GB2242449A - Cladding fixing member - Google Patents

Abstract

A fixture, comprising a head 4 and shank 5 arranged to be received in a bore in a masonry surface, engages a moisture impermeable membrane 9 and includes a threaded bore 12 for receiving a bolt 13 used to secure cladding 11 to the masonry surface. <IMAGE>

Description

SYSTEM FOR CLADDING OF DAMP SURFACES This invention relates to cladding for surfaces of Iiuiiding.. particularly but not exclusively for internal walls.

ceilings. floors and other internal surfaces.

In buildings with damp surfaces for example cellars.

corrugated plastics membranes have been used to provide a moisture barrier for a cladding material such as plasterboard.

while allowing ventilation of moisture from the underlying masonry. An example of such a barrier is the SYSTEM PLATON manufactured by A/S Platon of Norway. Attachment of such membranes by use of nails presents problems where amount of moisture is excessive because of leakage through the nail holes in the membrane. Arrangements wherein nails are driven into plastics wall plugs have the particular disadvantage that the nail. if driven incorrectly may penetrate the plug. the nail asill then be in contact with the moisture in the wall with consequent corrosion and discolouring of the cladding.

According to a first aspect of the present invention a cladding fixture comprises a head and a shank adapted to pass through an aperture in an impermeable membrane and to be received into an opening in the surface of the building to secure the sheet to said surface, the shank having -one of more formations adapted to be engaged within the opening to impede withdrawal of the shank from the opening, the head incorporating sealing means adapted to co-operate with the sheet to form a substantially moisture impermeable seal, the head further incorporating a screw threaded bore.

In use of the fixture a series of holes may be drilled through the membrane into the wall. ceiling or other surface of the building. Fixtures in accordance with this invention may be passed through respective apertures into engagement with the underlying holes in the building surface to resist withdrawal of the shank of the fixture from the hole. The sealing means are then arranged to form a generally moisture-proof seal with the membrane.

Battens. plasterboard or other cladding panels may be secured fixtures by means of bolts received in the threaded bores.

Avoidance of use of nails or self tapping screws precludes accidental rupture of the membrane or penetration beyond the fixture into adjacent masonry.

The fixture is preferably composed of plastics or other noncorrosive and impervious materials. The screw threaded bore may have a metal liner. In preferred embodiments of the invention the shank completely encases the bolt used to secure the cladding. including the metal liner if any. Arrangements are less preferred wherein the shank is formed in two or more deformable portions which separate and bear against surrounding masonry as the bolt is driven home as this will lead to water penetration and consequent corrosion.

The membrane is preferably provided with recesses adapted to receive heads of the fixtures, optimising sealing between them and affording a smooth surface for reception of cladding boards or battens. Formation of recesses in the membranes also affords a corrugated surface providing a cavity in front of the masonry.

The fixtures may be provided with spiked threaded members, adapted to be received in the bores, the spikes extending away from the wall and serving to mark the surface of a cladding hoard or batten pressed against them to indicate the locationsfor drilling the holes through which bolts may be inserted.

The sealing means may comprise two or more ribs, collars or raised formations between which the membrane may be located. 0 rings. washers or other ancilliary sealing means may be provided.

The sealing means may be adjustable to clamp the membrane. For example the head of the fixture may be threaded to the shank, for example by reception within the threaded bore, facilitating tightening of the head when the membrane is in place.

According to a second aspect of the present invention a method of cladding comprises the steps of: drilling apertures into a building surface through a corrugated moisture impermeable membrane: inserting fixtures in accordance with the first aspect of this invention into said apertures and causing the fixation to -engage said membrane to form a moisture impermeable seal; marking and drilling apertures in a cladding panel or battens; and securing the panel or battens to the fixtures using threaded members received in the threaded bores in said fixtures.

The invention may further comprise the step of inserting spiked members into the threaded bores and pressing a cladding panel or batten against the spiked members to locate drilling sites.

The invention is further described by means of example but not in any limitative sense with reference to the accompanying drawing which is a cross sectional view through a cladding arrangement in accordance with this invention.

Figure 1 shows an aperture 1 drilled into a masonry surface 2. A fixture 3 is inserted into the aperture 1. The fixture comprises a head 4 and shank 5, the shank having rearwardly facing ribs 6 arranged to prevent or impede withdrawal of the fixture from the hole 1. The head 4 includes a circular flange 7 and annular collar 8 between which a membrane 9 may be received to form a moisture tight seal. An 0 ring or plastic sealing compound may be applied to enhance the efficiency of the seal.

The head 4 is received in a recess 10 of the membrane 9 so-that a cladding panel 11. for example composed of plasterboard foamed insulation material or the like may form a flush fit. A threaded bore 12 within the head of the fixture 4 is arranged to receive a holt 13 passing through a hole 14 drilled in the cladding panel 11.

The membrane may be composed of resilient plastics material, for example as manufactured by A/S Platon of Norway and as distributed by Isola-Planox Ltd.

Claims (10)

1. A cladding fixture comprising a head and a shank adapted to pass through an aperture in an impermeable membrane and to be received into an opening in the surface of the building to secure the sheet to said surface. the shank having one or more formations adapted to be engaged within the opening to impede withdrawal of the shank from the opening. the head incorporating sealing means adapted to co-operate with the sheet to form a substantially moisture impermeable seal. the head further incorporting a screw headed bore.

2. A fixture as claimed in claim 1, wherein the fixture is composed of plastics material.

3. A fixture as claimed in claim 1 or 2 wherein the screw threaded bore has a metal liner and the shank completely encases said liner.

4. A fixture as claimed in any preceding claim wherein th e membrane includes recesses adapted to receive heads of the fixtures.

5. A fixture as claimed in any preceding claim including a spiked threaded member adapted to be received in said bores.

6. A fixture as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the sealing means comprises two or more ribs, collars or raised formations.

7. A fixture as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the sealing means is adjustable to clamp the membrane.

8. A method of cladding comprising the steps of: drilling apertures into a building surface through a corrugated moisture impermeable membrane; inserting fixture in accordance with any preceding claim into said apertures and causing the fixture to engage said membrane to form a moisture impermeable seal; marking and drilling apertures in a cladding panel or battens: and securing the panel or battens to the fixtures using threaded members received in the threaded bores in said fixtures.

9. A cladding fixture substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

10. A method of cladding substantially as hereinbefore described with referene to the accompanying drawings.