Brick veneer assembly

Abstract

A brick veneer assembly having improved accommodation of brick tolerances, simple assembly, and lower cost relative to the prior art. A plurality of bricks having a tapered locating surface are provided. A support panel includes horizontal rows of L-shaped retainers and corresponding rows of holes. Each L-shaped retainer further includes a leg portion extending away from the support panel, and a foot portion that depends downwardly away from the leg portion. The tapered locating surface of each brick is inserted into the L-shaped retainer thereby elastically deforming the foot portion away from the support panel such that the tapered locating surface is subjected to a restraining force creating a force component pushing the back of the brick against the support panel and a force component downwards pushing the bottom of the brick to seat on the adjacent row of L-shaped retainers defining a clearance gap between the top of the brick and the adjacent row of L-shaped retainers so that when mortar is applied between the bricks the mortar will flow into the clearance gap and holes to interlock the brick with the support panel.

1 - 17 . (canceled)  
   
   
       18 . A thin brick having: 
 a front surface;    a back surface opposite said front surface;    a bottom surface substantially perpendicular to said front and back surfaces; and    a top surface defining a tapered surface portion between said front surface and said back surface.    
   
   
       19 . The thin brick as claimed in  claim 18  wherein said top surface is located between said back surface and said tapered surface portion.  
   
   
       20 . The thin brick as claimed in  claim 19  further comprising a stepped surface between said front surface and said tapered surface portion.  
   
   
       21 . The thin brick as claimed in  claim 18  further comprising a stepped surface located between said front surface and said tapered surface portion.  
   
   
       22 . A thin brick having: 
 a front surface and a back surface opposite said front surface, said front surface being shorter than said back surface;    opposed side surfaces; and    at least one tapered surface located between said front surface and said back surface.    
   
   
       23 . The thin brick as claimed in  claim 22  further comprising a top surface between said back surface and said at least one tapered surface, and a bottom surface opposite said top surface.  
   
   
       24 . The thin brick as claimed in  claim 23  further comprising a stepped surface between said front surface and said at least one tapered surface.  
   
   
       25 . The thin brick as claimed in  claim 22  wherein said tapered surface is a top surface and said brick further comprises a bottom surface opposite said top surface.  
   
   
       26 . The thin brick as claimed in  claim 22  wherein said tapered surface is a bottom surface and said brick further comprising a top surface opposite said bottom surface.  
   
   
       27 . The thin brick as claimed in  claim 22  further comprising a bottom surface between said back surface and said at least one tapered surface, and a top surface opposite said bottom surface.  
   
   
       28 . The thin brick as claimed in  claim 27  further comprising a stepped surface between said front surface and said at least one tapered surface.