Masonry spacer tool and method of using the same

Abstract

A masonry spacer tool that provides a specified separation between bricks mortared in a masonry construction. The masonry spacer tool includes at least two elongate forked prongs to support adjacent ends of a preceding brick and a subsequent brick in a masonry course. A handle end provides a suitable grip for extracting the spacing tool and has arms that provide support to the forked prongs to maintain their alignment during use.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A masonry spacer tool, comprising:
 an elongate forked member having a plurality of prongs disposed in a spaced apart relation at a first end of the elongate forked member, each of the plurality of prongs having a vertical height corresponding to a specified spacing for a mortar binding composition for setting a plurality of bricks; and   a handle disposed at a second end of the elongate forked member.   
     
     
         2 . The masonry spacer tool of  claim 1 , the handle further comprising:
 a base member and a pair of arms extending from the base member, the arms disposed at a width that is slightly greater than that of the elongate forked member.   
     
     
         3 . The masonry spacer tool of  claim 2 , wherein the arms overlap a terminal end of the plurality of prongs. 
     
     
         4 . The masonry spacer tool of  claim 3 , further comprising:
 a weld joining the arms to a lateral aspect of the plurality of prongs.   
     
     
         5 . The masonry spacer tool of  claim 1  wherein a first prong is disposed to support a first brick and a second prong is disposed to support a second brick, when the second brick is positioned adjacent to the first brick. 
     
     
         6 . The masonry spacer tool of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of prongs have a length corresponding a width a supported brick. 
     
     
         7 . The masonry spacer tool of claim,  6  wherein the length of the prongs is about 10 inches. 
     
     
         8 . The masonry spacer tool of  claim 1 , wherein the prongs have a narrow thickness to facilitate extraction of the prongs from the mortar. 
     
     
         9 . The masonry spacer tool of  claim 1 , wherein the prongs are formed of one of a metallic rod or a metallic plate. 
     
     
         10 . A method of laying bricks with a mortar bonding composition, comprising:
 laying a first course of bricks with the mortar bonding material;   placing a masonry spacer tool atop a subjacent brick in the first course of bricks, the masonry spacer tool comprising:
 an elongate forked member having a plurality of prongs disposed in a spaced apart relation at a first end of the elongate forked member, each of the plurality of prongs having a vertical height corresponding to a specified spacing for the mortar bonding composition; and 
 a handle disposed at a second end of the elongate forked member; 
   supporting an end of a first brick on a first prong of the masonry spacer tool.   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , further comprising:
 supporting a first end of a subsequent brick on a second prong of the masonry spacer tool.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising:
 placing a second masonry spacer tool atop the subjacent brick in the first course of bricks; and   supporting a second end of the subsequent brick on a first prong of the second masonry spacer tool.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising:
 applying the mortar binding composition between the each of the subjacent brick, the first brick, and the second brick.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , further comprising:
 pulling the handle of the masonry spacer tool when the mortar binding composition is at least partially cured.