GB2515320A

GB2515320A - A wall bracket

Info

Publication number: GB2515320A
Application number: GB1310945.9A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Mark Brown
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2013-06-19
Filing date: 2013-06-19
Publication date: 2014-12-24
Also published as: GB201310945D0

Abstract

A wall bracket 10 comprises a first part 20 including means 40 for mounting the bracket to a wall 200 and a second part 30 for supporting an article 220, wherein a semi-flexible joint 90 is provided between the first part 20 and the second part 30 to reduce the transfer of motion between the two parts. The semi-flexible joint 90 may be braided (e.g. metallic hose covering) or rubber. The wall bracket is suitable for the outside wall 200 of a building which has external cladding 210, such that the first part 20 may extend through the insulation 210 and the semi-flexible joint 90 may be spaced from the outer surface of the insulation 210. A movable grommet 130 may seal against the outer surface of the insulation 210 and render may be applied over the other surface of the insulation 210 and the grommet 130.

Description

A wall bracket The present invention relates generally to a wall bracket and a method of supporting an article from the side of an externally clad building, and finds particular, although not exclusive, utility in supporting satellite dishes from the side of buildings retrospectively clad externally with polystyrene insulation.

There is a need, both because of legislation and public desire, to insulate existing and/or new buildings. In existing buildings this may be achieved by adding insulation nuterial into a cavity between the inner and outer skins making up the external walls.

However, this is not always possible as not all buildings have cavity walls and/or the type of construction is not suitable to receive insulation materials.

One way to overcome this is to install insulation on the exterior walls of existing huiklings. This is typically effected by fixing a layer of insulation, such as expanded polystyrene, to the exterior wall and then applying at least one layer of render.

This external cladding, despite the presence of the render, does not provide a structure of sufficient strength to affix articles such as satellite dishes, hanging baskets and the like. Accordingly, it is known to use typical wall brackets which are affixed to the external wall of the huilding with the cladding encasing the bracket leaving the end protruding from the external surface of the cladding. The article is then attached to the end of the bracket in the usual manner. However, this method creates Probl ems in that due to the weight of the article the bracket will move relative to the wall. Even slight tnovement can crack the render and/or damage the insulation. Cracked render thus allows water to enter the insulation layer causing serious problems for the building such as damp, which is difficult to dry-out.

Accordingly, an improved bracket is redluired winch can isolate any movement of the end of the bracket, caused by the weight of the article, from the insulation/render.

Tn a first aspect, the invention provides a wall bracket comprising a first part and a second part; the first part including fixing means for fixing said bracket to a wall; the second part being configured for supporting an article in spaced relation to said wall; wherein the bracket further comprises a semi-flexible joint between said first and second parts so as to substantially reduce the transfer of motion of the second part to the first part.

I

In this manner, the semi-flexible joint absorbs the movement of the second part and does not transmit it to the first part. Since the second part is outside of the insulation layer, and only the first part is within the insulation sayer, no cracking of the render or damage to the insulation layer occurs.

The semi-flexible joint may comprise a braided Iart and/or a rubber part The joint could be comprised of other materials as long as it allows for the second part to move relative to the first part. In this regard, the joint must be configured to limit the movement so that the first part supports the second part in a substantially horiiontal position, in use. in other words, the second part must not bc permitted to droop. The lO joint may be relativcly stiff.

The braided part may be metaffic and be attached to a fcrrulc at either end, the ferrules being attached to the first and second parts respectively. The metallic braid may he tubular in the manner of a braided metal hose covering.

The fixing means may be a plate adapted for being bolted or screwed to the wall.

The plate may also be adhered to the wall with glue. The plate may include holes for the screws anti/or bolts.

The first and second parts may be substantially tubular.

The first and second ptrms may iiicl ude iritenial routes for the fsge of a cable.

In this regard, the first anti/or second parts may include apertures for allowing a cable to enter and exit the internal route.

The second part may be separable into a third part fixed to the joint and a fourth part adapted for receiving the article. The third and fourth parts may he releasahly connectable.

The semi-flexible part may also include an internal route for the passage of a cable. In this manner, a cable may come from inside the building, enter the first part, extend along through the joint and the second part and exit the second part outside of the outer surface of the insulation cladding layer such that an external satellite dish may be connected to an internal television without the dish or bracket damaging the insulation layer and with the cable conveniently carried inside the bracket.

The first part may include a moveahle grommet for scaling against the outer surface of a layer of insulation provided on the wali. This grommet may comprise rubber or another suhstantialiy resilient material.

The bracket may be configured for affixing to the outside wall of a building, the building being at kast partially clad retrospectively with insulation material, the first part extending through the insulatiJ)n material, in use, with the joint ocated spaced from the outer surface of the insulation.

In a second aspect, the invention provides a method of supporting an article from the side of a building, the building being retrospectively insulated with external cladding, comprising the steps of: selecting a wail bracket according to the first aspect wherein the length of the flrst pan is greater than the thickness of the insulation to he attached to the building; attaching the fixing means to the side of the building; attaching lO the insulation to the building around the first part; repositioning the grommet to seal against the outer surface of the insulation; rendering over the outer surface of the insulation; and attaching the article to the second part of the wail bracket such that it is held spaced from the outer surface of the insulation.

The render may he applied over the outer surface of the grommet.

The above and other characteristics, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, \vhich illustrate, by way of example, the primiples of the invention. This description is given for the sake of example only, without limiting the scope of the invention. The reference tigures quoted below refer to the attached dra\vings.

Figure 1 is a perspective of the bracket from one side; Figure 2 is a perspective view of the bracket of Figure 1 with the second part detached from the first part/joint; and Figure 3 is a side view of one embodiment of the invention in position on the side of a building.

The present invention will he described with respect to particular embodiments and with reference to certain drawings hut the invention is not limited thereto hut only by the claims. The drawings described are only schematic and are non-limiting. In the drawings, the si2e of some of the elements may be exaggerated and not drawn to scale for illustrative purposes. The dimensions and the relative dimensions do not correspond to actual reductions to practice of the invention.

Furthermore, the terms first, second, third and the hke in the description and in the claims, are used for distinguishing between similar elements and not necessarily for describing a sequence, either temporally, spatially, in ranking or in any other manner. It is to be understood that the terms so used are interchangeable under appropriate circumstances and that the emnbodnnents of the invention described herein are capable of operation in other sequences than described or illustrated herein.

Moreover, the terms top, bottom, over, under and the like in the description and the claims are used for descriptive purposes and not necessarily for describing relative positions. It is to be understood that the terms so used are interchangeable under appropriate circumstances and that the embodiments of the invention described herein are capable of operation in other orientations than described or illustrated herein.

lO It is to be noticed that the term "comprising", used in the claims, should not be interpreted as being restricted to the means hsted thereafter; it does not exclude other elements or steps. It is thus to he interpreted as specifying the presence of the stated features, integers, steps or components as referred to, hut does not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps or components, or groups thereof. Thus, the scope of the expression "a device comprising means A and B" should not he limited to devices consisting only of components A and B. It means that with respect to the present invention, the only relevant components of the device are A and B. Reference throughout this speciflcaiion to "an embodiment" or "an aspect" means that a particular feature, structure or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment or aspect is included in at least one embodiment or aspect of the present invention. Thus, appearances of the phrases "in one embodiment", "in an embodiment", or "in an aspect" in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all refening to the same embodiment or aspect, hut may refer to different embodiments or aspects. Furthermore, the particular features, structures or characteristics of any embodiment or aspect of the invention may he combined in any suitable manner, as would he apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art from this

disclosure, in one or more embodiments or aspects.

Similarly, it should be appreciated that in the description of exemplary embodiments of the invention, various features of the invention arc sometimes grouped together in a single embodiment, figure, or description thereof for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure and aiding in the understanding of one or more of the various inventive aspects. This method of disclosure, however, is not to he interpreted as reflecting an intention that the claimed invention requires more features than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive aspects he in fewer than all features of a single foregoing disclosed embodiment. Thus, the claims following the detailed description are hereby expressly incorporated into this detailed description, with each claim standing on its own as a separate embodiment of this invention.

Furthermore, while some embodiments described herein include some features included in other embodiments, combinations of features of different embodiments are meant to be within the scope of the invention, and form yet further embodiments, as lO will be understood by those skilled in the art. For example, in the following claims, any of the claimed embodiments can be used in any combination.

In the description provided herein, numerous specific details are set forth.

However, it is understood that embodiments of the invention may he practised without these specific details. In other instances, well-known methods, structures and techniques have not been shown in detail in order not to obscure an understanding of

this description.

In the discussion of the invention, unless stated to the contrary, the disclosure of alternative values for the upper or iower Iiriiit of the l)eTtted range of a ptrareter, coupled with an indication that one of said values is more highly prefered than the other, is to be construed as an implied statement that each intermediate value of said parameter, lying between the more preferred and the less preferred of said alternatives, is itself preferred to said less preferred value and also to each value lying hetxveen said less preferred value and said intermediate value.

The use of the term "at least one" may, in some embodiments, mean only one.

The invention will now he described by a detailed description of several embodiments of the invention. It is clear that other embodiments of the invention can he configured according to the knowledge of persons skilled in the art without departing from the underlying concept or technical teaching of the invention, the invention being limited only by the temis of the appended claims.

In Figure I the bracket 10 is shown compnscd of a first part 20 in the form of a tube. It is welded 60 at one longitudinal end to a plate 40 which may he used for affixing the bracket to a wall 10. The plate 40 includes holes 50 for screws etc. A joint 90 is located at the other longitudinal end of the tube 20. The joint 90 comprises a braided metal member 120 sandwiched between, and connected internally to, a ferrule 100 provided one on either side thereof. Each ferrule 100 is a cup shape member with a radial flange 110 at the open end of the cup shape. These flanges 110 cooperate to sandwich the metal braid 120 therehetween.

(I)n one side of the joint 90, the first part 20 is welded to the substantially closed side of the cup shape ferrule 100. On the opposite side of the joint 90, a connection member 80 is provided. This is welded 105 to the substantially closed side of the other cup shape ferrule 100.

The connection member 80 comprises an open-ended tube incorporating longitudinal slots at one end to allow the tube to expand slightly. The diameter of the tube is arranged such that the second part 30 fits snugly inside the connection member but is removable therefrom with sufficient force.

A clamp (not shown) may he provided to tighten the connection member 80 over the inserted end of the second part 30.A"U" shape clamp and bolt may he used.

The second part 30 comprises a tubular structure with a 90 degree bend 70 along its length. One end can be pushed into the connection member 80. The other end is dosed hr a plastics cap 140 to pre'et11 water ingress.

The second part includes a hole t 50 provided in the side of the tube allowing cable 160 access into the interior of the tube. In a similar manner the first part 20 includes a hole 170 to allow cable 160 access. In this way a cable 160 may be enclosed within the first and second parts and travel internally of the joint 90, which includes a cable route, as shown.

Although the hole 150 in the second part is shown at a higher level than the bottom surface of the connection member 80 it may he located in the bottom surface.

In other words, it may he located at the lowest point of the second part 30 to avoid water ingress from rain, and/or to allow any water present therein to flow out.

Gromniets (not shown) may he included in these holes 150, 170 to further prevent water ingress.

A grommet 130 is provided on the first part 20 between the joint 90 and the plate 40. This is movable along the length of the first part 20 as discussed below.

Figure 2 shows a similar view as Figure 1 hut with the second part 30 removed from the connection member 80. The end 35 of the second part which was inserted into the connection member 80 is visible. The cable 160 is visible running through the bore of the second part 30 and the connection member 90.

Figure 3 shows a side view of an installed satellite dish 220 attached to the second part 30 of the bracket 10. The bracket 10 is attached to the wall 200 (only S partially shown) by means of the plate 40. The first part passes through the insulation blocks 210 which have been affixed to the exterior of the wall 200 by mcans not shown.

The joint 90 is seen to be outside of the insulation 210. The grommet 130 has been pushed up against the outer surface of the blocks 210. The grommet 130 is stepped shape in one embodiment, although other shapes are contemplated, such that it lO has two portions of differing radial dimension. The part with the larger radial dimension is placed against the outer surface of the insulation. The part with the smaller radial dimension thus projects away from the surface of the insulation. Render (not shown) may he applied to the outer surfaces of the insulation blocks such that the thickness of render covers the part of the grommet 130 with the smaller radial dimension. In this way, the grommet 130 may provide a depth indicator to the individual applying the render. Alternatively, the thickness of render may not be sufficient to cover the grommet completely leaving a small portion projecting through.

For instance, 10 to 20rrnn, preferably I 5mm of render may he applied leaving a 5rraii projection of grommet!30.

The first and second parts 20, 30 may have an external diameter of 32 or 35mm, although other dimensions are possible. The length of the first part 20 may be selected such that the length between the ferrule 100 closest to the plate 40 and the grommet after installation and rendering lies in the range 25 to 30mm, although other dimensions are contemplated.

Insulation blocks typically have thicknesses of 50, 70, 90 or 120mm.

The connection means for attaching the satellite dish 220 to the second part 30 is not shown; however, clamps and the like could he used.

Some or all of thc various metallic parts of the bracket 10 may comprise stainless steel.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A wall bracket comprising a first part and a second part; the first part including fixing means for fixing said bracket to a wall; the second part being configured for supporting an article in spaced relation to said wall; wherein the bracket further comprises a semi-flexible joint between said first and second parts so as to substantially reduce the transfer of modon of the second part to the first part.
2. The bracket of daim 1, wherein the semi-flexible joint comprises a braided part and/or a rubber part.
3. The bracket of claim 2, wherein the braided part is metallic and is attached to a ferrule at either end, the ferrules being attached to the first and second parts respectively.
4. The bracket of any preceding claim, wherein the fixing means is a plate adapted for being bolted or screwed to the wall.
5. The bracket of any preceding claim, wherein the first arid second parts are substantially tubular.
6. The bracket of any preceding claim, wherein the first and second parts include internal routes for the passage of a cable.
7. The bracket of claim 6, wherein the semi-flexible part includes an internal route for the passage of a cable.
8. The bracket of any preceding claim, wherein the first part includes a moveahie grommet for sealing against the outer surface of a layer of insulation provided on thewall.
9. The bracket of any preceding claim, being configured for affixing to the outside wall of a building, the building being at least Partially clad retrospectively with insulation material, the first part extending through the insulation material, in use, with the joint located spaced from the outer surface of the insulation.
10. A method of supporting an article from the side of a building, the building being retrospectively insulated with external cladding, comprising the steps of: selecting a wall bracket accordrng to any preceding claim wherein the length of the first part is greater than the thickness of the insulation to he attached to the building; attaching the fixing means to the side of the building; attaching the insulation to the building around the first part; repositioning the grommet to seal against the outer surface of the insulation; rendering over the outer surface of the insulation; and attaching the article to the second part of the wall bracket such that it is held spaced from the outer surface of the insulation.
11. The method of claim 10, wherein the render is applied over the outer surface of the grommet.
12. A wall bracket substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
13. A method of supporting an article from the side of a building substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.Amendment to the claims have been filed as follows CLAiMS I. A wall bracket configured for affixing to the outside wall of a building, the building being at least pardally clad reftospectively with insulation material, the first part extending through the insulailon material, in use, with the joint located in spaced relation to the outer surface of the insulation; the bracket comprising a first part and a second part; the first part including fixing means for fixing said bracket to a wall; the second part being configured for supporting an article in spaced relation to said wall; wherein the bracket further comprises a semi-flexible joint between said first and second parts so as to substantially reduce the transfer of motion of the second part to the first part; and the first part includes a moveable grommet for sealing against the outer surface of a layer of insulation provided on the wall.2. The bracket cif claim 1. wherein the semi-flexible joint comprises a braided part and/or a rubber part.3. The bracket of claim 2, wherein the braided part is metallic and is attached to a ferrule at either end, the ferrules heing attached tn the first and second parts respectively.4. The bracket of any preceding claim, wherein the fixing means isa plate adapted for being bolted or screwed to the wall. r5. The bracket of any preceding claim, wherein the first and second parts are substantially tubular.6. The bracket of any preceding claim, wherein the first and second parts include internal routes for the passage of a cable.7. The bracket of claim 6, wherein the semi-flexible part includes an internal route for the p sage cif a cable.8. A method of supporting an article from the side of a building, the himild ing heing retrospectively insulated with external cladding, comprising the steps of: selecting a wall bracket according to any preceding claim wherein the length of the first part is greater than the thickness of the insulation to he attached tc the building; attaching the fixing means to the side of the building; attaching the insulation to the building around the first part; repositioning the grornniet to seal against the outer surface of the insulation; rendering civer the outer surface of the insulation; and attaching the article to the second part of the wall bracket such that it is held spaced from the ciuter surfhce of the insulation, 9. The method of claim 8, wherein the render is applied over the outer surface of the grommet.10. A wall bracket substantially as hereinhefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.11. A method of supporting an article from the side of a building substantially as hereinbefbre described with reference to the accompanying drawings. r