AU685102B2

AU685102B2 - Clip arrangement for panels

Info

Publication number: AU685102B2
Application number: AU64899/94A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Christopher Lee Healy; Robert Charles Labbett; David John Lawrence
Original assignee: Stramit Corp Pty Ltd
Current assignee: Stramit Corp Pty Ltd
Priority date: 1993-06-23
Filing date: 1994-06-23
Publication date: 1998-01-15
Anticipated expiration: 2014-06-23
Also published as: AU6489994A

Description

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION FOR A STANDARD PATENT CLIP ARRANGEMENT FOR PANELS THE FOTLOWING STATEMENT IS A FULL DESCRIPTION OF THIS INVENTION, INCLUDING THE BEST METHOD OF PERFORMING IT KNOWN TO ME:- The present invention relates to a retaining clip construction for the concealed fixing of roofing or other cladding sheets.

Cladding sheets for concealed fixing have a plurality of longitudinal, re-entrant ribs, with pan sections between the ribs. The edges of the sheets are adapted for interengagement with the adjacent sheets, so that an end rib of one sheet fits over the end portion of the adjacent sheet.

The sheets are typically secured to the roof structure by elongated clips which secure the trailing edge end portion of the previously laid sheet and the leading 15 edge rib and intermediate ribs of the sheet to be agog laid. The clip has retaining formations spaced along the length thereof to coincide with the rib spacing.

An endmost retaining formation of the clip is engaged with the trailing edge portion of the previously laid 20 sheet, with the remainder of the clip extending in the direction of progress, and is fixed to the roof structure The next sheet is then pressed onto the "clip so that the leading edge rib and intermediate ribs are engaged with the retaining formations and the 25 leading edge rib also locks over the trailing edge portion of the previous sheet.

The prior art clips are formed as a strap, which is folded to form a series of humps. The humps have -2detents for engagement with re-entrant portions of the ribs of the sheet.

The present invention seeks to provide an alternative clip arrangement.

In a first aspect, the present invention provides a clip for concealed fixing of a cladding sheet to an underlying structure, the cladding sheet being of a type including a plurality of ribs extending along the sheet in a longitudinal direction with each rib having re-entrant portions on opposing inner sides of the rib, the clip including a retaining formation having a base disposed generally in a first plane and being mountable to the underlying structure, and at least one tab upstanding from the base which extends in a second plane, wherein the tab is shaped for snap fit engagement with the two re-entrant portions of a said rib of o: the sheet with the second plane transverse to the longitudinal direction of the S• rib.

0. 0 In a second aspect, the present invention provides a concealed fixing cladding system including a cladding sheet and a clip for securing the cladding sheet to an underlying structure; oe.

the cladding sheet being of the type including a plurality of ribs extending along the sheet in a longitudinal direction with each rib having re-entrant portions on opposing inner sides of the rib; the clip including a retaining formation having a base disposed generally in a first plane and being mountable to the underlying structure, and at least one tab upstanding from the base in a second plane, wherein the tab is configured such that, when the cladding sheet is presented to the clip for fixing of the sheet to the clip, the clip is aligned with the second plane trarisierse to the longitudinal direction of a said rib of the sheet and is cooperable with the inner sides of the rib for snap fit engagement of the tab with the two re-entrant portions of the rib.

EDJH64899-94.DOC I E:\DJHA6899-94.DOC In a third aspect, the present invention provides a method of fixing a plurality of cladding sheets to an underlying structure, the cladding sheets having at least one longitudinal extending rib and including a longitudinal extending leading and trailing edge, the leading edge being in the form of a rib part, the or each rib and rib part including an interior space bounded by opposing interior walls and the cladding sheets being fixed to the underlying structure by a clip incorporating a plurality of retaining formations locatable within the interior space of the respective ribs and rib part, the method including the steps of: a) fixing a first cladding sheet to the underlying structure, the cladding sheet being fixed by a first retaining formation which is fastened to said underlying structure and which is in engagement with interior walls of a rib of said first cladding sheet; b) interconnecting a second retaining formation to the trailing edge of o the first cladding sheet; c) fastening said second retaining formation having said trailing edge connected thereto to the underlying structure; and d) fixing a second cladding sheet to the underlying structure by :.locating the leading edge of the second cladding sheet over said second retaining formation and said trailing edge of said first sheet and bringing the interior walls of said rib part into engagement with said second retaining formation and said trailing edge of said first sheet, wherein each of said first and second retaining formations is aligned so as to extend transverse to the longitudinal direction of said rib and said sheet edges.

Further preferred embodiments of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is a schematic perspective showing installation of a roofing sheet using a prior art clip; Fig. 2 is a plan view of a preferred clip in accordance with the present invention;

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2:ADJHA64899-94.DOC Fig. 3 is a side view of the clip of Fig. 2; Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the clip of Fig. 2; Fig 5A is a left hand end view of the clip of Fig. 2; Fig. 5B is a right hand end view of the clip of Fig. 2; Fig. 6 illustrates the cladding sheet profile for use with the clips of Fig. 2; *o*

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ADJHA64899-94.DOC -3- Figs. 7A to 7D are schematic side views illustrating the installation procedure; and Fig. 8 is a detail side view of a retaining formation of the clip engaged with the leading edge rib of a sheet and the trailing edge portion of the previous sheet.

With reference to Fig. 1, the prior art fixing system includes a clip 10 consisting of a flat strap which has been folded along lines 900 to its length to form hump-shaped retaining formations lla,llb at its ends.

These formations have detents 12 therein to engage inside the female 13b and intermediate 14 ribs of the roofing sheets 15a,15b. In use, the first hump 1la of the clip is positioned over the male rib 16a on the trailing edge of the previously laid sheet 15a, and the clip is fixed to purlin 17 by screws at positions 18a and 18b. The second sheet 15b is then positioned with its female 13b and intermediate 14b ribs over the respective formations lla, llb and is pressed downwards to snap home over the detents 12 and to .:eo engage t' female rib over the full length of of the fee. male rib 16a. The procedure is repeated for subsequent sheets, with the male rib of the final sheet being held by a finishing clip.

e o Figs. 2 to 5 illustrate a preferred clip arrangement according to the present invention. The clip 30 includes a strap 21 shaped for most of its length as a shallow, downwardly facing channel 22 (as best shown in Fig 5A). At point 23 the channel inverts to form an upwards facing channel 24 best shown in Figs. 4 and Three retaining formations 25 are attached to the strap, at positions corresponding to the leading edge rib 26 and the two intermediate ribs 27 of the roofing sheet 28 of Fig. 6. Each retaining formation is formed as a generally channel-shaped element in end view, having a base 29 and a pair of opposed upright tabs 30 of a generally similar profile to the rib.

Each tab has a pair of downwardly facing shoulders 39 for location above the re-entrant portions 40 of the rib, an inwardly turned longitudinal top flange 31 and a pair of inwardly angled longitudinal flanges 32.

The faces of angled flanges 32 are adapted to abut the inside surface of the rib. There preferably is some clearance of the top longitudinal flange 31 and the top of the rib, to allow the rib to flex while being snap-fitted onto the tab.

As illustrated in Figs. 7A to 7D, the first clip 2)a So is secured to the purlin by fasteners 35 passing through the fastener holes 36 in the strap between o oo 20 the tabs of each retaining formation. Securing the clip also compresses the insulation blanket 41.

As shown in Fig. 7B, the roofing sheet 28a is aligned ee above the clip 20a and pushed downwardly to snap fit 25 the top portions of the ribs over corresponding barbed part of the tabs. Engagement between downwardly 0 facing shoulders 39 of the tabs and opposed re-entrant eeo parts 40 of each rib then prevent the sheet from being lifted out of engagement. The angled flanges 32 above 30 the shoulders 39 fit tightly inside upwardly Sccnvergent top walls 42 of the rib to prevent twisting of the tab.

The next clip 20b is installed with the angled flanges 32 of the endmost retaining formation 25a hooking under the lip 43 of the trailing edge portion 33 of the previously laid roofing sheet 28a. The clip is pivoted downwards and secured to the purlin 34 by fasteners 35 passing through fastener holes 36 in the clip (Fig. 7C).

The next roofing sheet 28b is then aligned above clip and snapped home as described above for roofing sheet 28a, except that the leading edge rib 26 snaps over both the endmost retaining formation 25a and the trailing end portion 33 of the previous sheet. The engagement between the two clips 20a,20b and the two sheets 28a,28b is described below with reference to Fig. 8.

Fig. 8 illustrates the overlap between two adjacent sheets. The trailing edge portion 33 is shaped as one side of a rib, including an upwardly facing shoulder 44 shaped like the re-entrant parts 40 of the ribs.

S. The shoulder 44 of the end portion is held down by the near shoulder 39 of the tab in the same manner as the ribs. The downwardly turned lip 43 at the outer edge of the trailing edge portion is hooked behind the endmost angled flange 32 of the tab to prevent the shoulder 44 of the edge portion and the shoulder 39 of the tab from moving laterally out of alignment.

The illustrated retaining formations and the manner of connection with the projecting edge portion of the sheet allow fasteners to be positioned centrally below the longitudinal rib of the roofing sheet for greater C. °C e wind uplift resistance and allows direct engagement between the retaining tabs and the leading edge rib. Furthermore, the short trailing edge portion allows greater material efficiency in the roofing sheet compared to the prior art.

The alignment of the tabs 30 across the rib profile results in the fold line 37 between the tabs and the base 29 of the retaining member being parallel to the clip length, rather than perpendicular as in the prior art. Furthermore, the angled flanges 32 of the retaining formation are closely received in the top portion of the rib, restraining against bending of the clip in both the parallel or perpendicular directions.

Consequently, the wind uplift forces acting through the flanges 32 act substantially parallel to the plane of the tab. Extreme uplift forces attempt to twist the tab. This mechanism results in considerably greater resistance to wind uplift forces than the prior art hump-shaped retaining formations, in which the uplift forces attempt to unfold the hump by bending along the existing perpendicular fold lines.

As the tabs substantially correspond to the rib profile, separate bird proofing accessories are not *required.

20 Unlike prior art clips, the tail 38 of the clip extends past the final retaining formation 25c, thus supporting the full sheet profile and compressing the insulation blanket in the region of connection of the laid sheet with the next clip. This arrangement also 25 allows the head of the next clip to nest within the channel section 24 at the tail of the previous clip, and the alignment of circular fastener holes 36 ensures exact positioning of the clips for correct roof pitching.

While particular embodiments of this invention have been described, it will be evident to those skilled in the art that the present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the essential characteristics thereof. The present embodiments and examples are therefore to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the invention being indicated by the appended claims rather than the foregoing description, and all changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency the claims are therefore intended to be embraced therein.

In the appended claims, the invention is defined with reference to the orientation for use in roof cladding, where the plane of the sheets is generally horizontal.

This however should not be construed as limiting the invention to that orientation. The present invention can, for example, be used for wall cladding.

oi e o o ee:m o o• o

Claims

1. A clip for concealed fixing of a cladding sheet to an underlying structure, the cladding sheet being of a type including a plurality of ribs extending along the sheet in a longitudinal direction with each rib having re-entrant portions on opposing inner sides of the rib, the clip including a retaining formation having a base disposed generally in a firAt plane and being mountable to the underlying structure, and at least one tab upstanding from the base which extends in a second plane, wherein the tab is shaped for snap fit engagement with the two re-entrant portions of a said rib of the sheet with the second plane transverse to the longitudinal direction of the rib.

2. A clip according to claim 1, wherein the retaining formation is formed from a folded sheet with a first part of the sheet forming the base and a second part of the sheet forming the tab and a fold line formed between the base and the tab, and wherein, on engagement of the rib with the clip, the first fold line is adapted to extend transverse to the longitudinal direction of the rib.

3. A clip according to either claim 1 or 2, wherein the portion of the tab which use extends between he re-entrant portions is configured to resist wind uplift forces acting on a secured cladding sheet.

4. A clip according to any preceding claim, wherein the second plane is substantially perpendicular to the first plane.

A clip according to any preceding claim, wherein the tab includes two downwardly facing shoulders extending in the second plane, the shoulders being disposed on respective opposite sides of the tab with each shoulder being engagable with a respective one of the re-entrant portions of the rib.

6. A clip according to claim 5, wherein the tab further includes a pair of longitudinal flanges extending transversely to both the first and second planes, the longitudinal flanges being formed on opposite sides of the tab to form a pair of outwardly facing faces.

7. A clip according to claim 6, wherein a lower surface of the respective longitudinal flanges merges with the respective downwardly facing shoulders of the tab. E:\DJP' 94899-94.DOC

8. A clip according to c!aim 6 or 7, wherein the longitudinal flanges are inclined upwardly towards each other.

9. A clip according to any preceding claim, wherein the tab further includes a top flange extending generally parallel to said first plane to form an upper end of the tab.

A clip according to claim wherein at least one of the longitudinal flanges is spaced from the top flange to form a recess therebetween.

11. A clip according to any preceding claim, including a pair of said tabs, said pair of tabs being spaced apart and opposing each other.

12. A clip according to claim 11, when dependent on claim 2, wherein the respective first fold lines of the tabs are substantially parallel.

13. A clip according to claim 11 or 12, wherein the base includes at least one fastener aperture located between the pair of opposed tabs.

14. A clip according to any preceding claim including a strap having attached thereto a plurality of said retaining formations.

15. A clip according to claim 14, wherein the strap has a leading edge and a trailing edge spaced along a longitudinal axis of the strap, the retaining o. formations being spaced along the strap and wherein the strap is arranged to be aligned with a like strap in end to end configuration and wherein one of the leading or trailing edges includes a channel arranged to receive the other of said leading or trailing edges of a like strap to facilitate correct alignment of the •straps.

16. A clip according to claim 15, wherein each of the leading and trailing edges include apertures arranged to align on correct alignment of the straps.

17. A clip according to any preceding claims wherein the strap is secured to the underlying structure by fasteners which are engagable with each of the retaining formations.

18. A concealed fixing cladding system including a cladding sheet and a clip for securing the cladding sheet to an underlying structure; i, E \DJH \64899-94 DOC a. a a S .5 1 the cladding sheet being of the type including a plurality of ribs extending along the sheet in a longitudinal direction with each rib having re-entrant portions on opposing inner sides of the rib; the clip including a retaining formation having a base disposed generally in a first plane and being mountable to the underlying structure, and at least one tab upstanding from the base in a second plane, wherein the tab is configured such that, when the cladding sheet is presented to the clip for fixing of the sheet to the clip, the clip is aligned with the second plane transverse to the longitudinal direction of a said rib of the sheet and is cooperable with the inner sides of the rib for snap fit engagement of the tab with the two re-entrant portions of the rib.

19. A cladding system according to claim 18, wherein the first plane is transverse to the second plane and wherein the retaining formation is formed from a folded sheet having a first fold line formed between the base and the tab, and wherein, when the cladding sheet is presented to the clip for fixing of the sheet to the clip, the first fold line extends transverse to the longitudinal direction of the rib.

20. A cladding system according to claim 18 or 19, wherein the tab including a planar porti'hn which extends between the re-entrant portions generally in the scond plane.

21. A cladding system as claimed in claim 20, wherein said planar portion is configured to resist wind uplift forces ating on a secured cladding sheet.

22. A cladding system according to any one of ciaims 18 to 21 wherein the tab includes a pair of downwardly facing shoulders extending in the second plane, the shoulders being disposed on respective opposite sides of the tab with each shoulder being engagable with a respective one of the upwardly facing abutment surfaces of the re-entrant portions.

23. A cladding system according to any one of claims 18 to 22 wherein the tab further includes a pair of longitudinal flanges located on opposing sides of the tab, the flanges being configured such than on engagement of the clip with the sheet each longitudinal flange has a face extending in the longitudinal E DJH;\64899-94DOC -11- direction of the rib and is arranged to be adjacent a respective one of the interior walls of the rib at a position above the upwardly facing abutment surface.

24. A cladding system according to claim 23, wherein a lower surface of the respective longitudinal flanges merges with the respective downwardly facing shoulders of the tab.

A cladding system according to any one of claims 18 to 24, wherein the retaining formation includes a pair of said upright tabs upstanding from the base and being spaced from each other along said rib.

26. A cladding system according to claim 25, when dependent on claim 19, wherein the respective first fold lines of the tabs are substantially parallel.

27. A cladding system according to claim 25 or 26 wherein the retaining formation includes a fastener aperture located in the base between the tabs.

28. A cladding system according to any one of claims 18 to 27 wherein the clip further includes a strap adapted to extend transversely to said rib.

29. A cladding system according to claim 28 wherein the strap has a leading *0 edge and a trailing edge and wherein the strap is arranged to be aligned with a like strap in end to end configuration and wherein one of the leading or trailing edges includes a channel arranged to receive the other of said leading or trailing edges of a like strap to facilitate correct alignment of the straps.

A cladding system according to claim 29 wherein each of the leading and trailing edges include apertures arranged to align on correct alignment of the straps. 00

31. A cladding system according to any one of claims 24 to 26 wherein the clip includes a plurality of retaining formations spaced along said strap, and arranged to engage respective ones of said ribs.

32. A cladding system according to any one of claims 18 to 31 wherein the clip is secured to the underlying structure by fasteners engagable with the each of said retaining formations.

33. A cladding system according to any one of claims 18 to 32 wherein the cladding sheet includes spaced part male and female longitudinal edge regions, EDJH:A64899-94.DOC O the cladding sheet being of generally planar configuration and arranged to be juxtaposed with a like cladding sheet with the female edge region of one sheet overlapping the male edge region of the other sheet to form a said longitudinal extending rib at said overlapping edge region, and wherein the overlapping edge regions are arranged to be secured to the underlying structure by a said retaining formation.

34. A cladding system according to claim 33 when dependent on claim 23, wherein the tab further includes a top flange extending in the longitudinal direction of the rib to form an upper end of the tab, at least one of the longitudinal flanges being spaced from the top flange to form a recess therebetween and wherein said male edge region is upstanding from a plane of the cladding sheet to form a first rib part, the first rib part having a side portion including a re-entrant zone to provide offset upper and lower sides walls interconnected by an intermediate wall, the intermediate wail having opposing .upwardly and downwardly facing shoulders and the upper side wall extending from the intermediate wall to the terminal edge of the cladding sheet, the male C. terminal edge of the cladding sheet being hooked to form a downwardly turned lip and wherein the male edge region is arranged to be located in a retained position with the downwardly turned lip received within the recess located adjacent one of the longitudinal flanges of the tab and wherein in said retained position, the side portion of the first rib part is engaged with the tab such that said upwardly facing shoulder of said first rib part is located against or approximate to the downwardly shoulder of the tab.

A cladding system according to claim 34, wherein the clip element includes a pair of said tabs, each having a said recess arranged to receive the downwardly turned lip of the male edge region when in the retained position.

36 A cladding system according to claim 35, wherein the base includes a fastener aperture located between the pair of tabs and wherein the cladding system is configured to provide a space to enable a fastener to be located in said fastener aperture where said male edge region is in said retained position. E JH 899-94 C E:\DJH:\64899-94 OG N OK.*

37. A cladding system according to any one of claims 34 to 36, wherein the female edge region is upstanding from the plane of the cladding sheet to form a second rib part, the second rib part having opposed first and second side portions interconnected by an apical portion, the first side portion of the second rib part extending from the sheet to the apical portion and the second side portion extending downwardly from the apical portion to the other terminal edge of the sheet, the second side portion including a re-entrant zone to form offset upper and lower side walls interconnected by an intermediate wall having an upwardly facing shoulder, wherein the female edge region of like cladding sheet in the retained position, and wherein the tab of the retaining formation is located intermediate the first rnd second side portions of the second rib part with the outer surface of the side portion of the male edge region interlocking with the inner surface of the side portion of the female edge region with the upwardly facing shoulder of the second rib part being arranged to engage the :.*o:downwardly facing shoulder of the side portion of the first rib part.

38. A cladding system according to claim 37, wherein the first side portion of ",*,4the second rib part incorporates a re-entrant zone to provide offset upper and lower side walls interconnected by an intermediate wall having an upwardly facing bearing shoulder which is arranged to engage the other of said 4*° downwardly facing shoulder of the tab to which the male edge region is engaged.

39. A method of fixing a plurality of cladding sheets to an underlying structure, the cladding sheets having at least one longitudinal extending rib and including a longitudinal extending leading and trailing edge, the leading edge being in the form of a rib part, the or each rib and rib part including an interior space bounded by opposing interior walls and the cladding sheets being fixed to the underlying structure by a clip incorporating a plurality of retaining formations locatable within the interior space of the respective ribs and rib part, the method including the steps of: a) fixing a first cladding sheet to the underlying structure, the cladding sheet being fixed by a first retaining formation which is fastened to iJ' E:DJHA64899-94 DOC said underlying structure and which is in engagement with interior walls of a rib of said first cladding sheet; b) interconnecting a second retaining formation to the trailing edge of the first cladding sheet; c) fastening said second retaining formation having said trailing edge connected thereto to the underlying structure; and d) fixing a second cladding sheet to the underlying structure by locating the leading edge of the second cladding sheet over said second retaining formation and said trailing edge of said first sheet and bringing the interior walls of said rib part into engagement with said second retaining formation and said trailing edge of said first sheet, wherein each of said first and second retaining formations is aligned so as to extend transverse to the .&00longitudinal direction of said rib and said sheet edges.

40. A method of fixing a plurality of c!adding sheets according to claim 39, wherein on bringing the interior walls of said rib part into engagement with said second retaining formation and said trailing edge of said first sheet, the second cladding sheet is caused to overlap the first cladding sheet to form a longitudinal rib at said overlapping region.

A method of fixing a plurality of cladding sheets according to either claim 80° 39 or 40, wherein the trailing edge of said first cladding sheet includes a hooked edge and wherein said trailing sheet is interconnected with the second retaining formation by the hooked edge being located in a recess in an upper o° surface of said second retaining formation. 00

42. A method of fixing a plurality of cladding sheets according to anyone of claims 39 to 41, wherein the interior walls of the rib and the rib part include opposed re-entrant portions which form a pair of upwardly facing shoulders, ad wherein each retaining formation includes a pair of downwardly facing shoulders which are arranged to engage respective one of the upwardly facing shoulders. r !1 E:%DJH:\64899-94.DOC

43. A clip for concealed fixing of a cladding sheet to an underlying structure substantially as herein described with reference to Figures 2 to 8 of the accompanying drawings.

44. A concealed fixing cladding system substantially as herein described with reference to Figures 2 to 8 of the accompanying drawings. A method of fixing a plurality of cladding sheets to an underlying structure substantially as herein described with reference to Figures 2 to 8 of the accompanying drawings. DATED: 26 August 1997 PHILLIPS ORMONDE FITZPATRICK Attorneys for STRAMIT CORPORATION LIMITED o o ABSTRACT A clip (20) for concealed fixing of cladding sheets of the type having re-entrant longitudinal ribs has a retaining formation (25) for engaging inside a rib of the sheet. The retaining formation includes an upright tab (30) disposed in a plane transverse to the rib and shaped for snap-fit engagement with a re-entrant portion (40) of the rib. The retaining formations may be disposed along a strap (21) in opposed pairs, with fastening apertures (36) in the strap centrally disposed below each rib. Recommended Figure: Fig. 4 *o 6 *e o<