GB2318813A

GB2318813A - Cavity closer

Info

Publication number: GB2318813A
Application number: GB9722088A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Andrew Fry
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1996-11-01
Filing date: 1997-10-21
Publication date: 1998-05-06
Anticipated expiration: 2017-10-21
Also published as: GB2318813B; GB9722088D0

Abstract

1A cavity closer (111) comprises an elongated block (113) of a foamed plastics material to one side of which is attached a strip (125). The strip comprises at least a first part which is adhered to one side edge of the foamed plastics block and a second part extending parallel to and away from a side of the block at right angles to the side to which the first part is attached. Fixing means (131) are located in association with the opposite side surface of the block to the side surface to which the first portion of the strip is attached, the fixing means having at least one part (141) which is insertable into the foam plastics material blob (23).

Description

CAVITY CLOSER This invention relates to a cavity closer. A cavity closer is a building device which is used in the construction of buildings with cavity walls to close off the cavity in regions where windows, doors or the like are to be inserted. Not only is it desirable to have a thermal closure of the cavity but it is essential to provide for an effective damp course between the bricks or blocks of which the cavity is built and the frame of the window door or like structure. particularly if it is made of wood.

The provision of suitable cavity closers is imposed by building regulations and, to that extent, all cavity closers are of a similar nature. Basically, the cavity closer will comprise a first part which provides for closing the cavity and a second part which is water impermeable and acts to prevent or reduce the effect of moisture travelling up the cavity work and into the window, door or the like frame.

One proposal for a cavity closer comprises an elongated block of foamed plastics material of a generally rectangular cross section, each of the opposite sides of the block being capped along its length by a profile strip which is liquid impermeable and corrosion resistant.

Problems arise with this type of arrangement in that the dimensions of cavities are not of a standard size and therefore the cavity closer arrangement cannot be supplied in a completed form because the block of foam plastics material requires to be out to the required width for the cavity and then to have assembled to it at least one of the liquid impermeable and corrosion resistant profile strips. Basically this requires the use of adhesives which can be a somewhat messy operation and may not be of a suitable nature for the skills of the type of labourer who will normally carry out this work.

The invention therefore seeks to provide a cavity closer which is relatively easy to use on the site and does not require the use of adhesives on site.

According to the invention there is provided a cavity closer comprising an elongated block of a foamed plastics material to one side of which is attached, suitably by adhesive during the manufacturing operation, a strip, the strip comprising at least a first part which is adhered to one side edge of the foamed plastics block and a second part extending parallel to and away from a side of the block at right angles to the side to which the first part is attached and fixing means located in association with the opposite side surface of the block to the side surface to which the first portion of the strip is attached, the attachment device having at least one part which is insertable into the foam plastics material block.

Preferably the strip is of 'T' shaped construction, the leg of the 'T' engaging the side face of the block, one side of the head of the 'T' forming the said second part and the other side of the head of the 'T' lying on the surface of the block adjacent to the side face engaged by the leg of the 'T'.

Suitably the foam plastics material used is extruded polystyrene of the dosed cell type.

The block may have a plane surface or may be 'snaffled" or otherwise roughened to give a high surface area and to ensure a good adhesion with plaster or mortar. For strengthening purposes, the faces of the block which extend parallel to the cavity aperture may be coated with a reinforced mortar layer.

The attachment device may comprise individual attachment devices which are attached to the appropriate side edge of the foamed plastics block at intervals along its length. In a first form of this attachment device, the devices may have a screw thread like portion which can be pushed initially into the foam plastics material and screwed therein in order to tighten the attachment device into the foamed plastics material. The attachment device may have a second part which extends outwardly from the side edge of the foam plastics block and may be arranged for insertion between the blocks or bricks forming the cavity so as to be secured thereto by means of the mortar joining the blocks or bricks. To this end, the second part of the attachment device may have a number of forms ranging from a wire ring, a hook or a bolt type head arrangement.

In a preferred embodiment of this attachment device, the entire attachment device is made out of a single piece of wire of suitable dimensions, the screw thread part being in the form ofa corkscrew and the second part being in the form of a ring, the wire being wound around the base of the ring and the inner end of the corkscrew to provide a flat surface for engagement against the side surface of the foam plastics block In another embodiment of the attachment device, the attachment device may have a generally "U" shaped part of which one limb is shorter than the other. The shorter limb is insertable into the cavity side of the foam plastics block intended to enter the cavity, the base of the "U" extending along that side of the block to the edge thereof and the longer limb of the "U" extending in close contact with the side surface of the block. At the free end of the longer limb of the "J", there is provided suitably a part which extends away from the side of the block so as to provide for a fixing in the mortar between the bricks or blocks forming the cavity.

In a still further embodiment of the attachment device, the attachment device comprises an "S" shaped cross section with straight arms oppositely directed at right angles to opposite ends of a joining portion, a first arm lying against the underside of the foam block and the other arm being intended to lie on the top of the bricks or blocks forming the cavity, the joining portion having a spike on the side of the joining portion adjacent the foam block for insertion therein.

The attachment device may have a flat portion extending away from the joining portion on the opposite side thereof from the spike for insertion between the bricks and/or blocks of the cavity wall.

The invention will now be described in greater detail, by way of example, with reference to the drawings, in which: FIGURE 1 is a prospective partial view of a cavity with one form of cavity closer in accordance with the invention in position, the window, door or other frame being omitted for clarity; FIGURE 2 is a sectional view of the cavity of figure 1 taken on the line II - II of figure 1 and showing additiorally the positioning of the door, window or like frame; FIGURE 3 is a side view of a perspective view of an attachment device suitable for use with the cavity closer of figures 1 & 2; FIGURE 4 is a sectional view showing the attachment device of figure 3 inserted into the foam plastics block of the cavity closer; FIGURE 5 is a view similar to figure 4 of a second type of attachment device; FIGURE 6 is a view similar to figure 4 of a third form of attachment device; FIGURE 7 is a view of an attachment device in which the attachment of the attachment device to the block is of a different type to those shown in figures 3 to 6; FIGURE 8 is a sectional view of the attachment device of figure 7 when attached into the plastics block of the cavity closer; FIGURE 9 shows an alternative version of the attachment device as shown in figures 7 and 8, and Figure 10 is a view similar to figure 2 showing a further embodiment of the invention.

Referring firstly to figures 1 and 2, there is shown a cavity wall 1 comprising, in the version shown, of wall portions 3 and 5 of brickwork separated by a cavity 7 between the two wall portions 3 and 5. At the upper end of this cavity wall 1 as shown, for example, on the top surface 9 of the wall portion 3, there is intended to be installed a wooden window frame which can be best seen at 11 in figure 2.

Because of this aperture which is provided in the wall 1 for the insertion of the frame element 11, the adjacent opening 13 of the cavity 7 is exposed and must therefore be closed in two respects, namely the closure of the cavity 7 to prevent foreign bodies entering and to provide thermal insulation at the open part of the cavity 7 and to prevent moisture which might travel up or through the brickwork of the wall portion 3 from being transmitted into the, for example, wooden framework 11. To this end, a cavity closer in accordance with the invention and shown at 21 is provided to bridge the opening 13 of the cavity 7.

As can be seen, the cavity closer 21 in accordance with the invention comprises an elongated block element 23 of foamed plastics material, suitably extruded polystyrene, which is of a size in its transverse dimensions to virtually fill the cavity aperture 13. To one side 25 of the elongated block 23 is attached a 'T' shaped elongated strip 27, suitably of PVC, this 'T' shaped strip 27 being arranged so that the leg 29 of the 'T' extends down the side 25 of the plastics block 23, the right hand part 31 (as seen in the drawings) of the head 33 of the 'T' extending over the upper surface 35 of the block 23 while the left hand part 37 of the head 33 of the 'T' extends parallel to the surface 35 of the block 23 but away therefrom so that it can be located on the top surface 9 of the portion 3 of the cavity wall 1.

At the other side 41 of the block 23 are provided a number of attachment devices 43 which are positioned at regular intervals along the block 23 and these are generally positioned so that they protrude from the block 23 into the interstices between the bricks or blocks of the brickwork By this means they are then anchored in place.

Figure 2 shows one form of attachment device 43 which will be described in greater detail with reference to figures 3 & 4. Two other forms of this type of attachment device are shown in figures 5 & 6.

Referring now to figures 3 & 4, there is provided an element 45 made of bent wire which has basically three parts. The first part 47 comprises a corkscrew like arrangement which, as can be seen from figure 4, is adapted to be screwed into the side face 41 of the plastics block 23. The second part 49 comprises a ring which protrudes basically at right angles from the foam block 23 and is intended to sit between the various brickwork elements so that when mortar is applied between the brickwork elements, the cavity closer 21 is secured in place. The third part 50 is foxed by coiled wire to provide a plafform which prevents the device from being overscrewed into the block 23.

Figure 5 shows an altemative form of attachment device 51 which in this case comprises a tapered fixing element 53 provided with a large screw thread 55 which can be screwed into the plastics material of the block 23. Into this fixing element 53 can then be screwed any suitable form of holding means, such as a standard "L" shaped hook as shown at 59 in figure 5.

Figure 6 shows yet another altemative form of attachment device 61 in which a bolt element having, in this case, a relatively small screw thread 63, which is again screwed or even pushed straight into the plastics block 23.

The method of use of the cavity closer 21 so far described will now be considered: The cavity closer device 21 is supplied as a length of foam plastics material 23 to which the 'T' shaped strip 27 has already been attached, suitably by means of adhesives and a number of attachment devices 43, suitably of one of the types shown in figures 3, 4, 5 & 6. The width of the plastics block 23 is intended to be large enough to fill the largest cavity 7 which is likely to be encountered. In cases where there is a really enormous variation in cavity sizes, a number of different sizes of block 23 with its attached 'T' shaped strip 27 could be provided.

On arrival at the site, the dimensions of the cavity 7 are measured and a length of block etc. 23 is out off which is the length of the aperture in which the window1 door or the like is to be fitted. Next the width of the block 23 is adjusted by trimming it on a side opposite to the 'T' shaped strip 27 to the required width.

Once this has been carried out, the attachment devices 43 can be inserted into the side 41 of the block 23, which will in fact be the out side, at suitable intervals so that they are aligned with the interstices of the bricks or blocks forming the cavity, the interstices having been left mortar free to enable the appropriate insertion.

The cavity closer 1 can then be applied over the cavity 7 so that the block 23 sits happily in the cavity 7 and the attachment devices 43 are located in the interstices of the bricks and/or blocks. Mortar can then be applied to the bricks or blocks so as to secure the cavity closer 1 in place.

Figures 7 & 8 show an alternative form of attachment device 61 in which the attachment is not carried out by operating on the side face 41 of the block 23. The attachment device 71 shown in these figures comprises a bent piece of wire of suitable dimensions which is bent almost entirely in one plane so as to provide a cross section of a saucepan like shape having a "U" shape portion 73 at one side and a part 75 extending away from the "U" shape portion 73 and which is intended to enter the interstices between the brickwork To this end, the extending portion 75 can be angled downwards in relation to the base 76 of the "U" 73. At the far end of this angled portion 75, there is a further portion 77 which extends in a sense back on itself and parallel to the adjacent arm 79 of the "U" 73. The upper end of this portion 77 has a small part 81 extending at right angles to the general plane of the attachment device 71. This small part 81 is intended to sit on the top of the cavity brickwork and so hold the cavity closer 1 in place while the attachment is being carried out. As can be seen from figure 8, the way which this attachment device 71 is assembled to the block 23 is that the "U" shaped portion 73 is positioned underneath the block 23 and is pushed upwards so that the arm 83 of the "U" 73 penetrates the plastics material of the block 23 while being maintained in a position in which the other side 79 of the "U" is pressed firmly against the side edge 41 of the block 23.

Figure 9 shows an alternative version 91 of this wire attachment device in which instead of the use of a wire, a sheet metal arrangement is used. This sheet metal, which is suitably galvanised, has a generally "U" shaped cross section 93 with an upper lip 95 on one side 97, which lip 95 extends parallel to the base 99 of the "U". The other arm 101 of the "U" comprises a plurality, for example three, spikes 103 which extend upwardly.

The attachment of this attachment device 91 is basically the same as that for the device of figures 7 and 8 but it will be appreciated that because it is of a relatively large longitudinal dimension compared to the wire construction of figures 7 & 8, the lip 95 cannot fit in between the brickwork and in this case is adapted to sit on the top of the brickwork.

Referring now to figure 10, a further form of cavity closer in accordance with the invention is shown at 111. The cavity closer 111 in accordance with this embodiment of the invention comprises an elongated block element 113 of foamed plastics material suitably extruded polystyrene, which is of a size in its transverse dimensions to virtually fill the cavity aperture 13. The upper surface 115 of the block 113 has a castellated or other indented formation 117 to accept and bond with a layer of plaster 119 to be provided thereon. To one side 121 of the elongated block 113 (to the left in the figure) is attached a 'T' shaped elongated strip 125, suitably of PVC, this 'T' shaped strip 125 being arranged as in the other embodiments.

At the right hand side 127 of the block 113 are provided a number of attachment devices 129 which are positioned at regular intervals along the block 113. The attachment device 129 comprises an ZSt shaped cross section member 131 with straight arms 133 and 135 oppositely directed at right angles to opposite ends of a joining portion 137.

The first arm 133 lies against the underside 139 of the foam block 113 and the other arm 135 lies on the top of the bricks or blocks 5 forming the cavity 7. The joining portion 137 has a spike 141 on the side of the joining portion 137 adjacent the foam block 113 which is inserted in the block 113 and a flat portion 143 extending away from the joining portion 137 on the opposite side thereof for insertion between the bricks and/or blocks 5 of the cavity wall.

The flat portion 143 may be removed if desired and a face fixing can be used by nailing or otherwise fixing the arm 135 to the bricks or blocks 5. The flat portion 143 has, as shown, an elongate slot 145 through which the mortar between the bricks or blocks 5 can penetrate for more secure fixing.

While the cavity closer has been described as having merely an extruded polystyrene block, where it is required to provide a greater strength, it is envisaged that the two larger faces of the block can be provided with a skin, suitably in the form of reinforced mortar. It is also possible to provide the block with either a plane surface or a '\waffled" or otherwise roughened surface to ensure a high surface area and to ensure good adhesion with plaster or mortar.

It will be appreciated that various modifications may be made to the above described embodiment without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, the 'T' shaped piece which is provided on the edge of the block could, providing the adhesion between the two substances is sufficiently good, merely comprise an "L" shape portion, the right hand part of the head of the 'T' being omitted.

Other screw in devices could be used to replace the screw in devices shown in figures 3 to 6 as desired, for example, the use of part circular hooks instead of the "L" shape hook shown in figure 5. Instead of the provision of the portion of the attachment device which goes into the interstices of the brick or block work, as shown in figures 3 to 8, this could be replaced by an "L" shape strip of which one leg is adapted to sit on the block or brickwork.

From the foregoing it will be seen that the invention provides a cavity closer which is of a relatively simple construction, which is relatively easy to use on site without the use of adhesives and the use of the closure is such that relatively non-skilled labourers can be used for its assembly and fixing.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A cavity closer comprising an elongated block of a foamed plastics material to one side of which is attached a strip, the strip comprising at least a first part which is adhered to one side edge of the foamed plastics block and a second part extending parallel to and away from a side of the block at right angles to the side to which the first part is attached and fixing means located in association with the opposite side surface of the block to the side surface to which the first portion of the strip is attached, the fixing means having at least one part which is insertable into the foam plastics material block

2. A cavity doser as claimed in claim 1, wherein the strip is of 'T' shaped cross section, the leg of the 'T' engaging the side face of the block, one side of the head of the 'T' forming the said second part and the other side of the head of the 'T' lying on the surface of the block adjacent to the side face engaged by the leg of the 'T'.

3. A cavity closer as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the foam plastics material used is extruded polystyrene of the closed cell type.

4. A cavity closer as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the block has a plane surface.

5. A cavity doser as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3 wherein the surface of the block is castellated or may be "waffled" or otherwise roughened to give a high surface area and to ensure a good adhesion with plaster or mortar.

6. A cavity closer as claimed in any preceding daim, wherein one or both of the faces of the block which extend parallel to the cavity aperture are coated with a reinforced mortar layer.

7. A cavity closer as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the fixing means comprise individual attachment devices which are attached to the appropriate side edge of the foamed plastics block at intervals along its length.

8. A cavity closer as claimed in claim 7, wherein the attachment device has a screw thread like portion which can be pushed initially into the foam plastics material and screwed therein in order to tighten the attachment device into the foamed plastics material.

9. A cavity closer as claimed in claim 8, wherein the attachment has a second part which extends outwardly from the side edge of the foam plastics block for insertion between the blocks or bricks forming the cavity so as to be secured thereto by means of the mortar joining the blocks or bricks.

10. A cavity closer as claimed in claim 9, wherein the second part of the attachment device comprises a wire ring.

11. A cavity closer as claimed in claim 9, wherein the second part of the attachment device comprises a hook

12. A cavity closer as claimed in claim 9, wherein the second part of the attachment device comprises a bolt type head arrangement.

13. A cavity closer as daimed in claim 9 wherein the entire attachment device is made out of a single piece of wire of suitable dimensions, the screw thread part being in the form of a corkscrew and the second part being in the form of a ring, the wire being wound around the base of the ring and the inner end of the corkscrew to provide a flat surface for engagement against the side surface of the foam plastics block.

14. A cavity closer as claimed in claim 9 wherein, the attachment device has a generally "U" shaped part of which one limb is shorter than the other. The shorter limb is insertable into the cavity side of the foam plastics block intended to enter the cavity, the base of the "U" extending along that side of the block to the edge thereof and the longer limb of the "U" extending in close contad with the side surface of the block, the free end of the longer limb of the "U" being provided with a part which extends away from the side of the block so as to provide for a fixing in the mortar between the bricks or blocks forming the cavity.

15. A cavity closer as daimed in daim 9, wherein the attachment device comprises an 'S" shaped cross section with straight arms oppositely directed at right angles to opposite ends of a joining portion, a first arm lying against the underside of the foam block and the other arm being intended to lie on the top of the bricks or blocks forming the cavity, the joining portion having a spike on the side of the joining portion adjacent the foam block for insertion therein.

16. A cavity closer as claimed in claim 15 wherein the attachment device has a flat portion extending away from the joining portion on the opposite side thereof from the spike for insertion between the bricks and/or blocks of the cavity wall.

17. A cavity closer substantially as described herein with reference to the drawings.