Self-supporting Story Pole with L-shaped Base for Masonry Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional masonry story pole systems are time-consuming to set up, require multiple anchor points, and can flex, making it difficult to quickly achieve and maintain the correct height and plumb when laying block or brick.
Innovation Solution
A self-supporting story pole system with a base plate, leveling plate, locking plate, spacer tube, line blocks, and corner follower plates that allows for one-point anchoring and reduces flex, enabling quick height and plumb adjustments, and allows for tooling joints without disturbing the setup.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If conventional story pole systems are used with multiple anchor points and braces, then stability is improved, but setup time increases and the pole becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the need for multiple anchor points and external braces by extracting the stabilization function into the pole's own design. The L-shaped configuration with the vertical pole and horizontal base plate creates self-stability, eliminating unnecessary support elements while reducing setup time.
Solution Approach 2:
The story pole is divided into functional segments: the vertical pole for height measurement, the horizontal base plate for anchoring and stability, and the spacer tube for string line attachment. This segmentation allows each part to perform its specific function efficiently, contributing to overall stability without requiring additional support structures.
2Manufacturing precision
If conventional story pole systems are supported by braces, then plumb accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The L-shaped base plate structure is self-aligning and self-supporting. The right-angle configuration naturally provides plumb reference, and the base plate's horizontal surface automatically establishes a level reference plane, eliminating the need for external alignment tools or complex adjustment mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The base plate is pre-configured with the correct geometry and attachment points before use. The horizontal surface and vertical pole are manufactured to precise angles, so when assembled, the system immediately provides accurate plumb and level references without requiring field adjustment or calibration.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the pole is positioned close to the corner for support, then stability is improved, but accessibility for tooling joints worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The base plate extends horizontally perpendicular to the pole, creating a stable support foundation in one dimension while keeping the pole itself positioned away from the corner in another dimension. This spatial arrangement provides both stability and clear access to the corner for masonry work.
Data Source
AI summary
A self-supporting story pole eliminates the need to build leads with a level and improves on current systems by using a self-supporting base that only needs to be anchored at one point, rather than two, and can preset the block height and plumb of the wall by using the mounting base system. Mounting hardware that slides on the pole is used for string alignment and also for eliminating flex in the pole by means of a follower guide. The system of the present invention is fast to set up and is designed to be away from the corner for the purpose of tooling the joints.