Non-metallic masonry tie

Abstract

A non-metallic masonry tie includes at least two longitudinal members of composite fibre. Composite fibre reinforcement extends between the two longitudinal members. The preferred composite fibre reinforcement is in the form of a bundle of composite fibres extending angularly between and wrapped around the two longitudinal members to form a symmetrical reinforcement pattern consisting of a plurality of triangles. This serves to equally distribute the forces acting upon the two longitudinal members.

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows:  
     
         1 . A non-metallic masonry tie, comprising: 
 at least two longitudinal members of composite fibre; and    composite fibre reinforcement extending between the at least two longitudinal members.    
     
     
         2 . The non-metallic masonry tie as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the at least two longitudinal members form part of a rectangular composite fibre frame.  
     
     
         3 . The non-metallic masonry tie as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the composite fibre reinforcement is a single bundle of fibres wrapped around the at least two longitudinal members.  
     
     
         4 . The non-metallic masonry tie as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the composite fibre reinforcement extends angularly between the at least two longitudinal members.  
     
     
         5 . The non-metallic masonry tie as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the composite fibre reinforcement forms a reinforcement pattern consisting of a plurality of triangles.  
     
     
         6 . The non-metallic masonry tie as defined in  claim 5 , wherein the triangles are equilateral triangles.  
     
     
         7 . The non-metallic masonry tie as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the composite fibre reinforcement forms a symmetrical reinforcement pattern, thereby equally distributing the forces between the at least two longitudinal members.  
     
     
         8 . The non-metallic masonry tie as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the composite fibre is glass fibre reinforced polymer (GFRP).  
     
     
         9 . The non-metallic masonry tie as defined in  claim 2 , wherein two or more of the rectangular composite fibre frames are combined.  
     
     
         10 . The non-metallic masonry tie as defined in  claim 9 , wherein two of the rectangular composite fibre frames are combined to form a “T” shape.  
     
     
         11 . A non-metallic masonry tie, comprising: 
 a rectangular composite fibre frame having two longitudinal members; and    composite fibre reinforcement in the form of a bundle of composite fibres extending angularly between and wrapped around the two longitudinal members to form a symmetrical reinforcement pattern consisting of a plurality of triangles, thereby equally distributing the forces between the two longitudinal members.    
     
     
         12 . The non-metallic masonry tie as defined in  claim 11 , wherein the triangles are equilateral triangles.  
     
     
         13 . The non-metallic masonry tie as defined in  claim 11 , wherein the composite fibre is glass fibre reinforced polymer (GFRP).  
     
     
         14 . The non-metallic masonry tie as defined in  claim 11 , wherein two or more of the rectangular composite fibre frames are combined.  
     
     
         15 . The non-metallic masonry tie as defined in  claim 12 , wherein two of the rectangular composite fibre frames are combined to form a “T” shape.