Abstract:
An anchoring system for cavity walls is disclosed and includes a stud-type wall anchor and veneer tie. The stud-type anchor is comprised of high-strength, nonconductive thermally-isolating components that maintain the insulation R-values. The anchor has a driver head, dual-diameter barrel, a driven tip and multiple thermally-isolating seals. The multiple seals and the dual-diameter barrel of the anchor fill the anchor-receiving channel and stabilize the wall anchor. The wall anchor is clamped in place by the multiple seals. The anchor operates with various veneer ties.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0002]    This invention relates to thermally isolated, multiple sealing anchoring systems for insulated cavity walls. The anchoring system incorporates high-strength insulative polymeric components. The polymeric components minimize thermal transfer between the inner wythe and the anchoring system, by providing a thermal break. 
         [0003]    2. Description of the Prior Art 
         [0004]    In the past, anchoring systems have taken a variety of configurations. Where the applications included masonry backup walls, wall anchors were commonly incorporated into ladder- or truss-type reinforcements and provided wire-to-wire connections with box ties or pintle-receiving designs on the veneer side. 
         [0005]    In the late 1980&#39;s, surface-mounted wall anchors were developed by Hohmann &amp; Barnard, Inc., now a MiTek-Berkshire Hathaway company, patented under U.S. Pat. No. 4,598,518 (&#39;518). The invention was commercialized under trademarks DW-10®, DW-10-X®, and DW-10-HS®. These widely accepted building specialty products were designed primarily for drywall construction, but were also used with masonry backup walls. For seismic applications, it was common practice to use these wall anchors as part of the DW-10 Seismiclip® interlock system which added a Byna-Tie® wire formative, a Seismiclip® snap-in device—described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,875,319 (&#39;319), and a continuous wire reinforcement. 
         [0006]    In the dry wall application, the surface-mounted wall anchor of the above-described system has pronged legs that pierce the insulation and the wallboard and rest against the metal stud to provide mechanical stability in a four-point landing arrangement. The vertical slot of the wall anchor enables the mason to have the wire tie adjustably positioned along a pathway of up to 3.625-inch (max). The interlock system served well and received high scores in testing and engineering evaluations which examined the effects of various forces, particularly lateral forces, upon brick veneer masonry construction. However, under certain conditions, the system did not sufficiently maintain the integrity of the insulation. 
         [0007]    The engineering evaluations further described the advantages of having a continuous wire embedded in the mortar joint of anchored veneer wythes. The seismic aspects of these investigations were reported in the inventor&#39;s &#39;319 patent. Besides earthquake protection, the failure of several high-rise buildings to withstand wind and other lateral forces resulted in the incorporation of a continuous wire reinforcement requirement in the Uniform Building Code provisions. The use of a continuous wire in masonry veneer walls has also been found to provide protection against problems arising from thermal expansion and contraction and to improve the uniformity of the distribution of lateral forces in the structure. 
         [0008]    Shortly after the introduction of the pronged wall anchor, a seismic veneer anchor, which incorporated an L-shaped backplate, was introduced. This was formed from either 12- or 14-gauge sheetmetal and provided horizontally disposed openings in the arms thereof for pintle legs of the veneer anchor. In general, the pintle-receiving sheetmetal version of the Seismiclip® interlock system served well, but in addition to the insulation integrity problem, installations were hampered by mortar buildup interfering with pintle leg insertion. 
         [0009]    In the late 1980&#39;s, an anchor for masonry veneer walls was developed and described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,764,069 by Reinwall et al., which patent is an improvement of the masonry veneer anchor of Lopez, U.S. Pat. No. 4,473,984. Here the anchors are keyed to elements that are installed using power-rotated drivers to deposit a mounting stud in a cementitious or masonry backup wall. Fittings are then attached to the stud which includes an elongated eye and a wire tie therethrough for disposition in a bed joint of the outer wythe. It is instructive to note that pin-point loading—that is forces concentrated at substantially a single point—developed from this design configuration. Upon experiencing lateral forces over time, this resulted in the loosening of the stud. 
         [0010]    Exemplary of the public sector building specification is that of the Energy Code Requirement, Boston, Mass. (See Chapter 13 of 780 CMR, Seventh Edition). This Code sets forth insulation R—values well in excess of prior editions and evokes an engineering response opting for thicker insulation and correspondingly larger cavities. As insulation became thicker, the tearing of insulation during installation of the pronged DW-10X® wall anchor, see supra, became more prevalent. This occurred as the installer would fully insert one side of the wall anchor before seating the other side. The tearing would occur during the arcuate path of the insertion of the second leg. The gapping caused in the insulation permitted air and moisture to infiltrate through the insulation along the pathway formed by the tear. While the gapping was largely resolved by placing a self-sealing, dual-barrier polymeric membrane at the site of the legs and the mounting hardware, with increasing thickness in insulation, this patchwork became less desirable. The improvements hereinbelow in surface mounted wall anchors look toward greater retention of insulation integrity and less reliance on a patch. 
         [0011]    In the past, the use of wire formatives have been limited by the mortar layer thickness which, in turn, are dictated either by the new building specifications or by pre-existing conditions, e.g. matching during renovations or additions to the existing mortar layer thickness. While arguments have been made for increasing the number of the fine-wire anchors per unit area of the facing layer, architects and architectural engineers have favored wire formative anchors of sturdier wire. 
         [0012]    Contractors found that heavy wire anchors, with diameters approaching the mortar layer height specification, frequently result in misalignment. This led to the low-profile wall anchors of the inventors hereof as described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,279,283. However, the above-described technology did not fully address the adaption thereof to insulated inner wythes utilizing stabilized stud-type devices. 
         [0013]    Another prior art development occurred shortly after that of Reinwall/Lopez when Hatzinikolas and Pacholok of Fero Holding Ltd. introduced their sheetmetal masonry connector for a cavity wall. This device is described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,392,581 and 4,869,043. Here a sheetmetal plate connects to the side of a dry wall column and protrudes through the insulation into the cavity. A wire tie is threaded through a slot in the leading edge of the plate capturing an insulative plate thereunder and extending into a bed joint of the veneer. The underlying sheetmetal plate is highly thermally conductive, and the &#39;581 patent describes lowering the thermal conductivity by foraminously structuring the plate. However, as there is no thermal break or barrier, a concomitant loss of the insulative integrity results. 
         [0014]    The construction of a steel-framed inner wythe of a commercial building, to which masonry veneer is attached, uses steel studs with insulation installed outboard of the steel stud framing. Steel anchors and ties attach the outer wythe to the inner wythe by screwing or bolting an anchor to a steel stud. Although steel offers many benefits, it does not provide the high insulation efficiency of timber framing and can cause the effective R-value of fiberglass batt insulation between the steel studs to fall 50 to 60%. 
         [0015]    Steel is an extremely good conductor of heat. The use of steel anchors attached to steel framing draws heat from the inside of a building through the exterior sheathing and insulation, towards the exterior of the masonry wall. In order to maintain high insulation values, a thermal break or barrier is needed between the steel framing and the outer wythe. This is achieved by the present invention through the use of high-strength polymeric components which have low thermal conductivity. 
         [0016]    In the course of prosecution, wall anchor patents indicated by an asterisk on the tabulation below, came to the attention of the inventor and are believed to be relevant in this discussion of the prior art. A more extensive list of patents known to the inventor is included in the Information Disclosure Statement. Thereafter and in preparing for this disclosure, the additional patents which became known to the inventors are discussed further: 
         [0000]    
       
         
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                 Patent 
                 Inventor 
                 Issue Date 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
                 2,058,148* 
                 Hard 
                 Oct. 20, 1936 
               
               
                   
                 2,966,705* 
                 Massey 
                 Jan. 3, 1961 
               
               
                   
                 3,377,764 
                 Storch 
                 Apr. 16, 1968 
               
               
                   
                 4,021,990* 
                 Schwalberg 
                 May 10, 1977 
               
               
                   
                 4,305,239* 
                 Geraghty 
                 Dec. 15, 1981 
               
               
                   
                 4,373,314 
                 Allan 
                 Feb. 15, 1983 
               
               
                   
                 4,438,611* 
                 Bryan 
                 Mar. 27, 1984 
               
               
                   
                 4,473,984 
                 Lopez 
                 Oct. 2, 1984 
               
               
                   
                 4,598,518 
                 Hohmann 
                 Jul. 8, 1986 
               
               
                   
                 4,869,038 
                 Cantani 
                 Sep. 26, 1989 
               
               
                   
                 4,875,319 
                 Hohmann 
                 Oct. 24, 1989 
               
               
                   
                 5,392,581 
                 Hatzinikolas, et. al. 
                 Feb. 28, 1995 
               
               
                   
                 5,408,798 
                 Hohmann 
                 Apr. 25, 1995 
               
               
                   
                 5,456,052 
                 Anderson et al. 
                 Oct. 10, 1995 
               
               
                   
                 5,816,008 
                 Hohmann 
                 Oct. 6, 1998 
               
               
                   
                 6,209,281 
                 Rice 
                 Apr. 3, 2001 
               
               
                   
                 6,279,283 
                 Hohmann et al. 
                 Aug. 28, 2001 
               
               
                   
                 7,415,803 
                 Bronner 
                 Aug. 26, 2008 
               
               
                   
                 8,037,653 
                 Hohmann, Jr. 
                 Oct. 18, 2011 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
         [0017]    U.S. Pat. No. 3,337,764—Storch—Issued Apr. 16, 1968 discloses a bent wire, tie-type anchor for embedment in a facing exterior wythe engaging with a loop attached to a straight wire run in a backup interior wythe. 
         [0018]    U.S. Pat. No. 4,021,990—Schwalberg—Issued May 10, 1977 discloses a dry wall construction system for anchoring a facing veneer to wallboard/metal stud construction with a pronged sheetmetal anchor. Like Storch &#39;764, the wall tie is embedded in the exterior wythe and is not attached to a straight wire run. 
         [0019]    U.S. Pat. No. 4,373,314—Allan—Issued Feb. 15, 1983 discloses a vertical angle iron with one leg adapted for attachment to a stud and the other having elongated slots to accommodate wall ties. Insulation is applied between projecting vertical legs of adjacent angle irons with slots being spaced away from the stud to avoid the insulation. 
         [0020]    U.S. Pat. No. 4,473,984—Lopez—Issued Oct. 2, 1984 discloses a curtain-wall masonry anchor system wherein a wall tie is attached to the inner wythe by a self-tapping screw to a metal stud and to the outer wythe by embedment in a corresponding bed joint. The stud is applied through a hole cut into the insulation. 
         [0021]    U.S. Pat. No. 4,869,038—Cantani—Issued Sep. 26, 1989 discloses a veneer wall anchor system having in the interior wythe a truss-type anchor, similar to Hala et al. &#39;226, supra, but with horizontal sheetmetal extensions. The extensions are interlocked with bent wire pintle-type wall ties that are embedded within the exterior wythe. 
         [0022]    U.S. Pat. No. 4,875,319—Hohmann—Issued Oct. 24, 1989 discloses a seismic construction system for anchoring a facing veneer to wallboard/metal stud construction with a pronged sheetmetal anchor. Wall tie is distinguished over that of Schwalberg &#39;990 and is clipped onto a straight wire run. 
         [0023]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,392,581—Hatzinikolas et al.—Issued Feb. 28, 1995 discloses a cavity-wall anchor having a conventional tie wire for mounting in the brick veneer and an L-shaped sheetmetal bracket for mounting vertically between side-by-side blocks and horizontally atop a course of blocks. The bracket has a slit which is vertically disposed and protrudes into the cavity. The slit provides for a vertically adjustable anchor. 
         [0024]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,408,798—Hohmann—Issued Apr. 25, 1995 discloses a seismic construction system for a cavity wall having a masonry anchor, a wall tie, and a facing anchor. Sealed eye wires extend into the cavity and wire wall ties are threaded therethrough with the open ends thereof embedded with a Hohmann &#39;319 (see supra) clip in the mortar layer of the brick veneer. 
         [0025]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,456,052—Anderson et al.—Issued Oct. 10, 1995 discloses a two-part masonry brick tie, the first part being designed to be installed in the inner wythe and then, later when the brick veneer is erected to be interconnected by the second part. Both parts are constructed from sheetmetal and are arranged on substantially the same horizontal plane. 
         [0026]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,816,008—Hohmann—Issued Oct. 6, 1998 discloses a brick veneer anchor primarily for use with a cavity wall with a drywall inner wythe. The device combines an L-shaped plate for mounting on the metal stud of the drywall and extending into the cavity with a T-head bent stay. After interengagement with the L-shaped plate the free end of the bent stay is embedded in the corresponding bed joint of the veneer. 
         [0027]    U.S. Pat. No. 6,209,281—Rice—Issued Apr. 3, 2001 discloses a masonry anchor having a conventional tie wire for mounting in the brick veneer and sheetmetal bracket for mounting on the metal-stud-supported drywall. The bracket has a slit which is vertically disposed when the bracket is mounted on the metal stud and, in application, protrudes through the drywall into the cavity. The slit provides for a vertically adjustable anchor. 
         [0028]    U.S. Pat. No. 6,279,283—Hohmann et al.—Issued Aug. 28, 2001 discloses a low-profile wall tie primarily for use in renovation construction where in order to match existing mortar height in the facing wythe a compressed wall tie is embedded in the bed joint of the brick veneer. 
         [0029]    U.S. Pat. No. 7,415,803—Bronner—Issued Aug. 26, 2008 discloses a double-wingnut anchor system and method for connecting an anchor shaft extending from the backup wall to a wire tie extending from a veneer wall. The wingnut houses the wire tie legs and is independently rotatable to obtain the desired angular position. 
         [0030]    U.S. Pat. No. 8,037,653—Hohmann, Jr.—Issued Oct. 18, 2011 discloses a dual seal anchoring system for insulated cavity walls. The stud anchor has a dual-diameter barrel with thermally-isolating seals. 
         [0031]    The present invention provides an advancement in anchoring systems. The use of polymeric seals at key locations in the anchor provide thermal breaks between the highly conductive steel framing studs and the outer wythe. Further, the multiple seal structure prevents moisture from infiltrating the insulation and cavity and provides an adjustable method of veneer tie attachment. 
         [0032]    None of the above references provide the thermally insulated, multiple seal stud-type wall anchor or anchoring systems utilizing the innovations of this invention. As will become clear in reviewing the disclosure which follows, the insulated cavity wall structures benefit from the recent developments described herein that lead to solving the problems of thermal isolation, of insulation and air/vapor barrier integrity, of high-span applications, and of pin-point loading. The wall anchors, when combined with various veneer tie arrangements hereof, provide for angular adjustment therebetween, self-leveling installation, and seismic level of protection. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0033]    In general terms, one embodiment of the invention disclosed hereby is an anchoring system for use in an insulated cavity wall. The anchoring system has a thermally isolating stud-type wall anchor and a wire formative veneer tie. The wall anchor has an elongated dual-diameter barrel body with a driven self-drilling tip and consists of high-strength compressible seals that provide a thermal break between the inner wythe and the outer wythe. 
         [0034]    At the juncture of the smaller diameter barrel and the larger diameter barrel, there is a flange that houses a vapor seal. At the juncture of the larger diameter barrel and the driver head, there is a flange that houses an insulation seal. At the juncture of the threaded portion and the smaller diameter barrel, there is a flange that houses an insertion seal. The wall anchor is dimensioned with the length of the smaller diameter barrel (less the height of the vapor seal) to be coextensive with the drywall and the air/vapor barrier. Additionally, the wall anchor is dimensioned with the length of the larger diameter barrel (plus the height of the vapor seal) to be coextensive with the insulation. 
         [0035]    The structure taught by this invention overcomes both the problems of pin-point loading and of insulation integrity described in the Background of the Invention hereinabove. The pin-point loading is overcome by full body support throughout the drywall, the air/vapor barrier, and the insulation. The vapor seal, when the stud-type anchor is fully driven into place provides a seal over the insertion point into the air/vapor barrier. The insulation seal, when the stud-type anchor is fully driven into place, provides a seal over the opening of the anchor-receiving channel and thereby preserves the insulation integrity. Similarly, the insertion seal, when the anchor is fully driven into place, provides a seal at the insertion point in the inner wythe. The polymeric seals provide a thermal break between the inner and outer wythe and thereby maintain insulation R-values. The vapor seal and the larger barrel of the anchor, when installed, completely fill the anchor receiving channel and stabilize the wall anchor. The wall anchor is clamped in place by the seals. The anchor includes either two or three seals. The wall anchor is designed to work with a combination of the insertion seal and the vapor seal, the insertion seal and the insulation seal or a combination of all three. 
         [0036]    The stud-type anchor is disclosed as operating with a variety of veneer ties and drivers, each providing for different applications. A modified Byna-Tie® wire formative with a swaged side leg in the insertion portion expands the utility of the system to seismic applications and accommodates a wire reinforcement in the outer wythe. a tie with a U-shaped rear leg provides for accommodating the driver head at whatever angle it is at when fully driven into place. A tie with an angled rear leg provides for self-leveling as between the stud position and the bed joint height. A wingnut driver accommodates a tie with pintle side legs and provides for angular adjustment. 
       OBJECTS AND FEATURES OF THE INVENTION 
       [0037]    It is an object of the present invention to provide new and novel anchoring systems for insulated cavity walls, which systems provide high-strength thermally isolating components with multiple seals. 
         [0038]    It is another object of the present invention to prevent air infiltration and water penetration into and along the wall anchoring-receiving channel. 
         [0039]    It is yet another object of the present invention to provide adjustability of the veneer anchor to compensate for slight angular and height misalignments. 
         [0040]    It is a further object of the present invention to provide an anchoring system which fully supports the wall anchor along the length thereof, precludes pin-point loading and prevents disengagement under seismic and other severe environmental conditions. 
         [0041]    It is another object of the present invention to provide an anchoring system that maintains high insulation values. 
         [0042]    It is a feature of the present invention that the wall anchor has a dual-diameter barrel with a self-drilling screw tip which facilitates installation. 
         [0043]    It is another feature of the present invention that the wall anchor has high-strength compressible polymeric components that provide for a thermal break in the anchoring system. 
         [0044]    It is yet another feature of the present invention that the anchoring system has a wingnut extension that is angularly adjustable. 
         [0045]    It is still yet another feature of the present invention that the anchoring system is self-leveling with an infinity shaped veneer anchor. 
         [0046]    Other objects and features of the present invention will become apparent upon reviewing the drawing and reading the detailed description which follows. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0047]    In the following drawings, the same parts in the various views are afforded the same reference designators. 
           [0048]      FIG. 1  shows a first embodiment of this invention and is a perspective view of an anchoring system as applied to a cavity wall with an inner wythe of an insulated dry wall construction and an outer wythe of brick; 
           [0049]      FIG. 2  is a cross-sectional view of  FIG. 1  taken along an xz-plane including the longitudinal axis of the wall anchor, and showing three insulating seals; 
           [0050]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the wall anchor in an unassembled manner showing the dual-barrel configuration, the insulation seal, the vapor seal, the insertion seal and the self-drilling screw; 
           [0051]      FIG. 4  is a second embodiment of this invention and is a perspective view of an anchoring system similar to  FIG. 1 , but showing an anchor component with a single elongated aperture that houses the veneer tie, and an insertion and vapor seal; 
           [0052]      FIG. 5  is a partial perspective view of  FIG. 4  which shows the multiple sealing of the wall anchor, a wire reinforcement for seismic protection, and the angular adjustability of the veneer anchor; 
           [0053]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of the wall anchor of  FIG. 4  showing the dual-barrel configuration, the insertion seal, the vapor seal, and the self-drilling screw; 
           [0054]      FIG. 7  is a third embodiment of this invention and is a perspective view of an anchoring system similar to  FIG. 1 , but showing a self-leveling veneer anchor and the wall anchor with an insulation seal and an insertion seal; 
           [0055]      FIG. 8  shows a perspective view of a detail of  FIG. 7  that includes the wall anchor and the self-leveling veneer anchor; 
           [0056]      FIG. 9  is a cross sectional view of  FIG. 7  taken along an xz-plane including the longitudinal axis of the wall anchor; and, 
           [0057]      FIG. 10  is a cross-sectional view of  FIG. 7  taken along a yz-plane including the longitudinal axis of the wall anchor. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0058]    Before entering into the Detailed Description, several terms which will be revisited later are defined. These terms are relevant to discussions of innovations introduced by the improvements of this disclosure that overcome the deficits of the prior art devices. 
         [0059]    In the embodiments described hereinbelow, the inner wythe is provided with insulation. In both the dry wall construction (shown herein) and in the masonry block backup wall construction the insulation is applied to the outer surface thereof. Recently, building codes have required that after the anchoring system is installed and, prior to the inner wythe being closed up, that an inspection be made for insulation integrity to ensure that the insulation prevents infiltration of air and moisture. The term as used herein is defined in the same sense as the building code in that, “insulation integrity” means that, after the installation of the anchoring system, there is no change or interference with the insulative properties and concomitantly that there is substantially no change in the air and moisture infiltration characteristics. 
         [0060]    Anchoring systems for cavity walls are used to secure veneer facings to a buildings and overcome seismic and other forces, i.e. wind shear, etc. In the past, some systems have experienced failure because the forces have been concentrated at substantially a single point. Here, the term “pin-point loading” is defined as an anchoring system wherein forces are concentrated at a single point. In the Description which follows, means for supporting the wall anchor shaft to limit lateral movement are taught. 
         [0061]    In addition to that which occurs at the facing wythe, attention is further drawn to the construction at the exterior surface of the inner or backup wythe. Here there are two concerns, namely (1) maximizing the strength and ease of the securement of the wall anchor to the backup wall; and, (2) as previously discussed, maintaining the integrity of the insulation. The first concern is addressed using appropriate fasteners such as self-drilling screws for mounting to metal, drywall studs. The latter concern is addressed in a two-fold manner, first by employing a channel seal which surrounds the opening formed for the installation of the wall anchor (profile is seen in the cross-sectional drawing  FIG. 2 ) and secondly by using strategically placed thermally isolating seals set within the anchoring system. In the prior art, the metal anchors formed conductive bridges across the wall cavity to the metal studs of the inner wythe. Thus, where there is no thermal break, a concomitant loss of the insulative integrity results. The thermal conductivity of components is used to evaluate this phenomenon and the term is defined as the heat transfer resulting from metal-to-metal contacts across the inner wythe. 
         [0062]    In the detailed description, the veneer ties and reinforcements are wire formatives. The wall anchor contains thermally isolating seals composed of high-strength polymeric material. 
         [0063]    Referring now to  FIGS. 1 through 3 , the first embodiment shows an anchoring system suitable for seismic zone applications. This anchoring system, discussed in detail hereinbelow, has a wall anchor, an interengaging veneer tie, and a veneer (outer wythe) reinforcement. For the first embodiment, a cavity wall having an insulative layer of 4.0 inches (approx.) and a total span of 4.75 inches (approx.) is chosen as exemplary. 
         [0064]    The anchoring system for cavity walls is referred to generally by the numeral  10 . A cavity wall structure  12  is shown having an inner wythe or drywall backup  14  with sheetrock or wallboard  16  mounted on metal studs or columns  17  and an outer wythe or facing  18  of brick  20  construction. Inner wythes constructed of masonry materials or wood framing (not shown) are also applicable. Between the inner wythe  14  and the outer wythe  18 , a cavity  22  is formed. The cavity  22  has attached to the exterior surface  24  of the inner wythe  14  an air/vapor barrier  25  and insulation  26 . The insulation  26  shown is rigid insulation but other forms are applicable as well. The air/vapor barrier  25  and the wallboard  16  together form the exterior layer  28  of the inner wythe  14 , which exterior layer  28  has the insulation  26  disposed thereon. 
         [0065]    Successive bed joints  30  and  32  are substantially planar and horizontally disposed and, in accord with current building standards, are 0.375-inch (approx.) in height. Selective ones of bed joints  30  and  32 , which are formed between courses of bricks  20 , are constructed to receive therewithin the insertion portion of the veneer anchor. Being threadedly mounted in the inner wythe  14 , the wall anchor  40  is supported thereby and, as described in greater detail herein below, is configured to minimize air and moisture penetration around the wall anchor/inner wythe interface. 
         [0066]    For purposes of discussion, the cavity surface  24  of the inner wythe  14  contains a horizontal line or x-axis  34  and intersecting vertical line or y-axis  36 . A horizontal line or z-axis  38 , normal to the xy-plane, passes through the coordinate origin formed by the intersecting x- and y-axes. A wall anchor  40 , while shown as a unitary structure, may be manufactured as an assemblage of several distinct parts. 
         [0067]    The veneer tie  44  is a box Byna-Tie® device manufactured by Hohmann &amp; Barnard, Inc., Hauppauge, N.Y. 11788. The veneer tie  44  is a wire formative with pintle connectors that engage the apertures  55  and  57  in the wingnut  53  of the anchor  40 . The veneer tie  44  is shown in  FIG. 1  as being emplaced on a course of bricks  20  in preparation for embedment in the mortar of bed joint  30 . In this embodiment, the system includes a wire or outer wythe reinforcement  46 , a wall anchor  40  and a veneer tie  44 . The wire reinforcement  46  is constructed of a wire formative. 
         [0068]    At intervals along a horizontal surface  24 , wall anchors  40  are driven into place in the anchor-receiving channels  48 . The wall anchors  40  are positioned on surface  24  so that the longitudinal axis of wall anchor  40  is normal to an xy-plane and taps into column  17 . As best shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , the wall anchor  40  extends from a driven end  52  to a driver end or driving end  54 . The driven end  52  is constructed with a self-drilling screw portion or threaded portion  56 . 
         [0069]    Contiguous with screw portion  56  is a dual-diameter barrel with a smaller diameter barrel or first shaft portion  58 , with a substantially larger diameter than the threaded portion  56 , toward the driven end  52  and a larger diameter barrel or second shaft portion  60  toward the driver end  54 . At the juncture of the threaded portion  56  and the first shaft portion  58 , an insertion flange  51  is formed, and a stabilizing neoprene fitting or insertion seal  27  is emplaced thereat. At the juncture of barrel portions  58  and  60 , a vapor seal flange  62  is formed and a stabilizing neoprene fitting or vapor seal  64  is emplaced thereat. When fully driven into column  17  the screw  56  and barrel portion  58  of wall anchor  40  pierces the sheetrock or wallboard  16  and air/vapor barrier  25 . The vapor seal  64  is configured to seal the anchor-receiving channel  48  at the insertion point of the wall anchor  40  through the barrier  25 . The insulation seal  70  covers the insertion point or insulation flange  68 , formed at the junction of the driver portion  66  and the second shaft portion  60 , precluding air and moisture penetration therethrough and maintaining the integrity of barrier  25  by sealing the opening of the anchor-receiving channel  48 . 
         [0070]    At the driving end  54 , a driver portion  66  adjoins larger diameter barrel or shaft portion  60  forming an insulation flange  68  therebetween and another stabilizing neoprene fitting or insulation seal  70  is emplaced thereat. Upon installation into rigid insulation, the larger barrel portion  60  is forced into a press fit relationship with anchor-receiving channel  48 . Stabilization of this stud-type wall anchor  40  is attained by barrel portion  60  and vapor seal  60  completely filling the channel  48  with the insulation seal  70  capping the opening  72  of channel  48  into cavity  22  and clamping wall anchor  40  in place. This arrangement does not leave any end play or wiggle room for pin-point loading of the wall anchor and therefore does not loosen over time. With stabilizing fitting or insulation seal  70  in place, the insulation integrity within the cavity wall is maintained. The driver portion  66  is capable of being driven using a conventional chuck and, after being rotated to align with the bed joint  30 , the wingnut  53  is locked in place. The wingnut  53  has two apertures  55  and  57  for accommodating the veneer tie and has the effect of spreading stresses experienced during use and further reducing pin-point loading as opposite force vectors cancel one another. 
         [0071]    In producing wall anchor  48 , the length of the smaller diameter barrel  58  less the vapor seal  64  is dimensioned to match the external layer  28  thickness. Similarly, the length of the larger diameter barrel  60  plus the internal or vapor seal  64  height is dimensioned to match the insulation thickness. The threaded portion  56 , the first shaft portion  58 , the second shaft portion  60  and the driver portion  66  are constructed of material selected from a group consisting of galvanized steel, hot dip galvanized steel, stainless steel, and bright basic steel. 
         [0072]    In this embodiment, the driver portion  66  is a bolt  51  and washer  59  that secures a wingnut  53 . The two apertured ends  55  and  57  of the wingnut  53  receive the veneer tie  44 . The wingnut  53  is angularly adjusted to ensure proper alignment of the veneer tie  44 . The veneer tie  44  is a wire formative having two pintle leg portions  42  and  45 . The leg portions  42  and  45  are inserted into the apertured ends  55  and  57  of the wingnut  53  and extend to and, at the front portion thereof, are part of insertion portion  80  which is shown installed into bed joint  30 . The insertion portion  80  is constructed with two parallel front legs  82  and  84  adjoining leg portions  42  and  45 , respectively, and housing therebetween wire reinforcement  46 . At the juncture of side leg  42  and front leg  82 , a swaged area  86  is shown for further accommodating wire reinforcement  46 . 
         [0073]      FIG. 3  displays an exploded view that exhibits the components comprising the anchor of this embodiment. To provide a thermal break, when the inner wythe  16  is constructed from steel studs or columns  17 , between the inner wythe  16  and the outer wythe  18 , the insertion seal  27 , the insulation seal  70  and the vapor seal  64  are constructed from a high-strength, thermally-insulating polymeric material such as PVC, neoprene, or an equivalent. The present system includes either the insulation seal  70  and the insertion seal  27 , the vapor seal  64  and the insertion seal  27 , or the insulation seal  70 , the insertion seal  27  and the vapor seal  64 . 
         [0074]    The description which follows is a second embodiment of the anchoring system for insulated cavity walls of this invention. For ease of comprehension, wherever possible similar parts use reference designators  100  units higher than those above. Thus, the veneer tie  144  of the second embodiment is analogous to the veneer tie  44  of the first embodiment. Referring now to  FIGS. 4 ,  5  and  6 , the second embodiment of the anchoring system is shown and is referred to generally by the numeral  110 . As in the first embodiment, a wall structure  112  is shown. The second embodiment has an inner wythe or drywall back  114  with sheetrock or wallboard  116  mounted on metal studs or columns  117  and an outer wythe or facing wall  118  of brick  120  construction. Inner wythes constructed of masonry materials or wood framing (not shown) are also applicable. The cavity  122  has attached to the exterior surface  124  of the inner wythe  114  an air/vapor barrier  125  and insulation  126 . The air/vapor barrier  125  and the wallboard  116  together form the exterior layer  128  of the inner wythe  114 , which exterior layer  128  has the insulation  126  disposed thereon. 
         [0075]    Successive bed joints  130  and  132  are substantially planar and horizontally disposed and, in accord with current building standards, are 0.375-inch (approx.) in height. Selective ones of bed joints  130  and  132 , which are formed between courses of bricks  120 , are constructed to receive therewithin the insertion portion of the veneer anchor hereof. Being threadedly mounted in the inner wythe, the wall anchor is supported thereby and, as described in greater detail herein below, is configured to minimize air and moisture penetration around the wall anchor/inner wythe interface. 
         [0076]    For purposes of discussion, the cavity surface  124  of the inner wythe  114  contains a horizontal line or x-axis  134  and an intersecting vertical line or y-axis  136 . A horizontal line of z-axis  138 , normal to the xy-plane, passes through the coordinate origin formed by the intersecting x- and y-plane, passes through the coordinate origin formed by the intersecting x- and y-axes. A wall anchor construct  140  is shown, which penetrates the wallboard  116 . The wall anchor  140  is a unitary construct which is constructed for mounting in inner wythe  114  and for interconnection with veneer tie  144 . 
         [0077]    The veneer tie  144  is adapted from one shown and described in Hohmann, U.S. Pat. No. 4,875,319, which patent is incorporated herein by reference. The veneer tie  144  is shown in  FIG. 4  as being emplaced on a course of bricks  120  in preparation for embedment in the mortar bed joint  130 . In this embodiment, the system includes a wall anchor  140  and a veneer tie  144 . 
         [0078]    But for the structure of the driver portion  166 , the wall anchor  140  is like wall anchor  40  just described. Here, the driver portion  166  has an elongated aperture  174  for the interlacing of the veneer tie  144 . The veneer tie  144  is a wire formative having a U-shaped rear leg portion  142  for angular adjustment. From the rear leg  142 , two side legs  176  and  178  extend to and, at the front portion thereof, are part of insertion portion  180  which is shown installed into bed joint  130 . The insertion portion  180  is constructed with two parallel front legs  182  and  184  adjoining side legs  176  and  178 , respectively, and housing therebetween wire reinforcement  146 . At the juncture of side leg  178  and front leg  184 , a swaged area  186  is shown for further accommodating wire reinforcement  146 . 
         [0079]    At intervals along a horizontal surface  124 , wall anchors  140  are driven into place in the anchor-receiving channels  148 . The wall anchors  140  are positioned on surface  124  so that the longitudinal axis of wall anchor  140  is normal to an xy-plane and taps into column  117 . The wall anchor  140  extends from a driven end  152  to a driver end or driving end  154 . The driven end  152  is constructed with a self-drilling screw portion or threaded portion  156 . 
         [0080]    Contiguous with screw portion  156  is a dual-diameter barrel with a smaller diameter barrel or first shaft portion  158 , with a substantially larger diameter than the threaded portion  156 , toward the driven end  152  and a larger diameter barrel or second shaft portion  160  toward the driver end  154 . At the juncture of the threaded portion  156  and the first shaft portion  158 , an insertion flange  151  is formed, and a stabilizing neoprene fitting or insertion seal  127  is emplaced thereat. At the juncture of barrel portions  158  and  160 , a vapor seal flange  162  is formed and a stabilizing neoprene fitting or vapor seal  164  is emplaced thereat. When fully driven into column  117  the screw  156  and barrel portion  158  of wall anchor  140  pierces sheetrock or wallboard  116  and air/vapor barrier  125 . The vapor seal  164  is configured to seal the anchor-receiving channel  148  at the insertion point of the wall anchor  140  through the barrier  125 . The insulation seal  170  covers the insertion point or insulation flange  168 , formed at the junction of the driver portion  166  and the second shaft portion  160 , precluding air and moisture penetration therethrough and maintaining the integrity of barrier  125  and insulation  126  by sealing the opening of the anchor-receiving channel  148 . 
         [0081]    Upon installation into rigid insulation, the larger barrel portion  160  is forced into a press fit relationship with anchor-receiving  148 . Stabilization of the stud-type wall anchor  140  is attained by barrel portion  160  and vapor seal  164  completely filling the channel  148  with insulation seal  170  capping the opening  172  of channel  148  into cavity  122  and clamping wall anchor  140  in place. This arrangement does not leave any end play or wiggle room for pin-point loading of the wall anchor  140  and therefore does not loosen over time. With stabilizing fitting or insulation seal  170  in place, the insulation integrity within the cavity wall is maintained. The driver portion  166  is capable of being driven using a conventional chuck and, after being rotated to align with the bed joint  130 . 
         [0082]    In producing wall anchor  148 , the length of the smaller diameter barrel or first shaft portion  158  less the vapor seal  164  height is dimensioned to match the external layer  128  thickness. Similarly, the length of the larger diameter barrel or second shaft portion  160  plus the internal or vapor seal  164  height is dimensioned to match the insulation thickness. The threaded portion  156 , the first shaft portion  158 , the second shaft portion  160  and the driver portion  166  are constructed of material selected from a group consisting of galvanized steel, hot dip galvanized steel, stainless steel, and bright basic steel. 
         [0083]    To provide a thermal break, when the inner wythe  116  is constructed from steel studs or columns  117 , between the inner wythe  116  and the outer wythe  118 , the insertion seal  127 , the insulation seal  170  and the vapor seal  164  are constructed from a high-strength, thermally-insulating polymeric material such as PVC, neoprene, or an equivalent. The present system includes either the insulation seal  170  and the insertion seal  127 , the vapor seal  164  and the insertion seal  127 , or the insulation seal  170 , the insertion seal  127  and the vapor seal  164 . 
         [0084]    The description which follows is a third embodiment of the anchoring system for insulated cavity walls of this invention. For ease of comprehension, whenever possible similar parts use reference designators  200  units high than those in the first embodiment. Referring now to  FIGS. 7 through 10 , the third embodiment is shown and referred to generally by the numeral  210 . 
         [0085]    A cavity wall structure  212  is shown having an inner wythe or drywall backup  214  with sheetrock or wallboard  216  mounted on metal studs or columns  217  and an outer wythe or facing wall  218  of brick  220  construction. Inner wythes constructed of masonry materials or wood framing (not shown) are also applicable. The cavity  222  has attached to the exterior surface  224  of the inner wythe  214  an air/vapor barrier  225  and insulation  226 . 
         [0086]    Successive bed joints  230  and  232  are substantially planar and horizontally disposed and, in accord with building standards, are 0.375-inch (approx.) in height. Selective ones of bed joints  230  and  232 , which are formed between courses of bricks  220 , are constructed to receive therewithin the insertion portion of the veneer anchor hereof. Being threadedly mounted in the inner wythe, the wall anchor is supported thereby and, as described in greater detail hereinbelow, is configured to minimize air and moisture penetration around the wall anchor/inner wythe interface. For purposes of discussion, the cavity surface  224  of the inner wythe  214  contains a horizontal line or x-axis  234  and intersecting vertical line or y-axis  236 . A horizontal line or z-axis  238 , normal to the xy-plane, passes through the coordinate origin formed by the intersecting x- and y-axes. The anchor  240  is substantially the same as the anchor  140  described in the second embodiment, above. 
         [0087]    The veneer tie  244  is a self-leveling tie and corrects slight misalignment between wall anchor and bed joint levels. The veneer tie  244  is shown in  FIGS. 8 ,  9  and  10  as being emplaced on a course of bricks  220  in preparation for embedment in the mortar of bed joint  230 . As shown in this embodiment, the system does not include a wire or outer wythe reinforcement ( 46 ,  FIG. 1 ), but could easily be modified to incorporate the same. 
         [0088]    At intervals along a vertical surface  224 , wall anchors  240  are driven into place in the anchor-receiving channels  248 . The wall anchors  240  are positioned on surface  224  so that the longitudinal axis of wall anchor  240  is normal to and taps into the backup wall  214 . As best shown in  FIGS. 9 and 10 , the wall anchor  240  extends from a driven end  252  to a driver or driving end  254 . The driven end  252  is constructed with a self-drilling screw portion or threaded portion  256 . 
         [0089]    Contiguous with screw portion  256  is a dual-diameter barrel with a smaller or first diameter barrel or first shaft portion  258  toward the driven end  252  and a larger diameter or second diameter barrel or second shaft portion  260  toward the driver end  254 . At the juncture of the screw portion  256  and the first shaft portion  260 , an insertion flange  251  is formed and a stabilizing, thermally-isolating compressible fitting or insertion seal  227  is emplaced thereat. At the juncture of barrel portions  258  and  260 , a vapor seal flange  262  is formed and a stabilizing thermally-isolating compressible fitting or vapor seal  264  is emplaced thereat. When fully driven into the inner wythe  214 , the vapor seal  264  and barrel portion  260  of wall anchor  240  are drawn into the insulation  226 . Further, the seal  264  abuts the insertion point precluding air and moisture penetration thereinto. 
         [0090]    At the driving end  254 , a driver portion  266  adjoins larger diameter barrel or second shaft portion  260  forming an insulation flange  268  therebetween and another stabilizing thermally-isolating compressible fitting or insulation seal  270  is emplaced thereat. Upon installation into rigid insulation, the larger barrel portion  260  is forced into a press fit relationship with anchor-receiving channel  248 . Stabilization of this stud-type wall anchor  240  is attained by barrel portion  260  and vapor seal  264  completely filling the channel  248  with insertion seal  270  capping the opening  272  of channel  248  into cavity  222  and clamping wall anchor  240  in place. With stabilizing fitting or insulation seal  270  in place, the insulation integrity within the cavity wall is maintained. 
         [0091]    The threaded portion  256 , the first shaft portion  258 , the second shaft portion  260  and the driver portion  266  are constructed of material selected from a group consisting of galvanized steel, hot dip galvanized steel, stainless steel, and bright basic steel. To provide a thermal break, when the inner wythe  216  is constructed from steel studs or columns  217 , between the inner wythe  216  and the outer wythe  218 , the insertion seal  227 , the insulation seal  270  and the vapor seal  264  are constructed from a high-strength, thermally-insulating polymeric material such as PVC, neoprene, or an equivalent. 
         [0092]    Here, the veneer tie  244  is a wire formative having a rear leg  242  set at an angle to the front legs. In this embodiment, the driver portion  266  has an elongated aperture  274  for the interlacing of veneer tie  244 . From the rear leg  242 , two side legs  276  and  278  extend to and, at the front portion thereof, are part of insertion portion  280 . Because of the angular displacement, one of the side legs extends upwardly to the insertion portion; and the other, downwardly. The insertion portion  280  is constructed with two front legs  282  and  284  adjoining side legs  276  and  278 , respectively. The veneer tie  244  is self-leveling as, upon insertion into bed joint  230 , the position along rear leg  242  of aperture  274  is established. 
         [0093]    In the above description of anchoring systems for insulated cavity walls of this invention various configurations are described and applications thereof in corresponding settings are provided. Because varying and different embodiments may be made within the scope of the inventive concept herein taught, and because many modifications may be made in the embodiments herein detailed in accordance with the descriptive requirement of the law, it is to be understood that the details herein are to be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense. Thus minor changes may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention.