GB2242694A

GB2242694A - Building template for brick walls

Info

Publication number: GB2242694A
Application number: GB9006891A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Christopher Rupert Jayes
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1990-03-28
Filing date: 1990-03-28
Publication date: 1991-10-09
Also published as: GB9006891D0

Abstract

A corner template 1 comprises two elongate side members 2 and 3, each having a planar face 4 or 5, which are joined to form a corner edge 6 at the intersection of the planar faces 4 and 5 such that the angle between the planar faces defines a corner angle for a brick wall. A plurality of projections 7 extend outwardly from the planar faces 4 and 5, the projections being spaced along the side members 2 and 3 at substantially identical intervals for providing the desired vertical spacing between courses of the wall. <IMAGE>

Description

BUILDING TEMPLATE The present invention relates to a corner template for a brick wall.

The term "brick" as used herein is intended to mean any brick or block such as may be used in the construction of walls.

There are several difficulties associated with constructing brick walls and, in particular, in constructing corners in brick walls. First, the wall should be constructed with equal and regularly spaced mortar joints to ensure that successive courses of bricks are horizontal. At present, builders generally lay a fixed number of courses of bricks and then measure the aggregate thickness of these courses to ensure that this measurement corresponds to that for the previously laid courses so that, on average, the course spacing is regular. A second problem is constructing corners having the correct angle. This problem is addressed by the builder aligning the corner bricks with a hand-held template each time the corner bricks of a course are laid.This technique gives rise to a third problem which is that of keeping the vertical edge of a corner in plumb, ie ensuring that the corner does not lean inwardly or outwardly.

Conventionally, this is checked using a plumb-line.

The present invention provides an aid to construction which assists the builder in overcoming the above problems.

According to the present invention there is provided a corner template for a brick wall which template comprises two elongate side members each having a substantially planar face. the side members being joined together to define a corner region, such that the angle between the planar faces defines a corner angle for a brick wall, and a plurality of projections extending outwardly from, and substantially at right angles to, the said planar faces of the side members, which projections are spaced along the longitudinal extent of the side members at substantially identical intervals for providing a desired vertical spacing between courses of a brick wall.

A wall may be built up against the corner template which then remains as a permanent part of the structure. The angle between the planar faces of the side members of the template defines the required corner angle of the wall, and, since the wall is built up against the template, the template ensures that a wall of the correct corner angle is constructed without the builder having to check the corner against a hand-held template each time corner bricks are laid.

It will be appreciated that corner templates defining any number of different corner angles may be provided in dependence upon the design of the building to be constructed.

Since the template may be mounted at the correct orientation to the foundation prior to construction of the wall, as the wall is built up against the template, the template ensures that the corner will itself have the correct orientation to the foundation. To facilitate mounting of the template in the first instance, it is preferred that the corner template further comprises a base member for supporting the template in its operative position relative to the foundation prior to construction of the wall.

The base member may comprise a base plate for situation on the foundation in use, and at least one upstanding portion for reception by one or more clips on the corner template adjacent an end thereof, so that the corner template is supported in its operative position relative to the foundation in use.

The projections on the said planar faces of the side members assist the builder in constructing the wall with equal and regular mortar joints. The interval between adjacent projections along the longitudinal extent of the side members may be equal to the thickness of one brick and mortar joint. Each projection then acts as a ledge on which a corner brick may be placed, and the projection then immediately above that corner brick defines the appropriate level for the top of the mortar layer on that brick.

The projections on the side members may each extend around the said corner region so that a single projection defines the appropriate position for two corner bricks. However, it is preferred that a pair of projections extends outwardly from the planar faces of the side members at each of the said intervals, the two projections in each pair being substantially coplanar and each projection of a pair extending outwardly from the planar face of a different side member. In this case, each projection defines the appropriate position of a different corner brick, the two projections in each pair defining the positions of the two corner bricks in the same course.

Where the template is to be positioned adjacent the inside corner of the wall to be constructed, the said planar faces of the side members of the template face away from one another. This is the preferred construction where the wall to be built will be the outside wall of a building, since it is preferable for the corner template not to be visible in the finished structure. However, the corner template could be adapted for situation adjacent the outside corner of a wall, in which case the said planar faces of the side members face inwardly. For example, if the wall to be constructed is the internal block-work wall of a building, a corner template positioned against the outside of the corner would be hidden in the cavity between the internal block-work wall and the outer brick wall after construction is completed.

It is preferred that the corner template further comprises connecting means for connecting two templates one above the other in use, so that an appropriate number of templates may be used according to the height of the wall to be built. The template may then be built up as required by adding further templates during construction of the wall.

The connecting means may comprise one or more clips on the corner template adjacent the upper end of the template when the template is mounted in its operative position, and a bracket for reception by the clip or clips, which bracket supports a corresponding clip or corresponding clips adjacent the lower end of a second corner template when the second template is mounted in its operative position.

Alternatively, the corner template may be of a length corresponding to the desired height of the wall to be built.

To minimise the bulk and weight of the template, it is preferred that the side members are substantially flat, sheet-like members. In this case, the said projections may conveniently be formed from portions of the side members partially cut out and bent outwardly from the side members.

Examples of suitable materials from which the corner template may be constructed are thin gauge stainless steel and galvanised steel.

It is to be noted that where features of the invention have been described with reference to apparatus, these features may also be provided in accordance with a method of the invention, and vice versa. In particular, the invention extends to a method of constructing a brick wall comprising mounting a corner template adjacent the desired position of a corner of the wall, laying a course of bricks such that the two bricks forming the corner abut corresponding planar faces of the corner template and the top of the mortar layer on each of these bricks is approximately level with the upper surface of a projection on the corresponding planar face of the corner template, and laying the next course such that each of the two bricks of this course which form the corner are placed upon the said upper surface of the projection on the corresponding planar face and abut that planar face.

Preferred embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a corner template embodying the invention; Figure 2 is a perspective view of the corner template of Figure 1 in use in the construction of a brick wall; Figure 3 is a plan view of the corner template and brick wall of Figure 2 after completion of construction of the wall; Figure 4 is a schematic cross-section along the line A-A of Figure 2 with the inner block-work wall omitted for clarity; Figure 5 is a perspective view of a base member in accordance with the invention; Figure 6 is a perspective view of a bracket for connecting two corner templates together, and Figure 7 is a schematic side view of two templates connected one above the other and mounted on the base member of Figure 5.

Figure 1 shows a corner template 1 comprising two elongate, and substantially flat, sheet-like side members 2 and 3. The side members 2, 3 have respective planar faces 4, 5, and are joined together to form a corner edge 6 at the intersection of the planar faces 4, 5. The side member 2 has a plurality of flat projections 7 extending outwardly, and substantially at right angles to, the planar face 4 thereof. The projections 7 are spaced at equal intervals along the longitudinal extent of -he side member 2, such that the distance between adjacent projections 7 is equal to the desired thickness of one brick and mortar joint in a brick wall to be constructed. The side member 5 has a corresponding plurality of projections 8 extending outwardly from, and substantially at right angles to, the planar face 3. Each projection 7 is substantially co-planar with a corresponding projection 8.The projections 7, 8 are formed of portions of the side members 4, 5 which are partially cut out and bent outwardly therefrom.

Figure 2 shows the corner template 1 in its operative position during construction of an outer brick wall 10 of a building. The template 1 is positioned between the brick wall 10 and an inner block-work wall 11 of the building.

Figure 3 is a plan view of the corner template 1 and the walls 10 and 11 after construction of the wall 10 has been completed.

Figure 7 shows a preferred embodiment 12 of a corner template in accordance with the invention after construction of a brick wall 13. The template 12 is substantially identical to the template 1, having side members 17, 18 and a plurality of projections 20 on each of the side members 17, 18. However, the template 12 further comprises connecting means in the form of a bracket 14 (most easily seen in Figure 6) and a plurality of clips 15 on the template 12. The template 12 additionally comprises a base member 16 (most easily seen in Figure 5) for mounting the template in its operative position prior to construction of the wall 13. The base member 16 has a base plate 21 and two upstanding portions in the form of flanges 19.

The connecting means 14, 15 enable the template 12 to be connected in use to a further substantially identical template 12 as shown in Figure 7. The clips 15 are provided adjacent both ends of each template 12 on each of the side members 17, 18. The clips 15 are aligned parallel to the longitudinal axis of the template 12 and face away from the main body of the template at each end thereof. At the junction between two templates 12, the clips 15 receive the edges of the bracket 14, as shown in Figure 7.

The clips 15 adjacent the lower end of the lower template 12 receive the edges of the upstanding flanges 19 on the base member 16 as shown In Figure 7, so that the template is supported in its operative position by the base member 16.

The corner template is used as follows. The template 1, 12 is mounted vertically relative to the foundation adjacent to the desired position of the corner of a brick wall to be constructed. Where no base member 16 for the template is provided, the template may be otherwise secured relative to the foundation prior to construction of the wall. Where the template is provided with a base member 16 and clips 15, as in the embodiment of Figure 7, the base member 16 is placed on the foundation at the desired position of the corner and the template 12 is mounted on the base member 16 by engagement of the clips 15 with the upstanding flanges 19 on the base plate 21.A template of a length appropriate to the desired height of the wall may be employed, or alternatively a template may be used which can then be connected to further templates, as will be described hereinafter, as required in dependence upon the desired height of the wall.

The first course of bricks is then laid such that the two corner bricks in the course abut the planar faces of the corresponding side members 4, 5, 17, 18 of the template 1, 12, and rest beneath the first pair of projections 7, 8, 20 on the template 1, 12. The top of the mortar layer on the corner bricks should then be approximately level with the upper surface of the first pair of projections 7, 8, 20. The next course of bricks is then laid such that the two corner bricks in this course are inserted between the first and second pairs of projections on the template 1, 12 so that the bases of these bricks rest on the upper surfaces of the first pair of projections and contact the mortar layer on top of the first pair of corner bricks.As before, the top of the mortar layer on the second pair of corner bricks should be level with the upper surface of the second pair of projections on the template.

Subsequent courses of bricks are laid in an identical manner.

It will be appreciated that the interval between adjacent pairs of projections along the template 1, 12 defines the appropriate thickness of one brick and mortar joint, so that the template assists the builder in ensuring that the wall is constructed with equal and regular mortar joints. In addition, since the angle between the planar faces of the side members 2, 3, 17, 18 of the template 1, 12 defines the corner angle for the wall, and the corner bricks are laid so as to abut the planar faces, the template ensures that a wall of the correct corner angle is constructed, and that the corner is in plumb.

Where the template is provided with connecting means 14, 15 for connecting the template 12 to a further substantially identical template 12, additional templates 12 may be added as required as the wall 13 is built up. When it is desired to connect a further template 12, the bracket 14 is placed in the upwardly-facing clips 15 adjacent the upper end of the first template 12, and the second template 12 is mounted on the bracket 14 by positioning the clips 15 adjacent one end thereof over the upper edges of the connector bracket 14 as shown in Figure 7. Thus, the clips 15 adjacent the upper end of the lower template support the bracket 14, and the bracket 14 then supports the upper template.

Once construction of the wall has been completed, the corner template 1, 12 is not visible from the outside of the wall 10, 13. Where the building under construction has an inner block-work wall 11, as shown in Figures 2 and 3, the template 1, 12 will be completely hidden from sight in the cavity between the inner wall 11 and outer wall 10 when construction is completed.

It will be appreciated, however, that a corner template in accordance with the invention may be constructed for positioning against the outside corner of a wall to be constructed. In this case, the planar faces of the side members 2, 3, 17, 18 of the template, and accordingly the projections 7, 8, 20, will face towards one another. Such an embodiment of the template may conveniently be used in constructing the internal block-work wall 11 of a building, so that, in the finished construction, the template will be hidden by the external wall of the building.

The corner template 1, 12 may be made of any material of suitable strength. For example, the template 1, 12 may be made of thin gauge stainless steel or galvanised steel.

It will be apparent that various other forms of connecting means 14, 15 and base member 16 may be provided, and, further, that many other variations and modifications may be made to the specific embodiments described above without departing from the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A corner template for a brick wall which template comprises two elongate side members each having a substantially planar face, the side members being joined together to define a corner region such that the angle between the planar faces defines a corner angle for a brick wall, and a plurality of projections extending outwardly from, and substantially at right angles to, the said planar faces of the side members, which projections are spaced along the longitudinal extent of the side members at substantially identical intervals for providing a desired vertical spacing between courses of a brick wall.

2. A corner template as claimed in Claim 1 wherein a pair of projections extends outwardly from the planar faces of the side members at each of the said intervals, the two projections in each pair being substantially coplanar and each projection of a pair extending outwardly from the planar face of a different side member.

3. A corner template as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2 for positioning adjacent the inside corner of the wall to be constructed, wherein the planar faces of the side members of the template face away from one another.

4. A corner template as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2 for situation adjacent the outside corner of the wall to be constructed, wherein the planar faces of the side members face inwardly.

5. A corner template as claimed in any preceding claim further comprising a base member for supporting the template in its operative position relative to the foundation prior to construction of the wall.

6. A corner template as claimed in Claim 5 wherein the base member comprises a base plate for situation on the foundation in use, and at least one upstanding portion for reception by one or more clips on the corner template adjacent an end thereof, so that the corner template is supported in its operative position relative to the ground in use.

7. A corner template as claimed in any preceding claim further comprising connecting means for connecting two templates one above the other in use, which connecting means comprises one or more clips on the corner template adjacent the upper end of the template when the template is mounted in its operative position, and a bracket for reception by the clip or clips, which bracket supports a corresponding clip or corresponding clips adjacent the lower end of a second corner template when the second template is mounted in its operative position.

8. A corner template as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the side members are substantially flat, sheet-like members.

9. A corner template as claimed in Claim 8 wherein the projections are formed from portions of the side members partially cut out and bent outwardly from the side members.

10. A method of constructing a brick wall comprising mounting a corner template adjacent the desired position of a corner of the wall, laying a course of bricks such that the two bricks forming the corner abut corresponding planar faces of the corner template and the top of the mortar layer on each of these bricks is approximately level with the upper surface of a projection on the corresponding planar face of the corner template, and laying the next course such that each of the two bricks 6f this course which form the corner is placed upon the said upper surface of the projection on the corresponding planar face and abuts that planar face.

11. A corner template substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

12. A method of constructing a brick wall substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.