GB2613165A

GB2613165A - Support device for masonry

Info

Publication number: GB2613165A
Application number: GB2116978.4A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Chart Timothy
Original assignee: Construction Fixing Systems Ltd
Current assignee: Construction Fixing Systems Ltd
Priority date: 2021-11-25
Filing date: 2021-11-25
Publication date: 2023-05-31
Anticipated expiration: 2041-11-25
Also published as: GB202116978D0; GB2613165B

Abstract

A support device for use in securing an outer masonry wall to an inner structure of a building comprises a first channel member (1) attachable to the inner structure, a second channel member (2) attachable to the outer masonry wall. Each channel member has a first cross-sectional width and opens through a slot (1d, 2d) whose width is smaller than said first width. The channel members (1, 2) are arranged so that the slot in one channel member faces the slot in the other channel member and extends in a direction at right angles to the slot in the other channel member, the openings to the slots lying in mutually parallel planes. A connector (3) links the two channel members together, the connector having a first body part (3a) which is a sliding fit in the first channel member, a second body part (3b) which is a sliding fit in the second channel member and a link (3c) extending between the first and second body parts and dimensioned to be a sliding fit in the slots of the two channel members.

Description

SUPPORT DEVICE FOR MASONRY

Field of the Invention

This invention relates to a support device for use in securing an outer masonry wall to an inner structure of a building.

Background to the Invention

Buildings having an external masonry skin surrounding an internal structural frame of timber or steel or an internal masonry wall, for example of block-work, and particularly those of more than two storeys, are required to provide support for the external skin to be incorporated during construction. Because different materials are used for the outer skin compared with the inner frame or skin, relative movement can arise between these. Typically, adjustable back-plates are secured to the inner frame, the back plates mounting supports which have a horizontal portion extending into the mortar bed between the masonry courses.

One difficulty which can arise in construction is that of aligning the posi-tion of the fixing or back plate on the inner frame or skin with the mortar beds in the outer skin. Typically this is achieved by using elongate fixing holes to secure the back plates, for example extending vertically to allow for vertical adjustment in fixing, along with horizontal elongate holes in the fixing between the back plate and the support.

While these can provide limited adjustment, they still require care in installation, while not allowing subsequent adjustment to accommodate movement due, for example, to expansion.

Summary of the Invention

The present invention provides a support device for use in securing an outer masonry wall to an inner structure of a building, comprising a first channel member attachable to the inner structure, a second channel member attachable to the outer masonry wall, each channel member having a first cross-sectional width and opening through a slot whose width is smaller than said first width, the channel members being arranged so that the slot in one channel member -2 -faces the slot in the other channel member and extends in a direction at right angles to the slot in the other channel member, the openings to the slots lying in mutually parallel planes, and a connector linking the two channel members together, the connector having a first body part which is a sliding fit in the first channel member, a second body part which is a sliding fit in the second channel member and a link extending between the first and second body parts and dimensioned to be a sliding fit in the slots of the two channel members.

The first and second body parts of the connector are preferably cylindrical. The channel members are preferably arranged with the slots extending at right-angles to each other.

The length of the link between the first and second body parts is suitably such that the first and second channel members are held in contact with each other.

At least one of the channel members has a restraint member attached thereto for incorporation into blockwork. In one embodiment, the restraint mem-ber, or at least one of the restraint members, is in the form of a plate having anchoring configurations for insertion into a mortar bed during construction of the blockwork.

In another embodiment, the restraint member, or at least one of the re-straint members, comprises a pair of anchors projecting from the underside of the base of the channel for embedding in a concrete panel during casting thereof.

The support device of the invention Is straightforward to install and allows for relative adjustment between the two parts thereof to accommodate movement of one skin of the building relative to the other in use and to allow for accurate positioning during installation.

Brief Description of the Drawings

In the drawings, which illustrate exemplary embodiments of the invention: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a support device according to a first embodiment of the invention; Figure 2 is an enlarged view of the connector forming part of the device of Figure 1; -3 -Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of a building structure incorporating the support device of Figure 1; Figure 4 is a side elevational cross-sectional view of a portion of a building structure incorporating a support device according to a second embodiment of the invention; Figure 5 is a partially-sectioned top plan view of the portion of the structure shown in Figure 4; and Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of a building structure incorporating a support device according to a third embodiment of the invention.

Detailed Description of the Illustrated Embodiment

Referring first to Figures 1-3, the support device comprises two channel members 1 and 2, suitably formed of steel, preferably stainless steel, each channel member being shaped in cross-section with a base la, 2a, two spaced-apart sides lb, 2b extending normally to the base la, 2a, and each side lb, 2b having a flange 1 c, 2c extending therealong normally to the respective side and directed towards the opposite side to define an elongate slot 1d, 2d there-between. A connector 3 is used to connect the first and second channel members 1 and 2 together in a slidable manner, the connector 3 being in the form of a bobbin having first and second cylindrical body parts 3a and 3b linked by a portion of reduced diameter Sc. The first body part 3a is received as a sliding fit in the first channel member 1 with the link portion 3c extending through the slot 1d thereof, while the other body part 3b is similarly received as a sliding fit in the second channel member 2 so that the slots ld, 2d of the channel members 1, 2 face towards each other, but extend at right angles to each other, thereby allow- ing sliding movement in two orthogonal directions. The connector 3 is also suit-ably formed of steel, preferably stainless steel.

Each channel member 1, 2 has a restraint member 4, 5 welded to the outer face of the base 1a, 2a and extending normally thereto. The restraint members 4, 5 are also preferably formed of stainless steel, and are each in the form of a flat strip. As may be seen from Figure 3, the restraint members 4 and 5 are incorporated into the mortar bed 6 between blocks 7 on the inner skin of the building and in the mortar bed 8 between bricks 9 on the facing skin of the -4 -building. The restraint members 4, 5 are provided with a series of apertures 4a, 5a therethrough to facilitate anchoring of the members in the mortar bed 6 or 8. Any subsequent relative movement of the inner or facing skin of the building, for example due to expansion or settlement, is accommodated by sliding of the connectors in the respective channel members.

In the configuration shown in Figures 4 and 5, the first channel member 1 has a pair of anchor members 10 welded to and extending from the external face of the base 1a. The second channel member 2 has a flat steel strip 11 welded to and extending from the external face of the base 2a. The strip is pro-vided with a slotted hole 12 therethrough adjacent the end thereof remote from the channel member 2, the surface of the strip surrounding the hole 12 being provided with transverse serrations 13. In use, the first channel member is embedded in pre-cast panel 14 of the building during casting thereof so that the slot opens at the vertical face of the panel 14 and the anchors 10 extend into the panel to hold the channel member firmly in place. A removable blanking piece (not shown) is used to create a recess 15 at one end of the channel member 1 to enable introduction into the channel member of the first body member 3a of a connector 3 as illustrated in Figure 2. A third channel member 16 is similarly embedded in a concrete slab 17 forming part of the building struc-ture, with the slot of the channel member opening in the upper face of the slab A bolt (not shown) is held with its head retained in the third channel member 16 and the threaded shaft extending through the slot or opening 12 in the strip 11. A serrated washer is located over the threaded shaft to engage the serrations 13 of the strip, the arrangement being secured by a nut to clamp the strip to the third channel member 16. The second channel member 2 is then coupled with the second body part 3b of the connector 3 with the slot extending perpendicular to direction of the slot in the first channel member.

Figure 6 illustrates the use of the device of the invention in connecting an existing façade of a building, for example of brick, to a new concrete slab within the building. The second channel member 2 is secured to the rear of an existing façade at slab level by means of resin anchors in holes 20 drilled in the bricks 21. Flexible sponge filler is inserted into the channel section to prevent grout -5 -ingress, and the first body member 3a of the connector 3 is also slid into the channel centrally, with the first channel member 1 linked to it as hereinbefore described via the second body member 3b of the connector 3. The first channel member has anchor members 10 welded thereto as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 4 and 5 which, when the new concrete slab 22 is poured, anchor the first channel member 1 in the hardened slab extending through the inner block or cast wall 23. -6 -

Claims

CLAIMS1. A support device for use in securing an outer masonry wall to an inner structure of a building, comprising a first channel member attachable to the inner structure, a second channel member attachable to the outer masonry wall, each channel member having a first cross-sectional width and opening through a slot whose width is smaller than said first width, the channel members being arranged so that the slot in one channel member faces the slot in the other channel member and extends in a direction at right angles to the slot in the other channel member, the openings to the slots lying in mutually parallel planes, and a connector linking the two channel members together, the con-nector having a first body part which is a sliding fit in the first channel member, a second body part which is a sliding fit in the second channel member and a link extending between the first and second body parts and dimensioned to be a sliding fit in the slots of the two channel members.
2. A support device according to Claim 1, wherein the first and sec-ond body parts are cylindrical.
3. A support device according to Claim 1 or 2, wherein the channel members are arranged with the slots extending at right-angles to each other.
4. A support device according to Claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the length zo of the link between the first and second body parts is such that the first and second channel members are held in contact with each other.
5. A support device according to any preceding claim, wherein at least one of the channel members has a restraint member attached thereto for incorporation into blockwork.
6. A support device according to Claim 5, wherein the restraint member, or at least one of the restraint members, is in the form of a plate having anchoring configurations for insertion into a mortar bed during construction of the blockwork.
7. A support device according to Claim 5, wherein the restraint member, or at least one of the restraint members, comprises a pair of anchors -7 -projecting from the underside of the base of the channel for embedding in a concrete panel during casting thereof.