Spacer element for building blocks, construction unit comprising said element and method of spacing building blocks

Abstract

A spacer element (10) comprises a first engagement portion (12) and a second engagement portion (14). The first engagement portion (12) is arranged to engage in an upper surface of a building block and the second engagement portion (14) is arranged to engage in a lower surface of a second building block. The spacer element (10) comprises two laterally extending arms (16, 18) which project outwardly from the spacer element (10). The laterally extending arms (16, 18) support spacer means in the form of spacer members (20, 22). The spacer members (20, 22) provide an upper contact surface to contact a brick located above and a lower contact surface to contact a lower brick. The spacer element comprises two support members (32, 34). The spacer element (10) provides spacer means which space the next layer of bricks from the lower layer of bricks by a particular distance. As the wall is built vertically upwards further pressure is placed on the support members (32, 34) and the spacer members (20, 22) which may cause the lower edges (30) of the spacer members (20, 22) to fracture or shear. The initial spacing distance may be greater than that required and, therefore, as the mortar sets the mortar will not crack as it contracts since the spacing distance between the building blocks also reduces.

1 . A spacer element ( 10 ) for spacing adjacent building blocks, the spacer element comprising a first engagement portion ( 12 ) for engaging with a first building block ( 46 ) and a second engagement portion ( 14 ) for engaging with a second building block ( 50 ), the spacer element ( 10 ) further comprising spacer means for spacing the first building. block ( 46 ) from the second building block ( 50 ) wherein the spacer means is arranged to space the first building block ( 46 ) from the second building block ( 50 ) by a distance which reduces as a result of pressure applied to the spacer means wherein the spacer means comprises at least one spacer member ( 20 ,  22 ) characterized in that the second building block is to be located above the first building block ( 46 ) and the spacer member ( 20 ,  22 ) provides a lower contact surface to contact and support the spacer element ( 10 ) on a surface of the first building block ( 46 ) and said contact surface is provided by a lower edge ( 30 ) of said spacer member ( 20 ,  22 ).  
     
     
         2 . A spacer element ( 10 ) according to any preceding claim in which the spacer element ( 10 ) comprises a longitudinal body.  
     
     
         3 . A spacer element ( 10 ) according to  claim 2  in which he longitudinal body comprises the first engagement portion ( 12 ) at one end thereof and the second engagement portion ( 14 ) at the other end thereof.  
     
     
         4 . A spacer element ( 10 ) according to  claim 3  in which the first engagement portion ( 12 ) has a greater longitudinal length relative to the second engagement portion ( 14 ).  
     
     
         5 . A spacer element ( 10 ) according to any preceding claim in which the spacer element ( 10 ) comprises at least one laterally extending arm ( 16 ,  18 ).  
     
     
         6 . A spacer element ( 10 ) according to claim ( 5 ) in which the spacer means is located on the or each laterally extending arm ( 16 ,  18 ).  
     
     
         7 . A spacer element ( 10 ) according any preceding claim in which the spacer means comprises two spacer members ( 20 ,  22 ).  
     
     
         8 . A spacer element ( 10 ) according to  claim 2  or any one of  claims 3  to  7  when dependent upon  claim 2  in which the or each spacer member ( 20 ,  22 ) is orientated in a plane substantially parallel to the longitudinal body of the spacer element ( 10 ).  
     
     
         9 . A spacer element ( 10 ) according to preceding claim in which the or each spacer member ( 20 ,  22 ) comprises a tapered body.  
     
     
         10 . A spacer element ( 10 ) according to  claim 5  or any one of  claims 6  to  9  when dependent upon  claim 5  in which the lower edge ( 30 ) of the or each spacer member ( 20 ,  22 ) extends downwardly relative to the lower surface of the or each laterally extending arm ( 16 ,  18 ).  
     
     
         11 . A spacer element ( 10 ) according to claim or any one of  claims 6  to  10  when dependent upon  claim 5  in which a top portion ( 24 ) of the or each spacer member ( 20 ,  22 ) projects upwardly relative to the surface of the or each laterally extending arm ( 16 ,  18 ).  
     
     
         12 . A spacer element ( 10 ) according to any preceding claim in which the spacer means comprises at least one support member ( 32 ,  34 ).  
     
     
         13 . A spacer element according to  claim 12  in which the or each support member ( 32 ,  34 ) extends to a tip ( 36 ) which provides a contact surface to contact the second building block ( 50 ).  
     
     
         14 . A spacer element ( 10 ) according to  claim 12  or  claim 13  in which the or each support member ( 32 ,  34 ) projects outwardly from the or each support member ( 20 ,  22 ).  
     
     
         15 . A spacer element ( 10 ) according to any one of  claims 12  to  14  in which the or each support member ( 32 ,  34 ) is able to pivot about the lower edge ( 30 ) or the or each spacer member ( 20 ,  22 ).