Masonry Support Structure

Abstract

The present invention is a masonry support structure and kit. The support structure includes at least a block of cellular glass insulation whose exterior surface is coated in a scratch coat. The support structure may be used to support the application of masonry veneers. The kit includes at least one support structure and may also include masonry veneers, veneer mortar, masonry wall ties, and post brackets.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A structural support comprising:
 a block of cellular glass insulation having an exterior surface; and   a scratch coat disposed on at least a portion of said exterior surface of said block.   
     
     
         2 . The structural support as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said scratch coat is exterior veneer mortar. 
     
     
         3 . The structural support as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said block of cellular glass insulation is a block rectangular prism. 
     
     
         4 . The structural support as claimed in  claim 3 , wherein:
 said block of cellular glass insulation comprises at least two strata of cellular glass insulation;   each of said at least two strata comprises at least one interior surface; and   said strata are stacked to form said block, such that adjacent strata are in physical contact within said block; and   said structural support further comprises a layer of interior veneer mortar disposed between said interior surfaces of said adjacent strata such that said adjacent strata are adhered to one another.   
     
     
         5 . The structural support as claimed in  claim 3 , wherein said block has dimensions of 12″ by 12″ by 12″. 
     
     
         6 . The structural support as claimed in  claim 3 , wherein said block has dimensions of 12″ by 12″ by 18″. 
     
     
         7 . The structural support as claimed in  claim 4 , wherein said block cellular glass insulation comprises three strata of cellular glass insulation. 
     
     
         8 . The structural support as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein:
 said block comprises a first leg, a second leg, and a bridge connecting said first and second legs;   said first and second legs are parallel to one another;   said bridge is perpendicular to said first and second legs;   said bridge is a bridge rectangular prism having six bridge sides;   said first and second legs each extend from a same first of said bridge sides of said bridge;   each of said first and second legs are leg rectangular prisms having six leg sides, wherein said leg rectangular prisms are a same size and shape;   said first and second legs extend from said same first of said bridge sides such that:
 five of said leg sides of said first and second legs form a portion of said exterior surface; 
 a second of said bridge sides forms a first flush surface with one of said leg sides of said first leg; and 
 a third of said bridge sides forms a second flush surface with one of said leg sides of said second leg; and 
 a side view of said block is symmetrical. 
   
     
     
         9 . The structural support as claimed in  claim 8 , wherein:
 two of three dimensions of said bridge rectangular prism are 15″ by 12″;   said first flush surface has dimensions of 12″ by 7.5″;   said second flush surface has dimensions of 12″ by 7.5″;   a leg side of said first leg disposed farthest from said bridge has dimensions of 4″ by 12″; and   a leg side of said second leg disposed farthest from said bridge has dimensions of 4″ by 12″.   
     
     
         10 . The structural support as claimed in  claim 8 , further comprising a layer of interior veneer mortar disposed between:
 said first leg and said first of said bridge sides; and   said second leg and said first of said bridge sides.   
     
     
         11 . A structural support kit comprising:
 at least one structural support comprising:
 a block of cellular glass insulation having an exterior surface; and 
 a scratch coat disposed on at least a portion of said exterior surface of said block; and 
   at least one masonry veneer.   
     
     
         12 . The kit as claimed in  claim 11 , further comprising at least one masonry wall tie. 
     
     
         13 . The kit as claimed in  claim 11 , further comprising at least one post bracket. 
     
     
         14 . The kit as claimed in  claim 11 , further comprising a supply of veneer mortar. 
     
     
         15 . The kit as claimed in  claim 11 , wherein said scratch coat of said at least one structural support is exterior veneer mortar. 
     
     
         16 . The kit as claimed in  claim 11 , wherein:
 said block of cellular glass insulation of said at least one structural support is a block rectangular prism, comprising at least two strata of cellular glass insulation;   each of said at least two strata comprises at least one interior surface; and   said strata are stacked to form said block, such that adjacent strata are in physical contact within said block; and   said structural support further comprises a layer of interior veneer mortar disposed between said interior surfaces of said adjacent strata such that said adjacent strata are adhered to one another.   
     
     
         17 . The kit as claimed in  claim 11 , wherein:
 said block of said at least one structural support comprises a first leg, a second leg, and a bridge connecting said first and second legs;   said first and second legs are parallel to one another;   said bridge is perpendicular to said first and second legs;   said bridge is a bridge rectangular prism having six bridge sides;   said first and second legs each extend from a same first of said bridge sides of said bridge;   each of said first and second legs are leg rectangular prisms having six leg sides, wherein said leg rectangular prisms are a same size and shape;   said first and second legs extend from said same first of said bridge sides such that:   five of said leg sides of said first and second legs form a portion of said exterior surface;   a second of said bridge sides forms a first flush surface with one of said leg sides of said first leg; and   a third of said bridge sides forms a second flush surface with one of said leg sides of said second leg; and   a side view of said block is symmetrical.   
     
     
         18 . A structural support kit comprising:
 at least one structural support comprising:
 a block of cellular glass insulation having an exterior surface; and 
 a scratch coat disposed on at least a portion of said exterior surface of said block; and 
   at least one masonry wall tie.   
     
     
         19 . The kit as claimed in  claim 18 , further comprising at least one post bracket. 
     
     
         20 . The kit as claimed in  claim 18 , further comprising a supply of veneer mortar. 
     
     
         21 . The kit as claimed in  claim 18 , wherein said scratch coat of said at least one structural support is exterior veneer mortar. 
     
     
         22 . The kit as claimed in  claim 18 , wherein:
 said block of cellular glass insulation of said at least one structural support is a block rectangular prism, comprising at least two strata of cellular glass insulation;   each of said at least two strata comprises at least one interior surface; and   said strata are stacked to form said block, such that adjacent strata are in physical contact within said block; and   said structural support further comprises a layer of interior veneer mortar disposed between said interior surfaces of said adjacent strata such that said adjacent strata are adhered to one another.   
     
     
         23 . The kit as claimed in  claim 18 , wherein:
 said block of said at least one structural support comprises a first leg, a second leg, and a bridge connecting said first and second legs;   said first and second legs are parallel to one another;   said bridge is perpendicular to said first and second legs;   said bridge is a bridge rectangular prism having six bridge sides;   said first and second legs each extend from a same first of said bridge sides of said bridge;   each of said first and second legs are leg rectangular prisms having six leg sides, wherein said leg rectangular prisms are a same size and shape;   said first and second legs extend from said same first of said bridge sides such that:   five of said leg sides of said first and second legs form a portion of said exterior surface;   a second of said bridge sides forms a first flush surface with one of said leg sides of said first leg; and   a third of said bridge sides forms a second flush surface with one of said leg sides of said second leg; and   a side view of said block is symmetrical.