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TWO-PIECE BATTEN
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates to a two-piece batten and, in particular, to an aluminium batten formed of interconnectable base and cover members for use in building facades.
BACKGROUND ART
There are various two-piece metal batten systems on the market and there is a need for a more efficient two-piece batten that has a base and a cover which are easy to interconnect, but are then strongly interconnected when in use, and that conceals the base from view after the cover is connected so as to avoid having to subsequently apply a powder coated finish to any protruding surfaces of the base.
The desirability of the base and the cover of any such system to be strongly interconnected when in use so as to, for example, prevent the cover sliding down a wall-secured base, or popping out from the base, should not require an excessive amount or thickness of metal to be used for that purpose and, ideally, the system should be as lightweight as possible. Furthermore, the cover of any such system should not, when the cover is being connected to the base, damage the wall to which the base is secured.
Accordingly, there is a need for a two-piece batten which overcomes or substantially ameliorates the above mentioned shortcomings and disadvantages of the prior art, or at least provides a useful alternative.
DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION
According to the present invention, there is provided a two-piece batten, comprising:
(a) a base for securing to a mounting surface, the base having a rear wall and a pair of arms projecting forwardly from the rear wall and terminating in respective free arm ends, each arm having an outward tooth projecting from an outer side of the arm at a position closer to the rear wall than to the free arm end of the arm, each outward tooth having a forward facing ramp edge and a rearward facing clamping edge, and (b) a cover for connecting to the base to conceal the base from view when the base is secured to the mounting surface, the cover having a front wall and a pair of legs projecting rearwardly from the front wall and terminating in respective free leg ends, each leg having an inward tooth and an inward stop portion, each inward tooth projecting from an inner side of the leg at a position adjacent to the free leg end of the leg and having a rearward facing ramp edge and a forward facing clamping edge, each inward stop portion projecting from an inner side of the leg at a position between the inward tooth and the front wall, wherein the cover is pressed over the base and is connected thereto by a snap-on engagement of the inward teeth of the legs of the cover with the outward teeth of the arms of the base, whereby the forward facing clamping edge of each inward tooth abuts against the rearward facing clamping edge of a respective outward tooth and the cover is clamped over the base with sufficient strength to prevent sliding movement of the cover relative to the base and disconnection of the cover from the base, and whereby the free arm end of each arm is immediately adjacent to, or abuts against, the inward stop portion of a respective leg and the cover is stopped from being pressed further over the base to prevent the free leg ends contacting and damaging the mounting surface.
Preferably, the arms are attached to the rear wall of the base at respective positions which are inward of each opposite end of the rear wall so as to define a first lip portion at one end of the rear wall and a second lip portion at the other end of the rear wall.
It is also preferred that the legs of the cover are attached to the front wall at respective opposite ends of the front wall.
In a preferred form, a first or outer longitudinally extending V-shaped groove is formed in the outer surface of each of the legs and is located between the inward tooth and the inward stop portion.
The first or outer longitudinally extending V-shaped groove is preferably configured to receive the tip of a screw or rivet which may be advanced through the leg and then through the arm to more securely connect the cover to the base.
The thickness of the arm in a region of the arm through which the screw or rivet will pass is preferably greater than the surrounding thickness of the arm in order to provide a more robust connection of the cover with the base.
It is also preferred that there is a second or inner longitudinally extending V-shaped groove formed in the inner surface of the rear wall of the base and located centrally therealong.
In an alternative form, a more secure connection of the cover to the base may be provided by use of an adhesive applied to the legs prior to their engagement with the arms when the cover is connected to the base.
Alternatively, an adhesive may be applied to the arms prior to their engagement with the legs.
The adhesive may be used in addition to the screw or rivet, or may be used independently of a screw or rivet.
There are additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafter. As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception, upon which the disclosure is based, may be readily utilized as the basis for designing other two-piece battens for carrying out the objects of the present invention. It is important, therefore, that the broad outline of the invention described above be regarded as including such equivalent constructions in so far as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The invention will be better understood and objects other than those set forth above will become apparent when consideration is given to the following detailed description thereof. Such description makes reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
Figure 1 is an end elevation view of a base of a two-piece batten according to a preferred embodiment of the invention;
Figure 2 is an end elevation view of a cover for connecting to the base of Figure 1 to form a two-piece batten according to a preferred embodiment of the invention;
Figure 3 is an end elevation view of a two-piece batten according to a preferred embodiment of the invention and formed by connecting the base of Figure 1 with the cover of Figure 2;
Figure 4 is an enlarged view of the circled region A of the two-piece batten of Figure 3;
Figure 5 is an end elevation view of a first step of a process of connecting the base of Figure 1 with the cover of Figure 2 to form the two-piece batten of Figure 3;
Figure 6 is an end elevation view of a second step of the aforementioned process;
Figure 7 is an end elevation view of a third (final) step of the aforementioned process;
Figure 8 is an isometric top view of the cover of Figure 2;
Figure 9 is an isometric bottom view of the cover of Figure 2;
Figure 10 is an isometric top view of the base of Figure 1;
Figure 11 is an isometric top view of the cover of Figure 2 about to be pressed over the base of Figure 1;
Figure 12 is an isometric top view of a first step of the process of connecting the base of Figure 1 with the cover of Figure 2 to form the two-piece batten of Figure 3;
Figure 13 is an isometric top view of a second step of the process of connecting the base of Figure 1 with the cover of Figure 2 to form the two-piece batten of Figure 3;
Figure 14 is an isometric top view of a third (final) step of the process of connecting the base of Figure 1 with the cover of Figure 2 to form the two-piece batten of Figure 3;
Figure 15 is an end elevation view of a two-piece batten according to a second embodiment of the invention;
Figure 16 is an end elevation view of a two-piece batten according to a third embodiment of the invention;
Figure 17 is an end elevation view of a two-piece batten according to a fourth embodiment of the invention;
Figure 18 is an end elevation view of a two-piece batten according to a fifth embodiment of the invention;
Figure 19 is an end elevation view of a base of a two-piece batten according to a another preferred embodiment of the invention; and
Figure 20 is an end elevation view of a base of a two-piece batten according to a yet another preferred embodiment of the invention.
MODES FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
With reference now to the above summarized drawings, an example of a two-piece batten embodying the principles and concepts of the present invention will now be described.
The two-piece batten 10 shown in Figures 1 to 14 has a base 12 (see Figures 1 and 10) and a cover 14 (see Figures 2, 8 and 9) which are interconnected (see Figures 3 and 4) to form the batten 10 by a process shown in Figures 5 to 7 and by the same process shown in Figures 11 to 14.
The base 12 is adapted to be secured to a mounting surface (not shown), such as to a wall or to a wall-secured bracket. The mounting surface is preferably vertical, but may alternatively be of any other orientation. The orientation of the base when secured to the mounting surface may also vary. The base may be vertical, horizontal or inclined at any desired angle therebetween.
The cover 14 is adapted to be connected to the base 12 when the base is secured to the mounting surface and, when so connected, the cover 14 conceals the base from view. In this embodiment, the cover 14 is a square cover.
Both the base 12 and the cover 14 are preferably made of extruded aluminium, although other suitable materials and methods of production may be employed.
The base 12 has a rear wall 18 and a pair of arms 20, 22 projecting forwardly from the rear wall and terminating in respective free arm ends 24, 26. In this embodiment, the forwardly projecting arms are perpendicular to the rear wall.
Each arm 20, 22 has an outward tooth 28, 30 projecting from an outer side of the arm at a position closer to the rear wall 18 than to the free arm end 24, 26 of the arm.
Each outward tooth 28, 30 has a forward facing ramp edge 32, 34 and a rearward facing clamping edge 36, 38.
The cover 14 has a front wall 40 and a pair of legs 42, 44 projecting rearwardly from the front wall and terminating in respective free leg ends 46, 48. In this embodiment, the rearwardly projecting legs are perpendicular to the front wall.
Each leg 42, 44 has an inward tooth 50, 52 and an inward stop portion 54, 56.
Each inward tooth 50, 52 projects from an inner side of the leg 42, 44 at a position adjacent to the free leg end 46, 48 of the leg.
Each inward tooth 50, 52 has a rearward facing ramp edge 58, 60 and a forward facing clamping edge 62, 64.
Each inward stop portion 54, 56 projects from an inner side of the leg 42, 44 at a position between the inward tooth 50, 52 and the front wall 40.
In order to form the batten 10, the cover 14 is pressed over the base 12 and is connected thereto by a snap-on engagement of the inward teeth 50, 52 of the legs 42, 44 of the cover with the outward teeth 28, 30 of the arms 20, 22 of the base
As a result, the forward facing clamping edge 62, 64 of each inward tooth 50, 52 abuts against the rearward facing clamping edge 36, 38 of a respective outward tooth 28, 30 and the cover 14 is clamped over the base 12 with sufficient strength to prevent sliding movement of the cover relative to the base and disconnection of the cover from the base.
Also as a result, the free arm end 24, 26 of each arm 20, 22 is immediately adjacent to, or abuts against, the inward stop portion 54, 56 of a respective leg 42, 44 and the cover
14 is stopped from being pressed further over the base 12 to prevent the free leg ends 46, 48 contacting and damaging the mounting surface.
In this preferred embodiment, the arms 20, 22 are attached to the rear wall 18 of the base 12 at respective positions which are inward of each opposite end of the rear wall so as to define a first lip portion 66 at one end of the rear wall and a second lip portion 68 at the other end of the rear wall, although in other embodiments the arms may be attached to the rear wall at respective opposite ends of the rear wall. When the cover 14 is connected to a wall-secured base 12, the lip portions 66, 68 are covered and concealed from view by the free leg ends 46, 48.
Also in this preferred embodiment, the legs 42, 44 are attached to the front wall 40 of the cover 14 at respective opposite ends of the front wall.
There is, in this embodiment, a first or outer longitudinally extending V-shaped groove 70, 72 (see especially Figure 4) formed in the outer surface of each of the legs 42, 44 and located between the inward tooth 50, 52 and the inward stop portion 54, 56.
A purpose of the groove 70, 72 is to receive the tip of a screw or rivet (not shown) which may be advanced (with the use of an appropriate tool) through the leg 42, 44 and then through the arm 20, 22 to more securely connect the cover 14 to the base 12, if required.
Alternatively, the cover 14 may be more securely connected to the base 12 with the use of an industrial strength adhesive which bonds together abutting surfaces of the base and cover, such as where the free arm ends 24, 26 of the arms abut against the inward stop portions 54, 56 of the legs. For this purpose, an adhesive may be applied to the legs prior to their engagement with the arms when the cover is connected to the base.
Alternatively, an adhesive may be applied to the arms prior to their engagement with the legs.
The adhesive may be used in addition to the screw or rivet, or may be used independently of a screw or rivet, depending on the level of connection strength required.
Another purpose of the groove 70, 72 is to serve as a point of weakness to create a greater lateral flexibility in the leg 42, 44 so that the legs of the cover 14 can bend or distort slightly outwardly, to the required extent, when receiving and engaging the arms 20, 22 of the base 12.
There is, also in this embodiment, a second or inner longitudinally extending V-shaped groove 74 formed in the inner surface of the rear wall 18 of the base 12 and located centrally therealong.
A purpose of the groove 74 is to receive the tip of a screw or rivet (not shown) which may be advanced (with the use of an appropriate tool) through the rear wall 18 and then fixed into the mounting surface (not shown), such as a wall or a wall-secured bracket.
Another purpose of the groove 74 is to serve as a point of weakness to create a greater symmetrical flexibility in the rear wall 18 so that the arms 20, 22 of the base 12 can bend or distort slightly inwardly, to the required extent, when receiving and engaging the legs 42, 44 of the cover 14.
The thickness of the arm 20, 22 in the region (see especially Figure 4) through which the screw or rivet will pass is, in this preferred embodiment, greater than the surrounding thickness of the arm in order to provide a more robust connection of the cover 14 with the base 12. The increased thickness prevents the arm 20, 22 being pushed inwardly by the screw or rivet as it is being advanced into the batten 10, as otherwise the free arm end 24, 26 may be relocated from its position immediately adjacent to, or abutting against, the inward stop portion 54, 56 of the leg 42, 44 and, worse still, that may cause the outward tooth 28, 30 to be relocated from its position abutting against the inward tooth 50, 52.
Figures 15 to 18 show a variety of two-piece battens 76, 78, 80, 82 according to the present invention and which may be used in building facades, each having the base 12 but a differently shaped cover. The manner in which any of these differently shaped covers is connected to the base 12 is the same as that described above with reference to the batten 10.
Batten 76 shown in Figure 15 has its base 12 connected to a round cover 84. Batten 78 shown in Figure 16 has its base 12 connected to a trapezoidal cover 86. Batten 80 shown in Figure 17 has its base 12 connected to a rectangular cover 88. Batten 82 shown in Figure 18 has its base 12 connected to another rectangular cover 90 having a greater forwardly projecting length than that of the rectangular cover 88.
The base 102 shown in Figure 19 is identical in features of structure and function to the base 12 (and like numbers are used to identify like features) except for the following unique features.
The base 102 has a reduced thickness of the arm 20, 22 in the region 104 through which the screw or rivet will pass. As long as the material from which the base 102 is made is strong enough, a robust connection of the cover 14 with the base 102 is maintained, and there is no significant pushing of the arm 20, 22 inwardly by the screw or rivet as it is being advanced into the batten 10, and there is no significant relocation of the free arm 24, 26 from its position immediately adjacent to, or abutting against, the inward stop portion 54, 56 of the leg 42, 44.
The base 102 also has additional longitudinally extending V-shaped grooves 106, 108 on opposite sides of the groove 74.
The grooves 106, 108 can provide additional points through which the tip of a screw or rivet (not shown) may be received and advanced (with the use of an appropriate tool) through the rear wall 18 and then fixed into the mounting surface (not shown), such as a wall or a wall-secured bracket. The greater number of fixing points provide increased stability of the batten by preventing unwanted movement during use or after any collision.
The grooves 106, 108 can also provide additional points of weakness to create a greater symmetrical flexibility in the rear wall 18 so that the arms 20, 22 of the base 102 can bend or distort slightly inwardly, to the required extent, when receiving and engaging the legs 42, 44 of the cover 14.
The rear wall 18 of the base 102 is also of a reduced thickness.
The base 110 shown in Figure 20 is identical in features of structure and function to the base 102 (and like numbers are used to describe like features) except for the following unique features.
The base 110 has a side wall extension member 112 perpendicularly extending from, and integrally connected to, a slightly longer arm 22 of the base 110. The increased length of the arm 22 is due to a step 114 which is now formed at the bottom of the arm 22, and is necessary because, without the step 114, the cover 14 would not be able to be properly fitted to the base 110 to form the batten 10, as there would not be enough inward movement allowed to enable the snap-on engagement of the inward teeth 50, 52 of the legs 42, 44 of the cover 14 with the outward teeth 28, 30 of the arms 20, 22 of the base 110.
The side wall extension member 112 is also useful, when desired, to allow for the accurate spacing apart of bases. In the embodiment shown in Figure 20, the extension member 112 can provide a 50mm spacing to an adjacent base. There are snap-off grooves 116 which are 10mm apart along the extension member 112 and can be used, if desired, to reduce the spacing between adjacent bases by 10mm increments.
Alternatively, the length of the extension member can be increased to provide a longer spacing to an adjacent base, and the number and distance apart of the snap-off grooves can also vary, as can the number of extension members.
Another feature and advantage of the side wall extension member 112 is that it can be powder coated at any time prior to installation so as to hide the mounting surface (not shown), such as a wall or a wall-secured bracket, and thereby avoid the need to paint or apply a finish to the surface on site.
The two-piece batten of the present invention, when in use, may replicate the shape and appearance of a conventional timber batten. For this purpose, it is only the outer surfaces of, say, the extruded aluminium cover of the batten which need to be coated with a wood grain finish, such as by a powder coating process, as the extruded aluminium base of the batten is concealed from view by the cover.
It will be readily apparent from reading the above, and to persons skilled in the art, that there are various advantages of the present invention.
For example, the two-piece batten of the present invention has a base and a cover which are easy to interconnect, but are then strongly interconnected when in use so as to, for example, prevent the cover sliding down a vertical wall-secured base, or popping out from the base.
Furthermore, in such a batten, the cover advantageously conceals the base from view after the cover is connected so as to avoid having to subsequently apply a powder coated finish to any protruding surfaces of the base.
Still further, such a batten does not require an excessive amount or thickness of metal to be used for the purpose of achieving a strong interconnection of the base and the cover.
It is yet another advantage of the two-piece batten of the present invention that the cover of the batten does not, when the cover is being connected to the base, damage the wall to which the base is secured.
It will also be readily apparent to persons skilled in the art that various modifications may be made in details of design and construction of the embodiments of the two-piece batten described above without departing from the scope or ambit of the present invention.
The reference in this specification to any prior publication (or information derived from it), or to any matter which is known, is not, and should not be taken as an acknowledgement or admission or any form of suggestion that that prior publication (or information derived from it) or known matter forms part of the common general knowledge in the field of endeavour to which this specification relates before the filing date of this patent application.