Patent ID: 8739486

Claim:
A bracket apparatus for an insulated building structure, comprising: a sheathing mounting element including a mounting surface configured to receive a mechanical fastener; and a spacer attached to the sheathing mounting element and extending away from the sheathing mounting element by a predetermined standoff distance, wherein the spacer defines a contact pattern configured to prevent pivoting motion of the spacer relative to a planar surface and comprises a sheet-metal plate oriented perpendicular to the mounting surface, the sheet-metal plate including two spaced-apart lateral edges and terminating at a cutting edge that extends between the lateral edges; and wherein the sheathing mounting element comprises an inverted “U”-shape with a web and two spaced-apart flanges downturned over the spacer such that each of the flanges contacts and extends partially along a corresponding one of the lateral edges, leaving the cutting edge exposed between the two lateral edges, such that the spacer is configured to penetrate fibrous insulation by cutting action of the cutting edge.