Abstract:
A two-piece masonry anchor including a plate having opposing faces, an attachment feature extending from one of the faces, and a leg extending from the other of the faces having an insulation thickness guide and an elongate slot transverse to the extension direction of the leg, and an anchor adapted to attach to the leg of the plate and having first and second portions arranged to define a right angle therebetween. A seismic wall anchoring system including a plurality of masonry anchors interconnected by a rod.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD AND BACKGROUND 
       [0001]    The present invention relates generally to the field of wall anchors for tying together spaced-apart walls, and more particularly, to a wall anchor and seismic wall anchoring system adapted for use in insulation applications for tying together spaced-apart walls in a manner that accommodates vertical movement between the walls without disconnection of the anchor parts, as well a wall anchor including an insulation thickness guide. 
         [0002]    Masonry wall construction requires tying together spaced-apart walls to anchor an outer brick veneer wall to an inner structural wall. Inner walls may be constructed from concrete block or poured concrete. Insulated masonry walls additionally include an insulating layer disposed between the inner and outer walls, such as spray foam applied to the exterior of the inner wall, foam board, or like material. Masonry walls may include additional layers and coatings such as water-blocking layers. 
         [0003]    Masonry walls are commonly anchored using a plurality of masonry anchors positioned spaced apart along the length and height of the wall. Each masonry anchor typically includes a first part that secures to the inner wall between courses or to ladder or truss-type framework, and a second part that secures to the outer wall between courses of brick. The first and second parts attach to anchor the outer wall to the inner wall and prevent lateral movement therebetween. Poured concrete inner wall construction additionally requires guide rails, slots or fasteners on the exterior surface of the inner wall for securing the masonry anchors. 
         [0004]    While conventional masonry anchors exist for anchoring an outer veneer wall to an inner poured concrete wall, such anchors do not install easily without requiring special tools or fasteners, do not adequately prevent lateral movement between walls while accomodating seismic events without detachment, and are not suitable for use in insulated masonry wall applications. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY 
       [0005]    Accordingly, in one aspect a masonry wall anchor is provided adapted to accommodate vertical wall movement and substantially prevent lateral wall movement without disconnection of the anchor parts. 
         [0006]    In another aspect, a masonry anchor and seismic anchoring system is provided herein suitable for use in geographic areas subject to seismic disturbance. 
         [0007]    In another aspect, a masonry anchor is provided herein that imparts improved structural stability to the wall. 
         [0008]    In another aspect, a masonry anchor is provided herein adapted for use in insulated masonry wall applications. 
         [0009]    In another aspect, a masonry anchor and seismic anchoring system is provided herein for use in any wall make-up requiring spray foam or rigid foam insulation. 
         [0010]    In another aspect, a masonry anchor and seismic anchoring system is provided herein that facilitates consistent spray foam thickness, avoids post insulation application punctures and penetrations, avoids residue build-up, avoids anchor pull, and provides full anchor stability and embedment, among other advantages. 
         [0011]    These and other aspects and advantages of the invention are achieved by providing in one embodiment a masonry anchor including a plate having opposing faces, an attachment feature extending from one of the faces, and a leg extending from the other of the faces having an insulation thickness guide and an elongate slot therethrough positioned adjacent a free end of the leg and oriented transverse to the extension direction of the leg, and an anchor adapted to attach to the leg including first and second portions arranged to define a right angle therebetween. The anchor is movable in a vertical direction and substantially immovable in a lateral direction with respect to the leg when attached to the leg. 
         [0012]    In another embodiment, a masonry wall anchoring system is provided herein including a plurality of masonry anchors and an elongate rod interconnecting masonry anchors of a common row. Each of the masonry anchors includes a plate having opposing faces, an attachment feature extending from one of the faces, and a leg extending from the other of the faces having an insulation thickness guide and an elongate slot positioned adjacent a free end of the leg and oriented transverse to the extension direction of the leg, and an anchor adapted to attach to the leg including first and second portions arranged to define a right angle therebetween. 
         [0013]    In another embodiment, a masonry wall anchoring system is provided herein including a first wall including vertically extending slots on a common surface of the wall, a second wall constructed of courses of block, a plurality of masonry anchors adapted to tie the first wall to the second wall, and an elongate rod captured by the anchors of masonry anchors of a common row. 
         [0014]    Additional features and advantages of the invention will be set forth in the detailed description which follows, and in part will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art from that description or recognized by practicing the invention as described herein. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0015]    Aspects and advantages of the embodiments are understood when the detailed description is read with reference to the following drawings, in which: 
           [0016]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a partial masonry wall construction including a plurality of masonry anchors for tying together spaced-apart walls; 
           [0017]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a masonry anchor showing its components detached; 
           [0018]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a masonry anchor showing its components attached; and 
           [0019]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of another embodiment of a masonry anchor including a dovetail plate and pintle. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS 
       [0020]    The present invention will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings in which exemplary embodiments of the invention are shown. However, the invention may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the representative embodiments set forth herein. The exemplary embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be both thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention and enable one of ordinary skill in the art to make, use and practice the invention. Like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout the drawings. 
         [0021]    Referring to  FIG. 1 , a partially constructed masonry wall is shown generally at reference numeral  10 . Wall  10  generally includes inner wall  12  tied to outer wall  14  utilizing a plurality of masonry anchors  16  installed at spaced-apart locations along the length and height of wall  10 . Inner wall  12  is constructed of poured concrete or like construction lacking. Outer wall  14  is constructed of overlying courses of brick veneer or like material bonded together with mortar  18 . Insulation layer  20  is positioned between inner wall  12  and outer wall  14  and provides insulative properties to wall  10 . Although not shown, it is envisioned that wall  10  can include additional layers such as a water blocking bather or sealing layer. 
         [0022]    Insulation layer  20  can be spray foam, foam board, or like material, and is preferably spray foam applied to the exterior surface of inner wall  20 . Insulation layer  20  encapsulates a portion of one part of each of masonry anchors  12 . Insulation layer  20  is applied to a thickness that leaves an attachment portion of the first part of masonry anchor  16  exposed to engage a second part of masonry anchor  16 . The length of the slot carrying portion or “leg” of each masonry anchor  16  serves as an insulation thickness guide. In one installation application, a spray foam installer can use the slotted leg of the dovetail plate portion of masonry anchor  16  as a guide for different thicknesses of spray foam. The slotted leg can carry indicia thereon indicating different insulation thicknesses selected based upon application and code. In one example, spray foam is applied to a depth adjacent slot  32 . 
         [0023]    The exterior surface of inner wall  12  defines a plurality of continuous, vertically-extending slots  22  for receiving an attachment feature of masonry anchor  16  therein. Alternatively, slot-defining guide rails or tracks can be secured to the exterior surface of or embedded within inner wall  12 . As shown, slots  22  are spaced-apart and each defines a generally trapezoidal cross-section for receiving a complimentary dovetail  24  attachment feature. Multiple anchors  16  received within a common slot  22  can be inserted from above and slid vertically downward into place or may be inserted at an angle and twisted into position. In one embodiment, masonry anchors  16  can be maintained in place until secured to outer wall  14  or embedded within insulation layer  20  using a conventional fastener received through opening  28  defined through flange  26 . 
         [0024]    Masonry anchors  16  installed in a common row cooperatively capture a continous rod  30  for added structural support. The rod-capturing end of each anchor  16  and rod  30  are embedded in mortar  18  of outer wall  14 . As described in detail below, each masonry anchor  16  generally includes a first part that attaches to inner wall  12  and a second part that attaches to outer wall  14 . The first and second parts can be generally coplanar when installed or offset so long as they remain attached. Masonry anchors  16  tie outer wall  14  to inner wall  12 , accommodate some vertical movement between walls, and substantially prevent lateral movement between walls. 
         [0025]    Referring to  FIGS. 2 and 3  respectively, detached and attached perspective views of one embodiment of a masonry anchor  16  are illustrated. Masonry anchor  16  generally includes a dovetail plate  34  adapted to attach to inner wall  12  and an anchor  36  adapted to attach to outer wall  14 . Dovetail plate  34  generally includes plate  38  having first and second opposing major planar faces and a perimeter. Dovetail  24  extends from one major planar face in a direction generally perpendicularly thereto and leg  40  extends from the opposing major planar face in a direction generally perpendicular thereto. Dovetail plate  34  can be made from a planar blank by cutting dovetail  24  and bending it “downward” to the desired angle and cutting leg  40  and bending it “upward” to the desired angle. Dovetail  24  can have any desired shape for engaging a complimentary-shaped slot. 
         [0026]    Leg  40  defines slot  32  thereto adjacent its free and arranged transverse to the extension direction of leg  40 . Slot  32  is narrow and elongate and sized to receive a narrow elongate portion or legs of anchor  36  therethrough. When attached leg  40  and rod-carrying portion of anchor  36  are generally coplanar and plate  38  seats with one major planar face substantially flush against the exterior surface of inner wall  12 . 
         [0027]    Anchor  36  of masonry anchor  16  is generally a flat, elongate member bent to define a right angle. Adjacent its rod-carrying end, tabs  42  are cut in anchor  36 , bent upward to an open position, and closed over rod  30  to cooperatively capture the rod. Anchor  36  further defines notches or other non-linear perimeter about its rod-capturing end that increase the mortar bonding area around the anchor  36 . 
         [0028]    Referring to  FIG. 4 , an alternative embodiment of a masonry anchor is shown generally at reference numeral  50 . Masonry anchor  50  has a dovetail plate  52  substantially similar to dovetail plate  34 . Dovetail plate  52  has a slotted leg defining slot  54  that corresponds to pintle  56 . Pintle  56  can be a continuous length of rod having a circular cross-section bent to define first and second legs  58 ,  60  oriented in the same direction and at a right angle to the body of pintle  56 . First and second legs  58 ,  60  are received through slot  54  to attach pintle  56  to dovetail plate  52 . Legs  58 ,  60  have a length sufficient to permit some vertical movement of pintle  56  with respect to dovetail plate  52  without detachment of components. Although not showm, it is envisioned that pintle  56  may include structure for securing a continous rod such as rod  30 . Pintle  56  can have a width between legs  58  and  60  greater than a length of corresponding slot  54  such that insertion into slot  54  requires compression of legs  58  and  60 . 
         [0029]    Although specific embodiments of a masonry anchor and examples of use are disclosed above, it is envisioned that various embodiments of the invention can be made without departing from its scope. Furthermore, the foregoing description of the preferred embodiment of the invention and the best mode for practicing the invention are provided for the purpose of illustration only and not for the purpose of limitation, the invention being defined by the claims.