Description:FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to a brick column construction assistive device that is able to construct a brick column according to user-specified dimensions and design, ensuring precision and adherence to the outlined specifications for optimal performance and aesthetics.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Bricks have been used for over a thousand years to construct walls and columns. However, even in the present day, brick columns are considered to be difficult to construct accurately, because of the need to ensure that courses of bricks are level along each side of a column. The accurate construction of columns is therefore generally regarded as being a task for skilled bricklayers. Indeed, even a skilled craftsman may have difficulty in constructing columns accurately. This is especially the case if a column is large and/or if there is pressure to complete the column quickly. Thus, a high level of craftsmanship is therefore needed in the accurate construction of brick columns and the cost might be high, because of the professional time involved. Hence, an equipment needs to be developed that aids the user to construct the brick column within minimal manual efforts and consumption of time.

[0003] Conventionally, some ways were used to assist people in constructing a brick column. People use to constructs brick column manually via using some handheld tools like hammers, level, trowels and jointer. As these tool assist people to carry out the construction of brick column within minimal manual efforts. However, these tools are limited to precision as well as there are high chances that human error might occurs while constructing brick column via such tools. So, people also use some machines for constructing a brick column. As these machines constructs the brick column within minimal consumption of time. But these machines need maintenance at a regular interval of time, also a skilled worker is required for operating such machines.

[0004] US8595947B2 discloses about an invention that includes a device for constructing plumb brick columns includes: a base suspension portion including: a base, a base brick column, and a substantially L-shaped swing arm movably attached to the base brick column; a hanger mechanism, including a hanger rod attached to a centre of the upper template, and to a hanger clamp that is affixable around the swing arm; and a suspended template portion including: an upper template; a same-sized, removable lower template below the upper template; and 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. Although US’947 relates to a device for laying plumb freestanding or supporting brick columns and other block columns. But the cited invention lacks in constructing a brick column as per the user-specified design.

[0005] GB2391897A discloses about an invention that includes a device for aiding the laying of bricks to form a multi sided construction such as a corner or column comprises a plurality of levels, e.g. spirit levels, and retaining means to retain the device in place on the construction so that the levels act, e.g. in conjunction with lines, to ensure that a course of bricks is laid level: the retaining means are releasable so that the device can be moved relative to the construction, e.g. it can be moved upward as succeeding courses are laid. Though GB’897 relates to a device for aiding in laying brick columns. But the cited invention lacks in performing rotation around outer periphery of the brick column in order to construct the brick column of specified dimension.

[0006] Conventionally, many devices have been developed that are capable of aiding a user in constructing a brick column. However, these devices are incapable of constructing a brick column as per the user-specified design. Additionally, these existing devices also lack in performing rotation around outer periphery of the brick column in order to construct the brick column of specified dimension.

[0007] In order to overcome the aforementioned drawbacks, there exists a need in the art to develop a device that is capable of assisting a user in constructing a brick column as per the user-specified design in an efficient manner, thereby carry out the operation within minimal manual efforts and chances of human error. In addition, the developed device also provides a means to rotate around outer periphery of the brick column in view of creating a boundary and facilitating the user to construct the brick column of specified dimension.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

[0008] The principal object of the present invention is to overcome the disadvantages of the prior art.

[0009] An object of the present invention is to develop a device that is capable of aiding a user in constructing a brick column as per the user-specified design in an efficient manner, thereby carry out the operation within minimal manual efforts and chances of human error.

[0010] Another object of the present invention is to develop a device that is capable of performing rotation around outer periphery of the brick column in view of creating a boundary and facilitating the user to construct the brick column of specified dimension.

[0011] Yet another object of the present invention is to develop a device that is reliable in nature.

[0012] The foregoing and other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become readily apparent upon further review of the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0013] The present invention relates to a brick column construction assistive device that constructs a brick column by molding it to the user’s precise dimensions and designs, thereby ensuring accuracy and alignment with the specified requirements.

[0014] According to an embodiment of the present invention, a brick column construction assistive device comprises of, a cuboidal frame configured with plurality of extendable plate and positioned over a ground surface around a brick column that is to be constructed, a touch interactive display panel installed over the frame to enable a user to provide input regarding a design and dimensions in accordance to which the pole is to be constructed, a motorized drawer arrangement integrated in each of the plates in order to regulate dimensions of the plates accordingly, an artificial intelligence based imaging unit installed over the frame to determine dimensions of the pole, and plurality of flaps configured with bottom portion of each of the plates, each by means of a motorized ball and socket joint to orient the flaps in a manner to align around outer periphery of the brick column in view of creating a boundary to enable the user to construct the brick column in accordance with the user-specified design.

[0015] According to another embodiment of the present invention, the proposed device further comprises of, plurality of motorized omni-directional wheels installed beneath the frame to provide rotation to the frame around the brick column in accordance with the user specified design, thereby enabling the user to construct the brick column in a convenient manner, a laser sensor is installed over the frame to monitor height of the brick column being constructed, a hydraulic rod installed between each of the wheel and frame to extend and regulate height of the frame in accordance with height of the brick column to aid the user in constructing the brick column, a proximity sensor is installed with each of the flap to monitor distance of the brick column from the flaps, and a battery is associated with the device for powering up electrical and electronically operated components associated with the device.

[0016] While the invention has been described and shown with particular reference to the preferred embodiment, it will be apparent that variations might be possible that would fall within the scope of the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with regard to the following description, appended claims, and accompanying drawings where:
Figure 1 illustrates an isometric view of a brick column construction assistive device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0018] The following description includes the preferred best mode of one embodiment of the present invention. It will be clear from this description of the invention that the invention is not limited to these illustrated embodiments but that the invention also includes a variety of modifications and embodiments thereto. Therefore, the present description should be seen as illustrative and not limiting. While the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative constructions, it should be understood, that there is no intention to limit the invention to the specific form disclosed, but, on the contrary, the invention is to cover all modifications, alternative constructions, and equivalents falling within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the claims.

[0019] In any embodiment described herein, the open-ended terms "comprising," "comprises,” and the like (which are synonymous with "including," "having” and "characterized by") may be replaced by the respective partially closed phrases "consisting essentially of," consists essentially of," and the like or the respective closed phrases "consisting of," "consists of, the like.

[0020] As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” designate both the singular and the plural, unless expressly stated to designate the singular only.

[0021] The present invention relates to a brick column construction assistive device that is capable of carrying out construction of a brick column by shaping it to exact user dimension and design, ensuring it meets with all specified criteria with precision.

[0022] Referring to Figure 1, an isometric view of a brick column construction assistive device, is illustrated, respectively, comprising a cuboidal frame 101 configured with plurality of extendable plate 102 and positioned over a ground surface around a brick column that is to be constructed, a touch interactive display panel 103 installed over the frame 101, an artificial intelligence based imaging unit 104 installed over the frame 101, plurality of flaps 105 configured with bottom portion of each of the plate 102, each by means of a motorized ball and socket joint 106, plurality of motorized omni-directional wheels 107 installed beneath the frame 101, a hydraulic rod 108 installed between each of the wheels 107 and frame 101.

[0023] A frame 101 used herein is a cuboidal shaped hollow frame 101 which is positioned over a ground surface around a brick column that is to be constructed, wherein the frame 101 encases various components associated with the device, and is made up of material that includes but not limited to plastic or metal that ensures that the device is of generous size and is light in weight. The frame 101 is configured with multiple extendable plate 102 preferably 4 to 8 in numbers.

[0024] A user manually switches on/off the device, by pressing a push button which is installed on the fame to activate the device in view of operating several components via an inbuilt microcontroller. The microcontroller, mentioned herein, is preferably an Arduino microcontroller. The Arduino microcontroller used herein controls the overall functionality of the components linked to it. The Arduino microcontroller is an open-source programming platform. The microcontroller receives the data from various electronic units and generates a command signal for further processing.

[0025] In order to allow the user to provide touch input commands regarding a design and dimensions in accordance to which the brick column is to be constructed, a touch interactive display panel 103 which is installed over the frame 101, is actuated by the microcontroller. The touch interactive display panel 103 as mentioned herein is typically an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) screen that presents output in a visible form. The screen is equipped with touch-sensitive technology, allowing the user to interact directly with the display using their fingers. A touch controller IC (Integrated Circuit) is responsible for processing the analog signals generated when the user inputs details regarding the design and dimensions according to which the brick column is to be constructed. A touch controller is typically connected to the microcontroller through various interfaces which may include but are not limited to SPI (Serial Peripheral Interface) or I2C (Inter-Integrated Circuit).

[0026] Based on user input dimensions a motorized drawer arrangement which is configured in each of the plate 102, is actuated by the microcontroller. The drawer arrangement consists of multiple plate 102 that are overlapped to each other with a sliding unit, wherein upon actuation of the drawer arrangement by the microcontroller, the motor in the sliding unit starts rotating a wheels 107 coupled via a shaft in clockwise/anticlockwise direction providing a movement to the slider in the drawer arrangement to extend and regulate dimensions of the plate 102 as per the design and dimensions of the brick column which is provided by the user during construction of the brick column.

[0027] The frame 101 is installed with an artificial intelligence-based imaging unit 104, the imaging unit 104 herein captures multiple images of brick column by rotating 360 degrees. The imaging unit 104 disclosed herein comprises of an image capturing arrangement including a set of lenses that captures multiple images of the brick column and the captured images are stored within memory of the imaging unit 104 in form of an optical data. The imaging unit 104 also comprises of the processor which processes the captured images. This pre-processing involves tasks such as noise reduction, image stabilization, or color correction. The processed data is fed into AI protocols for analysis which utilizes machine learning techniques, such as deep learning neural networks, to extract meaningful information from the visual data which are processed by the microcontroller to determine dimensions of the brick column.

[0028] Once the dimensions of the brick column are determined, the microcontroller directs plurality of flaps 105 preferably 4 to 6 in numbers that are configured underneath each of the plate 102. The flaps 105 are preferably constructed of materials which includes but not limited to steel, iron and hard plastic, as these materials provides strength or durability and flexibility to the device.

[0029] The flaps 105 mentioned above are arranged with the plate 102 via a motorized ball and socket joint 106. Prior actuation of the motorized ball and socket joint 106, the microcontroller actuates a proximity sensor which is installed with each of the flaps 105, in view of monitoring distance of the brick column from the flaps 105.

[0030] The proximity sensor that is disclosed above consist of an emitter and a receiver. The sensor emits infrared rays through an emitter, towards the brick column and receives the bounced back rays via receiver and convert the detected data into an electric signal that is sent to the microcontroller. The microcontroller processes the received signal from the proximity sensor in order to determine distance of the brick column from the flaps 105.

[0031] Based on the distance of the brick column from the flaps 105, the microcontroller directs the ball and socket joints. The motorized ball and socket joint 106 mentioned here consists of a ball-shaped element that fits into a socket, which provides rotational freedom in various directions. The ball is connected to a motor, typically a servo motor which provides the controlled movement. The flaps 105 are attached to the socket of the motorized ball and socket joint 106, the microcontroller sends precise instructions to the motor of the motorized ball and socket joint 106. The motor responds by adjusting the ball and socket joint and rotates the ball in the desired direction, and this motion is transferred to the socket that holds the flaps 105. As the ball and socket joint move, it orients the flaps 105 in a manner to align around outer periphery of the brick column in view of creating a boundary to enable the user to construct the brick column in accordance with the user-specified design.

[0032] Underneath of the frame 101 plurality of motorized omni-directional wheels 107 preferably 2 to 8 in numbers are installed, and gets actuated by the microcontroller to provide rotation to the frame 101 around the brick column. The omni-directional wheels 107 are a circular object that revolves on an axle to enable the frame 101 to move easily over the ground surface. For maneuvering the frame 101 each of the wheels 107 need to rotate and which is governed by a hub motor fit in the hub of each of the wheels 107. The hub motor is an electric motor that is integrated into the hub of the wheels 107. The hub motor is comprising a series of permanent magnets and electromagnetic coils. When the motor is activated, a magnetic field is set up in the coil and when the magnetic field of the coil interacts with the magnetic field of the permanent magnets, a magnetic torque is generated causing the stator of the motor to turn and that provides the rotation motion to the wheels 107 for maneuvering the frame 101 on the ground surface, in order to provide rotation to the frame 101 around the brick column in accordance with the user specified design, thereby enabling the user to construct the brick column in a convenient manner.

[0033] The frame 101 is installed with a laser sensor, which is synced with the imaging unit 104. The microcontroller herein generates a command and actuates the laser sensor in view of monitoring height of the brick column that is being constructed. The laser sensor on actuation takes the images which was captured by the imaging unit 104 for performing further required operation.

[0034] The laser sensor mentioned herein consists of an emitter, and a receiver. The sensor emits a light towards the surface of ground and when the laser beam hits the surface of the brick column, the beam reflects back towards the receiver of the sensor. Upon detection of reflected beam by the sensor, the sensor precisely measures the time taken for the laser beam to travel to and back from the surface of the brick column. The sensor then calculates the height of the brick column and the calculated level is then converted into electrical signal, in the form of current, and send to a microcontroller. The microcontroller analyzes the data and monitor height of the brick column being constructed.

[0035] Based on the monitored height of the brick column, the microcontroller generates a command and actuates a hydraulic rod 108 that is installed between each of the wheels 107 and frame 101. The hydraulic rod 108 is powered by a hydraulic unit consisting of a hydraulic cylinder, hydraulic compressor, hydraulic valve and piston that work in collaboration for providing the required extension/retraction to the rod 108. The microcontroller actuates the valve to allow passage of hydraulic fluid from the compressor within the cylinder, the hydraulic fluid further develops pressure against the piston and results in pushing and extending the piston. The piston is connected with the rod 108 and due to applied pressure, the rod 108 extends and similarly, the microcontroller retracts the rod 108 by closing the valve resulting in retraction of the piston. The microcontroller regulates the extension/retraction of the rod 108, in order to regulate height of the frame 101 in accordance with height of the brick column to aid the user in constructing the brick column.

[0036] Moreover, a battery is associated with the device for powering up electrical and electronically operated components associated with the device and supplying a voltage to the components. The battery used herein is preferably a Lithium-ion battery which is a rechargeable unit that demands power supply after getting drained. The battery stores the electric current derived from an external source in the form of chemical energy, which when required by the electronic component of the device, derives the required power from the battery for proper functioning of the device.

[0037] The present invention works in the best manner, where the cuboidal frame 101 positioned over the ground surface around the brick column that is to be constructed, wherein the frame 101 is configured with multiple extendable plate 102 In order to allow the user to provide touch input commands regarding a design and dimensions in accordance to which the brick column is to be constructed, the touch interactive display panel 103 which is installed over the frame 101, is actuated by the microcontroller. Based on user input dimensions the motorized drawer arrangement which is configured in each of the plate 102 is actuated by the microcontroller to extend and regulate dimensions of the plate 102 as per the design and dimensions of the brick column which is provided by the user during construction of the brick column. Thereafter the frame 101 is installed with the artificial intelligence-based imaging unit 104 which determine dimensions of the brick column. Once the dimensions of the brick column are determined, the microcontroller directs plurality of flaps 105 that are configured underneath each of the plate 102. The flaps 105 mentioned above are arranged with the plate 102 via the motorized ball and socket joint 106. Prior actuation of the motorized ball and socket joint 106, the microcontroller actuates the proximity sensor which is installed with each of the flaps 105, in view of monitoring distance of the brick column from the flaps 105. Based on the distance of the brick column from the flaps 105, the microcontroller directs the ball and socket joints in order to orient the flaps 105 in a manner to align around outer periphery of the brick column in view of creating a boundary to enable the user to construct the brick column in accordance with the user-specified design. Underneath of the frame 101 plurality of motorized omni-directional wheels 107 are installed, and gets actuated by the microcontroller to provide rotation to the frame 101 around the brick column in accordance with the user specified design, thereby enabling the user to construct the brick column in a convenient manner. Afterwards the laser sensor, which is synced with the imaging unit 104 monitors height of the brick column that is being constructed. Based on the monitored height of the brick column, the microcontroller generates a command and actuates the hydraulic rod 108 that is installed between each of the wheels 107 and frame 101 to extend in order to regulate height of the frame 101 in accordance with height of the brick column to aid the user in constructing the brick column.

[0038] Although the field of the invention has been described herein with limited reference to specific embodiments, this description is not meant to be construed in a limiting sense. Various modifications of the disclosed embodiments, as well as alternate embodiments of the invention, will become apparent to persons skilled in the art upon reference to the description of the invention , Claims:1) A brick column construction assistive device, comprising:

i) a cuboidal frame 101 configured with plurality of extendable plate 102 and positioned over a ground surface around a brick column that is to be constructed, wherein a touch interactive display panel 103 installed over said frame 101 to enable a user to provide input regarding a design and dimensions in accordance to which said brick column is to be constructed;
ii) a motorized drawer arrangement integrated in each of said plate 102 that are actuated by a microcontroller based on user input dimensions in order to regulate dimensions of said plate 102 accordingly, wherein an artificial intelligence-based imaging unit 104 installed over said frame 101 and integrated with a processor for capturing and processing images of said brick column based on which said microcontroller linked with said processor determines dimensions of said brick column;
iii) plurality of flaps 105 configured with bottom portion of each of said plate 102, each by means of a motorized ball and socket joint 106 that are actuated by said microcontroller to orient said flaps 105 in a manner to align around outer periphery of said brick column in view of creating a boundary to enable said user to construct said brick column in accordance with said user-specified design; and
iv) plurality of motorized omni-directional wheels 107 installed beneath said frame 101 and commanded by said microcontroller to provide rotation to said frame 101 around said brick column in accordance with said user specified design, thereby enabling said user to construct said brick column in a convenient manner.

2) The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein a laser sensor is installed over said frame 101 and synced with said imaging unit 104 to monitor height of said brick column being constructed based on which said microcontroller actuates a hydraulic rod 108 installed between each of said wheels 107 and frame 101 to extend and regulate height of said frame 101 in accordance with height of said brick column to aid said user in constructing said brick column.

3) The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein a proximity sensor is installed with each of said flaps 105 to monitor distance of said brick column from said flaps 105 based on which said microcontroller directs said ball and socket joints to regulate orientation of said flaps 105 around said brick column.

4) The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein a battery is associated with said device for powering up electrical and electronically operated components associated with said device.