GB1592611A

GB1592611A - Arrangements of support ties and holding devices therefor

Info

Publication number: GB1592611A
Application number: GB325/77A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1977-01-06
Filing date: 1977-01-06
Publication date: 1981-07-08
Also published as: SE7800136L; IT7867015A0; JPS5756667B2; PT67500B; JPS5385811A; IT1106542B; PT67500A

Description

(54) IMPROVEMENTS IN OR RELATING TO ARRANGEMENTS OF SUPPORT TIES AND HOLDING DEVICES THEREFOR (71) I, DONALD PERCY SHELLEY, a British Subject, of Oulton Grange, Oulton, near Stone, Staffordshire, England, do hereby declare the invention, for which I pray that a patent may be granted to me, and the method by which it is to be performed, to be particularly described in and by the following statement:- This invention relates to arrangements of support ties and holding devices therefor for use, for example, in kilns. The invention is particularly suitable for ceramic kilns but it is not restricted to these; for example it may also be used in connection with metal heating furnaces. Similarly, other applications where a tie is required to support a member may be found for the arrangement, for example, in supporting shelves, trays and the like.

Our co-pending U.K. Patent Application No. 31533/74 Serial No 1510305 describes typical kiln constructions and the benefits to be obtained from the use of light-weight insulating linings of, for example, ceramic fibre material. Also discussed are some of the inherent disadvantages of such material especially in gas and oil-fired kilns and my proposals to obviate or mitigate these disadvantages.

The prior Application discusses also a desirable manner of fitting and continuously supporting electrical heating elements in kilns.

The invention of my previous Application provided a kiln construction by which inwardly extending support ties are located and secured in position in holding devices on the outside of the kiln, the support ties being arranged so as to carry ceramic fibre or like light-weight lining material on the inside of the kiln.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved support tie and an improved arrangement of support tie and holding device.

According to the present invention there is provided a support tie and holding device assembly, said holding device being provided with an aperture into which the support tie may be fitted, the device being provided with at least one inwardly directed protrusion; said support tie being manufactured from a refractory material and including a longitudinally iextending channel whereby the protrusion may be accommodated in the channel to allow movement of the support tie relative to the holding device in the longitudinal direction of the support tie, and at least one further channel arranged transversely of said channel and adapted to accommodate said protrusion on relative rotation between said support tie and holding device to prevent further longitudinal movement of said support tie relative to said holding device.

Preferably said support tie is manufactured by a dust-pressing technique.

Advantageously the holding device has a circular cross-section aperture and is provided with two diametrically opposed protrusions such that the support tie has two diametrically opposed longitudinally extending channels and two of said further channels.

Preferably said holding device is formed from sheet metal, the protrusions being inwardly directed lugs formed integrally with the main portion of the device.

Preferably a plurality of said further channels are provided on the support tie, said channels being being spaced along the length of the tie.

Preferably an end portion of the tie is flattened and is provided with an upstanding end flange.

Alternatively, the end of said support tie has a substantially circular head of greater diameter than the remainder of the tie.

Preferably said further channels converge inwardly.

Preferably strip-like support means are provided for holding a plurality of said holding devices in spaced relationship with their axes substantially parallel.

Further according to the present invention there is provided a kiln construction system by which inwardly extending support ties of the type described in the preceding paragraphs are located and secured in position in holding devices arranged on the kiln structure, the support ties being arranged so as to carry ceramic fibre or like light-weight insulating lining material on the inside of the kiln.

In electrically heated kilns the flattened end of the support ties support also heating element carrier members which also assist in holding the ceramic fibre or other lining material in position in the kiln.

The support ties may also carry tiles of ceramic material covering the inner surface of the ceramic fibre or other lining material in order to protect it from kiln atmosphere; the tiles are particularly useful in the case of gas- or oil-fired kilns but they may also be used in conjunction with the electrical heat- ing element carrier members.

The lining tiles may be arranged in edgeabutting relationship, in which case the corners thereof are provided with cut-outs to allow the support ties to pass therethrough.

Alternatively, the tiles may be arranged in overlapped relationship in which case certain tiles are provided with holes or with corner cut-outs through which a headed support tie may be passed.

An embodiment of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Fig. 1 is an exploded perspective view of the components involved in the construction of a portion of a kiln wall; Fig. 2 is a side view of a support tie; Figs. 3 and 4 are end and plan views respectively of the support tie of Fig. 2; Figs. 5 and 6 are side and plan views respectively of a holding device; Figs. 7 and 8 are front and side views respectively of a support strap carrying a plurality of holding devices of the type illustrated in Figs. 5 and 6; Fig. 9 is a side view of a modified support tie; Fig. 10 is an end view of the tie shown in Fig. 9; Fig. 11 is a sectional elevation taken on the line A-A of Fig. 9;; Fig. 12 is a sectional elevation taken on the line B-B of Fig. 9; and Fig. 13 is a plan view of the support tie shown in Fig. 9.

Referring to Fig. 1, a holding device 2 is fixed to the inner face of a kiln casing or shell 4 and, as more clearly illustrated in Figs. 5 and 6, is manufactured from sheet metal such that it is cylindrical and includes two diametrically opposed inwardly directed protrusions 8 which are formed by deforming portions of one end of the device 2.

The holding device 2 is intended to support a support tie bar 10 which is accommodated in the aperture in the holding device 2.

Referring to Figs. 1--4, it can be seen that the tie bar 10 which is advantageously manufactured by a dust-pressing process from a refractory material, comprises an outer end portion having an upwardly directed flange 12 upstanding from flat face 14, a raised portion 16 being provided on the top and on the bottom of the bar 10. It should be noticed that the lateral edges of the raised portions 16 are spaced inwardly of the lateral edges 18 of the tie so that effectively a channel 19 is provided along the length of the tie 10 alongside the raised portions 16.

Conveniently the front face of the raised portions 16 is inclined with respect to the front flat portion 14 and at least one of the lateral sides of portions 16 is inclined relative to the side wall 18 of the tie.

The outer face 22 of the raised portions 16 is arcuate and has a radius which permits a sliding fit between the aperture of the holding device 2 and the support bar 10 provided that the protrusions 8 of the holding device 2 are located within said channels on the bar 10.

A plurality of channels or grooves 24 are provided in the top surface 22 of the raised portion 16, the grooves 24 extending over part of the surface 22 and opening into the said channel, their other ends being closed.

Conveniently the grooves 24 converge downwardly, although they have a flat base.

The longitudinal axis of each groove lies perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the tie 10.

An arrangement of holding device 2 and bar 10 can be seen in operation in Fig. 1 supporting a lining comprising a plurality of slabs 30 of a ceramic fibre insulating lining material and ceramic tiles 32 on a kiln shell 4.

Each tile 32 is provided with cut-outs 34 at its corners such that the tiles can be arranged in edge-to-edge abutting relationship surrounding the end portion of a tie 10.

Fig. 1. shows also ceramic channels 36 which are adapted to support electrical heating elements and also to assist in the positioning and holding of the tiles 32.

The assembly of a support tie and holding device arrangement can be achieved by one man who first fixes the holding device 2 by welding or bolting it to the shell and thereafter positions the slabs of ceramic fibre 30 against the shell, facing these slabs with tiles 32. A tie 10 is pushed through a lesser diameter pre-punched hole in the slabs of ceramic fibre, which are fragile in nature, ensuring that the protrusions 8 from the holding device 2 occupy the channels defined on either side of the upstanding portion 13 of the tie.

When the tie has been inserted a sufficient distance it is rotated through approximately 45 so that the protrusions 18 occupy a pair of diametrically spaced grooves 24, thus further longitudinal movement of the tie bar is prevented and in view of the abutment of the support channels 36 against the flange 12 of the bar, the tiles 32 against the support channel 36 and the fibrous slabs against the tiles 32, the support tie holds the kiln lining in position.

It will be realised from the above description that there is no need to manufacture tie bars of varying lengths to comply with varying thickness of insulation but rather, that the tie bars can be cut to the required length before fitting. This avoids the need to cut holes through the shell or casing.

Clearly a plurality of arrangements of ties and holding devices are required in a kiln and to assist in the rapid assembly of a kiln the arrangement shown in Figs. 7 and 8 is provided, this arrangement comprising a strip 40 having a plurality of holding devices 2 which are fixed by tack welding or the like thereto, and a plurality of holes 42 for fixing bolts.

Thus a strip 40 carrying a plurality of spaced holding devices 2 can be readily fixed by bolting, welding or spring devices to the shell of a partially constructed kiln prior to the fitment of the insulation.

The embodiment described above with reference to Figs. 1-8 included facing tiles arranged in edge-to-edge abutting relationship. The arrangement of support tie and holding device is equally applicable, however, in kilns where the tiles are arranged, in overlapping relationship, and Figs. 9-13 show a support tie which is used with a holding device identical to that described above but which is adapted to penetrate holes formed in the tiles. As the support tie illustrated in Figs. 9-13 is similar in most respects to that described with reference to Figs. 2 only the outer end portion will now be described in any detail, the remaining portions bearing the same reference numerals as the originally described suppon tie.

In this support tie the end flange is replaced by a substantially circular head 50 and the flat portions 14 of the bar shown in Figs. 2 are dispensed with as the support channel 36 is not employed, but rather the inner faces 52 of the head 50 directly abut the tile face around holes formed therein and through which the ties are passed.

The support tie described with reference to Figs. 9 to 13, is also suitable for use with overlapping tiles which are provided with corner cut-outs rather than the holes described above.

Various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, the axis of the grooves 24 may be arranged slightly at an angle to a line perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the bar, so that on rotating the bar to move the protrusion 8 of the holding device 2 into the grooves 24, the protrusions encounter an inclined face presented by the side faces of the grooves 24 which provides a tightening action.

Alternatively, the grooves 24 may have an enlarged portion at their inner ends to accommodate the protrusions 8 and prevent rotation of the tie in a direction which would return the protrusion to the channel.

It is interesting to note the cross-sectional shape of the bar. In dust-pressing techniques it is desirable to provide flattened areas adjacent to the mating faces of the two mould components used in the pressing technique otherwise the mould components require sharp edges which rapidly deteriorate. In the present invention these flat faces have been incorporated and utilised to provide the channel means referred to above.

WHAT I CLAIM IS: 1. A support tie and holding device assembly, said holding device being provided with an aperture into which the support tie may be fitted, the device being provided with at least one inwardly directed protrusion; said support tie being manufactured from a refractory material including a longitudinally extending channel whereby the protrusion may be accommodated in the channel to allow movement of the support tie relative to the holding device in the longitudinal direction of the support tie, and at least one further channel arranged transversely of said channel and adapted to accommodate said protrusion on relative rotation between said support tie and holding device to prevent further longitudinal movement of said suppot tie relative to said holding device.

2. An assembly as claimed in claim 1, in which said support tie is manufactured by a dust-pressing technique.

3. An assembly as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, in which the holding device has a circular cross-section aperture and is provided with two diametrically opposed protrusions and the support tie has two diametrically opposed longitudinally extending channels and at least two of said further channels.

4. An assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in which said holding device is formed from sheet metal.

5. An assembly as claimed in claim 4, in which the protrusions are inwardly directed lugs formed integrally with the main portion of the device.

6. An assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which a plurality of said further channels are provided on the support tie, said channels being spaced along the length of the tie.

7. An assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which an end portion of the tie is flattened and is provided with an upstanding end flange.

8. An assembly as claimed in any one of

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. the support channels 36 against the flange 12 of the bar, the tiles 32 against the support channel 36 and the fibrous slabs against the tiles 32, the support tie holds the kiln lining in position. It will be realised from the above description that there is no need to manufacture tie bars of varying lengths to comply with varying thickness of insulation but rather, that the tie bars can be cut to the required length before fitting. This avoids the need to cut holes through the shell or casing. Clearly a plurality of arrangements of ties and holding devices are required in a kiln and to assist in the rapid assembly of a kiln the arrangement shown in Figs. 7 and 8 is provided, this arrangement comprising a strip 40 having a plurality of holding devices 2 which are fixed by tack welding or the like thereto, and a plurality of holes 42 for fixing bolts. Thus a strip 40 carrying a plurality of spaced holding devices 2 can be readily fixed by bolting, welding or spring devices to the shell of a partially constructed kiln prior to the fitment of the insulation. The embodiment described above with reference to Figs. 1-8 included facing tiles arranged in edge-to-edge abutting relationship. The arrangement of support tie and holding device is equally applicable, however, in kilns where the tiles are arranged, in overlapping relationship, and Figs. 9-13 show a support tie which is used with a holding device identical to that described above but which is adapted to penetrate holes formed in the tiles. As the support tie illustrated in Figs. 9-13 is similar in most respects to that described with reference to Figs. 2 only the outer end portion will now be described in any detail, the remaining portions bearing the same reference numerals as the originally described suppon tie. In this support tie the end flange is replaced by a substantially circular head 50 and the flat portions 14 of the bar shown in Figs. 2 are dispensed with as the support channel 36 is not employed, but rather the inner faces 52 of the head 50 directly abut the tile face around holes formed therein and through which the ties are passed. The support tie described with reference to Figs. 9 to 13, is also suitable for use with overlapping tiles which are provided with corner cut-outs rather than the holes described above. Various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, the axis of the grooves 24 may be arranged slightly at an angle to a line perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the bar, so that on rotating the bar to move the protrusion 8 of the holding device 2 into the grooves 24, the protrusions encounter an inclined face presented by the side faces of the grooves 24 which provides a tightening action. Alternatively, the grooves 24 may have an enlarged portion at their inner ends to accommodate the protrusions 8 and prevent rotation of the tie in a direction which would return the protrusion to the channel. It is interesting to note the cross-sectional shape of the bar. In dust-pressing techniques it is desirable to provide flattened areas adjacent to the mating faces of the two mould components used in the pressing technique otherwise the mould components require sharp edges which rapidly deteriorate. In the present invention these flat faces have been incorporated and utilised to provide the channel means referred to above. WHAT I CLAIM IS:

1. A support tie and holding device assembly, said holding device being provided with an aperture into which the support tie may be fitted, the device being provided with at least one inwardly directed protrusion; said support tie being manufactured from a refractory material including a longitudinally extending channel whereby the protrusion may be accommodated in the channel to allow movement of the support tie relative to the holding device in the longitudinal direction of the support tie, and at least one further channel arranged transversely of said channel and adapted to accommodate said protrusion on relative rotation between said support tie and holding device to prevent further longitudinal movement of said suppot tie relative to said holding device.

8. An assembly as claimed in any one of

claims I to 6, in which the end of said support tie has a substantially circular head of greater diameter than the remainder of the tie.

9. An assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in which said further channels converge inwardly.

10. An assembly according to any one of the preceding claims in which strip-like support means are provided for holding a plurality of said holding devices in spaced relationship with their axes substantially parallel.

11. A support tie of an assembly as claimed in any one of claims I to 10.

12. A kiln construction system by which inwardly extending support ties as claimed in any one of claims I to 11 are located and secured in position in holding devices arranged on the kiln structure, the support ties being arranged so as to carry ceramic fibre or like light-weight insulating lining material on the inside of the kiln.

13. A kiln construction as claimed in claim 12 when dependent upon claim 7 or claim 8, in which the flattened end of the support ties support also heating element carrier members which also assist in holding the ceramic fibre or other lining material in position in the kiln.

14. A kiln construction as claimed in claim 12 or claim 13 in which the ties also carry tiles of ceramic material covering the inner surface of the ceramic fibre or other lining material in order to protect it from kiln atmosphere.

15. A kiln construction as claimed in claim 14, in which the lining tiles are arranged in edge-abutting relationship, the corners thereof being provided with cut-outs to allow the support ties to pass therethrough.

16. A kiln construction as claimed in claim 14, in which the tiles are arranged in overlapped relationship and certain tiles are provided with holes through which a headed support tie may be passed.

17. A kiln construction as claimed in claim 14, in which the tiles are arranged in overlapped relationship, the corners thereof being provided with cut-outs to allow the support ties to pass therethrough.

18. A support tie and holding device assembly, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figs. 1 to 8, or Figs.

9 to 14 of the accompanying drawings.

19. A support tie substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figs. 1 to 4, or Figs. 9 to 14 of the accompanying drawings.

20. A kiln construction substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Fig.

1 of the accompanying drawings.