U.S. patent application number 11/539872 was filed with the patent office on 2007-11-01 for systems and devices for collecting falling mortar.
This patent application is currently assigned to FUKUVI USA, INC.. Invention is credited to Mark Brown, Jonathan Dresel, Kyozaburo Takagi.
Application Number | 20070251171 11/539872 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38646988 |
Filed Date | 2007-11-01 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070251171 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Takagi; Kyozaburo ; et
al. |
November 1, 2007 |
SYSTEMS AND DEVICES FOR COLLECTING FALLING MORTAR
Abstract
Embodiments of the present application relate to systems,
devices, and methods for collecting falling mortar. Generally,
these systems and methods comprise a masonry wall and one or more
mortar stoppers. A mortar stopper may comprise a longitudinally
extending surface comprising an indicator that defines an inserting
portion and a mortar collecting portion, both of which being
integral to the mortar stopper. The inserting portion may be
inserted into mortar spaces along a backside of the wall such that
the mortar collecting portion extends from the backside of the
wall. Thereby, the mortar collecting portion collects mortar
falling from the mortar spaces of the backside of the wall. The
indicator may be positioned along the longitudinally extending
surface such that the indicator indicates an appropriate length of
insertion of the inserting portion into the wall sufficient for the
mortar stopper to support the mortar collecting portion and the
falling mortar collected by the mortar collecting portion.
Additional embodiments are disclosed and claimed.
Inventors: |
Takagi; Kyozaburo;
(Centerville, OH) ; Dresel; Jonathan; (Huber
Heights, OH) ; Brown; Mark; (Middletown, OH) |
Correspondence
Address: |
DINSMORE & SHOHL LLP
ONE DAYTON CENTRE, ONE SOUTH MAIN STREET, SUITE 1300
DAYTON
OH
45402-2023
US
|
Assignee: |
FUKUVI USA, INC.
Huber Heights
OH
|
Family ID: |
38646988 |
Appl. No.: |
11/539872 |
Filed: |
October 9, 2006 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60745784 |
Apr 27, 2006 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
52/319 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E04B 1/70 20130101; E04B
1/7061 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
52/319 |
International
Class: |
E04B 1/20 20060101
E04B001/20 |
Claims
1. A system for collecting falling mortar, said system comprising a
masonry wall and one or more mortar stoppers, wherein: said wall
comprises a front side, a backside, and a plurality of mortar
spaces between components forming said wall; said mortar stopper
comprises a longitudinally extending surface comprising an
indicator defining an inserting portion and a mortar collecting
portion of said mortar stopper; said inserting and mortar
collecting portions are integral to said mortar stopper; said
inserting portion is inserted into said mortar spaces along said
backside of said wall; said mortar collecting portion extends from
said backside of said wall such that said mortar collecting portion
collects said mortar as said mortar falls from said mortar spaces
of said backside of said wall; and said indicator is positioned
along said longitudinally extending surface such that said
indicator indicates an appropriate length of insertion of said
inserting portion into said wall sufficient for said mortar stopper
to support said mortar collecting portion and said falling mortar
collected by said mortar collecting portion.
2. The system of claim 1, wherein said longitudinally extending
surface of said mortar stopper is a substantially flat surface such
that said inserting and mortar collecting portions and said
indicator are co-planar.
3. The system of claim 2, wherein said indicator is a score line or
other visual indicator.
4. The system of claim 1, wherein said longitudinally extending
surface of said mortar stopper is a curved surface.
5. The system of claim 1, wherein said longitudinally extending
surface of said mortar stopper is an angular surface such that said
inserting and mortar collecting portions are in different planes of
said angular surface.
6. The system of claim 5, wherein said indicator is an apex of an
angle in said angular surface of said mortar stopper.
7. The system of claim 1, wherein said mortar stopper is configured
such that said mortar stopper is interchangeably positionable along
said backside of said wall.
8. The system of claim 1, wherein said inserting and mortar
collecting portions comprise a plurality of apertures.
9. The system of claim 1, wherein said indicator is positioned
along said longitudinally extending surface such that said
indicator indicates an appropriate length of extension of said
mortar collecting portion from said wall sufficient for said mortar
stopper to collect said falling mortar.
10. The system of claim 1, wherein said indicator comprises one or
more projections that project from said longitudinally extending
surface of said mortar stopper.
11. The system of claim 10, wherein said projections of said
indicator obstruct said mortar stopper from inserting into said
wall beyond said indicator defining said inserting portion and said
mortar collecting portion.
12. The system of claim 10, wherein said projections of said
indicator span said mortar space such that said projections
obstruct said mortar from falling from said mortar space where said
mortar stopper is installed.
13. The system of claim 1, wherein said inserting portion is
inserted into said mortar spaces any length sufficient for said
inserting portion to adhere to said wall as said mortar in said
mortar spaces cures and for said mortar stopper to support said
mortar collecting portion and said falling mortar collected by said
mortar collecting portion.
14. The system of claim 1, wherein said inserting portion adheres
to said wall as said mortar in said mortar spaces cures.
15. The system of claim 1, wherein said longitudinally extending
surface of said mortar stopper further comprises a plurality of
grooves.
16. The system of claim 1, wherein: said inserting portion of said
mortar stopper further comprises one or more extensions; and said
extensions define a height of said mortar space, wherein said
height of said mortar space defines amount of said mortar to be
placed in said mortar space.
17. The system of claim 16, wherein said extensions are configured
to anchor said inserting portion in said mortar in said mortar
spaces.
18. The system of claim 1, wherein: said mortar collecting portion
comprises one or more extensions; and said extensions confine at
least a portion of said mortar collected by said mortar collecting
portion to said mortar collecting portion.
19. The system of claim 1, wherein said mortar stoppers are
staggered along said backside of said wall above a ground surface
such that said mortar stoppers collect said falling mortar and
drain moisture to said ground surface from various areas of said
backside of said wall.
20. A system for collecting falling mortar, said system comprising
a cinder block wall and one or more mortar stoppers, wherein: said
wall comprises a plurality of cinder blocks and a plurality of
mortar spaces between said cinder blocks forming said wall, wherein
each of said cinder blocks comprise a top side, a bottom side, and
an interior portion, said interior portion comprising one or more
openings through said top and bottom sides of said cinder block;
said mortar stopper is installed on said top side of said cinder
block such that said mortar stopper is positioned in said mortar
space between said cinder blocks; said mortar stopper comprises a
substantially planar surface comprising a plurality of apertures
and one or more vertically oriented spacing ribs; said mortar
stopper collects mortar as said mortar falls within said interior
portions of said cinder blocks of said wall; and said mortar
stopper adheres to said wall as said mortar cures.
21. The system of claim 20, wherein: said spacing ribs guide said
formation of said wall by defining a height of said mortar space,
wherein said height of said mortar space defines amount of said
mortar to be placed in said mortar space during said formation of
said wall; said spacing ribs further anchor said mortar stopper in
said mortar in said mortar spaces; and said spacing ribs extend
from said substantially planar surface a sufficient amount to
provide a substantial amount of structural rigidity to said mortar
stopper sufficient for said mortar stopper to support said falling
mortar collected by said mortar stopper without substantial
deformation to said planar surface.
22. A method comprising: providing a system for collecting falling
mortar, said system comprising a masonry wall and one or more
mortar stoppers, wherein: said wall comprises a front side, a
backside, and a plurality of mortar spaces between components
forming said wall; said mortar stopper comprises a longitudinally
extending surface comprising an indicator defining an inserting
portion and a mortar collecting portion of said mortar stopper;
said inserting and mortar collecting portions are integral to said
mortar stopper; and said indicator is positioned along said
longitudinally extending surface such that said indicator indicates
an appropriate length of insertion of said inserting portion into
said wall sufficient for said mortar stopper to support said mortar
collecting portion and said falling mortar collected by said mortar
collecting portion; inserting said inserting portion into said
mortar spaces along said backside of said wall; collecting with
said mortar collecting portion that extends from said backside of
said wall said mortar as said mortar falls from said mortar spaces;
and draining moisture from said backside of said wall and said
mortar stoppers to a ground surface substantially free of said
mortar.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Application Ser. No. 60/745,784, filed Apr. 27, 2006.
BRIEF SUMMARY
[0002] Embodiments of the present application generally relate to
systems, devices, and methods for collecting mortar falling from a
masonry wall. These systems, devices, and methods generally
comprise masonry walls and mortar stoppers. A mortar stopper may be
installed in a masonry wall to collect mortar falling from a
backside or an interior portion of the wall.
[0003] In accordance with one embodiment of the present
application, a system may be provided for collecting falling
mortar. This system generally comprises a masonry wall and one or
more mortar stoppers. The wall may comprise a front side, a
backside, and a plurality of mortar spaces between the components
forming the wall. The mortar stopper generally comprises a
longitudinally extending surface comprising an indicator that
defines an inserting portion and a mortar collecting portion of the
mortar stopper, the inserting and mortar collecting portions
generally being integral to the mortar stopper. This inserting
portion may be inserted into the mortar spaces along the backside
of the wall. The mortar collecting portion, meanwhile, generally
extends from the backside of the wall such that the mortar
collecting portion collects mortar as the mortar falls from the
mortar spaces of the backside of the wall. The indicator of the
mortar stopper may be positioned along the longitudinally extending
surface such that the indicator indicates an appropriate length of
insertion of the inserting portion into the wall sufficient for the
mortar stopper to support the mortar collecting portion and the
falling mortar collected by the mortar collecting portion.
[0004] In accordance with another embodiment of the present
application, a system may be provided for collecting falling
mortar. This system generally comprises a cinder block wall and one
or more mortar stoppers. The wall may comprise a plurality of
cinder blocks and a plurality of mortar spaces between these cinder
blocks forming the wall, wherein each of the cinder blocks comprise
a top side, a bottom side, and an interior portion. This interior
portion generally comprises one or more openings through the top
and bottom sides of the cinder block. The mortar stopper may be
installed on the top side of the cinder block such that the mortar
stopper is positioned in the mortar space between the cinder
blocks. This mortar stopper generally comprises a substantially
planar surface comprising a plurality of apertures and one or more
vertically oriented spacing ribs. The mortar stopper collects
mortar as the mortar falls within the interior portions of the
cinder blocks of the wall and adheres to the wall as the mortar
cures.
[0005] In accordance with another embodiment of the present
application, a method generally comprises providing a system for
collecting falling mortar. This system may comprise a masonry wall
and one or more mortar stoppers. The wall may comprise a front
side, a backside, and a plurality of mortar spaces between the
components forming the wall. The mortar stopper may comprise a
longitudinally extending surface comprising an indicator that
defines an inserting portion and a mortar collecting portion of the
mortar stopper, the inserting and mortar collecting portions
generally being integral to the mortar stopper. The indicator may
be positioned along the longitudinally extending surface such that
the indicator indicates an appropriate length of insertion of the
inserting portion into the wall sufficient for the mortar stopper
to support the mortar collecting portion and the falling mortar
collected by the mortar collecting portion. This method of
collecting falling mortar may further comprise inserting the
inserting portion into the mortar spaces along the backside of the
wall and collecting with the mortar collecting portion that extends
from the backside of the wall the mortar as the mortar falls from
the mortar spaces. The method generally also comprises draining
moisture from the backside of the wall and the mortar stoppers to a
ground surface substantially free of mortar.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS
[0006] The following detailed description of specific embodiments
of the present application can be best understood when read in
conjunction with the following drawings, where like structure is
indicated with like reference numerals and in which:
[0007] FIG. 1 is an illustration of a cross-sectional view of a
masonry wall and multiple embodiments of mortar stoppers in
accordance with one embodiment of the present application.
[0008] FIG. 2 is an illustration of a cross-sectional view of a
mortar stopper inserted into a masonry wall in accordance with one
embodiment of the present application.
[0009] FIG. 3 is an illustration of a cross-sectional view of a
mortar stopper inserted into a masonry wall in accordance with one
embodiment of the present application.
[0010] FIG. 4 is an illustration of a cross-sectional view of a
mortar stopper in accordance with one embodiment of the present
application.
[0011] FIG. 5 is an illustration of a cross-sectional view of a
mortar stopper in accordance with one embodiment of the present
application.
[0012] FIG. 6 is an illustration of a cross-sectional view of a
mortar stopper inserted into a masonry wall in accordance with one
embodiment of the present application.
[0013] FIG. 7 is an illustration of a cross-sectional view of a
mortar stopper inserted into a masonry wall in accordance with one
embodiment of the present application.
[0014] FIG. 8 is an illustration of a cross-sectional view of a
mortar stopper inserted into a masonry wall in accordance with one
embodiment of the present application.
[0015] FIG. 9 is an illustration of a cross-sectional view of a
mortar stopper inserted into a masonry wall in accordance with one
embodiment of the present application.
[0016] FIG. 10 is an illustration of a view of a plurality of
mortar stoppers staggered along a backside of a masonry wall in
accordance with one embodiment of the present application.
[0017] FIG. 11 is an illustration of a cross-sectional view of a
mortar stopper in accordance with one embodiment of the present
application.
[0018] FIG. 12 is an illustration of a view of a mortar stopper
installed in an interior portion of a cinder block in accordance
with one embodiment of the present application.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0019] Referring initially to FIG. 1, a system 10 for collecting
mortar 20 falling from a masonry wall 12 generally comprises a
masonry wall 12 and one or more mortar stoppers 26. As shown in
FIGS. 1-3 and 6-9, the wall 12 generally comprises a front side 14,
a backside 16, and a plurality of mortar spaces 18 between
components forming the wall 12. Such components forming the masonry
wall 12 may be, but are not limited to, bricks 22, brick veneer, or
cinder blocks 54, or any combination thereof.
[0020] Embodiments of the mortar stopper 26 generally comprise a
longitudinally extending surface 28, shown in FIGS. 1-9 and 11.
This longitudinally extending surface 28 may comprise an indicator
30 that defines an inserting portion 32 and a mortar collecting
portion 34. In one exemplary embodiment of the mortar stopper 26,
shown in FIG. 4, the longitudinally extending surface 28 of the
mortar stopper 26 may be a substantially flat surface such that the
inserting and mortar collecting portions 32, 34 and the indicator
30 are co-planar. In this embodiment, the indicator 30 may be a
score line or other visual indicator that defines the inserting
portion 32 and the mortar collecting portion 34.
[0021] In another exemplary embodiment of the mortar stopper 26,
shown in FIG. 5, the longitudinally extending surface 28 of the
mortar stopper 26 may be a curved surface. The mortar stopper 26
may be installed in the wall 12 such that the curved surface faces
up or down in relation to the backside 16 of the wall 12.
[0022] In yet another exemplary embodiment of the mortar stopper
26, shown in FIG. 1, the longitudinally extending surface 28 of the
mortar stopper 26 may be an angular surface such that the inserting
and mortar collecting portions 32, 34 are in different planes of
the angular surface. In this embodiment, the indicator 30 may be an
apex of an angle in the angular surface of the mortar stopper 26.
Generally, the mortar stopper 26 may be installed such that the
angular surface directs the mortar collecting portion 34 in an
upward direction in relation to the backside 16 of the wall 12, as
shown in FIGS. 1-3 and 6. It is contemplated, however, that the
mortar stopper 26 may be installed such that the angular surface
directs the mortar collecting portion 34 in a downward direction,
as shown in FIGS. 7-9.
[0023] It is further contemplated by the present application that
the mortar stopper 26 may be interchangeably positioned along the
backside 16 of the wall 12 in a variety of manners. One example is
shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 where the mortar stopper 26 may be turned
around such that the inserting and mortar collecting portions 32,
34 may be interchangeably positioned on the backside 16 of the wall
12. More particularly, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the mortar
collecting portion 34 in FIG. 2 becomes the inserting portion 32 in
FIG. 3 and, likewise, the inserting portion 32 in FIG. 2 becomes
the mortar collecting portion 34 in FIG. 3. Another example
illustrating the interchangeability of the position of the mortar
stopper 26 is shown in FIGS. 6 and 7. Here, the mortar stopper 26
may be flipped upside-down such that the upwardly directed mortar
collecting portion 34 in FIG. 6 becomes downwardly directed in FIG.
7.
[0024] Following insertion of the inserting portion 32 into the
mortar spaces 18, the mortar collecting portion 34 may extend from
the backside 16 of the wall 12. Thereby, the mortar collecting
portion 34 may collect mortar 20 falling from the mortar spaces 18
of the backside 16 of the wall 12.
[0025] Generally, both the inserting portion 32 and the mortar
collecting portion 34 are integral to the mortar stopper 26. As
used herein, "integral" may mean that the inserting and mortar
collecting portions 32, 34 of the mortar stopper 26 are of one
substantially continuous piece. As shown in FIG. 1, the inserting
portion 32 generally is inserted into the mortar spaces 18 along
the backside 16 of the wall 12. This inserting portion 32 may be
inserted into the mortar spaces 18 any length sufficient for the
inserting portion 32 to adhere to the wall 12 as the mortar 20 in
the mortar spaces 18 cures and for the mortar stopper 26 to support
the mortar collecting portion 34 and the falling mortar 20
collected by the mortar collecting portion 34. As shown in FIG. 2,
the inserting portion 32 may be longer in length in relation to the
mortar collecting portion 34 so as to provide a stronger adhesion
of the mortar stopper 26 in the mortar spaces 18 of the backside 16
of the wall 12. Alternatively, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the
mortar collecting portion 34 may be longer in length in relation to
the inserting portion 32 so as to enable the mortar stopper 26 to
collect a greater amount of mortar 20 falling from the mortar
spaces 18 of the backside 16 of the wall 12. As another
alternative, as also shown in FIG. 1, the inserting and mortar
collecting portions 34, 32 may be substantially the same in length
so as to provide the mortar stopper 26 with a sufficient amount of
adhesion to the mortar spaces 18 of the backside 16 of the wall and
with sufficient ability to collect mortar 20 falling from the
mortar spaces 18 of the backside 16 of the wall 12.
[0026] The inserting portion 32 or the mortar collecting portion
34, or both, may comprise a plurality of apertures 36. These
apertures 36, shown in FIG. 11, may be provided in a variety of
shapes and dimensions, such as, but not limited to, circular,
triangular, star, and/or diamond, or any combinations thereof. In
one exemplary embodiment of a mortar stopper 26, both the inserting
portion 32 and the mortar collecting portion 34 comprise a
plurality of apertures 36 provided in the same shape. In another
exemplary embodiment of the mortar stopper 26, both the inserting
portion 32 and the mortar collecting portion 34 comprise a
plurality of apertures 36, but the apertures 36 are provided in
different shapes.
[0027] Generally, apertures 36 in the inserting portion 32 are
provided for uncured mortar 20 to pass there-through. Thus, these
apertures 36 in the inserting portion 32 enable uncured mortar 20
to pass there-through when the inserting portion 32 is inserted
into the mortar spaces 18 of the wall 12 so as to aid in the
adhesion of the mortar stopper 26 to the wall 12. More
particularly, as uncured mortar 20 cures, the mortar 20 passing
through the apertures 36 in the inserting portion 32 further
anchors the inserting portion 32 into the mortar spaces 18.
Meanwhile, generally, apertures 36 in the mortar collecting portion
34 are provided for draining moisture collected on the mortar
collecting portion 34. This moisture may then proceed from the
backside 16 of the wall 12 and the mortar stoppers 26 to the ground
surface 24 where the moisture may be absorbed by the ground surface
24 or otherwise drained from behind the backside 16 of the wall
12.
[0028] The indicator 30 of the mortar stopper 26 generally is
positioned along the longitudinally extending surface 28 such that
the indicator 30 generally indicates an appropriate length of
insertion of the inserting portion 32 into the wall 12. This length
of insertion generally is sufficient for the mortar stopper 26 to
support the mortar collecting portion 34 and the falling mortar 20
collected by the mortar collecting portion 34. Further, this
position of the indicator 30 along the longitudinally extending
surface 28 generally indicates an appropriate length of extension
of the mortar collecting portion 34 from the wall 12 that is
sufficient for the mortar stopper 26 to collect falling mortar
20.
[0029] In addition to the above described embodiments of the mortar
stopper 26 where the indicator 30 may be a score line or other
visual indicator or an apex of an angle of the longitudinally
extending surface 28, the indicator 30 may comprise one or more
projections 40, as shown in FIGS. 2-3, 6-7, and 11. These
projections generally project from the position of the indicator
along the longitudinally extending surface 28 of the mortar stopper
26. As shown in FIGS. 2-3 and 6-7, these projections 40 may
obstruct the mortar stopper 26 from inserting into the mortar
spaces 18 of the wall 12 beyond the indicator 30 that defines the
inserting portion 32 and the mortar collecting portion 34. Further
shown in FIGS. 2-3 and 6-7, is that the projections 40 may span the
mortar spaces 18 such that the projections 40 obstruct mortar 20
from falling from the mortar spaces 18 where the mortar stopper 26
is installed.
[0030] As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the inserting portion may further
comprise one or more extensions 42. These extensions 42 may define
a height of the mortar spaces 18, wherein the height of the mortar
spaces 18 generally defines the amount of mortar 20 placed in the
mortar spaces 18. Thus, the extensions 42 may serve as a guide to a
builder of a masonry wall 12 in standardizing an amount of mortar
20 to be placed in the mortar spaces 18. Further, these extensions
42 may further anchor the inserting portion 32 in the mortar 20 in
the mortar spaces 18.
[0031] In addition, as shown FIG. 9, the mortar collecting portion
34 may further comprise one or more extensions 42 . These
extensions 42 may confine at least a portion of the mortar 20
collected by the mortar collecting portion 34 to the mortar
collecting portion 34. Thus, these extensions 42 may preclude the
falling of substantial mortar 20 from the mortar collecting portion
34 to a ground surface 24.
[0032] As shown in FIG. 10, to further preclude the falling of
mortar 20 from the backside 16 of the wall 12 and from the mortar
collecting portion 34 to a ground surface 24, the mortar stoppers
26 may be staggered along the backside 16 of the wall 12 above the
ground surface 24. The staggering of the mortar stoppers 26 along
the backside 16 of the wall 12 may be achieved in a variety of
ways. For example, but not by way of limitation, the mortar
stoppers 26 may be arranged systematically along the backside 16 of
the wall 12 such that a mortar stopper 26 comprising a shorter
mortar collecting portion 34 extending from the wall 12 is seconded
by another mortar stopper 26 comprising a longer mortar collecting
portion 34 having a lower position on the backside 16 of the wall
12 that is closer to the ground surface 24. The staggering of the
mortar stoppers 26 enable the mortar stoppers 26 to collect falling
mortar 20 and drain moisture to the ground surface 24 from various
areas of the backside 16 of the wall 12. [0033] As shown in FIG.
11, the mortar stopper 26 may further comprise a plurality of
grooves 38. These grooves 38 may be externally exposed on the
longitudinally extending surface 28 such that the inserting portion
32, the mortar collecting portion 34, or projections 40 of the
mortar stopper 26, or any combination thereof, comprise a grooved
surface. The grooves 38 aid in the adhesion of the mortar stopper
26 to the wall 12 with the insertion of the inserting portion 32
into the mortar space 18. More particularly, the grooves 38 provide
a greater surface area to the inserting portion 32 such that a
greater amount of mortar 20 may cure about the inserting portion 32
when inserted into the mortar spaces 18. The grooves 38 also aid in
the passing of moisture past the mortar collecting portion 34.
Generally, the grooves 38 are parallel with each other and with the
wall 12. This parallel orientation of the grooves 38 serves to
channel moisture away from the wall 12. More particularly, the
grooves 38 may channel moisture over peripheral ends of the mortar
collecting portion 34 or to apertures 36 in the mortar collecting
portion 34 such that the moisture may pass there-through, or both.
Further, the grooves 38 generally strengthen the profile of the
mortar stopper 26 such that mortar stopper 26 may bear the weight
of a greater amount of mortar 20 collected on the mortar collecting
portion 34.
[0033] Referring FIG. 12, another embodiment of the present
application relates to a system 44 for collecting falling mortar 20
wherein the system 44 generally comprises a cinder block wall and
one or more mortar stoppers 46. The cinder block wall generally
comprises a plurality of cinder blocks 54 and a plurality of mortar
spaces between the cinder blocks 54 forming the wall. Each of the
cinder blocks 54 comprise a top side 56, a bottom side, and an
interior portion 58. This interior portion 58 generally comprises
one or more openings through the top 56 and bottom sides of the
cinder block 54. Mortar 20 generally is placed on mortar spaces
around these openings on the top side 56 of each cinder block
54.
[0034] Generally, the mortar stopper 46, shown in FIG. 12, is
installed on the top side 56 of a cinder block 54 such that the
mortar stopper 46 is positioned in the mortar space between cinder
blocks 54. The mortar stopper 46 positioned in the mortar spaces
between the cinder blocks 54 may collect mortar 20 as it falls
within the interior portions 58 of the cinder blocks 54 forming the
wall. The mortar stopper may adhere to the top side 56 of the wall
as the mortar 20 in the mortar spaces cures, thereby anchoring the
mortar stopper 46 in its position. This mortar stopper 46 generally
comprises a substantially planar surface 48. The substantially
planar surface 48 may comprise a plurality of apertures 52 and one
or more vertically oriented spacing ribs 50. These spacing ribs 50
may define a height of the mortar spaces, wherein the height of the
mortar spaces generally defines the amount of mortar 20 placed in
the mortar spaces. Thus, the spacing ribs 50 may serve as a guide
to a builder of a cinder block wall in standardizing an amount of
mortar 20 to be placed in the mortar spaces. Further, these spacing
ribs 50 may further anchor the mortar stopper 46 in the mortar 20
in the mortar spaces. In addition, the spacing ribs 50 may extend
from the substantially planar surface 48 a sufficient amount to
provide a substantial amount of structural rigidity to the mortar
stopper 46 sufficient for the mortar stopper 46 to support the
falling mortar 20 collected by the mortar stopper 46 without
substantial deformation to the planar surface 48.
[0035] Another embodiment of the present application relates to a
method generally comprising providing a system 10 for collecting
falling mortar 20. This system generally comprises a masonry wall
12 and one or more mortar stoppers 26. The wall 12 may comprise a
front side 14, a backside 16, and a plurality of mortar spaces 18
between components forming the wall 12. The mortar stopper 26
generally comprises a longitudinally extending surface 28 that may
comprise an indicator 30 defining an inserting portion 32 and a
mortar collecting portion 34 of the mortar stopper 26. These
inserting and mortar collecting portions 32, 34 generally are
integral to the mortar stopper 26. The indicator 30 generally is
positioned along the longitudinally extending surface 28 such that
the indicator indicates an appropriate length of insertion of the
inserting portion 32 into the wall 12 sufficient for the mortar
stopper 26 to support the mortar collecting portion 34 and the
falling mortar 20 collected by the mortar collecting portion 34.
The method generally further comprises inserting the inserting
portion 32 into the mortar spaces 18 along the backside 16 of the
wall 12 and collecting with the mortar collecting portion 34 that
extends from the backside 16 of the wall 12 the mortar 20 as the
mortar 20 falls from the mortar spaces 18. The method may further
comprise draining moisture from the backside 16 of the wall 12 and
the mortar stoppers 26 to a ground surface 24 that is substantially
free of mortar 20.
[0036] It is noted that terms like "generally" and "exemplary," are
not utilized herein to limit the scope of the claimed invention or
to imply that certain features are critical, essential, or even
important to the structure or function of the claimed invention.
Rather, these terms are merely intended to highlight features that
may or may not be utilized in a particular embodiment of the
present application.
[0037] For the purposes of describing and defining the present
application it is noted that the term "substantially" is utilized
herein to represent the inherent degree of uncertainty that may be
attributed to any quantitative comparison, value, measurement, or
other representation. The term "substantially" is also utilized
herein to represent the degree by which a quantitative
representation may vary from a stated reference without resulting
in a change in the basic function of the subject matter at
issue.
[0038] Having described embodiments of the application in detail,
it will be apparent that modifications and variations are possible
without departing from the scope of the embodiments of the
application defined in the appended claims.
* * * * *