AU2004231250A1 - Concealed fix cladding system - Google Patents

Description

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION STANDARD PATENT Applicant(s): BLUESCOPE STEEL LIMITED Invention Title: "CONCEALED FIX CLADDING SYSTEM" The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me/us: O CONCEALED FIX CLADDING SYSTEM z Technical Field The present invention relates generally to a cladding system for the concealed fixing of roofing or other cladding sheets. The invention has been developed especially, but not exclusively, for roof cladding and it is herein described in that context. However, it is to be appreciated that the invention is not limited to that application. In particular, reference to the orientation of the cladding for use in roofing where the plane of the sheets is horizontal should not be construed as limiting the invention to that orientation, as the cladding may be laid in other orientations.

Background of the Invention Cladding sheets for concealed fixing have opposite first and second longitudinal edges which are separated by a main body portion of the sheet, the main body portion typically include one or more ribs which include reentrant portions on their inner sides. The edge region includes upstanding rib parts, with one edge forming an underlap region and the other edge forming an overlap region. The cladding sheets are arranged to be laid side by side in overlapping arrangement with the overlapping edge of one sheet being disposed over the underlapping edge region of another adjacent sheet. The shape of the overlap and underlap edges are complementary so as to form a rib at the overlap.

The sheets are secured to the roof structure by clips which are operative to engage an inner side of the roof 3 cladding sheets so as to conceal fix the sheets to the underlying structure. In one arrangement of clip, the clip has a retaining formation which is designed to fix the overlapping edge regions to the underlying structure.

The retaining formation of that clip locates over the underlap edge of a previously laid sheet and the next sheet is then pressed onto the clip so that the overlap edge locates over both the retaining formation and the underlap edge.

Summary of the Invention In a first aspect, the invention relates to a concealed fix cladding system comprising a cladding sheet having opposite longitudinal edge regions which are separated by a main body portion of the sheet, each of the edge regions being formed as a rib part, with the cladding sheet being arranged to be juxtaposed with another cladding sheet with one edge region overlapping the other edge region to form a rib at said overlap, and a clip having a base portion securable to an underlying structure, and at least one retaining formation which upstands from the base and which is configured to locate between the overlapping and underlapping edge regions of the overlapping sheets, wherein the system is configured so that a space is formed in said overlap between the overlapping edge region and the underlapping edge region, the space being of a depth sufficient to accommodate the head of a fastener, so that a fastener can be applied through the underlapping edge region so as to inhibit separation of that edge region from the retaining formation of the clip.

4 C In one form, the space is provided between the overlap edge region and the clip so that a fastener can be 0 z applied through both the clip and the edge region of the underlap sheet. In this arrangement, the fastener may be relatively short and designed solely to interconnect the underlap edge region with the clip or alternatively may have a longer shank so that it can also extend through to the underlying structure. In another form, the space is provided between the clip and the underlap sheet so that the fastener extend solely through the underlap sheet. In this arrangement, the fastener has a shank which is of sufficient length so as to directly secure the underlap sheet to the underlying structure.

In a preferred form, the rib formed at the overlap incorporates re-entrant portions on inner sides thereof.

One of the re-entrant portions is operative to engage a detent formed on the retaining formation, whereas at the other re-entrant portion, the overlap and underlap edge regions are in direct engagement.

In accordance with the invention, the retaining formation is in the form of an "overclip", in that it locates over the underlap sheet. In one form, the cladding sheet further includes at least one intermediate rib located within the main body portion of the sheet.

Typically, this rib also includes re-entrant portions on opposite sides thereof and preferably the clip comprises a further retaining formation which is engagable with this intermediate rib. Preferably the base is in the form of a strap and this further retaining formation upstands from the strap and is spaced from the "overclip" retaining portion.

In a yet further aspect, the invention relates to a cladding sheet which is operative to be used in the system C as described above. Specifically, the overlapping and underlapping edge regions are configured so that a space

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0 is formed at the overlap operative to receive the head of M a fastener.

In yet a further aspect, the invention relates to a method of fixing a plurality of cladding sheets to an underlying structure, the cladding sheets having a longitudinal extending underlap and overlap edge regions, each being in the form of a rib part, the cladding sheets being arranged to be laid side by side in overlapping relationship with the overlapping edge region of one sheet being disposed over the underlapping edge region of another adjacent sheet so as to form a rib at the overlap, the cladding sheets being fixed to the underlying structure at the overlap by a clip incorporating a retaining formation locatable between the overlap and underlap edge regions, the method comprising the step of locating a fastener within the overlap so as to inhibit separation of the underlapping edge region from the clip.

In a preferred form the method comprises the steps of: providing a space at the overlap between the overlapping and underlapping edge region, the space being of a depth sufficient to receive a head of the fastener; locating a fastener under the overlapping edge region, the head of the fastener being located within the space, and the shank of the fastener engaging the underlapping edge region so as to inhibit separation of that region from the clip.

In one form, the fastener shank extends through the clip so that the fastener secures the clip to the underlapping edge region. In this arrangement, the fastener may also extend to and engage the underlying structure.

-6- C In an alternative arrangement, the fastener extends through the underlapping edge region and into the 0 z underlying structure.

An advantage of preferred arrangements of the invention is that it provides a simple yet effective mechanism to improve the strength of the concealed fixed cladding system. In previous concealed fixed cladding systems using an "overclip" arrangement in high winds the underlapping edge was not well supported and as such there was a tendency for it to disengage from the clip thereby causing the joint to open. Opening of the joint may result in leaking of the roof or even complete failure of the cladding system by the roof sheeting coming away entirely from the clip. The use of the additional fastener at the overlapping region significantly improves the performance of the cladding system at the joint.

Brief Description of the Drawings It is convenient to hereinafter describe embodiments of the present invention with reference to the accompanying drawings. The particularity of the drawings is to be understood to not superseding the generality of the preceding broad description of the invention.

In the drawings: Fig. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a cladding sheet; Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a clip for use in the cladding system; Figs. 3a to 3d illustrate the installation of the sheets onto the clips; 7 Fig. 4 is a detailed cross-sectional view of the overlap of an installed sheet of the cladding system of Fig. 1; Fig. 5 is a view similar to Fig. 4 but showing an alternative fixing arrangement at the overlapping region; and Fig. 6 is a similar view to Fig. 4 showing yet a further fixing arrangement of the cladding system of Fig.

1.

Turning firstly to Figs. 1 and 2, a concealed fixed cladding system 10 is disclosed which includes a cladding sheet 12 and clip 14. The cladding sheet 12 includes opposite longitudinal edges 16, 18 which are separated by a main body portion 20 of the sheet. The main body portion includes an intermediate rib 22 and adjacent pan sections 24, 26. In the illustrated form, the pan sections 24, 26 incorporate longitudinal minor stiffening ribs 28.

The intermediate rib 22 incorporates re-entrant portions 30, 32 which are operative to engage with a portion of clip 14 which will be discussed in more detail below.

In use, and as best illustrated in Fig 4, the sheet 12 is designed to be laid side by side with adjacent sheets overlapping at their longitudinal edge regions. In this regard, one of the longitudinal edge regions 16 forms an underlap whereas the other longitudinal edge region forms the overlap.

Both the underlap 16 and overlap 18 edge regions are formed as rib parts and are complementary in shape so that a rib 34 is formed at the overlap as best illustrated in Fig. 4. In this regard, the underlap edge region 16 includes opposite side walls 36, 38. The wall 36 extends upwardly from the main body 20 of the sheet and 8 incorporates a re-entrant portion 40. A bridging portion 42 extends from an upper edge of the wall 36 and the other 0 z side wall 38 extends downwardly from the bridging portion S42 and extends to the terminal end 44 of the sheet. The side wall 38 is considerably shorter than the side wall 36.

VThe overlap edge region 18 also includes opposite side wall 46 and 48 interconnected by a bridging portion The side wall 46 extends upwardly from the main body portion 20 of the sheet and incorporates a re-entrant portion 52. The other side wall 48 extends downwardly from the bridging portion 50 to the other terminal end 54 of the sheet 12. The wall 48 is slightly longer than the corresponding wall 38 on the underlap portion 16 and also includes a re-entrant portion 56.

The clip 14, as best illustrated in Fig. 2, incorporates a strap 58 which is designed to extend under the sheet 20 and be supported on an underlying structure 100 such as a purlin or the like as best illustrated in Figs. 3a to 3d. Each end of the strap 58 incorporates upstanding retaining formations 60 and 62. The retaining formations are spaced apart and are arranged so that one of the retaining formations 60 locates within the rib 34 formed at the overlap of the adjacent sheet 20, whereas the other retaining formation locates within an intermediate rib 22.

One of the retaining formations 60 is formed as an overclip, meaning that it is designed to locate between the underlapping edge regions 16 and overlapping edge region 18. The overclip retaining formation 60 is generally shaped as a hook to follow the shape of the underlapping edge region 16 and incorporates a detent 64 which is operative to engage the re-entrant portion 52.

-9- The other retaining formations 62 is shaped as a rib and incorporates opposite detents 66, 68 which are 0 z operative to engage with the re-entrant portions 30, 32 in the intermediate rib. In the illustrated form, the clip 14 is formed from sheet metal sheet which is press formed.

SFigs. 3a to 3d illustrate the method of installation V)i of the cladding system SIn first step as illustrated in Fig. 3 a first run of clips 141 are secured to an underlying structure 100 which in the illustrated form are purlins. The clips 141 are secured in place by self tapping screws 70 which are secured through the base portions 581 The first sheet 121 is then located over the fastened run of clips 141 and is secured in place by the intermediate rib 221 and the overlapping rib 181 locating onto the retaining formations 621 and 601 respectively and being snapped home typically by foot pressure. This step is best illustrated in Fig. 3b.

As shown in Fig. 3c, the next run of clips 1411 are then located in place with the overclip retaining formation 6011 locating over the underclip edge region 161 of the previously laid sheet 121. To secure the underlap edge region 161 to the overclip retaining formation 6011, a fastener 701 is secured through the top of the retaining formation 6011 into the underclip edge region 161 of the previously laid sheet 121.

The second run of clips 1411 are also secured to the underlying structure 100 by the fasteners 70 located through the base 5811 of the clips 6011.

The next cladding sheet 1211 is then placed over the second run of clips. In this arrangement the overlapping edge region 1811 locates over both the overclip retaining formation 6011 and the underlapping edge region 161 of the previously laid sheet. The intermediate rib 2211 locates in the other retaining formation 6211.

0 z Fig. 4 illustrates in detail the overlap between the first and second sheets 121, 1211. As can be seen, the underlapping edge regions 161 is connected to the retaining formation 6011 by the fastener 71. The head 72 of the fastener 71 is fully concealed and locates under the Soverlapping edge region 1811 as the cladding sheet is profiled so as to provide a space 73 in which to accommodate the fastener head 72.

Figs. 5 and 6 illustrate variations on the cladding system 10 and like features have been given like reference numeral. In the embodiment in Fig. 5, a larger fastener is used to interconnect the underlapping edge region 161 to the clip 1411. This fastener 80 includes an extended shank 81 which is designed to extend into the underlying structure 100. With this arrangement the clip 1411 and the underlap edge region 161 of the first sheet 121 are more firmly secured in position.

In the embodiment of Fig. 6 the overlapping edge region 1811 is designed to be abut the overclip retaining formation 6011 of the clip 1411. However, the underlapping edge region 161 is configured so that a space 90 is formed between the retaining formation 6011 and the underlapping edge region 161. This space 90 is of sufficient depth to receive the head of 92 of a fastener 91 which is applied through the underlapping edge region 161 and-into the underlying structure 100.

By use of the fasteners 71, 80 or 91, the underlapping edge regions 161 is more securely held in position relative to the clip 1411 either by direct engagement with the clip 1411 or by virtue of being fixed to the underlying structure 100. As a result, the 11 integrity of the joint is significantly improved thereby improving the overall performance of the cladding system 0 oo z In the claims which follow and in the preceding Sdescription of the invention, except where the context V)i requires otherwise due to express language or necessary Simplication, the word "comprise" or variations such as %comprises" or "comprising" is used in an inclusive sense, i.e. to specify the presence of the stated features but not to preclude the presence or addition of further features in various embodiments of the invention.

It will be appreciated that variations and/or modifications may be made to the parts previously described without departing from the spirit or ambit of the invention.

Claims (8)

1. 2. A concealed fix cladding system according to claim 1 wherein the space is provided between the overlap edge region and the clip so that a fastener can be applied through both the clip and the edge region of the underlap sheet.
2. 3. A concealed fix cladding system according to claim 1, wherein the space is provided between the clip and the edge region of the underlap sheet so that a fastener can extend through the underlap sheet and into the underlying structure. -13 S4. A concealed fix cladding system according to any preceding claim, wherein the rib formed at the overlap 0 z incorporates re-entrant portions on inner sides thereof. A concealed fix cladding system according to any preceding claim, wherein the cladding sheet further includes at least one intermediate rib located within the main body portion of the sheet.
3. 6. A concealed fix cladding system according to claim wherein the base of the clip is in the form of a strap and the clip further comprises a second retaining formation which upstands from the strap and is spaced from the first retaining portion so as to be operative to engage an inner side of the intermediate rib.
4. 7. A cladding sheet for use in a concealed fix cladding system, the cladding sheet having opposite longitudinal edge regions which are separated by a main body portion of the sheet, each of the edge regions being formed as a rib part, with the cladding sheet being arranged to be juxtaposed with another cladding sheet with one edge region overlapping the other edge region to form a rib at said overlap, the cladding sheet being operative to be secured to an underlying structure by a clip having at least one retaining formation which upstands from .a base and which is configured to locate between the overlapping and underlapping edge regions of the overlapping sheets, wherein the edge regions of the sheet are configured so that a space is formed in said overlap between the overlapping edge region and the underlap edge region, the space being of a depth sufficient to accommodate both the retaining formation and a head of a fastener, the fastener being operative to be applied through the underlapping edge region so as to inhibit separation of that edge region from the retaining formation of the clip. 14 O S8. A method of fixing a plurality of cladding sheets to an underlying structure, the cladding sheets each having a 0 z longitudinal extending underlap and overlap edge region, Seach being in the form of a rib part, the cladding sheets being arranged to be laid side by side in overlapping relationship with the overlapping edge region of one sheet being disposed over the underlapping edge region of another adjacent sheet so as to form a rib at the overlap, the cladding sheets being fixed to the underlying structure at the overlap by a clip incorporating a retaining formation locatable between the overlap and underlap edge regions, the method comprising the step of locating a fastener within the overlap so as to inhibit separation of the underlapping edge region from the clip.
5. 9. A method according to claim 8, further comprising the steps of providing a space at the overlap between the overlapping and underlapping edge regions, the space being of a depth sufficient to receive a head of the fastener; and locating a fastener under the overlapping edge region, the head of a fastener being located within the space, and the shank of the fastener engaging the underlapping edge region so as to inhibit separation of the region from that clip. A method according to claim 9, wherein the fastener shank extends through the clip so that the fastener secures the clip to the underlapping edge region.
6. 11. A method according to claim 10, wherein the fastener also extends to and engages with the underlying structure.
7. 12. A method according to claim 9, wherein the space is disposed between the retaining formation and the underlapping edge region, and the fastener extends through 15 the underlapping edge region and into the underlying structure. 0 z 13. A concealed fix cladding system substantially as Cherein described with reference to the accompanying (N drawings.
8. 14. A cladding sheet for a concealed fix cladding system substantially as herein described with reference to the M accompanying drawings. A method of fixing a plurality of cladding sheets substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Dated this llth day of October 2004 BLUESCOPESTEEL LIMITED