Masonry bracket, system and construction method

Abstract

The present invention provides a masonry wall reinforcing bracket ( 2 ) comprising an elongate inter-course shear transfer member ( 4 ), the shear transfer member ( 4 ) comprising a rebar cradling feature ( 6 ). The shear transfer member ( 4 ) may further comprise a plate ( 5 ) operative to be located within at least a perpend ( 22 ) of a masonry wall ( 10 ). The bracket may further comprise a supporting member ( 28 ) that protrudes perpendicularly from the length of the shear transfer member ( 4 ). The supporting member ( 28 ) may comprises a plate operative to be located within a bed joint ( 24 ) of the masonry wall ( 10 ). The supporting member ( 28 ) may be a stabilising foot. The rebars and brackets are used in a bond beam ( 10 ) system incorporated within the wall ( 10 ).

1 . A masonry wall reinforcing bracket comprising an elongate inter-course shear transfer member, the shear transfer member comprising a rebar cradling feature. 
     
     
         2 . A bracket as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the shear transfer member comprises a plate operative to be located within at least a perpend of a masonry wall. 
     
     
         3 . A bracket as claimed in  claim 1  or  2  further comprising a supporting member. 
     
     
         4 . A bracket as claimed in  claim 3  wherein the supporting member protrudes perpendicularly to the length of the shear transfer member. 
     
     
         5 . A bracket as claimed in  claim 3  or  4 , wherein the supporting member comprises a stabilising foot. 
     
     
         6 . A bracket as claimed in any of  claims 3 - 5  wherein the supporting member comprises a plate operative to be located within a bed joint of the masonry wall. 
     
     
         7 . A bracket as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the shear transfer member extends completely across at least one masonry course and at least partially into at least one adjacent masonry course in use. 
     
     
         8 . A bracket as claimed in any preceding claim formed from a single sheet of material. 
     
     
         9 . A bracket as claimed in any preceding claim formed from a metal, or a metallic or non metallic composite material. 
     
     
         10 . A bracket as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the rebar cradling feature is a slot opening into a long edge of the shear transfer member. 
     
     
         11 . A bracket as claimed in  claim 10  wherein the slot comprises a retaining lip. 
     
     
         12 . A bracket as claimed in  claim 10  or  11  further comprising two or more slots wherein the opening of at least one slot is located at an opposing long edge to that of at least another slot. 
     
     
         13 . A bracket as claimed in any preceding claim comprising one or more apertures operative to anchor the bracket in binding material such as mortar, in use. 
     
     
         14 . A masonry system comprising in combination at least one bracket as claimed in any preceding claim and a hollowed masonry block. 
     
     
         15 . A masonry system as claimed in  claim 14  further comprising a rebar. 
     
     
         16 . A masonry wall comprising the masonry system as claimed in  claim 14  or  15 . 
     
     
         17 . A method of forming a masonry wall structure comprising the bracket as claimed in any of  claims 1  to  13 , comprising the steps of locating the bracket such that:
 I) at least part of the shear transfer member protrudes into an interior region of a hollowed masonry block in a first masonry course; and, 
 II) at least part of the shear transfer member protrudes into an adjacent second masonry course. 
 
     
     
         18 . A method as claimed in  claim 17  in which at least part of the shear transfer member protrudes through a base aperture into the interior region of the hollowed masonry block. 
     
     
         19 . A method as claimed in  claim 18  in which at least part of the shear transfer member protrudes into a perpend of the second masonry course. 
     
     
         20 . A method as claimed in  claim 17  in which at least part of the shear transfer member protrudes through a joint between adjacent said hollowed masonry blocks into the interior region of those blocks. 
     
     
         21 . A method as claimed in any of  claims 17 - 20  in which at least part of the shear transfer member protrudes from the interior region upwardly into a third masonry course. 
     
     
         22 . A method as claimed in any of  claims 17 - 21  wherein the bracket comprises a supporting member, further comprising the step of locating the supporting member at a bed joint. 
     
     
         23 . A method as claimed in  claim 22  further comprising the step of locating a rebar in the cradling feature of the shear transfer member. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 23  wherein one end of the rebar is received in a cleat or socket attached to or in a load bearing structure. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 23  wherein the rebar comprises two overlapping lengths. 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 25  wherein opposite ends of the rebar are received in respective cleats or sockets attached to or in a load bearing structure. 
     
     
         27 . A masonry wall tie bracket comprising:
 a) a rebar cradling feature for accommodating a rebar; and,   b) an adaptor configured to secure the bracket to an elongate reinforcing member.   
     
     
         28 . A bracket as claimed in  claim 27  or  28  wherein the adaptor comprises a tube. 
     
     
         29 . A bracket as claimed in  claim 27  wherein the adaptor is configured to secure the bracket to an elongate reinforcing member orthogonal to the length of the rebar. 
     
     
         30 . A bracket as claimed in  claim 29  wherein the tube comprises a cylindrical inner hole. 
     
     
         31 . A bracket as claimed in  claim 27  or  28  wherein the adaptor comprises a spigot for insertion into a hollow elongate reinforcing member. 
     
     
         32 . A bracket as claimed in  claim 31  wherein the adaptor further comprises a spacer.