GB2599657A

GB2599657A - Bracket for use with a masonry support system

Info

Publication number: GB2599657A
Application number: GB2015891.1A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Tracy Watkins Anthony
Original assignee: Pre Fix Gauge Systems Ltd
Current assignee: Pre Fix Gauge Systems Ltd
Priority date: 2020-10-07
Filing date: 2020-10-07
Publication date: 2022-04-13
Also published as: GB202015891D0

Abstract

The clamp bracket 108 comprises first and second jaws 109,110 defining a space therebetween to receive a steel angle 104, and a clamp member (e.g. screw 112,113) operable to clamp and release the angle. A lower of the jaws 110 may be at least 10 mm high and the space may be a fixed height, e.g. at least 5 mm. There may be a plurality of clamp members, which may be operable manually or with a tool. The bracket may be mounted on an elongate rigid member 107, optionally adjustably and/or with securing means to fix the location. An end wall of the space may be not more than a desired distance, e.g. 35 mm, from the upright rigid member. Also claimed is a system 100 comprising the angle as part of a masonry support system 101, the clamp bracket mounted thereto and the elongate rigid member, particularly for use as a guide or gauge rod when laying masonry.

Description

I

BRACKET FOR USE WITH A MASONRY SUPPORT SYSTEM

The present disclosure relates to a bracket for use with a masonry support system, more particularly a clamp bracket for use with a masonry support system. The disclosure also relates to systems comprising such a bracket and the use of such a bracket with a masonry support system.

It is known to use a masonry support system when constructing a multi-storey building such as an office building. A masonry support system such as a stainless steel masonry support system may be used to support brick, stone or block cladding on a steel or concrete framed structure.

A typical masonry support system may comprise one or more brackets configured to be attachable at a first end to a part of the framed structure. At a second end, opposite the first end, the bracket(s) is/are connected to an L-shaped component known as an angle. The angle has a horizontal portion and a vertical portion. The horizontal portion provides direct support, in use, for the brick, stone or block cladding.

When building up the brick, stone or block cladding, it is important that the bricks, stones or blocks are accurately and correctly aligned. This may be particularly important in taller buildings, e.g. multi-storey buildings, where the cumulative effects of relatively small misalignments may become significant over the height of the building.

An example of a known masonry support system is the Ancon MDC Masonry Support System supplied by Ancon Limited.

A first aspect provides a clamp bracket for use with a masonry support system comprising a framed structure and an angle connected thereto, wherein the bracket 30 comprises: a first jaw and a second jaw with a space therebetween, the space being configured at least partially to receive a portion of the angle: and at least one clamp member operable to be brought into engagement with the portion of the angle received in the space, thereby clamping the angle in place, and to be brought out of engagement with the portion of the angle received in the space, thereby releasing the angle.

The first jaw and the second jaw may be fixed relative to each other.

The first jaw may be an upper jaw and the second jaw may be a lower jaw or vice versa.

The space may have a uniform or non-uniform height, which may be defined as the distance between the first jaw and the second jaw.

The space may have a height of up to 20 mm or up to 10 mm. The space may have a height of at least 5 mm.

The clamp bracket may comprise a plurality of clamp members.

The clamp member(s) may be adapted to be operated manually or using a to& such as a handtool.

One or more levers and/or handles may be provided to assist a user in operating the clamp member(s). One or more of the levers may comprise a cam-operated lever.

The clamp member(s) may comprise one or more clamping screws.

The clamp bracket may be adapted to be mounted on an elongate rigid member. The elongate rigid member may be an upright rigid member, e.g. a gauge rod or a control point. The elongate rigid member may be located a distance from the angle.

The elongate rigid member may have a length of at least 2 metres, up to or at least 5 metres or up to or at least 10 metres. For instance, the elongate rigid member may have a length of from 2 metres to 10 metres. In an example implementation, the elongate rigid member may have a length of approximately 6 metres The clamp bracket may be adapted to be adjustably mountable on the elongate rigid 35 member.

For instance, the clamp bracket may comprise a sleeve or a channel for receiving at least partially the elongate rigid member.

The damp bracket may comprise one or more securing means operable to fix the location of the clamp bracket on the elongate rigid member.

A second aspect provides a system comprising: a masonry support system comprising a frame member forming part of a framed support structure and an angle connected thereto; an elongate rigid member disposed a distance away from the angle; and a clamp bracket according to the first aspect; wherein: the clamp bracket is mounted on the elongate rigid member; a portion of the angle is received at least partially in the space between thc first jaw and the second jaw; and the clamp member(s) is/are in engagement with the portion of the angle received in the space, thereby clamping the angle in place.

Thc masonry support system may comprisc a bracket connecting the angle to thc 20 frame member. The frame member may be an upright frame member.

The elongate rigid member may be located outboard or inboard of the framed support structure. The elongate rigid member may be an upright rigid member. The elongate rigid member may be a gauge rod or a control point.

The first jaw and the second jaw may be fixed relative to each other.

The clamp bracket may comprise a plurality of clamp members.

The clamp member(s) may be adapted to be operated manually or using a tool such as a handtool.

The clamp member(s) may comprise one or more clamping screws.

The elongate rigid member may have a length of at least 2 metres, up to or at least 5 metres or up to or at least 10 metres. For instance, the elongate rigid member may have a length of from 2 metres to 10 metres, in an example implementation, the elongate rigid member may have a length of approximately 6 metres.

The clamp bracket may be adapted to be adjustably mountable on the elongate rigid member.

The clamp bracket may comprise one or more securing means operable to fix the location of the clamp bracket on the elongate rigid member.

A third aspect provides a method of constructing a building or a portion thereof comprising using the clamp bracket of the first aspect or the system of the second aspect when laying one or more layers of bricks, stones or blocks.

The building may be a mufti-storey building.

S

The person skilled in the art will appreciate that except where mutually exclusive, a feature described in relation to any one of the above aspects may be applied mutatis mutandis to any other aspect. Furthermore except where mutually exclusive any feature described herein may be applied to any aspect and/or combined with any other feature described herein.

Example embodiments will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows a portion of a system according to an example embodiment; and Figure 2 illustrates an example use of a bracket according to the present disclosure.

The system 100 comprises a masonry support system 101. The masonry support system 101 comprises an upright frame member 102 forming part of a framed support structure (not shown), a bracket 103 and an L-shaped component known as an angle 104. The framed support structure may be made from any suitable material. For instance, the framed support structure may be a steel framed support structure a concrete framed support structure or a wooden framed support structure.

A first end of the bracket 103 is attached to the upright frame member 102. The first end of the bracket 103 may be adapted to be adjustably attachable to the upright frame member 102.

A second end of the bracket 103 is connected to the angle 104. For example, the angle 104 may be welded to the second end of the bracket 103. The angle 104 comprises a first planar portion 105 and a second planar portion 106. The first planar portion 105 is connected, e.g. welded, to the bracket 103. The second planar portion 106 and the first planar portion 105 are disposed mutually perpendicularly to one another to provide the angle 104 with an L-shape. The second planar portion 106 extends away from a lower end of the first planar portion 105 in a direction away from the bracket 103. The first planar portion 105 may be termed a vertical portion and the second planar portion 106 may be termed a horizontal portion.

The bracket 103 and the angle 104 may be made from any suitable material or combination of materials. For instance, the bracket 103 and/or the angle 104 may comprise stainless steel.

An upright rigid member 107 known as a gauge rod or a control point is disposed a distance away from the angle 104. A wall or a potion thereof comprises a plurality of layers of bricks laid adjacent an inboard side of the upright rigid member 107. For example, the gauge rod or the control point may have a length of approximately six metres, in particular when building a multi-storey building.

A first brick 114a has a first layer of mortar 115a arranged thereon. A second brick 114b sits on top of the first layer of mortar 115a. A second laver of mortar 115b is arranged on top of the second brick 114b. A third brick 114c sits on top of the second layer of mortar 115b.

A bracket 108 is mounted on the upright rigid member 107. The bracket 108 connects the upright rigid member 107 to the angle 104.

The bracket 108 has a fixed lower jaw 110 and a fixed upper jaw 109 with a space therebetween, in which the second planar portion 106 of the angle 104 is received. A space end wall 111 extends between an upper side of the fixed lower jaw 110 and an underside of the fixed upper jaw 109 A first clamping screw 112 and a second clamping screw 113 extend through the fixed upper jaw 109.

The first clamping screw 112 can be turned in a first direction (i.e. tightened) to press an end of the first clamping screw 112 against an upper side of the second planar portion 106 of the angle 104, thereby clamping the second planar portion 106 of the angle 104 against the upper side of the fixed lower jaw 110. By turning the first clamping screw 112 in a second direction opposite the first direction (i.e. untightening the first clamping screw 112), the end of the first clamping screw 112 is moved away from the upper side of the second planar portion 106 of the angle 104, thereby releasing the second planar portion 106 of the angle 104.

The second clamping screw 113 can be turned in a first direction (i.e. tightened) to press an end of the first clamping screw 112 against the upper side of the second planar portion 106 of the angle 104, thereby clamping the second planar portion 106 of the angle 104 against the upper side of the fixed lower jaw 110. By turning the second damping screw 113 in a second direction opposite the first direction (i.e. untightening the second clamping screw 113), the end of the second clamping screw 113 is moved away from the upper side of the second planar portion 106 of the angle 104, thereby releasing the second planar portion 106 of the angle 104.

In Figure 1, the end portion of the first clamping screw 112 and the end portion of the second clamping screw 113 are pressed against the upper side of the second planar portion 106 of the angle 104. Consequently, the second planar portion 106 of the angle 104 is damped against the upper side of the fixed lower jaw 110. Accordingly, the angle 104 is securely held by the clamp 108. The clamp 108 connects the rigid vertical member 107 to the angle 104.

The bracket 108 may be made from any suitable material, e.g. a stainless steel.

The bracket 108 may be configured such that a distance from the upright rigid member 107 to the space end wall 111 is not more than a desired distance, e.g. not more than mm, not more than 40 mm or not more than 35 mm For example, the bracket may be configured such that the distance from the upright rigid member 107 to the space end wall 111 is approximately 25 mm, approximately 30 mm, approximately 32 mm or approximately 33mm.

In an example implementation, the fixed lower jaw 110 may have a height of at least 10 mm, e.g. 12 mm. The height of the fixed lower jaw 110 may be selected based on a typical height of a layer of mortar, e.g. to be the same as or slightly greater than the typical height of a layer of mortar. Embodiments where the fixed lower jaw 110 has a height of 12 min may be well suited for use in laying brickwork, in which each layer of mortar has a height of approximately 10 mm The space between the fixed upper jaw 109 and the fixed lower jaw 110 may be up to or at least 10 mm in an example implementation, the space between the fixed upper 35 jaw 109 and the fixed lower jaw 110 may be approximately 9 mm.

The fixed upper jaw 109 may have a height which is substantially the same as, less than or greater than the height of the fixed lower jaw 110. in an example implementation, the fixed upper jaw 109 may have a height of approximately 50 mm.

The bracket 108 may be configured such that it extends a distance away from the rigid upright member 107, which is substantially the same as, less than or greater than a thickness of a brick with which the bracket 108 is intended to be used. In an example implementation, the bracket 108 may extend approximately 100 mm away from the rigid upright member 107.

The first brick 114a, the second brick 114b and the third brick 114c may each have any suitable dimensions. For example, one or more of the first brick 114a, the second brick 1146 and the third brick 114c may have a height of approximately 65 mm. One or more of the first brick 114a, the second brick 114b and the third brick 114c may have a thickness (measured in the direction from the rigid upright member 107 towards the upright frame member 102) of approximately 100 mm.

The first layer of mortar 115a and the second layer of mortar 115b may each have any suitable thickness. For example, one or more of the first layer of mortar 115a and the second layer of mortar 115b may have a thickness of approximately 10 mm The bracket 108 may be mounted on the upright rigid member 107 in any suitable manner. For instance, the bracket 108 may have a receiving channel, in which the upright rigid member 107 is received at least partially. One or more securing means operable to fix the location of the bracket 108 on the upright rigid member 107 may be provided. One or more of the securing means may comprise a clamping screw. Alternatively or additionally, the bracket 108 may have one or more mounting plates, the mounting plate(s) being adapted to be fixed to the upright rigid member 107 at a desired location. The mounting plate(s) may be fixable to the upright rigid member 107 using any suitable combination of mechanical fasteners or securing means.

The first clamping screw 112 and the second clamping screw 113 may each be adapted to be operated manually or using a to& such as a handtool. For instance, the first clamping screw 112 and the second clamping screw 113 may each have a handle or lever associated therewith.

While the illustrated example embodiment has two clamping screws (the first clamping screw 112 and the second clamping screw 113), it will be appreciated that the bracket may comprise any other suitable type and number of clamp members. Generally, it will be appreciated that the bracket need comprise at least one clamp member operable to be brought into engagement with the portion of the angle received in the space, thereby clamping the angle in place, and to be brought out of engagement with the portion of the angle received in the space, thereby releasing the angle. The person skilled in the art will be aware of various types and arrangements of clamp members that would provide this operational functionality.

An example use of a bracket according to the present disclosure, e.g. the bracket 108, will now be described with reference to Figure 2.

In a first step 201, at an intended site of use, an angle of a masonry support system is fitted at a desired elevation and a desired distance from a rigid upright member (i.e. a gauge rod or a control point) located a distance outboard or inboard of the masonry support system.

In a second step 202, the bracket is clamped securely in place on to a portion of the 20 angle.

In a third step 203 the bracket is fixed in place on the rigid upright member.

The teaching of the present disclosure may make it less likely for there to be any need to remake or adjust a masonry support system to compensate for deviations in alignment and/or verticality of brickwork. Adjustment of a masonry support system, e.g. using shimming, may sometimes be necessary, in order to compensate for deviations in alignment and/or verticality of brickwork. Such adjustment of the masonry support system may be time consuming and expensive.

By utilizing the clamp bracket of the present disclosure, there should be no need to remake or adjust a masonry support system during the construction of a building. Using the clamp bracket makes sure that the brickwork is vertical (to within any brickwork tolerance) and that the brickwork is the correct position for the soft joint, e.g. mortar.

Further, use of the clamp bracket will ensure that the angle is positioned to have the required bearing on the brickwork. For example, it may be desired for the angle to bear on 60% or more, 65% or more or 70% or more of a thickness of the brickwork. For 100 mm-thick bricks, it may therefore be desired for the angle to bear on 60 mm or more, 65 mm or more or 70 mm or more of the thickness of the brickwork.

Further, use of the clamp bracket enables, in use, a distance between a gauge rod or control point and the angle to be controlled and/or maintained at a desired distance. In an example implementation, the desired distance may be no more than 32 mm.

It will be understood that the invention is not limited to the embodiments above-described and various modifications and improvements can be made without departing from the concepts herein. Except where mutually exclusive, any of the features may be employed separately or in combination with any other features and the disclosure extends to and includes all combinations and sub-combinations of one or more features described herein.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A clamp bracket for use with a masonry support system comprising a framed structure and an angle connected thereto, wherein the bracket comprises: a first jaw and a second jaw with a space therebetween, the space being configured at least partially to receive a portion of the angle; and at least one clamp member operable to be brought into engagement with the portion of the angle received in the space, thereby clamping the angle in place, and to be brought out of engagement with the portion of the angle received in the space, thereby releasing the angle.
2 A clamp bracket according to claim 1 wherein the first jaw and the second jaw are fixed relative to each other.
3. A clamp bracket according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the first jaw is a lower jaw and the second jaw is an upper jaw or vice versa and the lower jaw has a height of at least 10 mm, e.g. 12 mm
4. A clamp bracket according to claim 1, claim 2 or claim 3, wherein the space has a uniform or non-uniform height, defined as the distance between the first jaw and the second jaw.
5. A clamp bracket according to claim 4, wherein the space has a height of at least 5 mm.
6. A clamp bracket according to any one of the preceding claims comprising a plurality of clamp members.
7. A clamp bracket according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the clamp member(s) is/are adapted to be operated manually or using a tool such as a handtool.R.
A clamp bracket according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the clamp member(s) comprise one or more damping screws.
9. A clamp bracket according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the clamp bracket is adapted to be mounted on an elongate rigid member located a distance from the angle.
10. A clamp bracket according to claim 9, wherein the clamp bracket is adapted to be adjustably mountable on the elongate rigid member.
11. A clamp bracket according to claim 9 or claim 10 comprising one or more securing means operable to fix the location of the damp bracket on the elongate rigid 10 member.
12. A clamp bracket according to claim 9, claim 10 or claim 11, wherein a space end wall extends from the first jaw to the second jaw and the bracket is configured such that a distance, in use, from the upright rigid member to the space end wall is not more than a desired distance.
13. A clamp bracket according to claim 12, wherein the desired distance is not more than 50 mm, not more than 40 mm or not more than 35 mm.
14. A system comprising: a masonry support system comprising a frame member forming part of a framed support structure and an angle connected thereto; an elongate rigid member disposed a distance away from the angle; and a damp bracket according to any one of claims 9 to 13; wherein: the clamp bracket is mounted on the elongate rigid member; a portion of the angle is received at least partially in the space between the first jaw and the second jaw; and the clamp member(s) is/are in engagement with the portion of the angle received in the space, thereby clamping the angle in place
15. A system according to claim 14, wherein the masonry support system comprises a bracket connecting the angle to the frame member.
16 A system according to claim 14 or claim 15, wherein the frame member is an upright frame member.
17. A system according to claim 14, claim 15 or claim 16, wherein the elongate rigid member is located outboard or inboard of the framed support structure.
18. A system according to any one of claims 14 to 17 wherein the elongate rigid member is an upright rigid member.
19. A system according to any one of claims 14 to 18, wherein the elongate rigid member has a length of at least 2 metres.
20. A method of constructing a building or a portion thereof comprising using the clamp bracket of any one of claims 1 to 13 or the system of any one of claims 14 to 19 when laying one or more layers of bricks, stones or blocks.