GB2157736A - Wall ties - Google Patents

Abstract

A wall tie 10 is formed of hard drawn stainless steel and has an elongate shank 12 provided at each end with triangular heads 14,16 crimped at 18 and 20. The shank 12 is formed with two double lips 22 each comprising adjacent bends 24,26 lying in a plane perpendicular to the heads 14,16 and extending in opposite directions, the bends 24,26 being connected by a straight portion 28 making an angle of 40 DEG to the axis of the shank 12. Because either of the bends 24,26 will promote drip-formation, it is immaterial in which orientation the tie 10 is positioned. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Wall ties This invention relates to wall ties for tying together the two leaves of a cavity wall, for example two brick leaves; an outer brick leaf and an inner block leaf; or an outer brick leaf and an inner timber frame leaf.

Where a wall tie is formed from wire and has a simple shank it is common to provide the shank with one or two shallow U-shaped bends known as lips which assist in collecting condensed water and promoting the formation of drops which, when of sufficient size, fall down to the bottom of the cavity. Such lips introduce a complication into bricklaying as it is essential that they be incorporated in the correct orientation, that is bend downwards, if they are to function properly with respect to drip formation.

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a wall tie having an elongate shank and, at at least one end, a head for embedding in a mortar course, the shank being provided with one or more pairs of adjacent bends extending in opposite directions in a plane normal to that of said head. Such a tie is reversible and will promote drip-formation equally well in either orientation. The adjacent bends thus have a generally Sshaped configuration, the intermediate portion between the two U-bends constituting the S preferably being straight and forming an angle of less than 45" to the axis of the shank.

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a wall tie, which is preferably a tie according to the first aspect of the present invention, fabricated from hard drawn stainless steel. Such a tie is extremly strong and can, if desired, be made from a smaller gauge wire than one formed from equivalent light-drawn stainless steel, thus at least compensating for the slightly greater cost of the hard drawn wire.

Preferably a wall tie according to the present invention is made from a single length of hard drawn stainless steel wire with at least one triangular head; to enhance the anchorage of the head when embedded in mortar the wire forming the head or heads may be crimped at one or more places.

An embodiment of the invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which Figure 1 is a plan of a wall tie according to the invention; Figure 2 is a side elevation of the tie of Fig. 1; and Figure 3 is an end elevation of the tie of Figs. 1 and 2.

The reversible wall tie 10 shown in the drawings is formed from a length of hard drawn stainless steel wire (grade EN58E). The tie 10 comprises a shank 12 having a triangular head 14 at one end and a similar head 16 at the other end; the wire portions forming those sides 15 of the head 14 which are angled to the axis of the shank 12 are crimped at 18 to improve anchorage when embedded in a mortar course, and the head 16 is similarly crimped at 20 but in the opposite direction.

The shank 12 is formed with two double lips 22, each comprising adjacent bends 24,26 lying in a plane perpendicular to that of the heads 14,16 and extending in opposite directions to each other, the bends 24,26 being connected by a straight portion 28 making an angle of about 40 to the axis of the shank 12.

In situ, both the double lips 22 will be located in the cavity between the two leaves of the cavity wall. It is immaterial whether the tie 10 is positioned as shown in the drawings or in the reverse position: in the position shown condensation will collect on the bends 24 and fall as drops from the lowest point thereof; if the tie 10 is positioned in the reverse orientation to that shown the bends 26 will perform the condensation- collecting and dropforming functions equally effectively.

1. A wall tie having an elongate shank and, at at least one end, a head for embedding in a mortar course, the shank being provided with one or more pairs of adjacent bends extending in opposite directions in a plane normal to that of said head.

2. A tie as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the intermediate portion between the adjacent bends is rectilinear.

3. A tie as claimed in Claim 2, in which the intermediate portion forms an angle of less than 45 to the axis of the shank.

4. A tie as claimed in any preceding Claim and made from a single length of hard drawn stainless steel wire.

5. A tie as claimed in any preceding Claim, in which the, or each, head is traingular.

6. A tie as claimed in any preceding claim in which the, or each, head is crimped at one or more places.

7. A wall tie substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

8. A wall tie fabricated from hard drawn stainless steel.

9. The features as herein disclosed, or their equivalents, in any patentably novel selection.

Amendments to the claims have been filed, and have the following effect: (a) Claims 1-9 above have been deleted.

(b) New claims have been filed as follows: See attached CLAIMS 1. A wall tie having an elongate shank and, at each end, a triangular head for embedding in a mortar course, the shank being provided with one or more pairs of adjacent bends extending in opposite directions in a plane normal to that of each head.

2. A tie as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the in

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

Claims (6)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Wall ties This invention relates to wall ties for tying together the two leaves of a cavity wall, for example two brick leaves; an outer brick leaf and an inner block leaf; or an outer brick leaf and an inner timber frame leaf. Where a wall tie is formed from wire and has a simple shank it is common to provide the shank with one or two shallow U-shaped bends known as lips which assist in collecting condensed water and promoting the formation of drops which, when of sufficient size, fall down to the bottom of the cavity. Such lips introduce a complication into bricklaying as it is essential that they be incorporated in the correct orientation, that is bend downwards, if they are to function properly with respect to drip formation. According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a wall tie having an elongate shank and, at at least one end, a head for embedding in a mortar course, the shank being provided with one or more pairs of adjacent bends extending in opposite directions in a plane normal to that of said head. Such a tie is reversible and will promote drip-formation equally well in either orientation. The adjacent bends thus have a generally Sshaped configuration, the intermediate portion between the two U-bends constituting the S preferably being straight and forming an angle of less than 45" to the axis of the shank. According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a wall tie, which is preferably a tie according to the first aspect of the present invention, fabricated from hard drawn stainless steel. Such a tie is extremly strong and can, if desired, be made from a smaller gauge wire than one formed from equivalent light-drawn stainless steel, thus at least compensating for the slightly greater cost of the hard drawn wire. Preferably a wall tie according to the present invention is made from a single length of hard drawn stainless steel wire with at least one triangular head; to enhance the anchorage of the head when embedded in mortar the wire forming the head or heads may be crimped at one or more places. An embodiment of the invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which Figure 1 is a plan of a wall tie according to the invention; Figure 2 is a side elevation of the tie of Fig. 1; and Figure 3 is an end elevation of the tie of Figs. 1 and 2. The reversible wall tie 10 shown in the drawings is formed from a length of hard drawn stainless steel wire (grade EN58E). The tie 10 comprises a shank 12 having a triangular head 14 at one end and a similar head 16 at the other end; the wire portions forming those sides 15 of the head 14 which are angled to the axis of the shank 12 are crimped at 18 to improve anchorage when embedded in a mortar course, and the head 16 is similarly crimped at 20 but in the opposite direction. The shank 12 is formed with two double lips 22, each comprising adjacent bends 24,26 lying in a plane perpendicular to that of the heads 14,16 and extending in opposite directions to each other, the bends 24,26 being connected by a straight portion 28 making an angle of about 40 to the axis of the shank 12. In situ, both the double lips 22 will be located in the cavity between the two leaves of the cavity wall. It is immaterial whether the tie 10 is positioned as shown in the drawings or in the reverse position: in the position shown condensation will collect on the bends 24 and fall as drops from the lowest point thereof; if the tie 10 is positioned in the reverse orientation to that shown the bends 26 will perform the condensation- collecting and dropforming functions equally effectively. CLAIMS

1. A wall tie having an elongate shank and, at at least one end, a head for embedding in a mortar course, the shank being provided with one or more pairs of adjacent bends extending in opposite directions in a plane normal to that of said head.

2. A tie as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the intermediate portion between the adjacent bends is rectilinear.

3. A tie as claimed in Claim 2, in which the intermediate portion forms an angle of less than 45 to the axis of the shank.

4. A tie as claimed in any preceding Claim and made from a single length of hard drawn stainless steel wire.

5. A tie as claimed in any preceding Claim, in which the, or each, head is traingular.

6. A wall tie substantially as hereinbefore described with referenceto the accompanying drawings.

6. A tie as claimed in any preceding claim in which the, or each, head is crimped at one or more places.

7. A wall tie substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

8. A wall tie fabricated from hard drawn stainless steel.

9. The features as herein disclosed, or their equivalents, in any patentably novel selection.

Amendments to the claims have been filed, and have the following effect: (a) Claims 1-9 above have been deleted.

(b) New claims have been filed as follows: See attached CLAIMS

1. A wall tie having an elongate shank and, at each end, a triangular head for embedding in a mortar course, the shank being provided with one or more pairs of adjacent bends extending in opposite directions in a plane normal to that of each head.

2. A tie as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the in termediate portion between the adjacent bends is rectilinear.

3. A tie as claimed in Claim 2, in which the intermediate portion forms an angles of less than 45 to the axis of the shank.

4. A tie as claimed in any preceding Claim and made from a single length of hard drawn stainless steel wire.

5. A tie as claimed in any preceding Claim in which the, or each, head is crimped at one or more places.