Abstract: A simple, economical, chalk line hook device is disclosed for marking straight lines, or lines at an angle, comprising a single unit having a front and back side, a top and bottom side wherein the top side has a gripping region which includes at least one, preferably two, gripping fangs for helping to secure the hook device to a straight edge or a corner of a surface to be marked. The hook device can be used by a single individual for marking surfaces of interest and the string can be pulled in multiple angles to provide clearly visible and precision lines for further use by contractors. The hook device is uniquely designed to contain a non-pointed notched region within the top gripping portion of the device, so that the chalk line is wrapped over the front side of the hook device, over the notch, and pulled downward against the back side of the hook device toward the lower hole of the hook device.

Abstract: A mason line fastener includes first and second adjacent outer edges forming a first corner having an outer angle. A first inner surface and second inner surface intersect to form an inner angle. The inner angle is offset from the first outer angle. The first inner surface includes a groove that extends along at least a portion of its length and through the second inner surface and through the second outer edge. A mason line may be wound around a portion of the mason line fastener and threaded through the groove and held taut when placed in connection with a block.

Abstract: A roofing alignment assembly includes a building has a roof. The roof has a top surface, an eave edge, a first gable edge and a second gable edge. A pair of jigs is provided and each of the jigs is removably coupled to the top surface of the roof. Each of the jigs is aligned with a respective one of the first and second gable edges. Moreover, each of the jigs has a front side and the front side on each of the jigs is spaced a measured distance from the eave edge when the jigs are positioned on the roof. A string is stretched between the front side of each of the jigs when the jigs are positioned on the roof. Thus, the string is oriented collinear with the eave edge of the roof and the string is spaced the measured distance from the roof. In this way the string defines a straight edge for aligning roofing material that is being installed on the roof.

Abstract: An a masonry corner jig includes a main elongate body including first and second portions extending from a midpoint, the main elongate body forming a plurality of apertures extending a length of the main elongate body at the midpoint; first and second legs; first and second L-shaped plates each defining a central leg bracket; an adjustable grade stake; a metal plate defining a base; first and second legs each including a leg hinge, a leg rod, an adjusting rod, the adjusting rod forming hole through the center of the adjusting rod, an adjusting pin that is sized and configured for engaged passage through the hole of the adjusting rod, a cylinder defining an ankle rod, and a foot plate that is sized and configured for attachment to the first end of the ankle rod.

Abstract: A bricklaying assistive device for positioning bricks in a straight and level manner with a dead man pole is provided. The bricklaying assistive device comprises a brick leveler arm and a gripping area formed in the brick leveler arm. The gripping area is sized and shaped for receiving at least a portion of the dead man pole. A securing mechanism releasably secures the dead man pole within the gripping area. Upon securing the dead man pole within the gripping area, bricks are positionable against the brick leveler arm allowing positioning of the bricks in a straight and level manner.

Abstract: A device for constructing plumb brick columns includes: (a) a base suspension portion including: a base, a base pole, and a substantially L-shaped swing arm movably attached to the base pole; (b) a hanger mechanism, including a hanger rod attached to a center of the upper template, and to a hanger clamp that is affixable around the swing arm; and (c) a suspended template portion including: (1) an upper template; (2) a same-sized, removable lower template below the upper template; and (3) vertical guide lines, each extending between a corner of the upper template and a corresponding corner of the lower template, each corner of the lower template including a line attachment device attachable to a corresponding attachment device on a lower end of each guide line. This simplified abstract is not intended to limit, and should not be interpreted as limiting, the scope of the claims.

Abstract: A guide tool for use in laying concrete block to form a wall includes a body sized and configured to slidably attach removably to a door frame such as to secure one end of a mason's line at a desired elevation and with a selected offset relative to the door frame. As so secured by the guide tool, the mason's line provides a true positional reference for laying of concrete block both with respect to the intended line of the wall in plan view, and with respect to the desired horizontal line of courses of block which are to form the wall.

Abstract: A Masonry Line Stabilizing Apparatus for use with CMU's and Bricks incorporates an elongate piece of metal with biasing faces, which secure a string line longitudinally through a string stabilizing lip.

Abstract: A string line tool having a string line reel and a uniquely shaped string line block integral with the string line reel. The string line tool is especially adapted to work on various construction tasks or jobs that require the use of a pair of pegs or rods stuck in the ground and spaced from each other at a predetermined distance. The uniquely shaped string line block has a semi-cylindrical inner surface and the string line reel has a string with a metal ring attached to a free end of the string. A main advantage in using this string line tool is that it is self supporting.

Abstract: A line block having a body; a first leg extending substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the body; a first leg quoin line groove extending from a front surface of the first leg; a first leg wall line groove extending from a bottom surface of the first leg; a second leg spaced apart from the first leg, wherein the second leg extends substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the body, wherein a corner pole receiving groove is defined between at least a portion of the body, the first leg, and the second leg; a second leg quoin line groove extending from a front surface of the body and a front surface of the second leg, along a portion of an inner wall surface of the second leg; and a second leg wall line groove extending from a right side surface of the second leg.

Abstract: The present invention is an apparatus and method for guiding the placement of bricks in a wall or facade in which the bricks are placed in a plurality of parallel planes offset by one or more predetermined distances. The apparatus comprises first and second members joined by a pivot or hinge mechanism that allows them to move relative to one another. The first member serves to hold the apparatus to a plumbed post located at the base of the wall or facade to be built and provides a stop for placement of the first brick in a course. The second member comprises a line support, a stop, and a protrusion for moving second member relative to the first member. When the apparatus is held to the post and attached to a line, moving the protrusion of the second member moves the attached line to a preset distance from the post. The use of the apparatus at both ends of a wall building site facilitates the rapid, aligned placement of bricks in a plurality of parallel planes.

Abstract: A string line tool having a string line support and an integral line block for using a string line under tension in alignment work for carpentry, masonry and general construction work. The string line tool of this invention is self supporting due to maintaining the string line under tension between the string line tool at one end of a string line and a fastening means at the opposite end of the string line via the intermediary of a grooved line block.

Abstract: A masonry line block is adapted for use in combination with a vertical corner pole during construction of a structure. The structure has an exterior surface and at least one surface projecting from the exterior surface. The line block engages the corner pole at one end of the structure and cooperates with a line holder located at an opposite end of the structure to carry a tensioned guide line therebetween. The guide line indicates proper placement and alignment of building units used to form the structure. The line block includes a mounting member having first and second, opposing pole-engaging shoulders. The shoulders are adapted for selectively engaging the corner pole to hold the line block in one of first and second alignment positions relative to the structure. An alignment member is formed with the mounting member and extends perpendicularly outwardly from the pole-engaging shoulders.

Abstract: An apparatus (11) for aligning and positioning a mason's string (13) is provided which comprises a pair of line blocks (11). A housing (15) for the line blocks (11) is provided containing a spring-loaded (29) reel assembly (25) around which the string (13) is coiled. The reel assemblies (25) of each line blocks (11) cooperate with each other to tension the string (13) and hold the line block (11) in place on the workpiece (21) upon which the device (11) is attached. In an alternative embodiment, a weight (43) is placed on or about the housing (15) to assist in attaching the apparatus (11) to the workpiece (21).

Abstract: A device for construction includes a first member for retaining the first member in a predetermined position with respect to a first construction element, a second member for retaining the second member in a predetermined position with respect to a second construction element, and an elastic member interconnecting the first member and the second member such that the elastic member provides a line of measurement by which additional construction elements may be aligned for the purpose of construction and a method of construction employing the same.

Abstract: A line block masonry alignment system comprising at least two rigid and generally U-shaped line blocks, each line block having a short leg, a long leg, and a cross-leg therebetween and with the line block defining a holding space for receipt of a door buck, each leg having a generally rectangular cross-section, the cross leg having a length equal to that of the long leg, the cross leg further having a longitudinal groove formed along its peripheral extent at a location remote from the holding space and with the groove projected through both the long leg and short leg, the short leg having an axial bore formed therethrough with the bore in communication with the groove and with the groove and bore of each line block adapted to hold and retain an end of a plumb line therein for facilitating the construction of a level course of masonry.

Abstract: A unique brick alignment clip is disclosed comprising a top face, and front and rear faces positioned on faces of a brick. A line extends between adjacent clips to align a plurality of bricks. In one aspect of the present invention the front of the clip has irregular toothed surfaces which are drawn into the laterally outward face of the brick to secure the clip on the brick. Further, a thumb screw in the rear face also helps secure the clip on the brick. In another feature of the present invention the line extends through a central slot in the front face and around front and rear ears to secure the line to the clip. The ears are speced laterally from a central axis of the clip, while the center slot is aligned with the central axis. The line extends rearwardly from the center slot and around the ears, such that the direction of the application of force from the line to the clip is predictable.

Abstract: A pair of flat plates with two rectangular sides provide corner pieces which fit over the top edges of bricks at opposite ends of a structure. Each plate includes a raised tab and extending finger which receive a line or string to be held taut between the two end pieces. The string serves as a linear guide for laying bricks in a straight line between the two ends. The device provides a simplified tool which saves time and effort in achieving the desired linear brick construction.

Abstract: A masonry clip used to align successive courses of bricks when laying an internal wall comprising an extension attached to form a right angle to a retainer leg with a slot cut into the extension to permit the visual alignment of the clip tied to a guide line on predetermined marks on expendable furring strips set in place behind the wall being laid.

Abstract: A chalking string retainer for holding one end of a chalking string at the edge or corner of a surface to be marked with the string. The retainer comprises a plate with a bracket shaped in the form of a V depending from the plate. There is a first hole near the apex of the V through which the string passes and at which the string is knotted and there is a second hole on said plate through which the string also passes for pulling.

Abstract: A plumb guide for facilitating the laying of end bricks or other masonry units of a tier successively in true vertical alignment without the use of spirit levels and the like. The guide is adapted to be removably attached at selectable points on the usual bricklayer's gage line. A flat surface of the guide is disposed perpendicularly to the gage line, serving as a reference for the placement of end units in successive layers about windows, fireplaces and the like.