US2684588A - Plastic-filled masonry wall - Google Patents

Description

July 27, 1954 A. L. ROBERTSON 8 2,684,588

PLASTIC-FILLED MASONRY WALL Filed Nov. 22, 1950 '2 Sheefs-Sheet 1 FIG. I.

" ALAN 1.. ROBERTSON A TTOR NE Y.

y 1954 A. L. ROBERTSON 8 8 PLASTIC-FILLED MASONRY WALL.

Filed Nov. 22, 1950 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. ALAN 1.. ROBERTSON A TTORNE Y.

Patented July 27, 1954 UNITED STATES PAENT GFFICE PLASTIC-FILLED MASONRY WALL Alan L. Robertson, New Britain, Conn. Application November 22, 1950, Serial No. 197,078

1 Claim.

This invention relates to brick constructions and more particularly to multiple-brick building units and a method of producing the same for readily constructing strong and durable foundations and walls at a minimum of expense and labor.

It is well known that the ordinary method of building brick constructions, wherein bricks are individually cemented in place, is a laborious and expensive process.

It is, accordingly, one object of this invention to provide a prefabricated reinforced multiplebrick building unit comprising a plurality of bricks firmly held together in proper spaced re lationship to facilitate the erection of brick structures.

Another object of this invention is to provide a method for joining two or more bricks together in proper spaced relationship to form a practical reinforced multiple-brick building unit.

Another object of this invention is to provide a reinforced multiple-brick building unit-consisting of bricks held together in proper spaced relationship whereby a strong solid wall may be constructed by first piling said units in proper vertical alignment and thereafterpouring cement into the vertical spaces between the bricks.

A further object of this invention is to provide a reinforced multiple-brick unit of the character described having self-aligning vertical reinforcing means mounted on the connection between the bricks.

A further object of this invention is to provide a reinforced multiple-brick building unit having spacer protrusions to control the distances between adjacent bricks.

A further object is to provide a device of the above nature which will be simple in construction, inexpensive to manufacture, easy to install and manipulate, compact and very efficient and durable in use.

With these and other objects in view, there has been illustrated on the accompanying drawings two forms in which the invention may conveniently be embodied in practice.

In the drawings, 1

Fig. 1 represents a bottom view of one of the reinforced two-brick building units.

Fig. 2 is an end viewof the', same. H

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of one of the tubular reinforcing spacers.

Fig. 4 is a partial construction of a doublethickness brick wall made of two-brick building units. M y,

Fig. 5 is a partial construction of a reinforced triple-thickness solid wall made of three-brick building units furnished with vertical, channelshaped reinforcement members.

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of one of the vertical channel-shaped reinforcement members shown by itself.

Fig. 7 is a. top viewof a modified reinforced two-brick building unit containing side and bottom spacer protrusion pins.

Fig. 8 is an end view of the'same.

Fig. 9 is a perspective view of a single brick having horizontal and vertical spacer pins.

Fig. 10 is an enlarged perspective view of one of the spacer pins shown by itself.

Fig. 11 is an end view of a partial construction of a reinforced double-thickness solid wall made of the building units shown in Fig. 7 and furnished with vertical, channel-shaped reinforcement members between the rows of bricks.

Fig. 12 is a top view of the same with portions broken away.

Referring now to the drawings in which like reference numerals denote corresponding parts throughout the several views, the numeral ID indicates a two-brick building unit embodying the invention and comprising bricks H and I? held together in spaced relationship by the tubular cylindrical spacer pins l3 pressed into openings [4 in the sides of the bricks.

In accordance with the present invention the openings in the bricks may be drilled before they are fired or formed during molding of the bricks. It has been found that unfired or green bricks which have been molded and then air or steam dried are sufiiciently firm to withstand the drilling operation. Moreover, in some cases the brick clay used may be of such consistency as not to require drying after molding, but may be drilled immediately after the molding operation. Alternatively, the bricks may be drilled after they are fired or finished. However, this is usually difficult because of their hardness and brittleness.

Each of the reinforcing spacers I3, preferably formed of sheet metal cut to size and bent into cylindrical shape, has a longitudinal slot l5 which serves to add resiliency so that the spacer may readily be force-pressed into and will retain its frictional grip within the brick openings Hi. The spacer pins [3 are preferably also slightly rounded at their ends as at is to facilitate their being forced into the openings l4.

Referring to Fig. 4 it will be seen how a double wall with a central cavity may be constructed by use of a plurality of the two-brick building units. Not only will such a wall be much easier to build,

but since the length A (see Fig. 2) between the outer sides of the bricks may be predetermined by the use of a stop on the press which pushes the bricks together on the spacer pins, the outer sides of the finished wall will necessarily be parallel, thereby eliminating much of the usually required labor involved in furring before constructing interior walls, and in some cases, furring may be eliminated entirely.

In Fig. 5 there is illustrated a modification of the invention whereby a solid multiple-thickness brick wall or foundation may very rapidly be constructed from a plurality of multiple-brick units without the necessity of cementing each brick in place as is ordinarily done. The brick units are merely set in place one above the other in the desired position and alignment and concrete cement, mortar, or grout is thereafter poured into the vertical openings between the bricks. In this m thod of construction, the bricks are formed, before burning, with side openings irla communicating with the usual recess or frog its in the bottom of the brick so that the wet cement will flow horizontally between the bricks, thereby insuring a firm bond. (In Fig. 5 the bricks are illustrated as being placed so that the recesses its: face upwardly, rather than downwardly as is ordinarily done, in order to more clearly show the path of ilcw of the cement between individual bricks, as herein below explained.)

in order to reinforce the solid brick wall, each of the spacer pins i3 has assembled the eon a loosely mounted elongated reinforcing member El. 6 shows such a reinforcing member by itself, which preferably consists of a length of wrought iron formed in channel shape and horizontally and centrally punched or drilled to provide aligned opening ill for the passage of pins i3 therethrough. Reinforcing member ll is preferably a little less in length than the hei ht of two bricks so that it will not interfere with the second brick above or below. It has been found that even if some of the reinforcing members i? are temporarily balanced in a horizontal position on their spacer pins 53, the weight of the cement rushing into the cavity between the bricks will turn them to the proper vertical position for reinforcement. lhus, thou h the openings is in the reinforcing members i; will ordinarily be drilled at a position slightly oil the longitudinal center so that they will automatically swing to vertical alignment, no special drilling or punching precautions need be taken.

Fig. 5 further shows cement which may preferably be concrete, mortar or grout, poured into the cavities between the bricks to the height of the first course of bricks, to illustrate how the wet cement spreads horizontally through the openings iii to fill the recesses it between the bricks.

Figs. 7 and 8 illustrate an important modification of the two-brick building unit shown in Figs. 1 and 2, wherein bottom and end spacer pins is, similarly fitted in pre-formed brick openings are employed to automatically space bricks both horizontally and vertically. The spacer pins is are similar to spacer pins it, but shorter, and they are preferably beveled or rounded at their outer ends as at so that they may easily be pressed through wet cement and against the adjacent brick surface during the construction of a wall, without the likelihood of their being obstructed by sand particles or gravel. The side or horizontal pins 49 are sent in the center of one end of 4 each brick, as shown, and the bottom pins l9 are staggered to provide vertical stability.

Figs. 11 and 12 show a partial solid double-wall construction employing the brick units shown in Figs. '7 and 3 and including the vertical reinforcing members ii. The spacer pins 49 provide sufficient space between the bricks, both horizontally and vertically, for the flow of wet mortar or cement between bricks to insure a firm bond without the necessity of cementing each brick unit in place individually.

Referring to Fig. 8, it will be evident how, by controlling the depth to which the vertical pins to are forced, the overall height B of the brick units may be uniformly predetermined, thereby enabling even an unskilled laborer to build a level wall. Likewise, the overall length C (Fig. '7) may be predetermined to insure regular horizontal spacing without the necessity of special care during construction.

Moreover, by thus controlling to within close limits the overall dimensions of brick units, the architect or contractor will be able to order with accuracy the correct quantity of bricks for a given size brick construction.

Fig. 9 shows a single brick provided with horizontal and vertical spacer pins is suitable for rapidly constructing regular and level brick walls of single thickness.

It is to be understood that not only do the spacer pins is used in the bricks as herein disclosed serve to automatically space bricks to r duce the labor required to construct a workman like wall, but said pins also serve effectively as vertical and horizontal reinforcing between the bricks of the wall when completed.

Though the invention has been described and illustrated to show a multiple brick unit for double and triple brick wall construction, it is to be understood that the invention also contemplates bricks joined end-to-end by one or more spacers l3 to provide a construction unit adaptable for use in laying a brick wall of single brick thickness. Moreover, bricks could be joined or provided with protruding pins in the manner taught by the invention to suit a variety of purposes, one of which might be an angularl joined brick unit for use in corners.

Advantages One advantage of the building brick units constructed in accordance with the invention resides in the speed with which a brick foundation or wall. may be built by their use.

Another advantage is that they greatly reduce the labor cost of brick constructions while at the same time increasing their value.

Another advantage is that the outside surface. of multiple thickness brick walls constructed in accordance with the invention will automatically be parallel, thereby minimizing the necessity of furring the inside surface before building an interior wall.

Another advantage resides in the provision between the bricks of vertical reinforcing members which require no attention on the part of the mason in erecting the brick wall.

While there have been disclosed in this specification two forms in which the invention may be embodied, it is to be understood that these forms are shown for the purpose of illustration only and that the invention is not to be limited to the specific disclosure but may be embodied in various other forms without departing from its spirit. In short, the invention includes all the modifications and embodiments coming Within the scope of the following claim.

Having thus fully described the invention, what is claimed as new, and for which it is desired to secure Letters Patent, is:

In a solid masonry wall, a plurality of building units, each comprising a pair of spaced-apart bricks, the adjacent flat surfaces of said bricks having a plurality of aligned open recesses, a plurality of elongated slotted tubular connecting pins having their ends frictionally fitted into the recesses of both adjacent bricks, and a layer of cement located between said spaced-apart bricks in which said slotted pins are permanently embedded, and channel shaped reinforcing members pivotally mounted on each of said pins and also embedded in said cement.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Number Name Date Conkling Jan. 8, 1856 Frost May 25, 1880 Peirce July 3, 1906 Clayton Jan. '7, 1908 Copeland Jan. 14, 1913 Kertes Apr. 8, 1913 Mueller June 12, 1934 FOREIGN PATENTS Country Date Great Britain of 1944 Great Britain of 1948

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