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(11) | EP 1 382 761 A1 |
| (12) | EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION |
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| (54) | Building system |
| (57) A fixing device for fixing together a plurality of blocks (108) to form a block wall
(100) comprising upper attachment means (152) and lower attachment means (150), wherein
the upper attachment means (152) are adapted to be attached to lower attachment means
(150) of a first neighbouring fixing device (110), and wherein the lower attachment
means (150) are adapted to be attached to upper attachment means (152) of a second
neighbouring fixing device (110). Also disclosed is a block laying system comprising
a plurality of these fixing devices (110) and at least one base section (132) having
fixing device receiving means (162) and securing means (164) and wherein the fixing
device receiving means (164) are adapted to receive the lower attachment means (150)
of one of said fixing devices (110); a block structure (100) including a plurality
of blocks (108) fixed together with the block laying system; and a method of laying
a block wall using the block laying system disclosed. The invention disclosed therefore
provides for building a brick or block wall (100) or other structure without the use
of mortar, and may be disassembled and reassembled as required. It is especially advantageous
for brick cladding timber-framed buildings. |
[0001] This invention relates to a building system, particularly, but not limited to, a bricklaying system, and to a method of laying bricks.
[0002] The construction industry is a major consumer of energy, in product creation (e.g. brick firing); transportation, such as the movement of heavy materials; and running costs, in heating bills. The construction industry is being pressured into producing more sustainable buildings, with lower energy requirements.
[0003] Existing brick or block laying schemes are relatively slow in creating a required wall and the use of cement is disadvantageously messy and wasteful. Also, bricklaying cannot be conducted when frost is likely. Furthermore, standard bricklaying is restricted to "construction lifts", by which only a certain number of courses may be made in a day until mortar between the courses has hardened.
[0004] In addition, established brick walls once in position must be completely demolished if changes are to be made. Bricklaying requires a skilled work force, which is expensive. Furthermore, being a skilled practice, it is difficult for a layman to lay bricks satisfactorily.
[0005] Attempts have been made to overcome the disadvantages associated with existing bricklaying. These include the use of timber framed housing designs. However, customers often require an external brick cladding, which is normally purely aesthetic as the timber frame takes all structural loads. However, this still requires the laying of bricks, which slows down an otherwise fast track construction process. Inside a building, the wall plaster has been replaced by dry lining systems to reduce the overall time required, but the external brick cladding is still a disadvantage.
[0006] In this specification, a reference to a brick should also be taken to be a reference to a block and vice versa. A block is typically 2 times the length and 3 times the height of a standard brick. The size of the brick or block is only relevant to the size and spacing of the elements described herein.
[0007] According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a fixing device for fixing together a plurality of blocks to form a block wall comprising upper attachment means and lower attachment means, wherein the upper attachment means are adapted to be attached to lower attachment means of a first neighbouring fixing device, and wherein the lower attachment means are adapted to be attached to upper attachment means of a second neighbouring fixing device.
[0008] A wall constructed as described above can be built advantageously using a dry method of construction with no mortar required. This also results in increased speed of construction. The system is not reliant on temperature conditions, as is the case with traditional bricklaying. Also, as many courses as required can be raised in a day, since there is no need to wait for mortar to harden.
[0009] The upper attachment means may be threaded attachment means. The lower attachment means may be threaded attachment means. The upper and lower attachment means may comprise a male and a female threaded attachment section. Preferably, the upper attachment means has a male threaded attachment section and the lower attachment means a female threaded attachment section. In the most preferred embodiment, the upper and lower attachment means are preferably secured together by interengaging threaded sections.
[0010] Preferably, the fixing device includes a spacer section, which may extend laterally with respect to a longitudinal axis of the fixing device. The spacer section may have a depth corresponding to a typical depth of mortar in a prior art block wall. The spacer section may have a depth corresponding to a desired separation of adjacent blocks in a block wall. Said depth may be approximately 8 mm to 12 mm.
[0011] In a preferred embodiment, the spacer section may be of circular cross section, preferably a circular disc. The disc may have a width less than the blocks which the fixing device will fix.
[0012] Alternatively, the spacer section may comprise first and second spacing members, which may be laterally spaced apart. The first and second spacing members may be sectors of a circle, preferably having at least one opening between them. The at least one opening may have tapered sides. The opening may form a sector of a circle.
[0013] The spacer section may have a body portion having an opening therein. A length of the opening is preferably aligned with openings between the first and second spacing members.
[0014] The spacer section may be adapted to receive a tying member in the opening in the body portion.
[0015] The fixing device may incorporate a tying member, which may be receivable in the opening in the body of the spacer section. The tying member may have a head section adapted to mate with the opening between the first and second spacing members of the spacer section. The tying member may incorporate an elongate section to be received in the opening in the body of the spacer section. The tying member may include a tying section adapted for being secured to a fixed article, such as another wall or the like.
[0016] In a preferred embodiment, the spacer section defines the lower attachment means. The lower attachment means may be provided as a threaded bore in the spacer section. This reduces the need for a tying member.
[0017] According to a second aspect of the invention a block laying system comprises a plurality of fixing devices according to the first aspect and at least one base section having fixing device receiving means and securing means; wherein the fixing device receiving means are adapted to receive the lower attachment means of one of said fixing devices.
[0018] Preferably, the securing means are adapted to receive fixing means for securing the base section to a foundation or the like. The securing means may be a plurality of apertures.
[0019] The fixing device receiving means may comprise at least one threaded projection, which may be adapted to receive a threaded female attachment means of one of said fixing devices.
[0020] The fixing device receiving means may include a plurality of projections along a length of the base section.
[0021] In a preferred alternative, the fixing device receiving means may comprise a plurality of spaced apertures in the base section. Fixing devices may protrude through these apertures and may be held by a fixing agent, such as concrete. The fixing devices may be arranged to protrude through the base section by only that amount which allows full engagement of the upper attachment means of the protruding fixing devices with the lower attachment means of further fixing devices.
[0022] Preferably, the fixing device receiving means are spaced at separations corresponding to a separation of openings in building blocks to be laid using the block laying system. They may be equally spaced in a straight line. The spacing may be half the length of the blocks to be laid using the block laying system. Two fixing device receiving means may be provided for each block that is to be laid adjacent to the securing means. The spacing may be to fit the British metric equivalent of a standard imperial 9" inch brick.
[0023] The base section may define a channel sized to retain a building block to be laid using a block laying system. The base section may further comprise two facing parallel flanges spaced apart by the width of such a building block. These advantageously, in use, secure the blocks of the bottom layer against movement relative to the securing means.
[0024] Preferably, the block laying system incorporates at least a first fixing device securable to the fixing device receiving means of the base section, and a second fixing device securable to upper attachment means of the first fixing device with lower attachment means of the second fixing device.
[0026] The block laying system may include structure spacing means adapted to, in use, ensure a fixed separation of a structure made with the system from a further structure. The structure spacing means may be sized to extend around at least one of the fixing devices (typically the spacer sections or sections thereof) and be attached to the further structure.
[0030] According to a third aspect of the invention, a block structure comprises a plurality of blocks secured together using the block laying system of the second aspect.
[0031] The blocks preferably have at least one, preferably at least two, openings therein, in which is received one of said fixing devices. Preferably, the or each opening is a channel extending from one face of the block to an opposite face thereof.
[0032] The structure may be a wall. It may be the wall of a house. It may form an exterior cladding around a structure. The structure may be a timber-framed building.
[0033] The structure may include infill material placed between blocks. Preferably, infill material is provided between vertically adjacent blocks. The infill material is preferably a resilient material. The infill material may provide some flexibility to a structure formed using the block laying system and a plurality of building blocks.
[0034] The resilient material may be a dual density material. The resilient material may have a size less than that of an upper face of a block with which the system is to be used. The infill material may be arranged to leave a section of an interface between blocks with no infill material, preferably to allow insertion of a sealant or pointing between said blocks.
[0035] The infill material may also be provided between horizontally adjacent blocks. This advantageously provides at least some of the flexibility inherent in a bricks and mortar wall.
[0036] According to a fourth aspect of the invention a method of laying a block wall comprises:
a) securing a base section of a block laying system to a foundation/floor;
b) placing a plurality of building blocks in the base section to form a first course;
c) securing fixing devices to fixing device receiving means of the base section through openings in the blocks;
d) placing a plurality of building blocks on the first course so that said fixing devices are received in openings in the blocks, to form a second course; and
e) securing fixing devices to the fixing devices in step c) through openings in the blocks.
Steps d) and e) are preferably repeated to form third and subsequent courses, with the fixing devices of one course being fixed to those of the previous courses.
[0037] Step a) preferably includes the step of securing fixing devices to the foundation/floor through the base section, and optionally then securing further fixing devices to those secured to the foundation/floor to provide the fixing device receiving means.
[0038] The securing of the fixing devices to the fixing device receiving means or other fixing devices preferably retains the building blocks in position, preferably by a spacer section of each fixing device bearing down on a given building block.
[0039] Infill material may be included between any of the blocks and the securing means, and adjacent blocks both horizontally and vertically.
[0040] The fixing devices may be those of the first aspect of the invention. The fixing devices and the securing means may define a block laying system according to the second aspect of the invention. The block wall may be according to the third aspect of the invention.
[0041] All of the features described herein may be combined with any of the above aspects, in any combination.
[0042] Specific embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
Figure 1a is a schematic cut away side view of a locating pin and spacer for securing bricks in position;
Figure 1b is a schematic view from below of the spacer shown in Figure 1a;
Figure 1c is a schematic side view of an upper portion of the locating pin shown in Figure 1a;
Figure 2 is a schematic side view of the locating pin and spacer combination with partially illustrated bricks in position;
Figure 3 is a partly exploded schematic side view of a plurality of locating pins and spacers in position;
Figure 4 is a schematic cut away side view of a locating pin and spacer in position between two bricks;
Figure 5a is a schematic cross―sectional view from above of the connecting pin and spacer incorporating a wall tie;
Figure 5b is a schematic view from the side of the arrangement shown in Figure 5a;
Figure 6 is a schematic perspective view of a course of bricks laid with the connecting pins and spacers showing a foundation tray and flooring;
Figure 7 is a similar view to Figure 6 showing a corner detail;
Figure 8 is a schematic perspective view of a window or doorway construction using the locating pins and spacers;
Figure 9 is a schematic perspective view of an alternative window or doorway construction using the locating pins and spacers;
Figure 10 is a side view of a brick connection pin for use in a second embodiment of the invention;
Figure 11 is a cross-section through a structure built according to the second embodiment of the invention;
Figure 12 is an exploded view of the structure of Figure 11;
Figure 13 shows the structure of Figure 11 in combination with a timber-framed building; and
Figure 14 shows the combination of Figure 13 through a horizontal cross-section.
[0043] A fixing device being a brick connection pin 10 according to a first embodiment of the invention comprises an upper section 12 and a lower section 14 with a laterally orientated spacer section or "spacer" 16 between the upper and lower sections 12 and 14.
[0044] The upper section 12 has a lower threaded section 18 (see Figure 1c), which is received in a correspondingly tapped section 20 (see Figure la) of the lower section 14.
[0045] The upper section 12 has an overall length of approximately 60 mm, with the threaded section 18 having a length of approximately 25 mm. The upper section 12 is generally cylindrical and has a diameter of approximately 18 mm.
[0046] The lower section 14 has a length of approximately 50 mm, with an exterior diameter of approximately 25 mm and an interior diameter of approximately 18 mm.
[0048] The laterally orientated spacer 16 has an internal opening having a diameter of approximately 20 mm, allowing it to be placed over the upper section 12, as shown in Figure 1a, and allowing it to rest on the upper part of the lower section 14. The spacer 16 may alternatively be integral with the upper section 12, or the lower section 14, or all three may form a single piece. The spacer 16 has a depth of 10 mm and an overall width of approximately 65 mm comprising two lateral flanges 22a and 22b. Between the lateral flanges there are tapered openings 26a and 26b which have a width of approximately 18 mm close to the central opening 24 and a width of approximately 25 mm at a perimeter of the laterally orientated spacer 16. As will be described below the openings 26a/b are arranged to receive a wall tie (see Figures 5a and 5b), which extends through a channel 28 in the spacer 16.
[0049] As shown in Figure 2 an upper part of the upper section 12 may incorporate a slot 30 in which to receive a screwdriver of the like.
[0050] As shown in Figure 2, the upper part of the upper section 12 (an upper attachment means) is also threaded in order to receive the lower section 14 (a lower attachment means) of a second brick connection pin 10 located above the first.
[0051] In Figure 2 a base section or foundation tray 32 is shown partially with part of a brick 10 shown in position. Only a right hand section of the foundation tray 32 and brick 10 is shown in Figure 2 in order to assist clarity. A similar amount and size of brick 10 would also be present on the left hand side of the brick connection pins 10 shown in Figure 2, with the space between the right hand section of brick shown, and the unshown left hand section of brick being provided by one of the standard openings in the brick 10, of which there are typically three. Of course, different numbers of openings in the brick 10 could be used.
[0052] The foundation tray 32 comprises a fixing device receiving means or threaded projection 34. In use, the foundation tray 32 would typically incorporate a number of threaded projections 34, such as shown in Figure 6 or as envisaged in Figure 3 in which brick connection pins 10 are shown side by side in each brick 8. Thus, when description is made of a brick connection pin 10 it is typically the case that two brick connection pins per brick would be used. Thus, in Figure 2 a brick 8 is placed over the twin projections 34 of the foundation tray 32. Then, one of the brick connection pins 10 is placed on a first of the threaded projections 34 through the opening in the brick 8 and is tightened until the spacer 16 abuts the top face of the brick 8. Then, the adjacent brick connection pin 10 is put in position in the same way.
[0053] A prefabricated infill or filler material consisting of a lower part 36a and an upper part 36b is placed on top of the first brick 8. The filler material 36a/b has an uncompressed depth of approximately 14 mm, but when a brick is placed above, as shown in Figure 8, the filler material 36a/b is compressed to the width of the spacer 16, i.e. 10 mm. The prefabricated filler material may be made of cork, plastic, fibre wood, foam, polyurethane or any other suitable compressible material. When installed in a compressed state the filler material 36a/b forms a seal between the bricks to form a watertight wall construction. When fire-walls are required, fireproof board can be used as the filler material 36a/b to allow a three hour fire rating.
[0054] As can be seen from Figure 2, the filler material 36a/b does not extend to the edge of the brick 8, but instead leaves a gap of approximately 10 mm.
[0055] A second brick 8, as mentioned above, is then placed over the upper section 14 of the first mentioned brick connection pin 10. A second brick connection pin 10 is then pushed into the opening in the brick and is tightened on the upper thread until the spacer 16 abuts the upper face of the second brick. The filler material 36a/b is then placed on the brick as above. The brick connection pin is tightened using a screwdriver placed in the slot 30. More bricks are laid by repeating the steps described above.
[0056] As shown in Figure 3, bricks are laid adjacent to one 5 another using brick connection pins 10 in the manner described above in relation to Figure 2. Alternate brick courses are laid in the usual manner with offset bricks 8 as shown in Figure 3. Adjacent connection pins 10 are placed in a single brick in a lower level, with the same brick connection pins placed through adjacent bricks 8 in the level above to provide the standard offset bricklaying pattern.
[0057] In Figure 4, the cut away side view shows infill material 36a and 36b on both sides of the connection pin. The figure also shows a complete brick, with the connection pin 10 extending through the opening in the centre of the brick. The infill material 36a/b is provided as a sheet having openings to accommodate the spacers 16, as shown in Figure 3.
[0058] In addition, sealant material 38 is shown in the gap between the bricks 8. The sealant material is added after a brick wall has been produced in order to ensure a watertight seal against the elements. The sealant may be a polyurethane material, an epoxy material, a water based epoxy, a cement mix, a cement resin mix, a resin/aggregate mix, or other similar non-staining sealant.
[0059] Figures 5a and 5b show the use of a wall tie/spacer 40. In Figure 5a the wall tie/spacer 40 is shown consisting of a wedge shaped end piece 42 secured to a steel rod 44, itself being attached to a steel plate 46. The wall tie/spacer 40 is fitted to one of the brick connection pins 10 as follows. The bar 44 of the wall tie 40 is placed into the channel 28, which, as shown in Figure 5a, is open at its upper side. The wedge shaped end section 42 is located in the opening 26a. The size of the wedge 42 is chosen to match that of the opening 26 to provide an abutting engagement. The wall tie spacer 40 is placed to extend laterally with respect to a length of the wall, so that the plate 46 may be attached to a suitable fixed structure, such as another wall, or another structural member of a structure to which the wall consisting of bricks 8 is to be tied. The plate 46 may have a flange 48, as shown in Figure 5b, through which flange 48 a wall fixing 50 may be fastened.
[0060] An alternative arrangement for the wall tie/spacer 40 is 5 to arrange for the bar 44 to extend through a closed channel 28, with the wedge shaped end section 42 being threaded onto the bar 44 after insertion of the bar through the channel 28.
[0061] Figure 6 shows an example of a wall partially constructed using the brick connection pins 10 described above. A first course of bricks 52 is laid in the foundation tray 32 on the threaded projections 34 described above. In this example bricks 8 having twin 'holes are used, but of course the standard three hole brick may also be used with suitable spacing of the threaded projections 34. The foundation tray 32 is secured to a foundation or flooring 54 by fixing means 56. As described above the brick connection pins 10 are secured to the threaded projections 34 through openings in the bricks 8. A filler material 36a/b is then laid on the upper surface of the bricks and around the spacers 16 for the addition of a second brick course 58.
[0062] Figure 7 shows a view similar to Figure 6 but showing a corner arrangement, in which the bricks 8 are laid the standard way and using the brick connection pins 10 as described above.
[0063] Figures 8 and 9 show examples of how the brick connection pins 10 may be used to create an opening for a window or doorway.
[0064] In Figure 8, a steel lintel 60 is laid across a window opening 62 in a wall of bricks 8. The lintel has the same threaded projections 34 as the foundation tray 32 described above but has an L-shaped construction. Bricks are laid in the lintel 60 in the same manner as described above using connection pins 10 secured to the threaded projections 34 through bricks 8.
[0065] At a lower edge 64 of the window/door opening a different type of filler material 66 is used, in which blank ended connectors are incorporated into the sheet. The blank ended connectors have female fittings to be placed over the upper section 12 of a brick connection 10 extending through the block 8 on which the sheet 66 is laid. The sheet 66 forms a seal beneath the window/door frame.
[0066] Figure 9 shows an alternative bricklaying arrangement for a window/door frame. A similar lintel 60 is used, except that there are no threaded projections 34. This allows the bricks 8 to be laid with the holes extending horizontally. In this way, the brick connection pins 10 also extend horizontally through the holes in the bricks 8, as shown at the upper side of the window opening 62. On top of this horizontal line of bricks, a base sheet 68 with threaded projections is provided in order to enable an upper course 70 of blocks 8 to be laid on top of the course 72 laid on the lintel 60. The end of the course 72 where it abuts a conventionally laid brick 8 is provided with suitable fixing means for attachment of the course 72 to the brick 8.
[0067] The sheets 66 that provide a lower seal on the window/door opening 62 are also provided in this example, as described above in relation to Figure 8.
[0068] Significant advantages are achieved with the bricklaying system described herein because a continuous interlocking rigid support is provided by the brick connection pins 10 from the fixed base of the brick wall to the top. This provides a continuous high duty bar entirely through the brick wall.
[0069] Typically, the use of mortar between bricks provides some structural flexibility to a brick wall. This advantageous feature is maintained in the brick wall described herein by the use of the flexible material 36a/b that is placed between bricks. In addition, the disadvantages that are present with mortar, for example the need for wet application are avoided with the present system.
[0070] The system described herein is something that can be reused, because the connection pins 10 can be removed and the brick wall disassembled for reassembly, either in the same location or elsewhere. The provision of the spacer 16 in addition to the filler material 36a/b provides a load bearing spacer.
[0071] Special half bricks can also be supplied to reduce the possibility that dimensions would become inaccurate if half bricks were produced on site.
[0072] A second embodiment of the invention can be seen in Figures 10 to 12 of the accompanying drawings. This involves the use of a modified brick connection pin as will be described. Features of this embodiment common with the first embodiment will be indexed with the same indicia raised by 100.
[0073] The brick connection pin 110 used in this embodiment can be seen in Figure 10 of the accompanying drawings. Instead of having upper 12 and lower 14 parts extending in opposite directions from the spacer 16 as in the previous embodiment, the spacer 116 forms the lower extremity of the brick connection pin 110. The spacer 116 is of the form of a planar disc, without the gaps of the previous embodiment. The lower face of the disc is provided with a threaded blind bore 152, which forms the lower attachment means. From the top face of the spacer 116 extends a body part 112 of the form of a spindle. The top part 150 of the body part 112 is threaded so as to form the upper attachment means. The threaded top part 150 is sized and threaded to engage the threaded bore 152 of another brick connection pin.
[0074] Figure 10 and 11 of the accompanying drawings show a brick building system according to this second aspect of the invention. In these drawings, the suffixes "a", "b" and "c" refer to a first, second and third layer respectively.
[0075] The base section is, as before a foundation tray 132. However, instead of having the threaded projections 34, the foundation tray 132 of this embodiment has a series of apertures 162. Through each of these is placed one of a first layer of brick connection pins 110a. Only the top part 152a of these connection pins 110a protrude through the apertures 162. Apertures 164 are provided for securing the foundation tray 132 to a foundation material 160, typically concrete. The first layer of connection pins 110a are held embedded within the foundation material 160.
[0076] A next layer of brick connection pins 110b is secured onto the first layer 110a by screwing the threaded bore 152b of the connection pins 110b of the second layer onto the top parts 150a of the first layer. The bottom faces of each of the spacers 116b of the second layer therefore abut the foundation tray 162. A layer of infill material 136 is placed over this second layer of connection pins 110b. Only a single layer is required for each layer of pins and bricks. The infill material 136 is provided with apertures to fit over the spacers 116b.
[0077] Bricks 108 are then placed over the brick connection pins such that the bricks compress the infill layer 136 as in the previous embodiment. The bricks 108 are provided with typically three apertures, as is standard in prior art bricks, through which the connection pins 110 extend. Between each brick 108 in the same layer is provided a further piece of infill material 152 to maintain separation between the bricks 108 but still provide the flexibility of a brick and mortar wall.
[0078] A third 110c layer of bricks can then be attached to the second layer by repeating these steps, with further layers being achieved with further repetitions. A wall may therefore be built to any desired height. This embodiment has all the advantages of the previous embodiment and any of the optional features can be embodied herein. However, the ties are not required.
[0079] The structures described herein are especially suitable for use with timber-framed buildings. The structure of Figures 10 to 12 of the accompanying drawings can be seen in Figures 13 and 14 of the accompanying drawings in combination with the timber frame 200 of such a building. The foundation tray 132 can be spaced a fixed distance from the foundations 202 of the timber frame by fixing the two together. A brick wall 100 can therefore be built upwards from the foundation tray 132 as described above. At vertical intervals, it is desirable to ensure the wall 100 and the timber frame 200 do not diverge horizontally and so structure separation means 170 can be used. These pass around the spacers 116 of two adjacent brick connection pins 110 and extend to the timber frame 200, where they are fixed to the frame by use of securing means 172 such as large nails. Relative movement of the wall 100 and timber frame 200 is thereby substantially prevented.
1. A fixing device (10) for fixing together a plurality of blocks (8) to form a block
wall comprising upper attachment means (12) and lower attachment means (14), wherein
the upper attachment means (12) are adapted to be attached to lower attachment means
(14) of a first neighbouring fixing device, and wherein the lower attachment means
(14) are adapted to be attached to upper attachment means (12) of a second neighbouring
fixing device.
2. A fixing device according to claim 1 in which the upper (12) and lower (14) attachment
means comprise corresponding threaded attachment sections.
3. A fixing device according to claim 1 or claim 2 in which the fixing device includes
a spacer section (16), which extends laterally with respect to a longitudinal axis
of the fixing device.
4. A fixing device according to claim 3 in which the spacer section (16) has a depth
corresponding to a desired separation of adjacent blocks (8) in a block wall.
5. A fixing device according to claim 3 or claim 4 in which the spacer section (16) defines
the lower attachment means.
6. A block laying system comprising a plurality of fixing devices according to any preceding
claim and at least one base section (132) having fixing device receiving means (162)
and securing means (164) and wherein the fixing device receiving means (162) are adapted
to receive the lower attachment means (14) of one of said fixing devices.
7. The block laying system of claim 6 in which the fixing device receiving means comprises
a plurality of projections (34) along a length of the base section.
8. The block laying system of claim 6 in which the fixing device receiving means comprises
a plurality of spaced apertures (162) in the base section (132).
9. The block laying system of claim 8 in which the fixing device receiving means further
includes fixing devices (110a) protruding through the plurality of spaced apertures.
10. The block laying system of claim 9 in which the fixing devices (110a) are arranged
to protrude through the base section (132) by only that amount which allows full engagement
of the upper attachment means (150a) of the protruding fixing devices (110a) with
the lower attachment means of further fixing devices (110b).
11. The block laying system of any one of claims 6 to 10 in which the fixing device receiving
means (162) are spaced at separations corresponding to a separation of openings in
building blocks to be laid using the block laying system.
12. The block laying system of claim 11 in which the spacing of the fixing device receiving
means fits the British metric equivalent of a standard imperial 9" inch brick.
13. The block laying system of any one of claims 6 to 12 in which the base section (132)
defines a channel sized to retain a building block to be laid using the block laying
system.
14. The block laying system of any one of claims 6 to 13 in which the block laying system
incorporates at least a first fixing device (110b) securable to the fixing device
receiving means of the base section, and a second fixing device (110c) securable to
upper attachment means of the first fixing device with lower attachment means of the
second fixing device.
15. The block laying system of any one of claims 6 to 14 further comprising structure
separation means (170) adapted to, in use, ensure a fixed separation of a structure
(100) made with the block laying system from a further structure (200), in which the
structure spacing means is sized to pass around the spacer section of at least one
of the fixing devices and to be attached to the further structure.
16. The block laying system of any one of claims 6 to 15 further including a base section
for the top of a window opening.
17. The block laying system of any one of claims 6 to 16 in which, the fixing devices
form a continuous, load bearing, interlocking support.
18. A block structure (100) comprising a plurality of blocks secured together using the
block laying system of any one of claims 6 to 17.
19. The structure of claim 18 further including infill material (136) placed between blocks.
20. The structure of claim 19 in which the infill material (136) is provided between vertically
adjacent blocks.
21. The structure of any one of claims 18 to 20 in which the infill material (136) is
a resilient material.
22. The structure of claim 21 in which the resilient material (136) is a dual density
material.
23. The structure of any one of claims 18 to 22 in which the infill material (136) is
arranged to leave a section of an interface between blocks with no infill material.
24. The structure of any one of claims 18 to 23 in which infill material (152) is provided
between horizontally adjacent blocks.
25. A structure according to any one of claims 18 to 24, in which the blocks have at least
one opening therein, in each of which is received one of said fixing devices.
26. A method of laying a block wall, comprising:
a) securing a base section (132) of a block laying system to a foundation/floor;
b) placing a plurality of building blocks (8) in the base section to form a first course;
c) securing fixing devices (110) to fixing device receiving means of the base section through openings in the blocks;
d) placing a plurality of building blocks (8) on the first course so that said fixing devices are received in openings in the blocks, to form a second course; and
e) securing fixing devices (110) to the fixing devices in step c) through openings in the blocks.
27. The method of claim 26 in which steps d) and e) are repeated to form third and subsequent
courses.
28. The method of claim 26 or claim 27 in which step a) includes the step of securing
fixing devices (110) to the foundation/floor through the base section, and securing
further fixing devices to those secured to the foundation/floor to provide the fixing
device receiving means.
29. The method of any one of claims 34 to 36 including the step of including infill material
(152) between at least one of: the blocks and the securing means; and adjacent blocks
both horizontally and vertically.