U.S. patent application number 09/792036 was filed with the patent office on 2001-12-27 for brick tie anchor.
Invention is credited to Rice, John.
Application Number | 20010054270 09/792036 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 25680012 |
Filed Date | 2001-12-27 |
United States Patent
Application |
20010054270 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Rice, John |
December 27, 2001 |
Brick tie anchor
Abstract
The invention is directed to a masonry anchor for tying a
masonry veneer wall to a stud back-up wall having an outer
covering, the anchor comprising a generally planar anchor plate
having an outer coupling end for connection to a veneer tie wire
and an inner anchoring end for securement to the back-up wall. In
one embodiment, the anchor plate has struck-out tabs extending
laterally from the anchor plate, intermediate the coupling end and
the anchoring end. The outer coupling end of the anchor is
insertable through a slot opening cut into the outer covering
adjacent a stud in the back-up wall until the tabs engage the outer
covering of the stud back-up wall to provide for proper spacing of
the coupling end from the back-up wall. In a second embodiment of
the masonry anchor, at least the outer coupling end is of a
corrosion resistant material.
Inventors: |
Rice, John; (Concord,
CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
DENNISON ASSOCIATED
SUITE 301
133 RICHMOND STREET WEST
TORONTO
ON
M5H 2L7
CA
|
Family ID: |
25680012 |
Appl. No.: |
09/792036 |
Filed: |
February 26, 2001 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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09792036 |
Feb 26, 2001 |
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09213270 |
Dec 17, 1998 |
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6209281 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
52/714 ; 52/379;
52/562; 52/713 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E04B 1/4178
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
52/714 ; 52/379;
52/562; 52/713 |
International
Class: |
E04B 001/16; E04B
001/02; E04C 003/30; E04B 001/38; E04C 005/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jan 30, 1998 |
CA |
2,228,407 |
Claims
The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or
privilege is claimed are defined as follows:
1. An anchor member for an anchor tie for tying courses of masonry
veneer to a backup wall of sheet material supported by spaced
vertical studs, such anchor member comprising a plate having a nose
portion adapted to be projected through a vertical slit in a backup
wall sheet material, and an anchor portion to extend rearwardly of
the sheet material and to be secured to a stud supporting the sheet
material, said nose portion having a vertical tie wire receiving
slot therein and having a maximum vertical dimension to accommodate
a tie wire receiving slot not greater than the height of a veneer
course, said nose portion having a horizontal dimension sufficient
to present said vertical slot standing proud of the backup wall
sheet material, said anchor portion of said plate being provided
with a locating abutment means projecting perpendicular thereto to
engage a backup wall surface to fix the projection of said anchor
end beyond the backup wall sheet material.
2. An anchor member as claimed in claim 1 in which said sheet
material is hot dip galvanized steel.
3. An anchor member as claimed in claim 1 in which said sheet
material is stainless steel.
4. An anchor member as claimed in claim 1 in which said abutment
means comprises tab members stamped out from said plate to engage
the inner face of the backup wall sheet material.
5. A masonry anchor for tying a masonry veneer wall to a stud
back-up wall having an outer covering, the anchor comprising a
generally planar anchor plate of corrosion resistant steel having
an outer coupling end for connection to a veneer tie wire and an
inner anchoring end for securement to the back-up wall, the anchor
plate having struck-out tabs extending laterally from the anchor
plate, intermediate the coupling end and the anchoring end, the
outer coupling end being insertable through a slot opening cut into
the outer covering adjacent a stud in the back-up wall until the
tabs engage the outer covering of the stud back-up wall to provide
for proper spacing of the coupling end from the back-up wall.
6. A masonry anchor as claimed in claim 5 wherein the corrosion
resistant steel is hot dip galvanized steel.
7. A masonry anchor as claimed in claim 5 wherein the corrosion
resistant steel is stainless steel.
8. A masonry anchor as claimed in claim 5 wherein the anchoring end
is provided with holding means for holding of the anchor during
installation.
9. A masonry anchor as claimed in claim 8 wherein the holding means
comprises a ledge formation struck out from said anchoring end and
overlying the plane of the anchoring end to accommodate a suitable
tool to be inserted into the space between said ledge formation and
the plane of the anchoring end.
10. A masonry anchor as claimed in claim 8 in which said holding
means comprises a tab formed from the material of said anchoring
end and extending generally perpendicular thereto to be gripped by
a hand.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO BELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation-in-part of Ser. No.
09/213,270, filed Dec. 17, 1998.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to masonry anchor members for
tying a masonry veneer to a stud back-up in a cavity wall and more
particularly to the provisions of anchor members which can be
quickly installed to project at precisely the right distance from
the back-up stud.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Cavity walls of a masonry veneer tied to a backup wall are
commonly utilized in construction to provide for an aesthetically
pleasing appearance while being less expensive than solid masonry
walls. One common type of cavity wall used in both residential and
commercial buildings is a brick veneer tied to a stud back-up
wall.
[0004] The brick veneer is tied to the stud back-up wall by use of
masonry or brick veneer anchors. Such anchors are generally a
planar anchor plate which is attached to the stud of the stud
back-up wall. The anchor plate at the exposed end is provided with
a slot through which a brick tie wire is inserted, the brick tie
wire being mortared between two rows of bricks to provide a secure
connection between the brick veneer and back-up wall. As there are
a large quantity of connectors required to secure the brick veneer
their cost becomes a very critical factor. These connectors are
commonly made of a galvanized carbon steel which is a material
similar to that which is used in the construction of the metal
studs for the stud back-up walls.
[0005] While it is highly desirable to provide for the proper
location of the anchor plates so that the slotted exposed ends
stand at the correct distance proud of the back-up wall, the
commonly utilized means for effecting such location has
necessitated added plate material increasing costs. As a result
some anchor plates have eliminated any locating means and have to
be set in position simply by sight giving rise to inaccurate tie
wire embeddments. In addition, there has recently been serious
concern expressed by a number of agencies regarding the potential
for corrosion and failure of the masonry anchors due to the
exposure of the anchors to moisture which is present in the cavity
between the stud back-up wall and the masonry veneer.
[0006] One widely used example of a connector which provides for
accurate presentation of the slotted exposed end of the anchor
plate is an L-shaped connector plate with the base of the "L"
fitting over the face edge of the stud and the leg of the "L" being
connected to the main part of the stud and having a slot for a
brick tie wire in a nose portion of the plate extending beyond the
front edge of the stud. By constructing the anchor in such a shape,
various sizes of anchors for various sizes of studs, such as "4",
"6" and "8" inch studs, may be constructed. While such an anchor
plate is hugely successful, it requires a significant quantity of
material which increases with stud size giving rise to increasing
costs.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] The present invention in one aspect provides for an anchor
member for an anchor tie for tying courses of masonry veneer to a
backup wall of sheet material supported by spaced vertical studs
which anchor members can be easily installed to project at
precisely the right distance from the back-up wall.
[0008] More particularly, the anchor plate or member of the
invention formed of stainless steel, has a nose portion adapted to
be projected through a vertical slit in a backup wall sheet
material, and an anchor portion to extend rearwardly of the sheet
material and to be secured to a stud supporting the sheet
material.
[0009] The nose portion of the anchor plate which has a tie wire
slot formed therein, has a maximum vertical dimension for maximum
adjustability such that the length of the tie wire slot is not
greater than approximately the height of a veneer course. The
horizontal dimension of the nose portion is sufficient to present
the tie wire slot standing proud of the backup wall sheet material
at precisely the desired distance when the anchor plate is
installed.
[0010] The anchor portion of the anchor plate is provided with a
locating abutment means projecting perpendicular thereto to engage
a backup wall surface to fix the projection of said anchor nose
portion beyond the backup wall sheet material at precisely the
desired distance.
[0011] In another aspect, in a preferred form the present invention
provides for an anchor member comprising a generally planar anchor
plate having an outer coupling nose or end for connection to a
veneer tie wire and an inner anchoring portion or end for
securement to the back-up wall. The anchor plate has struck-out
tabs extending laterally thereof intermediate the coupling end and
the anchoring end. The outer coupling end is insertable through a
slot cut through the back-up wall insulating sheet material
adjacent a supporting stud until the tabs engage the inner face of
the sheet material to provide for proper spacing of the coupling
end from the back-up wall.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] Preferred embodiments of the present invention are
illustrated in the attached drawings in, which:
[0013] FIG. 1 is a perspective view, partly in cross-section of a
first embodiment of a brick veneer anchor of the present
invention;
[0014] FIG. 2 is a side elevation view of the brick veneer anchor
of FIG. 1;
[0015] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the brick veneer anchor of
FIG. 1 during installation using a screwdriver to hold the brick
tie;
[0016] FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the installation of the brick
veneer anchor of FIG. 1;
[0017] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the
brick veneer anchor of the present invention and a tool for holding
the brick tie during installation;
[0018] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a third embodiment of a
brick veneer anchor of the present invention and a tool adapted for
use in the installation of the brick veneer anchor;
[0019] FIG. 7 is perspective view of the brick veneer anchor of
FIG. 6 during installation;
[0020] FIG. 8 is a side elevation view of the installation of the
brick veneer anchor of FIG. 6;
[0021] FIG. 9 is a side elevation view of the brick veneer anchor
of FIG. 6 showing the attachment of the anchor to a stud;
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0022] The present invention in one aspect is directed to a masonry
anchor member or plate and, in particular, to a brick veneer anchor
plate for use in tying a brick veneer wall to a stud back-up wall.
According to this aspect of the invention, the anchor plate
required a minimum amount of material for cost savings while at the
same time incorporating means for easily installing same to project
at precisely the correct distance forwardly of the back-up
wall.
[0023] In another aspect the present invention is directed to an
anchor member or plate as aforesaid which will eliminate the
problem of corrosion presently experienced by the exposure of the
anchor member to the environment of the moisture collecting in the
cavity between the brick veneer and the back-up wall.
[0024] In still another aspect of the invention, as a consequence
of reducing the size of the anchor, it has also been found
desirable to provide for ways and means for easy installation of
the anchor to the stud of the back-up wall. This has been
accomplished in preferred embodiments of the invention with the use
of holding means adapted for holding the anchor in position while
allowing the installer to attach the anchor to the stud of the stud
back-up wall.
[0025] A first preferred embodiment of a masonry anchor according
to the present invention is illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 4. The
masonry anchor of this embodiment is particularly of use as a brick
veneer anchor and is shown in the figures generally indicated by
the numeral 10. Brick veneer anchor 10 is attached to a stud 12 of
a stud back-up wall 14 to tie a brick veneer wall 16 constructed of
a number of courses of individual bricks 18 to the back-up wall 14.
Bricks 18 are mortared together by use of mortar 20 to form the
brick veneer wall 16. Brick veneer wall 16 is spaced from the stud
back-up wall 14 to provide an intermediate air space or cavity
22.
[0026] As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, stud wall 14 is comprised
of a plurality of studs 12 to which an outer covering 24 is
attached. During construction of the stud back-up wall 14 the studs
12 are placed in position and then the outer covering 24 is
attached to the studs 12 to form the stud back-up wall 14. A number
of slots 26 are cut in the outer covering 24 adjacent the studs 12
to provide for openings through which the brick veneer anchor 10
may be inserted as will be described below.
[0027] Brick veneer anchor 10 is comprised of a generally planar
body or anchor plate. The anchor plate may be constructed of any
suitable material such as carbon steel, galvanized carbon steel or
stainless steel. In order to maximize the corrosion resistant
properties of the anchor plate it is preferably manufactured from
galvanized steel stainless steel to resist the corrosion effects of
the environment of the cavity 22. Anchor 10 has an outer coupling
nose or end 30 having a vertically extending slot 34 for connection
to a veneer tie wire 32 and an inner anchoring end 34 for securing
the anchor 10 to the stud 12. Outer coupling end 30 has a width
sufficient to project the vertically extending slot 34 beyond the
outside surface of the backup stud wall 14. This dimension would
depend upon the thickness of any covering 24 attached the stud
backup wall 14. Generally, the coupling end 30 would project the
slot 34 at least 0.5" into the cavity 22 beyond the wall surface.
For a wall covering 26 of about 0.5 inch or where there is no wall
covering on the stud back up wall 14, the coupling end 30 is
generally about 1.5 inches in width and the slot 34 is located
about 0.5 inch in from the front edge of the coupling end 30. For
wall coverings 26 of about 1.5 to 2 inches, the width of the
coupling end 30 would generally be about 3 inches with the slot 34
again located about 0.5 inch in from the front edge of the coupling
end 30.
[0028] The vertically extending slot 34 has a maximum vertical
dimension approximately equal to the height of the brick 18 and has
a horizontal dimension to allow the tie wire 32 to pass through.
The dimensioning of the vertically extending slot 34 allows for
adjustability of the positioning of the tie wire 32 in relation to
the anchor 10 to allow for adjustment based on the location of the
brick courses of the brick veneer wall 16. Brick tie wire 32
extends from the coupling end 30 to lie between two courses of
bricks 18 in the brick veneer wall 16. After the tie wire 32 is
properly positioned as shown in FIG. 1, it is mortared between the
two courses of bricks l8 of the brick veneer wall 16. In this way,
the brick veneer wall 16 is securely tied or connected to the stud
back-up wall 14.
[0029] It will be considered that the height of the nose portion 30
which accommodates the tie wire slot 34 will depend on the amount
of vertical adjustment required to meet variations in the mortaring
of the brick veneer. For example, when erecting one or two story
buildings or shopping malls, the care taken to ensure the evenness
of the mortaring is much less than when erecting multiple story
buildings such as apartment buildings where the spacing between
floors is precise. Thus, for multiple story buildings such as
apartment buildings the tie wire adjustments can be less requiring
smaller anchors.
[0030] As practical examples, for a 3 inch brick course providing
for a full course adjustment, the height of the nose portion 30
would be of the order of 4 inches and the length of the slot 34
would be of the order of 3 inches.
[0031] Where this degree of adjustment is not required the height
of the nose piece 30 for example could be 3 inches with the length
of the slot 34 being 21/4 inches. Again, as another example, for a
nose portion 30 having a height of 2 inches, the length of the slot
would preferrably be 11/4 inches.
[0032] The brick veneer anchor 10 is provided with an anchoring end
distal of the coupling end for securing the anchor 10 to the stud
12 of the stud back-up wall 14. In order to provide for proper
positioning of the brick veneer anchor 10 relative to the stud 12
to provide for the proper exposure of the coupling end 30 and the
slot 36, the anchor 10 is provided with locating abutment means
projecting perpendicular thereto. In the embodiment illustrated,
the locating abutment means are struck-out tabs 40 which, when the
anchor is inserted through the slot 26 in the outer covering 24,
rest against the rear surface of the outer covering 24. Once the
anchor 10 is in this proper position, it may be attached to the
stud 12 of the stud back-up wall 14 by suitable means, such as
sheet metal screws 42 for metal studs 12 or wood screws for wood
studs.
[0033] The brick veneer anchor 10 is relatively small in order to
reduce the amount of material used while still providing sufficient
area for proper securement to the stud 12. In one embodiment, for
anchors designed for different widths of studs, the horizontal
dimension of the anchoring end 34 of the anchor 10 is no more than
one half the width of the stud 12. For a "4" inch stud which is
actually 3.625 inches in width, the anchoring end 34 is 1.75 inches
or less in width, preferrably 1.5 inches in width. For a "6" or "8"
inch stud 12, the anchoring end 34 is preferrably 1.75 inches in
width. More preferably the anchor is provided dimensional to be
used with any width of stud. Thus an anchor having an anchoring end
between 1.5 and 2.75 inches could be used with a stud of "4", "6"
or "8" inches. Most preferably, the anchor's end would be between
2.0 and 2.5 inches.
[0034] As the anchoring end 34, may be relatively small, it could
be difficult for the installer to hold the anchor in the proper
position and at the same time attach it to the stud 12. In order to
make it easier for an installer to hold the anchor 10 in position,
the anchor 10 is preferably provided with a holding means 44 for
holding the anchor 10. The holding means 44 preferably allows for
the anchor to be held in position either by hand or by use of a
suitable tool, such as a screw driver or a tool specially adapted
for holding of the anchor. In the preferred embodiment of the
masonry anchor 10 as illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 4, the holding
means 44 is adapted to permit holding of the anchor 10 either by
hand or by use of a screwdriver 46 or a specially adapted tool 48.
This is accomplished by providing the holding means 44 with a an
upstanding ledge formation shown as a strap 50 which is struck out
of the planar body of the anchor 10. Ledge formation or strap 50 is
spaced laterally from the body of the anchor 10 to provide for a
space between the underside thereof and the body of the anchor 10
sized to permit the end of a flat blade screwdriver 46 to be
inserted into the opening as illustrated in FIG. 4. This permits
the installer to hold the anchor 10 in position using the
screwdriver 46 with one hand, and then use the other hand to drive
the screws 42 through the anchor 10 and into the stud 12.
Preferably, to accommodate the end of the screwdriver 46, strap 50
has a slight wedge or trapezoidal shape with the front having a
reduced width relative to the back of the strap 50 and hence the
opening between the strap 50 and the body of the anchor 10 is also
wedge shaped.
[0035] In order to allow the anchor 10 to be held by hand rather
than through use of a screwdriver 46 or tool 48, the holding means
44 for holding the anchor 10 is preferably provided with a second
part, namely, a struck out tab 52 which extends perpendicular from
the back end of the strap 50. This tab 52 allows for griping of the
tab 52 by the fingers of the installer so that the installer may
hold the anchor in the proper position for insertion of the screws
42 through the anchor 10 and into the stud 12.
[0036] FIG. 5 illustrates a second embodiment of a brick veneer
anchor of the present invention which is a variation of the first
embodiment. Similar to the first embodiment, brick veneer anchor
10A is comprised of a generally planar body or anchor plate
constructed of a stainless steel material having an outer coupling
end 30A for securing the anchor 10A to a stud 12. Outer coupling
end 30A is provided with the vertically extending slot 34a
dimensioned as in the first embodiment. Anchor IGA is provided with
locating enbuttment means namely, struck-out tabs 40a, intermediate
the outer coupling end 30A and the inner anchoring end 36a. Masonry
veneer anchor 10A is also provided with holding means for holding
the anchor 10A by use of a suitable tool such as a screwdriver or
the tool 48 specially adapted for holding the anchor 10A. In
contrast to the first embodiment, holding means 44A comprises a
split strap 50A. This construction of the strap 50A is particularly
suitable for use with material which is less malleable and which
may not have the properties to permit for the strap and holding tab
to be struck out, similar to the first embodiment. Split strap 50A
is formed by first making an H-shaped cut within the body of the
anchor 30A. The two tabs formed by the H-shaped cut are then pushed
out to form the split strap 50A. FIG. 5 illustrates the use of the
special tool 48 adapted to allow for proper positioning of the
anchor 10A for attachment to the stud or the stud back-up wall.
This tool 48 is also usable with the first embodiment of the
masonry anchor 10 illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 4.
[0037] As illustrated in FIG. 5, the tool 48 has a first generally
planar portion 54 with a second portion 56 attached to the rear
edge of the first portion 54 generally perpendicular to the first
portion 54 to form a generally L-shaped tool. The dimension of the
first portion 54 is selected such that when the tool 48 is attached
to the anchor 10 or 10A, the dimension between the tabs 40 or 40A
of the anchor 10 or 10A and the second portion 56 is the same as
the depth of the stud 12 of the back-up wall 14. Thus, tools
adapted for different sizes of studs, such as "4", "6" or "8" inch
studs, may be provided. The forward edge of the tool 48 is provided
with a centrally extending tongue 58 which has a means 60 for
engaging with the holding means 44 or 44A by insertion into the
spacing or gap between the strap 50 or 50A and the body of the
anchor 10 or 10A. The front edge of the tool 48 on either side of
the forwardly extending tongue 58 is provided with shoulders 62
which are displaced slightly out of the plane of the first portion
54 to allow the shoulders 62 to engage with the rearward edge of
the anchor 10 or 10A when the tool is releasably attached to the
anchor 10 or 10A. In order to allow for almost hands free
installation of an anchor 10 or 10A constructed of hot dip
galvanized steel using the tool 48, the tool 48 may be provided
with magnetized regions which can be utilized to releasably hold
the anchor 10 or 10A to the tool 48, as well as releasably hold the
tool 48 to a metal stud 12 if the anchor 10 or 10A is being
installed on a metal stud back-up wall 14. Thus, magnetized regions
may be provided on the interior face of the forwardly extending
tongue 58 to releasably hold a hot dip galvanized anchor 10 or 10A
to the tool 48 as well as on the interior face of the second
portion 56 or the first portion 54 to releasably hold the tool 48
and its attached anchor 10 or 10A to a metal stud 12. Anchors 10 or
10A constructed of stainless steel are generally non-metallic. In
these circumstances, the shoulder 62 of the tool 48 may be provided
with a gripping means to grip the anchor 10 or 10A so that it may
be properly held by the tool 48. Alternatively, the means 60 for
engaging with the holding means 44 or 48A may be dimensioned to
provide for a tight friction fit between the holding means 44 or
44A and means 60 on the tool. Once the anchor 10 or 10A has been
attached to the metal stud 12, the tool 48 is easily removed from
the anchor 10 or 10A by breaking the magnetic contact or friction
fit. By utilizing the magnetized regions to hold the anchor 10 or
10A and tool 48 in position the installer has both hands free to
properly attach the anchor 10 or 10A to the stud 12 and it is not
necessary for them to hold the anchor 10 or 10A in position for
attachment to the stud 12. Thus, the installer could hold a screw
gun in one hand and could use the second hand for placing the screw
42 in the proper position or for withdrawing screws 42 from a pouch
or holder.
[0038] A third embodiment of a masonry anchor according to the
present invention is shown in FIGS. 6 through 9 generally indicated
by the numeral 70. Similar to the first embodiment, masonry anchor
70 is comprised of a generally planar body or anchor plate
constructed of stainless steel or other corrosion resistant
material having an outer coupling end 72 for connection to a veneer
wire tie 32 and an inner anchoring end 74 for securing the anchor
70 to a stud 12. Outer coupling end 72 is dimensioned to project
beyond the front surface of the back up wall 14 and is provided
with a vertically extending slot 76, dimensioned to allow the wire
tie 32 to pass through, and to provide for the adjustability of the
positioning of the wire tie 32 relative to the brick courses 18 in
the brick veneer wall 16.
[0039] Similar to the first embodiment, anchor 70 is attached to a
stud 12 of a the stud back-up wall 14 by use of suitable screws 78.
Anchor 70 is provided with locating abutment means, namely,
struckout tabs 80, intermediate the outer coupling end 72 and inner
anchoring end 74 to butt against the outer covering 24 of the stud
back-up wall 14 to properly position the anchor 70 so that the
outer coupling end 72 is properly exposed beyond the covering wall
24 for insertion of the wire tie 32. In contrast to the first and
second embodiments, third embodiment of the anchor 70 is not
provided with any means for easily holding the anchor 70. Rather,
the anchor 70 utilizes a special tool 82 which holds the anchor 70
in position against the stud 12 for easy attachment of the anchor
70 to the stud 12 by use of screws 78.
[0040] In the preferred embodiment illustrated in the figures, tool
82 has a generally paddle shaped body 84 having a handle 86 for
griping in the hand of the installer. The interior base of the
paddle shaped body 84 is provided with a recessed or cut out region
88 dimensioned to accept the body of the anchor Preferably in order
to releasably hold the body of a hot dipped galvanized anchor 70
within the recessed or cut out region 88, the recessed or cut out
region 88 is provided with one or more magnetized areas 90 which
magnetically hold the body of the anchor 70 within the recessed or
cutout region 88. Thus, the anchor 70 may be placed within the
recessed or cut out region 88 and then the installer utilizes the
tool 82 to which the anchor 70 is attached to insert the outer
coupling end 72 of the anchor 70 through the slot 26 in the wall
14. For use with an anchor 70 of non-magnetic stainless steel, the
edges of the recessed or cut-out region 88 may be provided with
gripping means to releasably grip the edges of the anchor 70. Once
the anchor has been installed to the wall, the tool may easily be
removed, releasing the anchor 70 from the gripping means. Another
way of holding the anchor 70 to the tool 82, when the anchor is
constructed of stainless steel, would be to provide on the front
face of the tool a strap or other means for holding the struck-out
tab 80 to the front face of the tool. The tool 82 is provided with
holes 92 which line up with the holes 70 for the screws. These
holes 92 thereby provide guides for the installer to utilize the
screws 78 to attach the anchor 70 to the stud 12. Once the anchor
70 has been attached to the stud 12, the magnetic contacts of the
magnetized region 90 of the anchor 70 or the releasable connection
by the gripping means are broken to thereby release the tool 82
from its attachment to the anchor 70.
[0041] In order to permit hands-free installation of the anchor 70
in a proper position for attachment to the stud 12, the inner base
of the paddle shaped body 84 may be provided with additional
magnetized regions 94 which will magnetically couple the tool 82
and the attached anchor 70 to the stud 12. To increase the magnetic
coupling of the tool 82 to the stud 12, the paddle shaped body 84
is preferably provided with a perpendicular extension 96 extending
from the interior of the body 84 to provide for an L-shaped
interior portion which matches the dimension of the stud 12.
Perpendicular extension 96 may also be provided with suitable
magnetic regions 98 to increase the releasable attachment of the
tool 82 and the anchor 70 to the stud 12.
[0042] While different sizes of tools 82 may be provided for
different sizes of studs, such as "4", "6" or "8" inch studs, it is
also possible to provide for a tool 84 which is adjustable for use
with different size studs. The connection between the perpendicular
extension and the paddle shaped body 84 may be provided as a
slideable connection to allow for the perpendicular extension 96 to
be moved to vary the dimension of the L-shaped interior portion. In
this way, the tool is easily adapted for use of different sizes of
studs.
[0043] The installation of this embodiment of a masonry anchor 70
is illustrated in FIGS. 6 through 9. The anchor 70 is initially
releasably attached to the recessed opening 88 of the tool 82 by
means of the magnetic regions 90 or gripping means. As shown in
FIG. 8, the tool 82 and the attached anchor 70 are then slid
forward to insert the outer coupling end 72 of the anchor 70
through the slot or opening 26 in the outer covering 24 of the stud
back-up wall 14. Once the anchor 70 and tool 82 are in the proper
position, screws 78 are inserted through the openings 92 to attach
the anchor 70 to the stud 12. The tool 82 may then be removed from
the anchor 70 by breaking the magnetic contacts between the tool 82
and the anchor 70 and the stud 12.
[0044] The embodiment of the brick veneer anchor 70 illustrated in
FIGS. 6 through 9 is also easily adaptable for use in those rare
circumstances when the anchor 70 is being installed on a stud
back-up wall 12 which does not have an outer cover. In these
circumstances, the anchor 70 is flipped over so that the locating
abutment means and the struck-out tabs 80 butt against the outer
edge of the stud 12. In these circumstances, the anchor may be
easily held in place, either by hand, or by use of the tool. The
second embodiment of the anchor as illustrated in FIG. 5 may also
be easily adapted for use in stud back-up walls without an outer
covering. In those circumstances, the installer could easily hammer
down the split strap 50A to flatten it to the plane of the anchor
and then flip over the anchor so that the struck-out tabs 40A would
abut the forward edge of the stud 12.
[0045] The present invention provides for a masonry anchor, and in
particular, a brick veneer anchor for tying a brick veneer wall to
a stud back-up wall. The anchor is economical to manufacture and
relatively easy to install. The use of the anchor of the present
invention provides for an increased life of the anchor in that the
moisture which is contained within the cavity will not adversely
effect the integrity and strength of the anchor through
corrosion.
[0046] Although various preferred embodiments of the present
invention have been described herein in detail, it will be
appreciated by those skilled in the art, that variations may be
made thereto without departing from the spirit of the invention or
the scope of the appended claims.
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