The present invention relates to construction ties for use in securing the U-channels for motorized retractable screens to the façade building material used to cover support columns.
The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated into and form a part of the specification, illustrate one or more embodiments of the present invention and, together with this description, serve to explain the principles of the invention. The drawings merely illustrate a preferred embodiment of the invention and are not to be construed as limiting the scope of the invention.
Built-in motorized retractable screens for patios and lanais are becoming increasingly popular in both residential and commercial buildings.
As shown in
The present invention provides a construction tie specially designed to secure the façade material 24 to the screen's vertical U-channels 20 to hold the column 22 together firmly. The inventive tie is inexpensive to manufacture and simple to install. These and other advantages will be apparent from the following description of illustrative non-limiting embodiments.
Turning now to
As seen in
With continuing reference to
The clip member 102 is configured to receive and closely conform to the U-channel 20 so that the first and second sides 34 and 36 of the U-channel abut the first and second side sections 108 and 110 of the clip 102, as best seen in
The tie 100 further comprises at least one flange and, in this embodiment, comprises first and second flanges 122 and 124. The first flange 122 extends from the bottom edge 118 of the first side 108 of the clip 102, and the second flange 124 extends from the bottom edge of the second side 110 of the clip.
In some embodiments, the tie 100 is initially formed with the flanges 122 and 124 in a first position, shown in
However, each flange 122 and 124 is configured to be bent manually at the point adjacent the bottom edge 118 of the clip 102 into a second position, shown in
As exemplified herein, both of the flanges of the tie are joined to the clip at the bottom edge. It will be appreciated, that in some embodiments, the flanges may be attached at a location along the length of the clip or at the top edge of the clip. Still further, in other embodiments, the flanges may be joined to the clip at the same vertical position or they may be positioned a distance apart vertically so as to accommodate different façade materials.
In the illustrative embodiment of
In most embodiments, it is desirable to configure the flanges in a manner that will grip or otherwise engage the mortar when installed. In the embodiments shown herein, the flanges 122 and 124 are provided with one or more cut-outs 130. Other configurations are also suitable. For example, the flanges may include corrugations or ribs.
After the brick or other façade 24 is completed and the mortar has set up, the U-channel 20 may be secured to the clip 102. For example, screws or bolts (not shown) may be drilled through the side sections 34 and 36 of the U-channel into the first and second sides 108 and 110 of the clip 102. Additionally, or alternately, the back 32 of the U-channel 24 may be screwed or bolted to the back section 106 of the clip 102.
Because the tie 100 secures the screen's U-channel 20 to both abutting borders of the brick or other facade material 24, the columns 22 have greater stability. Also, this attachment eliminates the need for costly wood framing inside the column. Still further, with multiple ties spaced vertically along the U-channel 20, the center of the U-channel is prevented from moving radially relative to the center of the column 22.
However, as mentioned, in this embodiment, the tie 100 is configured so that it is hidden when application of the façade material 22 is completed. To locate the hidden ties 100, the present invention may be provided with a way to detect the location of the hidden ties. In this embodiment, and in instances where the U-channel is aluminum or some other non-ferrous material, the ties may comprise a magnetically detectable material. To that end, the ties may be integrally formed from 18-gauge steel sheet metal. In this way, the ties can be located easily using a magnet or stud finder.
Turning for a moment to
Having described how to make and use the construction tie of the present invention, its use now will be explained with reference to
If the ties 100 are provided to the site with the flanges in the first or unbent position, as seen in
Next, the shaped construction 100 tie is positioned with the clip 102 on the back 32 of the U-channel 20 and the flanges 122 and 124 laid out over the top of the adjacent brick 24. Mortar then may be applied over the bricks and the flanges 122 and 134. After laying a second section of bricks, another tie 100 is installed. This process is repeated until the installation of the façade material 24 is completed.
After application of the façade material 24, the U-channel 20 may be secured to the tie. In this embodiment, in which the ties are steel, the ties 100 is easily located using a magnet or stud finder because the U-Channel is non-ferrous. Then, the U-channel 20 is screwed or bolted to the clip 102 through the inside of U-channel. Now it will be appreciated that the installed ties 100 form a secure linkage between the U-channel 20 and adjacent façade material.
The inventive ties may be sold separately. Alternately, the ties may be included in a kit for installing the screen system. Still further, the screen system may include the ties for use with the U-channels.
For the purpose of this description, the words left, right, front, back, top, bottom, vertical, horizontal, lateral, medial, inside, and outside may be used to describe the various parts and directions of the invention as depicted in use in
The embodiments shown and described above are exemplary. Many details are often found in the art and, therefore, many such details are neither shown nor described herein. It is not claimed that all of the details, parts, elements, or steps described and shown were invented herein. Even though numerous characteristics and advantages of the present inventions have been described in the drawings and accompanying text, the description is illustrative only. Changes may be made in the details, especially in matters of shape, size, and arrangement of the parts within the principles of the inventions to the full extent indicated by the broad meaning of the terms of the attached claims. The description and drawings of the specific embodiments herein do not point out what an infringement of this patent would be, but rather provide an example of how to use and make the invention. Likewise, the abstract is neither intended to define the invention, which is measured by the claims, nor is it intended to be limiting as to the scope of the invention in any way. Rather, the limits of the invention and the bounds of the patent protection are measured by and defined in the following claims.
This application claims the benefit of U.S. provisional application No. 63/343,907, entitled “Improved Construction Tie for Securing U-Channels Vertically in Columns,” filed May 19, 2022, and U.S. provisional application No. 63/309,957, entitled “Improved Construction Tie for Securing U-Channels Vertically in Columns,” filed Feb. 14, 2022, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.
Number | Date | Country | |
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63309957 | Feb 2022 | US | |
63343907 | May 2022 | US |