Brick Tie Anchor With Inert Backing Plate
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Solution Overview
Problem
Masonry anchors used in cavity walls face corrosion issues due to dissimilar metal composition between stainless steel anchors and stud backup walls, leading to weakened attachments.
Innovation Solution
A masonry anchor with a corrosion-resistant stainless steel anchor plate and an inert backing plate, which includes upward and downward tabs for proper spacing, and annular rings for aligning with fastening holes, preventing direct contact between dissimilar metals and allowing secure attachment with fasteners of matching material.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If stainless steel masonry anchors are used, then corrosion resistance of the anchor between stud backup wall and masonry veneer is improved, but dissimilar metal contact between the anchor and stud may result in corrosion and weakening of the attachment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an inert material (such as plastic or rubber) as an intermediary layer between the stainless steel anchor and the metal stud backup wall. This intermediate layer prevents direct contact between the dissimilar metals, thereby eliminating the galvanic corrosion pathway while allowing the stainless steel anchor to maintain its corrosion resistance properties in the moist cavity environment.
Solution Approach 2:
The masonry anchor system becomes a composite structure combining stainless steel (for corrosion resistance) with inert material (for galvanic isolation). This composite approach allows the system to simultaneously achieve both corrosion resistance and protection against dissimilar metal corrosion by integrating materials with complementary properties.
2Adaptability or versatility
If different anchor designs are used for various wall thicknesses and stud sizes, then adaptability is improved, but manufacturing complexity and installation costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs a universal anchor system where a single anchor plate configuration can accommodate multiple wall thicknesses and stud sizes. The inert material layer and adjustable positioning features enable the same anchor design to function across different construction scenarios, eliminating the need for multiple specialized anchor types and simplifying both manufacturing and installation processes.
Data Source
AI summary
A masonry anchor for tying a masonry veneer wall to a stud back-up wall comprises a generally planar anchor plate of corrosion resistant steel having an outer coupling end for connection to a veneer tie wire and an inner anchoring end for securement to the stud back-up wall. The anchor plate is provided with a plurality of holes through the anchoring end for accepting a fastening means for fastening the anchor to the stud back-up wall. A backing plate of an inert material is provided for positioning between the anchoring end of the anchor plate and the stud back-up wall, the backing plate being provided with raised structures on a face sized to be contained within the holes in the anchoring end of the anchor plate to allow a shank of the fastening means to pass through the raised structure without contacting the anchoring end of the anchor plate.