Guides to align masonry walls defining apertures, and methods of use

Abstract

An aperture guide that facilitates alignment of masonry blocks to construct opposing walls of an aperture is disclosed and claimed. Apertures so formed typically are used for placement of windows, doors, and the like. The aperture guide is formed of components that form a parallelogram of varying angles owing to the rotatability of four junction points. When positioned for use, effectively linear edges guide the placement of blocks to result in greater accuracy and precision, with increased worker efficiency. Methods of use also are disclosed and claimed.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . An aperture guide for alignment of blocks forming masonry constructed opposing side walls that define an aperture, said aperture guide comprising: 
 a. a first block guide comprising a first outer edge adjustable to a vertical orientation in said aperture;    b. a second block guide comprising a second outer edge adjustable to a vertical orientation in said aperture;    c. an upper connecting arm comprising two ends, spanning a distance, and engaging at a first junction the first block guide at one end and engaging at a second junction the second block guide at the other end; and    d. a lower connecting arm comprising two ends, spanning a distance, and engaging at a third junction the first block guide at one end and engaging at a fourth junction the second block guide at the other end;    wherein a parallelogram shape is defined by the four junctions, and wherein a set distance between the first and second outer edges defines a desired distance between said opposing side walls.    
     
     
         2 . The aperture guide of  claim 1 , wherein the set distance is established when a right angle is formed at each of the four junctions.  
     
     
         3 . The aperture guide of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second edges are effectively linear.  
     
     
         4 . The aperture guide of  claim 1 , wherein the first block guide or the second block guide, or both, are comprised of a level.  
     
     
         5 . The aperture guide of  claim 4 , wherein said level additionally comprises said first outer edge or said second outer edge.  
     
     
         6 . The aperture guide of  claim 1 , wherein the upper and the lower connecting arms additionally comprise means for adjustment of the distance spanned.  
     
     
         7 . The aperture guide of  claim 1 , wherein lengths of the upper and the lower connecting arms are interchangeable with a selection of lengths, enabling said aperture guide to be utilized for the placement of blocks for apertures of different desired distances between the side walls.  
     
     
         8 . The aperture guide of  claim 1 , additionally comprising at least one stabilizer on the outer face of said first or second block guide, wherein said stabilizer increases the compressive force exerted by the aperture guide against at least one block against which the aperture guide is placed.  
     
     
         9 . The aperture guide of  claim 1 , additionally comprising at least one stabilizer on the outer face of said first or second block guide, wherein said at least one stabilizer is comprised of a spring positioned in a hole in recessed into said outer face, a shaft at least partially sliding into a cylindrical void defined by the spring, and a convex dome integral with the shaft and oriented to protrude from said hole, wherein upon compression of said convex dome by positioning against a block, the spring exerts a compressive counterforce that adds to the positional stabilization of the aperture guide.  
     
     
         10 . The aperture guide of  claim 1 , additionally comprising upwardly curving yokes at the ends of the upper and the lower connecting arms connecting to the first block guide at said first and third junctions, respectively, and downwardly curving yokes at the ends of the upper and the lower connecting arms connecting to the second block guide at said second and fourth junctions, respectively.  
     
     
         11 . The aperture guide of  claim 10 , wherein said upwardly curving yokes and said downwardly curving yokes have an angular curve that offsets the thickness of the upper and lower connecting arms, resulting in a parallel stacking of the first and second block guides, and the upper and lower connecting arms, upon folding the aperture guide for transporting or for storage.  
     
     
         12 . The aperture guide of  claim 10 , wherein the upper and the lower connecting arms additionally comprise means for adjustment of the distance spanned.  
     
     
         13 . The aperture guide of  claim 10 , wherein lengths of the upper and the lower connecting arms are interchangeable with a selection of lengths, enabling said aperture guide to be utilized for the placement of blocks for apertures of different desired distances between the side walls.  
     
     
         14 . A method for aligning blocks during masonry construction to form side walls of an aperture in a wall, comprising: 
 a. along a wall being constructed, establishing desired positions for first and second bottom corners of said aperture;    b. setting with mortar a first block in place at one the two desired positions, thus forming said first bottom corner of the aperture;    c. setting with mortar a second block in place at the other of the two desired positions, thus forming said second bottom corner of the aperture;    d. placing into said aperture, against said first and second blocks, an aperture guide comprised of 
 1. a first block guide comprising a first outer edge adjustable to a vertical orientation in said aperture;  
 2. a second block guide comprising a second outer edge adjustable to a vertical orientation in said aperture;  
 3. an upper connecting arm comprising two ends, spanning a distance, and engaging at a first junction the first block guide at one end and engaging at a second junction the second block guide at the other end; and  
 4. a lower connecting arm comprising two ends, spanning a distance, and engaging at a third junction the first block guide at one end and engaging at a fourth junction the second block guide at the other end; wherein a parallelogram shape is defined by the four junctions, and wherein a set distance between the first and second outer edges defines the desired distance between the side walls  
   e. aligning said first and second outer edges to a vertical orientation while the first and second outer edges contact the sides of the first and second blocks, respectively, that define the aperture width;    f. setting with mortar a new block in place, aligned with and above said first or said second block;    g. as needed, adjusting the alignment of the side of said new block closest to said alignment guide by visual, by physical, or both comparison to the position of the outer edge of the block guide closest to said new block, to orient said side of said new block to be aligned with said outer edge of said closest block guide;    h. as needed, re-aligning said first and second outer edges to a vertical orientation while the first and second outer edges contact the sides of blocks forming the edges of the opposing walls that are being formed to define the aperture; and    i. repeating steps f through h until the two opposing walls defining the aperture are constructed.    
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , additionally comprising setting with mortar and first additional block above the first block, and a second additional block above the second block, before placing said aperture guide against said first and second blocks, thereby providing a greater supporting surface for said aperture guide.  
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 14 , additionally comprising completing a row of blocks to a specified endpoint or corner, where such row includes said first block and said second block, before placing said aperture guide against said first and second blocks.  
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 14 , additionally comprising setting in place a lintel above said two opposing walls.