Modular masonry-works system and method of manufacture

Abstract

A masonry system for marking area perimeters or entryways has at least two masonry columns, and at least one gate and/or fence section supported structurally between individual ones of the columns. The masonry columns are pre-manufactured columns supporting real masonry exterior, the individual columns lowered onto leveled foundation bases and anchored thereto using a substantially centered anchoring rod.

1 . A masonry system for marking area perimeters or entryways comprising: 
 at least two masonry columns; and    at least one gate and/or fence section supported structurally between individual ones of the columns;    characterized in that the masonry columns are pre-manufactured columns supporting real masonry exterior, the individual columns lowered onto leveled foundation bases and anchored thereto using a substantially centered anchoring rod.    
   
   
       2 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the columns support one or a combination of brickwork exteriors, stonework exteriors, or stucco exteriors.  
   
   
       3 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the area perimeter is a property line boundary or a portion thereof.  
   
   
       4 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the entryway is a property entryway or exit way.  
   
   
       5 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the columns are rectangular in form.  
   
   
       6 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the column exterior is horizontally applied during pre-manufacture.  
   
   
       7 . A pre-manufactured masonry column comprising: 
 at least two support collars geometrically aligned and spaced vertically;    a plurality of column boards forming walls of the column aligned and adhered to respective sides of the support collars forming a geometric enclosure; and    a masonry exterior adhered to all or a portion of each of the external surfaces of the column boards.    
   
   
       8 . The masonry column of  FIG. 7  wherein the support collars are cross-braced and are of rectangular configuration having four sides, the cross-braces adapted with openings for facilitating the anchoring rod.  
   
   
       9 . The masonry column of  FIG. 7  wherein the support collars are geometrically aligned and spaced horizontally on an assembly truck adapted to facilitate pre-manufacture.  
   
   
       10 . The masonry column of  FIG. 8  wherein the assembly truck includes a geared rotary fixture and an opposing tail stop for staging at least one of the collars into position for mounting a column board leveraging a horizontal work plane.  
   
   
       11 . The masonry column of  FIG. 7  wherein the masonry exterior is one of brickwork, stonework, or stucco exterior.  
   
   
       12 . The masonry column of  FIG. 10  wherein the masonry exterior is applied to column boards in a horizontal work plane by rotating the rotary fixture of the assembly truck.  
   
   
       13 . The masonry column of  FIG. 7  wherein individual ones of the column boards have openings placed there through for facilitating a mailbox accessory, the mailbox accessory adjustable telescopically to accommodate different planned column width dimensions.  
   
   
       14 . An assembly truck for building a modular masonry column comprising: 
 a wheeled base, the base telescopically adjustable to predetermined length;    a rotary collar-positioning fixture supported at one end of the wheeled base, the fixture for positioning a first support collar to accept a first column board; and    a tail stop supported at the other end of the wheeled base for spacing and staging a second support collar at a pre-adjusted distance apart and in geometric alignment with the first collar.    
   
   
       15 . The assembly truck of  FIG. 14  wherein the collar-positioning fixture includes positioning pins adapted to support the collar at its corners.  
   
   
       16 . The assembly truck of  FIG. 14  wherein the tail stop includes a pin for centering the collar using an opening provided in a cross-brace of the collar.  
   
   
       17 . The assembly truck of  FIG. 14  wherein the tail stop is adapted for rotating to vertical supporting a completed column upright for removal from the fixture by crane.  
   
   
       18 . A method for building a masonry column on an assembly truck, the truck including a length-adjustable wheeled base, a rotary fixture, and a tail stop, the method including steps for: 
 (a) adjusting the wheeled base to a predetermined length;    (b) positioning a first support collar over the rotary fixture and a second collar at the opposite end on the tail stop;    (c) applying epoxy to collar exterior surfaces;    (d) placing column boards over the epoxy surfaces;    (e) applying epoxy to the column board exterior surfaces; and    (f) applying masonry to the external column board surfaces.    
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 18  wherein in step (a) the adjustment is preliminary to a planned column length and latter base adjustments are made when positioning components.  
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 18  wherein in step (b) the first collar is locked and the second manually staged until board placement.  
   
   
       21 . The method of  claim 18  wherein steps (c) through (f) are repeated for each individual side of a column with that side facing up in a horizontal work plane facilitated by spindle rotation ability until all sides of the column are finished.  
   
   
       22 . The method of  claim 18  wherein in step (d) alignment holes are provided to collar surfaces and column boards and bolts are provided to help align boards and secure them to collar surfaces.  
   
   
       23 . A method for vertically securing a modular masonry column to a prepared foundation, the column including at least two support collars, a plurality of column boards, and exterior masonry work including steps of: 
 (a) lowering a column in an upright position over a threaded anchor rod protruding from below ground level and extending vertically above ground and through the cross-brace portion of at least one of the collars.    (b) orientating the column;    (c) placing a torque nut over the free end of the threaded anchor rod; and    (d) securing the torque nut against a cross brace of a collar of the column anchoring the column down to the foundation base.    
   
   
       24 . The method of  claim 23  wherein in step (a) the column is lowered into place by a crane arm or apparatus and manually guided over the threaded anchor rod, the anchor rod protruding centrally from the prepared foundation.  
   
   
       25 . The method of  claim 23  wherein in step (c) an extension nut is used instead of a torque nut, the extension nut adapted to accept a threaded anchoring extension rod.  
   
   
       26 . The method of  claim 25  wherein the anchoring extension rod provides an anchoring rod extending centrally up through the column length whereby a torque nut may be provided at the location of the upper collar brace, or optionally, above a cap module extending anchoring capability to upper column components accordingly.  
   
   
       27 . The method of  claim 23  wherein in step (a), the column comprises at least 2 sections stacked vertically during installation.  
   
   
       28 . The method of  claim 23  wherein in step (b), the column is adjusted in height and level using a variable height adjustment tool threaded onto the anchor rod before step (a).