GB2435275A

GB2435275A - Support device for a cavity closer

Info

Publication number: GB2435275A
Application number: GB0702924A
Authority: GB
Inventors: David Deacon; Martin Benn
Original assignee: CAVALOK BUILDING PRODUCTS Ltd
Current assignee: CAVALOK BUILDING PRODUCTS Ltd
Priority date: 2006-02-21
Filing date: 2007-02-15
Publication date: 2007-08-22
Anticipated expiration: 2027-02-15
Also published as: GB2435275B; GB0702924D0

Abstract

The invention relates to a support device 12 for a cavity closer 13 and comprises a body having a first generally planar region 14 adapted to be supported on part of a framework, a wall skin or leaf of a cavity wall. A second generally planar region 16, 22 depends from an edge of the first generally planar region 14, and a support region 20 is carried by the second generally planar region 16, 22 and adapted to support a cavity closer frame 13. A securing means in the form of a projection 30, engages a recess 13a in the cavity closer frame 13 and attaches the device to the cavity closer frame. Blocks of insulating or fireproofing material 28 may be carried inside the cavity closer frame 13. Later embodiments relate to a building comprising a framework and a support device for a cavity closer and a construction method using said support device.

Description

Support Device and Method of Use Thereof This invention relates to a

support device, and in particular to a support device designed to support a cavity closer frame during the construction of a building. The cavity closer frame may have fitted thereto a window or door frame which would thus also be supported by the support device. The invention also relates to a method of use of the device.

it is common, during the construction of dual skinned brick or block built buildings, to incorporate cavity closer frames to close the cavity between the wall skins where window or door openings are to be formed, the cavity closer frames serving, subsequently, to secure a window or door frame in the opening. In the construction of such buildings, the cavity closer frame is located in the desired position once the associated wails have reached the appropriate height and so the walls provide support for the cavity closer frame.

The construction of steel and timber framed buildings is becoming more common in which a steel or timber supporting framework is constructed and subsequently an outer brick or other material skin is built. As the steel or timber framework is constructed before the brick skin, it is desirable to be able to mount the cavity closer frame on the steel or timber framework until such time as the Outer skin is erected.

It is an object of the invention to provide a support device to allow a cavity closer frame to be supported by a wall skin or leaf of a cavity wall or by a steel, timber or other material framework.

According to the present invention there is provided a support device comprising a body having a first generally planar region adapted to be supported upon part of a framework or wall skin or leaf of a cavity wall, a second generally planar region depending from an edge of the first generally planar region, and a support region carried by the second generally planar region and adapted to support a cavity closer frame, the support device includes securing means arranged, in use, to allow the cavity closer frame to be secured to the support device.

The cavity closer frame may have fitted thereto a window or door frame.

Clearly this is advantageous in that it allows the window or door fitting operation to be simplified.

The invention also relates to a building comprising a steel, timber or other suitable material framework, a cavity closer frame and a support device as hereinbefore described supported by the framework or wall skin or leaf of a cavity wall and supporting the cavity closer frame. Two or more such support devices may be used to support the cavity closer frame.

The support region may include a generally planar region upon which part of the cavity closer frame sits and is supported, in use. The said generally planar region may incorporate a lip, forming the securing means, to resist movement of the cavity closer frame away from the framework or wall skin or leaf of a cavity wall in use. Preferably, the lip is located intermediate the front and rear edges of the cavity closer frame, for example being received in a recess formed in the underside of the cavity closer frame.

Alternatively, the support device may include a projection, forming the securing means, adapted to be received within a longitudinal recess formed in the cavity closer frame. Such a projection may serve both to support the cavity closer frame and to resist movement thereof away from the framework or wall skin or leaf of a cavity wall.

The securing means may comprise both a projection and a generally planar region may be provided, if desired.

The support device may be shaped to accommodate a block of insulating andlor fireproofing material carried by the cavity closer frame, if desired.

The support device is conveniently of rolled steel construction. Where projections are provided, these are conveniently formed using a stamping process.

Alternatively, the support device could be of, for example, extruded or injection moulded form. It may be manufactured from steel or another metallic material or could be of, for example, plastics form.

The invention also relates to a construction method comprising constructing an inner wall leaf, securing a support device as described hereinbefore to the inner wall leaf to support a cavity closer frame in position, and subsequently building an outer wall leaf The invention will further be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a diagrammatic view illustrating a support device in accordance with one embodiment of the invention; Figure 2 is a view illustrating the use of the device in a slightly different application; Figures 3A to 3L are views illustrating a number of alternative designs; and Figures 4 to 7 are views of further alternatives.

Referring firstly to Figure 1 there is illustrated part of a steel framework 10 of a steel framed building construction. The framework 10 supports a support device 12 which in turn supports a cavity closer frame 13. The cavity closer frame 13 is of substantially conventional form and although one specific embodiment of cavity closer frame 13 is illustrated, it will be appreciated that the invention is applicable to the supporting of a wide range of cavity closer frame designs. The cavity closer frame is typically of square or rectangular form, to close the cavity around a correspondingly shaped opening, and only a section of one part of the cavity closer frame is shown.

The support device 12 is of cold rolled steel construction and comprises a body shaped to define a first generally planar region 14 arranged to sit upon and be supported by part of the framework 10. Depending from one edge of the first generally planar region 14 is a second generally planar region 16 which lies against a side edge of the framework 10, the first and second generally planar regions 12, 14 being substantially perpendicular to one another. The second generally planar region 16 carries a support region 18 of the support device. The support region 18 is shaped to cany the cavity closer frame 13.

In the arrangement illustrated in Figure 1, the support region 18 comprises a generally planar region 20 upon which part of the cavity closer frame 13 sits.

Upstanding from one edge of the generally planar region 20 is an upstanding region 22 which lies adjacent a wall of the cavity closer frame 13 in which a longitudinally extending groove or recess 13a is formed. A generally planar region 24 interconnects the upper edge of the region 22 and the lower edge of the second generally planar region 16.

The provision of the region 24 results in the second generally planar region 16 and the region 22 being displaced from one another, thereby defining a volume 26 which can, if desired, accommodate a block 28 of insulating and/or fireproofing material carried by the cavity closer frame 13.

At intervals along the length of the support device 12, the region 22 is deformed by a stamping operation to stamp projections 30 therefrom which are received, in use, in the longitudinal recess 1 3 of the cavity closer frame 13.

In use, during the construction of a steel framed building, support devices 12 are secured, for example by means of screws, bolts or other fixing devices, to the steel framework 10 at the locations in which window or door openings are to be formed. The associated cavity closer frame 13 is then mounted upon the support device 12 with the projections 30 located within the longitudinal recess 1 3a of the cavity closer frame 13.

As a consequence, movement of the cavity closer frame 13 away from the framework is restricted, thus securing the cavity closer frame 13 in position. The cavity closer frame 13 is conveniently supplied with the associated window or door frame already fitted thereto, thus the action of mounting and supporting the cavity closer frame 13 in position also mounts and secures the window or door frame in position. For added security, straps or the like may also be used to secure the cavity closer frame 13 and associated door or window frame in position. Once so positioned, construction of the building may continue and at a subsequent point, a brick or other material wall (not shown) is built parallel to the framework 10, the cavity closer frame 13 spanning the cavity between the framework 10 and the constructed brick or other material wall.

Once built, the cavity closer frame 13 is supported by the framework 10 and the brick or other material wall.

Although the description hereinbefore is of an arrangement intended for use in a steel framed building, it will be appreciated that the invention is also applicable to timber framed constructions or buildings having a framework constructed from other materials, and Figure 2 illustrates the use of the support device 12 of Figure 1 in such an application. The framework of the timber frame building being denoted by reference numeral 1 Oa. The invention is also suitable for use in other applications, and could be S arranged to be supported by, for example, a brick or block constructed wall skin or leaf to support the cavity closer frame and associated window or door frame until such time as a second wall skin or leaf is constructed to form a cavity wall.

Although in the arrangements described hereinbefore the cavity closer frame is supported by a single, relatively long support device, the invention is also applicable to arrangements in which two or more, shorter, support devices are used.

In the arrangements described hereinbefore the support device is designed so as to extend across oniy part of the width of the finished cavity of the wall, and thus does not significantly alter the thermally insulating properties of the building.

It will be appreciated that the design of the support device 12 may be modified in a number of ways. A range of modifications and alterations are illustrated in Figures 3A to 3L. Figures 3A, 3B and 3C illustrate arrangements in which the dimensions of the region 24 are varied from being of zero width in Figure 3A with the result that the second generally planar region 16 and the region 22 are co-planar, to an arrangement in Figure 3C in which the region 24 is of width significantly greater than that shown in Figure 1. In the arrangement of Figure 3A it will be appreciated that the block 28 cannot be accommodated.

Figures 3D, 3E and 3F illustrate arrangements similar to those of Figures 3A, 3B and 3C but in which the generally planar region 20 of the support region 18 is of increased width and includes, at its free edge, an upstanding lip 32 serving to assist the projection 30 in resisting movement of the cavity closer frame 13 away from the framework 10.

The arrangements of Figures 3D, 3E and 3F may be modified to be of reduced with, the upstanding lip 32 then being received in a cavity formed in the underside of the cavity closer frame to resist movement of the frame. This has the advantage that the support device extends across only part of the width of the cavity.

Figures 3G, 3H and 3! are arrangements similar to those of Figures 3A, 3B and 3C but in which the width of the first generally planar region 14 is increased so as to extend over the full width of the framework 10, a downwardly extending lip 34 being provided to assist in resisting movement of the support device 12 relative to the framework 10.

Figures 3J, 3K and 3L are arrangements similar to those of Figures 30, 3H and 31 but in which the generally planar region 20 of the support region 18 is of increased width and an upstanding lip 32 provided much the same manner as Figures 3D, 3E and 3F. Again, these arrangements could be modified as outlined above.

In the arrangements described hereinbefore, the support device 12 is manufactured from cold rolled steel using a stamping process to form the projections 30. Alternatively, the support device 12 could be manufactured using, for example, an extrusion process and Figure 4 illustrates a support device 12 manufactured using this technique. Functionally, the support device 12 illustrated in Figure 4 is very similar to that illustrated in Figure 31 in that the first generally planar region 14 is of relatively great width, extending over the full width of the associated part of the framework 10, a downwardly depending lip 34 being provided to resist movement of the support device relative to the framework 10.

Rather than providing the support device 12 with punched, spaced projections 30 the extrusion process used in the manufacture thereof allows a continuous projection to be formed which is located within the longitudinal recess I 3a of the cavity closer frame 13 and serves to resist movement of the cavity closer frame 13 away from the framework 10 in much the same manner as that achieved by the arrangements described hereinbefore.

One distinction between the arrangement of Figure 4 and the cold rolled arrangements described hereinbefore is that an additional region 36 is provided, the region 36 being co-planar with the region 20 of the support region 18 and including an upstanding wall 38 which bears against part of the framework 10 thereby achieving enhanced stability.

Figure 5 illustrates a further possible alternative in which the region 20 upon which the cavity closer frame 13 sits is omitted and instead the cavity closer frame 13 is supported solely by virtue of the projection 30 located within the longitudinal recess 13 of the cavity closer frame 13. The figure 5 arrangement is conveniently manufactured by cold rolling, but could if desired be of extruded form.

The arrangements of Figures 4 and 5 may be modified in a number of ways. For example, the arrangement of Figure 4 may be modified to incorporate a generally planar region 20 of increased width having an upstanding lip 32 formed at its free edge as shown in Figure 6. It will be appreciated that the arrangement of Figure 6 bears some similarity to the arrangements of Figures 3J, 3K and 3L. A further possibility is to reduce the width of the first generally planar region 14, omitting the downwardly extending lip 34 with the result that the arrangement bears some similarity to the arrangements of Figures 3A to 3F.

The arrangement of Figure 5 could be modified so as to result in the support region 18 thereof incorporating a generally horizontally extending wall 20, either with or without an upstanding lip 32. Such an arrangement incorporating a lip 32 is illustrated in Figure 7. It will be appreciated that the arrangement of Figure 7 differs from the arrangements described hereinbefore in that no projection 30 or 30 is provided. As a consequence, movement of the cavity closer frame 13 away from the framework 10 is resisted primarily by the abutment of part of the cavity closer frame 13 with the upstanding lip 32. Again, the arrangement of Figure 7 could be modified to incorporate a first generally planar region 14 of reduced width and in which the downwardly extending lip 34 is omitted.

It will be appreciated that a range of other modifications and alterations may be made to the arrangement described hereinbefore without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, although the arrangements described hereinbefore make use of steel as the material of the support device, other materials could be used. For example, if desired the support device could be manufactured from aluminium or a suitable plastics material.

Claims

CLAIMS

I. A support device comprising a body having a first generally planar region adapted to be supported upon part of a framework or a wall skin or leaf of a cavity wall, a second generally planar region depending from an edge of the first generally planar region, a support region carried by the second generally planar region and adapted to support a cavity closer frame, and securing means for securing the cavity closer frame to the support device, in use.

2. A device according to Claim 1, wherein the support region includes a generally planar region upon which part of the cavity closer frame sits and is supported, in use.

3. A device according to Claim 1 or Claim 2, wherein the securing means comprises a lip provided on the support region and arranged to resisi movement of the cavity closer frame away from the framework or wall skin or leaf of a cavity wall in use.

4. A device according to Claim 3, wherein the lip is arranged to be received in a cavity provided in the underside of the cavity closer frame.

5. A device according to any of Claims I to 4, wherein the securing means comprises a projection provided on the support device and adapted to be received within a longitudinal recess formed in the cavity closer frame.

6. A device according to any of the preceding claims, and shaped to accommodate a block of insulating and/or flreproofing material carried by the cavity closer frame.

7. A support device substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to any of the accompanying drawings.

8. A building comprising a steel, timber or other suitable material framework, a cavity closer frame, and a support device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims secured to the framework and supporting the cavity closer frame.

9. A building according to Claim 8 wherein at least two support devices are provided to support the cavity closer frame.

10. A building according to Claim 8 or Claim 9, wherein the cavity closer frame is secured to the support device.

11. A building according to any of Claims 8 to 10, wherein a window or door structure is secured to the cavity closer frame.

12. A construction method constructing an inner wall leaf, securing a support device in accordance with any of Claims 1 to 7 thereto to secure a cavity closer frame to the inner wall leaf, and subsequently constructing an outer wall leaf spaced from the inner wall leaf to define a cavity which is at least partially closed by the cavity closer frame.