Adjustable Masonry Form

Abstract

An adjustable masonry form is disclosed for use in masonry constructions. The adjustable masonry form comprises a planar base section to support the masonry elements which will comprise the masonry construction, and a plurality of attachment elements secured to the planar base and at least one horizontal breakaway element for use in modifying the width of the planar base. The adjustable masonry form is constructed from material rigid enough to support the masonry elements, but flexible enough to be bent to conform to any given masonry construction without unwanted buckling of the form. The form is left in position permanently, obviating the need to build a temporary arch support saving time and expense and obviating waste of materials.

1 . An adjustable masonry form for supporting a masonry construction, the masonry construction comprising a plurality of masonry elements each having a width, the form comprising:
 (a) a planar base receiving and supporting the plurality of masonry elements, the planar base capable of adjustment between a first width about equal to or greater than the width of the plurality of masonry elements and a second width substantially less than the width of the plurality of masonry elements, the planar base comprising: two ends, a front edge, a rear edge, a bottom surface, and a top surface; and   (b) a plurality of attachment elements secured to the planar base;   
     the adjustable masonry form remaining a permanent part of the masonry construction. 
   
   
       2 . The adjustable masonry form of  claim 1  wherein the form is manufactured from a material sturdy enough to support the masonry elements, but flexible enough to conform to the contours of the masonry construction without deforming the planar base and the attachment elements. 
   
   
       3 . The adjustable masonry form of  claim 1  where the masonry construction is an arched construction or a horizontal construction. 
   
   
       4 . The adjustable masonry form of  claim 1  comprising at least one horizontal breakaway element, said horizontal breakaway elements spaced apart on said planar base by a distance, said distance being independently selected from the range of 0.25 inches to 2.0 inches. 
   
   
       5 . The adjustable masonry form of  claim 1  further comprising a horizontal breakaway element that is horizontal to a longitudinal axis of the planar base. 
   
   
       6 . The adjustable masonry form of  claim 1  where the first width of the planar base is greater than the width of the masonry elements. 
   
   
       7 . The adjustable masonry form of  claim 1  further comprising at least one horizontal breakaway element used to modify the width of the planar base. 
   
   
       8 . The adjustable masonry form of  claim 7  where the planar base has a thickness and the at least one horizontal breakaway element is a groove, said groove having a depth that is less than the thickness of the planar base. 
   
   
       9 . The adjustable masonry form of  claim 7  where the planar base has a thickness and the at least one horizontal breakaway element is a score line, said score line comprising a plurality of cuts separated by a plurality of interspaced areas. 
   
   
       10 . The adjustable masonry form of claim of  claim 9  where the cuts extend through the thickness of the planar base. 
   
   
       11 . The adjustable masonry form of  claim 10  where the interspaced areas have a depth and the depth is equal to the thickness of the planar base or less than the thickness of the planar base. 
   
   
       12 . The adjustable masonry form of  claim 9  where the cuts and the interspaced areas each have a distance, the distance being independently selected from the range of 0.25 inches to 2.0 inches. 
   
   
       13 . The adjustable masonry form of  claim 9  where the plurality of cuts comprise a first cut, said first cut having a having a length greater than the remaining cuts of the score line and positioned contiguous to the first or second end of the planar base. 
   
   
       14 . The adjustable masonry arch form of  claim 1  further comprising at least one vertical breakaway element. 
   
   
       15 . The adjustable masonry form of  claim 14  comprising a plurality of vertical breakaway elements, said vertical breakaway elements spaced apart on said planar base by a distance, said distance being independently selected from the range of 1 inch to 36 inches. 
   
   
       16 . The adjustable masonry form of  claim 14  where said at least one vertical breakaway element is perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the planar base. 
   
   
       17 . The adjustable masonry form of  claim 14  where the vertical breakaway elements are used to modify the length of the form. 
   
   
       18 . The adjustable masonry form of  claim 14  where the planar base has a thickness and the at least one vertical breakaway element is a groove, said groove having a depth that is less than the thickness of the planar base. 
   
   
       19 . The adjustable masonry form of  claim 1  where the attachment elements are spaced apart along the rear edge of the planar base and form a generally perpendicular angle with the planar base. 
   
   
       20 . A method of constructing an arch, comprising: securing the arch form of  claim 1  to an exterior of a structure; placing a plurality of masonry elements on the arch form to create a masonry arch; adjusting the planar base from the first width to the second width; and allowing at least a portion of the arch form to permanently remain secured to the exterior of the structure.