GB2446218A - Cavity closer - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a cavity closer (1 figure 1) for closing a cavity 2 in a cavity wall 3. The closer (1 figure 1) comprises a first part 4 for spanning the leaves 5, 6 which support the cavity closer, a second part 7 depending from the first part 4, and an insulation element 6. The insulating element 6 enters the cavity 2 and extends across the width of the cavity, and is supported by the second part 7 which also extends across the whole width of the cavity. The second part 7 and the insulating element 6 may be adjusted to accommodate different cavity widths. The adjustment may be by zones of weakness 11, 12 comprising a plurality of aligned grooves in both the second part 7 and the insulating element 6.

Description

BUILDING ELEMENT

The invention relates to a building element, and particularly to such an element in the form of a cavity closer.

Cavity walls are often used in building construction, particularly in the United Kingdom. Such walls often have opening for receipt of a closure such as a door or window. Where the wall meets a frame of a door or window it is usually necessary to close the cavity by means of a cavity closer.

Cavity walls however can define different cavity widths, the maximum width usually being about 100mm. Cavity closers are required to prevent water from entering the wall via the cavity, and to prevent or at least reduce heat loss from the cavity. Existing cavity closers have an insulating element, but this is exposed to the cavity and therefore can become wet by absorption of water or water vapour, which can weaken it, so that it can sag without support.

Itis accordingly an object of the invention to seek t mitigate this disadvantage.

According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a cavity closer for closing a cavity in a cavity wall, comprising a first part for spanning a cavity, in use to be supported on leaves forming the cavity wall, an insulating element which enters the cavity in use and extends across the width thereof, and a second part depending from the first part adapted to extend across the whole width of the cavity and to support the insulating element across its whole width.

The width of the second part and insulating element may be adjustable whereby the closer can be accommodated in cavities of different width. I.

There may be a plurality of zones of weakness whereby the width of the second part and the insulating element can be adjusted. Thus, the zones of weakness may comprise a plurality of grooves in the second part and a plurality of aligned grooves in the insulating element.

This is a relatively simple construction which provides for ease of adjustability, particularly when the zones of weakness are at the position of a standard width of cavity.

The second part may comprise a plurality of separate parts.

The separate parts may comprise planar support elements joined together in substantially the same plane, the separate parts may be joined together by tape, such as adhesive or masking tape.

The first element may include keying means for plaster, mortar, cement or the like, such as an undulating, non-flat, profile of the first part.

The second part may compnse a mounting means for a wall tie.

According to a second aspect, the invention provides a cavity wall including a cavity closer as hereinbefore defined.

A cavity closer embodying the invention is hereinafter described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying schematic drawings.

Fig. I is a transverse sectional view of one embodiment of cavity closer according to the invention; Fig. 2 shows the cavity closer of Fig. I in position to close an end of a cavity in a cavity wall; and Fig. 3 shows a sectional view of a second embodiment of cavity closer according to the invention.

Referring to the drawings, in which like parts are identified by like reference numerals, there is shown a cavity closer 1 for closing a cavity 2 in a cavity wall 3, compnsing a first part 4 for spanning a cavity, in use to be supported on leaves 5, 6 forming the cavity wall 3, an insulating element 6 which enters the cavity 2 in use and extends across the width thereof, and a second part 7 depending from the first part 4 adapted to extend across the whole width of the cavity 2 and to support the insulating element 6 across its whole width.

The first and second parts 4 and 7 are in the embodiments formed integrally by moulding in one piece from plastic material. The second part 7 depends from the first part 4 and is of substantially L-shape, the shorter (as viewed left hand) limb 8 in use abutting the inner surface of a leaf 5 of a cavity wall (Fig. 2) and the longer limb 9 extending across the whole width of the cavity 2 and abutting the inner surface of the opposite leaf 6 of the cavity wall 3. Supported between the first 4 and second parts 7 is the insulating element 6 in the form of a block of thermal insulating material such as polystyrene. The insulating element 6 extends across the whole width of the cavity 2 too, being supported by the whole extent of the second limb 9 of the second part 7 across its whole width, both the second part 7 and the insulating element 6 therefore extending across the whole of the width of the cavity 2. Stated in another way, the free end 10 of the second limb 9 (the right hand end as viewed) and the right hand side of the insulating element 6 are coterminous in that they lie in the same vertical plane.

The outer (lower as viewed) surface of the second limb 9 has zones of weakness 11 which in the embodiment are spaced, parallel grooves, each groove defining a length of the second part which coincides with a width of a cavity. The insulating element 6 has similar zones of weakness 12 in the form of grooves, each groove 12 being superposed over a corresponding groove II in the second limb 9.

The cavity closer has a maximum width of the insulating element 6 and second part 7 which corresponds with the maximum width of a cavity 2 in a cavity wall. Hence the cavity closer I can be used to close an end of a cavity of maximum width, usually 100mm.

The cavity closer can however be adjusted in lateral extent of the insulating element 6 and second part 7 by cutting them off at a zone of weakness 11, 12, corresponding to a lesser width of cavity, say 60mm. Thus in situ, an installer confronted with a cavity of say 60mm width will be able to adjust the cavity closer to that width by cutting the second part and insulating element at say the zone of weakness that provides a width of 60mm.

Thus, the cavity closer I can be adjusted in width to fit any width of cavity.

The upper (as viewed) face of the first part 4 has means 13 for providing a key for plaster, mortar, cement or the like, such as striations (Fig. 1). In the embodiment of Fig. 2, the keying means is provided by the first element 4' having an undulating, non-planar profile, the undulations providing the key.

Fig. 2 also shows a mounting 14 for a wall tie, integrally formed with the second part. It will be understood that this mounting is optional.

Both embodiments have a flexible waterproof upstanding fillet 1 5 of elastomer which acts as a seat for a window or door frame (not shown).

The long limb 9 of the second part 7 may be comprised of a plurality of parts (not shown) such as two planar elements joined together by for example adhesive tape or masking tape, but such a construction would also have the adjustable width means disclosed with reference to Figs. 1, 2 and 3.

Also, although the longer limb 9 of the second part 7 is shown as being at substantially right angles to the first limb 8 in Figs 1 -3, it will be understood that the angle between the first and second limbs may be less than 90 , so that the second limb is inclined upwardly (to the right as viewed) so acting as a positive retaining means for the -insulating element 6 owing to the inherent flexibility of the plastic of the cavity closer.

Claims (12)

1. I. A cavity closer for closing a cavity in a cavity wall, comprising a first part for spanning a cavity, in use to be supported on leaves forming the cavity wall, an insulating element which enters the cavity in use and extends across the width thereof, and a second part depending from the first part adapted to extend across the whole width of the cavity and to support the insulating element across its whole width.
2. 2. A cavity closer according to Claim 1, the width of the second part and insulating element being adjustable whereby the closer can be accommodated in cavities of different width.
3. 3. A cavity closer according to Claim 2, there being a plurality of zones of weakness whereby the width of the second part and the insulating element can be adjusted.
4. 4. A cavity closer according to Claim 3, the zones of weakness comprising a plurality of grooves in the second part and a plurality of aligned grooves in the insulating element.
5. 5. A cavity closure according to any preceding claim, the second part comprising a plurality of separate parts.
6. 6. A cavity closer according to Claim 5, the separate parts comprising planar support elements joined together in substantially the same plane.
7. 7. A cavity closure according to Claim 6, the separate parts being joined together by tape.
8. 8. A cavity closure according to any preceding claim, the first element including keying means for plaster, mortar, cement or the like.
9. 9. A cavity closer according to Claim 8, the keying means comprising an undulating, non-flat, profile of the first part.
10. A cavity closure according to any preceding claim, the second part comprising a mounting means for a wall tie.
11. II A cavity closure for closing a cavity in a cavity wall, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
12. 12. A cavity wall, according to any preceding claim, incorporating a cavity closure.