AU656583B2 - Brick tie - Google Patents

Description

Regulation 3.2

AUSTRALIA

PATENTS ACTr 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION FOR A STANDARD PATENT

ORIGINAL

S104 TO BE COMPLETE BY APPLICANT Abel'~ Au~-t'clb'c ND+, LriV(Zd T Name of Applicant TOOL~ AND) DIE MANUF-AeTURER5 l'fl'. LTD.

Actual Inventor(s): Geoffrey Anderson; Roland Maeder Address for Service. CALUINAN LAWRIE.. 278 Hligh Street, Kew, 3101, Victoria, Australia invention Title. "BRICK TIE" The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of -::performing it known to me:-

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The present invention relates, in general terms, to a masonry or brick tie and more particularly, but not exclusively, relates to a masonry or brick tie which allows for the provision of a substantially stable connection between an existing masonry or brick wall and another similar wall being constructed preferably substantially at right angles thereto.

In recent times, and especially since the earthquake disaster in Newcastle, masonry construction techniques and masonry ties have been placed under everincreasing scrutiny. In the result, new building standards and requirements have come into force. In that regard it must be realised that, in the past, the practical importance of brick or masonry ties has sometimes either been conveniently overlooked or considered to constitute a time consuming and unnecessary nuisance by some bricklayers. A masonry tie must be able to transfer lateral forces from one masonry leaf or wall to another. A masonry tie has been found to be of enormous S importance to the stability of an overall brick structure. Masonry ties are employed in order to provide increased structural rigidity and lateral stability and to prevent o unwanted collapse of masonry/brick walls, being designed to accommodate S differential movements of such walls.

In accordance with past and long-established techniques, in a situation wherein a masonry wall under construction is, in use, adapted to be connected to a previously-established masonry wall, one prior art arrangement employed a first member adapted to be fixedly and non-removably attached to the existing or established wall, and a second member adapted to be disposed appropriately within mortar courses on the second wall (as such second wall is being erected) and to be connected with and to the first member or component. With such a .25 prior art arrangement the first member to be affixed to the established wall utilised or required at least two fixing points, with such fixing generally being achieved by explosive means (although a variety of other means readily present themselves).

Such fixing arrangement has been found, by its very nature, to be both expensive and time-consuming in installation. Taking into consideration the number of such connections required in any given structure, the very utilisation of such a prior art a .1 -2-

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arrangement has been found to give rise to substantial costs. By way of example only, an explosively-installed fixing means of the type usually employed can give rise to an actual cost of up to perhaps $1 per unit or point of fixing. In any extensive structure, such a cost can becoroe somewhat prohibitive.

The present invention therefore seeks to overcome the problems and disadvantages associated with the prior art by providing an improved form of fixing arrangement or assembly which requires only one point of actual fixing to an established wall and yet provides increased structural rigidity, lateral stability and resistance to collapse. Furthermore, the arrangement in accordance with the present invention exhibits substantial savings in artual costs when compared with the prior art arrangements of the aforementioned type.

In accordance with the present invention, therefore, there is provided a brick or masonry tie for use in interconnecting masonry walls or the like structures said tie including: a first member adapted to be affixed to a vertically-extending face of a first of said masonry walls or the like structures; and a second member adapted, in use, to be disposed substantially within a mortar course of the second of said masonry walls or the like structures and to co-operate with said first C C member whereby to interconnect said walls or the like structures, wherein said first member is in the form of an elongate member having a central or main web portion having opposed, substantially L-shaped flanges extending longitudinally thereof, wherein said second member includes, at one end thereof, a first portion C C C P adapted, in use, to be at least partly disposed within a mortar course of said second masonry wall or the like structure, at the second end thereof a second portion adapted to be releasably received by and located within said first member, S< and an intermediate portion interconnecting said first and second end portions, and wherein said second end portion of said second member is of a hook-like configuration having opposed notches formed at the apex thereof, the arrangement being such that the free end of said second end portion is releasably received by and located within said first member, said second member being slidable longitudinally of said first member whereby to allow for location within a mortar course as desired.

i In order that the invention may be more clearly understood and put into S practical effect there shall now be described in detail a preferred embodiment of J -3 7/11194V5922.SPE,3 A f i i I

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a masonry or brick tie assembly in accordance with the invention. The ensuing description is given by way of non-limitative example only and is with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein: Fig. 1 illustrates, in exploded view, a brick tie arrangement or assembly in accordance with the present invention; Fig. 2 is a top plan view of a brick tie arrangement or assembly in accordance with the present invention, located relative to masonry walls; Fig. 3 is a side elevational view of the arrangement of Fig. 2; and Fig. 4 illustrates a side elevational view of the arrangement in accordance SL t,,

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i: a, 7/111940V5922,SPB,3 with the present invention, as employed for interconnecting substantially vertically disposed masonry walls.

With reference to the drawings there is shown therein a brick wall, generally designated 1, of any given type which is adapted, in use, to be connected with and to a further wall 2, more preferably a wall under construction and extending substantially at right angles to that illustrated in Fig. 1. The wall 1 as illustrated includes adjacent courses of bricks la and associated courses of mortar lb therebetween. In accordance with long-established principles, with such an arrangement provision should be made to allow for or accommodate differential movements of the following types: shrinkage of concrete blocks and/or bricks, both vertically and/or horizontally; expansion of bricks or the like, both vertically and/or horizontally; differential thermal movements; drying shrinkage, creep shortening etc.

The arrangement in accordance with the present invention includes a first member 10 adapted, in use, to be effectively permanently affixed to an existing wall structure 1 in the manner as shown for example, in Fig. 1. The member 10 is preferably of an elongate shape, more especially having a substanti.al .20 C-shape in cross-section (for a reason to be explained hereinafter) as shown in Fig, 2 and is adapted, in use, to be affixed in a substantially vertically aligned configuration to the wall 1. Any suitable means, as for example an explosive means, of any known type may be employed to affix the member 10 to the wall 1.

In order to allow for a stable connection between the wall 1 and a second wall 2 being constructed substantially at right angles thereto (as shown in Figs 2 and the arrangement in accordance with the present invention utilises a second member 20 which is, in use, co-operable with the aforementioned first member 10 and is adapted to be disposed within a mortar course 2b of the second masonry wall 2. The second member 20, of a substantial elongate shape as shown in Figs. 2 and 3, includes at one end thereof a first end portion 21 of a substantial hook-like shape. The remainder 22 of the second member 20, being substantially planar, is adapted in use to be disposed within a mortar course 2b of the second wall 2, with the hook-like portion 21 protruding therefrom. In the especially preferred embodiment illustrated the portion 22 of the second member 20 is of regular trapezoidal shape (when viewed in plan). The second member 20 includes a plurality of apertures 23, substantially circular but of decreasing diameter, disposed therealong through which mortar can pass, thereby enhancing affixture or "keying" of the member 20 within such mortar 2b (when dried). The hook-like portion 21 of the member 20 is adapted to be disposed within the C-shaped crosssection of the member 10, as shown in Figs. 2 and 3.

The arrangement is such that, in use, the first member 10 is initially affixed to a first masonry wall 1, a course of bricks of a second masonry wall 2 erected to the required height, mortar 2b disposed thereon in any known manner and the second member 20 is then brought into connection with the first member 10 and disposed within a course of mortar as illustrated, for example, in Fig. 4.

A further course of bricks can then be disposed, as shown again in Fig. 4, with another second member 20 then being similarly disposed within a further mortar course. The length of the first member 10 can be adjusted to suit any given use requirement.

f Preferably, and as shown in the drawings, the edges of the member are smoothed or rounded whereby to minimise as much as possible the potential for cutting thereof, and thereby affording increased safety for the user. This can be achieved in a variety of ways, as for example by bending downwardly the edge portions 30, as shown for example in Fig. 1.

With the arrangement as shown, for example in Fig. 4, a stable form of connection is achieved between an established wall 1 and a newly-erected wall 2, which still accommodates differential movements of the aforementioned type and affords resistance against movements caused, for example, by earth tremors, earthquakes and the like. The arrangement in accordance with the present invention has been found to lend itself to usage in a variety of contexts in a simple ii and cost-effective manner.

In closing it must be realised that the aforegoing description refers merely to preferred embodiments of an arrangement in accordance with the invention and that variations and modifications will be possible thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, the ambit of which is to be determined from the following claims.

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Claims (9)

1. A brick or masonry tie for use in interconnecting masonry walls or the like structures said tie including: a first member adapted to be affixed to a vertically- extending face of a first of said masonry walls or the like structures; and a second member adapted, in use, to be disposed substantially within a mortar course of the second of said masonry walls or the like structures and to co- operate with said first member whereby to interconnect said walls or the like structures, wherein said first member is in the form of an elongate member having a central or main web portion having opposed, substantially L-shaped flanges extending longitudinally thereof, wherein said second member includes, at one end thereof, a first portion adapted, in use, to be at least partly disposed within a mortar course of said second masonry wall or the like structure, at the second end thereof a second portion adapted to be releasably received by and located within said first member, and an intermediate portion interconnecting said first and second end portions, and wherein said second end portion of said second member is of a hook-like configuration having opposed notches formed at the apex thereof, the arrangement being such that the free end of said second end portion is releasably received by and located within said first member, said second member being slidable longitudinally of said first member whereby to allow for location within a mortar course as desired.

2. The tie as claimed in claim 1, wherein said first member is affixed to said first masonry wall or the like structure in a substantially vertical configuration.

3. The tie as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein said second portion of said second member is of a substantial planar shape, being adapted to be located or disposed within a mortar course of said second of said masonry walls or the like structures.

4. The tie as claimed in claim 3, wherein said second portion of said second member is of a substantial trapezoidal shape, with the width thereof decreasing along the length thereof.

The tie as claimed in claim 4, wherein said second portion of said second member includes a plurality of apertures disposed in spaced-apart relationship along the length thereof.

6. The tie as claimed in claim 5, wherein said apertures are substantially 711 SP 7/I: r D i t circular, with decreasing diameter.

7. The tie as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein each of said members is constructed from a metallic material.

8. The tie as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein each of said members is constructed of a plastics material.

9. A tie as claimed in claim 1, substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings. DATED this 7th day of November 1994. ABEY AUSTRALIA PTY. LTD. By their Patent Attorneys: CALLINAN LAWRIE C S* oO C I tact C C CCC -8- 7/11/94OV5922.SPE,8 ABSTRACT A brick tie assembly for interconnecting structural walls, especially walls disposed substantially at right angles to one another, said brick tie assembly including two discrete components (10) and with the component (10) being affixed in any known manner to a vertically-extending surface of a first wall and the secoLnd component (20) to be disposed within the mortar course of the second wall, with the components (10) and (20) being interconnectable at the free ends thereof to provide the requisite bracing between walls yet at the same time allow for differential movements therebetween. .9 C* 6