GB2243630A - Cavity closure - Google Patents

Abstract

An adjustable closure capable of closing cavities of different widths comprises two elongate elements 5a, 6a having abutment surfaces for engaging masonry surfaces within the cavity and a cavity-spanning wall constituted by a first flange 5b extending from one element and being telescopically received between a pair of spaced parallel flanges 6b extending from the other element. To assist in alignment of the elements 5, 6 a plurality of snap-engagement positions 7, 8 may be provided. <IMAGE>

Description

CAVITY CLOSURE The present invention relates to cavity closures, and is particularly concerned with a cavity closure which may be used in a variety of applications requiring different cavity spans to be accommodated.

In modern buildings having cavity walls, the gap between the inner and outer leaves of the wall must be closed at certain locations, for example around door and window openings. Currently available cavity closure elements are specifically designed to fit a predetermined cavity span, and if the builder has deviated substantially from the nominal dimension of the cavity span then the cavity closure element will either not fit into the cavity or will not close it effectively. It is often the case that the cavity span varies at different points round a window or door opening, due to building inaccuracies, and current cavity closure elements cannot accommodate this variation easily.

An object of the present invention is to provide a cavity closure for use round an opening in a cavity wall which is adaptable to a variety of different cavity spans, and which can also conform to a cavity whose span varies about the periphery of an opening in the wall.

According to the present invention, a cavity closure comprises first and second elongate spaced parallel strips each having one face directed towards the respective other strip, a flange extending from the one face of a first strip being closely telescopically received between a pair of closely spaced parallel flanges extending from the one face of the second strip.

A cavity closure according to the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows a sectional plan view of a cavity wall adjacent an opening therein, the cavity being spanned by a closure; Figure 2 shows the components of the cavity closure in transverse section; Figure 3 is a transverse sectional view of a second cavity closure formed from two identical channel sections; Figure 4 is a transverse sectional view of a third cavity closure; and Figure 5 is a view similar to Figure 1, showing the closure of Figure 4 in use.

Referring now to Figure 1, there is seen a cavity wall comprising outer brickwork 1, inner blockwork 2 and a cavity 3 therebetween. The wall has an opening formed therein, into which a window frame 4 is fitted in the brickwork 1.

To close the cavity 3, a closure comprising two elongate elements 5 and 6 is used, the elements being shown in detail in Figure 2. The closure comprises essentially two strips 5a, 6a formed on elements 5 and 6 respectively, the strips Sa and 6a having outwardly facing abutment surfaces engaging the opposed faces of the cavity adjacent the opening. Extending between the strips 5a and 6a is a telescopic arrangement consisting of a first flange 5b perpendicularly extending from strip 5a, which is closely received between a pair of parallel second flanges 6b extending perpendicularly from strip 6a.

In use, the first flange 5b of element 5 is introduced between the second flanges 6b of element 6, with strips 5a and 6a extending to form a "channel" section. The elements 5 and 6 are then adjusted so that the distance between the abutment surfaces of strips 5a and 6a corresponds to the span S of the cavity, and the closure is placed in the cavity as shown in Figure 1.

To assist in alignment between the two elements 5 and 6, a longitudinally extending rib 7 may be formed on one of the flanges 6b, on its face adjacent the other flange 6b. Corresponding longitudinal grooves 8 may then be formed on the flange 5b so that a plurality of snap-engagement positions exist wherein the rib 7 enters one of the grooves 8. Advantageously, the grooves are positioned so as to correspond to the most used cavity spans. Clearly, as an alternative, a single groove may co-operate with one of a plurality of ribs, and the ribs may be formed on the first flange 5b rather than on one of the second flanges 6b.

Figure 3 shows a view similar to Figure 1, wherein a cavity closure spans a cavity 3 between external brickwork 1 and internal blockwork 2. The cavity closure is a rectangular closed section, formed from two identical channel elements 15 and 16. Each channel element has a base 15a, 16a, which contacts the face of the brickwork or blockwork within the cavity 3.

Along one edge of the base 15a, 16a extends a flange 151b, 161b which in a manner similar to the engagement of flanges 5b and 6b of the embodiment of Figure 1, engages between two closely spaced flanges 152b, 162b extending from the opposed edge of the other strip 15a, 16a.

The two channels thus form a hollow box-section cavity closure, with the distance between the strips 15a, 16a variable by means of the interleaving of flanges 152 with flange 161b, and flanges 162b with flange l51b.

Cooperating ribs and grooves may be formed on the flanges, as seen in detail in Figure 2, and the internal volume of the cavity closure may contain a rigid or resilient insulation material.

Clearly, if the insulation material is rigid, it will have to be installed either with the closure in place in a wall, or will be composed of a plurality of insulation sections arranged longitudinally in the closure and selectively removable to leave an insulator of the required dimension.

In Figures 4 and 5 there is seen a more complex cavity closure, composed again of two elements 20, 21.

Element 20 comprises a strip 22 having longitudinal ribs 23 on one face thereof and a flange 24 extending perpendicularly from its other face. The upper and lower edges of strip 22, as seen in Figure 3, are formed with transverse lips 25, 26.

Element 21 comprises a strip 27 corresponding in width to strip 22 of element 20, and having longitudinal ribs 28 and lips 29, 30 corresponding to those of strip 22. The ribs 23 and 28 engage the brickwork or blockwork to promote a positive gripping location of the closure in the cavity.

Extending perpendicularly from strip 27, on its face opposite ribs 28, are two parallel flanges 31, 32 spaced by a distance substantially equal to the thickness of flange 24 of element 20, and positioned to receive flange 24 therebetween. The flanges 24, 31 and 32 form a telescopic bridge between strips 22 and 27, and may be formed with the rib and groove snap-engagement arrangement described in relation to Figure 2.

An attachment flange 33 is provided on element 21, extending from the upper edge of strip 27 away from element 20.

Referring now to Figure 5, there is seen a cavity closure of the type shown in Figure 4 in position in a cavity wall. To instal the closure, its span is first adjusted by telescoping the flanges 24, 31, 32 so that the distance between the strips 22 and 27 corresponds to the cavity span S. It will be readily appreciated that the closure shown may be used in cavities whose span lies between the upper limit SMAX and the lower limit S.

The closure is then positioned as shown in Figure 5, with ribs 23 and 28 of strips 22 and 27 engaging the walls of the cavity.

Attachment flange 33 is then attached to the blockwork inner wall 2 by means of screws 34 or the like, and the lip 26 of element 20 may be attached to a window frame 4 by means of clips 35 and nails 36.

A finishing application of plaster 37 then completes the installation, an upstanding "T" shaped rib 38 being provided on the flange 31 to act as an additional plaster key, supplementing the lips 26 and 30.

It will be understood that various modifications are possible, provided that the closure includes two spaced parallel strips connected by at least one telescopic wall formed from three interleaved flanges. Embodiments are envisaged wherein a closed box section is formed by two spaced strips and two such telescopic walls; in such cases it is possible to form the elements of the closure as identical components, each strip comprising a single longitudinal flange adjacent one of its edges and a pair of closely spaced flanges adjacent its other edge.

It is also envisaged to provide a resilient component to urge the spaced parallel strips apart, so that they closely engage the walls of a cavity in which the closure is placed. Such a resilient component may comprise a resilient foam body, a leaf spring moulded or formed integrally with one or both of the closure elements, or a series of such bodies or springs spaced along the length of the closure.

The closure elements of the present invention are preferably formed of a resilient plastics material, and may be advantageously formed by extrusion. This does not preclude the possibility of other forming methods, such. as injection moulding or fabrication, nor should it preclude other materials such as aluminium or other metals.

Claims (11)

1. An adjustable closure for a cavity in a wall, comprising first and second elongate elements, the first element having a first abutment surface and a first flange extending perpendicularly to the first abutment surface, and the second element having a second abutment surface and a pair of spaced parallel second flanges extending perpendicularly thereto, the arrangement being such that the first flange is closely telescopically receivable between the second flanges, and the abutment surfaces and situated in substantially parallel planes and face away from each other.

2. An adjustable closure according to Claim 1, wherein each elongate element includes a first flange and a pair of second flanges, spaced to be engageable with respective second and first flanges of the other elongate element.

3. An adjustable closure according to any preceding Claim, wherein both elongate elements have the same cross-sectional shape.

4. An adjustable closure according to Claim l, wherein the first elongate element includes two or more first flanges, and the second elongate element includes two or more pairs of second flanges.

5. An adjustable closure according to any of Claims 1 to 4, wherein the cavity closure has an enclosed hollow cross-section when assembled.

6. An adjustable closure according to any preceding Claim, wherein the first flange is held between the second flanges by cooperating detent means.

7. An adjustable closure according to Claim 6, wherein the detent means comprises one or more ribs formed on the first or second flange cooperating with one or more grooves on the second or first flange.

8. An adjustable closure according to any preceding claim, wherein the first or second element includes an attachment flange extending perpendicularly from one edge of its abutment surface.

9. An adjustable closure according to Claim 8, wherein the attachment flange extends from the abutment surface away from the first or second flanges.

10. An adjustable closure according to any preceding Claim, wherein the abutment surfaces are formed with longitudinally extending ribs.

11. An adjustable closure substantially as herein described with reference to Figures 1 and 2, Figure 3, or Figures 4 and 5 of the accompanying drawings.