Technical sector of the invention
[0001] The invention relates to a construction system for wall cladding, suitable, for example
for curtain walls or ventilated façades, which comprises a series of uprights and
a series of cross-members intended to be supported between two uprights that are not
aligned vertically. The system can be completed by a series of prepared cladding pieces
to be attached to one or more cross-members at the same time.
Background of the invention
[0002] There are many known proposals in the area of construction solutions for the installation
of curtain walls or ventilated façades. The most common are based on systems that
comprise wall anchor elements to which systems for connecting cladding pieces can
be attached. These coupling systems may be secured individually to a piece, or they
may be designed to cooperate to hold more than one piece, especially when they have
a parallelepiped arrangement.
[0003] Patent
WO2006134182, for example, describes an fastening system for a ventilated façade comprising a
set of profiles adapted to be connected to the main façade of the building and multiple
fastening elements adapted to secure the cladding pieces to the profiles. One aspect
that is of interest in this proposal is that the profiles are configured as guides
into which the free terminal of the connection elements can be inserted. These connection
elements have a protruding tab oriented vertically that can be inserted into a slot
created for this purpose in the corresponding support pieces of the cladding pieces.
These support pieces comprise a series of protrusions that are inserted into a series
of lateral openings in the cladding pieces.
[0004] The solution described in
WO2006134182 is of interest because it does not require screws or similar hardware, at least to
mount the support pieces on the connection elements or to couple the cladding pieces
to the support pieces.
[0005] Dispensing with anchoring by screws or similar hardware, facilitates the installation
of the ventilated façade, and consequently installation costs are lower, in addition
to facilitating the future replacement of cladding pieces, for example, for maintenance
or replacement due to breakage or wear.
[0006] In this sense, there are other known proposals that seek ways of anchoring cladding
pieces to a structure fixed to a wall easily and without the need for auxiliary components.
[0007] Patent EP1560991 describes, for example, an anchor element for linking structures, such as, for example,
the cross-pieces between stanchions for the construction of ventilated or unventilated
façades, which is made up of a resilient leaf spring in the form of a plate with a
transversal base with hooking slots that form the hook points and connection points
with the stanchions. The anchor elements can be configured in different ways, but
always taking advantage of the return force that is generated when it deforms, for
example, when a cladding piece is inserted between the plate and the stanchion on
which the plate is hooked.
[0008] The combination of uprights or stanchions with cross pieces that extend transversally
to the uprights to form a sort of mesh on which the support elements for the cladding
pieces are secured, and which may be arranged in rows and columns is also known. In
some known cases, the same crossbars are used to receive the direct support or to
directly support the cladding pieces, although with the help of auxiliary elements
in the form of clips or similar elements. One example is described in
patent DE 29807808. One of the drawbacks of this type of system is that the replacement of cladding
pieces is not practical, because this requires the removal of the associated cross
pieces, which extend unbroken between more than one pair of uprights, thus requiring
the removal of all of the pieces in the same row.
[0009] One of the objectives of the present invention is to provide an alternative to the
known systems that allows simple installation at the worksite. For example, one aspect
of interest is that the system does not require screws or similar hardware to attach
or mount the cladding pieces on a support structure, and that in turn, said support
structure also does not require screws or similar hardware to link its components.
Such fastening between the components of the structure should be sufficiently firm
or secure to allow pre-assembly at the factory and for example, to transport the pre-assembled
structure to a worksite.
Explanation of the invention
[0010] The system of the invention is a construction system for wall cladding that comprises
a series of uprights; a series of cross-members intended to be supported between two
uprights that are not aligned vertically; and optionally, a series of cladding pieces
prepared to be suspended from one or more cross-members at the same time. Said system
is characterized in that the cross-members are elongated and have two opposing terminals
made of an elastically-deformable material and with at least two bends, and in that
the uprights are equipped with anchor means in which the terminals of the cross-members
can be secured by restoring force, with these anchor means, for this purpose, comprising,
for each terminal, at least two entry parts, in the form of slots or openings, arranged
spatially to maintain the relationship with the bends of the terminal, with each one
of the at least two bends able to be inserted simultaneously into one of said entry
parts, first requiring that said terminal be elastically deformed such that said bends
are pressed tightly against said entry parts by elastic reaction.
[0011] Advantageously, the system described in the invention can be assembled and disassembled
by sections; in other words, a cross-member can be removed and reinstalled at any
time, not necessarily in the same position, which is not possible in the case of steel
mesh construction systems that form a grid of two or more columns and that are formed
by warps running the entire length of the mesh and segments covering the entire width
of the mesh, which makes it impossible to disassemble a single lattice.
[0012] In the system of the invention, a single cladding piece can be replaced or assembled
without affecting the other pieces. Likewise, as will be explained in greater detail
below, it is possible to arrange the cross-members and/or, when applicable, cladding
pieces, following patterns that are not necessarily in rows and columns, due to the
fact that the system allows the cross-members to be extended between every two selected
parallel uprights, with the possibility of disassembling them simply and without requiring
auxiliary fastening elements such as screws or similar hardware. The system of the
invention thus allows forming a kind of mesh with different grids, combining areas
with a higher density of cross-members and/or cladding pieces with areas with lower
densities, making it possible, for example, to adjust the percentage of light or incident
sunlight through the system, when applicable, through the ventilated façade or curtain
wall.
[0013] This construction system has a large number of applications in the construction and
decoration sector, for outdoor or indoor cladding, in either dry or wet applications,
and is of special interest for building envelopes.
[0014] The cross-members may be made of one piece and the terminals may be filiform or shaped
to generate elastic force.
[0015] In one variant of the invention, the anchor means are formed in a sheet, with the
first entry part being formed by a slot cut arranged in a first edge of the sheet,
and the second entry part formed by an opening passing through said sheet, or by an
auxiliary slot arranged in the edge opposite the first edge of the sheet.
[0016] The system of the invention may be extremely lightweight. To implement the system,
for example, sheets with thicknesses on the order of 1 mm may be used and combined
with cross-members 1 mm in diameter.
[0017] The invention considers that at least one of the slots and the auxiliary slot, if
any, are not straight slots, which could favor locking the terminal attached to the
sheet in position, as illustrated in detail in Fig. 4b.
[0018] In an variant of interest, in combination with the anchor means described above,
the terminal is bent back onto itself, forming a U-shaped frame with an interior branch,
an exterior branch, and a connecting bridge; and an anchoring end, where the terminal
tip is located, angled with respect to the exterior branch of the frame, allowing
the terminal to be attached to the sheet by arranging the connecting bridge into the
slot, with the interior and exterior branches holding the sheet, one on each side,
and with the terminal tip in turn inserted into the opening or, in such case, the
auxiliary slot.
[0019] Preferably, according to this variant of interest, the sheet is oriented perpendicular
to the direction in which the cross-member extends and the frame is also oriented
perpendicular to the direction of extension of the cross-member.
[0020] In another variant, in which the second entry part of the anchor means is an opening
that passes through the sheet, the exterior branch of the anchor frame is shorter
than the interior branch; and the length of the tip of the anchor is such that it
passes through the sheet and can provide support for the interior branch of the frame.
[0021] In another variant, in which the second entry part of the anchor means is the aforementioned
auxiliary slot, the sheet is provided with an adjustment window and the interior branch
of the frame with a bend that engages into the adjustment window.
[0022] According to another embodiment, the anchor means comprise a sheet, the first and
second entry parts being formed by anchor through holes.
[0023] In a variant of this embodiment, the terminal is bent back onto itself, forming at
least two bends that correspond to said anchor through holes, said the terminal being
able to be aligned on the sheet through the anchor through holes.
[0024] The anchor through holes are not necessarily coplanar.
[0025] In this regard, the invention considers, for example, that the sheet is oriented
perpendicular to the direction of extension of the cross-member and comprises a tab
that extends in the direction of the cross-member and in which one of the anchor through
holes is formed; with the terminal bent back onto itself in a first bend that guides
a first section of the terminal for insertion into the anchor opening, and a second
bend that creates an anchoring end, wherein the terminal tip is positioned, at an
angle with the first section of the terminal, and able to be inserted into the second
anchor through hole.
[0026] It may be of interest for the anchor through hole to extend to the edge of the sheet,
offering lateral access for the insertion of the terminal.
[0027] In another alternative embodiment, the anchor means comprise a sheet, the first and
second entry parts being formed by the opposing edges of a through slot formed in
said sheet; and the terminal is bent back onto itself, determining a sort of spring
with two branches, one interior and one exterior, a connecting bridge, each branch
being provided with an anti-return bend oriented in the direction of the opposite
branch, each intended to engage through restoring force in one edge of the through
slot, requiring the compression of the spring to do this, bringing the branches closer
together and inserting the bridge into the through slot.
Brief description of the drawings
[0028]
Fig. 1 shows a schematic view of an example of a system according to the invention,
with the cladding pieces removed to show a possible organization of the uprights and
cross-members, noting that this organization does not necessary have to be identical
between each pair of adjacent parallel uprights;
Fig. 2 shows a schematic view of another example of a system according to the invention,
in this case, with cladding pieces;
Fig. 3 shows a schematic view of another example of the system according to the invention,
with the cladding pieces removed to illustrate that the cross-members may have shapes
that are not inscribed within an imaginary plane, giving the system a 3D or three-dimensional
configuration;
Figs. 4 to 11 schematically show some of the embodiments considered in the invention,
especially for attaching the terminals of the cross-members into the corresponding
anchor means on uprights, with each figure illustrating a terminal and anchor means
pair in the position prior to engagement and in engagement position, respectively;
Fig. 12 shows a schematic view of a particular embodiment of the invention, which
exemplifies how the system in the invention is also suitable for forming junctions
between cross-members to form three-dimensional constructions;
Figs. 13 to 15 show several alternatives for the suspension of cladding pieces on
the cross-members of systems according to the invention; and
Figs. 16 and 17 schematically show the versatility of the system according to the
invention, illustrating different construction systems, taking advantage of the modular
nature of the system.
Detailed description of the invention
[0029] The construction system of the invention is exemplified in Figs. 1 to 3 in the form
of wall cladding, comprising a series of uprights 2; a series of cross-members 3 intended
to be supported between two uprights that are not aligned vertically; and optionally,
a series of cladding pieces 10 (shown in Fig. 2) prepared to be suspended from one
or more cross-members at the same time.
[0030] These Figs. 1 to 3 are intended to show the versatility of the system being able
to form a sort of mesh, which, in addition to being able to present different shapes,
allows the installation of cladding pieces 10 not necessary arranged in perfectly
aligned rows and columns.
[0031] To this end, the uprights, normally arranged vertically, are provided with anchor
means distributed along their length where a series of terminals provided on the cross-members
3 can be attached firmly.
[0032] The uprights 2 can be fastened to the surface or wall to be cladded using conventional
methods. Alternatively, the system may be suspended or hung, depending on the preferred
orientation.
[0033] Figs. 4 to 10 show options within the scope of the invention in which the uprights
2 have the form of a sheet 22a and are essentially arranged perpendicular to the surface
to be covered by the system or the plane of the façade in the case of a ventilated
façade. Specifically, the uprights 2 may be based on a sheet 22a made of cut or die
punched steel depending on the required design, to determine anchor means 22 therein
to which a series of terminals 33 of the cross-members 3 can be attached. Advantageously,
the uprights 2 can be supplied on rolls, which facilitates pre-assembly of the uprights
and cross-members at the factory, because it is easy to cut them to the required length,
depending on each mesh to be carried out, and punch or perforate as required.
[0034] The uprights 2 can also be formed by a concatenation of sheets 22a, connected by
screws or clips, firmly or jointed, which not only does not prevent pre-assembly of
uprights 2 and cross-members 3, but also makes it possible, if desired, to finish
the assembly of the uprights at the worksite, using sections prepared at the factory,
which are connected at the worksite.
[0035] The fact that the uprights 2 are elements that can be disassembled makes it possible
to shore the sheets at worksites, which is very useful in cases in which openings
need to be made, for example, for windows, after the façade has been installed.
[0036] In regard to the cross-members 3, these may be flat bars or have a rounded cross-section.
The latter case is shown in the aforementioned Figs. 4 to 10. The cross-members may,
for example, be made of iron, stainless steel, aluminum, galvanized steel, or even
plastic materials. At least the terminals 33, whether the cross-members 3 are made
of one or multiple pieces, must be flexible to attach the uprights 2 by restoring
force.
[0037] In the embodiments shown in Figs. 4 to 10, the anchor means 22 for each terminal
33 of a cross-member comprise various entry parts in the form of slots or openings,
spatially arranged to maintain correspondence to the bends formed in the terminal
33, each of the bends being able to grip simultaneously in one of said entry parts,
first requiring that said terminal 3 be elastically deformed such that, by elastic
reaction, these bends are held tightly against the entry parts when the terminal attempts
to return to its original shape, and all of this such that the terminal 33, as a whole,
is secured to the anchor means.
[0038] As will be seen, the spatial distribution of the anchor means 22 and the bends of
each terminal 33 that are inserted therein prevents the cross-members 3 from moving
in the x, y, and z planes, with respect to the associated uprights 2, once the two
terminals 33 have been inserted into the uprights.
[0039] In the example in Fig. 4, in the sheet 22a, a first entry part A is formed by a slot
23 arranged in a first edge of the sheet 22a, and a second entry part B is formed
by an opening 24 that passes through the aforementioned sheet 22a. Correspondingly,
the terminal 33 of the cross-member 3 is bent back onto itself, determining bends
a, b that grip the aforementioned entry parts A, B.
[0040] More specifically, the terminal 33 is bent to form a U-shaped frame with an interior
branch 34, an exterior branch 35, and a connecting bridge 36; and an anchoring end
37, where the terminal tip 38 is located, angled with respect to the exterior branch
35 of the frame, allowing the terminal 33 to be attached to the sheet 22a by inserting
the connecting bridge 36 into the slot 23, with the interior and exterior branches
holding the sheet 22a, one on each side, and at the same time, inserting the tip 38
of the terminal 33 into the opening 24, previously requiring that the terminal 33
be elastically deformed to separate the branches of the U-shaped frame.
[0041] Although Fig. 4 (as well as the rest of the examples) show only one part of the sheet
22a, it is clear that the sheet extends upwards and downwards, being provided with
anchor means 22 similar to those shown distributed along the entire length thereof.
[0042] Note that the sheet 22a in the example is symmetrical and that it is essentially
provided with two slots 23 and two openings 24 at the same level, which allow another
terminal from another cross-member, not shown, to be attached to the same sheet 22a,
with this other cross-member extending from the opposite side of the sheet 22a.
[0043] The example in Fig. 5 is similar to the example in Fig. 4, although in this case,
the exterior branch 35 of the anchor frame is shorter than the interior branch 34
and the length of the anchoring end 37 is such that it passes through the sheet 22a
such that this anchoring end 37, when passing through the sheet 22a, can provide support
for the interior branch 34 of the frame, offering greater stability to the system.
[0044] It should be noted that the sheet 22a may be provided with multiple openings 24 at
different levels, associated with a same terminal 33, so that there is no mechanical
interference between two terminals 33 anchored at the same level on the sheet 22a,
such that each one of the two cross-members 3 extend from one of the sides of the
sheet 22a.
[0045] In the example in Fig. 6, the number of supports or contacts between the terminal
33 of a cross-member 3 and the sheet 22a of the upright 2 is increased.
[0046] In this case, the anchor means 22 for each terminal 33 comprise a number of three
entry openings A, B, and C intended to cooperate with an equal number of bends a,
b, and c in the terminal 33 in the following manner.
[0047] The first, second, and third entry openings A, B, and C formed in the sheet 22a are
determined by a slot 23 in one edge of the sheet 22a; one auxiliary slot 25 in the
other edge of the sheet 22a; and an adjustment window 26, respectively, formed in
the central portion of the sheet 22a. In turn, the terminal 33, although it is bent
back onto itself, now has a slightly different configuration from those shown in Figs.
4 and 5, again determining a general U-shaped frame with an interior branch 34, an
exterior branch 35, and a connecting bridge 36; and an anchoring end 37, wherein the
terminal tip 38 is located, at an angle with the exterior branch 35 of the frame.
The interior branch 34 of the frame has a bend 34a that engages into the adjustment
window 26 of the sheet 22a.
[0048] Therefore, in the anchoring position, the terminal 33 can be attached to the sheet
22a by inserting the connecting bridge 36 into the slot 23, with the interior and
exterior branches holding the sheet 22a, one on each side thereof, inserting the terminal
tip 38 into the auxiliary slot 25 and simultaneously engaging the bend 34a into the
adjustment window 26 of the sheet 22a, previously requiring that the terminal 33 be
elastically deformed separating the branches of the U-shaped frame.
[0049] In the example, the size of the adjustment windows 26 is sufficient to hold or receive
the bend 34a of two terminals 33, if two terminals 33 are inserted at the same level
of the upright 2.
[0050] In the embodiment shown in Fig. 7, the anchor means 22 of the sheet 22a comprise
a first and second entry openings A and B determined by a slot 23 arranged in a first
edge of the sheet 22a, and an auxiliary slot 25 arranged in the opposite edge of the
sheet 22a, respectively. Correspondingly, the terminal 33 of the cross-member is bent
back onto itself in the form of a spiral to form a U-shaped frame, this time towards
the interior of the cross-member 3, with an exterior branch 35, and interior branch
34, and a connecting bridge 36; and an anchoring end 37, where the terminal tip 38
(which is hidden in this view) is located, in this case angled with respect to the
interior branch 34 of the frame, allowing the terminal 33 to be attached to the sheet
22a by inserting the connecting bridge 36 into the slot 23, with the interior and
exterior branches holding the sheet 22a, one on each side thereof, and the terminal
tip 38 being inserted into the opening 25 at the same time, previously requiring that
the terminal 33 be elastically deformed separating the branches of the U-shaped frame.
[0051] Unlike the previous embodiments, in the example in Fig. 7, the dimensions of the
U-shaped frame are such that they allow the central portion of the cross-member 3
to extend from an area close to one of the edges of the sheet 22a, instead of from
the central portion of the sheet 22a.
[0052] The variant in Fig. 11 is a variant that allows the uprights 2 to be arranged parallel
to the surface to be covered, or, if applicable, to the façade.
[0053] In this case, the anchor means 22 comprise in the sheet 22a, a first and second entry
opening A, B, formed by two anchor through holes 27 and 28, respectively. Correspondingly,
the terminal 33 is formed in the cross-member 3 oriented essentially perpendicular
thereto and bent back onto itself, determining a first and a second bend 39a, 39b
that correspond with the anchor through holes 27 and 28, allowing the terminal 33
to be aligned in the sheet 22a, with the second bend also serving as an anti-return
element, preventing the anchoring end 37 of the terminal 33 from being removed from
the anchor opening 28 into which it was inserted during the attachment of the terminal
33 to the upright 2.
[0054] In the example, the first bend 39a has a generally U-shaped frame, and the same numerical
references used to designate the parts of the previous variations will be used to
describe it, distinguishing an upper branch 34, a lower branch 35, and a connecting
bridge 36, with a length similar to the distance between the anchor through holes
27 and 28; and the second bend 39b ends with an anchoring end 37, where the terminal
tip 38 is located. In this case, in order to insert the terminal 33 into the sheet
22a, the U-shaped frame must be deformed elastically, this time bringing their upper
and lower branches 34 and 35 together, which will then expand, causing the terminal
33 to be secured to the sheet 22a by restoring force.
[0055] The invention considers that in other embodiments, the anchor through holes are not
coplanar, as illustrated, for example, in the embodiments of Figs. 8 and 9.
[0056] In the embodiment in Fig. 9a, the sheet 22a is oriented perpendicular to the direction
of extension of the cross-member 3 and comprises a tab 29 that extends in the direction
perpendicular to the sheet 22a, in which the first of the anchor through holes 27
is formed; with the terminal 33 bent back onto itself in a first bend a that orients
a first section 41 of the terminal 33 precisely for insertion into the aforementioned
first anchor through hole 27. A second bend b creates an anchoring end 37 in the terminal
33, where the terminal tip 38 is located, at an angle with the first section 40 of
the terminal for insertion into the second anchor opening 28, all as shown in figure
9.
[0057] To achieve the coupling position, the terminal 33 must be elastically deformed around
the first bend a and the first section 40 of the terminal 33 inserted into the first
anchor through hole 27. By elastic reaction, when the anchoring end 37 is lined up
with the second anchor through hole 28, the anchoring end will automatically be held
in the second anchor through hole 28.
[0058] The invention considers that the first anchor through hole 27 is open to the exterior,
for example, by means of a lateral opening 27a in the tab 29 through which the first
section 40 can be inserted, laterally, into the first anchor through hole 27, as illustrated
in the detail of Fig. 9b. This lateral opening will preferably be arranged such that
the terminal 33 must be elastically deformed to insert it into the first anchor through
hole 27. This prevents the terminal 33 from being withdrawn accidentally from the
first anchor through hole 27 when it adopts its adjustment position on the sheet 22a.
[0059] Fig. 8 shows an alternative in which the terminal 33 has two bends to form a sort
of hook and the sheet 22a has a housing 44, obtained by stamping the sheet 22a or
formed by an extension welded onto the sheet 22a, intended to receive the terminal
33 through an access opening 45 and where the hook can be engaged.
[0060] In the specific example, the terminal 33 is bent to form a first bend that is followed
by a straight section 41 whose end is also bent to form a second bend b, which is
followed by the anchoring end 37 of the terminal 33. In order to achieve the coupling
position of the terminal 33 to the sheet 22a, it is first necessary to elastically
deform the terminal around the first bend towards the exterior, inserting it in the
housing 44 and so that by restoring force it will tend to adopt its original shape
when the anchoring end 37 is lined up with an anchor opening 23 included for this
purpose in the sheet 22a, specifically in the front wall of the housing.
[0061] It should be noted that the housing 44 has a V-shaped cross-section, such that the
first section 40 of the terminal will be supported, self-centered, against the vertex
of the V-shaped cross section, thus preventing lateral displacements of the cross-member
33.
[0062] Another possible embodiment is illustrated in Fig. 10. In this case the anchor means
22 comprise in the sheet 22a, a first and a second entry opening A, B, formed by the
opposing edges 30, 31 of a same through slot 30 formed in said sheet 22a. Correspondingly,
the terminal 33 is bent back onto itself, creating a sort of spring with two branches,
an interior branch 41 and an exterior branch 42, and a connecting bridge 43, with
each branch having an anti-return bend 41 a, 42a oriented in the direction of the
opposite branch and each intended to fit by restoring force in one corresponding side
30a or 30b of the through slot 30, requiring the compression of the spring, bringing
the branches closer together and inserting the bridge into the through slot 30 in
the sheet 22a. The spring will tend to expand, i.e., recover its original shape, fitting
snugly in the through slot 30.
[0063] Fig. 12 is an example that shows a schematic view of how a same sheet 22a can be
prepared so that multiple terminals 33 from the respective cross-members 3 can simultaneously
be attached therein. This example shows the sheet 22a of an upright 2 with slots and
openings so that four terminals 33 of four cross-members 3 can be attached to it at
the same level, with the sheet 22a determining a sort of junction from which the four
cross-members 3 project orthogonally with respect to each other, with two of these
in opposing positions attached to the sheet 22a using a solution similar to that illustrated
in Fig. 4; and the other two cross-members 3, also in opposing positions, are attached
to the sheet 22a using a solution similar to that illustrated in Fig. 11.
[0064] Figs. 13 to 15 show some of the options that the system of the invention allows for
supporting the cladding pieces 10.
[0065] While the cross-member between the terminals 33 may be straight, as shown in Fig.
13, the invention considers that this is not so and that the cross-member 3 may be
curved, recessed, spiral, etc., so that the façade can acquire relief or volume inwards,
outwards, or both.
[0066] The cross-members 3 are suitable for suspending cladding pieces 10, which may be
of different shapes, such as bricks, ribbed tubes, circular wires, etc. preferably
equipped with one or more through holes 10a or grooves for insertion of the corresponding
cross-members 3.
[0067] As shown, one or more cross-members 3 may pass through each piece 10 at a time.
[0068] Figs. 14 and 15 show that the design of the cross-members, while allowing them to
be coupled or fastened to two uprights 2 by their terminals 33, it also allows the
suspended piece or pieces 10 to be positioned, limiting the lateral movement of the
piece or pieces 10 so that they cannot shift towards the terminals 33. This could
be achieved by making cross-members 3 with curves 3a or protrusions.
[0069] The pieces 10 may be made of any material, depending on the mechanical characteristics
that are desired. The pieces 10 may simply be embellishments, with no structural function
or load at all. For example, the invention considers that the pieces 10 may be made
of steel, plastic, glass, ceramic, stoneware, wood, composites, etc. or any of their
multiple types of finish.
[0070] When a single cross-member 3 passes through the pieces 10, the wind resistance of
the completed system is reduced, because when the wind blows, the pieces 10 have the
capacity to move, rotating around the cross-member 3 if it has a circular or at least
rounded cross-section.
[0071] The system according to the invention is extremely versatile as shown in Fig. 16.
This Fig. 16 shows different variants of the system in a drawing and lateral elevation.
In example 1, the uprights 2 are straight and vertical and the cross-members 3 are
distributed uniformly and are equidistant, illustrating some pieces 10, with a single
cross-members 3 passing through each one; in example 2, the uprights 2 are installed
in pairs and although the cross-members 3 in this case are distributed uniformly and
are equidistant, coinciding on the same level on the two uprights 2, the illustration
shows pieces 10 through which a single cross-member 3 passes, but also pieces 10 through
which two cross-members 3 pass on the same level; in example 3, the uprights 2 are
not vertical, but rather form a curved line in order to, for example, give volume
to the ventilated façade, and in addition, the cross-members 3 are not only not equidistant
between the uprights 2 but also show two pieces 10 suspended from two cross-members
3 at a different level which in the two pieces 10 are positioned at different distances
from each other.
[0072] Lastly, Fig. 17 shows a schematic view and a front elevation view of another possibility
within the scope of the invention. In this case, the system represented combines cross-members
3 that extend between two adjacent uprights 2 with cross-members 3 that extend between
two non-adjacent uprights, the terminals 33 of which are also not necessarily attached
to anchor means 22 arranged on the same level on the aforementioned uprights 2.
1. A construction system (1) for wall cladding, comprising a series of uprights (2) and
a series of cross-members (3) intended to be supported between two uprights that are
not aligned vertically,
characterized in that
- the cross-members (3) are elongated and have two opposing terminals (33), made of
an elastically deformable material and with at least two bends, and
- the uprights (2) are equipped with anchor means (22) in which the terminals (33)
of the cross-members can be secured by restoring force, said anchor means, for this
purpose, comprising, for each terminal (33), at least two entry parts (A, B), in the
form of slots or openings, spatially arranged in relation to the at least two bends
(a, b) of the terminal, each one of the at least two bends being able to be inserted
simultaneously into one of these entry parts, first requiring that said terminal (33)
be elastically deformed so that said bends are pressed tightly against said entry
parts through elastic reaction.
2. The construction system (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises a series of cladding pieces (10) prepared to be suspended from one or
more cross-members (3) at the same time.
3. The construction system (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the cross-members (3) are made of one piece and in that the terminals (33) are filiform or shaped to generate elastic force.
4. The construction system (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the anchor means (22) are formed in a sheet (22a), the first entry part (A) being
formed by a slot (23) arranged in a first edge of the sheet, and the second entry
part (B) formed by an opening (24) passing through said sheet, or by an auxiliary
slot (25) arranged in the edge opposite the first edge of the sheet.
5. The system (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that at least one of the slots (23) and the auxiliary slot (25), if any, are not straight
slots.
6. The construction system (1) according to claims 4 or 5,
characterized in that the terminal (33) is bent back onto itself, forming,
- a generally U-shaped frame with an interior branch (34), exterior branch (35), and
a connecting bridge (36); and
- an anchoring end (37), wherein the terminal tip (38) is located, at an angle with
the exterior branch (35) of the frame,
the terminal (33) being able to be attached to the sheet (22a) by inserting the connecting
bridge (36) into the slot (23), the interior and exterior branches holding the sheet
(22a), one on each side thereof, and the terminal tip (38) being inserted at the same
time into the opening (24), or if applicable, into the auxiliary slot (25).
7. The construction system (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the sheet (22a) is oriented perpendicular to the direction in which the cross-member
(3) extends and the frame is also oriented perpendicular to the direction of extension
of the cross-member.
8. The construction system (1) according to any one of claims 4 to 7, characterized in that the second entry part (B) is an opening (24) passing through the sheet (22a), the
exterior branch (35) of the anchor frame is shorter than the interior branch (34);
and in that the length of the anchoring end (37) is such that it passes through the sheet and
can provide support for the interior branch (34) of the frame.
9. The construction system (1) according to any one of claims 4 to 6, characterized in that the second entry part (B) is the auxiliary slot (25), the sheet (22a) is provided
with an adjustment window (26) and the interior branch (34) of the frame with a bend
(34a) that engages into the adjustment window (26).
10. The construction system (1) according to any of the claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the anchor means (22) comprise a sheet (22a), with the first and second entry parts
(A, B) formed by two anchor through holes (27, 28).
11. The construction system (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the terminal (33) is bent back onto itself, forming at least two bends (39a, 39b)
that correspond to said openings through the plate, with the terminal able to be aligned
on the sheet (22a) through the anchor through holes (27,28).
12. The construction system (1) according to claim 10, characterized in that the anchor through holes (27, 28) are not coplanar.
13. The construction system (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the sheet (22a) is oriented perpendicular to the direction of extension of the cross-member
(3) and comprises a tab (29) that extends in the direction of the cross-member on
which one of the anchor through holes (27) is formed; and in that the terminal (33) is bent back onto itself in a first bend (a) that orients a first
section (41) of the terminal for insertion into the anchor through hole (27); and
a second bend (b) determining an anchoring end (37), wherein the terminal tip (38)
is positioned, at an angle with the first section of the terminal, and is able to
be inserted into the second anchor through hole (28).
14. The construction system (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the anchor through hole (27) extends to the edge of the sheet (22a), offering a lateral
access (27a) for the insertion of the terminal (33).
15. The construction system (1) according to anyone of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the anchor means (22) comprise a sheet (22a), with the first and second entry parts
(A, B) being formed by the opposing sides (30a, 30b) of a through slot (30) formed
in said sheet; and in that the terminal (33) is bent back onto itself, determining a sort of spring with two
branches, one interior (41) and one exterior (42), a connecting bridge (43), each
branch having an anti-return bend (41 a, 42a) oriented in the direction of the opposite
branch, with each aimed at fitting by restoring force in one side (30a, 30b) of the
through slot, requiring the compression of the spring, bringing the branches together
and inserting the bridge into the through slot.