GB2448411A

GB2448411A - Cladding system

Info

Publication number: GB2448411A
Application number: GB0806231A
Authority: GB
Inventors: John Toy
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2007-04-12
Filing date: 2008-04-07
Publication date: 2008-10-15
Also published as: GB0806231D0; GB0707029D0

Abstract

A cladding system has a galvanised steel support bar 60 of "C" shaped channel section, having a base 62 and a pair of side walls 64 extending to one side of the base 62, inwardly extending flange formations 66 extending along the edges of the side walls 64 remote from the base 62; the support bar 60 is adapted to be supported on a support structure such that that the channel section opens away from the support structure; and a plurality of cladding support brackets 70 are slidingly located in the channel section support bar 60, each of the cladding support brackets 70 having a stainless steel body member (fig.2, 72), the body member defining a foot formation 82 which engages in the channel section, the foot formation engaging beneath the flange formation 66 on each side of the channel section support bar 60 and an elongate uniform profile being provided along an edge of the body member parallel to but separated from the foot formation 82, the elongate aluminium profile 100 being adapted for engagement of a seam formed between two adjacent cladding panels.

Description

Cladding systems The present invention relates to cladding systems, for

example roof or wall cladding systems, including support bars which are mounted by brackets to a support structure, cladding panels being secured to the support bars by means of cladding support brackets.

Co-pending British Patent application No. 0703288, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference thereto, discloses a cladding system in which a channel section support bar is mounted to a support structure, so that the channel section opens away from the support structure. Cladding panel support brackets engage in the channel section, so that they are slidable longitudinally thereof. The channel support brackets of this system are extruded from aluminium while the channel section support bar is formed from galvanised steel. This presents problems due to galvanic action between the galvanised steel and the aluminium and plastic or stainless steel inserts are required in order to provide a barrier between the galvanised steel and aluminium. Moreover due to the high thermal conductivity of the aluminium cladding support brackets heat losses will occur through these brackets. While the use of plastic or stainless steel inserts will reduce heat transfer from the support bar to the cladding support bracket, the aluminium cladding support brackets will nether the less, thermally bridge the insulation which is located between the support bars and the cladding panels.

According to one aspect of the present invention, a cladding system includes a support bar, the support bar being of channel section, having a base and a pair of side walls extending to one side of the base, inwardly extending flange formations extending along the edges of the side walls remote from the base; the support bar being adapted to be supported on a support structure such that that the channel section opens away from the support structure; and a plurality of cladding support brackets, each of the cladding support brackets having a body member pressed from stainless steel, the body member defining a foot formation which engages in the channel section, the foot formation engaging beneath the flange formation on each side of the channel section Support bar, to slidingly locate the cladding support bracket in the channel section support bar, an elongate uniform profile being provided along an edge of the body member parallel to but separated from the foot formation, the elongate profile being adapted for engagement of a seam formed between two adjacent cladding panels.

The elongate uniform profile may be pressed from stainless steel sheet, integrally of the body member. However, according to a preferred embodiment the elongate uniform profile is formed separately of the body member, a formation on the body member along an edge of the body member parallel to but separated from the foot formation, engaging a corresponding longitudinally extending formation on the elongate profile to locate the elongate profile both axially and laterally of the body member, With the cladding support bracket according to the present invention the stainless steel body member will not exhibit galvanic action with either the galvanised steel of the support bar or the elongate profile which may preferably be extruded from aluminium or an aluminium alloy. Moreover, the poor thermal conductivity of stainless steel will provide good insulation.

With the system covered by the present invention, a series of support bars will normally be mounted in parallel relationship, transverse to the seams between adjacent cladding sheets to be supported by the bars. Each support bar is sildingly engaged with formations on a plurality of first brackets which may be pre-secured to a support structures, in aligned, spaced relationship. A series of cladding support brackets are then mounted in spaced relationship on the support bar, the second brackets being located in the channel section support bar with the foot formation parallel to the longitudinal axis of the bar and then twisted through 900, so that the foot formation engages beneath the inwardly directed flange formations on either side of the channel section. The cladding support brackets may then be slid manually longitudinally along the channel, to accurately align the profiles of cladding support brackets located in each of the parallel support bars, so that seams of corresponding section to the profile of the cladding support bracket, which are pre-formed on the cladding panels, may engage the profiles of several of the aligned cladding support brackets.

According to a further aspect of the invention, a longitudinal slot is provided in the elongate profile for engagement of the second formation, the second formation on the body member being located in the longitudinal slot and the sides of the longitudinal slot being pressed together to clamp the body member and locate the elongate profile both axially and transversely with respect to the body member. At the same time as pressing the sides of the slot together, the press die may be adapted to round the end edges of the profile, in order to is provide a rounded lead-in edge, which will avoid snagging with the cladding panels as they slide over the profiles, as the roof is constructed and after construction of the roof, to allow for thermal expansion and contraction.

While the present invention is particularly suitable for roofing structures, it is also suitable for other cladding systems, for example wall cladding systems.

The invention is now described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:-Figure 1 illustrates in perspective view of a cladding support bracket mounted in a channel section support bar, in accordance with the present invention; Figure 2 illustrates in perspective view, the cladding support bracket illustrated in figure 1; Figure 3 illustrates in side elevation the body member of the cladding support bracket illustrated in figure 2; Figure 4 illustrates in end elevation, the cladding support bracket illustrated in figure 2; and Figure 5 illustrates in perspective view, the elongate profile of the cladding support bracket illustrated in figure 2; In the system illustrated in figure 1, a series of support bars 60 (only one shown) are mounted parallel to one another, transverse to the seams of cladding panels to be secured to the support bars 60. The support bars 60 are mounted to a suitable support structure, for example rafters or purlins of a roof structure or vertical structural members of a wall structure, by means of suitable brackets (not shown), the brackets being positioned at spaced locations along the lengths of the support bars 60.

The support bars 60 are of channel section having a base 62 and side walls 64 extending to one side of the base 62. Flange formations 66 extend inwardly from the free edges of the side walls 64. An upturn 68 is provided centrally of the base 62. The support bars 60 are secured to the structural members, so that the channel section opens away from the structural members.

Cladding support brackets 70 have a body member 72 pressed from stainless steel sheet. A slot 74 extends from one edge 76 of the body member 72, to divide the adjacent portion of the body member 72 into two equal portions 78,80. The portions 78,80 are bent out at 900 to the plane of the body member 72, to form flange formations 82,84, portion 78 being bent to one side of body member 72 and portion 80 being bent to the opposite side of the body member 72. The ends of portions 78,80 adjacent the edge 76 are further bent at 90 , back parallel to the plane of the body member 72 to form leg portions 86 extending to the side for the flange formations 82,84 opposite to the remainder of the body member 72. Reinforcing ribs 88, extending longitudinally of the body member 72, are formed in the flange and leg portions 82,84,86 and extend part way towards the longitudinally opposite edge 90 of the body member 72.

The width of the body member 72 is equal to the separation between the inner faces of the side walls 64 of the channel section support bar 60. The side edges 92 of the body member 72 at the junction with the flange formations 82,84 are cut back, so that the width of that portion of the body member 72 is smaller than the separation between the inner edges of the flange formations 66 of the support bar 60. The length of the leg portions 86 is equal to the separation between the upturn 68 on the base 62 of support bar 60 and the underside of flange formations 66, so that when the ends of the leg portions 86 abut the upturn 68 the flange formations 82,84 will engage the underside of flange formations 66, to locate the body member 72 transversely of the support bar 60. The depth of the flange formations 82,84 is such that with is the plane of the body member parallel to the axis of the support bar 60, the flange formations 82,84 will fit between the inner edges of flanges 66 of the support bar 60. The body member 72 may then be rotated to bring flange formations 82,84 into engagement with the flange formations 66 of the support bar 60. The body member 72 may be rotated until the ends of the flange formations 82,84 engage the inner faces of the side walls 64 of support bar 60, when the body member 72 will be located transverse to the support bar 60. The end edges of the flange formations 82,84 will frictionally engage the opposed inner faces of the side walls 64, to hold the bracket 70 axially of the bar 60, while allowing axial movement when a force is applied thereto in order to permit accurate axial alignment of the bracket 70 with the seam of a cladding panel or to accommodate thermal expansion of the cladding panel.

A pair of slots 94 are provided, one in each side edge 92 of the body member 72, the slots 94 being equally spaced from edge 90 of the body member 72.

The portion of the body member between the slots 94 and edge 90 is bent to form a "V" section formation 96 which extends across the width of the body member 72, parallel to the flange formations 82,84.

An elongate profile 100 which corresponds in section to seams pre-formed on cladding panels, is extruded from aluminium. A longitudinally extending "V" section slot 102 is formed in the base of profile 100. The elongate profile 100 S iS Cut to length equal to the width of portion 96 of body member 72. The "V" sectioned formation 96 of the body member is engaged in the "V" section slot 102 in the elongate profile 100 and the profile 100 is pressed onto the body member, to clamp the elongate profile 100 to the body member 72. During the pressing process, the portion of the body member 72 between the slots 94 is o indented into the side walls of the ".1" section slot 1 02, so that the profile 1 00 is located both axially and transversely of the body member 72.

At the same time as pressing the elongate profile 100 onto the body member 72, the press die is adapted to form radiuses 1 04 on the edges of the pIfile 100, at both ends. These radiuses 104 allow the seams of the cladding panels to slide over the profiles 100, when constructing the roof, and also to allow for thermal expansion after construction, without snagging.

Lengths of channel section support bar 60 may be interconnected longitudinafly of one another by outwardly joggling the base 62, walls 64 and flanges 66 of a portion of a first length of support bar 60 adjacent one end, so that the adjacent end of a second length of support bar 60 will engage in said one end of the first length of support bar 60, while providing a uniform section on the inside of the interconnected lengths of support bat 60. In this manner the cladding support brackets 70 may be slid over the interconnecting portions of the lengths of support bar 60. Brackets securing the support bar 60 to a support structure may be arranged to avoid the connections between adjacent lengths of support bar 60.

Various modifications may be made without departing from the invention.

For example, while in the above embodiment the elongate profiles 100 are formed by extrusion, from aluminium, other suitable materials may be used.

For example the elongate profiles 100 may extruded from a suitable plastics material. Alternatively the elongate profiles 100 may be made from any suitable material, using a process other than extrusion.

The brackets used to support the support bar and channel section support bar are preferably formed from galvanised sheet steel, although again any suitable materials may be use.

While in the above embodiment the support bar is mounted to a support structure by means of suitable brackets, according to an alternative embodiment, the support bars may be secured directly to the support structure,

in suitable manner.

Claims

1. A cladding system including a support bar, the support bar being of channel section, having a base and a pair of side walls extending to one side of the base, inwardly extending flange formations extending along the edges of the side walls remote from the base; the support bar being adapted to be supported on a support structure such that that the channel section opens away from the support structure; and a plurality of stainless steel cladding ic support brackets, each of the cladding support brackets having a body member, the body member defining a foot formation which engages in the channel section, the foot formation engaging beneath the flange formation on each side of the channel section support bar, to slidingly locate the cladding support bracket in the channel section support bar, an elongate uniform profile being provided along an edge of the body member parallel to but separated from the foot formation, the elongate profile being adapted for engagement of a seam formed between two adjacent cladding panels.

2. A cladding system according to claim 1 in which the foot formation is pressed from stainless steel integrally of the body member, the foot formation defining flange formations adapted to engage the underside of the inwardly extending flange formations of the channel section.

3. A cladding system according to claim 2 in which the flange formations of the foot formation extend to opposite sides of the body member of the cladding support bracket.

4. A cladding system according to claim 2 or 3 in which leg portions depend from the edges of the flange formations remote from the body member, the leg portions engaging the base of the channel section, when the flange formations of the foot formation engage the underside of the inwardly extending flange formations of the channel section.

5. A cladding system according to claim 4 in which an axially extending upturn is provided in the base of the channel section, the leg portions of the foot formation engaging the upturn, when the flange formations of the foot formation engage the underside of the inwardly extending flange formations of the channel section.

6. A cladding system according to any one of claims 2 to 5 in which the width of the body member is equal to the width between the side walls of the channel section, the side edges of the body member being tapered inwardly from adjacent the elongate profile to the upper edge of the foot formation defined by the flange formations, the width of the body member at the upper edge of the foot formation defined by the flange formations being a clearance is fit between the inner edges of the flange formations on the side walls of the channel section.

7. A cladding system according to claim 6 in which the depth of the flange formations of the foot formation allows the flange formations of the foot formation, when the body member of the cladding support bracket is aligned axially of the channel section, to be inserted between the inner edges of the flange formations on the channel section, and the cladding support bracket to be rotated to bring the flange formations of the foot formation into engagement with the underside of the flange formations on the channel section.

8. A cladding system according to any one of the preceding claims in which the elongate profile is pressed from stainless steel sheet, integrally of the body member.

9. A cladding system according to any one of claims 1 to 7 in which the elongate profile is formed separately of the body member, the profile being secured both axially and laterally of the body member by interengaging formations.

1 0. A cladding system according to claim 9 in which a "V" shaped section is provided along the edge of the body member remote from the foot formation, the "V'1 shaped section engaging an axially extending "V" shaped groove in the elongate profile.

11. A cladding system according to claim 1 0 in which in which the sides of the groove in the elongate profile are pressed together about the "V" Shaped section on the body member, to clamp the elongate profile to the body member.

1 2. A cladding system according to claim 11 in which the section of the Is body member located in the groove of the elongate profile is indented into the side walls of the groove to locate the elongate profile both axially and laterally with respect to the body member.

13. A cladding system according to claim 11 or 12 in which the end edges of the profile are radiused during the pressing operation.

13. A cladding system according to any one of the preceding claims in which the elongate profile is extruded from aluminium or an aluminium alloy.

14. A cladding system according to any one of the preceding claims in which the channel section support bar is formed from galvanised steel.

1 5. A cladding system according to any one of the preceding claims in which the channel section support bar is mounted on the support structure by means of a plurality of support brackets.

II

16. A cladding system according to any one of the preceding claims in which the channel section support bar is mounted directly on the support structure.

1 7. A cladding system substantially as described herein with reference to and as shown in figures 1 to 5 of the accompanying drawings.