GB2241729A

GB2241729A - Inserting ceramic tubes into walls

Info

Publication number: GB2241729A
Application number: GB9104566A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Tony Frederick Newell
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1990-03-09
Filing date: 1991-03-05
Publication date: 1991-09-11
Anticipated expiration: 2011-03-05
Also published as: GB9104566D0; GB2241729B; GB9005305D0

Abstract

A method and apparatus for inserting a ceramic tubular plug 16 into a hole bored in the wall of a building in order to prevent rising damp in the walls uses a cap 18 with projections 22 which contact the walls of the hole through the mortar lining to centrally locate the plug in the mortar-coated hole. The cap also prevents water entering the plug. A mandrel 24 inserted into the plug is used for insertion. <IMAGE>

Description

CERAMIC PLUG INSERTION This invention relates to a ceramic plug for use in buildings. In particular, the present invention relates to a method of means for inserting such a plug into the wall of the building.

It is known to use tubular ceramic plugs, inserted into the walls of buildings in order to prevent rising damp in those walls. They allow any damp in the wall of the building to migrate to the ceramic plug and evaporate therein.

In use, a hole having a diameter somewhat greater than that of the ceramic plug, is bored into the wall usually at an angle of 50 or more to the horizontal, with the inner part at a higher level than the outer part. To ensure a close fit of the plug in the hole the inner surface of the hole is preferably coated with a suitable mortar and the ceramic plug is then inserted before the mortar sets.

It is often found that the act of inserting the plug into the coated hole disturbes some of the mortar which tends to fall into the hollow interior of the plug.

Another problem which arises is the difficulty of ensuring that the plug is inserted reasonably concentrically with respect to the hole in the wall.

It is an object of the invention to provide a method of and means for inserting a tubular plug into a wall which overcomes the above objections.

According to one aspect of the invention there is provided a method of inserting a hollow plug within the wall of a building comprising [a] drilling a hole in the wall, the hole having a diameter greater than that of the plug, [b3 coating the interior surface of the hole with a mortar, [C] securing an end cap on to the plug, the end cap being provided with outwardly projecting fins having a dimension substantially equal to the diameter of the hole in the wall, and [d] inserting the plug with its end cap into the hole in the wall.

The method includes assembling the plug around mandrel which is adapted to transmit an axial force from the mandrel to the plug and inserting an axial force to the mandrel to cause the plug to be inserted within the hole in the wall.

The method further includes utilizing outwardly projecting fins formed with sharp leading edges whereby the fins are are passed through the mortar coating upon being axially advanced in the hole in the wall.

In another aspect of the invention there is provided a set of tools for use in the insertion of a hollow ceramic plug, including a mandrel adapted to fit freely within the hollow plug to be inserted, an end cap capable of fitting on the end of the plug, the end cap being provided with fins having an end to end dimension substantially the same as the diameter of the hole in the wall.

Preferably the end cap is dome-shaped and is provided with gripping means adapted to grip the inside of the tube.

The mandrel may be provided with means to abut the end of the plug distal from the end cap in order to apply axial pressure to the plug to insert it into the hole in the wall.

One end of the mandrel may be formed with a recess or recesses into which the gripping means will locate and the means for applying the axial pressure from the mandrel to the plug may comprise a protrusion formed on the mandrel. The protrusion may comprise a pin or peg located in the hole which passes transversely into the mandrel.

The mandrel may be formed with a plurality of transverse holes spaced along its length and a peg or pin is located in an appropriate hole according to the length of the plug to be inserted.

One or more annular or horse-shoe shaped members may be located around the mandrel between a peg or pin and the end of the plug distal from the end cap.

Other aspects of the invention will become clear from the following description, which is provided by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a cross section view through part of a wall of a building showing a ceramic plug in position; Figure 2 is a view, partly in section, of a set of tools according to the invention assembled with a plug; Figure 3 is a section view on the line III-III of Figure 1; Figure 4 is a section view of part of a plug with an end cap inserted therein; Figure 5 is a plan view of an end cap.

As seen in the drawings a wall W of a building is bored with a hole 12 at a suitable angle, say 50 to the horizontal and a layer 14 of a suitable mortar is applied to the surface of the hole. A hollow ceramic plug 16 is shown inserted in the hole and spaced therefrom by the layer of mortar.

This is a known construction and has been found to be successful in the treatment of rising damp, e.g. in buildings or walls where no damp-proof course is provided.

Moisture within the wall migrates to the ceramic plug from where it evaporates.

In Figure 2 there is seen a set of tools used in conjunction with the plug 16, and an end cap 18 is fitted to one end of the plug by means of spring members 20 which grip the inside of the hollow plug. The cap 18 is formed with a domed outer surface and has four diametrically opposed fins 22 extending radially from the cap.

A mandrel 24 fits freely within the hollow plug as shown and is formed with holes 26 in which may be inserted a suitable pin 28. A pressure ring 30 surrounds the mandrel 24 and the pin 28 protrudes from the mandrel to engage the ring. A packing collar 32 may be located between the ring 30 and the end surface of the plug distal from the end cap 18. The end portion of the mandrel is formed with recesses 34 to accomodate the spring members 20.

In use the end cap 18 is assembled on to the end of a plug 16, the spring members 20 gripping the interior of the plug. The ring 30 and, if required, the collar 32 are fitted around the mandrel 24 and a pin 28 is then inserted into the hole 26 appropriate to the length of plug or plugs to be inserted. The assembly is then aligned with the hole 12 in the wall and inserted therein by applying axial pressure to the mandrel, preferably at the same time imparting a twisting or screwing action thereto. The outermost portions of the fins 22 pass through the mortar layer to locate with the inner surface of the hole 12 in the wall.

After insertion of the plug is completed, the mandrel is withdrawn together with the collars 30, 32.

The end cap thus remains attached to the plug.

It may be found advantageous for the accurate alignment of the plug in the mortared hole to use a jig similar to that described in my British Patent Application No. 8902296.

The end cap is preferably made of a suitable plastic material e.g. by an injection moulding process.

By the use of this invention the plug is inserted axially within the hole and is a close fit with the mortar layer, ensuring good migration of damp from the wall to the plug.

Claims

1. A method of assembling a hollow ceramic plug within a wall of a building to prevent rising damp in the wall comprising: [a] drilling a hole in the wall, the hole having a diameter greater than that of the plug; [b] coating the interior surface of the hole with a mortar; [c] securing an end cap onto the plug, the end cap being provided with outwardly projecting fins having a dimension substantially equal to the diameter of the hole in the wall and [d] inserting the plug with its end cap into the hole in the wall.

2. A method according to Claim 1 wherein the plug is assembled around a mandrel which is adapted to transmit an axial force from the mandrel to the plug and exerting an axial force to the mandrel to cause the plug to be inserted within the hole in the wall.

3. A method according to Claim 1 or Claim 2 wherein outwardly projecting fins are formed with sharp leading edges which are passed through the mortar coating upon being axially advanced in the hole in the wall.

4. Apparatus for use in the insertion of a hollow ceramic plug within a wall of a building to prevent rising damp in the wall comprising a set of tools which includes a mandrel adapted to fit freely within the hollow plug to be inserted, an end cap capable of fitting on the end of the plug, the end cap being provided with fins having an end-to-end dimension substantially the same as the diameter of the hole in the wall.

5. Apparatus according to Claim 4 wherein the end cap is dome-shaped.

6. Apparatus according to Claims 4 or 5 wherein the end cap is provided with gripping means adapted to grip the inside of the tube.

7. Apparatus according to Claims 4, 5 or 6 wherein the mandrel is provided with means to abut the end of the plug distal from the end cap in order to apply axial pressure to the plug to insert it into the hole in the wall.

8. Apparatus according to Claim 6 wherein one end of the mandrel is formed with a recess or recesses into which the gripping means will locate.

9. Apparatus according to Claim 7 wherein the means for applying the axial pressure from the mandrel to the plug comprises a protrusion formed on the mandrel.

10. Apparatus according to Claim 9 wherein the protrusion comprises a pin or peg located in a hole which passes transversely into the mandrel.

11. Apparatus according to Claim 7 wherein the mandrel is formed with a plurality of transverse holes spaced along its length and a peg or pin is located in an appropriate hole according to the length of the plug to be inserted.

12. Apparatus according to Claim 11 wherein one or more annular or horseshoe-shaped members may be located around the mandrel between a peg or pin and the end of the plug distal from the end cap.