GB2035432A

GB2035432A - Implement for use in pointing brick and stonework

Info

Publication number: GB2035432A
Application number: GB7845163A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: L AND H DESIGNS Ltd
Current assignee: L AND H DESIGNS Ltd
Priority date: 1978-11-18
Filing date: 1978-11-18
Publication date: 1980-06-18
Also published as: GB2035432B

Abstract

An implement for use in pointing the joints in brick and stonework (3) comprises a base plate (8) with a downwardly projecting handle (9) and a flat upper surface to support a supply of mortar. In plan view the base (8) is a straight- sided figure with five sides, two of which (10 and 11) are mutually convergent towards a third short side (12). Upstanding side walls (15 and 16) are respectively mounted along the sides (10 and 11) and they converge towards a parallel-sided gap (17) normal to the wall (15) and coplanar with the side (12). The mortar can be dispaced through the gap (17) by means of a pointing trowel (5) into a joint (2 or 4) which is to be pointed. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Implement for use in pointing brick and stonework The invention provides an implement for use in pointing mortar joints in brickwork and stonework.

The pointing, and in particular repointing, of mortar joints is a relatively skilled operation especially with the so-called "bucket handle" point at present in vogue. This uses a pointing trowel of curved cross-section presenting a convex pointing face on which it is difficult to convey mortar from a supply thereof into the raked-out joint to be pointed. The problem is particularly acute when a deep cavity has to be filled, and the object of the invention is to provide an implement which overcomes the problem and which renders repointing a rapid and relatively simple job for an amateur who wishes to repoint his own house or wall, for example.

Accordingly the invention provides an implement comprising a base for supporting a supply of mortar, two upstanding walls which converge towards a gap between them at the edge of the base and through which gap a pointing trowel can displace mortar from said supply thereof into a mortar joint to be pointed, and a handle by which the implement can be held with said edge of the base against the wall and said gap aligned with the joint to be filled.

Said gap is preferably parallel sided and the implement may be a component of a pointing set consisting of the implement and a pointing trowel the blade of which has a width suited to that of the gap, although it will be appreciated that the gap may be made adjustable to suit different widths of mortar joint. The base is preferably in the form of a plate with the handle projecting downwardly and presenting a straight-sided figure in plan view, the upstanding walls being side walls mounted along converging sides of the base an intervening side of which provides said edge in the region of the gap.

At least one of the side walls may be of substantial area in order to support the mortar supply when said gap is aligned with a horizontal joint, and the gap is preferably disposed at right angles to this side wall which will normally be at the righthand side to suit holding of the implement in the left hand by a right-handed -person. However, it may be found more convenient when pointing a horizontal joint to displace the mortar directly into the joint from a free straight side of the base, and to facilitate this such straight side may be chamfered off downwardly to clear the face of contoured stonework.

The invention will now be further described with reference to the accompanying drawings which illustrate a pointing set consisting of an implement in accordance with the invention and a matching trowel. The implement is shown at 1 in position for vertical pointing of a joint 2 in a stone wall 3; it is shown at 1 a in an alternative position for horizontal pointing of a joint 4. The trowel 5 is of conventional form with a handle 6 and a longitudinally curved blade 7 of arcuate cross-section as used for bucket handle pointing. An alternative flat-section bladed trowel may be provided for the conventional faceted pointing.

The implement comprises a base plate 8 with a downwardly projecting handle 9 and a flat upper surface to support a supply of mortar. In plan view it presents a straightsided figure with five sides. Two sides 10 and 11 are mutually convergent towards a third short side 12, the other two sides 1 3 and 14 being disposed in a rectangular arrangement with respect to the side 1 0. Upstanding side walls 1 5 and 1 6 are respectively mounted along the sides 10 and 11 of the base 8 normal to the upper surface thereof, and these walls converge towards a parallel-sided gap 1 7 which is normal to the wall 1 5 and coplanar with the base edge wall 1 2. The gap 1 7 is of a width to suit typical mortar joints such as 2 and 4, and the blade 7 of the trowel 5 is of comparable width to pass through the gap without undue clearance. The short side 1 2 at the gap 1 7 is downwardly chamfered as shown at 1 8 in the horizontalpointing position 1 a, and the free side edge 1 3 is similarly chamfered as shown at 19, these chamfers being provided to clear the face of convexly contoured blocks as commonly used in stonework.

The manner of use of the pointing set will be clear from the drawings. Referring to the righthand showing of the implement 1 the trowel is moved from the position shown towards and through the gap 17, displacing with it an appropriate quantity of mortar from the base 8 into the joint 2. This mortar is then finished off with the trowel blade, the implement 1 being moved along the joint 2 as pointing proceeds. With horizontal pointing in the implement position 1 a, the trowel 5 is used in a horizontal position and an appropriate quantity of mortar displaced from the base 8 off the side 1 3 directly into the horizontal joint such as 4, the implement 1 a again being moved along the joint as pointing proceeds.

As an alternative during horizontal pointing, the implement 1 may be turned through 90 and the gap 1 7 again used but now aligned with a horizontal mortar joint. To facilitate this the side wall 1 5 is of substantial area, as shown, in order to support the mortar supply during horizontal pointing in this manner. The back upper corner of the wall 1 5 is, however, to some extent cut-away to provide clearance when using the implement, and the side wall 1 6 is cut-away to the maximum extent for the same purpose. For penetrating deep joint cavities the free edge of the implement is usefully employed for tamping the mortar home, thus ensuring reliable deep penetration.

Claims

1. An implement comprising a base for supporting a supply of mortar, two upstanding walls which converge towards a gap between them at the edge of the base and through which gap a pointing trowel can displace mortar from said supply thereof into a mortar joint to be pointed, and a handle by which the implement can be held with said edge of the base adjacent the wall and said gap aligned with the joint to be filled.

2. An implement according to claim 1, wherein said gap is parallel sided.

3. An implement according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein said gap is adjustable to suit different widths of mortar joint.

4. An implement according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said base is in the form of a plate with the handle projecting downwardly therefrom.

5. An implement according to claim 4, wherein said base presents a straight-sided figure in plan view, and said upstanding walls are side walls mounted along mutually convergent sides of the base with an intervening side of the base providing said edge in the region of the gap.

6. An implement according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one of said upstanding walls is of substantial area in order to support the mortar supply when said gap is aligned with a horizontal joint to be pointed.

7. An implement according to claim 6, wherein the gap is disposed at right angles to said one wall.

8. An implement according to claim 6 or claim 7, wherein said one wall is the righthand wall when the implement is operativeiy positioned adjacent a wall.

9. An implement according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said base has a free straight side from which mortar may be directly displaced when pointing a horizontal joint.

10. An implement according to claim 9, wherein said free straight side of the base is chamfered off downwardly in order to clear the face of contoured stonework.

11. A pointing set, comprising an implement according to any one of the preceding claims and a pointing trowel the blade of which has a width suited to that of the gap.

1 2. An implement, or a pointing set, constructed and arranged substantially as herein particularly described with reference to the accompanying drawings.