Abstract:
The invention is a cross-tie used to connect two walls made of multiple bricks or blocks together so that concrete or other material can be poured into the cavity between the walls to form a single strong, dense wall. The cross-tie can also be used to attach decorative veneers to a wall. One embodiment of the cross-tie of the invention includes an inserting portion, a sleeve portion, and a wedge that is used to link the inserting portion and the sleeve portion. Another embodiment of the cross-tie includes an inserting portion and a sleeve portion that are linked by being glued together.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     1. Field of the Invention  
         [0002]     The invention relates to devices used in construction to build walls. In particular, the invention is a cross-tie that is used to connect two walls so that concrete or a similar material can be poured into the cavity between the two walls to create a single wall. The invention also relates to devices to attach masonry or other veneers to a wall.  
         [0003]     2. Description of the Related Art  
         [0004]     Walls Made by Filling Cavities With Concrete  
         [0005]     Current construction methods utilize several different techniques to create a cavity between two parallel walls into which concrete or a similar material can be poured to create a single rigid wall. Because concrete is a high-density fluid, when it is poured into a cavity, it creates lateral pressures that force the opposing walls outward. Several techniques are used to create cavities that have adequate strength to withstand the lateral hydrostatic pressures of the concrete.  
         [0006]     One technique utilizes concrete blocks. The blocks have relatively thin sides and a large cavity within each block, and may have webs extending across the cavity. First, a wall is constructed using the concrete blocks and mortar, resulting in multiple vertical cavities. Next, concrete grout is poured into the cavity, which creates a dense and strong wall. The lateral pressures of the fluid concrete are contained by the inherent tensile strength of the concrete blocks.  
         [0007]     Another technique utilizes insulated concrete forms. This more modern method uses hollow blocks made of synthetic foam with webs or ties. The external sides of the blocks are secured to each other with ties or connectors that are bound to the sides via slots, holes, or by passing through the foam (see U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,363,683; 6,314,696; 5,625,9894; 6,321,49; and 7,889,310). The insulated concrete foam blocks interlock to create walls with cavities into which concrete grout is poured, creating a dense and strong wall. The lateral pressures of the fluid concrete are contained by the webs or ties.  
         [0008]     Another technique utilizes formwork. Forms, or walls are made of plywood, wood planks, or steel, creating a continuous planer cavity into which fluid concrete is poured. The lateral pressures of the fluid concrete are contained by passing ties or connectors through the cavity and the form and then containing the outwood lateral pressures from the outside. Methods to connect the opposing walls include a variety of ties that cross the cavity and protrude to the outside of the forms with wedges inserted into slots in the tie outside of the form walls (see U.S. Pat. Nos. 1,755,960; 1,875,136; 3,288,428; and 5,547,163). The wedges provide a very limited means of adjustability. An alternative method of providing tension across form walls is to securely fasten wires to the outside of the wall and then either twist the wires between the walls to create tension (see U.S. Pat. Nos. 1,692,166 and 3,728,836) or twist the wires outside of the cavity (see U.S. Pat. No. 1,800,802). A rigid two-piece tie that uses pegs on one piece to lock into holes on an opposing piece has also been disclosed (see U.S. Pat. No. 4,765,109). This device provides only limited adjustability defined by the distance between the pegs or between the holes. Ties can be installed into the form walls that cross the cavity and provide a rigid tensional tie (see U.S. Pat. No. 4,698,947).  
         [0009]     The existing methods have several disadvantages. Most of the devices cannot be easily adjusted to fit variations in the distance between the walls, and, if they are adjustable, it is only to a limited extent. Another disadvantage is that most of the devices must be attached to the outside of the walls and, therefore, the exterior portion of the device must be either removed after the concrete hardens or left intact on the exterior of the wall. Yet another disadvantage is that many of the devices are made of metal, and therefore, will have a limited lifespan due to rust. Additional disadvantages are that the existing materials are typically costly and are not environmentally “friendly.” 
         [0010]     Attachment of Veneers to a Wall  
         [0011]     Veneers (masonry or other materials) must be securely fastened to any wall to prevent failure of the veneer in the event of seismic activity, high winds, or other adverse conditions. Existing methods of fastening masonry veneers to concrete walls involve placing metal fasteners into the mortar between masonry courses of the veneer that fastens to parts incorporated into a previously-poured concrete wall (see U.S. Pat. No. 3,377,764). Fasteners can be mechanically bound to brick or block units by inserting parts of the fastener or dowels into cavities in the masonry units (see U.S. Pat. No. 779,268).  
         [0012]     The disadvantages of the existing methods are that the form-work must be removed and the veneer wall constructed later, which increases the cost of construction. In addition, the metal fasteners rust and weaken over time.  
         [0013]     Thus, there is a need for a device that connects two walls together that will have sufficient tensile strength to withstand the lateral pressures of the fluid concrete or other materials used to create walls. There is also a need for a device that can be easily adjusted during the construction of a wall to fit walls of different widths or thicknesses. Further, there is a need for devices using materials that do not rust, and are long-lasting, cost-effective, and environmentally“friendly”.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0014]     The invention is a cross-tie used to connect two walls made of multiple bricks or blocks together so that concrete or other material can be poured into the cavity between the walls to form a single strong, dense wall. The cross-tie can also be used to attach decorative veneers to a wall. One embodiment of the cross-tie of the invention includes an inserting portion, a sleeve portion, and a wedge that is used to link the inserting portion and the sleeve portion. Another embodiment of the cross-tie includes an inserting portion and a sleeve portion that are linked by being glued together.  
         [0015]     One advantage of the cross-tie of the invention is that it allows two walls to be fastened together with sufficient tensile strength to withstand lateral pressure, so that concrete or other similar materials can be poured into the cavity between the two walls without outward failure of the walls during the pouring of the concrete. Another advantage of the invention is that it is easily adjusted to fit walls of different thicknesses and can also be made in different dimensions. The invention is also advantageous in that it provides a platform to which wire, reinforcing steel, or other building materials can be attached as necessary in the construction of walls. A further advantage of the invention is that it can be used to fasten veneers securely to a wall. Other advantages of the invention are that it can be made of a variety of materials, including plastics, recycled materials, and others that are more cost-effective, durable, and environmentally “friendly” than are those used to make existing ties and fasteners.  
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES  
       [0016]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of one of the embodiment of the cross-tie of the invention assembled with the wedge in place.  
         [0017]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the inserting portion of the cross-tie of  FIG. 1 .  
         [0018]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the sleeve portion of the cross-tie of  FIG. 1 .  
         [0019]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the wedge of the cross-tie of  FIG. 1 .  
         [0020]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the cross-tie of  FIG. 1  with pins in place.  
         [0021]      FIG. 6  is an exploded view of the cross-tie of  FIG. 1 .  
         [0022]      FIG. 7  is an exploded view of the cross-tie of  FIG. 1  with blocks.  
         [0023]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view of the cross-tie of  FIG. 1  in use with blocks.  
         [0024]      FIG. 9  is a perspective view of the cross-tie of  FIG. 1  in use with walls.  
         [0025]      FIG. 10  is a cross-section view of  FIG. 9 .  
         [0026]      FIG. 11  is a cross-section view of  FIG. 8  showing a different placement of the wedge.  
         [0027]      FIG. 12  is a cross-section view of  FIG. 8  showing a different placement of the wedge.  
         [0028]      FIG. 13  is a cross-section view of  FIG. 8  showing a different placement of the wedge.  
         [0029]      FIG. 14  is an enlarged detail of  FIG. 13 .  
         [0030]      FIG. 15  is a perspective view of another embodiment of the cross-tie of the invention assembled with glue. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0000]     Cross-Tie With Wedge  
         [0031]     As shown in  FIGS. 1, 8 , and  9 , the cross-tie  10  of the invention includes three separate components: an inserting portion  12 , a sleeve portion  14 , and a wedge  16 . Cross-tie  10  may be made any size that is desired. The measurements described herein are examples only. It should be understood that the cross-tie  10  of the invention may be used with walls constructed of different types of materials (including blocks, bricks, concrete, pressed earth, adobe, modified concrete, stone, and other materials), and that the term “block”  90  is intended to cover walls of any of these materials.  
         [0032]     As shown in  FIGS. 1, 2 , and  6 , the inserting portion  12  is a unitary, linear piece having a center portion  18 , an outer end  20 , and an inner end  22 . The inserting portion  12  may be virtually any shape, length, width, and thickness, depending on the dimensions and structural requirements of the wall to be built. The length will depend on the thickness of the two walls that the cross-tie  10  will be used to connect and the thickness of the resulting wall to be built. The width and thickness will depend on the tensile strength required and the material used to make the cross-tie  10 . Measurements of 1 inch wide by 11 inches long by ¼ inch thick have been found to work well with various types of plastics, although many other dimensions can be used. Although the inserting portion  12  is described herein as being flat, it need not be flat; it may be curved in cross-section or tubular or other shapes, as long as the inserting portion  12  can fit snugly within the sleeve portion  14 .  
         [0033]     The center portion  18  is linear and has an upper surface  24  and a lower surface  26 . The center portion  18  is contiguous with the outer end  20  at one end and the inner end  22  at the other end. The center portion  18  has slots  28  in it along its length. The length L, width W, and number of slots  28  may vary, depending on the ultimate tensile strength required for the cross-tie  10  and the strength of the material used to make the cross-tie  10 . The slots  28  may be cut so that one side of the slot is tapered from the upper surface  24  to the lower surface  26 , so as to provide closer contact and a stronger connection with the wedge  16  which has tapered side  84 . Preferably, the slots  28  are tapered on side  100 , the side closest to the inner end  22 , at the same angle as the angle of the tapered side  84  of the wedge  16 , as shown in  FIG. 14 .  
         [0034]     The center portion  18  may optionally have tabs  30  projecting horizontally outward from one of its sides. The tabs  30  may vary in dimensions and spacing depending on the structural requirements of the walls. The purpose of the tabs  30  is to provide additional texture that will aid in forming a mechanical bond with the concrete.  
         [0035]     The outer end  20  of the inserting portion  12  is that end of the inserting portion  12  that, when the cross-tie  10  is in use, is placed on the blocks  90  of the wall  88 . The outer end  20  has a lip portion  32  and a dowel portion  34 .  
         [0036]     The lip portion  32  of the outer end  20  is essentially circular. It is the same thickness as the center portion  18 . It is larger in diameter than the openings or recesses  94  in the tops of the blocks  90  comprising the walls  88 , such that when the cross-tie  10  is in use, the lip portion  32  rests on top of an opening  94  in a block  90 . The lip portion  32  preferably has openings  36  and grooves  37  in it, some of which may extend all the way through the dowel portion  34 , for fastening additional items to the cross-tie  10 , such as pins  38  as shown in  FIG. 5 , reinforcing wire, or stucco tiles.  
         [0037]     The dowel portion  34  of the outer end  20  projects downward from the lip portion  32 . It is cylindrical and may be of virtually any length and diameter, but should be smaller in diameter than the lip portion  32  and approximately the same diameter as the openings  94  in the tops of the blocks  90  comprising the two walls  88 , such that it fits snugly within the opening  94  of a block  90 . The dowel portion  34  preferably has openings and recesses in it, that may extend vertically through all or part of it, so as to allow pins  38  or other items to be placed through the lip portion  32  and the dowel portion  34  into the opening  94  in a block  90  to provide, with mortar, a mechanical tie for other objects or to the overlying blocks. (See  FIGS. 7 and 8 .)  
         [0038]     The inner end  22  of the inserting portion  12  is that end of the inserting portion  12  that, when the cross-tie  10  is in use, extends into the cavity  92  between the walls  88 . The inner end  22  is preferably squared off, although it can be shaped in other ways as well.  
         [0039]     As shown in  FIGS. 1, 3  and  6 , the sleeve portion  14  is a unitary, linear piece having a center portion  40 , a middle portion  42 , an outer end  44 , and an inner end  46 . The sleeve portion  14  may be virtually any shape, length, width, and thickness, depending on the dimensions and structural requirements of the wall to be built. The length will depend on the thickness of the two walls  88  that the cross-tie  10  will be used to connect and the thickness of the resulting wall. The width and thickness will depend on tensile strength required and the material used to make the cross-tie  10 . Measurements of 1 inch wide by 8½ inches long by ½ inch thick (including the thickness of the two prongs  48  and  50  and the center space  58 ) have been found to work well with various types of plastics, although many other dimensions will work as well. Although the sleeve portion  14  is described herein as being flat with two prongs, it need not be flat or have any prongs; it may be curved in cross-section or tubular or other shapes, as long as the inserting portion  12  can fit snugly within the sleeve portion  14 .  
         [0040]     The center portion  40  is a linear, double-pronged piece, having an upper prong  48 , a lower prong  50 , and a connecting portion  52 . The center portion  40  is contiguous with the middle portion  42  at one end. The other end of the center portion  40  consists of the ends  54  and  56  of the two prongs  48  and  50 , both of which comprise the inner end  46  of the sleeve portion  14 . The two prongs  48  and  50  are preferably the same length, width, and thickness. The two prongs  48  and  50  are joined together via the connecting portion  52  that also joins the center portion  40  to the middle portion  42 . The connecting portion  40  is preferably at right angles to the two prongs  48  and  50  and to the middle portion  42 , although other angles will work as well. The two prongs  48  and  50  are parallel to each other with the upper prong  48  overlying the lower prong  50 , forming a center space  58  in between the two prongs  48  and  50 . The upper prong  48  and the lower prong  50  each have an interior surface  60  and an exterior surface  62 . Each interior surface  60  is adjacent to the center space  58 , such that the center space  58  is bounded by the interior surface  60  of each prong. Each exterior surface  62  is adjacent to the cavity  92  between the walls  88 . The distance between the two prongs  48  and  50  is approximately the same as the thickness of the inserting portion  12 . The upper prong  48  and the lower prong  50  are connected to each other. They are shown as connected at various points along their lengths by projections  64  that extend from the upper prong  48  to the lower prong  50 , although they could be connected by solid sides such that the sleeve portion  14  is tubular. If projections  64  are used, they are preferably only along one side of the prongs. These projections  64  help maintain the center space  58  between the upper and lower prongs  48  and  50 . The prongs  48  and  50  preferably are not connected on their other sides, although projections could be utilized on the other sides if desired. The exterior surface  62  of the upper prong  48  may optionally include raised ribs  66  that extend across the upper prong  48 , perpendicular to the linear axis of the upper prong  48 . The purpose of the raised ribs  66  is to provide a mechanical bond with the concrete.  
         [0041]     The center portion  40  has slots  68  in it along its length, in both the upper prong  48  and the lower prong  50 . The length L′, width W′, number of slots  68 , and distance between the slots  68  may vary depending on the ultimate tensile strength required for the cross-tie  10  and the strength of the material used to make the cross-tie  10 ; however, these dimensions are the same for both the upper prong  48  and the lower prong  50 . The width W′ of the slots  68  in the sleeve portion  14  is the same as the width W of the slots  28  in the inserting portion  12 . The length L′ of the slots in the sleeve portion  14  may be the same as, or different from, the length L of the slots in the inserting portion  12 . In the embodiment illustrated here, the length L is greater than the length L′. Preferably, the distance between the slots  68  in the sleeve portion  14  is different from the distance between the slots  28  in the inserting portion  12 . The ratio of the number of slots  28  located along a given distance in the inserting portion  12  to the number of slots  68  located along the same distance in the sleeve portion  14  is preferably about  3 : 4 , although ratios of 4:5, 5:6, and other ratios will also work well. The ratio can also be reversed, such that 4:3, 5:4, and 6:5 will also work. This arrangement of slots  28  and  68  is referred to herein as a vernier offset, as illustrated in  FIGS. 11, 12 ,  13 , and  14 .  
         [0042]     The middle portion  42  of the sleeve portion  14  is contiguous with the connecting portion  52  of the center portion  40  and the outer end  44 . The middle portion  42  is a flat piece that is continguous with, and the same thickness as, the lip portion  70  of the outer end  44 .  
         [0043]     The outer end  44  of the sleeve portion  14  is that end of the sleeve portion  14  that, when the cross-tie  10  is in use, is placed on the blocks  90  of the wall  88 . The outer end  44  has a lip portion  70  and a dowel portion  72 . The outer end  44  is preferably the same shape and dimensions as the outer end  20  of the inserting portion  12 .  
         [0044]     The lip portion  70  of the outer end  44  is essentially circular. It is the same thickness as the middle portion  42 . It is larger in diameter than the openings or recesses  94  in the tops of the blocks  90  of the walls  88 , such that when the cross-tie  10  is in use, the lip portion  70  rests on top of an opening  94  in a block  90 . The lip portion  70  preferably has openings  74  and grooves  76  in it, some of which may extend all the way through the dowel portion  72 , for fastening additional items to the cross-tie  10 , such as pins  38  as shown in  FIG. 5 , reinforcing wire, or stucco tiles.  
         [0045]     The dowel portion  72  of the outer end  44  projects downward from the lip portion  70 . It is cylindrical and may be of virtually any length and diameter, but should be smaller in diameter than the lip portion  70  and approximately the same diameter as the openings or recesses  94  in the tops of the blocks  90  of the two walls  88 , such that it fits snugly within the opening  94  of a block  90 . The dowel portion  72  preferably has openings and recesses in it, that may extend vertically through all or part of it, so as to allow pins  38  or other items to be placed through the lip portion  70  and dowel portion  72  into the opening  94  in a block  90  to provide, with mortar, a mechanical tie for other objects or to the overlying blocks  90 . (See  FIGS. 7 and 8 .) The dowel portion  72  is preferably the same shape and size as the dowel portion  34  of the inserting portion  12 .  
         [0046]     The inner end  46  of the sleeve portion  14  is that end of the sleeve portion  14  that, when the cross-tie  10  is in use, extends into the cavity  92  between the walls  88 . The inner end  46  consists of the ends  54  and  56  of the two prongs  48  and  50 . The inner end  46  is preferably squared off, although it can be shaped in other ways as well.  
         [0047]     As shown in  FIGS. 4 and 6 , the wedge  16  is a wedge-shaped piece. The wedge has a head  78 , a body  80 , and a tip  86 . The head  78  may be oval, rectangular, or circular and is essentially flat in order to allow it to be easily pushed into place by the user&#39;s hand, although other shapes will also work. The body  80  has a straight side  82  and a tapered side  84  that tapers from the head  80  to the tip  86 . The width W″ of the body  80  is the same from the head  78  to the tip  86 , and is preferably about the same as the widths W and W′ of the slots  28  and  68  in the inserting portion  12  and the sleeve portion  14 , respectively. The length L″ of the body  80  decreases from the head  78  to the tip  86  due to angle of the tapered side  84 , and is about the same as the shorter of the lengths L and L′ of the slots  28  and  68  in the inserting portion  12  and the sleeve portion  14 , respectively. The height H″ of the body  80  of the wedge  16  is preferably approximately 3¾ inches, but may be longer or shorter depending on the slot dimensions and the size of the cross tie  10 .  
         [0048]     The cross-tie  10  is preferably made of ABS (acrylonitrile butadiene styrene) plastic because of its low cost, glue-ability, high strength, and the availability of both pure and recycled feedstock for molding. Other moldable plastics such as polyethylene, polypropylene, PVC, polystyrene, and nylon may also be used. The cross-tie  10  may also be made of stamped metal or other ductile material, or other materials.  
         [0049]      FIGS. 7, 8 ,  9 , and  10  show the cross-tie  10  in use. Two walls  88  with courses, or layers, of multiple blocks  90  (the blocks  90  may be bricks, concrete, pressed earth, adobe, modified concrete, stone, or other materials) are constructed to create a cavity  92  between the walls  88  into which concrete or another similar material can be poured. The blocks  90  must have openings or recesses  94  in them that are approximately the same diameter as the diameter of the dowel portions  34  and  72  of the inserting portion  12  and the sleeve portion  14  of the cross-tie  10 . After a predetermined number of courses have been laid, the cross-tie  10  is installed into the openings  94  in the blocks  90  along the walls  88  at fixed intervals. The number of courses and the length of the interval between cross-ties  10  may vary depending on the structural requirements and dimensions of the wall to be built.  
         [0050]     As shown in  FIGS. 7, 8 ,  9 , and  10 , the dowel portion  34  of the inserting portion  12  is placed into the opening  94  in the top of a block  90  of one of the walls  88 , with the lower surface  26  of the center portion  18  in contact with the top of the block  90  and the inner end  22  extending into the cavity  92  between the two walls  88 . The dowel portion  72  of the sleeve portion  14  is similarly placed into the opening  94  in the top of a block  90  of the other wall  88 , located opposite the first block, with the inner end  46  extending into the cavity  92  between the walls  88 . The inserting portion  12  is then placed within the sleeve portion  14 . In the embodiment shown, the center portion  18  of the inserting portion  12  is then slipped in between the two prongs  48  and  50  of the sleeve portion  14 , in the center space  58 , and adjusted so that it fits snugly into the center space  58  in a linear fashion, and the cross-tie  10  extends across the cavity  92  between the two walls  88 . The amount of the center portion  18  of the inserting portion  12  that is placed between the two prongs  48  and  50  may vary from a very small amount to the entire length of the center portion  18 , depending on the distance between the two walls  88 . Thus, the inner end  22  of the inserting portion  12  need not make contact with the connecting portion of the sleeve portion  14 , and, in most uses will not be in contact with the connecting portion  52 .  
         [0051]     After the inserting portion  12  is placed into the sleeve portion  14 , because of the vernier offset arrangement of the slots  28  of the inserting portion  12  and the slots  68  of the sleeve portion  14 , at least one pair of the slots  68  in the two prongs  48  and  50  of the sleeve portion  14  should be at least partially aligned with at least one slot  28  in the center portion  18  of the inserting portion  12 . In most cases, it will be possible to place the wedge  16  in more than one set of slots  28  and  68 . Placing the wedge  16  in certain sets of slots will cause the dowel portion  34  of the inserting portion  12  and the dowel portion  72  of the sleeve portion  14  to pull apart, while placing the wedge  16  in other sets of slots will cause the two dowel portions  34  and  72  to pull towards each other, creating tension. When using the cross-tie  10  to connect two walls  88  to withstand the lateral pressure created by concrete or other material poured into the cavity  92  between the walls  88 , it is desirable to create tension. Thus, the wedge  16  should be placed in a set of slots  28  and  68  that will create such tension. In most cases, due to the vernier offset of the slots  28  and  68 , there will be more than one set of slots through which the wedge  16  can be placed to create the desired tension. (See  FIGS. 11, 12 , and  14 , which illustrate the vernier offset arrangement of the slots  28  and  68 .)  
         [0052]     The wedge  16  is placed through the chosen slots  28  and  68  by inserting the tip  86  of the body  80  into the upper prong  48 , through the inserting portion  12 , through the lower prong  50 , and down into the cavity  92  between the walls  88 . The head  78  of the wedge  16  is then pushed down until the body  80  extends far enough through the slots  28  and  68  to create the desired tension between the dowel portion  34  of the inserting portion  12  and the dowel portion  72  of the sleeve portion  14 . The head  78  will be located on or above the cross-tie  10 , depending on how far the body  80  is pushed in. Once the cross-tie  10  is installed in two blocks  90  with the wedge  16  inserted, a positive tensional lock is created between the blocks.  
         [0053]     The difference in spacing of the slots  28  and  68  in the inserting portion  12  and the sleeve portion  14 , respectively (the arrangement of the slots in a vernier offset) allows the wedge  16  to be placed in a number of different positions along the length of the cross-tie  10 , which permits minute adjustments to be made in the length of the cross-tie  10 . (See  FIGS. 11, 12 , and  13 .) This high degree of adjustability is a significant advantage of the cross-tie  10 , as it compensates for variations in the distance between the openings  94  of the blocks  90  of the two opposing walls  88  resulting from variations in the cavity  92  width, the location of the openings  94  in the blocks  90 , and the elevations of the two walls  88 .  
         [0054]     Other building materials, including but not limited to, reinforcing steel, insulation, conduit for electrical wires, and pipe for plumbing can be installed in the cavity  92  between the two walls  88  before the concrete is poured. After the cross-ties  10  are installed, the concrete or other material is poured into the cavity  92  covering the cross-ties  10  in the lower courses and up to the cross-ties  10  in the top course.  
         [0055]     Glueable Cross-Tie  
         [0056]     As shown in  FIG. 15 , the gluable cross-tie  96  includes two separate components: the inserting portion  12  and the sleeve portion  14 . Because the wedge  16  is not used in this embodiment, the inserting portion  12  and the sleeve portion  14  do not need to have any slots. They may be made without any slots, or with slots to reduce the cost of the materials, if desired. As discussed above, the inserting portion  12  and the sleeve portion  14  may be virtually any shape, length, width, and thickness. They may be essentially flat or curved in cross-section or tubular or other shapes, as long as the inserting portion  12  can fit snugly within the sleeve portion  14 .  
         [0057]     Instead of utilizing wedge  16 , this cross-tie  96  utilizes glue  98  to link the inserting portion  12  and the sleeve portion  14  together. The glue  98  that is used should be compatible with the particular plastic used to construct the inserting portion  12  and the sleeve portion  14 . For example, if ABS plastic is used, the preferable glue  98  is ABS glue.  
         [0058]     To use the gluable cross-tie  96 , the inserting portion  12  is placed within the sleeve portion  14 . In the embodiment shown, the inserting portion  12  is slipped between the two prongs  48  and  50  of the sleeve portion  14  in the same fashion as with the cross-tie  10  when it is used with the wedge  16 . Before placing the inserting portion  12 , however, glue  98  is applied to either or both the inserting portion  12  and the sleeve portion  14  as desired. Glue  98  may be applied to the interior surfaces  60  of the two prongs  48  and  50  of the sleeve portion  14  and/or along the upper surface  24  and the lower surface  26  of the inserting portion  12 .  
         [0059]     Although the wedge  16  is not necessary when glue  98  is used, the wedge  16  may be used with the glueable cross-tie  96  in the same fashion as it is used with the cross-tie  10  without the glue  98 . In that case, the inserting portion  12  and the sleeve portion  14  must be made with slots  28  and  68 , respectively, as they are when used with the wedge  16 . The wedge  16  creates a positive mechanical lock between the inserting portion  12  and the sleeve portion  14 . The wedge  16  also creates tension between the two walls  88  to counteract the outward lateral forces of the poured concrete.  
         [0060]     The invention has been described above with the reference to the preferred embodiments. Those skilled in the art may envision other embodiments and variations of the invention that fall within the scope of the claims.