GB1604941A

GB1604941A - Wall construction method

Info

Publication number: GB1604941A
Application number: GB1259678A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: FURR D
Current assignee: FURR D
Priority date: 1978-05-26
Filing date: 1978-05-26
Publication date: 1981-12-16

Description

(54) WALL CONSTRUCTION (71) I, DONALD FURR, a British subject of 97A, Old Lodge Lane, Purley, Surrey CR2 4DD, do hereby declare the invention, for which I pray that a patent may be granted to me, and the method by which it is to be performed, to be particularly described in and by the following statement:- This invention relates to a new method of building, to a device for use in the method and to buildings constructed by the method.

It is known that when a new wall is to be built on to an existing wall a firm bond must be made between the new and existing walls.

When the walls are of brick with staggered mortar joints the usual method of "tying in" the new wall to the existing wall is to cut into alternate brick courses of the existing wall recesses into which alternate brick courses of the second wall are inserted. The depth of the recesses is generally half the length of a brick. It is of course time-consuming and therefore expensive to cut the recesses. Alternatively when a first wall is built with the intention of building a second wall onto it, appropriately spaced recesses may be left.

This avoids the need to cut into the finished wall, but requires skill and care to ensure that the recesses left are accurately aligned.

Neither of therknown methods is suitable when a new brick wall is to be built onto an existing concrete wall.

The present invention provides a method of building into a first wall a second wall of brick or building blocks which comprises fixing to the first wall a member having a back surface adapted to be fixed to the first wall and having two side surfaces substantially parallel to each other, the angle between the side surfaces and the back surface being substantially equal to the desired angle between the first and second walls and building the second wall onto the first wall one end of the second wall being within the space between the two side surfaces of the member and retained against sideways movement by them.

It will be appreciated that in the method of the invention, the member may be fixed to the first wall when it is only partially built.

The second wall can then be built simultaneously with the first wall, using the member as a guide.

The method of the invention is suitable for building, e.g. brick walls, or walls of building blocks generally, such as breeze blocks, or insulation blocks, and Thermalite, Celcon or Lignacite blocks. "Thermalite", "Celcon" and "Lignacite" are registered Trade Marks.

The member attached to the existing wall will generally extend from the floor on which the wall is built to the top of the wall.

Appropriately spaced holes or gaps may be left to provide for the fixing of e.g. skirting boards to the finished walls.

The side surface of the member fixed to the existing wall should project a sufficient distance, e.g. from 1" to 6" from the wall to provide adequate support for the new wall.

When the new wall is to be of brick a suitable distance would be about half the length of a brick, about 4". That distance, i.e. about 4", would also be suitable for walls constructed from e.g. building blocks. It will, of course, be appreciated that smaller (or larger) distances can also be used.

If the two walls are to be built at an angle to each other not equal to 90 degrees, members having two surfaces at any appropriate angle are used.

The method of the invention may be carried out by fixing to the wall a member, e.g. of steel, having a back surface and two side surfaces at right angles to the back surface, which has holes or preferably slots to allow the member to be fixed to the existing wall by means of screws or bolts. The new wall is then built onto the existing wall, one end of the new wall being within the space between the two side surfaces and retained against sideways movement by them.

When the back wall has slots the member may be fixed loosely to the wall in an approximately vertical position and then adjusted to the vertical position by means of e.g. a plumb line before final tightening of the fixing screws or bolts.

The member to be fixed to the existing wall should be sufficiently strong to provide adequate support for the new wall. Metal surfaces, preferable steel, are suitable. As the surfaces in use are in contact with e.g.

mortar, non-rusting or rust-proofed, e.g. galvanised, surfaces are preferred.

In a preferred method of the invention the member is used in conjunction with "ties" to strengthen the bond between the new and existing walls. A first method comprises spacing the back surface of the member from the existing wall when the member is fixed to it, for example by using appropriately positioned washers when the member is fixed by bolts or screws. The back surface of the member should have suitably positioned holes, e.g. slots, preferably vertical, to allow a suitable tie to be pushed through and retained in the space between the member and the existing wall, a portion of the tie projecting into the space between the two side surfaces of the member for use when the new wall is built.

Two suitable ties are illustrated schematically in Figures I and II of the drawings filed with the provisional specification. The tie in Figure I is formed from a strip of metal, the centre portion of which is bent to a loop (1) with two fiat portions (2). The point of contact (3) of the portions may be welded but this is not necessary, for the reason outlined below.

The tie in Figure II is also formed from a strip of metal having a back portion (4) and a projecting portion (5).

When the back surface of the member has vertical slots the back portion of either tie is pushed into the space between the member and the existing wall, then turned to the horizontal to retain the tie in position. The projecting loop (2) or portion (5) is then used as a normal tie when the new wall is built. It will be appreciated that when the tie illustrated in Figure I is used and there is no weld at the point of contact (3), the two flat portions (2) will be retained in position by the sides of the slot.

Although the side surfaces which project from the wall will generally be perpendicular to the wall (and therefore to the back surface which is attached to the wall) the side surface may be angled so that the two angles between the side surfaces and the wall are slightly less than 90 degrees, i.e. the distance between the side faces adjacent the wall is greater than the distance between them away from the wall. The difference will not generally be more than about i". This may help to retain the new wall between the two side surfaces, the empty space between the new wall and the side surfaces being filled with a shallow wedge of mortar as the second wall is built.

The side surfaces projecting from the wall may have a lip remote from the wall to help retain the end of the new wall, when built, between the two side surfaces.

The back surface of the member fixed to the existing wall may have means to grip the existing wall when the member is fixed to it.

For example lines of serrated projections may be spaced on the back surface of a member, projecting for example by about 4", the spacing being such that when mortar joints are present in the existing wall the projections are driven into the horizontal mortar joints. The projections could be arranged to engage the vertical mortar joints, but these are less likely to be sufficiently regular.

When the existing and/or new walls are to be rendered or plastered, surfaces fixed to the existing wall and retaining surfaces in contact with the new wall will generally be concealed by the rendering or plaster.

The member used in the method of the invention will generally be made of metal, e.g. mild steel, to which plaster or rendering does not easily adhere. One or both side surfaces preferably have means to provide a key for rendering or plaster which may be applied over the member when the walls are complete. When a surface of a member is to be covered by e.g. plaster, it is desirable to ensure that the plaster will key to it. For example metal mesh may be fixed to the surface, e.g. by spot welding or, as is preferred any surface to be covered may have a plurality of small holes, e.g. 4 & in diame- ter. Alternatively the surface may have larger holes or slots to reveal the wall beneath, to which plaster or rendering will key in the normal way.The holes or slots may have any desired shape and position provided that the surface still provides adequate support for the new wall.

Although as described above the method of the invention will generally be used in the construction of walls which are at right angles to each other, the side surfaces of the various members described above may be at any desired angle to enable the new wall to be built onto the existing wall at an angle other than 90 degrees. Any space between the back surface of the member fixed to the existing wall may of course be filled with mortar-In general where there is a space between the new wall and the supporting surface it will be filled with mortar.

The invention is further illustrated in the drawings filed with the provisional specification. Figure III is a plan view of an existing wall (6) with a new wall (7), a steel member (8) being fixed to the existing wall by screws (9).

Figure V is a schematic illustration of an alternative method of using one of the ties shown in Figure I or II when either the whole tie or the ends (12) of the flat portions are easily bent. The sides of the member (13) are provided with slots (14) through which the ends (12) project and are then bent to retain the tie in position.

The invention also provides a member suitable for use in the method of the invention having a back surface with means to grip the first wall when the member is fixed to it, the back surface being adapted to be fixed to the wall, and two side surfaces substantially parallel to each other (and preferably substantially perpendicular to the back surface), one or both of the side surfaces having means to provide a key for rendering or plaster which may be applied over the member. For example, one or both side surfaces of the member may have metal mesh fixed to it or one or both surfaces may have a plurality of small holes. Alternatively one or both side surfaces may have holes of any desired shape or configuration to expose the surface of a wall and thereby provide a key for plaster or rendering. The back surface of the member preferably has holes or slots.The means on the back surface to grip the first wall are preferably lines of serrated projections.

The side surfaces of the member may also be angled so that the two angles between the side surfaces and the wall are slightly less than 90 degrees, the distance between the side surfaces adjacent the wall being greater than the distance between them away from the wall.

Walls built in accordance with the method of the invention and incorporating one or more members according to the invention also constitute a feature of the invention.

It will be appreciated that the method of the invention need not be carried out by one person; for example, the member may be fixed to the existing wall by one person and the new wall built by another.

WHAT I CLAIM IS: 1. A method of building onto a first wall a second wall of brick or building blocks which comprises fixing to the first wall a member having a back surface adapted to be fixed to the first wall and having two side surfaces substantially parallel to each other, the angle between the side surfaces and the back surface being substantially equal to the desired angle between the first and second walls and building the second wall onto the first wall one end of the second wall being within the space between the two side surfaces of the member and retained against sideways movement by them.

2. A method according to claim I wherein both walls are of brick or building blocks.

3. A method according to claim I or 2 wherein the two side surfaces of the member are substantially perpendicular to the back surface.

4. A method according to claim 1 2 or 3 wherein the back surface of the member has slots, the member is fixed loosely to the first wall in an approximately vertical position and is then adjusted to the vertical position before final fixing.

5. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 4 wherein the two side surfaces of the member have holes to allow the surfaces to be fixed to the second wall when built.

6. A method according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the member is of non-rusting or rust-proofed material.

7. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 6 wherein the member is used in conjunction with ties to strengthen the bond between the first and second walls.

8. A method according to claim 7 wherein the back surface of the member is spaced from the first wall when the member is fixed to it and the said back surface has holes to allow a suitable tie to be pushed through and retained in the space between the member and the first wall, a portion of the tie projecting into the space between the two side surfaces of the member.

9. A method according to claim 7 or 8 wherein a tie substantially as illustrated in Figure I or II is used.

10. A method according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the side surfaces are angled so that the distance between the side surfaces of the member adjacent the first wall is slightly greater than the distance between them away from that wall.

11. A method according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the side surfaces of the member projecting from the first wall have a lip remote from the wall to help retain the end of the second wall, when built, between the two surfaces.

12. A method according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the back surface of the member fixed to the first wall has means to grip that wall when the member is fixed to it.

13. A method according to claim 12 wherein the means are lines of serrated projections spaced on the back surface of a member.

14. A method according to any one of the preceding claims wherein one or both side surfaces of the member have means to provide a key for rendering or plaster which may be applied over the member when the walls are complete.

15. A method according to claim 14 wherein one or both side surfaces of the member has metal mesh fixed to it.

16. A method according to claim 14 wherein one or both side surfaces has a plurality of small holes.

17. A method according to claim 14 wherein one of both side surfaces have holes of any desired shape or configuration to expose the surface of a wall and thereby provide a key for plaster or rendering.

18. A method according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the side surfaces of

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. The invention also provides a member suitable for use in the method of the invention having a back surface with means to grip the first wall when the member is fixed to it, the back surface being adapted to be fixed to the wall, and two side surfaces substantially parallel to each other (and preferably substantially perpendicular to the back surface), one or both of the side surfaces having means to provide a key for rendering or plaster which may be applied over the member. For example, one or both side surfaces of the member may have metal mesh fixed to it or one or both surfaces may have a plurality of small holes. Alternatively one or both side surfaces may have holes of any desired shape or configuration to expose the surface of a wall and thereby provide a key for plaster or rendering. The back surface of the member preferably has holes or slots.The means on the back surface to grip the first wall are preferably lines of serrated projections. The side surfaces of the member may also be angled so that the two angles between the side surfaces and the wall are slightly less than 90 degrees, the distance between the side surfaces adjacent the wall being greater than the distance between them away from the wall. Walls built in accordance with the method of the invention and incorporating one or more members according to the invention also constitute a feature of the invention. It will be appreciated that the method of the invention need not be carried out by one person; for example, the member may be fixed to the existing wall by one person and the new wall built by another. WHAT I CLAIM IS:

1. A method of building onto a first wall a second wall of brick or building blocks which comprises fixing to the first wall a member having a back surface adapted to be fixed to the first wall and having two side surfaces substantially parallel to each other, the angle between the side surfaces and the back surface being substantially equal to the desired angle between the first and second walls and building the second wall onto the first wall one end of the second wall being within the space between the two side surfaces of the member and retained against sideways movement by them.

the member fixed to the first wall project from the wall by 1" to 6".

19. A method according to claim 18 wherein the surfaces project by about 4".

20. A method according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the member is made of steel.

21. A method according to claim 1 substantially as hereinbefore described.

22. A method according to claim 1 substantially as hereinbefore described with especial reference to Figure III or V.

23. Adjoining walls built by a method according to any one of claims 1 to 22.

24. A member suitable for use in.a method according to claim 1, having a back surface with means to grip the first wall when the member is fixed to it, the back surface being adapted to be fixed to the wall, and two side surfaces substantially parallel to each other, one or both of the side surfaces having means to provide a key for rendering or plaster which may be applied over the member.

25. A member according to claim 24 in which the two side surfaces of the member are substantially perpendicular to the back surface.

26. A member according to claim 24 or 25 in which the side surfaces are angled so that the two angles between the side surfaces and the wall are slightly less than 90 degrees, the distance between the side surfaces adjacent the wall being greater than the distance between them away from the wall.

27. A member according to claim 24, 25 or 26 in which the back surface has holes or slots therein.

28. A member according to any one of claims 24 to 27 in which one or both side surfaces of the member has metal mesh fixed to it.

29. A member according to any one of claims 24 to 27 in which one or both side surfaces has a plurality of small holes.

30. A member according to any one of claims 24 to 27 in which one or both side surfaces have holes of any desired shape or configuration to expose the surface of a wall and thereby provide a key for plaster or rendering.

31. A member according to any one of claims 24 to 30 in which the back surface has lines of serrated projections to grip the first wall when the member is fixed to it.

32. A member according to claim 24 substantially as hereinbefore described.

33. A member according to claim 24 substantially as herein before described with especial reference to Figure III or V.

34. A member according to any one of claims 24 to 33 when used in a method according to any one of claims 1 to 23.

35. Adjoining walls incorporating one or more members according to any one of claims 24 to 34.