GB2394233A

GB2394233A - Apparatus for fixing panels to a structure

Info

Publication number: GB2394233A
Application number: GB0224323A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Mark Lovell
Original assignee: EURO CLAD Ltd
Current assignee: EURO CLAD Ltd
Priority date: 2002-10-18
Filing date: 2002-10-18
Publication date: 2004-04-21
Also published as: WO2004035959A8; AU2003301320A1; GB0224323D0; WO2004035959A1; EP1556560A1

Abstract

Apparatus for fixing panels 2 to structure comprises a support element such as a mullion 4, which is fixed to the structure (not shown) and is provided with a plurality of first fixing formations 24 at predetermined positions along its length, a plurality of panels 2 which have a second fixing formation 30, and a plurality of fixing elements 6 which connect the first fixing formations to the second fixing formations. The first and second fixing formation may be recesses in the support elements and panels respectively, and the fixing element may be a plate. The panels may be cladding panels. The fixing element may be secured to the support element using screws 18, 20 or bolts. With this arrangement the panels are connected to the support element at predetermined positions and spacing relative to the structure and the weight of each panel is carried by the fixing element rather than the panel below.

Description

APPARATUS FOR FIXING PANELS TO A STRUCTURE

FIELD OF THE INVENTION '

This invention relates to apparatus for fixing panels 5 to a structure and particularly although not exclusively relates to apparatus for fixing cladding panels to a wall of a building.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

10 It is well known to construct a building by mounting panels onto a framework made of steel or other suitable materials. For example, the front of a building may be clad by rows of panels stacked one above the other in vertical columns. The panels are fixed directly to the 15 building framework, but some of the weight of each panel is usually transferred to the panel below it.

Consequently, if a panel at the bottom of the building has to be replaced, it can be very difficult to remove that panel without supporting the rest of the panels 20 above it. Furthermore, the panels at the bottom of the building can be under considerable load, so that their weather seals can become damaged or displaced.

STATEMENT OF INVENTION

25 According to the present invention, there is provided apparatus for fixing panels to a structure, the apparatus comprising: a support element which is fixed to the structure 30 and is provided with a plurality of first fixing formations at predetermined positions along its length;

( 2 a plurality of panels, each panel having a second fixing formation; and a plurality of fixing elements, which connect the 5 first fixing formation on the elongate support elements to the second fixing formation on the panels. With this arrangement, the panels are connected to the support element at predetermined positions and spacing relative to the structure, 10 and the weight of each panel is carried substantially by the fixing element which connects that panel to the elongate support element.

Preferably, the elongate support element is 15 substantially vertical. It may for example comprise a mullion. Preferably, the panels are cladding panels.

20 Preferably, the first fixing formations comprise recesses and/or openings formed in the elongate support element. Preferably, the second fixing formations comprise 25 recesses formed in the panels.

Preferably, the fixing elements comprise plates which engage the first fixing formations and the second fixing formations. Preferably the plates interlock 30 with the first fixing formations and/or the second fixing formations.

Preferably the plates are fixed by means of screws or bolts.

( 3 Preferably, the fixing elements are accessed through a gap or opening formed between respective pairs of panels which are fixed side by side to the structure.

5 The gap or opening may be formed in a seal which seals the gap between the panels.

Preferably, the support element is elongate.

10 Preferably, the apparatus comprises at least one further support element. Preferably, the support elements are substantially parallel. Preferably, the further element is provided with fixing formations at predetermined positions along its length, the panels 15 each having at least two second fixing formations which cooperate with respective first fixing formations.

Preferably, the panels fit between the elongate support elements, and/or the second fixing formations are 20 located at the edges of the panels.

For a better understanding of the present invention and to show how it may be carried into effect, reference will now be made, by way of example, to the 25 accompanying drawings, in which: BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Figure 1 shows a first exploded view of a fixing apparatus in accordance with the present invention; Figure 2 shows additional detail of a mullion, cladding panel and fixings of the fixing apparatus of Figure 1;

( 4 Figure 3 is a section through the assembled fixing apparatus of Figure 1; Figure 4 is a section through the assembled fixing 5 apparatus of Figure 1, to illustrate how the fixing bolt is accessed.

DETAI LED DES CR I PT I ON

Figures 1 and 2 illustrate a fixing apparatus in 10 accordance with the present invention in which a cladding panel 2 is connected to a mullion 4 by means of a fixing element comprising a fixing plate 6.

The fixing plate 6 comprises a pair of flanges 8, 10 15 which are interconnected by a channel-shaped portion 12. Fixing openings 14, 16 are provided in each flange 8, 10 and are adapted to receive screws 18, 20. The fixing plate 6 is pressed from mild steel and is galvanized, but any appropriate material and method of 20 manufacture is contemplated for the fixing plate 6.

In practice, two panels 2 would be connected on either side of the mullion 4, but for the sake of clarity only a single panel 2 is illustrated in Figure 1. The 25 mullion 4 is provided on its front wall 21 with a continuous rib 22 in which is formed a first fixing formation comprising a cut-out or recess 24 and a pair of threaded bores 23, 25. A continuous rib 26 is integrally formed with a side 28 of the panel 2 and 30 comprises a second fixing formation comprising a cut-

out or recess 30.

The panel 2 is fixed to the mullion 4 by abutting the side 28 of the panel 2 against the rib 22 on the

! 5 mullion 4. The vertical alignment of the panel 2 relative to the mullion 4 is then adjusted slightly until the channel-shaped portion 12 of.the plate 6 is able to locate in the recesses 24 and 30. The fixing 5 plate 6 is then aligned horizontally such that the openings 14, 16 on the fixing plate 6 align with the corresponding threaded bores 23, 25 formed on the rib 22 of the mullion 4. In this position, the screws 18, 20 can be screwed through the openings 14, 16 into the 10 threaded bores 23, 25 to fix the plate 6 to the mullion 4. In the process of tightening the screws 18, 20, the panel 2 is trapped against the wall 21 of the mullion 4. A similar fixing arrangement is provided on the other side of the panel 2 to connect the panel 2 to 15 another mullion (not shown). Consequently, the panel 2 is effectively trapped between the two mullions, and cannot move laterally because of the rib 22 on each mullion, and cannot move vertically because of the engagement of the channel-shaped portion 12 of the 20 fixing plate 6 in the recesses 24, 30. It will be appreciated that with this fixing arrangement, provided that the mullions are accurately positioned relative to the structure as a whole, the panels are accurately aligned with the structure simply by engagement of the 25 fixing plates 6 with the recesses 24, 30.

Figure 2 shows a larger section of the mullion 4 of Figure 1 and also shows further details of the panel 2.

In addition to using the fixing arrangement comprising 30 the fixing plate 6 of Figure 1, two additional fixings comprising flat plates 32, 34 are attached to the rib 22 by means of screws 36, 38. The flat plates 32, 34, when screwed to the rib 22 engage the panel 2 and help to stabilise it.

( - Figure 3 is a cross-section through the centre of the fixing plate 6 the panel 2 and mullion.4. In applications in which the panel 2 is fitted to the 5 outside of a building, it is important to prevent moisture entering the gap between the panel 2 and mullion 4. A continuous sealing element (such as a gasket) 40 is therefore located in the mullion 4 and is sandwiched between the panel 2 and mullion 4 when they 10 are brought together.

Figure 4 is a partial view of two panels 2, 3 fixed to the mullion 4. In addition to the weatherproofing provided by the sealing element 40 there is a second 15 sealing element 42 between the panel 2 and the mullion 4 and a third sealing element 44 which seals the gap between the panels 2, 3. A deep socket 48 can be passed around or through the sealing element 44 to tighten or loosen the screw 20 to thereby attach or 20 detach the fixing plate 6 and hence the panels 2, 3.

As mentioned above, because the fixing plate 6 engages into defined recesses 24, 30 in the mullion 4 and the panel 2 (and other fixing plates engage in similar recesses in the panel 3 and all other panels fitted to 25 the mullion 4), the vertical position of the panels 2, 3 is maintained by the fixing plates and substantially the entire weight of the panels 2, 3 is carried by the panels' individual fixings, rather than being transmitted to the panels below. Consequently, if 30 individual panels become damaged or wear out, or need to be replaced (for example to exchange a solid panel for a window panel) it is a simple matter to unscrew the screw 20 and hence detach the fixing plate 6. The flat plates 32, 34 can be accessed around or through

( 7 the third sealing element 44 and unscrewed in a similar fashion, so that the panel can be removed on its own from the structure and replaced appropriately.

5 In the illustrated embodiment the recesses 24 in the mullions 4 are provided with threaded openings 23, 25.

In an alternative arrangement, which would not require the provision of threaded bores 23, 25, self drill and tap fasteners may be used in place of the screws 18, 10 20.

Claims

/ CLAIMS

1. Apparatus for fixing panels to a structure, the apparatus comprising: s a support element which is fixed to the structure and is provided with a plurality of first fixing formations at predetermined positions along its length; a plurality of panels, each panel having a second fixing formation; and a plurality of fixing elements which connect the 15 first fixing formations on the elongate support elements to the second fixing formations on the panels.

2. Apparatus for fixing panels as claimed in claim 1, 20 in which the support element is substantially vertical.

3 Apparatus for fixing panels as claimed in claim 1 or 2, in which the support element is a mullion.

4. Apparatus for fixing panels as claimed in any one of the preceding claim, in which the panels are cladding panels.

30

5. Apparatus for fixing panels as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which the second fixing formations are located at the edges of the panels.

( 9

6. Apparatus for fixing panels as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which the first fixing formations comprise recesses formed in the support element.

7. Apparatus for fixing panels as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which the second fixing formations comprise recesses formed in the panels.

8. Apparatus for fixing panels as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which the fixing elements comprise plates which engage the first fixing formations and/or the second fixing 15 formations.

9. Apparatus for fixing panels as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which the plates interlock with the first fixing formations and/or 20 the second fixing formations.

Apparatus for fixing panels as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which the plates are fixed by means of screws or bolts.

11. Apparatus as claimed in claim 10, in which the screws are self drill and tap screws.

12. Apparatus for fixing panels as claimed in any one 30 of the preceding claims, in which the fixing elements are accessed through an opening formed between respective pairs of panels.

( 10

13. Apparatus for fixing panels as claimed in claim 12, in which the opening is formed in a seal which seals the gap between adjacent panels.

5

14. Apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, comprising at least one further support element.

15. Apparatus as claimed in claim 14, in which the 10 support element extends substantially parallel to the or each further support element.

16. Apparatus for fixing panels as claimed in claim 14 or 15, in which the panels fit between the 15 elongate support elements.

17. Apparatus substantially as described herein with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.