GB2279089A - Clips for corrugated cladding sheets - Google Patents

Abstract

A fastening clip assembly for securing a cladding sheet to a building or the like comprises a main clip having a base for engagement with and fixing to a structure and a support upstanding from the base having a head to receive as a snap-fit the enlargement in one of the ribs of the cladding sheet. A separate overclip (34) extends over the head of the main clip and has a hook to engage a downward projection (38), formed on the side wall of the support, so that the overclip can retain the edge of the lower sheet (28), and is held in position by the edge of the upper sheet (40). <IMAGE>

Description

Title: Clips for Corrugated Cladding Sheets Field of the Invention This invention relates to a fastening clip assembly for securing a roof or wall cladding sheet.

Background to the Invention In UK Patent Application No. 9009544.9 C458/S there is described and claimed a fastening clip for securing a cladding sheet of a type having parallel hollow ribs in which those along opposite edges are adapted to overlap the edge ribs of adjacent sheets, each rib having an enlargement for use in attaching the sheet to the fastening clips. The fastening clipp therein described is provided with connection features at its respective ends, enabling a plurality of elongated strips to be secured to a supporting structure in end to end alignment, the clips being formed with heads which are spaced to match the pitch of the ribs of the cladding sheet or to match a whole number multiple of said pitch.

While such clips have generally been found to work satisfactorily on the roofs of buildings, additionally securing is seen to be required for cladding sheets around the edges of buildings, which are exposed to an increased upward wind force.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a clip assembly for solving this problem.

The present invention is particularly applicable to a roof or wall cladding sheet of the type hereinbefore described such a sheet hereinafter be referred to as a cladding sheet of the type described.

Summary of the Invention In accordance with the present invention there is provided a fastening clip assembly for securing a cladding sheet of the type described to a building or like structure, comprising: a main clip having a base for engagement with and fixing to a supporting structure and support means upstanding from the base having a head adapted to receive as a snap-fit the enlargement in one of the ribs of the cladding sheet of the type devised and a downward projection formed on at least one side thereof; and a separate overclip is provided shaped to extend over the head or over an end rib of a first sheet secured to the head of the main clip support means, and having a hook to engage the said downward side wall projection so that when an end rib of the first sheet or of a second sheet (as the case may be) is snapped onto the overclip the latter is held with a greater force than would be the case without the overclip.

Preferably the main clip has a connecting feature at its ends to enable a plurality of main clips to be secured to the supporting structure in end to end alignment, with the heads of the clips spaced to match the pitch of the ribs of the cladding sheet or to match a whole number multiple of said pitch.

Other features of the invention will become apparent from the following description of drawings accompanying this application.

Brief Description of the Drawings A fastening clip assembly constructed in accordance with the invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a longitudinal section taken through the centre of a main clip; Figure 2 is a plan of the clip of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a sectional view taken on the line 3-3 in Figure 2; Figure 4 is a cross section taken on the line 4-4 in Figure 2; Figure 5 is an enlarged cross section of the head of the main clip of Figure 1, showing also two overlapping cladding sheets with an overclip mounted therebetween; Figure 6 is an end view of the overclip corresponding to Figure 5; Figure 7 is a view from one side of the overclip of Figure 6; Figure 8 is a view from the other side of the clip of Figure 6;; Figure 9 is a perspective view of the roof of a building to which cladding sheets are fitted and shows the positions where the overclip of the present invention may be utilised to advantage.

Detailed Description Referring first to Figures 1 to 4 there is shown a main clip 10 which in many respects is similar to the clip shown in Figure 1 of the above mentioned UK Patent Application No. 9009544.9.

The main clip comprises a longitudinal strip of sheet metal having a base 12, a single support 14 upstanding from the base, and a head 16 formed at the apex of the support.

Beneath the support the base 12 is generally flat, but includes a pair of upwardly formed stiffening ribs 18. To the left of the support 14 the clip is formed with two raised portions 20 between which is a depressed portion 22 in alignment with the base 12. Further to the left of the second raised portion 20 furthest from the support, is formed a tongue 24 of reduced width, and also at a level with the flat base 12 under the support.

A hole 26 is formed in the middle of the tongue 24, and similar such holes 26 are formed in between the stiffening ribs 18 at each side of the support.

In use the main clip is secured to the supporting framework of the roof, such as a roof truss, by applying screws through the two holes 26 at each side of the support 14. A second main clip 10 is then fitted under the tongue 24, so that the latter lies over the right hand end of the second main clip between the stiffening ribs 18, with the end holes 26 in vertical alignment, so that a screw can be passed therethrough for securing the second clip, and so forth. When several clips 10 have been secured in end to end relationship a cladding sheet (such as the cladding sheet 28 to be described with reference to the Figure 5) is applied over the clips, with the head 16 of each clip engaging in a rib of the sheet 28. The spacing between the heads of adjoining clips is arranged to correspond precisely with the pitch between adjacent ribs in the sheet.

The raised portions 20 engage with the undersides of the lower portions of the cladding sheet, as can be seen to the left of Figure 5. The side edges of the raised portions 20 are bent downwardly, as best shown in Figures 1 and 2, to increase the stiffness of the portions 20.

The side edges of the support 14 are similarly bend inwardly, as shown at 32 in Figures 1 and 3, to increase the stiffness at the head 16.

Referring to Figure 5, this shows an end rib of a cladding szeet 28 secured over the head 16 of the clip. An overclip 34, shown chain dotted in Figure 5 is fitted over the rib of the cladding sheet 28, and enhances the grip between the head 16 and the rib of the cladding sheet 28.

The overclip, which is shown in greater detail in Figures 6 to 8, has an upper profile generally corresponding to that of the rib of the cladding sheet, and a lower portion formed with a hook 36 which in use engages around a projection 38 formed at each side of the support 14. As can be seen from the side views of Figures 7 and 8, the width of the overclip 34 corresponds substantially with that of the main clip 10.

When the overclip 34 has been fitted, as shown in Figure 5, the end rib of the next sheet 40 is installed over the overclip 34. The end rib of the sheet 40 helps to retain the overclip 34 in position on the rib of the sheet 28.

The overclip 34 is able to move in unison with the sheet 28 relative to the head 16 so as to accomodate thermal expansion or contraction of the roof sheet.

Figure 9 shows a typical installation of cladding sheets on the roof of a building. Wherever higher wind uplift forces are expected, in particular around the perimeter zone 42, it is desirable to use overclips 34 to increase the strengths of attachment of the cladding sheets to the main clips 10.

Along the apex 44 of the gently sloping roof the underclips may additionally be of benefit.

A further location on the roof where overclips 34 may be useful, is during construction of the roof when the edges of the cladding sheets are left exposed overnight, as shown along the line 46 in Figure 9. Although the overclips along the line 46 are not really subsequently required when the roof is completed, the overclips may be left in those positions, without the need for removing them.

It will be seen that the present invention provides a clip assembly which is capable of securing the cladding sheets with a greater attachment force at those locations where extra strength is required.

Claims (4)

1. Claims:

   A fastening clip assembly for securing a cladding sheet of the type described to a building or like structure, comprising: a main clip having a base for engagement with and fixing to a supporting structure, support means upstanding from the base with a head adapted to receive as a snap-fit the enlargement in one of the ribs of the cladding sheet and a downward projection formed on at least one side of the support means; and a separate overclip shaped to extend over the head or over an end rib of a first sheet secured to the head of the main clip support means, and having a hook to engage the said downward projection so that when an end rib of the first sheet or of a second sheet (as the case may be) is snapped onto the overclip the latter is held with a greater force than would be the case without the overclip.
2. 2. A clip assembly according to claim 1 in which the engagement between the overclip and the head of the main clip is such as to allow the overclip to move in unison with the cladding sheet so as to accommodate thermal expansion.
3. 3. A clip assembly according to claim 1 or claim 2 in which the main clip has a connecting feature at its ends to enable a plurality of main clips to be secured to the supporting structure in end to end alignment, with the heads of the clips spaced to match the pitch of the ribs of the cladding sheet or to match a whole number multiple of said pitch.
4. 4. A fastening clip assembly substantially as herein described with reference to, and as illustrated in, the accompanying drawings.