Improved adjusting system for a masonry guide

Abstract

The present application relates to a system for adjusting a masonry guide (100) relative to a brick wall to be laid. The system comprises a joint body (10) configured to be received in a joint of the wall, and first masonry guide attaching means (20) to be connected to the joint body and configured for attachment to the masonry guide (100). According to the invention the joint body (10) comprises two parts (11, 12) slidable into each other and connected releasably to each other in a position of use. The first ma -sonry guide attaching means (20) are configured for releasable attachment close to the underside of the masonry guide (100). The system further comprises second masonry guide attaching means for attaching the masonry guide (100) to an inner leaf of a cavity wall.

Description

The present invention relates to a system for adjusting a masonry guide relative to a brick wall to be laid, comprising a joint body configured to be received in a joint of the wall, and first masonry guide attaching means to be connected to the joint body and configured for attachment to the masonry guide.

Such a system is known from the international patent application WO2010/110656 of the same inventor.

The known system has diverse advantages. A significant advantage is that the masonry guide is attached by a joint body in the joint so that damage to the bricks can be avoided and repairs to the brick-built wall can thereby be limited to a minimum. In general terms bricklaying can take place more quickly and with a better result using the known system.

The present invention has for its object to improve the known system still further.

The system according to the invention has for this purpose the feature that the joint body comprises two parts slidable into each other, wherein the parts of the joint body are connected releasably to each other in a position of use.

After completion of the bricklaying operations and removal of the masonry guides the visible part of the joint body can be removed in simple manner by breaking the connection and sliding the two parts into each other. This can take place manually, for instance using a hammer and a striking pin. Remaining visible in the joint is only a minimal opening, which can be easily filled.

It is noted that from NL2004502 a system according to the preamble of claim 1 is known with a joint body with two parts slidable into each other. In the known system the two parts of the joint body are not mutually fixed in the position of use. The known joint body is moreover configured such that in the position of use one of the parts can be slid sufficiently far out of the joint to attach the masonry guide thereto. This can result in stability problems which can have adverse consequences for the quality of the brickwork.

In a first preferred embodiment the joint body has in the position of use a maximum dimension in sliding direction which is smaller than or equal to the dimension of a brick in sliding direction. In practice this means that the length of the joint body will be smaller than or equal to the width of the brick. Because the joint body is pushed in to the rest position after use, the joint body can then be wholly received in the joint, even in the case of a half-brick wall.

In a first practical preferred embodiment the parts of the joint body are mutually connected by means of a breakable connection. A breakable connection can be realized by means of a local weakening chosen such that it breaks easily under the influence of an impact force.

In a second practical preferred embodiment the parts of the joint body are mutually connected by means of a snap connection. The snap connection can also be chosen such that it breaks easily under the influence of an impact force.

In a further preferred embodiment the connection lies out of the centre of the joint body. The first masonry guide attaching means can then be attached to the longer joint body part which can absorb more tensile force.

In an elegant embodiment the joint body comprises a first part which takes an at least partially hollow form and a second part which is configured to be at least partially received in the first part, wherein the first and the second part have a corresponding form, preferably a tapering form. The corresponding form has to be releasable.

One of the parts is preferably provided on one outer end with one or more positioning edges extending substantially transversely of the part for the purpose of an accurate placing on the brick.

The positioning edges are preferably connected breakably to the part so that they break off simultaneously with the connecting line upon impact.

In another embodiment the first masonry guide attaching means are configured for releasable attachment close to the underside of the masonry guide. The attachment close to the underside of the masonry guide corresponds to the traditional manner of attaching masonry guides. Another significant advantage is that the masonry guide can be uncoupled, whereby cleaning and finishing are also easily possible at the corners. The combination of the two measures makes it possible to lift the masonry guide out of the first masonry guide attaching means and displace it to further first masonry guide attaching means at a higher position.

In a further development of this embodiment the first masonry guide attaching means comprise a coupling support for attaching to the joint body and a base for attaching to the underside of the masonry guide, wherein the coupling support and the base are provided with first co-acting coupling means.

According to yet another and very dimensionally stable development of this preferred embodiment, the system according to the invention further comprises a ground element, wherein the ground element and the base are provided with first co-acting coupling means.

According to a further preferred embodiment, the system comprises second masonry guide attaching means for attaching the masonry guide to an inner leaf of a cavity wall.

According to a further preferred embodiment, the second masonry guide attaching means comprise a coupling piece for attaching close to the upper side of the masonry guide, a wall support for attaching to the inner leaf and a flexible coupling arm for connecting the coupling piece and the wall support, wherein the coupling arm and the coupling piece are provided with second co-acting coupling means. The wall support can be attached to the inner leaf above the insulating material of the cavity wall. The insulating material can hereby remain intact and retain a constant R-value.

The invention also relates to a joint body as described as component of the system according to the invention.

The invention will now be described in more detail with reference to the figures.

FIG. 1 illustrates schematically the application of the system according to the invention;

FIG. 2 shows a schematic exploded view of diverse components of the system according to the invention;

FIG. 3 shows a joint body according to the invention in more detail;

FIG. 4 shows a component of the system according to the invention in more detail;

FIGS. 5A and 5B show schematically a second preferred embodiment of a joint body according to the invention;

FIG. 6A shows a partly cut-away view of a first variant of the second preferred embodiment of the joint body;

FIG. 6B shows a detail of a second variant;

FIG. 7A shows a partly cut-away view of a third variant of the second preferred embodiment of the joint body; and

FIG. 7B shows a part of FIG. 7A in more detail.

The figures illustrate the application of the system according to the invention for adjusting a masonry guide 100 relative to a brick cavity wall to be laid. FIG. 1 shows schematically diverse components of the system according to the invention in a position of use.

Wall 220 forms the outer leaf of a cavity wall and is referred to in the field as facing brickwork. As is usual, the cavity wall further comprises an inner leaf 210. Insulating material 230 is arranged between inner leaf 210 and outer leaf 220.

As is usual, a string or wire is tensioned between two masonry guides 100 just above the brickwork in progress such that the brick wall 220 to be laid can be laid level. Suitable masonry guides 100 are known in the field. In this example a wooden profile beam 100 is illustrated which is disposed in vertical position close to the corner of wall 220.

FIG. 2 shows a schematic exploded view of further components of the system according to the invention. FIG. 3 shows a joint body 10 according to the invention in more detail.

According to the invention a joint body 10 is incorporated in a joint 222 between two bricks 221 lying one above the other. Joint body 10, further referred to as joint plug 10, serves to connect to wall 220 first attaching means 20 configured to be attached to masonry guide 100.

For a stable vertical position second attaching means 30 for the masonry guide are provided for the purpose of attaching masonry guide 100 to inner leaf 210 of the cavity wall.

The most important component of adjusting system 1 according to the invention is joint plug 10, which comprises two parts 11 and 12 slidable into each other. Parts 11 and 12 of joint plug 10 are connected releasably, preferably breakably, to each other by means of a connecting line 13. Connecting line 13 forms a weakening in the material of joint plug 10 which will break loose easily under the influence of an impact force, for instance with a hammer and a striking pin, after which part 12 will slide at least partially into part 11.

The two joint plug parts 11, 12 have a corresponding form. In the shown preferred embodiment the two joint plug parts have a tapering form. First part 11 preferably takes a hollow form and second part 12 an at least partially solid form. The length of joint plug 10 substantially corresponds to the width of a brick 221. First part 11 is shorter than second part 12. The dimensions of parts 11 and 12 are chosen such that part 12 can slide into part 11 once connecting line 13 has been broken. After part 12 has been knocked at least partially into part 11, joint plug 10 will no longer be visible from outer leaf 220. The joint need only be filled at this position in order to conceal part 12 wholly from view.

For a rapid, precise placing joint plug 10 can be provided on an outer end with one or more positioning edges extending substantially transversely of part 12. The positioning edges are preferably connected breakably to part 12 so that they will break off easily after being subjected to a blow.

For a good adhesion in the joint material part 11 can be provided on either side with wings. The wings preferably take a thinner form than part 11 and are provided with holes.

Joint plug 10 is preferably manufactured from plastic, in particular a hard plastic.

The first masonry guide attaching means 20 are configured to be attached to masonry guide 100. The first masonry guide attaching means 20 comprise a base 22 for attaching to the underside of masonry guide 100. The first masonry guide attaching means 20 also comprise a coupling support 21 for attaching to joint plug 10. Coupling support 21 and base 22 are provided with first co-acting coupling means 24, preferably co-acting pins 24A and holes 24B.

Coupling support 21 comprises a flat surface which lies against brick 221 in the position of use. In order to prevent damage to the bricks the surface is preferably provided with a soft material, for instance rubber. Coupling support 21 comprises a hole 23, preferably a slotted hole, through which screws can be inserted in order to screw coupling support 21 to part 12 of joint plug 10. Part 12 is provided for this purpose with holes 14.

The first co-acting coupling means 24 can be attached to coupling support 21 by means of adjusting means, for instance a slotted hole connection 25. Masonry guide 100 can be coupled in releasable manner by means of the first masonry guide attaching means 20 to coupling support 21, which is temporarily attached to joint plug 10.

FIG. 4 shows a component of the system according to the invention in more detail. When the bricklaying operations begin, practical use can be made of a ground element 26 to attach the underside of masonry guide 100 to ground surface 200, for instance a concrete floor. Ground element 26 is provided with parts of the first co-acting coupling means, in this embodiment pins 24A, for the purpose of releasable coupling to base 22 of masonry guide 100. Ground element 26 is further provided with holes 27 for fixing to the ground surface 200. The ground element is preferably plate-like and also functions as adjusting plate. The ground element is provided with a setting line M which represents the wall line. The brick wall is laid partially on ground element 26 along line M. A number of rows higher a joint plug 10 is then inserted in a straight line above ground element 26. The first masonry guide attaching means 20 can then be connected to joint body 10. The adjusting system according to the invention is guaranteed to be dimensionally stable.

The second masonry guide attaching means 30 comprise a coupling piece 31 for attachment preferably close to the upper side of masonry guide 100, and a wall support 32 for attaching to inner leaf 210. A flexible coupling arm 33 is further provided for the purpose of connecting coupling piece 31 and wall support 32. Coupling arm 33 and coupling piece 31 are provided with second co-acting coupling means 34 for releasable coupling of masonry guide 100 to inner leaf 210.

The second co-acting coupling means 34 preferably comprise two plate-like parts on the outer end of coupling piece 31 or arm 33 which are rotatable relative to each other. Arm 33 or coupling piece 31 can be configured to receive one of the two parts, which are embodied such that the second co-acting coupling means can be locked in position by rotation thereof. Coupling piece 31 preferably comprises an angle element with which it can be screwed to masonry guides of diverse dimensions. Wall support 32 is preferably screwed to inner leaf 210 at one attachment point and is further provided with a hole 35, preferably a slotted hole, for mounting of arm 33. Using these second masonry guide attaching means 30 the masonry guide 100 can be releasably coupled to inner leaf 210 at a second position.

Flexible arm 33 is preferably manufactured from plastic so that it on the one hand guarantees a reliable position of masonry guide 100 while on the other hand providing the flexibility required to enable masonry guide 100 to be moved if necessary.

The first and second masonry guide attaching means are provided as far as possible with slotted holes so as to simplify a dimensionally stable attachment.

FIGS. 5A and 5B show schematically a second preferred embodiment of a joint body 110 according to the invention as alternative to joint body 10. Joint body 110, also referred to as joint plug 110, is shown in FIG. 5A in the position of use in which the joint plug has the maximum dimension in sliding direction. This maximum dimension is equal to or smaller than the corresponding dimension of the brick in sliding direction. In the shown preferred embodiment the maximum length of joint plug 110 is equal to or smaller than the width of brick 221. In FIG. 5B joint plug 110 is shown in pushed-in position or rest position. Just as joint plug 10, joint plug 110 comprises two parts 111 and 112 slidable into each other. Parts 111 and 112 of joint plug 110 are releasably or detachably connected to each other by means of a connection 113, 113′ or 213. These different connections are shown in FIGS. 6A, 6B and FIGS. 7A and 7B. Connections 113, 113′ and 213 are easily releasable or detachable under the influence of an impact force, for instance with a hammer and a striking pin, after which part 112 will slide at least partially into part 111.

In the second preferred embodiment the part 111 is provided on both sides with side wings 115. Side wings 115 are optionally provided with holes 116 for the purpose of fixing joint plug 110 to the brickwork. Part 111 is provided on the side remote from part 112 with rear wings 117. Part 112 is provided on the front side with holes 114 for connection to the first masonry guide attaching means. Part 112 is further provided with optional positioning edges 118 extending substantially transversely of part 112. Positioning edges 118 are preferably manufactured from a flexible material so that they can bend when part 112 slides into part 111. Positioning edges 118 can alternatively also take a breakable form.

FIG. 6A shows a partly cut-away top view of joint body 110 provided with a first variant of the connection 113 between part 111 and part 112. FIG. 6B shows a detail view of a second variant of the connection 113′ between part 111 and part 112. Each of the connections 113, 113′ takes a releasable form here and functions as snap connection. Snap connection 113, 113′ fixes part 112 relative to part 111 in the position of use. After removal of the masonry guide and the first masonry guide attaching means the joint plug 110 can be moved to the rest position. Connection 113, 113′ is snapped loose or broken off under the influence of an impact force and part 112 can be pushed into part 111.

FIG. 7A a partly cut-away top view of joint body 210 provided with a third variant of the connection 213 between part 211 and part 212. Connection 213 is a breakable connection. Connection 213 can be broken under the influence of an impact force on part 212, after which part 212 can be pushed into part 211.

Joint plug 210 is further wholly similar to joint plug 110. All corresponding components have reference numerals increased by 100 relative to the components of FIG. 6A.

In all shown preferred embodiments the connection 13, 113, 113′, 213 serves to fix the parts 111 and 112 in the position of use. The connection is such that it releases under the influence of an impact force, for instance by breaking or snapping loose. The connection can extend along a line such as (a part of) the peripheral edge of part 112 or can be formed by discrete points, and is generally a local weakening of the material.

The invention is based on the concept of attaching a masonry guide on the underside and/or on the upper side to the brick wall to be laid by means of the joint body according to the invention. When this inventive concept is applied in the case of a cavity wall, the upper side of the masonry guide can be attached to the inner leaf and an optimal two-point attachment will suffice. With the adjusting system according to the invention a (permanent) coupling between the inner leaf and the outer leaf can be avoided and the associated drawbacks, including moisture transport and dirt accumulation, will not occur. The dimensions of the joint plug are the same as or smaller than the dimensions of the brick. The joint plug according to the invention is therefore also suitable for use in a half-brick wall since in the rest position the joint plug can be wholly received in the mortar of the joint.

The invention is of course not limited to the described and shown preferred embodiment but extends to any embodiment falling within the scope of protection as defined in the claims and as seen in the light of the foregoing description and accompanying drawings.

Claims

1-14. (canceled)

15. A joint body for adjusting a masonry guide relative to a brick wall to be laid, said joint body being configured to be received in a joint of the wall, wherein the joint body comprises two parts connected to each other in a position of use by a connection that is releasable under the influence of an impact force, characterized in that the two parts are slidable into each other after the connection has been released, the slidability having a direction, by an impact force in the sliding direction.

16. The joint body as claimed in claim 15, wherein the joint body has in the position of use a maximum dimension in sliding direction which is smaller than or equal to the dimension of a brick in sliding direction.

17. The joint body as claimed in claim 15, wherein the two parts of the joint body are mutually connected by means of a breakable connection comprising a breakable line running along the peripheral edge of one of the parts.

18. The joint body as claimed in claim 15, wherein the parts of the joint body are mutually connected by means of discrete points forming a breakable connection or a snap connection.

19. The joint body as claimed in claim 15, wherein the releasable connection lies out of the centre of the joint body.

20. The joint body as claimed in claim 15, wherein the joint body comprises a first part which takes an at least partially hollow form and a second part which is configured to be at least partially received in the first part, wherein the first and the second part have a corresponding form.

21. The joint body as claimed in claim 20, wherein the corresponding form is a tapering form.

22. The joint body as claimed in claim 15, wherein one of the parts is provided on one outer end with one or more positioning edges extending substantially transversely of the part.

23. The joint body as claimed in claim 22, wherein the positioning edges are connected breakably to the part.

24. A system for adjusting a masonry guide relative to a brick wall to be laid, comprising a joint body according to claim 15 and first masonry guide attaching means to be connected to the joint body and configured for attachment to the masonry guide, wherein the first masonry guide attaching means are configured for releasable attachment close to the underside of the masonry guide.

25. The system according to claim 24, wherein the first masonry guide attaching means comprise a coupling support for attaching to the joint body and a base for attaching to the underside of the masonry guide, wherein the coupling support and the base are provided with first co-acting coupling means.

26. The system as claimed in claim 25, wherein the system further comprises a ground element, wherein the ground element and the base are provided with first co-acting coupling means.

27. The system as claimed in claim 24, wherein the system further comprises second masonry guide attaching means for attaching the masonry guide to an inner leaf of a cavity wall.

28. The system as claimed in claim 27, wherein the second masonry guide attaching means comprise a coupling piece for attaching close to the upper side of the masonry guide, a wall support for attaching to the inner leaf and a flexible coupling arm for connecting the coupling piece and the wall support, wherein the coupling arm and the coupling piece are provided with second co-acting coupling means.