Classifications

• • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
  • E04—BUILDING
  • E04F—FINISHING WORK ON BUILDINGS, e.g. STAIRS, FLOORS
  • E04F13/00—Coverings or linings, e.g. for walls or ceilings
  • E04F13/07—Coverings or linings, e.g. for walls or ceilings composed of covering or lining elements; Sub-structures therefor; Fastening means therefor
  • E04F13/08—Coverings or linings, e.g. for walls or ceilings composed of covering or lining elements; Sub-structures therefor; Fastening means therefor composed of a plurality of similar covering or lining elements
  • E04F13/0801—Separate fastening elements
  • E04F13/0803—Separate fastening elements with load-supporting elongated furring elements between wall and covering elements
• • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
  • E04—BUILDING
  • E04F—FINISHING WORK ON BUILDINGS, e.g. STAIRS, FLOORS
  • E04F21/00—Implements for finishing work on buildings
  • E04F21/18—Implements for finishing work on buildings for setting wall or ceiling slabs or plates
  • E04F21/1838—Implements for finishing work on buildings for setting wall or ceiling slabs or plates for setting a plurality of similar elements
  • E04F21/1883—Implements for finishing work on buildings for setting wall or ceiling slabs or plates for setting a plurality of similar elements by simultaneously applying several elements, e.g. templates
• • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
  • E04—BUILDING
  • E04F—FINISHING WORK ON BUILDINGS, e.g. STAIRS, FLOORS
  • E04F13/00—Coverings or linings, e.g. for walls or ceilings
  • E04F13/07—Coverings or linings, e.g. for walls or ceilings composed of covering or lining elements; Sub-structures therefor; Fastening means therefor
  • E04F13/08—Coverings or linings, e.g. for walls or ceilings composed of covering or lining elements; Sub-structures therefor; Fastening means therefor composed of a plurality of similar covering or lining elements
  • E04F13/0801—Separate fastening elements
  • E04F13/0803—Separate fastening elements with load-supporting elongated furring elements between wall and covering elements
  • E04F13/081—Separate fastening elements with load-supporting elongated furring elements between wall and covering elements with additional fastening elements between furring elements and covering elements
• • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
  • E04—BUILDING
  • E04F—FINISHING WORK ON BUILDINGS, e.g. STAIRS, FLOORS
  • E04F13/00—Coverings or linings, e.g. for walls or ceilings
  • E04F13/07—Coverings or linings, e.g. for walls or ceilings composed of covering or lining elements; Sub-structures therefor; Fastening means therefor
  • E04F13/08—Coverings or linings, e.g. for walls or ceilings composed of covering or lining elements; Sub-structures therefor; Fastening means therefor composed of a plurality of similar covering or lining elements
  • E04F13/0801—Separate fastening elements
  • E04F13/0803—Separate fastening elements with load-supporting elongated furring elements between wall and covering elements
  • E04F13/081—Separate fastening elements with load-supporting elongated furring elements between wall and covering elements with additional fastening elements between furring elements and covering elements
  • E04F13/0812—Separate fastening elements with load-supporting elongated furring elements between wall and covering elements with additional fastening elements between furring elements and covering elements fixed by means of spring action
• • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
  • E04—BUILDING
  • E04F—FINISHING WORK ON BUILDINGS, e.g. STAIRS, FLOORS
  • E04F13/00—Coverings or linings, e.g. for walls or ceilings
  • E04F13/07—Coverings or linings, e.g. for walls or ceilings composed of covering or lining elements; Sub-structures therefor; Fastening means therefor
  • E04F13/08—Coverings or linings, e.g. for walls or ceilings composed of covering or lining elements; Sub-structures therefor; Fastening means therefor composed of a plurality of similar covering or lining elements
  • E04F13/0801—Separate fastening elements
  • E04F13/0803—Separate fastening elements with load-supporting elongated furring elements between wall and covering elements
  • E04F13/081—Separate fastening elements with load-supporting elongated furring elements between wall and covering elements with additional fastening elements between furring elements and covering elements
  • E04F13/0821—Separate fastening elements with load-supporting elongated furring elements between wall and covering elements with additional fastening elements between furring elements and covering elements the additional fastening elements located in-between two adjacent covering elements
  • E04F13/0828—Separate fastening elements with load-supporting elongated furring elements between wall and covering elements with additional fastening elements between furring elements and covering elements the additional fastening elements located in-between two adjacent covering elements engaging the outer surface of the covering elements, e.g. at the corners
• • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
  • E04—BUILDING
  • E04F—FINISHING WORK ON BUILDINGS, e.g. STAIRS, FLOORS
  • E04F13/00—Coverings or linings, e.g. for walls or ceilings
  • E04F13/07—Coverings or linings, e.g. for walls or ceilings composed of covering or lining elements; Sub-structures therefor; Fastening means therefor
  • E04F13/08—Coverings or linings, e.g. for walls or ceilings composed of covering or lining elements; Sub-structures therefor; Fastening means therefor composed of a plurality of similar covering or lining elements
  • E04F13/0801—Separate fastening elements
  • E04F13/0803—Separate fastening elements with load-supporting elongated furring elements between wall and covering elements
  • E04F13/081—Separate fastening elements with load-supporting elongated furring elements between wall and covering elements with additional fastening elements between furring elements and covering elements
  • E04F13/083—Hooking means on the back side of the covering elements
• • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
  • E04—BUILDING
  • E04F—FINISHING WORK ON BUILDINGS, e.g. STAIRS, FLOORS
  • E04F13/00—Coverings or linings, e.g. for walls or ceilings
  • E04F13/07—Coverings or linings, e.g. for walls or ceilings composed of covering or lining elements; Sub-structures therefor; Fastening means therefor
  • E04F13/08—Coverings or linings, e.g. for walls or ceilings composed of covering or lining elements; Sub-structures therefor; Fastening means therefor composed of a plurality of similar covering or lining elements
  • E04F13/0889—Coverings or linings, e.g. for walls or ceilings composed of covering or lining elements; Sub-structures therefor; Fastening means therefor composed of a plurality of similar covering or lining elements characterised by the joints between neighbouring elements, e.g. with joint fillings or with tongue and groove connections
  • E04F13/0898—Coverings or linings, e.g. for walls or ceilings composed of covering or lining elements; Sub-structures therefor; Fastening means therefor composed of a plurality of similar covering or lining elements characterised by the joints between neighbouring elements, e.g. with joint fillings or with tongue and groove connections with sealing elements between coverings
• • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
  • E04—BUILDING
  • E04F—FINISHING WORK ON BUILDINGS, e.g. STAIRS, FLOORS
  • E04F21/00—Implements for finishing work on buildings
  • E04F21/0092—Separate provisional spacers used between adjacent floor or wall tiles
• • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
  • E04—BUILDING
  • E04F—FINISHING WORK ON BUILDINGS, e.g. STAIRS, FLOORS
  • E04F21/00—Implements for finishing work on buildings
  • E04F21/18—Implements for finishing work on buildings for setting wall or ceiling slabs or plates
  • E04F21/1838—Implements for finishing work on buildings for setting wall or ceiling slabs or plates for setting a plurality of similar elements
  • E04F21/1844—Implements for finishing work on buildings for setting wall or ceiling slabs or plates for setting a plurality of similar elements by applying them one by one
  • E04F21/1855—Implements for finishing work on buildings for setting wall or ceiling slabs or plates for setting a plurality of similar elements by applying them one by one of elongated elements, e.g. sidings

Definitions

• the present invention relates to a wall panel alignment and installation tool, a wall panel mounting system and a method for using said wall panel mounting system.
• the wall panels are often in the shape of flat rectangular pieces adapted to be mounted side by side to completely cover a given surface of a building.
• mounted wall panels may be designed to provide important facade functions such as thermal insulation, acoustic insulation, or improved weather resistance. Additionally, the wall panels may be designed to provide an aesthetic impression.
• structural rails are fastened to a surface wherein the wall panels are in turn fastened onto the structural rails using for example screws, nails or bolts.
• the structural rails may be prefabricated with threads so as to engage the screws or bolts used to fasten the wall panel to the structural rails.
• the structural rails may be specifically configured to engage a certain type of wall panel with a certain type of bolt or screw which facilitates installation of the wall panel against the structural rail.
• the inventors’ have realized that by providing an improved wall panel alignment and installation tool the way of installing a wall system may be significantly facilitated. Hence, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved wall panel alignment and installation tool, wall panel mounting system and method for using said wall panel mounting system, which alleviates some of the shortcomings of the previous solutions mentioned in the above.
• a method for mounting a plurality of mounting rails comprising the steps of aligning a first mounting rail in a first desired orientation, fastening the first mounting rail to a surface, said mounting rail comprising at least two slits; engaging, with a first and a second slit engaging element of an alignment tool, the at least two slits of the first mounting rail and engaging, with a third slit engaging element of said alignment tool a slit of a second mounting rail, wherein said alignment tool aligns said second mounting rail in parallel to said first mounting rail.
• the method further comprising fastening said second mounting rail in parallel to said first mounting rail to said surface and disengaging the alignment tool from said first and second mounting rail.
• Aligning the first and second mounting rail in parallel may comprise spacing the mounting rails with a predetermined (desired) broadside separation distance.
• the slit engaging members of the alignment tool may be configured to and/or placed on the alignment tool so as to enable the mounting rails from being separated with the predetermined broadside separation distance when the alignment tool engages the two mounting rails.
• the alignment tool may be configured to enable a proper displacement along the respective parallel extension of the mounting rails during mounting. That is, the alignment tool may be configured to place the mounting rails with the predetermined separation distance and such that the broadside centre points of the mounting rails (and the slits of each mounting rail) are aligned.
• the alignment tool is configured and used such that the mounting rails are aligned in parallel with the predetermined separation distance but with some displacement of the centre points.
• the alignment tool may be used such that the short side joints (or seams) between mounting rails align or are displaced from each other.
• At least one slit of said second mounting rail may comprise engaging at least two slits of the first mounting rail with a pair of engaging elements of the alignment tool. That is the first and second slit engaging element may form a fist set of slit engaging elements while the third slit engaging element forms a second set of slit engaging elements with additional third slit engaging elements.
• the invention is at least partly based on the understanding that with the alignment tool the task of mounting a properly aligned mounting rail is more time efficient, accurate and leaves little room for error.
• the alignment tool may be used to align the second mounting rail and an arbitrary number of additional mounting rails.
• the method further comprises mounting a first wall panel to said first and said second mounting rail; inserting a slit fastening portion of an installation tool in said at least one slit of said second mounting rail, said installation tool further comprising an elongated separation portion which extends outside said slit and along said second mounting rail, abutting said first wall panel with a first side of the separation portion; and mounting a second wall panel to said second rail so that said second wall panel abuts a second side of the elongated separation portion of the installation tool, the second side being opposite to said first side, leaving said installation tool in the mounted position so as to function as a sealing member between the first wall panel and the second wall panel.
• the separation portion may thus abut an edge side of a wall panel.
• the installation aids the installation of wall panels as the installation tool occupies at least one slit of the mounting rail to which it is inserted. Accordingly, the user installing wall panels against mounting rails is guided by the installation tool to employ a correct slit of the mounting rail for fastening the wall panels.
• the separation portion may further form a seal against (or between) a wall panel(s).
• the separation portion of the installation tool may be visible between the wall panels after installation, thereby the separation portion may be designed so as to convey an aesthetic effect together with the wall panels and wall panel fastening devices.
• the separation portion may compressible such that the first and said second side are adapted to be elastically compressed together and the method may further comprise compressing said separation portion between said first and said second wall panel.
• the separation portion may be over-dimensioned with respect to an expected wall panel separation distance defining the in plane separation distance between two wall panels while being compressible such that the wall panels compress the separation portion which forms a tight seal.
• the compressible separation portion allows the wall panels to feature higher manufacturing errors and thermally expand or contract while still providing a tight seal protecting against e.g. wind and humidity.
• said method further comprises engaging, with the first and second slit engaging element of said alignment tool the at first and second slit of said second mounting rail, engaging, with the third slit engaging element of the alignment tool, at least one slit of a third mounting rail, wherein said alignment tool aligns said third mounting rail in parallel to said first and second mounting rail; fastening said third mounting rail in parallel to said first and said second mounting rail to said surface such that said second mounting rail is equidistantly placed from said first and third mounting rail; and disengaging the alignment tool from said second and third mounting rail.
• the alignment tool may engage the first mounting rail and the third mounting rail so as to place the first mounting rail equidistantly placed from said second and third mounting rail.
• an aggregate of mounting rails may be aligned a fastened against a surface using a same alignment tool.
• the method further comprises engaging, with the first slit engaging element of said alignment tool an slit of a third mounting rail; engaging with the second slit engaging element of said alignment tool an slit of the first mounting rail, such that a short side of the first and third mounting rail are separated with a predetermined separation distance and the first and third mounting rail extend in a same axis; fastening said third mounting rail on the short side of the first mounting rail with the predetermined separation distance such that the first and third mounting rail extend in a same axis; and disengaging the alignment tool from said first and third mounting rail.
• the alignment tool may enable both a desired broadside separation distance and a desired short side separation distance.
• the slits of the mounting rails may be distributed along its elongated extension with an equal spacing it is important that the equal spacing (or at least a multiple thereof) is also established between an edge slit of the first and third mounting rail so as to enable free mounting of wall panels to the first and/or third mounting rail.
• the third slit engaging element is a second set of at least two slit engaging elements and the short side predetermined separation distance is enabled by engaging the first and third mounting rail with a respective slit engaging element of the second set of slit engaging elements.
• the alignment tool may be configured to engage a respective edge slit of the first and third mounting rail, the edge slit being a first or last slit provided along the elongated mounting rail.
• the spacing between the first and second slit engaging element and/or between the second set of slit engaging elements is such that the short side separation distance is established when engaging the edge, second to edge, third to edge or fourth to edge slit of one mounting rail and the edge, second to edge, third to edge or fourth to edge slit of the other mounting rail.
• the first and second mounting rail comprises a plurality of slits wherein mounting a first and second wall panel comprises mounting the first and second wall panel with a wall panel mounting device. This may be achieved by performing the steps of inserting a slit engaging portion of a wall panel mounting device into a slit of the mounting rail and holding the wall panel in place against the mounting rail with a wall panel restraining portion of said wall panel mounting device.
• the wall panel fastening device may be a fastening clip which is configured to engage a slit of the mounting rails.
• the method further comprises inserting a slit fastening portion of a second installation tool in said at least one slit of said second mounting rail, said second installation tool further comprising an elongated separation portion which extends outside said slit and along said second mounting rail, abutting said first wall panel with a first side of the separation portion of the second installation tool; and mounting the first and second wall panel with a wall panel mounting device by inserting the slit engaging portion of the wall panel mounting device in a slit between the elongated separation portion of said first and second installation tool.
• an alignment tool for a wall panel mounting system having at least a first and a second mounting rail, the first mounting rail having at least two slits and the second mounting rail having at least one slit wherein each is configured to be fastened to a surface.
• the alignment tool comprising a first and second slit engaging element, configured to engage at least two slits of said first mounting rail, a third slit engaging element, configured to engage at least said slit of said second mounting rail, wherein said alignment tool is configured to, when the first, second and third slit engaging element each engage a slit of said first and second mounting rail respectively, align said first and said second mounting rail in parallel against said surface.
• a wall panel mounting system comprising a wall panel alignment tool according to embodiments of the present invention, further comprising an installation tool.
• the installation tool comprises at least one slit engaging portion configured to be inserted into said slit of said second mounting rail, and a separating portion configured to extend outside said slit when said slit engaging portion is inserted in said slit of said second mounting rail, said separation portion being configured to abut a first wall panel on a first side thereof and abut a second wall panel on a second opposite side thereof.
• the alignment tool of the wall panel mounting system may comprise two sides, a first side configured to face mounting rail rails and being provided with first, second and third slit engaging elements, and a second side, arranged opposite the first side, wherein the second side is provided with at least one handle.
• a user of the alignment tool may hold the handle of the alignment tool and move around with a mounting rail engaged by the slit engaging elements on the first side. Accordingly, it is easy for the user to approach the surface, engage a first mounting rail and push the second mounting rail against the surface in an aligned orientation.
• the alignment tool further comprises at least one fourth slit engaging element, configured to engage the at least one slit of said second mounting rail, wherein said alignment tool is configured to, when the first, second and fourth slit engaging element each engage a slit of said first and second mounting rail respectively, align said first and said second mounting rail in parallel against said surface, wherein a separation distance between the first and second mounting rail is greater when the first, second and fourth slit engaging elements engage a respective mounting rail compared to when the first, second and third slit engaging elements engage a respective mounting rail.
• the fourth slit engaging element the same alignment tool may enable aligning mounting rails with a selectable predetermined broadside separation distance.
• an installation tool comprising at least one slit engaging portion configured to be inserted to a slit of an elongated mounting rail, an elongated separating portion configured to, when said slit engaging portion of said installation tool is inserted into a slit of a mounting rail, extend outside said slit and along said elongated mounting rail, wherein said elongated separating portion is elastic and configured to be compressed by two wall panels abutting a respective broadside of said separating portion so as to seal and align the wall panels.
• the installation tool may comprise at least two slit engaging portions configured to engage a respective slit of an elongated mounting rail, and wherein the separating portion is configured to extend outside said slits and extend along said mounting rail between the two slit engaging portions.
• the installation tool is provide as part of a kit comprising a plurality of installation tools and at least one wall panel fastening device wherein the width of the separation portion of each installation tool and the width of the slit fastening devices provided in the kit are configured to cover a side of a wall panel when mounted side by side in engagement with a mounting rail.
• the invention according to the second and third aspects features the same or equivalent embodiments and benefits as the invention according to the first. Further, any structural features described in relation to a device or unit, may have the corresponding steps in a method and vice versa. It is noted that the invention relates to all possible combinations of features recited in the claims, e.g. the method may comprise the step of aligning a mounting rail by aligning the markings of the mounting rail as viewed through the apertures of the alignment tool.
• Fig. 1a depicts a front view of an alignment tool according to implementations of the present invention.
• Fig. 1 b depicts a back view of an alignment tool adapted to face a mounting rail and a surface to which the mounting rail is to be mounted.
• Fig. 2 depicts a mounting rail according to some implementations of the present invention.
• Fig. 3a depicts a back view of the alignment tool engaging and aligning a first and second mounting rail according embodiments of the present invention.
• Fig. 3b depicts a front view of the alignment tool engaging a first and third mounting rail to align the first and third mounting rail with a predetermined short side separation distance.
• FIG. 4 two mounting rails aligned and fastened to a surface with wall panel fastening devices fixating a wall panel to the two mounting rails.
• Fig. 5a depicts a perspective view of an installation tool according to some implementations.
• Fig. 5b depicts a side view of an installation tool according to some implementations.
• Fig. 6 depicts an installation tool being inserted into a mounting rail so as to abut a side of a wall panel fastened to the mounting rail.
• Fig. 7 depicts an exemplary wall panel fastening device according to some implementations.
• Fig. 8a depicts a second type of mounting rail mounted to two aligned mounting rails.
• Fig. 8b depicts two mounting rails and a mounting rail of the second type cooperating to fasten two wall panels to the surface.
• Fig. 9a depicts a perspective of an inner corner installation tool according to some implementations of the present invention.
• Fig. 9b depicts a side view of an inner corner installation tool according to some implementations of the present invention.
• Fig. 10 depicts an adjustable alignment tool according to some implementations of the present invention.
• Fig. 11 depicts a flow chart describing a method according to some embodiments of the present invention.
• Fig. 1 a depicts a first side 110 of the alignment tool 1 according to some implementations.
• the alignment tool 1 may be referred to as a mounting tool.
• the first side 110 may face a user of the aligning tool 1 when aligning two mounting rails.
• the alignment tool may comprise one or more handles 111 enabling the user to operate the alignment tool 1 and align the second mounting rail with the first mounting rail.
• the triangular shape of the alignment tool 1 in the depicted embodiment is merely an example and the shape may be any shape.
• an opening 130 may be provided in the alignment tool to decrease the weight and material needed for manufacturing of the alignment tool 1 and allow a user, facing the first side 110, to perceive the alignment of the first and second mounting rails against a surface through said opening 130.
• the alignment tool 1 may be made from metal or plastic.
• the alignment tool 1 may be substantially flat and formed from a thin sheet material.
• the magnets and/or slit engaging portions provided on the opposite second side may be e.g. riveted, bolted or welded to the alignment tool through specifically configured apertures.
• cover plates 112 may be arranged on the first side of the alignment tool to prevent a user from coming into contact with e.g. a sharp screw tip holding a magnet or slit engaging element in place.
• a second side 120 of the alignment tool 1 may face the surface and the first and second mounting rail when the tool 1 is used to align the mounting rails.
• the first and second slit engaging elements 121a, 121b may form a first set of engaging elements 121a, 121b.
• the first and second slit engaging elements 121a, 121b are configured to engage a respective slit out of a plurality of slits provided in a mounting rail. Accordingly, a width of the slit engaging elements 121a, 121b may be adapted to be inserted into the slits of a mounting rail and clasp the mounting rail via the respective slit.
• the slit engaging elements 121a, 121b are spaced apart on the alignment tool 1 so as to match a spacing of the plurality of slits provided on the mounting rail.
• the alignment tool 1 comprises a third slit engaging element 122a configured to engage a slit of a second mounting rail.
• the third slit engaging element 122a may be one slit engaging element out of a second set of slit engaging elements 122a, 122b configured to engage a respective slit of a second mounting rail.
• the shape of the third slit engaging element 122a (and/or the spacing of the slit engaging elements 122a, 122b forming the second set of slit engaging elements 122a, 122b) is configured similar to the first set of slit engaging elements 121a, 121b so as to engage one or more slits of a second mounting rail.
• the third slit engaging element 122a is different from the slit engaging elements of the first set 121a, 121b due to the alignment tool 1 engaging the mounting rails from different direction.
• the mounting rails, and the slits of the mounting rails may not exhibit a bilateral symmetry around a central elongation axis.
• the slit engaging elements of the first set 121a, 121b and the second set 122a, 122b may be configured to engage the slit(s) of a respective mounting rail from different broadside directions of the mounting rails.
• first set 121 a, 121b and the second set 122a, 122b of slit engaging members may be accompanied by a third set of slit engaging elements 123a, 123b comprising at least one fourth slit engaging element 123a.
• the separation distance of the mounting rails enabled by the alignment tool 1 may be greater when the first and third set of engaging elements are used to engage and align a respective mounting rail compared to when the first and second set of slit engaging elements are used to engage and align a respective mounting rail.
• the third set of slit engaging elements enables the alignment tool 1 to engage, align and properly separate an edge or outermost mounting rail.
• an edge mounting rail may be necessary to allow proper subsequent fastening of wall panels.
• the edge mounting rail may be shaped differently and/or feature different slits. With the third set of slit engaging elements 123a, 123b the same alignment tool 1 may be used to properly align the edge or outermost mounting rail.
• a magnet(s) 125 may be fastened to the second side 120 so as to magnetically couple to the first and/or second mounting rail.
• the first and/or second mounting rail is made of metal or comprises a magnet providing magnetic coupling to the magnet(s) 125 of the alignment tool 1.
• the alignment tool 1 may comprise an elongated support portion configured to abut the first mounting rail when the first and second slit engaging elements 121a, 121b engage the first mounting rail.
• the elongated support portion further aids the alignment tool 1 to be aligned with the first mounting rail and thereby align the second mounting rail to the first mounting rail when the third slit engaging element 122a engages the second mounting rail.
• Apertures may be provided in the alignment tool 1 extending from the first side 110 to the second side 120 wherein the apertures are arranged on a respective side of the first, second, third and/or fourth slit engaging portion 121a, 121b, 122a, 123a such that markings provided on the first or second mounting rail may be perceived by a user facing the first side 110 of the alignment tool.
• the apertures of the alignment tool 1 and the markings on the mounting rail being configured such that the markings are only aligned to each other when the mounting rail is properly engaged and aligned with the alignment tool. Alternatively, the markings are only visible for a user through the apertures when mounting rail(s) is properly engaged and aligned.
• Fig. 2 depicts a mounting rail 2 according to some embodiments of the present invention.
• the mounting rail 2 is configured to be fastened to a surface, e.g. by comprising a plurality of apertures 211 enabling screws to fasten the mounting rail 2 to a surface.
• the mounting rail 2 may abut the surface at a plane of the surface.
• the at least one slit 210 of the mounting rail 2 may be provided in an extending portion of the mounting rail, such that the slit 210 doubles as an opening into a void space between the extending portion and the plane of the surface.
• the mounting rail 2 may receive a slit engaging element or slit engaging portion in its at least one slit 210 with at least a portion of the engaging element or slit engaging portion extending into said void space.
• the mounting rail 2 is provided with a plurality of slits 210 distributed along its elongated extension.
• the mounting rails 2 may be installed in a horizontal orientation to a surface or in a vertical orientation to a surface or in any orientation between the vertical and horizontal orientation.
• the mounting rail 2 may comprise markings 213 arranged on each side of the at least one slit 210.
• the markings may be apertures 213 into the void space, indentations, or a printed symbol marking.
• the mounting rail 2 may comprise additional slits 212 facing a broadside direction of the mounting rail 2 when mounted to a surface.
• the mounting rails 2 are placed in parallel and equidistantly from each other by the alignment tool.
• a second type of mounting rail may be installed perpendicular to two mounting rails by engaging the additional slits 212 adapted to reliantly hold the second type of mounting rail between the parallel mounting rails 2.
• the second type of mounting rail being provided with at least one slit.
• the second type of mounting rail does not necessitate further fastening means after being inserted into the mounting rails 2.
• the mounting rail 2 may be at least 30 cm long, or at least 1 m long wherein a length dimension of the mounting rail 2 is at least 4, 6 or 10 times greater than a width or depth dimension of the mounting rail 2.
• Fig. 3a depicts the first and second slit engaging element 121a, 121b of the alignment tool 1 engaging a respective slit of a first mounting rail 2a.
• the third slit engaging element 122a (which may be two or more slit engaging elements 122a, 122b) is engaging a slit of a second mounting rail 2b.
• the first and second slit engaging elements 121a, 121b are spaced apart and configured so as to in unison engage two slits of the mounting rail 2a to aid properly aligning the second mounting rail 2b with respect to the mounting tool 1.
• the slit engaging elements 121a, 121b, 122a, 122b may be supported by a magnet(s) provided on the alignment tool to magnetically couple to the mounting rail 2a, 2b.
• the magnetic coupling may be configured to reliantly hold the mounting rail 2a, 2b against the alignment tool but still be easily separated from the mounting rail 2a, 2b by a user forcing the mounting rail 2a, 2b and alignment tool 1 apart.
• the slit engaging elements 121a, 121b, 122a, 122b may in themselves be configured to reliantly hold the respective mounting rail 2a, 2b towards the second side alignment tool 1.
• the slit engaging elements 121a, 121b, 122a, 122b may reliantly hold the mounting rail 2a, 2b towards the alignment tool 1 such that a user may e.g. attach a second mounting 2b rail to the third slit engaging element 122a of the alignment tool 1 , move the alignment tool 1 (e.g.
• a first mounting rail 2a with the alignment tool 1 while still retaining the second mounting rail 2b and thus align the second mounting rail 2b with the first mounting rail 2a (already fastened to the surface) against the surface.
• This procedure may be repeated to provide a time efficient fastening and alignment of mounting rails 2a, 2b. That is, after fastening the second mounting rail 2b by means of e.g. screws to the surface the alignment tool 1 may be removed, a third mounting rail (not shown) may be engaged by the third slit engaging portion 122a and aligned with respect to the second mounting rail 2b already fastened to the surface.
• additional mounting rails 2b may be efficiently align and fastened with the alignment tool 1 with the precise alignment of the first mounting rail being transferred to each additional mounting rail.
• Fig. 3b depicts how the alignment tool may further enable alignment of a first mounting rail 2a and a third mounting rail 2a’ such that a desired short side separation distance is archived aligning the slits of the mounting rails 2a, 2a’, 2b and 2b’.
• the desired short side separation distance is obtained by engaging a slit in the first mounting rail 2a and the third mounting rail 2a’ with a respective slit engaging element of the first set of slit engaging elements 121a, 121b.
• the second mounting rail 2b may be aligned with a fourth mounting rail 2b’ by engaging a slit of each mounting rail with a respective slit engaging element out of the first, second or third set of slit engaging elements.
• Fig. 4 depicts a wall panel 4 fastened to two aligned mounting rails 2a, 2b.
• the at least one slit of each mounting rail 2a, 2b may be adapted to receive a wall panel mounting device 5 to fasten the wall panel 4 to the mounting rails 2a, 2b.
• a wall panel mounting device 5 may comprise two wall panel engaging portions and engage, and reliantly hold, a wall panel 4 with each wall panel engaging portion. Accordingly, a plurality of wall panels 4 may be mounted side by side to cover the surface 3.
• the slit of the mounting rail 2a, 2b may at least partially extend between two wall panels 4 with the wall panel mounting device 5 holding extending from the slit through a separation space between the wall panels 4 to engage the wall panels 4 from an outer surface, as depicted in Fig. 4.
• the wall panel mounting device 5 may be a mounting clip or similar.
• Fig. 5a and Fig. 5b depicts an installation tool 6 according to some implementations.
• the installation tool 6 may be referred to as a support tool or sealing tool.
• the installation tool 6 is configured to facilitate the mounting of wall panels to mounting rails fastened to a surface wherein the mounting rails comprises at least one respective slit.
• the installation tool 6 comprises an elongated separation portion 620 and at least one slit engaging portion 610a, 610b adapted to be inserted into at least one slit of the mounting rail with the elongated separating portion 620 extending along the mounting rail outside the slit of the mounting rail.
• the installation tool 6 and/or the separating portion 620 may be made in a resilient and/or elastic material such as plastic, rubber or a foam material.
• the installation tool 6 is made from metal.
• the installation tool 6 may be made with a mix of different materials.
• the slit engaging portion(s) 610a, 610b may be made of metal with the separating portion 620 being made of a plastic or rubber material.
• the separating portion 620 may be a rectangular cuboid shape of a resilient material which is adapted to be compressed.
• the separating portion 620 may be shaped to form two extending portions 621, 622, extending from a centre portion, the outer broadside of each extending portion 621 , 622 forming a first and second side each configured to abut a respective wall panel.
• the two extending portions 621, 622 may enable compressibility and thereby a tight seal between two wall panels by the two extending portions 621 , 622 being forced together.
• the installation tool 6 may provide an aesthetics effect or more design freedom as e.g. at least the separating portion 620 may be coloured in a desired colour which highlights or complements the wall panels when mounted to a surface.
• the installation tool 6 comprises at least two slit engaging elements 610a, 610b wherein the separating portion 620 at least extends between the two slit fastening portions 610a, 610b.
• Fig. 6 depicts an installation tool 6 being inserted into at least one slit of the mounting rail 2 with a wall panel mounting device 5 retaining a wall panel 4 against the mounting rail 2.
• the elongation length of the separation portion of the installation tool 6 may be configured to occupy a predetermined portion of the mounting rail 2 and/or extend a predetermined portion of the width/length of the wall panel 4.
• the separating portion of the installation tool 6 may be configured to extend between two wall panel fastening devices 5.
• the installation tool 6 may be configured to completely cover the width/length of the wall panel 4 together with the wall panel fastening devices 5. Accordingly, it is avoided that the user inserts a wall panel fastening device 5 in an incorrect slit as the distance between the wall panel fastening devices 5 is dictated by the installation tool 5.
• installation tools 6, 6’ with separation portions of different lengths (and with different number of slit engaging portions 610a, 610b) may be provided as a kit to completely cover a width/length of the wall panel 4 with installation tools 6 together with wall panel fastening devices 5.
• a sequence of short installation tool 6’, wall panel fastening device 5, long installation tool 6, wall panel fastening device 5 and short installation tool 6’ may cover the entire width/length of a wall panel 4.
• the wall panel fastening devices 5 are inserted into correct slits due to the installation tools 6, 6’ only allowing a desired (same) sequence of wall panel fastening devices 5 and installation tools 6, 6’ to cover the width/length of each wall panel 4.
• the separation portion of the installation tool 6 abuts the wall panel 4 with its first side and thereby forms a seal against the first wall panel.
• a second wall panel may be mounted to the mounting rail 2.
• the second wall panel abuts the second side of the separation portion of the installation tool(s) 6, 6’ which form a seal also against the second wall panel.
• the installation tool(s) 6, 6’ aids the user installing wall panels 4 to insert wall panel fastening devices 5 in the correct slots.
• the mounting rails 2 may comprise a plurality of slots a user is prone to make mistakes in the installation if not guided by the installation tool(s) 6,
• Fig. 7 depicts wall panel mounting device 5 wherein the slit fastening portion 510 comprises a head portion and a throat portion.
• the slit fastening portion 510 comprises a head portion and a throat portion.
• the head portion of the slit fastening portion 510 is inside the slit while the throat portion engages the edge of the slit, leaving the wall panel restraining portions 520 comprising wall panel contacting surfaces and clasping elements, outside of the slit.
• a throat portion engaging a slit means that the wall panel mounting device 5 cannot be easily removed from the slit, as the head portion obstructs the wall panel mounting device from being pulled out of the installed state.
• the head portion of the wall panel fastening device 5 is compressed when inserted into a slit, allowing the elastic wings 511 to enter the slit.
• the wall panel fastening device is then expanded such that the elastic wings 511 hold the wall panel fastening device inside 5 the slit.
• the wall panel fastening device may be a wall panel fastening device as described in Norwegian Patent Application number 20200902.
• Fig. 8a depicts mounting rails 2a, 2b alongside mounting rails of a second type 7.
• the second type of mounting rails 7 may be mounted to the mounting rails 2a, 2b after the mounting rails have been aligned and fastened to the surface 3.
• the mounting rails 2a, 2b may be arranged horizontally with the second type of mounting rail 7 being arranged vertically, or vice versa.
• the second type of mounting rails 7 may be configured to engage the mounting rails 2a, 2b and thereby also be aligned properly, e.g. so as to form a grid of vertical and horizontal mounting rails.
• the second type of mounting rail may comprise at least one slit 710 configured to receive wall panel mounting fastening devices and/or a slit engaging portion of an installation tool.
• FIG 8b With reference to Fig 8b two wall panels 4 have been mounted to the mounting rails 2a, 2b and the second type of mounting rail mounted between and perpendicular to the mounting rails 2a, 2b.
• the wall panel fastening devices 5 and installation tool(s) 6 may be inserted into a mounting rail 2a, 2b so as to be between wall panels 4 as described in the above wall panel fastening devices 5 and installation tools may be inserted into slits of the second type of mounting rail.
• mounting rails 2a, 2b and the second type of mounting rails may define a grid, allowing wall panels to be fastened using wall panel fastening devices 5 and installation tools which engage each wall panel 4 from at least two perpendicular directions.
• an installation tool 6 specifically adapted for use at an inner corner of meeting wall panels 4.
• the installation tool 6 may be provided in different types configured at least one of for sealing wall panels 4 meeting at an inner corner, sealing wall panels 4 meeting at an external corner, engaging a special type of mounting rail 2’, such as an external corner mounting rail or an internal corner mounting rail 2’.
• the outer/inner corner may be in the horizontal direction (such as a roof meeting a wall) or vertical direction (such as to wall surfaces meeting).
• two wall panels 4 meet at an inner corner are fastened to the inner corner mounting rail 2’ using an inner corner wall panel fastening device 5.
• the separation portion of the installation tool 6 is adapted so as to abut a respective side of the wall panels 4 meeting at the inner corner and the slit engaging portion(s) of the installation tool 6 is configured for engaging the slits of the inner corner mounting rail 2’.
• an installation tool 6 with a separation portion adapted to abut a respective wall panel 4 out of two wall panels 4 meeting at an external corner (being fastened with an external corner fixating device) and a slit engaging portion(s) adapted to engage and external corner mounting rail may be provided.
• Fig. 10 illustrates an exemplary adjustable alignment tool T according to some implementations.
• the surface to which the mounting rails is to be mounted features an inclined profile (e.g. the surface may be an exterior wall of an old building having descended into the ground or of a slit-level building built on/into and inclined surface) the second mounting rail may need to be displaced from parallel alignment from the first mounting rails.
• the alignment tool T may be adjustable so as to control an alignment angle between the first and second mounting rail.
• the alignment angle being the angle of the intersection between an imaginary extension of each mounting rail in the elongated direction.
• the adjustment may be enabled by at least one or at least two adjustment elements 126a, 126b.
• the adjustment element(s) 126a, 126b may be a sliding element lockable in a plurality of positions.
• the adjustment element(s) 126a, 126b may be a threaded rotating element which expands/contracts when rotated (e.g. a linear screw).
• the adjustment element 126a may adjust the separation distance between the first and second and/or third set of slit engaging elements by pivoting around a pivot member (e.g. provided instead of and at the place of the adjustment element 126b).
• the adjustment element(s) 126a, 126b displaces the first set of slit engaging elements 121a, 121b from the second and/or third set of slit engaging elements 122a, 122b, 123a, 123b.
• at least one of the slit engaging elements 121a, 121b, 122a, 122b, 123a, 123b is attached via the adjustment element(s) 126a, 126b such that when the position of the at least one slit engaging element is adjusted the resulting alignment angle between the first and second mounting rail is adjusted.
• Fig. 11 depicts a flowchart describing a method of an aspect of the invention.
• a first mounting rail is aligned against a surface. Precise alignment of the first mounting rail may e.g. be enabled by a laser level alignment tool or a bubble level instrument.
• the first mounting rail is fastened to the surface at S2, e.g. by using nails or screws which are inserted through apertures in the first mounting rail and fastened to the surface.
• the alignment tool is used to engage a second mounting rail with the second or third set of slit engaging elements is used to engage a second mounting rail at S3.
• the alignment tool may reliantly hold the second mounting rail allowing a user to engage the first mounting rail (fastened to the surface) with the first set of slit engagement elements at S4 and align the second mounting rail with respect to the first mounting rail using the alignment tool.
• engaging the second mounting rail at S3 involves engaging the second mounting rail with the second slit engaging element and engaging the fastened first mounting rail at S4 involves engaging the first mounting rail with the first slit engaging element to provide the correct short side separation distance between the first and second mounting.
• the second mounting rail is fastened in the aligned state whereupon the alignment tool is removed from the first and second mounting rail at S6. Accordingly, by repeating steps S3-S6 an arbitrary number of mounting rails may be aligned and fastened to surface with aid from the alignment tool. The proper alignment between all mounting rails is enabled with only one (the first mounting rail) being precisely oriented fastened at S1 and S2. For example, after fastening the second mounting rail and disengaging the alignment tool at S5 and S6 the method may go to optional step S7b and involving adjusting the alignment tool such that the alignment angle is different compared to when the second mounting rail was fastened at S5.
• a third mounting rail is engaged with the second or third set of slit engaging elements and the second or first mounting rail is engaged with the first set of slit engaging elements so as to align (e.g. at the adjusted alignment angle) and provide the correct broadside separation between the first or second mounting rail and the third mounting rail.
• the third mounting rail is fastened to the surface in the desired alignment.
• Engaging the third mounting rail at S8b may comprise engaging the third mounting rail with the first slit engaging element and the first or second mounting rail with the second slit engaging element so as to align the third mounting rail with in parallel and with a proper short side separation distance from the first of second mounting rail.
• the method may go to S7a comprising mounting at least one wall panel against the mounting rails.
• Mounting the wall panel(s) may comprise inserting wall panel fastening devices (e.g. wall panel fastening clips) into the slits of the mounting rails, wherein the wall panel fastening devices restrain the wall panel(s) against the mounting rails.
• wall panel fastening devices e.g. wall panel fastening clips
• At S8a at least one slit engaging portion of an installation tool according to some embodiments of the present invention is inserted in at least one slit of the mounting rail(s). The separating portion of the installation abuts at least one wall panel so as to form a seal against the wall panel.
• step S7a is performed prior to step S8a.
• the installation tools may guide the user to insert wall panel fastening device into correct slits of the mounting rails by the installation tool(s) blocking at least one slit of the mounting rails.
• a second wall panel is mounted to the mounting rails so as to abut the separating portion from a second side thereof.
• the separation portion of the inserted installation tool forms a seal against the first and second wall panel.
• the method may involve compressing the separation portion with the two wall panels, so as to form a tight seal between the wall panels while allowing some flexibility in displacement between the wall panels, e.g. during installation or due to thermal expansion/contraction.

Landscapes

• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Architecture (AREA)
• Civil Engineering (AREA)
• Structural Engineering (AREA)
• Finishing Walls (AREA)
• Conveying And Assembling Of Building Elements In Situ (AREA)
• Working Measures On Existing Buildindgs (AREA)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Publications (1)

Family

ID=80785110

Family Applications (1)

Country Status (3)

Family Cites Families (10)

• 2021
  • 2021-03-08 NO NO20210302A patent/NO346669B1/en unknown
• 2022
  • 2022-03-08 WO PCT/EP2022/055811 patent/WO2022189390A1/en active Application Filing
  • 2022-03-08 EP EP22711041.8A patent/EP4305261A1/en active Pending

Also Published As

Similar Documents

Legal Events