EP3699372A1

EP3699372A1 - Brick slip provided with a brick slip attaching mechanism for attaching the brick slip to a wall, and method for placing thereof

Info

Publication number: EP3699372A1
Application number: EP20156397.0A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Hilbrand Jan Katsma; Hendrik Jan van Lohuizen
Original assignee: Van Wijnen Noord BV
Current assignee: Van Wijnen Noord BV
Priority date: 2019-02-11
Filing date: 2020-02-10
Publication date: 2020-08-26
Also published as: NL2022554B1

Abstract

The present invention relates to a brick slip (2) provided with a brick slip attaching mechanism (4), 12, 24, 26) for attaching the brick slip to a wall. The brick slip comprises:
- a brick slip attaching mechanism for attaching the brick slip to the wall, comprising:
- a first attaching part (8) of the brick slip attaching mechanism, which can be placed partially in the wall; and
- a second attaching part (10) of the attaching mechanism, which is placed in or on the brick slip (2),
wherein the first and second attaching part can be attached in or to each other, so that a mechanical connection is formed.

Description

The present invention relates to a brick slip provided with a brick slip attaching mechanism for attaching the brick slip to a wall. This brick slip attaching mechanism comprises at least a mechanical connection, whereby a stable attachment of the brick slip to the wall is provided.
Brick slips, which are for instance attached to a façade or a wall of a building for an aesthetic appearance of the façade or wall, are known in practice. The brick slip is here normally placed on the façade or wall by means of adhesive between the façade or wall and the brick slip. A drawback of attaching the brick slip to the wall by means of adhesive is that the adhesive does not adhere as well after a determined period of time, for instance after 10 or 20 years. This is for instance due to the years-long exposure to the weather, such as frost, the wind and temperature fluctuations. As a result, there is a chance that a brick slip detaches from the wall and that the brick slip falls downward. Especially when the brick slips are placed at a great height, for instance on the outer wall of a block of flats, this poses a great danger to the objects and/or persons present in the space below the wall or façade to which the brick slips are attached. The brick slips are for instance 210x100x50 mm, or for instance 1 by 1 metre, so the brick slips can cause considerable damage and/or injury to the objects and/or persons.
Also known in practice are walls for dwellings. Normally, these walls consist of an inner wall, an insulating part and an outer wall. The inner wall and outer wall are for instance usually both made of concrete. It is known for the brick slips to be placed on the outer wall for aesthetic reasons.
The present invention has for its object to provide a brick slip provided with a brick slip attaching mechanism whereby the above stated problems are obviated or at least reduced, such that the brick slip is connected to the wall in stable manner and for a long period of time.
This object is achieved with a brick slip for a wall, comprising:

a brick slip attaching mechanism for attaching the brick slip to the wall, comprising:
- a first attaching part of the brick slip attaching mechanism, which can be placed partially in the wall; and
- a second attaching part of the attaching mechanism, which is placed in or on the brick slip,
wherein the first and second attaching part can be attached in or to each other, so that a mechanical connection is formed.

Brick slips are wall elements which, according to the invention, are preferably plate-like and on which a profile or design can be arranged if desired. In a preferred embodiment according to the invention the brick slip is provided with a brick design, i.e. wall design, in order to thereby create the impression of a laid brick wall. Another embodiment are brick slips the size of a common brick, for instance with a length of about 21 cm, a width of about 10 cm and a height of about 5 cm. Such brick slips can be arranged on the wall for decoration. In the context of the invention wall is inter alia also understood to mean a wall part, façade and the like. Although the brick slip can be attached to an outer wall, it is also possible to attach such a brick slip to an inner wall as well.
By providing a brick slip attaching mechanism the brick slip can be attached to the wall. Providing a first attaching part of the brick slip attaching mechanism which can be placed partially in the wall provides the option of placing a brick slip on the wall in effective manner. In a preferred embodiment the first attaching part being partially placeable in the wall comprises being also castable in the wall. Because the first attaching part can also be cast in during production of the wall or wall part, it will be easy to place in the still unhardened concrete. This arranging can also be carried out under controlled conditions during production. This improves the stability, for instance by bonding, of the first attaching part to the wall. After hardening of the concrete, a stable first attaching part placed integrated into the wall results. The chance of the first attaching part coming loose from the wall is hereby very small.
In an alternative embodiment the first attaching part of the mechanical connection is shot or drilled into the wall rather than also cast in. Combinations hereof are likewise possible according to the invention.
Providing a second attaching part of the attaching mechanism, which is preferably arranged in or on the brick slip, provides the option of attaching the brick slip to the wall. Because the first attaching part is situated integrated into the wall, and the second attaching part is formed to receive or otherwise connect to the first attaching part, a stable mechanical connection will be created when the first attaching part is connected to the second attaching part. In this way the brick slip is attached to the wall in stable manner so that the chance of the brick slip detaching from the wall is very small. This provides a stable and strong connection of the brick slip according to the invention to a wall. In addition, the brick slip can be arranged in simple manner on site. In a currently preferred embodiment the brick slip with the second attaching part is placed in front of the first corresponding attaching part and then pressed together therewith. This enables an effective arrangement of brick slips. In a currently preferred embodiment the connecting of the second attaching part to the first attaching part is carried out as far as possible at the production location instead of at the building site in order to be able to work in a conditioned environment as far as possible.
The effect of providing a first attaching part placeable in the wall and the second attaching part on the brick slip is that a mechanical connection is created between the wall and the brick slip. An advantage hereof is that the chance of the brick slip falling off the wall after a period of time is reduced as compared to attaching the brick slip to the wall by means of for instance adhesive alone. Such a connection provides a robust connection which also remains stable over time. The first and second attaching part of the brick slip attaching mechanism can consist both of substantially plastic and substantially metal, although it could also be manufactured from other material. In addition, it is also possible to for instance line the interior space of the second attaching part with resistance-increasing material. The first attaching part will hereby come loose from the second attaching part less readily.
In an embodiment according to the invention the brick slip attaching mechanism further comprises of joints arranged on the wall being placeable all around the brick slip.
The option of securing joints arranged on the wall all around the brick slip enables the brick slip to further increase its stability and robustness owing to the placement in the joints. The brick slip hereby obtains its stability via the brick slip mechanism in two ways, i.e. the mechanical connection and the above stated joint connection, and the brick slip will thereby be connected to the wall for longer and in more stable manner than in the case of only the mechanical connection.
The joints arranged on or in the wall can be provided in a number of ways. This can for instance be done by means of a cement-bound connection, but for instance also with epoxy adhesive.
In a currently advantageous preferred embodiment the brick slip further comprises an adhesive strip to which adhesive can be applied such that, after placing, adhesive is arranged between the wall and the brick slip.
By providing an adhesive strip in this embodiment according to the invention adhesive can be placed on the adhesive strip, wherein, after placing, the brick slip is connected to the wall via an adhesive connection. This has the advantageous effect that the brick slip obtains an additional connection to the wall in this way. In combination with the mechanical connection and the joint connection, the brick slip will be connected for longer and in more stable manner to the wall than with the mechanical connection and/or joint connection only. In addition, it is also possible to apply the adhesive strip to the wall.
In a further advantageous embodiment according to the invention the brick slip further comprises a casing of a plastic material which can be placed wholly or partially over the mechanical connection.
By providing a casing of plastic material which can be placed wholly or partially over the mechanical connection, the mechanical connection will be protected against corrosion, for instance when it consists of metal. The mechanical connection will hereby maintain the stable connection between the brick slip and the wall for longer. This is particularly relevant in the case of application on an outer wall which is exposed to a wide variety of weather conditions.
In a further preferred embodiment the brick slip attaching mechanism further comprises an elastic element, for instance a ring, placeable between the first and second attaching part of the brick slip attaching mechanism.
By providing elastic element, preferably a ring, which is placeable between the first and second attaching part, the brick slip attaching mechanism is better able to withstand the weather conditions it has to endure. Wind gusts will for instance create a considerable pressure on the first and second attaching part. In the case that the mechanical connection is made substantially of metal this could result in metal fatigue, and in the case that the mechanical connection is made substantially of plastic the wind gusts could for instance cause the first attaching part to wrench itself from the concrete over the years. In order to obviate this, the preferred elastic ring between the first and second attaching part reduces the strain caused by the wind gusts on the mechanical connection. As a result there is less chance of metal fatigue or the first attaching part wrenching itself from the wall, whereby the lifespan of the brick slip attaching mechanism is extended.
In a currently advantageous preferred embodiment the first and second attaching part of the brick slip attaching mechanism comprise dovetail parts, such that the first and second attaching part of the brick slip attaching mechanism can be connected by means of a dovetail connection.
By providing dovetail parts the first and second attaching part of the brick slip attaching mechanism are connected to each other in stable manner. Owing to the design of the dovetail parts, the first and second attaching part of the brick slip attaching mechanism will hook into each other if the adhesive connection were for instance to come loose. A great advantage hereof is that the chance of brick slips falling is limited. An additional advantage is that arranging the brick slips in practice, on site, can hereby be performed more efficiently. Particularly in the case that the brick slips are arranged at height, this improves working conditions. In a currently preferred embodiment as much work as possible for the purpose of the brick slips is carried out at the production location instead of at the building site in order to be able to work in a conditioned environment as far as possible.
In an advantageous preferred embodiment the brick slip attaching mechanism is placed on the wall as a profile, whereby one brick slip comprises at least two mechanical connections.
By providing the brick slip attaching mechanism which is placed as a profile, whereby one brick slip comprises at least two mechanical connections, a more stable and long-lasting brick slip attaching mechanism is obtained. When one mechanical connection is provided per brick slip, the brick slip has freedom of movement in rotation about the axis of the mechanical connection. The advantage of two mechanical connections is that rotation of the brick slip about the axis of the mechanical connection is made impossible. The brick slip will hereby be on the wall more securely, whereby the brick slip attaching mechanism connects the brick slip to the wall for longer.
An additional advantage of at least two mechanical connections per brick slip is that, when a mechanical connection is either not placed properly or detaches over the years, the brick slip is still connected to the wall by at least one mechanical connection. This reduces the chance of the brick slips falling off the wall, which increases safety.
In a further advantageous preferred embodiment the brick slip attaching mechanism can be placed on the wall as a profile, whereby one brick slip comprises at least three mechanical connections.
By providing at least three mechanical connections per brick slip an even more stable, long-lasting brick slip attaching mechanism is obtained. When two mechanical connections are provided per brick slip, the brick slip has freedom of movement in tilting about an axis formed by the two mechanical connections. Placing a third mechanical connection outside of the axis defined by the first two mechanical connections prevents tilting of the brick slip about this axis. There is hereby no longer any freedom of movement for the brick slip, which reduces the chance of the mechanical connection between the wall and the brick slip coming loose.
By providing at least three mechanical connections per brick slip it is also ensured that the brick slips connect properly to each other and lie in one plane. Because the brick slips connect properly to each other, wind cannot enter between the different brick slips. This has the advantage that the chance of the brick slips detaching from the wall is reduced.
The invention further relates to a wall and/or a building provided with a brick slip according to any one of the above described embodiments.
Such a wall and/or building provided with a brick slip according to any one of the above described embodiments provide the same effects and advantages as stated for the brick slip.
The invention further also relates to a method for placing brick slips on a wall, the method comprising the steps of:

providing a brick slip according to any one of the above described embodiments; and
placing the brick slips on a wall by means of connecting the first and second attaching part of the brick slip attaching mechanism.

Such a method provides the same effects and advantages as stated for the brick slips, wall and/or building.
In a preferred embodiment the method further comprises the steps of placing the first attaching part of the brick slip attaching mechanism integrated into a wall and placing the second attaching part of the brick slip attaching mechanism in or on the brick slip.
By placing the first attaching part integrated into the concrete/wall and the second attaching part in or on the brick slip a stable brick slip attaching mechanism is provided.
In a further preferred embodiment the method further comprises the step of placing adhesive on an adhesive strip, preferably an adhesive strip provided on the brick slip.
An advantage of placing adhesive on the adhesive strip is that the brick slip obtains an additional connection to the wall. The brick slip will hereby be connected for longer and in more stable manner to the wall than with the mechanical connection only.
In a further advantageous preferred embodiment the method further comprises the step of arranging joints arranged on the wall all around the brick slips.
An advantage of arranging joints arranged on a wall all around the brick slips is that the brick slip obtains its stability in three ways via the brick slip attaching mechanism, namely the mechanical connection, the adhesive connection and the joint connection. The brick slip will hereby be connected for longer and in more stable manner to the wall than with the mechanical connection only.
Further features, advantages and details of the invention are described on the basis of preferred embodiments thereof, wherein reference is made to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a view of a façade covered with brick slips; and
Figure 2-6 are schematic views of different brick slip attaching mechanisms.

Façade 1 (figure 1) is provided with a plurality of brick slips 2. Brick slips 2 are attached to façade 1 by means of brick slip attaching mechanism 4. In the shown embodiment brick slip attaching mechanism 4 comprises mechanical connection 12 placed within joints 14. Figure 1 further shows profile with at least two mechanical connections 24 and profile with at least three mechanical connections 26. In the shown embodiment the brick slips are plates with a brick design. It will be apparent to the skilled person that it is also possible to use brick slips the size of a common brick.
Brick slip 2 (figures 2-6) is provided with brick slip attaching mechanism 4. Brick slip attaching mechanism 4 comprises first attaching part 8, placed partially in wall 6, and (receiving) second attaching part 10, placed in or on brick slip 2. Mechanical connection 12 is obtained by fastening attaching part 8 in receiving part 10.
In the shown embodiment wall 6, or brick slip 6, further comprises adhesive strip 16, so that an adhesive connection can be obtained between brick slip 2 and wall 6. Plastic casing 18 and elastic ring 20 are further located on mechanical connection 12. In figure 5 first attaching part 8 and receiving second attaching part 10 comprise dovetail parts 22.
In the shown embodiment brick slip 2 forms by means of brick slip attaching mechanism 4 a stable connection with wall 6 by mechanical connection 12, comprising first attaching part 8 and receiving second attaching part 10. In a preferred embodiment attaching mechanism 4 further comprises adhesive strip 16, so that an adhesive connection between brick slip 2 and wall 6 is also obtained. This adhesive strip can be located both on the brick slip and on the wall. Brick slip attaching mechanism 4 optionally comprises plastic casing 18 and elastic ring 20 for the purpose of preventing respectively corrosion and wear of mechanical connection 12. Elastic ring 20 can consist substantially of different materials, for instance plastic or metal.
It will be apparent to the skilled person that alternative embodiments for first attaching part 8 and second attaching part 10 are also possible.
In an advantageous embodiment first attaching part 8 is also cast in in wall 6. Second attaching part 10 is placed in brick slip 2. Adhesive strip 16 is optionally placed on brick slip 2 or wall 6. After this, adhesive is placed on adhesive strip 16, after which brick slip 2 with second attaching part 10 can be placed on wall 6 with first attaching part 8. For this purpose first attaching part 8 is placed in second attaching part 10, whereby a stable mechanical connection 12 is created. Before or after placing of brick slip 2 on wall 6 a plastic casing 18 or elastic ring 20 is optionally placed on or over mechanical connection 12. It is also possible to place brick slip 2 within joints 14, whereby brick slip 2 obtains a total of three connections; mechanical connection 12, the adhesive connection and the joint connection. These three connections combined produce a stable and long-lasting brick slip attaching mechanism 4.
The present invention is by no means limited to the above described preferred embodiments thereof. The rights sought are defined by the following claims, within the scope of which many modifications can be envisaged.

Claims

Brick slip for a wall, comprising:
- a brick slip attaching mechanism for attaching the brick slip to the wall, comprising:
- a first attaching part of the brick slip attaching mechanism, which can be placed partially in the wall; and

- a second attaching part of the attaching mechanism, which is placed in or on the brick slip,
wherein the first and second attaching part can be attached in or to each other, so that a mechanical connection is formed.
Brick slip according to claim 1, wherein the brick slip attaching mechanism further comprises of joints arranged on a wall being placeable all around the brick slip.
Brick slip according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising an adhesive strip to which adhesive can be applied such that, after placing of the brick slip on the wall, adhesive is arranged between the wall and the brick slip.
Brick slip according to any one of the foregoing claims, further comprising a casing of a plastic material which can be placed wholly or partially over the mechanical connection.
Brick slip according to any one of the foregoing claims, further comprising an elastic element, preferably placeable between the first and second attaching part of the brick slip attaching mechanism.
Brick slip according to any one of the foregoing claims, wherein the first and second attaching part of the brick slip attaching mechanism comprise dovetail parts, such that the first and second attaching part of the brick slip attaching mechanism can be connected by means of a dovetail connection.
Brick slip according to any one of the foregoing claims, wherein the brick slip attaching mechanism can be placed on the wall as a profile, whereby one brick slip comprises at least two mechanical connections.
Brick slip according to claim 7, wherein one brick slip comprises at least three mechanical connections.
Wall provided with a brick slip according to any one of the foregoing claims.
Building provided with a wall provided with a brick slip according to any one of the foregoing claims.
Method for placing brick slips on a wall, the method comprising the steps of:
- providing a brick slip according to any one of the foregoing claims; and

- placing the brick slips on the wall by means of connecting the first attaching part of the brick slip attaching mechanism to the second attaching part of the brick slip attaching mechanism.
Method according to claim 11, further comprising the steps of:
- placing the first attaching part of the brick slip attaching mechanism integrated into the wall; and

- placing the second attaching part of the brick slip attaching mechanism in or on the brick slip.
Method according to claim 11 or 12, further comprising the steps of:
- placing adhesive on the adhesive strip.
Method according to claim 11, 12 or 13, further comprising the steps of:
- arranging joints arranged on a wall all around the brick slips.