insulating Sheath

Technical Field:

[0001] the invention relates to an insulating sheath that surrounds a connector that secures cladding and materials to a building and other soiid objects. The invention provides thermal insulation between the connector and the cladding and other materials. The invention also relates to a method of providing insulation between a connector and cladding material.

Background Art:

[0002] tt is known to those who are familiar with application of cladding, that the connectors are designed to self-auger through cladding materials. This self-auger process saves time on site from having to pre-drill a hole then drive the connector through the cladding. Currently a thin rubber washer is placed between the connector head and the ciadding, which assists in waterproofing the penetration, and permits movement between connector head and cladding. This thin rubber washer does not reduce any significant heat transfer.

[0003] Heat that could transfer between the tray of the cladding and the supporting structure, can be reduced by placing an insulating foam over the support structures to avoid direct contact with the ciadding. The market has a number of these products that reduce heat flow.

[0004] The metal connectors used currently transfer heat from the cladding down their shaft into the structure that supports the cladding. Most of the heat that enters the connector shaft is the accumulation of heat from the adjacent cladding. Other source of heat is the external heat that is directed onto the head of the connector.

[0005] Previous attempts have failed to insulate the head of the connector using an isolated insulating ring to surround the top of the shaft only. This top ring leaves the connector shaft exposed to heat from the adjacent cladding, wherein this heat transfers through the shaft to the support structure. Furthermore, this ring is exposed to constant movement of the cladding, resulting in deterioration and loss of effective insulation.

[0006] Any discussions of documents, acts, materials, devices articles or th like which has been included in the present specification is solely for the purpose of providing a context for the present invention. It is not to be taken as an admission that any or ail of these matters form part of the prior art base or were common general knowledge in the field relevant to the present invention as it existed before the priority date of each claim of this application.

Summary of the invention:

[0007] The invention describes a sheath that comprises a top ring and a hollow stem, and is made from durable materials that provide insulation to a connector that secures cladding to a building or solid object. The connector is a device comprising a head and a shaft that is coaxial with and penetrates a top ring and hollow stem of the insulating sheath,

[0008] In a further embodiment of the invention a sheath hollow stem has a blunt end that allows the sheath to penetrate through a hole in the cladding. In order that this embodiment can be used an appropriate sized hole is pre-d rilled through the cladding to permit the sheath to penetrate the cladding.

[0009] In one embodiment of the invention a hollow stem tip of a sheath has a bevelled end that assists the sheath to penetrate through a hole in the cladding. In order that this embodiment can be used, an appropriate sized hole is pre-dril!ed through the cladding to permit the sheath to penetrate the cladding.

[0010] in a further embodiment of the invention, a threaded shaft of a connector penetrates a tapered core of a hollow stem sheath, wherein the threaded shaft grips the tapered core of the sheath hollow stem, whereby the sheath and connector move in unison.

[0011] in a further embodiment of the invention, a shaft of a connector penetrates a sheath hollow stem, wherein a threaded shaft of the connecto grips with protrusions on the core of the hollow stem, whereby the sheath and connector move in unison.

[0012] tn a further embodiment of the invention, protrusions on the head of the connector engage with an opposing surface of an adjoining sheath top ring, wherein the protrusions penetrate the sheath top ring, whereby the sheath top ring and connector head move in unison.

[0013] In a further embodiment of the invention, the sheath top ring has a keyway shaped into the outer surface, whereby a key set into the opposing surface of a connector head engages with the keyway, whereby the connector head and sheath top ring move in unison. [0014] in a further embodiment of the invention, cutting blades are positioned on the protruding ends of a sheath hollow stem, !n this embodiment, a connector shaft penetrates the sheath hollow core, penetrates the cladding material with a pilot hole; wherein the connector moves in unison with the sheath the cutting blades which augur through the cladding making an appropriate sized hole through which the sheath fits.

[0015] In a further embodiment of the invention, an adhesive is placed between opposing surfaces of a connector head and a sheath top ring, wherein the adhesive spreads between the opposing surfaces and into a sheath hollow stem, whereby the sheath adheres to the connector and can move in unison with the connector.

[0016] fn a further embodiment of the invention, the sheath is made from a combination of materials that are durable and selected from the group of materials comprising: ceramic, glass, carbon, fibreglass, polyurethane, polypropylene, polyethylene, polystyrene, vermiculite, and PET.

[0017] In a further embodiment of the invention, the sheath is made from one of the materials which are durable and selected from the group of materials comprising: ceramic, glass, carbon, fibregiass, polyurethane, polypropylene, polyethylene, polystyrene, vermiculite, and PET.

[0018] In a further embodiment of the invention, the sheath is a laminate that is made from materials which are durable and selected from the group of materials comprising; ceramic, glass, carbon, fibreglass, polyurethane, polypropylene, polyethylene, polystyrene _. , vermiculite, and PET.

[0019] It should be understood that the words used in this application have the following meaning;

(i) protrusion, means a physical jutting out from an object, including ribs, keys, nodes or threads that jut out from the object.

(ii) auger, means the drilling action of a screw thread that taps into a material and creates a hole as the rotation process continues.

(iii) sheath, means a device with a top ring section, and a hollow stem that covers a screw, bolt, nail of other connector.

(iv) connector, means a device that secures materials together, and may be a screw, nail, bolt, or other mechanical device that connects materials.

(v) cladding, means a material that covers a building or solid object. connector head, means the top section that has a winding nut or screw key to facilitate axial rotation of the connector, thereby screwing into a material The connector head usually has a flange under the nut to broaden the surface between head and adjacent material.

connector shaft, means the pin-like extension below the connector head. Frequently a thread rotates around the shaft. Certain connector shafts have an augur tip to facilitate the shaft self-tapping through material, without the need to prepare a pilot hole.

top ring, means a component of the sheath. The outer diameter of the top ring is typically larger than the connector head and the hollow stem and provides insulation to the connector head. The top ring has a circular hole coaxial with the sheath stem.

sheath stem, means the hollow cylindrical section beyond the sheath top ring. The stem is hollow to facilitate the penetration of a connector.

insulation, means a material that provides thermal resistance to heat flow.

keyway, means a slot or depression made in one object that is receptive to a key or protrusion made on another object .

key, means a protrusion or shape on one object that grips and fits into a keyway in another object

engage, means to join, grip, fit into, bound onto.

composite, means two or more materials combined together to form one item.

Brief Description of the Drawings:

[0020] Specific embodiments of the invention are described by example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which;

Fig I shows a first embodiment of an insulating sheath having a tapered hoilow core and a bevelled end to the hollow stem.

Fig II shows a second embodiment of an insulating sheath having a tapered hollow core and cutting blades on the bevelled end of the hollow stem.

Fig III shows a third embodiment of an insulating sheath having protrusions on the core of the hollow stem and a bevelled end to the hoilow stem. Fig fV shows a fourth embodiment of an insulating sheath having protrusions on the core of the hollow stem and cutting blades on the bevelled end of the hollow stem.

Fig V shows a fifth embodtment of an insulating sheath having protrusions from the connector head that engage with the sheath top ring and cutting blades on the bevelled end of the hollow stem.

Fig VI shows a sixth embodiment of an insulating sheath having a keyway within the sheath top ring that fits an opposing key on the connector head.

Fig VII shows a seventh embodiment of an insulating sheath having adhesive placed between opposing surfaces of a sheath top ring and connector head and spread into the sheath hollow stem.

Fig VII! shows an eighth embodtment of an insulating sheath having adhesive placed between opposing surfaces of a sheath top ring and connector head and further spread into a separate hollow stem of the sheath.

Detailed Description of a Preferred Embodiment:

[0021] Referring to Fig. I wherein an insulating sheath 10 comprises a top ring 11 integral with a hollow stem 14, wherein threaded connector shaft 17 grips a tapered core 12 to enable the connector shaft 15 to move in unison with the hollow stem 14, whereby the bevelled end 13 noses through a hole with diameter 19 in cladding 1β through which the hollow stem 14 fits

[0022] Referring to Fig. II wherein an insulating sheath 10 comprises a top ring 11 integral with a hollow stem 14 , wherein a threaded connector shaft 17 grips the tapered core 12 to enable the connector head 16, the connector shaft 15 and the hollow stem 14 to move in unison.

[0023] The bevelled end 13 have cutting blades 20 that augur through cladding 18 creating a hole with diameter 19 through which the hollow stem 14 fits.

[0024] Referring to Fig. Ill wherein an insulating sheath 10 comprises a top ring 11 integral with a hollow stem 14, wherein a threaded connector shaft 17 grips protrusions 21 formed in the core of hollow stem 14 to enable the connector head 16, the connector shaft 5 and the hollow stem 14 to move in unison. [0025] The bevelled end 13 of hollow stem 14 noses through a hole with diameter 19 in cladding 18 and fits between connector shaft 17 and cladding 18, thereby reducing heat flow between connector 6 and cladding 18.

[0026] Referring to Fig. IV wherein an insulating sheath 10 comprises a top ring 1 1 integral with a hollow stem 14, wherein a threaded connector shaft 17 grips protrusions 21 in the core of hollow stem 14 to enable the connector head 16, the connector shaft 15 and the hollow stem 14 to move in unison.

[0027] The bevelled end 13 has cutting blades 20 that augur through cladding 18 creating a hole with diameter 19 through which the hollow stem 14 fits.

[0028] Referring to Fig. V wherein an insulating sheath 1 comprises a top ring 1 1 integral with a hoiiow stem 14, wherein protrusions 22 from a connector head 16 engage with a top ring 11 , to enable the connector head 16 and the hollow stem 14 to move in unison.

[0029] The bevelled end 13 has cutting blades 20 that augur through cladding 18 creating a hole with diameter 19 through which the hollow stem 14 fits.

[0030] Referring to Fig. VI wherein an insulating sheath 10 comprises a top ring 1 integral with a hollow stem 14, wherein the top ring 11 is formed with a keyway 23 that engages with a corresponding key 24 on connector head 16 to enable the connector head 16 and the hollow stem to move in unison.

[0031] The bevelled end 13 has cutting blades 20 that augur through cladding 18 creating a hole with diameter 19 through which the hollow stem 1 fits.

[0032] Referring to Fig. V!l wherein an insulating sheath 10 comprises a top ring 1 integral with a hollow stem 4, wherein an adhesive 26 is placed between the top ring 11 and an opposing connector head 16, and an adhesive 26 is placed between a connector shaft 17 and the adjacent hollow stem 14; wherein the adhesive bonds the sheath 10 and the connector 16, whereby the sheath and connector can move in unison.

[0033] The hoiiow shaft 14 penetrates a hole with diameter 19 in cladding 18, leaving the top ring 11 above the cladding 18, thereby reducing heat flow between the connector head 16 and the cladding 18, wherein the sheath hollow stem 14 reduces heat flow between connector shaft 17 and cladding 18. The hollow stem tip 25 is blunt. [0034] Referring to Fig. VIII wherein an insulating sheath 10 comprises two separate parts including a top ring 27 and a hollow stem 28, wherein an adhesive 26 is placed between the top ring 27 and an opposing connector head 16, and an adhesive 26 is placed between a connector shaft 17 and the adjacent top ring 27 and the adjacent hollow stem 28; wherein the adhesive bonds the sheath 10 and the connector 16, whereby the sheath 10 and connector 16 can move in unison,

[0035] The hollow shaft 28 penetrates a hole with diameter 19 in cladding 18, leaving the top ring 27 above the cladding 18, thereby reducing heat flow between the connector head 16 and the cladding 18, wherein the sheath hollow stem 28 reduces heat flow between connector shaft 17 and cladding 18, The hollow stem tip 29 is blunt.