Devices for Anchoring Stone Facing Elements Comprising Retaining Members Pressing Against the Wall

Abstract

An anchor for a wall facing system comprising a backing member with one or more apertures, one or more base members projecting substantially perpendicularly from the backing member, one or more flanges projecting from the distal end of one or more base members, and said one or more flanges adapted to fit within a groove in an edge of a facing element to secure the facing element. The anchor possibly comprising one or more retaining members projecting substantially perpendicularly to and at a position along the one or more base members. The retaining members adapted to abut against a rear face of a facing element to secure the facing element and to provide a gap between the facing element and the wall.

1 - 25 . (canceled) 
     
     
         26 . An anchor for a wall facing system, said anchor comprising:
 a backing member having a substantially flat surface to rest against a wall and one or more apertures adapted to receive fastening means for securing the anchor to a wall,   one or more vertical base members projecting substantially perpendicularly from the backing member having a substantially right angle recess at the lower distal edge thereof to abut with portion of an upper edge and a back of a first facing element and a substantially right angle recess at the upper distal edge thereof to abut with an lower edge and a back of a second facing element,   one or more flanges projecting substantially perpendicularly from the distal end of one or more base members, said one or more flanges adapted to fit within a groove in an edge of a first or second facing element to secure the facing element,   wherein the right angle recesses of the one or more vertical base members provides a gap between the facing elements abutting the right angle recesses and the wall for air ventilation or water drainage,   and wherein the area between the upper and lower right angle recesses of the one or more vertical base members provides a gap for a mortar joint between the upper edge of the first facing element and the lower edge of the second facing element resting on the anchor.   
     
     
         27 . The anchor of  claim 26 , wherein the backing member comprises one aperture adapted to receive a fastening means for securing the anchor to a wall. 
     
     
         28 . The anchor of  claim 27 , wherein the aperture is substantially centered on the backing member. 
     
     
         29 . The anchor of  claim 26 , wherein the anchor comprises one vertical base member. 
     
     
         30 . The anchor of  claim 29 , wherein the one vertical base member extend from a side edge of the backing member. 
     
     
         31 . The anchor of  claim 26 , wherein the anchor comprises two vertical base members. 
     
     
         32 . The anchor of  claim 31 , wherein the two vertical base members each extend from a side edge of the backing member. 
     
     
         33 . The anchor of  claim 26 , wherein the one or more vertical base members having a width of about 1 mm. 
     
     
         34 . The anchor of  claim 26 , wherein the one or more flanges project downwardly. 
     
     
         35 . The anchor of  claim 26 , wherein the one or more flanges project upwardly. 
     
     
         36 . The anchor of  claim 26 , wherein the anchor comprises one flange being adapted to fit within the grooves of an upper edge of a facing element and a lower edge of a facing element. 
     
     
         37 . The anchor of  claim 26 , wherein the anchor comprises two flanges being adapted to fit within the grooves of an upper edge of a facing element and a lower edge of a facing element. 
     
     
         38 . The anchor of  claim 26 , wherein the one or more flanges are generally U-shaped. 
     
     
         39 . The anchor of  claim 26 , wherein the one or more flanges comprise ribs to assist in the compressive engagement of the facing element to the anchor. 
     
     
         40 . The anchor of  claim 26 , wherein the area between the upper and lower right angle recesses of the one or more vertical base members has a height of about 10 mm. 
     
     
         41 . A wall facing system comprising:
 a) a plurality of facing elements having a rear face, a front face, an upper edge, a lower edge and side edges, the upper and lower edges having a groove or slots at a distance between the rear face and front face of the facing element,   b) a plurality of anchors according to any one of claims  1  to  14  for securing and anchoring facing elements to a wall.   
     
     
         42 . A kit comprising:
 a) a plurality of facing elements having a rear face, a front face, an upper edge, a lower edge and side edges, the upper and lower edges having a groove or slots at a distance between the rear face and front face of the facing element,   b) a plurality of anchors according to any one of claims  1  to  15  for securing and anchoring facing elements to a wall,   c) a plurality of fasteners for securing the anchors to a wall.