a slider, which is arranged to slidably move on the body, so as to allow variation between the plates to define a distance. In some embodiments of the device the slider is perforated, and comprises a pointer for pointing at indicia, which pointer is defined and located within a perforation, so as to point at a measurement indication. In some embodiments of the device the slider comprises an orientation marking, so as to define in which direction to measure to set the plates. In some embodiments of the device the slider is wholly displaceable, which may enable the slider to be removed from the body, for example for transport or storage, or for example so as to reverse the orientation of the marking, so as to permit measurement in relation to both faces of the plate(s). In some embodiments of the device the device comprises a measurement gauge providing a second set of indicia for measuring the distance between an inner surface of the second plate to an inner surface of the first plate. In some embodiments of the device the indicia are indented in a channel, whereby the indicia may be protected from damage, for example being printed or similar. In some embodiments of the device the second plate travels in a slot in the body, which is envisaged o be a longitudinal slot allowing the second plate to slide in relation to the first plate. In some embodiments of the device the second plate comprises a securement means on the body, or in some embodiments more particularly secure the slider on the body, for example a screw thread tightening nut and bolt or thumb screw. In some embodiments of the device the device comprises an indented guide channel which receives a guide line, which line is used to define a horizontal line along which levels of bricks or blocks are to be laid, such that a line may be supported at an intermediate location for example. In some embodiments of the device the indented guide channel is located at an intersection between body and first plate. In this way a guide line may be held in the channel so as to allow a line to be used and supported for ensuring a horizontal level. In some embodiments of the device the guide channel comprises one or more hooks for the line. A preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the Figures in which: Brief Description of Figures Figure 1 shows an isometric view of an embodiment of the device according to the present invention, with plates separated in a first configuration; Figure 2 shows a reverse isometric view of the embodiment of the device as shown in Figure 1; Figure 3 shows an isometric view of the embodiment of the device shown in Figure 1, in a second configuration; Figure 4 shows a reverse isometric view of the embodiment of the device as shown in Figure 3; Figure 5 shows a plan view of the embodiment of the device as shown in Figure 1; Figure 6 shows an exploded isometric view of the embodiment of the device shown in Figure 1; Figure 7 shows a reverse exploded isometric view of the embodiment of the device shown in Figure 1; and Figure 8 shows an isometric view of a part of the embodiment of the device shown in Figure 1. Detailed Description of Figures With reference to the figures there is shown an embodiment of a bricklaying device 99 generally comprising a body 10 defining a first axis, a first plate 3 extending from the body on a second axis orthogonal the first axis, and a second plate 16 extending from the body on the second axis, wherein the second plate is slidably mounted on the body, and wherein the body comprises a measurement gauge providing a first set of indicia 7 for measuring the distance between an outer surface 32 of the first plate 3 to an inner surface 22 of the second plate. In particular reference to the pictured embodiment the embodiment comprises a combined body and first plate, formed as a monolithic whole, in rigid plastic such as acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS). The body is rectangular and has a longitudinal slot 13 for a slider 4 forming and supporting the second plate 16, wherein the slider comprises a rectangular part extending from side to side of the body, and the second plate extends orthogonally therefrom. The first plate extends orthogonally at an end of the body, and comprises a planar plate with an inner surface 22 facing the body and an outer surface 21 facing away from the body. On the inner surface at the intersection between the first plate and the body there is an indented guide channel 12 which receives a guide line. The body comprises two upstanding hooks 14 which extend up and away from the body’s upper face, towards the inner surface of the first plate. The hooks are discontinuous such that the line may be passed between the inner surface of the first plate and the hook, and hooked under the hooks. In this way it may be envisaged that the inner surface of the device may be placed on top of a block or brick so as to secure a line of cord or string that has been strung up to provide a guide to placement of bricks or blocks. In order to do this the slider and second plate are wholly displaced from the body. The first pictured configuration of the embodiment instead provides a means of measuring the distance between the outer surface 31 of the first plate and the inner surface 22 of the second plate 16, so as to provide a measurement of a brick laying position. In particular one plate may be placed against the end of a brick or block and the other plate may be provided as a guide for where the end of the subsequent level of bricks or blocks is to start, or used to mark this. In use therefore the first set of measurement indicia may be used on the top face of the body to secure the second plate at the appropriate distance so as to allow use of the device as a jig for this purpose. The second plate slides in the slot 13, which has a rectangular shape, where the slider of the second plate is secured to the body using a threaded securement peg 15 and thumb nut 5. The nut 5 is circular and runs in a rounded channel with raised sidewalls 9 around the slot. The peg comprises a square outer form to prevent its rotation in the slot, and the thumb nut is used to secure the slider on the body. The raised sidewalls are placed apart from the thickened sides 8 of the body, whereby the resulting indented channel provides the surface for the indicia 7,27 on both faces of the body. The slider comprises a flat top face providing an orientation marker 6, and an underside with slots for the rounded channel sides, allowing grip and / or controlled sliding. The second plate comprises projections 24 into the indicia channels, and slots 23 for passage of the guide line hooks, such that the inner surface of the second plate may be pushed against the inner surface of the first plate, and / or the slider 4 may be placed on either face of the body. The slider comprises two pointers 11 to either side of the central peg and nut securement arrangement, wherein the body comprises two channels for indicia, with the first set of indicia on the upper face of the body and the second set of indicia on the lower face of the body. The pointers are provided centrally on the slider and comprise holes 33 and arrows in the holes, such that the indicia are visible in the hole and the pointer points to a particular indicia. 5 The invention has been described by way of examples only and it will be appreciated that variation may be made to the above-mentioned embodiments without departing from the scope of protection as defined by the claims.

Claims

1. A bricklaying device comprising a body defining a first axis, a first plate extending from the body on a second axis orthogonal the first axis, and a 5 second plate extending from the body on the second axis, wherein the secondplate is moveably mounted on the body, and a body measurement gauge providing a first set of indicia for measuring the distance between an outer surface of the first plate to an inner surface of the second plate; wherein the body has an indented guide channel which receives a guide line and one or 10 more hooks extend from the body over the indented channel for retaining theguide line.

2. A bricklaying device according to claim 1 wherein the body and first plate comprise a monolithic whole.

153. A bricklaying device according to claim 1 or 2 wherein the second plate is provided on a slider.

4. A bricklaying device according to claim 3 wherein the slider is perforated.

205. A bricklaying device according to claim 3 or 4 wherein the slider comprises a pointer for pointing at indicia.

6. A bricklaying device according to claim 3, 4 or 5 wherein the slider comprises 25 an orientation marking.

7. A bricklaying device according to any of claims 3 to 6 wherein the slider is wholly displaceable.30 8. A bricklaying device according to any preceding claim comprising ameasurement gauge providing a second set of indicia for measuring the distance between an inner surface of the second plate to an inner surface of the first plate.35 9. A bricklaying device according to any of preceding claims 1 to 7 wherein asecond face comprises a measurement gauge providing a second set of indicia.

10. A bricklaying device according to any preceding claim wherein the indicia is indented in a channel.5 11. A bricklaying device according to any preceding claim wherein the second platetravels in a slot in the body.

12. A bricklaying device according to any preceding claim wherein the second plate comprises a securement means on the body.1013. A bricklaying device according to claim 12 wherein the securement means comprises a screw thread tightening nut.

14. A bricklaying device according to any preceding claim wherein the indented15 guide channel is located at an intersection between the body and the first plate.CXIA

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