GB2162217A

GB2162217A - Wall ties

Info

Publication number: GB2162217A
Application number: GB08517433A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Christopher Guy Perry; David Graham Perry
Original assignee: CD TRULINE Ltd
Current assignee: CD TRULINE Ltd
Priority date: 1984-07-11
Filing date: 1985-07-10
Publication date: 1986-01-29
Also published as: GB2162217B; GB8517434D0; GB2161844A; GB2161843B; GB8517435D0; GB8517433D0; GB2161515A; GB8517432D0; EP0173437A1; GB2161843A; GB2161844B

Description

1 GB 2 162 217 A 1

SPECIFICATION

Improvements in or relating to walls This invention relates to walls and in particular to 70 methods of and apparatus for building walls.

Background to the Invention

It is already known, e.g. from UK Patent No.

1604941, to build onto a first wall a second wall of brick or building blocks by fixing to the first wall an upright alignment member of U-shape cross section and aligning the end bricks or blocks of the second wall within the two projecting limbs of the U-shape cross-section upright. The upright align ment member is provided with hook-like projec tions to receive so-called standard butterfly wall ties which are laterally slidable therein and enter into the mortar or cement between two rows of the bricks or blocks of the second wall. Unfortunately dimensioning difficulties can arise, e.g. vertical building tolerances or height differences between rows of the bricks or blocks in the two walls (e.g.

where one is of imperial size bricks and the other is of metric size bricks) whereby it is difficult or im possible to ensure that the ties are properly held on the alignment upright such that they can enter horizontally between two said rows at a fixed lat eral position. Furthermore, the use of a U-shape alignment member results in at least one of the limbs being visible on an un-rendered or an un plastered second wall. If this unsightly result is avoided by omitting one of the limbs of the align ment member of UK Patent NO. 1604841, then the member must be produced in two forms, viz. one with a left-hand projecting limb and the other with a right-hand projecting limb.

Brief Summary of the Invention

The present invention aims to provide a method 105 and apparatus whereby the above-mentioned and/ or other difficulties can be obviated or at least reduced.

According to a first aspect of this invention there is provided an attachment member of substantially L-shape cross-section for attachment by one limb of the "L" to an existing first wall such as to extend vertically with its other limb projecting away from the face of said first wall to provide an alignment surface against which the end bricks or blocks of a second wall can be aligned during building of said second wall, said attachment member having a plurality of elements at discrete locations for use in tying said member to the sec- ond wall, characterised in that said attachment member is a metal stamping having said elements formed to permit the attachment member to be used with said other limb either to the left of the said one limb or to the right of said one limb.

Said elements may comprise, at each of said dis- 125 crete locations, a pair of vertically directed fingers. Advantageously said fingers are for use in retaining separate tie members to be embedded in said jointing compound. The said fingers of each pair may extend in opposite directions (either side-byside or in vertical alignment) or may be closed at each end.

Preferably, said elements comprise tie member guide means, the tie member being connectable to the attachment member at any one of said stamped out guide members and such as to be guided for vertical motion with respect thereto.

The said tie member is thus positionally adjusted vertically with respect to the attachment member such as to compensate for or accomodate vertical building tolerances, e.g. height variations between courses of the building components of the first and second walls. The guide means thus also enables at least one of said tie members to be positively located laterally yet be positionally adjustable vertically to compensate for or accomoclate vertical building tolerances.

In a preferred embodiment said guide means comprises a transversely directed finger spaced from a generally planar part of said wall attachment member, part of said tie member being insertable sliclably into said space.

Preferably, said generally planar part is engaged by said tie member part both above and below said finger such that said tie member part is thereby restrained against angular movement in a plane normal to said generally planar part.

Alternatively, and where said wall attachment member has an alignment surface provided by a limb projecting away from the plane of a rear surface of the wall attachment member, said guide means may comprise a finger spaced from the plane of said limb such as to permit slidable entry into the said space of part of the tie member.

Preferably said finger is connected at each end to the wall attachment member in the manner of a strap and such that said space provides a slotlike opening when viewed in plan view.

Advantageously the opposite side edges of said tie member part in use engage the ends of said strap-like finger such that said tie member part is thereby restrained against angular movement in a plane parallel to said generally planar part.

Preferably said member has apertures to receive screw-threaded fasteners for fixing the attachment member upright to a said first wall, said member having restraining means in the vicinity of one or more of the apertures to provide a restraint against bowing of the member (preferably in both horizontal and vertical directions) due to over-tightening of the screw-threaded fastener.

Preferably said restraining means comprises a flange-like wall along at least part of the perimeter of said one or more of the apertures.

Alternatively said restraining means may com- prise one or more deformed portions, e.g. conical indentations, adjacent said one or more of the apertu res.

Description of the Drawings

By way of non-limiting example, embodiments of this invention will now be described with refer ence to the accompanying drawings of which:

Figure 1 is a front elevational view of a wall at- 2 GB 2 162 217 A 2 tachment member according to a first embodiment of this invention, Figure 2 is an enlarged view of the part of Fig 1 between the lines A-A and B-B, Figure 3 is a side elevation in the direction of ar- 70 row C in Fig 2, Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view taken on line D-D in Fig 2, Figure 5 is a front perspective view of the part shown in Figs 2 and 3, Figure 6 is a rear elevation of the part shown in Figs 2 and 3, Figure 7 is a schematic perspective view of a tie member for use with the attachment member of Figs 1-6, Figure 8 is a side view of the tie member of Fig 7, Figure 9 is an end view taken in the direction of arrow E in Fig 8, Figure 10 is an underneath plan view of the tie 85 member of Fig 7.

Figure 11 is a front elevational view of part of a wall attachment member according to a second embodiment of this invention, Figure 12 is a side elevation in the direction of 90 arrow XII in Fig 11, Figure 13 is a plan view in the direction of arrow Xill in Fig 11, Figure 14 is a front elevational view of part of a wail attachment member according to a third em- 95 bodiment of this invention.

Figure 15 is a front elevational view of part of a wall attachment member according to a third em bodiment of this invention, Figure 16 is a side elevation in the direction of 100 arrow XVI in Fig 15, Figure 17 is a plan view in the direction of arrow XVII on Fig 15, Figures 18a and 18b are respectively front eleva- tional and plan views of a wall attachment member 105 according to a fourth embodiment of this invention; Figure 19 is a front elevational view of a part of a wall attachment member according to a fifth em- bodiment of this invention, Figure 20 is a front elevationai view of part of a wall attachment member according to a sixth embodiment of this invention, Figure 21 is a plan view of a tie member for use with the attachment member of Fig 20, and Figure 22 is a front elevational view of part of a wall attachment member according to a seventh embodiment of this invention.

Description of Preferred Embodiments

The wall attachment member 10 of Figs 1-6 is a stainless steel stamping or pressing of generally Lshaped cross-section having a rear or main limb 12 and a forwardly extending limb 14 at an angle thereto. The main limb 12 is substantially wider and fractionally longer at its upper and lower ends 11,13 than the side limb 14. In use the main limb 12 is plumbed vertically and attached to the face of a first wall onto which a second wall is to be built at an angle thereto. The side limb 14 defines an alignment surface against which the end bricks, blacks or other building components of the second wall are in use aligned, the angle between the limbs 12, 14 (in this example, a right-angle) defining in use the said angle between the first and secand walls.

The elongate edge of main limb 12 opposite side limb 14 is rolled or peened over to provide an elongate reinforcing bead 16. Preferably the bead 16 is to the rearward surface of limb 12. The main limb 12 has apertures 18 therethrough disposed in substantially two general rows adjacent side limb 14 and bead 16 respectively. A central row of apertures 20 is provided at a wider longitudinal spacing than apertures 18. Each of these apertures 20 is bounded by an encompassing wall 19 directed rearwardly, e.g. to a depth of approximately 3mm, the wall 19 being integral with limb 12 and inclined thereto at an obtuse angle all round the hole 20.

Closely adjacent each side of each aperture 20, and substantially in line with said apertures 18 adjacent that side of limb 12, the main limb 12 is provided with a somewhat conical indentation 22 directed rearwardly, i.e. oppositely to the side limb 14. The indentations 22 may extend to a depth greater than walls 19, e.g. to a depth of approximately 4mm. Midway between each pair of central apertures 20, the main limb 12 is cut with two closely adjacent transverse slits at 21 that define between them a finger 24 which is pressed out to extend (in the manner of a strap) in front of and spaced from the plane containing the main body of limb 12 such as to define a slot-like opening 25 when viewed in plan (see Fig 4).

A single row of apertures 26 is provided in the side limb 14, horizontally in alignment with apertures 18.

All the apertures 18, 20 and 26 have the form of elongate oval-like holes which essentially appear defined by two parallel sides coupled together by semi-circular ends. The elongate holes 18 and 26 are directed longitudinally of the alignment member 10 whereas the elongate holes 20 are directed transversely of the member's rear limb 12 and nor- mal to its longitudinal centre-line.

The apparatus of this embodiment also comprises a plurality of tie members for sliding co-operation with the attachment member 10, such cooperation being by guided insertion of part of the tie member into a slot-like opening 25 and its retention therein by the transversely-directed finger 24. A suitable tie member 30, as shown in Figs 710, is of generally L-shaped form having longer and shorter limbs 32 and 34 at right-angles to one another. The shorter limb 34, which is the part to enter a slot-like opening 25 of the attachment member, and in use extend vertically, is provided with three similar longitudinally directed reinforcing ribs 36 of narrow trough-like cross-section. It also has its free end 38 tapered or provided with rounded or radiussed corners to provide a progressive reduction in the limb's cross-section as it extends towards its free end 38 thereby to facilitate entry of limb 34 into any one of the slot-like open- ings 25. A transversely directed, elongate depres- 3 GB 2 162 217 A 3 sion 40 of the arris between limbs 32, 34 serves to reinforce this corner of the L-shaped tie member 30. The limb 32, which is to extend in use generally horizontally in between two courses of end bricks, blocks or other building components of the second wall and in the second wall's direction, is provided at each side with a plurality of pressedout individual tags or sprags 42. These tags or sprags 42 provide triangular shaped teeth of gen- erally planar form extending the a plurality of individual planes normal to the main body of limb 32, i.e. in use substantially vertically. On each side of limb 32, all the individual planes of said teeth 42 are parallel to one another and at the same angle, e.g. of between 30' to 60' (preferably about 45% to the extending direction of limb 32. The limb 32 also has a central row of separate conical depressions 44 to provide a reinforcement of the limb and/or to improve its mortar bonding capability.

In use, the existing first wall surface is first cleaned or dirt and foreign matter. The main or rear limb 12 of the wall attachment member 10 is then offered up to the face of the first wall, is positioned with the upper edge of the straps or fingers 24 at approximately the proposed level of the mortar or cement between horizontal courses of the second wall's building bricks, blocks or like components, and is plumbed to extend vertically. In this vertically plumbed position, appropriate fixing holes are marked on the wall through the apertures 20. The fixing holes are drilled ahd plugged, and the attachment member then secured to the wall by appropriate fasteners, e.g. coach-screws or the like, inserted through the apertures 20 into the prepared fixing holes. Prior to final tightening of the screw-threaded fasteners the vertical alignment of the attachment member 10 is checked, the elongate nature of holes 20 enabling adjustment to be effected. It will be appreciated that in this surfacial abutment position the conical indentations 22 create a substantial engagement pressure on the existing wall whilst serving to space the main plane of limb 12 away from the surface of the existing wall. Such spacing allows any uneveness or out-of- true of that wall to be accomoclated, and also permits mortar, cement or other jointing composition used in building the new wall to extend through the apertures 18 (and any unused apertures 20) and effect a somewhat keyed connection or joint (thereby assisting in the bonding of the attachment member 10 to both the existing and newly-built walls). Moreover, substantial over-tightening of the screw-threaded fasteners, which could cause excessive buckling or bowing of limb 12 and conse- quential deformation of the alignment limb 14, is effectively prevented by the rearwardly extending flange or wall 19 which encompasses each hole 20.

The first row or course of the new wall's building components is laid with the end component (with jointing composition applied) being placed end on against rear limb 12 and side on against the alignment surface provided by limb 14 extending forwardly away from the existing wall (and, in this example, at right- angles thereto). Before comm- encing the second row or course of building components of the new wall, a tie member 30 is attached to the alignment member by downwardly sliding into the lowermost visible opening 25 the shorter limb 34 of tie member 30. Such sliding attachment is facilitated by the reducing cross-section free end 38 of limb 34, the guidance for such sliding being provided by the ends 23 of finger 24 (which ends connect finger 24 to the main planar body of the attachment member's limb 12). These ends 23 also serve to restrain the inserted tie member 30 against angular movement in a plane parallel to limb 12 and against sideways motion out of the member's limb 12. Longitudinal horizontal motion of the tie member towards and away from member 10 is restricted by the finger 24 itself and by the main planar body of limb 12. The latter is engaged by the tie member's limb 34 both above and below the finger or strap 24 thereby to restrain the tie member against angular movement in a plane normal to limb 12. The inwardly directed nature of the laterally extending elongate depression 40 (providing arris reinforcement of the tie member) assists in ensuring that the head of any fastener projecting from an adjacent aperture 20 does not unduly hinder the entry of the tie member's limb 34 into the slot-like opening 25, the length of this shorter limb 34 being commensurate with the spacing between an aperture 20 and the nearest finger 24 above or below it. Further tie members 30 are provided between appropriate upper courses as the new wall is built up, e.g. at 300mm centres. Where necessary the limb 34 of tie member 30 can be inserted upwardly into a slot- like opening 25 and before the end building component below it is laid (rather than downward limb insertion after the end building component is laid, as described above).

It will be appreciated that the facility for guided sliding motion of tie member 30 longitudinally of the wall attachment member 10 (i.e. vertically in use) that is provided by the co-operation of the tie member's limb 34 and the attachment member's slot-like opening 25, enables the apparatus to com- pensate for or adjust for variations in the various courses -especially upper courses -of the vertical building tolerances or height differences between building components (a) in the new wall and (b) as compared between the new wall and the old wall.

It will also be appreciated that the sideways movement of the new wall is restricted by the keyed bond of the mortar (between the new wall's courses) to the tie members' vertically directed and transversely angled teeth (provided by side tags or sprags 42) embedded in this mortar, the tie member being held against lateral movement by the finger ends 23 of the attachment member 10 fastened to the existing wall.

The apertures 26 in the side limb 14 of the at- tachment member provide for a keyed connection of plaster or other rendering of the new wall at the vertical arris between it and the older wall.

Where the desired wall height exceeds the length of attachment member 10, two (or more) such members may be connected longitudinally, 4 GB 2 162 217 A 4 the lower projecting end 13 of the upper member 10 being positioned behind the the upper projecting end 11 of the lower member 10. In this position the side edge of said end 13 is received within the top part of bead 16 of the lower member 10, and the bottom hole 20 of the upper member 10 overlies the top hole 20 of the lower member 10, the obtusely angled walls 19 nesting within one another and aiding such alignment. It will be appreci- ated that the obtusely angled walls 19 need not totally encompass each hole 20 of an attachment member 10, but may extend over part only of such hole outline. In alternative arrangements the wall 19 may be at an acute angle (rather than an obtuse angle), at 90', or omitted altogether.

Where necessary or convenient a new wall (e.g. a two-leaf cavity wall) may be built with its end abutting two limbs 12 of a pair of wall attachment members 10 disposed in a mutually mirror image formation with limbs 14 adjacent one another (inside the cavity) and the limbs 12 directed outwardly and away from the limbs 14. In this regard it will be noted from Fig 1 that the attachment member 10 is shown with its limb 14 providing a right-hand-side alignment surface. Where a lefthand-side alignment surface is required, the selfsame alignment member 10 is merely turned upside down, i.e. rotated 180' about a horizontal axis normal to the plane of limb 12. In other words the self-same wall attachment member 10 can be used (alone or in mirror-image formation with another identical wall attachment member 10) with its alignment limb 14 either to the left of its attachment limb 12 or to the right of its attachment limb 12. This is achieved because the straps or fingers 24 and the slot-like openings 25 provide guide means for permitting guided relative motion between a tie member 30 and the attachment member 10 irrespective of the attitude adopted by the attachment member.

If desired each of the rearwardly directed conical indentations 22 may be burst through at its apex to provide sharp edged tips, e.g. of triangular or cruciform shape, that may enhance the frictional grip provided by the attachment member's indentations on the older (existing) wall.

The embodiment of Figs 11-13 shows an alternative attachment member 50 which is identical to the wall attachment member 10 of Figs 1-6 except that each aperture 20 is simply punched out and is not bounded by an encompassing wall 19. Instead, the means to provide a restraint against bowing of the member -due to over-tightening of the screwthreaded fasteners used for fixing the upright alignment member to the existing (first) wall -are provided by rearwardly directed, deformed portions 59 of the main limb 12 in the vicinity of, and preferably closely adjacent, the fixing apertures 20.

Conveniently, these apertureadjacent deforma- tions 59 can have the form of conical indentations mutually spaced around each aperture 20. In the non-limiting example shown, four conical indentations 52,53 are provided around each elongate aperture 20: one (52) adjacent each end and one (53) adjacent each side of each elongate aperture 20.

It will be appreciated that the conical indentations can also provide the same spacing/gripping function of the indentations 22 in attachment member 10 of Figs 1-6, and thus physically replace those indentations 22. Although all four conical in- dentations 52,53 are shown having the same depth or rearward projection, it will be appreciated that (if desired) the indentations 52 can extend slightly beyond the indentations 53.

In a preferred arrangement of the embodiment of Figs 11-13 the alignment member 50 has an overall length of approximately 1183mm; the verti cal spacing between adjacent apertures 20 is 76.2mm; the fingers or straps 24 are approximately 8mm wide and are disposed mid-way between such adjacent apertures 20. The straps 24 are spaced from main limb 12 by a distance (gap 25) of approximately 4.75mm. The elongate apertures 20 are approximately 25mm x 12mm overall whereas the apertures 18 are approximately 16mm x 8mm overall. The conical indentations 52,53 have a "base" diameter of approximately 6mm and a "height" of approximately 3 or 4mm. The lateral spacing between centres of opposite inden- tations 52 and between centre lines of opposite apertures 18 is, in each case, approximately 38.5mm. The above dimensional features may be provided in a wall attachment member 50 (of Figs 11-13) having a main limb 12 60mm wide and, with the same dimensions, in a wall attachment member 60 having a wider main limb 62 (see Fig 14), for example 93mm wide. In each case the minimum width of metal between an aperture 20 and an indentation 52 or 53 is less than 5mm and preferably between 3 and 4mm.

The embodiment illustrated in Figs 15-17 is similar to those of Figs 1-6, Figs 11-13 and Fig 14 except that no restraint is provided against bowing in the vertical direction due to over-tighteni-ng of the screw-threaded fasteners, i.e. the features 19 and 59 described above are omitted, the indentations 22 restraining bowing in the horizontal direction only. Moreover the wall attachment member 70 of Figs 15-17 has additional elongate apertures 18 disposed adjacent the ends of each finger or strap 24, although these additional apertures 18 are not in line with the remaining apertures 18.

The embodiment of Figs. 18a and 18b, like that of Fig 14, is for use with a new wall of increased width. Thus, instead of having a single column or line of transverse fingers or straps 24, the attachment member 80 of Figs 18a and 18b has its main limb 82 sufficiently wide to accommodate two columns side by side with each stamped with the same features, viz. the transverse fingers 24, the fixing holes 20, the there-adjacent bowing restraint means provided by conical indentations 52 and 53, and the mortar-keying apertures 18. The two columns of fingers 24, enable two columns of the tie members 30 to be used.

However all the embodiments of Figs 1-6, Figs 11-13, Fig 14, and Figs 15-17 provide an -ambidex trous" alignment member which can be used with its alignment limb 14 either to the left or to the right of its first wall attachment limb 12 (62).

GB 2 162 217 A 5 It will be appreciated that the tie member 30 of Figs 7-10 is also utilisable with the above-described alignment members 50, 60 and 70.

In the embodiment of Fig 22, the alignment member 180 is again of L-shape cross-section but has its main limb 82 provided with hook-like projections 86, 88 of semi-circular, tab-like shape. Socalled standard butterfly wall ties 85 of bent wire are inserted into these hook-like projections. With the alignment member 180 disposed with its alignment limb 84 to the left of the main attachment limb 82 (the attitude show in Fig 22), the wire wallties 85 are inserted into upwardly directed hooklike projections 86. In this attitude the downwardly directed hooks 88 are redundant. When the alignment member 180 is rotated 1800 about the horizontal so that the relative limb 84 is to the right of the main attachment limb 82), the wire wall-ties 85 are inserted into the hook-like projections 88 and the now downwardly directed hooks 86 are redundant.

Although the oppositely directed hook-like projections 86, 88 are shown as arranged in vertically aligned pairs, other arrangements are also considered possible. One such is illustrated in the embodiment of Fig 19 where the alignment member 90 has its hook-like projections 96, 98 in pairs directed in opposite directions from substantially the same horizontal location. Such an arrangement similarly permits use of the self-same alignment member with its alignment limb 94 disposed either to the left or to the right of the main attachment limb 92, a butterfly wall tie such as 85 being inserted into the upwardly directed one of the hook- like projections 96, 98.

Fig 20 shows an alternative form of wall attachment member 100 which, like each of the abovementioned members 10, 60, 60, 70, 80, 90 and 180 is a stamping or pressing of sheet steel, preferably stainless steel. The attachment member 100 is of generally L-shaped cross- section and has its main limb 112 formed with fixing holes 120 each having an obtusely angled encompassing skirt 119. Closely adjacent each hole 120 the main limb 112 is provided with conical indentations 122, 123. A transverse rib 195 is provided mid-way between each pair of neighbouring holes 120 and the limb 112 may embossed adjacent each rib 195 with the words "LEVEL WITH BRICK TOP" or a like expres- sion. The elements 119, 120, 122, 123 and 195 of attachment member 100 correspond to the ele ments 19, 20, 52, 53 and 95 respectively of the at tachment members described above. However, instead of a single transverse finger or strap 24, the attachment member 100 is stamped to provide a plurality of pairs of longitudinally directed verti cal fingers or straps 126 spaced forwardly of the front surface of limb 112. The fingers 126 are con nected by their upper and lower ends 126 to the main body of limb 112 and provide pairs of oppo site slot-like gaps 125. The two fingers 126 of each pair are parallel to one another and spaced apart a distance slightly less than the width of a tie mem ber 130 (see Fig 21).

The tie member 130 of Fig 21 comprises horizon-130 tal and vertical limbs 132, 134 and is similar to the tie member 30 of Figs 7-10 except that its vertical limb 134 is substantially shorter than limb 34, the transverse arris reinforcing depression 40 is omit- ted, and a notch 128 is provided in each side of horizontal limb 132 adjacent its root, i.e. where it meets vertical limb 134. In use, the tie member 130 is offered up to the space between a pair of stamped out fingers 126 and twisted about a hori- zontal axis normal to main limb 112 to rotate the side edges of vertical limb 134 such that they slide into the slot-like gaps 125 between the main body of limb 112 and its stamped out fingers 126 and rest behind these fingers. In such position the tie member 130 is guided for vertical motion with respect to the attachment member 100 over a distance limited by the length of the tie member's vertical limb 134, a stop to such motion being provided either by the free bottom end or the upper end of limb 134 engaging respectively the lower end or the top end 127 of the fingers 126. The depth of the notches 128 provides a width 129 between them substantially equal to the horizontal spacing between the fingers 126 ofeach pair so that the tie member 130 is restrained against sideways movements and is effectively guided for vertical motion with respect to the attachment member 100. Optionally the attachment member 100 may be provided with a projecting side flange (not shown) to provide an alignment surface, the member 100 thus having a general ly-shaped crosssection.

In a modification of the embodiment of Fig 20, the fingers or straps 126 are not provided with the open outside edges shown but instead are also longitudinally connected to the main limb 112 so as to extend therefrom and form two shallow receptacles with their open "mouths" - defined by the inside edges of the straps 126 - facing one an- other. These receptacles aid in preventing ingress of mortar which might obstruct vertical sliding motion of the tie member.

It should be noted that the width of the main limb 12 (or 92, 92 or 112) of the attachment mem- ber 10, 50, 60, 70, or 80 (or of the attachment member 180, 90 or 100) need not extend across the entire end width of the new wall. Thus for example: an attachment member such as 10, 50 or 70, and having the width of limb 12 at a nominal 60mm can serve for a brick or block wall either 60mm thick or 75mm thick; an attachment member such as 10, 50 or 70 and having the width of limb 12 at a nominal 93mm can serve for a brick or block wall either 1 00mm thick or 11 5mm thick; an attachment member such as 60 or 80 and having the width of limb 12 at a nominal 125mm can serve for a block wall of thickness 125mm, 130mm, 135mm, 140mm, 150mm or 170mm; and an at tachment member such as 60 or 80 and having the width of limb 12 at a nominal 190mm can serve for a block wall of thickness 190mm, 200mm, 215mm, 230mm or 250mm. Thus just four sizes of attach ment member can cater for almost ail usual thick nesses of wall bricks and building blocks.

It will be appreciated that all the above-described 6 GB 2 162 217 A 6 embodiments of Figs 1-6, Figs 11-13, Fig 14, Figs 15-17, Figs 18a and 18b, Fig 19, Fig 20, and Fig 22 provide a non-handed or "ambidextrous" attachment member which can be used with its align- ment limb (14, 84 or 94) either to the left or to the right of the member's main limb (12, 82, 92 or 112) that is fastened to the existing (first) wall.

It will be noted that all the above-described embodiments of Figs 1-6, Figs 11-13, Fig 14, Figs 15- 17, Figs 18a and 18b, and Fig 20 provides for the tie member to be slidably connectable to the attachment member, and such as to be guided for vertical motion with respect thereto. Furthermore, in each said embodiment, the distance of such guided vertical motion is limited by the vertical dimensions of the tie member.

It will also be appreciated that in the embodiments of Figs 1-6, Figs 1113, Fig 14, Figs 18a and 18b, and Fig 20 the elements 19, 59 (52, 53), 119 and 122, 123 provide means that are integral with the remainder of the attachment member and are to restrain bowing or bucking of the attachment plate in both horizontal and vertical directions (i.e. about both horizontal and vertical "axes"), whereas in the embodiment of Figs 15-17 the integral elements 22 provide such restraint just in the horizontal direction. In Figs 19 and 22, the pierced out strips 182 serve merely to space the attachment member 90, 180 from the existing first wall but are not considered to provide any significant restraint against bowing of the attachment member (presumably because their being pierced at the junction with the major plane of the main limb 92 or 82 provides lines of inherent weakness not found with the conical indentations of the other illustrated embodiments of the invention).

Claims

1. An attachment member of generally L-shape cross-section for attachment for one limb of the ---U'to an existing first wall such as to extend vertically with its other limb projecting away from the face of said first wall to provide an alignment sur- face against which the end bricks or blocks of a second wall can be aligned during building of said second wall, said attachment member having a plurality of elements at discrete locations for use in tying said member to the second wall, character- ised in that said attachment member is a metal stamping having said elements formed to permit the selfsame attachment member to be used with said other limb selectively either to the left of the said one limb or to the right of said one limb.

2. An attachment member according to Claim 1, wherein said elements comprise, at each of said discrete locations, a pair of vertically directed fin gers.

3. An attachment member according to Claim 1, wherein said elements comprise two rows of 125 stamped out fingers for use in tying of the wall plate to the new wall.

4. An attachment member according to Claim 2 or 3, wherein said fingers extend side-by-side in opposite directions

5. An attachment member according to Claim 2, wherein said fingers extend in opposite directions substantially in vertical alignment.

6. An attachment member according to Claim 1, wherein said elements comprise tie member guide means, the tie member being connectable to the attachment member at any one of said stamped out guide means and such as to be guided for ver tical motion with respect thereto.

7. An attachment member according to Claim 6, characterised in that said guide means comprises a transversely directed finger spaced from a gener ally planar part of said wall attachment member, part of said tie member insertable slidably into said space.

8. An attachment member according to Claim 7, characterised in that said generally planar part is to be engaged by said tie member part both above and below said finger such that said tie member part is thereby restrained against angular movement in a plane normal to said generally planar part.

9. An attachment member according to Claim 7 or 8 characterised in that said finger is connected at each end to the wall attachment member in the manner of a strap and such that said space provides a slot-iike opening when viewed in plan view.

10. An attachment member according to Claim 9, characterised in that the opposite side edges of said tie member part in use engage the ends of said strap-like finger such that said tie member part is thereby restrained against angular movement in a plane parallel to said generally planar part.

11. An attachment member according to any one of Claims 7 to 10, characterised in that said finger is substantially parallel to the generally planar part from which it is spaced. 105

12. An attachment member according to any preceding Claims, wherein said attachment member has apertures to receive screw-threaded fasteners for fixing the attachment member upright to a said first wall, said member having restraining means in the vicinity of one or more of the apertures to provide a restraint against bowing of the member (preferably in both horizontal and vertical directions) due to over-tightening of the screwthreaded fastener.

13. An attachment member according to Claim 12, characterised in that said restraining mens comprises a flange-like wall along at least part of the perimeter of said one or more of the apertures.

14. An attachment member according to Claim 12, characterised in that said restraining means comprises one or more deformed portions adjacent said one or more of the apertures.

15. An attachment member according to Claim 14, characterised in that said deformed portions comprise conical indentations.

7 GB 2 162 217 A 7

16. An attachment member substantially as herein described with reference to and/or as illustrated in Figs 1-6, Figs 11-13, Fig 14, Figs 15-17, Figs 18a and 18b, Fig 19, Fig 20, or Fig 22 of the 5 accompanying drawings.

Printed in the UK for HMSO, D8818935, 12185, 7102. Published by The Patent Office, 25 Southampton Buildings, London, WC2A lAY, from which copies may be obtained.