GB2628797A - A cross bar for guiding bricklaying - Google Patents

Abstract

A cross bar 100 for guiding bricklaying, the cross bar 100 comprises: a slider 102 configured to slide on a shaft (210, Fig. 14), a pair of guide arms 104 disposed on the slider 102, wherein each guide arm 104 extends a length from the slider 102, with one guide arm 104 that extends from the slider 102 oppositely from the other guide arm 104. An attachment element (120, Fig. 2) extends towards the shaft (210, Fig 14) and engages with the shaft to fix the slider 102 in a position relative to the shaft 210. The attachment element is configured to be retracted from the shaft 210 to allow the slider 102 to move slideably along the shaft 210. Also included is a guidance arrangement (200,Fig 14) comprising the cross bar of the invention, and a method of use.

Description

A CROSS BAR FOR GUIDING BRICKLAYING

[0001] The present disclosure relates at least to a cross bar for guiding bricklaying, a pair of cross bars, a guidance arrangement, a pair of guidance arrangements and related methods.

BACKGROUND

[0002] Bricklayers are skilled in building structures such as walls and columns out of bricks, by hand. Bricks are added to a structure one by one, abutting an earlier brick and fixed in place using mortar. Care is taken to ensure that level and square are maintained as the structure is built.

[0003] A common method for maintaining level is to use a spirit level to get the first course level and then to build up the end-points/corners and one or more stretched or weighted string lines tethered between two end points to indicate a straight line, which the bricklayer can follow to avoid their structure tilting away from level. A pair of stretched or weighted strings can be stretched between two points and used to indicate the bottom and top levels of a course (layer of brick and mortar), or a single stretched or weighted line can be used as a level for which to aim. The string is moved as the structure grows in height. This method is cheap and simple -it is recommended for non-professionals who want to try their hand at bricklaying. One or more plumb lines, i.e. weighted strings providing straight vertical lines, are useful for maintaining straight vertical in the wall structure and are again a cheap and simple tool. Each time the brick course is raised, vertical and horizontal plumb lines must be adjusted. Moreover, for twin-wall, also known as cavity wall, brick wall structures, where different individuals may be laying a brick course on either side of a cavity, such rudimentary tools may not be sufficient to ensure that the brick courses remain horizontally aligned on either side of the cavity wall.

[0004] Spirit levels can be used to check that bricks are level but do not address the problem with cavity wall brick-laying courses being aligned unless they are frequently used which can be disruptive to fast bricklaying. To check a brick course is level using a spirit level, the level is positioned on top of each course of bricks and then rotated 90 degrees to level across the cavity. Each bricklayer can look at the bubble but they may interpret it slightly differently. Once a brick is placed it can be tapped into a level position with respect to a neighbouring brick while the mortar is still wet. This method of levelling relies on the bricklayer's by-eye judgement and requires the bricklayer to get their eyes level with the tool, so may involve crouching for example as well as frequently coordination between bricklayers concurrently building cavity wall structures.

[0005] Laser levels can be used both to set a target height for a structure and to ensure that level is maintained. Laser levels are commonly placed on a support such as a tripod to ensure stability (not placed on the bricks themselves, unlike a spirit level). The beam is readjusted after each course has been laid to provide a guide for the next course. Various beam light colours are used to achieve different degrees of accuracy and visibility in daylight be difficult. Moreover, there are eye safety issues associates with using lasers. Protective glasses can be used and tinted glasses may help with the visibility of the beam. So called self-levelling lasers may be use which can achieve accuracies as high as +/-2.2 mm at 30m is possible (using a laser and a receiver set up). However, not only will the laser's require resetting each time the brick course is raised, but they are expensive and may easily be damaged on a construction site type environment.

[0006] Different types of materials may be used to build brick or block structures but most will conform to a standard brick or block size. A standard brick in the UK has dimensions (work size) of 215 x 102.5 x 65 mm. Concrete blocks may also be used to form walls and these typically have larger dimensions.

[0007] For a UK standard brick, the standard thickness of mortar between stacked bricks is 10mm. The co-ordinating size to consider when building a single brick thickness structure from bricks and mortar is therefore 225 x 112.5 x 75 mm. The co-ordinating size of other bricks/blocks in the UK and elsewhere may also be determined based on industry regulations/best practice guidelines.

[0008] Different structures, for example different types of wall, have different thicknesses and may be single or twin-walled structures.

[0009] The above-mentioned approaches for checking that bricks are level are time-consuming and may not be easily adapted when a bricklayer moves to a different brick/block size and thickness of mortar. Modern construction is growing increasingly more fast-paced and there is a benefit to being able to quickly establish a brick-course which meets the regulations for level and vertical straightness, particularly twin-walled brick-courses, which may vary for bespoke structures or may need to be particularly accurate for certain structures.

[00010] The disclosed technology seeks to mitigate, obviate, alleviate, or eliminate various issues known in the art to improve guidance of bricklaying.

SUMMARY STATEMENTS

[00011] A first aspect of the present invention provides a cross bar for guiding bricklaying, the cross bar comprising: a slider, configured to slide on a shaft; a pair of guide arms disposed on the slider, each guide arm extending a length from the slider, with one guide arm extending from the slider oppositely from the other guide arm; and an attachment element configured to extend towards the shaft and engage with the shaft to fix the slider in a position relative to the shaft and configured to be retracted from the shaft to allow the slider to move slideably along the shaft.

[00012] The slider may comprise a visual indicator of the alignment of the cross bar with respect to the shaft.

[00013] The guide arms may comprise markers representative of different thicknesses of a structure built from bricks.

[00014] The visual indicator may comprise a set of notches or a set of grooves or a set comprising notches and grooves, wherein the slider comprises a first surface and wherein each of the set is positioned on a central axis of that first surface.

[00015] The attachment element may comprise a stud, wherein the slider comprises a hole through which the stud is receivable such that the stud is engageable or disengeable with the shaft by extending or retracting through the hole in use, wherein the stud comprises a flat face for engaging the shaft.

[00016] The stud may comprise a handle for twisting the stud by hand or wherein the stud comprises a winged handle.

[00017] The cross bar may comprise a pair of attachment elements, wherein the pair are oppositely disposed on the slider and wherein one of the pair is configured to engage the shaft from a different side of a central axis of the slider from the other one of the pair to balance the cross bar.

[00018] The markers may comprise lines marked onto the guide arms and the lines may be labelled to indicate a distance from the slider in a unit of measurement.

[00019] The markers may comprise channels recessed into the guide arms, wherein the channels are configured to receive a piece of string, part of a string line or a piece of string of a plumb line.

[00020] The pair of guide arms may have an L-shaped cross-section.

[00021] The slider or one of the guide arms may comprise a bubble to provide a spirit level.

[00022] Another, second, aspect of the present invention provides a pair of cross bars, wherein the cross bars are configured to be arranged at a site where a structure is to be built at a distance apart from one another such that the structure can be built between the cross bars and wherein each cross bar comprises identical markers on the guide arms, each marker representing a distance from the slider.

[00023] One or each cross bar of the pair of cross-bars may comprise a cross-bar according to the first aspect or any one of its embodiments disclosed herein.

[00024] The or each cross bar may be mounted onto a shaft to support the cross bar and allow it to be slid along the shaft. The shaft may be any suitable "profile" as commonly used by bricklayers, for positioning adjacent a wall or other structure that they are building. The cross bar may be obtained by a bricklayer for use with a shaft that they already own, or the bricklayer may obtain a shaft according to the present invention, as set out herein.

[00025] Another, third, aspect of the present invention provides a guidance arrangement for bricklaying, the arrangement comprising: the cross bar and a shaft configured to receive the slider; wherein the visual indicator of the slider is a first visual indicator and wherein the shaft comprises a second visual indicator, wherein when the position of the slider on the shaft is changed the first visual indicator is moved with respect to the second visual indicator and wherein a comparison of the first visual indicator with the second visual indicator is configured to indicate alignment of the slider with the shaft.

[00026] The cross bar of the guidance arrangement may comprise a cross-bar according to the first aspect or any one of its embodiments disclosed herein.

[00027] The second visual indicator may comprise a straight line marked on the shaft parallel to a longitudinal axis of the shaft and wherein the slider is configured to be adjustable on the shaft to align the first visual indicator with the straight line, wherein the shaft further comprises a third visual indicator comprising two or more straight lines marked on the shaft perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the shaft, wherein the distance between two adjacent straight lines of the third visual indicator represents a dimension of a brick or a course, for guiding positioning of the cross bar on the shaft.

[00028] The guidance arrangement may further comprise a support, wherein the support comprises one or more of (i) a clamp, configured to clamp onto one or more bricks of a structure, (ii) a leg or a telescopic leg, movably attached to the shaft and configured to reach the ground or another surface, (iii) a leg or telescopic leg or tripod rigidly attached to the shaft, (iv) a foot configured to extend a length from the shaft and to lie on the ground or another surface.

[00029] The guidance arrangement may further comprise a pier accessory configured to guide formation of a brick pier, the pier accessory comprising: a mount configured to mount the pier accessory on the cross bar, wherein the mount is configured to engage the cross bar and be slidable on the shaft and be fixable in a position on the shaft with the cross bar; and a removable plate for use as a template for a brick pier, comprising a cut-out within the bounds of which a pier can be built, wherein the plate is configured to be connected to the mount and is configured to be adjustable with respect to the mount to change the angle of the cut-out with respect to the mount.

[00030] The plate may comprise a set of spaced apart apertures the mount may comprise a pin, wherein the apertures are each configured to receive the pin and wherein each aperture is configured to provide a different orientation of the cut-out with respect to the mount when the pin is inserted therein.

[00031] The mount may comprise a frame configured to extend from the mount, configured to receive the plate and support the plate in a plane perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the shaft when mounted on the cross bar on the shaft.

[00032] The cross bar may comprise a mounting stud that extends a length perpendicular to the guide arms and wherein the mount is configured to engage the mounting stud to connect the mount to the cross bar.

[00033] The mount may comprise a slot configured to receive the mounting stud, wherein the slot has a length longer than a diameter of the mounting stud such that the position of the mounting stud in the slot is adjustable.

[00034] The shaft may comprise a bubble to provide a spirit level.

[00035] Another, fourth, aspect of the present invention provides a pair of guidance arrangements, further comprising: a pair of corner blocks and a string to be tensioned, wherein each of the corner blocks is configured to be attached to a guide arm and to retain the string under tension between the two cross bars.

[00036] One or each guidance arrangement of the fourth aspect may comprise a guidance arrangement according to the third aspect.

[00037] Another, fifth, aspect of the present invention provides a method of guiding the building of a structure from bricks, the method comprising: positioning a guidance arrangement at a site where the structure is to be built, sliding the slider on the shaft to a position representing a desired dimension of the structure, aligning the slider with respect to the shaft by observing the visual indicator, and fixing the position of the slider on the shaft using the attachment element when the alignment of the slider with the shaft is desirable.

[00038] The guidance arrangement of the fifth aspect may comprise a guidance arrangement according to the third aspect.

[00039] The method may further comprise: positioning a second guidance arrangement at a site where the structure is to be built, at a different position from the positioning of the above guidance arrangement (which is a first guidance arrangement), performing steps OD to (iv) for the second guidance arrangement, wherein step (iii) further comprises identifying where on the shaft of the first guidance arrangement the slider is positioned using the visual indicator of the first guidance arrangement and aligning the slider of the second guidance arrangement on the shaft of the second guidance arrangement in exactly the same position.

[00040] The second guidance arrangement may comprise a guidance arrangement according to the third aspect.

[00041] The method may further comprise: (v) connecting a piece of string between the first and second guidance arrangements under tension, wherein the piece of string is configured as a visual indicator of the positions of the sliders on the shafts, such that the height of the cross bars on the shafts is visually represented by the string.

[00042] Each of the cross bars may comprise channels on the guidance arms configured to receive a piece of string, wherein connecting the piece of string comprises laying a part of the string within a channel at the first guidance arrangement and laying another part of the string within a channel at the second guidance arrangement, wherein the channels are of equal distances from the slider and on an opposite guide arm for each guidance arrangement.

[00043] The disclosed technology also includes suitable combinations of the above aspects and embodiments with each other as would be apparent to anyone of ordinary skill in the art.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[00044] Some embodiments of the disclosed technology are described below with reference to the accompanying drawings which are by way of example only and in which: [00045] Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a cross bar according to some embodiments; [00046] Figure 2 shows a perspective view of a cross bar minus a guide arm; [00047] Figure 3 shows a top view of a cross bar according to some embodiments; [00048] Figure 4 shows a front view of a cross bar according to some embodiments; [00049] Figure 5 shows a front view of a cross bar including a set of notches according to some embodiments; [00050] Figure 6 shows a front view of a cross bar including a groove according to some embodiments; [00051] Figure 7 shows a top view of a cross bar including markings according to some embodiments; [00052] Figure 8 shows a top view of a cross bar including markings and a shows a piece of string according to some embodiments; [00053] Figure 9 shows a front view of a cross bar and a shaft according to some embodiments; [00054] Figure 10 shows a front view of a cross bar and a shaft including a visual indicator according to some embodiments; [00055] Figure 11 shows a front view of a cross bar and a shaft including a support according to some embodiments; [00056] Figure 12 shows an L-shaped guide arm from the side according to some embodiments; [00057] Figure 13 shows a corner block and an L-shaped guide arm from the side according to some embodiments; [00058] Figure 14 shows a pair of guidance assemblies according to some embodiments; [00059] Figure 15 shows the pair of guidance assemblies of Figure 14 in a different configuration according to some embodiments; [00060] Figure 16 shows a pier accessory according to some embodiments; [00061] Figures 17a and 17b show example plates for the pier accessory; [00062] Figure 18 shows a pier accessory on a shaft according to some embodiments; and [00063] Figure 19 shows the pier accessory of Figure 18 with the plate arranged in a different example orientation from Figure 18.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[00064] Figure 1 shows a cross bar 100. The cross bar 100 comprises a slider 102, which is configured to move slidably on a shaft 210 (shown in Figure 9). The shaft 210 is described in detail below; however, the user (for example a bricklayer) may use the cross bar 100 with their own shaft. The slider 102 is shown in Figure 1 having three sides and an open face. This configuration allows the slider 102 to be slotted onto the shaft 210 via the open face and to engage the shaft 210 with each of the three sides. Two of the sides may be parallel and joined by the third side, at right-angles to the parallel sides. A benefit of two of the sides being parallel is that any attachments to the slider 102 on those parallel sides can be simply arranged opposite one another.

[00065] The slider 102 may be integrally formed, for example a bent sheet of metal or another material, or the slider 102 may comprise pieces attached together to form the three-sided shape. In some examples, the slider 102 may comprise three pieces of metal or another suitable material, connected to form corners of the three-sided slider 102. The pieces making up the slider 102 may be welded, soldered, screwed or otherwise adhered together. The slider 102 may comprise a plastics material, for example. The slider 102 may be moulded or may be 3D-printed or the like.

[00066] Any surfaces of the slider 102 that are intended to make physical contact with the shaft 210 may be smooth, to reduce wear and tear as the slider 102 is slid on the shaft.

[00067] The cross bar 100 comprises a pair of guide arms 104 as shown in Figure 1.

The guide arms 104 are disposed on the slider 102 and extend a length from the slider 102. As shown in Figure 1, one of the guide arms 104 extends away from a first side of the three-sided slider 102 and the other guide arm 104 extends away from a side of the slider 102 that is parallel to and opposite the first side. In this way the guide arms 104 oppose one another across the slider 102.

[00068] It is acknowledged that the slider 102 may have a fourth side in some examples. The slider 102 may have a square or rectangular cross-section and could be threaded onto the shaft 210 for use, for example from a top end of the shaft 210, and removed by sliding the slider 102 fully off the shaft 210. The fourth side could be moveably, for example, pivotally or hingedly or otherwise at least angularly adjustably connected to the rest of the slider 102 to allow the slider 102 to be slotted onto the shaft 210 through an open edge, with the fourth side closing around the shaft 210. It is recognised that having an open side -which can either be closed by an adjustable side or be left open in use -is a convenient way to attach the slider 102 to the shaft 210, versus threading onto the shaft 210.

[00069] In any event, regardless of the number of sides, the guide arms 104 extend from opposing sides of the slider 102, to create a cross bar on the shaft 210.

[00070] The guide arms 104 may be connected to the slider 102 or the cross bar 100 (including the slider 102 and guide arms 104) may be integrally formed. The guide arms 104 may comprise metal, plastics material or another suitable material. The cross bar 100 may be moulded or 3D-printed, for example.

[00071] Figure 1 depicts the guide arms 104 as elongate cuboids or rods. The guide arms 104 may otherwise be cylindrical or another type of elongate prism. In some embodiments, the guide arms 104 may be L-shaped; each of the guide arms 104 may comprise a first surface and a second surface, connected at a corner. One of the surfaces may extend from an upper edge of the slider 102. In use, this surface may be used to indicate where to place the top side of a brick. The other surface may be used, in use, to indicate where to place an edge of a brick and the L-shape may be configured to receive a brick into its corner. Where a prism-shaped guide arm 104 may abut the bricks in use to guide their placement, the L-shape can receive a brick and guide positioning on more than one side of the brick as a result. Figure 12 shows an L-shaped guide arm 104. Other non-bound (i.e. non-prism) shapes of guide arm 104 may be implemented, for example a planar arm 104 extending from the slider 102, which could be used to indicate where to place the top of a brick for example.

[00072] The cross bar 100 may comprise a bubble, such that cross bar 100 can be used as a spirit level. The bubble may be arranged on the slider 102 or on one of the guide arms 104. The cross bar 100 may be used as a spirit level on its own, or the bubble may be referenced once the slider 102 has been mounted on the shaft 210 to check that the guide arms 104 are level.

[00073] Figure 2 shows an example slider 102 with one of the guide arms 104 removed so that an attachment element 120 and hole 106 can be seen. The attachment element 120 may be receivable such that the attachment element 120 is engageable or disengeable with the shaft 210 by extending or retracting through the hole 106 in use. The attachment element 120 is configured to pass through the hole 106 to engage the shaft 210 in use, holding the slider 102, and therefore the cross bar 100, in place on the shaft 210.

[00074] The attachment element 120 may be removeable from the slider 102, for example capable of being removed from the hole 106. The attachment element 120 may be connected to the slider 102, for example complete removal of the attachment element 120 from the hole 106 may be prevented by a nut, washer or a clip or the like. The attachment element 120 may comprise a blocker to prevent the attachment element 120 from complete removal from the hole 106, for example including or having a part that is wider than the diameter of the hole 106.

[00075] In the example of Figure 2, the attachment element 120 is shown as a screw for simplicity. The attachment element 120 may be a stud that is threaded or not threaded. The attachment element 120 may be partly threaded. The attachment element 120 may comprise one or more nuts to secure the attachment element 120 to the slider 102. The attachment element 120 may be removable from the slider 102 by removing the one or more nuts, for example. In this way, damage to an attachment element 120 does not mean the entire cross bar 100 requires repair or replacement.

[00076] The attachment element 120 may be inserted into the hole 106 before or after the slider 102 is arranged on the shaft 210. Inserting the attachment element 120 into the hole 106 before mounting the slider 102 on the shaft 210 may make fixing the position of the slider 102 on the shaft 210 easier for the user, as they do not have to align the attachment element 120 and hole 106 while also maintaining the position of the slider 102. The attachment element 120 may be partially inserted into the hole 106 -i.e. a part of the attachment element 120 may be inserted into the hole 106 but may not extend through the hole 106, or may not extend to its full length through the hole 106 for example -before the slider 102 is arranged on the shaft 210, allowing the attachment element 120 to be turned further and received further into the hole 106 to engage the shaft 210 once the slider 102 is arranged thereon.

[00077] The attachment element 120 may be threaded and an interior surface of the hole 106 may be threaded and configured to engage the attachment element 120 and guide twisting of the attachment element 120. This may prevent the attachment element 120 from falling out of the hole 106 when the slider 102 is being manipulated onto the shaft 210, for example, or otherwise moved around a jobsite or transported.

[00078] The attachment element 120, for example the screw or the stud, may comprise a flat face for engaging the shaft 210. Figure 2 shows an attachment element 120 with a flat end face to abut the shaft 210 in use. The flat face may be substantially flat in that it does not include any sharp points or ridges or other bumps. In this way, the attachment element 120 may engage the shaft 210 flush to the shaft 210 and may not cause damage (beyond usual wear and tear) from engagement with the shaft 210, i.e. without pressing into the shaft 210 at a sharp point or the like.

[00079] The attachment element 120 may comprise a clamp head, also referred to herein as a clamp plate or cap. The clamp plate is suitably attached to a moveable support (which may be also referred to as a moveable jaw in some embodiments) so that the clamp plate can be moved towards and away from the shaft (in other words, the profile) 210. The clamp plate may be configured with a flat face for engaging the shaft 210 in some embodiments but in some embodiments, the clamp plate may be concave on the side facing the shaft and a rim or lip of the clamp plate is moved against the surface of the shaft so as to frictionally engage the shaft 210. In some embodiments, the clamp plate is freely rotatable on the moveable jaw of attachment element 120. The clamp plate may be made free rotatable using a mechanism comprising a ball bearing or the like which allows the clamp plate to rotate freely about the moveable jaw of the clamp in some embodiments. This may prevent the attachment element 120 from experiencing unwanted torque forces which could result in sheering or rotation as the clamp plate is moved so as to abut frictionally against the shaft. In other words, the use of the ball-bearing may prevent sheer stress and metal fatigue in the clamp as the clamp plate frictionally engages the shaft 210. As the attachment element 120 may be turned or twisted to engage the shaft 210 and to tighten or loosen the engagement, it may be possible to cause the attachment element 120 to twist against the shaft 210 when making other adjustments to the cross bar 100 or when moving from place to place, for example. Putting any weight or pressure on one of the guide arms 104 may cause the attachment element(s) 120 to twist against the shaft 210 and may lead to misalignment or destabilisation. Providing a clamp plate or head that is configured to prevent such twisting may prevent misalignment or destabilisation of the cross bar 100 and therefore give the user peace of mind that the cross bar 100 has not shifted during their work. Constantly checking alignment is a drain on time for the user, otherwise.

[00080] The attachment element 120 may include a handle, which is shown in Figure 2. The attachment element 120 may not include a handle and may otherwise include a groove for engagement with a screwdriver, for example. Providing a handle on the attachment element 120 removes the need for tools when arranging the slider 102 on the shaft 210 and therefore makes mounting the slider 102 simpler for the user. The handle may have one, two or more arms for the user to grasp. The attachment element 120 may be a wing screw, for example, having a handle in the shape of wings as shown in Figure 2. The attachment element 120 may be a stud comprising a winged handle. A wing nut may be arranged on the attachment element 120 to provide handles, for example.

[00081] The cross bar 100 may comprise a pair of attachment elements 120. The pair of attachment elements 120 may be oppositely disposed on the slider 102. The slider 102 may include a pair of holes 106, oppositely disposed on the slider 102 such that when the attachment elements 120 are arranged in the holes 106 and the slider 102 is arranged on the shaft 210, the attachment elements 120 can engage the shaft 210 from opposite directions. One of the pair of attachment elements 120 may engage the shaft 210 from a different side of a central axis of the slider 102 from the other one of the pair to balance the cross bar 100. This may improve weight distribution of the slider 102 when fixed in position on the shaft 210 and may make aligning the guide arms 104 with the desired level of the structure being built simpler.

[00082] One or both of the attachment elements 120 may have any of the features described above. The attachment elements 120 in the pair may match, or they may have different features -for example, one of the pair may provide a backup for the other, where a first attachment element 120 is used to fix the cross bar 100 in position on the shaft 210 and a second attachment element 120 provides additional support. The second attachment element 120 may only be a stud or screw without any additional features, for example.

[00083] The cross bar 100 may comprise more than one pair of attachment elements 120, for example as shown in Figure 9. There may be an odd number of attachment elements 120; however, pairs are a practical choice for the reasons set out above. It may be that one or more extra attachment elements 120 are provided that are not oppositely disposed (as the pair(s)) may be) with another attachment element 120 and instead provide an attachment element 120 on another side of the slider 102. This may provide some extra support beyond the pair(s) of attachment elements 120 and/or may be useful while the slider 102 is being positioned on the shaft 210, to hold the slider 102 in place before the final position is established and the pair(s) of attachment elements 120 are engaged with the shaft 210.

[00084] The shaft 210 may not comprise any specific elements for receiving the or each attachment element 120. For example, the shaft 210 may be devoid of any notches, grooves, channels or holes for receiving an attachment element 120. In this way, an attachment element 120 can be engaged with the shaft 210 at any location on the shaft 210 that is feasible (i.e. not onto a supporting leg or the like). This allows the user freedom to use the cross bar 100 and shaft 210 for bespoke projects where they do not have to stick to conventional brick sizes.

[00085] The cross bar 100 does, however, guide the user based on some conventional brick sizes. Figure 3 shows an example cross bar 100 including a visual indicator 108, in a view from the top. Figure 4 shows the example cross bar 100 including the visual indicator 108, in a front facing view. The visual indicator 108 may be a notch or groove in the slider 102, which may be an indentation or incision into the slider 102. The visual indicator 108 may be formed in the slider 102 by cutting out one or more surfaces of the slider 102, either such that the visual indicator 108 is indented into the slider 102 or spans a depth of the slider 102. In other words, the visual indicator 108 may include a back or may be backless. The user may be able to see the shaft 210 through the notch or groove when the slider 102 is mounted thereon. The visual indicator 108 may be used by the user to align the slider 102 on the shaft 210, for being fixed in position on the shaft 210.

[00086] In the example of Figures 3 and 4, the visual indicator 108 is depicted as a tapered notch in the slider 102. Such a tapered shape may aid the user in by-eye alignment of the slider 102 on the shaft 210. The shaft 210 may include a visual indicator 212, as described later, which the user may reference alongside the visual indicator 108 to position the slider 102 where they want it on the shaft 210. The tapered shape may allow a primary alignment using the wider part of the taper, and the user may be enabled to make a more precise alignment using the narrower part or the point of the tapered notch or groove.

[00087] Figure 5 shows an example cross bar 100 comprising a pair of visual indicators 108. They are lined up along an axis of the slider 102 in the depicted example. The tapers are in opposite directions in the depicted example. The user may be enabled to make precise by-eye alignments of the slider 102 by referencing both of the visual indicators 108. In other examples, the pair of visual indicators 108 may be disposed on different axes of the slider 108 and may be used to align different parts of the slider 102 on the shaft 210.

[00088] Figure 6 shows another example cross bar 100 wherein the visual indicator 108 is a groove that is not tapered. The groove has two parallel edges. The shaft 210 may include a straight line to aid alignment of the slider 102 and the user may orient the slider 102 on the shaft 210 such that the groove is parallel to the line, for example. The line may be visible to the user within the groove when the slider 102 is mounted on the shaft 210 and the user has aligned the slider 102 in a manner that places the groove over the line, for example.

[00089] Figure 7 shows an example cross bar 100 in which the guide arms 104 comprise markers 110. The markers 110 may be marked onto a surface of the guide arms 104, for example may be printed thereon. The markers 110 may have a depth -they may be channels recessed into the guide arms 104. The markers 110 may comprise raised portions such as ridges on the guide arms 104. The markers 110 may comprise a mixture of printed and/or recessed and/or ridged markers, for example. The markers 110 may be spaced apart from one another as shown in Figure 7. The markers 110 may represent one or more dimensions of a brick. In an example, the markers 110 may be evenly spaced apart, with the separation between the markers representing the width of a brick. In another example, the markers 110 may each represent different common brick sizes. For example, a first marker 110 may be positioned at a distance from the slider 102 that is substantially equal to the width of a common size of brick. A second maker 110 may be positioned adjacent the first marker 110, further from the slider 102, at a distance that is substantially equal to the width of a larger size of brick or other modular building block. Standard brick sizes are currently the same in some countries -for example, the UK and the USA. Other countries may have different standard brick sizes. The markers 110 may indicate different brick sizes, for example for different countries, in different colours (e.g. red for the UK, blue for another country's standard, and so on for as many countries as desired) or using different styles (e.g. dashes) or thicknesses of lines as markers 110.

[00090] The markers 110 may indicate dimensions of bricks at different orientations.

For example, a marker 110 may be provided indicating the width of a common brick, and another marker 110 may be provided indicating the length of a common brick. In this way, the cross bar 100 can be used to aid a bricklayer for building structures from bricks in different configurations.

[00091] The guide arms 104 may each have a length of between 200 millimetres and 250 millimetres. Each guide arm 104 may have a length of 220 millimetres. The length of each guide arm 104 may be determined by the size of bricks that are going to be used for building the structure. The wingspan (i.e. the length of the pair of guide arms 104 and the slider 102, from end to end) may be around 500 millimetres. The first markers 110, which are closest to the slider 102, may be positioned at 10 millimetres from the slider 102. The markers 110 may be used to indicate to the user a width of a cavity. Therefore, not every marker 110 may be representative of a dimension of a brick, but may simply indicate a distance from the slider 102. In this way, if the user knows the dimensions of a cavity, they can identify the markers 110 they need on the guide arms 104 and use this as a reference for their structure.

[00092] Figure 7 also shows labels 112 adjacent the markers 110. Every marker 110 may be labelled, or only one or more markers 110 may be labelled. The labels 112 may indicate the significance of the markers 110. Each label 112 may be positioned on a guide arm 104 adjacent a marker 110 so that it is clear which label 112 relates to which marker 110. The labels 112 may comprise numbers, letters, diagrams or the like. In an example, the labels 112 may indicate the distance of the markers 110 from the slider 102 to help the user interpret the markers 110. A label 112 may indicate the distance in millimetres of a marker 110 from the slider 102, for example. Measurements may be given in multiple units, for example in imperial units as well as metric units, as both inches and millimetres are currently used in the trade of bricklaying.

[00093] Figure 8 shows the example cross bar 100 of Figure 7, with a piece of string 114 shown laid on one of the markers 110. The marker 110 may comprise a channel. The marker 110 may be recessed into the guide arm 104, to receive the string 114 in the channel. The user may wish to use a plumb line or the like, so providing the markers 110 recessed in a way that the user can lay string 114 in the marker 110 would help the user in setting up a plumb line at their desired distance from the slider 102 or their desired brick size. The user may wrap string 114 around the guide arm 104 and tension the string 114 between the guide arm 104 and another fixed point. Recessing the marker 114 may be helpful as the user could wrap the string 114 around the guide arm 104 in the marker 114 to prevent the string 114 from moving laterally on the guide arm 104.

[00094] An alternative solution to using the guide arms 104 as an anchor point for tensioning string 114 is to use a clip or clamp or the like to attach string 114 to the guide arms 114. In one example, a corner block may be used, and this is described further below.

[00095] Figure 9 shows a guidance arrangement 200 comprising a cross bar 100 and a shaft 210. The shaft 210 may provide a profile, providing a reference guide for the bricklayer to identify an end or corner of the structure they are building. However, the shaft 210 may also be positionable adjacent a structure being built at any suitable point along the structure.

[00096] The cross bar 100 is shown mounted on the shaft 210. Only a portion of the shaft 210 is shown -the jagged lines denote that the shaft 210 continues above and below the portion that is shown. In the example of Figure 9, the cross bar 100 comprises two pairs of attachment elements 120. Each attachment element 120 of the pairs is oppositely disposed on the slider 102. It has been found that using oppositely disposed attachment elements 120 makes it easier to get the guide arms 104 level (meaning perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the shaft 210, which may be horizontal where the shaft 210 is vertical), as the user can make tweaks to the position of the slider 102 on each side that includes an attachment element 120.

[00097] Figure 10 shows an example guidance arrangement 200 wherein the shaft 210 includes a visual indicator 212. The visual indicator 212 is depicted as a straight line on the shaft 210. The visual indicator 212 is depicted as lying along a central axis of the shaft 210. The visual indicator 108 of the slider 102 can be laid over the visual indicator 212 of the shaft 210 as shown, when the slider 102 is mounted on the shaft 210, to help the user identify the alignment of the slider 102 with respect to the shaft 210.

[00098] In other examples, the visual indicator 212 may not lie on a central axis of the shaft 210, for example where the visual indicator 108 of the slider 102 is not central on the slider 102. However, it is envisioned that having the visual indicator 212 on the shaft 210 and the visual indicator 108 on the slider 102 arranged on a central axis of each will make alignment most simple for the user.

[00099] In Figure 10, the visual indicator 108 is shown as a tapered notch. With the slider 102 mounted on the shaft 210, it is shown how the visual indicator 212 of the shaft 210 can be seen within the tapered notch. The user can align the visual indicator 212 with the narrowest part of the notch to identify that the slider 102 is centred on the shaft, and the user can make sure that the visual indicator 212 is central to the widest part of the notch to identify that the guide arms 104 are level (i.e. their longitudinal axes lie perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the shaft 210).

[000100] If the visual indicator 108 is a groove or a notch that is not tapered, the user can still compare the visual indicator 108 with the visual indicator 212 of the shaft 210 to ensure the slider 102 and/or the guide arms 104 are positioned as they desire, for fixing in place on the shaft 210. For example, the user may check that the groove or notch has an equal area either side of the visual indicator 212 to establish that the slider 102 is not tilted or shifted to one side of the longitudinal axis of the shaft 210.

[000101] The visual indicator 212 may be a line marked on the shaft 210. The line may be dashed, for example, or a solid line. The visual indicator 212 may be brightly coloured, for example red or yellow, to stand out against the shaft 210. The visual indicator 212 may be engraved on the shaft 210 or recessed into the shaft 210. The visual indicator 212 may be raised (for example a ridge) so that the user can feel where the visual indicator 212 is; however, this may not be practical for the slider 102 to slide over. Recessing the visual indicator 212 also allows the user to feel the visual indicator 212 as well as see it, but does not impede the slider 102.

[000102] Figure 11 shows an example guidance arrangement 200 further comprising another visual indicator 214 (a second visual indicator 214). This visual indicator 214 may comprise a set of markings that are perpendicular to the visual indicator 212. As shown in Figure 11, there is more than one markings in the visual indicator 214. A pair of markings are spaced apart a distance representative of a dimension of a brick or a brick course. In this way, the user is guided on how much to raise or lower the cross bar 100 on the shaft 210 as the structure made from bricks is being built. The user can use the visual indicator 214 as a reference for the next layer of bricks and therefore how high up the shaft 210 their cross bar 100 needs to be.

[000103] Being perpendicular to the visual indicator 212 (and the longitudinal axis of the shaft 210), the visual indicator 214 is also a useful reference when arranging the slider 102 on the shaft 210, to guide levelling of the guide arms 104. When the slider 102 is positioned on the shaft 210 with the guide arms 104 level (i.e. perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the shaft 210), the guide arms 104 are parallel with the visual indicator 214.

[000104] The shaft 210 may comprise holes or recesses for receiving the attachment element(s) 120 at positions on the shaft 210 that are level with markings of the visual indicator 214. This would guide the user on where to attach the slider 102 for building a structure of a certain height. However, as explained above, it may be preferable for the shaft 210 to be free of any elements configured to receive the attachment element(s) 120 so that the user can choose exactly where they wish to position the slider 102 -for example, for building bespoke structures.

[000105] It is desirable for the shaft 210 to be stood vertically or substantially vertically at the site where the structure is being built. One or more supports 220 may be connected to the shaft 210. A support 220 may comprise a leg configured to reach the ground or whatever surface the shaft 210 is standing on. Figure 11 shows a pair of supports 220. In the example of Figure 11, the supports 220 are connected at an end of the shaft 210 and extend a length from the shaft 210 to reach the ground or another surface on which the shaft 210 is stood.

[000106] The support(s) 220 may comprise a telescopic leg. The user may be enabled to adjust the length of the support 220 using the telescopic leg. This may allow the user to support the shaft 210 on the ground or whatever surface the shaft 210 is standing on, or for example to support the shaft 210 against a nearby wall or other structure. The support(s) 220 may be connected to the shaft 210 in any suitable manner to allow the user to change the angle of the support(s) 220 with respect to the shaft 210, for example, hinges may be used in some embodiments.

[000107] Figure 11 shows the supports 220 connected at an end of the shaft 210, which is a top end of the shaft 210. This may prevent the supports 220 from getting in the way of the task at hand. The guidance arrangement 200 is for use at a jobsite and no part of the guidance arrangement 220 should hinder building near the guidance arrangement 200. Likewise, the slider 102 would not be blocked at any point along the length of the shaft 210 if the supports 220 are arranged at an end of the shaft 210.

[000108] Figure 11 includes two supports 220 arranged as a tripod configuration (including the shaft 210) to provide support to the shaft 210. An alternative arrangement, would be to provide one or more supports 220 close to a base end of the shaft 210. By base end, it is meant that the shaft 210 has two ends and one of the ends will be arranged closer to the ground in use, which is a base end. Having one or more supports 220 near or at the base end of the shaft 210 would also avoid impeding sliding of the slider 102, like having the support(s) 220 at the top end, as the slider 102 would not need to be positioned close to the base of the shaft 210.

[000109] An alternative option for a support 220 is a foot at a base end of the shaft 210. Again, a foot would not impede the slider 102 in use. However, a foot could possibly get in the way of the task at hand if it extends a length from the shaft 210 towards where the brick structure is being built. Ideally, the footprint of the shaft 210 is as small as practical.

[000110] The shaft 210 may comprise a bubble to provide a spirit level. This may aid the user in identifying that the shaft 210 is vertical, or at whatever angle they intend. The bubble may be embedded in the shaft 210, to avoid impeding the slider 102. The cross bar 100 may also include a bubble as described above and the user may consult both bubbles to establish that the shaft 210 and the cross bar 100 are level.

[000111] Figure 12 shows an example cross bar 100 including a slider 102 and a guide arm 104, from a side view. The guide arm 104 in the example shown has an L-shaped cross section. A brick may be receivable within the L-shaped guide arm 104. As a brick has cuboid shape, a corner of the brick can slot into the L-shaped guide arm 104. The user could therefore push the guide arm 104 up against an end of their structure built from bricks. The L-shape is relatively simple to make using moulding or 3D printing, for example, or is easy to make by connecting two sheets of metal or another material at a corner. Less material is used versus making a solid beam for a guide arm 104 or a tube, for example.

[000112] Figure 13 shows a side view of an L-shaped guide arm 104, with a corner block 116 mounted thereon. String 114 is attached to the corner block 116. A corner block 116 may be used as an anchor for the string 114 to be tensioned. The other end of the string 114 may be anchored elsewhere, for example at another cross bar 100. The corner block 116 may comprise plastics material, metal or another suitable material. Providing a corner block 116 comprising plastics material makes it light as well as simple to make and inexpensive to replace. String 114 may be wrapped around the corner block 116 to tighten or release tension in the string 114. String 114 may be stored on the corner block 116 by wrapping the string 114 around it.

[000113] As shown in Figure 13, the corner block 116 may be attached to the guide arm 114. The position of the corner block 116 on the guide arm 104 may be selected based on the markers 110. The user may want the string 114 to extend from the cross bar 100 at a certain distance from the slider 102 and so may be guided to attach the corner block 116 to the guide arm 104 based on a marker 110 at that desired distance.

[000114] Alternatively to using a corner block 116, string 114 may be tied to or wrapped around the guide arm 104 directly, or a plumb line may be draped over the guide arm 104 with a weight hanging downwards or placed on the ground. A drawback of wrapping string 114 around the guide arm directly is that the user will need to undo that wrapping to move it, taking up precious work time. A knot needs to be undone or even cut off to change the position of the string 114 laterally on the guide arm 104. Dangling weights or weights on the ground increase the footprint of the guidance arrangement 200 and would get in the way of the user.

[000115] A pair of corner blocks 116 with string 114 therebetween is a simple tool to transport and operate for the user. Even a non-professional could obtain and use a corner block 116 with ease, referring to markers 110, to locate string 114 on the guide arm 114.

[000116] Another example for anchoring string 114 at the guide arm 104 is to provide a slidable anchor on or in the guide arm 104. The slidable anchor may be attached to the guide arm 104 and configured to slide laterally along the guide arm 104. String 114 may be tied to the slidable anchor and moved along the guide arm 104. The user may position the slidable anchor in line with a marker 110 and the slidable anchor may be fixable in position, for example using a clip. The string 114 may then be anchored at that position on the guide arm 104. This is a simple solution for an untrained brick layer.

[000117] Figure 14 shows a pair of example guidance arrangements 200 comprising a pair of shafts 210 and a pair of cross bars 100. This is a bigger picture showing string 114 tensioned between the pair of cross bars 100. For simplicity, the guide arms 104 are shown as cuboids, but as described above they could be L-shaped or another suitable shape. Structures made from bricks 300 are shown, each comprising one layer of bricks 300. The cross bars 100 are low down on the shafts 210, and will be moved up as the structure made from bricks 300 grows. Two bricklayers may be using the guidance arrangement 200 to ensure their structures are level with each other. It is common for two brick layers to build either side of a cavity when a cavity wall is being built, for example. String 114 is shown tensioned between the two cross bars 100. One string 114 may demark a front side of the structure made from bricks 300, for example, and the other string 114 may demark a back side of the structure made from bricks 300. One or both strings 114 may be moved laterally on the guide arms 114 to guide where the structure made from bricks 300 should be built. Corner blocks 116 are shown in Figure 14 as an example mechanism for positioning and moving the string 114.

[000118] Figure 15 shows the example pair of guidance arrangements 200 of Figure 14 at a later time when the structures made from bricks 300 have grown. As shown, the cross bars 100 have been raised as the structures made from bricks 300 have gotten taller. As each brick course is laid, the structure gets one layer of bricks and mortar taller, and the cross bar 100 can be raised accordingly. As the height of the structure made from bricks 300 changes, the position of the string 114 should not move in this example, because the brick layers will want to follow the same line along the structure made from bricks 300.

[000119] The guidance arrangement 200 or pair of guidance arrangements is not limited to guiding structures made from bricks 300 that are straight lines, though. Figure 16 shows a pier accessory 400. The pier accessory 400 is provided to guide a user in building a brick pier. Brick piers are decorative structures in which each brick course is twisted with respect to the previous brick course, to create a twisted appearance in a column. Brick piers may be found at the end of a wall, for example, or may be used to support a roof for a porch or the like. Skilled craftsmen may be trained to make brick piers; however, the typical brick layer may not be trained or may not practise making brick piers often enough to be able to do so quickly and confidently. The pier accessory 400 is provided to allow a brick layer (or maybe even a layman) to build a brick pier with guidance, making it quicker and easier to do.

[000120] The pier accessory 400 may comprise a plate 402 including a cut-out 412, inside which the user can place bricks 300 to build their brick pier -i.e. the plate 402 and cut-out 412 provide a template for building a brick pier. The plate 402 may be insertable into a frame 406. The frame 406 may be attached to a mount 404. The mount 404 may be configured to connect to the slider 102, such that the frame 406 may be positioned at a height on the shaft 210 along with the slider 102.

[000121] To create a twisted appearance, the angle of the bricks being laid with respect to the previous brick course needs to change. This means the cut-out 412 needs to change position. The plate 402 is configured to change orientation within the frame 406, with respect to the mount 404 (and therefore the shaft 210). The frame 406 is depicted as having three sides in Figure 16. The frame 406 may have a side attached to the mount 404, which may be considered to be part of the mount 404, and two branches protruding from the side attached to the mount 404 to receive the plate 402 therebetween. Having an open side, as shown, allows the user to slot the plate 402 into place in the frame 406, either while the frame 406 is mounted on the slider 102 or not. The frame 406 may have four sides joined in a square shape, for example.

[000122] The frame 406 may comprise channels to receive edges of the plate 402, for example. The frame 406 may receive the plate 402 on top of parts of the frame 406 and support the plate 402 from below when the frame 406 is attached to the slider 102 in use. In other words, the plate 402 may be supported on a surface of the frame 406. The plate 402 may be attachable to the frame 406 using clips or clamps or the like to prevent the plate 402 from falling off the frame 406 or moving in the frame 406 in use.

[000123] The plate 402 may comprise apertures 408 as shown in Figure 16. Each aperture 408 may be spaced apart. The apertures 408 may be arranged adjacent an edge of the plate 402, separate from the cut-out 412. Wear and tear may cause the apertures 408 or the cut-out 412 to become damaged and may widen the apertures or cut-out 412, and spacing the cut-out 412 and apertures 408 may prevent them joining up and disfiguring the plate 402.

[000124] The frame 406 may comprise a pin 410 configured to pass through each aperture 408. The pin 410 may project from the frame 406. The pin 410 may be around 100mm in length. The plate 402 may have a thickness of between 1 millimetre and 5 millimetres for example. The plate 402 may have a thickness that is smaller than the length of the pin 410, such that the plate 402 can be mounted on the pin 410 via one of the apertures 408. In Figure 16, the pin 410 is shown from above, inside one of the apertures 408. The pin 410 may be used to orient the plate 402 such that the cut-out 412 is at the desired angle with respect to the mount 404 (and therefore the shaft 210).

[000125] Figure 17a shows an example plate 402 with a different sized cut-out 412 from that shown in Figure 16. Figure 17b shows another example plate with a different sized cut-out 412 from Figure 16 and Figure 17a. The pier accessory 400 may comprise a set of plates 402 for use to create differently sized brick piers. In an example, the size or shape of the cut-out 412 may be adjustable. For example, the plate 402 may comprise a shutter in the style of a shutter on a camera, to expand or contract the cut-out 412. However, providing a set of plates 412 having a fixed cut-out size is a simpler solution.

[000126] Typical brick piers are around 330 millimetres or 440 millimetres across.

Therefore, a cut-out 412 in a plate 402 may have a length of 330 millimetres and a cut-out 412 in another plate 402 may have a length of 440 millimetres. A set of plates 402 may be provided, each having a cut-out 412 having an area that is typical (and therefore useful to the brick layer) of brick piers.

[000127] Figure 18 shows an example pier accessory 400 in situ mounted on the shaft 410. In this example, the mount 404 comprises a slot 416. The slider 102 (which is covered by the mount 404 in Figure 18) comprises a pair of studs 414. In other examples, the slider 102 may comprise one stud 414 or more than two studs 414. The slot 416 is configured to receive the studs 414. The studs 414 extend a length away from the slider 102, perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the guide arms 104 such that when mounted on the shaft 210 the studs 414 extend perpendicular to the shaft 210. The slider 102 is mountable on the shaft 210 as described above, and the studs 414 engage the slot 416 such that the mount 404 can be attached to the slider 102 and slide with the slider 102. Once a stud 414 has been received in the slot 416, a nut or similar fixture may be added to retain the stud 414 in the slot 416. In another example, which is an alternative to an elongate slot 416, an aperture may be provided to receive the stud 414. However, providing an elongate slot 416 means that the mount 404 can be fixed on the stud(s) 414 at different positions within the slot 416, adding flexibility for the user.

[000128] The mount 404 may otherwise be mountable to the guide arms 104, for example, or may include one or more fixtures to attach the mount 404 to the guide arms 404 as well as the slider 102. Figure 18 shows the guide arms 104 to reference where the pier accessory 400 is arranged on the slider 102 when attached. The frame 406 may be wider than the span of the guide arms 104, for example.

[000129] Figure 19 shows the example pier accessory 400 of Figure 18 with the plate 402 rotated with respect to the angle in Figure 18. The pin 410 is in a different aperture 408, changing the orientation of the cut-out 412 with respect to the shaft 210. A structure made from bricks 300 is shown to illustrate two different layers of a brick pier, with each layer including bricks 300 at different angles, having been built using the cut-out 412 at different orientations.

[000130] In an example, a user may position a guidance arrangement 200 at each end of a structure built from bricks 300. A brick pier may be constructed at each end, using the pier accessories 400. A straight brick wall may be built between the two guidance arrangements 200. The first layer of bricks of both piers and the wall may all be laid while the slider 102 is in a first position on the shaft 210, and then the slider 102 may be moved upwards on the shaft 210 to indicate the height of the next layer. The piers and the wall may then be built up one more layer. Typically, a bricklayer will construct a pier, then another pier, then a wall in between. This approach, guided by the guidance assemblies, would be quicker and neater.

[000131] The present cross bar 100 and guidance arrangement 200 can make building a structure from bricks 300 quicker and easier for a trained professional. Because of the guidance provided, the cross bar 100 and guidance arrangement 200 may also be used by an untrained brick layer, for example a do-it-yourself enthusiast or any other layman. It is envisioned that the cross bar 100 and guidance arrangement 200 may be used as teaching tools, for example for new brick layers in training. The number of markers 110, visual indicators 108, 212, 214 and labels 112 may be increased for less practised brick layers and/or increased where the cross bar 100 and guidance arrangement 200 may be used as teaching tools.

[000132] The guidance arrangement 200 may be used as follows: The user may position the guidance arrangement 200 at their jobsite. They may have marked out where they want their structure to be built. The user may place the shaft 210 at their desired location, then arrange the slider 102 onto the shaft 210, or they may arrange the slider 102 on the shaft 210 before placing the shaft 210 at the site. Once the slider 102 is arranged on the shaft 210, the user may slide the slider 102 to a position representing a desired dimension of the structure made from bricks 300. Once the user has the slider 102 in a generally acceptable position, they can observe the visual indicator 108 to align the slider 102 with respect to the shaft 210. The user can then fix the position of the slider 102 on the shaft 210 using an attachment element 120.

[000133] As set out above, two guidance arrangements 200 may be arranged at a site, including a pair of shafts 210 and cross bars 100 and a string 114 tensioned between the cross bars 100. The user may position a second guidance arrangement 200 at the site where the structure made from bricks 300 is to be built, at a different position from the positioning of the original guidance arrangement 200. The user may identify where on the shaft 210 of one guidance arrangement 200 the slider 102 is positioned using the visual indicator 108 of that guidance arrangement 200 and aligning the slider 102 of the other guidance arrangement 200 on the shaft 210 of that guidance arrangement 200 in exactly the same position. Once the two sliders 102 are at the same height on the shaft 210, the user may anchor a piece of string 114 between the two cross bars 100. The string 114 may be connected between the two cross bars 100 under tension, to create an indicator of a straight line between the cross bars 100. This may be used to guide brick laying that is level.

[000134] In an example, the guide arms 104 on each cross bar 100 include channels configured to receive string 114. This may help the user position the string 114 for anchoring -e.g. tying to the guide arms 104. A channel may prevent the string 114 from being displaced laterally on the guide arms 104. Using the channels (which may be markers 110 as set out above) the user can identify that the string 114 is the same distance from the slider 102 on the guide arms 104 at each cross bar 100. Another option, as set out above, is to use a corner block 116 to anchor string 114 to the guide arms 104. The user may be provided a pair of corner blocks 116 with string 114 attached between them. The user may fix a corner block 116 to the guide arms 104 at each guidance assembly 200 and tension the string 114 therebetween.

[000135] The foregoing description provides examples of a cross bar 100 and guidance arrangement 200, and pairs of the same. In the drawings and specification, there have been disclosed exemplary aspects of the disclosure. However, many variations and modifications can be made to these aspects which fall within the scope of the accompanying claims. Thus, the disclosure should be regarded as illustrative rather than restrictive in terms of supporting the claim scope which is not to be limited to the particular examples of the aspects and embodiments described above. The invention which is exemplified herein by the various aspects and embodiments described above has a scope which is defined by the following claims.

Claims (26)

1. CLAIMS1. A cross bar for guiding bricklaying, the cross bar comprising: a slider, configured to slide on a shaft; a pair of guide arms disposed on the slider, each guide arm extending a length from the slider, with one guide arm extending from the slider oppositely from the other guide arm; and an attachment element configured to extend towards the shaft and engage with the shaft to fix the slider in a position relative to the shaft and configured to be retracted from the shaft to allow the slider to move slideably along the shaft.
2. 2. A cross bar according to claim 1, wherein the slider comprises a visual indicator of the alignment of the cross bar with respect to the shaft.
3. 3. A cross bar according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the guide arms comprise markers representative of different thicknesses of a structure built from bricks.
4. 4. The cross bar of claim 2, wherein the visual indicator comprises a set of notches or a set of grooves or a set comprising notches and grooves, wherein the slider comprises a first surface and wherein each of the set is positioned on a central axis of that first surface.
5. 5. The cross bar according to any preceding claim, wherein the attachment element comprises a stud, wherein the slider comprises a hole through which the stud is receivable such that the stud is engageable or disengeable with the shaft by extending or retracting through the hole in use, wherein the stud comprises a flat face for engaging the shaft.
6. 6. The cross bar according to claim 5, wherein the stud comprises a handle for twisting the stud by hand or wherein the stud comprises a winged handle.
7. 7. The cross bar of any preceding claim, comprising a pair of attachment elements each having the features of claim 5 or claim 6, wherein the pair are oppositely disposed on the slider and wherein one of the pair is configured to engage the shaft from a different side of a central axis of the slider from the other one of the pair to balance the cross bar.
8. 8. The cross bar of claim 3 or of any preceding claim depending from claim 3, wherein the markers comprise lines marked onto the guide arms and wherein the lines are labelled to indicate a distance from the slider in a unit of measurement.
9. 9. The cross bar of claim 3 or of any preceding claim depending from claim 3, wherein the markers comprise channels recessed into the guide arms, wherein the channels are configured to receive a piece of string, part of a string line or a piece of string of a plumb line.
10. 10. The cross bar of any preceding claim, wherein the pair of guide arms have an L-shaped cross-section.
11. 11. The cross bar of any preceding claim, wherein the slider or one of the guide arms comprises a bubble to provide a spirit level.
12. 12. A pair of cross bars, each cross bar having any of the features of any one of claims 1-11, wherein the cross bars are configured to be arranged at a site where a structure is to be built at a distance apart from one another such that the structure can be built between the cross bars and wherein each cross bar comprises identical markers on the guide arms, each marker representing a distance from the slider.
13. 13. A guidance arrangement for bricklaying, the arrangement comprising: a cross bar according to any of claims 1-11; and a shaft configured to receive the slider; wherein the visual indicator of the slider is a first visual indicator and wherein the shaft comprises a second visual indicator, wherein when the position of the slider on the shaft is changed the first visual indicator is moved with respect to the second visual indicator and wherein a comparison of the first visual indicator with the second visual indicator is configured to indicate alignment of the slider with the shaft.
14. 14. The guidance arrangement of claim 13, wherein the second visual indicator comprises a straight line marked on the shaft parallel to a longitudinal axis of the shaft and wherein the slider is configured to be adjustable on the shaft to align the first visual indicator with the straight line, wherein the shaft further comprises a third visual indicator comprising two or more straight lines marked on the shaft perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the shaft, wherein the distance between two adjacent straight lines of the third visual indicator represents a dimension of a brick or a course, for guiding positioning of the cross bar on the shaft.
15. 15. The guidance arrangement of any one of claims 14, further comprising a support, wherein the support comprises one or more of (i) a clamp, configured to clamp onto one or more bricks of a structure, (ii) a leg or a telescopic leg, movably attached to the shaft and configured to reach the ground or another surface, (iii) a leg or telescopic leg or tripod rigidly attached to the shaft, (iv) a foot configured to extend a length from the shaft and to lie on the ground or another surface.
16. 16. The guidance arrangement of claim 14 or claim 15, further comprising a pier accessory configured to guide formation of a brick pier, the pier accessory comprising: a mount configured to mount the pier accessory on the cross bar, wherein the mount is configured to engage the cross bar and be slidable on the shaft and be fixable in a position on the shaft with the cross bar; and a removable plate for use as a template for a brick pier, comprising a cut-out within the bounds of which a pier can be built, wherein the plate is configured to be connected to the mount and is configured to be adjustable with respect to the mount to change the angle of the cut-out with respect to the mount.
17. 17. The guidance arrangement of claim 16, wherein the plate comprises a set of spaced apart apertures and wherein the mount comprises a pin, wherein the apertures are each configured to receive the pin and wherein each aperture is configured to provide a different orientation of the cut-out with respect to the mount when the pin is inserted therein.
18. 18. The guidance arrangement of claim 16 or claim 17, wherein the mount comprises a frame configured to extend from the mount, configured to receive the plate and support the plate in a plane perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the shaft when mounted on the cross bar on the shaft.
19. 19. The guidance arrangement of any one of claims 16 to 18, wherein the cross bar comprises a mounting stud that extends a length perpendicular to the guide arms and wherein the mount is configured to engage the mounting stud to connect the mount to the cross bar.
20. 20. The guidance arrangement of claim 19, wherein the mount comprises a slot configured to receive the mounting stud, wherein the slot has a length longer than a diameter of the mounting stud such that the position of the mounting stud in the slot is adjustable.
21. 21. The guidance arrangement of any one of claims 13 to 20, wherein the shaft comprises a bubble to provide a spirit level.
22. 22. A pair of guidance arrangements, each guidance arrangement according to any one of claims 13 to 21, further comprising: a pair of corner blocks and a string to be tensioned, wherein each of the corner blocks is configured to be attached to a guide arm and to retain the string under tension between the two cross bars.
23. 23. A method of guiding the building of a structure from bricks, the method comprising: (i) positioning the guidance arrangement of any one of claims 13 to 21 at a site where the structure is to be built, (ii) sliding the slider on the shaft to a position representing a desired dimension of the structure, (iii) aligning the slider with respect to the shaft by observing the visual indicator, and (iv) fixing the position of the slider on the shaft using the attachment element when the alignment of the slider with the shaft is desirable.
24. 24. The method of claim 23, further comprising: positioning a second guidance arrangement according to any of claims 13 to 21 at a site where the structure is to be built, at a different position from the positioning of the guidance arrangement of claim 22, where the guidance arrangement of claim 22 is a first guidance arrangement, performing steps (ii) to (iv) of claim 22 for the second guidance arrangement, wherein step (iii) further comprises identifying where on the shaft of the first guidance arrangement the slider is positioned using the visual indicator of the first guidance arrangement and aligning the slider of the second guidance arrangement on the shaft of the second guidance arrangement in exactly the same position.
25. 25. The method of claim 24, further comprising: (v) connecting a piece of string between the first and second guidance arrangements under tension, wherein the piece of string is configured as a visual indicator of the positions of the sliders on the shafts, such that the height of the cross bars on the shafts is visually represented by the string.
26. 26. The method of claim 25, wherein each of the cross bars comprise channels on the guidance arms configured to receive a piece of string, wherein connecting the piece of string comprises laying a part of the string within a channel at the first guidance arrangement and laying another part of the string within a channel at the second guidance arrangement, wherein the channels are of equal distances from the slider and on an opposite guide arm for each guidance arrangement.