Device for hand-laying bricks

Abstract

The invention relates to the field of building, and more particularly to a universal device for laying and finishing brick walls, and can be used for public and industrial building projects with any type and size of bricks and for forming joints of different heights between adjacent rows of bricks. The technical result of the invention is that of accelerating and simplifying the building process. The technical result is achieved by means of a device for hand-laying bricks which is characterized in that it is an insert structure comprising opposing sections connected by transverse rods, each of said sections containing a rod that determines the height of the mortar joint, wherein the device is designed so that it can be extended in the horizontal plane, thus allowing the angle of the rods that determine the height of the mortar joint to be altered by an amount of between 0 and 45 degrees relative to the vertical axis.

Description

[0001] MANUAL BRICKLAYING DEVICE

[0002] The invention relates to the field of construction, namely to a universal device for laying and facing brick walls and can be used for civil and industrial construction projects with any standard size of bricks and with the ability to form joints between adjacent rows of bricks of different heights.

[0003] One of the most complex construction processes is the production of brick or block masonry. The widely used bricklaying method consists of several stages:

[0004] 1) Laying the first row of bricks on the base (support platform or foundation).

[0005] A layer of mortar is applied to the base and leveled manually to the specified thickness. The first row of bricks is then laid on top of the mortar layer. To ensure the bricks are laid evenly, a string (rope) is stretched from one edge of the wall to the other, visually aligning the first row of bricks. To level the bricks, tap the trowel handle against the brick's surface until it reaches the level indicated by the string. Any excess mortar squeezed out from under the brickwork is collected with the trowel from both the outside and inside.

[0006] 2) Laying the second and subsequent rows of bricks on top of the first row of bricks.

[0007] A layer of mortar is applied to the first row of bricks and smoothed by hand to the specified thickness. The second (and subsequent) rows of bricks are then laid on top of this mortar layer. To ensure the bricks are laid evenly, a string (or rope) is stretched from one edge of the wall to the other, visually aligning the rows of bricks. To level the bricks, tap the surface of the brick with a trowel until it sinks to the level indicated by the string, forcing the flexible mortar underneath.

[0008] 3) Grouting the masonry joints.

[0009] The complexity of bricklaying stems from the fact that each row of bricks is laid on top of the previous row using liquid mortar, creating a mortar joint that must meet specified joint height parameters. This joint height is determined by the architectural pattern of the brickwork or by the specified wall height parameters, which take into account the brick height and the joint height.

[0010] Laying bricks with wet mortar requires special skills to ensure that the force applied to the brick does not push the mortar out of the joint and thus distort the joint size. Maintaining a uniform joint height becomes more difficult as the brickwork increases with each new course, since not only is the mortar of the last course in a liquid state, but the preceding lower joints are also in a liquid state. As a result, the bricklayer cannot lay the brickwork high enough, because the mortar in the lower joints will succumb to the pressure and protrude, causing the joints of the lower courses to change in height. A further complication is that the joints of the lower courses will change in height unevenly, with a possible slope, which can lead to the entire masonry mass collapsing outward or inward from the design plane.

[0011] The information provided shows that bricklaying is a very labor-intensive process that requires special skills and training of specialists.

[0012] To simplify bricklaying work, various devices are currently used.

[0013] For example, a construction and installation profile for laying a wall from bricks or blocks with longitudinal grooves is known (RU Patent No. 73892, published on June 10, 2008), which is a built-in structure and contains two parallel guides connected to each other by transverse strips, while the guides have shelves made with the possibility of their placement in the longitudinal grooves of a brick or block.

[0014] After laying the first row of bricks or blocks, a construction profile is placed on them. The downward-facing shelves of the guides are inserted into the grooves of the bricks, ensuring their complete alignment. The space between the shelves is then filled from above with mortar, which penetrates the bricks. The next row of building or facing bricks or blocks is then laid, with the upward-facing shelves inserted into the grooves of these bricks. The laying cycle is then repeated in a similar manner until the wall is fully erected. A distinctive feature of this design is its use as a built-in element, which cannot be moved or removed from the wall structure. This ensures uniform gap heights between adjacent horizontal rows of bricks, achieving high repeatability and enhancing aesthetics.Each upper layer of brick laid rests on the end of the guide profile below, without squeezing out the mortar underneath and without causing uncontrolled displacement of the lower laid rows of masonry, which significantly speeds up and simplifies the process of building a wall.

[0015] However, this design is intended for use only with the type of bricks or blocks that have longitudinal grooves for placing guide shelves in them, which increases the labor intensity of construction precisely from the point of view of manufacturing this special type of bricks or blocks.

[0016] It's also important to note that a single embedded profile design allows for a consistent joint height between adjacent rows of bricks, determined by the height of the guides. This again allows for a very specific use of the embedded profile. This means that when laying bricks with varying joint heights between adjacent rows, separate prefabricated embedded profiles with different guide heights are required.

[0017] A device for manual bricklaying (RU Patent No. 222924, published November 18, 2023) is considered the closest analogue to the claimed solution. It consists of a built-in structure comprising two parallel guides and crossbars, the ends of which are connected to the guides. The guides are adjustable relative to each other to adjust the distance between the guides according to the brick dimensions. The crossbars can be flexible. These crossbars can also be made of metal wires, flexible plastic crossbars, etc.

[0018] The ability to shift the guides relative to each other allows you to adjust the distance between the device's guides and thus change the width of the device to match the width of the type of brick used, which allows you to use the device for different sizes of bricks and blocks.

[0019] In this case, when tapped, the brick settles downward until it rests against the ends of the device's guides. The crossbars help maintain the device's structure in its original shape, preventing the guides from spreading beyond the brickwork. This not only ensures increased speed of wall installation but also ensures reliable work without requiring highly qualified workers.

[0020] However, using this device, as in the previous case, only allows for the creation of gaps between adjacent horizontal rows of bricks of the same, repeating height. This means that if different brick or block masonry projects require different joint heights between adjacent rows, it is necessary to pre-fabricate devices with different guide heights, which support the row of bricks above and determine the joint height.

[0021] The technical problem of the present invention is the creation of a device for manual brick laying, which further develops the technical idea embedded in the design of the closest analogue, and makes it possible to obtain a universal embedded structure used not only for the construction of a wall from bricks of any size, but also for the formation of joints of different heights between adjacent rows of bricks.

[0022] The technical result of the invention is the acceleration and simplification of the construction process due to the design features of the solution.

[0023] The technical result is achieved by using a device for manual bricklaying:

[0024] - representing a mortgage structure,

[0025] - containing oppositely located sections connected by transverse strips, - wherein each said section contains a strip that defines the height of the brickwork seam,

[0026] - wherein the device is designed with the possibility of stretching in a horizontal plane while changing the angle of the bar, which sets the height of the brickwork seam, by a value from 0 to 45 degrees relative to the vertical axis.

[0027] In a particular case, the strip that sets the height of the brickwork joint is connected to a horizontally located strip.

[0028] The device's opposing sections and crossbars between them create an accordion-type structure capable of being compressed and expanded horizontally. When compacted, the device takes up little space and is extremely easy to transport. When extended, the device is ready for construction work.

[0029] The degree of horizontal stretching of the device allows you to adjust its height, which determines the joint height between adjacent rows of brickwork. Without stretching, the device's joint height bar will remain at its original angle relative to the vertical axis, ensuring the maximum possible joint height in the brickwork. However, if the device is stretched to its maximum, the joint height bar will change its original angle relative to the vertical axis from 0 to 45 degrees, ensuring the minimum possible joint height in the brickwork.

[0030] Thus, by adjusting the degree of stretching of the device, it is possible to regulate the angle of deviation of the bar, which sets the height of the seam, relative to the vertical axis, and ultimately create seams between adjacent rows of brickwork of the desired height.

[0031] Moreover, the device, which is a built-in structure, ensures reliable support for the brick row above it during its laying without the risk of mortar extrusion and the collapse of multiple rows of brickwork, either outward or inward. The maximum possible deviation angle from the vertical of 45 degrees was chosen based on the consideration that, in this case, the stretched device can still maintain a stable and secure position, supporting the load of the brickwork rows above it while maintaining the joint height without inadvertent expansion of the device structure. If the device is stretched to a greater deviation angle from the vertical axis, the brick rows above it will continue to uncontrollably stretch the embedded devices located in the lower rows under pressure, which can lead to mortar extrusion from the formed joints.

[0032] Ultimately, the claimed device is universal and allows for a simple operation of stretching the structure laterally to change the height of the device, which will determine the height of the joint between rows of bricks. This simplifies the technological process of manufacturing a bricklaying device and speeds up the overall construction process.

[0033] Fig. 1 shows a general view of the claimed device in a compressed position.

[0034] Fig. 2 shows a general view of the claimed device in an extended position.

[0035] Fig. 3 shows the angle a of the location of the strip that sets the height of the brickwork seam, with the possibility of deviation of up to 45 degrees relative to the vertical axis.

[0036] Fig. 4 shows the second version of the device in a compressed position.

[0037] Fig. 5 shows the second version of the device in a stretched position.

[0038] Fig. 6 shows the angle a of the location of the strip that sets the height of the brickwork seam, with the possibility of deviation of up to 45 degrees relative to the vertical axis in the second embodiment of the device.

[0039] Fig. 7 shows the arrangement of the device for forming brickwork.

[0040] The device for manual brick laying comprises oppositely located sections 1 and 2, connected by transverse strips 3. In this case, each of the said sections 1 and 2 comprises a strip 4, which specifies the height of the brickwork joint (Fig. 1, 2, 4, 5). The device can be located in the initial compressed position (Fig. 1, 4), and can also be stretched in the horizontal plane (Fig. 2, 5).

[0041] In this case, the angle a of the location of the strip 4, which sets the height of the brickwork seam, when the device is stretched can change by up to 45 degrees relative to the vertical axis (Fig. 3, 6).

[0042] The device can be made of metal, metal wire, and composite materials, including those based on epoxy resins reinforced with fiberglass.

[0043] Example 1.

[0044] The device comprises section 1 and section 2, located opposite each other. These sections are offset relative to each other (Fig. 1).

[0045] The upper end of section 1 is connected to the first end of crossbar 3, the second end of which is connected to the upper end of section 2 of the device. Further, the lower end of section 2 is connected to the first end of crossbar 3, the second end of which is connected to the lower end of section 1. Thus, the profile of the device is based on a triangle.

[0046] The area between the ends of section 1 and section 2 in this case is represented by strip 4, located in a vertical plane, which will determine the height of the seam when laying the device.

[0047] To set the desired seam height, the device is pulled sideways (Fig. 2). This causes bar 4 to tilt from its original position by an angle of α, which can reach 45 degrees (Fig. 3).

[0048] Next, the prepared and stretched device is placed on the row of bricks below, forming a seam of the required height between adjacent rows of bricks.

[0049] Example 2.

[0050] The device comprises section 1 and section 2, located opposite each other. These sections are offset relative to each other (Fig. 4). Section 1 contains strips 4, which define the seam height, the lower ends of which are connected to a horizontally located strip 5. The upper ends of strips 4 are connected to transverse strips 3. Thus, the profile of the device is based on a trapezoid.

[0051] To set the desired seam height, the device is pulled laterally (Fig. 5). This causes strip 4 to deviate from its original position by an angle a, which can reach 45 degrees (Fig. 6).

[0052] Next, the prepared and stretched device is placed on the row of bricks below, forming a seam of the required height between adjacent rows of bricks.

[0053] The method of laying bricks using the claimed design consists of the following stages (Fig. 7):

[0054] 1) Laying the first row of bricks on the base (support platform, or foundation).

[0055] The device is placed lengthwise on the foundation, first stretched to set the desired joint height. Mortar is applied between the crossbars 3, which serve as support for the bricks laid on top. Then, using a trowel (spatula), the mortar is leveled by running the edge of the trowel along the ends of the crossbars 3 of the device, removing excess mortar. A brick is laid on top of the device filled with mortar. To ensure uniformity of the laying, a string (rope) is stretched from one edge of the wall to the other, along which the first row of bricks is visually aligned. To level the bricks, the mason taps the trowel handle against the surface of the brick, lowering it until it touches the crossbars 3 of the device.

[0056] 2) Laying the second and subsequent rows of bricks on top of the first row of bricks.

[0057] The required units are laid out on the first row of bricks, spaced at the required distance. Mortar is applied between the 3 crossbars. The mortar is then leveled using a trowel (spatula), and excess mortar is removed. Bricks are laid on top of the laid units, filled with mortar. To ensure uniformity, a string (rope) is stretched from one edge of the wall to the other, visually aligning the rows of bricks. To level the bricks, tap the trowel handle on the surface of the brick, lowering the trowel until it touches the 3 crossbars.

[0058] The installed devices are not removed from the masonry.

[0059] Next, continue laying the required number of rows of bricks, without fear of the plasticity of the mortar, since the weight of the brick is transferred from row to row right down to the foundation not only through the plastic mortar, but through the transverse planks 3 of the device, which serve as supports for the brick.

[0060] In this case, the moisture absorption of the brick and the setting time of the mortar are less important than in conventional masonry methods. Also, the plasticity of the mortar is not one of the reasons for using hardening accelerators (catalysts).

[0061] 3) Grouting the masonry joints.

[0062] Grouting of masonry joints can be carried out simultaneously with laying bricks from row to row of masonry, since there is no subsidence of the brick rows and the mortar does not protrude outward under the pressure of the upper rows of masonry.

[0063] Thus, the proposed solution simplifies and increases the speed of building wall installation using any brick size and in any weather and climate conditions. Moreover, a single universal device design can be used to form joints of various required heights.

Claims

Invention formula 1. A device for manual bricklaying, characterized in that it is a built-in structure containing oppositely located sections connected by transverse strips, wherein each said section contains a strip that specifies the height of the brickwork joint, and the device is designed with the possibility of stretching in a horizontal plane while changing the angle of the strip that specifies the height of the brickwork joint by a value from 0 to 45 degrees relative to the vertical axis.

2. The device according to item 1, characterized in that the strip that sets the height of the brickwork seam is connected to a horizontally located strip.

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