Brick cleaner

Abstract

An apparatus (100) for removing mortar from a brick, comprising a first component (102) configured to support a brick (108) in one or more orientations and a second component (104) configured to support a power tool (114). The apparatus is configured such that relative sliding in a second direction between a power tool (114) mounted on the second component and a brick on the first component causes relative sliding between the first component and second component in a first direction.

Description

[0001] 58.174398

[0002] BRICK CLEANER

[0003] FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0004] The present invention relates generally to systems and methods for cleaning bricks, which includes the removal of hardened mortar or other material adhered to the surface(s) of bricks used in construction.

[0005] BACKGROUND

[0006] For economic and environmental reasons, recycling of materials used in construction is becoming increasingly important. Recycled building materials such as bricks can be used in construction of new buildings in place of newly manufactured materials or can be repurposed to serve as decorative or functional enhancements to existing structures. One problem, however, is that the materials to be recycled, often coming from demolished buildings, typically require some kind of processing or cleaning before they are fit for their new purpose. For example, when bricks are used in construction, they are adhered to one another by mortar or other adherent. After demolition of a brick building, although bricks are mostly separated from one another, mortar often remains adhered to one or more surfaces of the bricks. In order to reuse or repurpose the bricks, this mortar must be removed. This can be achieved through a number of techniques, such as rubbing off with a brush or metal mesh, chiselling, grinding and sawing. Apparatuses have been devised to automate the cleaning process of softer mortars. For cleaning harder mortars, a manual power tool such as a pneumatic hammer or chisel are often used. Manual cleaning is however laborious and time consuming when more than a small number of bricks are cleaned. The chances of damaging the brick itself during cleaning are also higher during manual cleaning, as the force and angle applied to the brick by the operator are difficult to control.

[0007] SUMMARY OF INVENTION

[0008] An apparatus for removing mortar from a brick is provided, comprising a first component configured to support a brick in one or more orientations and a second component configured to support a power tool. The apparatus is configured such that sliding a power tool mounted on the second component in a second direction into contact with a brick on the first component causes relative sliding between the first component and second component in a first direction.58.174398 The first component may be configured to slide in the first direction and the second component may be configured to slide in the second direction. The apparatus may be configured such that sliding a power tool mounted on the second component in the second direction into contact with a brick on the first component causes sliding of the first component in the first direction.

[0009] The second component may be configured to slide in the first direction and in the second direction. The apparatus may be configured such that sliding a power tool mounted on the second component in the second direction into contact with a brick on the first component causes sliding of the second component in the first direction.

[0010] The first component may be configured to support a brick such that a face of the brick is contacted by a power tool mounted on the second component when the second component is moved in the second direction; and such that the face of the brick is non-parallel to the second direction.

[0011] The apparatus may be provided with a resistance varying means, configured to increase and / or decrease the resistance of the first component to move in the first direction.

[0012] The apparatus may be provided with a biasing means configured to bias the second component in the second direction and / or opposite the second direction.

[0013] The first direction may be perpendicular to the second direction.

[0014] The apparatus may be configured such that, in use, the first direction is horizontal and the second direction is vertical.

[0015] The second component may be provided with a handle.

[0016] The apparatus may further comprise a motor, said motor configured to drive the second component in the second direction and / or opposite the second direction.

[0017] The apparatus may further comprise the power tool mounted to the second component.

[0018] The power tool may be an oscillating hammer.58.174398 The apparatus may be configured to actuate the power tool upon a force being applied to the second component in the second direction.

[0019] The apparatus may be configured to actuate the power tool upon contact between the power tool and a brick supported on the first component.

[0020] The first component may be provided with a brick support, and the brick support may comprise a plurality of pegs extending from the first component configured to extend horizontally from said first component during use of the apparatus.

[0021] The apparatus may further comprise a third component configured support a power tool and to slide in a third direction and a fourth direction, wherein the apparatus is configured such that sliding a power tool mounted on the third component in the fourth direction into contact with a brick on the first component causes relative sliding between the first component and third component in the third direction; wherein the apparatus is configured such that respective power tools mounted on the second and third components can be simultaneously brought into contact with a brick mounted on the first component, on respective opposite faces of the brick.

[0022] A method of cleaning a brick is also provided, comprising positioning a brick onto a first component and sliding a power tool mounted on a second component in a second direction into contact with the brick so as to cause relative sliding of the brick and power tool in a first direction.

[0023] In said method, the first component may be configured to slide in the first direction and the second component may be configured to slide in the second direction. Sliding the power tool mounted on the second component in the second direction into contact with the brick on the first component may cause sliding of the first component in the first direction.

[0024] Alternatively, the second component may be configured to slide in the first direction and in the second direction. Sliding the power tool mounted on the second component in the second direction into contact with the brick on the first component may cause sliding of the second component in the first direction.58.174398 BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES

[0025] Figure 1A illustrates a perspective view of a brick cleaning apparatus according to an example of the present invention.

[0026] Figure 1 B illustrates a front view of a brick cleaning apparatus according to an example of the present invention.

[0027] Figure 2 illustrates a four-step force diagram representative of the force applied by a brick cleaning apparatus according to one or more examples of the present invention when used to remove mortar from a brick.

[0028] Figure 3 illustrates a five-step method of operating a brick cleaning apparatus according to one or more examples of the present invention.

[0029] Figure 4 illustrates a brick cleaning apparatus according to one or more examples of the present invention when in use with bricks placed in different orientations.

[0030] Figure 5 illustrates a brick cleaning apparatus according to one or more examples of the present invention in use to separate bricks from one another.

[0031] Figure 6 illustrates a brick cleaning apparatus according to the present invention where the second component is configured to move in a first and a second direction.

[0032] Figure 7 illustrates a brick cleaning apparatus according to the present invention comprising a second and a third component.58.174398 DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0033] Many modern and old buildings alike utilise bricks as a means of constructing solid walls. Although bricks used in construction can come in a range of shapes and sizes, the most common shape of brick is an elongate cuboid, with three pairs of opposing parallel faces. Bricks can be made from different materials, such as concrete or sand lime, but those comprising clay as a main constituent are the most widespread. Bricks manufactured for construction, especially those made with clay, have a very long lifespan, making them highly suitable for reuse or repurposing in the event a building made with said bricks is demolished. One barrier to the reuse or repurposing of bricks after demolition of a building however is the presence of mortar adhered to one or more of the faces of the bricks. An adherent, typically mortar or cement, is used to affix bricks to neighbouring bricks to form a wall. For conciseness, the term “mortar” will be used throughout the description, but it can also be replaced by another adherent material.

[0034] Examples of commonly used types of mortar are Portland cement mortar, hydraulic lime mortar, air-lime mortar and a mix of cement and air lime mortar. The most commonly used mortar in today's masonry is a mixture of sand, Portland cement and water (Portland cement mortar), which is a particularly hard mortar and forms strong bonds, making it especially difficult to remove from recycled bricks. Softer lime mortars, commonly used until the 1960s, can be cleaned by techniques such as scraping or rubbing off with a chisel, brush or metal mesh. However, these techniques are not particularly efficient when removing hard cement mortar. This is because cement mortar can be harder than the brick itself. Grinding, sawing or milling off the cement produces high volumes of dust particles and often results in removal of some of the brick surface itself.

[0035] When a building is demolished, the bricks mostly remain intact. This is because the mortar and / or the bond between mortar and brick is weaker than the brick structure itself. Often, since the brick-mortar bond is weaker than the mortar itself, residual mortar remains only one on side of a brick.

[0036] It is of course possible, with appropriate post-demolition processing, to remove unwanted residual mortar from bricks so that they may be reused or repurposed. There are many ways this can be achieved, such as through chemical or mechanical abrasion, hammering, chiselling or sawing. For example, it has been found that residual mortar can be removed from a brick by applying a shearing force to the mortar along the surface of the brick to which the mortar is adhered. This can be achieved manually, with use of a tool or power tool.58.174398 For these reasons, the best method for removing harder types of mortar such as Portland cement mortar involves the use of an impact tool, which may be a pneumatic or electric hammer or chisel, designed to impart high impact forces to the brick surface to remove the hard mortar. Using such a method, dust production is minimised, the mortar is removed in chunks and bricks may be cleaned more quickly, with less chance of damage to the brick surface.

[0037] An industry worker may use a pneumatic hammer or chisel to apply a shearing force along the surface of a brick to remove mortar therefrom. One of the problems with this however is that it is difficult for a human operator to fully control the applied force magnitude and angle. This can either result in failure to efficiently remove the mortar from the brick or damage to the brick itself, leading to time and material inefficiency, respectively. Additionally, whilst manual removal of mortar from a small number of bricks may be manageable, processing of large numbers of bricks will inevitably be exhausting and very time-consuming for the worker. Manual processing using impact tools such as pneumatic or electric hammers and chisels is particularly fatiguing for operators, meaning they can only work for limited time periods during a day.

[0038] EP0522749A1 teaches a machine comprising a chute through which bricks are guided. The chute has holes in its side through which vibrating cutters act transverse to the brick path defined by the chute. Gravity guides the bricks through the chute and the bricks fall onto a conveyor belt below once they have passed through the chute and mortar has been removed therefrom.

[0039] GB2391512A teaches an apparatus into which a two-dimensional array of bricks is slid. The bricks are then clamped together whilst a planing tool is moved across and parallel to the surface of the bricks to remove mortar from each brick simultaneously.

[0040] GB2288363A teaches a machine whereby four jaws form a tunnel with a cross-section just larger than the cross-section of bricks to be used with the machine. A brick is pushed through the jaw tunnel by a ram, thereby stripping mortar from the sides of the brick via the jaws. In an alternative, the brick is clamped and stationary and the jaws are moved over the surface of the brick.

[0041] US4004569A teaches a system wherein a number of rods with abrasive threads are positioned to form a tunnel slightly larger than the size of a brick. A brick is pushed through the tunnel to knock off and / or abrade mortar.58.174398 US3831577A teaches an apparatus comprising a rotating abrasive surface onto which bricks are placed. The bricks are held in position such that the surface abrades mortar from the bricks.

[0042] Whilst these known systems may be useful to remove mortar from used bricks, they occupy a large area and can be complex to build and / or operate. They may also require large energy consumption to operate as intended. Additionally, due to the techniques employed thereby, utilising “vibrating cutters”, “planing tools”, “stripping”, “abrading” etc., said machines may only be suitable for cleaning bricks with softer types of mortar adhered thereto.

[0043] Figures 1A and 1B illustrate a non-limiting example of a brick cleaner 100 according to the present invention in use, which aims to overcome the problems associated with manual mortar removal from bricks and machines employed for such purposes. The brick cleaner 100 comprises a first component 102 configured to slide in a first sliding direction and a second component 104 configured to slide in a second sliding direction, said second sliding direction being non-parallel to the first sliding direction. The first component 102 is provided with a brick support 106, which is configured to support a brick 108 in one or more orientations with respect to the first component 102. As illustrated, the brick support 106 may be configured to support a cuboidal brick 108 such that at least one face of the brick 108 extends non-parallel to the second sliding direction and / or non-parallel to the first sliding direction. Although a cuboidal brick is represented in the figures, and the term “cuboidal” used in parts of the description, it should be appreciated that the brick cleaner 100 is configured to clean mortar or other adherent from a surface of a brick of any polyhedral shape. In other words, the brick support 106 is configured to support a brick of any polyhedral shape in such an orientation such that a face of the brick can be cleaned using the herein-described apparatus and system. Figure 1 B illustrates three different possible orientations, x, y and z, of a brick 108 on the brick support 106 superimposed onto one another. The first component 102 may be coupled in a sliding relationship with a first stationary component 110 and the second component 104 may be coupled in a sliding relationship with a second stationary component 112. The first stationary component 110 may be directly or indirectly coupled to the second stationary component 112 to prevent relative motion therebetween. For example, a stand (not shown) may be provided as part of the apparatus, said first and second stationary components both being fixedly coupled to the stand.

[0044] As shown in Figures 1 A and 1 B, the second component 104 is configured to hold a tool, which may be a power tool 114. In the embodiment shown in Figures 1A and 1B, the tool is an oscillating hammer comprising a chisel or blade attachment 116. It is of course envisaged that other types of power tool may be mounted on the second component 104, as well as other58.174398 types of attachment being used with the power tool 114. The power tool 114 may be a commercially available power tool 114 which may be mounted to the second component 104 or may be a dedicated, specially designed tool which may be mounted or be integral with the second component 104. In other words, the power tool 114 could be manufactured as part of the brick cleaner 100 or be a separate device mounted to the second component 104.

[0045] The brick cleaner 100 is configured such that a power tool 114 mounted to the second component 104 may be brought into contact with a first face 118 of a brick 108 supported by the brick support 106 on the first component 102 by sliding the second component 104 in the second sliding direction. The brick support 106 is configured to support the brick 108 in an orientation such that a force imparted on the first face 118 by the power tool 114 in the second sliding direction has a component acting in the first sliding direction and a component acting parallel to the first face 118, i.e. a shear force. In some embodiments, the first sliding direction is substantially perpendicular to the second sliding direction, but this need not be the case. In some embodiments, the brick cleaner 100 is configured such that, in use, the first sliding direction is substantially horizontal and the second sliding direction is substantially vertical. Figure 2 is a force diagram representing the force F1 imparted through the power tool 114 on a brick 108 supported on a brick support 106 (not shown) on the first component 102. The brick 108 comprises a layer of mortar 120 adhered to its first face 118. As can be seen, due to the angle of the first face 118 of the brick 108 with respect to the direction of force F1 imparted through the power tool 114, the force on the brick 108 has a component F2 acting perpendicular to the applied force F1 and a component F3 acting along the first face 118 of the brick 108. The presence of mortar 120 on the brick face 118 essentially acts as a frictional force opposing force F3. When the applied force F1 is increased to a point where the mortar begins to be removed by the power tool 114, the shear force F3 is equal to or greater than the frictional force due to the mortar’s adhesion to the brick face 118. The resultant net force on the brick 108 has a component F2 in the first sliding direction.

[0046] As can be appreciated, since the first component 102 is slidable in the first direction, a force having a component F2 in this first direction imparted on the brick 108 through the power tool 114 will cause sliding of the first component 102 in the first sliding direction. This is because the brick 108 is supported by the brick support 106 so as to prevent relative motion between the brick 108 and first component 102 in the first sliding direction. Of course, the first component 102 may have a resistance to sliding in the first sliding direction. The component F2 would have to be equal to or greater than this resistive force if the first component 102 is to move in the first sliding direction.58.174398 As the brick 108 moves in the first sliding direction due to the force imparted through the power tool 114, the power tool 114 advances in the second sliding direction, thereby further advancing the brick 108 in the first sliding direction. The force acting on the power tool 114 in the second direction maintains the power tool attachment 11 in contact with the first face 118 of the brick 108 such that the attachment 116 traces the first face 118. In Figure 2, the displacement of the brick 108 in the first sliding direction is represented by x and the displacement of the brick 108 in the second sliding direction is represented by y. Steps (ii) to (iv) represent the described motion of the brick 108, where the point at which the arrows meet is the tip of the power tool 114, i.e. the contact point between the power tool 114 and the brick 108.

[0047] As can be appreciated, when mortar 120 is present on the first face 118 of the brick 108, the component of the force imparted through the power tool 114 acting parallel to the first face 118 (shear force) will act to separate the mortar 120 from the brick 108. The angle between the power tool 114, i.e. force F1, and brick 108 during operation may be constant, for example if the first and second sliding directions are linear. Additionally, when the resistance to sliding of the first component 102 in the first sliding direction is constant under sliding, the shear force along the first face 118 of the brick 108 will be proportional to the force F1 imparted through the power tool 114 in the second sliding direction.

[0048] Figure 3 illustrates the configuration and operation of the brick cleaner 100 as previously described. In step A1, a brick 108 is placed onto the brick support 106 such that a first face 118 can be contacted by a power tool 114 mounted on the second component 104 when the second component 104 is moved in the second sliding direction. To reach this position, sliding of the first component 102 may be required, as is seen between steps A1 and A2. Next, as illustrated in step A2, the power tool 114 is moved in the second sliding direction towards the first face 118 of the brick 108 such that the attachment 116 of the power tool 114 comes into contact with the brick 108. Force is then applied through the power tool 114 in the second direction, causing the first component 102, and brick 108, to move in the first sliding direction. The attachment 116 of the power tool 114 traces the first face 118 of the brick 108 while the shear force component of the force through the power tool 114 removes mortar from the first face 118 (step A3). Once the power tool attachment 116 has reached the end of the first face 118, shown in step A4, no further force is imparted through the power tool 114 in the second direction. The power tool 114 can then be retracted to its original position by sliding the second component (104) in a direction opposite the second sliding direction (step A5). The brick cleaner 100 is then ready to clean a second brick.58.174398 The force imparted through the power tool 114 generally refers to the force imparted on the second component 104, in addition to the forces output by the power tool 114 itself, which in the case of a pneumatic hammer are pulses of force rather than a constantly applied force. The second component 104 may be provided with a handle with which a human operator can apply a force to the second component 104 and power tool 114. In other embodiments, an electric motor or other power mechanism can be used to apply a force to the second component 104. For example, a power mechanism including a piston may be used. Said motor or mechanism could be operable via an electronic controller or simply a button interface. It is also envisaged that, in some embodiments, the second component 104 may include a biasing mechanism, for example a spring or gas piston. The biasing mechanism may be configured to bias the second component 104 in the second direction, i.e. towards a brick 108 supported on the first component 102 in order to reduce the force needing to be applied by a user or motor to clean a brick 108. The biasing mechanism may instead be configured to bias the second component 104 in a direction opposite the second sliding direction. This would provide the advantage that the power tool 114 would never contact a brick 108 supported on the first component 102 without externally applied forces. In this way, a user would also only ever need to impart a force on the second component 104 in the second direction to clean a brick 108, with the component returning to its original position once the force has been removed. In another embodiment, a biasing mechanism may be provided configured to counteract the effect of gravity on the second component 104. In other words, the biasing mechanism may be configured to maintain the second component 104 in a fixed position, when no external forces are applied. This would have the effect of making the second component 104 “weightless”, providing ease of use and control of its position.

[0049] In some embodiments, the brick cleaner 100 may be configured to be functionally connected to a power tool 114 so as to cause activation of the power tool 114 upon a force being applied to the second component 104 in the second sliding direction. This could be achieved simply by a force-activated switch provided on the second component 104 configured to provide power to the power tool 114 or to physically flip a switch on the power tool 114. Alternatively, the brick cleaner 100 could be provided with a force sensor configured to detect a force imparted on the second component 104. The brick cleaner 100 in this case would be provided with suitable electronics or electric circuits configured to switch on the power tool 114 upon detection of a given threshold force on the second component 104. In some embodiments, the brick cleaner 100 is configured to activate the power tool 114 upon contact between the power tool 114 and brick 108. This could be achieved through sensing the reaction force from the brick 108 on the power tool 114 once the power tool 114 is pressed against the brick 108.58.174398 In practice, the force required to remove mortar from bricks can vary greatly. This can be, for example, due to the use of different types of mortar and bricks and / or the condition or age thereof. Of course, the overall force imparted through the power tool can be easily selected, either through manual exertion or motor power. However, larger forces imparted through the power tool 114 tend to result in larger forces pushing the brick 108 in the first sliding direction. If the first component 102 is configured to slide without much resistance, applying large forces through the power tool 114 to remove stubborn mortar may cause the brick 108 to slide too fast in the first sliding direction, resulting in the power tool 114 failing to effectively remove the mortar. Similarly, in a case where the mortar 120 is relatively easy to remove from the brick face 118, i.e. only a relatively small force is required to be imparted through the power tool 114, if the resistance of the first component 102 to sliding in the first direction is too high, the force imparted through the power tool 114 may not be sufficient to slide the brick 108 as much as required. This can result in the power tool 114 damaging the brick 108 itself. As such, given the variability in force needed to remove mortar from some bricks, it is important to consider the resistance to sliding of the first component 102.

[0050] In general, the higher the force required to remove mortar 120 from the brick 108, the higher the resistance to sliding of the first component 102 in the first sliding direction should be, and vice versa. In some embodiments, the brick cleaner 100 is provided with a means to vary the resistance to sliding of the first component 102. This could be achieved either by providing a means to selectively vary the friction in parts of the sliding mechanism or by providing a tuneable biasing mechanism, such as a variable tension spring, in the sliding mechanism. As an example of the former, the first component 102 may be provided with an adjustable brake configured to clamp the first component 102 to a first stationary component on which it slides. The strength of the clamp can be adjusted via a screw system. Alternatively or additionally, the brick cleaner 100 may be configured such that the angle of the first sliding direction with respect to gravity can be adjusted. If the first sliding direction is horizontal, gravity should have no effect on the resistance to sliding of the first component 102. However, if the first sliding direction is increased with respect to direction of the force of gravity (tilted upwards), the first component 102 will experience a resistance to sliding in the first sliding direction due to gravity. The first component 102 may additionally or alternatively be provided with a biasing mechanism, such as a spring or gas piston, configured to bias the first component 102 into a default position with respect to the second component 104. This may be the position shown in box A2 in Figure 3, where a brick 108 mounted on the support 106 is supported in an orientation whereby the attachment 116 of a power tool 114 mounted on the second component 104 contacts an end of the brick face 118 when slid in the second direction. The biasing mechanism may be adjustable such that said default position may be selected.58.174398 Another way in which the brick cleaner 100 may be configured to deal with the varying force required to remove mortar from bricks is through the configuration of the brick support 106. With reference now to Figure 4, and in particular boxes A and B of Figure 4, it can be seen that the brick support 106 may be configured to support a brick 108 in more than one orientation. In particular, the brick support 106 may be configured to support a brick 108 such that the brick face 118 contactable by the power tool 114 upon sliding of the second component 104 in the second sliding direction can lie in different orientations with respect to the first and / or second sliding direction. In box A, the brick face 118 is closer to parallel to the second sliding direction than in box B. As can be appreciated, in the orientation shown in box A, the component of the force through the power tool 114 acting along the surface of the brick face 118 to remove the mortar 120 is greater than the equivalent component in box B. Consequently, the component of the force acting to slide the brick 108 in the first sliding direction in box A will be smaller than the equivalent component in box B. Provided the resistance to sliding of the first component 102 in the first sliding direction between boxes A and B remains constant, the orientation shown in box A would therefore be more suitable for removing tougher, more stubborn mortar from a brick face. The orientation shown in box B would be more suitable for removing relatively easy to remove mortar from a brick face 118. In other words, the greater the force required to remove mortar 120 from a brick face 118, the more aligned said brick face 118 should be to the second sliding direction, and the less force required to remove mortar 120 from a brick face 118, the less aligned the brick face 118 should be to the second sliding direction. In one embodiment, the brick support 106 comprises a series of pegs arranged so as to extend horizontally from the first component during use of the brick cleaner 100.

[0051] As shown in Figure 5, the brick support 106 may also be configured to support an array of mutually adhered bricks (i.e. a segment of a wall) in an orientation such that the second sliding direction is substantially perpendicular to the wall segment. Here, perpendicular means that the second sliding direction is parallel to the interface between the bricks in the wall segment. In use, the brick support 106 may be configured to support the wall segment substantially horizontally such that the mortar between each brick faces upwards. The benefit of this further configuration of the brick support 106 is that the brick cleaner 100 may also be used to separate bricks 108 which have not been separated from one another during demolition, and therefore cannot yet be cleaned using the brick cleaner 100 in the previously mentioned embodiments. Once separated, the bricks 108 may be subject to the method illustrated in Figure 3 to remove any residual mortar adhered to their faces.

[0052] Figure 6 illustrates another embodiment of the invention. This embodiment is conceptually similar to that previously described in that moving a power tool 114 mounted on a second58.174398 component 104 into contact with a brick 108 supported on the first component 102 in a second direction b causes relative motion between the brick 108 and power tool 114, and power tool attachment 116, in a first direction a. Whilst this functionality can be achieved, as previously described, by configuring the second component 104 to slide in the second direction b and the first component 102 to slide in the first direction a, it may also be achieved, as in the embodiment of Figure 6, by configuring the second component 104 to slide in both first and second directions a and b, whilst the first component 102 is not configured to slide. Aside from this difference in the configuration of the first and second components to slide or remain stationary, the brick cleaner 100, power tool 114 and brick 108 are as previously described. For example, when using the cleaner depicted in Figure 6, the tool attachment 116 will trace the surface 118 of the brick 108 to remove mortar 120 therefrom exactly as illustrated in Figure 2. As will be understood, it is the relative sliding between the brick 108 and the power tool 114 provided by the configuration of the first and second components together which provides the describes functionality, not the individual configurations of the components themselves. In other words, the configuration of the first component 102 to slide or be stationary is not itself an essential feature.

[0053] Instead of adjusting the resistance to sliding of the first component 102 in the first direction to account for varying mortar removal forces, as described in relation to the embodiment of Figures 1 to 4, in the embodiment of Figure 6, this is achieved in the same way, and with the same effect, by adjusting the resistance to sliding of the second component 104 in the first direction. Similarly, the second component 104 may be biased in the second direction as described in relation to Figures 1 to 4. Although not illustrated, an embodiment where the second component 104 is configured to remain stationary is also contemplated. In such an embodiment, the first component 102 supporting the brick 108 would be configured to be slidable in the first and second directions. The first component 102 is configured to slide in the second direction so as to move the brick 108 closer to, and into contact with, the power tool 114. Upon contact, and force applied in the second direction through the brick 108 on the power tool 114, the first component 102 slides also in the first direction as the power tool 114 moves along the face of the brick 108. In this way, the same functionality of previously described embodiments can be achieved, i.e. the tracing of the power tool 114 along the face of the brick 108 to remove mortar therefrom, said power tool 114 being able to be applied at a constant angle with respect to the face of the brick 108. The first component 102 may be provided with a resistance varying means or biasing means to alter its resistance or bias to movement in the first and / or second directions as previously described in relation to other embodiments.58.174398 Figure 7 illustrates a brick cleaner 100 similar in structure to that illustrated in Figure 6. In this embodiment, the brick cleaner 100 is configured to support a brick vertically as shown such that a face 118 of the brick 108 having mortar to be removed is substantially vertical. The second component 104 has two degrees of freedom, similar to that shown in Figure 6. The brick cleaner is configured such that a power tool 114 mounted on the second component 104 can be slid in a second direction b, non-parallel to the brick face 118, into contact with the brick face 118. As the second component 104 continues to be moved in the second direction along the face 118 of the brick 108, removing mortar therefrom, the second component 104 will also slide in the first direction a such that the attachment 116 of the power tool 114 tracks the face 118 of the brick 108. In order to counteract the forces of gravity acting to slide the second component 104 in the first direction, a damping or biasing mechanism may be provided to the brick cleaner 100, said mechanism configured to damp, add resistance or bias the second component 104 in a direction opposite the first direction.

[0054] As shown in Figure 7, the brick cleaner 100 may comprise two second components 104 as previously described, positioned such that power tools 114 mounted thereon contact opposite faces of a brick 108 when slid in their respective second directions b. This is one advantage of providing a stationary first component 104. Of course, the ability to clean two sides of a brick 108 simultaneously increases the speed of processing of the bricks. The functionality of each second component 104 is the same as the second component 104 previously described in relation to Figures 6 and 7. In other embodiments, the brick cleaner 100 comprises only one second component 104.

[0055] In any of the aforementioned embodiments, the brick cleaner 100 may be configured such that the first and second directions are both substantially horizontal when the brick cleaner 100 is in use. In other words, the first and second components slide only in the horizontal plane. This generally negates the effect of gravity on the movement of the first and second components. In the case of the embodiment of Figure 7, this could be advantageous in that the damping, resistance or biasing mechanism use to counteract the force of gravity causing movement of the second component 104 in the first direction may no longer be required.

[0056] Although movement of the first and second components as previously described in any embodiment may be exacted manually by an operator, it is also envisaged that said movement may be at least partially electronically controlled and may be fully automated. For example, movement of at least one of the components may be controlled by robotics. The robotics may be provided with control circuitry that may be preset with operational parameters, such as required forces and speeds, and may also utilise a machine learning algorithm to learn optimal58.174398 operational parameters for different types of bricks, different mortar types or different interception angles between the brick and power tool, for example.

[0057] Although the present invention has been described with reference to certain embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and detail may be made without departing from the scope of the invention as set forth in the accompanying claims.

Claims

58. 174398 CLAIMS1. An apparatus (100) for removing mortar from a brick, comprising:a first component (102) configured to support a brick (108) in one or more orientations; a second component (104) configured to support a power tool (114);wherein the apparatus is configured such that relative sliding in a second direction between a power tool (114) mounted on the second component and a brick on the first component causes relative sliding between the first component and second component in a first direction.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein:the first component (102) is configured to slide in the first direction;the second component (104) is configured to slide in the second direction;wherein the apparatus (100) is configured such that sliding a power tool (114) mounted on the second component in the second direction into contact with a brick (108) on the first component (102) causes sliding of the first component (102) in the first direction.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, whereinthe second component (104) is configured to slide in the first direction and in the second direction;wherein the apparatus (100) is configured such that sliding a power tool (114) mounted on the second component (104) in the second direction into contact with a brick (108) on the first component (102) causes sliding of the second component (104) in the first direction.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 , whereinthe first component (102) is configured to slide in the first direction and in the second direction;wherein the apparatus (100) is configured such that sliding a brick (108) on the first component (102) in the second direction into contact with a power tool (114) mounted on the second component (104) causes sliding of the first component (102) in the first direction.

5. The apparatus of any preceding claim, wherein the first component (102) is configured to support a brick (108) such that a face (118) of the brick is contacted by a power tool (114) mounted on the second component (104) when the second component is moved in the second direction; and such that the face of the brick is non-parallel to the second direction.58.174398 6. The apparatus of any preceding claim wherein the apparatus (100) is provided with a resistance varying means, configured to increase and / or decrease the resistance of the first component (102) to move in the first direction.

7. The apparatus of any preceding claim, wherein the apparatus (100) is provided with a biasing means configured to bias the second component (104) in the second direction and / or opposite the second direction.

8. The apparatus of any preceding claim, wherein the first direction is perpendicular to the second direction.

9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the apparatus (100) is configured such that, in use, the first direction is horizontal and the second direction is vertical.

10. The apparatus of any preceding claim, wherein the second component (104) is provided with a handle.

11. The apparatus of any preceding claim, further comprising a power mechanism, said power mechanism configured to drive the second component (104) in the second direction and / or opposite the second direction; and optionally wherein the power mechanism is an electric motor or a piston-driven power mechanism.

12. The apparatus of any preceding claim, further comprising the power tool (114) mounted to the second component (104).

13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the power tool (114) is an oscillating hammer.

14. The apparatus of claim 12 or 13, wherein the apparatus (100) is configured to actuate the power tool (114) upon a force being applied to the second component (104) in the second direction.

15. The apparatus of claim 12 or 13, wherein the apparatus (100) is configured to actuate the power tool (114) upon contact between the power tool and a brick (108) supported on the first component (102).

16. The apparatus of any preceding claim, wherein the first component (102) is provided with a brick support (106), and optionally wherein said brick support comprises a plurality of pegs1858.174398 extending from the first component configured to extend horizontally from said first component during use of the apparatus (100).

17. The apparatus of any of claims 1, 3 or 5 to 16, further comprising a third component configured support a power tool and to slide in a third direction and a fourth direction, wherein the apparatus is configured such that sliding a power tool (114) mounted on the third component in the fourth direction into contact with a brick on the first component causes relative sliding between the first component and third component in the third direction; wherein the apparatus is configured such that respective power tools mounted on the second and third components can be simultaneously brought into contact with a brick mounted on the first component, on respective opposite faces of the brick.

18. A method of cleaning a brick, comprising:supporting a brick with a first component;causing relative sliding in a second direction between a power tool mounted on a second component and the brick so as to cause relative sliding of the first component and second component in a first direction.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein:the first component is configured to slide in the first direction;the second component is configured to slide in the second direction;wherein sliding the power tool mounted on the second component in the second direction into contact with the brick on the first component causes sliding of the first component in the first direction.

20. The method of claim 18, wherein:the second component is configured to slide in the first direction and in the second direction; wherein sliding the power tool mounted on the second component in the second direction into contact with the brick on the first component causes sliding of the second component in the first direction.

21. The method of claim 18, wherein:the first component is configured to slide in the first direction and in the second direction; wherein the apparatus is configured such that sliding a brick on the first component in the second direction into contact with a power tool mounted on the second component causes sliding of the first component in the first direction.

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