Patent ID: 6370837
Filing Date: 2002-04-16
Classification: E04G,Y10S,Y10T

Abstract:
A system for laying masonry blocks in multiple-block unite, for masonry blocks each having two opposing sides, two opposing ends, a top, a bottom and at least one inner cavity extending into the block from an aperture in the top surface, and for masonry blocks positioned upon entry to said system such that each block has at least one end which is adjacent to the end of at least one other block and such that the blocks are positioned at predetermined intervals so as to create a gap between at least a portion of each adjacent block end, said block-laying system comprising:a mortar injection device for injecting mortar into the gap between at least a portion of each pair of adjacent blocks, thereby forming a mortar joint therebetween and, in turn, an integral row of blocks and a multiple block unit; a block hoist apparatus for raising and lowering blocks formed into a_multiple-block unit, the block hoist apparatus configured to clamp blocks arranged in a multiple block unit through the inner cavity of at least one of the blocks such that the block hoist apparatus maintain blocks formed into a multiple block unit in alignment; a mortar laying apparatus for selectively dispensing mortar onto the top surface of blocks which have been formed into a multiple-block unit, while substantially limiting mortar application into the inner cavity of the blocks through the block apertures.