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EP 0 391 737 B1 |
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EUROPEAN PATENT SPECIFICATION |
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Mention of the grant of the patent: |
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26.01.1994 Bulletin 1994/04 |
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Date of filing: 06.04.1990 |
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Push-fit cladding system
Verkleidungssystem mit Druckbefestigung
Système de revêtement à fixation par pression
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Designated Contracting States: |
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AT BE CH DE DK ES FR GB GR IT LI LU NL SE |
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Priority: |
07.04.1989 GB 8907858
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Date of publication of application: |
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10.10.1990 Bulletin 1990/41 |
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Proprietors: |
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- Norderhaug, Arne
Hull HU3 1RE (GB)
- Pittock, John William
Brough,
Hull HU15 1BJ (GB)
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Inventors: |
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- Norderhaug, Arne
Hull HU3 1RE (GB)
- Pittock, John William
Brough,
Hull HU15 1BJ (GB)
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Representative: Brown, Kenneth Richard et al |
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R.G.C. Jenkins & Co.
26 Caxton Street London SW1H 0RJ London SW1H 0RJ (GB) |
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References cited: :
CH-A- 441 699 FR-A- 1 274 880 GB-A- 328 617 US-A- 3 667 183
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DE-A- 1 816 934 FR-A- 2 205 078 GB-A- 2 135 355
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Note: Within nine months from the publication of the mention of the grant of the European
patent, any person may give notice to the European Patent Office of opposition to
the European patent
granted. Notice of opposition shall be filed in a written reasoned statement. It shall
not be deemed to
have been filed until the opposition fee has been paid. (Art. 99(1) European Patent
Convention).
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[0001] The present invention concerns cladding; typically consisting of rectangular, cassette
type panels made with sheet metal, fitted to vertical support rails and used as external
cladding of buildings.
("Cassette type" refers to panels which have the external skin turned in at the
edges, thus facilitating recessed joints. However, the present invention could feasibly
be used with other panel forms. Other materials than metal might be used provided
the fixing flaps are given the appropriate elasticity.
Although the design is specially developed for external walls, it is also suitable
for other cladding situations, such as internal partitioning and lining.)
[0002] The panels may be of single skin construction, with or without additional material
to provide insulation and/or improved rigidity, or they may be of a "sandwich wall"
type (see B below).
[0003] The present invention provides fast site fitting combined with a very effective,
double (or even treble) defence method of resisting water ingress at the joints between
adjacent panels:
[0004] Due to specially shaped flaps (typically one on each of a panel's two vertical sides),
the panels are fitted by merely pushing them onto the support rails. The rails incorporate
slots corresponding to the flaps and may (particularly when the rails are vertical)
act as drainage channels for any water penetrating the primary water proofing (typically
a gasket). The flaps are prevented from slipping out partly by their rigidity, but
also by a special securing channel and/or an appropriate sealing gasket inserted into
the joint between two panels.
[0005] The support rails are required only along those panel joints which have fixing flaps.
A typical installation would thus have rails stretching from floor to floor without
any other support structure. However, the present invention can be adapted so that
the fixing flaps are on the horizontal joints or on joints in any direction.
The design of those panel joints which do not have fixing flaps (typically the
horizontal joints), is of a more or less conventional type and is therefore not essential
to the present invention.)
[0006] FR-A-2 205 078 describes a cladding panel fixing system in which panels are held
in position in fixing channels, as described in the preamble of claim 1.
[0007] GB-A-2 135 355 describes a fixing system in which a gasket between two panels is
used to hold the panels in place.
[0008] DE-A-1 816 934 describes a gasket for fitting to panels.
[0009] According to the invention there is provided a cladding panel fixing system comprising
a number of cladding panels and support rails, two substantially parallel edges of
each cladding panel being adapted to be secured to corresponding substantially parallel
support rails, wherein each rail comprises a channel having a rear wall and provided
with one or more slots in at least one wall portion of the channel substantially perpendicular
to said rear wall, and at least one of said parallel edges of each panel being formed
with a flap adapted to have a hook securing effect in a corresponding slot, whereby
said at least one edge is securable simply by a push-fit action, the flap/slot engagement
inhibiting movement of the panel in a direction along the support rail, characterised
in that the flap is a flexible fixing flap and in that said cladding panel fixing
system further includes push-fit inserts for insertion between the edges of adjacent
panels secured to a said support rail, each insert being adapted to force apart the
edges of said adjacent panels thereby securing engagement of a fixing flap on one
or each panel in its respective slot.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0010] Embodiments of the present invention are now described in detail, by way of example,
with reference to the accompanying drawings (Figures 1-5 on three numbered sheets)
in which;
Figure 1 shows a cladding panel fixing system according to the invention;
Figure 2 shows an alternative embodiment of a cladding panel fixing system according
to the invention;
Figure 3 is a horizontal section through the fixing slots and flaps of the assembled
cladding panel fixing system of Figure 2;
Figure 4 is a horizontal section through the fixing slots and flaps of another cladding
panel fixing system according to the invention;
Figure 5 is a horizontal section through the fixing slots and flaps of a further cladding
panel fixing system according to the invention.
[0011] Although panel shapes may vary and the fixings can be in different positions, in
order to facilitate understanding of the principles involved, a typical, simple installation
- with rectangular panels with one fixing flat on each of the two vertical sides -
is described.
A. FIXING AND LOCATING
[0012] Figure 1 shows two wall cladding panels 1 as per the present invention: one fitted,
the other being fitted. On each side (only one side is drawn) each panel has a flexible
fixing flap 2. The flap is an integral part of the panel's external skin which is
folded in to provide the side of a cassette panel. The flap acts as a hook which corresponds
to a slot 4 in the support rail 3.
The slots in the rails are provided at centres equal to the distance d (see Figure
1) required between the horizontal joints between the panels. If the external height
of each panel is h and the desired joint width is j, then d = h + j.
[0013] Figure 2 shows - as a possible alternative to that shown on Figure 1 - a panel with
the fixing flap being an attachment 5 to the panel.
[0014] Figure 3 is a horizontal section at the level of the fixing slots through the support
rail shown in Figure 2. Two adjacent panels 1 with fixing flaps 5 are shown fitted
into the slots. A gasket 6 is shown inserted into the gap (= "joint") between the
panels.
More than one flap on each side of each panel is obviously possible and might be
prudent on very tall panels. However, there are good reasons for widening the one
flap instead to obtain the necessary strength - see THERMAL MOVEMENT below.
The slots in the rails are cut out precisely during manufacture. On site, the levels
of all the panels can thus be determined by merely levelling up the bottom of all
the rails. As the lateral positions of the panels are set by the distances between
the cladding rails, these need to be set out accurately. (One might plumb one rail
and set out the others with templates along the top and bottom of the rails.)
[0015] When the support rails have been installed, each panel is both positioned and fixed
by merely pushing it onto two adjacent support rails; the two fixing flaps springing
into the corresponding slots - there are no nuts to tighten and no adjustments to
be made. (But note SECURING below).
There is a possible exception to the normal practice of fitting the support rails
first: If the building is to be provided with corner panels which wrap round the corner
(instead of, say, linking the panels on two adjoining elevations with a flashing)
, it might be necessary to fit one of the fixing rails
after the corner panels have been fitted on the other side of the corner. This is facilitated
as the placing of the securing channel and/or the sealing gasket (see SECURING below)
in the joint on one side allows the corner panels to hang (cantilevered from one fixing
rail) until the second support rail is inserted under the panels and fixed on the
adjoining elevation.
THERMAL MOVEMENT
[0016] Most materials expand when heated and contract when cooled. This is frequently a
problem with other cladding systems as the panels on a hot day can bow out and even
force fixings to break.
[0017] Under the present invention, each panel (with only one flap on each side) is free
to expand or contract in either direction away from the fixing flaps. This obviates
any need for tolerances to be built in to accommodate vertical thermal movements.
Horizontal thermal movement is taken up by the flexibility of the panel returns (and
the fixing flaps) and of the securing channel (see B below) and/or the sealing gasket.
B. SECURING
[0018] Figure 4 is a horizontal section (like Figure 3), but a securing channel 7 has replaced
the rear of the gasket and the fixing flaps are part of the returns of the outer skin
(i.e. as on Figure 1).
[0019] (The panels shown here are of the "sandwiched" type - SOME OTHER EMBODIMENTS below).
[0020] The fixing flaps are prevented from coming out of their slots by an appropriate insert
into the joints. This could be a sealing gasket (6 on Figure 3), but where one would
not wish to rely on this (e.g. when there is a danger of the gasket being torn out),
the special, springy, securing channel 7 should be inserted into the joint. This is
shaped so that it clips into position, and it is prevented from moving out by the
fixing flaps.
Before installed panels can be removed, the securing channel must be released.
This might involve prizing the flaps apart by inserting a forked tool between the
securing channel and the fixing flaps.
[0021] The securing channel is shaped so that it provides an additional barrier against
water penetration - see C. below.
C. DRAINAGE OF VERTICAL JOINTS
[0022] The support rail is a channel with inverted flanges. Its shape allows it to drain
away any water penetrating the outer defences (the sealing gasket and/or the securing
channel). This gives double or, with the securing channel (see SECURING above), even
treble defence against water penetration:
i the (outer) sealing gasket
ii the securing channel (if employed)
iii the draining effect of the support rail
[0023] It is obviously possible to use a simpler, "top hat" or U shaped channel as support
rail, but this might facilitate water penetration at every fixing slot - unless these
are water proof (e.g. by each slot being lined or the rail having appropriate indentations
instead of slots).
[0024] However, installations with both sealing gasket and securing channel (acting as a
drainage channel) are so unlikely to allow water penetration to the fixing slot that
the simpler rails will probably suffice. Nevertheless, aesthetical considerations
or a need for insulation at the joint (inside the rail), might nevertheless make the
use of the rail with inverted flanges preferable. (See Figure 4 and SOME OTHER EMBODIMENTS
below.)
SOME OTHER EMBODIMENTS
[0025] Figure 4 shows an insulated installation. Insulation 8 is "sandwiched" between an
outer (sheet metal) skin 9 and an inner skin 10, thus providing a complete wall. Freedom
from "cold bridging" is normally required, and this is provided by insulation 11 inserted
into the (very suitably shaped) support rail. If securing channels and gaskets are
fitted, there is little danger of water penetrating to the insulation, but drainage
could still be maintained inside the rail (if the insulation is non-absorbant and/or
set back).
[0026] Figure 5 is a vertical section showing an installation with panels fixed to horizontal
rails. This means that the panels are fixed on the top 12 and bottom 13 (instead of
the "typical" side fixing). Only the top return of the support channel has slots 14
(for the flaps 15 at the bottom of the panels). The bottom of the rail has an uninterrupted
flange 16 to receive a continuous flange or return 17 on top of the panels (i.e. no
flaps). The securing channel 18 stops against a return on the fixing flap 15 and provides
a stop and a "hook" for the sealing gasket 19. This installation is designed to rely
on the sealing gasket and the securing channel for water proofing (to avoid any problems
with draining horizontal rails). The uppermost panels are fitted first.
[0027] Fixing flaps on all four sides would facilitate the fitting of larger panels (but
this would require support rails both vertically and horizontally).
[0028] Windows and doors may be fitted into the support rails like the panels by attaching
fixing flaps to each side of their frames in positions corresponding to slots in the
support rails. (Extra large fixing flaps may be required, and doors and large windows
would probably always need securing channels.)
1. A cladding panel fixing system comprising a number of cladding panels (1;9;12,13)
and support rails (3), two substantially parallel edges of each cladding panel (1;9;12,13)
being adapted to be secured to corresponding substantially parallel support rails
(3), wherein each rail comprises a channel having a rear wall and provided with one
or more slots (4;14) in at least one wall portion of the channel substantially perpendicular
to said rear wall, and at least one of said parallel edges of each panel (1;9;12,13)
being formed with a flap (2;5;15,17) adapted to have a hook securing effect in a corresponding
slot (4;14), whereby said at least one edge is securable simply by a push-fit action,
the flap/slot engagement inhibiting movement of the panel (1;9;12,13) in a direction
along the support rail (3), characterised in that the flap (2;5;15,17) is a flexible
fixing flap and in that said cladding panel fixing system further includes push-fit
inserts (6;7;18) for insertion between the edges of adjacent panels (1;9;12,13) secured
to a said support rail (3), each insert (6;7;18) being adapted to force apart the
edges of said adjacent panels (1;9;12,13) thereby securing engagement of a fixing
flap (2;5;15,17) on one or each panel in its respective slot (4;14).
2. A cladding panel fixing system as claimed in claim 1 wherein each insert (6) comprises
a flexible gasket which engages with the panel edges so as to additionally provide
a waterproof seal between panels (1).
3. A cladding panel fixing system as claimed in claim 2 wherein each flexible gasket
is provided with hook-effect returns.
4. A cladding panel fixing system as claimed in claim 1 wherein each insert (7;18) is
formed, or folded in sheet material shaped so as to provide one or more hook effect
folds adapted for engagement with a fixing flap on one or both of two adjacent panels
(9;12,13) and which acts to resist withdrawal of said clip.
5. A cladding panel fixing system as claimed in claim 4 further provided with a flexible
gasket (19) to provide a waterproof seal between adjacent panels, wherein the gasket
(19) has a hook-like protrusion adapted for engagement with the clip insert (7;18)
which acts to resist withdrawal of the gasket (19).
6. A cladding panel fixing system as claimed in claim 4 or 5 wherein said sheet material
comprises sheet metal.
7. A cladding panel fixing system as claimed in claim 4 or 5 wherein said sheet material
comprises a plastics material which is extruded to form said clip.
8. A cladding panel fixing system as claimed in any preceding claim wherein one of said
parallel edges of a said panel is provided with a continuous hook effect flange along
the panel edge, which flange simply engages behind an edge of a wall portion of the
support rail channel.
1. Befestigungssystem für Fassadenelemente, mit einer Anzahl von Fassadenelementen (1;
9; 12, 13) und Halteschienen (3), zwei im wesentlichen parallelen Kanten von jedem
Fassadenelement (1; 9; 12, 13), die an entsprechenden, im wesentlichen parallelen
Halteschienen (3) befestigbar sind, wobei jede Schiene einen Kanal mit einer Rückwand
hat und in mindestens einem, zu der Rückwand im wesentlichen senkrechten Wandabschnitt
des Kanals einen oder mehrere Schlitze (4; 14) aufweist, und wobei mindestens eine
der parallelen Kanten jedes Elements (1 ;9 ;12 ,13) eine Lasche (2; 5; 15, 17) aufweist,
die in einem entsprechenden Schlitz (4; 14) einhakend befestigbar ist, wodurch mindestens
die eine Kante einfach durch Festdrücken befestigbar ist, und der Lasche/Schlitz-Eingriff
das Verschieben des Elements (1; 9; 12, 13) in einer Richtung entlang der Halteschiene
(3) verhindert, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die Lasche (2; 5; 15, 17) eine flexible
Befestigungslasche ist, und daß das Befestigungssystem für Fassadenelemente ferner
eindrückbare Einsätze (6; 7; 18) zum Einsetzen zwischen den Kanten benachbarter, an
der Halteschiene (3) befestigter Elemente (1; 9; 12, 13) beinhaltet, wobei jeder Einsatz
(6; 7; 18) die Kanten der benachbarten Elemente (1; 9; 12, 13) auseinanderspreizt,
um damit den Eingriff einer Befestigungslasche (2; 5; 15, 17) an einem oder jedem
Element in ihrem jeweiligen Schlitz (4 ;14) zu sichern.
2. Befestigungssystem für Fassadenelemente nach Anspruch 1, wobei jeder Einsatz (6) eine
flexible Dichtung aufweist, die mit den Elementkanten in Eingriff ist, um zusätzlich
eine wasserdichte Abdichtung zwischen Elementen (1) zu schaffen.
3. Befestigungssystem für Fassadenelemente nach Anspruch 2, wobei jede flexible Dichtung
hakende Rücksprünge hat.
4. Befestigungssystem für Fassadenelemente nach Anspruch 1, wobei jeder Einsatz (7; 18)
geformt, oder aus plattenförmigen Material gefalzt ist, um so ausgebildet eine oder
mehrere Faltungen mit Einhakwirkung zu schaffen, die zum Eingriff mit einer Befestigungslasche
an einer der zwei oder beiden benachbarten Elemente (9; 12, 13) angepaßt sind und
ein Herausziehen des Einsatzes verhindert.
5. Befestigungssystem für Fassadenelemente nach Anspruch 4 mit ferner einer flexiblen
Dichtung (19) zur Schaffung einer wasserdichten Abdichtung zwischen benachbarten Elementen,
wobei die Dichtung (19) einen hakenähnlichen Vorsprung zum Eingriff mit dem Einsatz
(7; 18) hat, welcher ein Herausziehen des Einsatzes verhindert.
6. Befestigungssystem für Fassadenelemente nach den Ansprüchen 4 und 5, wobei das plattenförmige
Material aus Blech besteht.
7. Befestigungssystem für Fassadenelemente nach Ansprüche 4 oder 5, wobei das plattenförmige
Material aus Kunststoffmaterial besteht, welches extrudiert wurde, um den Einsatz
zu formen.
8. Befestigungssystem für Fassadenelementen nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche,
wobei eine der parallelen Kanten eines Elementes mit einem fortlaufenden Flansch mit
Einhakwirkung entlang der Fassadenkante versehen ist, wobei der Flansch einfach hinter
eine Kante eines Wandabschnittes des Halteschienenkanals eingreift.
1. Système de fixation de panneaux de revêtement comprenant un certain nombre de panneaux
de revêtement (1 ; 9 ; 12, 13) et des rails de support (3), deux bords sensiblement
parallèles de chaque panneau de revêtement (1 ; 9 ; 12, 13) étant propres à être fixés
à des rails de support correspondants sensiblement parallèles (3), dans lequel chaque
rail comprend un profilé en U ayant une paroi arrière et étant pourvu d'une ou de
plusieurs fentes (4 ; 14) dans au moins une partie de paroi du profilé en U sensiblement
perpendiculaire à ladite paroi arrière, et au moins l'un desdits bords parallèles
de chaque panneau (1 ; 9 ; 12, 13) étant formé avec une patte (2 ; 5 ; 15, 17) propre
à avoir un effet de fixation par accrochage dans une fente correspondante (4 ; 14),
ledit au moins un bord pouvant ainsi être fixé simplement par une action de montage
par pression, la coopération entre la fente et la patte empêchant tout déplacement
du panneau (1 ; 9 ; 12, 13) dans le sens du rail de support (3), caractérisé en ce
que la patte (2 ; 5 ; 15, 17) est une patte de fixation souple et en ce que ledit
système de fixation de panneaux de revêtement comprend en outre des éléments à insérer
(6 ; 7 ; 18) à montage par pression destinés à être insérés entre les bords de panneaux
adjacents (1 ; 9 ; 12, 13) fixés à un dit rail de support (3), chaque élément à insérer
(6 ; 7 ; 18) étant propre à écarter les bords desdits panneaux adjacents (1 ; 9 ;
12, 13) pour ainsi assurer la pénétration d'une patte de fixation (2 ; 5 ; 15, 17)
sur un ou sur chaque panneau dans sa fente respective (4 ; 14).
2. Système de fixation de panneaux de revêtement selon la revendication 1, dans lequel
chaque élément à insérer (6) comprend une garniture souple qui vient en contact avec
les bords des panneaux de manière à constituer en outre un joint imperméable à l'eau
entre les panneaux (1).
3. Système de fixation de panneaux de revêtement selon la revendication 2, dans lequel
chaque garniture souple est pourvue de saillies formant crochet.
4. Système de fixation de panneaux de revêtement selon la revendication 1, dans lequel
chaque élément à insérer (7 ; 18) est formé ou plié dans un matériau en feuille conformé
pour constituer un ou plusieurs replis formant crochet propres à venir en prise avec
une patte de fixation sur l'un des deux panneaux adjacents ou sur les deux (9 ; 12,
13) et qui agit pour résister au retrait dudit élément à insérer.
5. Système de fixation de panneaux de revêtement selon la revendication 4, pourvu en
outre d'une garniture souple (19) pour constituer un joint imperméable à l'eau entre
des panneaux adjacents, dans lequel la garniture (19) a une saillie en forme de crochet
propre à venir en prise avec l'élément à insérer (7 ; 18) qui agit pour résister au
retrait de la garniture (19).
6. Système de fixation de panneaux de revêtement selon la revendication 4 ou 5, dans
lequel ledit matériau en feuille comprend une tôle métallique.
7. Système de fixation de panneaux de revêtement selon la revendication 4 ou 5, dans
lequel ledit matériau en feuille comprend une matière plastique qui est extrudée pour
former ledit élément à insérer.
8. Système de fixation de panneaux de revêtement selon l'une quelconque des revendications
précédentes, dans lequel l'un desdits bords parallèles d'un dit panneau est pourvu
d'un rebord formant crochet continu le long du bord du panneau, ledit rebord s'engageant
simplement derrière un bord d'une partie de paroi du profilé du rail de support.