GB2601818A

GB2601818A - A support device

Info

Publication number: GB2601818A
Application number: GB2019626.7A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Francis Concannon Martin
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2020-12-11
Filing date: 2020-12-11
Publication date: 2022-06-15
Anticipated expiration: 2040-12-11
Also published as: GB202019626D0; GB2601818B

Abstract

A support device comprises a unitary rod like device having an elongate central rod component 2 having an upper and lower end, an upper head rod component 3 and a lower foot rod component 4, wherein the lower foot rod component 4 extends at a right angle from a lower end of the central rod component 2 and the upper head rod component 3 extends across the upper distal end of the central rod component 2. The device is used to support a wall tie during construction of a cavity wall. One support device is positioned at each end of a course of blockwork by inserting ends of the upper head rod 3 and lower foot rod 4 components into a vertical joint of the blockwork 9. The inserted ends may be chamfered. A string line is secured between distal ends 3b of the upper head rod components which may be adapted by being grooved or threaded to secure the string. Wall ties 8 are rested on the string while the wall is constructed. Once the next course of blockwork is constructed the support devices are removed and moved up to support another series of wall ties. The upper head rod components 3 may be sloped at around 10 degrees to the horizontal in use.

Description

"A Support Device"

Introduction

The invention relates to a support device for wall ties.

Wall ties are commonly used in the construction of walls. Wall ties, sometimes called 'brick ties', are used in buildings with cavity walls. They are used to join the two leaves of a cavity wall together, allowing the two parts to act as a homogeneous unit. Hidden from view after construction, wall ties play a vital role in ensuring the stability of a building, they are an essential component of a cavity wall, helping to keep the structure safe and stable.

The use of metal ties in brick masonry dates back many decades. Over time, wall or brick ties of various sizes, configurations and adjustability have been developed for loadbearing masonry, cavity walls and brick veneer construction.

In recent years to comply with changing building regulations wall ties have increased significantly in length.

There is a real need for a device to help in the support and placing of wall ties.

Statements of Invention

According to the invention there is provided a support device comprising a unitary rod like device comprising an elongate central rod component having an upper and lower end; an upper head rod component; and a lower foot rod component; wherein the lower foot rod component extends at a right angle from a lower end of the central rod and the upper head rod component extends across the upper distal end of the central rod component.

In one embodiment the upper head rod component is at an angle to the upper distal end of the central rod component. Preferably the upper head rod component comprises a slope of 10 degrees.

In one embodiment of the invention the support device as claimed in any preceding claim wherein one end of the upper head rod component is chamfered.

In one embodiment the distal end of the lower foot rod component is chamfered.

In one embodiment the other end of the upper head rod component is shaped to receive and secure a string. The end of the upper head rod component may comprise a groove or threaded section.

According to the invention there is also provided a method of supporting a wall tie comprising the steps of; positioning a support device according to the invention at either end of a course of blockwork by inserting the chamfered ends of the upper head rod component and the lower foot rod component into the vertical joint of the blockwork; securing a string line to the distal end of the upper head rod component of one support device and extending and securing the string line to the upper head rod component of the second support device so that a string line extends between the two support devices; and resting the overhanging end of the wall tie on the string line.

In one embodiment of the invention the string line drawn between the two support devices support a plurality of wall ties.

In one embodiment of the invention once the next course of blockwork is laid the support devices are removed and re-positioned at either end of a next course of blockwork to support the next series of wall ties.

Brief Description of the Invention

The invention will be more clearly understood from the following description thereof with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: -Fig. 1 is a side view of the support device of the invention; Fig. 2 is a side view of the support device of the invention in position against a wall; Fig. 3 is a top view of two support devices of the invention in position against a wall with a guide line pulled or drawn between the two devices and supporting a number of overhanging wall ties; and Fig. 4 is a side perspective view of two support devices according to the invention in position against a wall with a guide line drawn between the two devices and supporting a number of overhanging wall ties;

Detailed description

A cavity wall consists of two leaves of blockwork, the internal leaf and the outer leaf, with a cavity space in between the two leaves Traditionally a brick layer would build the outer leaf first, typically two courses high, then build the inner leaf up to two courses high and then place wall ties across the cavity, and repeat this process until the wall is built.

In more recent years the cavity size has increased significantly to allow one to pump more cavity wall insulation into the cavity rather than using handheld insulation which was conventionally inserted into the cavity after several course of blockwork had been constructed.

The idea of more insulation in the cavity wall to reduce heat loss and increase the U values of a home has really come to fruition in the last decade.

As a result of the increased cavity space wall ties have become longer and heavier. The construction of a cavity wall has gone from the traditional 100mm wide cavity to 150mm and more in width. Cavity sizes can vary depending on the building regulations in different territories. Once constructed insulation is pumped into the cavity space.

Currently when a cavity wall is being constructed with the cavity space up to 250mm in width, the brick layer may, at times, decide to build the whole outer leaf of the wall completely in the first instance. It is easier to build a single leaf and then the second leaf as there is a much greater reach in place due to the extra wide cavity space. As the outer leaf of the wall is being constructed the brick layer will be inserting wall ties at regular intervals as required.

This is where the support device of the present invention is an essential tool in helping to support the wall ties and stop the wall ties from falling out of the fresh mortar before the next block is laid on top to secure the wall ties in place. The support device of the present invention provides a means to support the ends of the longer and heavier wall ties which are being used more frequently in the construction of buildings.

The support device 1 of the invention is a unitary rod like device comprising an elongate central rod component 2, an upper head rod component 3 and a lower foot rod component 4. The support device 1 is a rigid unitary device. The lower foot rod component 4 extends at a right angle X from a lower end of the central rod component 2. The upper head rod component 3 is positioned substantially perpendicular but at a slight angle to the upper distal end of the central rod component 2. The upper head rod component 3 is at an angle with the central rod component 2. The upper head rod component 3 preferably has a slope of 10 degrees.

The distal ends 3a and 4a of the upper head rod component 3 and the lower foot rod component 4 respectively are chamfered. This allows the device 1 to be easily and smoothly inserted into a mortar joint. A string line/ supporting line 101s attached and secured to the other end 3b of the upper head rod component 3. The end 3b may comprise a groove or threaded section to help to secure a string line in position on the support device 1.

In use two support devices 1 of the invention are placed into the mortar joints on either end of a newly constructed course of blockwork. After a few courses of blockwork have been constructed a support device 1 is placed at either end of the wall.

The upper head rod component 3 and the lower foot rod component 4 are inserted into the vertical joints on the leaf of the wall. The upper head rod component 3 typically extends into the vertical joint giving the support device 1 its initial grip while the lower foot rod component 4 extends into the lower end of the vertical joint to a similar depth.

When the support device 1 is in its correct working position the elongate central portion 2 rests flush against the outer leaf of the wall 9 as shown in Fig. 2.

The downward forces acting on the support device 1 are reduced due to the upper head rod component 3 being inserted into the vertical joint and the lower foot rod component 4 being inserted into the lower end of the vertical joint.

A string line/ supporting line 10 is attached to the distal end 3b of the upper head rod component 3 on one device and secured to the distal end 3b of the upper head rod component 3 on the second support device. The string line 10 is pulled taut between the two support devices as shown in Figs. 3 and 4. The taut string line/ supporting line 10 gives extra stability.

A series of wall ties 8 are placed along the bed joint with one end placed in the wet mortar and the other end, overhanging the cavity, laid across the taut string line/ supporting line 10. In this way the wall ties 8 are held in position and prevented from falling off the wet mortar and into the cavity space before the next course of blockwork can be laid on top of the wall ties.

The taut line 10 supports the overhanging ends of the wall ties.

When the string line/ supporting line 10 is pulled taut and with the 10 degree slope on the upper head component 3 of the support device 1 the string line/ supporting line is slightly higher than the bed joint on which the wall ties are being placed. This allows for any sag in the string line/ supporting line 10 when the weight of the wall ties are placed onto it.

The support device of the invention is designed to hold a string line to support any length of wall tie and may be used with any size walls having small or large cavity spaces.

The support device of the invention may be manufactured from any durable weather resistant material. The support device is preferably manufactured from a steel material.

The invention is not limited to the embodiment hereinbefore described, with reference to the accompanying drawings, which may be varied in construction and detail.

Claims

Claims A support device comprising a unitary rod like device comprising an elongate central rod component having an upper and lower end; an upper head rod component; and a lower foot rod component; wherein the lower foot rod component extends at a right angle from a lower end of the central rod component and the upper head rod component extends across the upper distal end of the central rod component.
2. A support device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the upper head rod component is at an angle to the upper distal end of the central rod component.
3. A support device as claimed in claim 2 wherein the upper head rod component comprises a slope of 10 degrees.
4. A support device as claimed in any preceding claim wherein one end of the upper head rod component is chamfered.
5. A support device as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the distal end of the lower foot rod component is chamfered.
6. A support device as claimed in claim 4 wherein the other end of the upper head rod component is shaped to receive and secure a string.
7. A support device as claimed in claim 6 wherein the end of the upper head rod component comprises a groove or threaded section.
8. A method of supporting a wall tie comprising the steps of; positioning a support device as claimed in any of claims 1 to 7 at either end of a course of blockwork by inserting the chamfered ends of the upper head rod component and the lower foot rod component into the vertical joint of the blockwork; securing a string line to the distal end of the upper head rod component of one support device and extending and securing the string line to the upper head rod component of the second support device so that a string line extends between the two support devices; and resting the overhanging end of a wall tie on the string line.
9. A method as claimed in claim 8 wherein the string line drawn between the two support devices support a plurality of wall ties.
10. A method as claimed in claim 8 or 9 wherein once the next course of blockwork is laid the support devices are removed and re-positioned at either end of the next new course of blockwork to support another series of wall ties.