Interior and exterior surface anchoring system

Abstract

A method for attaching interior or exterior surfaces, such as drywall or siding, is disclosed. An integrally insulated concrete wall is described that includes two concrete wythes, insulation sandwiched between the wythes, and connectors that extend through the insulation. At the end of the connector, an anchor is provided. In order to attach a surface such as drywall or siding to the concrete, nails or screws are driven through the surface and into the anchors, thus eliminating the need to construct a frame.

1 . A method of anchoring drywall, siding or other surfaces to an integrally insulated sandwich wall, comprising the steps of:
 a) providing an integrally insulated sandwich wall comprised of first and second spaced apart layers of concrete, a layer of insulating material sandwiched between the first and second layers of concrete, and a plurality of connectors extending through the layer of insulating material;   b) providing an anchor at the end of the connectors, wherein the anchor is permanently cast into the concrete; and   c) attaching drywall, siding or other surfaces to at least one of the layers of concrete with a connecting means, wherein the connecting means is driven through the panel into the anchor.   
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the connector has an interior end embedded in an interior layer of concrete and an exterior end embedded in an exterior layer of concrete and wherein the anchor is provided only at the interior end of the connector. 
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the connector has an interior end embedded in an interior layer of concrete and an exterior end embedded in an exterior layer of concrete and wherein the anchor is provided only at the exterior end of the connector. 
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the connector has an interior end embedded in an interior layer of concrete and an exterior end embedded in an exterior layer of concrete and wherein an anchor is provided at both the ends of the connector. 
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the anchor comprises a strip at the end of a row of connectors. 
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the anchors are comprised of a material selected from the group consisting of composite material, wood, plastic and metal. 
   
   
       7 . A wall section, comprising:
 a) an integrally insulated sandwich wall comprised of first and second spaced apart layers of concrete, a layer of insulating material sandwiched between the first and second layers of concrete, and a plurality of connectors extending through the layer of insulating material;   b) an anchor at the end of the connectors, wherein the anchor is permanently cast into the concrete; and   c) drywall, siding or other surfaces attached to at least one of the layers of concrete with a connecting means, wherein the connecting means is driven through the panel into the anchor.   
   
   
       8 . The wall of  claim 7 , wherein the connector has an interior end embedded in an interior layer of concrete and an exterior end embedded in an exterior layer of concrete and wherein the anchor is provided only at the interior end of the connector. 
   
   
       9 . The wall of  claim 7 , wherein the connector has an interior end embedded in an interior layer of concrete and an exterior end embedded in an exterior layer of concrete and wherein the anchor is provided only at the exterior end of the connector. 
   
   
       10 . The wall of  claim 7 , wherein the connector has an interior end embedded in an interior layer of concrete and an exterior end embedded in an exterior layer of concrete and wherein an anchor is provided at both the ends of the connector. 
   
   
       11 . The wall of  claim 7 , wherein the anchor comprises a strip at the end of a row of connectors. 
   
   
       12 . The wall of  claim 7 , wherein the anchors are comprised of a material selected from the group consisting of composite material, wood, plastic and metal.