GB2575504A

GB2575504A - An insulation tie

Info

Publication number: GB2575504A
Application number: GB1811509.7A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Gale Adam
Original assignee: HellermannTyton Ltd
Current assignee: HellermannTyton Ltd
Priority date: 2018-07-13
Filing date: 2018-07-13
Publication date: 2020-01-15
Also published as: GB201811509D0

Abstract

The tie includes an elongate member 2 for insertion through an insulation panel. An anchoring section 4 is for embedding in a concrete substrate. The elongate member includes a first locking element on its surface. A fixing plate 42 has an aperture into which the elongate member is inserted and has a second locking element 8 which interacts with the first locking element to prevent retraction. The anchoring section includes a wedge shaped body that tapers inwardly in a longitudinal direction to prevent retraction from the cast material. The anchoring portion may comprise a wedge shaped shank with a pair of locking arms to form a T shaped anchor. Also claimed is a tie where the tie’s locking elements include respective sets of teeth. Also claimed is a tie where the fixing plate includes a number of apertures and raised surface features.

Description

AN INSULATION TIE

The present invention relates to an insulation tie, and in particular a tie for securing an insulation panel to a pre-cast concrete panel.

Pre-cast concrete panels are increasingly used in the construction industry for forming the walls of buildings. Traditional concrete forming methods involve pouring concrete into forms and curing the concrete on-site. In contrast, pre-cast concrete panels are formed and cured off-site and then transported and assembled on-site to form a structure. The use of pre-cast concrete panels allows closer control of the curing process, thereby ensuring the integrity and quality of the panels. In addition, the requirement to construct forms on-site is avoided, and the ability to re-use forms when producing the panels in a manufacturing environment can reduce cost.

Pre-cast concrete panels may be assembled on site to form the exterior shell of the building. More commonly the panels are coated or clad once assembled, for example with an external brick course or a render skin. A typical residential construction may comprise walls formed from pre-cast concrete panels. Internally, stud panelling may be fitted to the walls, and a layer is insulation is provided within the stud sections. Plasterboard is then secured to the stud work, and the insulation is sandwiched between the plasterboard and the walls. In order to satisfy building regulations, insulation must also be installed on the external surface of the pre-cast concrete panels. Installation of insulation panels is performed on-site. The insulation panels are assembled in position and secured to the concrete panels by drilling through the insulation and into the concrete panels and inserting an insulation tie, which may secure to the concrete by a number of means including a threaded connection or expandable anchor. This process must be completed once or more for every insulation panel, which is laborious and time consuming.

It is therefore desirable to provide an improved connector for securing insulating material to a pre-cast concrete panel, which addresses the above described problems and/or which offers improvements generally.

According to the present invention there is provided a tie for securing an insulation panel to a castable substrate as described in the accompanying claims.

In an embodiment of the invention there is provided a tie for securing an insulation panel to a castable substrate such as concrete. The tie comprises an elongate member configured for insertion through an insulation panel, the elongate member having opposing first and second surfaces and opposing first and second ends. An anchoring section is located at the first end of the elongate body. The anchoring section is configured to be embedded and anchored within a cast concrete substrate. A first locking element is located on at least one surface of the elongate member. A fixing plate is also provided having an aperture configured to receive the second end of the elongate body when inserted through the insulating material and a second locking element configured to engage with the first locking element to prevent retraction of the elongate member through the aperture. The anchoring section comprises a wedge shaped body that tapers inwardly in the longitudinal direction towards the second end to prevent retraction from the cast material in the direction of the second end.

The anchoring section preferably comprises a wedge shaped shank.

The shank preferably tapers inwardly from its outer end in the direction of the second end of the elongate member.

The anchoring section comprises a shank, a pair of locking arms extending outwardly from the shank, and a plurality of ribs formed on at least one of the surface of the shank and the surface of the locking arms, the plurality of ribs defining one or more channels therebetween. The cast material is cast about the anchoring section and the locking arms provide a mechanical interlock to prevent retraction of the anchoring section from the cast material. In addition, the ribs and channels increase the surface area of the anchoring section in engagement with the cast material and ensure better securement.

The plurality of ribs are preferably arranged on the shank and extend longitudinally along the length of the shank.

The locking arms preferably extend outwardly from the shank in a direction angled towards the second end of the elongate member. As such the locking arms are angled in a direction opposing the retraction direction.

The locking arms may project from opposing sides of the shank and are arranged such that the shank is substantially T-shaped. This provides a form that is structurally robust and also well suited to formation by injection moulding.

A plurality of ribs may also be formed on the locking arms and define one or more channels therebetween, to further improve surface contact with the cast material.

The elongate member is a preferably flexible strap and may be formed from plastic.

The tie may further comprise an abutment element projecting outwardly form the second end of the elongate member which in use abuts the insulation material and locates the anchoring head on the outer surface of the insulating material. The abutment element is preferably a disc shaped flange projecting outwardly from the elongate body.

The first locking element may be a series of locking teeth formed on the elongate member and the second locking element is a pawl configured and arranged to engage with the first locking element in the manner of a cable tie.

In another aspect of the invention there is provided a tie for securing a panel to a castable substrate. The tie comprises an elongate member configured for insertion through a corresponding channel formed in a panel. The elongate member has opposing first and second surfaces and opposing first and second ends. An anchoring section is located at the first end of the elongate body, the anchoring section being configured to be embedded in a cast concrete substrate. A fixing plate is provided having an aperture configured to receive the second end of the elongate body when inserted through the panel. A plurality of locking teeth are formed on the first and second surfaces of the elongate body and the fixing plate comprises first and second pawls arranged to engage with the locking teeth of the first and second surfaces when the elongate body is inserted through the aperture. The locking teeth and pawls are arranged to permit passage of the elongate body though the aperture in a first insertion direction and to prevent passage of the elongate body through the aperture in a second retraction direction. The use of a pair of opposing pawls and opposing locking teeth advantageously improves locking engagement between the fixing plate and the elongate strap.

An insertion axis is defined through the aperture and the pawls may be offset from each along the insertion axis.

The locking teeth preferably have a tooth pitch and the pawls are axially offset by half the tooth pitch. The term 'tooth pitch' is used to mean the distance between common points on two adjacent teeth e.g. the distance between two adjacent peaks.

The elongate body has a longitudinal axis and the looking teeth of the first and second surfaces are preferably offset from each other along the longitudinal axis by the same distance as the axial offset of the pawls. Offsetting the teeth improves the rigidity of the strap as it avoids the troughs between teeth from being axially aligned, which creates weak sections along the strap. The offset also ensures that the offset of the teeth matches the offset of the pawls and both sets teeth engage their corresponding pawls at the same relative position simultaneously. The two opposing pawls create a reaction force against each other which increase the force on the strap and increases resistance of retraction of the strap. In addition, by providing two pawls and teeth on both sides of the strap, the fixing plate may be inserted onto the strap in either two orientations rather than one, which simplifies installation.

In another aspect of the invention there is provided a tie for securing an insulation panel to a cast substrate, the tie comprises an elongate member configured for insertion through an insulation panel, the elongate member having opposing first and second surfaces and opposing first and second ends. An anchoring section is located at the first end of the elongate body, the anchoring section being configured to be embedded in a cast substrate. A first locking element is located on at least one surface of the elongate member. A fixing plate is provided having an aperture configured to receive the second end of the elongate body when inserted through the insulation panel and a second locking element configured to engage with the first locking element to prevent retraction of the elongate member from the aperture. The fixing plate has an inner surface which in use faces towards the first end of the elongate member, and an outer surface which faces in the opposing direction, and the outer surface of the fixing plate comprises a plurality of apertures formed therein, and a plurality of raised surface features defining a plurality of corresponding recesses on the outer surface. The apertures and surface features assist when the fixing plate is coated with render following installation.

The present invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the following illustrative figures in which:

Figure 1 shows a tie according to an embodiment of the invention;

Figure 2 shows the anchoring head of the tie of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is an isometric view of the tie of Figure 1;

Figure 4 shows a fixing plate according to an embodiment of the invention;

Figure 5 is a cross sectional view of the fixing plate of Figure 4; and

Figure 6 shows a tie and fixing plate securing an insulation panel to a pre-cast concrete panel.

Referring to Figure 1, an insulation tie 1 comprises an elongate body 2 and an anchoring head 4. The elongate body 2 is preferably a substantially flat, flexible strap 2, formed from a plastic material. The elongate body may alternatively be formed from a rigid material. The elongate body 2 includes a distal tip 6 located at a first end comprising an tongue 7 having tapered leading edges 9. The anchor section 4 is located at the opposing second end of the elongate body. The elongate body 2 includes a locking section 8 formed along a first surface 10. A further locking section is located on the opposing side of the elongate body 2 on its second surface 12. The first surface 10 and second surface 12 have the same form and features, and the following description, while referring to the first surface 10 also applies to the opposing second surface 12.

The locking section 8 includes a first end 14 located proximate the distal tip 6 and a second end 16 located approximately half way along the length of the elongate body 2. The locking section 8 comprises a series of inclined projections 18 defining a row of locking teeth having a saw-tooth profile, as is commonly used in cable ties. However, cable ties provide the locking teeth on a single surface only, and the opposing surface is substantially flat and smooth along its entire length. In contrast, the elongate body 2 includes locking teeth 18 formed on both the first side 10 and the second side 12 at common locations along the length of the elongate body 2.

As shown in Figure 2, the anchoring head 4 includes a shank 18 that is contiguous and aligned with the elongate body 2. The shank 18 has a tapered wedge shaped form, tapering inwardly from its end 19 towards its base 21. A plurality of longitudinally extending ribs 20 project from the surface of the shank 18. The ribs 20 are arranged substantially parallel to each other, and a plurality of channels 22 are defined between the ribs 20. Again, the anchoring head 4 has the same shape and configuration on both sides, and the description of the side represented in Figure 2 is also applicable to the opposing side of the anchoring head 4.

An abutment flange 24 is located at the base 26 of the shank 18, at the intersection between the shank 18 and the elongate body 2. The flange 24 projects laterally outwards from the base of the shank 18 and is substantially disc shaped. The flange 24 includes a first surface 28 which faces towards the distal tip 6 and a second surface 30 that faces towards the anchoring head 4. A series of substantially semi-circular projections 32 extend from the first surface 10 of the elongate body immediately below the flange 24. As can be seen from Figure 3, a further series of semi-circular projections 32 extend from the second surface 12, and the two series of semi-circular projections combine to form a series of substantially disc shaped projections along the length of the body 2.

Referring again to Figure 2, a pair of locking arms 34 extend outwardly from opposing sides of the shank 18. The locking arms 34 are located at the end 19 of the shank 18 and extend laterally relative to the length of the shank 18. The locking arms 34 are arranged symmetrically on either side of the shank 18 proximate the end 19 such that the anchoring head is substantially T-shaped. Each locking arm 34 extends downwardly from the end 19 of the shank 18 in the direction of the distal tip 6, which in use is the direction of retraction. The length of each locking arm 34 is approximately half the length of the shank 18. A pair of ribs 36 project from and extend along the upper and lower edges of the locking arms 34. A channel 38 is defined along each locking arm 34 between the ribs 36. End plates 40 are formed on the ends of the locking arms 34 which cap the ends of the locking arms 34. The end plates 40 extend outwardly from the locking arms 34 in a direction transverse to the length of the locking arms 34.

Figure 4 shows a fixing plate 42 which functions as a washer to hold the tie 1 on the external side of the insulation and distribute the pressure from the tie 1 across the surface of the insulation. The fixing plate 42 is substantially disc shaped, and includes a central aperture 44 and a plurality of additional apertures 46 arranged in a circular array about the central aperture 44. The outer array of apertures 46 reduce material usage and weight, and also assist in keying the fixing plate 42 to a render skin. A series of ridges 47 are formed on the outer surface 48 of the fixing plate 42, which is the surface that faces outwardly and away from the insulation in use. A series of recesses 50 are defined on the outer surface 48 of the fixing plate 42 by the ridges 47. The recesses 50 also provide a void into which the render is able to flow to key the render to the fixing plate 42 and ensure the thickness the render layer covering the fixing plate is as thick as possible.

Figure 5 shows a cross section of the fixing plate 42. A hollow cylindrical boss 52 extends from inner surface 54 of the fixing plate 42. In use the boss 52 locates within a predrilled hole in the surface of the insulation to locate the fixing plate 42. The central aperture 44 extends into a channel 56 running through the centre of the boss 52. A pair of pawls 58 are located within the channel 56. The pawls 58 each comprise a hinged member movably secured at their base to the inner surface of the channel 56 by a living hinge 60. At their free ends to the pawls 58 includes a serrated surface 62 corresponding to the saw tooth profile of the locking teeth 8 on either side the body 2 of the tie 1. The teeth of the serrated surface 62 are angled outwardly along the channel 56 towards the central aperture 44 such that the teeth of the locking sections 8 are able to slide over the serrated surface 62 when moving outwardly through the channel, as the pawls 58 pivot to accommodate this movement, with the teeth of the serrated surface 62 engaging with the serrated surface 62 when the locking surface 8 is moved inwardly to prevent retraction of the elongate body 2 from the fixing plate 42. The pawls 58 are arranged on diametrically opposed sides of the channel 56 and engage the opposing sides 10,12 of the elongate body 2 simultaneously. This advantageously increases securement of the ties 1. Furthermore, if one of the pawls 58 should fail, the other continues to retain the tie 1 in position.

Referring to Figure 6, in use a channel 64 is formed through a panel of insulating material 70. The insulation panel 70 includes an inner surface 72 and an outer surface 74. The tongue 7 of the tie 1 is inserted into the channel 64 from the inner side 72 of the insulation panel 70 and the elongate body is inserted through the channel until the inner surface 28 of the abutment flange 24 engages the inner surface 72. The fixing plate 42 is presented to the distal tip 6 of the elongate body 2 and the elongate body 2 is inserted through the channel 56 of the fixing plate 42. As the locking sections 8 pass through the channel 56 they are engaged by the pawls 58. The pawls 58 pivot and rock away from the locking surfaces 8 as the elongate body 2 is passed through the channel 56. The fixing plate 42 is pushed along the elongate body 2 until it contacts the outer surface 74 of the insulation panel 70. A tensioning tool is then used to pull the elongate body 2 further through the fixing plate 2 until a predetermined tension is achieved. The free end of the elongate body 2 projecting past the fixing plate 42 is then cut by the tensioning tool and the tie 1 is secured properly to the insulating panel 70, with the anchoring head 4 projecting from the inner surface 72 of the insulating panel 70.

The insulating panel 70 is used in combination with other panels and baffles to create a form for the concrete panel. The concrete is then poured into the form and flows around the anchoring heads 4 of the insulating panels 70. The concrete flows into the channels 22 and 38 of the anchoring head 4, and surrounds the anchoring head 4, including the locking arms 34. The projections 32 function as a plug to plug the channel 64 and in combination with the flange 24 prevent concrete from flowing into the insulating panel 70. The concrete cures and sets about the anchoring head 4 and sets within the form to create a concrete panel 72. The ridges 20,26, channels 22,38, locking arms 34 and end caps 40 function to maximise the surface area of the anchoring head 4 in engagement with the concrete. The wedge shape of the shank 18 and the curved shape of the locking arms 34 create positive mechanical interlocks that prevent retraction of the anchoring head 4 from the concrete once it has set, thereby securely fixing the insulation panel 70 to the concrete panel and creating an insulated concrete slab. The insulated concrete slab is then transported to site and multiple slabs are assembled to form a structure. Once fixed in position a layer of insulation and plaster board 76 is secured to the internal surface of the insulated concrete slab. A layer of render 78 is applied to the external surface 74 of the insulation panel 70, which covers and interlocks with the fixing plates 42.

Claims

1. A tie for securing an insulation panel to a concrete substrate, the tie comprising:

an elongate member configured for insertion through an insulation panel, the elongate member having opposing first and second surfaces and opposing first and second ends; and an anchoring section located at the first end of the elongate body, the anchoring section being configured to be embedded in a cast concrete substrate;

a first locking element located on at least one surface of the elongate member;

a fixing plate having an aperture configured to receive the second end of the elongate body when inserted through the insulating material and a second locking element configured to engage with the first locking element to prevent retraction of the elongate member from the aperture;

wherein the anchoring section comprises a wedge shaped body that tapers inwardly in the longitudinal direction towards the second end to prevent retraction from the cast material in the direction of the second end.

2. A tie according to claim 1 wherein the anchoring section comprises a wedge shaped shank.

3. A tie according to claim 2 wherein the anchoring section comprises a pair of locking arms extending outwardly from the shank.

4. A tie according to claim 3 comprising a plurality of ribs formed on at least one of the surface of the shank and the surface of the locking arms, the plurality of ribs defining one or more channels therebetween.

5. A tie according to claim 4 wherein the plurality of ribs are arranged on the shank and extend longitudinally along the length of the shank.

6. A tie according to claim 5 wherein the locking arms extend outwardly from the shank in a direction angled towards the second end of the elongate member.

7. A tie according to claim 6 wherein the locking arms project from opposing sides of the shank and are arranged such that the shank is substantially T-shaped.

8. A tie according to any preceding claim wherein a plurality of ribs are also formed on the locking arms and define one or more channels therebetween.

9. A tie according to any preceding claim wherein the elongate member is a flexible strap.

10. A tie according to any preceding claim further comprising an abutment element projecting outwardly form the second end of the elongate member which in use abuts the insulation material and locates the anchoring head on the outer surface of the insulating material.

11. A tie according to any preceding claim wherein the first locking element is a series of locking teeth formed on the elongate member and the second locking element is a pawl configured and arranged to engage with the first locking element.

12. A tie for securing a panel to a castable substrate, the tie comprising:

an elongate member configured for insertion through a panel, the elongate member having opposing first and second surfaces and opposing first and second ends; and an anchoring section located at the first end of the elongate body, the anchoring section being configured to be embedded in a cast concrete substrate;

a fixing plate having an aperture configured to receive the second end of the elongate body when inserted through the panel;

wherein a plurality of locking teeth are formed on the first and second surfaces of the elongate body and the fixing plate comprises first and second pawls arranged to engage with the locking teeth of the first and second surfaces when the elongate body is inserted through the aperture, the locking teeth and pawls being arranged to permit passage of the elongate body though the aperture in a first insertion direction and to prevent passage of the elongate body through the aperture in a second retraction direction.

13. A tie according to claim 12 wherein an insertion axis is defined through the aperture and the pawls are offset from each along the insertion axis.

14. A tie according to claim 13 wherein the locking teeth have a tooth pitch and the pawls are axially offset by half the tooth pitch.

15. A tie according to claim 13 or 14 wherein the elongate body has a longitudinal axis and the looking teeth of the first and second surfaces are offset from each other along the longitudinal axis by the same distance as the axial offset of the pawls.

16. A tie for securing an insulation panel to a cast substrate, the tie comprising:

an elongate member configured for insertion through an insulation panel, the elongate member having opposing first and second surfaces and opposing first and second ends; and an anchoring section located at the first end of the elongate body, the anchoring section being configured to be embedded in a cast substrate;

a first locking element located on at least one surface of the elongate member;

a fixing plate having an aperture configured to receive the second end of the elongate body when inserted through the insulation panel and a second locking element configured to engage with the first locking element to prevent retraction of the elongate member from the aperture;

wherein the fixing plate has an inner surface which in use faces towards the first end of the elongate member, and an outer surface which faces in the opposing direction, wherein the outer surface of the fixing plate comprises a plurality of apertures formed therein, and a plurality of raised surface features

5 defining a plurality of corresponding recesses on the outer surface.