A method for assembling a brick pattern for forming a precast brick panel. The method includes conveying bricks in a row to a spacing station, spacing the bricks apart in a row at the spacing station according to a predetermined row pattern and to a predetermined row length by allowing the spacing between adjacent bricks to vary if required. The method then involves transferring the row of spaced bricks onto a generally planar support surface of a brick pattern assembly station. By this method, a plurality of rows of spaced bricks are assembled adjacent each other on the support surface of the brick pattern assembly station to form a brick pattern.

A method for assembling a brick pattern for forming a precast brick panel. The method includes conveying bricks in a row to a spacing station, spacing the bricks apart in a row at the spacing station according to a predetermined row pattern and to a predetermined row length by allowing the spacing between adjacent bricks to vary if required. The method then involves transferring the row of spaced bricks onto a generally planar support surface of a brick pattern assembly station. By this method, a plurality of rows of spaced bricks are assembled adjacent each other on the support surface of the brick pattern assembly station to form a brick pattern.

A Mortar Delivery System is described. The Mortar Delivery System provides precise control of the delivery and application of mortar in addition to the mixing and tempering of mortar. Such control eliminates the use of a hand trowel in brick, block and stone laying applications. Sensing and control are integrated with the Mortar Delivery System to make it an important element of a robotic brick laying system. The Mortar Delivery System contains sensors to measure mortar viscosity and workability, mortar flow rate, and mortar nozzle pressure. The data from the Mortar Delivery System sensors can be used to change the rotational speed of the shear blades, change the amount of water being used for mixing or tempering, and change the delivery speed of the mortar. Such changes result in precise control of mortar that is in turn suitable for automated or semi-automated building processes.

A method for continuously extruding and depositing an unbroken layer of a slurry or mortar onto a selected work surface uses a mortar gun assembly with a chamber for receiving mortar from a remote supply hopper and an extruder configured to selectively apply a bead or ribbon of mortar of selected thickness onto the work surface. The user selectively applies mortar by controlling a rotating port valve between the hopper and the mortar gun chamber, and the rotating port valve provides a rest state in which the mortar is not sent to the mortar gun, but is instead re-circulated by the pump back to the hopper so un-dispensed mortar is kept moving and cannot dry or set.

A method for continuously extruding and depositing an unbroken layer of a slurry or mortar onto a selected work surface uses a mortar gun assembly with a chamber for receiving mortar from a remote supply hopper and an extruder configured to selectively apply a bead or ribbon of mortar of selected thickness onto the work surface. The user selectively applies mortar by controlling a rotating port valve between the hopper and the mortar gun chamber, and the rotating port valve provides a rest state in which the mortar is not sent to the mortar gun, but is instead re-circulated by the pump back to the hopper so un-dispensed mortar is kept moving and cannot dry or set.

The present invention is directed generally to tools that are made, at least in part, more durable, particularly one or more working surface(s) of the tools. For example, various tools such as trowels, knives, and scrapers may be made having at least a portion of their blades heat treated to make at least their working edges more durable and extend their useful lives. For example, in various embodiments, a putty knife, taping knife, or scraper blade may have at least one working surface or edge that has been at heat treated while an area of the blade where a handle is permanently attached is not heat treated.

The present invention is directed generally to tools that are made, at least in part, more durable, particularly one or more working surface(s) of the tools. For example, various tools such as trowels, knives, and scrapers may be made having at least a portion of their blades heat treated to make at least their working edges more durable and extend their useful lives. For example, in various embodiments, a putty knife, taping knife, or scraper blade may have at least one working surface or edge that has been at heat treated while an area of the blade where a handle is permanently attached is not heat treated.

A pan holder includes a base plate, a handle, and a wrist support. The base plate has an interior surface and an exterior surface. The handle includes a first arc-shaped wall mounted to the exterior surface of the base plate. The first arc-shaped wall is sized to fit and rest within a palm of a hand when the pan holder is used. The wrist support includes a second arc-shaped wall mounted to the exterior surface to extend perpendicularly from the exterior surface. A minimum distance between the first arc-shaped wall and the second arc-shaped wall is selected to accommodate a thumb-wrist portion of the hand. The second arc-shaped wall is curved when projected into a first plane defined by the exterior surface. The second arc-shaped wall is concave relative to a second plane that extends through a lengthwise center of the handle and is perpendicular to the first plane.

A tile installation assembly includes a cart that may be rolled along a support surface. A plurality of gripping units is provided and each of the gripping units is coupled to the cart. The plurality of gripping units is arranged into a plurality of columns and rows on the cart. Each of the gripping units is selectively manipulated into a gripping position to releasably grip an associated one of a plurality of tiles. Moreover, the gripping units position the tiles above the support surface. Each of the gripping units is selectively manipulated into a releasing position to place the tiles on the support surface in the corresponding columns and rows. A pumping unit is coupled to the cart and the pumping unit contains a fluid mortar. The pumping unit selectively dispenses the fluid mortar onto the support surface thereby facilitating the tiles to be selectively lowered onto the fluid mortar.

A tile installation assembly includes a cart that may be rolled along a support surface. A plurality of gripping units is provided and each of the gripping units is coupled to the cart. The plurality of gripping units is arranged into a plurality of columns and rows on the cart. Each of the gripping units is selectively manipulated into a gripping position to releasably grip an associated one of a plurality of tiles. Moreover, the gripping units position the tiles above the support surface. Each of the gripping units is selectively manipulated into a releasing position to place the tiles on the support surface in the corresponding columns and rows. A pumping unit is coupled to the cart and the pumping unit contains a fluid mortar. The pumping unit selectively dispenses the fluid mortar onto the support surface thereby facilitating the tiles to be selectively lowered onto the fluid mortar.