GB2547627A

GB2547627A - Improved fixing

Info

Publication number: GB2547627A
Application number: GB1522280.5A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Foster Terence
Original assignee: Jens Polanetz-Otto; Construction Products Solutions Int Ltd; ABC ADAMAS
Current assignee: Jens Polanetz-Otto; Construction Products Solutions Int Ltd; ABC ADAMAS
Priority date: 2015-12-17
Filing date: 2015-12-17
Publication date: 2017-08-30
Anticipated expiration: 2035-12-17
Also published as: GB2547627B; GB201522280D0

Abstract

The fixing 10 comprises an elongate profiled shank 12, an end of which cooperates with a support 14 to secure insulation to a wall. The shank may extend through a first cavity wall leaf and engage a second cavity wall leaf. The support may be recessed in the insulation. The shank may define a double helix. Also claimed is a tool comprising a plate and a circumferential wall defining a chamber for receiving a shank and preventing it from bending during insertion into a wall, the plate being attachable to a drill. Also claimed is a second tool comprising a body having a plate and a circumferential wall which define a recess for receiving a fixing support, the plate being attachable to a drill and the circumferential wall defining a cutting surface. Also claimed is a system comprising the fixing and the second tool. Also claimed is a method of securing insulation to a wall comprising drilling a pilot hole in the wall, partially driving a helical fixing into the wall with first tool support, attaching a support to the shank, and driving the fixing into the insulation.

Description

Improved Fixing

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a fixing for securing an insulation product to a wall. Particularly, but not exclusively, the present invention relates to a fixing for securing an insulation product to a cavity wall or solid wall

Background to the Invention

Environmental concerns have led to stiffening of building regulations particularly in the field of thermal conductivity of buildings in recent years. These tougher building regulations have led to the increased use of cavity wall insulation and, more recently, externally applied insulation panels or products to buildings.

However, conventional cavity wall walls tend to expand and contract in heat either as a unit or as one leaf with respect to another leaf.

Conventional cavity walls are tied together with wall ties manufactured from steel or nylon and when externally applied insulation products are fitted to an external surface of a cavity wall construction, the cavity wall can move independently with respect to the insulation product, potentially damaging insulation product.

Furthermore, cold bridging through the fixing medium is a well known problem. In cold bridging the steel tie allows cold to transfer along the length of the tie, reduce the heat in the wall and creating condensation. The condensation can in some situations create damp areas that draw salts from the masonry contaminating render causing it to come away from walls.

Summary of the Invention

According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a fixing for securing an insulation product to a cavity wall, the fixing comprising: an elongate profiled shank, and a support for engaging with a profiled shank end such that, in use, the support and the profiled shank cooperate to secure an insulation product to a first cavity wall leaf, the profiled shank being adapted to extend through the first cavity wall leaf and into engagement with a second cavity wall leaf.

In an embodiment of the invention, a fixing is provided which secures an insulation product to a cavity wall and acts as a cavity wall tie. For the builder such an arrangement provides greater flexibility, reduced materials and fewer operations to be performed. In addition, this arrangement means that independent movement of the insulation with respect to the wall is reduced which has been known to damage render.

According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a fixing for securing an insulation product to a wall, the fixing comprising: an elongate profiled shank, and a support for engaging with a profiled shank end such that, in use, the support and profiled shank cooperate to secure an insulation product to wall, the support being adapted to be recessed in an insulation product surface.

In an embodiment of the invention, a fixing is provided which secures an insulation product to a wall reducing the chance of creating a cold bridge. This is achieved by recessing the insulation fixing into a surface of the insulation product such that an insulated plug can be placed in the recess to provide an insulated barrier between the external environment and the fixing.

In preferred embodiments, insulation product is an insulation panel.

In this and other embodiments, the elongate profiled shank is self tapping. A self tapping fixing will tend to pass through an insulation panel with little or no compression of the insulation,

In at least one embodiment the elongate profiled shank is a helical shank.

In a preferred embodiment the profiled shank defines a double helix,

The support may comprise a head portion and a shank receiving portion.

The head portion may comprise a disc.

The shank receiving portion may extend from a head portion surface.

The shank receiving portion may be cylindrical, the cylindrical shank receiving portion defining a bore adapted to receive an elongate profiled shank end.

The cylindrical bore may have a diameter less than a shank cross-section diameter.

The support may comprise a polymeric material.

The support may be pressed onto the profiled shank end.

Pressing the support onto the profiled shank end may secure the support to the shank.

In some embodiments, the shank may cut into the internal surface of the cylindrical shank.

The head portion may define an aperture, the aperture may be aligned with the cylindrical shank receiving portion bore. Such an arrangement defines a through bore through the support. Such an arrangement allows the profiled shank end to be engaged directly by a tool for driving the fixing into a wall. This will be discussed in due course. A head portion surface may define gripping means.

The gripping means may be adapted to grip an insulation product.

The gripping means may comprise at least one tang.

The head portion may be sized to form a snug fit inside a tool for driving a fixing into a wall.

The cross-sectional area of the helical shank may be less than 13mm2.

Most preferably, the maximum cross-sectional area of the shank is approximately 13.0mm2. A small cross-sectional area is desirable as it reduces the stress which is applied in use to the medium through which the fixing is hammered. A small shank cross-sectional area also reduces the possibility of cold bridging of an insulation panel via the fixing making the secured panel noncompliant with the building regulations.

Preferably, one turn of the helix is greater than 20mm in length along the longitudinal axis.

Preferably, one turn of the helix is 35mm.

Preferably, the length of the elongate profiled shank is at least 130mm,

Most preferably, the length of the elongate profiled shank is in the range 135mm to 400mm.

Preferably, the elongate profiled shank comprises metal.

Most preferably, the elongate profiled shank comprises Stainless Steel.

Alternatively, the elongate profiled shank comprises zinc, yellow passivated steel or stainless steel.

According to a further aspect of the present invention there is provided a tool for driving and fixing into a wall, the tool comprising: an attachment for attaching the tool to a drill; and a plate having a rear surface attached to the attachment and a front surface having a circumferential wall extending therefrom, the circumferential wall and the plate defining a chamber adapted to receive a elongate profiled shank, the chamber adapted to support a portion of said profiled shank to prevent said profiled shank bending during, in use, insertion into a wall.

According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a tool for driving a fixing into a wall, the tool comprising: an attachment for attaching the tool to a drill; and a body portion comprising a plate having a rear surface attached to the attachment and a front surface having a circumferential wall extending therefrom, the circumferential wall and the plate defining a recess adapted to receive a fixing support, the circumferential wall edge distal the plate defining a cutting surface adapted, in use, to create a circular cut in an insulation product.

In an embodiment of the invention, a tool is provided which allows the fixing to be driven into an insulation product, the leading edge of the tool creating a circular cut in the insulation allowing for selective compression of insulation to generate a recess for the fixing support to space the fixing support away from the external surface of the insulation product.

According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a system for securing insulation to a wall, the system comprising: a fixing, the fixing comprising an elongate profiled shank, and a support for engaging with the profiled shank end such that, in use, the support and profiled shank cooperate to secure an insulation product to wall, the support being adapted to be recessed in an insulation product surface; and a tool comprising an attachment for attaching the tool to a drill; and a body portion comprising a plate having a rear surface attached to the attachment and a front surface having a circumferential wall extending therefrom, the circumferential wall and the plate defining a recess adapted to receive a fixing support, the circumferential wall edge distal the plate defining a cutting surface adapted, in use, to create a circular cut in an insulation product.

The fixing support may be adapted to form a snug fit inside the recess.

The fixing support may be adapted to be received inside the recess such that the fixing support and the body portion plate lie in parallel planes and are engaged.

The fixing support may define a through bore adapted to receive the profiled rod.

The profiled shank may be adapted to engage the body portion plate.

In use, the fixing elongate profiled shank and the tool attachment are aligned along a system longitudinal axis. Such an arrangement means, when in use with a hammer drill, that the hammer action acts directly onto the fixing and particularly onto the profiled shank to maximise the hammer effect and to minimise the possibility of bending et cetera.

According to a further aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of securing insulation to a wall, the method comprising the steps of; drilling a pilot hole in a wall; partially driving a helical fixing into a wall using a first tool support adapted to prevent a portion of the elongate profiled shank from bending; attaching a support to an exposed end of the helical shank; and driving the fixing into the insulation on wall such that, in use, the support sits in a support recess.

The features listed as non-essential with respect to one aspect of the present invention may be equally applicable to other aspects but have not been repeated for the purposes of brevity and clarity.

Brief Description of the Drawings

An embodiment of the present Invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a side view of a fixing for securing insulation to a wall according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 2 is a perspective view of the fixing support of the fixing of Figure 1 Figure 3 is a section of part of the fixing of Figure 1;

Figure 4 is a first perspective view of a first stage tool for driving the fixing of Figure 1 into a wall;

Figure 5 is a perspective view of a second stage tool for driving the fixing of Figure 1 into a wall;

Figures 6 to 11 and Figure 13 are a series of schematic views showing the fixing of Figure 1 being deployed in a wall;

Figure 12 is a perspective view of the fixing of Figure 1 securing insulation to a wall;

Figure 14 is a perspective view of the fixing of Figure 1 shown with a support extension; and

Figure 15 shows the fixing of Figure 1 with the support extension of Figure 14 inserted into a cavity wall.

Detailed Description of the Drawings

Reference is first made to Figures 1, 2 and 3, described above and depicting all or part of a fixing, generally indicated by reference numeral 10, for securing insulation to a wall (shown and discussed later), according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

The fixing 10 comprises an elongate profiled shank 12 and a support 14. The profiled shank 12 defines a double helix 16 mounted to a rod 18. The helical shank 12 has a leading end 20 and a trailing end 22.

The support 14 comprises a circular plate 24 and a cylindrical boss 26 defining a through bore 28. The through bore 28 extends through the circular boss 26 and through an aperture 30 defined by the circular plate 24. The through bore 28 is adapted to receive the helical shank trailing end 22. As can be seen, particularly from Figure 3, the internal diameter of the through bore 28 is less than the outside diameter of the helical shank 12 such that the double helix 16 cuts into the circular boss 26 internal surface. Such an arrangement secures the support 14 to the helical shank 12 as will be described. The support head 24 further defines four tangs 29 for dripping the insulation through which the fixing 10 is to be hammered.

As will be described, the installation of the fixing 10 can require two tools, the installation taking place in two stages. Referring to Figure 4, described above, this figure shows a first stage tool 41 for driving the fixing 10 into a wall (shown later). The tool 41 comprises a body portion 43 and an attachment mechanism 45. The first stage tool body portion 43 comprises a tube of stainless steel which is attached to the attachment mechanism 45. The first stage tool attachment mechanism 45 comprises an SDS shaft 47 adapted to be gripped by a hammer drill (shown later).

Figure 5 shows a perspective view of a second stage tool 40 for driving the fixing 10 into a wall (shown later). The tool 40 comprises a body portion 42 and an attachment mechanism 44.

The second stage tool body portion 42 comprises a plate 46 having a rear surface 50, to which the attachment mechanism 44 is attached, and a front surface 54, from which the circumferential wall 48 extends. The second stage tool attachment mechanism 44 comprises an SDS shaft 46 adapted to be gripped by a hammer drill (shown later). The plate front surface 54 and the circumferential wall internal surface 60 define a recess 62 adapted to receive the support 14. The circumferential wall 48 also defines an insulation cutting edge 49, the purpose of which will be discussed in due course

The use of the fixing 10 to secure an insulation panel 72 to a double leaf wall 70 will now be described with reference to the accompanying Figures 6 to 13, described above. A pilot hole 61 is firstly drilled through the insulation 72 into the wall 70, the pilot hole 61 being drilled through the first cavity wall leaf 74 into the second cavity wall leaf 76. The first stage tool 41 is inserted into the chuck 64 of a hammer drill 66. The fixing 10 is inserted into the first tool body portion 43, as shown. The first stage tool body 43 is sized such that the profiled shaft 12 is centred in the tool 41 and the drill hammer action acts directly on the profiled shaft trailing end 22. This arrangement limits the bending force applied to the profiled shaft 12 by the installation in the wall 70. However, the first stage tool body 43 does not grip the helical shaft 12 and the shaft does not rotate with the drill 66, the profiled shaft 12 rotation rather being dictated by the helical profile on the shaft 12 and the profile’s engagement with the wall 70 and the insulation 72.

The drill 66 is set to hammer action and on application of pressure by a user, the fixing 10 is hammered through the insulation 72 and the first cavity wall leaf 74 until an end 47 of the first stage tool 41 comes into engagement with an outer surface 75 of the first cavity wall leaf 74. This position is shown in Figure 7.

The hammer drill 66 and the first stage tool 41 are withdrawn, leaving the fixing 10 sitting proud of the insulation surface by approximately 50-70mm.

Referring to Figure 8, the second stage tool 40 is inserted into the chuck 64, and the support 14 is then inserted into the tool body recess 62. The recess 62 is sized such that the support 14 fits snugly inside the tool body recess 62, engaging the plate front surface 54 and the circumferential wall internal surface 60.

This snug fit is important to ensure that the longitudinal axis of the fixing 10, the tool 40 and the drill 66 all lie along the same axis 68 so that the hammer action generated by the drill 66 acts directly on the profiled shaft trailing end 22.

With the support 14 located inside the recess 62, the support 14 is pushed onto the profiled shaft trailing end 22. The helical shank 12 may not go all the way into the circular boss 26 due to the respective diametric sizes, however, as long as it goes on sufficiently to continue insertion of the fixing 10, the action of insertion will complete engagement between the shank 12 and the circular boss 26.

Referring to Figure 9, the hammer drill 66 is activated and the fixing 10 is pushed into the second cavity wall leaf 74. Although the second stage tool 40 is spinning, the helical shank 12 is rotating at a much slower speed under the action of the hammer drill 66. Because the support 14 is held snugly in the tool recess 62, the support 14 will want to spin with the tool 40. However, once pressure is applied to the helical shank 12, the engagement between the shank 12 and the support boss 26 is complete and the support 14 only rotates at the speed of the helical shank 12 not at the speed of the drill 66. This is because the snug fit between the second stage tool 40 and the support 14 is such that the action of the tool 40 is not sufficient to overcome the resistance of the helical shank 12.

As pressure is applied to the fixing 10, the helical shank 12 works its way through the circular boss 26 until the helical shank trailing end engages with the first stage tool plate front surface , maximising the transmission of the hammer action generated by the drill 66 through to the helical shank 12 and the leading edge 20, in particular.

Referring now to Figure 10, the fixing 10 has come into engagement with an external surface 80 of the insulation 72. Continued rotation of the tool 40 and application of the hammer action by the drill 66, causes the circumferential wall 48 and particularly the insulation cutting edge 49 to cut into the insulation 72.

As can be seen from Figure 11, a section of installation in front of the support 14 is compressed as the fixing 10 is driven into the second leaf 76 of the wall 70. This creates a recess 86 behind the fixing 10.

Referring to Figure 12, the fixing support 14 has been pressed into the insulation 72 with the recess 86 created by the compression of the insulation 72 by the insertion of fixing 10 into the wall 70 clearly visible.

Finally referring to Figure 13, an insulation plug 90 is put into the recess 86 to finish the operation and to provide insulation between the fixing 10 and the external environment 92.

This embodiment of the present invention therefore provides a fixing 10 which can be used to secure insulation 72 to a wall 70 helping to reduce the effect of a cold bridge between the wall 70 on the external environment 92.

Furthermore, the fixing 10 acts as a wall tie between the leaves 74, 76 of the wall 70 while securing insulation 72 to the wall 70.

Reference is now made to Figure 14, described above, which shows an extension cap 100 for the fixing 10. The extension cap 100 has a recess 102 adapted to receive the fixing support 14. This form of fixing is particularly useful where an outer skin of brick, for example, is to be applied over the insulation 70.

This outer skin of brick provides a further layer of insulation negating the need for the fixing 10 to be recessed into the insulation surface 80 to prevent cold bridging.

As can be seen from Figure 15, described above, the fixing support with the extension head 100 sits flush with the insulation surface 80 for a layer of brick work or other suitable skin is applied over the extended fixing support 14 and the insulation 70 to provide a further insulating layer and an attractive appearance.

Various modifications and improvements may be made to the above described embodiments without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, for a timber wall, the pilot hole may not require to be drilled, the helical fixing being sufficiently self-tapping to cut its way through timber.

In other embodiments, the helical shank leading end 20 may be self tapping. When being installed in timber, for example, as the fixing 10 is driven into timber, the leading end 20 will carve a path through the timber. In addition as the fixing 10 passes through the insulation 70, the fixing 10 will carve a path through the insulation 70 without causing substantial compression to the insulation 70.

Claims

Claims 1 A fixing for securing an insulation product to a cavity wall, the fixing comprising: an elongate profiled shank, and a support for engaging with a profiled shank end such that, in use, the support and the profiled shank cooperate to secure an insulation product to a first cavity wall leaf, the profiled shank being adapted to extend through the first cavity wall leaf and into engagement with a second cavity wall leaf. 2 The fixing of claim 1, wherein the support is adapted to be recessed in an insulation product surface. 3 The fixing of either of claims 1 or 2, wherein the insulation product is an insulation panel. 4 The fixing of any preceding claim, wherein the elongate profiled shank is self tapping. 5 The fixing of any preceding claim, wherein the elongate profiled shank is a helical shank. 6 The fixing of any preceding claim, wherein the profiled shank defines a double helix, 7 The fixing of any preceding claim, wherein the support is a head portion and a shank receiving portion. 8 The fixing of claim 7, wherein the head portion comprises a disc. 9 The fixing of either of claims 7 or 8, wherein the shank receiving portion extends from a head portion surface. 10 The fixing of any one of claims 7 to 9, wherein the shank receiving portion is cylindrical, the cylindrical shank receiving portion defining a bore adapted to receive an elongate profiled shank end. 11 The fixing of claim 10, wherein the cylindrical bore has a diameter less than a shank cross-section diameter. 12 The fixing of any preceding claim, wherein the support comprises a polymeric material. 13 The fixing of any preceding claim, wherein the support is pressed onto the profiled shank end. 14 The fixing of claim 10, wherein the shank cuts into the internal surface of the cylindrical shank. 15 The fixing of claim 10, wherein the head portion defines an aperture, the aperture is aligned with the cylindrical shank receiving portion bore. 16 The fixing of any preceding claim when dependent on claim 7, wherein a head portion surface defines gripping means. 17 The fixing of claim 16, wherein the gripping means is adapted to grip an insulation product. 18 The fixing of claim 17, wherein the gripping means comprises at least one tang. 19 The fixing of any preceding claim when dependent on claim 7, wherein the head portion is sized to form a snug fit inside a tool for driving a fixing into a wall. 20 The fixing of any preceding claim when dependent on claim 5, wherein the cross-sectional area of the helical shank is less than 13mm2. 21 The fixing of claim 20, wherein the maximum cross-sectional area of the shank is approximately 13.0mm2. 22 The fixing of any preceding claim when dependent on claim 5, wherein one turn of the helix is greater than 20mm in length along the longitudinal axis. 23 The fixing of claim 22, wherein one turn of the helix is 35mm. 24 The fixing of any preceding claim, wherein the length of the elongate profiled shank is at least 130mm, 25 The fixing of any preceding claim, wherein the length of the elongate profiled shank is in the range 135mm to 400mm. 26 The fixing of any preceding claim, wherein the elongate profiled shank comprises metal. 27 The fixing of any preceding claim, wherein the elongate profiled shank comprises Stainless Steel. 28 The fixing of any one of claims 1 to 26, wherein the elongate profiled shank comprises zinc, yellow passivated steel or stainless steel. 29 A fixing for securing an insulation product to a wall, the fixing comprising: an elongate profiled shank, and a support for engaging with a profiled shank end such that, in use, the support and profiled shank cooperate to secure an insulation product to a wall, the support being adapted to be recessed in an insulation product surface. 30 A tool for driving and fixing into a wall, the tool comprising: an attachment for attaching the tool to a drill; and a plate having a rear surface attached to the attachment and a front surface having a circumferential wall extending therefrom, the circumferential wall and the plate defining a chamber adapted to receive a elongate profiled shank, the chamber adapted to support a portion of said profiled shank to prevent said profiled shank bending during, in use, insertion into a wall. 31 A tool for driving a fixing into a wall, the tool comprising: an attachment for attaching the tool to a drill; and a body portion comprising a plate having a rear surface attached to the attachment and a front surface having a circumferential wall extending therefrom, the circumferential wall and the plate defining a recess adapted to receive a fixing support, the circumferential wall edge distal the plate defining a cutting surface adapted, in use, to create a circular cut in an insulation product. 32 A system for securing insulation to a wall, the system comprising: a fixing, the fixing comprising an elongate profiled shank, and a support for engaging with the profiled shank end such that, in use, the support and profiled shank cooperate to secure an insulation product to wall, the support being adapted to be recessed in an insulation product surface; and a tool comprising an attachment for attaching the tool to a drill; and a body portion comprising a plate having a rear surface attached to the attachment and a front surface having a circumferential wall extending therefrom, the circumferential wall and the plate defining a recess adapted to receive a fixing support, the circumferential wall edge distal the plate defining a cutting surface adapted, in use, to create a circular cut in an insulation product. 33 A tool of claim 32, wherein the fixing support is adapted to form a snug fit inside the recess. 34 A tool of claim 33, wherein the fixing support is adapted to be received inside the recess such that the fixing support and the body portion plate lie in parallel planes and are engaged. 35 A tool of any one of claims 32 to 34, wherein the fixing support defines a through bore adapted to receive the profiled shank. 36 A tool of any one of claims 32 to 35, wherein the profiled shank is adapted to engage the body portion plate. 37 A tool of any one of claims 32 to 36, wherein in use, the fixing elongate profiled shank and the tool attachment are aligned along a system longitudinal axis. 38 A method of securing insulation to a wall, the method comprising the steps of: drilling a pilot hole in a wall; partially driving a helical fixing into a wall using a first tool support adapted to prevent a portion of the elongate profiled shank from bending; attaching a support to an exposed end of the helical shank; and driving the fixing into the insulation on wall such that, in use, the support sits in a support recess.