The present invention relates to an improvement in anchoring systems used masonry walls and masonry construction.
Masonry is the construction of a structure by smaller units, such as masonry blocks, which are bonded together by mortar. Many modern building systems employ some use of masonry block construction. Typically this construction involves setting a row of masonry blocks, applying mortar, and stacking a plurality of masonry blocks row by row, typically staggering one row upon another as the rows increase. Reinforcement is typically accomplished with the use of vertical rebar and grout within a cavity of masonry blocks. Over the years several inventions have been developed to provide spacing and reinforcement for masonry construction.
One such invention for reinforcing spacers is Hohmann, J R's U.S. Patent Application, US 2010/0101166 A1 (“Hohmann”). As described, the application is directed to a reinforcing and spacing device for use with masonry wall structures. The spacer includes parallel side rods with interconnecting intermediate rods and spacing nodes disposed on the side rods and the intermediate rods. However, this invention is not easily portable between manufacturing and construction sites, and does not sufficiently anchor the blocks in multiple axial directions.
Thus, a need in the industry has arisen for a masonry block anchor system.
The present invention provides for a masonry system constructed of non-combustible material, having at least one anchor having three vertical legs attached to a central horizontal member, and two vertical legs attached to the central horizontal member extending in an opposite direction from the three vertical legs, wherein the three vertical legs include a central leg and two outer legs, wherein two vertical legs meet the central horizontal member at a connection point opposite of a spacing between the three vertical legs.
Further, included in the present invention is at least one block having four outer walls and one inner wall defining two internal vertical cavities, wherein the four outer walls include two sidewalls connected by two end walls, and the inner wall connecting to the two sidewalls.
The invention further provides that the three vertical legs of the at least one anchor are spaced apart from one another a complementary distance to a thickness of the end walls of the at least one block, and two vertical legs of the at least one anchor are spaced apart from one another a complementary distance to a thickness of the inner wall of the at least one block. Each of the at least one anchors includes two spaces, formed from space created between the inner leg and each of the outer legs, for recessing the end walls, and each of the at least one anchor includes one space, formed from space created between the two vertical legs, for recessing the inner wall of the at least one block
The present invention provides for a method of using a 2-part masonry block anchor system in masonry construction by providing at least one block having four outer walls and one inner wall defining two internal vertical cavities, wherein the four outer walls comprise two sidewalls connected by two end walls, the inner wall connecting to the two sidewalls.
The method further includes providing at least one anchor having three vertical legs attached to a central horizontal member, and two vertical legs attached to the central horizontal member extending in an opposite direction from the three vertical legs, wherein the three vertical legs include a central leg and two outer legs, and the two vertical legs meet the central horizontal member at a connection point opposite of a spacing between the three vertical legs. The three vertical legs of the at least one anchor are spaced apart from one another a complementary distance to a thickness of the end walls of the at least one block, and the two vertical legs of the at least one anchor are spaced apart from one another a complementary distance to a thickness of the inner wall of the at least one block. Each of the at least one anchors includes two spaces, formed from space created between the inner leg and each of the outer legs, for recessing the end walls, and each of the at least one anchor includes one space, formed from space created between the two vertical legs, for recessing the inner wall of the at least one block.
Additionally provided for in the method is placing a plurality of the at least blocks end to end, combining and engaging the at least one anchor with the plurality of blocks by securing with at least one anchor, thereby securing the plurality of blocks in a multilateral direction, wherein the multilateral direction includes both X axial and Y axial directions by recessing the sidewall of the at least one block within the space between the outer leg of the at least one anchor and the inner leg of the at least one anchor, and recessing the inner wall of the at least one block within the space between the two vertical legs of the at least one anchor, administering mortar to a top surface of a block in the plurality of blocks, placing at least one block on top of a joint of two lower blocks, thereby engaging at least one of the block anchors where the walls of the block are secured between the legs of the block anchors, and securing a vertical Z axial direction with weight of a plurality of blocks on a row of blocks above.
It is an object of the current invention to provide ease of constructability with limited experience in masonry construction
It is another object of the current invention to allow structures to withstand both gravity, lateral, seismic, and uplift loads due to wind
It is yet further an objective of the current invention to improve the overall structural strength of masonry construction
It is a further an objective to provide a system with benefits that include preventing walls from caving in or being easily penetrated with objects such as cars and heavy equipment.
It is yet a further objective to allow a user to construct the structure's sections without skilled labor.
Lastly, it is an objective of the current invention to that the masonry block anchor provides the user independence, consistency and overall quality product.
The above and yet other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the hereinafter set forth Brief Description of the Drawings, Detailed Description of the Invention and Claims appended herewith.
The present masonry block anchor system is a tool that is used in the layout of masonry construction. As mentioned, masonry is the construction of a structure by smaller units, such as masonry blocks, which are bonded together by mortar. The purpose of the masonry block anchor system is to ensure that the blocks are laid out uniformly as well as reinforcing each joint and the entire structure. The present masonry block anchor system restricts movement laterally in both the x-axial direction and y-axial direction and vertically in the z-axial direction. This system is made of non-combustible material and has x-axis, y-axis, and z-axis dimensions.
The present invention consists of three legs facing downwards in the z-axial direction with two outer legs gripping on the outer web of the two adjacent masonry blocks and the middle leg separating from one block to the other, configurable with ⅜″ space between the blocks to meet standard masonry construction requirements. The blocks are to be arranged in the x, z plane and the masonry block anchor is to be placed In between them along the x-axial direction. The application in the z-axial direction differs mainly that the two top legs are to secure the center web of the upper block.
The resulting configuration would look as if there were two blocks laid out in the x-axial direction with one masonry block anchor in between them, with that same masonry block anchor in the middle of two successive blocks the system secures one block directly above it in the middle, giving the impression of a pyramid, triangular shape structure.
The masonry block anchor system has two types of applications: (1) Blocks without grooves and (2) blocks with grooves. In the system using blocks without grooves, no precut grooves will be cut into the block and the masonry block anchor will attach to the block with adhesive, such as pre-applied double-sided adhesive tape with peal cover. In the system using blocks with grooves, a precut grove will be cut into the block to allow for improved stability allowing the masonry block anchor to settle into the block and use the block itself for structural reinforcement.
The purpose of placing these masonry block anchors in between each of the masonry structures is to secure each unit and create an overall system. This system will act like a monolithic wall held together by the masonry block anchors, drawing on each unit for it's overall strength. This system's application can benefit structures to withstand both gravity, lateral, seismic, and uplift loads due to wind. Improving the overall structure's strength is the primary goal of the masonry block anchor system. Further benefits include preventing walls from caving in or being easily penetrated with objects such as cars and heavy equipment. The restriction of movement of each masonry unit allows the structure to move as one. That is, the entire block wall works together as a compound unit, rather than individual blocks with only mortar joints for lateral loads. The theory behind the system is that, the overall structure is only as strong as its weakest link. By not over-stressing the weakest link—the mortar joint between the block—the wall structure will be able to withstand in the absence of proper support (partial support) under the wall, including weaker foundations.
The secondary purpose of the masonry block anchor system is to provide ease of constructability with limited experience in masonry construction. The joint created by the masonry block anchor system meets Florida Building Code and NCMA standards (⅜″), creating a uniform joint. The uniform joint allows the user to construct a wall system that meet building code standards (such as Florida Building Code, National Concrete Masonry Association, and Portland Cement Association) and is ultimately more uniform in construction. The grout can be applied in a more uniform application and ultimately reduce any inconsistencies with traditional construction methods.
In addition to uniform construction, the masonry anchor system allows the user to construct the structure's sections without skilled labor. The uniform joint and correct alignment of the blocks allows the user to construct without the added cost of skilled labor. The masonry block anchor provides the user independence, consistency and overall quality product.
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The grooves 142a/142b, 138a/138b, or 140a are defined by a thickness of the central horizontal member 112 of the at least one anchor 10, to allow for a complemental fit of the central horizontal member 112 of the at least one anchor within the groove 142a/142b, 138a/138b, or 140a, of the at least one block 12, which may be seen by viewing the anchor 10 shown in
A thickness of the three vertical legs 102, 104, and 106, the two vertical legs 108 and 110, and the central horizontal member 112, are configured for spacing standards between blocks in masonry construction.
As noticed in
The combination and engagement of the at least one anchor 10 with the plurality of blocks 12 provides the at least one upper block 12a and the at least one lower block 12b with interlocking anchoring, as shown in
The present invention provides for a method of using the 2-part masonry block anchor system in masonry construction is shown primarily in FIGS. 1, 2, 3, 4, and 7, and includes providing at least one block 12 having four outer walls 118, 120, 122, and 124, and one inner wall 126 defining two internal vertical cavities 128 and 130, wherein the four outer walls comprise two sidewalls 118 and 120 connected by two end walls 124 and 122, the inner wall 126 connecting to the two sidewalls 118 and 120.
The method further includes providing at least one anchor 10 having three vertical legs 102, 104, and 106 attached to a central horizontal member 112, and two vertical legs 108 and 110 attached to the central horizontal member 112 extending in an opposite direction from the three vertical legs 102, 104, and 106, wherein the three vertical legs include a central leg 104 and two outer legs 102 and 106, and the two vertical legs 108 and 110 meet the central horizontal member 112 at a connection point 114a and 114b opposite of a spacing 116a and 116b between the three vertical legs 102, 104, and 106, as shown in
After providing the blocks 12 and anchors 10, the method further includes placing a plurality of the at least blocks end to end, combining and engaging the at least one anchor 10 with the plurality of blocks 12 by securing with at least one anchor 10, thereby securing the plurality of blocks 12 in a multilateral direction, wherein the multilateral direction includes both X axial and Y axial directions by recessing the sidewall 122 and 124 of the at least one block 12 within the space 116a and 116b between the outer leg 102 and 106 of the at least one anchor 10 and the inner leg 104 of the at least one anchor 10, and recessing the inner wall 126 of the at least one block 12 within the space 116c between the two vertical legs 108 and 110 of the at least one anchor 10, administering mortar to a top surface 136 of a block 12 in the plurality of blocks, placing at least one block 12 on top of a joint of two lower blocks 12, thereby engaging at least one of the block anchors 10 where the walls 122, 124, and 126 of the block 12 are secured between the legs 102, 104, 106, 108, and 110 of the block anchors 10, and securing a vertical Z axial direction with weight of a plurality of blocks on a row of blocks above.
It is important to provide uniform spacing. As such, the method includes providing uniform spacing between said least one upper block 12a and said at least one lower block 12b. This may further include applying mortar within spacing above 144a, below 144a, and between 144b all blocks 12a/b within said plurality of blocks. Another important aspect of the method is configuring a thickness of said three vertical legs 102, 104, and 106, said two vertical legs 108 and 110, and said central horizontal member 112, for spacing standards between blocks in masonry construction. By configuring the thickness, the anchors 10 can provide a uniform spacing between blocks 12, which can be a challenge of prior masonry construction when the only spacing is achieved by the amount of mortar between blocks.
Another important aspect for achieving proper securement is including grooves 142a, 142b, 142c, 138a, 138b, 140a, and 140b in the blocks 12. The method includes cutting grooves 142a, 142b, 138a, 138b, 140a, and 140b in to upper 136 and lower 145 surfaces. Grooves 138a/138b can be along the outer walls 118/120, wherein said grooves begin at an inner surface 132 of a vertical cavity 128/130 of said two vertical cavities 128 and 130 and extend to an outer surface 130 of a wall 118/120 of said four outer walls, or inner walls 126 wherein grooves begin at an inner surface 132 of a vertical cavity 128/130 of said two vertical cavities 128 and 130 and extend to the second internal cavity 128/130 of said two vertical cavities 128 and 130. This allows for a complemental fit of said central horizontal member 112 of said at least one anchor 10 within said groove 142a, 142b, 140a, and 140b of said block 12, and defines a thickness of said grooves 142a, 142b, 140a, and 140b to be comparable to that of at least one anchor's central horizontal member 112.
As may be appreciated from
While there has been shown and described above the preferred embodiment of the instant invention it is to be appreciated that the invention may be embodied otherwise than is herein specifically shown and described and that, within said embodiment, certain changes may be made in the form and arrangement of the parts without departing from the underlying ideas or principles of this invention as set forth in the Claims appended herewith.