Masonry module spacing and support device

Abstract

A preferably wedge-shaped device that is inserted between two vertically spaced masonry modules, such as flat stones, that are adhered to a wall having a vertical surface. The wedge maintains the dimension of the gap and supports the upper stone to prevent the upper stone from falling away from the wall.

1 . A device adapted to be inserted within a gap formed between vertically spaced masonry modules having adhesive interposed between the masonry modules and a wall having a substantially vertical surface, the device comprising a rigid body having first and second opposing sidewalls, wherein the sidewalls converge near one end forming a substantially pointed tip, and diverge near another end forming a substantially blunt tail end.  
     
     
         2 . The device in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the first and second sidewalls are substantially planar.  
     
     
         3 . The device in accordance with  claim 2 , further comprising third and fourth substantially parallel sidewalls disposed substantially perpendicularly to said first and second sidewalls.  
     
     
         4 . A masonry wall comprising: 
 a) a first masonry module mounted to a substantially vertical wall surface;    b) a second masonry module mounted to the substantially vertical wall surface spaced vertically from the first masonry module forming a gap having a vertical component; and    c) a wedge inserted within the gap.    
     
     
         5 . The masonry wall in accordance with  claim 4 , wherein the wedge is a rigid body having first and second opposing sidewalls converging near one end forming a substantially pointed tip that is inserted deeper in the gap than an opposite, substantially blunt tail end near which the sidewalls diverge, the first sidewall being in contact with the first masonry module, the second sidewall being in contact with the second masonry module.  
     
     
         6 . A method of constructing a masonry wall, the method comprising: 
 a) adhering a first masonry module to a substantially vertical surface of a wall;    b) adhering a second masonry module to the substantially vertical surface, the second masonry module being spaced vertically from the first masonry module forming a gap having a vertical component; and    c) inserting a wedge in the gap.    
     
     
         7 . The method in accordance with  claim 6 , further comprising the step of inserting a second wedge in the gap, the second wedge being spaced from the first wedge.  
     
     
         8 . The method in accordance with  claim 7 , further comprising the steps of adhering a plurality of masonry modules to the substantially vertical surface forming a plurality of gaps having vertical components, and inserting a plurality of wedges in the plurality of gaps.  
     
     
         9 . The method in accordance with  claim 8 , further comprising the step of removing all of the wedges after an adhesive has cured substantially.  
     
     
         10 . The method in accordance with  claim 9 , further comprising the step of injecting mortar into the gaps after removing the wedges.  
     
     
         11 . The method in accordance with  claim 6 , wherein each wedge is a rigid body having first and second opposing sidewalls converging near one end forming a substantially pointed tip that is inserted deeper in the gap than an opposite, substantially blunt tail end near which the sidewalls diverge, the first sidewall being in contact with the first masonry module, the second sidewall being in contact with the second masonry module.