Abstract:
A block wall system including a block wall having a multiplicity of courses of blocks; at least one longitudinal reinforcement bar that extends through the block wall; and at least one bracket for locating the longitudinal reinforcement bar; wherein the longitudinal reinforcement bar passes through the void of at least one block in the block wall and through a capture zone of the bracket located within the block wall.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    This invention relates to a block wall system. In particular the invention relates to a block wall system for quickly and easily positioning reinforcement bars in a block wall. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    Concrete blocks are a very popular way in which to build walls of buildings and houses. Concrete blocks are typically formed with hollow cores or voids. Concrete block walls are cost-effective and relatively easy to build. 
         [0003]    In order to build a concrete block wall, blocks are laid in a number of courses. During the construction of the various courses of blocks, horizontal reinforcement bars are placed along predetermined courses of blocks within the block wall. The horizontal bars require positioning in accordance with the structural requirements of the wall being constructed. Once all of the blocks are laid within the block wall, vertical reinforcement bars are then placed through the block wall. Again, the vertical bars require positioning in accordance with the structural requirements of the wall being constructed. Concrete is then poured into the voids within the block to complete construction of the block wall. 
         [0004]    The position of the reinforcement bars within the block wall are dependent upon the structural requirements of the block wall. For example, where there is a side loading on a block wall, the vertical reinforcement bars are generally located non-centrally in the block wall and must be positioned to ensure grout cover is in compliance with industry standard. Similarly, under normal vertical load conditions, the reinforcement bar is located centrally in the block wall. 
         [0005]    It is relatively easy to locate the horizontal reinforcement bars in a desired location. This is due mainly to the horizontal reinforcement bars being able to be viewed when they are being laid. However, in order to ensure the vertical reinforcement bars are subsequently located correctly, the horizontal reinforcement bars do require correct location within the recess provided in the top surface of the blocks. Further, there are brackets such as those described in International Patent Application No. PCT/AU2005/001455 which assist in alignment of the horizontal reinforcement bars. However, it is substantially more difficult to correctly align the vertical reinforcement bars in block walls. 
         [0006]    The most widely used conventional method in aligning the vertical reinforcement bars has been to leave holes out of the bottom course of blocks so that the vertical reinforcement bars can be manually aligned. Hence, when the vertical reinforcement bar is lowered through the voids in the blocks of the block wall, the vertical bar can be tied in a desired position at the top and the bottom of the block wall. 
         [0007]    The problem with this method of aligning the reinforcement bar is that it relies upon a person measuring the distance of the bar from the side wall for each of the vertical bars. This is very time consuming. Further, it also relies upon a person tying the bar which again adds a considerable amount of time in alignment of the vertical bars. It is also a requirement of masonry wall construction that the vertical bars are positioned adjacent to the previously positioned horizontal bars to create a mesh of reinforcement to provide structural strength of the completed wall. It follows then, that if the horizontal reinforcing bars have been incorrectly positioned, then the vertical reinforcing bars will be incorrectly positioned when tied to the horizontal reinforcing bars. Finally, once the vertical bars are properly aligned, the lower course of bricks must be patched for aesthetic purposes and also to prevent concrete from running out of the block wall when the voids of the block wall are filled with concrete. 
       OBJECT OF THE INVENTION 
       [0008]    It is an object of the invention to overcome and/or alleviate one or more of the above disadvantages or provide the consumer with a useful or commercial choice. 
         [0009]    It is a preferred object of the invention to provide a more structurally sound block wall by correctly locating the reinforcing bars within the wall. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0010]    In one form, the invention resides in a bracket for locating a longitudinal reinforcement bar within a block wall, the bracket comprising: 
         [0011]    a capture zone to capture a reinforcement bar placed longitudinally through a void of a block wall; and 
         [0012]    a locator for locating said capture zone in a predetermined position with the void of the block wall. 
         [0013]    The longitudinally positioned reinforcement bar typically is a substantially vertical reinforcement bar. 
         [0014]    The locator may include a plurality of locating fingers for location within a void of the block wall. The locator may also include a plurality of support members to support the bracket on top of a block of a block wall. 
         [0015]    The capture zone may be formed from an enclosed or partially enclosed aperture. 
         [0016]    The bracket may also include a saddle for a laterally positioned reinforcement bar. The laterally positioned reinforcement bar typically is a substantially horizontal reinforcement bar. 
         [0017]    The saddle may include one or more apertures for location of the horizontal reinforcement bar. 
         [0018]    The bracket may also include an alignment indicator for indicating the position of the bracket within a block wall. 
         [0019]    In another form, the invention resides in a block wall system including a block wall having: 
         [0020]    a multiplicity of courses of blocks; 
         [0021]    at least one longitudinally reinforcement bar that extends through the block wall; and 
         [0022]    at least one bracket for locating the longitudinal reinforcement bar; 
         [0023]    wherein the longitudinal reinforcement bar passes through the void of at least one block in the block wall and through the capture zone of the bracket located within the block wall, 
         [0024]    In yet another form, the invention resides in a method of forming a block wall, the method including the steps of: 
         [0025]    laying a first course of blocks; 
         [0026]    locating the bracket within one of the blocks of the first course of blocks; 
         [0027]    placing a second course of blocks on top of the first set of blocks; and 
         [0028]    locating a longitudinal reinforcement bar through the voids in the first and second course of blocks so that the reinforcement bar passes through a capture zone in the bracket. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0029]    Embodiments of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: 
           [0030]      FIG. 1A  is a perspective view of a bracket for the placement of reinforcement bars in a block wall according to a first embodiment of the invention; 
           [0031]      FIG. 1B  is a top view of a bracket for the placement of reinforcement bars in a block wall according to  FIG. 1A ; 
           [0032]      FIG. 1C  is a side sectional view of a bracket for the placement of reinforcement bars in a block wall according  FIG. 1A ; 
           [0033]      FIG. 2A  is a perspective view of a bracket for the placement of reinforcement bars in a block wall according to a second embodiment of the invention; 
           [0034]      FIG. 2B  is a top view of a bracket for the placement of reinforcement bars in a block wall according to  FIG. 2A . 
           [0035]      FIG. 2C  is a side sectional view of a bracket for the placement of reinforcement bars in a block wall according to according to  FIG. 2A . 
           [0036]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the bracket of  FIG. 2A  located within a block; 
           [0037]      FIG. 4A  is schematic view of a partially completed block wall having a single horizontal reinforcement bars; 
           [0038]      FIG. 4B  is schematic view of a further partially completed block wall with several horizontal reinforcement bars; 
           [0039]      FIG. 4C  is schematic view of a partially completed block wall with all horizontal reinforcement bars; 
           [0040]      FIG. 4D  is schematic view of a partially completed block wall with all horizontal reinforcement bars and several vertical reinforcement bars; and 
           [0041]      FIG. 4E  is schematic view of a completed block wall with all horizontal reinforcement bars and all vertical reinforcement bars. 
           [0042]      FIG. 5A  is a perspective view of a bracket for the placement of reinforcement bars in a block wall according to a third embodiment of the invention. 
           [0043]      FIG. 5B  is a top view of a bracket for the placement of reinforcement bars in a block wall according to  FIG. 5A ; 
           [0044]      FIG. 5C  is a side view of a bracket for the placement of reinforcement bars in a block wall according  FIG. 5A . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0045]      FIGS. 1A to 1C  show a bracket  10  for positioning reinforcement bars in a block wall. The bracket  10  is able to be used in order to position both vertical reinforcement bars  11  and horizontal reinforcement bars  12 . The bracket  10  is typically made from injection mould plastic and accordingly is integrally formed. 
         [0046]    The bracket  10  has a saddle  20  that includes a face plate  21  having two saddle apertures  22  located within the face plate  21 . Two cross members  23  extend outwardly from the face plate  21  adjacent respective top corners of the face plate  21 . Two support members  24  extend outwardly from each end of the top cross members  23 . Two locating fingers  25  extend downwardly and outwardly from each top cross member  23 . The support members  24  and the locating fingers  25  form a locator to locate the bracket  10  in a void of a block. 
         [0047]    Two bottom cross members  28  extend outwardly from respective bottom corners of the face plate  21 . A side rail  29  joins each top cross member  23  and bottom cross member  28 . Further a side rib  30  extends between respective top cross members  23  and bottom cross members  28 . There may be one or more side ribs  30  at the ends of bracket  10 . A front rail  31  extends across the front of the bracket  10  and extends between the side rails  29 . Front rail  31  may also include a top profile to further support the horizontal reinforcement bars  12 . Cross rails  32  extend outwardly from the face plate  21  to the front rail  31 . Two locating flaps  33  are hinged to respective cross rails. A capture zone in the form of a capture aperture  34  is located between the locating flaps  33 . 
         [0048]      FIGS. 2A to 2C  show a variation on the bracket shown in  FIGS. 1A ,  1 B and  1 C. Like reference numerals have been used to describe like features in this embodiment. 
         [0049]    The bracket  10  shown in  FIGS. 2A to 2C  is for use in a block wall that has a side loading. The bracket  10  is able to be used in order to position both vertical reinforcement bars  11  at the required distance adjacent to the outside of the block and horizontal reinforcement bars  12 . Accordingly, there is only a single locating flap  33  hinged to a cross rail  32  and the capture aperture  34  is located between the locating flap  33  and the bottom cross member  28 . Further, the face plate  21  has only a single saddle aperture  22 . A frangible tab  35  is located within the face plate  21  so that a larger horizontal reinforcement bar  11  may be located within an enlarged saddle aperture  22  or alternatively so that two horizontal reinforcement bars  11  may be located within an enlarged aperture  22  such as when horizontal bars are overlapped when joining of two horizontal bars is required. 
         [0050]      FIG. 3  shows a perspective view of the bracket  10  shown in  FIGS. 2A to 2C  located within a concrete block  13 . The bracket  10  is located within a void  14  of the concrete block  13  such that the two locating fingers  25  engage with an inner wall  15  of the concrete block  13 . The locating fingers  25  laterally locate the bracket  10  in the desired location within the void of the concrete block. The bracket  10  is pushed into the void until the two support members  24  contact an upper surface  16  of the concrete block  13 . This ensures that the bracket  10  is inserted to a predetermined depth within the void  14  of the concrete block  13  and provides support for bracket  10  when horizontal reinforcement bars  11  are located in the saddle apertures  34 . 
         [0051]    The bracket  10  is used to locate both horizontal reinforcement bars  11  and vertical reinforcement bars  12  as shown in  FIG. 3 .  FIGS. 4A to 4E  show the method of building a concrete block wall  40  using the brackets  10 . In use, a number of courses of concrete blocks  13  are built on a concrete footing  41 . Brackets  10  are inserted into voids of blocks  13  typically on the second course. The support members  24  and the locating fingers  25  ensure that the saddle apertures  34  located within the face plate  21  are in horizontal alignment. A horizontal reinforcement bar  11  is then located into the saddle apertures  34  as shown in  FIG. 4A . This process is repeated at regular intervals, as shown in  FIG. 4B , until all of the horizontal reinforcement bars  11  are located within a block wall of a desired height as shown in  FIG. 4C . 
         [0052]    Once the horizontal reinforcement bars  11  are located within the block wall  40  of a desired height, vertical reinforcement bars  12  are required to be inserted into the block wall  40 . This is achieved by inserting the vertical reinforcement bar  12  through the capture apertures  34  in the each bracket  10 . The capture apertures  34  provide a specified area which restrains the movement of the vertical reinforcement bar  11  to the specified area. The position of the capture aperture  34  will vary between brackets  10  depending on the desired use of the bracket  10 . For example, the capture aperture in  FIG. 1A  is used for block walls under vertical loading conditions whilst in  FIG. 2B  the capture aperture  34  is used in walls with side loading conditions. 
         [0053]    During construction of the block wall  40 , a vertical reinforcement bar  12  is inserted through the capture apertures  34  of the brackets  10  that are in vertical alignment. The locating flaps  33  on each bracket  10  ensure that the vertical reinforcement bar  12  is positioned correctly within the capture apertures  34  for varying diameters of reinforcement bars. This process is repeated for each of the vertically aligned brackets  10  where vertical reinforcement bars  32  are required. Once all the vertical reinforcement bars  12  have been positioned within the block wall, concrete is used to fill the block wall. 
         [0054]    To assist in the placement of vertical reinforcement bars  32  brackets  10  may be produced in a bright colour to increase their visibility when looking down the block voids. 
         [0055]      FIGS. 5A to 5C  show a variation on the bracket shown in  FIGS. 1A ,  1 B and  1 C. Like reference numerals have been used to describe like features in this embodiment. In this embodiment, the bracket  10  includes an alignment member  26  that extends outwardly from each top cross member  23  and is located between respective support members  24 . A removable nib  27  is located at the end of each alignment member  26 . 
         [0056]    When placing the brackets  10  shown in  FIGS. 5A to 5C  in the block wall  40 , the removable nib  27  of the alignment member  26  is visible in a block wall as the removable nib  27  protrudes between the blocks of the block wall. Accordingly, where a vertical reinforcement bar  12  is required to be placed within a completed block wall, the brackets  10  are more easily vertically aligned using the removable nib  27  of the alignment member  26 . A trowel or other implement can then be used to run over the block wall to break the removable nibs  27  from the alignment member  26  if desired when the block wall has been completed. 
         [0057]    The bracket  10  provides an advantage as both horizontal and vertical reinforcement bars can be quickly and easily positioned within a block wall  40  with limited skill. Further, block walls can be produced without the need for blocks being removed in the lower course of blocks. This saves time and hence, costs. 
         [0058]    It should be appreciated that various other changes and modifications may be made to the embodiment described without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention.