EP0189437B1

EP0189437B1 - Panelling system

Info

Publication number: EP0189437B1
Application number: EP85903068A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Oskar Hovde
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1984-06-22
Filing date: 1985-06-19
Publication date: 1990-04-18
Anticipated expiration: 2005-06-19
Also published as: EP0189437A1; DE3577220D1; AU4492285A; WO1986000361A1

Abstract

A panelling system essentially for use on walls where the first panneling element (upper board 11) is constructed with an undercut along its two undersides, a second panelling element (lower board 12), with a protrusion along both of its side edges, which matches the undercuts (14) on the first panelling element and a third strip-shaped panelling element (52) with an edge thickness equal that of the undercut of the first panneling element (11). On each of said first and second panelling elements there are two or more attachment elements (attachment clips 13), which are constructed for fixing under the panelling elements along at least one side. The attachment elements can be affixed to a surface by screws etc. It is of special interest that the first paneling element has grooves on both sides and the second panelling element corresponding tongues on both of its sides.

Description

This invention relates to a panelling system for securement to walls, ceilings and floors.
Panelling systems are known which comprise panelling elements having undercuts or grooves and corresponding overcuts or tongues along respective side edges (which undercuts and overcuts or grooves and tongues interfit), as well as attachment elements to secure the edge margins of the panelling elements to underlying substrates. Such a system is disclosed, for example, in U.S. Specification No. 3047985.
The main object of this invention is to provide a panelling system which offers greater flexibility in the choice of element combinations, and which enables installation to be carried out with as little work as possible at the site of installation.
According to the invention this is accomplished by designing the panelling system in the manner stated in patent claim 1.
The particular form of the attachment elements, which are band-like metal strips with at least one end pointed, enables rapid and effective securement at corners where the pointed end is driven into the substrate.
Further details of the invention will become evident from the following description of designs and the accompanying reference to the drawings:

Figs. 1 and 2 are perspective views of an early design of two matched panelling elements, in accordance with the invention;
Figs. 3A and 3B respectively are plan and side views of one means of designing the attachment element;
Figs. 4 and 5 are perspective views of two alternative ways of designing panelling elements; whilst
Fig. 6 is a partial perspective view showing various panelling elements for use in accordance with the present invention.

In its simplest form the system of the invention may be made up of three elements, namely a first panelling element, herein called the upper board 11, which is illustrated in Fig. 1, a second panelling element, called the lower board 12, which is illustrated in Fig. 2, and attachment elements 13, one of which is illustrated in Figs. 3A and 3B. The design of the individual elements and their use are described in more detail below. There is also a more detailed description of the invention and different variations on the basic design.
The upper board 11 has an undercut 14 and a ribbed edge 15 on each of its long sides. The thickness of the undercut 14 is determined by the system and is the same for all upper boards 11. The thickness of the upper board 11 can vary from a minimum thickness which is determined by the ribbed edge 15 having sufficient strength up to a reasonably large thickness. In the example, the upper board is shown with a smooth outer surface. An alternative design could include mouldings and/or a surface structure as required.
One end of the upper board 11 has an undercut 16 and a ribbed edge 17, as on the long sides. At the other end, the upper board 11 has an overcut 18 which matches the ribbed edge 17. Consequently, at that end there will be a joint-feather or tongue 19 at the base of the upper board.
The upper board 11 can be manufactured using standard techniques such as planing and edge milling. If undercuts 14 of a standard thickness are used, and possibly a standard width as well, manufacturing would be both rational and inexpensive.
In the example, the upper board 11 is attached to two battens 20 and 21. At one side, the upper board is held in position by means of a band shaped attachment element 13A, which is fixed by a screw 22 to the underside of the upper board, which is attached to an adjacent board (not shown). At the other side, on the right of the figure, there are equivalent attachment elements, 13B and 13C respectively. These are attached to the lower side of the board by screws 23 and to their respective battens 20 and 21 by screws 24.
By using the attachment elements 13 the overall assembly of the panelling elements is simplified. The use of visible nails or other means of attachment is avoided. In addition, cracking, which so frequently occurs with nailing, is avoided. Further, the panelling can easily be removed without damaging or destroying any of the parts.
Fig. 2 shows an example of the other panelling element, the lower board 12. The term "lower board" is used because this element has a lower tongue 25 on each long side. The thickness of the tongue 25 equals the thickness of the undercut 14 on the upper board so that the tongue 25 can be held under this and be kept in position by the adjacent elements.
The end profile of the lower board 12 is the same as the profile of the upper board 11, i.e. with a projecting ribbed edge 17 at one end and a tongue 19 at the lower end of the other.
The lower board 12 in Fig. 2 is shown as having the same thickness as the upper board 11 and has a smooth outer surface. The thickness can also vary depending upon economic and weight considerations, and the outer surface can be moulded and given a structure as required.
If a lower board 12 of minimum thickness is to be used, this can be manufactured from a sheet of plywood. The thickness must be sufficient to allow for securing of the attachment elements 13. If a thicker lower board 12 is to be used, it will be most usual to edge mill a suitable type of wood, as described above for the upper boards 11.
An alternative way of manufacturing the upper and lower boards, shown in Figs. 1 and 2, is binding matching sheets of materials together with an adhesive. They can consequently be manufactured from an inexpensive material in a simple, economic fashion.
The lower board 12 is held in position on one side by fitting under an upper board which is not shown. On the other side, on the right of Fig. 2, it is attached in the same manner as the upper board 11 by two attachment elements 13D and 13E which are affixed to battens 26 and 27 respectively.
Figs. 3A and 3B respectively show the plan and side views of the attachment elements 13 which can be used as shown in Figs. 1 and 2. These elements 13 which are manufactured from a band-like strip steel of suitable strength, are about 55 mm long and about 12 mm in width in the example. Along the mid axis of each element 13 there are five holes at roughly the same distance from each other. The three holes at one end 28, 29 and 30 and the hole 31 at the other end, are round holes which are pressed so that there is an indentation for the heads of screws. Two holes at one end, 28, 29 have this indentation on one side of the element 13, whilst the other two holes, 30, 31 have their indentations on the opposite side. The reason for this is evident from the illustrated manner of use of the elements 13.
In addition, there is a square hole 32 stamped in such a manner that four flaps 33 protrude from the same side as the material extending from the adjacent holes 30, 31. The flaps 33 have the function of being pressed into the wood of a panelling element and are kept in position by a screw through the end hole 31. Furthermore, once this screw has been secured, the flaps 33 will prevent the attachment element 13 from turning around the securing screw (not shown in Fig. 3).
As the figures show, the outer hole 28 at least protrudes from the panelling element, either upper board 11 or lower board 12. This means that the hole 28 can be used for screwing or nailing the two panelling elements 11, 12 to the surface below.
The attachment elements 13 have been made pointed at both ends so that they can be driven into wood, when, for instance, attachment is to be made in corners. For this purpose the attachment elements are preferably manufactured from a steel alloy of suitable rigidity.
Figs. 4 and 5 respectively show alternative means of designing the upper board and the lower board (compared to elements 11 and 12 in Figs. 1 and 2). Panelling element 34 in Fig. 4 is formed with a groove 35 on both of its long side. Panelling element 36 in Fig. 5 matches, and has a tongue 37 along both of its long sides. This design can be used for floors or walls where a flat outer surface is required. These boards can also be manufactured with moulded edges for wall panelling.
When using this panelling system which accords with the invention, a number of extra elements can be employed in addition to the basic elements illustrated in Figs. 1 to 5.
Fig. 6 shows how the different upper and lower boards can be joined when panelling walls. Firstly, two or more upper boards 11 or lower boards 12 can be joined lengthwise. This allows panelling to be adjusted to different roof heights in a modular system made up of different boards.
Secondly, lower boards of different design can be used, e.g. simple planar strips 52, as shown at the left of Fig. 6, or the previously described configuration 12 (as shown in Fig. 2) at the right of the figure. In the latter case, the lower board 12 can be joined lengthwise.
Apart from this, different lenghts, widths, and surface structure of the various panelling elements can be employed in any desired combinations. This allows enormous possibilities for variation within acceptable economic limits. It is therefore not only possible to adjust the panelling system to different roof heights and wall widths etc. without capping or special adjustments, it is also possible to make walls and ceilings in accordance with individual taste regarding structure and pattern.

Claims

1. A panelling system comprising a first panelling element (11; 34) provided with an undercut (14) or groove (35) at both sides, a second panelling element (12; 36; 52) which is either provided, along both sides, with an overcut or tongue (19; 37) having an edge thickness equal that of the undercut or groove of the first panelling element, or else is in the form of a substantially planar strip (52), also having an edge thickness equal that of the undercut or groove of the first panelling element, and attachment elements (13) at least two of which are to be secured at one side of each of said first and second panelling elements for mounting same to a substrate, such that said attachment elements (13) protrude laterally beyond the overcut or tongue (19; 37), characterised in that the attachment elements (13) each consist of a band-like strip of metal which is pointed at at least one of its ends.

2. A panelling system according to claim 1 wherein the first panelling element is provided with undercuts (14) and the second panelling element (12) is provided with overcuts, characterised in that the undercut at one side of the first panelling element extends over a substantial larger part of the width of the first panelling element than the width of the equivalent overcut of the second panelling element.

3. A panelling system according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the first panelling element (11; 34) has an overcut or tongue (18; 19) at one end matching a corresponding undercut (16), or groove, at the other.

4. A panelling system according to claim 2 or 3, characterised in that the attachment element (13) has, on one of its flat sides, at least one protrus- sion (33) in the form of flaps, which can bite into a panelling element upon mounting to provide a temporary anchorage in this element.

5. A panelling system according to any preceding claim characterised in that the attachment element (13) has a row of holes (28 to 31) including a hole at each end for the insertion of screws (24).