AU647195B2

AU647195B2 - Mortar application device

Info

Publication number: AU647195B2
Application number: AU86786/91A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Raymond Allan Solness
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1990-11-06
Filing date: 1991-10-25
Publication date: 1994-03-17
Anticipated expiration: 2011-10-25
Also published as: AU8678691A

Description

647195

AUSTRALIA

PATENTS ACT 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICAT I ON FOR A STANDARD PATENT

ORIGINAL

Name of Applicant: Actual Inventor: o* t ft 0 RAYMOND ALLAN SOLNESS Raymond Allan Solness Address for Service: SHELSTON WATERS Clarence Street SYDNEY NSW 200

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nvention Title: "MORTAR APPLICATION DEVICE" *Details of Associated Provisional Application No: PK3197 The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me:f The present invention relates to a device for applying bonding, sealing, insulating or analogous plastic substances to, for example, building and construction materials.

The invention has been developed primarily for use as a mortar application device for applying mortar to bricks, concrete blocks, masonry and the like, and will be described hereinafter with reference to this application, However, it will be appreciated that the invention is not limited to this particular field of use.

o Hitherto, mortar has generally been applied manually by means of a bricklayer's trowel. Not only is this a relatively slow process requiring repeated bending o and lifting movements by the bricklayer, it also requires a considerable amount of skill to ensure the mortar adheres to the bricks and to produce a neat clean finish.

Whilst some automatic mortar application devices have previously been devised, these too suffer from inherent disadvantages. For example, in some cases the

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mortar is applied via discharge tubes or hoses which can be prone to blockages and which do not readily tolerate mortars of varying consistency. Such devices are also .often difficult to clean. Furthermore these devices can be cumbersome and heavy, particularly those including motor driven carriages and like.

Another disadvantage with the prior art mortar application devices is that they simply extrude a layer of mortar onto the surface of the bricks without 3 controlling the layer to a predetermined cross-section, as does the present invention. This extrusion process may be sufficient for applying mortar to horizontally placed bricks already laid, but may not be suitable, for example, for "buttering" the edges of the bricks prior to laying in a horizontal course where good adhesion of the mortar to the bricks is essential. Therefore the use of such devices can be limited.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to overcome or at least substantially ameliorate the above discussed disadvantages of the prior o *art.

•coo o According to the invention there is provided a "mortar application device including a hopper having a e• 15 discharge orifice for directing mortar to a surface, agitation means for encouraging a flow of mortar from said hopper through said discharge orifice, and selectively drivable vibratory transmission mears e connected with the agitation means, wherein the discharge o eo orifice is defined in part by a first movable gate operable to control and vary the vertical size of the orifice and hence the thickness of the layer of mortar applied to the surface.

The term 'mortar' will be used herein to refer to cement mixtures, sealing compounds, insulating materials and other analogous plastic substances.

In one preferred embodiment the agitation means is formed by at least a portion of said hopper being 3a resiliently deformable under the action of said vibratory transmission means.

In another embodiment the agitation means are in the form of an agitator located within the hopper.

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1,C) -4- Preferably the device includes support means, such as rails, which support the device at a position spaced apart from the surface as it is guided along the masonry.

In a preferred embodiment the discharge orifice is defined in part by a first sliding gate operable to control the size of said orifice and hence the thickness of the layer of mortar applied to the surface. It is further preferred to provide a second sliding gate operable effectively to close the orifice when the device is not in use. Desirably, adjustable mortar guides are .°also provided to control the width of the layer of mortar o P0applied to the masonry.

Preferably the device also includes an adjustable 00 blade adjacent the discharge orifice for providing a furrow in a layer of mortar applied to the masonry. More preferably the transmission means are also connected to the blade to vibrate the mortar on to the masonry for improved adhesion.

The device may also include at least one 0055 retractable side guide for positioning and guiding the 000000 device adjacent an edge of the masonry.

*o S The second sliding gate in the hopper may include a closing mechanism operable in response to lifting of the device from the surface to close the gate. In a preferred embodiment this is achieved by a simple mechanical linkage connected to a lifting handle provided with the device.

It is prefer-red that the hopper is releasably 5 mounted with the rails to facilitate removal of the hopper for cleaning of the device.

Preferably the agitator is in the form of a paddle or plate. More preferably the transmission means is configured so that the paddle oscillates toward and away from the discharge orifice.

In a preferred embodiment the transmission means incorporates an eccentric cam device comprising a hexagonal drive cam, and a cam follower is provided that is biased into driving contact with said cam by means of a spring.

The 'transmission means can be driven by an integral motor, or alternatively by a releasable external drive means such as a cordless drill.

A preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: o 0 Figure 1 is a schematic discharge end view of one embodiment of the mortar application device according to the invention.

Figure 2 is a schematic part sectioned side view of the device taken along line 2-2 of Figure 1.

'oI Figure 3 is a plan view of the hopper and paddle mechanism framing part of the device shown in the previous figures.

Figure 4 is an inverted plan view of the device according to the invention.

Figure 5 is an enlarged segmented side view of the 6 device according to the invention illustrating the mortar and masonry guides not shown in the previous figures.

Figure 6 is a partial plan view of the features shown in figure Figure 7 is a fragmented sectional side view of a second embodiment of the device according to the invention.

Figure 8 is a fragmented end view of part of the device shown in Figure 7.

Referring to the Figures 1 to 6, the device 1 includes a hopper 2 having a discharge orifice shown 9' 00 generally at 3 for directing mortar to a surface of masonry, bricks or the like. Agitation means in the form o *5 of an agitator paddle 4 is provided within the hopper 2 which is selectively driven via transmission means shown generally at In this particular embodiment the device includes a pair of rails 7 which support the device at a position spaced apart from the surface of the masonry.

"00" 20 The discharge orifice 3 is adjustable by means of a S first sliding gate 8 mounted between a pair of pivotally mounted links 9 as shown in Figures 1 and 2. A second 0 sliding gate 10 is provided in the base of hopper 2 which is guided by the support rails 7.

The second gate 10 is connected to a first handle 11 via a link loop 12 through an intermediate fixed pivot 13. In use movement of the handle 11 between the positions shown causes the second sliding gate to open 7 and close the underside of the discharge orifice 3 so that mortar is not lost during transportation of the device.

A second handle 14 is fixedly secured to the front of the hopper by means two brackets 15. The links 9 are pivotally connected to the brackets 15 by a quick release cross pin 16. The links extend from the pin 16 through the orifice 3 and are connected with the paddle 4.

Also connected with links 9 is a blade 18 substantially in the form of a trowel for providing a furrow in the layer of mortar discharged. The blade 18 •go is mounted with the first sliding gate 8 and is similarly adjusted by sliding over a bolt 19 and securing in position by means of a wing nut The transmission means 5 essentially comprises a hexagonal cam 22 which drives a cam follower 23. The cam follower is disposed on a pivoting transmission rod 24 and biased toward engagement with the cam 22 by a tension spring 25. The free end of the pivoting transmission rod 24 is connected by a quick release pin 26 to a link arm 27 which in turn connects with the paddle 4 mounted on the links 9.

The transmission mechanism described converts the rotary motion from a cordless drill (as shown), motor or the like, into a reciprocating movement of the paddle and the respective connecting links 9 and 27. Furthermore, this reciprocating movement is transmitted to the first I-N gate 8 and furrowing blade 18, such that in use the 8 mortar is vibrated onto the surface to which it is to be applied for improved adhesion.

Referring in particular to Figures 5 and 6 it can be seen the device also includes adjustable mortar guides 28 that are used to control the width of the mortar layer applied to the masonry. Similarly, at least one side guide 29 is provided which serves to align the device with an edge of the masonry to ensure the mortar is applied as accurately as possible.

After use, the device is simply dismantled by removal of the quick release cross pin 16 and connecting eg pin 26. The handle 11 is then lowered toward the wing nut 20 such that the link loop 12 and second gate 10 move rearwards. This enables all the reciprocating parts that contact the mortar to be lifted from the rest of the device to facilitate cleaning.

S: Similarly, the gate 10 can then also be removed leaving the link 9, gate 8 and paddle 4 exposed for eeoeo cleaning. This dismantling process takes less than ten seconds and reassembly is simply the reverse procedure.

In use the hopper is filled with mortar, the preferred embodiment holding sufficient mortar to lay about ten standard bricks. The device is then lifted onto the course of brickwork to which the mortar is to be applied by means of the first handle 11. In this way the second gate 10 is held in the closed position to ensure no mortar is lost during transportation. The device is Sthen positioned on the brickwork by aligning the side 9 guide 29 against an edge of the masonry, which in practice is usually the external face.

The mortar guides 28 can then be adjusted to control the width of the mortar layer, which will be dependant to a degree on the style of mortar fini i or jointing that is required, such as for example recessed, flush, protruding, weatherstruck or concave. This is less important when the brickwork is to be finished with subsequent pointing in, for example, pigmented mortar.

Similarly, the furrowing blade 18 and first gate 8 can be adjusted to set the thickness of mortar layer required 9..

and the depth of furrow to suit.

*999 When all adjustments are complete, the first handle 11 is lowered to the position illustrated in Figure 2 to open the second gate 10 in the base of the hopper.

Holding the device by means of the second fixed handle 14 with one hand, and the drill handle with the other hand, the device is ready for starting. When the drill is 0 switched on the paddle 4 is caused to oscillate as described thereby assisting the mortar to pass under gravity the discharge orifice 3 and onto the masonry.

The device can then be drawn back manually across the surface to apply an even layer of mortar.

As the furrowing blade 18 oscillates by pivoting about the cross pin 16, the mortar is vibrated onto the masonry thereby ensuring good adhesion to the surface.

It has been observed that the device can be moved fast or slow with little variation in the dimensions or quality 10 of the layer of mortar applied.

Referring to Figures 7 and 8 there is shown fragmentary views of a second embodiment of the invention. Where applicable like reference numerals have been used to denote corresponding features. The views are incomplete and show only those important features that differ from the first embodiment.

Essentially the internal agitator paddle of the first embodiment has been removed and agitation of the mortar is effected by vibrating the hopper itself.

In the illustrated embodiment, at least the lower part of the hopper walls 30 are made from a resilient a material such as 2mm rubber sheeting. The vibration transmission means are connected with the rubber hopper walls 30 by connecting arm 32. Also connected with the hopper wal's3 30 are the side guides 28, the orifice plate 8 and the adjustable furrowing plate 18. In this case «040> the orifice plate is hingedly mounted to swing about pivot 33. The remaining features of the device are zubstantially the same as described in Figures 1 to 6.

:eo 6 The advantages of the second embodiment include improved adhesion of the mo:ctar to the surface due to the side guides 28 also vibrating with the orifice plate 8 and furrowing plate 18.

Furthermore, a less complicated linkage system is required eliminating the need to dismantle an internal agitator prior to cleaning. The walls of the hopper are also easier to clean, as any dried mortar is quickly 11 removed by flexing the rubber walls.

It is also possible to use the device for 'buttering' the ends of the next course of bricks to be laid. This is done by simply aligning the bricks in a row upon their ends and running the device over them in the manner just described. The vibration of the mortar on to the bricks causes the mortar to adhere sufficiently so that it does not fall off as each end assumes a 1 vertical position when it is laid.

The main advantages of the device are that it F' enables a uniform bed of mortar to be laid with little or no loss of mortar over the wall. Consequently there will *099 be a reduction in subsequent cleaning costs and a reduced likelihood of bridged cavities which can result in dampness in cavity walls.

Furthermore, no mortar board is required, The hopper (which holds enough mortar for at least 10 bricks) is filled with a special shovel in one movement from a wheel barrow full of mortar. It also follows th, the bricklayer bends his back about half as many tiii as with conventional bricklaying, provided he 'butters' the °o 0 99 ends of bricks as aforementioned. The frequent repositioning of the mortar board is therefore not required thus further saving the labourer's time.

As the mortar bed is always of the uniform thickness it is also easy to lay the bricks accurately to the horizontal line. The consistency of the mortar is not critical and the device will allow bricks to be 12 accurately laid with mortars of widely varying consistencies. It follows tha, much time usually spent by the bricklayers, bending over the mortar board adding water and re-trowelling the mortar to maintain its consistency, is also saved.

Except in unusual or confined areas of the brickwork, there is no need to use the bricklaying trowel. It is never required if a conventional wall is built by completing whole courses at a time, using corner 10 profiles and lines, rather than building up corners by hand and frequent use of the spirit level.

a Gas S"o Finally, the absence of the trowel allows the *e9* bricklayer to use two hands (and two bricks at a time) 09 when transferring buttered bricks to their final position, as distinct to bending to the piled bricks, a selecting one brick, then bending to the mortar board 9**S with trowel, picking up enough mortar for buttering that brick only, then transferring one brick at a time to the @999 wall.

Whilst a cordless drill provides a convenient means of driving the device, other power means such as a dedicated electric or pneumatic motor may also be used.

Similarly, the oscillation or vibration transmission means described illustrates only one way of achieving the required motion and other mechanisms may be equally suited.

Accordingly, although the invention has been described with reference to specific examples, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the invention may be embodied in many other forms.

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Claims

1. A mortar application device including a hopper having a discharge orifice for directing mortar to a surface, agitation means for encouraging a flow of mortar from said hopper through said discharge orifice, and selectively drivable vibratory transmission means connected with the agitation means, wherein the discharge orifice is defined in part by a first movable gate operable to control and vary the vertical size of the orifice and hence the thickness of the layer of mortar Y "applied to the surface. o 0

2. A mortar application device according to claim 1 e• "wherein said first gate is connected with said vibratory transmission means.

3. A mortar application device according to any one of the preceding claims including a second gate operable effectively to close the orifice when the device is not S in use.

4. A mortar application device according to any one of the preceding claims including mortar guides to control the width of the layer of mortar applied to the surface.

A mortar application device according to claim wherein said mortar guides are connected with said vibratory transmission means.

6. A mortar application device according to any one of the preceding claims further including an adjustable blade adjacent the discharge orifice for providing a Sfurrow in a layer of mortar applied to the surface. 15

7. A mortar application device according to claim 6 wherein said furrowing blade is connected with said vibratory transmission means.

8. A mortar application device according to any one of the preceding claims wherein said agitation means is formed by at least a portion of said hopper being resiliently deformable under the action of said vibratory transmission means.

9. A mortar application device according to claim 8 wherein said resiliently deformable portion of said hopper is made from an elastomeric material.

10. A mortar application device according to claim 9 wherein said elastomeric material is sheet rubber.

11. A mortar application device according to any one of 15 claims 1 to 6 wherein said agitation means is in the form of an agitator i cated within said hopper.

12. A mortar application device according to claim 11 wherein said agitator is in the form of a paddle.

13. A mortar application device according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the transmission means are configured to oscillate the agitation means in a direction toward and away from the discharge orifice.

14. A mortar application device according to any one of the preceding claims further including at least one retractable side guide for positioning in guiding device adjacent an edge of the surface. a

15. A mortar application device according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the device includes support 16 means, which support the device at a position spaced apart from the surface.

16. A mortar application device according to claim wherein the support means are in the form of rails.

17. A mortar application device according to any one of claims 3 to 15 wherein said second sliding gate includes a closing mechanism operable in response to lifting of the device from the surface to close the gate.

18. A mortar application device according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the transmission means incorporates an eccentric cam device comprising a 0 oS hexagonal drive cam, and a cam follower biased into 0 900 driving contact with said cam by means of a spring.

19. A mortar application device according to any one of go the preceding claims wherein said transmission means are driven by a releasable external drive means. *9

20. A mortar application device according to claim 16 wherein said transmission means are driven by a cordless S: drill.

21. A mortar application device substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drwings. DATED this 6th Day of December, 1993 RAYMOND ALLAN SOLNESS Attorney: LEON K. ALLEN Fellow Institute of Patent Attorneys of Australia of SHELSTON WATERS 17 ABSTRACT A mortar application device including a hopper (2) having a discharge orifice for directing mortar to a surface, agitation means for encouraging a flow of mortar from said hopper through said discharge orifice, and selectively drivable vibratory transmission means connected with said agitation means. In one preferred embodiment the agitation means are formed by at least a portion of the hopper being resiliently deformable under the action of the vibratory O S transmission means. In another embodiment an oscillating paddle is 00 provided within the hopper to form the agitation means. 4 *500 S S