Weep hole insert

Abstract

An insert (10) for a weep hole opening in a wall, said weep hole insert comprising: a tubular body (12) defining at least one air flow conduit (14) extending therethrough, along a first axis (L), from a first open end (12a) of the tubular body to a second open end (12b) thereof, the tubular body comprising an operatively front portion (12') in which the first open end is defined and an operatively rear portion (12") in which the second open end is defined; a grate (16) connected to the operatively front portion of the tubular body, the grate comprising an apertured body (16a), apertures (16b) of the apertured body being configured to permit air flow through the apertured body but to inhibit passage of embers and sparks, and wherein, in an operative configuration, the apertured body extends across the at least one conduit to permit air flow through the at least one conduit via the apertures but to inhibit passage of embers and sparks, wherein the operatively front portion of the tubular body is of corrosion resistant sheet metal and the operatively rear portion of the tubular body is of a polymeric material. 20 25 20 85 63 28 J ul 2 02 5 A B S T R A C T 2 0 2 5 2 0 8 5 6 3 2 8 J u l 2 0 2 5

Claims

1. An insert for a weep hole opening in a wall, said weep hole insert comprising:a tubular body defining at least one air flow conduit extending therethrough, along a first axis, from a first open end of the tubular body to a second open end of the tubular body, the tubular body comprising an operatively front portion in which the first open end is defined and an operatively rear portion in which the second open end is defined;a grate connected to the operatively front portion of the tubular body, the grate comprising an apertured body, apertures of the apertured body being configured to permit air flow through the apertured body but to inhibit passage of embers and sparks through the apertured body, and wherein, in an operative configuration, the apertured body extends across the at least one conduit to permit air flow through the at least one conduit via the apertures but to inhibit passage of embers and sparks through the at least one conduit,wherein the operatively front portion of the tubular body is of corrosion resistant sheet metal and the operatively rear portion of the tubular body is of a polymeric material.

2. The insert of claim 1, wherein at least the operatively front portion of the tubular body and the apertured body are configured to maintain structural integrity when exposed to a predetermined heat flux profile, wherein, optionally, the predetermined heat flux profile approximates a heat flux profile generated by a forest fire.

3. The insert of claim 2, wherein the predetermined heat flux profile comprises:radiant heat flux up to but not exceeding 12.5 kW / m2; orradiant heat flux up to but not exceeding 19 kW / m2; orradiant heat flux up to but not exceeding 29 kW / m2; orradiant heat flux up to but not exceeding 40 kW / m2; orradiant heat flux exceeding 40 kW / m2.

4. The insert of claim 2 or claim 3, wherein at least the operatively front portion of the tubular body and the apertured body are configured to maintain structural integrity when exposed to the predetermined heat flux profile together with direct exposure for at least two minutes to flames.2025208563   28 Jul 20255. The insert of any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the operatively rear portion of the tubular body comprises a peripheral outer wall and at least one projection that extends inwardly from the peripheral outer wall, wherein, optionally, the at least one projection extends between opposite sides of the peripheral outer wall.

6. The insert of any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the operatively front portion of the tubular body has a length measured along the first axis of at least 10mm, or of at least 0.2 times a length of the tubular body measured along the first axis, or of at least a width of the tubular body.

7. The insert of any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the sheet metal has a thickness of between 0.15mm and 0.75mm.

8. The insert of any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the operatively front portion of the tubular body is formed by deformation of the sheet metal.

9. The insert of any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the grate is hingedly connected to the operatively front portion of the tubular body and movable between a closed configuration, being the operative configuration in which the apertured body extends across the conduit, and an open configuration for facilitating inspection of the conduit.

10. The insert of any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the grate and the operatively front portion of the tubular body frictionally and / or mechanically engage to releasably retain the grate in the closed configuration and / or in the open configuration.

11. The insert of any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the insert comprises at least one engagement member that extends from the apertured body and which, in the operative configuration, engages between the apertured body and a surface of the operatively front portion of the tubular body to releasably secure the apertured body to the operatively front portion of the tubular body in the operative configuration, wherein, optionally, the at least one engagement member and the apertured body are of integral, one-piece construction.

12. The insert of any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the operatively front portion of the tubular body is mechanically fastened to the operatively rear portion of the tubular body.2025208563   28 Jul 202513. The insert of any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the apertures of the apertured body have a maximum dimension of 2 mm, measured perpendicular to the first axis in the operative configuration.

14. The insert of any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the grate is of corrosion-resistant metal.

15. The insert of any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein the grate is of steel, bronze or aluminium.

16. The insert of claim 15, wherein the grate is of SS316 grade stainless steel or a higher grade of stainless steel.

17. The insert of any one of claims 1 to 16, wherein the operatively front portion of the tubular body is of SS316 grade stainless steel or a higher grade of stainless steel.

18. The insert of any one of claims 1 to 17, wherein one or more portions of an operatively rear end of the operatively front portion of the tubular body extend externally around a corresponding one or more portions of an operatively front end of the operatively rear portion.

19. The insert of any one of claims 1 to 18, wherein one or more portions of an operatively rear end of the operatively front portion of the tubular body extend internally around a corresponding one or more portions of an operatively front end of the operatively rear portion.

20. The insert of any one of claims 1 to 17, wherein one or more first portions of an operatively rear end of the operatively front portion of the tubular body extend externally around a corresponding one or more first portions of an operatively front end of the operatively rear portion, and wherein one or more second portions of an operatively rear end of the operatively front portion of the tubular body extend internally around a corresponding one or more second portions of an operatively front end of the operatively rear portion, the one or more first portions being rotationally spaced apart about the first axis from the one or more second portions.

Images