GB2122235A - Wall ties - Google Patents

Abstract

A tie with drip means 5 on shank 4 has paint 7 on the top surface of either or both ends 2, 3 to indicate the top face of the tie in use, A tie has a portion, distinguished by colour, surface-roughening, or cross- section, for receiving an insulation- retaining member 9, A tie has one of its wall-engaging ends provided by a sideways- extending portion 20 with aperture 20 or a slot, e.g. for a nail. Plastics sleeve 30 prevents electrolytic corrosion. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION A wall tie The present invention relates to a wall tie.

Wall ties generally comprise a pair of wall engaging ends joined by a shank. A drip means is provided on the shank to ensure that any moisture travelling from the outer leaf of the wall along the shank will drop from the shank, thereby avoiding moisture penetration of the inner leaf of the wall.

Many constructions of drip means are used. For example, in wall ties formed from wire, the drip means is normally formed by cranking the wire intermediate the ends of the shank. The cranked portion forms a depression in the shank which in use is directed downwardly, thus ensuring that moisture travelling along the shank will not go beyond the depression. However, quite frequently, brick layers inadvertently fix the wall tie with the depression directed upwardly. This needless to say, renders the drip means ineffective. Furthermore, bricklayers may fix the tie with the drip means adjacent the inner leaf of the wall, and this can cause considerable problems when the tie is used to retain insulating material against the inner leaf.What can happen is that the drip means can co-incide with the insulating material moisture may then run from the insulating material unto the inner leaf, causing dampness. There is therefore a need for a wall tie which will overcome these problems.

Additionally, with the increasing use of insulating material in cavity walls, for example, expanded polystyrene board, wall ties are now generally provided with a retaining member to retain the insulating board against the inner leaf of the wall. In the case of wire ties, the retaining member is usually a disc or clip which engages the shank with a snap-on action. Unfortunately, over a period of time in use, the resilience of the disc or clip tends to relax and the retaining member may slide along the shank of the tie.

Indeed, wind pressure during construction on the insulating board can also cause the retaining member to slide along the shank. This presents a serious problem, in that it permits the insulating board to part from the inner leaf. It has been found that in order to maximise the insulation ability of the polystyrene board, the board should be kept tightly against the inner leaf of the wall.

There is therefore a heed for a wall tie which will overcome this problem.

A further problem with wall ties is that where the retaining member is supplied to be clipped on to the tie after installation, or indeed where the retaining member has been clipped on to the tie prior to installation, there is always a difficulty for the bricklayer in accurately establishing the correct position of the retaining member on the shank to keep the insulation board tight against the inner leaf of the wall. This problem is further aggravated by the fact that depending on the level of insulation required, varying thicknesses of polystyrene insulation board are used.

There is therefore a need for a wall tie which overcomes this problem.

A further problem which exists with known wall ties concerns cases where the inner leaf of the wall is cast in situ while the exterior leaf is of either brick, block or similar construction. In these cases, it is essential that a tie should be provided between the two leaves of the wall. Known ties have to be cast with the inner leaf in situ. This it will be appreciated, presents many problems.

Firstly it is necessary that the shuttering should be so arranged to permit the wall ties to extend outwardly. Secondly, shuttering has to be of such size that it can easily be removed from the ties.

Thirdly, the ties must be positioned so that they will align correctly with the course of bricks of the outer leaf of the wall. It will be appreciated that unless considerable accuracy is used in the construction of the shuttering for the inner leaf the wall tie will not properly align with the courses of brickwork.

The present invention is directed towards providing wall ties which overcome the problems with wall ties known heretofore.

According to the invention there is provided a wall tie comprising a pair of wall-engaging ends joined by a shank, a drip means projecting from the shank and indicating means provided on a face of the tie opposite the drip means to indicate the upward face in use.

In one embodiment of the invention, the indicating means is provided by a painted mark.

Preferably, the indicating means is provided on a wall engaging end.

In another embodiment of the invention, the indicating means is on an inner wall engaging end. Alternatively, the indicating means is on an outer wall engaging end. Indeed it will be appreciated that the indicating means could be on both the inner and outer wall engaging ends.

Preferably, when the indicating means is on the inner wall engaging end, it is painted red while the outer wall engaging end is painted blue, the red to indicate the warmer of the two leaves, and the blue to indicate the cooler of the two leaves.

The invention also provides a wall tie comprising a pair of wall engaging ends joined by a shank, and receiving means on the shank to receive an insulating board retaining member.

In one embodiment of the invention the receiving means is an indicating mark on the shank to indicate the position, in use, for the retaining member.

Advantageously, the indicating means is provided by a band painted around the shank, and preferably, there are a plurality of bands of different colour to indicate different positions for the retaining member to correspond with differing thicknesses of insulating board.

In another embodiment of the invention the receiving means is provided by a roughened portion on the surface of the shank to retain the retaining member in position in use. Preferably, the roughened surface extends around the shank of the tie and advantageously, it is formed by knurling.

In a further embodiment of the invention, the receiving means is provided by portion of the shank having a different cross-sectional area to the rest of the shank. Preferably, the receiving means is of reduced cross-sectional area.

The invention also provides a wall tie comprising a pair of wall engaging ends joined by a shank wherein one of the wall engaging ends is provided by a surface engaging member extending sidewardly of the shank and having means therein for engagement with a fastening member for fastening the tie to the inner leaf of the wall. Preferably the surface engaging member, in use, projects upwardly relative to the tie.

Advantageously, the engaging means is an aperture in the surface engaging member and is preferably adapted to engage a masonry nail.

In a further embodiment of the invention the surface engaging member is of wire and the aperture is an eye formed by bending the wire.

Preferably, the shank and wall engaging ends are of wire and are integrally formed by bending the wire.

The invention will be more clearly understood from the following description of some embodiments thereof, given by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a wall tie according to the invention, Fig. 2 is a perspective view of portion of the wall tie of Fig. 1, Fig. 3 is a perspective view of another portion of the wall tie of Fig. 1, Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the portion of Fig. 3 from the opposite direction, Fig. 5 is a perspective view of a wall tie according to another embodiment of the invention, Fig. 6 is a perspective view of a portion of the wall tie of Fig. 5, Fig. 7 is a perspective view of a wall tie according to a still further embodiment of the invention, and Fig. 8 is a perspective view of a wall tie according to a still further embodiment of the invention.

Referring to the drawings and initially to Figs. 1 to 4 thereof, there is illustrated a wall tie according to the invention indicated generally by the reference numeral 1. The wall tie comprises a pair of triangular wall engaging ends 2 and 3 joined by a shank 4. The wall tie 1 is of stainless steel wire, in this embodiment of the invention four millimeters in diameter and the shank 4 and ends 2 and 3 are formed by bending the wire at each end of the shank into a triangle. A drip means 5 is formed on the shank 3 by cranking the shank intermediate its ends. It can be seen from Fig. 2 that the cranked portion 5 forms a depression from which moisture travelling along the shank will drop. In use, the end portion 2 would normally engage the outer leaf of a cavity wall.

In order to ensure that the tie is positioned in the wall so that the depression 5 faces downwardly, an identifying means is provided on the surface of the wall tie opposite the depression 5. In this embodiment of the invention, the indicating means is provided by painting the top surface of the inner wall engaging end 3 of the tie with red paint. The painted portion of the tie is indicated by the cross-hatched lines 7.

Accordingly, when a course of wall ties have been laid on a course of bricks by merely looking down along the inner leaf of the wall, an incorrectly positioned tie can be readily easily identified. Red paint is used, because red being associated with warmth and the inner leaf being warmer than the outer leaf, the bricklayer will easily associate the red end of the tie with the warmer leaf.

A retaining member, in this case a disc 9 engagable with the shank 4 is provided to retain expanded polystyrene insulating board against the inner leaf of a cavity wall. The disc 9 is of plastics material and has a. bore 10 to engage the shank 4 through a slot 11 with a snap-on action.

A slot 12 is provided in the disc to permit flexing of the disc during engagement with the shank 4.

Reinforcing ribs 14 are provided to strengthen the disc 9.

A receiving means, provided by indicating bands 1 6 of different colour paint is provided on the shank 4 to receive the retaining disc 9. The bands are provided to indicate to a bricklayer the correct position of the disc on the shank for varying thicknesses of polystyrene insulating board. It is envisaged that the bands will be of different colours, for example, red, blue, green and yellow, each corresponding to a different thickness of insulating board. The insulating board corresponding to each band would be marked with the relevant colour by a readily visible spot or band at a suitable place on the board. This would considerably assist a bricklayer in correctly positioning the disc 9 on the shank 4.

Alternatively, the wall tie or the insulating board may be sold with instructions as to which band on the wall tie corresponds to which thickness of insulating board.

It will be appreciated that by the builder placing the disc 9 at the correct colour band 16, the insulating board will be held tightly against the inner leaf of the cavity wall. In use, the builder positions the tie with 2hue painted surface 7 upwards and mounted on the inner leaf of the wall. An inspector may then inspect the ties to ensure that all ties have their red portion on the inner wall and facing upwardly. An incorrectly positioned tie can readily easily be identified.

Further courses of bricks are laid and the tie grouted in. Polystyrene insulation board is then positioned against the inner leaf of the wall and the disc 9 is snapped onto the shank 4 to engage it at the appropriate colour band 1 6.

A particular advantage of this tie according to the invention is that it removes trial and error out of mounting wall ties in that the insulating board retaining disc 9 is positioned on the shank at the correct position to ensure that the insulating board is a tight fit against the inner leaf of the cavity wall.

A further advantage of the invention is that because the top face of the inner wall engaging end 3 is painted red, by inspecting a row of wall ties, an incorrectly positioned wall tie can readily easily be identified. This, it is envisaged, will greatly assist building inspectors and clerks of works.

Referring now to Figs. 5 and 6 there is illustrated a wall tie according to another embodiment of the invention. This tie is substantially similar to that described with reference to Figs. 1 to 4 and similar components are identified by the same reference numeral. In this case indicating means are provided on both wall engaging ends 2 and 3. In this case, the top surface of the end 2 is painted blue, blue being associated with cold indicates the wall engaging end for engaging the outer leaf of the cavity wall.

The top face of the inner leaf engaging end 3 is painted red. The receiving means for receiving the retaining disc 10 in this case as well as being provided by indicating bands 16, is formed by a knurled portion 18 on the shank 4. The knurling 18 secures the retaining member 9 on the shank.

The tips of the knurling 1 8 penetrate the interior of the bore 10 of the disc 9 thereby positively engaging the bore. Thus, once the retaining disc 9 has been correctly positioned on the shank 4, the knurling 18 will prevent slipping of the disc 9 along the shanks during use. This is a particular advantage in that it ensures the polystyrene insulating board is retained tightly against the inner leaf of the cavity wall.

Referring now to Fig. 7 there is illustrated a wall tie according to a still further embodiment of the invention. Again components similar to those described are identified by the same reference numerals. In this case, the wall tie is formed integrally of stainless steel wire and has a triangular outer leaf engaging end 2 and an inner leaf engaging end 20 for engaging a surface of the inner leaf of the cavity wall. An aperture, for engaging, for example, a masonry nail is provided by an eye 21 formed by bending the end 20.

This tie is particularly suited for use in a cavity wall where one of the leaves is formed by a mass concrete wall cast in situ, for example, in the construction of buildings, where the inner wall in certain cases is formed of in situ concrete and the outer wall is a brick wall.

The wall tie is also provided with a drip means 5 and a receiving means 1 6 formed by coloured bands 1 6 and a knurled portion 1 8 for receiving an insulating board retaining disc 9. The disc 9 is not illustrated in this embodiment of the invention.

In use, when the inner wall of mass concrete has been cast and the shuttering removed, as the outer courses of bricks are laid by the bricklayer, the wall ties are laid by means of their ends 2 on the bricks. The ends 20 are secured to the inner leaf by means of masonry nails sold under the trade name "Hilti" driven into the inner leaf.

Alternatively, the inner leaf may be drilled to accommodate a rawl bolt for engagement with the eye 21.

Referring now to Fig. 8 there is illustrated a wall tie according to a still further embodiment of the invention. In this case the wall tie is substantially similar to that described with reference to Fig. 7 with the exception that an electrically non-conductive flanged sleeve 30 is provided for insertion in the eye 21. The sleeve 30 is of a plastics material, for example nylon, and comprises a tubular portion 31 which projects through the eye 21 and a flange 32 to abut the member 20. In use, the flange 30 prevents any electrolytic corrosive action between the masonry fixing nail or bolt and the wall tie. It has been found in the past, that in general, masonry nails are usually of a different material to the wall tie and moisture between the two components starts an electrolytic action which causes corrosion of either the tie or the nail.It will be appreciated that the use of the sleeve 30 in the eye 21 eliminates any possibility of electrolytic corrosion.

It will of course be appreciated that while the ties described with reference to the three embodiments of the invention have been described as being formed of stainless steel wire, this is not necessary and any other suitable wire could be used. Indeed, it will be appreciated that materials other than wire could also be used. For example, it is envisaged that the ties could be manufactured from flat plate metal, whereby the wall engaging ends would be bi-forcated and formed by splitting and spreading the ends of the tie. Furthermore, it is envisaged in certain cases the ties may be of a plastics material. Additionally, it is envisaged that when the ties are of wire, wire of diameter other than 4mm may be used. For example, wire of 3 or 5mm may be used or any other desired diameter.

It is further envisaged that the indicating means, instead of being formed by paint, could be formed by many other suitable means, for example, tape, print or the like. It of course will be appreciated that the indicating means instead of being provided on the wall engaging ends of the tie could if desired be provided somewhere along the shank. The advantage as already described of having the indicating means at a wall engaging end or at both wall engaging ends is that as well as being able to identify a tie which has been piaced upside down, a tie which has been positioned back to front can also be identified.

Needless to say, colours other than red, blue, green and yellow could be used for the indicating bands. Furthermore it is also envisaged that instead of painting the bands 1 6 they could be etched or marked by other suitable means onto the shank. Indeed, in certain cases they may be formed by tapes. Additionally, bands of similar colour could be used, for example, black. In which case the bands would be identified by letter or numerals.

It will also be appreciated that instead of the receiving means being knurled, other means for roughening the surface could be used, for example the shank could be abraided or serrated.

Additionally, portion of the shank could have a different cross-section to form the receiving means, for example a portion of reduced crosssection.

Furthermore, it is envisaged that in certain cases the receiving means could be provided by a formation, for example a circurnferential formation on the shank of the tie engagable with a complementary formation in the bore of the retaining member 9.

Furthermore, it is envisaged that in certain cases instead of the means for fastening the end 20 to the cast in situ wall being an aperture, it could be formed by a masonry engaging member projecting from the end 20. Indeed, in certain circumstances, it is envisaged that the member 20 could be a masonry engaging end.

Indeed, it will be appreciated that means other than an aperture 21 could be used for securing the end 20 to the cast in situ wall, for example, it is envisaged that slots or the like could be used.

It will also be appreciated that while in the embodiments described with reference to Figs. 7 and 8 the end 20 has been illustrated as being bent upwardly, this is not necessary. It could be bent downwardly, sidewardly or in any desired direction. However, it will be appreciated that by having it bent upwardly, fixing of the tie to the cast in situ wall is facilitated.

It will further be appreciated that while the ties described with reference to Figs. 7 and 8 have been illustrated as having receiving means 1 6 and 1 8 this is not necessary. Furthermore, it will be appreciated that while the tie of Figs. 5 and 6 have been described as having the receiving means 16 and 18, it is not necessary for the two to be provided in combination. For example, the indicating bands could have been eliminated.

Additionally, it will be appreciated that it is not necessary for the tie described with reference to Figs. 5 and 6 to have the indicating means 7 on the ends 2 and 3.

It will also be appreciated that other types of drip means could be used.

Additionally, it is envisaged that a retaining member other than a disc for retaining the insulating board could be used. For example, clips or the like.

It will be appreciated that while the invention has been described for use with retaining expanded polystyrene insulation board against the inner leaf of the cavity, any other form of insulating material could be used.

It is envisaged that instead of being of stainless steel, the material of the wall tie may be of any other suitable metal or plastics material. Indeed, where the tie is of steel, it is envisaged that the steel will be galvanised.

Furthermore, it is envisaged that instead of using a flanged sleeve to prevent electrolytic corrosion in the wall tie of Fig. 7, any other suitable sleeve may be used. Indeed, in certain cases it is envisaged that the eye of the tie may be coated with an electrically non-conductive insulating material, or if desired, the entire tie can be cast with an electrically non-conductive insulating material.

Claims (31)

Claims

1. A wall tie comprising a pair of wall-engaging ends joined by a shank, a drip means projecting from the shank and indicating means provided on a face of the tie opposite the drip means to indicate the upward face in use.

2. A wall tie as claimed in claim 1 in which the indicating means is a painted mark.

3. A wall tie as claimed in claim 2 in which the indicating means is on the wall-engaging end.

4. A wall tie as claimed in claim 3 in which the indicating means is on the inner wall engaging end.

5. A wall tie as claimed in claim 4 in which the indicating means is red paint.

6. A wall tie as claimed in claim 2 in which the indicating means is on the outer wall engaging end.

7. A wall tie as claimed in claim 6 in which the indicating means is blue paint.

8. A wall tie comprising a pair of wall engaging ends joined by a shank, and receiving means on the shank to receive an insulating board retaining member.

9. A wall tie as claimed in claim 8 in which the receiving means is an indicating mark on the shank to indicate the position, in use, for the retaining member.

10. A wall tie as claimed in claim 9 in which the indicating mark is a band around the shank.

11. A wall tie as claimed in claim 9 or 10 in which the indicating mark is paint.

12. A wall tie as claimed in any of claims 9 to 11 in which there are a plurality of indicating marks.

1 3. A wall tie as claimed in claim 12 in which each indicating mark is of a different colour.

14. A wall tie as claimed in claim 8 in which the receiving means is provided by a roughened portion on the surface of the shank to retain the retaining member in position in use.

1 5. A wall tie as claimed in claim 14 in which the roughened surface extends around the shank.

1 6. A wall tie as claimed in claim 14 or 1 5 in which the roughened surface is knurled.

1 7. A wall tie as claimed in claim 8 in which the receiving means is provided by portion of the shank having a different cross-sectional area to the rest of the shank.

1 8. A wall tie as claimed in claim 17 in which the receiving means is of reduced cross-sectional area.

19. A wall tie as claimed in claim 8 in which the receiving means is provided by a formation on the shank to engage a complementary formation on the retaining member.

20. A wall tie comprising a pair of wall engaging ends joined by a shank wherein one of the wall engaging ends is provided by a surface engaging member extending sidewardly of the shank and having means therein for engagement with a fastening member for fastening the tie to the inner leaf of the wall.

21. A wall tie as claimed in claim 20 in which the surface engaging member, in use, projects upwardly relative to the tie.

22. A wall tie as claimed in claim 20 or 21 in which the engaging means is an aperture in the surface engaging member.

23. A wall tie as claimed in claim 22 in which the aperture is adapted to engage a masonry nail.

24. A wall tie as claimed in any of claims 20 to 23 in which the surface engaging member is of wire and the aperture is an eye formed by bending the wire.

25. A wall tie as claimed in any of claims 22 to 24 in which means to prevent electrolytic corrosion is provided in the eye of the tie.

26. A wall tie as claimed in claim 25 in which the means to prevent electrolytic corrosion is provided by an electrically non-conductive sleeve in the aperture.

27. A wall tie as claimed in any preceding claim in which the shank and wall engaging ends are of wire, the shank and ends being integrally formed by bending the wire.

28. A wall tie as substantially described herein with reference to and as illustrated in Figs. 1 to 4.

29. A wall tie substantially as described herein with reference to and as illustrated in Figs. 5 and 6.

30. A wall tie substantially as described herein with reference to and as illustrated in Fig. 7.

31. A wall tie substantially as described herein with reference to and as illustrated in Fig. 8.