Abstract:
A wall anchor for use in a cavity wall to connect to a veneer tie to join an inner wythe and an outer wythe of the cavity wall includes a hollow body having a wall defining a hollow interior. The hollow body includes a receptor located on the wall and configured to connect to an attachment portion of a veneer tie in a relation so as to transmit forces between the inner wythe and the outer wythe.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention generally relates to anchoring systems for insulated cavity walls, and more specifically, a wall anchor with a hollow body that reduces thermal transfer in a cavity wall. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    Anchoring systems for cavity walls are used to secure veneer facings to a building and overcome seismic and other forces (e.g., wind shear, etc.). Anchoring systems generally form a conductive bridge or thermal pathway between the cavity and the interior of the building through metal-to-metal contact. When the exterior is cold relative to the interior of a heated structure, heat from the interior should be prevented from passing through to the outside. Similarly, when the exterior is hot relative to the interior of an air conditioned structure, heat from the exterior should be prevented from passing through to the interior. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0003]    In one aspect, a wall anchor for use in a cavity wall to connect to a veneer tie to join an inner wythe and an outer wythe of the cavity wall includes a hollow body having a wall defining a hollow interior. The hollow body includes a receptor located on the wall and configured to connect to an attachment portion of a veneer tie in a relation so as to transmit forces between the inner wythe and the outer wythe. 
         [0004]    In another aspect, an anchoring system for use in a cavity wall having an inner wythe and an outer wythe spaced from the inner wythe and forming a cavity therebetween includes a wall reinforcement configured to be received in the inner wythe. The wall reinforcement includes first and second parallel side wires and at least one intermediate wire extending between the first and second side wires. A wall anchor is attached to at least one of the first side wire and the intermediate wire. The wall anchor includes a hollow body having a wall defining a hollow interior. The hollow body extends from a first end attached to the wall reinforcement to a second end configured to extend into the cavity of the cavity wall. The hollow body includes a receptor located on the wall adjacent the second end and configured to receive an attachment portion of a veneer tie in a relation so as to transmit forces between the inner wythe and the outer wythe. 
         [0005]    Other objects and features will be in part apparent and in part pointed out hereinafter. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0006]      FIG. 1  is a perspective of a first embodiment of an anchoring system installed on a cavity wall structure; 
           [0007]      FIG. 2  is a front perspective of a first embodiment of a wall anchor of the anchoring system; 
           [0008]      FIG. 3  is a rear perspective thereof; 
           [0009]      FIG. 4  is a top view of the wall anchor, the bottom view being identical thereto; 
           [0010]      FIG. 5  is a left side elevation of the wall anchor, the right side elevation being identical thereto; 
           [0011]      FIG. 6  is a front view of the wall anchor; 
           [0012]      FIG. 7  is a rear perspective of a second embodiment of a wall anchor of the anchoring system; 
           [0013]      FIG. 8  is a top view of a third embodiment of a wall anchor for use with the anchoring system, the bottom view being identical thereto; 
           [0014]      FIG. 9  is a top view of a fourth embodiment of a wall anchor for use with the anchoring system, the bottom view being identical thereto; 
           [0015]      FIG. 10  is a perspective of a second embodiment of an anchoring system installed on a cavity wall structure. 
           [0016]      FIG. 11  is a front perspective of a wall anchor of the anchoring system of  FIG. 10 ; 
           [0017]      FIG. 12  is a rear perspective thereof; 
           [0018]      FIG. 13  is a top view of the wall anchor, the bottom view being identical thereto; 
           [0019]      FIG. 14  is a left side elevation of the wall anchor, the right side elevation being identical thereto; 
           [0020]      FIG. 15  is a front view of the wall anchor; 
           [0021]      FIG. 16  is a rear perspective of another embodiment of a wall anchor of the anchoring system of  FIG. 10 ; 
           [0022]      FIG. 17  is a top view of yet another embodiment of a wall anchor, the bottom view being identical thereto; 
           [0023]      FIG. 18  is a left side elevation of the wall anchor of  FIG. 17 , the right side elevation being identical thereto; 
           [0024]      FIG. 19  is a perspective of the wall anchor of  FIG. 3 , but showing thermally insulating material within the wall anchor; and 
           [0025]      FIG. 20  is a longitudinal section of the wall anchor of  FIG. 19 . 
       
    
    
       [0026]    Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the drawings. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0027]    Referring to  FIG. 1 , an embodiment of an anchoring system for cavity walls is shown generally at  10 . A cavity wall structure generally indicated at  12  comprises an inner wythe or backup wall  14  of masonry block  16  and an outer wythe or facing wall  18  of brick  20  construction. Between the inner wythe  14  and the outer wythe  18 , a cavity  22  is formed. An air/vapor barrier and/or insulation can be attached to an exterior surface of the inner wythe  14  (not shown). It is to be understood that the inner and outer wythes may have other constructions than described herein within the scope of the present invention. 
         [0028]    Successive bed joints  26  are formed between courses of blocks  16  and are substantially planar and horizontally disposed. In addition, successive bed joints  30  are formed between courses of bricks  20  and are substantially planar and horizontally disposed. In accordance with building standards, the bed joints are approximately 0.375 inches (0.9525 cm) in height in a typical embodiment. Selective ones of bed joints  26  receive a wall reinforcement  46 . Selective ones of bed joints  30  receive the insertion portion of a veneer tie  44 . A wall anchor  40  extends into the cavity  22  and is attached to the wall reinforcement  46  in a suitable manner, such as by welding. It is also contemplated that the wall anchor could be formed as one piece with the reinforcement. It is understood that the described and illustrated wall structure  12  is exemplary only. Other structures may be used without departing from the scope of the present invention. As described in greater detail below, the wall anchor  40  is constructed and configured to reduce thermal transfer between the wall anchor and a veneer tie  44  attached to the wall anchor. 
         [0029]    The wall reinforcement  46  includes parallel side wire members  48 ,  50  and intermediate wires  52  extending between and interconnecting the side wires. As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the intermediate wires  52  of the wall reinforcement  46  form a ladder formation, although other configurations (such as a truss formation) are within the scope of the present invention. At intervals along the wall reinforcement  46 , wall anchors  40  extend from the wall reinforcement and into the cavity  22 . Each wall anchor  40  includes a receptor portion for receiving the veneer tie  44 , as described in further detail below. The wall anchor  40  and the wall reinforcement  46  can be made of any suitable material. In one embodiment, the wall anchor  40  is made of stainless steel. In one embodiment, the wall reinforcement  46  is made of stainless steel. Other materials, such as galvanized steel, aluminum, or plastic, are within the scope of the present invention. The wall anchor  40  and the wall reinforcement  46  can be made of the same material or can be made of different materials. 
         [0030]    Referring to  FIGS. 2-6 , the wall anchor  40  includes a hollow body  54 . In the illustrated embodiment, the hollow body  54  is generally cylindrical, although other shapes (e.g., rectangular) are within the scope of the present invention. The hollow body  54  includes a wall  56  defining a hollow interior  58  of the hollow body ( FIG. 6 ). The wall  56  extends from a first open end  60  to a second open end  62  of the hollow body  54 . The first open end  60  is configured for attachment to the wall reinforcement  46  in a suitable manner. In the illustrated embodiments, the first open end  60  is welded to the side wire member  48  ( FIG. 1 ), or welded to the side wire member and the intermediate wire ( FIG. 10 ). When the first open end  60  is attached to the wall reinforcement  46 , the second open end  62  extends into the cavity  22 . The first open end  60  is cut back on its sides to form semi-circular recesses  63  for receiving the side wire member  48 . As illustrated in  FIG. 2 , the first open end  60  includes two semi-circular recesses  63 . The recesses  63  provide for a more nearly conformal engagement with the round side wire member  48 , thereby enhancing the weld connection between the wall anchor  40  and the wall reinforcement  46 . It is understood that other configurations are within the scope of the present invention. For example, the first end  60 , the second end  62 , or both the first and second ends of the hollow body  54  may be closed ends. In one embodiment, the first open end can include additional recesses (e.g., four recesses, see  FIGS. 17 and 18 ). 
         [0031]    The wall anchor  40  includes a receptor  64  configured to receive a veneer tie  44 . The receptor  64  is positioned adjacent the second open end  62 . The receptor  64  is positioned in the cavity  22  when the wall anchor  40  is attached to the wall reinforcement  46 . The receptor  64  includes openings  66 ,  68  extending through the wall  56  ( FIG. 3 ). The openings  66 ,  68  are aligned with each other. Each opening  66 ,  68  extends through the wall  56  to the hollow interior  58 . In the illustrated embodiment, where the hollow body  54  is generally cylindrical, the openings  66 ,  68  are diametrically opposed. However it will be understood that the hollow body  54 , and in particular the wall  56 , may have other configurations within the scope of the present invention. For example and without limitation, the wall may not completely enclose the hollow interior. 
         [0032]    The receptor  64  is configured to receive an attachment portion of a veneer tie  44 . For example, as illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the veneer tie  44  includes an attachment portion or pintle  70 . The receptor  64  is positioned substantially vertically in the cavity  22  to receive the pintle  70 . The pintle  70  extends through the receptor  64  (i.e., through the opening  66  and through the opening  68 ) to attach the veneer tie  44  to the wall anchor  40 . In the illustrated embodiment, the pintle  70  is compressively reduced. The receptor  64  is generally rectangular to receive the compressively reduced pintle  70 . Referring still to  FIG. 1 , the veneer tie  44  includes a pair of pintles  70 . A pair of wall anchors  40  is attached to the wall reinforcement  46 , each of the wall anchors being configured to receive one of the pintles  70  in the respective receptor  64 . As illustrated, pairs of wall anchors  40  are attached to the wall reinforcement  46  at spaced locations to permit connection with veneer ties  44  having pintles  70 . Other configurations are within the scope of the present invention, such as the receptor  64  having a different shape to accommodate a different shape or size attachment portion of a veneer tie, or receptors positioned generally horizontally in the cavity to accommodate a different type of veneer tie. 
         [0033]    At least one opening  80  extends through the wall  56  of the hollow body  54 . In the illustrated embodiment, a plurality of openings  80  extend through the wall  56 . The openings  80  reduce the mass of the wall anchor  40 . The reduction in mass in the wall anchor  40  correspondingly reduces the amount of thermal transfer between the wall anchor and a veneer tie  44  attached to the wall anchor. In one embodiment, the total surface area of the wall  56  of the hollow body is reduced by an amount in a range of about 5% to about 95% by the openings  80  as compared to what the total surface area of the wall would be if the hollow body did not include any openings. In one embodiment, the total surface area of the wall  56  is reduced by an amount in a range of about 5% to about 75%, such as by 5%, by 10%, by 20%, by 25%, by 30%, by 35%, or by any other suitable amount. As illustrated, the wall anchor  40  includes openings  80  spaced along the length of the hollow body  54 . The openings  80  are uniformly spaced along the length of the hollow body  54 . The openings  80  are uniformly spaced around a circumference of the hollow body  54 . Each opening  80  extends through the wall  56  to the hollow interior  58 . Each opening  80  aligns with a corresponding diametrically opposed opening  80 . In the illustrated embodiment, the wall anchor  40  includes twenty openings  80  uniformly spaced along the length of the hollow body  54  and around the circumference of the hollow body. Each opening  80  is generally circular. Each opening  80  is generally the same size. Other opening configurations and arrangements are within the scope of the present invention. For example, the openings  80  may not be arranged to be uniformly spaced along the length and/or around the circumference of the hollow body  54 . The wall anchor  40  can include more openings  80  than illustrated, or fewer openings than illustrated. The openings  80  can have other shapes or configurations, or may have varying shapes, sizes, spacing, and configurations. 
         [0034]    Referring to  FIG. 7 , a second embodiment of a wall anchor is shown generally at  140 . The wall anchor  140  is similar to the wall anchor  40 , with differences pointed out herein. The wall anchor  140  is configured for attachment to the wall reinforcement  46  as described above with reference to wall anchor  40 . A hollow body  154  of the wall anchor  140  is generally cylindrical and includes a wall  156  defining a hollow interior of the hollow body. In one embodiment, the hollow interior can be filled with insulation or a thermally insulating material (not shown). The wall  156  extends from a first open end  160  to a second open end  162 . The first open end  160  is configured for attachment to the wall reinforcement  46  as described above with reference to the first open end  60  of the wall anchor  40 . Particularly, the first open end  160  is cut back on its sides to form semi-circular recesses  163  for receiving the side wire member  48 . The wall anchor  140  includes a receptor  164  configured to receive a veneer tie (not shown), such as the veneer tie  44  described above with reference to wall anchor  40 . The receptor  164  is positioned adjacent the second open end  162 . The receptor  164  includes openings  166 ,  168  extending through the wall  156 . The receptor  164  is configured to receive the attachment portion or pintle  70  of the veneer tie. 
         [0035]    In this embodiment, the hollow body  154  does not include additional openings extending through the wall  156 . The hollow body  154  of the wall anchor  140  reduces the amount of thermal transfer between the wall anchor and a veneer tie  44  attached to the wall anchor. 
         [0036]    Referring to  FIG. 8 , a third embodiment of a wall anchor is shown generally at  240 . The wall anchor  240  is similar to the wall anchor  40 , with differences pointed out herein. The wall anchor  240  is configured for attachment to the wall reinforcement  46  as described above with reference to wall anchor  40 . A hollow body  254  of the wall anchor  240  is generally cylindrical and includes a wall  256  defining a hollow interior of the hollow body (not shown). In one embodiment, the hollow interior can be filled with insulation or a thermally insulating material (not shown). The wall  256  extends from a first open end  260  to a second open end  262 . The first open end  260  is configured for attachment to the wall reinforcement  46  as described above with reference to the first open end  60  of the wall anchor  40 . Particularly, the first open end  260  is cut back on its sides to form semi-circular recesses  263  for receiving the side wire member  48 . Openings  280  extend through the wall  256  of the hollow body  254 . The openings  280  reduce the mass of the wall anchor  240  and reduce the amount of thermal transfer between the wall anchor and a veneer tie attached to the wall anchor, as discussed above with reference to the wall anchor  40 . 
         [0037]    The wall anchor  240  includes a receptor  264  configured to receive a veneer tie. The receptor  264  is positioned adjacent the second open end  262 . The receptor  264  includes openings extending through the wall  256 . The receptor  264  is configured to receive an attachment portion of a veneer tie, such as a pintle. The receptor  264  is generally rectangular. In this embodiment, the receptor  264  is relatively larger than the receptor  64  of wall anchor  40 . This configuration permits attachment to a veneer tie having relatively larger pintles than the veneer tie  44  illustrated in  FIG. 1 . 
         [0038]    Referring to  FIG. 9 , a fourth embodiment of a wall anchor is shown generally at  340 . The wall anchor  340  is similar to the wall anchor  240  described above. In this embodiment, the hollow body  354  does not include additional openings extending through the wall  356 . The only openings extending through the hollow body  354  are the openings defining the receptor  364 . The hollow body  354  of the wall anchor  340  reduces the amount of thermal transfer between the wall anchor and a veneer tie attached to the wall anchor. In one embodiment, the hollow interior can be filled with insulation or a thermally insulating material (not shown). 
         [0039]    Referring to  FIG. 10 , an embodiment of an anchoring system for cavity walls is shown generally at  410 . The anchoring system  410  includes the wire reinforcement  46  as described above. A wall anchor  440  extends into the cavity  22  and is attached to the wall reinforcement  446  in a suitable manner, such as by welding. It is also contemplated that the wall anchor could be formed as one piece with the reinforcement. As described in greater detail below, the wall anchor  440  is constructed and configured to reduce thermal transfer between the wall anchor and a veneer tie  444  attached to the wall anchor. 
         [0040]    At intervals along the wall reinforcement  46 , wall anchors  440  extend from the wall reinforcement and into the cavity  22 . Each wall anchor  440  includes a receptor portion for receiving the veneer tie  444 , as described in further detail below. The wall anchor  440  and the wall reinforcement  46  can be made of any suitable material. In one embodiment, the wall anchor  440  is made of stainless steel. In one embodiment, the wall reinforcement  46  is made of stainless steel. Other materials, such as galvanized steel, aluminum, or plastic, are within the scope of the present invention. The wall anchor  440  and the wall reinforcement  46  can be made of the same material or can be made of different materials. 
         [0041]    Referring to  FIGS. 11-15 , the wall anchor  440  includes a hollow body  454 . In the illustrated embodiment, the hollow body  454  is generally cylindrical, although other shapes (e.g., rectangular) are within the scope of the present invention. The hollow body  454  includes a wall  456  defining a hollow interior  458  of the hollow body ( FIG. 15 ). In one embodiment, the hollow interior  458  can be filled with insulation or a thermally insulating material (not shown). The wall  456  extends from a first open end  460  to a second open end  462  of the hollow body  454 . The first open end  460  is configured for attachment to the wall reinforcement  46  in a suitable manner. In the illustrated embodiments, the first open end  460  is welded to the side wire member  48  and the intermediate wire  52  ( FIG. 10 ), but could be welded just to the side wire member. When the first open end  460  is attached to the wall reinforcement  46 , the second open end  462  extends into the cavity  22 . The first open end  460  is cut back on its sides to form semi-circular recesses  463  for receiving the side wire member  48 . As illustrated in  FIG. 11 , the first open end  460  includes two semi-circular recesses  463 . The recesses  463  provide for a more nearly conformal engagement with the round side wire member  48 , thereby enhancing the weld connection between the wall anchor  440  and the wall reinforcement  46 . It is understood that other configurations are within the scope of the present invention. For example, the first end  460 , the second end  462 , or both the first and second ends of the hollow body  454  may be closed ends. In one embodiment, the first open end can include additional recesses (e.g., four recesses, see  FIGS. 17 and 18 ). 
         [0042]    The wall anchor  440  includes a receptor  464  configured to receive a veneer tie  444 . The receptor  464  is positioned adjacent the second open end  462 . The receptor  464  is positioned in the cavity  22  when the wall anchor  440  is attached to the wall reinforcement  46 . The receptor  464  includes openings  466 ,  468  extending through the wall  456  ( FIG. 12 ). The openings  466 ,  468  are aligned with each other. Each opening  466 ,  468  extends through the wall  456  to the hollow interior  458 . In the illustrated embodiment, where the hollow body  454  is generally cylindrical, the openings  466 ,  468  are diametrically opposed. 
         [0043]    The receptor  464  is configured to receive an attachment portion of a veneer tie  444 . For example, as illustrated in  FIG. 10 , the veneer tie  444  includes an attachment portion or U-shaped rear leg portion  478 . The receptor  464  is positioned substantially vertically in the cavity  22  to receive the U-shaped rear leg portion  478 . The U-shaped rear leg portion  478  extends through the receptor  464  (i.e., through the opening  466  and through the opening  468 ) to attach the veneer tie  444  to the wall anchor  440 . The receptor  464  is generally oblong to receive the U-shaped rear leg portion  478 . The receptor  464  is generally longer in a direction extending parallel to the inner wythe  14  when the wall anchor  440  is positioned in the cavity  22  (i.e., in a direction generally transverse to a longitudinal axis of the hollow body  454 ). This elongation of the receptor  464  facilitates threading the veneer tie  444  to position the U-shaped rear leg portion  478  relative to the wall anchor  440 . Referring still to  FIG. 10 , spaced wall anchors  440  are attached to the wall reinforcement  46 , each of the wall anchors being configured to receive one of the U-shaped rear leg portions  478  in the respective receptor  464 . Other configurations are within the scope of the present invention, such as the receptor  464  having a different shape to accommodate a different shape or size attachment portion of a veneer tie, or receptors positioned generally horizontally in the cavity to accommodate a different type of veneer tie. 
         [0044]    At least one opening  480  extends through the wall  456  of the hollow body  454 . In the illustrated embodiment, a plurality of openings  480  extend through the wall  456 . The openings  480  reduce the mass of the wall anchor  440 . The reduction in mass in the wall anchor  440  correspondingly reduces the amount of thermal transfer between the wall anchor and a veneer tie  444  attached to the wall anchor. In one embodiment, the total surface area of the wall  456  of the hollow body  454  is reduced by an amount in a range of about 5% to about 95% by the openings  480  as compared to what the total surface area of the wall would be if the hollow body did not include any openings. In one embodiment, the total surface area of the wall  456  is reduced by an amount in a range of about 5% to about 75%, such as by 5%, by 10%, by 20%, by 25%, by 30%, by 35%, or by any other suitable amount. As illustrated, the wall anchor  440  includes openings  480  spaced along the length of the hollow body  454 . The openings  480  are uniformly spaced along the length of the hollow body  454 . The openings  480  are uniformly spaced around a circumference of the hollow body  454 . Each opening  480  extends through the wall  456  to the hollow interior  458 . Each opening  480  aligns with a corresponding diametrically opposed opening  480 . In the illustrated embodiment, the wall anchor  440  includes twenty openings  480  uniformly spaced along the length of the hollow body  454  and around the circumference of the hollow body. Each opening  480  is generally circular. Each opening  480  is generally the same size. Other opening configurations and arrangements are within the scope of the present invention. For example, the openings  480  may not be arranged to be uniformly spaced along the length and/or around the circumference of the hollow body  454 . The wall anchor  440  can include more openings  480  than illustrated, or fewer openings  480  than illustrated. The openings  480  can have other shapes or configurations, or may have varying shapes, sizes, spacing, and configurations. 
         [0045]    Referring to  FIG. 16 , another embodiment of a wall anchor is shown generally at  540 . The wall anchor  540  is similar to the wall anchor  440 , with differences pointed out herein. The wall anchor  540  is configured for attachment to the wall reinforcement  46  as described above with reference to wall anchor  440 . A hollow body  554  of the wall anchor  540  is generally cylindrical and includes a wall  556  defining a hollow interior of the hollow body. In one embodiment, the hollow interior can be filled with insulation or a thermally insulating material (not shown). The wall  556  extends from a first open end  560  to a second open end  562 . The first open end  560  is configured for attachment to the wall reinforcement  46  as described above with reference to the first open end  460  of the wall anchor  440 . Particularly, the first open end  560  is cut back on its sides to form semi-circular recesses  563  for receiving the side wire member  448 . The wall anchor  540  includes a receptor  564  configured to receive a veneer tie  444 , as described above with reference to wall anchor  440 . The receptor  564  is positioned adjacent the second open end  562  and includes openings extending through the wall  556 . The receptor  564  is configured to receive the attachment portion or U-shaped rear leg portion  478  of the veneer tie  444 . The receptor  564  is generally oblong with a longest dimension extending generally transverse to a longitudinal axis of the hollow body  554 , as described above with reference to the receptor  464  of the wall anchor  440 . 
         [0046]    In this embodiment, the hollow body  554  does not include additional openings extending through the wall  556 . The hollow body  554  of the wall anchor  540  reduces the amount of thermal transfer between the wall anchor and a veneer tie  444  attached to the wall anchor. 
         [0047]    Referring to  FIGS. 17 and 18 , another embodiment of a wall anchor is shown generally at  640 . The wall anchor  640  is similar to the wall anchors  40  and  440 , with differences pointed out herein. The wall anchor  640  is configured for attachment to two different types of veneer ties  44 ,  444 . The wall anchor  640  includes a first receptor  664  ( FIG. 17 ) that is similar to the receptor  64  described above. The first receptor  664  is configured to receive a pintle  70  of a veneer tie  44 . The wall anchor  640  further includes a second receptor  672  ( FIG. 18 ). The second receptor  672  is similar to the receptor  464  described above. The second receptor  672  is configured to receive a U-shaped rear leg portion  478  of the veneer tie  444 . As illustrated, the first open end  640  includes four recesses  663 . The first and second receptors  664 ,  672  and the four recesses  663  permit the wall anchor  640  to be attached to a side wire  48  in different orientations, depending on the requirements of the anchoring system. The wall anchor  640  includes openings  680 , although the openings can be omitted within the scope of the present invention. 
         [0048]    Referring to the embodiment in  FIG. 1 , pairs of wall anchors  40  are attached to the wall reinforcement  46  at spaced locations. This configuration of wall anchors  40  permits connection with the veneer tie  44  having pintles  70 . Referring to the embodiment of  FIG. 10 , individual wall anchors  440  are attached to the wall reinforcement  46  at spaced locations. This configuration of wall anchors  440  permits connection to a veneer tie  444  having a single rear leg attachment portion  478 . It is understood that the wall anchor can be configured for connection to other types of veneer ties. The insertion portion of the veneer tie can be swaged ( FIG. 10 ) to receive a wire reinforcement (not shown), as is known in the art. Optionally, the insertion portion of the veneer tie can be compressively reduced in height (not shown). Portions of the veneer tie and/or portions of the wall anchor can include a thermal coating configured to provide a thermal break in the cavity  22  (not shown). For example, at least the attachment portion of the veneer tie and/or at least the receptor of the wall anchor can include a thermal coating to provide a thermal break in the cavity. 
         [0049]    The wall anchors and anchoring systems as described above reduces the thermal transfer in the cavity wall structure  12 . The wall anchors as described have a smaller mass than a typical wire formative wall anchor. Due to the smaller mass of the wall anchor, there is less thermal transfer between the wall anchor and a veneer tie  44 ,  444  attached to the wall anchor. 
         [0050]    Referring to  FIGS. 19 and 20 , a wall anchor  740  has the substantially identical construction of wall anchor  40 , but is shown filled with insulation or a thermally insulating material  784 . Parts of the wall anchor  740  corresponding to the wall anchor  40  are given the same reference numeral, plus “700”. As may be seen, the thermally insulating material  784  fills the hollow interior of the hollow body  756 . The thermally insulating material  784  extends from just short of the opening  760  at one end of the hollow body  754  to near the opening  762  at the opposite end of the hollow body. The thermally insulating material  784  has an opening  786  that aligned with the receptor openings  766 ,  768  for receiving a pintle of a veneer tie (not shown). 
         [0051]    Having described the invention in detail, it will be apparent that modifications and variations are possible without departing from the scope of the invention defined in the appended claims. 
         [0052]    When introducing elements of the present invention or the preferred embodiment(s) thereof, the articles “a”, “an”, “the” and “said” are intended to mean that there are one or more of the elements. The terms “comprising”, “including” and “having” are intended to be inclusive and mean that there may be additional elements other than the listed elements. 
         [0053]    In view of the above, it will be seen that the several objects of the invention are achieved and other advantageous results attained. 
         [0054]    As various changes could be made in the above products without departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description and shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.