Connectors used in making highly insulated composite wall structures
First Claim
1. A connector used in making an insulating composite wall structure including first and second structural layers comprising a hardenable material and an insulating layer disposed between the first and second structural layers, wherein the connector comprises a highly insulating material and includes:
- (a) an elongate shaft having a penetrating segment, a gripping segment, and a mesial segment disposed between the penetrating and gripping segments, the elongate shaft having a width;
(b) a penetrating tip at an end of the penetrating segment distal to the mesial segment, the penetrating tip having a width that is less than the width of the elongate shaft;
(c) orienting means for limiting penetration of the elongate shaft through the insulating layer;
(d) first anchoring means within the penetrating segment for anchoring the connector within the first structural layer when substantially hardened; and
(e) second anchoring means within the gripping segment comprising a plurality of acurate wings laterally disposed on the enlongate shaft for anchoring the connector within the second structural layer when substantially hardened.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Highly insulating connectors used in making highly insulative composite wall structures. At least a substantial portion of the connector is injection molded in a single step from an appropriate resinous material or moldable plastic. The connector has a substantially pointed end in a penetrating segment for facilitating penetration of the connector through an insulating layer and a yet unhardened structural material, such as concrete, that will harden into a first structural layer. The opposite end, or gripping segment, includes arcuate wings for facilitating gripping of the connector during placement in the insulating layer and first unhardened structural layer, and also for anchoring the connectors upon hardening of a second structural layer. A middle or mesial segment resides within the insulating layer, which is sandwiched between the first and second structural layer. The arcuate wings are curved toward the penetrating end and terminate in an elongated surface to limit the depth of penetration of the connector when inserted through the insulating material. An optional enlarged head at the end of the gripping segment can receive an impact, such as by a hammer or mallet, or serve to more comfortably receive pressure from the palm of the hand during placement of the connector.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A connector used in making an insulating composite wall structure including first and second structural layers comprising a hardenable material and an insulating layer disposed between the first and second structural layers, wherein the connector comprises a highly insulating material and includes:
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(a) an elongate shaft having a penetrating segment, a gripping segment, and a mesial segment disposed between the penetrating and gripping segments, the elongate shaft having a width; (b) a penetrating tip at an end of the penetrating segment distal to the mesial segment, the penetrating tip having a width that is less than the width of the elongate shaft; (c) orienting means for limiting penetration of the elongate shaft through the insulating layer; (d) first anchoring means within the penetrating segment for anchoring the connector within the first structural layer when substantially hardened; and (e) second anchoring means within the gripping segment comprising a plurality of acurate wings laterally disposed on the enlongate shaft for anchoring the connector within the second structural layer when substantially hardened. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A highly insulating composite wall structure including first and second structural layers comprising a hardenable material and an insulating layer disposed between the first and second structural layers, wherein the connector comprises a highly insulating material and includes:
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(a) an elongate shaft having a penetrating segment, a gripping segment, and a mesial segment disposed between the penetrating and gripping segments, the elongate shaft having a width; (b) a penetrating tip at an end of the penetrating segment distal to mesial segment, the penetrating tip having a width that is less than the width of the elongate shaft; (c) two arcuate wings laterally disposed at an end of the gripping segment distal to the mesial segment, the arcuate wings providing means for anchoring the connector within the second structural layer when substantially hardened; (d) orienting means for limiting penetration of the elongate shaft through the insulating layer to a desired depth, the orienting means comprising enlarged ends disposed at ends of the arcuate wings distal to where the arcuate wings emanate from the elongate shaft; and (e) at least one recess in the penetrating segment of the elongate shaft disposed between the penetrating tip and the mesial segment for anchoring the connector within the first structural layer when substantially hardened. - View Dependent Claims (15)
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16. A highly insulating composite wall structure comprising a first structural layer including a hardenable structural material, a second structural layer including a hardenable structural material, and an insulating layer disposed between the first and second structural layers, the first structural layer, the second structural layer and the insulating layer being secured together by means of a plurality of connectors comprising an insulating material and including:
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(a) an elongate shaft having a penetrating segment, a gripping segment, and a mesial segment disposed between the penetrating and gripping segments, the elongate shaft having a width; (b) a penetrating tip at an end of the penetrating segment distal to the mesial segment the penetrating tip having a width that is lest than the width of the elongate shaft; (c) orienting means for limiting penetration of the elongate shaft through the insulating layer; (d) first anchoring means within the penetrating segment for anchoring the connector within the first structural layer when substantially hardened; and (e) second anchoring means within the gripping segment comprising a plurality of acuate wings laterally disposed on the enlongate shaft for anchoring the connector within the second structural layer when substantially hardened. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification