P/00/0 II Regulation 3.2 AUSTRALIA Patents Act 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION Invention Title: BUILDING MEMBER AND CLADDING SYSTEM The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me: -11 BUILDING MEMBER AND CLADDING SYSTEM This invention relates to a building member and cladding system. The invention is directed particularly, but not solely, towards a recladding system for residential, industrial and 5 commercial building surfaces. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Existing recladding systems are designed to both improve the aesthetics and weather tightness of insitu buildings. Recladding can fall into two main categories based on the seal required. The first is a fully sealed system and the second system is a vented open joint 10 sealing system. The fully sealed systems are difficult to maintain having problems with the integrity of the structure under a determined and aggressive environment. Sun, wind, rain, seismic forces and chemical attack etc make the fully sealed system difficult to economically achieve. Open vented systems provide a better solution by not opposing the elements but instead 15 allows for them by managing and controlling. Existing open vented joint systems rely on a vertical channels between panels which function essentially like drain pipes with limited horizontal drainage emptying into the vertical joints between the new cladding. Existing sealed cladding systems therefore retain moisture for longer periods allowing water/moisture to build up, reducing their product life and weather 20 resistance and causing flooding. Existing open joint systems can be prone to water ingress in extreme conditions. It is the object of the present invention to provide an improved building member and cladding system which will obviate or minimise the aforementioned problems in a simple yet effective manner and/or which will at least provide the public with a useful choice. 25 STATEMENT OF INVENTION Accordingly in a first aspect the invention consists in a building member, the member including a substantially elongate H-shaped cross section having a bar portion having flanges -2 forming first and second recesses, in use the first recess is adapted to be fixable to a building wherein the second recess is adapted and constructed to allow drainage to exit therefrom. Preferably the first recess is adapted to be a dry area. Preferably the building member is one piece. 5 Alternatively the building member is fabricated from at least two pieces. Preferably the building member is fabricated from an upper and lower member. Preferably the upper and lower members can be formed of two sections. Preferably the second recess is deeper than the first recess wherein the first recess in use is constructed and adapted to allow fixing means therethrough to an existing building surface. 10 Preferably the fixing means is joined to a bracket which is fixable to the building Preferably the second recess is adapted and constructed to be fixable to at least one cladding member. Preferably the recesses include flanges being angled with respect to the bar, wherein the flanges having end portions substantially parallel to the bar. 15 Preferably the second recess flanges are angled with respect to the bar, to provide in use the drainage slope whereby fluid is directed away from the building surface. Preferably the second recess has an upper flange and a lower flange wherein the upper flange has at least one drainage aperture. Preferably the upper and lower flanges have a sloping portion. 20 Accordingly in a second aspect the invention consists in a framing system for cladding comprising intersecting framing adapted to be fixable to a building surface and to cladding, the framing including substantially elongate H-shaped cross sectional members wherein at least the horizontal framing members are constructed and adapted to provide drainage away from the building.
-3 Preferably the elongate H-shaped cross sectional member having a bar portion wherein in use when the elongate members are affixed to the building surface the bar is substantially parallel thereto. Preferably the elongate member forms a first recess and a second recess, the second recess 5 being deeper than the first recess wherein the first recess in use is constructed and adapted to allow fixing means therethrough to an existing building surface. Preferably the fixing means is joined to a bracket which is fixable to the building surface Preferably the second recess is adapted and constructed to be fixable to at least one cladding member. 10 Preferably the first recess is adapted to be a dry area. Preferably the recesses include flanges being angled with respect to the bar portion, wherein the flanges having end portions substantially parallel to the bar portion. Preferably the second recess flanges are angled with respect to the bar portion, to provide in use a drainage slope whereby fluid is directed away from the building surface. 15 Preferably the horizontal members have at least one aperture to allow fluid to exit the framing system. Preferably the framing is attached to a wall of the building wherein the framing includes continuous horizontal elongate members and vertical members therebetween. Preferably the second recess has an upper flange and a lower flange wherein the upper flange 20 has at least one drainage aperture. Preferably the upper and lower flanges have a sloping portion. Preferably the cross sectional member is fabricated from two member as an upper and lower member. Preferably the upper and lower members can be formed of two sections.
-4 Accordingly in a third aspect the invention consists in a method of re-cladding a building surface with a system comprising intersecting framing adapted to be fixable to a building surface and to cladding, the framing including substantially elongate H-shaped cross sectional members, wherein at least the horizontal framing members are constructed and 5 adapted to provide drainage away from the building, the method including the following steps are carried out: - attaching horizontal framing members to the building surface; - attaching the vertical framing members between the horizontal members The method as disclosed followed by : 10 - attaching cladding to the framing members to create a cavity therebetween. DRAWING DESCRIPTION Preferred forms of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Figure 1 is a perspective view of an intersecting open vented panel joint of the invention. 1 5 Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of the horizontal drained joint detail for direct fixing. Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of a horizontal joint with spaced fixing. Figure 4 is a front view of an existing drainage system for cladding. Figure 5 is a front end view of the drainage system of the invention. Figure 6 is a cross sectional plan view of direct fixing of the cladding system to an existing 20 building using riveting. Figure 7 is a cross sectional plan view of a corner detail. Figure 8 is a cross sectional plan view of a bracket fixing system using screw fixing. Figure 9 is a cross sectional view of an up stand wall using a direct fixing method.
-5 Figure 10 is a close up view of a part of the up stand wall of figure 9. Figure 11 is a cross section of the building member in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the invention as a one piece member with a front corner variation. 5 Figure 12 is a cross section of the building member in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the invention whereby the building member is formed in two sections. Figure 13 is a cross section of the building member in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the invention whereby the building member is formed in two sections. Figure 14 is a cross section of the building member in accordance with another preferred 10 embodiment of the invention whereby the building member is formed in three sections. Figure 15 is a cross section of another variation in the building member as a one section building member. Figure 16 is a cross section of another variation in the building member as a two section building member. 15 Figure 17 is a cross section of another variation in the building member as a three section building member. DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS As shown in figures 1, 2 and 3 the cladding system is made up of a frame having in use horizontal elongate members I and vertical elongate members 2 which can have cladding 20 panels 3 fixable on one side of the framing system and optionally bracket(s) 4 enabling the framing system to be spaced from a wall or ceiling of a building 5. As shown in figures 2 and 3 there is shown the relationship of the frame with respect to the wall in two different aspects of the invention. Figure 2 shows the framing being directly fixed to the wall 5 whereas figure 3 shows the framing spaced by the bracket 4 from the 25 building 5 having a cladding or outer surface 7.
-6 The framing is generally put in whereby the horizontal members I are continuous across the face of the building with the vertical members 2 put in between. The cladding 3 is attachable to the horizontal member 1 by fixing means 8. The horizontal member(s) in turn or before the cladding is attached, is attached by fixing means 9 to the 5 building 5. Figure 3 shows the bracket 4 with attaching means 10 and I1 affixing to the building and a horizontal member 1 respectively. The horizontal member(s) and vertical member(s) 2 are substantially in the form of a substantially elongate H-shaped cross sectional member having a bar portion 12 which in use 10 is substantially parallel to the face of the surface 7 that the framing is being attached to. The horizontal and vertical members can be fabricated as one piece or several pieces. Using several pieces can be useful for improving relative movement with regard to seismic forces. The horizontal and vertical members therefore have a cross sectional shape that forms a first recess 13 which in use abuts the building 5 and a second recess 14 which faces outwards. 15 The first recess is also adapted to be a dry area so that the fixings are not dampened nor is moisture/fluid allowed to pass therethrough. The first recess area is not connected to the second recess area with any fixing therethrough being sealingly fixed. The second recess 14 is designed to provide a drainage path from inside the cavity that is formed between the framing and new cladding and existing building surface 7. The vertical and horizontal 20 members have flanges 15 which form the first recess 13 and flanges 17 which form the second recess 14. The flanges 17 have end portions 18 which are substantially parallel to the bar portion 12. The first recess 13 has end portions 16 which are also substantially parallel to the bar portion 12. The framing members 1 and 2 form a pressure equalised cavity 19 whereby in conjunction 25 with the second recess 14 allow drainage of condensation and fluid, out of cavity 19. At least for the horizontal members the second recess 14 of the first member 1 has at least one aperture/hole 21 therein to enable the condensation or fluid or water within pressure cavity 19 above to exit therefrom and out through the second recess 14. The apertures 21 can be minimally located on an upper flange 22 of the horizontal member. The upper flanges 22 30 can be sloped to a bench surface which has the aperture(s) therein. The lower flange 23 can -7 be simply angled towards the front of the cladding structure ie facing the weather, to enable the fluid to be directed away from the building. Other variations are possible as long as there is a slope and apertures especially on the upper flange. Figure 3 shows a further cavity 20 that is formed parallel to the first cavity 19. 5 As shown in figures 4 and 5 there are shown the improved method of drainage of both the cavity between the cladding panel and an existing building and along the various channels between the panels. Figure 4 represents the current open vented rainwater system of the prior art where all of the drainage travels down the vertical gaps/paths between panels 3. With current seal joint 10 systems the vertical drainage paths effectively form 'down pipes' and can create a flooding and leakage situation. The water on the outside of the panel merely flows over the outside with any water getting in between being merely directed to the vertical drainage paths whereas shown in figure 5 of the invention as disclosed, the system effectively drains water very quickly from behind the panel through horizontal and vertical members I and 2. 15 The invention has drainage at every vertical and horizontal joint thereby managing and controlling the drainage by quickly deflecting water away from the principle structure or building surface. Other products such as different panels, or brands can be used with this system. The size of the members and or joints and shape of parts of the H cross-section can be varied to suit particular site conditions. Coatings such as galvanizing or stainless steel for 20 example can be used. The horizontal member supports the cladding, catches any water ingress around a sheet and drains it over the face of the sheet below and connects back to the building surface structure. This enables every panel to be drained and is not sensitive if one or two drain holes 21 are blocked. 25 There is second a system which is better suited to low rise buildings having lower drainage expectations - e.g. can have eaves. In this system both the vertical and horizontal elongate members 1 and 2 can have the same cross section. For example this can be at least the vertical member 2. The system as shown in figures 1, 2 and 3 is better suited to high rise buildings or where the drainage surface area is much greater and the chances of leakage and -8 the need to get rid of a lot of water is much greater. However both systems are interchangeable. The first system of figures 1 to 3 is made up of first horizontal members I having angled flange portions which are numbered 17 with the vertical member 2 not having the angled 5 flange portions. The flange portions 17 in vertical member 1 are essentially and substantially contiguous with the flanges 15 of the first recess. The vertical member in the system though still has the flanges 16 and 18 respectively. Figure 6 shows the direct fixing method for the vertical member 30 (previously labelled 2). The drawing shows a fixing means which can be rivets or they can be self-driven screws or 10 any fastening system able to be effectively attached to provide the correct seal and attachment and support. As shown the vertical member 30 is shown being directly fixed through the central bar portion 31. Figure 7 again shows the system instead with a bracket 4 spacing the vertical member 30 from the building 5 having a cladding or outer surface 7. At the corner there is also shown a 15 corner bracket 4 which is attached to the outer flange 18 of the vertical member and also attached to the cladding on both corner faces. Figure 8 shows another alternative to the system of figure 6 whereby the vertical member is spaced by the bracket. Figures 9 and 10 show the use of the member also being used in a horizontal situation. This 20 member is labelled 40 and can be directly fixed to the cladding 42 and 43 of a parapet wall 41 after removing any existing flashing 44. Also shown is a bracket 4 which can be also used to support the vertical member 30. The overclad frame having the horizontal members are not shown attached to the cladding. Other apertures, slits or perforations can be included with/in any of the elongate framing 25 members to enhance circulation and/or drainage. As shown in cross sectional figures 11-17 there are other examples of the building member either as a vertical elongate member or horizontal elongate member which can be formed either as a one piece section or as two or three piece sections as referred to on page 6 of this specification, whereby several pieces can be useful for improving relative movement with -9 regard to seismic forces. Where possible similar features have been labelled with the same reference numbers such as the bar 12, first recess 13 and second recess 14. In relation to the movement of a section when in use, a 'horizontal' plane is defined as going into the page of the cross sections or across the page, and a 'vertical plane' can be defined 5 with respect to the cross sections of the horizontal members as being up or down the page. "Front" can be defined as being on the left hand side of each cross section and the "rear" being the right hand side of each cross section. Figures 11-14 The same principle of horizontal drainage is present but the actual H cross section can be 10 formed in different ways. Figure 11 is essentially the same cross section as in figures 1-10 but with a minor variation in a front corner 49. Figure 12 shows a horizontal elongate member 50 formed as split transoms in two sections with one being in use an upper section 51 and a lower section 52. Drain hole 21 is formed in both sections which such sections slidably inter-fit in an overlapping sense with drain holes 15 21 fluidly joining, as shown by the double headed arrows. Upper section 51 as shown as being square S-shape with an extra leg or end portion 18 and lower section 59 can be considered to a square shaped Y section also with an extra leg 18 extending downwardly from the tail of the Y section. Lower section 52 has sloping flange 17 sloped to allow drainage away from the inside of the building ie the right hand side of the member 50. 20 As shown horizontal member 50 allows for differential movement between the upper and lower sections 51 & 52 in the vertical planes as shown by double headed arrows (ie up and down the page) and in the horizontal plane (ie into the page) but not across the page. Figure 13 shows horizontal elongate member 55 formed in two sections but this time an upper section 56 is substantially L shaped with a vertical leg 57 and horizontal leg 58. The 25 other section is a lower section 59 which is essentially the same H cross section as in previous figures 1-11 but without a vertical front leg 57. Lower section 59 is also a square Y shape with a leg 16 parallel to leg 18 as shown in figure 13. To form the finished section 55, horizontal leg 58 is slidably interfitted and abutted with the same oriented leg in the lower section 59.
- 10 Horizontal movement across the page between the sections 56 and 59 is prevented. Member 55 allows for differential horizontal movement (into the page) of the horizontal leg 58 of the upper section 56 with respect to a horizontal leg of the lower section 59. Figure 14 shows another variation in a horizontal elongate member 65 being formed from 5 part of the same section as used in figure 13 whereby an upper section 55 slidably interfits and abuts with a lower section 67 whereby horizontal movement across the page is prevented. However this time lower section 67 which forms an H type section, can be formed from a right hand section 68 and left hand section 69 which also slidably interfit and abut whereby vertical movement is prevented. Right hand section 68 can be a square shaped 10 Y section and left hand section 69 can be thought of a squared shaped Z section. Horizontal member 65 allows for upper and lower sections 55 & 67 to move independently horizontally (into the page) and for sections 67 and 69 to be able to move horizontally across the page. Also this horizontal elongate member 65 allows for a head of a horizontal fixing 70 to be cloaked (ie protected from the weather) by the vertical leg of the left hand section 15 69. This cloaking can be to simply cover the fastener head in an abutting relationship or by being spaced in that a space 71 is formed as shown in figure 14. To those skilled in the art to which the invention relates, many changes in construction and widely differing embodiments and application of the invention will suggest themselves without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims. The 20 disclosures and the descriptions herein are purely illustrative and are not intended to be limiting. Throughout the description and claims of this specification the word "comprise" and variations of that word, such as "comprises" and "comprising", are not intended to exclude other additives, components, integers or steps. 25 The building member and cladding system has the following advantages: 1. Simple installation. 2. Modest production costs. 3. Effective drainage of every sheet or panel.
- 11 4. No build up of water behind the cladding system. 5. No flooding or overflow problems 6. Effective cladding system able to be adapted to any situation. 7. Effective vented cavity which allows rapid drying. 5 8. Allows for differential movement between the top and bottom sections in the horizontal and vertical planes 9. Allows for differential horizontal movement of the upper section 10. Allows for horizontal independent movement of upper and lower legs 11. Allows for the head of a horizontal fixing to be cloaked by the vertical leg of the lower 10 section. 12. Better weather protection