EP2142724B1

EP2142724B1 - A masonry support

Info

Publication number: EP2142724B1
Application number: EP08718995.7A
Authority: EP
Inventors: David Anthony Flannery
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2007-04-04
Filing date: 2008-04-04
Publication date: 2014-10-15
Anticipated expiration: 2028-04-04
Also published as: GB0706594D0; IE86096B1; GB2448165A; IE20070405A1; EP2142724A1; WO2008122786A1; GB2448165B

Description

The present invention relates to a masonry support for use in the building industry primarily but not exclusively to support a cladding or a facing for a building structure.
When used to support a cladding or a facing for a building structure, it will be appreciated that the masonry support has to remain effective for the entire life of the building. This means that it must be made of a material which will not rust or deteriorate over periods amounting to many years and yet which has the strength and rigidity required for the job. In practice, therefore, masonry supports are usually made of stainless steel, which makes them expensive to produce.
Conventionally, such a masonry support comprises a bracket, which is designed to be secured to a building structure by bolts, and an angle-section support member which is secured to the bracket. The support member is designed to provide a projecting horizontal support on which the masonry forming the cladding or facing structure is built. Typically, the support member is around 1 m in length and is itself supported by at least a pair of brackets located towards each end. In this way, a complete layer of bricks or other masonry is supported by a number of bracket assemblies mounted alongside one another. This holds the cladding in place and prevents its lower layers from being subjected to too high a pressure as a result of the weight of the masonry above them. However, it is also possible to support masonry in some cases by using a short length of the support member which is retained by a single bracket.
The support member may be welded to the bracket but to allow for some degree of flexibility and for small adjustments to be made in the relative positions of the bracket and the support member, preferably the support member is not rigidly secured to the bracket but is attached thereto after one or more brackets, which are to hold it in place, have been secured in position on the building structure. The bracket is usually also adapted to be secured to the building structure by a screw system that allows some degree of vertical adjustability. The bracket and support member are then adapted so that the support member can be attached to one or more brackets that are either in situ or which can thereafter be attached to the building structure. In some prior art arrangements, the support member is secured to the bracket using connectors such as screws or bolts. In other arrangements, the bracket defines a seating into which the support member is introduced from the side so that it can slide from side to side relative to the bracket in an infinitely variable manner but cannot rotate relative to the bracket. In EP 1 375 777 , the support member is provided with apertures that receive retaining tabs provided by the bracket to hold the support member in place. The problems with all of these methods of securement is that they can be difficult or a fiddly to accomplish in practice.
The object of the present invention is to provide a masonry support which overcomes or substantially mitigates the aforesaid disadvantage and which is of a simple construction so that it can be manufactured economically.
According to the present invention there is provided a masonry support comprising an angle-section, elongate support member and a bracket which are adapted to be connected together in use, wherein the support member comprises a first portion that is adapted to be retained in use in a substantially horizontal position to provide a support for masonry, a second portion that is angled with respect to the first portion such that, in use, it is supported by a forwardly-facing surface of the bracket, and a third portion that is angled with respect to the second portion; and the bracket comprises a back plate, which is adapted to be secured to a building structure, and at least one integral, forwardly projecting side plate which defines a seating for the support member; the seating being formed by an aperture in the side plate that defines a forwardly-opening mouth that narrows in a direction towards the back plate and that joins a slot, the surface of the side plate defining at least a part of a lower portion of the mouth forming the forwardly-facing surface that supports the second portion of the support member and the longitudinal axis of the slot being angled with respect to the angle of inclination of the forwardly-facing surface and being characterized in that the support member is supported by the bracket after location of its third portion in the slot and orientation of its first portion into said substantially horizontal position in which seated position the support member can slide longitudinally along its entire length relative to the bracket.
In addition, in some embodiments a clip may be provided for insertion into the slot of the side plate to retain the support member in a fixed position after the support member has been seated in the bracket.
Preferred but non-essential features of the various aspects of the present invention are described in the dependent claims appended hereto.
An embodiment of the present invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:-

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a masonry support comprising a pair of brackets supporting an angle-section support member;
Fig. 2 is a perspective view to an enlarged scale of one of the brackets shown in Fig. 1;
Fig. 3 is an end view, to an enlarged scale, of the angle-section support member shown in Fig. 1;
Fig. 4 is a side view of the masonry support shown in Fig. 1 together with a first embodiment of clip to retain the support member seated in the bracket;
Fig. 5 is a plan view of Fig. 4;
Fig. 6 is a plan view, to an enlarged scale, of the clip shown in Figs. 4 and 5;
Fig. 7 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of clip; and
Fig. 8 is a perspective view of part of a masonry support according to the invention suitable for use with the clip shown in Fig. 7.

The masonry support shown in the drawings comprises an angle-section support member 1 and a bracket 2. Figs. 4, 5 and 6 and Figs. 7 and 8 also show respectively two embodiments of clips 3 which can be used to retain the support member 1 in a fixed position after it has been seated in the bracket 2. However, it will be appreciated that there is no requirement for a clip 3 to be used in all embodiments of the invention and some applications of the masonry support may not require its use.
The angle-section support member 1 comprises an elongate member defining first, second and third portions labelled 4, 5, and 6 respectively. The first portion 4 comprises a flange that is designed to provide, in use, a projecting horizontal support on which a masonry cladding or facing structure can be built. The second and third portions 5 and 6 are used to attach the member 1 to the bracket 2. To this end the second portion 5 is angled at an obtuse angle α with respect to the first portion 4 and is designed to be supported by a forwardly-facing surface 7 of the bracket 2, as described below. The third portion 6 comprises a flange that is angled inwardly at an angle β with respect to the second portion 5, which is preferably an acute angle.
The bracket 2 comprises a back plate 8 and at least one integral side plate 9. Preferably, as is the case in the illustrated embodiment, the bracket 2 is of channel section with identical, forwardly projecting, parallel side plates 9. The back plate 8 is provided with one or more slots 10 for use in the attachment of the back plate 8 to a building structure by a fastener (not shown) in such a way that the vertical position of the bracket 2 is adjustable to enable the vertical position of the first portion 4 of the support member 1 to be located at a required height.
The side plates 9 of the bracket 2 define a seating for the angle-section support member 1. This seating is identically formed in each side plate 9 by an aperture that defines a forwardly-opening mouth 11 that narrows in a direction towards the back plate 8 and that joins a slot 12. The longitudinal axis of the slot 12 is located at an angle with respect to the angle of inclination of the forwardly-facing surface 7. Preferably this is accomplished by orientating the slot 12 in a forwards inclination, as in the illustrated embodiment. However, it will be appreciated that provided the longitudinal axis of the slot is not parallel to the angle of inclination of the surface 7, which would enable the support member 1 to slide out of the bracket 2, it can be orientated at any suitable angle.
The forwardly-facing supporting surface 7 of the side plate 9 is formed by a part of a lower portion of the mouth 11. A surface 13, which adjoins the surface 7 and defines the back of the mouth 11, is arcuate to join the slot 12, which has a closed end 14 and is substantially straight. The closed end 14 may be radiussed to accommodate one leg of the clip 3, as described below.
In the illustrated embodiment, the supporting surface 7 of the bracket 2 is manufactured so that it defines the supplementary angle γ to the obtuse angle α, i.e. γ=180°- α, relative to the horizontal when the bracket is in use. As the bottom edge 15 of the bracket is preferably arranged to be normal to the back plate 8 and will therefore be substantially horizontal when the bracket is in use, the angle γ is that defined between the surface 7 and the edge 15. This ensures that the lower face of the second portion 5 of the support member 1 is supported by the surface 7 when the support member 1 is seated in the bracket 2. However, in cases where the support member 1 is likely to deflect under the masonry load which it supports, the angle α may change during use. If this occurs, it is important for the surface 7 to remain supporting the second portion 5 of the support member 1, in particular in the toe region close to the bottom edge 15. In some embodiments of the bracket 2, therefore, the angle γ may be increased to ensure that the surface 7 always contacts and supports the second portion 5 of the support member 1.
Again, in the illustrated embodiment, the lower surface 16 of the slot 12 is manufactured so that it also defines the same angle β with the supporting surface 7 of the bracket as the second and third portions 4 and 5 of the support member 1 define between them. This ensures that when the support member 1 is seated in the bracket 2 in use, the lower face of the third portion 6 of the support member 1 is supported by the lower surface 16 of the slot 12. However, the bracket 2 could be manufactured so that the lower face of the third portion 6 of the support member 1 is supported by the radiussed section where the lower surface 16 of the slot 12 adjoins the mouth 11, the lower face of the portion 6 then being held clear of the surface 16 of the slot 12.
In the illustrated embodiment, the obtuse angle α is preferably of the order of 128° and will usually be between 128°and 130° inclusive so that the supplementary angle γ is of the order of 52° and usually between 52° and 50°. The angle β is preferably an acute angle of the order of 80° but could be a right angle or any angle between 80° and 90° inclusive. These angles have been chosen with a view to ease of manufacture and to provide a masonry support which performs well in practice. However, it will be appreciated that these angles could be varied if desired within the scope of the invention.
Once the support member 1 has been seated in the bracket 2, it can still slide longitudinally relative thereto and the clip 3 can be used to retain it in a fixed position. In one embodiment, as shown in Fig. 6, the clip 3 comprises a hooked wire with a shorter leg 17 and a longer leg 18. The clip 3 is dimensioned so that it can hook around the side of the bracket 2 to engage the free end of the shorter leg 17 into the forwardly inclined slot 12 of one of the side plates 9 adjacent the closed end 14 of the slot 12. This prevents any rotation about the edge of the third portion 6 of the support member 1 and forces the lower face of the third portion 6 into close engagement with the lower surface 16 of the slot 12, in particular at the region where it adjoins the mouth 12. In turn, this pushes the lower face of the second portion 5 of the support member 1 tightly against the surfaces 7 of the bracket. The longer leg 18 of the clip 3 is then retained in a substantially horizontal attitude and bears against a forwardly facing edge surface 19 of the side plate 9. The leg 18 is preferably made long enough to span and bear against the front edge surfaces 19 of both of the side plates 6. As shown in Figs. 4 and 5, these edge surfaces 19 may be provided with notches 20 in which the leg 18 is seated when the clip 3 has been positioned correctly.
In the second embodiment as shown in Figs. 7 and 8, the clip 3 comprises a U-shaped member with legs 21 and 22 of substantially equal length and a V-shaped portion 23 that connects them together. The side plates 9 of the bracket 2 are also each provided with a hole 24 in which one of the legs 21, 22 of the clip 3 can be inserted. As before, one of the legs 21 of the clip 3 is intended to be inserted into the slot 12 of one of the side plates 9 adjacent the closed end 14 of the slot 12 as in the first embodiment described above. However, the second leg 22 of the clip 3 is intended to be inserted into the hole 24 in the side plate of the bracket 2. The V-shaped portion 23 of the clip 3 provides a degree of springiness to the clip 3 and facilitates its insertion into the slot 12 and the hole 24. This operation can also be aided by making one leg 21, 22 slightly longer than the other so that one leg can be inserted to enable the clip to be compressed slightly prior to insertion of the other leg. The springiness of the clip also assists in its retention in place after insertion.
In use, one or more brackets 2, dependent on the length of the support member 1 required, are attached to a building structure. The vertical position of the brackets 2 may be adjusted as appropriate in order that the support member 1 can be fitted so that its first portion 4 is located at a required vertical height. The horizontal spacing of the brackets 2, if more than one, is required, is usually predetermined dependent on the strength of the support member 1 so that they are positioned at pre-specified locations along the member 1. Once the bracket or brackets 2 have been fixed in position, the support member 1 is offered up to the brackets 1 from the front in an orientation wherein the first portion 4 is tilted upwards in order that the edge of the third portion 6 can be inserted into the mouth 11 and into the slot 12. Once the third portion 6 has entered the slot 12, rotation of the support member 1 downwards will force the third portion 6 further into the slot 12 until it is fully engaged and the second portion 5 is brought into contact with the forwardly-facing surfaces 7 of the side plates 9. The shape of the back of the mouth 11 with the arcuate surface 13 gives sufficient room for this to occur by allowing room for the rotation of the second and third portions 5, 6 of support plate 1. Once the support member 1 is seated, the first portion 4 of the support member 1 is retained in a substantially horizontal attitude. The support member 1 can now be slid longitudinally relative to the or each bracket 2 until it is positioned correctly relative to them. Once positioned correctly, the support member 1 can be retained in this position relative to each bracket 2 by the insertion of the clip 3 into the bracket 2 as described above.
In the present example, the mouth 11 and the slot 12 forming the seating in the side plates 9 of the bracket 2 have been designed so that they are capable of supporting different thicknesses of angle-section support members 1. The use of thicker angle-section support members 1 increases the load-bearing capacity of the support.
It will be appreciated that the various components of a masonry support in accordance with the invention can be constructed in a simple and cost-effective manner. Also, the attachment of the support member 1 to the bracket 2, by offering the member 1 up to the front of the bracket 2 rather than having to slide it in from the side as in some prior art arrangements, makes the mounting of the support member 1 particularly simple whilst still retaining the capability of the member 1 being slid relative to the bracket 2 after attachment to locate it in a desired relative position.

Claims

A masonry support comprising an angle-section, elongate support member (1) and a bracket (2) which are adapted to be connected together in use, wherein
the support member (1) comprises a first portion (4) that is adapted to be retained in use in a substantially horizontal position to provide a support for masonry, a second portion (5) that is angled with respect to the first portion (4) such that, in use, it is supported by a forwardly-facing surface (7) of the bracket (2), and a third portion (6) that is angled with respect to the second portion (5); and
the bracket (2) comprises a back plate (8), which is adapted to be secured to a building structure, and at least one integral, forwardly projecting side plate (9) which defines a seating for the support member (1);
the seating being formed by an aperture in the side plate (9) that defines a forwardly-opening mouth (11) that narrows in a direction towards the back plate (8) and that joins a slot (12), the surface (7) of the side plate (9) defining at least a part of a lower portion of the mouth (11) forming the forwardly-facing surface (7) that supports the second portion (5) of the support member (1) and the longitudinal axis of the slot (12) being angled with respect to the angle of inclination of the forwardly-facing surface (7) and being characterized in that the support member (1) is supported by the bracket (2) after location of its third portion (6) in the slot (12) and orientation of its first portion (4) into said substantially horizontal position in which seated position the support member (1) can slide longitudinally along its entire length relative to the bracket (2).
A masonry support as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the first and second portions (4, 5) of the support member (1) define an obtuse angle therebetween.
A masonry support as claimed in Claim 2, wherein the forwardly-facing supporting surface (7) of the bracket (2) defines the supplementary angle to the obtuse angle relative to the horizontal when the bracket (2) is in use.
A masonry support as claimed in Claim 2 or Claim 3, wherein the obtuse angle is between 128° and 130° inclusive.
A masonry support as claimed in any of Claims 1 to 4, wherein the third portion (6) of the support member (1) is angled with respect to both the first and the second portions (4, 5) of the member (1).
A masonry support as claimed in any of Claims 1 to 5, wherein the second and third portions (5, 6) of the support member (1) define an angle of 900 or less therebetween.
A masonry support as claimed in any of Claims to 6, wherein the longitudinal axis of the slot (12) is forwardly inclined.
A masonry support as claimed in Claim 7, wherein the lower surface of the forwardly-inclined slot (12) defines the same angle with the forwardly-facing supporting surface (7) of the bracket (2) as the angle between the second and third portions (5, 6) of the support member (1).
A masonry support as claimed in any of Claims 1 to 8, wherein a clip (3) is provided for insertion into the slot (12) of the side plate (9) to retain the support member (1) in position after the support member (1) has been seated in the bracket (2).
A masonry support as claimed in Claim 9, wherein the clip (3) comprises a hook with a shorter leg (17) and a longer leg (18) that is adapted to hook around the side of the bracket (2) whereby in use the shorter leg (17) can be inserted into the slot (12) in the side plate (9) while the longer leg (18) is retained in a substantially horizontal attitude bearing against a forwardly facing edge (19) of the side plate (9).
A masonry support as claimed in Claim 9, wherein the clip (3) comprises a substantially U-shaped member with parallel legs (21, 22) and a substantially V-shaped portion (23) that connects the legs (21, 22) together.
A masonry support as claimed in Claim 11, wherein the side plate (9) of the bracket (2) is provided with a hole (24) into which one of the legs (21, 22) can be inserted and the other leg (22, 21) is adapted to be inserted into the slot (12) in the side plate (9).
A masonry support as claimed in any of Claims 1 to 12, wherein the bracket (2) comprises a channel section member with two parallel side plates (9) that project from the back plate (8), each of the side plates (9) defining similar seating for the support member (1).
A masonry support as claimed in Claim 13 when dependent on Claim 10, wherein the longer leg (18) of the clip (3) is adapted to span and bear against the front surfaces of both of the side plates (9) while the shorter leg (17) is adapted to be inserted into the slot (12) defined by only one of side plates (9).