Masonry spacer and aligner

Abstract

The Masonry Spacer and Aligner allows the brick, block or stone mason to quickly, economically and accurately position and to properly align similar masonry structural elements (for example, but not limited to: bricks, blocks, or stones) in 6-dimensions—and to do this with no lasting, visible indication that a spacing and aligning device was used. The Masonry Spacer and Aligner also creates a stronger, but more flexible, masonry structure. When a sufficient number of Masonry Spacer and Aligners are used together, they properly, rapidly, neatly, and precisely position masonry structural elements vertically and horizontally in the x, y, and z axes; and, simultaneously, also properly and precisely align the masonry structural elements rotationally about the x, y and z axes. This precise, and rapid 6-dimensional positioning eliminates the necessity for repetitive, time-consuming, checking and re-positioning of masonry structural elements using sensitive, and cumbersome, positioning guides, and various alignment and leveling tools.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A Masonry Spacer and Aligner having many envisioned embodiments which employ a design(s) generally described by, but not limited to:
 (i) any 2-dimensional “end shape” (in the x-y-coordinate plane), consisting of straight or curvilinear lines, vertices, and or, other geometric shapes, including holes, or any combination of these, of any size, and where the length of the elements or the size of the shape(s) comprising the “main body”, (in the x-y-coordinate plane), defines an overall “circumscribing virtual shape”; and where the dimensions of the overall “circumscribing virtual shape” conform to the spacing recommended or required by building codes for the distance between similar masonry structural elements (for example, but not limited to: bricks, concrete blocks, and stones), and,   (ii) wherein all, or part(s), of the “end shape” is extrapolated into the 3rd dimension (the z-axis) forming the “main body”, and   (iii) which may, or may not, have an optional alignment appendage which is larger in at least one linear dimension (in the x-y plane), than the overall “circumscribing virtual shape”, and which may or may not contain one or more hole(s), indentation(s) or protrusion(s), or any combination of hole(s), indentation(s) or protrusion(s), and its end tips may have any constructible shape, and   (iv) which has the optional alignment appendage attached, by any practical means, to the “main body” in one or more small regions, and   (v) whereby the optional alignment appendage is specifically attached to the “main body” in any manner which permits easy disassociation (separation, breakage) from the “main body” using a common, sturdy, masonry-mortar-working tool, after the mortar is at least partially set, and   (vi) which is, or any of its component parts are, composed of any sufficiently rigid, sturdy and durable material including, but not limited to, glass, ceramic, metallic, plastic, carbon, or any combination thereof, and   (vii) where, in one or more embodiments, the optional alignment appendage may include one or more protrusion(s) and/or indentation(s) and/or hole(s) (which can be used as a “handle”) by which the Masonry Spacer and Aligner may be grasped, manipulated and positioned.