AU2016100164A4 - A Channel for Wall Cladding - Google Patents

Abstract

Abstract The present invention is a channel for use with wall cladding on a structure. The channel including a vertical rear section that includes at least one aperture through 5 which a suitable fastening means can pass through and into the structure to thereby attach the channel to the structure. The channel also includes a base section that is oriented to extend horizontally outwardly from the rear section, and a front section that extends vertically upwardly from the base section. The front section includes a plurality of voids and projections that extend outwardly from the plane of the front 10 section over at least a portion of the entire front section. The plurality of voids and projections provide superior adhesion of any subsequent coating, such as a render, that is applied to the outer face of the front section.

Description

1 A Channel for Wall Cladding Field of the Invention 5 This invention concerns wall cladding, and the channel used to attach the cladding to a structure and the features of that channel that enable both the cladding and the relevant portion of the channel to be rendered. Background of the Invention 10 It has become common to apply a cladding, particularly an insulative cladding, to at least the exterior walls of a building. The means of applying this cladding to the wall typically comprises a U shaped channel that is attached at its rear to the structure. An in-fill panel is then inserted into, and retained and supported by, the channel. The in 15 fill panel is typically made from a lightweight yet durable material, such as expanded polymer foam, or the like. Once the cladding is installed, the outer face of the cladding, and the outer face of the front of the channel has a coating of render applied that provides the appropriate finish and appearance to the exterior. 20 There has been a problem in the past where the render has not adhered adequately to the outer face of the front section of the channel. This has the undesirable outcome of having sections of the render break away and fall off. This significantly deteriorates the appearance of the cladded wall. To overcome this problem, a plurality of voids are either cut, drilled or stamped into the front section of the channel to provide the render 25 a surface that offers improved adherence between the render and the channel. Even with the plurality of these voids, there is are still persistent problems with section of the render being broken and coming away in the vicinity of the front section of the channel. 30 It is an object of the present invention to provides a channel that at least mitigates some of the aforementioned problems.

2 Summary of the Invention Accordingly, the present invention is a channel for use with wall cladding on a structure. The channel including a vertical rear section that includes at least one 5 aperture through which a suitable fastening means can pass through and into the structure to thereby attach the channel to the structure. The channel also includes a base section that is oriented to extend horizontally outwardly from the rear section, and a front section that extends vertically upwardly from the base section. The front section includes a plurality of voids and projections that extend outwardly from the plane of 10 the front section over at least a portion of the entire front section. The plurality of voids and projections provide superior adhesion of any subsequent coating, such as a render, that is applied to the outer face of the front section. Preferably the channel is fabricated out of a suitable sheet metal, and the at least one 15 aperture and plurality of projections are created by a suitable stamping process during the manufacture of the channel. Preferably the plurality of projections are outwardly extending portions of an area of expanded mesh, and the entire channel, including the area of expanded mesh, is formed 20 from a single sheet of metal. Preferably the channel is adapted to receive an in-fill panel between the rear and front sections, and rest upon the base section, and the outer face of the in-fill panel, and the outer face of the front section of the channel is adapted to be coated in a suitable 25 rendering, and the adherence of the rendering material applied to the area of expanded mesh area of the front section is increased by the interaction of the plurality of voids and the plurality of projections associated with the area of expanded mesh with the render. 30 3 Brief Description of the Drawings In order that the invention may be more fully understood there will now be described, by way of example only, preferred embodiments and other elements of the invention 5 with reference to the accompanying drawings where: Figure 1 is an isometric view of the channel of indeterminate length. Figure 2 is an end view of the channel. 10 Figure 3 is a plan view of the metal sheet that the channel is formed from, prior to folding. Figure 4 shows the channel with the in-fill panel in place, and a render being applied 15 to the in-fill panel's front face, and the front of the front section of the channel. Description of Examples of the Invention and the Preferred Embodiment Turning firstly to Figure 1, we are shown an isometric view of a channel 1 of 20 indeterminate length. The channel 1 is fabricated from a single piece of sheet metal. The channel 1 includes a vertical rear section 3 that includes a plurality of perforations through which a suitable fastener can pass in order to attach the channel to a structure. The base section 5 extends substantially orthogonally to the rear section 3. The front section 7 is folded upwardly and extends substantially vertically to the base section 5. 25 The front section 7 includes an area of expanded mesh 9. The expanded mesh 9 includes a plurality of voids and projections that extend outwardly from the plane of the front section. This can be more easily seen in Figure 2. As mentioned, the entire channel 1 is manufactured out of a single sheet of metal as 30 shown in Figure 3. Prior to folding, the sheet has the relevant holes, moisture drainage channel and associated apertures, and the mesh portion 9 stamped out of the metal sheet. The features of the channel 1 are then created by folding the metal sheet along rear section fold line 13 and the front section fold line 11.

4 Turning to Figure 4, we can see the channel 1 in use. An in-fill panel 15 that is used to clad a structure, such as an external or internal wall on a building, is placed inside the channel 1. Once it is in place, then the exterior face of the wall and the front section 7 of the channel has a suitable rendering material 17 coated over it. The gaps, voids and 5 projections of the expanded mesh portion 9 of the front section 7 provides superior adhesion between the render and the front section 7 of the channel 1 While the above description includes the preferred embodiments of the invention, it is to be understood that many variations, alterations, modifications and/or additions may 10 be introduced into the constructions and arrangements of parts previously described without departing from the essential features or the spirit or ambit of the invention. It will be also understood that where the word "comprise", and variations such as "comprises" and "comprising", are used in this specification, unless the context 15 requires otherwise such use is intended to imply the inclusion of a stated feature or features but is not to be taken as excluding the presence of other feature or features. The reference to any prior art in this specification is not, and should not be taken as, an acknowledgment or any form of suggestion that such prior art forms part of the 20 common general knowledge.

Claims (4)

1. A channel for use with wall cladding on a structure, said channel including a vertical rear section that includes at least one aperture through which a suitable 5 fastening means can pass through and into the structure to thereby attach the channel to the structure, and a base section that is oriented to extend horizontally outwardly from the rear section, and a front section that extends vertically upwardly from the base section, wherein the front section includes a plurality of voids and projections that extend outwardly from the plane of the front section over at least a 10 portion of the entire front section, and wherein the plurality of voids and projections provide superior adhesion of any subsequent coating, such as a render, that is applied as a coating to the outer face of the front section.

2. A channel as defined in claim 1 wherein the channel is fabricated out of a suitable 15 sheet metal, and the at least one aperture and plurality of projections are created by a suitable stamping process during the manufacture of the channel.

3. A channel as defined in claim 2 wherein the plurality of projections are outwardly extending portions of an area of expanded mesh, and the entire channel, including 20 the area of expanded mesh, is formed from a single sheet of metal.

4. A channel as defined in claim 3 wherein the channel is adapted to receive an in-fill panel between the rear and front sections and rest upon the base section, and the outer face of the in-fill panel, and the outer face of the front section of the channel 25 is adapted to be coated in a suitable rendering, and the adherence of the rendering material applied to the area of expanded mesh area of the front section is increased by the interaction of the plurality of voids and the plurality of projections associated with the area of expanded mesh with the render.