AU2004205155A1 - Building Means - Google Patents

Description

TITLE

Building Means FIELD OF INVENTION This invention relates to a building means. Preferred forms of the invention relate to a building method and a building element for use in fixing the exterior cladding of a building construction.

BACKGROUND ART In the construction industry many problems have resulted from buildings which have not been constructed in a sufficiently water tight manner. Leakage or rain water into such buildings, for example into domestic dwellings, has resulted in rotting of floors and timber framing within walls. In particularly severe cases such rotting has rendered houses unsafe to live in until extensive and consequently expensive repair work has been completed. Part of the problem is that in many cases modern construction techniques result in buildings which do not allow adequate breathing within walls or other enclosed areas. In view of this wet timber framing is unable to dry, which leads to rotting and eventual total degradation of the effected areas. It is accordingly an object of at least one embodiment of the present invention to go some way towards addressing the above problem, or to at least provide the public with a useful choice.

The term "comprise" "comprises" "comprised" or "comprising" if and when used in this document, should be interpreted non-exclusively, i.e. should be interpreted non-exclusively to mean "consisting of or including" SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION According to one aspect of the invention there is provided a method of building, 2 comprising the steps of: i) attaching a series of building elements to wall framing, and ii) attaching exterior wall cladding to the building elements such that the cladding is spaced from the framing; the building elements each having one or more breathing apertures such that air and moisture can pass through such apertures to enable the area between the cladding and the wall framing to breath and/or drain.

Preferably the building elements are substantially elongate.

Preferably the building elements are 'substantially shaped in transverse cross section.

Preferably the building elements are fixed to the framing by way of suitable fasteners, for example screws, nails, or the like.

Preferably the building elements are arranged to run across several spaced frame members of the wall framing, optionally in a horizontal, vertical, or angled orientation.

Preferably the building elements have tabs for receiving the fasteners and also have cut out portions aligned with the tabs, the cut out portions providing working space for a workman to manipulate a fastening tool (eg a screw driver) to drive the fasteners through the building elements and into the framing.

Preferably the building elements are substantially formed from a suitable metallic material.

According to a further aspect of the invention there is provided an elongate building element, the element having two sides and a base arranged such that the element is generally shaped in transverse cross section, the base having a plurality of spaced breathing apertures, a first of the sides having a plurality of tabs for receiving fasteners when the building element is in use, and the second of the sides having a plurality of cut out potions at least generally aligned with the tabs, the cut out portions being arranged to provide working space for a workman to manipulate a fastening tool (eg a screw driver) to drive the fasteners through first side when the building element is in use; the building element being formed such that when it is in use it can be fastened to the wall framing of a building construction to provide points of attachment for exterior wall cladding of the construction such that the cladding is held spaced from the wall framing, wherein the breathing apertures facilitate breathing between the cladding and the framing and also drainage should rain water leak into the area between the cladding and the framing.

Preferably the building element is substantially formed from a suitable metallic material.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Some preferred aspects of the invention will now be described by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a building element, Figure 2 is an end view of the element, and Figure 3 is a plan view of the element only partially formed.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Referring to figure 1, the building element is elongate and is generally shaped in transverse cross section. The element thus has a first side 1, a second side 2, and a base 3. A plurality of breathing and drainage apertures 4 run along the base 3. As shown, the first side 1 has a series of upstanding tabs 5 aligned with cut out portions 6 in the second side 2.

Referring to figure 2, when the building element is in use it is secured to the wall framing 7 of a building construction by way of screws or the like driven through small fixing apertures 8 in the tabs 5. Additional building elements are secured in like manner. The cut out portions 6 provide work space for a workman to manipulate a screw driver, etc, when driving the screws. Sheets of exterior wall cladding (not shown) are then fastened to the second side 2 of the element such that the cladding is held parallel to the framing 7 and slightly spaced therefrom. This spacing, together with the breathing apertures 4, facilitates drainage and drying should rain water leak into the area between the wall framing and the cladding. The invention may thus be utilised to provide well ventilated and well drained wall cavities, thus significantly reducing the likelihood of wood rotting or otherwise decaying in buildings.

While the building elements may be arranged to run horizontal across the wall framing, alternatively they can be arranged to run vertically or at an angle as need be, depending on the requirements for each building or part thereof.

Figure 3 shows the building element in a partially formed state. More particularly, the element is shown as an elongate metallic sheet before it is folded along fold lines 9 and 10 to create the shape shown in figure 2. The element may be formed from any suitable material, although preferably it is manufactured from a metallic substance, for example galvanised metal, aluminium, or stainless steel, etc.

In some embodiments of the invention the building elements may reduce the likelihood of foundation movements or earthquakes causing separation between sheets of exterior cladding. This advantage may result from the fact that loads on the cladding due to movements in the wall framing may be evenly spread by virtue of the elongate nature of the elements.

In some embodiments of the invention the building elements may provide substantially rigid support for exterior cladding sheet joints, for example in areas of window detail.

While some preferred forms of the invention have been described by way of example, it should be appreciated that improvements and modifications can occur without departing from the scope of the appended claims.

Claims (14)

1. A method of building, comprising the steps of: iii) attaching a series of building elements to wall framing, and iv) attaching exterior wall cladding to the building elements such that the cladding is spaced from the framing; the building elements each having one or more breathing apertures such that air and moisture can pass through such apertures to enable the area between the cladding and the wall framing to breath and/or drain.

2. A method according to claim 1, wherein each building element has a plurality of breathing apertures.

3. A method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the building elements are substantially elongate.

4. A method according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the building elements are substantially shaped in transverse cross section.

5. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the building elements are fixed to the framing by way of suitable fasteners.

6. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the building elements are arranged to run across several spaced frame members of the wall framing.

7. A method according to claim 5, or claim 6 when read back on claim 5, wherein the building elements have tabs for receiving the fasteners and also have cut out portions aligned with the tabs, the cut out portions providing working space for a workman to manipulate a fastening tool to drive the fasteners through the building elements and into the framing.

8. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the building elements are substantially formed from a suitable metallic material.

9. An elongate building element, the element having two sides and a base arranged such that the element is generally shaped in transverse cross section, the base having a plurality of spaced breathing apertures, a first of the sides having a plurality of tabs for receiving fasteners when the building element is in use, and the second of the sides having a plurality of cut out potions at least generally aligned with the tabs, the cut out portions being arranged to provide working space for a workman to manipulate a fastening tool to drive the fasteners through the first side when the building element is in use; the building element being formed such that when it is in use it can be fastened to the wall framing of a building construction to provide points of attachment for exterior wall cladding of the construction such that the cladding is held spaced from the wall framing, wherein the breathing apertures facilitate breathing between the cladding and the framing and also drainage should rain water leak into the area between the cladding and the framing.

A building element according to claim 9, substantially formed from a suitable metallic material.

11. A building element substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

12. A method of building substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

13. A building formed in accordance with the method of any one of claims 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 and 12.

14. A building incorporating frame elements according to any one of claims 9, and 11.