Laser configured hook column anchors and anchoring systems utilizing the same

13 Pages·2015·1.08 MB·English

USOO8904731B2
(12) United States Patent (10) Patent N0.: US 8,904,731 B2
Hohmann, Jr. et al. (45) Date of Patent: Dec. 9, 2014
(54) LASER CONFIGURED HOOK COLUMN 2 * 1%; 221161311 52/710
ANCHORS AND ANCHORING SYSTEMS 2,, 058,, 148 A 10/1936 HaWr dr ey ......................... ..
UTILIZING THE SAME 2,300,181 A 10/1942 Spaight
2,605,867 A 8/1952 Goodwin
(71) ApplicantszRonald P. Hohmann, Jr., Hauppauge, 2,611,459 A 9/1952 Hammitt et a1.
HY ws)’. R‘ggld PS' HOhmann’ 22,,798209,,923368 AA 23//11995670 HKialyleb erg
auppauge, (U ) 2,966,705 A 1/1961 Massey
3,030,670 A 4/1962 Bigelow
(72) Inventors: Ronald P. Hohmann, Jr., Hauppauge, 3,155,206 A 11/ 1964 Booth
NY (US); Ronald P. Hohmann, 3,183,628 A 5/1965 Smith
Hauppauge’ NY (Us) 3,277,626 A 10/1966 Brynjolfsson et al.
(Continued)
(73) Assignee: Columbia Insurance Company,
Omaha, NE (US) FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
( * ) Notice: Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this CH 279209 3/1952
Upa.tSe.nCt. i1s5 4e(xbt)e nbdye d0 doary sa.d justed under 35 :5
OTHER PUBLICATIONS
(21) App1.No.: 13/781,200
ASTM Standard E754-80 (2006), Standard Test Method for Pullout
(22) Filed; Feb 28, 2013 Resistance of Ties andAnchors Embedded in Masonry Mortar Joints,
ASTM International, 8 pages, West Conshohocken, Pennsylvania,
(65) Prior Publication Data United States~
US 2014/0237934 A1 Aug. 28, 2014 (Continued)
(51) Int. Cl. Primary Examiner * Basil Katcheves
E04C 5/00 (2006.01) (74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm * Silber & Fridman
E04B 1/41 (2006.01)
(52) U.S. Cl. (57) ABSTRACT
CPC ...................................... .. E 04B 1/41 (2013.01) A high_strength1aser con?gured column anchor and anchor
USPC ............................................. .. 52/714; 52/713 ing system is disclosed The high_strength column anchor
(58) Field of Classi?catiOIl SeaI‘Ch provides high-strength pullout resistance When embedded
CPC ............................... .. E04B 1/4178; E04B 1/41 Within the wall bed joint, Specially-con?gured apertures,
USPC .................................. .. 52/714, 713, 565, 568 edging and dimension restrictions provide for ?ow-through
See application ?le fOr 00111131616 SBarCh hiSIOI‘y- mortar embedment Within the wall bed joint. The edging
_ provides irregular and regular patterns ensuring a secure ?t
(56) References Clted Within the bed joint. The column anchors include a hook
attachment portion for secure attachment to the column
U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
?anges and optionally include a securement bar or clamp to
further secure the column anchor to the column ?anges.
364,241 A * 6/1887 Frost ............................. .. 52/564
819,869 A 5/1906 Dunlap
903,000 A 11/1908 Priest, Jr. 20 Claims, 5 Drawing Sheets
US 8,904,731 B2
Page 2
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
(56) References Cited 6,279,283 B1 8/2001 Hohmann et al.
6,298,630 B1 10/2001 VeRost et al.
U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS 6,332,300 B1 12/2001 Wakai
6,351,922 B1 3/2002 Burns et al.
3,309,828 3/1967 Tribble 6,668,505 B1 12/2003 Hohmann et al.
3,341,998 9/1967 Lucas 6,735,915 B1 5/2004 Johnson, III
3,377,764 4/1968 Storch 6,739,105 B2 5/2004 Fleming
3,568,389 3/1971 Gulow 6,789,365 B1 9/2004 Hohmann et al.
3,964,226 6/1976 Hala et al. 6,851,239 B1 2/2005 Hohmann et al.
4,021,990 5/1977 Schwalberg 6,925,768 B2 8/2005 Hohmann et al.
4,022,537 5/1977 Gilb et al. 6,941,717 B2 9/2005 Hohmann et al.
4,227,359 10/1980 Schlenker 7,017,318 B1 3/2006 Hohmann et al.
4,305,239 12/1981 Geraghty 7,152,382 B2 12/2006 Johnson, III
4,373,314 2/1983 Allan 7,171,788 B2 2/2007 Bronner
4,438,611 3/1984 Bryant 7,325,366 B1 2/2008 Hohmann, Jr. et al.
4,473,984 10/1984 Lopez 7,415,803 B2 8/2008 Bronner
4,596,102 6/1986 Catani et al. 7,562,506 B2 7/2009 Hohmann, Jr.
4,598,518 7/1986 Hohmann 7,587,874 B2 9/2009 Hohmann, Jr.
4,738,070 4/1988 Abbott et al. 7,845,137 B2 12/2010 Hohmann, Jr.
4,764,069 8/1988 Reinwall et al. 8,037,653 B2 10/2011 Hohmann, Jr.
4,765,108 8/1988 Lapish 8,051,619 B2 11/2011 Hohmann, Jr.
4,819,401 4/1989 Whitney, Jr. 2001/0054270 A1 12/2001 Rice
4,827,684 5/1989 Allan 2004/0083667 A1 5/2004 Johnson, III
4,843,776 7/1989 Guignard 2004/0216408 A1 11/2004 Hohmann, Jr.
4,869,038 9/1989 Catani 2004/0216413 A1 11/2004 Hohmann et al.
4,869,043 9/1989 HatZinikolas et al. 2004/0216416 A1 11/2004 Hohmann et al.
4,875,319 10/1989 Hohmann 2008/0141605 A1 6/2008 Hohmann
4,955,172 9/1990 Pierson 2010/0037552 A1 2/2010 Bronner
5,035,099 7/1991 Lapish .......................... .. 52/713 2010/0071307 A1 3/2010 Hohmann, Jr.
5,063,722 11/1991 Hohmann 2010/0101175 A1 4/2010 Hohmann
5,099,628 3/1992 Noland et al. 2010/0257803 A1 10/2010 Hohmann, Jr.
5,207,043 5/1993 McGee et al. 2011/0047919 A1 3/2011 Hohmann, Jr.
5,390,460 2/1995 Llorens 2011/0146195 A1 6/2011 Hohmann, Jr.
5,392,581 2/1995 HatZinikolas et al. 2011/0173902 A1 7/2011 Hohmann, Jr. et al.
5,408,798 4/1995 Hohmann 2011/0277397 A1 11/2011 Hohmann, Jr.
5,440,854 8/1995 Hohmann
OTHER PUBLICATIONS
5,454,200 10/1995 Hohmann
5,456,052 10/1995 Anderson et al.
5,490,366 2/1996 Burns et al. Building Envelope Requirements, 780 CMR sec. 1304.0 et seq. of
5,522,187 6/1996 Bogaerts Chapter 13, Jan. 1, 2001, 19 pages, Boston, Massachusetts, United
5,598,673 2/1997 Atkins States.
5,634,310 6/1997 Hohmann
Building Code Requirements for Masonry Structures, TMS 402-11/
5,671,578 9/1997 Hohmann
AC1530-11/ASCE 5-11, Chapter 6, 12 pages.
5,755,070 5/1998 Hohmann
Hohmann & Barnard, Inc.; Product Catalog, 2009, 52 pages, Haup
5,816,008 10/1998 Hohmann
6,148,576 A * 11/2000 Janopaul, Jr. ................. .. 52/426 pauge, New York, United States.
6,209,281 4/2001 Rice
6,212,841 4/2001 Plume * cited by examiner
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FIG. 3
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142
US. Patent
Dec. 9, 2014 Sheet 5 0f 5 US 8,904,731 B2
US 8,904,731 B2
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LASER CONFIGURED HOOK COLUMN connection strength and increased pullout prevention from
ANCHORS AND ANCHORING SYSTEMS both the masonry wall and the steel columns.
UTILIZING THE SAME The high-strength laser con?gured column anchors of this
invention are specially designed to prevent anchor pullout
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION from the masonry wall and the building column support. The
con?gured anchors restrict movement and ensure a high
1. Field of the Invention strength connection and transfer of forces between the steel
This invention relates to an improved anchoring arrange
columns and masonry wall. The column anchor insertion
ment for use in conjunction with building construction having
portion is laser con?gured to ensure full mortar coverage
a masonry wall secured to steel building column supports.
when disposed within the masonry wall bed joint, restricting
More particularly, the invention relates to construction acces
anchor pullout, while maintaining the requirements for mor
sory devices, namely, specially-con?gured hook column
tar tolerances set forth in the Building Code Requirements for
anchors with laser carve-outs that provide high strength pull
Masonry Structures, Chapter 6, Veneer. The close control of
out resistance when secured to the columns and within the
the overall dimensions of the insertion portion permits the
masonry wall bed joints. The invention is applicable to struc
mortar of the bed joints to ?ow through, over and about the
tures having walls constructed from brick, block or stone in
combination with a building column support. anchor to secure against the laser con?gurations. The anchor
2. Description of the Prior Art hereof employs extra strong material and bene?ts from the
In the past, investigations relating to the effects of various laser con?guration of the metal, providing an anchoring sys
forces, particularly lateral forces, upon brick veneer masonry 20 tem that meets the unusual requirements demanded in current
construction demonstrated the advantages of having high building structures.
strength anchoring components embedded in the bed joints of There have been signi?cant shifts in public sector building
anchored walls, such as facing brick, block or stone wall. speci?cations which have resulted in architects and architec
Anchors are generally placed in one of the following ?ve tural engineers requiring larger and larger spacing between
categories: corrugated; sheet metal; wire; two-piece adjust 25 the structural walls of public buildings. These requirements
able; or joint reinforcing. The present invention has a focus on are imposed without corresponding decreases in wind shear
sheet metal and in particular, single construct hook column and seismic resistance levels or increases in mortar bed joint
anchors for wall construction having steel column supports. height. Thus, the wall anchors needed are restricted to occu
The use of steel for the construction of building wall sup pying the same 3/s-inch bed joint height in the masonry wall.
ports has become increasingly popular since its inception in 30 Because of this, the masonry wall material is tied down over
the late 1800s. In the 1940s, veneer construction with steel a span of two or more times that which had previously been
frames was introduced and its popularity has grown steadily experienced. Exemplary of the public sector building speci
since its introduction. This popularity results from the inher ?cation is that of the Energy Code Requirement, Boston,
ent bene?ts of steel, as opposed to masonry or wood construc Mass. (See Chapter 13 of780 CMR, Seventh Edition). This
tion. Steel is one of the strongest building frame materials 35 Code sets forth insulation R-values well in excess of prior
available and is signi?cantly safer, in that it is not susceptible editions and evokes an engineering response opting for
to insect infestation, rotting or destruction from ?re. The high thicker insulation and correspondingly larger cavities.
strength of a steel structure provides greater resiliency against The use of anchors in wall construction have been limited
the effects of aggressive weather. Steel structures are also by the mortar layer thicknesses which, in turn are dictated
more cost effective, providing ease of construction and trans 40 either by the new building speci?cations or by pre-existing
port and requiring less material than timber or block methods. conditions, e.g., matching during renovations or additions the
Steel is an environmentally-friendly construction material existing mortar layer thickness. While arguments have been
because it is recyclable and results in less raw material waste. made for increasing the number of the ?ne-wire anchors per
Laser cutting of the column anchor is performed by direct unit area of the facing layer, architects and architectural engi
ing the output of a high-power laser, by computer, to melt, 45 neers have favored wire formative anchors of sturdier wire.
burn, or vaporize the desired con?guration of the apertures On the other hand, contractors ?nd that heavy wire anchors,
and cut-outs. Examples of lasers used in the laser cutting with diameters approaching the mortar layer height speci?
herein include, but are not limited to, the CO2 laser (and its cation, frequently result in misalignment. Thus, these con
variants), and the neodymium and neodymium yttrium-alu tractors look towards substituting thinner gage wire forma
minium-garnet laser. Laser carving provides the ability to 50 tives, which result in easier alignment of courses of block to
make the detailed carve-outs in the high-strength metals to protect against wythe separation. A balancing of mortar and
form the presently presented column anchors without altering wall anchor dimensions must be struck to ensure wall anchor
the metal structural attributes. Laser cutting provides advan stability within the masonry wall. The present high strength
tages over mechanical cutting or plasma cutting because the column anchor greatly assists in maintaining this balance in
workholding is easier and there is reduced contamination of 55 the mortar joint. The presently presented column anchor pro
the workpiece (there is no cutting edge). Precision is also vides the required high-strength interconnection within the
improved because there is no wear of the cutting edge in the allowed tolerances.
process and the structural integrity of the high-strength metal Besides earthquake protection requiring high-strength
is uncompromised. anchoring systems, the failure of several high-rise buildings
Anchoring systems for wall construction come in varied 60 to withstand wind and other lateral forces has resulted in the
forms depending on the wall materials and structural use. promulgation of more stringent Uniform Building Code pro
Ronald P. Hohmann and Hohmann & Barnard, Inc., now a visions. This high-strength laser con?gured wall anchor is a
MiTek-Berkshire Hathaway company, have successfully partial response thereto. The inventor’s related anchoring
commercialized numerous devices to secure wall structures, system products have become widely accepted in the indus
providing improvements that include increases in intercon 65 try.
nection strength, ease of manufacture and use, and thermal The following patents are believed to be relevant and are
isolation. The present invention is an improvement in inter disclosed as being known to the inventor hereof:
US 8,904,731 B2
3 4
than one half the height of the bed j oint to ensure construction
US Pat. No. Inventor Issue Date in accordance with the applicable engineering standards and
guidelines. The close control of overall heights permits the
4,021,990 Schwalberg May 10, 1977 mortar of the bed joints to ?ow over and through the column
4,473,984 Lopez Oct. 2, 1984
anchors. The hook attachment portion resists detachment
4,598,518 Hohmann Jul. 8, 1986
4,875,319 Hohmann Oct. 24, 1989 from the building column support structure and limits move
6,298,630 VeRost, et al. Oct. 9, 2001 ment along the x- and z-axes.
6,739,105 Fleming May 25, 2004 In this invention, the column anchor is constructed from
7,171,788 Bronner Feb. 6, 2007 steel or similar high-strength material. In the ?rst embodi
ment, the hook column anchor is a device with a hook attach
US. Pat. No. 4,021,990—B. J. SchwalbergiIssued May ment portion and laser carve-outs and edging along the inser
tion portion. The column anchor is a?ixed to the steel column
10, 1977 Discloses a dry wall construction system for anchor
?ange and inserted in the bed joint of the masonry wall. The
ing a facing veneer to wallboard/metal stud construction with
masonry block cells and bed joint are ?lled with mortar,
a pronged sheet metal anchor. The wall tie is embedded in the
completely surrounding the insertion portion of the column
exterior wythe and is not attached to a straight wire run. anchor. The column anchor of this embodiment may be fash
US. Pat. No. 4,473,984iLopeziIssued Oct. 2, 1984 ioned for use as a right-sided or left-sided anchor and is for
Discloses a curtain-wall masonry anchor system wherein a use either as a single anchor a?ixed to one of edge of the
wall tie is attached to the inner wythe by a self-tapping screw ?ange or in conjunction with a second anchor, providing
to a metal stud and to the outer wythe by embedment in a attachments to both edges of the column ?ange.
corresponding bed joint. The stud is applied through a hole 20 The second embodiment includes column anchors similar
cut into the insulation. to the ?rst, but provides a slot in the attachment portion for
US. Pat. No. 4,598,518iR. HohmanniIssued Jul. 8, interconnection with a clamp, when a single column anchor is
1986 Discloses a dry wall construction system with wall employed, and a securement bar, when two column anchors
board attached to the face of studs which, in turn, are attached are secured to the column ?anges. A?ixing hardware is
to an inner masonry wythe. Insulation is disposed between the 25 employed to further secure the clamp and the bar to the
webs of adjacent studs. column anchor(s).
US. Pat. No. 4,875,319iR. HohmanniIssued Oct. 24, It is an object of the present invention to provide in an
1989 Discloses a seismic construction system for anchoring a anchoring system having a masonry wall anchored to a steel
facing veneer to wallboard/metal stud construction with a column support construct, a high-strength column anchor,
pronged sheet metal anchor. 30 which includes a laser con?gured insertion portion and a
US. Pat. No. 6,298,630iVeRost, et aliIssued Oct. 9, hook attachment portion.
2001 Discloses a wall plate for attaching a horizontal or It is another object of the present invention to provide a
sloping beam to a vertical masonry wall. The wall plate is specialized column anchor that is con?gured to provide a
attached through the use of an anchor a?ixed to a steel beam. high-strength interlock between the steel columns and the
A method of attaching a horizontal or sloping beam to a 35 adjacent wall.
vertical masonry wall is further disclosed. It is another object of the present invention to provide
US. Pat. No. 6,739,105iF1emingiIssued May 25, 2004 labor-saving devices to simplify installations of brick, block
Discloses a construction assembly which includes a structure and stone walls and the securement thereof to a steel column
panel, with structural members and integrally molded insu support structure.
lation, a ?oor support, joists and a horizontal ledge. The 40 It is a further object of the present invention to provide an
assembly further includes cut-out tabs and wall anchors and anchoring system for a wall comprising a single component
ties interconnected therewith and secured to the assembly. that is economical to manufacture resulting in a relatively low
US. Pat. No. 7,171,788iBronneriIssued Feb. 6, 2007 unit cost.
Discloses masonry connectors for embedment in masonry It is a feature of the present invention that when the column
wall mortar beds and interconnection with a vertical sliding 45 anchor is installed within the masonry wall bed joint and the
rail attached to a steel frame. The device, when installed, is bed joint mortar surrounds the laser con?gurations and aper
designed to be embedded in mortar along the cross ribs of the tures, the column anchor provides high strength pullout resis
masonry block and does not require grouting in the cells of the tance from the wall.
masonry units. It is a further feature of the present invention that when the
None of the above anchors or anchoring systems provides 50 column anchor is a?ixed to the column ?ange, the hook
a laser con?gured column wall anchor with enhanced inter attachment portion resists detachment along the x- and
connection properties and pullout resistance. This invention z-axes, while allowing movement along the y-axis.
relates to an improved anchoring arrangement for use in It is another feature of the present invention that the column
conjunction with building construction having a masonry anchors are utilizable with a wall of masonry block having
wall secured to a steel building column support and meets the 55 aligned or unaligned bed joints.
heretofore unmet need described above. It is yet another feature of the present invention that the
column anchor provides a high-strength interconnection
SUMMARY within the allowable tolerances for mortar joint anchoring
systems.
In general terms, the invention disclosed hereby is a laser Other objects and features of the invention will become
con?gured hook column anchor and anchoring system for use apparent upon review of the drawings and the detailed
in anchoring a masonry wall to a steel column structure. The description.
system includes a specially-con?gured laser-cut metal col
umn anchor that provides high-strength interconnection and BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
superior pullout resistance when embedded in mortar within 65
the bed joint of the masonry wall and attached to the building In the following drawings, the same parts in the various
column ?ange. The column anchor is designed to ?ll no more views are afforded the same reference designators.
US 8,904,731 B2
5 6
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the ?rst embodiment of the resist individually the effects of the loads imposed thereupon.
hook column anchor and anchoring system having two col Further, the outer masonry wall is designed and detailed to
umn anchors with laser con?gured insertion portions accommodate differential movement and to distribute all
emplaced in the bed joint of the adjacent masonry wall and external applied loads through the wall to the adjacent build
secured to a steel column support structure; ing columns utilizing the column anchors.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the left- sided column anchor Referring now to FIGS. 1 through 5, the ?rst embodiment
of FIG. 1; of the laser con?gured column anchors and anchoring system
FIG. 3 is a partial cross-sectional view of the anchoring of this invention is shown and is referred to generally by the
system of FIG. 1 on a substantially vertical plane showing one number 10. In this embodiment, a wall structure 12 is shown
of the column anchors embedded in the masonry wall bed having a building column support structure 14 of building
joint; columns 16 and an adjacent wall 18 ofVCUs 20. The column
FIG. 4 is a partial perspective of the hook column anchor structure 14 and the wall 18 are spaced apart by a predeter
and anchoring system having a single column anchor with a mined space 22, which extends outwardly from the surface 24
laser con?gured insertion portion emplaced in the masonry of the building column structure 14. Optionally, the space 22
wall bed joint and secured to a steel column support structure; accommodates ?reproo?ng (not shown) which is usually
FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the column anchor of FIG. sprayed onto the building columns. Each of the building
1 with a right-sided orientation; columns 16 has a ?ange 17 disposed on a central web 19
FIG. 6 is a partial perspective view of the second embodi proximal to the wall 18. The central web 19 is disposed
ment of the column anchor and anchoring system having a substantially parallel to the face plane of the wall 18. The
single column anchor with a laser con?gured insertion por 20 central web 19 separates and joins the two substantially par
tion emplaced in the masonry wall bed joint and secured to a allel ?anges 17.
steel column support structure, the column anchor includes a In this embodiment, successive bed joints of mortar 30 and
clamp and a?ixing hardware; 32 are formedbetweenVCUs 20. Courses ofVCUs 20 and the
FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of the column bed joints 30 and 32 are substantially planar and horizontally
anchor and clamp of FIG. 6; 25 disposed. For each wall 18, the bed joints 30 and 32 are
FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the anchoring system of speci?ed as to the height or thickness of the mortar layer and
FIG. 6 having two column anchors joined together by a such thickness speci?cation is rigorously adhered to so as to
securement bar and attaching hardware; and, provide the uniformity inherent in quality construction.
FIG. 9 is a perspective view of an alternative design column For purposes of discussion, the exterior surface 24 of the
anchor of this invention having multiple apertures within the 30 building column structure 14 contains a horizontal line or
insertion portion. x-axis 34 and an intersecting vertical line or y-axis 36. A
horizontal line or z-axis 38, normal to the xy-plane, also
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED passes through the coordinate origin formed by the intersect
EMBODIMENTS ing x-34 and y-axes 36. In the discussion which follows, it
35 will be seen that the various anchors are constructed to restrict
In the embodiments described herein, the column anchors movement interfacially along the z-axis 38 and along the
are laser con?gured to have a thickness of no greater than x-axis 34. The device 10 includes a column anchor 40 con
one-half the bed joint height in the masonry wall, thereby structed for attachment to the building column 16 and for
becoming better suited to building structures requiring embedment in bed joint 32, which, in turn, includes an elon
greater pullout resistance when secured within a masonry 40 gated plate member 42 with an insertion portion 54 and an
wall anchored to adjacent building columns. It has been found attachment portion 56.
that the laser con?gured column anchors, once secured within The column anchor 40 is shown in FIGS. 1 and 5 as being
the mortar joints of the wall and to the column ?ange, provide emplaced on a course of VCUs 20 and embedded within the
a superior interconnect between the wall and the adjacent bed joint 32 in FIG. 3. The elongated plate member 42 has a
building column support than the prior art. Before proceeding 45 thickness of no greater than one-half of the bed joint 32 height
to the detailed description, the following de?nitions are pro and includes an insertion portion 54 with one or more aper
vided. For purposes of de?ning the invention at hand, a volu tures 60 therethrough to permit the mortar of the bed joint 32
metric construction unit (“VCU”) is a masonry unit con to ?ow through and surround the elongated plate member 42.
structed with mortar joints between each adjacent unit. A A single aperture 60 is shown in this embodiment. Multiple
VCU includes, but is not limited to, masonry blocks, bricks, 50 apertures 160 are shown in FIG. 9 and are incorporated herein
stone or similar material. Further, a building column is a high by reference as a design alternative. Opposite the insertion
strength column or beam constructed of steel or similar mate portion 54, the elongated plate member 42 includes an attach
rial and positioned in an orientation that provides an “H” ment portion 56, which anchors the wall 18 to the building
shape with a set of ?anges and an interior web parallel to the columns 16. The attachment portion 56 includes a hook por
face plane of the wall interconnecting the ?anges. 55 tion 21 that surrounds the edge of the ?ange 17 and when so
The description which follows is of two embodiments of attached is substantially normal to the face plane of the wall
column anchors and anchoring systems utilizing the laser 18. A rotated portion 55 of the attachment portion 56 and is
con?gured column anchor devices of this invention, which contiguous with the insertion portion 54. The rotated portion
devices are suitable for various wall applications. Although 55 enables the insertion portion to maintain parallelism with
each column anchor is adaptable to varied backup structures, 60 the bed joint 32. Either a single column anchor 40 (as shown
the embodiments here apply to walls constructed with VCUs in FIG. 4) or two column anchors 40 (as shown in FIG. 1) are
anchored to a building column support structure. For the secured to the building column 16. When the mortar of the
masonry structures, mortar bed j oint thickness is at least twice bed joint 32 surrounds the column anchor 40, the mortar ?ows
the thickness of the embedded anchor. through the apertures 60 and provides strong interconnection
In accordance, with the Building Code Requirements for 65 and pullout resistance.
Masonry Structures, AC1 530-05/ASCE 5-05/TMS 402-05, The elongated plate member 42 contains a peripheral edge
Chapter 6, each structure forming the wall is designed to portion 58 with a patterned edge portion 62 that is either