IE20180046A1

IE20180046A1 - A mortar laying device

Info

Publication number: IE20180046A1
Application number: IE20180046A
Authority: IE
Inventors: Lynch Noel
Original assignee: Lynch Noel
Priority date: 2017-02-17
Filing date: 2018-02-19
Publication date: 2018-10-17
Also published as: GB201702650D0; GB2559785B; GB2559785A

Abstract

A mortar laying device comprising an open substantially rectangular shaped hopper comprising two longitudinal side walls and two end walls, the side and end walls inclined upwardly from the base section; a longitudinal planar base section substantially the width of a block and supporting the hopper, the base section comprising a slidable tray section substantially forming the base of the hopper and two planar sections extending longitudinally at either end of the hopper, the planar sections comprising handles to push or pull the device in a longitudinal direction, and elongated runners onto which the planar base section is permanently attached, the elongated runners comprising an L shape, wherein the longitudinal planar base section comprises side edges extending downward at a right angle to the base section forming a mortar laying space between the planer base section and an upper surface of a row of block work on which the device is placed. <Figure 1>

Description

Introduction The invention relates to a device for helping in the laying of mortar.

Building a wall may look straightforward, however a lot of skill is required to build a wall correctly and efficiently. Too much mortar or two little mortar between the blocks or bricks and the rows of blocks can cause significant knock-on effects. Worst case scenario the wall collapses causing damage if not injury.

There is a real need for an improved device which helps in the correct and efficient building of a wall.

Statements of Invention According to the invention there is provided a mortar laying device comprising:an open substantially rectangular shaped hopper comprising two longitudinal side walls and two end walls, the side and end walls inclined upwardly from the base section; a longitudinal planar base section substantially the width of a block and supporting the hopper, the base section comprising a slidable tray section substantially forming the base of the hopper and two planar sections extending longitudinally at either end of the hopper, the planar sections comprising handles to push or pull the device in a longitudinal direction; and elongated runners onto which the planar base section is permanently attached, the elongated runners comprising an L shape; wherein the longitudinal planar base section comprises side edges extending downward at a right angle to the base section forming a mortar laying space between the planer base section and an upper surface of a row of block work on which the device is placed.

One embodiment of the invention comprises two parallel longitudinal flanges extending downwards from the underside of the planar base section defining an inner side edge of the mortar laying space.

One embodiment of the invention comprises a removable elongated sloped divider unit. Preferably the sloped divider unit is supported by guide members permanently attached to either end wall of the hopper.

In one embodiment of the invention the slidable tray comprises a central longitudinal opening which extends from either end wall of the hopper. Preferably in its closed nonworking position the tray forms a closed base on the hopper. In its open working position slides outwardly from the longitudinal side of the hopper forming two parallel elongated openings in the base of the hopper.

In one embodiment of the invention the slidable tray comprises a stopper flange.

According to the invention the device sits on top of a row of blocks, the long side of the elongated L shaped runner resting against a vertical outer face of a block and the short side of the L shaped runner sitting on a horizontal upper surface of the block and the device is moved in a longitudinal direction along a row of blocks.

According to the invention there is provided a device for use in dispensing mortar in two parallel strips in a uniform manner on a row of blocks.

According to the invention there is also provided a method of depositing a uniform layer of mortar on a layer/row of blocks using the device of the invention.

Brief Description of the Invention The invention will be more clearly understood from the following description thereof with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the mortar laying device of the invention; Fig. 2 is a side view of the mortar laying device of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a downward view of the mortar laying device of Fig. 1; Fig. 4 is a view from one end of the mortar laying device of Fig. 1; Fig. 5 is a view from underneath the mortar laying device of Fig. 1; Fig. 6 is a downward view of the mortar laying device of the invention with the sloped divider unit removed; Fig. 7 is a downward view of the mortar laying device of Fig. 1 with the slidable tray in its extended open position; Fig. 8 is a view from one end of the mortar laying device of Fig. 7; and Fig. 9 is a view from one end of the mortar laying device in position on a block and dispensing mortar.

Detailed description When building a wall, for example a garden or boundary wall or the walls of a building the costs can be very high. Labour costs can be very high as mortar must be applied by hand to each block and the block must be properly aligned with the block already in place. Excess mortar must then be removed from the newly positioned block. This is a time consuming manual operation which makes for a high labour cost. In addition the quality of the work can be very variable depending on the experience of the person doing the labour. Too much mortar or too little mortar or binder used can be very detrimental to the quality of the finished wall. The wall may be uneven and incorrectly aligned.

Building aid devices which are intended to make the task of building a wall easier are well known, however the known devices are not widely in use as they can be awkward to use and don’t necessarily result in a better built wall.

The present invention provides an improved device which is both easy to operate and easy to maintain. The device of the present invention allows a person of any skill level to dispense mortar in a uniform manner on a layer/row of blocks. The device eliminates any excessive waste of mortar. The device of the present invention also helps to keep the wall aligned.

The mortar laying device 1 of the present invention comprises an open substantially rectangular shaped hopper or container 2 comprising two longitudinal side walls 3 and two end walls 4. The side walls 3 and end walls 4 are inclined upwardly from the base of the hopper 2. The hopper 2 is attached to a longitudinal base section 5, the base section 5 being substantially the width of the block work on which mortar is to be dispensed.

The base section 5 comprises two planar sections 5a, 5b extending longitudinally at either end of the hopper 2. Each of the planar sections 5a, 5b comprises a handle 7 to push or pull the device 1 longitudinally along the top of a row or layer of block work. The longitudinal side edges of the base section 5 comprise a flange 9 which extends downward at a right angle from the planar surface of the base section 5.

The flange 9 of the base section 5 is permanently attached to two elongated runners 8. The runners 8 comprise an L shape wherein the long side of the L shape 8a rests flush against the vertical outer side face of a block and the short end 8b of the L shape rests on the horizontal top side edge of the block on which the device 1 is placed. The flange 9 forms a space between the under-surface of the base section 5 and the upper surface of the block 20 on which the device 1 is placed (Fig. 9).

The device 1 has a slidable tray 6 which in its closed non-working position substantially forms the base of the hopper 2. The slidable tray 6 has a central elongated opening 14 which extends from either end wall of the hopper 2. The slidable tray 6 has a handle 15 for pulling and pushing the tray from a closed non-working to an open working position. A stopper flange 22 on the base of the tray 6 prevents the tray 6 from being fully removed from the device 1.

The device 1 has a removable elongated sloped divider unit 12 which has an essentially U shaped cross section. The divider unit 12 is supported by two guide members 13 permanently attached to either end wall 3. The sloped divider unit 12 directs or guides a steady downward flow of mortar toward the longitudinal side walls and the base of the hopper. When the sloped divider unit 12 is in place and the tray 6 is in its closed non-working position the base of the hopper 2 is fully closed.

Cavity blocks have large openings in their centre are it can be difficult to dispense sufficient mortar on the top sides of the block without losing a lot of mortar into the central cavities. The device 1 of the present invention is sized to fit snugly along the top of a cavity block thus ensuring that the openings on the base of the hopper are aligned exactly to dispense mortar only where required on the side edges of the cavity block. Using the device of the present invention to lay a cavity block wall results in less waste and a much more efficient process.

In use the device is laid on one end of a row of blocks with the elongated runners 8 resting flush along the outer edge of a block 18. With the slidable tray 6 in its closed position forming a closed base for the hopper 2, the hopper 2 is filled with mortar. The tray 6 is then pulled out and the device 1 is pulled or pushed along a row of blocks. In this configuration the central opening 14 of the tray 6 forms an opening on one side of the hopper 2 and a second elongated opening 16 is formed as a result of the tray 6 being pulled into its working position. The sloped divider unit 12 directs a constant flow of mortar out through the openings 14 and 16.

As the mortar laying device 1 is moved along mortar 17 is dispensed in two uniform lines along either side of the block 18. As the device 1 is moved along the mortar 17 which has been dispensed from the base of the hopper 2 is smoothed by the trailing planar section of the base section 5. The planar sections 5a, 5b of the hopper ensures that the two parallel lines of mortar are dispensed with a uniform depth. Two flanges 11 extend from the underside of the base section to ensure the mortar is deposited within a set width between the flange 11 and the flange 9.

When the end of a row of blocks is reached the slidable tray 6 is pushed and returned into its closed position closing the base of the hopper so that any remaining mortar in 5 the hopper is saved and is not wasted. The device 1 may then be lifted off and placed on the next row of blocks. As the device moves along the top of the block work it also alerts the builder when the blocks are not being laid straight as the device will not move easily along the top of misaligned blocks.

The device of the present invention has minimal moving parts and may be easily cleaned after use. It is important to be able to easily and fully clean the equipment to ensure that lines of mortar are continuously deposited in a uniform manner using the device. After use it is essential that the device is cleaned of any residual mortar or binder.

The device may be manufactured using any suitable material such as a heavy plastics material or steel.

While the device of the present invention is intended primarily for the laying of mortar in two parallel stripes on a cavity block, the device may be sized to accommodate different sized blocks or bricks as required.

The invention is not limited to the embodiment hereinbefore described, with reference to the accompanying drawings, which may be varied in construction and detail.

Claims

1. A mortar laying device comprising:an open substantially rectangular shaped hopper comprising two longitudinal side walls and two end walls, the side and end walls inclined upwardly from the base section; a longitudinal planar base section substantially the width of a block and supporting the hopper, the base section comprising a slidable tray section substantially forming the base of the hopper and two planar sections extending longitudinally at either end of the hopper, the planar sections comprising handles to push or pull the device in a longitudinal direction; and elongated runners onto which the planar base section is permanently attached, the elongated runners comprising an L shape; wherein the longitudinal planar base section comprises side edges extending downward at a right angle to the base section forming a mortar laying space between the planer base section and an upper surface of a row of block work on which the device is placed.

2. A device as claimed in claim 1 comprising two parallel longitudinal flanges extending downwards from the underside of the planar base section defining an inner side edge of the mortar laying space.

3. A device as claimed in claim 1 or 2 comprising a removable elongated sloped divider.

4. A device as claimed in claim 3 wherein the sloped divider is supported by guide members permanently attached to either end wall of the hopper.

5. A device as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the slidable tray comprises a central longitudinal opening which extends from either end wall of the hopper.

6. A device as claimed in claim 5 wherein the slidable tray in its closed non- working position forms a closed base on the hopper.

7. A device as claimed in claim 5 or 6 wherein the slidable tray in its open working position slides outwardly from the longitudinal side of the hopper forming two parallel elongated openings in the base of the hopper.

8. A device as claimed in any of claims 5 to 7 wherein the slidable tray comprises a stopper flange.

9. A device as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the device sits on top of a row of blocks, the long side of the elongated L shaped runner resting against a vertical outer face of a block and the short side of the L shaped runner sitting on a horizontal upper surface of the block and the device is moved in a longitudinal direction along a row of blocks.

10. A device as claimed in any preceding claim for use in dispensing mortar in two parallel strips in a uniform manner on a row of blocks.

11. A method of depositing a uniform layer of mortar on a layer/row of blocks using a device as claimed in any preceding claim.