Construction tie for securing U-channels vertically in columns

A method for installing a retractable screen system in a structure wherein the screen system comprises first and second vertical U-channels that receive side edges of a screen panel, wherein the structure includes façade material that has a depth when installed, wherein the installed façade material comprises a plurality of units joined by mortar, and wherein the each of the first and second U-channels is U-shaped in cross-section comprising a back and first and second sides and defining a vertical screen receiving space therebetween, the method comprising:

• anchoring first and second U-channels in the structure, wherein each of the first and second U-channels is sized to receive a side edge of the screen panel, and wherein anchoring the first and second U-channels includes positioning the U-channels relative to each other so that when the screen system is installed in the structure the side edges of the screen panel will be received inside the vertical screen receiving spaces in the U-channels for vertical movement therein;
• installing a first section of façade material adjacent the first and second sides of each of the first and second U-channels, the first section of façade material defining a top;
• for each of the first and second U-channels, providing a plurality of construction ties each comprising:
• a clip that is U-shaped in cross-section comprising a back section and first and second side sections, each of the back section and first and second side sections defining a vertical plane, the clip defining a channel receiving space for slidably receiving the vertical U-channel, wherein the clip has a top edge and a bottom edge, wherein the clip has a length, a width, and a depth, and wherein the depth of the clip is less than the depth of the installed façade material so that the tie is not visible when the facade material is installed;
• and
• at least one flange joined to the bottom edge of one of the back section, the first side section, and the second side section of the clip, wherein the at least one flange is configured to be bent at the point adjacent the bottom edge of the clip from a first position in which the at least one flange extends downwardly from the bottom edge of the clip and defines a plane continuous with the plane of the back section, the first side section, or the second side section of the clip member from which the at least one flange extends to a second position in which the at least one flange extends laterally in a plane that intersects the plane of the back section, the first side section, or the second side section of the clip from which the at least one flange extends;
• for each of the first and second U-channels, shaping a first construction tie by bending the at least one flange into the second position;
• for each of the first and second U-channels, positioning the shaped first construction tie on the U-channel so that the at least one flange overlies the top of the first section of façade material and so that the back and first and second sides of the clip are adjacent the back and first and second sides, respectively, of the U-channel;
• for each of the first and second U-channels, applying mortar over the at least one flange and the top of the first section of façade material;
• for each of the first and second U-channels, installing a second section of façade material over the first section of façade material and around the anchored U-channel adjacent the first and second sides of the U-channel and over the at least one flange of the first construction tie;
• and
• for each of the first and second U-channels, repeating the steps of installing the sections of façade material and positioning the shaped construction ties therebetween until the installation of the first and second U-channels is complete.