Device for laying brick constructs

Abstract

A device for aiding in laying bricks to form a multi-sided brick construct comprises retaining means and a plurality of levels; wherein the retaining means allows the device to be retained at a given position in relation to a construct being formed so that the levels can be used to ensure that a course of bricks above the retaining means is laid substantially horizontally along a plurality of sides of the construct; and wherein the retaining means is mounted so that it can be moved or removed relative to the rest of the device.

1 . A device for aiding in the laying of bricks to form a multi-sided brick construct, the device comprising a retaining member and a plurality of levels; wherein the retaining member allows the device to be retained at a given position in relation to a construct being formed so that the levels can be used to ensure that a course of bricks above the retaining member is laid substantially horizontally along a plurality of sides of the construct; and wherein the retaining member is mounted so that it can be moved or removed relative to the rest of the device.  
   
   
       2 . A device according to  claim 1;  wherein the retaining member is movably mounted so that it can be moved into a first position at which it rests on a lower course of bricks and the device can then be used in laying one or more higher courses of bricks in a substantially horizontal manner; and wherein the retaining member can then be moved into a second position at which it is free from contact with the construct so that the device can then be lifted and, the retaining member can be used again at a higher position to retain the device when laying further courses of bricks in a substantially horizontal manner.  
   
   
       3 . A device according to  claim 2  wherein the retaining member is slidably mounted and/or pivotally mounted.  
   
   
       4 . A device according to  claim 1;  wherein the retaining member is removably mounted to the device, so that the device can be used without the retaining member for laying a first course of bricks, but the retaining member can then be attached to the device to allow further courses of bricks to be laid with the retaining member in place and functioning to retain the device in relation to the construct so that the levels can be used to ensure that a course of bricks laid above the retaining member is laid substantially horizontally along a plurality of sides of the construct.  
   
   
       5 . A device according to  claim 1  further comprising a first side and a second side, and wherein said retaining member comprises a first retaining member located on said first side and further comprising a second retaining member located on said second side.  
   
   
       6 . A device according to  claim 1  comprising an indicator for indicating the upper edge of a course of bricks to be laid.  
   
   
       7 . A device according to  claim 6 , wherein the indicator is adjustable between a plurality of different positions to allow the device to be used to lay bricks of different sizes.  
   
   
       8 . A device according to  claim 6 , wherein said indicator comprises a first indicator of a plurality of indicators so that when the device is positioned on the construct using the retaining member the plurality of indicators can be used to aid in laying a plurality of courses of bricks in a substantially horizontal manner without needing to move the device.  
   
   
       9 . A device according to  claim 6;  wherein the indicator is a mark, or a line of tensile or ductile material.  
   
   
       10 . A device according to  claim 1;  wherein the device comprises an adjustment member configured to compensate for a degree of unevenness on a surface upon which the device is placed  
   
   
       11 . A device according to  claim 1 , wherein said retaining member and said plurality of levels are configured to guide the laying of bricks to form a column.  
   
   
       12 . A device according to  claim 11  comprising a generally rectangular or generally square frame that defines a generally rectangular or generally square aperture for receiving bricks and/or mortar to form the column.  
   
   
       13 . A device according to  claim 11  having one or more sides that are secured in place by releasable attachment means so that said one or more sides can be removed.  
   
   
       14 . A device according to  claim 11  comprising a three-sided frame.  
   
   
       15 . A device according to any of claims  1  comprising a two-sided frame.  
   
   
       16 . A device according to  claim 1  wherein the device has a frame with one or more corners and has a right angled upright located at one or more of said corners.  
   
   
       17 . A method of making a column or a corner comprising providing a device according to  claim 1  and laying the bricks of the column or corner in a manner in which the bricks are in substantially horizontal courses.  
   
   
       18 . A construct made using a device according to the method of  claim 17 .  
   
   
       19 . A kit comprising a plurality of components for assembling together a device according to  claim 1  and further comprising instructions for at least one of assembly and use of the device.  
   
   
       20 . The method  claim 17  further comprising: 
 placing the device on top of a course of bricks with the retaining member in position to allow the device to be retained on top of said course of bricks;    spreading a layer of mortar on top of said course of bricks;    using the plurality of levels of the device to lay a second course of bricks on the mortar in a substantially horizontal manner.    
   
   
       21 . The method of  claim 20  further comprising removing the device from the top of said course of bricks and placing the device on top of said second course of bricks with the retaining member in position to allow the device to be retained on top of said second course of bricks.