DESCRIPTION

TECHNICAL FIELD The invention relates to devices for use in building and methods of using same.

BACKGROUND ART Traditional building with brickwork provides that the bricks which are to go together to form a wall are laid one upon the other in a particular pattern or weave such that the bricks themselves overlap or interlock.

To bind the bricks together a mortar is used which usually, in the United Kingdom, has comprised a mixture of sand and cement. This traditional method has stood the test of time and many fine buildings have been made using it.

More recently brick buildings have, in the United

Kingdom given way at least in part to those made at least partially of blockwork. In this specification and in the claims annexed hereto the term blockwork is defined as aerated, foamed and like building blocks of concrete or other materials as well as clay and other building bricks which are relatively more friable or porous in nature than the majority of the traditional building bricks used in the United Kingdom.

A major difficulty in fixing an article to a blockwork wall arises from the friable or porous nature of the material of the wall.

As a result of its friable nature blockwork tends to break up if a hole is drilled in it so that it is difficult to pre-form a hole in which a rawlplug, or like aid to fixing, can be positioned.

Even if a relatively clean sided hole can be pre¬ formed in blockwork the sides of the hole tend to break up as a screw is driven into a plug inserted in the hole.

Again the friable nature of the blockwork prevents the efficient use of masonry pins or nails - the material of the blockwork tending to break up as the pin or nail is driven into it.

An object of the invention is the provision of fixing means which overcomes or at least alleviates these difficulties.

Difficulties arise in using the traditional method of building walls with such blockwork. In part this

arises from the very brittle and friable nature of the blocks which are used which has the result that they often can break whilst being laid. Again, the bonding between the usual mortars used and blockwork is less effective than with traditional bricks (due to the friable and porous nature of the blockwork) .

The building of a wall with traditional bricks (or more modern blockwork in the traditional manner) - using a mortar of cement and sand is a highly skilled operation which requires a bricklayer to apply the appropriate amount of mortar between each brick or block laid so that the bond between the two is maximised.

He must, thereafter, to increase the aesthetic appearance of a wall he is building and its durability and resistance to weather (wind and rain) point or smooth out the mortar runs between adjacent bricks and blocks.

It is difficult to find skilled bricklayers and they have high wage costs.

Another disadvantage of blockwork walls formed in the traditional manner with mortar bonding is that they have relativ y low stability particularly when subject to ground heave (in the United Kingdom) or earthquakes (in other parts of the world) . Again the stability of traditionally formed blockwork walls when struck a severe blow (i. e. by a vehicle) means that such walls tend to break easily.

Further objects of the invention are to provide

a device and a method of using that device with fixing means enabling the building of blockwork walls by workmen less skilled in their trade than traditional bricklayers and to provide a form of bonding between blockwork forming a wall better able to withstand ground movement and/or impact.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION In a first aspect the invention provides a device fixable to blockwork (as herein defined) comprising first and second elongate body parts joined one to the other at first ends thereof, the second ends of the body parts being adapted to receive means for fixing the device to blockwork.

Said first and second elongate body parts may normally be coplanar such that they form an elongate flat body.

In the alternative said first and second elongate body parts normally may be disposed substantially at right angles one to the other. The longitudinal edges of each elongate body part may be provided with walls extending generally normally of the plane of the elongate body part. These walls preferably are of increasing height in moving from said first to said second ends of the elongate body parts. Desirably, said elongate body parts are joined at said first ends by a hinge about which the elongate body parts may rotate relative one to the other.

In one embodiment of the invention the device is of moulded plastics material and said hinge is a live hinge formed in the body.

Said means enabling fixture of the device to blockwork may comprise apertures at said second ends of said elongate body parts, which apertures are sized to receive the body of a nail, screw or bolt which may be passed therethrough but through which the head of the nail, εcrew or bolt cannot pass. In another aspect the invention provides means for fixing articles to blockwork (as herein defined) , the means comprising an elongate plastic square-section body portion having leading and trailing ends, the body portion being slotted over a major part of its length running from the leading toward the trailing end and the trailing end being provided with a head portion.

The slot formed in the body portion may extend over 85% of the length of the body portion running from the leading toward the trailing end of the device. Preferably, body portion tapers inwardly in moving from the trailing to the leading end of the device. With advantage, the head portion has a chamfered or bevelled edge in running away from the body portion.

The surface of the head portion spaced from the elongate body portion may be serrated or otherwise roughened.

The fixing means set forth above may be used in

combination with a device according to the first stated aspect of the invention, it being provided that each said aperture in the second ends of the elongate body parts have running across them a web or strand of readily rupturable plastics material passable between the legs of the bifurcated elongate body portion the fixing means.

In a further aspect of the invention there is provided means for fixing articles to blockwork (as herein defined) , the means comprising an elongate plastics body interconnecting leading and trailing ends, the trailing ends of the body being provided with a head portion extending generally normally of the axis of the elongate body, wherein the elongate body is non-circular in section and formed with a number of generally flat faces and wherein the head portion comprises a bead or flange the shape of which is similar to, but the dimensions of which are greater than, the trailing end of the body portion in cross-section.

The surface of the head portion adjacent the elongate body may be bevelled, chamfered and/or sloping in moving away from the axis of the device.

The cross-sectional dimension of the elongate body preferably reduces over at least part of the length of the elongate body in moving from the trailing to the leading end thereof.

The elongate body portion is generally rectangular in section along its length; preferably square

in section along its length.

Protrusions may be provided to extend over at least part of the length of the elongate body portion. If provided, the protrusions are preferably provided generally centrally of faces formed on the elongate body and comprise lands running along at least part the length of those faces.

The cross sectional dimension of the elongate body portion may reduce at a first, constant, rate over a first, major portion of the length of the elongate body portion in moving from the trailing to the leading end thereof and reduce at a second, greater, constant rate in moving over a second portion of the length of the elongate body portion. Alternatively, the cross sectional dimension of the elongate body portion may be generally constant over a first part of the length thereof in moving from the trailing to the leading end of the device, reduce at a first constant rate over a second part of the length thereof in moving from the trailing to the leading end, and reduce at a second, greater, constant rate in moving over a third part of the length thereof.

In another aspect the invention provides a method of bonding blockwork (as herein defined) , comprising the steps of positioning two blocks adjacent one to the other, locating a device as defined above such that it contacts each of the blocks and using fixing means as defined above

to fix said second ends of the elongate body parts to respective ones of the blocks.

The blocks may be placed on edge and abutted end to end - the elongate body of the device being placed on the upper surfaces of the blocks such that, after the device has been fixed to the blocks the blocks are bonded together.

Additionally or alternatively, the ends of the elongate body parts are rotated about the hinge formed therein, and one block is arranged partially to stand on the other block enabling the fixing of the second end of a first elongate body part to said one block and the second end of the second elongate body part to the other block.

The method provides, when using devices the longitudinal edges the body parts of which are provided with walls extending generally normally thereof that the elongate body is placed on the blockwork such that its walls abut the material of the blockwork.

The above aspects, features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the description of embodiments thereof now made with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:-

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 shows at A, B and C plan, underneath plan and side views of a tie device for fixing together blockwork to form a wall, and at D and E end sectional views drawn on the lines D-D and E-E of Figure IA,

Figure 2 shows at A, B and C respectively side, face and end views of first fixing means embodying the invention for use in attaching articles to blockwork, and at D a view of the means in use, Figure 3 shows at A a side view of further fixing means embodying the invention and at B an end view of the device drawn on the lines B-B of Figure IA,

Figure 4 is a side view of a third fixing means embodying tr- present invention, Figure 5 shows at A a side view of a fourth fixing means embodying the invention and at B, C and D views drawn of the lines B-B, C-C and D-D of Figure 5A,

Figure 6 is a side view showing the fixing means of Figure 5 in use, and Figure 7 schematically illustrates ways in which the ties of Figure 1 with the fixing means of Figures 1 to 5, may be used to form a blockwork wall.

MODES OF CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION A tie device embodying the invention is shown in Figure 1 and it can be seen from that Figure to comprise an elongate generally flat body portion 10 with substantially square ends 12 and 14.

The two longitudinal side edges of elongate body 10 are provided, as can be seen particularly from Figure 1C, with depending walls 16 and 17.

The walls 16 and 17 taper from a maximum depth at the ends 12 and 14 of the device as they move towards a

position indicated generally at 20 which is located approximately 40% the length of the device in moving from the end 12 towards the end 14.

The walls 16 and 17 taper in moving from the respective ends 12, 14 to the point 20 from a depth which is approximately 30% of the width of the elongate body 10 to zero as they approach the position 20 closely.

As can be seen the elongate body portion 10 is pierced adjacent its ends 12 and 14 by rectangular apertures 22 and 24. These apertures are sized so that they may receive the uppermost ends of the elongate body portions of devices to be described in detail below.

The upper surface of the body portion 10 (see Figure IA) is provided with a bevel or chamfer 26 surrounding each of the apertures 12 and 24.

The tie shown in Figure 1 is formed of moulded nylon. The apertures 22 and 24 of the tie may, with particular advantage, be provided with thin, readily rupturable, strands running across them as indicated at 28. In the moulding process forming the ties the elongate body at position 20 is formed of a thickness less than the thickness of the rest of the elongate body 10 (as seen particularly in Figure 1C) to form a live hinge about which the ends 12 and 14 of the elongate body 10 may be rotated relative to one another.

A modified form of the tie device shown in Figure 1 may provide that the depending walls 16, 17 adjacent the

ends 12, 14 of the body 10 turn inwardly of the edges of the elongate body 10 and then turn again such that they run adjacent the apertures 22, 24 - in particular beneath the bevelled or chamfered areas 26 surrounding those apertures. Alternatively additional depending walls (not shown in the Figures) may be provided beneath the bevelled or chamfered areas 26 surrounding the apertures 22, 24.

Figure 2 of the drawings shows a first fixing means embodying the invention. This means is provided with an elongate body 30 having leading and trailing ends 32 and 34 respectively. The elongate body 30 is generally square in section along its length (see Figure 2C) and inwardly tapers in moving from the trailing to the leading end. The included taper angle of the elongate body 30 is approximately 7.5°.

The elongate body 30 is divided over approximately 85% of its length by a slot 36 running from the leading towards the trailing end of the body 30. Slot 36 defines two bifurcated parts 38 which form a pair of legs.

At its trailing end the elongate body is provided with a head 40 which is square in section (see Figure 2C) the edges of which are bevelled or chamfered as shown at 42 and the uppermost surface of which is serrated or roughened as indicated at 44. The bevel or chamfer 42 corresponds to the bevel or chamfer 26 surrounding the apertures 12 and 24

of the tie device of Figure 1.

The fixing means shown in Figure 2 may be readily driven into blockwork 48 (see Figure 2D) with a club hammer or other impacting device. When being driven into blockwork in this way the legs 38 splay apart to firmly anchor the fixing means in the blockwork 48 into which it is being driven. The material of the blockwork is compacted between and around the legs 38 as they splay apart. The fixing means shown in Figure 2 may be fully driven into blockwork that is to say until the serrated upper surface 44 of the head 40 is flush with the outer surface of the blockwork

It will be appreciated that it is possible to insert fixing means such as is shown in Figure 2 into an aperture 22 or 24 of the tie shown in Figure 1 such that the legs 38 pass to either side of strand 28 running across the aperture. In this way a fixing means 30 may be inserted in each of the apertures 22 and 24 of a tie and be carried with the tie. Other forms of fixing means are shown in Figures

3 to 5 of the drawings.

The fixing means shown in Figure 3 has a leading end 50 and a trailing end 52 which are interconnected by an elongate body 54 which is generally square in section. The trailing end is provided with a head in the form of a generally square flange 56 as shown. Flange 56 may be considered as a square section bead mounted on the

trailing end.

The bead has a thickness approximately 2% of the overall length of the device and a depth - extending away from the longitudinal axis of the body - of approximately the same dimension.

In moving away from the axis of the body 54 the surface of head 56 adjacent the body 54 is bevelled, chamfered or formed to slope as shown at 58 such that the thickness of the head portion reduces in moving outwardly of the elongate body 54. Again the bevel 58 corresponds to the bevel 26 of the device shown in Figure 1.

The device is made of a glass fibre reinforced moulded nylon material (for example 35% medium/short glass fibre mix in nylon) . It is to be noted that the cross-sectional dimension of the body 54 of the device varies in passing from the trailing to the leading end.

The major part 60 of the body (approximately 94% of the length of the device) tapers inwardly in moving from the trailing to the leading end thereof with an included tapered angle of approximately 12°. At the leading end of the body 54, approximately 6% of the length of the fixing means, as shown at 62 reduces in cross-sectional dimension at a second, constant rate which is much greater than the rate of which the main section 60 of the body tapers - that is to say it has an included tapered angle of approximately 45°.

The fixing means is moulded from glass-fibre reinforced moulded nylon (e.g. a 35% medium/short fibre mix nylon) .

It is possible to use the fixing means shown in Figure 3 by simply placing the leading end 50 against blockwork and, driving the body 54 into the blockwork by impacting the head portion 56 at the trailing end 52 with a club hammer, gun or other suitable means.

In moving into the blockwork the tapering body 54 acts to compact the material of the blockwork. The device is held firmly in position in the blockwork by the compaction of material about its generally square section body.

The compaction of the blockwork material is enhanced by the tapering portions 60 and 62 of the elongate body 54. Figure 4 illustrates a modified form of the fixing means of Figure 3 and shows it to comprise a leading end 20 and trailing end 72 interconnected by an elongate body 74, which again is generally square in section. As before the fixing means is made of glass fibre reinforced moulded nylon material (for example 35% medium/short glass fibre mix nylon) .

The trailing end 72 of the body is again provided with a generally square flange 76 which is in substance the same as the flange 56 shown in the embodiment of Figure 3.

The cross-sectional dimension of the body 74 varies in passing from the trailing to the leading end

thereof. A first, major, portion 78 of the elongate body 34 extends over approximately 94% of the device and its cross-sectional dimension reduces at a first constant rate - that is to say it has an included tapered angle of approximately 11%. A second and final portion of the length of the elongate body, approximately 6% of the length of the device, is shown at 80 and as can be seen its cross- sectional dimension reduces at a second constant rate greater than that of the portion 78. This portion 80 has an included tapered angle of approximately 45°.

As so far described the arrangement of Figure 4 is similar to that of Figure 3 (with the slight difference in the tapered angle of the main body portions).

As can be seen, however, from Figure 4 the fixing means shown in Figure 4 differs from that shown in Figure

3 in being provided with lands 84 which run generally centrally of the faces 86 of the square section elongate body. These lands extend along approximately two thirds of the length of the first portion 78 of the body as shown. It is possible to use the fixing means of Figure

4 in the same way as the means of Figure 3 and the device will be held firmly in position in any blockwork into which it is driven by the compaction of the blockwork material about the generally square section body. This compaction is enhanced by the tapering portions of the elongate body and the lands 84 which are provided on the outer surfaces of the body of the device.

A further embodiment of the invention is shown in Figures 5 and 6 to again comprise a leading end 90 and a trailing end 92 interconnected by an elongate body 94 which is generally square in section. As with the fixing means already described the trailing end 92 is provided with a head portion formed as a generally square flange 96 the dimensions of which are substantially the same (relative to the size of the device) as the head portions of the arrangement shown in Figures 3 and 4.

Again, as with the arrangement shown in Figures 3 and 4 the device of Figures 5 and 6 is desirably made of glass-fibre reinforced moulded nylon material.

The cross-sectional dimensions of the body 94 of the vary in passing from the trailing end to the leading end of it.

A first portion 98 of the elongate body (which is approximately 22% of its length) is of constant cross- section as shown. The next portion 100 of the elongate body (extending over approximately 72% of its length) has a cross-section which reduces at a first, constant, rate. This section of the elongate body has an included tapered angle of approximately 12°. The third (and final) portion 102 of the elongate body (which is approximately 6% of its length) has a cross-section which reduces at a second, constant rate greater than that of the portion 100. The portion 102 of the device has an included taper angle of

approximately 45°.

As can be seen from Figure 5 lands 104 are provided generally centrally of the faces 106 of the square sectional elongate body and extend along the length of the second portion 100 thereof as shown.

As with the fixing means already described it is possible to use the device of Figure 5 by simply placing the leading end against blockwork and driving the device into the blockwork using a club hammer, gun or any other suitable means.

Again as described with the earlier described arrangements the material of the blockwork will be compacted to surround and grip the tapering body as it is driven into the blockwork. This compaction of the blockwork is enhanced by tapering portions 100 and 102 of the body and by the lands 104 provided on its outer surfaces.

It will be appreciated that it is possible to make use of the fixing means shown in Figures 2 - 5 to hold articles against blockwork.

Such an arrangement is illustrated in Figure 6 in which the fixing means in Figure 5 is driven into blockwork 110 after first being passed through a piece of plasterboard 112. It will be noted particularly from this Figure that the bead or flange 96 forming the head portion of the fixing means has been partially driven into the material of

the plasterboard 112 trapping beneath it the paper lining 114 of the plasterboard.

In this way the plasterboard 112 is held firmly against the blockwork wall 110. If desired it is then possible simply to cover the exposed head of the trailing end of the device in the usual manner so that a blockwork wall lined with plasterboard is produced.

The tie device of Figure 1 and fixing means shown in Figures 2 to 5 may be used in accordance with the method of the invention, to bond or fix blockwork together.

This is achieved as illustrated in Figure 7.

Figure 7A shows one way ties described with reference to

Figure 1 may be used with the fixing means of Figures 2 to

5 and may be used to join two pieces 120 and 122 of blockwork.

The method of the invention provides that a tie device 10 has inserted through its apertures 12 and 14, e.g. the legs 38 of the fixing means 30 of Figure 2 such that the leading ends of the legs 38 pass to either side of the strands 28 and depend past the lowermost edges of the walls 16 and 17. The elongate body 10 of the tie device is then placed such that it crosses the gap between the blockwork pieces 120 and 122 - preferably the elongate body 10 is positioned to overlie each of the blocks 120 and 122 equally and such that the living hinge at position 20 of the elongate body is not in line with the gap between the two blocks.

To fix the two blocks together the heads 40 of the fixing means 10 are impacted with a club hammer or other device to drive the leading ends of the legs 38 into the material of the blockwork. As the elongate bodies 30 of the fixing means are driven into the blockwork the legs 38 will, as described with reference to Figure 2, splay apart so that they are more firmly held in the material of the blockwork.

The heads 40 of the fixing devices 30 continue to be impacted until the strands 28 are ruptured (when they come into contact with the trailing end of the slot 36 in the elongate body 30) . Further impaction of the heads of the fixing devices will drive those heads down until the surfaces 26 and 42 meet. Continued impaction after this time will further drive the legs 38 into the material of the blockwork and will additionally drive the outermost ends of the walls 16 and 17 provided on each of the longitudinal edges of the tie 10 into the material of the blockwork. Continued impaction of the heads 40 of the elongate bodies 30 of the fixing means and of the elongate body 10 of the tie will drive the body 30 of the fixing means into the blockwork and the walls 16 and 17 of the tie into the blockwork. Thereafter the two blocks 120 and 122 will be firmly bonded or tied one to the other.

Figure 7A shows how to join two blocks 120 and 122 which are standing on edge side-by-side or end-to-end.

When erecting a wall, however, there is need to bond or tie pieces of blockwork which rest one upon the other and this achieved with the ties of Figures 1 and fixing means of Figure 2 as illustrated in Figure 7B, in which a first piece of blockwork is to be mounted in a position in which it overlies, substantially equally, two pieces of blockwork which have already been bonded together.

Thus in Figure 7B a piece of blockwork 124 is mounted as shown such that it overlies both of the pieces of blockwork 120 and 122 which have been bonded in the manner described with reference to Figure 7A.

To achieve this bonding it will be seen that a tie 10 is provided with a pair of fixing means 30 in the way discussed with reference to Figure 7A. Thereafter the ends 12 and 14 are rotated about the live hinge 20 until the device adopts generally the position shown in Figure 7B. The leading ends 32 of the elongate bodies 10 of the fixing means are brought to bear against surfaces of the blocks 122 and 124.

The spacing of the live hinge 20 from the centre of the elongate body 10 means that this rotation of the ends 12 and 14 may be achieved without the upstanding portions of the bodies 30 of the fixing means interfering one with the other.

Thereafter the fixing devices 30 may be driven into the material of the blockwork 122 and 124 to securely

join the two blocks together.

A complete wall may be made in this way as illustrated highly schematically in Figure 7C in which a typical blockwork weave pattern has been produced making use of the tie shown in Figure 1 and the fixing means shown in Figure 2.

In the arrangement of Figures 7C bonds between blocks in the same course are indicated generally at 130 whilst bonds between blocks in adjacent courses (one above the other) are indicated generally at 132. When forming a wall in this way it is possible, if desired, to use further ties 10 and fixing means 30 to provide additional strength to the wall. Thus, if it is so wished, it is possible to provide in place of a single elongate body 10 a pair of such bodies 10 lying side by side to enhance the bonding between blocks in a course or in adjacent courses.

Furthermore, as so far described all of the bonding has been effected by using the ties 10 and fixing means 30 to join edge portions of the blockwork it will be appreciated that the same articles may be used to form bonds between adjacent faces of blocks in the same course (as illustrated at 136 in Figure 7C) or between adjacent courses (138 in Figure 7C) .

Finally, it will be appreciated that if desired it is possible to tie the lowermost course of blocks to the ground making use of ties 10 and fixing means 30 as indicated at 140 in Figure 7C.

Should the surface upon which the wall is to be built be of a nature such that the fixing means 30 cannot be driven into it (i. e. if it is concrete) then the ends of the elongate bodies 10 to be fixed to the ground may be fixed thereto using a standard plug, screw or rawlbolt.

Similar arrangements may be used at the upper edge of the wall to enable a roof to be supported by the walls of a building made in accordance with the method of the present invention. Although the method of the invention has been described with reference to the use of fixing means as shown in Figure 2 it will be appreciated that the fixing means of Figures 3, 4 or 5 may equally be used to ensure the ties are adequately fixed to the blockwork. As noted above the fixing means 30 and tie members 10 are preferably made of moulded plastics material but they may, of course, be formed of other materials.

If desired the ties 10 may be made of metal and be provided with actual hinges. Again the ties may be provided in two forms - a first being generally flat to allow the bonding together of blocks in a single course and a second being formed with its ends extending at right- angles one to the other to enable the bonding together of blocks in adjacent courses. If desired the fixing means may be replaced, in such an arrangement, with any suitable plug and screw or bolt arrangement as desired.

It has been found by experimentation that walls manufactured in accordance with the above described method and making use of the devices described are better able to withstand ground movement (ground heave or earthquake) than conventionally formed blockwork walls in which the various blocks are tied together using a cement, sand and water, mortar mix. Furthermore we have found that impaction of a wall made as described above, e.g. by a vehicle, will cause less damage than to a traditionally formed wall. It is believed that the better resistance to damage of a wall made in accordance with the present method arises from the limited degree of movement permitted by the flexure of the ties if there is ground movement or impaction of the wall. It will be of course appreciated that a wall formed in the way described herein may be given a screed of concrete or mortar or any other desired material or, with advantage, be provided with plasterboard cladding in any suitable manner. For example as discussed with reference to Figure 6.

Although described as for fixing ties or plasterboard to blockwork it will be appreciated that fixing means of Figures 2 to 5 may be used to fix any article to a blockwork wall. The articles may be of a material enabling the fixing means to simply be driven through it (for example paper, card or the like) or be provided with a pre-formed aperture or hole through which

the elongate body of the fixing means may pass - the article being held in place by the flange or head portion. The materials of which the arrangements shown may be varied as desired and the dimensions and particular configurations of the arrangements described may be altered if desired.

Variations may be made to the number of faces provided for the elongate bodies of the fixing means (and to the head portion) - these means may be provided with pentagonal or hexagonal bodies in cross-section or generally be rectangular and not square as described.

The number of lands provided on the flat faces of the elongate bodies may be increased or decreased and their relative positions on those faces may be varied from that shown.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY It will be seen from the foregoing that embodiments of the invention provide means enabling the ready fixture of articles to blockwork walls and further for the formation of blockwork walls in a manner enabling them to be made with relatively less skilled labour and, moreover, in a way more readily withstanding damage from ground movement and/or impact.