Composite thermal isolating masonry tie fastener

Abstract

Cavity walls include fasteners that provide a thermal break. A cavity wall assembly includes a support structure, insulation, and an outer wythe. The insulation is mounted on the support structure. The outer wythe is spaced apart from the insulation, such that a cavity is formed between the insulation and the outer wythe. A tie is attached to the outer wythe. A fastener extends through a portion of the tie, through the insulation, and into the support structure to attach the tie to the support structure. The fastener provides a thermal break between the support structure and the tie. At least a portion of the thermal break is disposed within a width of the insulation.

1 . A cavity wall assembly comprising:
 a support structure;   insulation mounted on the support structure;   an outer wythe spaced apart from the insulation, such that a cavity is formed between the insulation and the outer wythe;   a tie attached to the outer wythe;   a fastener that extends through a portion of the tie, through the insulation, and into the support structure to attach the tie to the support structure;   wherein the fastener provides a thermal break between the support structure and the tie;   wherein at least a portion of the thermal break is disposed within a width of the insulation.   
     
     
         2 . The cavity wall assembly of  claim 1  wherein the fastener comprises first and second metal portions with the thermal break disposed between the metal portions. 
     
     
         3 . The cavity wall assembly of  claim 1  wherein an entire portion of the fastener that is disposed within the width of the insulation provides a thermal break between the support structure and the tie. 
     
     
         4 . The cavity wall assembly of  claim 1  wherein the entire fastener is made from a material that provides a thermal break between the support structure and the tie. 
     
     
         5 . The cavity wall assembly of  claim 1  wherein the support structure comprises metal studs. 
     
     
         6 . The cavity wall assembly of  claim 2  wherein the first metal portion extends into the insulation from a first side of the insulation. 
     
     
         7 . The cavity wall assembly of  claim 3  wherein the second metal portion extends into the insulation from a second side of the insulation. 
     
     
         8 . The cavity wall assembly of  claim 3  wherein the first side of the insulation faces toward the studs. 
     
     
         9 . The cavity wall assembly of  claim 3  wherein the first side of the insulation faces toward the outer wythe. 
     
     
         10 . The cavity wall assembly of  claim 1  wherein panels are mounted between the metal studs and the insulation. 
     
     
         11 . The cavity wall assembly of  claim 7  wherein a vapor barrier is disposed on the panels. 
     
     
         12 . The cavity wall assembly of  claim 1  wherein the tie comprises a disk portion that provides a thermal break between the fastener and the outer wythe. 
     
     
         13 . The cavity wall assembly of  claim 9  wherein a diameter of said disk portion is at least twice as large as a maximum dimension of a head of the fastener. 
     
     
         14 . A cavity wall assembly comprising:
 metal studs;   panels mounted on the metal studs;   insulation mounted on the panels;   an outer wythe spaced apart from the insulation, such that a cavity is formed between the insulation and the outer wythe;   a tie attached to the outer wythe;   a fastener that extends through a portion of the tie, through the insulation, through one of the panels, and into one of the metal studs to attach the tie to the metal stud;   wherein the fastener comprises first and second metal portions with the thermal break disposed between the metal portions;   wherein the first metal portion extends into the insulation from a first side of the insulation;   wherein the second metal portion extends into the insulation from a second side of the insulation;   wherein the thermal break is disposed between the first and second sides of the insulation within a width of the insulation.   
     
     
         15 . The cavity wall assembly of  claim 11  wherein a vapor barrier is disposed on the panels. 
     
     
         16 . The cavity wall assembly of  claim 11  wherein the tie comprises a disk portion that provides a thermal break between the fastener and the outer wythe. 
     
     
         17 . The cavity wall assembly of  claim 13  wherein a diameter of said disk portion is at least twice as large as a maximum dimension of a head of the fastener. 
     
     
         18 . A cavity wall assembly comprising:
 a support structure;   insulation mounted on the support structure;   an outer wythe spaced apart from the insulation, such that a cavity is formed between the insulation and the outer wythe;   a tie attached to the outer wythe;   a fastener that extends through an enlarged disk portion of the tie, through the insulation, and into one of the metal studs to attach the tie to the support structure;   wherein a diameter of said enlarged disk portion is at least twice as large as a maximum dimension of a head of the fastener;   wherein the enlarged disk portion provides a thermal break between the outer wythe and the fastener.   
     
     
         19 . The cavity wall assembly of  claim 15  wherein the fastener comprises first and second metal portions with the thermal break disposed between the metal portions, wherein the first metal portion extends into the insulation from a first side of the insulation, wherein the second metal portion extends into the insulation from a second side of the insulation, and wherein the thermal break is disposed between the first and second sides of the insulation within a width of the insulation. 
     
     
         20 . The cavity wall assembly of  claim 15  wherein an entire portion of the fastener that is disposed within a width of the insulation provides a thermal break between the support structure and the tie. 
     
     
         21 . The cavity wall assembly of  claim 15  wherein the entire fastener is made from a material that provides a thermal break between the support structure and the tie. 
     
     
         22 . The cavity wall assembly of  claim 15  wherein the support structure comprises metal studs. 
     
     
         23 . The cavity wall assembly of  claim 15  wherein the fastener and the enlarged disk portion are integrally formed.