AU2005244584A1

AU2005244584A1 - Cladding

Info

Publication number: AU2005244584A1
Application number: AU2005244584A
Authority: AU
Original assignee: Eastwood John Wray; Lance Philip Anthony; Morrison Peter Martin
Current assignee: EASTWOOD JOHN WRAY; Lance Philip Anthony; MORRISON PETER MARTIN
Priority date: 2004-11-05
Filing date: 2005-12-16
Publication date: 2006-05-25
Also published as: US20060096217A1

Description

AUSTRALIA

PATENTS ACT 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION NAME OF APPLICANT(S):: Philip Anthony Lance AND John Wray Eastwood AND Peter Martin Morrison ADDRESS FOR SERVICE: DAVIES COLLISON CAVE Patent Attorneys Level 10, 10 Barrack Street, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia, 2000 INVENTION TITLE: Cladding The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me/us:- 5102 P:\WPDOCS\LNMlicntst\2634901 claddhig.doc-16i2/O5 -1-

SCLADDING

Field of the Invention 00 The present invention relates generally to cladding for buildings, in particular, Ni domestic buildings, industrial buildings such as storage facilities and the like. In this Sspecification, the term "cladding" is not to be limited to wall cladding, but is intended to ri encompass roof cladding and any other suitable dividing structure.

Background to the Invention Many kinds of wall cladding and roof covering have been contemplated. Known kinds include terracotta, concrete, masonry, timber shakes and shingles, slate roofing, steel, brick and stucco. These materials and designs are often associated with high cost, requirements for expert installation, large weight, and high consumption of time at installation.

The present invention seeks to ameliorate one or more of the abovementioned disadvantages.

Summary of the Invention According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a cladding element suitable for use in a cladding assembly, the cladding element having a main body including a tongue which when the cladding element is assembled into the cladding assembly mates with a corresponding recess in an adjacent cladding element, the cladding element in use connected to a mounting element, itself connected to a frame structure, the arrangement being such that the cladding element is fixed to the frame structure without fasteners penetrating through a finishing or cladding face of the cladding element.

P:\WPDOCS\LNM\lients\12634901 claddingdom-1612/05 -2- According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a mounting means for mounting a cladding element, the mounting assembly including an anchor means and a retaining means, wherein the anchor means is fixed to a structure and the 00 5 retaining means is in the form of a recess corresponding with a projection on the cladding element.

O According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a cladding C1 assembly including: a plurality of cladding elements and one or more mounting means for mounting the plurality of cladding elements, the mounting means itself fixed to a structure, the mounting means including one or more retaining means so that the cladding elements are retained on the structure without penetration of fasteners through or into a cladding face of the cladding elements.

Preferably the mounting means includes an anchor portion which is anchored to the frame. In some embodiments the anchor portion is fixed to the frame with adhesive, and in other embodiments the anchor portion is fixed with fasteners such as nails or screws or the like.

Preferably the retaining means includes a catch. In one preferred embodiment the catch is a tie in the form of a strut which in one form is disposed in a plane which is parallel to, and spaced from a font wall of the frame member when installed.

In other preferred embodiments the catch is in the form of a recess having a plate, the plate disposed in a plane parallel to and spaced from the front wall of the frame member when installed. In both embodiments of catch, the catch is spaced from the frame member when installed by a perpendicular link or plate, so that the catch is in the form of an angle.

The main body of the cladding element may include one or more voids for the purpose of receiving insulation, and services such as water, electricity and the like.

PAWPDOCS\LNM\chernm\12634901 cladding.doc.16/12i05 S-3- 1 Preferably the voids run horizontally when the cladding element is in the installed Scondition.

Preferably, the cladding element includes a tongue which is adapted to cooperate in 00 5 use with the retaining means by being inserted into the retaining means, either under the tie or between the tie and the frame or by being inserted into the recess. Preferably the tongue is disposed at a base region of the cladding element so that the cladding element may stand in the retaining element, supported above the ground thereby.

A bight is preferably provided adjacent the tongue, to provide a primary and/or secondary support for the cladding element wherein the tie or the end of the plate angle may abut an interior periphery of the bight.

Each cladding element may also include a keeper so that an adjacent cladding element may be kept in place against the frame and or mounting means, in part by an adjacent cladding element.

Preferably the keeper is in the form of a cover which is integral with and extends from the main body of each cladding element. In one embodiment, viewed in section, the cover is in the form of a proboscis spaced a selected distance from the tongue.

Preferably one or more seals is provided to minimise ingress of water across a cladded barrier formed by a plurality of cladded elements disclosed herein. In one form a first seal includes, when assembled, over lapping walls of the adjacent cladding elements wherein the cover of an upper cladding element extends over a top edge to the outside of the adjacent cladding element below.

Preferably there is provided an interior region where the two cladding elements overlap, and provided within the overlap region are one or more projections, bosses, ridges or other convolutions in the surface of either or both mating adjacent cladding elements.

P\WPDOCS\LNM\dierns\12634901 eddingdoc-16/12/05 -4- SIn one form, two ridges (bosses in section) are provided, each on an opening face of the overlapping portions of adjacent cladding elements when assembled. The bosses when assembled abut one and other so that likelihood of water working upwards through to the other side of the cladding assembly layer is reduced. Preferably, the bosses abut in an 00 5 offset manner when installed as sealing may be adversely affected if they abut symmetrically.

SA second seal may be provided in the form of a step, extending outwardly from an upper region of an outer face of a lower cladding element. Preferably, two steps are provided. The second seal is affected when the cover over laps a step, an inner wall of the cover abutting an outer of the step. A third seal is effected when an end of the proboscis is inserted into the second step.

The upper region of the lower cladding element is kept against the mounting means or frame by the keeper (in the form of the cover) abutting the step.

In preferred embodiments a rebate is provided at the top of the cladding element when installed so as to accommodate the retaining means and tongue behind it when assembled, to maintain a general flatness of cladded assembly following the contour of the frame elements.

In one form the retaining means is one or more individual ties or catchers fixed to a singular anchor body, itself fixed when assembled, to a frame member. In other forms there is provided a plurality of individual anchors, each affixed to a respective retaining means.

PAWPDOCS\LNM'c!ients\I26349O claddin.gdoc-16/12/05 Brief Description of the Drawings:

INO

In order to enable a clearer understanding, the invention will hereinafter be 00 5 described with reference to drawings and description of preferred embodiments. In the drawings: O Fig. 1 is a section view of a cladding element according to a preferred embodiments of the present invention; Fig. 2 is an exploded view in section of the cladding assembly according to a preferred embodiment; Fig. 3 is an isometric view of a mounting means and a frame member connected together; Fig. 4 is an isometric view of a mounting means showing anchor and retaining means according to a preferred embodiment; Fig 5 is a mounting means showing two fixing points for fasteners and a catch in the form of a tie; Fig. 6 is a similar means to that shown in Figure 5 having only one fixing point and a tie having a strut which in use is spaced from a face of the frame; Fig. 7 is a mounting means in isometric projection, similar to Figure 4 however the mounting is not continuous but would be used to install the assembly with a plurality of discrete mounting means; Figs 8 to 10 are stages of assembly of cladding element to mounting shown in side elevation view; P:\WPDOCS\LNM\clients\12634901 claddingdoe-16/1205 -6- SFig 11 is an isometric view of a cladding assembly mounted to a frame;

INO

Fig 12 is a side elevation view of a cladding assembly showing a detail of the overlapped section; 00 Fig 13 is a similar view to that shown in Figure 12; Fig 14 is a roof cladding assembly shown mounted to a rafter in side elevation view Sincluding a starter cladding overlap element; Fig 15 is a similar view to that shown in Figure 14 in a wall application; Fig 16 is a side elevation view of a ridge capping which finishes off a roof cladding assembly in sealed manner; Fig 17 is an exploded view of that shown in Figure 16 showing ridge capping mounting elements; and Fig 18 is a section view of a cladding element according to yet another preferred embodiment of the present invention.

Description of the Preferred Embodiments Referring to the drawings there is shown a cladding assembly (in particular, shown in Figure 11), the assembly generally indicated at item 10. A cladding element 12 includes a main body 14, which includes two longitudinal voids for insulation, as is, by evacuating the air from the interior thereof, our for receiving insulating fibres our services such as pluming, electrical, communications, etc.

A mounting means 18 is also shown in at least Figures 2, 3 and 4 to 7. The mounting means 18 includes an anchor 20 which is adapted to be anchored to a frame P:\WPDOCS\LNM\clients\12634901 claddingdc-16/12/05 -7- Smember 22 when assembled. The anchor is fastened as shown in Figures 2 to 3 to a side wall 24 of the frame member 22 by fasteners (not shown) such as nails, screws and the like.

00 5 Retaining means 26 are provided in Figures 2 to 4 and in the form of a catch 28 which is in the form of a recess 30. The recess 30 has a plate 32 disposed parallel to and N spaced from a support wall 34 of the retaining means. The plate 32 is connected to the Ssupport wall 34 by a link plate 36 so that the recess 30 is formed by an angle 38.

Another two embodiments of mounting means 18 are shown at Figures 5 and 6, generally indicated at 118 and 218. Tn these embodiments, the retaining means 226 and 326 are in the form of ties 227 and 327 which includes struts 229 and 329 which lie in a plane when installed perpendicular to and spaced from a front wall 35 of the frame member 22.

Figure 4 displays the first embodiment of mounting means 18 which is continuous, having regularly spaced retaining means 26 to accommodate corresponding cladding elements, the advantage being that measurements need not be made to asses the correct location of retaining means and fasteners need not penetrate the cladding elements to retain it in place.

The cladding element 12 includes the tongue 40 which when assembled cooperates with the retaining means 26 by being inserted in the recess 30 or behind the ties 277 and 327.

The tongue is disposed at a base region 42 of the cladding element 12 when installed, so that the cladding element 12 may stand in the retaining means 26, supported above the ground in this manner.

A bight 44 is provided adjacent the tongue 40 to provide primary or secondary support for the cladding element 12, wherein the tie 227 or 327 or the end plate angle 46 will abut the interior periphery 48 of the bight 44.

P:\WPDOCS\LNM\cIimsAI2634901 cladding.doc-16/12/05 -8- A keeper in the form of a cover 52 is provided so that an adjacent, lower cladding element 13 may be kept in place against the support wall 34 or frame wall 35. The cover 52 is in the form of a proboscis 54.

00 Seals are provided at 56, 58 and 60, to reduce the ingress of water across the C cladded barrier r,1 The keeper 50 overlaps the adjacent lower cladding element 13 with a cover element 52 in the form of a proboscis 55 each integral with the keeper 50. The proboscis 54 abuts a step of the lower cladding element 13 when assembled so that the cladding is held against the mounting means 18 and or the frame member 22, creating a line of cladding generally following the contour of the frame member 22.

In a region 70 overlapped by the keeper 50 there are provided convolutions of the opposing walls of the adjacent cladding elements 12 and 13. A ridge or boss 62 is provided on one side of the proboscis 54, the ridge adapted to abut, when assembled, with a corresponding ridge 64 on the overlapped cladding element 13. The ridges or bosses 62, 64 abut at an offset position so that dust and water is less likely to be forced upwards into the overlap 70 and across the cladded barrier Other steps are provided at 72, 74 to further reduce ingress of water. The proboscis 54 when assembled rests an end portion 66 thereof into step 72 to minimise dust and water ingress. A rebate 76 is provided in the upper region of the cladding element to accommodate the tongue 40, so as to maintain a continuos contour substantially corresponding to frame 22.

To assemble, as shown in Figures 8 to 10, firstly the mounting means 18 is anchored to a side of the frame 22 with fasteners. Tongue 40a of a base cladding element 13 is mounted in retaining means 26a for vertical support as well as, retention against the frame 22.

P:\WPDOCS\LNM'Iients\12634901 claddilg.doc-16/12i05 -9- SRebate 76 is positioned against retention means 26a and upper cladding element 12 is then installed by inserting tongue 40 into retaining means 26. Proboscis 54 overlaps cladding element 13 to retain the upper portion of 13 in place against frame 22 and provides sealing at the end of phase thereof.

00 Each cladding element 75 provides an end to fit under the proboscis 54 when assembled to maintain good sealing action of the overlap at the end of the assembly 10. A Sstarter element 99 is provided at the base edge of the roofline, underneath the proboscis of the adjacent cladding element to assist with a seal formation.

The cladding elements 12, 13 may be made from any suitable material or process including plastics, wood, steel, carbon fibre, GRP, and may be made from any suitable process such as extrusion, pultrusion, and the like or milling, and may be clear to let light through or filter sun light to remove UV or any suitable process.

Roof ridges 85 are shown in Figs 16 and 17, themselves having mounting means 86 having anchors 87 and retaining means 88 in the form in the form of an elongate head 89 insertable into a bore 90 on the roof ridge 85. Seals are similarly provided as at other Figures.

Referring to Figure 18, there is shown a section view of another embodiment of cladding element 112 wherein mounting means 118 is integral with the cladding element 112. The mounting means 118 includes an extension 119 from an upper edge of rebate 176. An anchoring region 121 is provided so that a through fastener may be pierced through the cladding element 112, but then it may be covered over during assembly by lower region 142 of an adjacent cladding element. A rebate 143 receives extension 118 which allows rear face 107 to sit against frame member 35 when assembled into the cladding assembly. Also, weakened zones (not shown) are associated with the anchoring section 121 so that the through fasteners may more easily pierce the extension 118. These weakened zones may be made during extrusion or pultrusion, by a spoked wheel, where the spokes provide spaced piercings or weakenings in the anchoring section.

P:\WPDOCS\LNM\elients\12634901 cladding.doc-16/12/O5 U Finally, it is to be understood that various alterations, modifications and/or additions may be incorporated into the various constructions and arrangements of parts without departing from the spirit or ambit of the invention.

00

Claims

1. A cladding element suitable for use in a cladding assembly, the cladding element 00 having a main body including a tongue which when the cladding element is assembled into the cladding assembly mates with a corresponding recess in an adjacent cladding r element, the cladding element in use connected to a mounting element, itself connected to a frame structure, the arrangement being such that the cladding element is fixed to C 10 the frame structure without fasteners penetrating through a finishing or cladding face of the cladding element.

2. A cladding element in accordance with claim 1 wherein the mounting element is integral with the cladding element and is an extension thereof.

3. A cladding element in accordance with claim 1 wherein the mounting element is a separate component itself fastened to the frame structure, and a retaining means for receiving and retaining a portion of the cladding element therein.

4. A cladding element in accordance with any previous claim wherein the mounting means includes an anchor portion which is anchored to the frame structure.

A cladding element in accordance with claim 4 wherein in use the anchor portion is fixed to the frame with adhesive or through fasteners.

6. A cladding element in accordance with claim 4 wherein the retaining means includes a catch.

7. A claddiig element in accordance with claim 6 wherein the catch is in the form of a strut which is disposed in a plane which is parallel to, and spaced from a font wall of a frame member when installed.

P:\WPDOCS\LNM\dinlUs\12634901 cladding.doc-16/12105 -12- S8. A cladding element in accordance with claim 6 wherein the catch is in the form of a recess having a plate, the plate disposed in a plane parallel to and spaced from the front wall of a frame member when installed. 00 5

9. A cladding element in accordance with any previous claim wherein one or more voids are included in the main body of the cladding element for the purpose of receiving insulation and building services.

10. A cladding element in accordance with claim 9 wherein the voids run horizontally when the cladding element is in the installed condition.

11. A cladding element in accordance with claim 4 wherein the tongue is disposed at a base region of the cladding element when the cladding element is installed on an inclined frame structure so that the cladding element may stand on the retaining element, supported above the ground thereby.

12. A cladding element in accordance with claim 7 or 8 wherein a bight is provided adjacent the tongue, to provide a primary and/or secondary support for the cladding element wherein the strut when assembled abuts an interior periphery of the bight.

13. A cladding element in accordance with any previous claim wherein each cladding element includes a keeper so that in use an adjacent cladding element is kept in place against the frame and or mounting means, in part by the adjacent cladding element.

14. A cladding element in accordance with claim 13 wherein the keeper is in the form of a cover which is integral with and extends from the main body of each cladding element. A cladding element in accordance with any previous claim wherein one or more seals is provided to minimise ingress of water across a cladded barrier formed by a plurality of cladding elements.

P:\WPDOCS\LNM'dkrnl \126349O1 claddingdoc-16/12/05 -13-

16. A cladding element in accordance with claim 15 wherein a first seal includes, when the cladding assembly is assembled, overlapping walls of the adjacent cladding elements, the arrangement being such that a cover of an upper cladding element extends over a top edge to the outside of an adjacent cladding element below. 00

17. A cladding element in accordance with claim 16 wherein there is provided an interior C region where the two cladding elements overlap, and provided within the overlap region are one or more projections, bosses, ridges or other convolutions in the surface C, of either or both mating adjacent cladding elements for sealing.

18. A cladding element in accordance with claim 16 or 17 wherein two ridges are provided, each on an opening face of the overlapping portions of adjacent cladding elements when assembled. The bosses when assembled abut one and other so that likelihood of water is inhibited from working upwards through to the other side of the cladding assembly layer.

19. A cladding element in accordance with claim 18 wherein the bosses abut in an offset manner when installed to improve sealing.

20. A cladding element in accordance with any one of claims 15 19 wherein a second seal is provided in the form of one or more steps, extending outwardly from an upper region of an outer face of a lower cladding element.

21. A cladding element in accordance with claim 21 wherein the second seal is augmented in use by an arrangement whereby the cover over laps one step, and an inner wall of the cover abutting an outer face of the one step.

22. A cladding element in accordance with claim 21 wherein a third seal is effected by inserting an end of the keeper into the second step.

23. A cladding element in accordance with any previous claim wherein a rebate is provided at a top edge of the cladding element when installed so as to accommodate a retaining P:AWPDOCS\LNMcieuts~\26349O1 cladding.doc-16it2/05 -14- means and tongue behind the rebate when assembled, to maintain a general flatness of the cladding assembly which corresponds with a contour of the frame structure.

24. A mounting means for mounting a cladding element, the mounting assembly including 00 5 an anchor means and a retaining means, wherein the anchor means is fixed to a structure and the retaining means is in the form of a recess corresponding with a C1 projection on the cladding element.

25. A mounting means in accordance with claim 24 wherein the retaining means is one or more individual ties or catches fixed to a main anchor body, itself fixed when assembled, to a frame member.

26. A mounting means in accordance with claim 24 or 25 wherein a plurality of individual anchors is provided, each affixed to a respective retaining means.

27. A cladding assembly including: a plurality of cladding elements and one or more mounting means for mounting the plurality of cladding elements, the mounting means itself fixed to a structure, the mounting means including one or more retaining means so that the cladding elements are retained on the structure without penetration of fasteners through or into a cladding face of the cladding elements.

28. A cladding assembly substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the attached drawings.

29. A cladding element substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the attached drawings. P:\WPDOCS\LNM\climUs\12634901 claddingdoc-16112/05 A mounting means for a cladding element substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the attached drawings. 00 5 Dated this 16 th day of December 2005, Philip Anthony Lance, Peter Martin Morrison, John Wray Eastwood C1 by their Patent Attorneys DAVIES COLLISON CAVE 0 DAVIES COLLISON CAVE 0',