WO2005080707A1

WO2005080707A1 - Apparatus for spacing building blocks

Info

Publication number: WO2005080707A1
Application number: PCT/GB2005/000635
Authority: WO
Inventors: George Moore
Original assignee: George Moore
Priority date: 2004-02-20
Filing date: 2005-02-21
Publication date: 2005-09-01
Also published as: GB0403748D0

Abstract

An apparatus for spacing building blocks comprising a substantially permeable planar base member; a vertical spacing member for supporting a building block, which member extends from the planar base member and defines a spacing distance from the base member; and a horizontal spacing member distinct from the vertical spacing member and extending from the planar base member and defining, with the base member, a building block support region for a building block. Also disclosed is a method of use of such an apparatus.

Description

APPARATUS FOR SPACING BUILDING BLOCKS

The present invention relates to an apparatus for spacing building blocks, method of use thereof, and a structure incorporating such apparatus.

During the construction of a masonry wall, bricks of blocks are typically laid on a footing or the like either in staggered relationship or stacking relationship with mortar or similar adhesive joints between adjacent bricks or blocks. Due to the expense of having such walls constructed by a professional builder, often individuals attempt to construct such walls themselves. However, unless the individual constructing the wall has experience and skill in the art of brick laying, it is very difficult to maintain the vertical spacing between adjacent courses of bricks or blocks and the horizontal positioning of the bricks or blocks relative to one another. If the vertical and horizontal spacing is not correct, the structure of the final wall will be compromised, with the wall being both weaker than it should be and also aesthetically unpleasing. This may result in a potentially dangerous situation where the wall is either not capable of supporting its intended load, or else may collapse under its own weight, thereby posing a safety hazard.

Several solutions have been presented to overcome this problem of the prior art. For example, US 4,136,498 discloses a plastic or metal web with upper and lower projecting conical members having a thickness equal to the conventional mortar joint between brick courses, the projecting members located so as to frictionally engage within apertures within the building blocks. However, this carries the disadvantage that it may only be used with building blocks having apertures of a specified number and dimension.

There is a requirement therefore for an improved apparatus for use in spacing apart building blocks which allows the construction of a building block structure, such as a wall or the like, in a simple manner and permits the correct vertical and horizontal positioning of adjacent building blocks.

Accordingly, a first aspect of the present invention provides an apparatus for spacing building blocks comprising a substantially permeable planar base member; a vertical spacing member for supporting a building block, which member extends from the planar base member and defines a spacing distance from the base member; and a horizontal spacing member distinct from the vertical spacing member and extending from the planar base member and defining, with the base member, a building block support region for a building block.

In this way, the building blocks may be both regularly spaced relative to one another vertically as well as horizontally.

In the case where the apparatus comprises only one vertical and one horizontal spacing member, when forming a structure, a first apparatus may be placed on at least a portion of a first substantially parallel row of building blocks, so as to provide a building block support region within which to locate a building block forming at least a part of a second row of building blocks. Further apparatus may be located adjacent the first apparatus to provide further building block support regions in which to locate further building blocks, the number of apparatus corresponding to the desired number of building block support regions.

Where the apparatus comprises a plurality of vertical and horizontal spacing members, the number of building block support regions provided is determined by the number of horizontal spacing members present extending from the base member.

A further aspect of the present invention provides an apparatus for spacing building blocks comprising a substantially permeable planar base member; a plurality of vertical spacing members for supporting a building block, which members extend from the planar base member and define a spacing distance from the base member; and a plurality of horizontal spacing members distinct from the vertical spacing member extending from the planar base member and defining a plurality of building block support regions between consecutive pairs thereof.

Throughout the specification, the term building blocks is intended to cover all building units which would be evident to the skilled person, such as bricks, breeze blocks, engineering-type bricks and the like. The building blocks may comprise any suitable material such as stone, cement, bound aggregate and any other suitable material known in the art. Furthermore, an apparatus according to the present invention may be used with any of the aforementioned building block types or any combination of the aforementioned building block types.

In an apparatus according to any aspect of the present invention, the vertical spacing member may extend from the majority of the width of the base member. Although not essential, it is preferable that the vertical spacing member extends from the majority of the width, if not the whole of the width of the base member. In this way, greater stability may be provided between parallel layers of building blocks. In addition, the apparatus may be stronger as the point of attachment of the vertical spacing member is greater than if the vertical spacing member extends over only a small portion of the base member.

Alternatively, the vertical spacer may extend from only a portion of the width of the base member where sufficient strength of attachment of the vertical spacing member may be achieved without having the point of contact extending across the full width of the base member.

The vertical spacer may be tapered in shape such that the building block spacer continues to extend across any frog or depression in the building block, but the projecting spacer takes up a reduced volume in the mortar bed between adjacent courses of building blocks. This allows more of the space between adjacent courses to be taken up with mortar. Thus, the vertical spacer continues to effectively space apart adjacent building blocks in neighbouring courses, whilst permitting an increased amount of mortar to be accommodated in the bed j oint.

Similarly, the horizontal spacing member may extend from the majority of the width of the base member. Preferably, the horizontal spacing member extends from the whole of the width of the base member. Again, this may provide a stronger apparatus as the point of attachment of the horizontal spacing member is greater than if the horizontal spacing member extends over only a portion of the base member.

Alternatively, the horizontal spacing member may extend from only a portion of the width of the base member where sufficient strength of attachment of the horizontal spacing member may be achieved without having the point of contact extending across the full width of the base member.

Preferably, the base member comprises a web or mesh material. More preferably, the base member comprises a flexible material. It is most preferred that the base member is flexible enough to allow the apparatus to be stored in a rolled-up configuration to facilitate storage and transport of the apparatus.

All or a portion of an apparatus according to any preceding aspect of the present invention may be made from any suitable material known to the skilled person, but preferably is made from any suitable flexible material such as a flexible nylon material or any suitable rubber, such as reconstituted tyres.

Apparatus according to the present invention may be dimensioned to suit any size, length and width of building block. Similarly, the apparatus may be dimensioned to locate the horizontal spacing members on the base member to correspond to the length of any desired building block, and the height of the vertical spacing members may be selected to correspond to any height including, but not exceeding, the desired depth of mortar joint between adjacent courses of building blocks.

Preferably, the planar base member is provided with one or more locating members extending perpendicularly from the plane of the planar base member in a direction away from the building block support region.

Furthermore, the apparatus may also be used in combination with cavity construction wall ties in the conventional manner, as understood by the skilled person.

A further aspect of the present invention provides a structure comprising a plurality of building blocks spaced apart from each other and arranged in generally parallel rows with an apparatus according to an aspect of the present invention located between at least a portion of at least two parallel rows.

Any building block structure incorporating an apparatus according to the present invention will be stronger than a typical structure prepared without incorporation of such apparatus due, at least in part, to the reinforcing effects of the base member.

Furthermore, when the apparatus is used at all building block joints in the structure, the final structure will be reinforced several-fold compared to the same structure prepared without the use of the apparatus. This also has the effect of rendering the final structure less liable to cracking than a similar structure prepared in the conventional manner in the absence of an apparatus according to the present invention. A further aspect of the present invention provides a method of forming a structure comprising the steps of: (i) arranging a plurality of building blocks in a generally parallel row; (ii) locating an apparatus according to an aspect of the present invention over at least a portion of the row of building blocks; (iii) applying a layer of adhesive to the apparatus; and (iv) arranging at least one building block on the layer of adhesive such that the building block is located within a building block support region.

The layer of adhesive applied to the apparatus in step (iii) will lie on the top of the webbing as well as sinking through the mesh so as to adhere the layered building blocks together.

An embodiment of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, and with reference to the following drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a side view of a first embodiment of an apparatus according to the present invention; Figure 2 is a plan view of a further embodiment of an apparatus according to the present invention; Figure 3 is an elevation view of the embodiment shown in figure 2; Figure 4 is a section through the line A-A shown in figure 2; Figure 5 is a perspective view of a further embodiment of an apparatus according to the present invention; Figure 6 is a plan view of a further a structure incorporating a further embodiment of an apparatus according to the present invention; Figure 7 is a side view from the front of the structure of figure 6; Figure 8 is a side view from the rear of the structure of figure 6; Figure 9A is a cross-sectional view through the structure of figure 6; and Figure 9B is a side view of the apparatus shown in figure 6.

Throughout the figures, the same reference numerals have been used to refer to the same features of the same or different embodiments of the present invention.

Figure 1 shows an apparatus (10) for spacing building blocks, comprising a substantially planar base member (20) with a horizontal spacing member (30) and a vertical spacing member (40) extending from the base member (20). The horizontal base member (30), together with the base member (20) defines a building block support region (50) within which a building block (not shown) may be positioned, in use. The vertical spacing member (40) defines a spacing distance from the base member (20) corresponding to the height (vh) of the vertical spacing member (40).

Figures 2 and 3 show a further embodiment of an apparatus (10) for spacing building blocks, comprising a substantially planar base member (20) in the form of a web material with a plurality of horizontal spacing members (30) and a plurality of vertical spacing members (40), extending therefrom. Each horizontal spacing member (30) extends outwardly from the whole of the width of the base member (20) at an angle substantially perpendicular to the plane of the base member (20). The horizontal spacing member (30), together with the base member (20) defines a building block support region (50) which, in use, receives a building block therein, each horizontal spacing member (30) serving to separate adjacent building blocks by a horizontal distance corresponding to the width (hw) of the horizontal spacing member (30). The yertical spacing members (40) extend outwardly from the whole of the width of the base member (20) at an angle substantially perpendicular to the plane of the base member (20). The vertical spacing members serve to separate vertically adjacent building blocks, i.e. building blocks from adjacent courses, by a vertical distance corresponding to the height (vh) of the vertical spacing member (40). Figure 4 shows a sectional view through the line A- A shown in figure 2. As can be seen from figure 4, the horizontal spacing member (30) extends further from the base member (20) than the vertical spacing member (40) such that the horizontal spacing member (30) extends into the space between horizontally adjacent building blocks (60), the building blocks (60) being horizontally spaced apart by the distance defined by the width (hw) of the horizontal spacing members (40).

In use, the apparatus (10) is laid over a substantially parallel row of building blocks (60), a layer of suitable adhesive such as mortar or the like applied to the upper surface (70) of the base member (20) and a further layer of building blocks (60) laid on top of the adhesive such that adjacent rows, or courses, of building blocks are separated by a distance corresponding to the height (vh) of the vertical spacing members (40) and a horizontal spacing member (30) extends between horizontally adjacent building blocks (60). In this way, the building blocks (60) are spaced apart, both vertically and horizontally, in a regular manner so as to maintain the verticality of the finished structure.

With reference now to figure 3, when considering an apparatus (10) according to the present invention for use with typical building bricks of the following approximate dimensions: height = 605 cm; width = 10 cm; and length = 21.5 cm, the corresponding apparatus (10) dimensions may be as follows:

Horizontal spacing member: width (hw) = 0.5 cm, height (hh) = 3 cm Vertical spacing member: height (vh) = 1 cm Distance (d) between mid-points of adjacent vertical and horizontal spacing members = 4 cm

However, it will be understood that the dimensions presented above are approximate and are provided by way of non-limiting example only. Each dimension of the apparatus (10) may be varied as desired and may be altered to correspond in a desired manner with the specific dimensions of selected building blocks of any desired size with which the apparatus (10) is to be used.

The base member (20) may be cut to length if a shorter length of apparatus (10) is desired, that is, if fewer building block support regions (50) are required that are provided by the apparatus (10) as supplied.

As well as being suitable for use in the construction industry by both experienced builders and complete novices, the apparatus (10) of the present invention is also suitable to enable non-porous heavy engineering-type building blocks (50) to be constructed higher than the conventional six courses at a time, thereby resulting in simplified construction, reduced construction time and subsequently reduced labour costs.

Figure 5 shows an apparatus (10) for spacing building blocks, as described previously, but with the additional feature of a locating member (80) extending from the planar base member (20) such that, in use, the locating member (80) extends downwards from the planar base member (20) and adjacent to the building block (50) (shown in dashed lines) in the course of blocks on which the apparatus (10) is laid. In this way, the apparatus (10) is anchored in place relative to the course of blocks (50) on which it is laid, enabling easier placement of the apparatus (10) in use. The locating member (80) preferably extends down the rear face of the final structure where it will not be visible at the front of the structure and thus not affect the appearance of the front of the structure. Alternatively, the locating member (80) may be decorative and the apparatus laid on each course of bricks in such an orientation that the locating member (80) is visible on the front face of the final structure, if desired. It will be appreciated by the skilled person that as few or as many locating members (80) may extend from each planar base member, although it is preferred that there are at least two locating members present on each planar base member (20). The presence of one or more locating members (80) means that the planar base member (20) may be narrower and/or thinner than in the absence of one or more locating members (80) as the planar base member is no longer required to serve the function of aiding placement of the apparatus (10) on the building blocks. This has the additional advantage that the apparatus is therefore cheaper to manufacture and is more easily rolled up for storage and/or transportation purposes.

Figures 6 and 9A and 9B show and alternative version of the embodiment shown in figure 5. In this alternative embodiment, the locating members (80) are separate from both the vertical and horizontal spacing members (40, 30) and extend from the planar base member (20) over the edge and down the side of the course of bricks on which the apparatus (10) is placed, thereby locating the apparatus (10) in the correct position relative to the preceding course of bricks on which the apparatus (10) is laid, with the next course of bricks being laid on top of the apparatus (10) in the manner set out above.

Figure 7 shows a front view of a structure built using apparatus (10). As can be seen, the front of the structure, with mortar placed in the joints between building blocks (50), will resemble a typical structure built in a conventional manner.

Figure 8 shows the rear view of the structure of figure 7, where it will be appreciated that the locating members (80) of the apparatus (10) are visible. As mentioned previously, the rear view of a built structure will often not be visible once the structure is completed. However, if the rear f the structure is to be visible on completion, locating members (80) may comprise decorative members which may be used to enhance the aesthetics of the completed structure.

Although aspects of the invention have been described with reference to the embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to those precise embodiments and that various changes and modifications may be effected without further inventive skill and effort. For example, the horizontal and/or vertical spacing members (30), (40), need not extend the full width of the base member (20), but instead may only extend from a portion of the width of the base member (20). Furthermore, multiple vertical spacing members (40) may be positioned between each horizontal spacing member (30) extending from the base member (20), or alternatively, a single vertical spacing member (40) may be provided between each horizontal spacing member, provided the vertical spacing member is of sufficient dimensions to provide a sufficiently large surface area on which to stably support a building block (60).

It is also envisaged that, when building a structure using building blocks of a desired dimension and the apparatus according to the present invention, a range of apparatus are available for use, each apparatus in the range varying slightly in the height of the vertical spacer. It is particularly preferred that apparatus are provided with vertical spacers of each varying slightly in height. Thus, several courses of building blocks may be layered on one another using the apparatus in the manner previously described. If the final structure is required to reach a specific height, for example, to line up with the top of a door or window or the like, the initial apparatus used may be the one with the intermediate height of vertical spacers. If, as the height of the structure increases, it becomes apparent that to continue using the same apparatus would result in a final structure which was slightly too tall, the remainder of the structure could be built using the apparatus with the vertical spacers of slightly reduced height. Alternatively, if it seems that the final structure will be slightly too small, the remainder of the structure could be built using the apparatus with the vertical spacers of slightly increased height. The variability in vertical spacer height allows a building block structure to be assembled to a desired height using apparatus according to the present invention. It will be appreciated that, in the exceptional situation where it is necessary or desired, it is possible to vary the width of the horizontal spacer in a similar manner in order to alter the width of a final structure.

It will be further appreciated that the base member may comprise a ladder-like structure composed of two or more generally parallel members held in a spaced apart relationship relative to each other by means of one or more linking members. In use, the apparatus is laid on an existing course of building blocks as previously described, such that the or each linking member rests on a building block. The or each linking member may comprise a vertical spacing member, or alternatively, both the vertical and horizontal spacing members may be distinct from the or each linking member, and extend from the base member in the manner described above in relation to other embodiments of the present invention.

Claims

1. An apparatus for spacing building blocks comprising a substantially permeable planar base member; a vertical spacing member for supporting a building block, which member extends from the planar base member and defines a spacing distance from the base member; and a horizontal spacing member distinct from the vertical spacer and extending from the planar base member and defining, with the base member, a building block support region for a building block.

2. An apparatus for spacing building blocks comprising a substantially permeable planar base member; a plurality of vertical spacing members for supporting a building block, which members extend from the planar base member and define a spacing distance from the base member; and a plurality of horizontal spacing members distinct from the vertical spacing members and extending from the planar base member and defining a plurality of building block support regions between consecutive pairs thereof.

3. An apparatus according to Claim 1 or Claim 2, wherein the vertical spacing member extends along the majority of the width of the base member.

4. An apparatus according to any preceding Claim, wherein the horizontal spacer extends along the majority of the width of the base member.

5. An apparatus according to any preceding Claim, wherein the base member comprises a web or mesh material.

6. An apparatus according to any preceding Claim, wherein the base member is a flexible material.

7. A structure comprising a plurality of building blocks spaced apart from each other and arranged in generally parallel rows and an apparatus according to any one of Claims 1 to 8 located between at least a portion of at least two parallel rows.

8. An apparatus according to any preceding Claim further provided with a locating member extending substantially perpendicularly from the plane of the planar base member.

9. A method of forming of a structure comprising the steps of: 1) arranging a plurality of building blocks in a generally parallel row; 2) locating an apparatus according to any one of Claims 1 to 8 over at least a portion of the row of building blocks; 3) applying a layer of adhesive to the apparatus; and 4) arranging at least one building block on the layer of adhesive such that the building block is located within a building block support region.