Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02759778 2011-11-25
BRICK ANCHOR SYSTEM
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to anchoring systems for bricks and more
particularly to an anchor system for anchoring a brick support to a wall.
BACKGROUND
When mounting bricks on the face of a wall structure, it is common to
support the first row of bricks on a steel support which extends laterally
outward from
the wall structure. The steel support must first be mounted on the wall before
any
brick laying can commence. This is commonly accomplished by welding the steel
support to a steel anchoring system embedded in the wall. Welding however is
an
expensive and time consuming task requiring specialised labour.
The use of brackets for mounting a brick support to a wall is disclosed in
co-pending Canadian Application No. 2,254,510, filed on November 25, 1998. The
present invention is concerned with certain improvements to brackets for
mounting a
steel brick support onto a wall structure.
SUMMARY
According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a
brick anchor system for supporting bricks to be mounted on a wall wherein the
brick
anchor system comprises:
an anchoring bracket extending outwards from the wall and including a
receiving slot therein;
threaded fastening means for threadably securing the anchoring bracket
to the wall;
a support element comprising:
a mounting flange for engaging into the receiving slot in the
anchoring bracket; and
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a supporting flange connected to the mounting flange and
extending laterally away from the wall for supporting bricks thereon; and
an elongate fastener slot in the anchoring bracket for receiving the
threaded fastening means therethrough such that the bracket can be fastened to
the
wall within a range of positions relative to the wall corresponding to
different positions
of the fastener within the slot.
In this arrangement the relative location of the anchoring elements
remains adjustable by positioning the threaded fasteners within the elongate
fastener
slots for accommodating any irregularities in the wall or any misalignment
between
adjacent anchoring elements. Once the brick support is then securely fastened
to the
wall by tightening the fasteners any further vertical displacement of the
anchoring
elements is inhibited by the resistance of lateral movement of the anchoring
elements
relative to the brick support due to the arrangement of the fastener slot.
The elongate fastener slot preferably extends in an inclined direction
which is angularly offset from a vertical axis extending across the anchoring
bracket.
The threaded fastening means may comprise at least one bolt anchor
embedded into the wall such that a threaded bolt may be inserted through a
respective aperture in the anchoring bracket and secured within each of the
bolt
anchors in the wall.
Preferably there is provided at least two anchoring brackets mounting
the support element thereon, the anchoring brackets each having an elongate
fastener slot therein for receiving the threaded fastening means therethrough,
the
fastener slots being angularly offset from vertical in opposing directions.
There may be provided a shim plate mounted between the anchoring
bracket and the wall such that a spacing between the support element and the
wall is
adjustable by replacing the shim plate with an additional shim plate having a
different
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thickness.
A recessed channel may be provided in a forward end of the support
member defining a shoulder for supporting the supporting flange of the brick
support
thereon such that the supporting flange extends laterally outward from the
wall.
When a recessed channel is provided, the receiving slot preferably
extends upward from a rearward edge of the recessed channel for receiving the
mounting flange of the brick support therein such that the supporting flange
is secured
in a lateral orientation on the shoulder of the bracket.
According to a further aspect of the present invention there is provided a
brick anchor system for supporting bricks to be mounted on a wall wherein the
brick
anchor system comprises:
an anchoring bracket extending outwards from an inner end adjacent
the wall to an outer end spaced from the wall and including a receiving slot
therein;
threaded fastening means for threadably securing the anchoring bracket
to the wall; and
a support element comprising:
a mounting flange for engaging into the receiving slot in the
anchoring bracket; and
a supporting flange connected to the mounting flange and
extending laterally outward from the wall for supporting bricks thereon;
the receiving slot comprising:
a first portion extending inward substantially horizontally from the
outer end of the bracket defining a shoulder for supporting the supporting
flange
thereon; and
a second portion extending upward from the first portion defining
a substantially vertical rearward edge being spaced from the wall for guiding
the
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mounting flange into the second portion of the receiving slot.
The arrangement of the anchoring bracket which supports the brick
support spaced from the wall allows the insulation to be continuous along the
surface
of the wall, behind the brick support. This dramatically reduces the effect of
thermal
bridging. The substantially vertical orientation of the rearward edge being
spaced
from the wall is able to guide the mounting flange into the receiving slot
without
gouging any sheets of rigid insulation which are mounted on the surface of the
wall
around the anchoring bracket behind the brick support.
There may be provided an elongate fastener slot in the anchoring
bracket for receiving the threaded fastening means therethrough such that the
bracket
can be fastened to the wall within a range of positions relative to the wall
corresponding to different positions of the fastener within the slot.
The threaded fastening means preferably comprises at least one bolt
anchor embedded into the wall such that a threaded bolt may be inserted
through a
respective aperture In the anchoring bracket and secured within each of the
bolt
anchors in the wall.
The elongate fastener slot may extend in an inclined direction which is
angularly offset from a vertical axis extending across the anchoring bracket.
Preferably there is provided at least two anchoring brackets mounting
the support element thereon, the anchoring brackets each having an elongate
fastener slot therein for receiving the threaded fastening means therethrough,
the
fastener slots being angularly offset from vertical in opposing directions.
There may be provided a shim plate mounted between the anchoring
bracket and the wall such that a spacing between the support element and the
wall is
adjustable by replacing the shim plate with an additional shim plate having a
different
thickness.
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BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
In the accompanying drawings, which illustrate an exemplary
embodiment of the present invention:
Figure 1 is a side elevational view of the anchoring element shown
bolted to a wall and supporting a brick support thereon;
Figure 2 is a top plan view of the anchoring element;
Figure 3 is a cross sectional view along the line 3-3 of Figure 1;
Figure 4 is a side elevational view of the brick anchor system of Figure 1
showing the anchoring bracket mounted with bolt anchors embedded in the wall;
Figure 5 is a top plan view of an alternative embodiment of the brick
anchor system; and
Figure 6 is a side elevation view of the brick anchor system of Figure 5.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Referring to the accompanying drawings, there is illustrated a brick
anchoring system generally indicated by reference numeral 10. The brick
anchoring
system 10 includes a plurality of anchoring brackets 12 which are arranged to
anchor
a brick support 14 to a wall structure 16, each anchoring bracket using a bolt
18 for
securement to the wall.
A first end 20 of each bolt 18 having a head 22 thereon, is embedded
into the wall structure. The threaded end 24 of the bolt extends laterally
outward past
a surface of the wall structure.
The anchoring bracket 12 is a steel channel which is generally U-
shaped in cross section. The base of the U-shaped channel is formed by a rear
plate
26 which is generally rectangular in shape.
A fastener slot 28 is formed in the rear plate 26 for receiving the
threaded end of the bolt. Threading a nut onto the bolt will engage the rear
plate
adjacent to the wall and secure the anchoring bracket in place.
The fastener slot 28 is an elongate aperture in the rear plate which
extends along an inclined axis 29 which is angularly offset from a vertical
axis 30
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extending across the plate member in a left hand configuration shown in Figure
3.
The inclined axis 29 is offset 22.5 degrees from the vertical axis 30.
Alternatively, in a
right hand configuration the fastener slot appears as indicated by reference
numeral
31, being offset 22.5 degrees from the vertical axis in the opposite
direction. The
upright plate can thus be fastened to the wall at numerous locations relative
to the
wall corresponding to different positions of the bolt within the slot.
A pair of side plates 32 extend from respective sides of the rear plate 26
in a direction away from the wall to form the sides of the U-shaped channel.
The side
plates are generally rectangular in shape and lie in respective vertical
planes.
The side plates 32 are arranged to support the brick support 14 thereon.
The brick support 14 includes a mounting flange 34 which engages the anchoring
bracket 12 and a supporting flange 36 which is arranged to support bricks
thereon.
The mounting flange 34 and the supporting flange are mounted at right angles
to form
an L-shaped channel made of steel.
The side plates 32 each include a recessed channel 38 in a forward
edge 40 thereof. The recessed channel 38 defines a horizontal shoulder 42 at a
bottom end for supporting the supporting flange 36 of the brick support
thereon such
that the supporting flange extends substantially horizontally outward from the
wall.
A receiving slot 44 extends upward from a rearward edge 46 at a top
end of the recessed channel 38. The receiving slot 44 slidably receives an
edge
portion 48 of the mounting flange 34 therein such that the brick support 14
remains
secured to the anchoring bracket 12 when the weight of numerous bricks are
stacked
on the supporting flange 36.
The rearward edge 46 extends upward substantially vertically for the
most part. An upper portion of the rearward edge 46 along the receiving slot
44
extends upward at a slight rearward incline for accommodating the edge portion
48 of
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the mounting flange as it is inserted therein. A wedge shaped shim 49 is
inserted
between the mounting flange 34 and the rearward edge 46 as required to tightly
engage
the mounting flange against a forward edge of the receiving slot. The
supporting flange
will thus support a load while the mounting flange is engaged in the receiving
slot.
In use, a plurality of the anchoring brackets are horizontally spaced across a
wall using
a chalk line and a measuring tape. The anchoring brackets are mounted in an
alternating arrangement from the left hand configuration with the fastener
slot appearing
as shown by reference numeral 28 to the right hand configuration with the
fastener slot
appearing as shown by reference numeral 31. The brackets are mounted along the
wall
such that each anchoring bracket having a left hand orientation is adjacent an
anchoring
bracket having a right hand orientation.
A brick support in the form of a standard size shelf angle is mounted across
the wall on
the anchoring brackets. The anchoring brackets are first bolted to the wall by
securing
the bolts loosely by hand. The brick support is then mounted on the anchoring
brackets
by inserting a edge portion 48 of the mounting flange 34 upward into the
receiving slot
44 of each anchoring bracket at an incline and then by pivoting the supporting
flange 36
inward until the mounting flange engages the rearward edge 46 of the recessed
channel
38. The rearward edge 46 prevents the brick support from being further pivoted
within
the recessed channel as the weight of the bricks is applied to the brick
support. The
bolts are then tightened snugly and the wedge shaped shims 49 are inserted as
required.
Until the nuts on the respective bolts are tightened, the relative height of
each anchoring
bracket is adjustable by sliding the anchoring bracket laterally along the
brick support as
the anchoring bracket is moved upward or downward relative to the bolt
extending from
the wall. This lateral movement of the anchoring bracket
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relative to the brick support with the adjustment in height is due to the
inclination of
the fastener slot from the vertical.
Once the nuts are tightened on the bolts the brick support is secured to
the wall structure and bricks may be supported thereon. The inclination of the
fastener slot from the vertical acts to inhibit vertical displacement of the
anchoring
bracket along the mounting bolt through the resistance of the lateral movement
of the
anchoring bracket along the brick support. Having anchoring brackets of
opposing
orientation mounted adjacent to each other further restricts the entire brick
anchor
system from shifting positions relative to the wall once the bolts are
tightened.
In this arrangement the relative location of the anchoring brackets
remains adjustable as the brick support is mounted thereon for accommodating
irregularities in the wall or misalignment between adjacent anchoring
brackets. Once
the brick support is then securely fastened to the wall further vertical
displacement of
the anchoring brackets is inhibited by the resistance of lateral movement of
the
anchoring brackets relative to the brick support due to the arrangement of the
fastener
slot.
A wall structure 60 using the brick anchor system 10 is illustrated in
Figure 4 wherein the bolts for mounting the anchoring brackets have not been
embedded into the concrete as shown in Figure 1. The wall structure 60
includes a
foundation 62 supporting a reinforced concrete slab 64 thereon. A plurality of
concrete blocks 66 form an upright portion of the wall structure. The
anchoring
brackets 12 are mounted horizontally spaced along the outer face of the wall
structure
using bolt anchors 68 which are received in bores drilled into the concrete
slab 64.
The use of embedded bolts for mounting the anchoring brackets as
shown in Figures 1 to 3 operates similarly to the use of bolts which are
received in
embedded bolt anchors. Instead of tightening the nuts on the ends of the bolts
for
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securing the anchoring brackets, the bolts are simply tightened into their
respective
anchors which are received in bores in the concrete wall.
A shim plate 70 which is substantially similar in size to the anchoring
bracket, mounts between each anchoring bracket and the outer face of the wall
for
evenly engaging the concrete surface and for spacing each anchoring bracket
from
the wall as desired to accommodate for irregularities in the outer face of the
wall.
The brick support 14 is secured to the anchoring brackets 12 as
described previously. A continuous metal flashing 72 is supported on the brick
support and connects to a continuous flexible flashing 74 which extends over
the brick
supports and connects to a vapour barrier membrane 76 on the outer face of the
wall.
Sheets of rigid insulation 78 are mounted over top of the membrane 76
on the outer face of the wall. The arrangement of the anchoring bracket which
supports the brick support spaced from the wall allows the insulation to be
continuous
along the surface of the wall, behind the brick support. This dramatically
reduces the
effect of thermal bridging. The substantially vertical orientation of the
rearward edge
being spaced from the wall is able to guide the mounting flange into the
receiving slot
without gouging any sheets of rigid insulation which are mounted on the
surface of the
wall around the anchoring bracket.
The rigid insulation 78 is of a thickness which allows an air space 80 to
be incorporated into the wall structure between the insulation and the brick
facing 82
mounted on the brick support. Concrete block shear connectors 84 are mounted
within wall of concrete blocks and mounts wall ties 86 thereon for connection
to the
brick facing 82.
The anchoring brackets 12 are made in a variety of sizes each
corresponding to a desired thickness of the rigid insulation 78 and air space
80
located between the outer face of the wall and the brick facing. In this
arrangement, a
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standard size of brick support 14 may be used regardless of the spacing
between the
brick facing and the face of the wall desired for insulation.
The anchor system can also be used for supporting masonry veneer, thin granite
veneer, large stone panels or pre-cast concrete in place of the bricks. Once
the brick
support 14 is secured to the wall and properly shimmed, a significant load can
be
mounted on the brick support.
Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, there is illustrated a further embodiment of the
anchor
system generally indicated by the number 110. The anchor system 110 is for
anchoring
a brick support 112 to a wall 114.
A pair of bolt anchors 115 are embedded into the wall for receiving a pair of
respective
bolts 116. The bolts 116 have a head 118 on a first end 120 and a threaded
portion 122
on a second end 124. The second ends 124 of the bolts are threaded into the
anchors
115 when the anchor system is mounted on the wall.
A backing plate 126 having a pair of first apertures 128 is mounted against
the wall 114
such that the bolts 116 are inserted through the respective first apertures
128. A
supporting plate 130 having a pair of second apertures 132 is mounted onto the
bolts
116 such that the bolts 116 are inserted through the respective second
apertures 132.
An anchoring bracket in the form of an upright sleeve 134 of rectangular cross-
section is
mounted onto the supporting plate 130. The sleeve 134 has a first end 136
adjacent to
the backing plate 126, a second end 138 spaced outwardly from the backing
plate and a
pair of sides 140 extending from the first end to the second end. Each side
140 includes
a lower slot 142 extending upwards from a bottom edge 144 of the sleeve 134
adjacent
the first end 136 and a receiving slot 146 extending downwards from a top edge
148 of
the sleeve 134 near the second end 138. The lower slots 142 are slidably
engaged over
a top end 150 of the supporting plate 130 for mounting the sleeve 134 on the
supporting
plate. An engaged portion 152 of the sleeve is inserted between the supporting
plate
130 and the backing plate 126.
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The brick support 112 includes a mounting flange 154 and a supporting flange
156
which are connected such that the brick support 112 has an L-shaped cross
section.
The mounting flange 154 of the brick support 112 extends downwards for
slidably
engaging into the receiving slots 146 of the sleeve 134. The supporting flange
156
extends laterally away from the wall 114 being partially supported on the top
end of the
sleeve 134 for supporting the bricks thereon.
In this arrangement, tightening the bolts 116 into the respective sleeves 115
secures the
engaged portion 152 of the sleeve between the plates 126 and 130 and fixes the
anchoring bracket in place. In use a plurality of the anchoring brackets are
mounted
across a wall for supporting a brick support thereon. The bolts are first
loosely threaded
into the respective bolt sleeves as the brick support is positioned. The
anchoring
brackets are thus free to be displaced in an upward and downward direction or
a side to
side direction by sliding the lower slots along the supporting plate for
accommodating
irregularities in the wall or misalignments between respective anchoring
brackets on the
wall. Once the brick support is adequately positioned, the bolts are tightened
and the
engaged portion of the sleeve remains engaged between the plates 126 and 130
in a
fixed relationship such that bricks may be supported on the brick support.
The scope of the claims should not be limited by the preferred embodiments and
examples, but should be given the broadest interpretation consistent with the
description as a whole.
